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R A N D O M T H O U G H T S: “Voices from Yesterday and Today” by Peachy Maramba

ST. ISIDORE the FARMER or HUSBANDMAN:
Patron of Farmers and Patron of Madrid, Spain
1070 – 1130
May 15

St. Isidore“the farmer”was not well educated and remained a simple farm worker all his life – accomplishing no great deeds, inspiring no disciples, nor leaving behind any profound unforgettable saying or teaching. Born of poor pious parents at Madrid, Spain he spent his entire life on the estate of a rich landowner named John de Vargas. Though his parents were so poor that they could not send him to school, they early instilled in him a great horror of sin and love of prayer. He continually prayed while working, loving his communing with God and the saints. He also early developed the habit of waking up at the crack of dawn to go daily to mass.

Because he was an excellent fine hardworking ploughman his boss allowed him to go and worship in church daily and even treated him as a brother. However when his fellow laborers complained that his daily mass – going and other religious practices such as visiting the other churches of Madrid during holidays caused him to often come late for work, John decided to see for himself if this was really true.

One day as John himself came to watch he observed that Isidore did indeed come in late after his co-workers. But as he stepped out to take him to task for his lateness he noticed something very strange. He saw white oxen plowing the field parallel to that of the team of Isidore. He realized that supernatural help probably from angels was sent by God to help Isidoremake up for the work he missed in return for his attending Mass so faithfully.
However Isidore vigorously denied this saying, “I work alone looking only to God for my strength.” As for the accusation that he neglected his work in order to go to mass he told his boss, “I know, Sir, that I am your servant, but I have another Master as well, to whom I owe service and obedience.”

Isidore was well known for his great love for the poor. Though poor himself he was always generous giving whatever he could to those even poorer than him. His generosity was so great that his table was always open to the indigent only saving for himself and his good wife the scraps of food left over.

One day Isidore came late for a confraternity dinner so his hosts saved his portion. To their consternation Isidore arrived bringing with him a large group of beggars. When the hosts informed Isidore of the lack of food he told them not to worry as there would be plenty for himself and for Christ’s poor. There was – to the extent that there was food left over. So many miracles such as this was attributed to Isidore that he had a lasting influence on the people of Spain.

Another of Isidore’s great love was for animals. He was known for his great good care of them. A story often told about Isidore recounts that one wintry day as he was on his way to have his sack of grain to be milled he saw on the branches of a tree some birds who were obviously starving and very hungry. Moved by the sorrowful noise of the hungry birds and ignoring the taunts of his companions,Isidore sat his sack down and immediately opened it and shared what he had by pouring out half of its contents for them.

The strange thing was that when he reached the mill they found the sack to be still full. Not only that it was discovered to produce double the usual amount of flour.
Isidore had married a lovely girl named Maria Torribia who was as pious and simple as himself. Unfortunately they had an only child, a boy, who died young. It is said that after his death they agreed to live in continence.

Because Maria shared her husband’s devotion, poverty and generosity she too is honored as a saint under the name Santa Maria de la Cabeza because her head is often carried during a procession in time of drought.

About eighty years after his death in May 15, 1130, Isidore is said to have appeared to the King of Castile who was then embroiled in a fight with the Moors. Because he showed him a hidden path the King’s soldiers were able to surprise and defeat the enemy.

Another intercession of Isidore brought gravely ailing King Philip III of Spain back to good health snatching him from the brink of death simply by the bringing of his relics to the King’s sick room. It was then that King Philip petitioned for his canonization.

So many miracles took place in his shrine in Madrid that his aid has been sought over the centuries and granted to several Spanish monarchs.

But the greatest miracle of all is his being included as one of the “five saints of Spain.”He was canonized in a magnificent ceremony by Pope Gregory XV in March 1622 on the same day as four of the giant figures of the Catholic Reformation: St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, St. Teresa and St. Philip Neri.

Of the five saints canonized by Pope Gregory XV only Isidore founded no order and accomplished no great deeds. Neither did he not being well-educated leave any teachings nor left any disciples. He was just a simple farm worker. But because his faith was attended by visible signs and wonders such as miracles and celestial visions and he was famous for his generosity even to animals he was declared a saint. Not only is he the patron of farmers, but of Madrid, of laborers and of the National Rural Life Conference in the United States.

“It matters not to God what station you have in life as long as you use the talents which He has given to you in His service – in most cases this means service to your neighbor.”
Generally Isidore is represented as a peasant carrying a farm implement as a spade or a sickle. Sometimes he is depicted at work in the field accompanied by angels.

SOURCES of REFERENCE: Butler’s Lives of the Saints–Vol. II–pp323–324; Pocket Dictionary of Saints–p258; The Watkins Dictionary of Saints–p121; A Calendar of
Saints–p94; All Saints–pp213–214; A Year with the Saints–May 15; and others.

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Articles The ABC’s of Catholic Doctrine

The ABC’s of Catholic Doctrine: “I have been changed for the better.”

Many of us attend Mass more than once a week, pray the Rosary regularly, and have great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We say many prayers; yet people notice our bad tempers, our sharp tongues, our gloomy or touchy dispositions. What went wrong? Aren’t we supposed to be more holy?

Grace may actually be taking effect on our souls; although we are not aware of it as we appear to have many defects.

It could be that we do not have the right or the best intentions. We pray out of routine that we even forget that God is present while in Mass or in our visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Or we do it for show or out of obligation. Or we pray just to twist God’s arm for what we want, to ask for a litany of requests. The amount of grace that we will receive, therefore, will be little because it will depend on our intentions and dispositions.

It could be that God is giving us abundant graces through these forms of prayers; but we are not cooperating with them because of our pride, sensuality, love of comfort, or laziness. Rather than using the grace to mortify our tongues, we prefer to gossip or to shout at our house helpers. Or we could be in the state of mortal sin; since no matter how many hundreds of rosaries we may say, they do not have value in God’s eyes as we are not in union with Him. This, however, should not discourage us from praying and performing good deeds, because God may decide to pour us with actual graces (those spurts of spiritual energy that can lead us to return to Him through confession).

We have to realize that all prayers and spiritual practice (including reading the Gospels, praying the Angelus, going to confession) are means to help us become saints. They can help us change for the better, in fact, become “perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect” (which is God’s will for us). When we pray, it is important that we always cooperate with His graces by doing good and avoiding evil, by doing His will and not our wills. Thus, “our behavior and our conversation will be such that everyone who sees or hears us can say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ.” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

(Reference: The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva; “You Can Become a Saint!” By Mary Ann Budnik; “The Faith Explained” by Leo Trese)

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Catechism of the Catholic Church: Catechism in a Year

What is the essence of every liturgy?
Liturgy is always in the first place communion or fellowship with Jesus Christ. Every liturgy, not just the celebration of the Eucharist, is an Easter in miniature. Jesus reveals his passage from death to life and celebrates it with us.

The most important liturgy in the world was the Paschal liturgy that Jesus celebrated with his disciples in the Upper Room on the night before his death. The disciples thought that Jesus would be commemorating the liberation of Israel from Egypt. Instead, Jesus celebrated the liberation of all mankind from the power of death. Back in Egypt it was the “blood of the lamb” that preserved the Israelites from the angel of death. Now he himself would be the Lamb whose blood saves mankind from death. For Jesus’ death and Resurrection is the proof that someone can die and nevertheless gain life.

This is the genuine substance of every Christian liturgy. Jesus himself compared his death and Resurrection with Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Therefore, the redemptive effect of Jesus’ death and Resurrection is called the Paschal mystery. There is an analogy between the life-saving blood of the lamb at the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt (Ex 12) and Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb that has redeemed mankind from the bondage of death and sin.

Who celebrates the liturgy?
In all earthly liturgies, Christ the Lord himself is the one who celebrates the cosmic liturgy, which encompasses angels and men, the living and the dead, the past, present, and future, heaven and earth. Priests and believers participate in different ways in Christ’s divine worship.

When we celebrate the liturgy, we must prepare ourselves interiorly for the great thing that takes place in it: here and now Christ is present and, with him, all of heaven. There everyone is filled with unspeakable joy and at the same time with loving care for us. The last book of Sacred Scripture, Revelation, portrays in mysterious images this liturgy to which we here on earth join our voices.

What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
The Liturgy of the Hours is the universal, public prayer of the Church. Biblical readings lead the person who prays it ever deeper into the mystery of the life of Jesus Christ. Throughout the world this gives the Triune God the opportunity at every hour of the day to transform gradually those who pray and also the world. The Liturgy of the Hours is prayed not only by priests and religious. Many Christians who take their faith seriously join their voices with the many thousands of praises and petitions that ascend to God from all over the world.

The seven “hours of prayer” are like a treasury of the Church’s prayers. It also loosens our tongues when we have become speechless because of joy, sorrow, or fear. Again and again one is astonished in reciting the Liturgy of the Hours: an entire reading “coincidentally” applies precisely to my situation. God hears us when we call to him. He answers us in these texts – often in a way that is so specific as to be almost disconcerting. In any case he also allows us to have long periods of silence and dryness so that we can demonstrate our fidelity.

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“Life as Pilgrimage: From the Father Back to the Father by Way of Jesus”, by Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM, 5th Sunday of Easter Reflection

Intro
Majority of us go through life and living without pondering on the question of life itself. Who am I? A question that can be answered if prior questions of “Where do I come from?”“Where am I going?” are answered. Or “What’s the point of being here?” Our time and energy are not sufficient to cope with our daily concerns; we are glad to leave those questions about the meaning of life to armchair theologians and pulpit preachers.

However there are times when we are forced to pause because something happens that throw our routine off balance. Like the sudden death of someone very close to us which leaves us dumbfounded. Questions which we don’t bother to raise suddenly preoccupy us. Ventures, dreams and activities, goals which we considered to be important and which consume our energy and time, begin to look inconsequential against the reality of loss.

We ponder “Where are we going?” We might going in circles, not really getting anywhere. We feel like children taking those carnival rides – ferries wheel or roller coaster – arriving at the same spot where we depart, dizzy and dazed after the ride.

GOSPEL (John 14:1-12)
An experience of profound loss makes us question our direction in life. Jesus shows us that it is not different for the disciples. Today’s Gospel belong to Jesus’ farewell discourse before leaving his close followers. Jesus knew the pain and anxiety that this departure would cause on the hearts of his disciples. He counsels them not to be afraid, for he is going to prepare a place for them and will return to take them with him. Jesus’ remedy is faith in God and in Himself. But if faith is going to calm emotional distress, it needs to be understood. Jesus is trying to give his disciples a different mental framework that will bring them peace. But it goes right overtheir heads, as all they fathom is loss and this sense of loss triggers sadness and fear. Since theology did not help the disciples, Jesus tried a metaphor. Jesus envisions reality as his Father’s house. A comforting image of a home where we can all be together. He will come back and take us there. Love can endure temporary separation. But it can not abide permanent loss. Jesus assures them that they know where he is going and the way he is taking.

WORD
1. Life is a journey, a voyageto explore who at depth we really are. This entails not only discovery, but requires also an integration of their newly found aspect of their lives. New life means letting go of the known, the practiced. We seek to hold on to what has served us well in the past, whether it be values, dress, behaviors, look. We try to put the clock back (some with unfortunate results). That is why beauty products and the cosmetic industry are one of the most lucrative business nowadays. We refuse to let go of our youth, fearful of growing old, wrinkles and all!

If life is a journey, then we must constantly be on the move; there is never a point in this life that we can say we have arrived; there will always be an ongoing process of conversion.

2. Life as a journey entails different ways of looking at death as the concluding moments of our journey. Jesus is seeking to calm their hearts by re-interpreting death as departure and their loss as temporary because they will be reunited in the Father’s house. Hence death is a homecoming. It is coming back to where we came from, the bosom of the Father. It need not take us by surprise. The whole of life is filled with opportunities to rehearse this final massage. The letting go of youth, of health, of plans, of friends, when this is asked of us can all become a preparation for the last great renunciation that each of us is called upon to make. To befriend death throughtaking time a ponder on the richness of its meaning will help come to peace with the thought of dying. It is step each one must take alone.

No one else can share it as they have shared our living. A fuller appreciation of where life leads to in death is the bringing back to our consciousness a truth which we have conveniently and aggressively set aside – the truth that we all come from God. We take time to recall how surely God has held us through the many little deaths of life; any fear should be allayed. We know that he will sustain us surely at those concluding moments of our pilgrimage.

Brothers and sisters, we come from the Father, unto the Father we shall return, by the way of the Son.We have an astonishing origin, and a marvelous future that awaits us, because Jesus is the WAY.

More about Fr. Tasang and his reflections.

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Articles CWL

CWL Ladies at the Porzuincula Center

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The Catholic Women’s League recently visited Fr. Efren Jimenez OFM or Fr. Ejay, as he is fondly called, at the Porzuincula Center, Barass, Rizal.

Porzuincula is open for groups looking for a reasonably priced retreat center. As the CWL ladies testify, it is great to have a retreat there! Lunch and meals can be prepared under the supervision of Fr. Ejay. There is a Stations of the Cross for Holy Week retreats and a well by the garden for a refreshing view.

Please get in touch with Fr. Ejay if you would like to visit or book the center.

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“I am the Gate of the Sheep” by Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM, A Sunday Gospel Reflection on the 4th Sunday of Easter (A)

Most of the images of Jesus we see in our churches are those of the Sto. Niño, the Sacred Heart and Christ the King — all with crown and scepter, symbols of power. We seldom see an image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, carrying a lamb on his lap or on his shoulders, or leading his flock. Yet this is how Jesus described himself — not as a mighty king but as a humble shepherd; not in terms of power and prestige but in terms of love, service and sacrifice.

The shepherd image is very much a part of the Old Testament. Yahweh is often called the “Shepherd of Israel.” One of the most beautiful and best known psalms in the bible is psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” A shepherd differs very much from office or factory workers; the latter handle tools, machines, computers, and telephones—all of which they leave behind after office hours. A shepherd, however, deals with sheep—living creatures. He cares for them, feeds them, protects them day and night, and treats them almost as if they were human beings: “They hear my voice… and follow me. I give them eternal life.”

Today’s gospel is part of Jesus’ Good Shepherd discourse (Jn 10:1-30). Jesus describes himself as the gate of the sheepfold. He sets himself in contrast to “those who came before me who were thieves and robbers.” Jesus is a good shepherd and a good leader because he feeds and cares for the sheep; while the false shepherds and leaders feed on the sheep, exploit them and take advantage of them for their (the leaders’) own profit. Jesus is the gate leading to fullness of life and salvation.

Today’s gospel is particularly relevant and challenging for all of us who exercise leadership roles in the Church or in society: priests, parents and public servants. Jesus sets himself as the model we should strive to imitate. We priests (and bishops, of course) should ask ourselves: Am I a good shepherd, or just a good administrator, a good manager, a good fund raiser and a good constructor? Where do I spend most of my time and resources, in feeding the sheep or in putting up structures? More often than not, promotion in the ranks is based on a priest’s ability to raise funds or build churches rather than in his work of visiting the sick and the poor or in building basic ecclesial communities.

Parents should also ask themselves: Are we good shepherds or just good providers? Quite often, parents, especially in well-to-do families, think that their main role is to provide for the material needs of their children. “Why do you complain?” they ask their children. “We give you everything you want. You are enrolled in the best school, have the best car, computer… everything.” Yet the young need more than money, cars and computers. They need their parents’ care, affection and quality time. Students in the best schools (who have every gadget) are often victims of psychological problems, drug addiction, etc. So, parents, by all means, be good providers; but, above all, be good shepherds.

As for public “servants,” it is only during electoral campaigns that we hear the word “servant,” when candidates woo their constituents, shake hands, caress children, and issue motherhood statements and unbelievable promises: ”Give me a chance to serve you and I will remove poverty, hunger, unemployment, etc.” Once in office, however, it is an entirely different story; instead of feeding the flock, they feed on it. Anyone who has had to transact business in a government office knows this. It is our task, therefore, to discern and to pray, so that we may find truly good shepherds who will look after the welfare of the sheep and not after own profit.

Good Shepherd Sunday is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations—a day to pray for the increase of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. It is no secret that vocations all over the world, most especially in first world countries, are dwindling. Smaller families, wider range of options open to the youth, and the tarnished image of priests as a result of the sexual abuse controversy are some of the contributing factors. Parents play an important role in sowing the seed of vocation in their children. The Christian community must be made aware of its responsibility to provide shepherds to minister to the flock. Today, while attending Mass and praying for vocations, the members of every parish assembly might look at the Mass presider and ask themselves: “How many priests has our family, or our community, given to the Church?” May the Lord fill the hearts of parents and children with the spirit of service and generosity.

***

About Fr. Jesus and his reflections.

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SSAP Foundation Meets with AF

Last April 11, 2014, our Santuario De San Antonio Parish Foundation participated in the Association of Foundations Philippines, Inc. conference held at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. The event was represented by PPC President J.N. Blanco. The conference was well attended by over one hundred participants from different foundations including: Ayala Foundation, Inc., Coca-Cola Foundation Phils. Inc., SM Foundation, Inc., and Roxas Foundation, Inc.

The Association of Foundations, Inc. (AF) was established in November 1972. AF is the country’s first network of non-government organizations (NGOs). Its mission is to enable its member foundations to develop sustainable programs that serve their communities. Through the years, AF has become a bridge to grant opportunities, capacity builder, data bank, consultant, and an advocate of key issues. It is committed to the constant growth and professionalism of its member foundations in their efforts to improve the quality of human life.

Guest Speakers at the conference were Usec. Yasmin Busran-Lao and Former Sec. Senen Bacani and members of the Philippine Government Peace Panel on the Bangsamo. His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila discussed unity and post modernity. Our beloved Cardinal was himself a beneficiary of the Roxas Foundation back when he was still a seminarian.

With your continued support and donations, the SSAP Foundation is able to assist programs of the JPIC scholars and seminarians, medical assistance at PGH, programs at the Makati City Jail, Friendship Home, and Calamity ministry among others.

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Articles Reflections

Sunday Gospel Reflection by Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM

The Road to Emmaus – How to get There
From Jerusalem, to Nablus, turn left at kilometer 9 (Nablus is a flourishing town, Center of Samaria district, known for its soap made from olive oil).

Following the road for another 4 kilometers you hit a sleepy Arab Muslim Village called EL Qubeibeh, Emmaus.

There are three Christian neighborhoods there – the German Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, the German Hospice, and the Franciscan compound composed of a Sanctuary, the Convent of friars, and a school.

The name EL Qubeibeh (Little Dome), possibly got its name from a dome (Parva Mahomeria) of the Crusaders. The Franciscans took care of the property since their arrival in 1335 for the custody of the Holy Land, and began a pilgrimage there. Unfortunately, Emmaus is out of the way for pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. But it is worth visiting the place because of its truly biblical significance.

Franciscans Archaeologists made several excavations there throughout the years and they have confirmed the existence of the village at the time of Christ. The Franciscan built a sanctuary there in 1861, in the spot where the Byzantine Community stood from 3rd to 6th Century.

At present visitors may enter a wide gate leading to the Square in front of the Church, the ubiquitous Jerusalem Cross emblazoned on the iron gate. The road leading to the sanctuary is filled with ancient pines and olive trees so that you really feel the welcome invitation on the gate, “Lord, stay with us!”

On a clear day, standing 800 meters above sea, the city of Jerusalem can be seen, and further toward the sea the ancient city of Jaffa, where the imposing church of St. Peter stands at the edge of the Mediterranean sea. (It is in this monastery of St. Peter where I have lived for sometime.) Inside the church at the left side, is a constructed rectangular place, which according to tradition is the place of the “house” of Cleopas, one of the disciples who entertained the Divine Messiah after his resurrection.

The Road to Emmaus – Our Story
Luke’s story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is our story. It is a beautiful post Resurrection story of life’s journey. This story is so profound in its message that studies on stages of human growth in the aging process considered this episode as corresponding to spiritual passages experienced by those celebrating midlife journey.

In the course of this journey on the road to Emmaus, the disciples move from despair, disorientation, and new beginnings. The two disciples are leaving Jerusalem because they have experienced the death of Jesus and not the resurrection. They had believed in him and his cause and gave themselves to him and his work. Now he was dead and gone and they were in a state of disorientation. We can imagine what they said to one another, “Conversing about all the things that had occurred.” “(Luke 24:14)

The midlife experience recognizes some shock received of an unexpected inner or outer event in one’s life. Both small and great events can be the cause of one’s kingdom tumbling down. The infidelity of a spouse, the death of a spouse, divorce, demotion, a child on drugs, unwanted pregnancy, health problems – any of these can be the cause of someone asking, “Is this all there is?”

The two disciples asked, “We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” How much this reflects the person moving to the end of the first half of life. “I had such hopes,” one cries internally.

In the wake of a broken relationship, shortened dreams, mental or physical collapse, lost joy and lost soul, painful betrayal and darkness never before imagined, one finds oneself without hope or expectation of a new life, resurrection.

But Jesus puts light on the bigger story. Jesus enlightens the disciples by showing the deeper meaning of what had occurred in the suffering and death of Jesus, “As he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.” (Luke 24:27) The person in midlife rises up out of the ashes. The disciples got up immediately and returned to Jerusalem where they found the Eleven and the rest of the company assembled. They shared all that caused their sorrow, they had been dead, and now they lived.

There is a call to growth, a call to spiritual growth in each of us, a call to the significance and meaning of our own suffering and pain and of life itself, a call to intimate relationship with Christ the Beloved, a call to the transpersonal and to love and liberation of each other; a call to true wisdom and redemptive love of Christ.

About Fr. Ej and his reflections.

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Farewell, Fr. Joel . . .from SSAP Parish Pastoral Council

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It seems only yesterday when you started out as Parish Priest and Spiritual Assistant. How time flies. On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council, We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being our Guardian Angel these past years.

Thank you for opening doors for us, having the mutual desire to share God’s love. As Pastor, you have given us much more than thought and skill.

A compelling Pastor, yet one of us:
Never the boss, yet controlling the flow: kind, free and caring, groovy and wise.

Thank you for all that you have done. How much love resides therein! The pastoral care you have been can never be measured. Heads above the rest in mind and heart.

The Parish Pastoral Council officers and members with the parishioners share your dream of working together as a team.

Your openness to help endears you to us. On leaving your care, we must look back to grow. Upon these memories we lay our farewell to you.

God bless you more Fr. Joel. . .
We love you.

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Articles CCD

Goodbye And Godspeed, Fr. Joel!

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The ringing bells at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Sunday, 6 April, heralded the end of classes; and the joyful shouts and laughter of children told their own story – the end of another school year at CCD (Continuing Catholic Development).

It was also the day of a very special time in CCD’s history, the last celebration of their usual year-end Thanksgiving Mass with Father Joel Sulse, OFM, presiding. With nostalgia and sadness and also with gladness and celebration, the CCD family – parents and students, friends and supporters and teachers and committee – filled all the bays in the Social Hall to bid farewell and best wishes to Father Joel, who would be leaving for Rome to pursue his studies for a doctorate in Divinity. For the past five years Father Joel was not only CCD’s Spiritual Advisor, but to many, he was also their Friend, their Confessor, their Mentor.

After his homily, Father Joel also bade farewell to his congregation. He said that the best memory of CCD with him was the certain and sure knowledge he has of the combined efforts of both the parents, and the teachers and the committee in ensuring that the children received the best formation and religious education available to them. He commended the teachers and the committee for their selfless and generous service to the Lord and to their community in implementing and sustaining one of the best CCD programs he is aware of; and his only request was that they continue.

In their tribute to Father Joel, CCD said that during his time and with his guidance and support, CCD has grown from strength to strength – its curriculum and work program were set and in place and the dramatic increase in the number of student population – not only in the returning students but incoming new students as well – were the most visible and tangible legacy from him.

Thank you and Goodbye Father Joel.

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