Parish Updates

Children are invited to offer flowers to our Blessed Virgin Mary at the 6PM mass during the month of May. Participants will receive a rosary made by the SSAP rosary group. Flowers will be provided.

The Tuesday Marian Cenacle Invites you to the 4th of the 5 First Saturdays for the Reparation of Sin Committed Against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on June 4, at 11:30 AM.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 452 187 4054

Passcode: CENACLE

In the Parish Bulletin, this week…

First Time Feelings

By Isa Lagdameo

We first encounter elections inside a classroom. With my head down and hand up, I got my first taste of a “secret ballot” in Grade 2. We later chose our officers using paper ballots and secure websites, which served as springboards for the real deal. And although it has since taken 13 years for me to get here, I finally get to vote — ballot, inked-finger, and all — this coming May 9.

At the dinner table, so many of my family members are jaded at the prospect of another election year. They’re tired of traditional politicians and their empty promises, tired of the divisiveness that complicates social events, and tired of the false hope that comes with the prospect of decent or “pwede na” candidates. If I had voted in the last few elections, I would probably share their outlook, but that’s where being a first-time voter makes me different. Because for me — and a lot of my fellow idealistic first-timers — elections are still these larger-than-life catalysts for changes that are founded on hope.

This coming May 9 represents so many things to so many people. Some see it as a symbolic formality, others as a mere civic duty, but it means much more — it’s the great equalizer. Elections are a platform wherein every eligible person who casts his/her vote is listened to and respected regardless of social class, gender, age, or educational attainment. As long as they meet the requirements needed, they are heard — just like any other voter. We often forget that more than being a routine responsibility, elections are opportunities to listen. It empowers voters to listen to the needs of their community, mandates that the rest of society listen to the political will of the majority and allows warring factions to listen to each other’s repressed emotions. When we choose to see elections as an avenue to hear and respect one another, we rekindle our lost hope in the electoral system and begin to see its power positively again.

Come election day, I get to vote alongside my Lola — a veteran voter. Together, we will shade our ballots, and through our singular votes, we will be heard. We will walk into the precinct determinedly protecting the spirit of idealism we still have in us and excitedly vote for a better tomorrow. Hopefully, you find it in yourself to do the same.

Mother’s Day 2022

By Maribel Sison-Dionisio, MA

(Parenting and Relationship Consultant, Author, & Speaker at the Love Institute )

*Maribel Sison-Dionisio with her Mom Sony (middle), and her daughter Gica (left)*

What are you grateful to your Mom for? What from her do you carry with you in life?

I am grateful for Mom Sony in numerous ways. Indeed, my Mom Sony has been a great role model for me as a wife, a mother and as a person.

As a wife for 39 years, she adored my Papa Sito so much and I could feel her love for him and his dedication to her. When she got widowed at age 60, she took a lot of roles in the family ministry.

As a mother of 8 children, Mom Sony really made herself available to me and to my siblings, and was always approachable.

As a person, she continued learning and growing, taking her Master’s Degree in Psychology in her 40s and then had a teaching career in Psychology. In her Senior years, she led the Single Parents Community, giving hope to those who have lost a spouse. Up to her 80s she was active in various socio-civic groups, totaling a very productive 88 years of her life!

In my 38 years of marriage to Allan, I continually focused on my husband and not just the kids. As Mom Sony said, your husband is the priority. I am so glad that I was guided to have dates with my hubby while she took care of the kids. Now that our kids are young adults, it is back to spending more time with Allan.

As a mother when our 3 kids were younger, I spent a lot of time with them. I just had a part-time job. I wanted to connect with our 3 children Raf, Dav and Gica, so Mom Sony encouraged me to take Parenting courses when Raf was 2 years old. This Parenting course made a lot of positive differences in raising these 3 personalities. I am so grateful to Mom Sony for pushing me to attend and equipping me to be a better Mom! And I am so grateful for the information learned.

Just like Mom Sony, I went back to school to take my MA in Family Ministry while raising 2 boys (well, Mom raised 8 children, so I thought 2 boys would be easy). I eventually completed my MA with a third child and only daughter, Gica.

My significant learning from Mom Sony was to care not only for family but also for others, and to share our blessings and knowledge. Mom was into Psychology, and I pursued Family Ministry — we have a lot in common! And a lot to be grateful for!

Read more heartwarming stories
from this week’s issue of the Parish Bulletin.