I’m a Lover, Not a Fighter

Rev. Fr. Arnel Recinto was born to Claro Recinto from Mataas na Kahoy, Lipa City, Batangas and Nora Fuentes from Taal, Batangas on Feb-

ruary 8, 1967 in Zamboanga City. He is the 7th of 9 children. He at-tended the UST Central Seminary and was ordained on March 14, 1992 by Jaime Cardinal Sin. As a priest for 26 years, he was assigned to different parishes in Manila and Quezon City: • Assistant Parish Priest, San Felipe Neri Parish, Boni Extension, Mandaluyong City • Parish Priest, Santo Rosa-rio Parish, Dampalit, Malabon • Assistant Rector, Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) and School Direc­tor, Quiapo Parochial School. • Parish Priest, Holy Family

Parish, Kamias, QC • Parish Priest, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Bagong Pagasa, QC • Parish Priest, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish, Project 4, QC • 1st Parish Priest, St. John Paul II Parish, Eastwood, QC

As our new Parish Priest, we had a candid interview with him where he shared fun stories and glimpses of his childhood, how he became

a priest and his love for his vocation and ministry.Describe your cHiLD-HooD in Zamboanga. I had a happy childhood. When I was a little boy, I really play, run and move a lot kaya ang tawag nila sa akin ay kiti-kiti. Ang mga laro namin noon ay habulan, agawan

base, shiato, taguan sa gabi, baseball (binuhol-buhol na medyas ang bola namin) at swimming. I like water a lot. Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko siguro noong unang buhay ko malamang ay isda o siokoy ako. I remember growing up in Zamboanga City, sa compound ng Water District doon ay may public swimming pool. Pag pina-process yung tubig for public distribution and consumption yung sobrang tubig na wala pang chlo-rine na gamot ay hindi muna sa ilog bumabagsak kundi sa swimming pool. Bata pa lang ako, kahit na iha-gis mo ako sa tubig, hindi ako takot malunod. Ganyan ako kapanatag sa tubig. Then later on in high school, I started to play soccer, football, and basketball. I’m also into karate, bad-minton and bowling. I used to collect

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The 1st Parish Pastoral Coun-cil (PPC) meeting with Frs. Arnel and Ren was held last August 8, 2018 at the Gin-tong Bulwagan.

Kuya Dik, PPC Coordina-tor, together with the heads of the different ministries and mandated organizations, briefed our new pas-tors with their respective projects and activities. Fr. Arnel was pleas-antly surprised to hear that our parish has, in particular, a Perpetual Dawn Rosary (PDR) under the Mar-ian Group of the Worship Minis-try. This devotion was started in the early 1990s and continues to be practiced by the members, many of whom are now elderly while some have already journeyed back to the Lord. Though their numbers dwin-dle, their faith and devotion con-tinue to increase. Fr. Arnel gave a short catechesis about this beauti-ful devotion, thus adding depth and purpose to the PDR’s already admi-rable practice. After hearing all the gen-eral plans and programs from each

ministry head, Fr. Arnel assured the council that he will not change what is already in place, but, rather, improve on what we have already achieved. He intends to harmonize, like an orchestra conductor, all our efforts, with FORMATION and EVANGELIZATION as the main symphony that everyone will attune with. He promised to lead every-one in becoming “catechists” and evangelizers to meet the current challenges of being a true Catho-lic. Fr. Ren, for his part, encouraged everyone to pick up the Holy Bible to read, learn and share the Good News to all. Before the meeting end-ed, Frs. Arnel and Ren gamely posed for a groufie! With smiles and glow in their eyes, it is evident that OLMPC’s PPC is ready and excited to meet fresh challenges with palpa-ble joy. “Merry Christmas” as Fr. Ar-nel would always greet everyone. Sacrament of reconciliation

(Confession)5:30PM - Wed, Fri and Sat

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September 2018

collectible toys – robots, like Voltes V, pero pinamigay ko din. I also like to watch movies a lot because our literature teacher once said that if you are tired and stressed, go watch a movie. To WHaT kinD of famiLy Do you beLong? A big and happy family. Ako ang 7th sa siyam na magkakapa-tid. Kaya imagine ninyo ang haba ng dining table namin. My father is in the military while my mother is a businesswoman. Some of my siblings are into business while two are in the military. We are all family-oriented, tightly knit-ted and funny. Growing up we don’t even need our playmates from our neighborhood to play with us.WHaT WouLD you be if you Were noT a priesT? Madami akong pangarap noon – to be a doctor, an engineer, and a military man, kasi I wanted to become a general and fight for my motherland.Do you Have foreign an-cesTry? Yes, I do. My mother has Spanish blood. My great-grand-father, a Spaniard, Don Antonio Fuentes was the president of a Ta-bacalera (tabacco company) in Lopez, Quezon. He had a chemist son, named Jose “Pipon” Fuentes. Their family owned a pharmacy in Lopez, Quezon. Pipon married a native Filipina, named Lourdes. After the Spanish colonization, mother Spain asked all her citizens to return back home. But Pipon refused to return to Spain. He knew very well that if he would bring Lourdes there she would only be unhappy because she was an ‘indio’. Pipon exchanged

his love of country with his one true love, Lourdes. This union was blessed with a baby girl, Nora, my mother. HoW DiD you become a priesT? When I was a student at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, napaka pilyo, sutil at palaaway ako. Pag may rambulan, siguradong nandoon ako kasi marunong ako ng karate at gus-tung gusto kong maki-pagsuntukan! One day I discovered na mabait din pala ako. Minsan may nakita akong matangkad na lalaki na nananakit ng maliit na binata at kine-kwelyu-

han pa! I could not just turn my head away. My conscience would tell me “O, hahayaan mo lang ba ‘yang kawawang bata?” Sumigaw ako, “Hoy pare, humanap ka ng

kapantay mo! H’wag yung maliit!” Sagot niya “Sino?” Tumingin ako sa pali gid, wala naman akong naituro kaya sabi ko “Ako!” “Ikaw ah! Sige suntukan tayo!” Pag­uwi ko, ayun may blackeye ako! Hindi pa natata-pos d’yan at heto pa. Mahilig din ako umistambay kasama ng mga ka­tropa ko. Pag may dumadaan na mga estudyante, niloloko talaga namin. Minsan may pinag-tripan kaming babae na dumadaan sa ta-pat namin, “Sa scale na 1-10 ano ang beauty score ng girl na ‘yan?” “Negative 5!” Sigaw ng isa, sabay hiyawan! Tapos may nursing stu-dent na dumaan, sigaw ko naman “Nurse, nurse, pwede magpa tuli?” (sabay tawanan) “Mga bastos ka-yoooo!” sagot nang galit na galit na babae. That’s how a bully and bad boy I was then! Hanggang sa nangyari ang hindi inaasahan. Isang araw, da-hil napaaga ako nang dating sa

That’s how a bully and bad boy I was then!

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campus, mag-isa lang ako sa tam-bayan namin, ewan ko ba kung bak-it biglang nabaling ang tingin ko sa nagsasangang walkways na l etter ‘V’. Isa sa walkways ay walang bubong. Sinubukan kong dumaan dito at sa dulo pala nito ay isang chapel! Pag-pasok ko ay may Misa pa. Tumayo lang ako sa likod at nakaramdam ako ng ‘peace’. Dito sa loob walang away, walang payabangan, walang suntukan, walang pasikatan. People say “Peace be with you” to anyone. My heart longs for such a life. And from then on, I started to regularly attend Mass, silently and secretly, and eventually, nag serve na din ako as a reader. My heart started to be-come closer to God. When he was about to join the Philippine Military Acad-emy (PMA) everyone was so excited es-pecially my tatay, dahil ito rin ang pan-garap niya para sa akin. Kina usap ko ang nakatatanda kong kapatid. “Tol, papasok na ako sa PMA, anong advice mo?” Sabi niya “Una, 90% ng academics ay Mathematics. Since matalino ka kaya mo ‘yun. Pangala-wa, very physical doon. Since sporty, basagulero at nakiki pagsuntukan ka, kaya mo rin ‘yun ... at pangatlo (sabay dinibdiban ako), papatay ka ng tao! Tibayan mo dibdib mo kasi ‘yan ang buhay ng sundalo. Either they kill you or you kill them.” Dis-turbed with those words I said “Ang nakalulungkot lang ay kapwa natin Pilipino ang papatayin. Mga insur-gents, MNLF, NPA. May mga issues at hinaing lang sila, ‘tol. Instead of the government listening to their sentiments, the politicians will send the soldiers? Nakalulungkot pala

ang graduation sa PMA, they prom-ised to defend and protect the coun-try and people, and yet, right after graduation, they start to kill our own people in the battlefield.” Kaya sabi niya, “Pag­isipan mo, ‘tol. Kasi ako I regret becoming a soldier. I regret killing other people.” After hearing all these, and without even giving a second thought sabi ko, “Tatay, I changed my mind of entering the Academy.” “Papatayin kita!” sabi niya. I always thought of St. Fran-cis and wanted to be like him. So, I entered the UST seminary against their will. Only my mother lovingly supported me financially. Then after 9 years in the seminary naging pari ako.

WHaT is a T y p i c a L Day Like for you? I start my day with a Mass at 6 in the morn-ing. Then I

take my breakfast and go to the of-fice at 8:30 for administrative work and scheduled pastoral and canoni-cal interviews. I use these interviews to evangelize the essence of the Sac-raments of the church, particularly on marriage. Pag may time pa ako, I go around and check the physical well-being of our facilities and its cleanliness, where I am so particular. I also work in the Diocese of Cubao. Recently, I was assigned to handle all the construction and re novation of all the properties of the Diocese. So, as an overseer, I move also from one parish to another to check building permits, up to the construction status and progress. Pagbalik ko sa convent, depending on my schedule, I give confession at 5:30 pm and say Mass again at 6 in

the evening. After dinner, at kaya pa ng powers ko I attend to important parish meeting. That’s my ordinary working day. But during Monday, our day­off, I really take a full rest. I take a long sleep during the day to regain my strength. Then in the afternoon, when I feel recharged, I sometimes drive to Sta. Rosa, Laguna and there stay overnight, catching up with my brother (and sometimes with my fa-ther). My Nanay died six years ago, so my tatay, 85 years old, is a widow. And while he is still here with us, I will do everything to make him hap-py. WHaT TraiT WouLD peopLe be surpriseD To Learn abouT you? I am a funny person but very principled. I become serious when I fight for what is right especially for the marginalized and disadvan-taged. I become, not an enemy, but a fierce objector. Doon na sha­shock ang mga tao. For six years, I was the Minister of the Public Affairs Minis-try (PAM) of the Diocese of Cubao. HoW Do you keep your boDy ToneD? As a priest, I used to play badminton pero na-sprain ako kaya naka-cast ako ng isang buwan. Buti na heal yung buto ko. Kung mag basketball ako, shooting nalang, ‘di na pwede ang masyadong physical activities. The doctor advised me, because of my age, to avoid these types of sports. Now, I’m only into jogging and brisk walking.WHo is your favoriTe sainT? St. Francis of Assisi is my favorite. When I was a seminarian, I read about his life and watched the movie, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” (pls. watch it at Youtube). I instantly fell in

Like St. Francis, I am a lover, not a fighter.

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September 2018

F r. A r n e l F. R e c i n t o

FROM A FRIEND

The role of the godparent, ni-nong/ninang for Baptism is rooted in the role of the spon-sor in the Catechumenate, which originated in the early

Church. Recall that until the year 313, the Church was under the per-secution of the Roman Empire and had to be cautious in conducting its affairs so as to prevent pagan infil-tration and persecution. The role of the sponsor then was to attest to the integrity of the person, oftentimes an adult, seeking admission into the Church as well as to assist him dur-ing the catechumenate in preparing for these sacraments and in living a Christian life. For INFANTS, these spon-sors would also make the Profession of Faith in the child’s name and accept the responsibility of instruct-ing the child in the faith especially if the parents failed in this duty. About year 800 when infant baptism was truly the norm (though it was prac-ticed earlier), these sponsors were called “patrinus” or ‘godfather”.

Traditionally, we identify the spon-sor of a child for Baptism as the god-parent-godmother or godfather, but the technical term remains “spon-sor.” According to the Code of Canon Law, “insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to assist the adult in Christian initiation, or, together with the parents, to present an infant at the Baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with Baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it” (No. 872). This statement clearly reflects the historical roots of

the role of the sponsor. To be a sponsor, a person must be chosen by the sponsor to be baptized, or by the parents or guard-ians of a child, or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister of the sac-rament. The sponsor must not only have the intention of being a spon-sor but also meet proper qualifica-tions. They must:1. Have completed his sixteenth (16 y.o) unless the bishop has es-tablished another age for spon-sorship, or the pastor or minister judges that a just cause warrants an exception to the rule. 2. He/She must be a Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirma-tion, and “leads a life in harmo-ny with the faith and the role to be undertaken.”3. Ideally, this sponsor at Bap-tism should also be the sponsor for Confirmation. Note that the mother and father of the child cannot serve as sponsors. Also note that these are the

same requirements for Confirma-tion sponsors (cf. Code of Canon Law, No, 874.1) Strictly speaking, a person only need one sponsor for baptism - male or female, but may have two sponsors, one male and one female. Here the Code of Canon Law wants to eliminate the practice of having numerous sponsors, as has occurred in some cultures (No. 873).

note:A Catholic who does not practice the faith by regularly attending Mass or who is in an invalid marriage disqualifies himself

from being a godparent. Moreover, if a person is Catholic but antagonistic to the faith, i.e has the attitude “I am a Catholic but...,” and would not be a good example and witness to the faith also disqualifies himself. If a person is not striving to fulfill his own obligations of Baptism and Con-firmation, he will not fulfill the responsi-bilities of helping another to do so. Parents need to find a good prac-ticing Catholics for godparents. The best place is to look for relatives, even grand-parents, who have a blood relationship with the godchild and have kept the faith over the years. Good friends are also appro-priate, but sometimes friendships wane, leaving the godchild without an active godparent. Godparents should be faithful individuals who are ready to accept the re-sponsibility of being a part of a godchild’s life for the rest of his life. Most specially, a godparent should be a trustworthy witness of the faith who will help the godchild attain salvation.

TAMANG PARAAN NG PagPILI NG NINONG at NINANG

(Editor’s note: It is the intention of Fr. Arnel to use this space as an opportunity to catechise and inform more Catholics regarding our faith and principles of Catholism.)

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love with his life story. He was a son of a rich merchant and was once a warrior, a knight, with a sword. After his conversion, he was not afraid to become poor and to lose everything. He dropped his sword and only talked about love and peace. Like St. Francis, I am a lover, not a fighter. as a priesT, WHaT are your greaTesT joys? My greatest joy is when I give Jesus to others. Let me share some beautiful experiences here and abroad. On board a flight from Port-land to Baltimore, I see old people put their heavy luggages at the over-head bin. It is not usual for a stew-ardess to assist, and white people would not help unless you ask for help. Then suddenly I felt the urge to ask “Ma’am, what can I do for you?” The lady said, “Why are you so nice? Are you a priest?” (Me in ordinary clothes) “Yes, ma’am”, and smiled at her. Minsan naman pumunta ako ng Mindanao at sumakay ng barko. Dahil gusto kong makiha-lubilo sa ibang tao, economy ticket ang binili ko kasi dito, madaming double-decked na beds. Matapos ang mahabang byahe, kwentuhan at tulog, kinaumagahan, nag breakfast ako sa mess hall. May biglang nag-tanong sa akin “Pari ka?” Sagot ko “Bakit mo nasabi yan?” “Kasi iba ka. Pagka­gising mo nagligpit ka kaagad, maayos ang pagkakatupi ng kumot at ayos ng unan mo. Pag-punta mo sa banyo, dala mo na ang towel at toothbrush mo. Tapos na-pansin ko din na isinabit mo nang maayos yung towel mo! Hindi tulad namin pag-gising derecho sa banyo, hindi nagliligpit ng higaan at kwen-tuhanan agad. Tahimik ka lang pag nagtatawanan kami sa green jokes.

Malamang either PMAyer , semina­rista, o pari ka!” If you have Jesus in your heart you become an instru-ment of decency, love, and kindness that radiate to others. That’s my real joy! WHaT is your greaTesT personaL fear as a priesT? My greatest fear is when I lose God in my life and be denied of heaven! Biro ko nga, “Lord, I’ve been loving and serving you for 35 years. Pag namatay ako at hindi mo ako papapasukin sa langit, maga-galit talaga ako! Magwawala ako! Sisipain ko yung pintuan ng langit at isisigaw ko ‘PAPASUKIN MO AKO! KUNg HINDI AAKYAT AKO SA BINTANA!” WHaT is your aDvocacy To THe parisHioners of oLmcp? I cannot promise you many things, but I can assure you that I can give you Jesus! OLMCP is my 8th parish, you ask the people from my previous parishes, they can tell you the things I have done. HoW Do you prepare your HomiLy? I prepare my weekly homi-lies. I review the liturgy and the Gospel, and also read commentaries from the Church doctors like Jerome Bible Commentaries (JBC). But even with my prepared homily, habang papalapit na ang araw ng Misa ko, may bigla na lang akong makikitang situation sa parokya kaya bigla ko ring binabago agad. “Lord, what do you want me to say to your peo-ple, what is your message to them?” It’s a matter of inspiration talaga. Minsan nga during my Mass, right after reading the Gospel with my

prepared homily at hand and after a pause, biglang may papasok na inspiration coming from the Holy Spirit! Bang! Have you noticed that when I give my homily, I give my all? even my soul? Kaya nga siguro pa-god na pagod ako after each Mass. The Holy Spirit sometimes inter-venes, I am just an instrument. HoW Do you pray? I pray from sunrise to sunset. May set of prayers kaming mga pari (and even the lay people) that we recite from the Breviary (Liturgy of the Hours). Before the day ends, I sit at one corner of my room and talk to Him. If I still have the time, I pray the rosary as my “sleeping pills”. With God as my Creator, may direct linkage ako sa Kanya. Kinakausap ko talaga Siya as if talk-ing one-on-one with Him. Take this case: Pag nalulungkot ako, sasabihin ko “I want to see my tatay.” Although wala akong ‘boses’ na naririnig na sagot there is already a conversation

going on between us, at biglang mag pop-up sa isip ko “Visit your tatay, it’s harvest time, he’s there. He is lonely, too” Then am off

to Zamboanga for 2­3 days just to see him. Kaming mga magkakaptid ay may kanya-kanya nang buhay, here and abroad. Kaya naman pag naalala ko ang tatay ko na nag-iisa, nalulungkot ako. Good thing that I’m here in the Philippines, and I can always go and visit him. To-gether we watch movies, eat and visit his farm. And when I see him smile, I sincerely say “Lord, thank you for giving me this chance to be with my tatay.” Kaya pag may problema ako, kinakausap ko talaga si Lord. And it makes me feel good.

The Holy Spirit sometimes inter-venes, I am just an

instrument.

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September 2018

Mas mahalaga ang ispiritwal na tinapay, pero masarap din ang cookies, lalo na kung gawa ni Fr. Renato Ligeralde o Fr. Ren, CJM

(Congregation of Jesus and Mary), isa sa bagong pari ng parokya. Isa sa mga hobbies niya ang pagbe-bake. Maliban sa cookies, gumagawa din siya ng brownies at cheesecakes! Naikuwento din niya na minsan ay buong maghapon si-yang nag bake para makagawa ng isang libong cookies na kasing sarap ng Chips Ahoy na kanyang ipinami-gay sa mga preso. Mahilig din siya sumayaw mapa-ballroom man o modern. Ipinanganak siya sa Balin-tawak, Quezon City, at kabilang sa isang middle class at malaking pamilya - isang dosena silang mag-kakapatid! Bata pa lamang ay nais na ni

Fr. Ren na maging pari. Gusto niya ang kasuotan ng mga mongheng Capuchin na kanyang nakita sa Kerygma magazine, subalit gusto ng kanyang mga magulang na maka-pagtapos siya ng isang kurso, kaya bilang isang masunuring anak, ku-muha siya ng chemical engineering. Naging licensed chemical engineer siya at nagtrabaho sa loob ng maraming taon. Subalit hindi nawala sa puso niya ang kagustu-

hang maging pari. Medyo naging mahaba ang paghahanap niya ng tamang Reli-gious Order para sa kanya. Mula 1995 nang pumasok siya sa Capu-chin, lumipat sa Blessed Sacrament at lumipat uli sa CJM nuong 2009 hanggang sa na-ordinahan siya bi-lang pari ni Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle noong September 11, 2015 sa Sta. Maria Della Strada Parish, QC.

Ang pinakamalaking kali-gayahan niya bilang isang pari ay ang pagtuturo sa mga parishioner upang mabuo ang kanilang forma-tion, kasi educator talaga siya sa puso. Dahil diyan ayaw niyang maging kura paroko, ayaw niyang matali lamang sa mga trabahong adminis-tratibo. Ang pagbabasa naman ng Bibliya ang pangunahing advocacy ni Fr. Ren sa OLMCP. Naniniwala

siya na ang bawat Katoliko o Kris-tiyano ay kinatawan ng Panginoon, kaya kailangang kilalanin natin ang Diyos, at iisa lang ang paraan upang makilala natin Siya - ang basahin ang kanyang Salita. Paalala pa niya sa mga mananampalataya. Hindi obligasyon ang pagsisilbi sa Panginoon, kundi isang ekspresyon ng ating pagmama-hal sa Kanya.

Fr. Ren, Isang Pastry ChefPara sa Diyos

CONGRATS ON YOUR 3RD PRIESTLY ORDINATION!

FROM: OLMCP

FR. REN

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September 8, 2018, Saturday is the Memorial of the Nativity of Mary. A Holy Mass will be celebrated at the 6am Mass. You are all invited to come and celebrate with Our Lady.

PARISH NEWS ATBPTHe Diocese of cubao’s Priority Agenda (DCPA 2018­2025) in the next seven years was presented by Fr. Jun Pascual, the Diocese’s Pas-toral Director to the different parish leaders and coordinators last August 11, 2018. The new agenda would no longer be ministry based. Its objec-tives are (1) To integrate family-oriented programs and ministries in the parish pastoral programs; (2) To develop/train Pastoral workers in becoming truly authentic servant witnesses of the Gospel, and; (3) To equip families with knowledge of Scriptures and Catholic doctrines to help them become living witnesses of god’s love. By the end of 2025, the Dio-cese of Cubao will be a local church where Parishes, as FAMILY of FAM-ILIES will create an environment of hope, trust, transparency and com-

munion thru pro-active sustainable small-group discipleship programs leading towards fuller integration of families in the life of the church.

sociaL meDia spreads the joy. In October of 2017 the then, Social Communications and Promo-tion Ministry was reorganized and renamed to what is now called Media and Communication Ministry (MCM) in response to the call of the diocese. With a goal of “spreading the joy of the gospel”, MCM is tasked to use the modern means of communica-tion for evangelization, catechism, and education of the faithful. Our maiden FB live broad-cast was aired last year on the 1st day of the Misa de Gallo under the Diocese’s FB account and resources. This time armed with a smart cell-phone and an aging tripod, we re-launched the live broadcast using

OLMCP FB account on August 12, 2018, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time to cover the three (3) Masses (6am, 12nn and 7:15pm) presided by Fr. Arnel Recinto. Based on the actual figures we got, the evening Mass got the best results. Broadcasts were able to reach a peak of 13,500 faithful and 658 engagements. ‘Reach’ means accounts reached by our FB notification while ‘engage-ment’ means actual views, likes and comments. Surprisingly, on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 19, 2018, Feast of St. Ezekiel More-no at the Sto. Niño Chapel, we got better ‘reach’ and ‘engagements’. (See figure below) Pope Francis emphasizes a missionary thrust that all our pasto-ral activities be steered through new avenues, new paths of creativity; and these include utilizing the modern-day tools of information and com-munication technology. With the full support of Fr. Arnel, the MCM is determined to fulfill its mandate of spreading the joy of the gospel.

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September 2018

priesTs are aLmosT ven-eraTeD by caTHoLics. HoW Do you DeaL WiTH iT To keep your HumiLiTy? Just like St. Francis of Assisi, I want to be a friend and a brother to everyone. I don’t like the attention. I don’t even want to be called “Fa-ther!” That is why sometimes you will see me in my civilian clothes. When I travel mas gusto ko incogni-to ako kasi pag nalaman nilang pari ako, people become ‘plastic’. Here is an example. Minsan may random na nakipagusap sa akin na lalaki and because I am friendly even with strangers ok naman at masaya ang usapan namin na parang matagal na kaming magkakilala. Tapos ‘casual’ lang din na i-share nya yung mga kalokohan nya sa mga ‘chiching’ na hindi alam syempre ni misis! Biglang may tumawag sa akin, “Fr. Arnel! ” Boom! “Ay pari ka pala! dapat Bible ang topic natin!” See what I mean? enumeraTe THree con-cerns THaT you THink THe LocaL cHurcH neeDs To sTrengTHen. (1) Catechism - When Je-sus came, wala siyang itinayong structure, no feeding program, no scholarship. He only devoted him-self in evangelization. Nothing beats catechesis. Though we are the only Catholic nation in Asia, corruption and immorality stain our being. Katoliko lang sa pangalan, nominal Catholic ang tawag. Kapag ako nag-bibigay ng Sakramento ng Binyag, mahaba at ma­detalye ang explana-tion ko tungkol sa binyag. “Fr. Ar-nel, tumanda na ako’t lahat, ngayon ko lang po ito narinig” sabi ng ma-tanda sa akin. See, that’s why I evan-gelize everyone – mga magulang, ni-nong, ninang at mga kaibigan nila, because they will journey with this child! Our future public servant, and

future leader of the Church. (2) Friend to all - To be a Christian is to be nice to everybody. I play no favorites. I am a friend to all. Yung ibang friendship kasi may hidden motives, in other words, us-er­friendly. Parang yung lalaki, ma-bait lang sa babae dahil gusto niyang ligawan. Pag niligawan na niya, at pinakasalan, gagawin niyang taga-laba at taga­luto. Pag tinanong mo yung lalaki “Anong ideal girl mo?” “Gusto ko marunong maglaba, magluto, at maglinis ng bahay.” “Kuya, hindi asawa hinahanap mo, katulong!” (Hahahaha). You’re not being nice to someone because you want something in return. Dapat you are nice because YOU ARE! Period!” (3) Care for the street children - This has been my advocacy for the last 26 years. If we neglect and not do something now, one of these innocent and vulnerable children will be manipulated and handled by goons and bad elements and later on become pickpockets, criminals, and worst, murderers! As a priest loving Jesus, I need to intervene! I will use my influence and authority to uplift the lives of these children. WHaT pracTices of THe caTHoLic mass goers frusTraTes you? Sa mga practices ng mga mass goers, wala akong complaint because I’m grateful na nagsisim-ba sila. There are approximately 200,000 parishioners of this parish! OLMCP is one of the largest if not the biggest in the Diocese of Cubao. Wow! Let me share this incident that happened a long time ago. Ang UST chapel ay tapat ng isang foot-ball field na maraming joggers par-ticularly early in the morning. One morning, may biglang pumasok na

jogger to attend Mass. Pero hina-rang bigla sya ng isang conservative Dominican priest at sinabing “You are not properly attired.” Boom! This particular incident stimulated an interesting debate in our theology class. Isa ako sa tumayo to defend it. “Pasalamat tayo nagsisimba yung tao. Kasi kung uuwi pa siya para magpalit ng ‘proper attire’ baka wala na syang abutan sa Misa.” The issue here is not on morality but on our conservative culture! Heto pa. Nabigyan din ako ng opportunity to celebrate Mass in one of the chapels within the nude beach areas in California and Ore-gon. Opo, nude beach! How do you think will I say Mass? Syempre naka stola lang! wala ng iba!” (joke lang po). I welcome everyone to attend the Mass because the opportunity to evangelize is there. Pabayaan muna natin sila magsimba in their not ‘proper attire’ because by the help and power of the Holy Spirit, I will celebrate a solemn Mass that will touch their hearts and finally, their conversion.if pope francis WiLL ask you a prayer requesT, WHaT WouLD THaT be? To pray to God to make me a stronger pastor in the face of trials, pains, and temptations.WHaT is your favoriTe bi-bLe passage? The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want (Ps 23).HoW DiD you feeL WHen you LearneD of your neW parisH assignmenT? When Bishop Ness told me, “Arnel, i-assign kita sa Mt. Carmel sa Project 6. Ano masasabi mo?” I replied, “Bishop, if it is the will of God and He asked me to be there, let it be done according to His Will.”

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PARISH NEWS ATBPneW Lcm members. After 6 months of training, the ministry welcomed in their monthly meet-ing the new LCM members who at-tended the Basic Formation Seminar last August 11, 2018 at the Diocese of Cubao conducted by the Dio-cese Ministry for Liturgical Affairs (DMLA). Out of the 21 lectors 13 are from Emmanuel Chapel; one each from St. Francis of Assisi, Sto. Niño Chapel, Resurrection of the Lord, Our Lady of Hope, San Lorenzo Ruiz; and three from the main church. Libre Din ang kasaL, pero … Maliban sa libreng binyag tuwing Linggo, ang Sakramento ng Kasal ayon kay Fr. Arnel, ay libre na din. Pero diin niya na ito ay para lamang sa totoong walang kakayahang mag-ipon upang magpa-kasal sa Simba-han. Hiling nya ay kumpletuhin lang ang mga basic requirements na hini-hinging ng opisina. Nais ni Fr. Arnel na hindi maging sagabal ang kaku-lagan ng pera upang hindi maibigay

ang pagpapala ng Simbahang Kato-lika lalung lalo na sa mga nagsasama na hindi kasal at kinasal sa huwes.

preX 117. isang maTagum-pay na weekend Parish Renewal Seminar (PREX) ay ginanap noong Agosto 24-26, 2018 sa Gintong Bulwagan (GB) na pinamunuan ng magka-barkadang Kuya John Pec-son at Ate Tanya Namoc ng Parish Youth Ministry (PYM). Pinasasala-matan ang lahat ng mg bagong graduates ng PREX batch 117 at sa mga elders na walang sawang nag-bibigay ng kanilang 3Ts (time, talent and treasure).

THe vocaTions minisTry (vocmin) recently attended a recollection about the Year of Clergy and Consecrated Persons. It focused on reminding everyone that the church is not just made up of the clergy, religious, and conse-crated persons. Collectively, we are the church [clergy + consecrated persons + lay]. As persons of the church, we have roles to fulfill, i.e., to build and maintain our church. As lay persons, we have to pause and ask ourselves these questions: What is God calling us to do? What more can you do in this life? What are your contri-butions? What have you been contributing in the church? Are you willing to do things that are not being acknowledged? Have you been grateful to God with all the gifts He has given you? Having reflected from all these, remember God has given us the freedom to choose our actions but we don’t have the freedom to choose the consequences that go with it. Let’s be wise with our choic-es and ACT NOW! (Kai Medalla, VocMin)

Do you WanT To become THe fuTure bisHop of cubao? Definitelty not. Why? Biruin mo manonood ako ng sine na naka-mitre. Magagalit yung nasa likod ko! Matatakpan ko s’ya. (Hahaha).

The CARMEL lightMCM Lead Servant - Jeng Vitacion

Editor-in-Chief ­ Angie SajonaSocial Media Administrator - Ady RubioWebsite Administrator ­ Angie Sajona

Layout and Graphics ­ Clare Ramos, Rina Paca,Maria Barretto, Voltaire Kintana

Official Photographers ­ Elton and Jamin Maceda, Paolo Resurreccion

Writers - Clare Ramos, Ram Amores, george Arseno, Pen Pamarang,

Lani delos Santos, Caesar PanganAudioVisual - Maria Barretto,

Razel Brioso, Cess SantosAdviser - Fr. Arnel Recinto

#olmcp www.ourladyofmountcarmelparish.com

olmcp6@yahoo.com

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September 2018

A GLIMPSE OF THE 57th FIESTA CELEBRATION (left to right). photo 1. Mark Joson Tircio, grand car raffle winner. photo 2. The Calimbas Family turns over the framed image of Our Lady to the Paca Family as next year’s Hermano y Hermana Mayors. photo 3. Winning entries of the Painting Contest. photo 4. Bulkuran Night. photo 5. Fr. Arnel and Fr. Larry at the 1st day of the Novena Mass. photo 6. A parishioner devoutly and prayerfully looks at Our Lady. photo 7. Livelihood Seminar, Gunting at Suklay. photo 8. Pamayanan 10, Karakol dance contest winner. photo 9. Kumpilang Parokya with Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria. photo 10. Almusalang Parokya sponsored by the Third Order of Carmelites (TOC). photo 11. Fiesta-gisan group contestant. photo 12. Takbo Alay kay Maria organized by the Knights of Columbus (KC).

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