Time to Move On

By Kuya Cesar Tiongson
Outgoing PPC Coordinator

It was exactly twenty one months ago when Ate Mayette and I humbly accepted the offer of Father Luke to be the Parish Pastoral Council Coordinator of San Lorenzo Ruiz. In my short message during the Easter Sunday mass of that year I can very well remember what I said, “Please join us in our journey to build a community of San Lorenzo.” I said those words because I know that we can do nothing without the help of the parishioners. The second reason is, during that time I did not even know how the pastoral council worked. With God’s grace, twenty one busy months passed, with various projects and activities, and never had we felt alone even once in that journey.

Holy week, sacerdotal ordination, PPCRV in two elections, simbang gabi, tribute to pearl wedding anniversary celebrators, RH Bill rally, pilgrimage to Laguna churches, tribute to graduates, tributes to life, the fiesta, the bodega and many other activities kept us occupied these last 21 months. I cannot remember a single month that we were not busy with some activity. Looking back, I sometimes tell myself that to have accomplished all of these successfully a miracle must have happened to us every month.

Though we can all be proud of these accomplishments, never can we be boastful. Yes, we have done a lot of things, but a second look will tell us that what we have done is just a very small part of the things that still need to be done for San Lorenzo Ruiz community.

Let us not miss the point that behind our travel in our pilgrimage, the fun in celebrating wedding anniversaries, honoring our babies and graduates, and enjoying our pandesal over hot coffee during dawn masses, the true reason for these activities is to know one another, understand one another, help one another in times of need so that eventually we can build our dream community.

For me, a community goes beyond the rubbing of elbows. It is the parishioners being spiritually one in faith with God, caring for one another, and working together unconditionally for our church. The activities we have engaged in these past months are a good start to make this dream become a reality, but I must admit, we have just started. This is the challenge that awaits the new PPC leadership, to “build one community of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish.”

Now the time has come for us to hand over the council to the new officers. With Kuya Tony and Ate Lina Feliciano, supported by Kuya Peter and Ate Lina Tamayo, helping Father Luke in running our church, I have no doubt that that dream community will be a reality. With the wisdom of the Felicianos and the energy of the Tamayos I am sure that the work of Father Luke in the coming days will be much easier.

For Ate Mayette and me, the last 21 months will be one of the most memorable parts of our life, memorable because you were all with us when we needed your help. Each one of you not only joined us, but even guided us in our journey. Those things, we will never forget… “At sa lahat ng taga San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish na nakasama namin - Maraming Salamat Po!”

Pilgrimage to Regina RICA in Tanay

Last Saturday, October 22, 2011 was another memorable day for SLRP. After a couple of weeks of preparation, back-and-forth meetings and an ocular visit, the pilgrimage to Regina RICA (Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia) in the hills of Tanay, Rizal pushed through. About 100 parishioners filling two tourist buses joined the trip which included visits to the St. Jerome Parish Church in Morong and the St. Joseph Parish church in Baras, both old churches in Rizal province.

The pilgrims left SLRP a little after six in the morning and arrived at the pilgrimage site about 3 hours later due to the slow climb up picturesque Marcos Highway and a wrong turn at a town in Sampaloc, Tanay. With more than an hour's delay, the organizers made hurried adjustments in the schedule.

At Regina RICA, one was immediately drawn to the huge 71-foot statue of Our Lady on Top of the Hill which dominated the 13.5-hectare property. The Dominican Sisters had just celebrated the first anniversary of its completion a couple of weeks before. It was in fact the first structure that was built on the property.

Upon arrival at Regina RICA, the group couldn’t wait to go up and get close to Our Lady. To make the group more manageable, it was divided into four smaller groups. Each small group recited the rosary as it ascended via the S-Trail which snaked all the way to the top. At the top, Sister Matthew welcomed everyone and gave a brief introduction to the place. A joyful celebration of the Eucharist followed under the mantle of Our Lady with Fr. Luke presiding.

After the mass, everyone went up to the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel inside the mantle of Our Lady followed by some souvenir photos around the place. Others went to the Handuman souvenir shop while still others had a hearty snack at the Pasilungan restaurant.

The next stop after Regina were the old churches of Morong and Baras, two churches in the southern part of Rizal. St. Jerome Church in Morong was built during the early Spanish colonization and showcases its towering facade (about 7 storeys high) of baroque architecture. On the other hand, St. Joseph Church in Baras, although relocated from the original site in Boso Boso, Rizal and which was then just a chapel, had a beautiful and ornate altar. One can still see the original wooden trusses that supported its roof.

In Morong, a pastoral worker of the parish played gracious host and offered one of their meeting rooms for the pilgrims to have their lunch. After lunch, it was off to Baras Church where a representative gave the group a brief history of the Church of St. Joseph. This was the last stop of the pilgrimage before heading for home.

Father Luke Announces New PPC Appointments

Last October 22, 2011, at historic St. Jerome Church in Morong, Rizal, Father Luke announced the appointment of SLRP's new PPC Chair-couple and the EXECOM.

The incoming PPC EXECOM is composed of Kuya Tony and Ate Lina Feliciano as PPC Coordinators, Kuya Peter and Ate Lina Tamayo as Asst. Coordinators, Ate Bel Geronimo as Secretary, Ate Tess Virata as Treasurer and Kuya Vic Vianzon as Auditor. Also appointed were Kuya Laya Victoria as Head of Construction Projects, Ate Bimbot Sevilla as Worship Ministry Head, Kuya Cesar Tiongson as Asst Head for Construction Projects and Ate Josie Cruz as Coordinator for Special Events, both Liturgical and Non-Liturgical.

The new PPC Chair-couple gave their acceptance talk and asked for the support of all while outgoing PPC Coordinator Kuya Cesar Tiongson gave his response on behalf of Ate Mayette and himself. In it he thanked everyone who helped make their one-and-half year journey a memorable and spiritually fulfilling one.

The newly appointed parish leaders will begin their term after their installation shortly after the start of the new Liturgical Year and will serve for the next two years.

Msgr. Romy Ranada Talks on Servant Leadership

Annually towards the end of the Liturgical year, SLRP begins its renewal activities for its parish workers. One of its activities is the parish recollection. Last October 14, the PPC invited the Rev. Msgr. Romulo-Jesus C. Rañada, the parish priest of Our Lady of the Annuciation, to talk on Servant Leadership.

It was a refreshing and informative discussion on the code of conduct of parish workers. He explained the important role of parish workers and leaders emphasizing that serving in the church should and must follow the example of Jesus, the paramount servant leader. If one wants to be a leader, s/he must first be the servant of all.

Msgr. Ranada’s talk was centered on the Gospels with particular focus on the Washing of Feet narrative in John 13:1-17. It is only in the Gospel of John that this particular episode in the passion of Jesus is found. In all the other gospels, it is the Last Supper that is presented.

He explained that the first thing the Lord did, after getting a basin of water, was to remove His outer garment and wrap it around His waist. By taking off His outer garment, Jesus shed His divine persona and became one with us. It symbolizes His complete humility and obedience to the Father.

After the washing, Jesus left this commandment for His disciples “I have washed your feet, so too must you do to each other. If you call me Lord and Master, then you must follow the example I have shown you. For no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent the message.”

SLRP Delegation Attends Grand Rosary Rally

By Ate Aida Arines
Worship Ministry

Last October 8, 2011, a Grand Rosary Rally sponsored by the Family Rosary Crusade in the Philippines and in cooperation with UST, was held in front of the main building, participated in by parishes from different dioceses together with religious priests and nuns belonging to different congregations.

A delegation from San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish led by Fr. Luke joined the event commemorating the 60th (1951-2011) Anniversary of the Family Rosary Crusade initiated by the late Fr. Patrick Peyton.

The festivities started at 4pm with joyful songs of praise and dances by the youth from different Marian groups. A brief history of the apparition of the Lady of Fatima was narrated to recall the relevance and meaning of the Holy Rosary...Unity in Christ in praying the rosary.


When the Image of Our Lady of La Naval arrived after a brief procession, the rosary was recited, led by assigned prayer leaders. In between the decades and before each mystery, different personalities shared their faith experience with the Holy Rosary followed by a song from different singers like Fatima Soriano and Jose Marie Chan and his daughter.



A Dominican nun shared her story of conversion from being an INC to becoming a nun which paved the way also for the conversion of her whole family who became evangelizers themselves. Chinchin Gutierrez also shared how she never lost hope despite all the tragedies and misfortunes she experienced.

The Holy Rosary was recited basically in English, however some decades were prayed in Tagalog and also in the Visayan dialect. After the rosary was the Coronation of the Lady followed by a floral offering and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

This tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of October, the month of the Holy Rosary, is a devotion and a reminder for all Catholics and devotees that Mama Mary loves us and will always intercede and pray for us. It is also to remember the memory of the late Fr. Patrick Peyton, who reminded us that . .