PYM Holds Youth General Assembly

By Ate Cora Pangyarihan

The Youth Ministry held its 1^st Youth Assembly for the year 2012 from 2-7 PM last January 23^rd, attended by almost 40 youth from the different ministries. It was held at the Nishizaka Hall which was prepared for the occasion by Kuya Nico Garcia. The talks which were conducted by Kuya Anton Mamawag and yours truly centered on spiritual and personal preparation for Lent. Every activity was sealed by a prayer of commitment by each individual in front of the Cross.

A highlight of the activity was when the youth were asked to open up to the Lord at the prayer stations prepared by Kuya Nico, with the help of Mark Morato, Dina Obias, and Ellen Bautista. Tears flowed and sobs were heard through out. Even dinner time was part of the process. Each of us brought 1 canned good to share. We ate “kamayan” style on banana leaves to remind us to be generous but simple and humble.

Finally, the body made an evaluation of the past year, which was the main objective of the assembly. Everyone shared their ideas, needs and what they thought could be added to the programs for the Youth in the future. A post-evaluation of the assembly will be held by the Core Group in the following days.

It was truly a worthwhile experience for all. We prepared as best as we could, then the Holy Spirit took over.

PPC Starts the Year With A Planning Session

Last January 23, the PPC buckled down to work and started the new year with its 2012 planning workshop. The participants included the PPC EXECOM and the heads of the different ministries and organizations of the parish.

The main agenda of the half-day affair was the synchronization of all plans and activities of all parish organizations with that of the liturgical calendar of activities of the Church as well as the Diocese of Novaliches and the Vicariate of San Isidro Labrador where SLRP belongs.

At the same time, the PPC identified the important events in connection with the forthcoming Silver Jubilee this coming September 2012. Fr. Luke and the PPC leadership stressed the need for all parish-based organizations to work together and align their activities. As an output of the planning workshop, the PPC shall come out shortly with the overall parish calendar of activities for 2012.

The ministries and organizations represented during the planning workshop included the PPC EXECOM, the heads of the Worship Ministry, Education Ministry, Social Services Ministry, Temporalities, Youth Ministry, Family and Life, Mass Media, Apostleship of Prayer, BEC, PREX, Spiritual Formation Team, Knights of Columbus and the Special Events.

The workshop was hosted by Kuya Tony and Ate Lina Feliciano at their residence.

Year 2012 Begins with Sto. Nino Procession

The Sto. Nino is one of the most loved representations of Our Lord. In fact the Philippines has the distinct honor of being the only country in which this feast is celebrated. In our parish, we celebrated the feast by inviting the parishioners to bring their Sto. Nino images to the Sunday masses to be blessed. The response was very heartening as we saw in the many statues of the Child Jesus in all sizes, color and get-up that were lined up near the altar.

The parishioners were also invited to join the procession dressed in red.

The Parish Youth Ministry spearheaded the activity as they had done for the past couple of years. They provided a lively and participative atmosphere, even going to the extent of painting themselves black, mimicking the first natives who were introduced to the Christ Child. They led the procession of devotees as they danced their way through all the areas of the parish to the beat of Ati-atihan music.