The last two days of 2023 were an eventful journey for the Holy Family Parish as it held back-to-back celebrations in honor of the patrons of the church.
The Foundation of the Faith
On December 30, 2023, the parish celebrated its 28th Dedication Anniversary and 38th Canonical Establishment. One of the highlights of the day's event is the holy mass concelebrated by its parish priest Rev. Fr. Fernando Cornejo, homilist Rev. Fr. Jun Meneses, and Rev. Fr. Noel Elnar.
"Isa akong saksi sa inyong pagmamalasakit sa simbahang ito," Rev. Fr. Jun Meneses.
Fr. Meneses, a witness to the history of the church, centered his homily on the worship, fellowship, and discipleship that he observed as he saw its growth.
"Hindi lamang ang simbahang ito ang gumaganda, umaayos, at umaayon sa panahon. Sumasabay dito ang kagandahan ng puso ng bawat isa,"
This is why the true spirit of the celebration was to revive and savor the heart that God gave to the church.
"Regalo ang simbahang ito sa atin kaya dapat natin itong pangalagaan at pahalagahan,"
Viva La Familia!
Meanwhile, on the following day, December 31, 2023, the parish celebrated the feast of the holy family which began with a procession in the morning and was followed by a mass presided by Most Rev. Ruperto Santos.
In his homily, the bishop shared the three key ingredients to transform each household's family into becoming holy: love, obedience, and recognition.
"Naitanong na po ba ninyo sa inyong mga sarili ano ang nais ko sa aking mag-anak, sa aking pamilya? Hindi po ba na maging tulad nila, maging banal o holy din?"
Love
Bishop Santos reminded everyone of the importance of love in the family especially between a married couple as it is the root of marriage and the major component of promoting faithfulness and honesty in a marital relationship.
"Gawin po natin at isabuhay ang pag-ibig na tapat at tunay; ang pag-ibig na totoo sa ating pamilya,"
Obedience
For his second recipe, he emphasized how Jesus became an obedient follower of his Father God even though the challenges in his journey were not necessary enough as he was the chosen one.
"Si Hesus ay sumang-ayon din. Kahit siya ay Diyos, siya pa rin ay nagpasakop sa alituntunin ng Templo at kaugalian ng tao,"
The bishop strongly believes that Jesus is an excellent example of the Lord and a role model that children should follow when obeying their respective parents.
"Sumunod sa Panginoong Diyos. Sumunod sa inyong ama at ina,"
Recognition
Lastly, Bishop Santos shared the significance of Mary and Joseph's offertory of Jesus in the Temple, symbolizing recognizing God as the only source of life.
"Ito ay isang pagkilala na ang Panginoong Diyos ang may-ari, may-akda ng buhay,"
From that, the bishop wants everyone to recognize the gift of life in a family which is the children and for that to happen, it is the duty of the parents to lead their child and offer them to the Lord.
"Pagkilala sa Diyos ay nangangahulugan, para sa mga ama't ina, na magsikap upang sa gayon ay maalalayan at magawaran sila ng maganda at maayos na kinabukasan,” he closed.