On October 15, 2021, the same day as the memorial of St. Teresa of Avila, Father Ferdinand Delatado, parish priest of Holy Family Parish, celebrated his 10th Sacerdotal anniversary. To commemorate his first decade as a priest, a Thanksgiving Mass presided by him was held and concelebrated with Fr. Alan Oresca and Fr. Alex Balatbat
At the beginning of the mass, before Penitential Act, Fr. Ferdie requested everyone to pray for him as he celebrates his 10th anniversary and that he may continue to serve the Lord with faithfulness and honesty.
Fr. Ferdie began his homily by giving thanks to the Lord for allowing him to serve as a priest for ten years.
After that, he shared that an old priest once asked him, "Fr. Ferdie, what do you think are the differences between a young priest and an old priest?" He answered that an old priest looks different than a younger priest and that an old priest walks slower. The priest acknowledged his answer but shared that in his opinion, a young priest is still telling his story meanwhile an old priest finished speaking his. This is why he challenged Fr. Ferdie was still young. What story is he writing now, and what story did he already finish?
Fr. Ferdie stated that becoming a priest does not happen just because a person was called by voice; instead, the vocation's calling undergoes many processes.
He continued by sharing that his health was in critical danger when he was younger, so his mother prayed to the Lord and strengthened her devotion to Mother Mary. She promised that if they allowed him to be healthy again, she would offer him to the church and the Lord.
Later on, in his homily, he shared his journey from a young altar server until he was ordained as a priest (read his vocation story here: https://bit.ly/3FSGdLV)
After ten years of being a priest, he can feel the actions of the Lord in his life through the stories that he is sharing.
He then told the faithful that fear is normal and the only proof that we are humans. However, people should know that fear can be cured if the people will trust God. Fr. Ferdie also reminded the people of the prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, telling them that let nothing disturb them because God alone suffices.
Before ending the mass, Fr. Ferdie thanked the parishioners who concelebrated with him, Fr. Alan and Fr. Alex. He also gave thanks to the people who greeted him online, sent their gives, and gave regards to Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Congresswoman Stella Quimbo for greeting him. He then introduced Barangay Captains of Parang and Fortune, Kap. Tatang Zulueta and Kap. Rizalina Teope attended the mass.
Article by: Marianne Aragon
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