Message From the Pastor

“We are an Easter people and Alleluia should be our song!” This quote from St. Augustine capsulizes the spirit and truth of our celebration of the Paschal Mystery; the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The celebration of the Holy Triduum, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil, truly enriches our faith in the Resurrected Christ and our identity as Easter people. Easter renews of firm belief and trust that God has, indeed, sent his beloved Son to be sacrificed, to die and to overcome death, darkness and evil. Hence, we, who are truly beloved by God, might be forgiven of our sinfulness and be blessed with confidence that a special dwelling place awaits us eternally in heaven: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:2-3) This is God’s divine will and plan for us; one day, in His time and by His grace, we will ultimately and completely share the fullness of life with Him.

Easter is a remarkable celebration of our faith that reminds us, as brothers and sisters and followers of the Risen Christ, of our common call to journey together and help one another to live out the hope-filled and life-filled message of this sacred season. As Easter people, we are to live with the joy of the resurrection in our hearts and by God’s grace allow this joy to grow and take control of our lives. In our small and simple way as parish community and as individual, let this Easter joy be concretely manifested by being hands, feet and heart of Christ to others, especially to the weak and vulnerable, to the needy and abandoned, and to the poor and underprivileged without judgement and discrimination. This is what Easter is all about, it is God’s ultimate and tangible expression of his love for humanity, for us… for you and me.

In behalf of the parish staff, please allow me to greet and extend to you my best wishes and all of the joy of Easter. Please let me also express my deep appreciation to all of your kind support and deeds to our parish:

• To all of you who have generously participated in our Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (AAA), and for those who are yet to participate… we are almost there to meet our assessment… thank you and may the Risen Christ bless you!
• To all of you, who faithfully and prayerfully participated in our parish Lenten Activities e.g. recollection, confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, soup and scripture and stations of the cross… thank you and may the Risen Christ bless you!
• To our benevolent parishioners, who donated their time, talent and treasure to enhance the wireless projector and audio system in our church… thank you and may the Risen Christ bless you!
• To our gracious parishioners, who also donated their time, talent and treasure to create a soothing environment and solemn liturgical celebrations of the Holy Triduum: Liturgy Committee, Music Ministry, Donors for the Easter flowers and plants, Flower Ladies, the Church Cleaners, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Sacristans… thank you and may the Risen Christ bless you!

I would like also to extend my warm welcome to those who are visitors to our parish community. I am happy you chose to celebrate the Holy Triduum with us.

Happy Easter and happy renewal of our baptismal promises… we are an Easter People… Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

With Joy in the Risen Christ,
Fr. Angel N. Quitalig