On August 5, 2017, the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, ten aspiring members of the Knights of the Altar were formally received into the ministry and received their blessed albs and cinctures in a simple ceremony during the 6:30 p.m. Mass.
Fr. Loddy Garcia, Parish Priest, shared in his homily that the Transfiguration of Christ is a foretaste of the glory of eternal life. Our Lord, after noticing the fear within his closest confidants, chose to accompany them up to Mt. Tabor to experience this foretaste of heaven. And there, he was transfigured or "changed" before them. Fr. Loddy also explained the importance of Moses and Elijah in the event. Relating the day's liturgical celebration to the life of the altar servers, he then said that "the lives of these ten new Knights of the Altar will now change. They won't be like any other children, who on Sundays prefer to sleep or play all day, but they are in the parish to serve the Lord." He also thanked the parents and guardians for their support for their children's vocation to become altar servers, and he asked them to continue guiding them so that they will be model Christians as they grow up. After the homily, the ten new members were presented to the parish priest by coordinator Bro. Kristoffer Balazuela. The candidates then expressed their promise to be committed, obedient and to be a role model to others. Their vestments were then blessed and were invested upon them by their parents, with the assistance of senior altar servers, who served as their "ninong." They were then finally blessed and commissioned by the parish priest and thus, accepting them into the Knights of the Altar. This year's theme was taken from Psalm 37:4, "Find your delight in the Lord who will give your heart's desire." The ten new altar servers were: Iverson Raymund Cabacungan (Peña 3), Jaike Lawrence Contrevida (Far East Asia), John Lloyd Dayucos (Pagrai Ibaba), Alfrancis Florendo (Maries 1), Victor Cary Mendoza (Peña 3), John Emmanuel Puno (Maries 1), David Johann Raquel (Meadowood), Earl Patrick Rayala (Virginia Summerville), Laurence Tañola (Maries 1) and Chinsky Viraguas (Peña 1).
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In simple yet meaningful ceremonies, the Parish of St. John Mary Vianney celebrated its 22nd Parish Fiesta in honor of St. John Mary Vianney, Patron of Priests. In preparation for the said feast, Novena Masses were held from July 26 until August 3, celebrated by priests who presently serve the parish. On Friday, August 4, a procession of the image of St. John Mary Vianney was held, participated by various ministries, organizations and parishioners from the different areas and communities served by the parish. Simple breakfast was served afterwards. In the evening, at 6:00 p.m., a solemn concelebrated Mass was offered in thanksgiving for the blessings received by the parish. Rev. Msgr. Rigoberto S. de Guzman, Vicar General of the Diocese of Antipolo was the main celebrant. Together with him were Fr. Lourdesto Garcia (Parish Priest), Fr. Rolando de Guzman (Attached Priest), Fr. Bienvenido Miguel (Vicar Forane & Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Parish), Fr. Aly Barcinal (Rector & Parish Priest of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish-Shrine), Fr. Val Sotero (PACEM), Fr. Greg (PACEM), and Fr. Mario Operario (retired priest of the Diocese). After the Mass, a simple fellowship was done at the patio of the church, with sumptuous food from the different communities, and singing and dancing performed by the different ministries and organizations of the parish. Though rainy weather prevailed during the duration of the novena, another prayer was granted through the intercession of St. John Vianney, that it did not rain during his feast day. VIVA! SAN JUAN MARIA VIANNEY! |