PRIOR'S CORNER

Where did the year go? It seems we hear that question every year. With so many activities in the parish in the last quarter the time goes even faster. The last quarter means confirmations, kasalang bayan, first communions, and advent recollections for different groups in the parish. We also had three formation talks: St. Teresa of Avila by Fr. Paulo Gamboa, OCD in October, St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein) by Ms. Edith Burgos, OCDS in November, and St. John of the Cross by Bishop Rolando Tirona, OCD, DD on December 11th. On December 15 we started the 8:30 pm Christmas novena masses as well as the 4:30 am masses from December 16 to 24. When you add to this some eighty weddings in our church for the month of December, plus all other Christmas activities, you can understand why we look forward to a New Year to start over again.

We are very blessed that Fr. Paulo is now a full-time member of our community. He is always ready to help ou and serve. Deacon Niel is also busy with preaching, baptizing, blessing, and visiting the sick. He already preached his first retreat in Tagaytay where Fr. Arnie assisted him with confessions and a mass. Fr. Arnie and Rev. Neil also joined the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Seminar, November 28 to 30. This is our Parish Renewal Experience seminar. We plan to have one PREX class every month.

Some recent important dates are the following: birthday of Fr. Alex on November 27. Since it was allso Thanksgiving Day we celebrated with the roast turkey. December 13 is the arrival of Fr. Paul Sullivan from Ireland to spend Christmas in the Philippines. December 21st, a dinner for the birthday of Bro. Dominic. December 23rd, the 4oth anniversary of the arrival of Fr. Arnie in the Philippines.

From our community to yours, Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!