Dear Parishioners of OLM & OLS:

Last Sunday, we had our first FAMILY FAITH FORMATION GATHERING. Over a hundred families participated, learning together about the mission of Jesus as our Messiah and Savior. It filled me with joy to see the young and the not so young engaged in the process of lifelong faith formation. Each age level contributed its own enthusiasm and energy in sharing together on our theme of “We Have Come To Worship The Lord.”

In a very special way, I thank Regina (Jeng) Matias-Villa our Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation, for her tireless efforts in bringing the project to fruition. Over a year ago she journeyed to Chicago to participate in a seminar that presented the concept of an intergenerational approach to Faith Formation. Upon completion of the seminar, she enthusiastically shared her learning with our staff. During our last academic year, a representative of Center for Ministry Development conducted a training session here in Jersey City for a core team of stewards to enable us to discern embracing this methodology or not.

The core team recommended implementation of the process. Since September a broader core team shepherded by Jeng Villa planned and executed “We Have Come to Worship the Lord.”

Congratulations to all who planned, presented, and received the benefit of this Faith Formation Experience.
Once our core team engages in an evaluation process of last Sunday’s experience, we will inform you of our next opportunity for Full Faith Formation.

My love and my prayers,

Father Jack

Viva Senor Santo Nino!

Today we join with our sisters and brothers who honor the Infant Jesus under the title of Sto. Nino. Our Parish celebration on this third Sunday of January is being held in conjunction with our 12 noon Mass.

The history of this celebration is this. In April 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in the service of Charles I of Spain arrived in Mactan, Cebu. He persuaded Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Humamay to pledge their allegiance with Spain. They were later baptized into the Catholic faith, taking the Christian names Carlos and Juana.

Magellan gave Juana the wooden image of the Sto. Nino as a symbol of the alliance. The Sto. Nino is a representation of the Child Jesus. It literally means “holy child.”

Magellan died later that month during the Battle of Mactan.

The Spanish returned to the Philippines in February of 1565, with explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (who later founded Manila). He defeated Rajah Tupas (nephew of Humabon) on April 27, destroying the village in the process.
The Sto. Nino was discovered unscathed in the burnt out dwelling. The event was acknowledged as miraculous and a church was built on the site of the discovery.

Today, the image of the Sto. Nino is the oldest religious image in the Philippines that was brought by the Spaniards. The very first image known as the Sto. Nino de Cebu is enshrined in the Basilica Minore de Sto. Nino in Cebu.

Since then, the Sto. Nino remains a powerful symbol of faith. Filipinos, being largely Roman Catholics, venerate and are faithful devotees of the Sto. Nino. People continue to attest of how the holy child touched their personal lives and experienced miracles because of the power of faith.

Many feasts are offered in honor of the Sto. Nino. The official celebration is set on the third Sunday of January. Cebuanos boast of their Sinulog festival; the Ilonggos host the colorful Dinagyang Festival; the Aklanons celebrate the Ati-Atihan festival. The Manilenos honor the Sto. Nino de Tondo with a fluvial procession.

During festivities, celebrants usually paint their faces with black soot and wear bright outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry.

A 13th century event explains the origin of the festival.

A small group of Malay datus, fleeing Borneo was sold some land by the Ati people, the original inhabitants of Panay Island. The new arrivals celebrated the event at a great feast by painting themselves black to look like them.
Missionaries gradually added Christian meaning to the festival and it is now celebrated in honor of the Sto. Nino. The So. Nino will forever communicate the childlike virtues of humility, sincerity, and confidence.

Every household is encouraged to pray this novena beginning today and each of the next eight days.