Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Sorrows:
I hope all is well as we start this New Year, 2017.
First and foremost, it is official, with his installation the other day, January 6th… our new Archbishop is Cardinal Joseph Tobin! In the name of the communities of Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Sorrow, CONGRATULATIONS CARDINAL TOBIN!
Secondly, folks I am so grateful for all of you. Your generosity is overflowing. Last week I wasn’t able to put out for you the amount of your Christmas gifts to OLM because we were understaffed the day after Christmas. It didn’t make it to publication. And now you can find it in this issue of our bulletin. Check it out. The total of last week’s collection and the Christmas gifts to the parish found here is $32,000. We got more than last year’s. And that is because of your generosity. So, to all of you who gave your very generous Christmas gifts to the church a BIG THANK YOU! May you will be blessed more with what you need.
As you are reading this I am in the air going to the Philippines for a very short visit. I left January 7th (just a few hours ago) and will be back on the 18th. Part of this trip is to attend to an episcopal ordination of one of the summer priests that served our communities, Msgr. Victor Bendico (I wrote something about him in the bulletin a few months ago, if you can remember). He became a Bishop of the Diocese of Baguio. For those of you who know the Philippine geography, Baguio is up in the North of Manila. Because of the travels from one place to another (which is not only by land but also by air), I have a limited time for an R & R. As a matter of fact, I will be seeing my mother and siblings for just one full day, then, I will be flying back here in the USA. Just thinking the travels, I feel like I am exhausted already. But I thank the understanding you give to us, your priests. We definitely need to rest our heads and bodies every once in a while to keep our sanity and recharge energy. Don’t miss me much… I will only be out of your sight this weekend and the next. You are in good hands with Father Tom and Father Nol (who will be back on the 13th from his well-deserved R & R in the Philippines.)
There are upcoming events in our communities, especially the feast of Santo Nino at OLM this coming Sunday, the 15th. I thank in advance those who help make this possible under the leadership of Father Nol and a Bible Study that will start on the 16th. Check out our bulletin for more information.
A very special acknowledgement to Dominic Rivera, our bulletin editor and website master! He is the one behind the updated version and beauty of our parish bulletin. Dominic, in the name of our two communities, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! May God give you more blessings, especially energy and creativity among many other gifts and blessings He can grant you with. I know how busy you are but you give time in sharing your talents to us, the people of God.
My best regards and God bless us all!
Love,
+Father Marty
Maraming Salamat Po!
THANK YOU to the following supporters and donors of the Simbang Gabi Food Sale 2016: Femme Mabalo, Susan Cailles, Judy Bustria, Lulu Sychua, Fred Beyo, Elleth Villa, Presy & Connie Lorenzo, Vickie Figueras, Carmen Blanquera, Joanne Valencia, Babera/DeRama/Daus/Pastoril Families, Angelina Liao, Lilian Saldua, Shella Bautista, Baquiran Family, Gem Basan, Bing Latumbo, Koset Bernardo, Arboleda Family, Daisy Postrero, Norie Ramos, Joy Esteban, Vivian Santos, Janet Banaag, Geny Montecasto, Hilado Family, Lorna Mercado, May Del Castillo, Anamae Aldea, Edith Kurdy, Cyril Almuete, Jezz Villa-Mercado, Lanie Navarro, Zenny Rosales, Elvie Gabot, Gina Agcaoili, Gigi Macalintal, Reyes-Catuncan Families, Aurea Vallo, Villa Family.
The total amount raised for the Parish Youth Ministry is $1,252. Thank you for your generosity!