Ascension Parish Laity: Choose to be Brave

Inspired by Jesus command, “Go out to the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). This year the whole Filipino Catholic Church celebrates the Year of the Laity which invites everyone to “Choose to be Brave” to evangelize the Gospel to all creation. This call of the Year of the Laity was heard by the Ascension of the Lord Parish giving a special day to celebrate on April 27, 2014. The parish organized a program which involves a talk by a converted pastor from a protestant denomination which was followed with a Parade Proclamation and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which was presided by the Archbishop of Davao, Archbp. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. Alongside during the mass was the signing of the renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on gambling which was participated by the different Barangay Captains of Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing and other neighboring barangays together with the Station Commander of the Talomo Police Station. The day ended with a symposium which talks on Mary: Model of Discipleship which was participated by the different parishes of the Vicariate of San Pablo.

The Apostles of Jesus were afraid to the high priest and other people in power when Jesus died for they might end up like their teacher, died on the cross. They were discouraged, alone, distress and afraid but in spite of these, the Risen Christ showed up to them to give them His peace and the Holy Spirit to give them the faith and the courage to tell the Good News. Today’s world is devastated by natural calamity, greed, corruption, crime, poverty and sickness which clouded the laity to see the hope in Christ. In result of these, hatred, doubt, hopelessness, selfishness and greed covered the laity to not to evangelize. During the talk of Bro. Noe Dora, he testified that the Lord enlightened him to see the real faith and wiped the inhibition that clouded his eyes to see the true church which led him to spend five years in searching for the Church founded by the Lord. In five years time, he found it in the Catholic Church resulting to his conversion, baptism and confirmation on October 4, 2007. Hearing this testimony the parishioners felt the heat of faith in their hearts and gave them the inspiration to be proud and to be brave to proclaim God’s mercy to others. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit they started proclaiming their faith during the Parade Proclamation announcing… “Layko Ako, Instrumento sa Gugma ni Kristo. Gugma ni Kristo kadasig sa tanang Layko.”

Pope Francis urges us to take courage and go out into the world of the family, of business, of economics, of politics, of education, of mass media and social media of communications, and to every human endeavor where the future of humanity and the world are at stake and to make a difference. Much is expected from the lay people. From all walks of life, from professionals to farmer, fisher folks and laborers, from Catholics to Non-Catholics, the laity, specifically, the parishioners of the Ascension of the Lord chose to speak for Jesus and His Church in the public. Let the laity and the ordained ministers work hand-in-hand in proclaiming the good news to all creation.