‘Panalipdi kami’

Blessed with a good weather, parishioners were in festive mood as some joined the early morning civic parade to represent the parish during the joint celebrations of the 14th Araw ng Barangay Panacan and the 21st Parochial Fiesta of San Miguel Parish, recently.

The highlight of the celebration was the concelebrated Holy Mass at 8:30AM with Archbishop Romulo Valles as the main presider. The good bishop expressed his joy for making it this time because in last year’s celebration he was in Rome for the IEC meeting.

In his homily, Abp. Valles was happy to see a good number of children during the mass, mostly pupils from nearby schools. He said the best education we can impart to these kids is to develop a deep sense of God. He continued that we too, in front of the Lord, are like young children, who need a protector and shepherd. That is why, he continued, “we are reminded in this feast of the archangels, to ask for their protection. “Panalipdi Kami” as the prayer goes. We need the protection, guidance and enlightenment from God because we have limitations in spite of our abilities and faculties as humans,” he said. The bishop concluded his homily by reminding the people to keep the faith, live the faith, and translate this faith into daily life.

Before the final blessing, Rev. Fr. Jun Gimeno expressed his gratitude to Abp. Valles, and to other clergy members who concelebrated the mass. After the recessional, churchgoers were greeted with a showdown of drums and lyre from different schools in Panacan. A short program and a thanksgiving banquet ended the day. Viva Señor San Miguel!