A healthy and beautiful community of faith

“I thank the Lord because of you”. This was the final message of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, borrowed from St. Paul, when he concluded his three-day Pastoral Visit at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish-Bangkal from August 12 to 14, 2024. He further said, “Magpasalamat kita sa Dios sa gasa sa pagtoo.”

The three-day Pastoral Visit was very fruitful and meaningful. In his homily, Archbishop Valles said, “It may not be perfect, but it was a healthy and beautiful community of faith.”

During his first day of visit, Archbishop Valles was so amazed by the presence of the people expressing their faith to God combined with their faith to the nation, as parishioners welcomed him wearing Filipino attire. He further stressed that among the parishes he visited, it was so far the first time he was greeted as such.

The first day of visit was full of awe and inspiration. After the mass and dinner, Archbishop Valles had an encounter with a big group of GKK Servant Leaders from the twenty-five (25) Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) composed of seven (7) districts and the Parish Pastoral Council officers and members in their Filipino-inspired costumes, together with the nuns of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, at the OLLP Gym. The questions, observations and commentaries from the group and the response of Abp. Valles inspired and awakened everyone to be more faithful soldiers of God.

On the second day of pastoral visit, Archbishop Valles celebrated mass at the Immaculate Conception Chapel in Taal, Bangkal, one of the 25 GKKs of OLLP under District 2, which was chosen by Fr. Campeon to be visited by the archbishop. In his homily, he encouraged the GKK to follow the battle cry of Mary in saying “Yes” to be God’s servant and become like a child who always clings to his mother. He elaborated, “pagkanindot kung ang atong attitude isip mga sakop sa katilingban susama sa gamay nga bata, sama kita ni Birhen Maria nga abri kanunay sa atong kinabuhi.” He also encouraged the GKK to celebrate the feast of St. Anne, the mother of Mary, having brought Mary into this world, pure and immaculate. After the mass, Archbishop Valles joined the GKK for a simple dinner they prepared for him.

After his visit to ICC-Taal GKK, Archbishop Valles proceeded to the parish office and had a small group session with the key leaders of the different apostolate, ministries and the Lay Organizations, Movements and Associations (LOMA) of the parish. The issues raised were on the individual apostolate under the three-fold ministry of the church and the Lay Organizations, Movements and Associations (LOMA), which Abp. Valles clearly explained and clarified. It was more of an exchange of ideas from the points of view of the church workers to the head of the diocese.

Archbishop Valles met the Parish staff on his last and third day visit for a dialogue and the signing of the Canonical Books. Later that evening, he had a session with the youth, listening to their clamour with regard to their faith. Janzen Jumo, the Parish Youth Apostolate Coordinator, when asked of his expectations after their encounter with the Archbishop said “…daghan pud mi gina-expect kay daghan pud mi pangutana ug curiosity sa usa ka kabatan-onan. Daghan gusto mahibaloan especially on the side of the parish. Hopefully, human sa among encounter sa iyaha makadugang kini sa among mga knowledge ug unsaon jud pagpatibay sa among faith…”

Nestor Fruto, OLLP-PPC Lay Coordinator, said an interview, “kining pastoral visit usa lang kini ka importanteng event sa parokya.” He personally expressed that since the creation of the parish twenty-one years ago, this is the first time that he witnessed this pastoral visit in the parish. He said, “daghan ang gusto ipangutana ang mga kaubanan apan ang purpose lang gyud ana mahayagan.”

During this 3-day Pastoral visit, Archbishop Valles in his homilies, emphasized the importance of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as the center of worship of the Church and the number one remembrance of Christ. Secondly, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was the first disciple of Jesus, and who, with her simple ‘yes’ conceived Jesus Christ, our Savior. Lastly, he reminded us that we are an Apostolic Church, the apostles being the roots of our Church. He also explained the three-fold ministry of the Church: 1) Worship (prophetic) Ministry reminds the people to be faithful and bring God closer to us by communing with Him; 2) Service (kingly) Ministry, who, like a shepherd king, takes care of people, the sick, the needy; and 3) Formation (priestly) Ministry teaches and guides the people. These three were all seen in Jesus. Thus, we see each other as Christ.

On the his third and last day visit, Archbishop Valles acknowledged the parishioners of OLLP, the lay leaders, the GKK leaders, the Apostolates, the heads and members of the Lay Organizations, Movements and Associations (LOMA), the youth, the nuns of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, who run the only Catholic school in the parish, the Jesus and Mary Thevenet School, and most especially Rev. Fr. Henry G. Campeon, Parish Priest, Fr. Alcris Panganiban, Parochial Vicar and Fr. Fernando “Anggong” Ingente, SM, who were present during the mass, for allowing him to be inspired by the living faith of the people in the community, having seen both the youth and the senior citizens participate in the masses and the three-day activities. (Rowena Baldoza-Villaflor, OLLP SoCCom-Media)