Celebrating Fiesta with a Merciful Heart

May 8, 2016 – The Ascension of the Lord Parish celebrated her 15th Parochial Fiesta and 14th Parochial Anniversary with the theme “Ascension of the Lord: A Glorious Manifestation of the Father’s Mercy to His family.” The parish prepared various activities not just to give joy to the parishioners but to respond to the rallying call of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which is “Be merciful like the Father.”

Medical Mission
The Ascension of the Lord Parish Medical Apostolate (PMA) volunteers joint by the Parish Social Action Ministry (PSAM) conducted a medical mission at Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) last May 1, Sunday, as part of the continuing celebration of the Year of Mercy.

169 “hail-fellow-well-met” female detainees or “bakasyonistas”, as what they call themselves, inside the ward benefited the medical services rendered by Dr. Joy Tabora, Dr. Don Tinasas and Dr. Fredizmenia Anduyan, together with the other volunteers. They wholeheartedly gave their free services such as pap-smear, OB-Gyne check-up and other consultations which greatly helped the detainees with their medical problems. There are 47 female detainees who availed the pap smear test, 4 who availed the Ob-Gyn check-up, 54 detainees who had their consultation check-up and 9 detainees who had their new haircut.

“Nagpsalamat gayud kami, Ma’am, sa inyong pag-anhi ug paghatag sa inyong oras sa pagtabang sa amo na nalimtan na sa society. Maskin dominggo ug panahaon alang sa inyong mga pamilya apan giuna gayud mi ninyo, Ma,am,” one of the detainees said. The volunteers were also grateful to extend their assistance and to show their empathy to the baksyonistas of the BJMP. They never expected the warm welcome of the detainees, staffs and the disciplinary act institute inside the rehabilitation. In return, the detainees prepared a very short program to show their gratitude to the volunteers which surely struck them.

This corporal works of mercy proved that God is always with them. They just need to look and search in their hearts the Merciful Father who never ends in knocking in the locked doors and waiting to be opened once again.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Door
As part of the fiesta activities, different zones, ministries and center organizations of the Ascension of the Lord Parish participated in the pilgrimage to the Holy Door at San Pedro Cathedral on different and scheduled dates from April 29 to May 7, 2016.

Prior to the pilgrimage, the formation ministry of the parish conducted a one-night input to deepen the understanding of the parishioners regarding the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and to instill to them the importance of passing through the Holy door. The following night after the input was allocated for the sacrament of reconciliation in preparation to the pilgrimage. By 3:15 AM the next day, the parishioners traveled to San Pedro Cathedral. Later on, after passing through the Holy Door, they prayed together the Holy Rosary and afterwards, they traveled back to the parish to join and participate in the Novena Mass.

The parishioners were given the opportunity to experience what it was like to be in the arms of the Merciful Father as they pass through the Holy Door. Indeed their journey towards spirituality deepen and strengthen their faith.

Sports Day
The youth showed their active participation in the fiesta celebration by making the Sports Day in the parish possible last May 6, Friday. Some youth and servant leaders coming from different GKKs gathered at GSIS gym to participate in the fun and exciting games prepared by the committee.

The Sports Day was filled with excitement and joy as loud cheers and high energy coming from the participants was heard during the games. The games was more on larong pinoy and team-building activities which was appropriate to strengthen the relationship, teamwork, camaraderie and sportsmanship of the youth who came from their respective GKKs. In fact, one of the participants said, “Enjoy kaayo ang mga dula. Blessed kaayo ming mga youth sa amuang GKK kay naka witness ug naka experience mi ug ingani.” During Fr. Reyjie Penecios’ closing message, he expressed his gratitude and joy for the participation of almost all GKKs in the activity and encouraged them to continue to come and to gather as one family for the church not only during Sports Day.

Fiesta Masses
The 15th Parochial Fiesta of the parish will not be that fruitful and meaningful without the celebration of the Glorified and Risen Lord within the Holy Mass. Our fiesta masses were presided as follows:

7:00 AM – Bishop George Rimando
9:00 AM – Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD
12:00 NN – Msgr. Leonardo
4:00 PM – Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan Jr.
5:30 PM – Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla

The presence of the bishops and priests served as their utmost support and expression of joy to this year’s parish fiesta celebration.

Pista sa Nayon
Fiesta or pronounced in local as “pista” is a celebration of generosity. The 15th Parochial Fiesta of the Ascension of the Lord Parish last May 08 became an avenue to carry out the generosity of the parishioners to those who are outcast, homeless and neglected through “Pista sa Nayon”.

Parishioners from different zones showed their creativity by means of decorating their assigned booth. Some of them preferred to make it simple but others make use of different materials that made their booth unique from the others. Each zone also prepared different food and delicacies to be shared to others.

This year’s Pista sa Nayon was more special and unforgettable because of the presence our dearest guests from different institutions who joined the celebration. The guests were the elderly from the Missionary of Charity Home for the Aged, children from Balay Kaginhawaan and Bahay Pasilungan and informal settlers of Matina Crossing.

All zones prepared an intermission number which showcased their giftedness and which brought joy to our guests. To show their gratitude, our dearest guests also prepared some intermission numbers. The elderly prepared a song number that really touched the hearts of the parishioners and the children from Balay Kaginhawaan and Bahay Pasilungan performed a song and dance number. What struck the parishioners most were the triplets from the Bahay Pasilungan who danced with the beat of Kiss You by One direction. They were confident at the same time very energetic. Everybody had fun throughout the day but before the program ended, Fr. Bong Dublan, together with the other parish volunteers, gave away some gifts to our dearest guests.

Through this event, the parish was able to celebrate fiesta with a merciful heart. After all, it’s not about the food or decoration prepared but what matter most is the act of giving and sharing especially in this Year of Mercy.

Souvenir Program
The bi-yearly souvenir program was released in time for the parish fiesta. This is a parish’s documentation of the growth and development of the different ministries, GKKs, center organizations and parish’s construction. Their souvenir program this year was different because instead of coming up with a magazine they decided to put the compilation in a DVD. But regardless of its medium, the content of the souvenir was not affected because it was still composed of pictures and videos enough to supply the information needed. This is available for sale at the parish office.