OLLP Angels and the Wind Beneath Their Wings

It is often said that the Children are the present and future of the Church. They are the most numerous members. How we, as Church respond to the aspirations of the Children will shape the future leaders and members of our Parish. We cannot deny that we are inspired by the active involvement, participation of the forty children and still counting in OLLP’s Worship Ministry. They were sent forth/commissioned by Rev. Fr. Leonie H. Espana, DCD, Parish Priest of The Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish, Bangkal last Sept. 16, 2018.

In an interview with Ana Norbe, the OLLP Pastoral Coordinator, Head Catechist and the mentor of the Children Ministry, the forty children came from the different GKKs; from the Our Lady of Fatima Royal Valley, Sta. Cruz Central Park Phase 1, Sto. Nino Bulusan, ICC Kadayawan Homes Phase 3, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Central Park Phase 2 and 3, San Miguel NHA Relocation, Christ The King Kadayawan Homes Phase 2, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Kadayawan Homes Sectoral, San Jose Alzate, Sto. Nino Alzate, and Santiago Apostol. They are the product of different Public and Private Schools.

The organization started year 2011. The children are the product of the first communion where the initial number was only fifteen. As part of organizing and voice coaching, she went to the chapel of the GKK of La Purisima Seaside every Saturday afternoon where the majority of the children-choir are residents. That was the initial venue to practice the Sunday Mass Songs. The age requirement is between 8-13. Once the child reaches the age of 14, they will be recommended to Join LCCP as Lector and Psalmist (Service path). At present there are already twenty Psalmist and Readers of the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass who are product of Children’s Choir. The Ministry is not only blessed with angelic voices, but also with the two talented young organists: MJ Magdolot and Gerald Gonzalez.

Ana Norbe added that the ongoing activities include but are not limited to: (1) Quarterly Formation on the Doctrine of the Catholic Church. Aim: (a) to instill in their innocent minds that they are the church; (b) to value and to have the heart / love for service; (c) and to persevere even if faced by challenges “usahay walay pamasahe paadto sa simbahan”. (2) Starting April 2017, a guitar lesson is conducted every Saturday @ 02:00-03:00 in the afternoon. She dreams that the skill they’ll acquire from the guitar lesson will equip them as the future guitarists in their own GKKs. (3) 03:00 p.m. practice for Sunday mass songs.

What inspires and motivates Ana Norbe most to continue mentoring is the children’s obedience and commitment to deliver without discounting the moral, spiritual, and financial support from parents whose goal is to raise their children to present them to God. The parents, the family, and home environment; the culture of the family plays a very important role in shaping the beliefs, morals, Christian values, outlook and faith of an individual. What were instilled in the early stages of the life of the Children became part of who they are, when they grow up and face life.

“Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” – Mark Robinson

(Vinny G. Bajo, OLLP SoCCom)