Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner for Pledgers

This year, thanks to the support of the pledgers from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Central Park, Bangkal, the parish has been receiving enough funds to fund the finishing touches of the church and its multi-purpose building. As a gesture of appreciation for their very generous support, Rev. Fr. Leonie H. Espana DCD, parish priest, hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for Pledgers last September 20, 2019.

It was a night of oneness of heart and spirit and an evening of joy and fellowship. Through this simple event, Fr. Espana and the Ways and Means Committee would like to show how honored they are to have pledgers as part of the community. It was also an opportunity to express how happy they are to work with the pledgers in raising funds for the completion of the church and other needs.

Sis. Ma. Iris Melliza, head of the parish Ways and Means Committee, recalled that year after year, she has seen that one of the strengths of the community is the desire to give. Most of the pledgers have been supporting and contributing to the parish needs for 17 years. Sis. Iris also explained that when one understands the priorities, and places God in their midst, he/she also inspired to give proportionately.

During the inspirational message delivered by Fr. Espana, he expressed that the Spirit of the Lord was with the community as they generously shared a portion of their blessings to fund the need of the parish. In Spirit of oneness, other parishioners shared their artistic, spiritual and educational abilities in many meaningful and inspiring ways.

Fr. Leonie also expressed his appreciation for the hard-working Ways and Means Committee led by Sis. Iris, which helped raise funds through campaign pledgers.

Throughout the night, music and entertainment were provided by the OLLP PSL Band led by Bro. Ruben Sumagang, Parish PSL Coordinator. This group is composed of talented men from the parish who have their own style of song and dance. More songs were also provided by Tawag Ng Tanghalan contender Ella Jane Fiel and her her sister Jaby Eve Fiel, both are members of LCCP as Psalmist.

Due to pledgers’ persistent request, Rev. Fr. Leonie Espana, parish priest and Rev. Fr. Arnulfo Cubero, resident priest, joined the band and sung their choices of old time favourites.

Fr. Espana envisions to completely finish the church during his term as parish priest. Although he has been with the parish for more than a year only, Fr. Toto has easily gained the love and respect of the community. He is very much a people-person and has managed to maintain the church beautifully. We pray that God will continue to bless him as he shepherds a community that continues to grow in love and generosity. (Marissa Diploma | OLLP Parish Finance Council)