5th Anniversary Celebration of the Diocese with Lay Leaders
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 39 Lantana Street, Cubao, Quezon City
August 26, 2008 6:00 pm

GROWING IN FAITH THROUGH SERVICE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

As I thank God and stand before you tonight, there are two dominant feelings that overwhelm my heart. First is gratitude, gratitude to the Lord for the gift of our beloved lay leaders in our diocese. Allow me to use the words of St. Paul in his first letter Thessalonians (and I believe this is also the sentiment of by brother priests): “We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your faith and labor of love steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 1:2-3). Time has elapsed so fast. It seems just like yesterday I came to this diocese as your local ordinary. We were just like a new borne baby but now we have grown enormously. And as I look back and see how the hand of God is at work in our lives, I realize that aside from the hard work of my brother priests, it is your selfless dedication your work of faith and labor of love that make such growth happens as you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you.
Second is humility. I am always touched by your love for the Lord and by your concern for my littleself and my well-being. Your service to our church is truly a source of inspiration for me. When people congratulate me for the good things that are happening in the Diocese of Cubao, I always say that it is because we have a good teamwork in the diocese. “I am the team and the priests and lay leaders are the work.” I am humbled to be surrounded by lay leaders whose dedication and selfless service are invaluable. We do not have to mention a litany of activities and accomplishment that would show that our Church is a visible presence of Jesus in our midst.
These five years are filled with God’s blessings. Sometimes I ask my self in my quiet moments as I contemplate the goodness of God: “What have I done to deserve this” Why does God bless us abundantly? I believe it is because we have generous lay people, lay leaders who are ready to give their time, volunteer their talents, and share their treasures. Your gesture of generosity reminds me of the boy who shared his five loaves and two fish which Jesus multiplied in order to feed the five thousand people. Because you share your time, talent and treasure, God has blessed and multiplied them and the whole diocese benefits from them. Once, again, God who cannot be outdone in generosity has fulfilled his promise: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 6:38). Sbi nga, pa gang D’yos and nagbigay, Siksik, Liglig at Umaapaw. Pinararami Niya ang kakaunti (Multiplication of loaves), pinalalaki ang maliit (Zaccheaus, maliit sa harap ng tao ngunit malaki sa harap ng Diyos), binibigyan hg lasa ang walang lasa (He turned water into wine in Cana). Noong Sabado, August 23 ating ipinagdiwang ang ika-apat na aniversaryo ng Pondo ng Pinoy sa diocese ng Cubao. The slogan of Pondo ng Pinoy: “ano mang magaling, kahit maliit basta’t malimit ay patungong langit.”
The Diocese of Cubao is heading toward a local church that has a sustainable resource mobilizing spirituality of stewardship. When we realize how generous God is to us, we respond with gratitude by developing all our gifts to their full potential, using them well to serve other, building up the kingdom of God, and sharing them generously. When we receive God’s gifts gratefully, we can share them with others joyfully.
Our plans and programs in our respective parishes are guided by our vision-mission statement which is to become a community of Christ-like disciples empowered and sent through effective servant-leadership moving towards becoming a church of the poor. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, by God’s grace we have articulated our direction this coming three years 2009-2011. We have a five-point agenda by which we can mobilize our resources giving emphasis to the establishment and strengthening of our BEC’S which is a way of being a church as expressed by the PCP ii IN 1991 and giving due importance to the spirituality of stewardship. As baptized and gifted members of the body of Christ, the laity is tasked to spread the Kingdom, penetrating deeply into the world to infuse it with values. The National Laity Week – Sept 21 – Oct 1, 2008 has for its theme: “The Laity: Primary Agents of Change Towards Honesty and Integrity for Good Governance.” Together we continue to build a civilization of love in the midst of violence and corruption. We promote self-discipline and change as key to growth, love and progress in our country.
As we celebrate our anniversary, we renew our commitment to be active participants in the Church’s life and ministry instead of just being spectators in the community or admirers of Christ. We are challenged to give the best of ourselves in serving this local church so that it may be true to its call: to be a city on a hill giving light of the world and making a difference by the quality of life we offer. We are called to radiate the compassionate presence of God!
Let us thank God for guiding and blessing us through these five years. Mary our leadership in the church help us to grow and mature in our faith. Through the example and intercession of Mary our Mother may God teach us to be more generous to give our time, volunteer our talents and share our treasure. Let us join hands in praying and working together as disciples of Christ to that we can build the City of God, a city founded on His love, wisdom and power.

MABUHAY PO ANG LAY LEADERS NG DIOCESE OF CUBAO!