Whenever I visit our town, I try to cover as much ground as possible. Unlike in the past when I could reach Binangonan in 30-45 minutes, now it’s a two-hour journey. Because of the heavy traffic, a trip to Binangonan takes so much time and effort so I try to maximize my short visit by meeting as many people as possible.
Like last March 7, I visited the Sta. Ursula Parish. I met with Jaymar Paralejas to discuss the Biyernes Santo preparations. I also met with priests, and ate food intended for them!
Recognizing where I came from keeps me grounded.
I was baptized in this church more than half a century ago. My godmother was Dra. Nenita Ynares-Pedraza (+) whom I fondly called Ninang Nita. Nung araw isa lang ang ninang, unlike this days sangkatutak ang ang mga sponsors. St. Ursula’s feast is every October 21. She’s one of the saints I call for help when I feel so low. I am not sure if she still remembers me. Maybe she does because most of the time my prayers are answered.
I went to the parish’s office and I offered masses for me, Oyen, Nyke, Edmund, my parents (+), kuya Ben (+), and for my living siblings. Same prayer requests, safe travels, good health, thanksgiving, and for other special intentions.
The altar where the image of the patron saint, St. Ursula, stands in the center.
Since I am always away, my relative Jaymar Paralejas takes care of the Saint John the Evangelist statue in Pila-pila that my family owns. He coordinates with the modista to make the new dress, the repairs needed for the carossa, the ordering of flowers from Kevin for 4 processions, etc. He is such a big help. I wouldn’t be able to manage having a santo without him.
I was flanked by high school senior principal Jenny Aralar Garanale and school cashier Nenet Ojeda. Jenny called my mom Lola Felicing. Basta Aralar sa Binangonan, kamag-anak ng mama ko. Nenet must be a cousin of my high school classmate Butch Ojeda.
The current parish priest, Fr. Glen William Relucio is a Thomasian too, like Edmund and I, and my 5 siblings. Go USTe!
He is currently taking up his doctorate in Theology. He is also a mathematics teacher.
Teachers and students were all praises for him. They said the past-
past president assigned in the school only showed up once a month for the first Friday mass which he used as an opportunity to castigate teachers he didn’t like. Magagalit lang daw at magse-sermon. They claimed that this priest insulted teachers in public. They think he didn’t really care for the school and had the aura of being up there. In contrast, Fr. Relucio’s dedication and sincere commitment were felt by both teachers and students as well.
Instead of going to Jollibee to have a super late lunch, they invited me to stay and eat there. There was a buffet for the priests coming to participate in the Kumpisalan ng Bayan.
Principal Jenny insisted that I try Carlean’s black kutsinta kasi daw it was made by the chef husband of someone from Binangonan. She proudly said it was featured on tv, I forgot if in GMA 7’s Kapuso Mo by Jessica Soho, or in Karen Davila’s My Puhunan on Channel 2.
In fairness I liked the kutsinta’s texture. It was not starchy and not too sweet. It came with a caramel sauce and crispy budbod (grated coconut).
More than two dozens of priests arrived one after the other from all over Rizal to lend their support to the parish’s project. They quickly grabbed food, some just drank water, wore their white robes, then off they went to the different barrios. There was a group of priests taking the 4 pm boat to Talim Island to hear the folks confess.
Fr. Jeffrey was the former parish priest in Pila-pila where he was dearly loved.
I was pleasantly observing them. I saw their enthusiam to do apostolic work and give their support to Fr. Relucio. However, a part of me was thinking, I wonder if there are priests among this group that are hiding evil deeds? Are they making kupit the parishioners’ donations and contributions? Are they pocketing commissions from contractors of church’s and Catholic school’s construction projects? Are they flaunting their collection of expensive vehicles? Are they effing women when they are in the privacy of their condominiums bought from parishioner’s money?
I hope not.
Dear ms Annie, nakakalungkot talaga pag may mga pari na akala mo mabait at walang kalokohan. Yung bahay sa subdivision ko pari po sa bandang south ng aming probinsya samantalang kami naman nasa north. Nalaman ko sa kapitbahay din kaya ginoogle ko na ang pangalan at kanya nga at may fr. pa. Mukhang pari talaga ang lalaki, mabait at mukhang mayaman,. Simple lang ang bahay nila kung saan nakatira ang partner nya. Super sexy, posturado, nakaalahas palagi at ang pabango pangmayaman. Noong una ng natuto ng mag drive si girl yung sasakyan nya yung surplus na mini van second hand, tapos naging brand new na maliit na car, isang taon lang pinalitan ng brand new sedan tapos yung sa pari naman dalawang beses na nagpalit ng suv na brand new. Nagbibiruan kami magkakapitbahay saan galingnang pera, doon sa bulseta sa offertory sa misa.
Dear Harriet,
Nakakainis naman yan. Dapat isumbong yan sa Obispo o sa Roma. Dapat hindi natin sila pinababayaan umabuso. Kaya nakaka-walang ganang magsimba. Pero, ulit, pero, huwag na huwag mawawala ang tiwala, paggalang, at pagsampalataya natin sa Dyos, kahit maraming pari ang nagiging gigolo.
At kayo namang malalanding babae, pwede ba, maghanapbuhay kayo, magbanat kayo ng buto. Huwag tumihaya sa harap ng pari. Mahiya kayo sa kaluluwa ninyo.