Pastor's Messages from October 2025

My beloved brothers and sisters, Praise to you Lord Jesus! A parishioner asked me about “halloween,” and in my research, I found that it originates from the Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of summer and the harvest. Then, in the 8th century Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as “All Saints Day,” honoring all saints; the preceding evening became “All Hallows Eve.” November 2 was later established as “All Souls Day” to honor the dead; remembering the deceased.…

My dear friends, Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever! We are now on the last week of the month of October – the Month of the Rosary; an opportunity for us to mediate on the mysteries of Jesus’ life through prayer. This puts Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, to find peace and virtue through our Blessed Mother Mary, by her intercessions and guidance. By praying the Rosary, it helps us to focus our lives…

My dear beloved brothers and sisters,  Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!  Just this Wednesday, some parishioners of our parishes experienced the interactive workshop that uses blankets to represent land, teaching the long history of our Indigenous and non-indigenous people. I have done this workshop many times and every time I attended this blanket exercise I often experienced a new and deep impact in understanding the history of this country and the need to take action moving towards reconciliation. What…

My dear brothers and sisters,  Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!  Thanks for your prayers as we just concluded our “Study Days” this week. We come together as ministers for spiritual and professional renewal, including presentations of the Called & Gifted Discernment Process Program, diocesan office discussions, prayer and fellowship. Truly, the event renews and encourages us priests, deacons and seminarians to help understand our God given gifts and charisms and to deepen our commitment to forming disciples within our…

My beloved sisters and brothers, Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!  As you know, there were calamities that happened in our world especially this week – wildfires, flash floods, severe storms, droughts, tropical cyclones, and earthquakes. The latest one was a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines that killed an estimated 70 people and injured hundreds. Thus, I ask you my brethren to pray for the victims, and may their faith be strengthened with hope, knowing that God’s…