Light of a Million Mornings: grateful, grateful

Ave Maria:-)

As i write this , it's the feast of our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 5o yrs.

.., a novena of masses was held , with different Bishops offering mass each evening..tomorrow they say, Cardinal Rosales himself will be there

. what a downpour of graces and blessings ushered in by our our beautiful Mama Mary.

there is no perfect parish... the older and the bigger it is, the richer in experiences, the deeper the bench in as far as parishioners and lay leaders are concerned. There will be some who will be quick to point out negativities , complaints, any lack or poor service rendered but during this particular fiesta..as we celebrate 50 years, there can only be GRATITUDE TO THE LORD.

All glory and honor to You Mighty Father!

There are so many places in the world, where Christians can't find a church to worship and come together regularly as the Body of Christ..no priests to say mass..and therefore no holy Communion to nourish the people... so we must be extra thankful

for there are 1001 reasons

to praise the Lord , why it's a Golden Celebration 50 yrs...WOW!!!!

I'll have to reflect from where the Lord particularly allowed us to be during a portion of these 50 yrs. Many parishioners have served as Lector/commentators.. a lot of ladies have given their time and strength being very committed members of Mother Butler or Daily Dawn Rosary, there is also the Catholic Womens' League, the brothers are able to serve as Lay Ministers... or if younger as sacristans... there are many opportunities for service in any parish ..and it paves way for a richer experience of our Christian faith. But we were led to join the charismatic community..and that openned doors for a fuller experience of renewal of spirit.

Once in awhile I browse thru old pictures or videos... save these in cds so that the computer memory isn't filled up right away --yes, Virginia, I have a truckload of videos, hehehe.

Tonite, I chanced on our first studio practice with Bro. Albert. We were preparing then for a Pentecost Rally of cHarismatics -APCC .... when Albert joined us, we already had practised some songs, the music ministry especially the younger ones who never met our brother, didn't quite know what to expect.

Many were hesitant, nervous --was he strict.. would he bite?hahaha... The studio rented was a small one.. jampacked but all earnest in contributing to the rehearsals.

Watching and listening to the video, the more I realized how life is such a gift from God - and how the opportunities for service given us must be cherished because many times -- we may do it only for a limited time.Very Limited.

In the video whose link will be provided --- many faces are still with us..some are no longer with us -- they need to focus on their studies... one has landed a job as a nurse... others are busy preparing for married life - translation : working hard, and saving for the wedding bells.

It's not a mortal nor a venial sin to quit from a particular service especially when God tells us to do so but it's a must that as we are still in the thick of it (habang nag si silbi), to give it our very best -- in Tagalog it's concretely phrased:

"Wag mong titipirin." (Don't scrimp...not on pesos or dollars, but on the blood, sweat and tears we invest as we serve the LORD.

whether others are simply killing the time... foolin' around.. complacent, bored... resist the temptation to DO THE SAME... CONTINUE GIVING YOUR BEST BECOZ YOU ARE SERVING THE LORD. And by doing so..you will bless others , it is like a contagious fever and before you know it..everyone is finally of THE SAME FRAME OF MIND AND HEART. That makes the service beautiful and fruitful.

And should we move on to do other things:

migrating, working, studying, marrying, having babies, perhaps joining another Christian group... or to go on rest mode or plain enjoy old age.. whatever it is..for us TO NOT FORGET WHAT LESSONS WE LEARNED AS WE WERE PART OF THAT GROUP OR SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Philippians 2:14 NIV

The video tells it all..I love it even more that it's at least 2 yrs old..and i can follow-up the transformations, the evolution of every brother or sister..myself included.

Bro. ALbert has been playing the keyboard and teaching choirs since the old Testament.. his children are all grown up..and he really is due for retirement (kidding, kidding brod) , but he is still at it.

Maybe he has eccentricities, as who amongst us does not have one? But he has persevered in serving the Lord in the way God called him to.
God will favor that.

Jec2 who plays the violin is now having a lot of sleepless nights as he pursues his architectural course --- he's finding out soon enough that playing sweet music on the violin is A LARK compared to all the plates and schoolwork he has to accomplish.

Young ones..young ones --ahh marami sila..will always want and dream of a rosy romantic life-- meeting that Special Someone. Hmmm... the youngsters have had some hits and misses there...

broken hearts worn on their sleeve until sufficiently recovered and then they're back on the "Romeo..oh Romeo..where art thou, my Romeo?" trail again... sanamagan.

Haay naku, have they or have they not listened to Gary Valenciano's "di na Natuto?"

But seriously... many have learned that even where one's Lovelife is concerned... no, make that --->ESPECIALLY WHERE ONE'S LOVELIFE IS CONCERNED..GOD HAS TO BE CONSULTED... they finally realize that the "Ask and you shall recieve" promise also applies to finding one's lifelong partner. Take heed young ones... you've only got on life to live.

The song being rehearsed is a medley of invitatory Songs to the Holy SPirit : You are Welcome and Let Your Spirit Come .

The wonderful thing about these kind of songs is that even during practice..even if you just sing in the shower or while cooking your sinigang / waiting for the laundry (multi-tasking ba? while we sing them with all our heart..the divine blessing comes even before we finish singing the song...We cannot say to the Spirit ..You are Welcome, more than welcome..to abide in this temple..to reside in this place --- singing it contodo mucho gusto and expect the Holy SPirit to take leave? --- He is not deaf nor heartless...OF COURSE HE WILL COME TO US.. BECOZ HE SENSES WE REALLY WANT HIM TO.
LET YOUR SPIRIT COME..LET YOUR WILL BE DONE
LET YOUR PRESENCE FALL ON ME..
CHRIST YOU'VE SET ME FREE YOU'Re MY LIBERTY..
LET YOUR PRESENCE FALL ON ME...

May this be our common prayer as we move onto the second half of 2011.Come Holy Spirit..come and renew us, grant us a New Pentecost.. May our Lady of Mt. Carmel..the Blessed Virgin Mary grant us all a plenitude of graces..foremost of which is a real return to the Father thru Jesus Christ Our Lord.

May we realize that it is in our power and decision to always live our life for Jesus ... no matter how at times we wonder if we're making any sense at all .. in the end, by his love and grace.. He , the Holy One sanctifies all our efforts.

Here is the video you are Welcome

http://youtu.be/peS5VfXlBT4