Chrism Mass 2022
Chrism Mass 2020
On the morning of Maundy Thursday, April 14 of the year of our Lord 2022, the Most Reverend Bishop Roberto O. Gaa, DD from the Diocese of Novaliches, celebrated the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd. This momentous event was concelebrated by the clergy of the diocese in honor of the institution of their priesthood and a clear expression of unity and sacrifice of Christ, which continue to be
present in the Church.
After almost two years of having the Chrism Mass online, today is a blessed opportunity to gather on-site and have the celebration for our Mother Church face-to-face.
During his homily, Bishop Gaa expressed his gratefulness as God allows us to minister one another in the most creative ways during this time of pandemic even through social media. He said, “Ang daming binago sa mukha ng ating simbahan at hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pang binabago. Ngunit marami ring iba’t ibang pagkakataon na ang simbahan ay tunay na naging simbahan para sa atin.” The current situation posts many challenges but also allows us to go back to the basics and walk in faith.
As he revisits his two and a half years of being a bishop, he shared his amazement at how God accompanied him every step of the way. He felt His presence most especially during these changing times. He said, “it may not be so easy, but we are so blessed that we just need to continue to push forward.”
Bishop Gaa reminded us that the Chrism Mass calls for two celebrations – the renewal of priestly vows and the blessing of oils. He mentioned that the most challenging part of renewing priestly vows is the “call for obedience”. In one way or another, we are all leaders that need to watch over other people. “During this dark era of the pandemic, God made me confident not in myself but to trust and be obedient to God.”, said Bishop Gaa. God is most present in the people he called, just like the priests and the church servants. He advised everyone to trust and obey the Lord, for those called to serve are also blessed by God.
Finally, Bishop Gaa encouraged all the priests to embrace their vocation, grow with it, and submit their will to God for the good of His people.
During the said celebration, Bishop Gaa also blesses three oils — the oil of catechumens to prepare for the journey of faith; the oil of the infirm to strengthen in this life and sent forth into eternity the healing and pardon; and holy chrism to permanently seal the Holy Spirit with the fragrant Chrism of prophets, priests, and kings. These oils will be used in the administration of the sacraments for the entire year throughout the diocese.
Through the blessing of these oils, may our hearts turn to our Most Gracious Lord, who bestows His infinite love and mercy on us through these sacraments. Let us also pray for our bishop and all the priests who are called to minister these sacraments in their respective parishes, that they may be the humble and generous servants of God. May they be blessed with the strength of body, mind, and spirit as they continue to shepherd the people of God entrusted to them. [Hanie Banzuelo, SocComM Nova]
Chrism Mass 2022
April 14, 2022 | Cathedral Shrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd
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Laity’s role in Diocesan Synodality underscored
The active participation of the Laity is imperative to the success of the Diocesan Pre-Synodal Consultation to be done in preparation for the Synod in 2023 to be held in Rome.
This was underscored by Most Rev. Roberto O. Gaa, D.D., Bishop of Novaliches, as he led ceremonies to officially start the consultation — Diyosesisang Yugto ng Landasing Sinodal — highlighted by a Eucharistic celebration that he officiated.
“In this Synodality, marami po’ng pagko-konsulta na gagawin,” said Bishop Gaa in his Homily.”This pre-Synod consultation on the diocesan level will be a tedious process and we need everybody’s prayer so that this can really be successful.”
He added that “when we say a prayer, it’s a time of silence, a time of listening, a time of hearing what God wants to tell us, not just in prayer, but also in consultation.”
Personally addressing the Laity, he asked, “how will you speak, what will you say?” then advised everyone to call on the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Spirit may touch their hearts, and speak not what they want to say but what the Holy Spirit wants them to say.
“May paggabay, pagliliwanag, at paggalaw ng Espiritu Santo,” he stressed.
In an earlier invitation, he described the process that will entail a series of consultations in all sectors of society, including the poor and the marginalized; and encouraged everyone’s participation.
“Sana’y tayong lahat ay makilahok at tayong lahat ay makinabang,” he said, adding that we may only benefit if we participate. “Kung kayo ay kokonsultahin, buong puso niyo ibigay ang inyong saloobin, masama man, masakit man, ang lahat ay makakatulong sa pagbuo ng isang simbahan na nakikinig at isang simbahan na nagninilay at nakikipaglakbay.
The Bishop thanked Msgr. Jesus Romulo “Romy” C. Rañada for leading and guiding the Synodal Path Coordinating Team to do the long and challenging consultations that aim at arriving at the true face of the church in the Diocese of Novaliches. “That can be our starting point sa pagkilala at pakikipaglakbay sa Diocese so that we can really walk together as a Diocese,” Bishop Gaa said. “Pray with me, journey with me so that together we can listen to the Holy Spirit through one another.” On the same occasion, members of the Synodal Path Coordinating Team were officially introduced and blessed. They are composed of the Clergy, Laity, and the Religious.
Among them are Rev. Fr. Antonio E. Labiao, Jr., Vicar General for Pastoral Affairs; Rev. Fr. Jaime Z. Lara, Bishop’s Delegate to the Council of the Laity of Novaliches (CLaN); Rev. Fr. Luciano A. Felloni, Priest Director, Special Commission on Social Communications and Media (SocComM); Fatima Estacio, CLaN president; and Sr. Zenaida Cabrera, coordinator of the Association of Consecrated Lives in Novaliches Diocese (ACLIND).
In an AVP shared by the Saint Francis Xavier Parish shown before the ceremonies, synod and a synodal church were defined. This is a time, it said when the Church is called together “to communion, participation, and mission.”
It is likewise “a call for the involvement of all who belong to the people of God … to pray, listen, analyze, dialogue, discern, advice.” [Lulu Reclusado-Nario]
(Photo contributor: Jun Magtagnob | SoccommNova)
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