OLCP celebrates 31st Parochial Fiesta

Mira Nila Homes, QUEZON CITY—The Our Lady of Consolation Parish (OLCP) and Recoletos Formation Center (RFC) together with the devotees and pilgrims celebrated last September 2, 2018 the feast of Mary as Our Lady of Consolation with the Pontifical Mass presided by Most Rev. Bishop Antonio Tobias, Bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches.

The traditions of the OLC Parish is to celebrate her feast on the Sunday nearest to her liturgical feast day, which, this year, falls on September 4, to allow parishioners to venerate her being the titular and patroness of the parish.

Recollect priests from OLCP-RFC and other communities concelebrated.  Present were Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma OAR, Prior Provincial; Fr. Gideon Antolin U. Lagrimas, OAR, Parish Priest;  Fr. Lauro Larlar, OAR, prior of RFC; Fr. Arnel Diaz, OAR, former parish priest of OLCP; Fr. Emilio Larlar, OAR, Fr. Hubert Dustan Decena, OAR, Fr. Kenneth Joseph L. Onda OAR, Fr. Samson Silloriquez, OAR, Fr. Ian Anthony Espartero, OAR, Fr. Ferdinand Fornillos, OAR, Fr. Dominador Mercado, OAR. Fr. Russell Lapidez, OAR, Fr. Rellyric delos Santos, OAR, and Fr. Antonio Francisco, OAR.  Rev. Robin Ross Plata, OAR and Rev. Kenneth Caligdong, OAR were the assisting deacons.

Bishop Tobias, in his homily, reminded everyone to pray for the people of God as the church struggles with many issues.  The good Bishop expressed concern for the people and commented on the government’s move and promotion of Federalism.  He asked whether it is necessary to change the basic law wherein people are used to.  He reminded both the Church and the government officials to take care of the people.  The bishop, likewise, challenged the faithful to “pray and ask help from Jesus Christ that He may guide us… and that He may answer all our own questions.”

Binyagang Parokya was done at 2:00 pm and a procession followed after the 4:00 pm mass.

Series of activities were held as a preparation to the Feast Day celebration.  The Novenas Masses from August 24 to September 1, 2018; a recollection by Msgr. Sabino Vengco, HP, last August 25, 2018 during which he presented Mary as lady, as teacher and, most of all, as mother. “Si Maria and babaeng itinalaga na maging aking Ina na kakalinga, aakay at magtuturo” (Mary is the lady appointed to be my mother to take care, to guide, and to teach me.)

There also was the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation of 111 faithful last September 1, 2018 with Rev. Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches, as the presider.  In his homily, he reminded everyone with this words, “Confirmation is the biggest gift we received because it is the true God, the Holy Spirit, that we accept.” He also reminded everyone that the reason of confirmation is Jesus Christ.

On eve of the Parish fiesta, a Harana kay Maria, a serenade for Mary was organized by the Parish Music Ministry.  Choirs from the parish and area chapels participated in the said activity.

Viva Nuestra Señora dela Consolacion! (Fray Ricky John Austria, OAR)