At The Crossroads 16

Now these things can be told. I am truly grateful for the more than 400 people that came for the dinner and dancing. The Auxiliary bishop of our Diocese, Bishop Rutilio del Riego, who is also the Episcopal Vicar for the Riverside Metropolitan Area, and on behalf of Bishop Gerald Barnes, graced our evening of food and laughter. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Chevalier Family honored us with their presence: Fr. Tito Maratas, MSC, the Superior of the MSC-Philippine Province, and Fr. Narciso Abellana, the Vice-General of the MSC Congregation world-wide. We were blessed with the representation from the Diocesan Pastoral Center, led by the Chancellor, and its various offices. There were smiling happy priests, both diocesan and religious, deacons and religious sisters. The people from far and near, from different parishes in the diocese, friends, relatives and family from other parts of the country and abroad – we all converged to celebrate our love for the priesthood, and for our priests. We know of course that there were many more that could not make it but expressed their oneness with us just the same.

That evening donations came for the indigenous school in the Philippines that I founded. One donor surprised me with the pledge of $30,000.00 for the school, spread across 3 years, of $10,000.00 per year. The support that you all gave for the construction of the home for the elderly MSC in Manila makes me think of your building a home for me in my old age. And the contributions you made for the vocation promotions and for Serra House for priestly formation in our diocese convince me that you have ensured the future of our Catholic faith and your profound love for the priesthood and for us priests. Thank you all so very much.

The Thanksgiving Mass in the afternoon was impressively solemn. Our K of C gave us a feel for a humble royalty befitting a church; the homily was simple and profound. The choir was majestic and angelic, composed of different voices from different parishes, led by our own 5:15 pm Saturday choir. Our altar servers were a reservoir of possible vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This was followed by a simple reception of our parish family, with our guests who felt very much at home. For our Christian community is truly our home!

Behind all these were the hands and minds that toiled to make the day meaningfully great! Our volunteers and our staff; our parishioners and our Pastoral Council; our priests led by our Pastor, Fr. Gene – they all made us celebrate our life as a family of priests. They love their priests and nothing and no one can take this love away.

With deep gratitude, I humbly ask for your continuing prayers. For we priests are earthen vessels, called to give witness to the holiness of God. – Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC