SULONG, OLHP! Memoir on Fiesta 2023

The theme for the 57th Parish Fiesta and the 152nd Apparition Anniversary of our Lady in Pontmain, France is “Sulong OLHP! Katiwala ng Biyaya, Kalakbay sa Pagasa” (Onwards OLHP! Stewards of Grace, Pilgrims of Hope). It is anchored on how God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Hope, bestowed the grace and strength to move forward from the shadows of the pandemic as stewards of grace and pilgrims journeying in hope.

One solid act of the parish moving forward was the reopening and blessing of the Adoration Chapel. The Papal Nuncio was joined by Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and around 30 concelebrating priests from the Diocese of Cubao, other dioceses and religious congregations. Government officials were also present, led by Congressman Arjo Atayde.

The fiesta celebration was preceded by novena masses and different fiesta activities that demonstrated the moving forward of the parish. Each day of the novena has a sub-theme that helped prepare the parishioners for the fiesta celebration. Different parish and civil organizations joined and sponsored the novena masses, showing the unity of the parish with the local government of Bagong Pag-asa.

The sub-themes were meditations on our pagSULONG as a parish community and how we can become worthy katiwala at kalakbay to our brothers and sisters. Focal points for the novena masses were paghahandog, pakikimisyon, pakikilakbay and pagsasakripisyo and all things that are essential for the parish community to move forward. Different parish organizations also prepared activities and events that demonstrate the parish moving forward.

The Tanaw-Dungaw, the meeting of the Sto. Niño de Bago Bantay and Our Lady of Hope was the first act for the fiesta on January 7, 2023. Led by the parish priests Fr. Raymond Arre (FRA) and Fr. Ron Roberto, this activity is a display of the special bond of the Our Lady of Hope Parish and the Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño Parish.

Day 1. January 8, 2023, the Public Affairs Ministry together with the Bagong Pag-asa LGU conducted the Lakbay Pamayanan motorcade as the opening salvo of the parish fiesta activities. Bikers, riders and cars joined this much-anticipated activity - a beautiful display of the parish and LGU supporting each other. The Stewardship Ministry also conducted the Maki-Misyon, the parish volunteer mission festival that aims to invite more parish volunteers.

Day 2. January 9, 2023, the Formation Ministry spearheaded the Parish Fiesta Recollection with the theme Ang Debosyon sa Mahal na Inang Maria: Spirituality of a Devotee of Mary. The recollection was given

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Day 3. January 10, 2023, marked a significant milestone for the parish as the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council led the groundbreaking of Serenitas - the new Our Lady of Hope Parish Columbarium.

Day 4. January 11, 2023, the Social Services and Development Ministry of the parish conducted a follow-up seminar on the “Tanglaw Pag-asa” program of the ministry.

Day 6. January 13, 2023, the Basic Ecclesial Communities Ministry showcased a festival of talents from different groups of children in the parish. The children have returned after being silenced by the pandemic.

Day 7. January 14, 2023, the Family and Life Ministry conducted the Sulong Pamilya!, a parish family day that displayed close family ties and camaraderie. Another formation talk, this time on healing and moving forward was organized by the Formation Ministry on the same day.

Day 8. January 15, 2023, the Music Ministry serenaded Our Lady of Hope with the Harana Kay Maria, a fiesta staple coming back after the pandemic.

Day 9. On the last day of the novena, January 16, 2023, the ivory image of Our Lady of Hope was once again brought out in a foot procession, the first time after three years of the pandemic. People joined the procession while some waited in their homes along the route of procession.

Dressed in festive costumes with colorful props, various parish organizations offered the traditional Talasyaw (Tala at Sayaw) for the Blessed Mother. The same performance greeted the Apostolic Nuncio for his arrival at the parish.

FRA extended his gratitude to all the organizations, especially the Parish Pastoral Council. Guided by FRA, Parochial Vicar Fr. Marti Espenido and Bro. Arnold Divina of PPC, the parish fiesta celebration was made possible through the collaboration of different organizations who enthusiastically participated in this year’s activities. In active duty as well during the fiesta celebration were the Social Communication Ministry, the Parish Youth Ministry, the Liturgical Environment Group and the Worship Ministry.