Activities at Our Lady of the Assumption Church.

Celebratory event marks AFCM 2nd anniversary

As if to elevate parishioners to a higher realm, a concert of popular Christian music by various religious choirs will set the tone of the festivities marking the 2nd anniversary of the Archdiocesan Filipino Catholic Mission (AFCM) at the Our Lady of the Assumption Church (OLA) on Sunday, August 22, 2010. A praise and worship at 4 p.m. will herald the thanksgiving celebration which will culminate in a con-celebrated Filipino Mass at 5 p. m.

With this year's theme "Sundin ang Loob Mo" (Thy Will Be Done), AFMC will feature a mix of sacred music and video presentation chronicling the works of the AFCM in the Filipino community for the past year. It would be an attempt to engage parishioners in deep reflection of their faith and roles in continuing the Filipino customs and traditions in the Catholic Church.

Organizer of the event see it as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of the community and bolster further involvement by a younger generation of the faithful. "We are united by faith in the place that has gathered us together," stressed Zeny Uy, secretary of the AFCM, during a consultative meeting with other ministries. She added that the Filipino Catholic community appears more condensed and pronounced in their congregation at OLA, where the Filipino parishioners have apparently ballooned in numbers recently.

To many parishioners OLA has become a kind of sanctuary that imbues a sentiment of being home away from home. Uy pointed out that organizers ultimately hope for a unified Filipino community, united by faith, in response to the Lord's calling, "that they may all be one." AFCM, according to Uy, is also noting a gradual transition from the old to the younger generation as members of the youthful parishioners take on more responsibilities and leadership roles in the community.

"This is one appropriate way to pass on the unique religious traditions of Filipinos to the younger generation in the faith community," said Uy. She indicated that new leaders from youthful parishioners at the Assumption Church are slowly emerging, "almost giving us the assurance that the future is bright for the AFCM." Other ministry members of AFCM were quick to signify their willingness to stay on for the long haul. From its humble beginning some twenty-eight years ago as a chaplaincy based in the Blessed John the XIII Catholic Church, the AFM has evolved to its present form to better serve the spiritual needs of the changing demographics of Filipino community especially in the Greater Toronto Area. Fr. Ben Ebcas, pastor of OLA, serves as AFCM's first Director.

Aside from the GTA, community and sacramental services of the AFCM extends to Midland in the north, Peel Region in the west and the Regional Municipality of Durham in the east. In a span of two years, AFCM has been largely responsible for the increase in the parishioner population at OLA. Various unique Filipino traditional church activities have been rekindled at OLA such as Simbang Gabi during Christmas; Pabasa, Huling Pitong Wika and Salubong during the Lenten Season; Flores de Mayo; and the communal Fiesta in celebration of the Feast of the Our Lady of the Assumption in August. In most of its initiatives, AFCM has encouraged sharing of resources as a cornerstone in promoting harmony and joint collaboration among the members of the council of the laity.

In addition to the seasonal activities, AFCM has also instituted celebration of popular feast days such as the Feast of Santo Nino de Cebu every third Sunday of January; Our Lady of Manaoag; San Lorenzo Ruiz, Blessed Pedro Calungsod and Poong Nazareno, to name a few.Parishioners are also brought face to face with visiting Filipino priests, who are invited to OLA to celebrate the Eucharist on occasions.

A Caregivers' Ministry has also naturally evolved as part of the AFCM which caters specifically to caregiver parishioners and their friends. Essentially a Ministry of Presence, the Caregivers' Ministry has been responsible for launching a series of caregiver-specific initiatives meant to serve the direct needs of those caregivers seeking aid. Most of its activities are conducted at the Juana Tejada Lounge, a gathering space for caregivers where they can meet, talk, share resources and just be themselves in the company of other caregivers during their Sunday off. "It is good and reassuring to have a tambayan for caregivers before or after the Mass,"said Melanie Del Rosario, a newly-arrived caregiver from Hong Kong. Del Rosario has been frequenting the Lounge since discovering the AFCM caregivers venue by word of mouth from fellow caregivers.

True to form, AFCM organizers will be clad in traditional Barong Tagalog during the entire anniversary celebration which also includes a fellowship at the parish hall, where a communal meal will take place. A parade of flags and banners from different religious organizations, led by 4th degree Honour Guards of the Knights of Columbus, will enliven the entrance procession of the Mass and emphasize the wide participation of the faithful in the AFCM anniversary festivities.

By Faye Arellano

Return to Top