Thank You!

Message for the Groundbreaking of the New Church of San Pablo

 

On January 22, 2012 we celebrated in our parish the feast of our Patron San Pablo Apostol.  The Theme of our feast this year was “sama-sama magpasalamat, magdiriwang at magkaisa sa pagtatag ng bagong simbahan”  or “All together we thank, celebrate and collaborate in building the new church’  because in this year we are going to start also a big project: the construction of the new Church of San Pablo in the complex where on October 3, 2010 we had the blessing of the new youth formation and social centre.

             

The theme is not only inviting us to look back with gratitude or to have a  meaningful celebration but it provokes all us to work together in the building up of our community, our new church and in bringing more Catholics back to the Lord, in becoming true missionaries in our parish like Saint Paul.  It is also what our new archbishop of Manila. Luis Antonio Tagle, DD told us during his homily at the Solemn Mass after the groundbreaking ceremony. We are proud of this beautiful design of the church of stone made by our friend and famous Italian Arch. Danilo Lisi –that might become a landmark of Tondo in the future, but this ought to be an expression of a more beautiful and alive church of people here in Tondo. The building of the church is possible through the cooperation and participation of everybody: priests and lay people, rich and poor, young and old, men and women.

           

Well! Seeing the enthusiasm shown by the fathers, Canossian sisters, PPCC leaders, Finance committee and youth both in the preparation and the participation in the day of the celebration I am sure that there is hope for success. Though we live in a poor area and have limited financial resources  we have talented and committed people ‘living stone’ that can make this dream become a reality.

            
I wish to thank not only our guests like the Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari and wife, the mayor of Manila Alfredo. Lim, Cong. Atong Asilo, the city councillors, Arch. Danilo Lisi who came from Italy, our benefactors and friends, all the people present in this memorable event but all those who worked hard to make this event a success.  May the Lord bless you all! But let’s not forget that this is just the beginning of our long journey... We still count on you! Thank you.

Fr. Carlo.