From the Desk of Father Pascual

3rd Sunday of Lent

Jesus makes use of the parable of the fig tree. The person who planted it expects fruits from it. Taking it so long for the fig tree not to bear any fruit, he plans to cut it down. The gardener halts him and requests from his master to give the fig tree another year to bear fruit. He volunteers to take care it and after a year that it will not bear fruit it will be cut.

The parable is full of symbolism for us to ponder upon especially in the season of lent. Lent gives us the time and opportunity to look deeper into our faith and lives. It is a time that enables us to realize how things are with us in regard to our discipleship. As disciples of the Lord, we are expected to share in the mission of Christ. First and foremost of it is to our witnessing to his teachings. It is in witnessing to him that we bear the fruits of being called Disciples of Christ today. We may regard the one year allotment in the parable to think of God's patience but it is a call for imminent conversion. It is not a dilly-dally circumstance but it is something to be done here and now. Let us then bear the fruits of faithful discipleship through our commitment and faithfulness to our faith.

Note: Because of the Scrutinies for our RCIA, we will have different readings to fit their preparation for the Easter Sacraments. The mass with the scrutinies will have the Readings from Cycle A.Nonetheless, all masses will have the Readings from Cycle C of the Lectionary.

Catholic Relief Services Collection

We will take up our second collection to support the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on March 13-14 masses. Catholic Relief Services theme this year is Give Hope to Jesus in Disguise. The collection will support the six agencies of CRS namely, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc, Catholic Relief Services, Migration and Refugee Services, Justice, Peace, and Human Development, The Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church (SCDC), The Holy Father's Relief Fund. Let us support CRS by our prayers and generous support.  

Budget Requests for Parish Ministries

As we are ending the fiscal year 2009-2010, coordinators or leaders of our parish ministries are requested to submit their budget proposal for the next fiscal year. The members of the Parish Finance Committee are scheduled to review the entire proposal before it will be decided. The deadline for submission is already due. May I remind that those who did not yet submit to please contact the office and present your proposal this week.