IT WILL be a year-long celebration and observance of faith as Saint Augustine Parish launched the year-long celebration of its Golden Jubilee celebration.
The celebration takes on a meaningful cue when the formal start of the activities were announced by parish priest Msgr. Ric Serrano and Parish Pastoral Council coordinator Tess Laus as both urged the local congregation to look back into the 50 years of faithful service to God.
Leading this year's events was Archbishop Emeritus Paciano Aniceto who enthusiastically led the parish in the dedication of its new altar commissioned by the Parish Pastoral Council and their beloved parish priest.
This year's celebration will mark a turning point in the parish's history as church officers and the local faithful are urged to join in a celebration of faith, good works and programs for the development of the parish's apostolate and charitable works.
Mrs. Laus was more than excited when she said that the parish officers will soon visit past priests of the parish to thank them for their past contribution to the parish.
The programs, Mrs. Laus said, include charity works for the poor and other beneficiaries of the parish. A highlight that would surely please the local congregation would be the upcoming concert of the Philippine Madrigal Singers in November.
The MADZ, as they are colloquially called, are famous for their repertoire of various styles and forms: Renaissance music, Classical music, Filipino and International folksongs, contemporary and avant-garde music, Opera and even popular music.
The parish will also be launching a renewed effort for community catechism of the Catholic youth in the community and those wanting to learn about the Catholic faith.
The move is part of the year-long program that aims to renew the faith and bring further understanding of the Catholic doctrines.
Archbishop Aniceto said that the word jubilee was derived from the an old Hebrew word that meant ‘ram's-horn trumpet. The good Archbishop said that the parish should sound the celebration and make known its programs for the promotion of faith as though blowing the trumpet.
"A jubilee celebration should be joyful and anchored on faith. It is a celebration not just of the parish administration but also of the whole parish. It's a celebration of faith," Archbishop Aniceto said.
The Golden Jubilee celebration will end in September 2016. Organizers are planning for the grand but meaning program to cap the event.
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