Sunday, December 27, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Cards

The pictures were taken from parts of the stained glass windows of the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Church. These stained glass windows were a labor of love of the parishioners themselves (and some even non-Catholics who were fascinated by the work being done during the process of fashioning the stained glass windows).

As a way of honoring the parishioners and the parish, I deemed it fitting to use the design for the Christmas card for 2009.



Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Chistmas Message

December 2009


Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament,

PEACE and PROSPERITY be with you!

On the very first day I set foot on the town of West Point, there was a sign at the back of our church (which is now prominently situated in front) which read: “Keep Christ in Christmas”, that caught my attention.

And let this be the central theme of my Christmas message to all of you. “Keep Christ in Christmas!” Keep the Spirit of Christmas burn in your hearts.

If people ask you, “Where is Christmas today?” May your answer be, “where it has always been – with us!” Christmas is present among the humble and lowly, with those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and with those moved by the Spirit of love, the Spirit of Christ. Christmas is found whenever and wherever there is love – caring and sharing. And love, my friends, exists all around us. Let nothing and no one steal this from us, even when and/or if, we live in the worst of times.

Let the Spirit of Jesus – the Spirit of Christmas—always pervade our lives and may we always feel the embrace of Jesus today and this coming year here and everywhere. May you give “birth” to Jesus today and everyday as you give birth to hope, to love, to joy and to peace in our world. This Christmas, remember your experiences of love and ponder the events around you. Bring to prayer these following points: (1) remember what God has done for you; (2) remember God's very great promises for/to you; (3) accept God’s commands to you; and (4) act on your promises and commitments to God. By doing these things, you too will surely give birth to Jesus.

I was inclined to just greet you, “Merry Christmas”, but (I feel) it will not be enough. Let me greet you instead with these words:

Keep Christ in Christmas!
Celebrate Christmas! Celebrate Jesus!
Celebrate Life and Love and Have a Prosperous New Year!


Your Pastor,
Fr. Edgar Cleofe

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Comfortable?

People were asking me whether I'm comfortable and adjusting well in my new environment. They ask how can they help or give me something more. I'm really touched by the care and concern they show. My usual reply is: "I am comfortable and adjusting well. If there is anything I can think of (later) that I need, I will surely inform you."

This led me to ask and ponder on this question: "What is the gauge or measure of comfort?" I say to myself, as long as, I have a roof to stay, heater during the cold winter nights, air conditioner during hot summer days, hot or cold water as the need calls for, and be able to communicate back home, I'm COMFORTABLE. This may sound so simplistic but to add to that... If I can see people caring and concerned for me, I will definitely be comfortable... What more can I ask for? The rest, I think are just trappings (little luxuries). I remind myself that as a "missionary" here, I just came with two luggages and I was COMFORTABLE with it.

The few "material" comforts I'm enjoying here are already better compared to what I enjoy back home. But as I mentioned above, true comfort (for me) is not measured by what I have and enjoy but it is measured by the outpouring of love, care, and concern that I experience -- and I'm definitely comfortable already!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Friday, December 4, 2009

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Church

My present assignment... Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish