The Annunciation Orthodox Church

This is the facade of the Annunciation Orthodox Church in Parañaque. 

The regular Eucharistic celebration is usually done for two hours, which is only using the St. John Chrysostom liturgy, but when we visited on March 4, 2012 the liturgy was too long. We started from 7:45 am until 11:30am since the Orthodox priest used the St. Basil Rite of the Eucharistic Celebration. At the same time, our Orthodox sisters and brothers were celebrating the Orthodox Sunday of the 1st Sunday of Lent of their calendar. It is remembered that the veneration of images was restored in the time of Empress Theodora against the Iconoclast controversy of their predecessor emperor, who was so against the images for they represent pagan idols or promote idolatrous activity. Orthodox Sunday is a commemoration of the restoration of venerating the images. So, our brothers and sisters made a simple procession within the United Parañaque subdivision to remind the people that actions proper to images is veneration for adoration belongs to God alone. 

This is the traditional altar of the Orthodox Church, wherein beyond the beautiful graffiti of images is the altar and on the other side is the place of the faithful. The structure of their churches is patterned like that of the Temple of Jerusalem. The altar table is like that of the  Holy of holies of the Jerusalem Temple and faithful are not allowed to enter the altar. A door on the divider wall is kept open all throughout the mass so that people can still see what's basically happening inside. 

People joined the priest to procession for the commemoration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. 

An ecumenical dialogue between the two priests, from Catholic and Orthodox Church. 

Sta. Monica Parish, Mexico, Pampanga

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This is the Parish of Sta. Monica in Mexico, Pampanga. The original church was built by the Augustinian friars. The cite of the the original church is now the house or convent of the Benedictine Monastery of Perpetual Adoration. The current church was built through the effort and help of the people of Mexico.

Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Chrysanthemum Village, Laguna

Mother of Good Counsel Parish, 

Chrysanthemum Village, Laguna
This church is administered by Augustinian priests. 

Five day Immersion in Zambales

I didn't have the time to correct my grammar here.Please bare with it. LOL

There were so many exciting experiences and realizations when we had our 5 day immersion activity in Botolan, Zambales with the indigenous families of Aetas from October 17-21, 2011. In these days, I lived, together with Fray Ian, to a very simple family with 4 children. My foster-parents were Nanay Leonida and Tatay Nestor and their children, Violeta (11 yrs old), Leo (8 yrs. Old), Vic (7 yrs. Old), and Gil (6 yrs old).

We had to eat our dinner before the sun sets because there’s no electricity available in their area. However, before we could eat we have first to look for the food. So there was once a morning that we had to wake-up early morning and walk for almost twenty minutes and harvest some vegetables to a private land property, where our foster father worked as a caretaker, since he is the one tilling the land. We then have to finish all necessary things before evening and the rest of night is an opportunity for us also to talk with them. Moreover, Food for them is scarce. There was also a day that we are not suppose to have a breakfast but a concerned neighbor shared a little for the family.

Sto. Niño de Cebu

Our Lady of the Queen of Peace Retreat House, La Union

Our retreat last October 24-28, 2011 in La Union was a magnificent display of nature. The most outstanding scenery was the sunset. I have never seen a wonderful sunset like this in my life. The retreat house was located on top of a hill and it gives a very wonderful picture of it. We even played around with the sun as you can see in the picture. 

I'm not actually a lover of flowers but their colors seem to attract my attention and take a snap shout on them.
Before I forget, the name of the retreat house is Our Lady of the Queen of Peace Retreat House. It is also a priory since old nuns of the benedictines stay there.As to what I heard they are independent from the Order of Saint Benedict but they can still carry the title OSB in their names.

Holy Angels Parish, Damortis, La Union

On October 28, 2011 - We were guided by a benedictine nun, who was assigned in the retreat house of where we stayed for five days with them. She was so hospitable that she even lead the way going to Agoo, La Union. Before going to Agoo, we first visited their parish in Damortis. We were then introduced to the parish priest, who warmly greeted us together with a teacher from a nearby school.

Nuestra Señora Virgin del Marcautiva is an image
and devotion to the Our Lady enshrined
in the Holy Angels Parish.

The facade of the Holy Angels Parish in Damortis, La Union.