Monthly Archives: April 2019

Bishop Honesto. F. Ongtioco, head of the Diocese of Cubao to which CTK Greenmeadows belongs, of@icially installed Fr. Steve Zabala as the official parish priest of Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows last January 16 during the 6 pm mass at the main church. Though a Wednesday, the church was crowded with parishioners and well-wishers. To recall, Fr. Steve had transferred to CTK last June 16 and celebrated his first mass on June 17. Fr. Steve was one of the last of the 47 parish priests to be installed. Some 40 priests from the…continue reading →

The incorrupt heart relic of Camillus de Lellis, patron saint of the sick, doctors, nurses, and hospitals, visited Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows last February 23, one of the stops in its two month journey throughout the Philippines. The relic arrived by a special van escorted by armed soldiers at 9:45 am and greeted warmly by several parishioners, including most of the Lectors and Commentators who had just finished their General Assembly. At the 10 am Welcome Mass, Fr. Steve Zabala officiated, with Camillian Fathers Dan Cancino and John Paul Alvarado concelebrating. Fr.…continue reading →

March 6, Ash Wednesday, kicked off the Lenten Season for the Catholic world. The previous day, March 5, the devout parishioners witnessed the ceremonial Burning of Palms to Ashes outside the Divine Mercy Chapel just before the 6 pm mass. March 8, the first Friday of Lent, was the first Parish Way of the Cross, which would then be held every Friday thereafter during Lent, after the 6 pm mass. For March 8, the sponsoring parish organization was the Parish Pastoral Council, with Lay Coordinator Bert and Marie Anne Santos coordinating. The five…continue reading →

In 1995, when I was still a deacon preparing myself for my eventual ordination to the priesthood, I wrote a deacon’s prayer. A deacon, our priest-formator told us, is literally a servant (the Greek word for ‘servant’ being ‘diakonos’). Priesthood therefore must always be understood as a life of service to God and to his Church. As soon-to-become priest, I knew (and boy, was I anxious and nervous!) that I would automatically become a leader (there was no choice!) in the Church community. Being a future leader, I had to remind myself that…continue reading →

The World Youth Day Vigil last January 26 to 27 drew 155 young people from the different parishes in the OLPH Vicariate. Fr. Steve gave his opening remarks remotely from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Fr. Jojo delivered the opening prayer, and Pope Francis was on live stream early Sunday morning. In attendance were nine different youth groups from: CTK, St. John Paul II Parish, Libis community, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Nativity of the Lord Parish, St. Paul’s College students, members of the Timothy Youth Ministry…continue reading →

As of press time, Fr. Steve Zabala would have already received the results of the tabulation and summary of the nominations submitted by the current members of Parish Pastoral Council, plus some 70 other involved parishioners, mostly core team members of the different ministries plus mass slot liturgical coordinators. This is part of the leadership selection process devised by Fr. Steve in consultation with the Parish Pastoral Officers, or PPO. Up for replacement after serving for the three year term July 2016 to June 2019 are the Parish Pastoral Of@icers (Lay Coordinator, Secretary,…continue reading →

Fr. Anton Pascual, the Executive Director of Caritas Manila and president of Radio Veritas, gave a well received talk, ‘The Ultimate Test of Servant Leadership’, to the Parish Pastoral Council and a few other non-PPC members last March 9. This was part of the Discernment Assembly that Fr. Steve required of all those identified to participate in the PPC leadership selection process. Fr. Anton started by saying that everyone was there to ‘learn, unlearn, and relearn’. He argued that we all needed to learn because only learners will be successful in our knowledge…continue reading →

March 6, Ash Wednesday, opened the 2019 Lenten Season, a season of fasting, prayer and alms-giving. It came much later than last year’s Ash Wednesday which was celebrated on February 14, 2018 or even the previous year’s, which was held in March 1, 2017. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar and it takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 days not counting the Sundays). It comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes…continue reading →

As part of its annual Lenten activities, Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows holds Way of the Cross devotion every Friday at the main church immediately following the 6 pm mass. The Friday devotion to the Way of the Cross is organized by the Worship Ministry headed by Peter and Leila Banico. The first Friday Way of the Cross was held last March 8, officiated by Fr. Steve Zabala and led by the CTK Parish Pastoral Council members. The Sponsors of the other Friday Way of the Cross at the main church are: ‣…continue reading →

In celebration of the World Day of the Sick, February 11, Fr. Manny Flores officiated the 6 pm mass at the main church and followed this up with the healing service immediately after. Parishioners brought their sick relatives and friends for healing of body, mind, and spirit. The World Day of the Sick also coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In his introduction, Fr. Manny implored the faithful to intone, ‘Jesus, Son of Mary, have pity on us.’ Then, painstakingly, Fr. Manny whispered to each of the parishioners in the…continue reading →