Fr. Steve Formally Installed as CTK Parish Priest

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 Cubao Diocese witnessed the installation, including all three previous CTK parish priests – Bishop Ongtioco (2004-2006), Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria (2006-2012), and Fr. Bong Tupino (2012-2018).

Leila Banico, Worship Ministry head, was commentator for the installation mass. During the introduction, it was announced that ‘We will witness the installation of your new shepherd, Fr. Steve. May Fr. Steve follow the example of Christ and serve this community with love. And may the community of this parish, join him with renewed spirits as we work together in the vineyard of the Lord.’ Assisting Bishop Ness Ongtioco with the rites were Brothers AJ Barbadillo and David Glover. Reader was Trix Deleña, assistant LeCom coordinator while the Prayers of the Faithful was read by Mel Novales, LeCom liturgical ministry head.

After the Gospel, Fr. Jojo Simon, Diocese Chancellor, read the appointment letter for Fr. Steve. In the Profession of Faith, Bishop Ongtioco said, ‘Remember, my brother, always be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people, so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do. As a teacher of that faith, I ask you now to lead your people in the profession of faith.’ To which Fr. Steve replied, ‘I, with firm faith believe and profess each and everything that is contained in the symbol of faith’ then proceeded to lead the crowd in reciting the Nicean Creed. Bishop Ness then asked Fr. Steve to renew his ordination promises. This was followed by the signing of the document.

Then came the Entrustment to the Place of Baptism, Confession, Tabernacle and the Presider’s Chair. The Bishop said, ‘Fr. Steve, as the new shepherd of this community, you are entrusted with the places in which we celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation, and also the key of the Tabernacle. May you be a loyal servant and guardian of the mysteries of Christ. In your service as a priest, the people of God will be born again through the waters of baptism, will be strengthened with the Bread of Life and the Word of God, will be renewed by the Sacraments and will be guided through faith, hope and love.’ At the end of this, Bishop Ness Ongtioco then presented Fr. Steve, with the words, ‘My dear people of God of the parish of Christ the King, welcome your new shepherd, Rev. Fr. Steven C. Zabala. Let us give him a round of applause.’ All forty other priests formed a queue to congratulate Fr. Steve. He then took his seat in the presider’s chair and continued the celebration of the mass. The offertory line was composed of the PPC officers and Nerio, Fr. Steve’s only sibling still stationed in the Philippines. Providing the choir music for the installation mass was Novo Conciertante.

Before the Concluding Rites, Bert Santos, CTK Lay coordinator, delivered the parish’s welcome message to the ‘new’ parish priest.

Then Fr. Steve took the podium to deliver his response. As with the parish fiesta mass back in December, Fr. Steve again acknowledged the splendid work done by his predecessors, mentioned his brother who was in the audience, and recognized the parishioners of his former parishes – Sikatuna, Loyola Heights, and Lord of Divine Mercy. He also gave thanks to Bishop Ness for his trust and the mentoring he provided. At the end of the mass, as is traditional, the Diocese clergy posed for a group picture.

Fr. Steve’s installation was filmed by the Cubao Diocesan Media Ministry which did a live streaming on the diocese Facebook page.

The installation mass was immediately followed by a fellowship dinner held at the parish social hall, highlighted by a roast from Msgr. Dan. Though some of the priests left before the reception, Bishop Ness, Msgr. Dan Sta Maria, and Fr. Herbie Santos stayed throughout the evening.

Bing del Rosario acknowledged the different groups who had come to help celebrate Fr. Steve’s installation. These included those who directly participated – Mother Butler Mission Guild, Knights of Columbus, altar servers, Novo Conciertante, greeters and collectors, EMHCs, and the three lectors and commentators. He also introduced the different ministry heads as well as the heads of the mandated organizations and renewal movements – Stewardship, Lectors-Commentators, Catechetical, Mustard Seed, Youth, Family & Life, Sunrise, Social Services & Development, Vocation, Urban Poor, Public Affairs, Formation, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, Apostleship of Prayer, Buklod ng Panginoon, Catholic Women’s League, Christian Family Movement, Couple for Christ, Diwanihan Kristiyano, Ladies of Charity, Legion of Mary, Life in the Spirit Prayer Community. He also acknowledge the ecclesial communities – Acropolis, Corinthian Gardens, Arcadia, & Greenwich, Corinthian Hills, Greenmeadows 1, St. Ignatius, White Plains and Libis. Also acknowledged were Fr. Steve’s former parishioners from Sikatuna, Loyola Heights, and Lord of Divine Mercy.

Bing also gave special mention to Leila and Peter Banico for the liturgy, Fely Ong and Marie Anne Santos for the food and physical arrangements, Chef Jessie Sincioco for catering, Beth Monedero, Maan del Rosario and Eileen de Leon for invitation and registration, Mila San Juan for the invitation printing, the Antonio family for the video wall, Henry and Joyce Tañedo for the poster printing, Benjie and Wins Mirasol for the ref magnet giveaways, and the parish staff.

It was unfortunate that the other ‘roaster’ for the evening, Fr. Bong Tupino, had to leave due to a parish emergency. After Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria had thoroughly roasted Fr. Steve, It was Fr. Steve’s turn to get back at Msgr. Dan, which Bing appropriately labeled, ‘Ang Paghihiganti ni Fr. Steve’. It was a very pleasant – and funny – cap to a long but rewarding evening.