Holy Family celebrates 40: Apat na dekada ng sama-samang paglalakbay

MANILA, Philippines - Forty years ago, what started as a chapel to add to the community environment that the Aguirre’s (builders and owners) wanted to establish for their first BF Homes in Las Piñas, would soon become the Holy Family Parish, the second parish in the whole of Las Piñas to be established by the Roman Catholic hierarchy…Yes, second only to the St. Joseph Parish, home of the world famous Bamboo Organ.

Early years of Holy Family Parish

Early residents recall that way back in 1968 through 1970 they would take turns in fetching a priest to celebrate holy mass during Sundays. This would often be at the Our Lady of Airways Parish along the Airport Road in Parañaque. They would then bring the priest to their homes, to feed them and to take care of them. Their collective effort was rewarded when only two years later, on September 18, 1970, the Holy Family Parish came into being with Rev. Fr. Sixto Ramirez as her first pastor.

Rev. Fr. Teodoro J. Buhain, Jr. (now Bishop Ted) became our second Parish Priest, followed by now Rt. Rev. Ernesto A. Joaquin, Msgr. Dick Aquino, the late Fr. Ric Mallari, Fr. Rey Medina, Fr. Tom Flores, Fr. John Morota, Fr. Jess Estrada and presently Fr. Sel Hernandez.

The antique-looking façade and the gold-leaf adorned altar of the Holy Family Parish Church.

All the parish priests leaving behind their legacy

With the active participation of parishioners, all of our pastors left a legacy in our parish. Fr. Ramirez saw to the construction of the first rectory and the coming of church mandated organizations. Under Bishop Ted Buhain the first parish newsletter was started. Msgr. Joaquin focused on Christian Family Movement and the Project Tuluyan. Msgr. Dick Aquino saw the need to renovate for a moderately bigger church. He also established the Charismatic Prayer Community.

Fr. Tom Flores was tasked with finishing the reconstruction of the church started by Fr. Ric Mallari, the structure that we currently have. His accomplishments include the addition of the computer-controlled church bells, a new social hall, a two-storey rectory, adoration chapel, and mortuary. Our gold-leaf adorned altar was also constructed during his time.

Fr. John Morota focused on enhancing the spirituality of parishioners. He introduced the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) and pushed for the formulation of the Parish Vision-Mission Statement. Inspired by his leadership, parishioners helped in conducting team building sessions and other organizational development programs. He also introduced the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) way of life and the Balik Handog program.

Fr. Jess Estrada focused on the mass as the avenue for evangelization.

Holy Family Parish as it is today

In 2006, we welcomed Fr. Rosello G. Hernandez as our new Parish Priest. Refusing to waste time, he set into motion the reorganization of the Parish Pastoral Council with the establishment of commissions and ministries. He even started the Pastor’s Desk, which provided parishioners value formation and Bible Study for an in-depth understanding of the bible. A computer room for church volunteers was provided as well as powder rooms for churchgoers. Thus far he has renovated the parish office, including providing more software for the staff. He has not also been remiss on the aesthetic side of the church. He pushed for the purchase of chandeliers and additional electric fans and relocated the surrounding grilles to allow more pews. This was followed by the renovation of the social hall roofing. As per his desire, the gold-leafing adornment of the main altar was further enhanced and extended to all the wooden doors and cornices of the 14 Stations of the Cross. The opening of the Parish’s Sagrada Familia Parochial School in 2007 is an accomplishment that Fr. Sel would always be happy with for so many years to come.

Parishioners from all walks of life willingly participated in both cultural presentation and religious activities to make the anniversary celebrations meaningful and memorable.

Holy Family Parish celebrates 40

And so the Holy Family Parish at 40, celebrated with pride and enthusiasm our 40th Founding Anniversary last September 18, 2010. We continue to strive to live by our theme: apat na dekada ng sama-samang paglalakbay sa patnubay ng Banal na Pamilya. The week-long celebration started with a trade fair, a first in our parish, organized by the First BF Homeowners Association, a gesture of cooperation between the Church and the guardians of the village. This was followed by the “Pista Sa Nayon” where the five communities of the Parish (BF Homes, DBP, T.S.Cruz, Reyes Compound and Pugad Lawin) hosted holy mass and salu-salo to foster camaraderie.

On the big day itself, holy mass was celebrated by 20 priests, some of whom were formerly assigned in our Parish. The evening celebration, called “Gabi ng Parangal“ was a big affair attended by no less than 600 parishioners and guests. This was held at the De La Salle Santiago Zobel Center for Performing Arts in Ayala Alabang Village. Forty parishioners were given recognition for their valuable contribution to the parish. Entertainment was provided also by parishioners who did not disappoint their audience with performances worth remembering. The celebration was capped by the Rigodon de Honor held the following night at the Anniversary Ball. Quite a number commented that it was a sight to behold. We say that it was a result of hearts working together.

Indeed, apat na dekada ng sama-samang paglalakbay, where along the way we encountered difficulties but through the patnubay ng Banal Na Pamilya, we gathered strength to face bigger and newer challenges.