Inside OLPH-Cubao

One Sunday morning, me and my wife went to a late afternoon Mass, I think it is around 6pm. As usual we sat in our favorite seats, though we are always sits near an electric fan. 


This time we sat nearly in front. In my left I saw one couple, the guy wears a torn-heavily used jeans, and his partner wears a mini-skirt with a sleeveless shirt. 


People looked at the couple with discontent. Ushers, can't help but only to look at them. I think these two are well known in Cubao, as they jeered a smile to everyone at the back. 
I remember one instance when it happened in our place. In Holy Cross Parish, under the Diocese of Novaliches, a reminder was always posted, NOT in the Bulletin board but at the entrance of the Church, plus a lady standing with a dozen of scarf in her reached. When someone went in with a scandalous clothes, she gave the, scarf to cover their skin. 


The Parish did not go easily, there are numerous calls in the Parish office, demanding this type action stops. They said this act is discriminatory to them. But the Parish Priest stand on his ground. Some Powerful Parishioner gave the Priest a thumb down, but the lonely Priest heads along with the Archdiocese's Instruction. The unexpected happen, a lot of people start changing their mind and choose to show duly respect to their Parish Priest; these people are the unheard, unpopular, who gave only 20 pesos as their biggest offering, but these people gave much more in the Church, they showed obedience and love to the Priest of Jesus Christ. 


I do hope that the same will happen in OLPH Cubao. It will not be easy, but it is worth standing on the fact that it is morally right. 


In the same effect, let us do our share. Let us dress properly inside the Church. Let us be a blessing to others by leading an example. Let us be contagious and let us spread the news about dressing properly inside the House of God. 

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP MOTHER OF CUBAO

This is the most famous Icon of Mary in the Philippines. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help's icon had so many symbols that even a daily Mass goer did not noticed. 


When I first step in the Parish of OLPH in 13th Avenue, Cubao, I was mesmerized by the mystique of the altar designs. It looks like a semi-Cathedral rather than a Parish. I came from North Caloocan, specifically in Amparo Village, and our Parish (Holy Cross Parish) would be Chapel like when compared to this majestic OLPH Parish.  


I observe people in and out, they seemed not noticed a peculiar Icon. This Icon was believed painted by St. Luke, and was stored in St. Matthew Church in Via Merulana in Rome.


It was first venerated in 1499, and Pope Pius IX venerated this image when he was a boy before the image was lost during the French invasion. 


Tradition states that the icon depicted an occasion when the young Jesus Christ awoke from a dream in which the young Jesus saw the instrument of His passion. Mary comforted Jesus, but remained quiet, she knew that this will be the future of his most beloved son. 


Today we look again to history, and seeing this Icon, only reminds us that we have a Mother and a guide and a perpetual comforter.