Pastor's Corner

In my July 20 bulletin message, I mentioned about the accident that happened to me on June 6, 1970. Many years have already passed but the events are still fresh in my mind. Let me elaborate the details of this incident. As I’ve mentioned, “I was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with broken thigh bone, had surgery, and was confined for some weeks in the ward”. The healing process did not come that quick. Recuperation was difficult and had to be dealt with gradually.

During that time, as I had mentioned also, my parents’ loving care and fervent prayers to God became the source of my strength. This was where I witnessed how grounded they were in their faith, which later on had a great impact on me.

After my series of treatments at the Orthopedic Hospital in the city and each time we went home to the province, we would stop at a famous Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (in Baclaran, Manila). My parents would leave me inside the car since my leg was still in a cast , and they would spend some time in prayer. And here is the thing, I would see them from afar , crying while walking on their knees in prayer from the entrance of the big church all the way to the sanctuary, pleading and begging for God’s mercy for my recovery. Like the woman in our gospel it seemed they were telling God, “Our son is severely injured, Lord help us, help our son to recover, have pity on us.” For them, this gesture of sacrifice by walking on their knees was a way to show how sincere they were in what they were asking from God. You may call it devotional, but it was a unique gesture of their faith.

Their pleading for God’s help involved patience, persistence, perseverance, insistence or fighting spirit. They were really determined to “knock on the doors of heaven with prayers or to storm heaven with their knocking”. I understood their feelings since this involved their only boy who is also their youngest child. Little did they know at that time that this child will become a priest of God.

At the latter part of my recovery, there were some coincidences that happened. I was confined again in a hospital with a name, Perpetual Help Hospital. One of my aunts suggested that instead of going back and forth from the province to the city, why don’t we look for a temporary residence in the city. And we were offered to stay in a residence where the nearby parish’s name is Perpetual Help Church. Many relatives and friends who sent me some cards for my recovery would insert prayer cards (stampitas) bearing the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We may call it coincidence, but it can turn out to be a providence. Thanks to the intercession of our Blessed Mother with her Perpetual Help. It is also a good occasion to remember her, especially last Friday on the Feast of her Assumption, August 15.

After all the prayers and professional medical treatment I had, I finally regained my health, strength and ability to walk. Praise God for his kindness.

We can conclude then, when God sees how great the faith of people, it will be done for them as they desire. Though both of my parents are now deceased and are not saints due to human imperfection, what they did for me in the spirit of prayer can be considered as “saintly”. Their faith and their love is what mattered after all.

Fr. Ted Magpayo

Pastor

Praying On A Rough Sea

During my missionary work in Papua New Guinea (PNG), I was once assigned in a small volcanic island called “Manam”. If you will search it on the internet, it is now an abandoned island due to a massive volcanic eruption in the late 90’s, just about the time I left PNG in 1997. The island people here are typically conservative and even ‘preservative’; for no matter what happens, even in an eruption, they won’t leave “their” island.

People in mainland PNG have a play of words/letters: MANAM, read straight or backwards spells the same, as its people remain the same and won’t change. Wow… that sounds challenging to any missionary whose work is to be an agent of change. But I heard the government was able to convince them to evacuate to a safer place in mainland PNG during one major

eruption.

Nevertheless, this preconceived information did not discourage me from doing apostolic-missionary work there for I found the people welcoming and they value very much family and friendship. I first learned their language and then their culture which is rich in songs. They love music and singing! Their local songs are still in my head up to this time.

The trip from the mainland to this island takes only about an hour and 15 minutes by boat, if the sea (Bismarck Sea) is calm. But when the sea is rough (“Maasi igoala”) it can take three hours! There was a frightening incident, it was March 25 then, when returning to the island riding a small boat, with 3 companions, one of them a nun, we experienced a “white squall”(a whirlwind at sea or a violent disturbance of small radius indicated by whitecaps and turbulent water). That was one incident in my life where I thought would be the end of me. We were holding our wet rosaries in prayer until we disembarked. During the trip, our boat was beaten/ tossed by strong waves and winds. It sounds the same like the disciples’ experience in the gospel. I remember when a turbulent wave would hit us, our voices too become louder in prayer. So frightening! And when we finally reached the port of the island, people flocked to us, not only to welcome us but asked, “How were you able to make it, it is a rough sea?! (Bakaraka Kupura, Maasi igoala?!). Even the local people were wondering how we made it.

I recall, in the middle of the trip, the motor man was asking me if we need to go back to cancel our trip, but I felt that we were ALREADY travelling and ALMOST close to our destination. Why QUIT? Though I knew it was RISKY, this was the time to show FAITH and TRUST in God.

In our gospel, Peter was distracted, he was already walking on water, and he almost reached where Jesus was… When trials, temptations, adversities, troubles, difficulties, calamities, struggles come our way like a “life-threatening storm”, how do we take it?

While Jesus was not with them in the boat, he watched for them in prayer. The Lord keeps watch over us at all times. When calamities or trials threaten to overwhelm us, do we respond with faith and hope in God's love, care and presence with us?

Fr. Ted Magpayo

Pastor

From Disgrace to Grace

I remember the story of a boy who at an early age of 8 had a traumatic accident and broke his thigh bone (femur) while playing. He was rushed to the hospital, had surgery, and was confined for some weeks. It was then a summer vacation and this brought worries and stress to his parents. For almost three months, the boy wasn’t able to walk. His parents’ loving care and fervent prayers to God for healing became the source of strength in that debilitating condition. Finally, the boy recovered and life went on for him. He returned to school, though a little behind with lessons , but was able to catch-up.

That incident brought the conclusion that the boy would not be able to play any rough sports anymore. But God has His own reasons why “certain doors would close and other doors will open”. The life of the boy then was diverted to some endeavors involving more on arts. When this boy became a young man and finished his college career, he decided to pursue his special calling to serve the Lord in the priesthood. In his first mission assignment while working abroad, he again contracted a disease of the throat where he lost his voice for a certain period of time. Can you imagine a “voiceless priest”? And so he ended up saying Mass in Sign Language for three months . It was a “blessing in disguise” because  he became more understanding of people with speaking disabilities.

Another obstacle that came his way was the development of a heel spur on his foot which was a painful condition. All these things can pose as obstacles to not pursue one’s aim and just be discouraged, but this ‘servant of God’ bore all of these thinking that these things will pass anyway and trusting in God always. We can appreciate more the value of health when we have experienced ourselves the conditions of sickness-illness-disease.

I guess you know who the person mentioned above is…he is writing this article.

Development and recovery takes a while, like the mustard seed that still has to grow. We just have to be patient with the situation and with ourselves.

The saying goes: “Many are the sorrow of a just man.” Sometimes, we appear to be injured, but in the end we see the hand of God in the course of our lives”.

“Even though the enemy would come and sow weeds among the wheat… in the end the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…”

With blessings!

Fr. Ted Magpayo

A MISSIONARY LIFE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

My PNG Adventure: Scattering the Seed in the LAND of the UNEXPECTED

It was a great joy last week to be introduced to the St. Brendan’s community as initiated by Fr. Theo. In my short address, I invited you to look on an overview of my life’s timeline. Let’s check on those years in 1991-1997 in Papua New Guinea…

As a young missionary then (barely 2 years ordained), I braved the many threats coming from people’s comments and even true experiences that going to Papua New Guinea is a ‘risky job’. It is noted as the “Land of the Unexpected”, people were known for practicing cannibalism, there was the possibility of contracting malaria or typhoid fever, and also many incidents wherein even priests were stopped by rascals (highway robbers) on the road and left half-naked.

In my six years of missionary life, I had a chance to scatter the “seeds of faith” in certain areas in Papua New Guinea. I worked one year each in Madang, Bogia, Manam Island and the last three years at Divine Word University of Madang where most members of my congregation reside.

My first three years were thrilling and full of adventure. I was appointed by the Archbishop of the place to climb the highest mountain in PNG which was Mt. Wilhelm. And so, it was then “back-pack” time for me! In this place, people would see a priest TWICE a year only! So, after hours and hours of walking and climbing, it was time to stop at a village to say Mass with just five families attending. But I did not mind the number, for it is the “reaching out” to them that mattered.

I was trying to avoid contracting malaria, but a popular comment of missionaries was, “if you don’t contract malaria, you are not a true missionary”. I finally got it too in the end. Being introduced in this new culture meant “changing clothes” for me, like learning a new language (Pidgin), eating exotic food that the people eat like processed crocodile steak, turtle meat and others. Although during my time in PNG, cannibalism was not anymore practiced (until 1958 I was told), we could still hear incidents where this was secretly being practiced.

My last three years was more of “indoor” pastoral involvement -  meaning ‘safe’ university work where I taught young students aspiring to become the new generation of PNG professionals. A few incidents of teen suicide were reported occasionally, since young people would get frustrated when they could not reach what they aspired for.

The word of God has still to be sown continuously into the hearts of the people and the building of the Kingdom of God goes on. As the sower sows the seed of God’s Word, its growth depends on the condition of its destination. We pray to God for more grace that nothing may stop us to plant it into the hearts of people.

Fr. Ted Magpayo

The saying goes: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. With this having in mind, I, Fr. Ted (Teodoro) Magpayo, your incoming pastor, greet you all with a JOYFUL heart. Let’s go step-by-step gradually then.

In the next few months, you will see me in the parish and know about me in a gradual way.As a brief background, I was born in the Philippines in the province of Pampanga. I entered Catholic schools, in Elementary (Sacred Heart Academy), in High School (Don Bosco Academy) and in College (University of Santo Tomas) where I took a Medical Technology Course.

After that, I started Seminary Formation at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines. I was ordained a priest on December 9, 1989 and this year 2014 is my 25^th year in the Priesthood.

Aside from the Priestly Ministry, I am also “in-love” and involved in MUSIC Ministry. It’s always inspiring to praise God in songs using primarily the very “vocal cords” he has given us aside from many musical instruments.

Before being incardinated in the Archdiocese of San Francisco this year, I belonged to a religious congregation, the Society of the Divine Word. I have been assigned as a missionary to Papua New Guinea (1991-1997) and in Maui, Hawaii (2000-2005).

In 2006-2010, I was assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Bartholomew Church in San Mateo, where I gained friends from varied cultures, Irish, Italian, Chinese, Filipinos and others. I

always love the diversity of these coming together as one. Then, from 2010-2014, I was Vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Westlake, Daly City.

I belong to a small family, with two sisters (one resides in San Jose-Portia and the other is a contemplative nun in the Philippines-Sr. Joanna Marie), and both of my parents are already deceased.

And to end this brief introduction of myself (and many more still to come), I would like to thank Fr. Dan, my predecessor and his assistants, Fr. Theo and Fr. Te, and the parish staff, for the introduction and their warm welcome here at ST. BRENDAN CHURCH.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL WITH HIS LOVE.

Fr. Ted

Pastor

Fare thee well – After mass last Sunday, someone asked me how I really felt about my assignment to St. Anne.  And I shared with her that I felt sad about leaving this community where it’s been my home for the past 5 years.  As I’ve gotten to know you and have shared my life with you and you with me, a bond has been built.  As I’ve worked with the different members of the staff and parish, and have worked towards building a stronger parish community, trust and friendships were forged.  And as I prayed for you, worried about sick members of your family and celebrated the sacraments in sorrowful as well as in joyful moments of your life, a spiritual bond was also developed.  So leaving feels like the breaking of these various bonds we’ve built over the years.  And although St. Anne isn’t far, however, our relationship will change.  I won’t be here every day as your priest.  But in God’s wisdom and providence, He has a plan for each one of us.  Mine is to go where He is sending me.  And in his providence, He is sending you a wonderful and kind man, Fr. Ted Magpayo.  Give him the support and encouragement he needs.

I recall beginning my assignment here among you, and even though I believed God was the one who sent me, however, I was still nervous.  But getting to know you, experiencing your kindness, love and support, quickly put me at ease.  And over time, you have taught me how to become a pastor.  When I asked Fr. Roger Gustafson what he was feeling after his recent ordination as a priest on June 7, 2014, his response was, he felt like an imposter.  Because we need to grow into the role, whether it is being a new parent, a new doctor or a new police officer, the formal ending of training is just the beginning of what it means to assume our new role.  The new Pastor training offered by the Archdiocese (through your support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal) certainly was helpful, as was my mentor, but it was working among you, the staff and the different committees, that helped me learn my role to become a pastor.  In parting, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Pastor.  You have made me a better man, a better priest and I learned from you what it means to be a Pastor.  May God bless you in your journey of faith and until we see again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Fr. Dan

Reflections of our Parochial Vicar

Corpus Christi: The feast of Corpus Christi, which is the body and blood of Christ calls to mind God’s abiding presence among us in sacramental signs. As the catechism defines, the Eucharist is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ together with his soul and divinity under the appearance of bread and wine.

Through the action of the priest in the process of trans-substantiation the bread becomes the true body of Christ and the wine the true blood of Christ. This singular belief in the real presence distinguishes the Church’s theology of the Eucharist from other Christian Churches who teach that their Eucharist is only a symbol or sign of Christ.

So when we gather on the day of the Lord it is to remember and celebrate and to give thanks because Jesus is truly present in our midst. Today we thank God for the gift of his presence in the Eucharist but also in the church, family and one another. Christ is present to us a Church and as individuals and we ought to always celebrate our unity in the body of Christ and give thanks for his blessings, “for the blessing cup that we bless is our communion in the blood of Christ” (1 Cor 10:16).

As we remember and give thanks today, we also remember those whom God has used to build the body of Christ which is our community. We are certainly very grateful Fr. Daniel Nascimento for his selfless, dedicate, honest and humble service to our Parish in the last five years. His gentle smile, warm, kind, and caring heart has built us into a real loving and caring community, a true body.

Fr. Dan, we will miss you here as you move on to St. Anne’s parish on July 1^st. We entrust you to the power of the Holy Spirit to grant you the enablement to do even greater things in you new assignment. You are “Bonus pastor”.

Meanwhile, I like to remind you that after the 9:30 and the 11:30 masses on Sunday June 29^th we shall have a farewell celebration for Fr. Dan. I would like to encourage all of us to say a “good bye” to him while we will pray for him at all masses.

I thank all of you my dear parishioners, sister and brothers, for your help and support over the last ten months since I came here. You have created a home and family for me among you. You have been overwhelmingly warm and kind to me and have helped me to settle in well. I therefore offer eternal thanks to you but also ask for one more thing: please extend this same kindness and support to our new pastor Fr. Ted Magpayo. He needs your kindness, love and support especially during the transition time, given the fact that I will be away on vacation to visit my mother from July 7^th.

I have heard only good things about Fr. Ted so let us pray for him and show him our love for which St. Brendan is known.

For those who are travelling for summer, our prayers are with you. Sr. Angela has arrived home to be with her family in Italy and has sent warm regards to all of you.

Peace be with you,

Fr. Theo