9
JANUARY 2016 the philippine times www.philtimes.com.au
The year that was in embracing the faith
A sw e e p o f f r e s h a i r
brushed through our faces,
whether you were in the
Philippines in January 2015
or somewhere in summery
Australia glued on your television beholding the arrival
of His Holiness Pope Francis on Philippine soil. The
Smiling Pope shared with
us his compassion, humility
genuine love for the Philippines and even his humour.
Pope Francis, or Lolo Kiko
as he wished to be called by
Filipinos, brought hope and
joy to the Catholic faithful
to Filipinos worldwide who
followed his five-day pastoral visit.
Just about a month after
this auspicious visit, good
news once more dawned on
Filipino Catholics in Australia when His Holiness appointed Archbishop Adolfo
Tito Yllana as Papal Nuncio,
the official diplomatic envoy
of the Holy See. Archbishop,
who hails from Naga City,
has held the same post in
Solomon Islands, Pakistan
and Congo.
The Filipino Chaplaincy
in Melbourne also led feast
day celebrations honouring
San Lorenzo Ruiz, Our Lady
of Peñafrancia, the Sto Niño
and the Black Nazarene.
Filos joined the novena, and
Mass celebrations in line
with feasts and held the traditional procession parading
the Saints around the block,
in some instance while praying the Rosary.
Other traditions observed
were the Flores de Mayo and
the staging of Panunuluyan,
a reprise of Joseph’s and
Mary’s search for an inn.
Christian denominations
in Melbourne also had major activities. Connect City
Church held its annual
women’s conference with
the theme “Called… For
Such a Time Like This”,
which honoured the strength
of women in times of trials
and tribulation, while the
Sydenham and Pakenham
Baptist Churches held a
Women’s Prayer Day. The
Ambassadors of Christ Fellowship celebrated its 7th anniversary with a fundraising
activity.
A family camp by St Albans Uniting Church brought
families together to focus on
each other instead of on their
gadgets. It was a day of team
games and family reflection.
In a testimony of faith, two
individuals declared their
life transformation through
Jesus and had a water baptism with members of the
Faith Community Christian
Church witnessing.
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