~ Small Town…You Blink And You Miss It…Not This One ~

A historic milestone for my hometown MINALIN in the Philippines! Today is the day that our town’s parish Santa Monica Catholic Church, built in May 17,1614 receives a rare and prestigious recognition and becomes a National Cultural Treasure.

National Cultural Treasure: Sta Monica Parish Church, Minalin, Philippines

Those of you who lived this way understand the nostalgia I felt as I watch the video and read through the captions. Countless moments spent at this church in this very small town of faithful and peace-loving Minalineños, bring back once again a state swayed by sentiments and wistful yearning for warmth and happiness shared through the years, that exude heartfelt comradery and a feeling of kinship not only among families and friends but with the whole community what seems like a genuine brotherly bond and a spirit of good fellowship among the young and the old alike. To celebrate this remarkable achievement on the day of the Feast of our Patron Saint Sta Monica makes this historic event even more special.

Kudos to Father Greg Vega and all the Minalineños responsible for this undertaking. My dear Tata would have been so thrilled and mighty proud to witness such honor and prestige brought to our beloved town. ALL for the glory of God!

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THE UNVEILING OF THE MARKER AND DECLARATION OF STA. MONICA PARISH CHURCH, MINALIN, PAMPANGA, AS A NATIONAL CULTURAL TREASURE—AUGUST 27TH, 2011

Photo Credits: Cathy L. Dysangco, Joji Mendoza & Mandis Naguit

~ I Wish, I Hope & I Long ~

I particularly love this powerful image of our Lord as He wraps His loving arms around His child with overflowing fullness of joy, awe and anticipation. It depicts the beauty of God’s promise to us to someday be perfectly united with Him in eternity as we await, desire and long for these words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

On a similar note, this quote inspires and motivates me as well:
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything You gave me.’ ” AWESOME… just spellbound with this priceless divine influence!

In My Seat