Quezon City, Philippines. On September 6-7, 2024, Immaculate Conception Parish warmly welcomed the presence of our beloved shepherd, Bishop Roberto O. Gaa, for his much-anticipated pastoral visit. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and reverence as parishioners prepared to meet the Bishop, knowing that his visit would bring forth blessings and guidance.
Day One
The first day of the visit began with a welcome rite led by Fr. Alex Gobrin, followed by Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Gaa himself and concelebrated by Fr. Reynaldo Tano, Fr. Alex Gobrin and Fr. Gilbert Queñano.
In his homily from the Gospel of Luke 5: 33-39, Bishop Gaa talked about the confrontation between the Pharisees and the disciples of Jesus. He said, the Pharisees, filled with contempt and envy, didn’t truly know Jesus. They were disturbed by the growing number of people drawn to Him for Jesus was a crowd drawer, and their attempts to discredit Him only revealed their own jealousy and hardened hearts. Jesus challenged their rigid thinking by asking, “Can you make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” Why should they fast, after all, when they were in the presence of God? He also used the analogy of wine, saying, “No one who has been drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” Jesus is that old wine, speaking with the authority of His Father. Those who followed Him, especially the apostles, experienced this richness firsthand—they were part of His inner circle. Today, we too are invited into that inner circle. Knowing and following Jesus means we are called to be stewards of His Word, to become the Word for others. Being part of this circle is not only about sharing His message but also about experiencing the fullness of His presence—the richness of the old wine.
Inviting parishioners to reflect on his pastoral visit, he encouraged everyone to savor that old wine—the presence of God in our midst and cherish the richness of His grace, and share it with others.
After the Mass, parish servers were invited to a fellowship dinner, which was followed by a heartfelt Bible-sharing session. Parishioners gathered in small groups of four to reflect on the account of the death of Lazarus, focusing on how Martha and Mary expressed their deep faith in Jesus during their time of grief. The chosen passage provided a powerful lens through which participants shared personal reflections on faith, and hope. This enriching kick-off activity, guided by Fr. Alex, marked the beginning of what will be a regular Bible-sharing initiative in the parish. The initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of Scripture and strengthen the bonds of the faith community. Through these ongoing gatherings, parishioners are encouraged to grow together in their spiritual journey, supporting one another in prayer and reflection.
