Hello Hivers! I'm back after almost a week of not posting here in the Hive blog due to my laptop errors. I woke up early this morning because we've got a sleepover in my sister's house for the reason that they have their Sabado Nights for boys. So, we girls, as support for our partners, accompany them while we eat those pulutan junk foods. hehe
Maybe it's almost dawn; they've finished their drinks. Morning came, and as I felt the early sunrise, finally, I could feel the coldness in our place, just like winter in some countries. I see a glimpse of the photograph with the sunrise as it brightly shines just like the rays of hope after the storm or after the rain.
Yesterday was Sunday, November 30, 2025, and it is church day. This marks the beginning of the liturgical season in the Catholic Church-a period in which lay faithful prepare themselves before celebrating Christmas. Part of this preparation in church, there are 4 candles that are lit every Sunday within this season. The colors? 3 purple or violet and 1 pink. The first Advent candle, which was lit up today, signifies the anchor of HOPE. This candle of hope symbolizes that there is hope amidst the struggles and challenges we've been through. During this time, we are invited to enter into a time of devout reflection and joyful anticipation. These four candles have their meaning, namely HOPE, PEACE, JOY (pink candle), AND LOVE.
We attended Holy Mass at 11:00 in the morning, and guess what? I was surprised by this children's choir who use their talent for singing by giving in return for the service at the church. I am really amazed by their golden voice, very natural, though it is their second time serving on Sundays. Also, as the parish priest said last Sunday, there are only 40 children who had volunteered themselves as the children's choir and now on the second day, another 63 young ones are sharing their talents, and no, they are 103 in all. Wow! I was so happy for them, and through the initiative of our parish priest, also with the youths, they have gotten themselves involved in church activities.
Salmo Responsorio: NALIPAY AKO NGA GIINGNAN AKO NILA; MANGADTO NA KITA SA BALAY SA GINOO.
I am also amazed at how our parish priest encourages and supports the young ones to be active and also to the parents of the children, as they are the ones who mold their child's behavior. He added that they welcome all children who want to share their talents. He also added to the announcement that he will give free lunch for the children's choir, and I really appreciated those efforts and how generous he is. Also, as a member of the ministers of lectors and cantors of the psalm, he always reminded us that for those who serve anytime, we can have a free coffee time in the morning or in the afternoon and a free lunch and dinner for those who serve for the 11:00 in the morning and the 5:00 in the afternoon mass. Just wow! This is the first time it has happened in our parish since I started my church service. Though our priest is new due to the reshuffling of their assignments, I can see how active they are and how they continue the projects which had been left for the previous parish priest. We're so grateful also to the previous parish priest for his initiative and many renovations and projects built during his tender years. Also, there are many generous people who helped achieve those projects, and others offered their talent without expecting anything in return. This is truly true service from the heart, and that is what I am proud of in our place.
As the mass goes by, the girl besides us has just collapsed; it might be she has had no breakfast or is feeling ill. So, I requested my husband to get some warm water from the convent to give it to the woman besides us. And thankful also that there are "girl scout" Nanay's behind us who share their inhaler or white flower for her. I don't have a picture of them because it's for privacy. And thank God she's okay before the mass has finished. But before the parish priest gave his final blessing, he used to sprinkle holy water on all children, or what we've called his "SUKI". In that way, children felt that they were precious and valued in this society or community. He encourages those young ones to attend holy mass every Sunday, and he joked for a while with them, saying, "Children what will you do if your parents do not bring you to church?" In a moment of silence, he said, "Cry and cry and cry" until your parents bring you to the church. Funny, but there's a message behind those words. hehe
The mass has ended at 12:10 in the noontime.
Thanks for reading my blog today. I'm having a Blessed Sunday and Weekend to start with.
*Photos were mine and lead photo was enhanced through Canva. *
With love,
daileen23
