TAYTAY, Rizal, Oct. 16, 2011— Three young men from the parish of St. John the Baptist in Taytay were ordained priests Saturday in a solemn ceremony led by Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes.
Rev. Mark Anthony Naval of Brgy. Sta Ana, Rev. Glenn William Relucio of Brgy. San Juan, and Rev. Ferdinand Delatado of Brgy. Dolores, were joined by fellow ordinand, Rev. Moises Villamayor who hailed from nearby town of Angono.
Bishop Reyes led the 9 a.m. Holy Mass, with Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francisco de Leon, D.D. and Batanes Diocese Most Rev. Bishop Camilo Gregorio, D.D. concelebrating.
Rev. Msgr. Peter Cañonero, Diocesan Chancellor and Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Parish expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those who attended the affair—the generous donors, benefactors, families and friends who had supported the ordinands since their seminary life until their ordination.
Witnesses to the occasion include those who have come from faraway places such as priests and seminarians from the Diocese of Batanes where the ordinands served as Deacons.
Parish lay volunteers were on hand to assist visitors. The St. John the Baptist Parochial School Drum and Lyre band played their festive pieces. The kid majorettes complemented by the three giant mascots of “higantes festival” did amusing tricks and dances to entertain the crowd.
Receptions were held at the parish premises and at the Sienna College in Taytay.
Thanksgiving Mass of Rev. Fr. Moises in Angono was held on the 15th of October at 6 p.m. Rev. Fr. Mark will celebrate his on the 16th, Rev. Fr. Glenn on the 23rd and Rev. Fr. Ferdinand on the 30th at St. John the Baptist Parish in Taytay respectively.
The whole affair served as a beacon call for vocation awareness and promotion, which is observed this month of October. (Ding Fernandez)
