Since its establishment in 1983, the Diocese of Antipolo has grown and expanded. It now has 79 diocesan priests and 53 parishes.
ANTIPOLO City, June 26, 2013—Speaking with a decade’s experience in the Diocese of Antipolo, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, a bishop highlighted the action of the Holy Spirit in building up the Church – something more than just mere evangelization ‘technique.’
“Techniques of our apostolate, those are very important, but don’t forget the Holy Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit that brings us to the Lord,” Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes reminded thousands of lay faithful, religious and priests yesterday during his message for the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Antipolo.
Work and prayer
Quoting Psalm 127, Bishop Reyes, who also heads the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”
Reyes, who shepherds some 3 million Catholics in his diocese, said there exists the dual need in evangelization for both “work” and “prayer” – not one or the other.
“We need to work and we need to pray. It is good to remind ourselves. Sometimes, we forget and do things that deviate from this,” he added.
Even without saying it out loud, Reyes seems to have gleaned this wisdom from serving in a diocese that has seen a lot of change in the last ten years.
‘So much change’
In his message, Reyes said, he personally noted how the Antipolo diocese used to have 18 diocesan priests and 21 parishes. At present, it now has 79 diocesan priests and 53 parishes.
“Since 1983 so much has changed. There are really so many things to be thankful for,” he added.
Aside from expressing gratitude to the untiring workers of the diocese, Reyes also took note of the Antipolo diocese’s heavenly advocates, especially mentioning the Blessed Virgin Mary’s esteemed patronage.
“First of all let us thank God and of course, we will thank Him through Our Blessed Mother. I’m sure she has guided, protected this diocese,” he told the faithful who were gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage yesterday morning.
The Diocese of Antipolo was officially established on June 25, 1983. [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
