The Year that was... in Service and Friendship

Originally posted on September 29, 2008 via Multiply.com
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(Published in the Annual Fiesta 2008 Souvenir)

Every year, when Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion or Lay Ministers renew their commitment, they accept the responsibility of being examples of Christian living in their faith and conduct.  As Lay Ministers, they reaffirm their individual and collective desire to strive for greater holiness through the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity, love and thanksgiving.

In his book "Jesus in the Holy Eucharist", Bishop Cirilo R.Almario, Jr., D.D., writes that the word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word"Eucharistia", which means "thanksgiving". Rightly so because we know that the institution of the Holy Eucharist was at the Last Supper of the Lord with His disciples, where Jesus "gave thanks to the Father" before  He consecrated the bread and wine as His Body and Blood.

Jesus in the Eucharist is also a sign of Communion or Fellowship. Our own experience of the Holy Eucharist brings about a transformation in our lives as Lay Ministers, as individuals, and of the Church as a whole. Indeed, the Holy  Eucharist is the very center of Christian worship and devotion.

Lay Ministers enjoy this special privilege of service to the Church through giving the Body and Blood of the Lord to our brothers and sisters. And through this ministry of service, we also experience a communion  or fellowship with each other.

So in the year that was (2007), the following activities help to deepen the faith of Lay Ministers, their camaraderie and friendship of the Parish of the Five Wounds in Las Pinas City:

(i)  Monthly meeting on last Thursday, where reflections/sharing on the Sunday Gospel is combined with discussions on issues, concerns and suggestions relating to the Ministry in particular, and the Parish community in general, as well as praying over the birthday celebrators of the month, and then food sharing;

(ii)  Prayer meeting on second Thursday of the month, to strengthen spiritual formation and foundation of Lay Ministers. For Lay Ministers who pray together will stay together, as the saying goes.

(iii)  Annual renewal of commitment, to continue serving the Ministry, to recommit themselves with gratitude to their mission of ministering the Eucharist, bringing communion to the sick, and giving it as Viaticum to the dying.  Lay Ministers resolve to undertake their ministry of giving the Body and Blood of the Lord to our brothers and sisters, and thus, serve to build up the Church in the Parish of the Five Wounds.  

(iv)  Annual recollection during the year, which was an overnight stay at Tagaste Retreat House in Tagaytay City, run by the Agustinian Recollect Sisters.  The recollection was a spiritual formation and bonding at the same time, to emphasize once more that in prayer and service, Lay Ministers also strengthen their friendship and camaraderie.

(v) Choral group, called John Paul the Great Choir, another avenue to express the singing talents of Lay Ministers.  The Choir sings regularly at the 9 A.M. Sunday Mass in the Parish of the Five Wounds.

(vi)  Then of course the daily and Sunday service during Mass in the Parish and in the chapels of different subdivisions in the Parish.  In addition, some Lay Ministers bring Holy Communion to the sick and elderly on Sundays.

Through the Ministry of Holy Communion, Lay Ministers become especially observant of the Lord's command to love one another as brothers and as friends.  For when Jesus gave His Body and Blood to His disciples, He said to them:  "This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you."
So together Lay Ministers pray, serve and remain friends, so that strengthened by the sacrament of the Eucharist, they may come together also at last to the banquet of heaven, where Jesus is Lord for ever and ever.  Amen.