FFRGOC members and officers and families starting to get ready for the procession and prayers.
FFRGOC choir - Holy Rosary Philippine Chamber Chorale at their best Filipino attires at Christ Cathedral
Such a milestone for FFRGOC to reach 25 years and yes, we have experienced the growing pains and done a lot of efforts to reach our goals just like any organization!
On a beautiful Saturday morning, FFRGOC members and officers, with their friends and families, joined together to celebrate this important event at the Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. Everyone were honored and grateful and considered it a blessing to be part of this veneration to "Mary the Mother of the Redeemer, the theme for the event as suggested by our Spiritual Advisor, Father Juan Caboboy.
Participants came dressed up in their Filipiniana attires and took their places around the flower beads for the Living Rosary. The Living Rosary allowed us to experience some reflective moments to meditate on each of the five mysteries. FFRGOC choir serenaded the crowd with their festive songs and music. Colorful banners representing different chapters and areas along with the many images of the Blessed Virgin Mary adorned the Arboretum as a showcase of our solidarity and devotion to her.
The Process
What transpired was:
the celebration started with the flower offering of white roses placed on a "carosa" by children, officers of FFRGOC and guests and the
recitation of the five mysteries of the Living Rosary followed. The first and second mysteries were recited in English while the second and third mysteries were recited in Tagalog which reminded us of the roots of our Catholic Faith tradition in the Philippines punctuated with the Marian hymns performed by our FFRGOC choir in between the mysteries that truly added to the depth and sense of the solemnity of the prayers and the
"White Dove" release was the finale and highlighted the Living Rosary. Twenty fire (25) doves were released by selected FFRGOC members. One by one each dove was released with a personal prayer of petition for healing, supplication and/or thanksgiving. Amazing how the doves flew and joined each other in a unique formation to return to their home which made everyone feel that all the prayers we did, were lifted into the Heavens! It was a holy moment which brought tears to some.
What followed was:
the procession of the Congregation to the the chapel led by the marching Knights of Columbus in their royal uniforms. Some FFRGOC members and officers are also members of Knights of Columbus like Art Bantugan and Bert Mones who also graced the event and followed by
the Carosa with the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary carried by four gentlemen who walked towards the path around the arboretum then towards the church while the
attendees followed carrying their banners and took their places in the pews inside the church for the celebration of the Eucharist by the Most Rev. Kevin Vann and concelebrated by Rev. Christopher Smith and
everyone also participated in the Mass . We sang joyfully with the choir to celebrate this 25th Anniversary of FFRGOC and our Filipino heritage. At the same time, we expressed our devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary as our intercessor for all our needs to our Heavenly Father.
When the Mass ended, everyone was invited for lunch hosted by FFRGOC and served by volunteers of FFRGOC.
We did great in serving Jesus through Mary and helping our community in their spiritual needs and happy about it!
Comentarios