December 2007Dear Friends in the Philippines,
I have always admired our Filipino people at St. Thomas
More Church. I saw their dedication and love of their
Catholic faith and the Church. I observed their talent
for music and painting as if they were artists and musicians by
nature. It was indeed a privilege and an honor to be invited
to the wedding of Lala and Eliot in the Philippines.
The visit to the Philippines deepened the understanding
I had gained through my ministry to Filipinos in the US as
Pastor of St. Thomas More Church. I was able to
experience the natural beauty of their beautiful homeland
and the generous hospitality of its inhabitants.
I stayed two weeks in the Philippines. During that time,
I studied history and read the books of Jose Rizal, the
national hero, and visited his place of execution and his
tomb. I prayed at the church of Paco Cemetery where three
of the hero Filipino martyr priests, Jose A. Burgos,
Mariano C. Gomez and Jacinto R. Zamora, are buried. I
visited many places of your country of 7100 Islands. I
discovered how your country through its beauty creates
natural musicians and artists of all kinds.
I took over 700 pictures, many of which appear on the
following pages of www.STMchurch.com website. I want the
Filipino children, the young adults, and the families who
have not had the chance to visit their home country to
experience
a virtual visit to the Philippines and to be proud of being
Filipino. Yes, very proud to be Filipino.
I hope that these pictures will encourage to visit
your home country. Perhaps you would like me to organize for
you a yearly vacation in the Philippines. I would like to go
back to Manila, Cebu, Borakay, and Bohol and visit many
other beautiful places.
My visit to the Philippines helped me to know you more,
to admire you more, and, of course, to love you more. It
gave me great joy to hear some of my friends telling me that
they have adopted me as a Filipino. I am very honored to be
considered one of yours.
Pastor of St. Thomas More Church
