by Shirley F. Lascano
While typhoons are a part of life in the Philippines, it is an accepted fact that they come and go. Roofs blown away, tide rising, school cancelled, flooding and evacuation. Typhoons do not allow a dull moment in the Filipino way of living.
Before the arrival of the most powerful storm of the century, my family and I were all eyes at our Filipino channel at home. We were tracking the storm minute by minute with the local weatherman. She arrived with a vengeance and a super storm she was! The devastation she left was beyond anyone’s imagination! Thus, as a result, the whole world was awaken and opened once more to the call of humanity and we were once more reminded of the teaching of Jesus – Who is your neighbor?
Little did the Filipino Association of St. Michael, Flushing, know what was ahead. The group was preparing for the return of the Tagalog Mass to the parish scheduled for Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. Preparations for the liturgy and choir practice were in full speed. Flyers and banners were being prepared. But Yolanda came, and everything changed.
Father Patrick Longalong, coordinator of the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate, asked the group to make preparations instead for a Mass of Healing and Hope for the victims of Yolanda. Msgr. Edward Wetterer, pastor at St. Michael, was thinking the same, but the group’s president, Michael Pasion, initiated the request for the changes. Msgr. Wetterer agreed, and preparations began. The plan now changed to a prayer offering beginning at 3 p.m. followed by the Eucharistic celebration at 4 p.m.
Father Longalong announced that Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez would celebrate the Mass. The group took the news in awe and excitement. The presence of the bishop was a big surprise! Still, the internal preparation was becoming intense. News of press coverage was also being passed on to the group.[hr] Shirley Lascano is the evangelization ministry coordinator for the Filipino Association of St. Michael parish, Flushing. Catechist, mother and accountant, she is a graduate of the Pastoral Institute’s Lay Leadership Program and holds a masters in Theology from St. John’s University.
That Sunday began with a three-part prayer. At 3 p.m., the Divine Mercy prayer chaplet began, followed by the recitation of the Rosary led by Marjorie Wong. It ended with the Prayer for the Dead including the Litany for the Faithful Departed. The Mass at 4 p.m. was celebrated by Bishop Sanchez together with Father Longalong and Father Peter Gillen.
The choir of the Filipino Association of St. Michael shared the traditional Tagalog songs. The readings were also in Tagalog. The Prayer of the Faithful was carefully prepared to offer the supplications of prayers for the Church during this time of darkness and challenge – the government agencies heading the relief, the loss of souls and the strength of families still looking for their loved ones.
Hermes Allas, an adviser to the Filipino Apostolate, helped arrange the celebration. Sister Doryne and Sister Teresita came all the way from New Jersey to show their support. One of the sisters in their congregation lost half of the members in her family. The Benedicto family also lost a number in their family as they drowned. The families of Rita Reston and Annie Bencivenga, members of the Filipino Association of St. Michael, suffered devastation.
The Mass of Healing and Hope was a reminder of our duty to one another as our brother or sister’s keeper. We should live each day with a purpose to look out for one another. Our presence, no matter the gravity of the challenges ahead, can only be attained together as one! Love one another is the greatest commandment of all!
The faith of the Filipino people is strong and resilient. It will be a long process to get back on their feet, but they will get back stronger than they’ve ever been. The homes and destruction of buildings are things that can be reconstructed, but the sudden loss of lives will be a long and painful process from which to recover in their hearts. In hope we can offer prayers of healing, both for deceased loved ones and for the people who survived the devastation of the typhoon.
As a community of faith, let us continue to support in prayers our brothers and sisters in our Misang Tagalog (Tagalog Mass) at St. Michael during the third Sunday of the month. The next one will be on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
On behalf of the Filipino Association of St. Michael, the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate and my fellow countrymen, we give thanks to everyone who donated their time, financial support and most of all their love in helping the Filipino victims of typhoon Yolanda.
