Last Sunday, June 25, 2006, we finally met up with Fr. Armand Robleza.
It was our second time together to hear Fr. Armand's words at Mass in Don Bosco. Tonight, he focused on three words, faith, focus and forgiveness!
Fr. Armand talked about man's fears. "Natatakot ba kayonsa mga multo" he asked the parishioners. He explained that our own fears are multiplied many times over. "Iyon multo ninyo dumadami kapag natatakot kayo. Mayrun na sa kuwarto, sa sala, sa banyo, sa kotse." he described.
He said that we must conquer our own fears with the "3Fs." He narrated the story of how the apostles feared the thunder and lightning and the storm out in the Sea of Gallilee. They called out for Christ's help out of their own fear, even though they were much familiar with that sea and its storm, being fishermen.
After Mass, Chief and I waited until all his well-wishers and friends has said goodbye and good night to him. Fr. Armand was such a popular priest here at Don Bosco Church and it was usually a 15 minute wait until he was totally free. People would come to him for blessing or even just a warm hug, specially , among the younger one. We saw a whole family come to him for prayers and blessings. He spread his arms and prayed over them.
Finally, he was all ours. He changed to a black t-shirt which said, "Bosconian ako... from elementary to eternity." I noticed he was wearing Dockers slacks. Black.
I said, "Ang ganda ng shirt mo Father. Mayroon bang kapatid iyan."
He replied, "Kaya nga suot ko. Mayroon puti nito."
I asked if he had dinner already and replied "I will have coffee with you." There was a slight drizzle was we walked to Shaq. He sat in the front as Cecile took a back seat.
We proceeded to Starbucks at Greenbelt 1. We talked about many things our own lives. Vision of Code Red. Ateneo. Greis wanting to meet him. Fr. Nim leaving the Jesuits. His studies in Rome. Giving up and again handling Don Bosco Communications. Homilythics. Out of the box thinking for seminarians. Spies from San Carlos Seminary. Mass during EDSA 2. "Sugog mga kapatid" Homily. March to Malacanang. Decency and no name-calling against Erap. Other priests afraid to give homilies during EDSA 2. USP for eggs by Don Bosco. 21 million pesos needed for his magazine to reach more schools nationwide. The kindness of Menlu from San Miguel Corporation. UCPB's IT team help for a website. Recording his Sunday homilies. Teaching media education at Don Bosco Seminary or High School. Driving down from Baguio and guessing number of churches along the highway. Karol's Ten years. Importance of communications from the philosophical and practical viewpoints. Sainthood. Working with DECs on values for students. Faith. Unborn babies becoming angels.
Cecile was surprised to find out that Carol San Pedro, was the editor of "CODE Red" Magazine. Carol and Cecile were colleagues in J Walter Thompson. Fr. Armand even called her up at the late evening and handed his phone to Cecile so that the two ladies could talk. Apparently, Carol had not known that we had returned from Vietnam already.
I was teasing Cecile to get involved in the publication too. Even Fr. Armand brought up the idea. But I did offer to write and asked Fr. Armand to let Carol call me so we could discuss these possibilities.
Fr. Armand adviced us to pray to St. Sabio, a young 15 year old Don Bosco saint, whose miracle was giving a baby to a couple. He also said to pray to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I told him that Don Bosco Church was very significant to us it was the last new churach that we had both visited and prayed together for a baby.
He told us a story of a woman who had two abortions and was being overcome by guilty about it. She now had one baby but still couldn't overcome the feeling of losing two lives.
And one evening, they were talking on the phone. Around 1am. He advised the woman to get over the loss and move on... by lighting two candles in their house in memory of the two babies who died. He waited on the phone as she lit her candles and prayed to the two babies. "Kausapin mo sila. Magdasal ka sa kanila. Mayroon ka ng dalawang angels ngayon." Fr. Armand explained.
Now, we were even more convinced that we had Angel CG looking down upon us. And ever more grateful that the Lord gave us a chance at parenthood and help bring about a new angel.
Definitely, we shall have coffee again with Fr. Armand. Soon. I hope.
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