It’s more fun in the Philippines! – so says the slogan of the Department of Tourism. The Emmanuel Choir of the Church of St. Bernadette must think so as they just visited the Philippines.
It must be even more fun at the Greenbelt Chapel for, in their recent Philippine-sojourn, the Singaporean church choir made Greenbelt Chapel one of their travel destinations.
On May 6, 2012, during the 10:30 a.m. Mass, the Emmanuel Choir sang as the guest choir for the Greenbelt community. For their opening hymn, the choir from the Church of St. Bernadette gave a rousing rendition of “Majesty.” The Singaporean choir showed their solidarity with the Filipino community by singing the Lord’s Prayer in Pilipino. The choir also sang another hymn in Pilipino, “Ang Katawan ni Kristo” during Holy Communion.
It was very timely that the Gospel reading for the day was about Jesus being the “True Vine” and the connectivity of all believers with the Lord. In the Gospel reading (John 15:1 – 8), Jesus said to His disciples: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
At the end of the Mass, Fr. Jun Sescon, Greenbelt Chapel chaplain, gave a token of appreciation to the choir leader, Mr. John Dee.
The idea for the visit began last year when a member of the Emmanuel Choir heard Mass at the Greenbelt Chapel during the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and Ecology Sunday. Blessing of pets were done during that Mass.
The choir not only shared their talents to the Greenbelt Chapel community; they also shared their material blessings to the less fortunate. Fr. Jun was informed by the group that the members brought additional items just to meet their baggage capacity limit. The additional items were actually clothes and other items of value that they gave to the less fortunate during their visit.
The Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Joel Jason and Fr. Jun Sescon.
- by Mario Ampil
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Reflection
Jesus Christ walked alongside many people across the globe, even with those who have yet to know Him and the salvation He offers.
Singapore, the land of the Merlion, has visited the Greenbelt Chapel through a Choir Service. Indeed, this proves that though we are the only Christian nation in Asia, the Church spans through all lands and to everyone.
If only I were able to sing, I would sing praises as loud as I could. I believe this is what this choir has in the heart of its members – a heart that is filled with passion plus the wish to ignite a fire in each person who hears them. I sometimes long to hear the many trumpets and resounding songs of heaven each time I hear them sing. I believe that the Holy Spirit’s inspiration flows within the lyrics of their songs. Indeed we are not alone, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are always within ourselves; we are not alone as the same Father, Son and Holy Spirit are also within our fellow brothers and sisters.
- by Paul Alvarez