When I was growing up, the priests, as I knew them, conformed to what I always expected of the religious. They said Mass, heard Confession, officiated during weddings, baptisms, and wakes. They were retreat masters, theology teachers, frequent lecturers (with me falling asleep half of the time). You know what I mean…
Lately, a new breed of priests capture the attention of ordinary folks like us and bring us closer to the Lord in a different and personal way primarily because they do things we ordinarily do and share the Word of God in the ordinary-ness of life. They are bloggers and gym rats, composers of songs, lyricists, creative writers, artists. And on my last visit to Dumaguete over the holidays, I met a group of priests who did something else which Filipinos love to do a lot — SING!
Fr. Ray Victor Pascual used to be the chaplain at SM Megamall and some of you may have attended his Masses there. He was also concurrently the Orientation Year and Vocation Director at the San Lorenzo Mission Institute. Several years ago, he was assigned as parish priest of Mary Immaculate Parish in Dumaguete after its parish priest passed away. Since then, that parish has flourished and grown into a dynamic one with an active and vibrant choir and involved parishioners. Fr. Ray also happens to be a relative of my hubby (their ancestors came from the same small Chinese village).
What many probably did not know was that while still in Manila, Fr. Ray was part of a group of singing priests. He had a good singing voice and was just as good with the guitar. Their concerts were always packed. So when he assumed his new post in Dumaguete, it was no longer a surprise that eventually, he and 3 other priests (Fr. Ramonito “Ram” Maata, Fr. Carmelito “Junjun” Limbaga, and Fr. Felino “Linlin” Jumawan) would find each other and put up their own singing group, known as the “Priests in Music”.
The Priests in Music have performed in several concerts and private functions in metro Dumaguete. At my in-laws’ Diamond Anniversary celebration last December, they performed to the delight of the crowd.
When priests like these are able to break into the circle of the youth, they show the young that the priesthood is a vocation which need not be boring, staid or outdated. They are able to share God’s Word without “lecturing” — a big turn-off many times for kids who are used to fast-paced multimedia. The blogger priests I know communicate in the medium best known by the youth. They are able to REACH OUT, then REACH IN.
Who knows….maybe down the road we will see a priest who can breakdance and hiphop alongside the kids. Now that I am looking forward to!
Here is a YouTube video showing the Priests in Music in one of their Dumaguete concerts (Fr. Ray is the one in the opening video, in a purple shirt):
….and “BARKADA” sung in a Visayan upbeat way…
oh yes, i admire priests who go out of their way to reach out to their parishioners. you know what? we hear mass in different parishes, UP, loyola heights, etc, because it is so easy to relate when your priests know how to reach out to your heart, esp with the gospel and sermon
Jane: May we have more such priests, Dine! 🙂
it’s a wonderful concert eventhough i was not able to watch live because i reside in cebu city only in youtube but i really appreciate the blending of your voice it was so perfect especially to my old friend fr. linlin jumawan. how i wish to watch your concert live …when will be your next concert this year? please let me know because definitely i will be there.
please let me know on when will be your next concert this year? i am so very interested to watch you all guys perform on stage live…….God bless.
can you post your concert schedule for this year..it was a tremendous performance morag sad mga concert kings!!!!maayo sad inyo mga songs but next time just choose more love & inspirational songs………….
i really admire your gestures that you reach out your own parishioners through your songs and music ……..just keep up your good works fathers you inspire our lives despite of our trials in life.
hello fathers…pls post your future sked of your concert………….
Jane: Hi there. I am sorry but this is not the website of the fathers. This blog post is only about them. Hope you can find their concert schedules somewhere.
nice performance fathers!!!!
susan; hope you can help me find the website of the fathers…………
@Susan – The fathers do not have a website, unfortunately.
Many modern priests are now learning the importance of building relationships with people. I liked and respected the Polish Pope for this reason. He loved his people. I grew up RC and went to RC school and appreciated the influence that some of the godly priests had on me.
BTW, Jane, I am Chinese from Hong Kong. Now as an ordained minister, I help out with a Filipino church in Washington state.
Theresa Ip Froehlich, Certified Life Coach
http://www.theresaipfroehlich.com
http://theresaipfroehlich.wordpress.com
Hi Fr. Linlin! At last I found you and Fr.Jun in you tube. Awesome performance fathers!! I will look for you in Tanjay for my next visit.God Bless!
sayang we did have a concert this year last dec 3 at the macias sports complex, dumaguete city but it was a concert participated by almost all the priests in the diocese of dumaguete. it was a showcase of the different talents of priests – singing, dancing and of course, talking:-) hehehe. will keep posted jane…maraming salamat sa mga nagpost: really inspired by your compliments.. god bless you and your family in this season of joy and love and peace because he has sent his son Jesus to save us from the darkness of sin:-)
@Fr. Ray – Thanks much, Fr. Ray! May you have a blessed Christmas too!