Early lenten blessings with Fr. Fernando Suarez and Fr. Glen gomez

CEBU, Philippines - The Sacred Heart Parish under Fr. Edgar Macalalag and assistant, Fr. Yeng Tabada, through the sponsorship of Sacred Heart vice-chair Nydia Yap and Sacred Heart finance chair Nelia Go, invited Fr. Glen Gomez, the well-known TV host of the Sunday Mass over Channel 2 to be our Retreat Master for our Lenten Recollection.

The two-day recollection was a revelation of his intelligence and his dedication to his ministry. It is not surprising though because he comes from a family of honor students and his parents were both educators. He also delivered a splendid talk to the graduating students in Barugo, Leyte upon the invitation of Fr. Lorenzo Robles and Atty. Letty Tablate. It was really a blessing to meet someone with the wisdom of King Solomon.

The next day, we coincidentally flew together to Manila and he graciously offered to take me to my destination, which was the PCSO.

On the way, he called someone and told him that I was with him and I was so astonished because it was the ever popular and most in demand priest of all times, Fr. Fernando Suarez.

Fr. Suarez invited me to come with him and Fr. Gomez to his healing Mass in the residence of Ms. Guia Gomez and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito.

After the Mass, Ms. Gomez treated us to a sumptuous dinner of tenderloin steaks, broiled chicken, spaghetti and all kinds of fruits that were in season.

Fr. Suarez asked me to stay for the Lenten celebration but I told him that Fr. Edgar Macalalag and Sacred Heart vice chair Nydia Yap would never forgive me if I did not go back to Tacloban because I was in charge of the Apostles where I serve as a lay minister.

Before I bid adieu, Fr. Suarez gave me his hat as a souvenir and P3000 as pocket money. I really felt so blessed and thanked the very good Lord for His “early Lenten blessings.”