MANILA, Philippines - When Rev. Fr. Alfredo E. Meneses Jr. was tasked to lead the whole Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at the diocese of Antipolo — in what would be considered by many as a far-flung piece of land surrounded by Laguna de Bay, 25 minutes away by boat ride from Binangonan in the province of Rizal — he did not relish it initially. The island is called Isla Talim, as it has served to sharpen the skills of a few priests who have come before Father Jhun.
Two years hence, Father Jhun has come to love the place as equally as his own birthplace. He credits the people for making it easier for him to settle down and feel that he belongs there. Admittedly the experiences he has had within that period had been bittersweet, which have made his stay on the island all the more memorable and an effective tool in building up of character. So much so that this has compelled him to put in writing the things he has experienced, felt and learned in his stint as parish priest.
Agos: Mga Anekdota ng Buhay-Pari sa Isla Talim Cardona Rizal is composed of 35 short stories that mirror the everyday and the extraordinary experiences of Rev. Fr. Alfredo “Jhun” E. Meneses Jr. as he goes about his life on the island as parish priest. At each story’s end is a lesson that everybody can apply to his own life to be “one step closer to our Lord,” as he puts it. Interestingly, each story also stands for each year of Father Jhun’s life on earth as he celebrated his 35th birthday last May 28, which also marked the formal launching of his book right at the place of his inspiration, Isla Talim.
The book, at P150 each, is available at the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Santa Elena, Marikina City, and at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Shrine (Antipolo Cathedral). Visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Facebook account, lourdesparishtalim, for more information.