Reflections

BY KIMIKO GATA
Objective Assessment of his/her parish experience

I found my parish experience a worthwhile one. At first, I felt the normal awkward feeling any newbie can feel, because I really do not engage myself in such activities, but as each days pass by, I found it an enjoyable one. People in the parish ,especially  my co-youth who are very friendly. I'm a choir in an another parish,so when they asked us to join their youth choir, I said I'm joining without any hesitation because I thought I already know everything. But I was wrong, this involvement experience was really a learning one, we learned many songs and were taught to serve singing as a service to God which is very incomparable to any services one might offer-offering your talents back to Him. Like people, churches are not that perfect like what others had mistakenly thought. During one of our services, our performance did not go well as we had expected, it was a shortcoming for us, I thought of giving up what we had started, I even told my friend, who is also a student of this activity about this, but then, I've realized that, we do not serve to expect positive comments and praises from the congregation , but we serve because we want to serve God.

Objective and Critical assessment of the parish

Like what I have mentioned, churches, ran by people are not perfect, it has positive and negative aspects. Well in my own point of view during our exposure, if we look in the positive side, it is just like any churches in the world, it is a devoted Christian community that offers itself to its people, a very active church who always involves itself in different activities that will help its parishioners, they make it a point to bring the Gospel to its people through children catechisms, feeding programs, outreach programs and more charitable programs for the less fortunate members of the church.For the negative side, they are lacking members for each organizations,making its main stay members to cram sometimes, even though each organizations has numbers of members, these members are not always present, making the groups to cram.

Suggestions and Comments on what the student can do to improve his/her parish as a community of believers

As what been said, most of their organizations are in need of members, so I suggest that it would be better to let their parishioners know about the problem/s the church is having. It would be better if they encourage them all to be more active in participating in all the activities conducted by the parish. In that way people would be aware of the present condition of the latter. If possible, they should focus more on encouraging the youth to  participate in the projects. Why? Because as early as now, it should inculcated in our minds, the youth, that serving God is the best service of all, that we do not only go to Church to just hear the gospel or because it is a must. Honestly speaking, as one of the youth, I see our generation blinded by new technologies and ignores the call of God which is the main cause why we go to the wrong direction. So, that's it I think it would be better if they focus more on the youth.


BY: ANGELA ALBELDA
An objective assessment of his/her parish experience

Being able to experience many different services in our parish has been great. I was able to experience new things like calendar selling and I was also able to join the choir. Singing during masses has been great. But, one of the best things that I experienced during my community service in our parish was when we visited the Home for the Aged in Manila or Hospicio de San Jose. Each and everyone of the elderly has a different story but what's similar about them is that they were left there by there own family and despite the fact that they were left they still continue to face every obstacles that they encounter. There weren't many difficulties that I encountered I think the only problem that I had was time management we had a lot of school works to do so I feared that I won't have enough time to accomplish the tasks that we needed to do. Being able to help in our church can give us a great feeling already. It gave me a happy feeling seeing each and everyone's smile and also being able to serve the Lord is great. I also met new friends during my community service and was able to bond with my friends Kimi and Jania. Now to continue what I have started I decided not to stop my community service and continue serving the Lord and besides its been fun serving others without asking anything in return.

objective and critical assessment of the parish

I think that the one thing that is negative about our parish is that there are only a few active members and for some organizations they lack some members. Yet one of the positive traits of our church is even though they lack some members they still continue to strive in fulfilling God's words indeed they believe in the concept that ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. Our parish is very active especially every Sunday after the morning mass they conduct a children's mass and after the children's mass they have a feeding program for the children which I experienced a few times already at times we fear that we won't  have enough food for the children but with God's grace we always have enough food to feed the children. The parish's youth are also active most of the time especially during the feeding program we, youth member's are the ones who are active. Another thing is that every December our parish visits home for the aged last 2010 they went to Antipolo and last 2011 we went to Hospicio de San Jose in Manila we gave away food, clothes, and other necessities that the elders need. We also conducted a play or the panunuluyan during Christmas eve wherein the cast were also the youth. The youth also have a choir wherein we practice a few hours before the last mass because we will be the one to sing. Although the parish has some negative traits they are still able to make up for it because they definitely have a lot of positive traits. Yes, our parish isn't as perfect as it may seem but then again nothing is perfect. I believe that our parish's imperfections is what makes it unique among the other parishes.

Suggestions and Comments on what the student can do to improve his/her parish as a community of believers

I think that what our church needs is discipline in its parishioners and volunteers especially when the church is having an event or activity. For the youth I think punctuality and dedication to work is what they lack. Better time management and organized schedule of wherein people can easily join or participate during activities. As for the other organizations I think they should think of ways to encourage people to volunteer in joining each and every organization that the church has.


BY JANIA RICOTE
An objective assessment of his/her parish experience

In my community service here in our church I learned many significant things in life. I realized how blessed I am and how God showered me and my family further blessings. I have this feeding program with my fellow youth serving more than 100 less fortunate children in a merienda meal. It was an amazing experience, a tiring yet fulfilling job for me. It gives me happiness as I see them smiling and having contentment as how they appreciate simple blessings. My other service is participating in a youth choir. I am thankful that I have the chance to do it even if I don’t have a good voice. This community service was truly a blessing for me. I learned to value more the things and be thankful for what I have now. As I finished my service on the church and as I start my new year 2012, It’s a good thing to apply the things I realized and learned.

objective and critical assessment of the parish

The name of our parish is Mary Mother of the Church, located here in BFRV Las Piñas City. There is negative and positive side of the church. The negative side is the location of the place. It is not accessible for those people who don’t have cars or the commuters, having a hard time to find a tricycle or transportation. Another negative side of it was the lack of shed during the rainy season. Despite of its negativity, it has many positive sides to enumerate. The church was huge that can accommodate many Christians in a mass. The surroundings were clean, pleasant, and peaceful. It is also eco-friendly because of the trees surrounded in the place. It also has complete facilities that they use every mass making it more convenient.

Suggestions and Comments on what the student can do to improve his/her parish as a community of believers

As a student as a youth part of the Christian community, I believe that I can do things sincerely to improve my parish. The best thing to do is helping your church by means of what I’ve done, the community service. In this work you are voluntarily extending your hands in your community. Not just by serving them, but also learning and gaining something for yourself. I can improve my parish by encouraging other youth to join or even just experience this service.You can also try to participate in the mass. Giving small donations will do. And the most important of all is attending the mass every Sunday with your family. It is the most important way that you can contribute.