Tuesday, March 24, 2015

REMEMBERING THE LATE FR. ALEXANDER on his death anniversary

Reposting:
REMEMBERING FATHER ALEXANDER ON HIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY
What is charisma? A special charm, allure that inspires allegiance or devotion. It is a grace, a gift from God that Father Alexander made good use of in inspiring people. Not by proselytizing or propagandizing, but by being just himself, quietly telling you not to be too hard on yourself. To "live in the present. Forget the past. Just listen to the call of God because He loves you." Always, his message was God loving you. So much so that even a despairing sinner gets to believe it and turns his life around because there is God waiting for everyone to come to Him. He made it sound like a simple requisite that one void of a sense of self-worth can not not heed it. No wonder, whenever parishioners knew he would be the presiding priest, the church would be filled beyond the entrance door. Adult students of mine who had not gone to Church for years started coming back because they could relate to him; he spoke fluent Spanish and Vietnamese aside from his English language, and he was learning Tagalog the last few weeks of his life. He was like a star that skyrocketed from heaven and then vanished just as fast.
To him there were no rejects. The poorest of the poor always first on his list of priority programs. He was so eager to embrace the continuity of our Food Program for the needy, the free health program, the Meal of the Month for the homeless, the ESL Program that has actually been my baby, so many more. At the time of his death, he had some project for the youth. One of the first things he did upon assumption as administrator-pastor of our parish was refurbish the physical facility of the whole compound. Operation Beautification and Cleanliness, he called it. He enjoined the whole neighborhood to participate in the Street Cleaning Operation. Plants and flowers started springing up around. Security fences went up. Suddenly we had a modernized gate built to make ministry members meeting at night feel more safe. The Police was invited to meetings to help build community unity in fighting crime. It seemed like he was always full of ideas he just had to put into action and reality. He helped the needy, counseled the despairing, was always ready to rush to the bedside of the sick and dying whenever called. Perhaps, this was what drained his emotions: he suffered with the suffering.
I had just finished reading my Legion of Mary annual report during our Curia meeting, and had barely sat down when a co-Legionary tapped my shoulder and showed me a text on her cell phone: "Father Alexander passed away this morning." That was Sunday afternoon. We were in disbelief, No, it can't be true! Eloisa, seated next to me, and I bowed our heads, started praying quietly even as we couldn't help weeping, "Lord, please, don't let it be true. Don't take him away from us. Not our beloved pastor." My other co-Legionary went out of the hall where we were having the Curia meeting, frantically trying to reach anyone from the Our Lady of Peace to verify it. Then came an answer from one ministry member: It's true. It was announced in the last afternoon Mass. I wonder if there was a single one in the church with dry eyes the following days. Everyone of us he had touched felt devastated. He was our brother, mentor, counselor, friend most of all.
So many loving memories: When he had met me at the door of the Rectory one Fish Fry day during Lent, he asked if I was coming to join them, and when I answered I couldn't, I just came to get the key to my classroom as I had my ESL class that night, he offered, "I'll have a plate to-go for you," he quickly answered with that look of seriousness you wouldn't think his offer was just out of politeness. Such expression of kindness, so rare even among lay people, I found so touching. I had to say "No, thank you, " but thought how so nice of him. I couldn't, however, possibly bring a whole dish of fish fry to my classroom; it would have meant whetting the appetite of my students with the smell of the fried fish all the while I was teaching.
Another day, as I was going to pick up again my classroom key from the Rectory, I met him in the hallway. He asked how my granddaughter was. (How he remembered happenings in the lives of his flock. He recalled I had flown to Oregon the previous week to visit my granddaughter.) I said, she was fine, but still recovering. He quickly put down the bowl of soup he was snacking on while walking around the Rectory hall. "Come, let's pray for her," he said, and he led in a minute or two of prayer for healing. What priest would do that for your loved ones? 
Quite a few other experiences. His sense of understanding, thoughtfulness and show of caring for everyone, even to those he just heard of as needing prayers and compassion---it just seemed so spontaneous. Never standoffish. When we had the Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima, I had hoped he would officiate at Mass (because he had such great way of injecting humor in his homilies) but did not dare ask him because I knew he had a load of administrative work. But he must have heard that I kept asking the Rectory (because I was assigned the coordinator and had to do the program) who would be the presiding priest. He approached me the next time I saw him and announced, as though in answer to my unspoken question to him, "I will preside, Blanca." I felt relieved, because I knew our coordinators from far-off counties who had brought the Virgin image (that came all the way from Portugal) were just waiting for that,. having heard of Father Alexander's kindness, humor, and warm ways. 
When Father Alexander administered Holy Communion to us, as I approached, he would mention my name, as though to show his recognition of me. Did he do that to others? I'm sure he did. So many other similar experiences of his spontaneous ways narrated by others during his funeral service. He was genuine, natural. unaffected, the veritable Father Alexander. And the saddest thing of all was that, unknown to us, he was battling with his own problems, his illnesses.

Comments
Albert B. Casuga He was uniquely Christian, Blanca Blanca Datuin. One of a kind. May he rest in Our Lord's Peace. My deep condolences for a good man and a true Alter Christus. heart emoticon
LikeReply1March 8 at 11:01pm
Blanca Datuin Thanks, Albert. He was rare indeed.
Almario C. de Jesus ******
"Whether I have a long life or a short life; whether I am healthy or ill; whether I am wealthy or improverished---it doesn't matter, as long as I am serving the Lord.", St. Ignatius of Loyola. And from the lips of Bishop Barron- " Instead of se...See More




What is charisma? A special charm, allure that inspires allegiance or devotion. It is a grace, a gift from God that Father Alexander made good use of in inspiring people. Not by proselytizing or propagandizing, but by being just himself, quietly telling you not to be too hard on yourself. To "live in the present. Forget the past. Just listen to the call of God because He loves you." Always, his message was God loving you. So much so that even a despairing sinner gets to believe it and turns his life around because there is God waiting for everyone to come to Him. He made it sound like a simple requisite that one void of  a sense of self-worth can not not heed it. No wonder, whenever parishioners knew he would be the presiding priest, the church would be filled beyond the entrance door. Adult students of mine who had not gone to Church for years started coming back because they could relate to him; he spoke fluent Spanish and Vietnamese aside from his English language, and he was learning Tagalog the last few weeks of his life. He was like a star that skyrocketed from heaven and then vanished just as fast.

To him there were no rejects. The poorest of the poor always first on his list of priority programs. He was so eager to embrace the continuity of our Food Program for the needy, the free health program, the Meal of the Month for the homeless, the ESL Program that has actually been my baby, so many more. At the time of his death, he had some project for the youth. One of the first things he did upon assumption as administrator-pastor of our parish was refurbish the physical facility of the whole compound. Operation Beautification and Cleanliness, he called it. He enjoined the whole neighborhood to participate in the Street Cleaning Operation. Plants and flowers started springing up around. Security fences went up. Suddenly we had a modernized gate built to make ministry members meeting at night feel more safe. The Police was invited to meetings to help build community unity in fighting crime. It seemed like he was always full of ideas he just had to put into action and reality. He helped the needy, counseled the despairing, was always ready to rush to the bedside of the sick and dying whenever called. Perhaps, this was what drained his emotions: he suffered with the suffering.

  I had just finished reading my Legion of Mary annual report during our Curia meeting, and had barely sat down when a co-Legionary tapped my shoulder and showed me a text on her cell phone: "Father Alexander passed away this morning." That was Sunday afternoon. We were in disbelief,  No, it can't be true! Eloisa, seated next to me, and I bowed our heads, started praying quietly even as we couldn't help weeping, "Lord, please, don't let it be true. Don't take him away from us. Not our beloved pastor." My other co-Legionary went out of the hall where we were having the Curia meeting, frantically trying to reach anyone from the Our Lady of Peace to verify it. Then came an answer from one ministry member: It's true. It was announced in the last afternoon Mass. I wonder if there was a single one in the church with dry eyes the following days. Everyone of us he had touched felt devastated.  He was our brother, mentor, counselor, friend most of all. 

So many loving memories: When he had met me at the door of the Rectory one Fish Fry day during Lent, he asked if I was coming to join them, and when I answered I couldn't, I just came to get the key to my classroom as I had my ESL class that night, he offered, "I'll have a plate to-go for you," he quickly answered with that look of seriousness you wouldn't think his offer was just out of politeness. Such expression of kindness, so rare even among lay people, I found so touching.  I had to say "No, thank you, "  but thought it so kind of him. I couldn't possibly bring a whole dish of fish fry; it would have meant whetting the appetite of my students with the smell of the fried fish all the while I was teaching.
Another day, as I was going to pick up again my classroom key from the Rectory, I met him in the hallway. He asked how my granddaughter was. (How he remembered happenings in the lives of his flock. He recalled I flew to Oregon the previous week to visit my granddaughter.) I said, she was fine, but still recovering. He quickly put down the bowl of soup  he was snacking on while walking around the Rectory hall. "Come, let's pray for her," he said, and he led in a minute or two of prayer for healing. Quite a few other experiences of his kindness. His sense of understanding, thoughtfulness and show of love to everyone, even to those he just heard of as needing prayers and compassion---it just seemed so spontaneous. Never standoffish. When we had the Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima, I had hoped he would officiate at Mass (because he had such great way of injecting humor in his homilies) but did not dare ask him because I knew he had a load of administrative work. But he must have that I kept asking the Rectory who would be the presiding priest. He approached me the next time I saw him he matter-of-factly said, as though in answer to my unspoken question to him, "I will preside, Blanca." I felt relieved, because I knew our coordinators that brought the Virgin image (that came all the way from Portugal) were just waiting for that. having heard of Father Alexander's kindness. So many other similar experiences of his spontaneous ways narrated by others during his funeral service. And all the time, unknown to us, he was battling with his own problems, his illnesses.

Below is an email from him, circa 2010, that expresses how he could make one feel less bad about having bungled on something. So typical of his comforting words, "Don't be so hard on yourself," to anyone tearing his hair with remorse.

How he could make one feel less bad about oneself after one goofed during Christmas midnight Mass. 

From: Fr. Alexander Lewis <alewis@olpeace.org>
To: Blanca Nolledo <bnolledo@gmail.com>
Cc: rhernandez@olpeace.org; carloravancho@yahoo.com; bettydefensor@yahoo.com; chulada-15@hotmail.com; corandgrace@msn.com
Sent: Sun, December 26, 2010 5:44:29 AM
Subject: Re: Goofing...


Not to worry Blanca,
i goof at something at least once a day!
Merry Christmas!
 _______
On Dec 25, 2010, at 11:14 AM, Blanca Nolledo wrote:
Yesterday, I shopped and I cooked and I booked (for airline)
and hosted unexpected guests,
as I read and memorized.
And then I goofed at church. Mea culpa.
But today and tomorrow, I choose the words:
unmulti-task and stay focused. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Blanca

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

From my Facebook

Albert B. Casuga commented on your post.
Rediscovering one of my favorite poems when I was in college. It still is a favorite. How we try to elude Him, the Tremendous Lover.
________________
An Excerpt from the “The Hound of Heaven”
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days:...
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine way
Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbed pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instance,
They beat — and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet–
“All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.”
–Francis Thompson
 

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  • Louie Reyes likes this.
  • Albert B. Casuga "Then halts by me that Footfall/ Is my gloom, after all. /Shade of His Hand outstretched caressingly?" --- Hopkins. Yes, Blanca, this was the essential Thomasian's poetic shield. Glad you kept your favorite excerpt. How have you been doing?

  • Blanca Datuin


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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Reposting this as throwback:

Voices from Our Lady of Fatima

There are voices that cannot be ignored. When one is called to serve, one may waver. But if the voices are insistent, one has to heed. When one gets the invitation from the Curia coordinator in late January with only one slot left in a series of scheduled visits to scattered areas; one's tiny voice inside says, "grab it!" The email that comes in says, "There are others trying to get this day (February 10), so confirm asap if your parish wants It." The "It" is the statue of the National Pilgrim Virgin Lady of Fatima that has been gifted to America by the Bishop of Fatima in Portugal, blessed by Pope Paul VI  and crowned by  Cardinal Boyle in the National Basilica in Washington, D.C.

Why all this fuss, you might ask. For those who are not aware about Our Lady of Fatima, especially among the younger generation, she is no other than our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary who, in 1917, appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal with three secret messages which now have already been revealed by the last of the three, Sister Lucia, who passed away on February 14, 2005 at the age of 97. The World Apostolate of Fatima is sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church to propagate the Fatima Message to obtain world peace. Though this is the main objective of the named National Pilgrim Virgin traveling around America, the statue also serves to remind us of the world's need to rise against the present chaos by incessantly praying the rosary.

It  has been reported by some forty people that the Statue had shed tears while these people were praying for intercession in front of the image. Other witnesses report of healing and conversions.No wonder then that parishes vie to be honored this amazing Visit. But as in all organizations, coursing an invitation through a humble servant of God who has no authority to say "yes" or "no" entails channels to go through. One hastens to call the Legion president once, twice and then thrice with no answer and no return call either. One calls the vice-president once, twice as well and also no answer except the machine.

Finally, one reaches the Legion vice-president; one asks her to get the approval for the visit from whoever in the parish is left to man it in the meantime that the pastor is on leave. She comes back with the report that the deacon she finds in the parish office who is believed to have the authority to  approve said it can't be done that hurriedly. That sounded delay. The deacon is to tell one later that the Legion representative couldn't answer a lot of questions on the Visit. No matter. One senses, even before getting the feedback from Sister vice-president, that there might not be someone left in the parish to expedite approval. So, one takes a bold step  to email directly the pastor on leave though fearful he might be sick and unable to answer. It is a risk one takes, but one trusts in  the Voice that says, "Work on this, let the Holy Mother use  you for spreading Her love and message to the world." It's a risk-- a fear of being looked upon as assuming a role that should be that of the Legion President. But one cannot hold back the time: the clock is ticking. In one day, the chance to have the National Pilgrim Visit might be gone and in the meantime, our souls languish in hunger for Her love and protection. How can one let go of this precious opportunity practically at our door knocking? And the Voice is insistent: "You're a servant of God; no need to wait for those who are titled."

Then comes the pastor's (Father Alexander Lewis') answer through email, "So long as the group is legitimate and approved by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and have a  document saying so, I have no problem.Please contact Rosie Hernandez or Martha at the rectory by phone and email both so that you can organize the date/location with Martha.... you will have to take care of the publicity getting, to the bulletin person, etc." How he must love Mother Mary to have acted so fast! How trustful he must be that the one he's assigning and the whole parish community can organize everything even if it's practically in the nick of time.


One's planning, organizing and communication skills, long dormant from ancient days, are once more put to use. Moreover, one's love for Mother Mary is put to test. It is a marathon of sorts. One stays up till midnight  to email confirmation of the date to Bro. Victor Yap of the Curia and to the Regional Coordinator from whom one needs to get documents attesting to the legitimacy of the World Apostolate movement  to present to  our pastor and whoever might ask.  One works frenziedly through the following two weeks to compose the news release and announcement for all the Masses, to email all parish leaders to have them mobilize their members: the Hispanic community, the Filipino community, the Vietnamese community, the senior citizens, the charismatic group, the youth group, the Our Lady of Peace school--Mother Mary being the Mother of All Mankind and not just of the Legionaries." One maps out the program. One coordinates and discusses distribution of tasks and responsibilities to one's Legion sisters and brother who all embrace such participation with enthusiasm, with love for our Mother Mary, and with excitement
.
A few snags, but nothing to worry about: where to house the official custodian bringing and guarding the precious Statue and the three ladies assisting him--Sisters Josie, Helen and Letty; last minute details---the songs, the rites, the ushers. And the lector/reader, forgotten in all the commotion, so that one has to do it, unrehearsed, as other Legion members are to assume likewise some other roles in the rites. Bro. Victor of the Curia, sending out the flier to all other parishes. Maribel Fechtner coming to the rescue (thanks to Sister Mary Foronda of St. Bridget Church) in providing the housing for the four WAF personnel. Such miraculous responses to one's plea for Mother Mary to intervene.

A sodality of Marian children coming together: the Regina Pacem Presaedium of Our Lady of Peace, Rosie, dear pastoral associate, singing Ave Maria a capella; Deacon Rey (who stayed with the devotees through the end of the day), Martha, dear secretary; Tim, ever loyal pianist; Ms. Jasso, school principal; Thanh Tran, Anthony Nguyen, Bro.Celso and his chivalrous knights of the Holy Name of Jesus; Olga Castillo of the Spanish Legion de Maria and the many others in our diverse community. All are gems in our church! But most of all, Father Alexander--(A more caring pastor one has not seen in a long time!).  In one's heart of hearts, one says THANK YOU, though you may probably never get to read this!


Finally,  the World Pilgrim Lady of Fatima comes to a people waiting for Mother Mary's blessing, for Her grace, for Her powerful intercession in their petitions, both  for the world and for their own private supplication. Hail the Mother of God!  May She always be with us to light our way and guard us as a nation and as a people looking to Her as our Holy Mother.  May the world heed her pleas for incessant prayers for a world hungry for peace!

-Blanca Datuin aka Alma Viajero

 Mother Mary's Message reminds us of our own responsibility for our salvation and for world peace:


"The action of God, the Lord of history, and the co-responsibility of man in the drama of his creative freedom, are the two pillars upon which human history is built. 
Our Lady, who appeared at Fatima, recalls these forgotten values. She reminds us that man's future is in God, and that we are active and responsible partners in creating that future."
Tarcisio Bertone, SDB
Archbishop Emeritus of Vercelli
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith


TOUCHED BY KINDNESS AND HUMILITY