We are partners in building the kingdom of God here on Earth

During the Welcoming Program held on June 7, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Rectory, the new Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Roger “Jing” D. Duhaylungsod addressed the faithful gathered with a message of humility, trust, and shared mission: “Everything we work, according to the grace of God. For as long as we cooperate, we will not rely too much on our human efforts, but we simply work according to the will of God, and the Lord accompanies us. We are partners in building the kingdom of God here on Earth.”

His words were gentle but powerful reminder that our Church’s mission is not carried by him and Fr. Ricky alone, but by the OLLP community as well. United in faith, prayer and action, the message of Fr. Roger on cooperation and divine grace resonated with the faithful, and it set a hopeful tone for the start of his ministry at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

An amusing remark by the new Parochial Vicar, Rev. Fr. Ricky S. Montero, touched the hearts of the faithful gathered. Fr. Ricky shared: “Napari si Fr. Jing [niadtong] 1979, mao na’y pagkatawo nako. That means 46 years old nako [karon], he is 46 years old as a priest” (Fr. Jing was ordained in 1979, the year I was born. That means I’m 46 years old now, and he is 46 years old as a priest.)

The OLLP community now looks forward to walking in faith under the guidance of two priests: One who has lived 46 years in the priesthood, and one who has lived 46 years in life, both now united in service to our Church.

As the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish embraces this new chapter, Fr. Roger’s message continues to echo a call to walk together, not by human strength alone, but by the faith and grace of our God. (Matthew Cadanilla, SoCCom-Sacred Heart of Jesus GKK)