WALANG HANGGANG PASASALAMAT-Newsbit from Marikina
ADVENT RECOLLECTION FOR THE LOYOLA SUBDIVISION COMMUNITY
Every year during the season of Advent, the Juniorate–Postulancy Community organizes an annual recollection for the tricycle drivers of Loyola Subdivision. Their wives and children are also warmly invited to participate, together with other residents from the surrounding area.
The yearly gathering usually includes a short spiritual reflection, a simple gift-giving activity, and a time of merienda and sharing. In keeping with the spirit of the Third Sunday of Advent, the community once again opened its doors for this meaningful celebration.
At around 2:30 in the afternoon of December 13, the participants began arriving. A total of 43 people joined the activity. The six sisters of the Juniorate House, led by Sr. Felisa Molina, welcomed the guests and assisted with the registration.
At 2:45 p.m., Sr. Nori Marquez led the group in a spiritual reflection. The recollection formally began with the lighting of a candle by Mr. Roberto Ciriaco. The candle served as a symbol of igniting the fire within and rekindling their relationship with the Lord.
A short video clip was then shown. The participants were invited to identify a scene that particularly interested, moved, or touched them. Through this activity, they were encouraged to look more deeply into their own lives and to reflect on the environment in which they live.
The reflection was further deepened through the retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, inviting everyone to recognize God as a loving and merciful Father who continually welcomes His children home. Afterward, the participants engaged in dyad sharing, followed by group discussion and individual reflection.
The simple gathering became a meaningful Advent moment for the participants—a time to pause from their daily routines, look into their lives, renew their relationship with the Lord, and experience the warmth of a community that welcomes and walks with them.
Before heading home, everyone was invited to partake of the food prepared for them. Pansit, a piece of bread, and a cup of soft drink were served. It was indeed a fruitful and joyful day. Smiles and laughter could be seen on the faces of the participants as they received the clothes and four kilos of rice prepared for each family.
As they stepped out of the gates of the Juniorate House, they carried with them not only the gifts they had received, but also a renewed sense of joy and gratitude in their hearts.
The brief yet meaningful reflection on God’s mercy, which was the central theme of the recollection, touched the hearts of the participants. The simple and enjoyable encounter also brought much happiness to the children. For the sisters, this encounter with the people of the neighborhood was itself a grace—an opportunity to share what they had and, at the same time, to recognize and give thanks to God for all that they had received.
The recollection concluded with the song “Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat” (Endless Thanksgiving). As the day came to an end, the sisters echoed the same message of gratitude. Truly, our life is a gift entrusted to us by God, and our response is to return it to Him through our lives, our service, and our praise.
This Advent recollection became one of the community’s simple ways of offering its walang hanggang pasasalamat—its endless thanksgiving—to our loving and generous Father.
Marikina Community