This may sound bragging to some (slight hahaha), but who would not be proud if you were given the chance to moderate a press conference with Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops (last choice nga lang sinuwerte pa). And after the press conference, unexpectedly, the Cardinal came to me, made a handshake, and said thank you (ayyy shala 🥰).
I thought that would be the last time we would interact with him. But during PCNEX, every time we get the chance to see him, he will always be the first to notice us.
After PCNE X, OPNE asked for assistance from our office (AOC) to document (photo) a few of the Cardinal's pastoral visits to different organizations. That paved the way for us to have a closer and longer conversation with him, and he would always thank us for our service.
On Jan. 23, I had the chance to interview him after the High Level Interfaith Dialogue held at Pope Pius XII in Paco, Manila (thank you to Fr. Caloy Reyes and Miss Beth Marie).
During his visit to Focolare in Tagaytay, while having a break, he came to me and said that he was looking for us (with Maricar). After lunch, before we went to the Laudato Si Farm (SVD), we again had the chance to have "kwentuhan" with him and Fr. Andrew of Focolare. At the SVD, he never failed to say thank you to us every time we crossed paths. On our way home, Miss Beng called via video call with Cardinal Grech speaking to us, thanking us for the long day of work.
Last January 27, in Bataan, was our last schedule for documenting his visit. At Batiawan, Zambales, he led the gift-giving to the Aeta Community living there, followed by a Mass at the Franciscan Sisters and St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish.
Before heading back to Manila, we told Fr. Mark and Miss Beng that we will go ahead. But the good Cardinal called us (me and Maricar) and said that he was very thankful for our service. As a token of his gratitude for us, he gave us a rosary and told us that it was blessed by the Holy Father. He also told us to keep in touch.
His visits were very tiring, but he always had that smile on his face, which is why people are so close to him. He was very warm and welcoming.
This may be an overreaction to some, but as church workers, it was a proud moment for us to be dealing with and interacting with one of the Vatican officials who really took his time to talk with ordinary people like us (super nose bleed lang talaga 😁😀 - muntik muntikang maubos yung baon naming English). It was indeed a once-in-a lifetime experience.
I don't know his thoughts, but for me it was a clear message that he interacted with us, talked with us even though we are nobody and not because we are entitled or we have titles or positions (madalas ko kasi ma-experience at ma-witness sa simbahan yung hindi ka pansin or nilagpasan ka ng tingin kasi wala ka sa limelight, kasi hindi ka personality sa paningin nila, wala silang mapapala sa'yo, pero hindi nila alam mas may substance ka, mas may lalim ka - #realtalk to mga pre) - yun typical na titignan ka lang pero di ka tititigan - gets? ✌️😜)
I wish more priests would do the same thing for their flock since we are called to be a synodal church—spending time to talk and listen with more humility and a lot of wisdom.
This isn't bragging. I know you have more significant experience than this. I am just overwhelmed with the experience, and I want to share it with you.
I am looking forward to seeing him in Rome (inshallah).
Salamat Fr. Mark and Miss Beng for this rare opportunity. Thank you also to Fr. Roy for allowing us to extend assistance. We are so grateful! 🙏🥰
📸 Miss Beng ❤️
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