Simbang Gabi with MJ

The traditional simbang gabi in St. Joseph the Worker Church (SJWC) began last December 15, 2007 at 8:30 in the evening. Around 2000 faithful gather in the site where we are building the church. Fr. Nolly, our parish priest, asked the help of the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) to assist in the simbang gabi in the different chapels of our parish. We are very thankful that the MJ was assigned in our community.

MJ is a group of priest-missionaries, an international and multicultural religious missionary community founded in the Philippines on 2002. Fr. Joel, Fr. Freddie, Fr. Eugene and Fr. Luke have been assisting our parish since the turn over to the Diocesean Priests (we were formerly under the SVD). MJ believe that the inculturation of the Gospel is a mutual enrichment and critical interaction between faith and culture. Maraming Salamat sa MJ!

You can contact the Missionaries of Jesus at :

MJ Bahay-Misyon, Villa Ligaya Subd., Antipolo City, Philippines
Tel: 696-51-52
e-mail : missionaries_of_jesus@yahoo.com

"We too are called to work in the Vineyard of the Lord…."

After two years of patiently waiting, we are able to continue the construction of St. Joseph the Worker Church. We are completing the concrete beam. We hope to finish the work this month of December. The delay is of course due to the insufficiency of funds. We depend solely on the generosity of homeowners in our place and some fund-raising like our traditional Christmas Tree Decoration. The unselfish attitude of our benefactors inspired us to strive more for this endeavor. Some pledged to give P50, P100 and P500 monthly. Others volunteered to work manually in the construction site during Saturdays (see picture above).

For us, it is a privilege to be given a chance to help build a Church in our community.

I know, we still have a long way to go but through the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, our patron saint, this dwelling place of God in our community will one day be completed. St. Joseph is a good provider and a carpenter by profession will help us.

It’s been a while since we are celebrating the Holy Eucharist in the St. Joseph the Worker Church with temporary roofing. We used to celebrate it in our clubhouse but we decided that it was best to celebrate the Mass in the site where we are putting up the Church itself. Lately, we were offered by our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Nolly Buco, to have additional mass every Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Again, we welcome these as a blessing for our community. The devotees of our Lady of Perpetual Help and of the Sacred Heart of Jesus now have a chance to attend the Holy Eucharist after the novenas.

Again, we would like to reiterate our gratitude to the male volunteers every Saturday. They are really a big help in our construction effort especially with our limited budget for the construction.