Easter Sunday. This is the most important religious feast that we Catholics celebrate annually. It is typically the well-attended Sunday Mass because on this day the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ is celebrated. And where could our community be on this important day when majority of Metro Manilans have gone home to the provinces or to the beach for the long weekend?

At the foot of the grotto of our patroness, Our Lady of the Annunciation, inside the Garden of the Divine Word, Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City were our choir, four of our Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, some of our Board of Trustees, Head Couples, Chaircouples, the shepherd and members of our sponsoring class for our April Marriage Encounter Weekend and some of our members. This reporter’s eye sighted our brothers Freddie Santos, Joey Petrache, Willie Montales and Bhong Salvador who were gathered around Rev. Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD while praying before the start of the Easter Sunday Mass. Three girls with their hair neatly arranged in a bun, with angels’ wings and dressed in white were rehearsing their dance steps and shaking their tambourines to the tune of the Gloria while the Mater Dei choir members were eagerly practicing their songs of praise and joy. Bro. Samie Asia, our BOT President was there with his long-lens camera hanging around his neck, Oggie and Thelma Mercado and also Ding and Susan Mayor arrived with their children and grandchildren in tow. Nicholas and Michael Mayor were like twins in their identical shirts. They were ready to escort another grandchild of a member in her angel costume, Ma. Gwen Stefani Bohol, to perform an assigned task to usher the offerors. Founding members Ed and Cora Depano, Rose Montales who came all the way from their annual recollection at Pililla, Rizal and former BOT member Miriam Santos & Tom Marian Co were among the guests who joined the offertory procession. Children of our members had an adventure of their youth as they searched through the grass and plants for Easter eggs in the garden after the Mass at 7:30 in the morning. Despite the sweat and perspiration, the adults noticed the thrill and excitement on the faces of the children when they would find the object of their hunt. The colored eggs were traded for assorted children’s toys compliments of the Garden of the Divine Word Prayer Community.

All these came about when our community leaders graciously accepted the invitation of Rev. Fr. Isabelo San Luis, SVD, producer of Channel 13’s Family TV Mass to co-sponsor with the San Pablo Apostol M.E. Community the Easter Sunday Mass taped as live on April 21, 2009. It was a sacrifice and an offering of love on the part of those who came. What is more rewarding is for everyone to be able to participate and feel the joy and glory of the Resurrection of our Lord together with their families.