Last Saturday, November 7, 2009 a small group of Mater Dei MEC members got invited, through Bro. Sam Asia, to participate in the taping of a Sunday TV Mass. It was held in a small studio at the Sonolux Bldg., inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

The TV Mass is one of the media mileage of the Jesuit Communications in cooperation with Channel 5. For that particular day, there were 3 schedules of masses for taping to cover the whole month of November. The participants for each taping session were also invitees from the different organizations like The Knights of Columbus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Charistmatic Community. The Mater Dei M.E. Community, care of Bro. Sam Asia was given the November 15 Air Date at 8am in Channel 5.

November 15, 2009 as cited by Fr. Steve Zabala, who presided the Mass, is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Yet in our ordinary time, he said, it is surprising that people would tune in for a mass instead of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Fr. Steve’s light humor, cool delivery of proceedings immediately captured our attention . The Readings were read by the representative of each joint choir.

Then the Prayers of the Faithful which was assigned to the Mater Dei ME Community was read as follow :
By Sis Tess Capiral : For married couples that they may give witness to the beauty of their sacrament through their love for each other and in doing so, be an instrument for the conversion of others….

By Sis Richie Rebollido: For families who suffer due to illness, poverty, violence or other hardships: that they may be given hope, support and relief….

By Sis Lulou Asia: For the Mater Dei Marriage Encounter Community: that it may successfully fulfill its mission of building a Christ-centered community whose members are loving, caring and responsible couples and families for others….

The songs of the Joint Choir of San Jose Tanong Chorale of Marikina and the Sto. Niño Parish Choir of Bago Bantay, Quezon City filled the room with angelic rhythm .

Fr. Steve thanked all the participating groups before he gave his final blessings.

In such a solemn atmosphere our subconscious state came into pass. Then we heard Director Bombi Plata declared “Perfect! No Cuts!” and the clapping of hands signaled a successful TV production for the airing of a TV Mass presentation in Channel 5 on November 15, 2009.

As my family watched its airing last Sunday, November 15 we realized the great honor and benefit the Jesuit Communications has granted the Mater Dei ME Community. For sometime in the past, sponsoring a TV Mass necessitated so much effort to raise fund to pay the TV station for air time. Our Board of Trustees (BOT) had to take a firm stand to discontinue the regular 1st Friday airing of the TV Mass because of its very high cost - - - then many felt sad .

With last Sunday’s telecast, we had several minutes of air time and exposure where the mission vision of the Mater Dei ME Community was spelled out for free! As an added premium, the presiding priest, Fr. Steve specifically thanked the Mater Dei M.E. Community for our presence.

God is really Good- He showed us that not only the air we breath can be free but also an air time to spread the mission of our Community!