To be 18 and still glowing and growing is a good reason to celebrate.  That was the feeling the Mater Dei’s M.E. Community exuded when it celebrated its 18th Anniversary last March 27, 2007 through a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by our Spiritual Adviser, Fr. Domie Guzman at the Sto. Niño de Violago Chapel. 

Inside the chapel, the Mater Dei icon was well situated on the right side of the altar while the lower center level had a table bedecked with a figure 18 set for the lighting of the 18 candles by selected representatives  and the offering of 18 roses by the different Head Couples of the Apostolates. 

For the mass, Sis. Rhodora Bohol acted as commentator, Adel Tambasacan proclaimed the First Reading and Felix Norly Lachica led the Responsorial Psalm. 

The Offertory was a presentation by representative members of 18 symbolic gifts. Sis. Rhodora Bohol gave us a glimpse of our community’s history while the members walked down the aisle to present their gifts.
         
The following were the symbolic gifts:

1.  CANDLES -  Symbol of LIGHT and GUIDANCE (Ding Susan Mayor, Willie Rose Montales, Lony Rhodora Bohol and Romy Remy Lagman)

2.  THE BIBLE – as The ETERNAL WORD (Vigie Nelly Ventura)

3.  FLOWERS – Symbol of LOVE and JOY (Boy Chit Escosio, Ernie Lita Daez with Bill Ding Zamora and Paolo Sumera of the SADE  lighting  the other candles)

4.  PLANTS – Symbol of LIFE and GROWTH

5.  CRUCIFIX – Symbol of the GREAT LOVE OF GOD, Our FATHER for us (Leo Medy Bugarin)

6.  DOVE – Symbol of the HOLY SPIRIT, the third person in the Holy Trinity (Noy Gay Manalo with daughter Lara)

7.    FRUITS -  Symbol of UNIQUENESS (members of Gen. T de Leon prayer group led by Romy Abing Rayos and Edmund Josie Gonzales)

8.  ASSORTED GIFTS – Symbol of GENEROSITY (Jess Pola Katindig, Albert Liza Flores, and Omar Rose Mayo)

9.  HEART – Symbol of CHARITY and COMPASSION

10.  ROSARY – Symbol of our DEVOTION to MARY, our MOTHER (Toto Maia Diez, Bong Tess Perez, Arced Nancy Condes, and Migo Len Vargas)

11.  LINEN – Symbol of PURITY and PROTECTION (Caloy Connie Armas)

12.  OFFICE SUPPLIES – Symbol of SYSTEM  and ORGANIZATION (Ric Sally Rey)

13.  WALIS TINGTING  and KAKANIN – Symbol of ALLIANCE, STRENGTH AND HARMONY (Bebot Emma Lopez and Bobby Adora Mabesa)                                              

14.  ENVELOPES  - Symbol of our GRATITUDE to GOD
                       
15.  PETITION BOX  - Symbol of our FAITH (Tony Pat Rivera)

16.  BREAD – Symbol of KINDNESS  and PROSPERITY (Sergio Salin Sarmiento representing the  San Jose del Monte Ugnayan)

17.  WINE  -  Symbol of the CHRIST’S OFFERING OF SELF  for our   sake

18.  HOST - Symbol of HEAVENLY TREASURE

Finally for the Consecration,  Mon Noemi Giron carried  the Water, Wine and the Host.

Before giving the final Blessing, Fr. Domie reminded the community that the way of God is different from the way of man.  Being eighteen is a challenge of maturity and the need to have responsibility.  Therefore, each one is challenged to face community life with a sense of maturity; that is, to  come to terms, to go back and heal wounds by the pain of growing up.  We are 18 years old  so we  should be  stronger to face the future.  Let us look forward as encountered couples, workers  and shepherds and ask, “what are our plans? Goals? Mission?” “Let us be keepers of one another”.
         
Our President Couple Sam Lulou Asia also delivered their congratulatory message and enjoined the members of the community to move on as one big family – for the greater glory of our Mater Dei.

And so it was time for  Fr. Domie and the rest of the community to make a one-minute wish.  Fr. Domie finally blew the candles in the Anniversary Cake donated by Class 259 while the children got their shares of balloons donated by Class 149. Cheerfully, the members sang Happy Birthday with the Music Ministry!
         
We acknowledge the tandem of Lony Rhodora Bohol and Ding Susan Mayor for the concept of presenting the life of the Mater Dei M.E. Community… from 18 years now  and for helping the members realize that they landed on “good soil” when they joined the community.

We highly appreciate the presence of our elders who, till this time, always heed to our call for help and support.

Our community’s Love Offering for the evening was just short by a few pesos to round off  the significant figure of P18,000.00.