25/06/2026
𝗔 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗗 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗗’𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧
𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟰 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳
𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗙𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖. 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘀
Every priestly anniversary is more than the passing of years. It is a celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness, of a vocation generously embraced, and of a life continually poured out in service to His people. Behind every year in the priesthood are countless prayers offered, silent sacrifices made, souls guided toward Christ, and a daily “yes” that continues to bear fruit in the lives of those entrusted to a shepherd’s care.
It was in this spirit of thanksgiving that the San Andres Apostol Parish family gathered to celebrate the 24th Sacerdotal Anniversary of our beloved Parish Priest, 𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗙𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖. 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘀, honoring twenty-four years of faithful priestly ministry and five blessed years of shepherding our parish community.
The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist, the heart of every priestly anniversary. In his homily, Fr. Rock first challenged the faithful to examine the sincerity of their own discipleship. He reminded everyone that prayer must always be accompanied by a life that seeks what is good and pleasing to God. It is not enough to pray while deliberately choosing to do what is wrong. True faith is reflected not only in our prayers, but also in the way we live, the choices we make, and the witness we give each day.
He then revisited one of the central themes he recently shared during the Vicariate of Our Lady of Light’s Ahunan sa Antipolo. He reminded the faithful that criticism should never be for the sake of criticism itself. Authentic correction must always be rooted in truth, humility, concern, and love, for seeking what is right, just, and beneficial for all is a responsibility shared by every Christian.
Reflecting on the relationship between the Church and society, Fr. Rock explained that neither the Church nor those entrusted with public service are expected to be perfect. Yet imperfections should never prevent anyone from faithfully carrying out the mission of promoting what is good, just, and true. The Church proclaims the truth not because she claims perfection, but because Christ Himself entrusted her with that mission.
To illustrate this, Fr. Rock pointed to the lives of the saints. They were not remembered because they were flawless. They, too, struggled, stumbled, and carried their own weaknesses, yet they continually opened their hearts to God’s grace, allowing Him to transform their lives. In the same way, God does not wait for us to become perfect before loving or calling us. He meets us in our imperfections, transforms us through His grace, and invites us each day to grow in holiness.
He concluded by reminding everyone that authentic Christian correction is never an act of condemnation but an act of love. Before pointing out the shortcomings of others, each of us must first allow God to examine and transform our own hearts.
Following the Holy Mass, a heartfelt Prayer of Blessing was led by our Parish Pastoral Council Secretary, 𝗦𝗶𝘀. 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼, asking the Lord to continue blessing Fr. Rock with wisdom, strength, good health, and abundant grace. This was followed by the opening remarks of our Parish Pastoral Council President, 𝗕𝗿𝗼. 𝗔𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗼, who thanked Fr. Rock for his steadfast leadership and for leading God’s people with 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
The different ministries and parish organizations then presented their gifts to Fr. Rock together with a special anniversary cake as a simple expression of their love and appreciation.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the presentation of the anniversary AVP, “𝗔 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.” Through photographs and heartfelt narration, it beautifully retraced Fr. Rock’s twenty-four-year priestly journey, from God’s call and his generous “yes” to the priesthood, through the many communities he faithfully served, until the Lord entrusted him with shepherding the San Andres Apostol Parish family five years ago.
A fellowship breakfast followed, after which the extended AVP featured heartfelt messages from parishioners and friends expressing their gratitude for Fr. Rock’s faithful leadership, steadfast conviction, and genuine love. Trivia games about his life and vocation likewise allowed everyone to know their shepherd a little more personally.
As the celebration drew to a close, Fr. Rock shared words that quietly touched every heart. He thanked everyone for the love shown to him and shared that one of God’s gifts to him is the ability to sense what people truly feel toward him. Looking back, he admitted that there was a time when he found it difficult to feel the love of the parish community. But that morning, he joyfully shared that he could now genuinely say he felt accepted, appreciated, and loved.
Those simple words revealed something beautiful that only time can accomplish.
Relationships are not built overnight. They grow through patience, understanding, forgiveness, shared experiences, honest conversations, and constant prayer. Like every family, our parish journey has not always been smooth. There were moments of misunderstanding and challenges along the way, yet God’s grace quietly continued to work in every heart.
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲.
Over the past five years, what began as a pastoral assignment gradually blossomed into a relationship marked by trust, openness, mutual respect, and genuine affection. As Fr. Rock slowly opened his heart to the community, the parish family likewise continued to embrace him with greater love and appreciation. Shepherd and flock have journeyed together, learning from one another and growing together in faith.
Fr. Rock concluded by encouraging everyone to continue praying, to lean on God amid life’s uncertainties, and to entrust everything to Him. In the Lord, every burden finds strength, every uncertainty finds hope, and every imperfect heart continues to be transformed by His grace.
Though beautifully simple, the celebration became a profound expression of gratitude. More than the gifts that were offered or the program that was prepared, it was the sincere love, prayers, and presence of the parish family that made the occasion truly memorable.
Thank you, Father Rock, for twenty-four years of faithful priestly ministry and for five blessed years of shepherding the San Andres Apostol Parish family. Thank you for leading us with love, truth, and conviction. Thank you for reminding us that God does not call the perfect. He calls ordinary people, transforms them through His grace, and sends them to become instruments of His love in the world.
May the Good Shepherd who first called you continue to bless your priesthood with abundant grace, unwavering strength, joyful perseverance, good health, and His lasting peace.
𝗔𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘀, 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸! 🤍🙏🏻
“𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.”
Berdos Rock