Barkadahang Apung Tali

06/03/2026

See you later!

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Join us for a moment of reflection and spiritual renewal this Lenten season. ✝️

You are invited to the Parish Lenten Recollection on March 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish – Porac, facilitated by Rev. Fr. Eymard “Among Mye” D. Ocampo.

Let us journey together in faith as we reflect on the theme:
"MIPAGCALAMANG TETAGAN BAN TUKI CANG JESUS NU YA MAN ANTI CASAKIT ING PAMAGLACBE."

15/01/2026

WATCH: The message of His Excellency, 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐆. 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐬, 𝐃.𝐃., Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga, for VOCARE 2026.
As we prepare to heed the call of the Source of our hope and vocations, let us listen and be guided by the voice of the shepherd of our Archdiocese.

15/01/2026

𝗞𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. — John 14:26
In celebration of National Bible Month, we were blessed to hold a meaningful celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on January 14, 2026, with four private schools within our parish community. It was presided over by Most Reverend Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D., the Archbishop of the Archdioceses of San Fernando in Pampanga together with our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Eduardo T. De Leon. The homily provided a reflection on the theme "God's Word gives L.I.F.E. (Love, Integrity, Faith, Engagement) in our hearts and in our homes”. The participants were challenged to be witnesses of a shared faith strengthened by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the Word of God in the scriptures.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the school personnel, parents, godparents, and parish volunteer catechists for their dedicated assistance and support for the spiritual formation of our students.

15/01/2026

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Sacrament of Confirmation this February 2026 for students enrolled in public elementary schools within our parish community. Catholic students in Grades 5 to Grade 12 are invited to join the celebration. Full details regarding the requirements and preparation can be found in the attachment below.

10/01/2026

WHY THE BISHOP SLAPS YOUR CHEEK AT CONFIRMATION 😲🤔
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You’ve probably seen it before.
The bishop stands before the confirmands, row by row, anoints each forehead with holy chrism, and then… gives a gentle slap on the cheek.

Everyone smiles. Some are surprised.
But behind that soft blow lies a meaning older than cathedrals, and deeper than words.

That gentle slap is not a punishment.
It’s a commission.
It means: You are now a soldier of Christ.

From the earliest centuries of the Church, the bishop’s touch symbolized strength and courage.
It was the Church’s way of saying:

“You’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit, now go, fight the good fight of faith.”

It was a holy reminder that Christianity is not a comfort zone but a battlefield, and every confirmed Catholic is enlisted into Christ’s army of truth and love.

But that slap also means something even more real today.
It’s not only the bishop who will slap you, the world will too.

After Confirmation, expect the blows of mockery, insults, and arguments.
Expect to be questioned, ridiculed, or misunderstood for what you believe.
Those are the invisible slaps that test your courage and reveal your faith.

And so, the bishop’s gentle tap says:

“Don’t fear the world’s blows. Stand firm. Defend the faith. You have the Spirit, stand your ground.”

In the medieval age, a knight received a blow on the cheek when he was made a warrior, not to hurt him, but to awaken his courage.
That’s what the Church does at Confirmation.

You are no longer a child in the faith.
You are anointed, sealed, and sent.
Your armor is grace.
Your weapon is truth.
Your mission is love.

So when that bishop’s hand touches your cheek, remember,
you are not being scolded,
you are being strengthened.

You’ve just been confirmed:
marked as Christ’s soldier,
called to bear the blows of life with patience,
and to defend the truth with courage and peace.

“Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”


_________________

10/01/2026

✝️WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD😳🤔
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Most people think the Baptism of Jesus is just a quiet moment by the Jordan.
A gentle scene… Jesus standing in the water… John the Baptist pouring water… a dove in the sky.

Beautiful? Yes.
But simple? No.

The Baptism of the Lord is one of the most explosive moments in the entire Bible.

It is the moment the Old Covenant hands over the mission to the New Covenant.
The moment heaven breaks its silence.
The moment Jesus steps publicly into His mission.
The moment the Trinity appears fully revealed.

This feast is not a peaceful river story.
It is the announcement of war against sin, death, and the kingdom of darkness.

Let’s break open what really happened.

✝️1. JESUS DID NOT NEED BAPTISM, BUT WE NEEDED HIM TO ENTER THE WATER

John’s baptism was for sinners.
Jesus had no sin.

So why did He come?

Not to be purified,
but to purify the waters.

The Fathers teach:

👉 When Jesus entered the Jordan,
He placed divinity inside the water,
so water could later carry grace in every sacrament.

He sanctified the waters so every baptism from that day forward carries His power.

He did not come to be cleansed.
He came to cleanse creation.

✝️2. THE MOMENT JESUS ENTERED THE WATER, HE STOOD IN OUR PLACE

Baptism symbolizes:

repentance

judgment

death

rebirth

Jesus stood in the water as if He were the sinner,
not because He was guilty,
but because He came to carry our guilt.

At the Jordan, He begins the same descent He will complete at Calvary:

He takes our place.
He enters our death.
He begins His mission to lift us out.

This is why the Fathers call the Jordan:

“The first step of the Cross.”

✝️3. WHEN THE HEAVENS OPENED, SOMETHING THAT HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE GENESIS BROKE WIDE OPEN

Matthew says:

“The heavens were opened.” (Mt 3:16)

This line is not decoration.
It is the reversal of Genesis.

When Adam sinned,
heaven closed.
Communion was lost.
Creation fell silent.

At the Jordan:

👉 Heaven reopens.
👉 God speaks again directly to humanity.
👉 The separation caused by Adam begins to collapse.

The Baptism of Jesus is Eden reopening over the waters.

✝️4. THE TRINITY APPEARS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A SINGLE SCENE

No other moment in the Old Testament or New Testament reveals the Trinity this clearly.

The Son stands in the water.

The Spirit descends like a dove.

The Father speaks from heaven.

This is not symbolism.
This is revelation.

At Epiphany, Christ was revealed to the nations.
At the Jordan, God reveals Himself fully.

You cannot deny the Trinity at the Jordan
unless you deny Scripture itself.

✝️5. THE FATHER DECLARES JESUS BEFORE HE BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

Before Jesus preaches a single sermon…
Before He performs a single miracle…
Before He heals a single sick person…

The Father declares:

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17)

Why?

Because Sonship comes before mission.

God does not say:

“I will love You after You perform miracles.”
“I will love You after You suffer.”
“I will love You after You die for humanity.”

He says:

“I love You now.”

This is the foundation of Jesus’ mission—
and the foundation of our baptism.

Grace comes before works.
Identity comes before mission.
Love comes before effort.

✝️6. JOHN THE BAPTIST HANDS OVER HIS MINISTRY

John was the final prophet of the Old Covenant.

He prepared the way.
He announced the Messiah.
He preached repentance.

But when Jesus steps into the water, something shifts.

John says:

“He must increase; I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30)

The water becomes the place where the Old Covenant gives way to the New.

This is the moment John’s mission reaches its peak:

👉 He baptizes the One who will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit.
👉 He passes the torch from prophecy to fulfillment.

✝️7. JESUS’ BAPTISM IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF WAR

The Jordan is not an ending.
It is an opening shot.

Immediately after baptism:

“The Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.” (Mk 1:12)

The One who just received the declaration of Sonship
goes straight into combat.

The Jordan leads directly to the desert.
The desert leads directly to victory over Satan.
The victory leads directly to the Gospel.

The Baptism of the Lord is the launching point of salvation history.

✝️8. OUR OWN BAPTISM ONLY MAKES SENSE BECAUSE OF HIS

Without Christ’s baptism:

water is just water

repentance is just effort

forgiveness is just hope

rebirth is just poetry

But after He enters the Jordan:

Water becomes the instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism becomes participation in His death and resurrection.
We become sons and daughters because He revealed His Sonship.

At the Jordan, Jesus did not just begin His mission,
He opened the door to ours.

✝️THE REAL MESSAGE OF THIS FEAST

The Baptism of Jesus is God declaring:

“The distance between heaven and earth is over.
My Son has entered your world.
Now your world can enter My life.”

Christ steps into the river
so we can step into grace.
He descends into the water
so we can rise with Him.
He opens the heavens
so we can live under an open sky.

This feast is not small.
It is not gentle.

It is heaven declaring:

“Let the New Creation begin.”

God bless you.


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10/01/2026

The National Bible Month is a month-long initiative of the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) that encourages Filipinos to read, engage with, and be transformed by the Word of God. The annual Bible celebration traces its roots to 1982, when President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. signed Presidential Proclamatio...

10/01/2026

Lord Send Forth Your Spirit and Renew the Face of the Earth