A PRIEST NAMED HAROLD

The first time I heard the name Fr. Harold, I thought of him as a heartthrob, kilabot ng mga CWL at parish auxiliaries and a macho gigolo for all ages but definitely not for all genders. For some esoteric reasons, it was just all part of my eccentric imagination as Fr. Harold is simply just Fr. Harold, a priest.

Harold is an Old English name which means "army" and "rule", meaning "heroic leader", same as the title herald. Also, the name Harold is from the Latin Herald meaning King, a man of God's own choosing to lead a nation. For whatever reason  his parents may have for giving him such a name, I believe that Fr. Harold has been true and committed to his Christian name.

Every time I would listen to his homily, I can sense a true mark of a priest who was ordained and prepared to evangelize people by spreading the word of GOD. His authenticity and genuineness as a priest is always evident through his reflection and sharing. I remember when he gave a recollection where only few people attended. He still managed to make me feel that GOD is present in every word that he revealed. It doesn’t matter to him if there are many people or few, as he would just continue to be subservient to what he was ordained by the Catholic Church to do. 

I got to know him more when he became the regular priest of our block rosary to our Lady of Fatima. Despite and in spite of the situation he was in, he would always try his best to come, as his love and devotion to our Lady I believe, has always inspired him to be there for our heavenly Father and King.  

For all the time and experiences I have shared with you Fr. Harold, I will never ever forget the “blessing opportunity” you gave me to be part of Mary Jane Veloso’s telling story. Because of your invitation, I have witnessed the grace and unfathomable love of GOD through the people I have met. I have felt and witnessed the generosity of people which made me realize that there are still a lot of good people in this world. Your magnanimous desire to help Mary Jane and his family has touched my heart and soul to make me feel that this is the kind of service I want to do more and more.

As you continue your priestly ministry In GOD’s chosen land for you to be, I hope and pray that HE may bless you more with everything you need that you may continue to lead the nation where GOD planned you to be with. 

A simple word of thank you is not enough to express to you our deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude not only for every single Mass that you preside, prayer of the holy rosary and confession that you hear, but for offering your life to GOD by serving us though unworthy we may be. 

Our prayers and good wishes will always be with you especially in every recitation of the holy rosary in our weekly devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. We would always be grateful to GOD for the great love and service you have shared to all of us.

Paalam, Fr. Harold.

MR. NICK: A MAN OF GOD Colossians 1:15 "He is the image of the invisible God,  the firstborn of all creation.”

  

It is true that we meet people in our life for a good and divine reason. I honestly believe that Mr. Nick is one person whom GOD has given me to witness and experience HIS love and grace.

I can imagine that if JESUS were my Head of School, I would surely feel comfortable, good, understood, affirmed, recognized, appreciated and supported by HIM. These are some of the many good things I have experienced working with Mr. Nick.

Everytime I would come to his office, he would always welcome me and listen to my issues and concerns with all sincerity and understanding. He would make me realize that there are other ways on how to view things no matter how trivial or intricate they may be. He would give me his thoughts on certain situations with a heart of wisdom,  feeling that I am understood and not judged by him. 

Mr. Nick, you have been a great and generous supporter of the Student Council. Your magnanimity is incomparable, as  you even go beyond  sharing your personal resources to realize the activities of our student leaders. You just don’t have any idea how the students felt happy, relieved and supported because of your unselfishness to share your blessings to us.

When I needed help to convey my appeal for professional development, you were there to enlighten people for them to grant my request as you believe that I need to update and improve my knowledge and skills to better serve our students and parents as well. Not only that, you even wrote and personally handed to me my request letter so that I may be able to get refund for my plane fare which I was not able to use for an inevitable reason. I felt your pure and genuine concern to help me which I will never ever forget.

Most of all, I will forever treasure in my heart the moment you allowed me to be with the children of Mary Jane Veloso. This “holy experience” will not happen without your full support and approval which made me realize that ‘miracle is for real’. Because of this, I was able to witness GOD’s mercy and compassion through my interaction with people from religious and cause-oriented groups. It was an edifying experience for me which happened because of you. 

Despite your position and stature in the academe, you never let it stop you from entertaining us during the teachers’ karaoke by singing in your hilarious and out of this world version of the song, “Hard Day’s Night” by the legendary group the Beatles. No one can surely imitate and impersonate the way you did it because it will be a crime for anyone to do it as it was your most original and epic performance ever.

Mr. Nick, saying  ‘thank you’ is not enough for me to express my deepest and unfathomable gratitude for everything that you have shared to me. You are truly a “Man of God” and I thank GOD our loving  Father for giving me the opportunity to work with you.

As you always tell me, “See you later Mr. Ed.,” in your Aussie accent which I am trying very hard to imitate. Again, thank you Mr. Nick for being a “Man of GOD”.” Undoubtedly, GOD is and will always be happy and proud of what you have become. 

May you continue to be a blessing to people around you!