Sharing | Pilgrimage in Saint James’ Church

The Pilgrimage last October 2 in St James Parish church was a fruitful and blessed one. Thanks to Fr. David for guiding us and Fr. Louland for welcoming us into their parish.

It started with an opening prayer, followed by a talk, games, holy mass, and church tour. Additionally, we prayed the holy rosary and ended with sharing and insights. Those are what we learned and experienced during our pilgrimage. Fr. Louland shared the inspirational talk, the topic is "Mary arose and went in haste" (Lk1:39), a biblical Quotation from Pope Francis as the motto of World Youth Day. Mary's haste is a sign of her desire to serve and proclaim joy to respond without hesitation to the grace of the holy spirit (Daisy Flores).

Last October 2, 2023, We, The Filipino Community of St. Anne Church, together with our assistant parish priest, Fr. David Tristianto went to visit St. James Church at Yau Tong. Indeed, a beautiful Church. Fr. Louland Timbal Escabusa, a Filipino priest and an assistant parish Of Saint James welcomed us very warmly.

The 1st part of our Activity was a game introducing ourselves followed by a talk from Fr. Louland about our Blessed Mother Mary entitled "Mary arose and in haste". He also reiterates that we are all missionaries in our little ways. The second part of our Activity is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist wherein Fr. Louland and Fr. David presided the holy celebration. The third part of our Activity is our table Fellowship, having lunch together, sharing the delicious and yummy fried noodles, fried Rice, and steamed chicken including the hot and tasteful soup. Both our tummies were very grateful for the services of our Chinese family. After lunch, we went back to the Church.

That hour we pray the Holy Rosary, and we recite the joyful mystery. Some of our sisters led and we closed it with a Marian song. After praying the Rosary, we did the exciting part of our sharing wherein we expressed our gratitude and excitement about our journey that day. Each one of us shared what we experienced, and looking forward to the next journey next time. Fr. David led the closing prayer. We would like to thank Fr. David for taking care of us, we enjoyed his company (Lorna Magtoto).

These are the things I can say regarding our pilgrimage yesterday. I was so happy that the FCG members cooperated well in everything, especially the time we set that we needed to be in St. James Church at a certain time. Secondly, the staff there as well as the priest are very accommodating. The reflections that Fr. Louland shared that the theme of World Youth Day was so inspiring in the sense that it gives us more knowledge of how our Blessed Mother obeys God and that's why Pope Francis chose the quote on the bible in Luke 1:39: "Mary arose and went in haste". We need to imitate our Blessed Mother Mary for being obedient to God.

The celebration of the Mass was unique in the sense that two priests and two communities combined and even the ministries. Same with the games we all combined and it developed friendships with other communities.
We had our picture taken and shared thoughts and ideas with them too.

Praying the rosary in the group was good. It seldom happens unless there are important activities but I know some of us are praying the rosary every day. We had an excellent pilgrimage yesterday. Hopefully, we will have another soon. Thank you, Fr. David (Lorenda Rafanan).

I enjoyed the activity of our pilgrimage. I learned more and more about the life of Mary when she carried his son Jesus in her womb, as a mother I felt the same thing. I also learned a lot about sharing with others and the games that are so much fun (Sandra).

As a Saint Anne parishioner, we had an opportunity to have a pilgrimage at Saint James at Yau Tong last October 2, 2023. I am very thrilled since this is my first time joining a pilgrimage. My experience was overwhelming since I felt and experienced the warm friendship and hospitality of Saint James' Filipino community especially, when we were joined by Father Louland Escabusa, CICM.

Fr. Louland gave a talk regarding the Life of Mama Mary and why she is the model of World Youth Day in Portugal with the theme "Mary arose and went in haste". We discussed the life of Mama Mary when she became a mother at a young age. She rose and went with haste because around the age of fourteen to sixteen, she conceived a baby through the Holy Spirit. We also discussed when she paid a visit to her cousin Elisabeth who was also conceiving a baby in her old age. After our discussion, we had a small group game and we had so much fun and enjoyment.

We then had a mass with Fr Louland. After the mass, we were given the chance to wander the Saint James Church. We also had our lunch break and after we finished our lunch, we prayed the rosary, and we then had a sharing with Fr David. We talked about our experience and our plans for our next activity.

It was such a memorable pilgrimage; I would like to thank our parish priest Father David who is very understanding and patient with us. I am also thankful to Father Louland for accepting and accommodating us at Saint James Church. To our FCG president Lorenda and to all St. Anne community, who joined this year's pilgrimage I am thankful (Sylvie N Marcahillo).