APPROXIMATELY 2,000 DELEGATES, including 597 from Asian countries, are expected to attend the Asian Youth Day (AYD) in the diocese of Imus on Nov. 20-27. Foreign delegates will be coming from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. This is the first time that the Philippines will host the event which happens every three years like the World Youth Day.

Thanks to Imus Bishop Chito Tagle for accepting the tremendous task of taking care of so many young people and priests coming from abroad and the provinces. Already, parishioners in the diocese are being mobilized to host delegates in their homes.

Bishop Joel Baylon, chair of the Episcopal Commission on the Youth, is positive that things will be okay. He says AYD 2009 will give Asian youths an opportunity to have a communal experience of being “church” that expresses a uniquely Asian flavor and youthful enthusiasm through telling stories.

200 priests

Consuelo Aguinaldo Abaya, a member of the Mother Butler’s Guild in St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Kawit, Cavite, told me she is looking for at least 200 stolas for 200 priests expected to concelebrate in the opening Mass at the Imus Cathedral on Nov. 23, 4 p.m., and the closing Mass on Nov. 27, 10 a.m. at the Rogationist College in Silang, Cavite. Talks taking place on Nov. 20-27 will be held at Rogationist College.

If the Holy Spirit inspires you to help, please get in touch with the Episcopal Commission on Youth at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines at 470 General Luna St., 1002 Intramuros, Manila (tel. 5279567, 5279566; e-mail ayd5secretariat@gmail.com; www.asianyouthday2009.com).

Parents of priests

Members of the Parents of Priests Association of the Philippines headed by Letty Syquia have been meeting to plan the forthcoming A Night of Music concert on Nov. 20, 7 p.m. at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium (Edsa, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati; tel. 8958855).

They are Letty Añasco, Luming David, Tess Organista, Luz Kalaw, Rene David, Rolly Garcia, Epifaño Cruz, Demetrio Añasco, Martin Agustin, Ramon and Benilda Cabading, Baby and Doming Tapiador, Ruffy Sescon and Isabel Fullon.

Malate Church fiesta

Today, devotees of Our Lady of Remedies, patroness of Malate, will gather for Masses every hour, 6 a.m.-12 noon and 4-8 p.m. Bishop Broderick Pabillo will officiate the concelebrated Mass at 9 a.m. Cardinal Rosales calls the Marian people. “We love Mary because we know that she loves us in her Son Jesus.”

Soledad fiesta

People of Cavite and devotees from other places will gather once more today for the second Sunday celebrating the fiesta of Our Lady of Soledad de Porta Vaga. Parish priest, Fr. Cesar Reyes will concelebrate with Bishop Tagle at 5 p.m. Hermana Mayor is Merlita D. Bautista. In charge in the district of San Roque are Florencio Galan and Grace G. Vira.

In the district of St. Peter are Agnes B. Poblete; Dalahican—Gloria Vergara; Sta. Cruz—Carmelita Llamado; Caridad South—Angelina Camilo; and Caridad North—Edward de Castro, district of St. Anthony has Olivia Camañag and Daisy Oyco.

Marian encounter

The Missionaries of Mary are inviting the public to a Marian encounter Apologetics in Mary today, 7 a.m. at the University of Santo Tomas Tan Yan Kee student center audio visual room (behind the Central Library, near Dapitan gate). Registration fee is P100. Please bring the Bible. Holy Mass at 4 p.m. by Fr. Jose Bustillo, parochial vicar of the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish (call Sis. Luz Uzabal at 7438729).

Advent recollection

The Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls (PWHS) will hold an Advent Recollection on Nov. 2l, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Worship Hall of the Spirit of Love Community in Manila Seedling Bank (Edsa cor. Quezon Ave.). Titled Emmanuel: Celebrating God’s Presence, the recollection will be conducted by Fr. Joel Jason, dean studies of Theology at San Carlos Seminary. In New York, artist Lenore RS. Lim displays her new works at the Philippine Center on Fifth Ave. until Nov. 25. Titled New Formats, New Horizons, the works include watercolor renditions of flowers.

Song of St. Joseph

Song of St. Joseph, a musical on the life, love and death of St. Joseph opens at Meralco Theater on Nov. 18- 20, 7 p.m.

The Oblates of St. Joseph (Philippine Province) is producing it to mark the 100 years of the order in the Philippines. Book and lyrics by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio; music by Raymong Roldan and Jeanelle Bihag; direction by Noel Cabasor. Tickets at the gate.

Asian Apostolic Congress on Mercy will take place on Nov. 20-22 (tel. 0919-6573318; www.aacom.divinemercyasia.org). Opening Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Nov. 20, 9 a.m., then pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Marilao.