As midnight marched across the world's time zones, people the world over welcomed the start of the New Year with festivities, fireworks and characteristic flair. Over at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, the atmosphere was sans spectacles and soaring sparks but even so, it was significantly warm, joyful and grace-filled.

As the last hours ticked away toward the end of 2011, a Holy Mass was held with Msgr. Romy Rañada as priest presider  in thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year, and to welcome 2012 with faith, hope and love despite the uncertainties of the time. 

As we usher in 2012, the Pastoral Council led by Primus Servant Leader Josie Geronimo optimistically moves forward the homestretch of our Emerald Anniversary celebrations:
Come March 12, we will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the glorious consecration and dedication of our church to the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation, as officiated by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin with then parish priest, Msgr. Jaime Zurbano Jr. on the 12th day of March 1997 during the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II.

Our 20 years as a parish actually falls on March 18, 1992 because it is the day of the canonical establishment of the Our Lady of The Annunciation Parish as decreed by The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila acting upon the pastoral needs of the people of God and with the recommendation of the College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Office for Research and Development. Hence, it is aptly dubbed OLAP Foundation Day by Msgr. Romy on our beautiful OLAP calendar which is being sold at Our Lady’s Gift Shop.

Lest we forget, March 25, the Feast of the Our Lady of the Annunciation, is the fifth Sunday of Lent, thus, we will be celebrating her feast day on May 5. It will start with a dawn procession at 5 a.m., and will end with a Mayflower Procession at 5 p.m. followed by a Holy Mass at 6:30 p.m. Novena prayers and Masses will be held to spiritually prepare ourselves for the feast.

The pinnacle of OLAP Emerald Year will take place on May 26 that will be highlighted by a Thanksgiving Mass at 6:30 p.m. Our commemorative Emerald Magazine will be released to the public and to make sure that the parishioners and OLAP friends enjoy it to the max, Msgr. Romy would like them to have it for a fraction of its printing cost. Lastly, a dinner-dance caps the Emerald Year Remembering, Celebrating, Believing with Praise and Gratitude.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Roble, chair of Emerald Celebrations Committee, would like everyone to take note of the Emerald Year celebrations for each month of January, February, March, April and May which are indicated in the program of events and are posted on the church tarpaulins so that we may be able to actively participate and share in these events for the glory of God and in honor of Our Lady, the patroness of our parish.

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