Pagkakaisa

     We had the pleasure of welcoming the Himig Kabataan Cultural Society on Saturday for two concerts celebrating traditions and music from the Philipines and beyond in a day filled with joy and hope. From the very first, the choir engaged us with their rendition of "Manila", a high energy song bringing us right into present day Filipino culture. Then followed "O Canada"  and "Pambasang Awit", the  Philipine national anthem, sung by many with their hand over their heart. We were then gifted with many more songs, my favourite being one from their Vienna World Peace Choral Festival offering entitled, "Locus Iste" by Anton Bruckner which translated from the Latin means: 

"This place was made by God, 
A priceless sacrament, 
It is without reproach."
which was profoundly moving as it was being sung in my place of worship. This was followed by "Saro, Duwa, Tolo" which was a  medley of three folks songs from the Philipines which had my friend, who family is Filipino, in tears as it brought her back to her childhood, hearing these very same songs on her family's record player when she was younger.
     After the intermission we were privileged to hear the Himig Kabataan choir along with our own Church of the Holy Trinity Choir, directed by Maria Golas, singing "The Lord is My Shepherd", arranged by Howard Goodall. It was a beautiful rendition and I was very proud of our choir. It was followed by "Lead Me Lord" another poignant and beautifully sung piece composed by Arnel de Pano. The choir sang "Lupa" a heart-rending song of loss, love and unity. The set was completed by several more wonderful songs, all spectacular in their own right and each more lovely than the last, many featuring gorgeous solos by various choir members. It was such a beautiful and moving experience, a treat for the senses and one which filled our church with such joy and appreciation for life in all its many facets. 
     We wish the Himig Kabataan Cultural Society safe travels on their trip to Vienna to compete in the 15th World Peace Choral Festival and many blessings in the year to come. We hope to see them all again soon! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vigil

Image
        Last night I had the privilege of attending an interfaith prayer  vigil  in remembrance of the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy: A Community in Mourning. It was held at 5 pm at Miramar Plaza in White Rock and was a moving tribute to the lives lost. Sponsored and organized by the local interfaith community, it included prayers, songs and remembrances delivered by those within the Filipino community as well as those affected, their friends and neighbours. As speaker Jeff Solis indicated, this  vigil  was holding space so our grief could be shared with others who care.      The  Himig Kabataan Cultural Society Choir  gave us several musical offerings both in English and Tagalog that expressed a deep sense of longing to be connected with one another as well as our need to be comforted by our Lord. People from political office, faith leaders like our own Father Joe and community coordinators used words of hope ...
Read more

Prayer

Image
  I’ve been praying a lot recently, more even than usual. I’m also reading a book about prayer; how to pray, specifically. In learning to pray The Lord's Prayer, the prayer that Jesus taught us all, with greater intentionality and purpose I find every line new and fresh although I have been repeating this prayer, over and over, my whole life through. In times of need, fear, loss, sadness and joy this uncomplicated exhortation covers all the bases and yet children can learn it, simply and easily.      What I also find interesting today is that the commandment given by Jesus to treat others as you yourself would want to be treated, which is in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, is not a concept specific to Judeo Christian religions only but exists in so many different religions and cultures in the world. A handout from the Surrey Interfaith Council beautifully illustrates what we call "the Golden Rule" or "the  summary of the Law and the Prophets, representing a cor...
Read more

Still

Image
“Be still and know that I am God…..” This line has been resonating in me since Lent began and for the first night of our Silent Prayer it seemed particularly apt. In the Book of Alternative Services I found this prayer: “O God of Peace, who taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence, shall be our strength; by the might of your Spirit lift us we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” This prayer is found in the section marked Ministry to the Sick but for me it is applicable today and particularly during Lent. This is where it comes from in the Bible, in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, then and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Sitting quietly in a pew I have never sat in before or walking the Stations of the Cross over and over again, I experienced the church in a way that I never have before. We had thrown the outside door wide...
Read more