Surpraises!

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 03/02/2018

Everyone loves a good surprise! The best and most memorable surprises come from the people we love most. This often happens on special occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries and others drawn from each family’s unique tradition…

“A family that texts together…”

02/02/2018

Father Patrick Peyton, famous for propagating the praying of the Holy Rosary as a family, used to say that “A family that prays together, stays together.” For many years, his advice has been the secret to family…

Death by social media

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 01/26/2018

If you had a choice, what would you choose?” A tiny voice squeaked behind me while I munched on my sandwich. “What were the choices again?” Another softer but excited voice asked. “To know when you are…

The Upper Room

Francis B. Ongkingco 01/19/2018

The Clergy and Consecrated Persons” is this year’s CBCP theme for the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is a historical-spiritual milieu to prepare our journey towards the 500th anniversary of the Catholic Faith in 2021. I…

Forgive and forget

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 01/12/2018

A common New Year’s resolution is to “Forgive and forget!” It is an adage often offered compassionately to those who may find it hard to move on after experiencing some hurt or pain. But how hard it…

Happy You Year!!!

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 01/05/2018

Every year, we joyfully greet one another a Happy New Year! But are we indeed happier? Is it only a happiness from something materially or emotionally new, that lingers as short as fireworks? Once, I came across…

Mary lost and son found

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 12/29/2017

I was blessed to be in the presence of both a historical and spiritual relic: our Lady of Triumph. Mary, represented in her traditional and solemn title of Immaculate Conception, victoriously crushes the serpents head under her…

Manger hearts

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 12/08/2017

Who wants to help me gather more hay for the manger?” Teacher Steph asked. All the Grade 2 pupils eagerly waved their hands in the air. “Remember, when we prepare the manger, we are also preparing our…

Cremation revisited

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 11/24/2017

Many are easily misled to think that the Catholic Church has finally come to terms with the times by now allowing cremation. But Her past disapproval of cremation stems more with its association with pagan culture that…

‘Death of Fear’

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 11/17/2017

It would seem more appropriate to say the fear of death than the death of fear. But today, fear is sought for as an entertainment commodity. Viewer, readers or players are thrilled by the artistically gruesome representation…

Purgastory

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 11/10/2017

Father! Father! I’m so scared of purgastory!” Rudy, a grade 3 pupil preparing for his first Confession and Holy Communion, said. “Afraid of Purga-story?” I was so amused with how he said the word. “’Coz the man…

iPhone therefore iAm

FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO 11/03/2017

Rene always looked forward to winter nights. These were sacred moments when he could silently warm himself before a fireplace cradling the gentle crackling of pine-scented logs. This atmosphere could help afford him deeper insights into his…

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