“FAITH without love is an empty ritual. Love without faith can easily diminish. And indeed, the only way that others will see that we are authentic Christians [human beings] is by our love for one another, for the charity we show to others.” – Fr. Rodel Balagtas
Fr. Rodel Balagtas’ preaching sets the tone for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHMC). And he definitely practices what he preaches.
Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas is a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.
For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of IHMC in Los Angeles. Fr. Rodel brings into the classroom a wealth of pastoral experiences. He has given retreats to priests and recently has been a regular guest professor of the International Institute of Theological and Tribunal Studies. He is now part of the steering committee of the newly formed National Association of Filipino Priests, formed under the tutelage of Bishop Oscar Solis.
On a Wednesday novena mass, he shared his ministering to his sick father, Ruben. He encouraged him, not as a son to his father, but as a servant of God, ministering to a parishioner.
While he finds time to minister to his sick father, Fr. Rodel extends himself even more to about 8,500 parishioners and to the 4,600 registered families of IHMC, of whom 1,700 are active members. He has been instrumental in marketing the Immaculate Heart of Mary School to increase its school population and in revitalizing its educational system.
During the elections of May 2010, forums were held at IHMC school auditorium to educate the immigrant parishioners of what is at stake and the compelling need for moral leadership, particularly in government that is charged with serving the interests of the public. Some parishioners took time to monitor the canvassing of the election results at the consular offices. Others attended the presidential inauguration ceremonies in the Philippines.
His moral leadership resonates beyond IHMC and attracts more to come.
Fr. Rodel’ s homilies reflect probing guidance that “ we are the sacraments that embody what God is like on earth. “ Indeed the pervasive secularism, relativism, and materialism in the world that many times blatantly ignores the place of God in our lives lead to the necessity for…conversion. “But what exactly does it mean to be sacraments, to embody God to others, when faced with moral decay?” How does one become the Sacraments, or what Fr. Rodel calls to display heroic love to others?
At IHMC, there are many ministries -- some to the hungry, the sick, and the dying. Regularly, the parishioners donate canned goods to the pantry for the homeless.
Every week, parishioners are screened for cholesterol and blood sugar -- a joint project of Queens Care Nurses and IHMC. Rev. Camilo Pacanza, assisting priest of IHMC, celebrates Masses and also anoints the sick.
Pete Avendano, IHMC’s musical director, described Fr. Rodel as “a holy man.” It meant to me that his actions and practices are aligned with his thoughts, his prayers, and his homilies. Because of this moral alignment, IHMC’s following keeps increasing. The IHMC choir now collaborates with other church’s choirs in archdiocesan-wide gatherings, under the baton of Pete Avendano, and the supportive performing orchestra of violinists, flutists and pianists, led by Bob Shroder of Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) founded by Asian Journal Foundation. It is a coming together of musicians from other parishes, encouraged by Fr. Rodel.
It is with clarity of purpose that Fr. Rodel started his stewardship of IHMC. That time, the parish was bereft with intercultural conflicts and had a declining base of parishioners. He conducted educational retreats, including deepening one’s faith to reflect hospitality and warmth towards one another. The divided parish got more unified in purpose, as they found themselves working together. Masses are said in three languages: English, Spanish and Tagalog, during important holidays, to convey the parity and unity of cultures.
In the last two years, against all odds, in the midst of a recessionary period and loss of jobs, 80% of the parishioners pledged to a capital campaign, reaching $1.9 million. As of March 2011, the donating families have numbered 417, making good on their pledges reaching $ 438,245.41 to date. These are immigrant families, mostly working-class, some retired, some are caregivers, yet their generosity in spirit is reflected in increased tithing for the church’s operations and giving for IHMC’s planned renovation.
Recently, a group came together to work on a program, where for $1,000 or more, each of the 75 pews in IHMC can be refurbished. A leadership circle of 12 donors is now being formed. With 12 leader/donors, like the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, there is vigor and confidence that by 2012, the church will have not just newly renovated pews but also new floors, a newly-installed heating and air-conditioning system, and newly-painted walls.
Fr. Rodel shows us in practice, and ushers us to join him in IHMC, to love with faith!Under Fr. Rodel’s stewardship and leadership, even income status or one’s new immigrant status are not barriers to IHMC’s ministering.
The generosity of Filipinos, Latinos, African Americans and Caucasian parishioners will soon be felt 100 years from now, by the next generation of parishioners, as IHMC’s renewed house of God is erected, anchored by new hearts that love with faith from its parishioners, much like the pioneers’ generosity and some Hollywood stars, who built this church, several decades ago.
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