“ WE ARE the bell stand, we are the tree, sometimes we are the prince, sometimes we see ourselves as the woodcarver, sometimes we even evaluate how much wood we have carved, we forget about the tree-giving us life, the God within us all. “ – Fr. Tony Astudillo, on the Woodcarver Tale, a Taoist Tale quoted by Parker Palmer
I sat down to do an interview with Fr. Tony, and the Taoist tale on the woodcarver. It was an inspiring hour. He described his take on the tale, sharing insights about his life. “Two things I know: first, my life is about my relationship with God. Second, life is all about relationships. Relationships are nourished by storytelling, with feelings. We become poorer because we are poorer in storytelling, praying and relationships-building.” He then said that you work through life, not with the images that you see, but beyond what you see -- the potentials of the moments. It is about bringing faith home. He then likened it to what he appreciates most about the Jewish faith -- that rituals and celebrations are done at home.
“ What could be so wrong if we kiss each other, bless our children and say, May God bless and protect you till we see each other? You remember the past, but you make the past, the present, in memory of God. The more we become, the more we are the church, re-imagining…Creation was good, but, re-creation is redemption, and we do have to do our part, if God made the world in 7 days, our part to do things in His memory, begins on the 8th day, “ he quipped.
Sheperd of the Universal Church
In the Apostolic –Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe’s website, “a vicariate that ministers to 11 Ifugao, and 10 Mountain Province Catholic missions,” they reported that Fr. Tony Astudillo donated cash and 14 balikbayan boxes to the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng -- to those heavily affected in Cainta, Taytay and Marikina. He also went to Teng-ab Bontoc with his parishioners, and handed over cash and 43 balikbayan boxes.
At an early age, Fr. Tony already knew that he had a calling for the priesthood. He credits his parents as the source of unconditional support. Each Sunday, their family of 11 attended Mass, occupying an entire pew.
Two rules of his father were absolute: “All must attend Mass and must eat Sunday breakfast.” After Mass, Fr. Tony would run home to stack up footstools to use as a makeshift altar.
As the family arrived, he blessed them, “Dominus pobiscum.” One time, his brother was in a rush to eat, because he was hungry. But, his father stopped him: “Can you not have the patience for your brother to finish his mass? “
At age 14, he joined the seminary. Ten years he became a priest, then, at 27, a pastor of a cathedral in Abra, and 3 years later, its Vicar General.
Because of his position, he became acquainted with mayors, governors, provincial commanders.“I drank power and power consumed me, “ he said.
He learned that “when we judge ourselves, we miss our relationship with God.”
He left the country when Marcos detained those who stood for truth and justice. He spoke about almost losing his vocation when he went abroad, but his mentors Msgr. Clement Connolly, Bishop Joseph Sartoris and Bishop Rudy Beltran guided him. He thanked all his parishioners for their support.
God’s project was not encumbered by man-made constraints. At the height of recession, in a year’s time, the new church was completed in Sept. 26, 2010. 400 folks honored Fr. Tony’s 38th year anniversary as a priest, and their new House of God, Gate of Heaven – their Church of Stone.
Bishop Solis joined the celebration: “Fr. Tony is a Living Stone, a Brother Priest, a Man of God who built this Church of Stone. May you have many more years of service, of ministry to St. Lorenzo Ruiz as its pastor and also to the universal church, as a faithful servant of the Lord,“ he said.
Bishop Solis is now a regional bishop and chairs the Asian Pacific Committee within USCCB. Fr. Tony got reappointed to a second 6-year term as pastor of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church.
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