Parish leaders of the Virgen dela Regla (Virgin of the Rule) National Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City agreed to reconcile their differences after a dialog with officials of parish-based groups on Friday in the wake of moves to remove the priests assigned to the shrine.Leaders of lay organizations met with parish priest Fr. Pedro “Pete” Arguillas of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) on Friday night to discuss several issues such as the need for transparency in parish funds and misunderstanding among parish groups, according to Vitaliano “Boy” Fortich, president of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of the shrine. “That is the opinion of the priests assigned here, that reconciliation moves among parishioners be continued,” Fortich said in Cebuano. He said that parish organizations denied initiating the petition letter asking Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to transfer the MSC priests. A petition-letter was earlier circulated that called for the transfer of parish priests Father Arguillas, Fr. Robert “Bob” Villanueva and Fr. Fabian Cayetano, who are all members of the religious congregation MSC. “A dialog was held and lay leaders were able to air their sentiments. Most of them were vocal in their support for the priests,” said Fortich. “Father Pete (during the meeting) said that it is unavoidable to have some misunderstanding within the family. But we are still part of one family,” he said. Fortich noted that no one came forward to take responsibility for writing and circulating the petition. Father Pete declined to comment on the issue adding that the PPC – through Fortich – already issued a statement. In an earlier interview, Cardinal Vidal said he did not received a copy of the petition letter. He advised parishioners to resolve the issue with their priests and go to the superior of their private congregation first. “They are are only recommended to me. I cannot just get them out of the parish. Before I can assign a parish priest or even an assistant, this has to pass through the superior first,” said Vidal. Despite the controversy between the parish priests and some lay organizations, the parish church was filled with devotees of the Virgin Mary yesterday to attend the traditional Hubo Mass celebration led by Msgr. Cristobal Garcia. Msgr. Garcia said the annual ritual of changing the festive clothes of the image of the Virgen dela Regla to “ordinary clothes” was the last big celebration of Lapu-Lapu City for the liturgical year as the entire Catholic church begins a new year today with the first Sunday of Advent. Vestments of the image of the Virgin of the Rule, patroness of Lapu-Lapu City, were changed at the area allotted for veneration at the back of the church. The image, placed on a turnstile above the altar, faced the audience at the beginning of the Mass and was greeted by parishioners who clapped and waved their hands. In his homily, Msgr. Garcia said the Advent season is a time for spiritual preparation.
“There are three words that we Christians use in our worship that we have not translated to any other language,” he said. “The first word is Maranatha, which means 'Come Lord'. This is a word we used as petition prayer at the same time it is a word of hope,” he added. The other word is 'Amen', which Garcia said should not be translated as 'hinaut unta (I hope so)' as it conveys doubt and uncertainty. “We should follow the example of Mary who said 'yes, let it be done' in obedience to God,” he said. Alleluia, the third word, “is an ancient Hebrew expression of praising God.” | 
