Sacred Heart of Jesus
Gawarasal Festival

June 18 to 20, 2004
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
Brookside Hills
Cainta, Rizal
Philippines

FIESTAS are celebrated in the Philippines to commemorate the feast of a patron saint or the foundation day of a town, usually in gratitude over petitions granted, blessings received and the abundance of their produce.

In like manner, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (SHJP) in Brookside Hills, Cainta, Rizal honors its titular patron, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For this year, the SHJP will be celebrated in a different fashion. The annual fiesta will be celebrated for three days from June 18 to 20 with the theme "Gawarasal Festival -- The Triumph of the Word of God Today."

"Gawarasal" is a mnemonic word coined from five Filipino words that go hand in hand with the study of the Bible. In reading, studying and reflecting on the Word of God, we first pray (from rasal or dasal), we get the lesson (aral) of the Bible readings, and as the message dwells in our hearts, we have to keep it alive, which we now show in our actions (asal) or in the way we live. In reading the Bible, we must always remember that we are talking to a loving Father, one God who is full of mercy (awa) and love. And of course, the message of the Bible is futile if we do not put it into action (gawa).

There is a concelebrated Mass with Bishop Gabby Reyes D.D at 6 p.m. of June 18 and several activities are lined up, one of which is the exciting street dancing on June 19 after the 6 a.m. mass. Reverend Father Arnold Layoc, the parish priest, conceptualized and printed a colorful 2004 calendar with a monthly inspiring depiction of a Christian virtue and reflection. These month-by-month Christian virtues from January to June will be paraded in the form of street dancing. To culminate the dancing, each mini parish will act out its assigned virtue. All the six chapels under the SHJP will also parade their individual chapel streamers. There will be a parade of 42 streamers in all! On June 20, the last day of the celebration, there will be a procession of all mini parishes' images and the mage of the Sacred Heart before the 6 a.m. mass. The blessing of the images follows after the Mass.

Day 1 (June 18) Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

6 p.m. Concelebrated Mass with Bishop Gabby Reyes D. D

Day 2 (June 19) Gawarasal Festival (Parade of Streamers)

6 a.m. Holy Mass
7:30 a.m. Assembly of All Participants and Formation for the Parade
8 a.m. Start of the Parade with Street Dancing

10 a.m. End of Parade in the Oval (Area 4).

Program Proper:
A. National Anthem Sacred Heart of Jesus School Choir
B. Invocation Sister Mimi Taña
C. Welcome Speech Father Arnold L. Layoc
D. Raffle DRAW Pampagana Raffle Draw (1st Door Prize)
E. Entertainment Pinky, Father Arnold and Physical Fitness Group
F. Introduction/Acknowledgment of Invited Guests and Judges.
G. MPPC Presentation #1
H. Intermission Number Sacred Heart School Pupils
I. MPPC Presentation #2
J. Intermission Number Youth for Christ (Meryll SJ & Co.)
K. MPPC Presentation #3
L. Intermission Number Knights of the Altar (Fr. Villarica)
M. MPPC Presentation #4
N. Intermission Number Surprise Number
O. MPPC Presentation #5
P. Intermission Number Knights of the Altar (Parish)
Q. MPPC Presentation #6
R. Intermission Number Acoustics with Donna Sison & Co.

Lunchtime 12 noon to 1 p.m.

P. Presentation of BRAI Candidates and Winners Manny Maglaque, President, BRAI
Q. Closing Remarks Rey Tatad
R. Raffle Draw Door Prize (Second )

S. Awarding of Prizes

Day 3 (June 20)

Procession of all MPPC images and the image of the Sacred Heart before the 6 a.m. Mass. Blessing of the images follows after the Mass.

Mini Parish Pastoral Councils:
Bayanihan Ogoy Rodriguez
Countryhomes Jorge Pablo
Don Mariano Daye Ortega
Parkplace Mimi Taña
St. Joseph Jo Montoya
Villarica Jessie Leonardo

Fiesta 2004 Committees:

Invitation Rey Tatad/Daye Ortega
Logistics Vicinities: Chito M/Dong and Letty Lemana
Logistics Church Jun Judi/Gilda Guzman
Finance/Ways & Means Violy San Juan/Laurite Abalos/Liza Tatad
Food/ Medical Committee Norma Flordeliza
Program & Games Committee Lou Hernandez/ Remy Manuel /Mila Espinas
Media Coverage Malou Castaneda
BRAI Assistance Manuel Maglaque
Over-all Program Coordinator Rey Tatad
Over-all FIESTA Coordinator Violy San Juan
Emcees: Remy Manuel/ Melo Fernandez

Adviser: Reverend Father Arnold Layoc, Parish Priest