MANILA (UCAN): Father Ronald Roberto, parish priest of Holy Family Parish in Quezon City, has been celebrating Masses on street corners in Roxas district since May 26.
The initiative, called Truck ni Kuya (big brother’s truck), involves setting up an improvised altar on the back of a flatbed pickup truck along with a portable sound system so that community Masses can be celebrated anywhere.
Father Roberto launched the initiative as a result of calls by people wanting to celebrate the Eucharist.
“I saw how they longed for the Eucharist for Jesus during my relief work. Sacramental participation is a necessity for us Catholics,” Father Roberto said.
The Philippine government recently relaxed quarantine restrictions, allowing no more than 50 per cent of employees at private companies to return to work, but has maintained a ban on large religious gatherings in churches, restricting attendance to between five and 10 people (Sunday Examiner, May 24).
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila, has criticized the policy, saying it does not answer the people’s need for hope during the pandemic.
“There is great uncertainty about the future due to Covid-19. They (the people) need the assurance of a benign higher power. This is given by religion, more so in the Philippines, where people are very religious,” the bishop said in a statement.
Father Roberto believes the pickup truck idea helps address this problem. “The Church takes careful consideration of her faithful. With all the difficulties and fear, we have resorted to bringing the Eucharist to the community without compromising their safety,” he said.
He said announcements on social media are made giving the location and times of his Masses. Residents are also advised to wear masks and observe physical distancing to comply with quarantine protocols.
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Father Roberto added that local officials are notified to assure them that government quarantine laws are being observed. His Mass kits, which include the chalice and ciborium, are disinfected regularly and the hands of Massgoers are washed before they receive communion.
He said what he is doing is part of his priesthood and renewing a Filipino family custom of celebrating Mass together.
“Here, we see the integration of the Ecclesia (the larger Church) and the domestic Church in each Filipino home,” Father Roberto said.
