June 30, 2021

By Mary Beth Bracy
Contributing Writer

MORRISONVILLE – We are “Gifted to give – faith is a gift from God.” Father Pedro Edgardo N. De La Rosa, known as “Father Jay,” parochial vicar at St. Alexander’s, Morrisonville, St. James, Cadyville, and St. Augustine’s in Peru, brought this message with him from across the world.

During the “Faith around the world: the Philippines” Eastern Region Commissioned Lay Ministers Association (ERCLMA) Spring Event, Father De La Rosa talked about faith, his vocation and culture. Held on June 16 at St. Alexander’s, the evening began with Mass, followed by the reflection, time for questions and refreshments.

On March 14, 2021, Pope Francis celebrated 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. Father De La Rosa explained that in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan brought Catholicism to the Philippines and 800 people were baptized. On Easter 2021, the Philippine Church began to commemorate this fifth centenary. Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, declared the theme: “Gifted to give” and that “Faith is a gift from God. And so, we are joyful in this special jubilee year.”

Father De La Rosa proclaimed “the joyful witness to evangelical charity” that Catholics in his homeland reflect “in hard times.” “It is joyful to believe and entrust our lives in Jesus,” our faith is “strong amidst the storms of life, assured of Our Lord’s Presence.” It is our “duty to evangelize,” Father De La Rosa relayed. The “seed of faith in their hearts,” planted by their forefathers, helps the faithful and those they serve, including the needy and marginalized.

Most. Rev. Leonardo Legaspi, Archbishop Emeritus of Father De La Rosa’s diocese of Caceres, began the Caceres Mission Aid Program on May 26, 1997. Since then, priests from Caceres have been sent to 37 dioceses, including several in the United States, and in numerous countries.

Describing his life and call, Father Pedro Edgardo “Jay” De La Rosa, mentioned that he’s not sure where his nickname came from. His paternal grandfather, Pedro, and father, Edgardo, are both good looking. So, he likes to joke, “here I am.” His mother, Ida, along with his father, are retired government employees who now live in the United States. In 3rd grade, he became an altar server and assisted at Mass every Sunday. It was then that he first considered a vocation, since he enjoyed being with priests and seminarians.

However, in high school, Father De La Rosa planned on becoming a physical therapist. Then, there was a vocation campaign, and students who attended could miss a class. He went to get out of math and ended up entering seminary, he said.

As a priest, he’s served in several areas. First, he was a professor and formator at Holy Rosary preparatory seminary for five years. Father De La Rosa is grateful that 18 of his former students are now priests.

In 2011, Father De La Rosa became the “pioneer priest” of St. Francis Parish, which began as rice fields. Father De La Rosa oversaw the construction of the church, rectory and parish hall. Through “sweat and blood,” Father De La Rosa and his parishioners “sacrificed a lot for fundraising activities.” One of the most popular was singing Christmas Carols. They attribute the success to nine days of votive Masses in honor of the Blessed Mother. The “Mass of the Rooster” began at 4 a.m. each morning and was held from December 16 to 24. Father De La Rosa’s day began at 2 a.m., when he prepared the church; following Mass he spent his day tending to the needs of the parish, offered 6 p.m. Mass and helped with caroling, often until midnight.

Though it required a lot of sacrifice, it was “very fulfilling,” because it was “not for ourselves but for God.” Due to this, it really “pains” him that dioceses in the United States have parishes that are closed due to lack of priests and faithful. In many places, he commented, former churches have been turned into restaurants and stores.

After eight years, Father De La Rosa was transferred to Divine Mercy Parish. He became the Divine Mercy Association director for the Archdiocese of Caceres and his parish became the shrine. They needed to construct a large parish hall. Thankfully, it only took five months, and in May 2019 it became the House of Mercy.

Then, Father De La Rosa was asked to come to the Diocese of Ogdensburg. It was difficult, at first, since he was “happy and fulfilled” in the Philippines. It meant “leaving the comfort of the place (where) he grew up,” loved ones, and his dog. It has been an adjustment to work as a parochial vicar, adapt to our weather and food. Most of all, it is different not celebrating Mass in his native language. Still, Father De La Rosa said that he is “happy and fulfilled” here, and grateful to Father Scott R. Seymour, Father William L. Gordon, Bishop Terry R. LaValley and other diocesan staff.

Father De La Rosa emphasized that family is the center of the Filipino social structure – including extended family and Godparents, who are much closer and sometimes live with their adult children, etc. There are not nursing homes in the Philippines, and there is no divorce by law. They affectionately call elders Tita (literally meaning aunt) and Tito (uncle). They “kiss” the hand of priests and elders (placing their forehead on their hand). The reason they “kiss” priests hands is because holy oil is poured on them at ordination.

Father De La Rosa added that, when Filipinos do not “live up to norms of conduct, (they) bring shame on (their) families.” Though poor, they are lavish in generosity to show hospitality (e.g. at parties). They also offer their best to guests and invite people for meals, regardless of the individual. Filipinos visit their neighbors often.
“Everbody knows everyone in a town,” he said.

In the end, shared Father De La Rosa, “no culture (is) better than (an)other, it’s how we’re reared and molded.” We need to “respect differences.”