By Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America Bureau
Feb. 7, 2012
LOS ANGELES – Away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood is the east side; home to low-income, immigrant families.
These families seek refuge inside the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHMC). This is the parish of 50-year old Filipino-American Father Rodel Balagtas.
After finishing four years of seminary school in Makati, Philippines, the Pampanga-born Balagtas migrated to Los Angeles in the early 1980s.
He attended St. John Seminary in California and earned his doctor of ministry in preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained in 1991.
For 20 years, he has devoted his life to serve large multi-cultural communities. Balagtas became the pastor of IHMC in 2002.
“I wanted to really build up a community. That’s the first thing; build up their faith by providing a good experience of worship, good experience of liturgy, the mass,” he said.
Since he came to the East Hollywood neighborhood, Balagtas has brought services to those who need it most by teaming up with city-run food banks, health and immigration clinics that give free help.
Balagtas spends time with his Filipino parishioners, but he knows he is needed by all communities.
“This is East Hollywood, a densely populated area where a lot of Central Americans are here, a lot of Filipino parishioners, our kababayans, Armenians, other nationalities. It’s really just a challenge to work here, at the same time very fulfilling, that you become successful as a pastor in such a unique neighborhood,” he said.
Long-time parishioners here said that since Balagtas took over, the quality of life in the area has improved.
Aside from tending to his parishioners, he also brought together Filipino priests from around the country to celebrate their priesthood at the first ever National Assembly of Filipino American priests in November 2011.
Under the guidance of Los Angeles bishop, Oscar Solis, the highest-ranking Filipino priest in the U.S., Balagtas helped put the three-day convention together, hoping to find Fil-Am priests that can be groomed to become high-ranking church officials.
The year 2012 is the 100th anniversary of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. As centennial pastor, he received a special recognition from Pope Benedict XVI for his work in the church and in the community. -With a report from Henni Espinosa.
TFC and Balitang America are honoring successful kababayans in North America through its ongoing series called “The Filipino Champions: Mga Pinoy na Maipagmamalaki.” If you know anyone who deserves to be featured, e-mail us at balitangamerica@abs-cbni.com. Write The Filipino Champion in the subject line.
Congratz dear Fr. Rodel, you are now globally famous via TFC/ Balitang America. In spite of all the hassles in last year’s preparation, the success of the IHM Centinnial Celebration depended entirely upon your leadership and the volunteerism of the whole community. I terribly miss your regular Sunday Homilies. Regards to everyone esp. the Lectors Ministry under Sis .Daisy & Bro. Hermie Agustin and of course Fr. Miloy. God Bless always!
Gratitude to TFC, kapamilya , ABSCBN for featuring Fr. Rodel as one of our True Filipino champion . He is indeed his desire to love and serve the Lord . He has great compassion to help our Filipino community . He lifts up the spirit of his parishioners and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church became more alive because of his ministry and leadership. For all the members of this parish, thank you for all your continued support to my brother, for your love, loyalty and commitment to make the 100 years anniversary a successful one. KUDOS and Mabuhay sa inyomg lahat. We can all make a difference in the world if we all work together.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church’s welcoming attitude starts with Fr. Rodel Balagtas and his assisting priest, Fr. Miloy Pacanza. Together, they work hard at deepening our faith by preparing well-done homilies, by working with the IHMC’s choir, composing new liturgical songs, refreshing sacred hymns, but mostly listening to the hardship woes of their parishioners, and even non-parishioners, with an open heart, a guiding prayer and a belief we are all capable of living more creative lives, inspired by the Holy Spirit! I learned to have a more interactive, closer, personal relationship with God through Immaculate Heart of Mary’s welcoming and loving Church!
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is a “greatest accomplishment ” … Fr. RODEL BALAGTAS, we’re really so proud of you. The fruit of your labor is indeed a remarkable one & i must say you deserve it.. In behalf of the PROVIDO family & the FILIPINO Community as well.. our CONGRATULATIONS for the job well done.. We SALUTE You.. Fr. Rodel B… Keep it up !! Our ALMIGHTY LORD is always w/ you…
Proud of our der Pastor Fr. Rodel Balagtas, DMin. A true servant of the people of God.
Thank you po for a nice write up of Fr. Rodel – he is truly a good servant.
Salamat po TFC and Balitang America. Thank you for recognizing all pinoys in in the US and the world who indeed made and continue making a difference. Of behalf our family, our gracious thanks for recognizing my brothers passion and calling. TFC you ROCK!!!