ARTURO L. ZUNIGA
After our marriage in 1982, Elvie and I thought our path was already laid out. We hoped to begin a family immediately, but God had another journey in mind. Our first pregnancy turned out to be a hydatidiform mole (H-mole), requiring surgery followed by chemotherapy. After Elvie recovered completely, we tried again but experienced one disappointment after another.
We firmly believe that Our Lady of Fatima interceded for us when the Pilgrim Image visited us in 1984—a story that deserves its own testimony. Soon afterward, Joanna was born in 1985, followed by Michelle a year and a half later. Looking back, we now see that Our Lady was quietly leading us all along, preparing us for a journey we could never have imagined.
With two young daughters, Sundays became family days. From our home in Fairview, we would stop for Mass before lunch with my in-laws in Horseshoe Village. Our favorite church was Santa Maria della Strada on Katipunan Avenue, where Fr. Patricio “Pat” Lim celebrated Mass. His warm personality, joyful spirit, and brief but profound homilies always inspired us. Both our daughters were baptized there.
Fr. Pat had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. One Sunday he casually asked whether anyone had an unused piano they could donate to the parish choir. By the following week, a beautiful piano had appeared. His quiet confidence in people’s generosity spoke volumes.
Another Sunday, he invited young couples to join a Christian Life Program conducted by Couples for Christ (CFC). For years, Elvie and I had politely declined invitations from her parents and siblings, who belonged to Ligaya ng Panginoon, the covenant community from which CFC began. Her sister Elma and brother-in-law Boy Santillan had even been among the first 16 couples who attended the inaugural CLP in 1981.
This invitation was different. We both sensed that the Holy Spirit was calling us. Resistance suddenly seemed pointless. In 1988, we finally said “yes.”
What we thought would be a short spiritual experience became a lifelong journey. Looking back nearly four decades later, we recognize God’s loving design. Through Santa Maria della Strada, we discovered new depths in our faith as husband and wife, as parents, and as servants of the Church. We found ourselves accompanying children, youth, families, and schools such as Miriam College and Ateneo, building friendships that became an extended family and memories we will always treasure.
Santa Maria della Strada itself is a remarkable story of faith in action. Built through the generosity and collaboration of parishioners, business leaders, professionals, and volunteers, the parish was established by Cardinal Jaime Sin in 1981, with Fr. Pat as its first parish priest. It became a spiritual home for families from nearby villages as well as the communities surrounding Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University.
What impressed us most was the parish’s unique spirit. Rich and poor worshiped side by side with genuine warmth and simplicity. Beautiful architecture, inspiring liturgy, and the uplifting music of the Pansol Choir created an atmosphere that naturally drew hearts closer to God. Under Fr. Pat’s joyful leadership, everyone felt welcome and valued.
Fr. Pat also taught us an important lesson in stewardship. During one meeting, he candidly shared his concern that Couples for Christ was making generous use of parish facilities without contributing enough to parish resources. His honesty challenged us to reflect.
In response, we organized a benefit concert featuring well-known artists and choirs. The proceeds supported every parish ministry and organization. More importantly, it inspired us to embrace regular tithing as a community, recognizing that stewardship is an expression of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.
Over the years, we were privileged to help organize concerts, conferences, Marian exhibits featuring replicas of apparition sites, and interactive Stations of the Cross presented in schools and neighboring communities. We also helped establish a Children’s Choir with Fr. Aris to encourage children’s participation in the liturgy and foster future vocations. Their angelic voices often drew parishioners into deeper prayer during the Mass.
The parish’s outreach to the poor has always been extraordinary. Children, youth, families, workers, and senior citizens all found opportunities for growth through scholarships, livelihood programs, medical assistance, cooperatives, mass weddings, and pastoral care. Formation programs such as Days with the Lord, Born to Love, Luke 18, and Youth for Christ have nurtured generations of young Catholics.
Each succeeding parish priest faithfully built upon the foundation laid by his predecessors, strengthening an already vibrant parish community. Equally inspiring are the Parish Pastoral Council officers and countless ministry leaders whose quiet dedication has created a culture of joyful service, genuine respect, and generous stewardship. Guided by the parish mission of Worship, Education, Social Services, Temporalities, and Youth (W.E.S.T.Y.), everyone finds a place to serve.
One ministry especially close to our hearts is Cornerstone, launched in 2011. It began as a weekly tutorial program for Grades 2 and 3 public school children who had not yet learned to read. Together with literacy instruction came values formation for both children and parents, along with feeding programs. Volunteers included parents, professionals, college scholars, and students from Ateneo, Miriam, and UP.
From 2024 to 2026, the ministry evolved into a summer READ CAMP for Balara Elementary School, held in the parish library and led by LNK scholars. Alongside reading instruction, they also conducted tutorials in English, Science, and Mathematics while organizing seminars for students and parents. Watching these young volunteers serve with such dedication fills us with hope. They remind us that the future of the Church—and of our country—is in good hands.
Looking back, we realize that saying “yes” to Fr. Pat’s invitation in 1988 was far more than joining a parish program. It was God’s invitation to a lifelong mission. Through Santa Maria della Strada—Our Lady of the Way—we discovered that faith is lived not only in prayer but also in service, generosity, and community. We found lifelong friends, witnessed countless acts of quiet charity, and experienced the joy of helping others encounter Christ.
As Santa Maria della Strada celebrates 45 years through its Tatak Della Strada initiative with the theme Pray – Work – Share, we give thanks for the countless lives transformed within this remarkable parish. Guided by Our Lady of the Way, may it continue to lead generations of families along the path of stewardship, holiness, and joyful discipleship.
To God be all the glory.