Whew. Parokya sa Web, the virtual parish of Running Priest Fr. Robert Reyes, turns a year old on Monday, September 21, 2009. I can't believe it's been a year since I first met Fr. Robert, when we were still setting up Parokya sa Web on the fledgling Philippine Online Chronicles. POC was only a couple of months old at that time.

I'd seen Fr. Robert before on TV, and was curious about the priest who dared to defy the conventions and speak out for what he believed was right. He became a priest without an earthly parish, with a scattered flock. Yet he still believed that what he was doing, what he was fighting for, was right.

When I met Fr. Robert, I realized how revolutionary he was in his own way. How many of us would dare to face censure and jeers and even ostracism for what we believe is right? Far too many of us decide to back down, to hide. Though we may be screaming inside ourselves in anger and frustration, even just the thought of facing the world's contempt is too hard for us to attempt. But Fr. Robert did it, and he is still doing it everyday until this very minute.

I'm not a good Catholic; I can't even be called a Catholic anymore unless it's a lapsed one. Too many policies and stands taken by the church anger me and make me feel that I cannot stay a member of something when I don't agree with its principles. Yet Fr. Robert, even when he dared to challenge many of the decisions and pronouncements of the local church, stayed as devout as ever, something that I always wondered how to do. In spite of all his trials and tribulations, he has stayed steadfast to his faith, has stayed serene and amiable throughout it all, and has even reached out his hand to people from other faiths and does not judge them, but simply accepts. I can't help but admire him. When I read his daily reflections on Parokya sa Web, it helps me attain at least some small measure of his serenity and faith.

Kubol Pag-asa and the Philippine Online Chronicles will be having an event for bloggers to meet and greet Fr. Robert Reyes on Monday, September 21, 2009, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Conspiracy Bar, Quezon City. Please come and meet him, no matter what your denomination.