Flores de Mayo sa Long Island

Transcription

Flores de Mayo sa Long Island
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
HEMPSTEAD, NY
PERMIT NO. 7
The Filipino
CATHOLIC
VOL. 13, NO. 11
Spreading the Good News
June 10 - July 8, 2009
Flores de Mayo
sa Long Island
Reina de las Flores Christie Rafol crowns the Blessed Mother
Santacruzan sa Village
Antipolo sa Bayside
L DY and Her Children Pilgrimages
cordially invite you to a Journey of Faith
to the Holy Lands - Israel, Egypt, Greece
and Turkey ...
Lands of the Bible Cruise
Nov. 12 -23, 2009
Group Special Offer
Now Only:
cordially invites you to a Journey of Faith
to the Holy Land
“We are an Easter people and our song
is Alleliua” --- St. Augustine
February 24 - March 5, 2010
Fr. Francisco Mendoza, OSB
Spiritual Director
189900
$
2440
$
2540
$
2640
$
Double Occupancy from
New Jersey in a First
Class Hotel (4*) plus
$389 airport tax and fuel
surcharge (at the time of
printing, not guaranteed
until ticketed.)
p.p. Cat. 1 Inside Cabin
p.p. Cat. 2 Inside Plus
p.p. Cat. 3 Outside Cabin
Plus port taxes
$297.00
Plus airport taxes
$492.00
Plus Cruise fuel charges $63.00
SAVE $588
(FREE EXCURSIONS)
Including air ticket from
New York with deposit of
$500 and fully paid
by July 30, 2009.
ITINERARY
9 nights cruise including all meals
1 night in a 4* hotel in Athens, (B,D)
Tours of Athens and Corinth
• NOV 12 (Thu): DEPARTURE FROM THE U.S.
• NOV 13 (Fri): ARRIVAL AT ATHENS, EMBARKATION,
SAILS TO EGYPT.
• NOV 14 (Sat): CAIRO
• NOV 15 (Sun): JERUSALEM
• NOV 16 (Mon): BETHLEHEM
• NOV 17 (Tue): THE GALILEE
• NOV 18 (Wed): AT SEA
• NOV 19 (Thu): RHODES
• NOV 20 (Fri): EPHESUS
• NOV 21 (Sat): DISEMBARKATION.
• ATHENS & CORINTH
• NOV 22 (Sun): Overnight in Athens
• NOV. 23 (Mon): DEPARTURE
For more Information and Reservation:
Evelyn Buenafe (LADY and Her Children)
Phone: 646-775-1164 • E-mail: [email protected]
Dolores Pangilinan (908) 688-6965
• Cell phone (908) 803-6280
Email: [email protected]
Fanny de Leon (323) 401-6842
Page 2 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Price includes:
• Airfare
• Four star hotels
• Dinners and breakfasts
• Professional Tour Guide
• All sightseeing tour as indicated
• All entrance fees to places to be
visited
Not Included:
• Lunches
• Expenses of personal nature
• Gratuities to the Tour Manager(suggested
$6.00 daily)
• Gratuities to the driver (Suggested $4.00
daily)
• Gratuities to the Dining Room (Suggested
$1.00 daily)
• Gratuities to the Chambermaids (Suggested $1.00 daily)
ITINERARY
Day 1: USA/ Departure to Tel Aviv
Day 2: Tel Aviv/ Caesarea/ Haifia
Day 3: Nazareth/ Cana /Mt. Tabor
Day 4 : Tiberias/ Boat Ride/ Capernaum/
Day 5 : Jericho/Bethlehem / Jerusalem
Day 6: Jerusalem the Holy City
Day 7 : The Old City of Jerusalem
Day 8: Via Dolorosa /Jerusalem New City/ Ein Karem
Day 9: Dead Sea
Day 10: Airport Departure
Day 11 - Arrive home joyfully
For More Information and
Reservation:
Evelyn Buenafe
(LADY and Her Children)
Phone: 646-775-1164
E-mail: [email protected]
Cherie Gumapac (732) 485-6006
or E-mail [email protected]
FROM THE EDITOR
The
Filipino
Catholic
The Filipino Catholic
(BN96001443), an independent
newsmagazine with editorial
offices at
453 Hawthorne Ave.,
Uniondale, NY 11553, is
published monthly and
distributed free
in New York.
The Filipino Catholic is staffed
by volunteers. Views expressed
by the contributing writers do
not necessarily reflect the views
of the publisher or the Catholic
Church.
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CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions from our readers
are welcome but subject
to approval, editing and
condensation. Please include
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However, unpublished
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Advertisements do not infer
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rates are available upon
request. One year subscription
is available for a donation of
$25 or more.
Contributing Writers
& Columnists:
Rev. Peter James R. Alindogan
Rev. Euly B. Belizar, Jr.
Rev. Basilio Colasito
Msgr. R. Dimaculangan
Art Esguerra
Robert Fernandez
Andrea Florendo
Fr. Alfred Guthrie
AA Medrano
Norma Pascual
John Primi
Fr. James Reuter
Sonia S. Salerni
Rene Tubilleja
Maria Pascual
Felix Vinluan, Esq.
Jeanne Young
Photography
Henry Medrano
Albert Betito
Circulation & Distribution
Jun Makinano
Wendel Javier
Spiritual Director
Fr. Joe Cadusale
Editor & Publisher
Manny Pascual
Write us at:
The Filipino Catholic
P.O. Box 3067
Garden City, NY 11531
(516) 292-1445 phone/fax
Email: [email protected]
I don’t know about you, but in times of trouble, is it easier for me to imagine that God is standing very
far away rather than near me. It is easier for me to identify with the lamentations of Job, “I cry out to
You, but You do not answer me”, rather than proclaim myself blessed.
When we are faced with hardship or any kind of affliction, and there is no evidence of healing or help
coming our way, we can choose to give in to despair and the assumption that God has abandoned us -or we can choose to embrace the Word of God and believe that he is ever present with us, just as he had
promised: “I am with you always until the end of time.” (Mt.28:20)
Manny Pascual
Sometimes God hides himself and reveals himself in the most unlikely places and comes in the most
unexpected ways. If wise men had not put their faith in God’s Word, they would not have recognized
the birth of the promised savior in a lowly stable. They would not have understood that what was hidden in the bruised and beaten figure of a man dying on a cross was God’s precious gift of salvation. In
the midst of their lost hopes and utter despair after the death of Jesus, his disciples continued to believe
in him and the Holy Spirit came as promised and bestowed glory and power upon them.
God has given us his promises to hold on to in our darkest moments to remind us that he is with us always and will not forsake us.
However, his response to our call for rescue may not come in the way that we envision it. Therefore, it is best not to focus on our human
expectations, but put our trust in God and let him decide when and how to answer us.
God surrounds us with the wonders of his universe and if he chooses, he can use any one or anything in his creation to touch us, to heal
us and to help us. It makes sense therefore to think that we can also find God in each other, in our shared humanity and in our obedient
response to his Spirit that calls us to love, comfort and help one another.
In my trials in life, I can say with gratitude that in spite of myself, I have found the hand of God in varied, surprising and unexpected
ways. I have found it in a loving family, a network of caring friends and a supportive prayer community. I have found it in the little
ordinary events that come my way and lead me to find help or a needed information. Words of comfort and assurance of prayers have
come to me not only from friends but also from strangers. Every now and then I would meet a priest, a nun or a reader of the Filipino
Catholic telling me that they are praying for me. I am profoundly grateful to them and to unknown others, who have prayed for me. I
believe without a doubt that it is with the help of these prayers that many of God’s graces and miracles of healing have flowed to me.
I thank God for all of you who have made visible to me the invisible hand of God. My prayer for you is that you may find comfort in
knowing that God is with you always, especially in those times when he seems far away. May you see his love for you in the graces that
come visibly or invisibly in your glad or dark hours. May you be blessed.
Of Faith And Practicality
“With God nothing shall be impossible.“
- Luke 1:37
The Rock of All Ages
“Our rock stars aren’t like your rock stars. Our big ideas aren’t like your big ideas”—these are taglines
in the recent TV commercials of a well-known computer chips manufacturer. The first slogan shows
a regular looking, middle-aged Indian man strutting to the coffee machine amidst the cheering and
adoring looks of “fans” around the office. It is like a scene from the pompous entry of a rock star on
the red carpet. The man is indeed a very important personality in the company. He co-invented the
now ubiquitous USB drive. In the other commercial, people in a convention are on all fours looking
for something dropped on the floor. It seems so extremely important that everyone has to take part in
the search. When a man finally finds it, he raises it up with a pair of tweezers. Everyone applauds. It
is so small one can’t see it even with the camera zooming in on it. Yet it is the most advanced, and the
smallest, chip that the company is about to launch.
by Rene Tubilleja
These commercials are a humorous parody of what the general public mostly considers important versus what really matters as regards
improving the quality of our lives. We can’t even imagine the immense benefits that computer technology has already brought to
mankind in just the last fifteen years. Yet all that work has been happening in the background and not with much fanfare. How about all
the rock stars, movie stars, sports stars and celebrities that the public had given all that much attention to during the same period of time?
Many of them have already faded away and lost their luster, or worse, turned bad on us.
This should remind us of our Faith and its persevering power to ever improve the quality of our lives, both physically and spiritually.
It is different from what the general public wants or considers important. Our rock stars aren’t like their rock stars; our big ideas aren’t
like their big ideas. What we have is more lasting and permeating; theirs, fleeting and unreliable. “Render unto Caesar what belongs to
Caesar, and to God what belongs to God,” so replied Our Lord to the Pharisees trying to snag Him. Jesus also said about us in a prayer to
His Heavenly Father, “They are in this world, but they are not of this world.” Jesus is our Rock Star; He is the Rock of All Ages.
Today more than ever, our Faith is being challenged by the “big ideas” of the world. We should remain steadfast and uphold the truth as
we have been taught through Divine Inspiration and the teachings of the Church. Let’s not allow popular trends to sully our Faith and
succumb to “cafeteria” Catholicism. What we knew to be good and virtuous practices before are still good and virtuous today; what we
knew to be sins before are still sins today. Abortion is one such. It is still a very serious sinful act of taking away another person’s life, no
matter what the law or popular thinking encourages. We should openly oppose it and pray for its victims, both the baby and the mother.
Let’s thank God for those who choose life and let’s pray for bountiful blessings for them. On Father’s Day, let’s also pray for the fathers
of those unborn babies whose lives are at stake. May they be given the courage and strength to speak for their child so that the mothers
would have good reason for keeping the baby. Let’s thank God and ask Him to shower abundant blessings on new fathers, for they
certainly have provided one good reason for having that baby. As a personal request, please join me in thanking God and Our Blessed
Mother, for her intercession, in bringing my grandson Dominic who was born prematurely and in miraculous circumstances four months
ago, to the full health and happy disposition that he is in nowadays. Finally, to all my fellow fathers and grandfathers, may you be blessed
with a happy and fun-filled Father’s Day through the intercession of St. Joseph.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 3
VIEWPOINT
HERE IS A LITTLE TEST.
ARE YOU ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PERSON
WHO SPOKE THE FOLLOWING WORDS?
“Today, the cold war has disappeared but thousands of those weapons have not. In a strange turn
of history, the threat of global nuclear war has gone
down, but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up.
More nations have acquired these weapons. Testing
has continued. Black markets trade in nuclear secrets
and materials. The technology to build a bomb has
spread. Terrorists are determined to buy, build or
steal one…”
Were these words spoken by a religious doomsday prophet? By a marginalized alarmist?
No.
If you don’t know the answer you may find it at
the close of this month’s Newsletter.
by Rev. Alfred R. Guthrie
These words were spoken this year at an international meeting in Europe.
And the solution considered at that meeting consisted in a very questionable series of
negotiations, treaties, hand shakes, jostling for position, and politics lasting over a generation or two, with, I might suggest (or even guarantee), little realistic hope of success.
The “Economist” magazine, an influential and (very) secular publication paints, in
an attempt at positive language, a very pessimistic assessment of our present world situation. While the U.S. and Russia agree to a modest cut in nuclear warheads (from about
1,700-2,200!!! to only! about 1,000 warheads each) beginning the end of this year, “other
nuclear dangers are growing”, this magazine warns.
WITH JUST A RIPPLE OF CONCERN:
And since then, with apparently very little alarm by the general public, extremely
ominous and significant signs of imminent catastrophe continue to cumulate everywhere,
such as North Korea’s launch of an international rocket (satellite, they said) and detonation of a nuclear bomb.
And then we also have the serious warning signals about our economy.
We have to realize that, as the years before World War II should have taught us, negotiations, no matter how clever, will not work.
In short, in human terms, we are in deep trouble. And in terms of the loss of souls as
well as human life, we are in even greater trouble.
GOD’S PLAN
The Mother of God at Fatima gave us God’s program of conversion, reparation, penance and prayer for true peace and the salvation of souls.
THE WARNING IN RWANDA
As the awful lesson of Rwanda’s bloodbath, which was pointed out in a recent issue of
this Newsletter makes it clear, if we don’t listen to the requests of the Mother of God, the
threatening suffering and deaths, far more devastating than that of Rwanda, and as foreseen
as very possible by anyone who is alert to our real situation, will follow.
But nobody or very few are listening and acting on her words.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY For our part, we are called by God to be faithful to Our Lady’s message. Our sanctification and the conversion of souls and true peace, not to mention our personal salvation
are at stake.
THE FRENZIED ACTIVITIES OF THE EVIL ONE CONTINUE:
It seems necessary to also point out the frenzied advances of the evil one in the world
today. It is necessary that the multiplying manifestations of the enemy’s relentless pressure against truth and for the ruin of souls should be brought to our attention lest we be
deceived into thinking the real world situation is not so bad or, even worse, find ourselves
unknowingly agreeing with certain deceptions of the culture of death.
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
Mr. Nils Kastberg, the UN Children’s Fund director for Latin America and the Caribbean called on the legislators of the Dominican Republic to legalize the killing of preborn
babies. That Catholic country refused to kowtow to the UN and voted 167-32 to approve
a new constitutional charter including the declaration “The right to life is inviolable from
conception to death.” A number of Latin American legislatures have moved to protect
unborn babies in spite of UN pressure for abortion, but the pressure relentlessly goes on.
Abortion promoters in the steering committee for a September Berlin meeting discussing world population are making sure official UN pro-life groups are excluded from that
meeting so that they can promote their pro-death and family destructive agendas
(Information and direct quotes from Austin Ruse in C-FAM’s “Letter from the UN
Front”, May, 2009).
(turn to page 6)
Page 4 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Dangerous Times
in the Philippines
“For some years now, the global population controllers have been working relentlessly to impose draconian anti-life measures on the Philippines.
According to a September 21, 2008 Zenit news report, the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) ‘has appropriated $26 million to the Philippines
for this purpose.’ There is a real threat that the effort could succeed in the
relatively near future. As of this February, HB 5043, the Reproductive Health
(better known as “the two-child policy” bill and S1712, the so-called Magna
Carta of Women bill, were being debated in the Philippines’ national legislature. Both were crafted by a group of Filipino legislators working in tandem
with International Planned Parenthood Federation and the UNFPA.
[One hopes that the availability of so much money that could be potentially used in bribery is not involved in influencing the voting. Legislators
promoting these evil bills already have much to answer to God for.]
“The two-child bill would exert extreme pressure to limit family size to
two children (under the guise of ‘responsible parenthood’); very aggressively
promote all forms of contraception and sterilization; promote sexual immorality and undermine the traditional family; promote the radical homosexual
agenda; mandate permissive sex education for children starting in the fifth
grade; and pave the way for eventual widespread acceptance of contraception and abortion. It violates conscience rights and imposes prison sentences
and/or stiff fines on any healthcare provider, public official or employer
that does not comply with this agenda and ‘any person who maliciously
[meaning any effort at being faithful to conscience and morality] engages
in disinformation about the intent of provisions of this Act.’
AND
“The [so called] Magna Carta of Women bill purports to ‘ensure the
substantive equality of women and men.’”
This bill “explicitly references the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)”, a very dangerous
program which is intended to violate the consciences of women and destroy
the family by redefining “gender” and promoting “comprehensive” health
services, a very deceptive open-door phrase for all kinds of evil practices. This
program also is strongly promoted by International Planned Parenthood.
Eileen Macapanas Cosby, president of the non-profit Filipino Family
Fund in Washington, D.C., believes Planned Parenthood has targets the
Philippines precisely because it is a Catholic country.
These diabolical bills, which are similar to the awful anti-child policy
which is being imposed on its people by Communist China, besides promoting an evil program, are intended to “steamroller” the consciences and
crush the rights of anyone who would oppose their agenda of death, and
their destruction of morality and the destruction of the Filipinos’ healthy
family structure.
A “VERY DANGEROUS TIME IN THE PHILIPPINES”
Father Jerome Magat, of the Roman Catholic diocese of Arlington, Virginia, said (as we all know) that the Filipino values are “very pro-family,
pro-faith, pro-child. This legislation is not. But it is being marketed as such.
I don’t think that a lot of Filipinos quite realize the long-term damage this
kind of bill can promote. They don’t grasp the depth of the problem because
the concept that I always hear is ‘that will never pass in the Philippines.’
Well guess what, they are getting close. So if there is any time for Filipinos
to be vocal and active, now is the time…It is a really, really dangerous time
in the Philippines.”
These bills, which were pointed out in a past edition of this Newsletter,
will turn the Philippines into a police state, as diabolical and relentless in
crushing human rights as those of Communist China and the past regimes of
Communist Russia and Communist countries of Europe. If these bills pass,
the evil one will not let go without the real possibility of a bloodbath.
THANKS TO “CELEBRATE LIFE” MAGAZINE.
The above basic information and quotes are taken from “A Dangerous
Time in the Philippines”, by Stephanie Hopping, in “Celebrate Life” magazine, of the American Life League, March-April, 2009, pp. 24-25.
For more information on the Filipino Family Fund and to sign the petition opposing these bills, visit
www.filipinofmilyfund.org or call 703-314-3020. You can also e-mail the above quoted article from
WWW.clmagazine.org.
HOPING WE
WILL BE ONE,
FOREVER
by Fr. James Reuter, S.J.
I am in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, on
the Coastal Road, and it is really 3:00 A.M .
The planes coming and going from the
airport are roaring over my head.
Everything is peaceful and quiet. Even
the roaring planes add to the feeling of
peace and quiet.
I am ten days away from my 93rd birthday. God has been kinder to me
than I deserve, giving me such a rich life, in such a beautiful country, among
such gentle people. He has blessed me with so many kind, affectionate, generous loving friends.
I found that the best time for me to write was 3:00 A.M. My mind is
clearer, my heart is warmer, and I am overwhelmed with the goodness of the
people God sends to me.
In this column I have always tried to be positive - presenting the goodness
of people, and the wisdom of God’s Providence as I saw it.
I have tried to give .... to give the only thing I have to give ... Myself. I
have tried to share my thoughts, my feelings, the wonderful holiness that I see
in the simple, gentle people that God sends to me.
As soon as I came to the Philippines I realized that the Filipinos were the
loveliest people in the world. It was a gift of God, a special blessing, that He
sent me here.
I have been thanked for giving my life to the Philippines.... But whenever
you give, you always get back more than you have given.
Thank you .
* for your gift of friendship through these many long years
* for reading “At 3:00 A.M..” from the time I started writing my column
* for your reactions through letters and phone calls when you liked or did not
like what I wrote
* for sharing your stories which inspired me to write them so they could inspire
others
* for your love and concern
*for your prayers which comfort me and which I need.
I have tried to be a priest. A priest is a bridge ...a bridge between God and
man .... a channel of God’s love, peace and joy.
What I have found in the Philippines is union ....union of hearts and minds
... It is marked by sharing .... The simple, gentle Filipino is willing to share all
he has, with everyone.
That is holiness ... That is sanctity ... That is being like God.
In heaven we will all be one - united in heart and soul .... Loving each other.
In this column written at 3:00 A.M. that was my only message ... give...
give yourself.... love.
And when I presented this, I discovered what it meant, myself.
Being strong, sometimes, means being able to let go. I know that now is
the time to “ let go”. I have been up at 3:00 A.M. to write my column for many
many years. It is now time for me to stay in bed until the sun comes up and the
birds start to sing.
This is not goodbye. Wherever I am, whatever I do, you are always in
my heart and in my prayers. All of you.
God bless!
The song is ended ... but the melody lingers on .. and on ... and on.
I love those who have read this column...And I hope that they love me.
For those who are interested, here is my prayer that I would like to
share with you.
Lord God,
Look down upon us, this day, this hour.
Regardless of what has gone before, or what will come after, give us the
grace to consecrate this time entirely to You - all the actions of our body and
soul.
May all the thoughts that come to us be true
May all the things to which our hearts go out be beautiful, with the beauty of
God.
May all the things we want be good.
Give us the light to see Your Will,
the grace to love it and the courage and strength to do it.
We ask you this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
Note: Father Reuter has written his last column. The Jesuit priest has devoted perhaps 75
of his 93 years to the service of the Filipino people. A talented playright and director, he is
well loved by millions.
JUST SHARING
‘RESHUFFLING’
That is the local lingo among some of us diocesan
priests when we talk of changes, which often mean
transfers, in our (parish or other) assignments. This is
where we are now in my home diocese. I was probably
absent during the priest’s assembly in which the word
was adopted and soon gained fame or notoriety among
priests. Webster explains the word ‘reshuffling’ in terms
of ‘redistribution’ or ‘restructuring’ of various elements
within a system, as when a prime minister ‘reshuffles’
his cabinet. I ask myself if our almost natural penchant
for the word could indicate our having allowed some
invasion by the political into the realm of the sacred.
But then again I realize how naïve I could be for asking
the question in the first place.
by Rev. Eutiquio ‘Euly’
But what does ‘reshuffling’ mean in concrete? I look
B. Belizar, Jr., SThD
at the books, sheets of paper, letters, notes, envelopes,
cards, CDs, DVDs and just plain trash all about my room
that I am trying to sort out so I could pack up those I will be bringing home or to my next
assignment. It is then that I receive an urgent message about an article I need to submit
pronto, to which I could only utter, “Oh, Mother most compassionate…” Still, I leave the
chaos in my room aside and begin to type away my grief and joy at the thought of leaving
my present assignment and of arriving at a new one.
In the first place, ‘reshuffling’ means putting on a smile to hide a disappointment
over a dreaded, unexpected and difficult (which explains the first two adjectives) assignment. It means, sometimes, feigning ignorance of how some parishioners are relieved
you will be ministering somewhere else (any pastor knows this part only too well). But
it also means genuinely trying to find ways to console parishioners who think, wrongly
of course, that you need to be rewarded for your hard work through an extension of your
term. “Do we need to write the bishop a petition?” a lay leader asked me. “Please don’t
do that,” I answered, embarrassed. But, for the life of me, I couldn’t tell him, “Please, if
you think I have to be rewarded for my hard work (a word which could be debatable in
the parish context, not to say in my own conscience), how could a reward take the form
of an extension of hard work?”
It is then that I have recourse to my next act. I tell people—and frankly I have become
convinced how Spirit-inspired the idea is—that the diocese needs to go through the ‘reshuffling’ of its clergy to remind us collectively of three things.
One, priests cannot become good shepherds if they do not have the Good Shepherd’s
mindset. And just what is that, you may ask. I find the Good Shepherd’s words instructive: “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I have also to lead them and they
shall hear my voice” (Jn 10:16). The priest is not in a position to object. He is transferred
because, in doing so, he manifests the Lord’s concern for the flock other than the ones
he is ministering. ‘Reshuffling’ is our concrete statement of the universality of the call of
salvation.
Two, God’s love is everlasting. What has this truth got to do with priests’ transfers?
It is stark to me. When a pastor leaves, another takes his place. In a word, pastors are
human instruments that come and go but the One who uses them to express his love for
his people always walks with them. I remember a groom who requested a singer friend
to sing for him to his bride the words of a song that say: “Tomorrow morning when you
wake up and the sun does not appear, I will be there”. Being there for those one loves is
a quality only God can really do (I’ll take objections to this but won’t back down). And,
truly, he is always there for his people in particular through his priests and pastors. Isn’t
this what exactly happens when, as one pastor leaves, another pastor takes his place to
continue ministering to God’s people? In fact, ‘reshuffling’ is a living testament to the
words of Jesus, “Behold, I am with you always until the end of time” (Mt 28:20). Priests
and pastors who willingly, freely and lovingly submit to this sacrifice become instruments
to the Lord’s faithfulness to this promise.
Three, everything is temporary and passing in our pilgrimage on earth. I remember
being with a group of priests and we were on our way to the rice terraces of Banaue when
we stopped by a church under the care of a Belgian missionary priest. He asked us where
we were going. The most elderly priest among us almost immediately answered, “Father,
we are just passing through.” I was kind of expecting the missionary priest to retort, “So
am I.” He simply nodded with a knowing smile. That, for me, is what best describes not
only the human condition but also the human aspect of all ministries, including that of
ministerial priests. I find the grief of some parishioners, not excluding the priests themselves,
over priests’ transfers not unlike the grief of the bereaved. In fact, a few days ago I saw
some parishioners behave like their pastor who is being transferred to another parish has
just died. There is an analogy of dying in priests’ ‘reshuffling’. But that is also where its
positive note lies. I believe both priests and parishioners could take tremendous comfort
from the words of the Lord himself: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in
God and have faith in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. Otherwise how
could have I told you that I was preparing a place for you? I am indeed going to prepare
a place for you and then I shall come back to take you with me that where I am you also
may be” (Jn 14:1-4).
I must confess that I’m often tempted to tell the parishioners of my next parish that we
should work together so as to make the rectory I’ll be residing in become a good ‘anticipation’ of those beautiful ‘mansions’ the Lord talks about. But then they might petition the
bishop to bring their former pastor back. So, up until this writing, I have prudently chosen
to keep my lips safely shut.
Those who grieve over priests’ ‘reshuffling’ say: “The trouble with hello is goodbye”.
But, with those who choose the upside of ‘reshuffling’, I answer back: “The good thing
with goodbye is hello.”
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 5
Fr. Guthrie
from page 4
ALSO FROM AUSTIN RUSE:
The United Nations still denies (that is, they are lying) it had anything to do with
the killing of preborn babies in Communist China, despite overwhelming evidence to
the contrary. And worse, members of the present administration are pressing to increase
funding for this pro-death agency of the UN (UNFPA) from $50 million a year to $530
million a year!
AND SERBIA
has “knuckled under” EU (European Union) pressure to accept the “gay” agenda in order
to get benefits from membership in the EU.
AND CAMAROON, AFRICA,
was pushed by the UN to legalize abortion but pushed back by declaring to the UN that
abortion is “murder”.
AND IN MEXICO
a UNFPA-sponsored pamphlet told young people they can have sexual pleasure with inanimate objects, animals, minors and a non-consenting person. And the CPD agency of
the UN COULD BE USED TO FORCE DOCTORS AND NURSES TO KILL BABIES
OR LOSE THEIR JOBS.
AND IN THE US:
We have been founded as a Christian nation. Everything in our history and our national
architecture proclaims this. But it is clear that the leftist elements now controlling Washington are intent on destroying our national Christian heritage to the extent of outlawing
all use of public property by Christian church-based organizations.
REGARDING “INFORMED CONSENT” AND THE KILLING OF PROBORN
BABIES
As has already been made clear in this Newsletter, in spite of laws requiring informed
consent before a medical procedure, the pro-death promoters are insisting that it should
be legally unacceptable that a woman be informed enough, through a sonogram, for example, to realize that it is a real baby that she is planning to kill in an abortion, and might
therefore decide to change her mind.
IN OTHER WORDS,
logic, fairness, real compassion and common sense have no place in the pro-death
agenda.
DOMA- (what’s that???)
is a Federal bill that protects marriage between one man and one woman from being destroyed by the “gay” agenda It was passed by an overwhelming majority in congress in
1996. Today “gay” activists, including billionaire named Tim Gill are actively promoting
the repeal of DOMA and the imposition of “gay marriage” on all the states of our country,
in spite of the will of the great majority of our people.
Those who promote the anti-Christian agenda proclaim “tolerance”, unless, of course one
should disagree with them. Then they tend to become belligerent, intolerant and relentless
in trying to find ways to silence or prosecute those who disagree.
TOLERANCE???
Just let a teacher in a public school try to positively mention God in a Judeo-Christian
context and see what happens!
On the other hand, positively referring to the Muslim religion or atheism is often more
acceptable or even promoted.
ABSTINENCE - AGAIN
The hard left is insisting on eliminating Abstinence education (which works) and
promoting the condom, a big business, (which, besides being evil, statistically has a high
failure rate and encourages promiscuity and an increase in venereal diseases). Again, logic,
fairness and common sense have no place in the pro-death agenda.
Much more is going on in the world-wide attack against souls. We have no room in
any one Newsletter to document it all. Without God’s help which he offers us, his Priestly
People, through the intercession of the Mother of God, under the title of Our Lady of
Fatima, we will lose this war. But if we cooperate with her, we will win.
AND NOW, LET’S THINK POSITIVELY
TWO GOALS? …OR THREE?
In coming to us in Fatima to prepare us for the age in which we are now living, Our Blessed
Mother had two goals:
1) -To avert far worse wars.
2) -To prevent the eternal loss of countless souls.
BUT THERE IS A THIRD REASON – that is the deep sanctification of all who take her
message seriously and put it into practice. This is the very heart of the Catholic life.
A SURPRISE TO SOME!
The definition of a “good” Catholic does not consist in doing the “right things”. Sadly,
Page 6 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
many Catholics consider fulfilling the right practices, such as Sunday mass every week,
frequent Communion, saying one’s prayers, taking part in parish activities, such as the
choir, and financially supporting one’s parish, constitute the basic measure of what it takes
to be a “good” Catholic.
This thinking is actually a serious error against which Paul vigorously campaigned.
(cf. Galatians 5:1-6)
The heart of the Catholic Faith is the interior eternal life of the Holy Spirit in the soul,
the hidden glory of the Divine Life through deep Faith and works of the love that comes
from God. All the other exterior practices and the sacraments themselves are meant to
nourish and flow from this interior life, not take its place.
It is to proclaim and nourish this Eternal Life that Jesus founded the Church and gave
her the seven Sacraments and the means of protecting and living this Life. And it is to
help us to live and nourish this interior Life that Our Lady gave us her program of prayer
and reparation at Fatima.
CONCLUDING OUR LAST MONTH’S DISCUSSION OF OUR COUNTRY’S
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
“As goes today’s university, so goes tomorrow’s society….We must … encourage those
with both the academic wherewithal and a commitment to true intellectual diversity to rise
to the challenge and join this battle for the heart and mind of the culture.”
The above quote regarding schools of higher education is taken from issue #5, Spring
2008 of SALVO magazine.
And, finally, it is strongly advised that students be very careful about college frat groups.
Many of them consume time, preventing serious study, and many attack, in some cases,
grossly, one’s moral integrity.
SALVO magazine, the reliable source of our information about our institutions of
“higher education” is published by the Fellowship of St. James, P.O. Box 410788, Chicago,
IL. Subscription Dept., Box 3000, Denville, N.J. 07834-9906. It’s worth a little investment
for a subscription.
As we have documented the widespread destruction of the minds, the hearts and the
faith of our young people at the college and university level, we are again reminded that
we are at war in this as well as in many other battlegrounds And if we don’t begin with
listening to Our Blessed Mother at Fatima and living by her urgent requests, this developing hard-lined agenda of the hard left will continue to destroy, in addition to family life in
other countries, our future leaders, our own families, out Church, and our country.
Next month: the establishment of the devotion of the PILGRIM VIRGIN in every parish.
Next Meeting: At first we announced that the meetings would be on the last Saturday of
each month. But for June we will meet on June 20, the Saturday before the last Saturday
- at the house of Louella, our secretary. If you want to join us please call Father Guthrie
for more information at 718-445-6164.
In the meantime, our local St. Fidelis parish cell will be having a brief meeting after
the 7 pm mass every Saturday evening, with the rosary which is offered for the success of
the World Apostolate in Brooklyn and Queens.
If you wish to help us pay for the mailing or other expenses of this Newsletter you may
send a donation to OLofFATIMA-B/Q,
68-13 Ingram Street
Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375
ANSWER TO THE QUIZ at the beginning of this issue:
The statement quoted at the beginning of this Newsletter was made by President Barack
Obama.
FROM THE PULPIT
Phases
by Fr. Peter James R. Alindogan
All of us go through different phases in life. Just
like marriage, which can be likened to a three-ring
circus: engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. We may add a fourth one: boring. Or
just like married life. During the 1st Year:
The man speaks and the woman listens;
2nd Year: The woman speaks and the man
listens; 3rd Year: They both speak and the
neighbors listen; 4th Year: Both woman and
man speak and their children listen; 15th
Year: Parents speak but teenage children
do not listen and 50th Year: Both man and
woman are too deaf to listen.
There is no easy way to define, describe, explain and expound the Trinity, but this we know: the way to God is the
way to happiness. What would bring us to God would be the things that would
make us happy. Anything that could bring us happiness is part and parcel of
what God is for us because being with God is perfect happiness.
What then would make us happy? To be happy, we need to have a Someone
in our lives. That someone could be somebody whom we find a lot of commonality. That someone could be somebody where we see a lot of differences
because sometimes, opposites attract. Or most probably we have already found
that someone in the person of our spouse, children or family.
Having a Someone in our lives is just the first phase. In order to experience
life in its happier moments, we need to be in a relationship with that Someone.
Relationship defines what we are to each other. It is not just consequential that
I have you here listening to me. It is more significant that I relate to you and
you relate with me and that this relationship binds us together.
Because we are related more by faith than by blood, we are exemplified more by commitment than involvement. Jesus was not just involved with us. He committed himself
for us. If religion is a relationship of convictions and spirituality is a relationship of faith
and understanding, then the only way to happiness, the only way to holiness, the only way
to God is through a relationship of individuals and persons based on love.
When we fall in love, when we are in love, whenever we share love, we become one
with God who created us. Whenever we fall out of love and whenever we do not share
love, we become separated from the God who died for us. And when we no longer love
because of the ugly lessons we learned from loving, when we no longer share love because
of the hurt and pain we got from loving, we hinder, shut out, choke and cripple the Holy
Spirit who comforts us.
Love’s ultimate desire is oneness with the Beloved. In our society, this is present in
various respects: companionship, friendship, partnership, ordination or marriage. Most of
our happy moments happened when we felt
one with that beloved someone: a mother’s
assurance of her love, a father’s affirmation
of his affection, a husband’s or a wife’s
way of caring. Most of our sad moments
happened when we felt disconnected: rejection, separation, divorce, betrayal, death,
isolation.
It is an obvious reality. There is no
happiness in being alone because we are
not meant to be alone. Whenever somebody is turned down and rejected, there is
a betrayal of the God who is ever abiding
and embracing. Whenever somebody feels
isolated and excluded, there is a betrayal of
the God who is ever present and accepting.
And, whenever somebody feels alone and
helpless, there is a betrayal of a God who is
ever compassionate and understanding.
The good Lord did not go through the
phases in understanding us, but He was in
each of the three phases. We are that Someone God the Father created. God the Son
brought us to a new kind of a relationship.
And, we have God the Spirit uniting us to
this communion of Persons we still cannot fully understand, the Most Holy Trinity.
Rev. PJ Alindogan is the pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson, NJ. This
homily was delivered on Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2009.
REFLECTIONS
Trinity Imprint
A 95-year old man was walking in a garden
when suddenly he heard a voice calling: “Help
me! Help me!” He looked down and he saw a
frog. “Help me! Help me!.” it cried. So the old
man picked up the frog. “You know,” it exclaimed,
“I am really a beautiful princess. If you kiss me, I will be
transformed into the beautiful
princess that I really am. And
I will kiss you and hug you and
love you forever!”
The man put the frog inside
by Rev. Basil C. Colasito
his breast pocket, and continued
walking.
“Hey!” the frog persisted. “Why don’t you kiss me?”
“Honey,” the man replied, “at my age, I’d rather own a talking
frog.”
This story about a frog being transformed into a beautiful person
when kissed is both a parable of the transforming power of love and
a beautiful way of saying that within the heart of every human being,
of every creature, for that matter, is an innate longing to be loved, to be kissed and to
belong.
“To Belong” is happily embedded in the mission statement of one particular parish
church community, but it might as well be engraved as the goal of the world community.
Indeed, we are the world, we are the children.. Jesus’ commission to the disciples to go
out into the world to “baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit” is a universal mandate for the whole creation to be in communion with one
another, just as Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit, are in a unique relationship of three
Persons and One God.
This call to unity flows from the nature of a Triune God Whose Love eternally longs
for communion. “If you love Me,” Jesus says, “the
Father and I will love you, and We will make Our home in you.” It is not surprising
that at the Last Supper, Jesus would pray that all His followers may be one as He and the
Father are One, “I in them, and they in us.” Jesus’ longing for unity is not frozen as a
page of a prayer book. Neither was it a fleeting dream.
What could be a more intimate relationship between me and my God except by God’s
entering my being as Bread and Wine, thereby becoming my own flesh and my blood that
runs through my veins? How else could Jesus best transform me except by my becoming what I eat? This amazing
wonder and mystery of a God that longs for unity with me
is worth celebrating indeed. For me, the feast of the Holy
Trinity is not merely a heady commemoration of a dogma
of the Catholic Church, but it is a reminder of a God Who
loves me so much that He became a Human Being in Jesus.
Jesus is Trinity, not only in the sense of being One with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, but also in the sense of being
one with the divine and human nature. His name is most
appropriate. God with us Emmanuel.
Today’s feast is also a reminder for me that the Image of
the Triune God is imprinted in me. That is why, like God, I
long to belong. That is why I hunger and thirst forever for
the Living God. St. Augustine expresses this longing beautifully: “My heart is made for you, O Lord, and restless it will be until it rests in Thee.”
Fathers’ Day reminds me that I, too, am trinity with a small “t”. Every time I look at
my face in the mirror, I “see” my Father in my white hair, because he, too, had white hair;
and I “see” my mother in my curls (believe it or not, I once had curly hair). My Mom had
curly hair. There had been moments when friends who had known my father and mother
had said to me, “You look like your father”. Or “You look like your mother.” The fact is, I
am the two of them in one flesh. I am their love with a name. By the way, when people say
that they ”see” God in you, they are confirming the fact that God’s imprint is in you.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 7
Happenings
by AA Medrano
19th ANNUAL SANTAKRUSAN SA VILLAGE
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the village
where the Filipino Pastoral Ministry of Our Lady of
Pompei church celebrated its 19th Annual Flores de
Mayo and Santakrusan sa Village. The lively and
colorful Santakrusan procession attracted not only
the parishioners of Our Lady of Pompei but also the
tourists in downtown Manhattan. Over the years,
the celebration still remains the focal point of the
beautiful celebration of our Filipino tradition and
culture in the village. Last May 31 we celebrated
the 19th Annual Flores de Mayo and Santakrusan sa
Village with the same dedication and enthusiasm
as in the past years.
Msgr. Romy Montero, the Director of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry was the main celebrant of
the Mass. The concelebrants were Fr. Lito Cabatuan and Fr. Nil Villaviza and was the
homilists The Sunday readings were read by FPM Lectors Gigi Gonzalez, Susan Gamallo
and Nancy Hombrebueno. The Santo Nino sponsors and donors for the Mass led the
offertory procession with the offering of gifts and flowers. Mr. & Mrs. Dante and Nora
Velasquez, the parents of the Reyna Elena offered the water and wine. Nelia Cloma, the
Hermana mayor carried the Ciborium to the altar.
The new choir of Filipino Pastoral Ministry of Our Lady of Pompei led by Sally Alonso
with the technical support by Bobby Villanueva provided the music.
Noemi Alfaro, Queens Chapter Coordinator of the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of
New York (SPGNY) led the Santo Nino prayers to start the celebration followed by the
transfer of the Santo Nino images to the different sponsors of the SPGNY officiated by
Father Romy
Congratulations to the Hermana Mayor Nelia Cloma and her family for the successful
celebration. Likewise thank you to all the participants, sagalas, their parents who encouraged their children to uphold this tradition, to the sponsors and donors.
And of course, the Santakrusan sa Village will not be successful without the dedication,
cooperation and hard work by the volunteers, members and staff of the Filipino Pastoral
Ministry. Maraming Salamat Po!
Crowning Ceremony
The Crowning Ceremony of the Image of the Virgin Mary was officiated by Msgr. Romy
Montero immediately followed after the Mass. The three major Sagalas including the
Constatine Milo Erana-Dizon participated in the ceremony. The Reyna Elena - Samantha
Hombrebueno Velasquez put the crown the Infant Jesus held by the Virgin Mary followed
by the offering of the Rosary represented by the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary - Jessica
Mae Infante. The highlight of the celebration was the crowning of the Virgin Mary with a
crown of flowers by the Reyna de las Flores - Samantha Mercado of Queens. The ceremony
concluded with the flower offering to the Virgin Mary of the flower boys and girls, the
angels led by the Hermanito and Hermanita Catherine Espina and Andrew Calderon.
The Santakrusan Sa Village Procession
The Red Mike Marching Band led the Santakrusan sa Village procession that covered
the streets surrounding the church. The lively music set the tempo for the long procession
led by the Reyna Elena, Reyna de las Flores and the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
and the throngs of beautiful sagalas dressed in their best gowns, and the flower girls and
boys in the procession preceding the Image of the Virgin Mary. The devotees following
the image prayed the Rosary led by Helen Macatulad and Malu Burgarin throughout the
procession.
Reyna Elena – Samantha
This year’s Reyna Elena, Samantha is the daughter of Dante and Nora HombrebuenoVelasquez. Nora is one of the founders of the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York.
For her the Santakrusan 2009 has come full circle. Nora was a committee member of the
first Santakrusan sa Village in 1991. Samantha, now sixteen has been a regular participant
of the Santakrusan sa Village since she was two years old. They now live in Boston but
they come every year to participate. We are very grateful for their loyalty. Samantha is
the granddaughter of Nanay Salome Hombrebueno, and niece of Sally Alonso and Nancy
Hombrebueno. Her grandma was her baby sister when she was a baby.
How it Begun
The Filipino Pastoral Ministry started this popular celebration at Our Lady of Pompei
Church through the initiative of the late Fr. Bobby B. Sison, the founding director of the
Filipino Pastoral Ministry to uphold the deeper awareness of the Filipino Culture and
religious tradition in honoring the Virgin Mary with the daily offering of flowers to her
by the children during the month of May, hence, it is called “Flores de Mayo.” The first
celebration was held on May 26, 1991 as a contribution to the Centennial celebration of the
Our Lady of Pompei Church, and was carried on as a yearly celebration during the month
of May. Since then every year has been a challenge but we all persevered. It entailed a
lot of hard work, sacrifices and cooperation among members to have gratifying results.
We hope that the Filipino Pastoral Ministry through the guidance of Msgr. Romy Montero
and with your help will continue to uphold this tradition.
May Birthday Celebrants
The birthday celebrators for the month of May received a special birthday blessing from
Fr. Romy Montero during the May 24 Sunday Mass. Happy birthday to All: Alejandro Jacala, Rudy Riego, Kladys Glenn Lascano, Dennis Papa, Rene Gacho, Rosemarie Borgonia,
Jareth Bona, Dan Papa, Laulhati Acuna, Sam Barreto, Ed Resurreccion, Robert Jose Tan,
Germilina F. Cruz, Raze, Mary Ann Menendez, Azucena Ferrer, Isabel Gonzales, Boni &
Zeny Papa, Bonifacio de la Cruz, Danielle Papa, Remy Esquivias, Cristita Garcia, Ramon
Laurencio, Edna Viscondi, Ellen Monteirde, Leonora Figueroa, Nery Pascual, Nanding
Castillo, Rhaiza Marie, Ligaya Gregoire, Joy Maniquez, Helen Macatulad.
In loving remembrances of Narding Medrano on her 74st Birthday and Fr. Bobby B.
Sison on his 44st Sacerdotal anniversary of Priesthood on May 30.
Participants of the 19th Annual Santakrusan sa Village at Our Lady of Pompei
Altar Boys: Kevin Villanueva, Gabriel Marquez,John Adam Rodriquez; Lead Marshal: Ernie Bugarin; Roving Marshals: Ed Pascual, Cely Medrano, Bobby Villanueva,
BAND: Red Mike Marching Band. FPM Laksambayan Banner-Bearer: Norma de Jesus;
Bearer Philippine Flag: Sammy Pinangay, Bearer USA Flag: Danny Maligaya. SPGNY Banner -Bearer: Ricardo Menendez; SANTO NIÑO Bearers: Abe Laforteza, Jun
Makinano ,Ric Guy, Danny Concepcion.
(turn to page 19)
Photos by Henry Medrano
Page 8 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
ON SCHEDULE
Masses, novenas, fiestas and other
important religious celebrations.
“This is the day which the Lord hath
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
-- Ps 118:24
Photos by
Henry Medrano
Reyna de las Flores, Samantha Mercado placed a crown of flowers on the
Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Pompei in Manhattan.
Schedule of Activities of the
Filipino Pastoral Ministry of
Our Lady of Pompei
Misang Pilipino every Sunday 3:00 P.M.
Novena Mass every Wednesday 6:30 P.M.
Mass and Holy Hour every First Friday 6:30 P.M.
June 6 Novena and Mass in honor of St. Bartholomew
Sponsored by the Katbaloganon Association, USA. Mass starts at 6:30 P.M. on
nine consecutive Saturdays until the feast day celebration. The Sison Family led
by Mr. & Mrs. Narding Sison are the novena Mass sponsors for the first week.
June 7 Philippine Independence Day Parade
The volunteers and staff of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry of Our Lady of Pompei
will join the Philippine Independence Day Parade with the members and volunteers Simbang Gabi sa Katedral (SGSK) and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel.
June 21 Sun
Santo Nino Fiesta and Fathers Day celebration
Mass starts at 3:00 P.M. Tagalog Mass, blessing of children, images of Santo Nino,
Father Days blessing and Pistahan, Kantahan, Sayawan, kainan. This year’s host
is the Santo Nino Prayer Groups of New York -Elmhurst and Brooklyn chapter led
by Norma de Jesus and Cora del Mar, the Hermana Mayor of this celebration.
June 24 Wed Baclaran sa Village, Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual
Help.
Mass and Novena starts at 6:30 P.M. followed by the reception at the Father Demo
Hall. Mr. & Mrs. Mel and Lulu Escobar are this year’s Hermano and Hermana
Mayor. The Feast day celebration is the culmination of the nine days perpetual
prayers and Mass that started on April 22.
July 04 Sat
FPM Independence Day Barbeque Party.
Held every year at the backyard of the Our Lady of Pompei except last year were
the FPM Barbeque Party was held in the spacious back yard of Nanding and
Marilyn Castillo. Please come and join us. It is potluck.
JUNE 2009 EVENTS
June 14, 2009
12:15 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Patrick Church,
39-38 29th Street, LIC, NY 11101
(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Incarnation Church
89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd.,
Queens Village, NY 11427
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Rose of Lima Church
269 Parkville Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230.
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Church of Holy Child Jesus
111-11 86th Avenue
Richmond Hill, NY 11418
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
1:30 PM 28th Anniversary & Fiesta
in honor of Santo Nino
St. Ladislaus Church
18 Richardson Pl. Hempstead, NY
June 21, 2009 (Father’s Day)
1:30 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Joan of Arc Church
82-00 35th Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
1:30 PM - Filipino Mass
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
101-41 91st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
2:30 PM - Filipino Mass
Guardian Angel Church
2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11235
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
5:00 PM – Filipino Mass
St. Bartolomew Chapel
43-22 Ithaca Street, Elmshurst NY 11373
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
June 27, 2009
6:30 PM – Filipino Mass
Our Lady of Mercy Church
70-01 Kessel Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375
(Every 4th Saturday of the Month)
June 28, 2009
2:00 PM – Filipino Mass
Corpus Christi Church
31-30 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377
(Every 4th Sunday of the Month)
5:00 PM – Filipino Mass
Most PreciousBlood Church (Basement)
32-23 36st Street, Long Island City, NY
3:00 PM – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mass
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
111-50 115th Street, South Ozone Park, NY
JULY 2009 EVENTS
July 3, 2009
7:30 PM - Filipino Mass – First Friday
Sponsored by FDA & Apostleship of Prayer
St. Jude Church
1677 Canarsie Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236
(Every 1st Friday of the Month)
July 4, 2009
6:15 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Brigid Church,
409 Linden Street, Brooklyn, NY 11227
(Every 1st Saturday of the Month)
7:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Presentation Church,
88-19 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432
(Every 1st Saturday of the Month)
July 5, 2009
12:15 PM - Filipino Mass
by Gene Salle
St. Patrick Church,
39-38 29th Street, LIC, NY 11101
(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Our Lady Help of Christians Church,
1315 E. 28th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210
(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)
1:30 PM - Filipino Mass
Our Lady of the Island
Eastport, Long Island
Long Island Expressway, Exit 70
(Every 1st Sunday of the month)
July 12, 2009
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Incarnation Church
89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd.,
Queens Village, NY 11427
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Rose of Lima Church
269 Parkville Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230.
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Church of Holy Child Jesus
111-11 86th Avenue
Richmond Hill, NY 11418
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
5:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Mary’s Nativity Church
4602 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, NY 11355.
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
July 19, 2009
1:30 PM - Filipino Mass
St. Joan of Arc Church
82-00 35th Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
2:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,
101-41 91st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
2:30 PM - Filipino Mass
Guardian Angel Church
2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11235
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
5:00 PM – Filipino Mass
St. Bartolomew Church
43-22 Ithaca Street, Elmshurst NY 11373
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
July 25, 2009
6:30 PM – Filipino Mass
Our Lady of Mercy Church
70-01 Kessel Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375
(Every 4th Saturday of the Month)
July 26, 2009
2:00 PM – Filipino Mass
Corpus Christi Church
31-30 61st Street, Woodside, NY
(Every 4th Sunday of the Month)
5:00 PM – Filipino Mass
Most PreciousBlood Church (Basement)
32-23 36st Street, Long Island City, NY
Filipino Mass every Sunday - 5:00 PM at the
Most Precious Blood Church (Basement),
32-23 36th Street, Long Island City, NY 11006.
Novena to Mother Perpetual Help
at 7:00 PM every Wednesday
at St. Patrick Church,
39-38 29th Street, LIC, NY 11101.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 9
TAGALOG
Syanga Naman!
Msgr. Ruben M. Dimaculangan
“Hayden” Wealth. Kawawa na ang pera dahil
lagi itong napapagbintangan na ugat ng kasamaan (Money is the root of all evil daw). Pero
sa totoo lang, hindi pera ang salarin. Mabuti na
lang at ang pera ay walang bibig, walang paa
at walang kamay. Kung nagkataon, sigurado
ko na kapag napanis na ang mga bago ngayong
iskandalo, ito namang pera ang babalingan at
aanyayahang sapilitan na sumipot sa ginagawang
interrogation at variety shows sa Senado at Kongreso. Ha ha ha ha. Sorry po, napapag-usapan
lang. Syanga naman.
Goldfish sa Dagat. Yeheeey, balik-paaralan muli sa Pinas! Syempre, panibagong
adjustment ng mga mag-aaral na lilipat mula sa maliit na paaralan patungo sa mas
malaking kolehiyo o pamantasan. Kung sa kanilang pinanggalingan ay goldfish sila
sa aquarium, paglipat nila sa mas malaking pamantasan ay para naman silang goldfish na napatapon sa dagat. Ha ha ha ha. Pero huwag kayong matakot. Chicken lang
yan! Kagaya ng pag-aaral ng iba’t-ibang lengwahe, kung minsan ay kailangang
maging violent ka sa iyong sarili upang magbunga ang iyong sakripisyo. Masakit
ito habang pinagdadaanan mo. Pero matapos mong matiis ang lahat at maakyat
ang bundok, paglingon mo sa pinagdaanan mo after some time ay masasabi mong
“Wow!” “God is good; Praise the Lord!” Ang bonus pa niyan, mas capable ka pa
ngayon para makatulong sa kapwa. Syanga naman.
Kahimanawari! Noong Mothers’ Day naibahagi ko sa Misa ang isang Jewish
Proverb: “God’s love could not be felt everywhere, so he created mothers.” Ano kaya at
hiramin ko ang salawikaing ito at sabihing: “Hindi maramdaman ang pagmamahal ng
Diyos sa lahat ng dako ng daigdig. Kaya naman, nilalang Niya ang mga Pinoy.” Hindi
po ako nagpapatawa! Ang kasabihang ito ay katulad ng hiniram kong anonymous
na salawikain: “Ang mabuting Pinoy ay ngiti ng Diyos sa lupa.” Kay sarap pakinggan ng mga hiram na kasabihang ito, di ba? Kahimanawari! Let’s keep our fingers
crossed. Syanga naman.
Patibong ni Satanas. Napakaraming mga sakuna at pag-uusig ang dinaanan
nina Pablo at Barnabas (Gawa 14:15-18). Pero hindi lang mga “negatibong paguusig” ang kanilang iniwasan. Tinakasan din nila ang “matamis na pag-uusig”,
nang mapagkamalan silang sina Zeus at Hermes, mga diyus-diyosan ng Gresya.
Iniwasan nilang sila ay sambahin ng mga tao. Mag-ingat rin kayo! Pinararanas
tayo ni Satanas ng dalawang uri ng persekusyon. Ang unang uri ay kagaya ng mga
pinagdusahan nina Jeremias at Juan Bautista. Ang isa pang uri ng persekusyon
ay ang matamis na pag-uusig sa porma ng matinding papuri ng tao. Kaya, kung
gusto ninyong maging hundred per cent ang performance ng inyong pandamdam,
kwidaw kayo sa mga patibong na “sweet persecution”. Paala-ala ito lalo na sa mga
may hawak ng malalaking responsibilidad. Syanga naman.
Easter people. Alam ba ninyo kung bakit ang ibang mga nagsisikap magpakabanal
ay mahirap sundan? Mukha kasi silang malungkot, nakakunot lagi ang noo at
lowbat. Ang pinanghahawakan kasi nilang prinsipyo ng pagpapakabanal ay “Ang
mamatay nang dahil sa iyo”. Nakaka-stress nga naman ‘yun. Ano kaya at subukan
naman nila ang medyo positibong saloobin? Sa halip na ang konsepto nila pagpapakabanal ay yun lang tungkulin na mamatay para sa Diyos at sa kapwa, ano
kaya at subukan naman nila ang positibong konsepto ng kabanalan bilang isang
life mission na “mabuhay nang dahil sa Diyos at sa kapwa.” Syanga naman.
Festival of Fathers. Magkita po tayo sa Balayan, Batangas sa Hunyo 20, 2009,
Sabado, upang ipagdiwang ang festival na ito. Siguradong magugulat kayo dahil
inaasahang mas marami ang dadalong mga Daddy, Tatay, Amang at Papà upang
matutunan ang kabanalan ni Patrong San Jose. Darating din doon bilang unang
pagbisita sa Arsidiyosesis ng Lipa ang Apostolic Nuncio na si Lubhang Kgg. Mons.
Eduard Adams. Halina kayo! Syanga naman.
Quality Time. Sinabi ni Harmon Killebrew: “Nang bata pa kami, ugali na ni Daddy
na makipaglaro kay Kuya at sa akin doon sa aming bakuran. Tapos, lalabas naman si Inay
at maglalambing: ‘Hoy, tama na kayo diyan. Mamamatay tuloy ang Bermuda grass!’
“Sasagot naman si Dad ng ganito: ‘Bayaan mo na kami dito, Honey. Hindi naman tayo
para magpalago ng Bermuda grass, ah, kundi ang magpalaki ng mga batang ito, di ba?”
Syanga naman.
DZAL. Isang gabi, naulinigan ng isang ama ang dzal ng kanyang musmos na
anak: “Dear God, gawin mo akong katulad ni Daddy.” Kinamaya-mayaan, nang
gabi ding yaon, heto naman ang dzal ng amang yaon: “Panginoon, gawin mo akong
katulad ng inaasahan ng aking anak.” – Anonymous. Mabuhay ang kanilang dasal!
Mabuhay ang tatanghaling mga modelong ama sa Festival of Fathers sa ika-20 ng
Hunyo. Ganon din, mabuhay ang DZAL, ang ikalawang radio station ng Arsidiyosesis! Syanga naman.
Bonus. Nakakagulat ang mga pamilyang aming napag-alayan ng funeral Masses
nitong 2008-2009. Marami ay yumao sa kanilang late 40’s o early 50’s. Ito palang
aking gulang na 53 ay bonus na. Pero alam nyo, nag-aala-ala ako sa mga batang
musmos ngayon. Hindi na nila trip ang kumain ng gulay at prutas. Ni ang mga
native na minatamis ay ayaw nilang patulan. Nagaganap na nga ang kasabihang
“Mas marami ang namamatay ngayon sa kutsara kaysa bala.” Tapos, ang siste nito,
lumalaki ang mga batang ito na kulang sa exercise. Ang nai-exercise lang ay
ang kanilang mga daliri dahil maghapon sila sa games, etc., sa computer. Kaya
naman, ang biro ng ibang observers, kapag magtatrabaho na sila, mas magiging
trip nila ang mag-isa o kaya ay ang mang-iwan ng kapwa. Di malayo na maging
iba lalo ang uri ng kanilang daigdig ng pampalakasan: Walang iba kundi ang
“palakasan” kay Kapitan, kay Mayor, kay Gov o kay General at kay . . . Ha ha ha
ha ha. Syanga naman
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Page 10 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
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Main Office:
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TAGALOG
PEKE
Rey Lauron
Awit ni Santiago
Peter James R. Alindogan
Salin sa tulang Tagalog ng huling liham ni
Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. na nalathala sa
“The Philippine Star” May 25, 2009.
SA PAGASANG TAYONG LAHAT
MAGKAISA HABANG BUHAY.
Ako ay nasa Ospital niyong Our Lady of Peace;
Urong –sulong salipawpaw sa Coastal Road ng alas
tres;
Aeroporteng himpapawid, lahat payapa at tahimik;
Kahit ungol ng hagibis, pawi sa ulap ng langit.
Ako mandi’y sampung araw ang layo sa kaarawan;
Siyamnapo’t tatlong taon ng Bathala’y ipinataw;
Higit bait kung hindi man nasadya mang kanaisan;
Ako mandi’y bigyang buhay sa kay ganda’t ubod
yaman;
Ang halaga’y dalawampo niyong nasambit na
bayan (=20 country)
Ugaling kaaya-aya sa gitna ng sambayanan;
Ako mandi’y tinulutan ng kay daming kabutihan;
Mapagmahal, mapagbigay na uri ng kaibigan.
Natanto ko at nabatid siyang tama’t siyang higit
Na alas tres ng umaga siyang sapat na pag-guhit;
Ang diwa ko ay malinis; ang puso ko ay mainit;
Ako mandi’y tantong lipos niyong lubos na pagibig;
Niyong tanan na nilikha, sugo ng Diyos na sa langit;
Dito mandin sa sinulat, siyang layon, siyang ibig;
Buti ng tao’y bandong higit sa Bathalang pagi-isip.
Kung paano namamanglaw, kung paano ko malirip;
Yaon manding paga-alay ay siya kong pinipilit;
Mag-alay ng isang bagay tanging sarili kong isip.
Yaong manga Pilipino na tanang kaibig-ibig;
Siyang sugo niyong Diyos duon sa aking pagsapit.
Ang nabahaging damdamin, paghanga sa kabanalan;
Niyong ngang sangkatauhan na ubod ng kabutihan.
Mandi’y kaloob ng Diyos, pagbabasbas na iniwan
Na sa akin ay kaloob na dito nga masumpungan.
“Ako mandin ay salubong niyong libong pasalamat,
Sa pag-alay niyong buhay sa bayan ng Filipinas . . .
Subalit ang paga-alay, katumbas ng kalangitan
Dahil ani ay higit pa duon nga sa ibinigay.”
Salamat sa iyo:
- sa alay ng kaibigan; katumbas ay dalawampo (=20)
habang taon na nagdaan
- sa pagbasa sa alas tres mandin ay madaling
araw
pag-guhit ng manga titik
- iyo manding manga tugon sa sulat at
manga tawag
ng pagtutol at pag-ayon.
- sa pagbahagi ng saysay sanhi niyaring pagsalaysay
sa iba ay maging gabay
- pagibig mo at pagdamay
- dalangin mo agdong buhay (20)
Ninais kong maging Pari dahil Pari’y isang tulay;
Isang tulay na pagitan ng Diyos at sangkatauhan;
Ng Diyos na siyang lagusan ng pagibig, siyang
daan;
Siyang daan ng pagibig, tuwa at kapayapaan.
Yaon manding nasumpungan sa bayan ng
Pilipinas
Siyang tanging pagka-buklod ng puso at kaisipan;
Tanda ng pagkabahagi sa likas na kabutihan.
Niyong manga Pilipino sa likas na kabanalan.
Yaon manding kasakdalan; Yaon mandi’y kadiyosan.
Tayo mandi’y isa lamang na sa langit ang tagpuan;
Isang puso, isang diwa, busog sa pagmamahalan . . .
Sa ganitong pagsusulat, alas tres, madaling
araw;
Tanging bilin ay mag-alay . . .Ang sarili ay ialay
. . .pagibig.
Siyang alay ngayo’y heto; siyang pakay . . .
ngayon. . . Ako.
Lakas minsan ang humayo; batid ngayon ang
“pagyao”
Sa ganap na ika-tatlo, sa umaga ng taong libo.
Matapos ang pagsusulat, ngayon naman ang
oras ko;
Magpahinga sa higaan sa itaas ang silay ko;
Araw mandin ay sisikat ; himig ibon ay may
tono.
Hindi ito pamaalam, siya lamang dalangin ko;
Kung saan man naroroon; kung ano ang nilalayon;
Kayo mandin’y nasa puso; pala ng Diyos ang
katugon.
Awit mandin ay natapos; himig, tuloy sa pagagos . . .
Pagbasa ninyo ng lubos, pagibig sa inyong
lingkod.
***
Sa manga may nagnanais, nawa ay inyong
masambit
Manga dalanging pahatid sa Poong Diyos ng
pagibig.
Manong kami ay silayan sa sandali nitong araw;
Kung anuman ang nagdaan, daraan pa’y kalimutan.
Ang biyaya ay idulot na mag-alay ngayong
lubos;
Katawan at kaluluwa sa lahat ng manga kilos.
Nawa’y yaong manga diwa siyang tunay ngang
bumaba;
Naway yaong manga bagay niyaring puso’y
gandang tunay.
Naway yaong gandang tunay, ganda ng Diyos
ang kabagay;
Kami naway bigyang ilaw, ang layon mo ay
magisngan.
Kami nawa ay dulutan ng biyaya na magmahal
Sa nais mo’t kaalaman ng lakas at kagitingan.
Kami nawa’y biyayaan: magmahal sa iyong
alam;
May lakas at kagitingan, Kristong Poon ang
pagitan. SIYA NAWA.
Maraming naloloko sa peke. Maraming
nanloloko ng peke. Akala tunay, orig,
walang sablay, totoo. Yon pala ginaya
lang, gawa-gawa, mahinang klase, huwad.
Makinang na parang ginto nang tingnan,
tanso lang pala nang malaman.
Nagkalat ang mga peke--damit, pantalon,
bag, sapatos, relo, pilikmata, ilong, hita,
bilbil, labi. Nagkalat ang mga manloloko.
Sila ang mga taong nagsasabing tutubo at
tatabo ng gabundok na pera ang puhunang
kusing. Sila ang mga taong naguudyok
na may computer na makakamit sa bawat
email na ipinadala. Sila ang mga taong
mapagsamantala sa isipang payak at
madaling maniwala’t magtiwala. At dahil
sa kanila, maraming naloloko, maraming
napepeke.
Kung maaari nga lang na kilatisin
muna ang bawat hibla, himaymayin ang
bawat tabing at suriin ang bawat ugat,
mababawasan ang kalolokohan. Kung
maaari nga lang na basahin ang maliliit
na letra sa bawat kontrata, pakinggan ang
hindi sinasaad sa bawat pangako, tantuin
ang iniwang kwento sa bawat salaysay,
mabibigyang lunas ang kakulangan sa
kaisipan. At, kung maaari nga lang na
pagmasdan ang bawat umaga, tangkilikin
ang bawat kahapon at paghandaan ang
bawat bukas, marahil dadalang ang
kalapastangan.
Ito ang hatid ng bawat kasalanan: ang
akalaing tunay, peke lang pala naman. Ito
ang bulong ng bawat tukso: ang akalaing
masarap, madaling gawin at walang
makakaalam.
Katotohanan ang siyang magbubunyag
sa pagtatago at pagkukunwari. Malalaman
ang amoy, kulay, salita at katauhan sa
damdaming hinubaran ng totoo’t tunay.
Katotohanan ang siyang magbabaklas
sa panunukso at aliwan. Mababatid
ang sangsang, pagkukulang, anghang at
pananamlay sa pagkataong tinuruan kung
ano ang tama at kung ano ang nararapat.
Ang Panginoon ang Katotohanan. Ito
ang totoo—na sa Kanya’y wala na tayong
hahanapin pa. Na sa kanya’y hihimlay
at matatapos ang lahat. Na sa Kanya’y
nakalaan ang totoong tagumpay. Pera man
o alahas, mamahaling gamit man o sasakyan,
pagiging sikat man o tanyag, ang lahat ng
ito’y nasa Kanya. At iyan ang katotohanan.
Si Hesus ang Katotohanan. Ito ang
totoo—na Siya’y walang hahanapin pa,
kundi tayong napariwara at nawala sa piling
at tabi niya. Matalino man o mapurol ang
isip, matayog man o mababa ang pangarap,
malakas man o mahina ang damdamin,
Siya ang dapat hanapin dahil Siya ang
katotohanan.
Mahirap mapariwara sa katotohanan.
Mahirap mawala sa tawag ng kabanalan.
Kung mangyari mang magkaganoon
na tayo’y maloko sa kinang ng ginto,
sa tukso ng laman at sa anyaya ng
karimlan, masaklap isipin na mabuti pa
ang mga baliw, may mga nakaambang
kasagutan. At sa mga naloloko at napepeke
naman, mahirap isaad ngunit wala pang
naimbentong gamot sa katangahan.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 11
“TAYO NA SA ... BAYSIDE!”
St. Robert Bellarmine holds 5th Diocesan Antipolo Fiesta
by Hermes Allas and Tino Camara
Incensation of Our Lady of Antipolo by Msgr. Ronal Marino.
Page 12 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Saturday May 16 started with the usual crisp bright May morning
with a forecast of thunderstorms and rain in the afternoon and late
evening. With the many faithful Antipolo devotees praying for good
weather, the festivities was blest with fine weather and proceeded with
the traditional street procession starting from the St. Robert’s Bellarmine
(SRB) Gym. Traversing the residential streets of Bayside, it finally ended
in SRB Church where a Eucharistic celebration took place. Once again,
Antipolo devotees from parish and devotional communities all over the
Brooklyn Diocese and outlaying areas, converged and participated in the
Fifth Diocesan Antipolo Fiesta in Bayside, Queens.
Traditionally, this annual celebration started with a series of Saturday
novena prayers launched on March 7 and ended on May 9. As in previous years, each of the Saturday novena prayers and fellowship were
hosted by various Filipino-American parish and devotional groups in
the Diocese of Brooklyn and most if not all, are affiliated, collaborate and
closely coordinate with the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate (FDA), Diocese
of Brooklyn. The entire celebration is annually hosted and organized by
the designated host parish community, the Filipino American Community
of St. Robert Bellarmine in coordination with the FDA.
The main festivity started with a rosary at the SRB Gym. Here, representatives from various participating Filipino communities led the
congregation in prayer. Immediately after the rosary, the street procession assembly was lined-up by the marshals. As always, many parish
community and devotional groups displayed their banners with their
members clad in Filipiniana. The procession was escorted by police mobile
units with officers posted on strategic intersections along the procession
route. At the end part of the procession, perched atop a human drawn
and fully decorated float, was the majestic image of Our Lady of Antipolo
(Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) with her fully and beautifully
embroidered gown watching over her devotees. A long chain of garland
flowers on both sides was held by little children as she progressed the
streets of Bayside. She took a final turn into the SRB church front steps
surrounded by the various banners of a multitude of devotees and participating community groups. Finally she was repositioned at the entrance
of the church as Marian songs were sung and later wheeled into her place
at the sanctuary for the celebration of Mass in her honor.
Rev. Msgr. Ronald T. Marino, Vicar for Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates, Diocese of Brooklyn was the main celebrant and concelebrating
with him were thirteen priests. Msgr. Martin Geraghty, pastor of St.
Robert Bellarmine together with his associate pastors including Rev.
Fr. Henry Lang, senior priest in-residence came in full force. As always,
Msgr. Geraghty and staff were enormously supportive of the Filipino
Community at St. Robert and have constantly expressed their fondness
for these events, and in their deep involvement and active participation
in parish life and their continued fidelity to the Church. Filipino priests
assigned in the Diocese were also joined by a representative from the
Archdiocese of New York.
As may be recalled, Msgr. Marino was instrumental in the declaration
of a Diocesan Celebration of Our Lady of Antipolo by His Excellency
Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn. It was also Msgr. Marino who
represented Bishop DiMarzio at the inaugural Mass in 2005. This year we
have the honor of having Msgr. Marino once again at St. Robert Bellarmine Church where he once mentioned “The Antipolo shrine will provide
a place where the Filipino as a people can express their devotion to the
Blessed Mother under her special title “Our Lady of Peace and Good
Voyage”. Truly, St. Robert Bellarmine has indeed become the “Home of
Our Lady of Antipolo.” As always Msgr. Marino’s homily touched the
hearts of many with his own account of his own journey in life. Part of
his inspiring homily focused on his vocation and the many difficulties
and challenges that priests have to experience day after day in the exercise
of their ministry. He mentioned that we too, go through these similar
challenges through life. Towards the end, he stressed that our continuing
devotion and prayers to the Blessed Mother coupled with our profound
faith, trust and love of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, will provide us
with the courage and strength to persevere and bear whatever challenges
are brought before us. The Eucharistic celebration continued on with great
solemnity, graced with the sacred music led by the FDA Choir.
After mass, several cultural presentations were rendered by various
church groups after refreshments were served. Indeed the 2009 diocesan
celebration was another great success with the constant support, assistance
and generosity of our dearest kalahi at kababayang Pilipino.
REAL ESTATE
Can No Longer Afford to
Make Mortgage Payments?
Ferdinand G. Suba, Jr.
Grade School Valedictorian is
accepted to Regis High School
by Robert Fernandez
In these uneasy times unimaginable bad things could
happen to good people – loss of a job, family illness, a debilitating accident, etc. All of a sudden little or no income
is flowing, savings practically gone and bills get unpaid and
before you know it the mortgage on the principal residence
remains unpaid for several months. Soon the lender files a
lis pendens (a recorded legal document giving notice that
an action affecting the property has been filed in court – that there is a cloud in the title).
If the loan remains unpaid this could lead to property foreclosure (property pledged as
security for a debt is sold to pay the debt in the event of default of payment or terms).
Sure, there may be other options – loan modification or refinance. But if there is little or
no income both options will not provide the solution. An alternative is a short sale, also
known as pre-foreclosure sale. Short sale happens when the lender accepts a discounted
payoff to release an existing mortgage – settling for less than the mortgage amount due.
The homeowner/debtor has to sell first the property subject to the lender’s approval. Short
sale may be a better option since its effect is less severe to the homeowner/debtor than a
bankruptcy where the information is recorded in credit reports for seven years dropping
credit scores up to 300 points. In short sales credit may be restored in about two years or
even less in some instances giving the opportunity to rebuild finances and overall quality
of life – even the ability to buy another home sooner.
Why would a lender agree to a short sale? The lender’s filing of a lis pendens can
lead to foreclosure which is both time consuming and expensive. Foreclosure could take
up to a year or more to complete. Furthermore, if no payment is received by the lender
from the borrower that means nothing is contributed to the escrow accounts for property
taxes and home insurance. The lender is forced to carry these necessary costs aside from
legal costs from the time of default up to the date of repossession or resale to protect the
loan’s collateral – the house. Why? The government has the priority over other liens
and will sell the house to recover the non-payment of taxes. If a lender agrees to a short
sale that is done right, their costs will not be as much since closing could happen a lot
sooner, several months instead of a year or more. A lender requires that they be provided
with a fully executed contract, hardship letter, financial information including assets and
liabilities, supporting papers, HUD Form 1, purchaser’s mortgage pre-approval or proof
of funds, etc. Closing costs including broker’s fees are negotiated with the lender thus
practically no cost to the homeowner to sell the house. A homeowner is forbidden from
receiving any proceeds from the sale of the home.
For the homeowner in distress short sale could be the lesser of the two evils. A foreclosure proceeding is public in nature - legal notices are circulated in newspapers specifying
the homeowner’s name and address. A short sale which is a private proceeding can save
the homeowner many months of stress, embarrassment, aggravation and uncertainly.
Now one may wonder what happens to the forgiven amount (difference of loan amount
less amount received by lender). Generally, the IRS considers this as taxable income. A
legislation known as the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 allows the homeowner to exclude the “income.” However, the Act applies only to forgiven or cancelled
debt used to buy, build or substantially improve the principal residence, or to refinance
debt incurred for those purposes. Up to $2 million ($1 million if married filing separately)
of forgiven debt is eligible for this income exclusion. This applies to qualified principal
residence indebtedness forgiven through calendar year 2012. It is always recommended
to consult real estate, legal and tax professionals specializing in short sales.
Robert L. Fernandez , Certified Residential Specialist and Notary Public is Broker / Owner of Realty
Network in East Meadow, New York. He can be reached at 516-542-7936 or by email: Robert@
RealtyNetworkNY.com.
A partment for R ent
in Q ueens V illage
Beautiful 2-BR apartment in a pvte house in
Queens Village near Hillside Ave. Large Kitchen,
living room. Close to schools.
Call owner at
(631) 875-3711
Ferdinand G. Suba, Jr. is graduating valedictorian at St. Robert
Bellarmine School in Bayside, New York. He was accepted to Regis
High School freshman class of 2013. The school is located at 55 East 84th
Street in Manhattan and offers tuition free Jesuit college preparatory
education. He took the scholarship exam last November 1 with
approximately 1,000 students and 245 were selected as semi-finalists
for interview and 135 students were admitted to the freshman class
of 2013.
He has elementary school GPA of 99.4, SRB Math Bee winner,
president of the student council, and 2008 Queens Borough First
Place Winner of the NYC DEP Poetry Contest. He was also the
representative of the school to the People-to-People World Leadership
Conference in Washington, D.C. Ferdinand, Jr. was also awarded scholarship at Xavier High School
in Manhattan and was accepted to Bronx High School for Science and
Townsend Harris High School of Queens College.
Ferdinand Jr. is the son of Carina C. Suba, RN MSN, CNA, CCS
a Clinical Documentation Specialist of North Shore-LIJ Healthcare
System and Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq. a practicing attorney in
Manhattan.
Virgin of the
Barangay
If you wish to sponsor a novena to
Our Lady in your home, please call:
Bayani Villaver (201) 451-1669
Aida Manlangit (973) 335-4435
Josette Camino (347) 879-3674
Cora Mendoza (973) 364-5241
Maria Sulat (201) 386-1132
Myrna Agustin (201) 222-6365
Fred Soliva (718) 365-9253
Norrie Cornelio (212) 777-2662
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 13
by Ate Norma
&
FACES
PLACES
Mr. & Mrs.
Dan Berroya
Above: Daniel Berroya
and Michaela Lynch were
married last May 24 at
the Church of St. Mary
in Manhasset, New York.
Reception was held at
the Milleridge Cottage in
Jericho.
Left: The groom’s parents
Zeny and Carlos Berroya.
NEW NURSE.
Kathleen Revilla, past Hermanita of the Infant Jesus Prayer
Group of Nassau, graduated cum laude at Molloy College.
Her parents, Rodel and Marites Revilla, and her grandmother
Lucina Peniera are active members of the Santo Niño Prayer
Group.
Ethan
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He
that hath clean hands; and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul into vanity, nor
sworn deceitfully. -- Ps. 24:3-4
Allison
Scarlett, Quinn & Caleb
Page 14 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
FACES & PLACES
Brenda’s
Big Birthday
Bash
Brenda Talisaysay celebrated her 66th
birthday among friends and relatives at
Leonard’s of Great Neck last May 22. It was
a fun-filled affair which coincided also with a
very important date. It was Brenda and Carlos
Talisaysay’s wedding anniversary, too.
Monetary gifts during the affair would be
given to various charitable services such
as the Philippine Gift of Life, Home-Reach
Foundation, Inc. and the Ilocano-American
Association Scholarship program.
Brenda is the current president of the IlocanoAmerican Association, Inc.
The bible study group of the Handmaids of the Lord (CFCFFL) under fr. Joe Cadusale, took time out for a souvenir
photo at a recent meeting. The coordinator of the group is
Sister Dolly Pawal.
Fr. Mike Semana, Director of World of Hope, stresses a point
during a recent healing mass at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal at
Point Look Out, Long Island. Fr. Semana also held a similar mass
for generational healing & family tree healing at St. Raymond’s
Cnhurch in East Rockaway. With him to provide the music was Al
Barbarino.
Left photo shows from left: Jun Novenario, Fr. Mike, Norma
Pascual, Ena Antonio, Armely Novenario and Al Barbarino.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 15
Santacruzan, Jersey City Style
by Erlinda A. Franco
The Resurrection Parish of Jersey City celebrated its 31
Santacruzan last May 24 under the auspices of the Catholic Action
of Mary (CAM) whose president is Ledy Almadin.
The celebration started with the Holy Mass in Tagalog. Rev.
Fr. Victor Kennedy, pastor of the Resurrection Parish was the main
celebrant, with 6 other priests concelebrating. Beautiful songs of
the choir were also in Tagalog led by music director Meynard
Espeleta. The petitions were recited in different dialects.
A procession after the mass took place with members of different
ethnic and religious groups participating. The Filipino men wore
their best barongs while most women wore their elegant ternos and
native blouses or shirts. The Filipino group had their images of the
Blessed Virgin Mary in different titles like the Birhen ng Manaoag,
Birhen ng Fatima, Birhen ng Lourdes, Birhen ng La Naval and
Mahal ng Birheng Ina ng Laging Saklolo. The Vietnamese group
members were also in their beautiful costumes with their gentlemen
carrying the image of their Virgin of Labamg. While in procession,
they solemnly prayed the Holy Rosary led by Vietnamese priest,
Fr. Minh. The Asociacion Nuestra Senora La Altagracia of the
Dominican Republic group was headed by Juana Sierra and other
religious leaders. Many other Hispanic organizations also joined
the procession. The Virgen of the Caacupe of the Paraguay group
was also in the procession. And so was the Puerto Rico’s Virgen
de la Providencia. Each of these groups carried their flags, their
blessed images and sang Marian songs or prayed the Rosary while
in the procession. Fr. Kennedy, Resurrection parish priest and Fr.
Joe Marie Parcon, were also present.
This year’s Reyna Elena I was Hannahcrista Diaz Elarmo, a
freshman and an honor student of Bloomfield High school. She
is a member of the Musician’s Club, the school’s choir and the
Treble and Adult choirs of St. Valentine’s Church and the Regional
Choir. She is currently taking up French, Japanese and German
languages. She is an only child of Abraham and Flor Elarmo from
San Pablo City, Laguna.
Leona Vidamaria Vivas Ramos was Reyna Elena II. She is a
junior student of St. Dominic Academy, where she is a scholar and
a consistent honor student. She is also a member of the National
Honor Society, a leader in the TORCH program, member of the
youth choir and a delegate to the World Youth Day in Australia.
She plays the piano and serves as the principal accompanist in her
school’s Glee Club. This 16-year-old plans to take up medicine her
parents, Drs. Rey and Leonor Ramos of Jersey City.
The Reyna Elena III was Amanda Nicole Gicaro Ocampo, a
freshman at the Northern Valley Regional High School in Old New
Jersey, where she is an honor student. She is an active member of
the Hand in Hand Club which helps the needy and the disabled,
and Peer Mediation Club which resolves conflicts among students.
She also takes part in track, band and choir. This multi talented lady
competes and won awards in dance such as ballet, jazz, lyrical,
hip-hop and ballroom. She was recently crowned, Miss NAFAUSA
2009. She is the daughter of Ferdinand Veluz Ocampo and Jocelyn
Gicaro Ocampo of North Bergen, New Jersey.
Another beauty and talent is Carolyn Nguyen Vu. This year’s
Reyna de las Flores is a high school sophomore at St. Dominic
Academy. She won first place in Hudson County Spelling Bee in
2005 and second in 2006 and 2007. A representative to the Spanish
Poetry contest, she speaks English and Vietnamese fluently. Her
parents Thien and Hoa are active members of the parish.
Feminina Garcia Bloomberg, is the Reyna Emperatriz. She
works with the Department of Homeland Security as Transportation
Security Manager. She is a dance choreographer and a singer. She
is also an active member of several civic and cultural organizations.
Feminina and Ulysses Bloomberg are blessed with an only daughter
Natasha, who was the Reyna Elena II in 2008.
This year’s Hermana Mayores are Jean Cabilso Daniel, Lydia
Isidro Dapito, Diwata Escalante Macuja, and Dolores Pineda
Pangilinan.
This Santacruzan 2009 Executive Committee includes:
Ledy Almadin, chairperson and members Misty Tolentino,Tony
Fernandez, Precious Paguiligan Baltazar, Lydia Aro, Armand M.
Porto, Eloisa Porto, Luz Burke, Deacon Cesar Sarmiento, Meynard
Espeleta, Tess Mendoza, Connie Kasilag and Ruby David, Chuchi
Calingasan, Carol Dorico, Joey Mayo and Maximilian Cristobal.
Resurrection Parish holds
multi-cultural Santacruzan
st
Above: Hermana Mayor Diwata
Macuja and Hermano Mayor
Rolly Macuja.
Above: Resurrection
parish pastor, Fr. Victor
Kennedy and Fr. Joe
Marie Parcon.
Above and
right photos:
Vietnamese and
Hispanic groups
were among
those who
took part in the
Santacruzan.
Page 16 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Flores de Mayo in Floral Park
Sixth annual floral celebration at Our Lady of the Snows
The procession
of Our Lady
of Antipolo
on the streets
surrounding
Our Lady of the
Snows Church.
Reina de las Flores,
Christie Rafol and
ecorts.
A young performer in Philippine
attire entertains at the reception
hall.
Photos by Albert Betito
by Lily R. Ulep
A light rain in the morning of Sunday, May 17 did not prevent Filipinos
(not only from Our Lady of the Snows parish but also from other parishes
in New York) from attending the sixth annual Flores de Mayo celebration,
sponsored by the Our Lady of the Snows (OLS) Fil-Am Community. It is a
Philippine tradition in May to honor Mary as Queen of Flowers. At Our Lady
of the Snows, she is invoked under her title of Nuestra Senora de la Paz y
Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) Birhen ng Antipolo.
This year’s celebration was significant for a number of reasons. It was the
first Flores de Mayo held in the beautiful new church inaugurated last August
2008. The main celebrant was Fr. Patrick Longalong, moderator of the FilAm community, whose first appointment after his ordination in June 2008
was parochial vicar of OLS. The mass was concelebrated by Fr. Peter Gillen
of Corpus Christi in Woodside, who also delivered the homily, and by OLS’s
Msgr. Raymond F. Chappetto; Also concelebrating were
Fr, Marc Caliwan, outgoing coordinator of the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate (FDA); and Fr. Godofredo Felicitas, incoming FDA coordinator.
The choir was under the direction of Msgr. Feliciano Palma and Phillip
Dancel. Guest Filipino-American violinist was Keryn Falco Kleiman.
The festivities started at 3:30 inside the church with the recitation of the
rosary followed by a street procession in the vicinity of the church. Men
alternated in carrying the image of Our Lady of Antipolo. Banner, cross and
candle bearers along with altar servers took part in the procession. There
were also the “Ave Maria girls” ages 6 to 12 who were all dressed in white,
the sagalas in their pastel colored gowns, and the lovely reina de las flores
and her escorts. Procession music was provided by guitarist Noel Maaba and
clarinet player Rudy Poblete.
Inside the church, Keryn Falco Kleinman played Schubert’s Ave Maria
while the congregation waited for the procession to come back. The choir
sang O Birhen ng Antipolo when Ave Maria Girls walked up the foot of the
altar with their placards that read Ave Maria Purissima. The sagalas, reina
de las flores and the honor guards came in afterwards.
The two and half foot image of Our Lady of Antipolo was then wheeled
down the middle aisle while the choir sang Hail Holy Queen. Escorting the
image was Mrs. Aurora Manigbas and her two grandchildren Mitchell Cruz
and Randall Cruz.
At the mass, Fr. Peter Gillen delivered a stirring homily about Mary. He
said, she is accompanies us in our life’s journey and she is always watching
over us.
After the communion, the usual flower offerings by the sagalas took
place after which Reina de las Flores Christie Rafol crowned the image of
our Lady. Fr. Patrick then performed the incensation of the image with the
choir singing Salve Regina.
Before the final blessings, Msgr. Ray Chappetto thanked everyone for
their support, participation and attendance.
At the fellowship that followed, there were native dishes and lots of wonderful entertainment by members of the community. Romy Andres sang “Ika
Na Nga,” Albert and Tess Betito’s son Marco performed an impressive yoyo
exhibition. The choir sang a Tagalog medley punctuated by the song “Bayan
Ko.” The Oy Team led by Windel Cadelina, Monique Ilagan and Yvette Villanueva did a number of modern and traditional dances.
Flores de Mayo 2009 at our Lady of the Snows was indeed an afternoon
of prayers, songs, fellowship …and flowers all for Mary.
Fr. Patrick Longalong and Msgr. Raymond Chappetto with members of the Filipino-American community
of Our Lady of the Snows in Floral Park.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 17
SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES PRAYER AND HEALING MINISTRY
Blessing of the Chapel of the Holy Child
by Sylvia David
“Lord, give success to the work of our hands.”
On May 3, Msgr. Thomas A. Modugno, Vicar of East Manhattan
parishes together with the pastor of Holy
Rosary Church Rev. Gilbert Luis Centina III officiated at the
blessing of the newly renovated Parish chapel. The chapel which
was christened Chapel of the Holy Child or Capilla del Sto. Nino
is located at 444 East 119th Street, New York, New York, 10035.
The modest renovation work was done by a group of parishioners
led by the members of St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry.
Sister Josephine Garcia Dichoso, founder of the St. Martin de
Porres Healing Ministry, devotees and parishioners gathered in
the chapel to witness the special event. Right after the ceremony,
Sister Josie was introduced to Msgr. Thomas A. Modugno by
Rev. Gilbert Centina. Upon learning about her gift of healing,
Msgr. Modugno told Sister Josie that he was also in need of
healing of his hands. Sister Josie then prayed over his hands and
Msgr. Modugno stated that he felt the warmth that came from
Sister Josie’s hands. The event was followed by a sumptuous
Psalm 90 : 17
lunch served at the lower church prepared by members of St.
Martin de Porres Ministry and several parishioners.
During the gathering, Rev. Gilbert Luis Centina III awarded
certificates of appreciation to those who helped in the renovation
of the chapel in recognition of their work. Among those awarded
were the following: Sister Josephine G. Dichoso; Vic and Sylvia
David; Benilda Gottfried; Celina Cruz; Marivic Santos; Maria
Luisa Cadiz; Anthony and Edna Lobacz; Rey Nuqui; Joaquin
and Miranda Ortiaga; Jovita Carolipio; Dr. Juanita G. Zagala;
Architect Anacleta G. Zagala; Virginia Socorro; Erlinda Carlos;
Former Gov. Raul and Gov. Sally Lee of Sorsogon, Phil.; Van
Gerard Anthony, Dr. Marilou and Vanessa Anne Dichoso;
Manny and Dr. Norma
Pascual; Dr. Prospero Lim, Fe Lim, Teresita Cadiz, Dr. Manolita
Cadiz-Algenio, Pilar del Fierro; Tessie del
Fierro Bacani; Erlinda Razo; and many more.
Above: Sister Josie prays over the hands of Msgr.
Thomas A Modugno, Vicar of East Manhattan,
New York City.
Above Left: Sister Josephine G. Dichoso receives the appreciation award from Rev. Gilbert Luis Centina III, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church. “For
her total dedication as founder and spiritual leader of St. Martin de Porres Healing Ministry in giving her time, personal labor and resources in
transforming the Chapel of the Holy Child into a holy house of prayer befitting a house of God, this certificate of appreciation is hereby awarded
to: Sister Josephine Garcia Dichoso
Page 18 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Asuncion - Palumbo Engagement
Allan Asuncion, youngest son of Vic and
Lita Asuncion and Jaime Palumbo daughter of Andrew and
Pat Palumbo got engaged on Saturday, April 4th in Battery
Park City, New York, a few blocks from Stuyvesant High
School where they first met. A reception for the surprise
engagement at a nearby restaurant with close friends
and family followed. It was also Jaime’s 30th birthday
anniversary. The couple plans a wedding in late spring next
year.
The prospective bridegroom graduated from Polytechnic
University in New York City with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Computer Engineering. At present he is an ITG
Associate at Macquarie Holdings USA, an Australian
investment bank. The future bride graduated Magna Cum
Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from
Georgetown University in Washington DC. At present
she is Senior Manager at Scholastic Inc., the children’s
book publisher, and has also launched her own business,
Knowing Nourishment as a Holistic Health Counselor in
2008 for nutrition coaching.
Congratulations ! --- Lily R. Ulep
Happenings
from page 8
Queen of Nations –Philippines - Ashley Laurencio; Escort: Jojo Sahni; USA -Kimberly
Gilmore, Escort : L. John, Morning Star - Allysa Lara Lugares, Escort: Carlo Basconcillo; Tower of Ivory - Christine Joy Barretto, 1st Marshals - Evelyn Gomez, Dayday
Unarosa; House of Gold- Angelica Calderon; Escort: Philson Caballes; Cause of our
Joy- Janelle Avelino, ,Escort : Reggie Avelino; Mirror of Justice - Genevive Amoncio;
Escort: Dimitri Gomez; Virtues FAITH- Cassandra Cloma, HOPE - Chiara Laurene
Perez, CHARITY- Shiean Mercado 2nd Marshals - Nelia Villanueva, Aida Valdeviezo;
Queen of Confessors - Jade Tapia; Queen of Mercy - Saira Escobar; Queen of Martyrs - Rochelle Amoncio; Escort :Joseph Dobouzet; Queen of Prophets - Jelene Dela
Cruz, Escort - Christopher Blanquera; Queen of Patriachs - Charlene Canales, Escor:
Michael Canales; Queen of Apostles - Angela Taldone, Escort: Anthony Taldone, Queen
of Peace -Kristianne Castill, Escort: Mark Castillo; 3rd Marshals - Marilyn Castillo,
Maxie Chavez.
ANGELS - Poebe Madrid, Bea Laforteza, Alexandra I. Dimagmaliw, Isabella Allegan,
Tiffany Adalen, Kathrianne Muchuelas, Lerie Anne Perez, Angeline Calle; 4th Marshals:
Josie Bueno, Nancy Hombrebueno; Queen of Angels - Kayzel Sangalang, Escort: J.L.
Sangalang; AVE MARIA -Sarah Mc Dermontt, Zoe Canlas, Jessenia Calle, Katherine
Laurencio, Melissa Karaer, Urania Someras, Abegail Laforteza, Jalyn Rivera; 5th Marshals:
Tess Salvador, Glenda Dizon
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary -Jessica Mae Infante, Escort:Mark Hilario, Rosary Bearer - Alexis J. Lujares,; Flores de Mayo Hermanita - Catherine Espina,
Hermanito - Andrew Calderon . Reyna de las Flores - Samantha Mercado, Escort: Paolo
Mercado;Flower Girl - Alyssa Valdez
FLOWER GIRLS and BOYS - KC Lorovico, Tiffany Gadais, Krisnina
Magpantay,Roniel Urmasa, Kenneth Lorovico, Andrea Chavez, Migue Laforteza,
Mikaela Marquez, Angelica Redzyniak, Rhiana Muchuelas, Bianca Guese, Chloe de
la Vega, Kyla Guese, Carlo Jay Yturralde, Miguel Yturralde, Christian Yturralde,
Catherine Espina, Andrew Calderon, Dylan Taganas, Poebe Marbid, Philip Marbid,
Pierre Marbid, Carmina Escobar, Tiffany J. Amoncio, Sharmin Sabado, Paula
Reyna Elena Samantha Velasquez with escort Dante Velasquez, Jr.,
Constantino Milo Erana-Dizon, Msgr. Romy Montero, family members and
friends.
Agustin, Dylan Taganas, Jason Caballes, Jasmine Salvador, Anna Wong, Lucas Sena,
Isabella Cuevas, Veronica Wong, Aaliyah Rivera, Jaylyn Rivera, Amy Garcia, Jeffrey
Garcia. 6th Marshals: Annie Swanson, Susan Gamallo, Nelia Cloma
Constantino - Milo Erana-Dizon; Reyna Elena - Samantha Velasquez, Escort
- Dante Velasquez, Jr.; 7th Marshals: Sally Alonso, Chit Laurencio, Mila Erana; The
Clergy – Msgr. Romy Montero, Fr. Lito Cabatuan; The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
– Bearers: Nanding Castillo, Ben Dizon, Freddie Salvador, Ed Pili; Rosary Leaders Helen Macatulad, Malu Bugarin.
Mother’s Day Celebration at Our Lady of Pompei Church at the Village in Manhattan.
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 19
Let’s study the
Come Holy
Spirit, Come.
CATECHISM
by Sonia S. Salerni
(Continued from last month)
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION TWO
Paragraph 3. Jesus Christ was Buried
624 “By the grace of God” Jesus tasted
death “for every one”. In His plan of
salvation, God ordained that His Son
should not only “die for our sins” but
should also “taste death”, experience the
condition of death, the separation of His
soul from His body, between the time
He expired on the cross and the time He
was raised from the dead. The state of the
dead Christ is the mystery of the tomb
and the descent into hell. It is the mystery of Holy Saturday, when Christ, lying in the
tomb, reveals God’s great sabbath rest after the fulfillment of man’s salvation, which
brings peace to the whole universe.
Christ in the tomb in His body
625 Christ’s stay in the tomb constitutes the real link between His passible state before
Easter and His glorious and risen state today. The same person of the “Living One”
can say, “I died, and behold I am alive for evermore”: God [the Son] did not impede
death from separating His soul from His body according to the necessary order of
nature, but has reunited them to one another in the Resurrection, so that He himself
might be, in His person, the meeting point for death and life, by arresting in himself the
decomposition of nature produced by death and so becoming the source of reunion for
the separated parts.
626 Since the “Author of life” who was killed is the same “living one [who has] risen”,
the divine person of the Son of God necessarily continued to possess His human soul
and body, separated from each other by death: By the fact that at Chnst’s death His soul
was separated from His flesh, His one person is not itself divided into two persons; for
the human body and soul of Christ have existed in the same way from the beginning of
His earthly existence, in the divine person of the Word; and in death, although separated
from each other, both remained with one and the same person of the Word.
“You will not let your Holy One see corruption”
627 Christ’s death was a real death in that it put an end to His earthly human existence.
But because of the union His body retained with the person of the Son, His was not a
mortal corpse like others, for “divine power preserved Christ’s body from corruption.”
Both of these statements can be said of Christ: “He was cut off out of the land of the
living”, and “My flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
nor let your Holy One see corruption.” Jesus’ Resurrection “on the third day” was the
proof of this, for bodily decay was held to begin on the fourth day after death.
“Buried with Christ. . .”
628 Baptism, the original and full sign of which is immersion, efficaciously signifies the
descent into the tomb by the Christian who dies to sin with Christ in order to live a new
life. “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
IN BRIEF
629 To the benefit of every man, Jesus Christ tasted death (cf. Heb 2:9). It is truly the
Son of God made man who died and was buried.
630 During Christ’s period in the tomb, His divine person continued to assume both
His soul and His body, although they were separated from each other by death. For this
reason the dead Christ’s body “saw no corruption” (Acts 13:37).
ARTICLE 5 - “HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE
AGAIN”
631 Jesus “descended into the lower parts of the earth. He who descended is He who
also ascended far above all the heavens.” The Apostles’ Creed confesses in the same
article Christ’s descent into hell and His Resurrection from the dead on the third day,
because in His Passover it was precisely out of the depths of death that He made life
spring forth: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed His
Page 20 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Paragraph I. Christ Descended into Hell
632 The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was “raised from the dead”
presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to His
resurrection. This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ’s
descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in His soul joined the
others in the realm of the dead. But He descended there as Saviour, proclaiming the
Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.
633 Scripture calls the abode of the dead, to which the dead Christ went down, “hell”
- Sheol in Hebrew or Hades in Greek - because those who are there are deprived of
the vision of God. Such is the case for all the dead, whether evil or righteous, while
they await the Redeemer: which does not mean that their lot is identical, as Jesus
shows through the parable of the poor man Lazarus who was received into “Abraham’s
bosom”: “It is precisely these holy souls, who awaited their Saviour in Abraham’s
bosom, whom Christ the Lord delivered when He descended into hell.” Jesus did not
descend into hell to deliver the damned, nor to destroy the hell of damnation, but to free
the just who had gone before Him.
634 “The gospel was preached even to the dead.” The descent into hell brings the
Gospel message of salvation to complete fulfilment. This is the last phase of Jesus’
messianic mission, a phase which is condensed in time but vast in its real significance:
the spread of Christ’s redemptive work to all men of all times and all places, for all who
are saved have been made sharers in the redemption.
635 Christ went down into the depths of death so that “the dead will hear the voice of
the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Jesus, “the Author of life”, by dying
destroyed “Him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and [delivered] all those
who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.” Henceforth the risen
Christ holds “the keys of Death and Hades”, so that “at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Today a great silence reigns
on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep.
The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has
raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for
Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in
darkness and in the shadow of death, He has gone to free from sorrow Adam in His
bonds and Eve, captive with Him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . “I
am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to
awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life
of the dead.”
IN BRIEF
636 By the expression “He descended into hell”, the Apostles’ Creed confesses that
Jesus did really die and through His death for us conquered death and the devil “who
has the power of death” (Heb 2:14).
637 In His human soul united to His divine person, the dead Christ went down to the
realm of the dead. He opened heaven’s gates for the just who had gone before Him.
Source: The Catechism of the Catholic Church Book
to be continued …
Would you like
to sponsor
a Santo Niño
Novena?
For information, call...
Nita Vasquez............ (516) 931-5229
Zeny Berroya ........... (516) 869-8202
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Norma Pascual......... (516) 292-1445
The
Gospel
Truth
by Rev. Joe Cadusale
To understand Pentecost there is a need to know its historical
background. In the third month after the Jews left Egypt, they arrived
in the Sinai desert and camped opposite Mount Sinai. Moses was then
told by God to gather the Israelites together to receive the Torah (Exodus 19:1-8). Moses went up alone
on the mountain, and as he neared the top, a mighty voice announced the Ten Commandments. Pentecost
is seen as conclusion to the Passover season. This same experience we just discussed that happened at the
Mount Sinai also occurred 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus on the day of Pentecost. This experience
is described in Acts 2:1-11. At this Pentecost, the people also were as one (Exodus 19:2). Therefore, we
can see that the Pentecost at Mount Sinai was a rehearsal of the Pentecost that would occur immediately
after the Resurrection of Jesus.
The origins of the Charismatic renewal first came into being in the Catholic Church among students in Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during that weekend in February 1967, when
these young people went on retreat together, to ask the Holy Spirit to come and renew the face of the
Church and of the whole world. The Spirit’s response to them was an experience of what happened
when the first Apostles of the Lord were together in the upper-room in Jerusalem. An amazing spiritual
transformation took place in them. They talked of a “baptism in the Holy Spirit” and charisms given
to them. Soon, “prayer groups” began to spring up not only on university campuses but also in parishes, monasteries and convents, first in the United States, in the Philippines and in the five continents.
What are the effects of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? They are manifold: A deepening of the presence
and love of God and Lordship of Jesus Christ. A growth of intimacy with God in prayer. A hunger for
God’s word and the sacraments. A love for the church. A new power and desire to witness. A growth in
the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. An experience of the promptings and guidance of the Spirit. And a call to
serve the needs of others.
Come Holy Spirit! Fill me with your Spirit. Jesus, baptize me with the fullness of your Spirit that I may
experience your power and presence in my life.
Join Fr. Joe’s Bible Study Class
For more information, please call: (718) 275-3936
Most Precious Blood Charismatic
Prayer Community
Most Precious Blood Church
32-23 36th Street
Long Island City, NY 11106
Head Servant: Nenett Barbilla
718 937 5242
2nd Tuesday 7:30 PM
El Shaddai Prayer Community
Most Precious Blood Church
32-23 36th Street
Long Island Ciyt, NY 11106
Head Servant: Amerito Gerodias
718 458 8214
4th Sunday 3:00 PM
Light Of Christ Prayer Group
St. Nicholas of Tolentine
150-75 Goethals Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432
Head Servant: Cookie Fernandez
718 380 1712
Last Thursday 7:30 PM
Family of Christ Prayer Community
Presentation Church
8819 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432
Head Servant: Patrick de la Paz
718 658 2078
1st Tuesday 7:30 PM
Mary Mother of Divine Healer
St. Gerard Majella Church
188-16 91st Ave., Hollis, NY 11423
Head Servant: Raymonde Cesaire
718 445 4423
1st Friday 7:30 PM
Haitian Community
90-33 184th Place
Hollis, NY 11423
Head Servant: Alberte Madame Delatur
718 454 8572
3rd Tuesday 7:30 PM
Sacred Heart Family Apostolate
37-74 6th St.
Woodside, NY 11377
Head Servant: Remy Consoli
718 424 7984
2nd Sunday 6:30 PM
English Community
161 Le Grand St.
Brentwood, NY 11717
Coordinator: Rose Nallie Germain
631 231 8758
1st Thursday 7:30 PM
Filipino Catholic
453 Hawthorne Avenue
Uniondale, NY 11553
Coordinator: Dr. Norma Pascual
516 2921445
Last Monday 8:00 PM
Handmaid of the Lord/Couples for Christ
202-35 Foothill Ave., A-38
Hollis, NY 11423
Head Servant: Dolly Pawal
718 468-8463
Last Sunday 6:30 PM
Militia Immaculatae Marian Kolbe Movement
St. Stanislaus B&M
101 East 7th Street
New York, NY 10009
(917) 753-7233
1st Saturday 5:00 P.M.
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
110-06 Queens Blvd.
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Head Servant: Nellie Milite
718 544 5141
2nd Friday 7:30 PM
Haitian Community
16339 130th Ave., Apt 5C
Jamaica, NY 11434-3014
Head Servant: Raymonde Cesaire
718 481 9683
4th Saturday 7:00 PM
Filipino Community Our Lady of Angels
2860 Webb Ave., Bronx, NY 10468
Head Servant: Josette Camino
718 543 0884
2nd Saturday 7:30 PM
Flushing, NY 11366
Coordinator: Perla Leonardo
(718) 591-4579
2nd Friday, 9:00 PM
Divine Mercy Devotion Our Lady of Victories
2217 Kennedy Blvd.,
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Head Servant: Tess Alvarez
4th Friday 7:00 PM
The Lord’s Flock Prayer Group
Sta. Rita
281 Bradley Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Coordinator: Myrna Leyson
718 983 1410
3rd Saturday 8:00 PM
St. John Prayer Community
272 Boyd Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Head Servant: Purita Vasquez
201 333 3136
3rd Monday 7:00 PM
Filipino Community
Our Lady of the Angelus
63-63 98th St., Rego Park, NY 11374
Coordinator: Ofelia Concepcion
(718) 897-4444
2nd Monday 7:30 PM
St. Nicholas Prayer Group
122 Ferry St.
Jersey City, NJ 07307
Head Servant: Elsa Leonida
210 656 2010
1st Sunday 6:30 PM
Saint Martin de Porres Healing Ministry
Flushing Chapter
86-60 Range St., Bellrose, NY 11427
Coordinator: Sylvia David
(718) 913-6922
3rd Thursday 8:00 PM
Puissance Divine D’Amore
820 Wallace Ave
Baldwin, NY 11510
Head Servant: Yvrose Saint-Urban
516 378 8173
2nd Thursday 7:30 PM
Friday Night Devotion
40-14 62nd St., Apt. 4F
Woodside, NY 11377
Coordinator: Rosemary Khan
718 457 5877
5th Friday 8:30 PM
Home Bound Bible Study
St. Rose of Lima
269 Parkville Ave
Coordinator: Violeta Robbins
718 677 8131
1st Saturday 2:00 PM
The Vine & the Branches IncarnationPrayer Group
92-19 212th St., Queens Village, NY 11428
Head Servant: Ofelia Villar
718 465 0087
3rd Friday 7:00 PM
Family of God
160-31 78th Rd
Dominican Nuns
Corpus Christi Monastery
1230 Lafayette Ave., Bronx, NY 10474
Coordinator: Sr. Maria Pia
718 328 6996
Last Saturday, 9 AM
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 21
Page 22 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Filipino Clergy in New York “FCNY”
by
Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Marabe, JCD
Coordinator, Filipino Clergy in New York
The general meeting to approve the constitution and by-laws of the Filipino Clergy in New York, originally
called “Paring Pinoy in New York” was held at the Philippine Consulate hosted by Consul General Cecile
Rebong on April 28, 2009.
During the Spanish regime in the Philippines, whenever native clergy attempted to
band themselves, they were immediately
branded as ‘insurrectos.’ That’s what happened to GomBurZa, the three priests who
were executed by ‘garrote’, only for having
been overheard they were to come together to
bring ‘amuniciones’, when actually they were
only organizing a poker game in a town fiesta,
to which they should bring ‘ammo’, that is pot
money.
In this time, clericophobia has been apparently
overcome. Last April 28, the Philippine Consulate General sponsored a dinner in order that
the Filipino priests and deacons in greater New
York might be able to ratify their Constitution
and elect their officers.
The hold-over coordinator noted in thanking
Consul Genenerl Cecile Rebong that the socalled ‘separation-of-church-and-state’ of Thomas
Jefferson would only mean separation in funds
and power. The rest is cooperation.
FCNY has turned the corner. Not dramatically, but enough to notice that prospects for
unity and collaboration are better now for
themselves and for the Filipino communities.
For the clerics, in mutual affirmation, pastoral
consultation, friendship; for the communities,
disappearance of competition, suspicion, monopoly of charisms.
The yield curve predicts growth. Only if
the clergy could improve the balance sheet of
personalities.
As Reinhold Neibuhr opines – “There ought
to be a club in which preachers and journalists could
come together and have the sentimentalism of one
matched with the cynicism of the other. That ought
to bring them pretty close to the truth.”
Guiradelco
Philippine-Oriental
Restaurant & Grocery
324 Post Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
(516) 333-9898
Authentic Philippine
Cuisine • Home style
Cooking • Philippine
and Oriental Food
Emma Yuson
Proprietor
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 23
Save The Date !
AUGUST 2, 2009 - ANNUAL FEASTDAY
Featuring the ENSHRINEMENT
of The ICON of
GOD THE FATHER
Gift from Anzio, Rome Italy
By
Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Hardiman
Pastor, St. Sebastian Parish
Sunday
2:30 pm
Aug 2, 2009
Prayer to
Saint Martin De Porres
Most glorious Martin de Porres whose
burning charity embraced not only thy
needy brethren, but also the very animals
of the field, splendid example of charity,
we hail thee and invoke thee! From that
high throne which thou dost occupy,
deign to listen to the supplications of
thy needy brethren that, by imitating
thy virtues, we may live contented in
that state in which God has placed us
and carrying with strength and courage
our cross, we may follow in the footsteps
of Our Blessed Redeemer and His most
afflicted Mother, that at last we may
reach the Kingdom of Heaven through
the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen. JCC
Seventh Month
Roman Catholic
Church of
St. Sebastian
58th Street &
Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
Sponsored by
GOD THE FATHER OF ALL MANKIND Prayer Group
646-508-487 • 718-424-3373
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by the Shrine of the
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email: info@
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website:
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“Keep Jesus in the center of our lives. Keep the
Tabernacle in the center of the Altar.”
Page 24 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Virgin Mary, you know the misery and wickedness
of our world, its violence, its injustice, its lies . . .
We implore you, Mother of all, defend the
defenseless who tremble and are afraid. Be the
refuge and strength of victims of hatred and violence.
Obtain from the Holy Spirit that those who
humiliate others, who burden and exploit them, may
experience a radical conversion and change of heart.
Have compassion on those who are dying of
hunger. Intercede for all those who cannot find work
and must continue to live with inadequate food and
shelter.
Enlighten governments and leaders who have
the responsibility to care for the weakest and most
vulnerable in our society.
Where accidents and disasters strike relieve the
sufferings of families overwhelmed with loss and
grief.
Our Lady of the Cape, with your assistance, may
our children grow and live in a world of peace, justice
and love. JCC
“Set your hearts on
heavenly things.”
Part I
It is mind boggling how many are duped to
believe self proclaimed teachers of faith without
realizing that many of what they preach run contrary to what the Scriptures really want to impart
by Deacon Rolando V. Nolasco to us. One does not have to be a biblical scholar
to understand that their motives are not to impart
the truth but to hold everybody captive to their so
called “ministry”. As a matter of fact there are many of these groups that have grown so
large that they become an object of interest to many big time politicians. Every campaign
time, candidates would seek the blessing of these leaders hoping to ensure their victory.
If these leaders preach material reward for those who faithfully and actively participate in
their ministry, then we can always conclude that there would always be favors that need to
be repaid when those candidates supported by the group are in power. The proof is that a
famous leader in our country is now reaping the benefits of such unholy alliance with the
top government officials - his family members are well-placed in most sought after jobs
and landing contracts with special privileges. Another famous leader was not content with
government concessions, so he ventured to run the highest office of the land declaring that
“God called him to seek that post.” It is obvious that such venture is very profitable allowing him to run for the office of the presidency. I was just thinking that when my younger
brother ran as Municipal Councilor in our small town, I was shocked to learn how much
was spent. Anyway, since this evangelist lost so poorly in the election, it would be safe
to assume that God had nothing to do with his political ambition and that there are still a
good number who did not buy his antics.
Before I came to New York, I worked with the Department of Agriculture for over two
decades and had extensive contacts with top elected officials relating to programs designed
to improve the farming sector. It was a frustrating experience for me since every time I
consulted with them, their first question was: “What’s in it for me?” My quick response
as usual was that we’re here to serve those who have less in life whom they promised
publicly during the campaign season to help. I brought this up because seemingly everyone
seems to be hooked on instant material gratification, a very good return of investment, in
financial language; a “quid pro quo” arrangement obviously works even in our spiritual
endeavors since we as people “are a storehouse of wants”. So many people who come to
worship seeking material favors become the easy target for these false teachers because
they seem to equate coming to God with the material blessing in return. Apparently, they
have altered the meaning of worship into shopping favors with God. I do not insinuate
that seeking favor with God is bad but it should not be the prime motive of our worship;
after all God takes care of our needs always. Perhaps we tend to overlook the gospel
warning that we should not amass earthly treasure that can rust and be stolen by robbers.
It is rational since all the material possession that we value on earth cannot be taken to
the next life. Secondly, we seem to ignore that at Last Judgment time, it is not about how
much earthly treasure we have amassed or how successful our life was but rather on the
good deeds we performed. The disciple clearly wrote: “So we look forward to possessing
the rich blessings that God keeps for His people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where
they cannot decay, spoil or fade away.”(1 Peter 1:4)
It is evident that such greed for worldly and material wealth is masked by spiritual
exercises and practices; such hypocrisy is even encouraged by false teachers of faith. The
beloved apostle reminds us: “False prophets speak about matters of the world.” (1John
4:5) and the same is true with people who are drawn to such allurements. I could not forget
the day I opened my television set and there the televangelist talked only about material
blessings - people giving him money and offering him to buy everything with the same
reason: “God told them so.” The explanation to all of these is that he had greatly increased
his donation to the “ministry” to a thousand dollars level weekly. I never knew that there
is a level to what one gives to the church. Does it not remind us of that gospel narrative
where an elderly woman dropped her last coin in the collection box being compared to
the rich man who proudly gave his donation at the same time? The question was who was
greater in heaven and the answer is the old woman because she gave her last money while
the rich man gave what was from his excess. There is no wonder why he can afford to buy
expensive suits every week and live lavish life at the expense of his congregation. I just
do not know if you remember the recent scandal of a pastor of a Christian denomination
(not Catholic) receiving a heaping sum of money like a CEO for his salary. One of the
funniest talks I was told of another false teacher instructing his followers every time it rains
that they must use the umbrella upside down so as to receive bountiful blessings from the
Lord. This guy has also a radio program and someone called to clarify what he must do
since the money he had was just enough to buy medicine for a gravely ill son. This false
teacher told him that he should put the money for his love offering first rather than buy
the needed life-saving medicine. The gospel message warns us “to watch out and guard
ourselves from every kind of greed because our true life is not made of things we own, no
matter how rich you may be.” (Luke 12:15) In the latter part of the same gospel, we find
a rich man asking the Lord what he must do to have eternal life. He was instructed by the
Lord a painful and arduous task “to sell all he had and give the money to the poor so as to
attain riches in heaven.” (Luke 18:22) It is for this reason that we are encouraged to mortify
our earthly desires before we can embrace a true and committed spiritual life.
The Father She Hardly Knew
by Dr. Carmencita “Menchee” Quesada-Fulgado
Eliseo was his name. But when he went to the University of the Philippines
(UP), he became known as Alex. Nonetheless, in his hometown of Paete, Laguna
he was Kang Seong. the second of seven children, five daughters and two sons,
but one son died as an infant.
Alex was tall for the average Filipino, slender and handsome, always with an
easy smile. He had black wavy hair, round eyes with long curly lashes. Rather
dark in complexion, he had, however, the sharp features of his Andalusia ancestry.
Others would describe it as Cainta.
Alex graduated from UP and became a History teacher at Araullo High School.
Here, he was smitten by the biology teacher from the province of Rizal known
for her “peaches and cream complexion and almond eyes”. Together they created
a symphony of whispers, rumors, and gossips despite the fact that they went out
with a chaperone.
Alex was musically gifted. He composed music although he did not take any
formal music training but was the school’s bandleader. He organized the first awardwinning banduria (guitar band) ensemble of the school. He was the toastmaster
in band competitions, did the radio announcements of music he composed, and
dedicated them to the Biology teacher.
A beautiful courtship ensued for a few years, culminating into a Cinderella-like
wedding at the elegant and historical San Marcelino Church in Manila on April 22,
1939. In September of the following year a child was born, a daughter and they
named her Carmencita, after their chaperone.
“Walang pakunwari, palabati, laging tumutulong sa kapwa (unpretentious,
friendly and always helpful) was how Alex was known. He also made possible the
pioneering success of Matang Lawawin, a fraternity of Paetenians and contributed
to its newsletter. He was a researcher, a journalist-historian whose article on the
outstanding Filipino carver named by the King of Spain, Mariano Madrinan, his
grandfather, remains in Philippine history books.
Alex left teaching and was a Civil Service examiner while he attended Law
school when World War II broke out and there was the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines. A plan to become a lawyer was put on hold, schools and businesses
were closed, and they were expecting another baby. Alex, however, found a lucrative business, the bakya (wooden shoes) business.
Though not a carver, he capitalize on his “roots”, and opened a bakya business.
In no time his authentic Paete product with embroidered elegant straps executed by
his wife became the style of Manila society and talk of the town. Business brought
“sacks and sacks “ of Japanese money literally, as they said!
The family of three, plus one on the way, was living in comfort when personal
family duty called. He, as an only son, felt he needed to return to his hometown
and be with his mother and sisters during those days of terror and uncertainty. His
father attended a “meeting” and disappeared, and he must find him! Furthermore,
his wife was near delivery date of their second child. He was convinced that it
would be safer to deliver in the province “where food and care would be better
than staying in Manila”. They left their business in Manila to return to his hometown of Paete.
A second daughter was born with the help of a komadrona (midwife). Nonetheless, Alex continued his mission to look for his father. He went several times and
searched the Sierra Madre Mountains, and finally he himself disappeared along
with 13 others. He was the youngest, he was just 32, I hardly knew him. I am his
daughter.
As a child I would imagine seeing my father, whose body was never recovered,
as one of fellow jitney riders or walking on the street not recognizing me due to
amnesia he probably developed after being brutally beaten in the mountains of
Sierra Madre. I discovered a box containing some pictures, personal items, a wedding album, and a War journal, which he kept in his own handwriting. I read his
plan to introduce me to stamp collection as a hobby after the war.
Well, Daddy I have gone beyond stamp collecting. As a counselor educator, I
have been helping, teaching people,
nine to ninety years old to “collect
their thoughts” plan and establish
goals, guide them in their lives. Mommy said I inherited your natural gift
of tongue and pen, which I continue
to polish with use. In 2003, on the
land sister and I inherited from you
was built the first Paete public high
school and its Foundation Day was
established in 2008 to be celebrated
yearly on your birthday, June 14th. I
did not forget your grandfather either,
the National Carver of the Philippines, Mariano K. Madrinan whose
birthday is now an official celebration
in Paete, September 25. Upon tomb
research and use of church records, a
strange coincidence was discovered
Dada Mariano and I have the same
birthday!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY…
The author with her father and
G R A N D FAT H E R … G R E ATmother in 1943.
GRANDFATHER
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 25
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The only Filipino Catholic newspaper in the Tri-State area is available in churches,
prayer groups and most places where Filipinos congregate. Spiritual and
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faith in and love of God. Every issue is packed with articles that educate, inform
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For information, call...
Nita Vasquez............................................................... (516) 931-5229
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Page 26 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic
Virgin of the
Barangay
If you wish to sponsor a novena to
Our Lady in your home, please call:
Bayani Villaver (201) 451-1669
Aida Manlangit (973) 335-4435
Josette Camino (347) 879-3674
Cora Mendoza (973) 364-5241
Maria Sulat (201) 386-1132
Myrna Agustin (201) 222-6365
Fred Soliva (718) 365-9253
Norrie Cornelio (212) 777-2662
Sacred Heart Family Apostolate
37-74 64th Street Woodside, NY 11377 • (718) 424-7984 / 478-4413
BPI - 64th Street & Roosevelt • (718) 606-1873
Divine Mercy Images in poster, vinyl or canvas print
in three designs, Vilnius (original image), Hyla or
Skemp (with a door). Available in all sizes.
Call 718 424 7984
or Cell 917 607 6137
Church Display, framed or unframed.
Get special discount.
Also available, affordable pilgrimages in August
and September at Krakow, Poland, or/and Papal
Audience in Rome, and/or Medjugorge, Fatima,
Lourdes accompanied by a priest.
Please call same numbers.
By The Sacred Heart Family Apostolate
Bilingual Library and Gift Shop.
37-74 64th Street, Woodside, NY 11377
Office: 718-424-7984, 718-606-1873, 718-606-2670
Cell 917-607-6137
Prayer to St. Claire
Say 9 Hail Marys for 9 days in front of a lighted candle and publish when you can.
This is a powerful novena.
God of Mercy, you inspired St. Claire with the love of poverty. By the help of her
prayers may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit and come to the joyful vision of your
Glory in the Kingdom of Heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
Son, who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Sponsors of this ad and services:
1.Sacred Heart Family Apostolate (64th St.)
• Family Library, Club -- assist in starting religious libraries
• 2nd Sunday Bible Study, Family Monthly Support Group Meetings
• Assist in Home Enthronement of the Two Hearts
2.Quallity Hands Placement Co. - Employment Services (64th St.)
3.NY Construction - Licensed and Bonded (64th St.)
4.Taxes - Authorized IRS E-File Provider (64th St.)
5.Money RemittanceE. BPI
64 St. & Roosevelt
6.East Coast Llifesavers, Inc. - ACLS and BCLS, and NCLEX review (64th St.)
7. Pasalubong at Iba Pa - located 3 doors near Jollibee, 64 St. & Roosevelt,
Woodside. Sells Filipino food, pastries, native craft including barong tagalog,
etc.
8.FedEx Authorized Dealer - 64 St. and Roosevelt
9.Pinoy Etc - Computer / Cell Phones repair / Lessons (64 St. Corner Roosevelt)
10. Star Express Padala - Special Promo pick up $49 Manila, $59 outside
Manila, less 5 if more than 8 boxes. 718-424-7984 or 917-607-6137
11. Bamboo Garden Grill and Juice Bar - Opening late May
64 St between Jollibee and Red Ribbon, 65th St.
Divine Mercy
On Canvas
Church Display Sizes Available
Call for Prices
Our Lord to Saint Faustina
This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world.... In this hour, I will refuse
nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.
My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour,
provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations
of the Cross, then at least step into the Chapel for a moment and adore in the
Blessed Sacrament.
The Three O’Clock Prayer
Thou died Jesus, but the source of life flowed out for souls and the ocean of
mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fountain of Life, immeasurable Divine Mercy, cover the wholeworld and
empty Thyself out upon us.
O Blood and Water which flowed out from the Heart of Jesus as a Fountain of
Mercy for us, I trust in Thee.
Holy God, Holy Omnipotent, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us and on the
whole world. (3 times) Amen.
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (Divine Mercy Feast Day, April 19)
(To be recited on ordinary Rosary beads) Begin with: Our Father…Hail Mary...
The Apostles’ Creed
On the Our Father Beads
V. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of
Thy most beloved Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;
R. In atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
On the Hail Mary Beads
V.
Through the most Sorrowful Passion of Jesus,
R. Have mercy on us and on the whole world.
In conclusion
Holy God, Holy Omnipotent, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us and on the
whole world.(3x) Amen.Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in Thee.
IRS TAX PROBLEMS ...
we can help.
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Call 646-209-4971 accountant.
Affordable Religious Articles
Philippine Library Crusade - tax
deductible $500 donation for a religious
library at their designated parish
church in the Philippines consisting of
religious DVDs, books, TV and VCR.
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Woodside, NY 11377
Water Alkaline and
anti-oxidant. Kangen or
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Call (718) 424-7984
OFFICES FOR RENT
Affordable offices 8x8 ft includes
utilities and desk at a traffic area. 64
St and Roosevelt. Available for rent.
(718) 424-7984
Woodside Mail Box
Rentals
for those who do not have
a permanent address
64 St corner Roosevelt
Tel. 718-424-7984
NYC Tel. 212 731 9662
Mobile 917 607 6137
Sacred Heart Family Apostolate
www.sacredheartfamilyapostolate.net
Library and Religious Book Store is open to public at 64th Street Location
The Filipino Catholic • June 10 - July 8 • Page 27
FOR LEGAL HELP IN
ANY STATE OF THE
U.S.A. ON
Working Visas
Labor Certification
Immigrant Petitions
Citizenship
COME, JOIN OUR
FILIPINO MASS
Every First Sunday of the month
at The Shrine of
Our Lady of the Island
CALL:
Atty. Wilfrido E.
Panotes, Jr., Ph.D.
Eastport, Long Island, New York
Mass in Tagalog at 1:30 p.m.
preceded by Rosary in Tagalog
(Practicing Immigration & Naturalization Law since 1973)
• LL. B. (Ateneo de Manila); A.B., Ph. B., Ph. L. (UST); M.A.
(Fordham Univ.); Ph.D. (Graduate Theological
Foundation - Indiana/Oxford/Rome)
• Admitted: New Jersey, New York and Philippine Bars
• Member: Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers; National Lawyers Association
3000 Kennedy Blvd., Suite 303
Jersey City, N.J. 07306
Tel. (201) 963-5565
Tel. (212) 244-0581
Fax (201) 798-0636
MAILING ADDRESS
72 Van Reipen Avenue
PMB #405
Jersey City, NJ 07306
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
Primo & Tessie Carlos (631) 325-1177
• Manny & Norma Pascual (516) 292-1445 • Helen & Peter Buni (631) 543-8775
• Ben & Lou Ileto (516) 433-2338
• Nita Vasquez (516) 931-5229 • Gilda Abejar (516) 476-7274
• Zeny Berroya (516) 869-8202 • Eden Gaceta (516) 942-0203
• Elsa Vergara (516) 640-5580
Directions: Head east on LIE, then take exit 70 South on Port
Jefferson-Westhampton (Capt. Daniel Roe Hwy - Route 111).
Drive for a couple of miles, then turn right to Eastport Manor
Rd. and follow the signs to the Shrine.
Visit the Shrine’s website at:
www.OurLadyoftheIsland.org
Page 28 • June 10 - July 8, 2009 • The Filipino Catholic