The Filipino Catholic - Filipino Pastoral Ministry

Transcription

The Filipino
CATHOLIC
September 11 - October 9, 2013
VOL. 18, NO. 2
St. Michael the Archangel
... defend us in battle.
Be our protection against
the wickedness and snares
of the devil ...
Feast Day - September 29
Spreading the
Good News
San Lorenzo Ruiz
• News &
Commentaries
• Devotions and Novenas
• Reflections and Opinions
• Sacramentals
• Scripture
• Pictorials
• Stories of faith
... and more
2013 TFFC AWARDEES NAMED
The Board of Judges of the Friends of the Filipino Catholic (TFFC) released the names of this
year’s recipients of the Filipino Catholic Awards. The board met and deliberated on the nominees last
September 8.
Outstanding
Filipino
Catholic
Awardees
Included in year’s awardees are: Deacon E. Gary Villanueva, MD; Grace Bernardo; Ramil & Jane
Marie Buenaventura; Antonio & Ida Cristina Uri; and Dave Fortes.
The awards ceremony will be held at Our Lady of the Snows Church in Floral Park, New York.
Special guests include Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn & Queens Raymond Chappetto, Vicar for
Migrant and Ethnic Apostolates Msgr. Ronald Marino and Consul General Mario de Leon. The event
will be on October 12 starting at 6:30 in the afternoon.
The Filipino Catholic Award, a brainchild of Atty. Ferdinand G. Suba, is the only one of
its kind in the New York Metropolitan area.
A group of supporters, formed TFFC a year ago to support The Filipino Catholic, a
not-for-profit publication, a portal for Catholic news, analysis, and religious affairs in the
Filipino communities of the Metropolitan New York area.
Fr. Patrick Longalong, Coordinator of the Filipino Diocesan Apostolate of the Diocese
of Brooklyn, joined the group as co-chair with Atty. Suba. The officers and members of
TFFC are the following: Dr. Pearl Antonio, Atty. Eddie Antonio, Lydia Bautista, Bert Cruz
(vice chairman), Dinah Cruz (asst. treasurer), Lett Dayao, Blanche Lawas (secretary), Cezar
Lawas, Manny Pascual, Dr. Norma Pascual, Lina
Posecion (treasurer), Luz Rebong, Gene Salle, Pilar
San Juan, Jorge San Juan, Ronnie Santos, Rocky
Singson, Carina Suba, Edwin Wang, and Gigi Wang.
&AWARDS NIGHT
Dinner Dance
J
oin us once again for an evening of nonstop
fellowship and sharing, interspersed with dancing,
music, delightful dishes and prizes. Event’s highlight:
The awarding of trophies to five Outstanding Catholics.
The award ceremony and dinner dance will be
held on October 12, 2013, Sunday at 6:30 PM at Our
Lady of the Snows Parish Hall located at 258-15 80th
Avenue, Floral Park, New York 11004.
Last year’s recipients were: Fr. Erno Diaz, Andrea
Florendo, Butch Nunez, Nida Cortez, Ricky Matela,
Toty and Belinda Sebastian.
Be there. And be part of this celebration.
When: Saturday, October 12, 2013.
Time:
6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Where: Our Lady of the Snows
258-15 80th Ave., Floral Park, NY 11004
Donation: $35 per person
Attire: Filipiniana / Formal
DJ Music by: Ernie Bugarin
FOR TICKETS fill out form below and send with your
contributions/checks to LINA POSECION at 85-59 257th
Street, Floral Park, New York 11001. Make checks payable
to “Compostela Fund, R.C. Diocese of Brooklyn”, noting
that your contribution is for the TFFC Dinner Dance. (If
you are unable to attend, a small donation will be greatly
appreciated.)
For more on this event, please call:
• LINA POSECION (718) 347-9074
• BLANCHE LAWAS (718) 224-0956
• PILAR SAN JUAN (718) 760-2834
• PEARL ANTONIO (516) 632-5553
• HAIDE SANTOS (516) 837-9683
Please send _______ tickets to:
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________Email: ____________________________________
I enclose $_________________
T
FFC
The Friends of
The Filipino Catholic
Page 2 • September 11 - October 9, 2013 • The Filipino Catholic
Andea Florendo, at last year’s Awards
Ceremony with Consul General Mario de Leon
and Rev. Msgr. Ronald Marino.
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.
LETTERS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions from our
readers are welcome but
subject to approval, editing
and condensation. Please
include names, addresses
and phone numbers on all
correspondence. However,
unpublished materials cannot
all be acknowledged or
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AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
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funded by the support of
advertisers and subscribers.
Advertisements do not infer
implicit endorsement by the
Filipino Catholic. Advertising
rates are available upon
request. One year subscription
is available for a donation of
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Contributing Writers
& Columnists:
Jessica Abejar
Rev. Peter James R. Alindogan
Mayven Cajucom
Fr. Ruben Cammayo
Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan
Erlinda Franco
Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Fr. Joseph Marabe
Araceli Medrano
Mario Nieves
Maria Pascual
Norma Pascual
John Primi
Fr. Ronald Quijano
Sonia S. Salerni
Generoso Salle
Dean Suba
Rene Tubilleja
Laura Vogel
Photography
Henry Medrano
Rick Santisteban
Circulation & Distribution
Wendel Javier
Jun Makinano
Spiritual Director
Fr. Joe Cadusale
Editor & Publisher
Manny Pascual
Write us at:
P.O. Box 3067
Garden City, NY 11531
(516) 292-1445 phone/fax
Email: [email protected]
There was a small news item once about a priest who was arrested in China for printing bibles.
The Catholic priest was found guilty of producing and distributing bibles and other religious
materials and was sentenced to prison for six years. He was arrested together with six other
priests in a region in China where there was a Catholic community that had been persecuted
for years. Many Catholics there were subjected to violence. The police there destroyed seven
underground churches and arrested several priests and faithful in order to impede the
celebration of masses and the recitation of rosaries.
From the Editor
This is not an uncommon occurrence in the world. To many, Christianity has always been a life
of persecution and suffering. From its early beginnings, Christians were thrown to jail, tortured
and even put to death. History is full of stories of how people were subjected to all sorts of
abuse and executed for proclaiming their Christian faith.
This brings to mind a question posed by a young priest in a small church in Long Island. In
his homily he asked, “If it is a crime to be a Christian and we are put on trial, will there be enough
evidence to convict us? Will there be enough evidence to show that Jesus Christ truly lives in our life?”
Can we all face our accusers and plead guilty as charged? Maybe not. For it is one thing to say
you’re a Christian . . . and quite another to be truly one.
Manny Pascual
When Jesus left His disciples He wanted them to preach and teach and not fall into fear. He wanted them to be messengers of
His truth. Like the first disciples, we can all, in fact, be missionaries of His message, and confirm our Christianity by living the
gospel.
The challenge that has been put forward to us is: Do we live our Christian life to the best of our ability? Do we bring it out
of our homes and into our workplaces and our schools? Or Christianity locked up within the walls of our churches and the
confines of our abode? The best gospel is the one that is preached and lived. And the best Christian isn’t the one who just says
“I believe,” or the one who just goes to church and pilgrimages. The best Christian is the one who lives his life in the footstep
of Jesus.
Fr. Joe Cadusale, during the 18th anniversary mass of the Filipino Catholic said it is not enough to just stay within the walls of
the church. We have to step out into the world and evangelize, preach and live the gospel of the Lord.
After all, we are the body of Christ on earth . . . the eyes, the hand, the mouth of Jesus that must go forward to speak and live
the message of God.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. -- Mark 16:15
“With God nothing shall be impossible.“
- Luke 1:37
Of Faith And Practicality
The Greatest Faith of All
I have received everything I ever asked of God. It is not because I am very holy or specially
favored by God—as I am just a sinner trying to overcome my frailties—but simply because I
am willing to wait. I believe in the promise that Jesus made: “Ask and you shall receive; seek
and you shall find.” Sometimes what I would ask requires a miracle, but I draw confidence
from another thing He said: “If you have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you can make
mountains move.” Those are very powerful and dramatic words, and we can certainly hold
God up to that promise. Some of the things I asked of God were answered right away and
some took a little while. But the latter would always be at the best and most appropriate time,
by Rene Tubilleja
as I would always realize in hindsight. However, if we have to wait we would not be just left
out in the cold. There would be little “refreshments” along the way to help us cope with the
anxiety of the wait. The best part of it is when what we ask is seemingly “not “granted, we would get something ten times
better. It is like if you have a guaranteed cabin in a cruise, and when at boarding time they run out of space in your class, you
automatically get an upgrade to a bigger and better cabin, or sometimes even a suite. That definitely works for me, both in the
cruises and in God’s plans for my life.
I once prayed for a permanent position at a large firm where I had already been doing some contractual work in technology.
I was so disappointed when I didn’t get the job and I had to pray for strength to accept the rejection. Less than a month later,
however, I was at the right place, at the right time, and fully available for an urgent full time professorial position at the college where I am still teaching now. That was 12 years ago. I also soon realized that this was the true vocation that I had prayed
for some 40 years ago when I first entered the seminary. My disappointment knew no end when I had to leave the seminary
later. Now I am happy and content with my role as educator, supported by a loving family, and adored by two little grandchildren. As a postscript, the company that did not hire me soon lost a big customer and had to let go of about 200 of the most
recently hired staff. I would have been one of them.
I share this because we all are beset with doubts when our prayers seem to be ignored by God. I assure you they have already
been answered, and all we have to do is just await the delivery. That’s not an easy thing to do, though, so let us ask God for
faith and the strength to wait. Remember how Jesus had the highest praise for the Roman Centurion who asked Him for a
miracle.”Do you believe?” Jesus asked. The centurion replied, “I do believe, but help my unbelief.” Jesus was so impressed by
that declaration that He said: “I assure you, in all of Judea I have never seen faith as strong as this man’s.” Then He performed
the miracle he asked for.
Recognizing and offering up our doubts to God seem to be a very powerful prayer in itself. There is an element of humility
and total surrender in there, and it must be very pleasing in His eyes. Let us therefore take advantage of this divine “loophole” and be assured that all our prayers would be answered. We might even venture prayer in the form of: “Lord, thank you
because you will grant me this grace I am asking for,” rather than the slightly desperate form of: “Lord, please, please grant
me this grace.” God will answer them either way, but the first form is devoid of any underlying sentiment of unbelief. Finally,
let us ask Our Blessed Mother to further strengthen our prayers with the inclusion of her intercession. She understands our
pains. She is Our Lady of Sorrows, to which we dedicate this month of September.
The Filipino Catholic • September 11 - October 9, 2013 • Page 3
FROM THE PULPIT
Humility and
Pride
A wealthy and successful CEO took his
wife for a Sunday afternoon drive near the
little country town where she grew up. Noticing that the gas tank was nearly empty,
he pulled in to the little country gas station.
While the tank was filling, he went to the rest
room. On his way back to the car, he noticed
that his wife was talking and laughing with
the gas station attendant. When they drove
away, he asked his wife about it. She told him
that the attendant had been her boyfriend
when she was in high school. He said with
pride, “Weren’t you lucky that I came along?
If you had married him, you’d be the wife of
by Fr. Peter James R. Alindogan
a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a
chief executive officer.” “ No, my dear,” she said, “if I hadn’t met you and married
him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant.”
Jesus taught us time and again lessons on humility and warnings about pride.
Pride is described as “the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick
except the one who has it.” It works its way into our souls and takes away goodness that is inherent in us. Pride destroyed the paradise that was Eden.
Some people find it hard to be humble because everything they do, they think,
is awesomely good. There are also some people who likes looking and pointing
at themselves all the time, perhaps because they find more comfort in their selfish selves. And there are also some people whose egos are so big that their pride
reeks with shameless disgrace.
Pride destroys relationships. It builds up by tearing others down. In his book,
Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes, “If you want to find out how proud you are
Say Yes!
Lk 14:25-33
The Gospel readings these past Sundays
form a thematic trilogy. Two Sundays ago,
the Lord told us to strive to enter the narrow
gate. Being narrow, it involves not only great
effort, but also bending down low. So, in
last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus taught us of the
absolute necessity of the virtue of humility.
But one thing more is needed. The narrow
gate will not allow us to bring in any extra
baggage. So, this Sunday, the Lord tells us:
“Unless you renounce all your possessions, you
cannot enter the kingdom of God.” And to make
sure we are admitted, we have to show the
by Fr. Mike Lagrimas
distinctive sign of membership, namely, the
cross: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow after me cannot be my disciple.”
Being a Christian involves two basic movements: come and go. At all times,
Jesus invites us: “Come to me! Follow me!” And after following him, he will send
us on a mission: “Go, and proclaim the Good News!” In both movements, our
reply should be “yes” so that God’s plan will be realized. God initiates the call,
but we have the last word: “Yes!”
A mother of many children is having a hard time disciplining them. She
thought of a reward system. She announced: “In this family the one who obeys
me immediately and does exactly as he is told without any complaint will get a
twenty-dollar reward at the end of the week.” But the youngest boy protested:
“It’s not fair! Daddy will always win easily.” Definitely, his father was the man
who always has the last word: “Yes!”
“Yes” is a word that is so easy to pronounce. But, in the Gospel this Sunday,
Jesus advises us against being too hasty in our response. It would be totally embarrassing if we quickly say yes now, and later on we change our mind. This is
why Jesus gave the two parables about prudence and foresight. A man planning
to build a tower must calculate carefully if he has enough money and resources
to finish the project. The king marching forward to wage battle with another king
must also make sure he has enough men to win the battle. In both cases, careful
study, planning and preparation are essentially needed.
When one decides to buy a house, he should not immediately sign the contract.
Instead, he has first to evaluate his capacity to pay the down payment and the
monthly amortization for the next thirty years. The same is true with the decision
to follow Jesus. We must beforehand have an honest assessment of our capacity
the easiest way is to ask yourself, ‘How much do I dislike it when other people
snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronize
me, or show off?”
God does not like us to be proud, because there is no reason for us to be one.
Jesus showed us how to be humble and has continually taught us about being
humble. The lives of all our saints have humbling images and stories of emptying
themselves—possessions, power, ego--before God. They know that God cannot
work on us if we are proud.
Once we think that we can do things without the help of a higher being, then
we come to believe that we are gods ourselves, that we deserve a place of honor.
Once a person thinks that he does not need the help of God, then he starts believing
that God’s rules and commandments can be set aside. But, once a person accepts
that God is in charge, then he goes behind God, who is always the Good Shepherd
leading the way, for nobody can follow from the front.
Pride is the guilty parent of many sins and vices while humility is the mother
of all virtues. Being humble is an elusive gift. Once you think you are humble,
then you have lost it. I heard from a priest friend joke that of all his spiritual gifts
and talents, his humility is the one he was most proud of.
Being humble is admitting first what we are in a limited context of time and
space. Humility means accepting who we are in the presence of a loving God. In
the context of time and space, what are we but fellow travelers in this journey of
life? And in the presence of a loving God, who are we but persons he ever loved
from the moment we were born?
If we only realize that we are those poor, crippled, lame and blind persons
he is continually inviting, then we should also be helping and sharing with these
persons Jesus mentioned, with no conditions imposed. Humility means spending
time with those we find hard to live with, spending some time this week with
those we probably like the least.
Humility is knowing our strengths, our weaknesses, and our place in the
banquet of life. It is also acknowledging our status before God. We are lucky
and blessed, because He has opened himself for us, with unconditional love and
humility.
and willingness to pay the cost of discipleship.
In the first place, to say “yes” to Jesus means deliberately putting him as the
center and the top priority of our life. This is what the Lord meant when he said:
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father or mother, wife and children, brothers and
sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship requires putting
Jesus over and above our family, job, money, career, and even our life. A classic
example of this is the sisters Venus and Serena Williams. They loved each other,
but at one time they had to hate each other. It was at the 2001 US Open Tennis
Championship. At that moment on the court, they hated each other, recognizing
that the sister stands in the way to the prestigious US Open trophy. As Christians,
are we willing to “hate” our loved one who obstructs us from attaining the trophy
of eternal glory that Jesus offers?
Secondly, following Jesus requires that we bear our cross patiently. The cross
is the key that opens the narrow door to God’s kingdom. Nowadays, many people
reject the cross. They abhor sacrifice and sufferings, and would rather run after
money, comfort and luxury. When big profit is before our eyes, will the virtue
of honesty still be appealing to us? As the saying goes, “when money talks, the
truth is silent.”
And finally, following Jesus demands total freedom from the things of this
world. Life is a long and arduous journey to our eternal home. Carrying humungous loads on the road will surely slow us down and distract us from our goal.
That is why Jesus insisted: “Unless you renounce all your possessions, you cannot
enter the kingdom of God.” But is it possible for us to let go of the things we hold
so dear, things that we acquired through honest sweat and toil? It is never easy.
That is why our cabinets are filled up with lots of personal things that we do not
use anymore, and yet we are unwilling to let go due to “sentimental reasons.”
In essence, these three conditions are an invitation for us to an authentic love
and worship of God by rejecting the three common forms of idolatry. The first
idolatry is love of creatures. Jesus reminds us to love God more than our family
and any human being. The second idolatry is love of money and material things.
The Lord demands renunciation of these things. And the third is love of self, giving in to the temptations of comfort, luxury and pleasure. Jesus invites us instead
to take up our cross and follow the way of self-sacrificial love.
The U.S. Marine Corps undergo the most rigorous training and discipline.
This is to prepare them for the demands and dangers in the battlefield. They are
inspired and guided by their motto, “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful). As Christians, we are the Marine Corps of Jesus – brave, determined and faithful until
the end – “semper fidelis”. Our “yes” to Jesus ultimately means we are willing to
pay the price of following him – even at the cost of our own life. A song by the
Charismatic Movement beautifully expresses this: “I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back. The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning
back, no turning back.”
FAMILY and CULTURE
by: Fr. Ronald S. Quijano, SThD
Dean of John Paul II Institute and Chairman of CFL Bacolod
diocese to serve.
On Priests
Few years ago, an article was published,
“Once a Priest, Always a Priest,” a tribute to
the late Blessed John Paul II. The story was
about a young priest doing his post graduate
studies in Rome. Every day before going to
school he would visit a certain Church to say
his prayers. Every time he would enter the
door, he was mesmerized by the face of an
old man in shabby clothes begging, looking
at him with tenderness as if with a message
hard to convey. One time he got the chance
to talk to this old man, and he was shock
to know that he was an ex-priest. And so
the more he gave him financial help. Years
have passed, and this young priest finished
his further studies and was recalled in his
One day he got the chance to go back to Rome. He once remembered the
Church he used to visit, and so he went there, only to be surprised again to
see the ex-priest in miserable condition still begging at the exact spot where he
met him before. The more he was morally disturbed of what he experienced
and kept on reflecting on what to do with him. The next day he went to the
Vatican for an important meeting, and when it was his turn to kiss the hand
of the pope, he burst out crying, pleading before the Holy Father on how to
help that ex-priest begging in front of the church. As expected a dozen of Swiss
Guards scolded and sent him out of the papal office. While in his room that
evening, reflecting on the embarrassing act he did, suddenly his phone rang,
it was a call from the Vatican, asking him to look for that ex-priest as soon as
possible because the pope would like to invite both of them to the apostolic
palace for a dinner.
After spending time making the ex-priest observe personal hygiene and wear
decent attire, both of them found themselves at the dining table with the Holy
Father at the apostolic palace. There was a lively exchange of conversation and
when they were about to end the meal, the Holy Father asked if he could have
a private meeting with the ex-priest. It lasted only 15 minutes. When they were
going home, the young priest asked the ex-priest, “Would you mind telling me
what he told you during your private meeting with him?” The ex-priest replied,
“He simply told me, ‘Once you are a priest, you are always a priest.’ He took
a piece of paper, and put into writing that from now on, he has forgiven me,
reinstated me to the dignity of priesthood, and appointed me as parochial vicar
of that Church where I used to beg, with a special ministry to care for the poor
and the homeless. I was indeed in tears for the trust and love he showed me.
He concluded our conversation, with his humble request, if I could also hear
his personal confession, which I did.” Blessed John Paul II, pray for us priests!
Basics of Catholicity
For the past months after the conclave in Rome, beautiful anecdotes are said
about the new pontiff, Pope Francis. His humility, simplicity and fatherly love
for the poor depict a new kind of shepherding. I can cite many instances, but
I prefer only to focus on one event which maybe relevant to the formation of
priests and religious.
Pope Francis opted to reside at the Casa Santa Marta, the apartment for cardinals during Consistory in the Vatican. He was surprised to see one evening,
that a Vatican guard was standing on his doorstep. He asked him to sit on a
chair but refused it for only his commander could order him. The pope told
him that he is now the head of the Vatican, so the guard has no choice except
to obey him. The pope entered his room, and few minutes later, he went out
to give him a plate with Panini (bread) on it. The pope’s act of thoughtfulness
went viral in the internet, anybody can do it, but how come it attracted the
attention of many people? It’s because of his integrity of life. People wish to
see a Church which is sincerely reaching out to them with humility, gentleness
and love after the lifestyle set by Jesus himself!
It is imperative for us to draw our strength or immerse ourselves in the
presence of the Lord as we minister to people. It is good that once in a while
we go back to the basics of our catholicity. First is the love for prayer and
solitude. We are encouraged to develop a culture of prayer in our community.
Look at our daily schedule from morning until evening; once we are busy, the
first thing that we cancel is our time for prayer. St. Augustine said, “A man
without prayer is like a tree without roots.” Prayer is the foundation of a happy
Christian life. It is like breathing, you stop breathing, you will die; without
prayer your life has no sense of direction. Thus, the practice of Liturgy of the
Hours, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of Rosary, or devotional
practices are beneficial for us.
The second is our devotion to the Word of God. Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI as I observed every time he delivered his homily, he always based his
theme from the readings of the day. He is a typical Augustinian by thought,
for his doctoral dissertation is “People of God in the Works of St. Augustine.”
It is from St. Augustine’s homily where we learn the value of preaching the
Word, “We feed you from what we eat ourselves.” And after he completed
making commentaries of the whole Bible, he says, “How do I know that I have
understood the scripture? If I grow in love then I have understood it.” Growing
in love, to maturity of faith, is a sign that we grow in holiness. Lectio Divina is
one of the beautiful spiritual exercises of the Church, quite old, but still very
much relevant for priests and religious today.
The third is the love for the Sacraments especially the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Jesus is the fons et culmen of Christian life. Blessed John Paul II admired
the Eucharist as part and parcel of his life as a priest, bishop and as pope: “I
naturally recall the many times and places in which I was able to celebrate it.
I remember the parish of Niegowic, where I had my first pastoral assignment,
the collegiate church of St. Florian in Krakow, Wawel Cathedral, Saint Peter’s
Basilica and so many basilicas and churches in Rome and throughout the world.
I have been able to celebrate mass in chapels built along mountain paths, on
lakeshores and seacoasts; I have celebrated it on altars built in stadiums and
in city squares…This varied scenario of celebrations of the Eucharist has given
me a powerful experience of its universal and so to speak, cosmic character.
Yes, cosmic! Because even when it is celebrated on the humble altar of country church, the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the
world. It united heaven and earth” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, par. 8).
The fourth is the need for Spiritual Direction and Confession. These may be
perceived as seminary requirements as part of vocation discernment for priesthood, but since we are now priests, the more these become imperatives for our
life and ministry. By asking for forgiveness, we experience inner freedom of
being healed and reconciled with our God and to one another. Examination
of conscience and spiritual guidance are needed to identify and savor God’s
inspirations in our life as part of our on-going formation. Psychological intervention and therapy for special cases may help but experience has proven
it all depends on the response of the person. The bishop or superior himself
will take care of his own.
The fifth is a deeper for Evangelical Counsels: Vows of Poverty, Chastity and
Obedience. These are gifts meant not only for the priests’ spiritual perfection
and edification but also applicable to married life. However, if we priests are
not properly oriented, these can also be the areas where we become vulnerable. Poverty requires total detachment from material things, an inner freedom
which tends to dispossess ourselves from being possessed by our possessions.
It highlights absolute trust on divine providence. Chastity consists of the offering of sincere gift of self to God and total availability to love and serve others.
It is expected of us to maintain healthy relationship with lay people through
a collaborative ministry. Obedience involves deep humility to listen with faith
to the voice of God manifested through the bishop or superior. Extra prudence
must be considered in times of reshuffling of assignments, compassion and
fraternal support be shown for erring members, and sincerity to affirm whatever achievement gained by our brothers in the community.
The last is the urgency to strengthen our Community Life. Christian Spirituality is not just about having but of being with. Though our programs and
activities promote Fellowship or sacramental brotherhood, our presence is what
matters most. We don’t think only for our own but for the welfare of all. We can
be in the parish but not parochial; we can be in the province but not provincial.
Thus, the spirit of solidarity must transcend boundaries if it means care and
concern for our brothers in the community. I think of our brothers who may
be already retired and may have ailments. Once our brother-priest comes to
your rectory, even though you are busy, be willing to drop everything just to
accommodate him, for he will not come without valid reason. Lay people and
even our family members may not understand us deeply in moments of crisis,
where shall we go then, if not to our brothers who have journeyed with us?
I do hope that with these few reminders about our lifestyle and need for
renewal, let us not forget the most important thing in our life: the care for the
well-being of our brothers in the community. We are a family and we are called
to become brothers’ keeper in our community. Indeed, how good and pleasing
it is to see brothers living in unity!
Happenings
by AA Medrano
A call for prayer and fasting by Pope Francis
on September 7
For all Catholics, the pope has proclaimed
September 7, a day of fasting and prayer
for peace in Syria, the Middle East and
throughout the world. On fast days, adult
Catholics in good health are expected to eat
only one full meal. Our Lady Pompei Church
will hold a prayer vigil after the 6:00 PM
anticipated Mass through 12:00 midnight.
Eucharistic Adoration at Pompei
Starting on September 6 and every first
Friday of the month, there will be an all day
exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. At 3:00 PM, there
will be Via Crucis or Stations of the Cross in Italian and
then the Rosary at 6:00 PM. The Brazilian community
will close the day with their prayer service. We invite
volunteers to sign up for their preferred time to watch
the Blessed Sacrament. Invite your friends to come and
be with the Lord!
September 1, 2013 until August 31, 2014. This group is divided into subgroups
based on the following primary functions:
Liturgy – Ed Pascual, Liza delos Santos, Cely Medrano
Kairos Youth – Maricar Tangonan, Fatima Concepcion, Nancy Hombrebueno
Social – Conchita Laurencio, Rey Gonzalez
Administration – Marilyn Castillo, Sally Alonso, Annie Swanson
Although divided into sub-groups, each member shall function towards the
Church’s ultimate and most important mission: to evangelize and bring JESUS (the
Blessed Mother, the Saints and all Angels in heaven) close to the people and the
entire community of faithful --- most especially the Filipino migrants in New York.
Feast of the Assumption in the Village
A solemn Mass to celebrate the Assumption of our Lady was celebrated by Fr.
Walter Tonelotto, cs and Fr. Leonir Chiarello as concelebrant. A Rosary Prayer
Rally was held in the parking lot of the, followed by the candle light procession to
the church. Thank you to all the devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary who came
to join in the celebration.
32nd Annual San Lorenzo Ruiz Fiesta
On September 29, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Association of America, Inc. (SLRAA)
will celebrate its 32nd annual celebration of the Feast day of San Lorenzo Ruiz. It
will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, Queens at 3:00 P.M.
Sunday. The celebration will start with the procession around the vicinity of the
Triduum Novena Mass
On Sunday, September 8, Our Lady of Pompei
celebrated the first of the three Novena Masses in
preparation for the feast day celebration in honor of San
Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and Companion Martyrs. We
invited all the devotees of the first Filipino canonized
Saint to attend.
Happy Birthday Mama Mary!
A solemn Mass to celebrate the Feast day of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as held at Our Lady
of Pompei Church. Devotees came and participated.
Assumption Procession at Our Lady of Pompei
The New FPM Lay Management Committee
The Pastor of Our Lady of Pompei, Fr. Walter
Tonelotto, cs, after consultation with other priests, has called 11 members to
represent the rest of the community of the Filipino Pastoral Ministry. Fr. Walter
selected the members from the list of FPM volunteers who signed up to form the
FPM Lay Management Committee. The committee will serve as a consultative
group to help the Pastor in the decision making for the affairs of the Filipino
community. The first community meeting was held on Wednesday September 4.
All meetings of the community are scheduled every first Wednesday of the month.
The appointment of the members is good for one year (3 years renewable) from
church, followed by the Mass. There will be a reception after the Mass.
Fr. Bill Murphy C.P., Pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, is the main
celebrant of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Fiesta Mass celebration.
Mr. Evan and Dr. Elna Prado are the incoming Hermano and Hermana Mayores
for this year’s celebration.
You are also invited to join the daily Novena Masses in preparation for the
feast day of San Lorenzo Ruiz starting on September 20 to 28, at 7:30 PM, at the
San Lorenzo Ruiz Scalabrini Center, 168-41 84th Ave. Jamaica Hills, Queens, NY.
Filipino Pastoral Ministry Hiking Group
OCTOBER 6: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei
His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan will be the main celebrant of the Mass on
October 6 for the Feast of the Madonna di Pompei. The Holy Rosary will start at
11:30 followed by the Solemn Mass at 12:00. The Supplica will be recited after the
Mass. A Marian procession around the block of the church will follow after the
Mass. The Benediction and the blessing with the relic of Blessed Bartolo Longo will
conclude the procession. We are inviting all the members of the Italian, Brazilian,
English and Filipino communities of Pompei to participate. PLEASE COME AND
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Save the Date: October 27 - FPM 25th Anniversary
Twenty-five years serving the Filipino migrants under the auspices of the
Scalabrinian Fathers and Brothers, is how long the Filipino Pastoral Ministryof Our
Lady of Pompei have become as a welcoming church for the Filipinos. The FPM
will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving on October 27.
No Filipino Mass at Pompei on Sept 29
Please take note that there will be no Filipino Mass on September 29 at Our
Lady of Pompei because of the celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz to be
held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica on September 29. You are
invited to attend the feast day of our own Filipino Saint.
On October 6, Sunday will be Feast day of Our Lady of Pompei. It will be a
joint celebration of the Italian, Brazilian, Filipino, English communities. The 3:00
P.M. Filipino Mass will resume on Sunday, October 13.
Congratulations to Deacon Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriguez was ordained Deacon on September 2 in a ceremony held at
St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie. Deacon Robert started as an altar boy at Our
Lady of Pompei church. Robert, together with his friend Jose, served as altar servers
not only in the English Masses but also for the Filipino Masses. We are praying for
your ordination to the priesthood soon. Congratulations, Deacon Robert.
Birthday Celebrations
Happy Birthday to all the August birthday celebrators, especially to Bro.
Michael LaMantia, who was given a surprise party on August 9; Cora del Mar
(72) celebrated with a Hawaiian theme birthday party on August 18; Salome
Hombrebueno (89th) was given a special birthday by her three daughters Sally,
Nancy and Cely on August 15; Mark Castillo and Beny Chua celebrated a joint
birthday celebration on August 30 in Astoria, Queens. May you all continue to
receive the choice blessings from above. Happy Birthday!
FILIPINO PASTORAL MINISTRY*
Our Lady of Pompei Church
*A community of disciples ministering to Filipinos
in New York as a welcoming church.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
September to November 2013
Wednesday 6:30 P.M.
Perpetual Help
Sunday
3:00 P.M.
First Friday
8:00AM – 8:00PM
1st Saturday 6:00P.M.
September
07 Sat 6:00 PM
08 Sun 3:00 PM
29
Sun 3:00 PM
30 Mon 7:00 PM
October
02 Wed 7:00PM
05 Sat6:00 PM
06 Sun 11:30AM 27
Sun 3:00 PM
November
04 Sun 3:00 PM
17 Sun 3:00 PM
20
Wed 6:15 PM
24
Sun 3:00 PM
27 Wed 6:30 PM 28 Thu
Mother of
Misang Pilipino
Eucharistic Adoration & Holy Hour
Cenacle
Cenacle
Triduum Mass - SAN LORENZO RUIZ
The Nativity of Our Lady
32nd Annual Feast day SAN LORENZO RUIZ
Immaculate Conception Church
86-45 Edgerton Blvd. Jamaica Estates, NY
Parish Meeting – Feast of Our Lady of Pompei
Lay Management Meeting
Cenacle
Feast day of OUR LADY OF POMPEI
25th FPM Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass
Oct. Birthday celebration
Start of Novena Mass to Poon Hesus Nazareno
Prior to Jan 5, 2014 Feast Day
FPM Founder’s Day
10th Death Anniversary – Fr. Bobby Sison
November Birthday Celebration
Thanksgiving Vigil Mass & Party
Thanksgiving Day
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
SEPTEMBER 2013 EVENTS
September 14, 2013
11:00 AM – Diocesan Fiesta of San Lorenzo
Holy Family Church
9719 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11236
7:00 PM - Filipino Mass
Immaculate Conception Church,
Corner 29th Street & Ditmars Blvd.,
Astoria, NY
(Every 2nd Saturday of the Month)
September 15, 2013
St. Joan of Arc Church
82-00 35th Ave. Jackson Heights, NY 11372
(Every 3rd Sunday of the Month)
Guardian Angel Church
2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11235
September 22, 2013
Corpus Christi Church,
31-60 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377
(Every 4th Sunday of the Month)
St. Agatha Church,
702 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Most Precious Blood Church, (Basement)
32-23 36th Street, Long Island City, NY 11006
September 26, 2013
7:00 PM - Healing Mass
Astoria, NY
(Every 4th Thursday of the Month)
September 28, 2013
Our Lady of Mercy Church,
70-01 Kessel St., Forest Hills, NY 11375
(Every 4th Saturday of the Month)
September 29, 2013
3:00 PM – Filipino Mass
Our Lady of Miracles Church
757 East 86th Sreet
Brooklyn, NY 11236
OCTOBER 2013 EVENTS
October 4, 2013
7:30 PM - Filipino Mass – First Friday
Sponsored by FDA and Apostleship of Prayer
St. Jude Church
1677 Canarsie Road, Brooklyn, NY 11236
(Every 1st Friday of the Month)
October 5, 2012
16th Anniversary –Our Lady of the Most Holy
Rosary Fiesta
(Rosario, Cavite Town Fiesta)
at Marian Shrine, Stony Point, New York
10:00 AM- Mass followed by Karakol from
the church to auditorium
4:30 PM – Procession
October 5, 2013
St. Brigid Church,
409 Linden Street, Brooklyn, NY 11227
(Every 1st Saturday of the Month)
Presentation Church,
88-19 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432
Immaculate Conception Church
Corner 29th Street & Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY
October 6, 2013
St. Patrick Church,
39-38 29th Street, LIC, NY 11101
(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)
by Gene Salle
Our Lady Help of Christians Church,
1315 E. 28th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11210
(Every 1st Sunday of the Month)
Our Lady of the Island
Eastport, Long Island
Long Island Expressway, Exit 70
(Every 1st Sunday of the month)
October 13, 2013
Incarnation Church,
89-43 Francis Lewis Blvd.
Queens Village, NY 11427.
(Every 2nd Sunday of the Month)
St. Rose of Lima Church
269 Parkville Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230.
Church of Holy Child Jesus
111-11 86th Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Mary’s Nativity Church
4602 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, NY 11355
October 20, 2013
St. Joan of Arc Church,
82-00 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,
101-41 91st Street, Ozone Park, NY 11416
Guardian Angel Church,
2978 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11235
St. Bartolomew Church,
43-22 Ithaca Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373
October 24, 2013
7:00 PM - Healing Mass
Astoria, NY
(Every 4th Thursday of the Month)
October 26, 2013
Our Lady of Mercy Church,
70-01 Kessel St., Forest Hills, NY 11375
(Every 4th Saturday of the Month)
October 27, 2013
Corpus Christi Church,
31-60 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377
St. Agatha Church,
702 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Most Precious Blood Church, (Basement)
32-23 36th Street, Long Island City, NY 11006
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.
COME, JOIN OUR
FILIPINO MASS
Every First Sunday of the month
at The Shrine of
Our Lady of the Island
Legal
Critique
by
Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq.
Eastport, Long Island, New York
Reentry Permit
Mass in Tagalog at 1:30 p.m.
What is a Reentry Permit? A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United
States of America (U.S.) may obtain a Reentry Permit if he or she desires to leave
the U.S. for an extended period of time, i.e. 2 years. In order to be able to return
to the U.S. after having been absent for a period of at least 1 year but no more
than 2 years, the LPR must file the Application for Travel Document (Form I-131 which can be obtained from the USCIS website) and seek the approval of
the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). The applicant must be
physically present in the U.S. when the application is filed and must remain
in the U.S. to have his/her biometrics done at the Application Support Center
in his/her area of residence. If he/she is not in the U.S. for his/her biometrics
appointment, then the application may be denied. However, the LPR may,
after the biometrics is completed, depart from the U.S. before the decision is
made on the application. If this happens, the LPR may opt to have the Reentry
Permit picked up at the U.S. consulate in the country where he/is located.
preceded by Rosary in Tagalog
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
Primo & Tessie Carlos (631) 325-1177
Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau
• Manny & Norma Pascual (516) 292-1445
• Nita Vasquez (516) 931-5229 • Jiji Shapiro (516) 921-2926
• Zeny Berroya (516) 869-8202 • Eden Gaceta (516) 942-0203
• Helen & Peter Buni
Good Samaritan Prayer Group (631) 543-8775
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
Eucharistic Adoration
If the LPR remains outside the United States for more than one year without
the Reentry Permit then he/she is deemed to have abandoned his/her status
as an LPR and will not be able to return to the United States since the Alien
Registration Card is invalidated. A Reentry Permit is valid for 2 years from
the date of its issuance as indicated on the permit approved by the USCIS. The
Permit cannot be extended but new applications can be filed to a maximum of 5
years. In exceptional instances, the LPR may seek a 6th year extension.
Remember: If the LPR is uncertain as to how long he/she is going to be
outside of the United States, it is best to obtain a Reentry Permit.
Advice:
Seek competent professional and legal representation from
an attorney who has an immigration law practice when confronted with
immigration issues and/or problems.
Editor’s Note: FERDINAND G. SUBA has been practicing law since 1989. He was
a former professor at the Far Eastern University where he taught Corporation and
Partnership Law, Negotiable Instruments Law, Taxation, and Constitution. He was a
member of the editorial board of the Ateneo Law Journal and Ateneo Law Bulletin. He
was a recipient of the Philippine Presidential Award as Best Parliamentarian. For more
information, you may e-mail him at [email protected] or call (212) 947-0010.
OPTICIANS
Every First Friday
8:30 - 11 pm
(immediately after the 7:30 pm Mass)
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Tel: (516) 489-0368 • Fax (516) 292-9193
For More Information, contact
Grace Bernardo - email: [email protected]
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E. HENRY DE LOS REYES, your kababayan optician
Of Pirates and Liberty in NYC
Go to
Joseph
by Fr. Joseph Marabe, JCD
Blessed are the poor, not the wretched.
While in prison, Bradley Manning, the Wikileaks geek, now wants US
government to pay for his hormone treatment to become a woman.
It’s like asking taxpayers to pay for late-term abortion.
------------Madonna at 55 wears teen-ager teeth-braces.
Even with diamond parts, one looks incongruous with that contraption.
------------Kris Aquino declares, if elected to Congress, she will not need “pork”.
Other menu will be available.
------------On Facebook, someone posted a question or a proposition?: Do the poor
have the right to say they have been robbed through pork barrel, when
they have not contributed any?
My response is this: The poor are to be helped, not to be taxed. Wala na
ngang makain pipigaan mo pa. Sabi ni Bishop Enverga - kahit tungtungan mo sila sa tiyan; ipot lang ang lalabas diyan. Tungkol naman sa
mayayaman tulad ni Napoles – St. Ambrose has this to say: The food
in your pantry is no longer yours, it belongs to the poor. The clothes in
your closet no longer belong to you, but to the naked. Kung sila na mga
busog na ang nagpapasasa at nagpaparangya, yon ay ninakaw na sa
bibig at katawan ng mga dukha, anawim Yahweh.
-------------Along same line of discussion, here are two paragraphs from my speech
at the Pirates’ Night, aboard Skyline Princess Cruise last Sept. 1st:
But why this Pirates’ Night. Most appropriately because we are on
board a ship. Symbolically and Admittedly - piracy is very much in
place in our modern society. Besides pirated CDs, are we not pirates
when we capture the loyalty of persons who belong to someone else’s
company? Are we not pirates every time we enchain the resources of
people to our own advantage and profit? Are we not pirates who assassinate the good refute of others founded or unfounded?
But not all pirates are bad pirates. Some have good qualities that outweigh their bad ones. This is a bit of “one person’s freedom fighter who
is another person’s terrorist”. Like the privateers who attacked enemy
ship of one country were acclaimed as heroes of their own - fighting the
Spanish Armada for example, or American shipping to spare Britain. It
would depend whether you won or lost. The winner always takes it all.
To me, this is the meaning of tonight’s celebration: there is so much
good in the worst of us, and so much bad in some of us, that ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us. As they say, we are all
in the same boat, literally. Either we sink it; or save ourselves.
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by Sonny Aguiling
2013 Eastern Conference Team Leader
Couples for Christ USA National Director
and newly elected member of the Board of
Elders (BOE), Bro. Eric Villanueva, opened the
2013 North America Eastern Conference in the
United States together with Bro. Greg Parillas,
National Director of CFC Canada. The response
was great from over 1200 excited delegates from
USA and Canada. The Conference was held last
July 26-28, 2013 at the well attended Sheraton
Meadowlands Ballroom, where they celebrated
the CANA WEEKEND. More than 150 Kids
also participated and had a lot of fun over the
weekend. This year’s Conference Theme is:
“Obey and Witness” (John 2:5 “Do whatever He
tells you!”)
The Eastern Conference was blessed to have
speakers from spirit-filled elders in Manila
namely: Bro. Jorge Campos, newly-elected
CFC Executive Director, International Council,
delivering Talk #1, THE WEDDING FEAST.
Bro. Bong Arjonillo, member of the BOE and Regional Head for the
Greater Mekong Area gave Talk #2, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.”
Bro. Mannix Ocampo, International Family Ministry Director and
Continental Overseer for Europe gave Talk #3, EMPTY JARS, FILLED
TO THE BRIM. Bro.
Eric de los Reyes, CFC Canada Country Coordinator and ANCOP
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Chairman delivered Talk #4, FROM WATER TO WINE, RADICAL
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final Talk #5 by re-elected CFC Chairman and International Mission
Director, Bro. Ricky Cuenca, WITNESS! GOD’S GLORY REVEALED. Several life giving sharers both from USA & Canada also added to
the inspiring talks.
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PROFILE
I don’t sing and don’t play any musical instrument, but when I attend Mass and the
choir starts to sing with the background instruments, my heart, my mind and my spirit
soar up and my deep relationship with God begins.
Philip Dancel and the Himig at Alay Choral Group
You all have seen and heard the Himig Alay
choral Group in their several performances
not only in New York but also in Washington
D.C. for the Birhen ng Antipolo National
celebration. It is one of the few choirs among
by Laura Vogel
the different states that have been invited to
form the BNA-USA National Choir. In the past,
the group sang at St. Patrick Cathedral, at the Philippine Consulate in Manhattan,
at the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in various parishes, various Marian celebrations
such as Flores de Mayo, midnight masses (simbang gabi), at various celebrations
of the Mass. They also sing regularly every last Saturday of the month at Parker
Jewish and once a month at the Our Lady of Mercy in Forest Hills. The group’s
professional performance is a result of their rigorous rehearsals usually Sundays
2-5 pm at the basement of the Our Lady of the Snows Church in Floral Park. Philip
explains that the Himig Alay format of performance highlights vocal rendition of
song in SATB format supported by a violin and a piano/ keyboard instrument.
Currently, their violinist is a young talented artist, Georgia Herrera. The group’s
music is mostly inspired by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Hangad, Bukas Palad,
Himig Heswita, First Call and the Swingle Singers.
Music runs in the family of Philip and Arleen. Philip’s father who was from
Bohol, and his father’s brothers were professional pianists/musicians. And it is
also through music that he met his wife who hails from his grandfather’s town of
Camiling in the province of Tarlac. Arlene is a member of the choir and his son is
the mascot so wherever Himig Alay Choir is, the family is there.
Professionally, Philip is a doctor of medicine in the Philippines with a Master’s
degree in Public Health Administration at the University of the Philippines. He
held various positions in the academe and clinical settings as consultant at St.
Luke Medical Center, Far Eastern University Hospital and administratively as
health management consultants to some hospitals in the general Metro Manila
area. Presently, he is with the Board of Education involved in training medical
assistants and medical billers.
Philip shares how all these started: When my wife and I decided to settle here in
New York in 2003, we became part of the Our Lady of Snows Parish without knowing
the story of the patroness. It was the 9th year of our marriage then and I remember that
having a child had been our constant petition in our prayers. At that time, the parish’s
project was to build a new church because the existing one was actually an old school gym.
We helped in our own simple way. My wife gave birth to a son “three months before the
groundbreaking for the new church. We were so overjoyed but I didn’t realize the connection
between our personal miracles with the Lady of the Snows until we attended the first mass
of the new church more than a year later. The hymn of the Lady of the Snow was sung and
it seemed that the song was our story. I deeply knew that the virgin mother have helped us
and what we experienced was the miracle of our lifetime. From that time, I became more
active in sharing my passion for music in serving the church and along the way, I met
several people who shared my passion and desire to give thanks and appreciation to God,
have the commitment to serve and share their talents.”
Philip also remembers what his father said when he asked him how come he
never encouraged Philip to pursue a career in music and he would always say that
it would come handy in time and it will make me remember him. “He passed away
in 2001 and from that time on, I decided to not even get near to a piano nor do anything
about music as it was too painful for me as it makes me miss him so much. The birth of
my son helped me return to music in a religious and spiritual setting and then I realized
that all along, my father had actually prepared me for my responsibility to Himig Alay
and I feel his presence when I’m arranging music just like the days when we were working
together. Indeed, offering my musical know-how in the service of the church has made it
easier for me to rekindle my musical passion, remembering my father and accepted his
passing away and being one with him in music.”
When time allows, Philip mostly arranges songs for the choir. He has a
collection of unpublished compositions. He is working on a set of musical work
including a mass set composition which he plans to use for Himig at Alay’s fifth
anniversary next year.
Philip feels that this ministry has given him the opportunity to give back
for the many blessings and miracles that God has given him. “Despite my
imperfections, I feel the hand of God constantly guiding and helping in every turn and
even when at times I am about to give up and so overwhelmed with the responsibility,
there’s always that last breath of reason and or change of event to make sure Himig
Philip and Arleen with son Miles.
Alay will still be there. Believe it or not, I really felt His presence and most of the times,
feeling undeserving, I couldn’t help but think He has a deeper purpose for giving us
that extra wind underneath our wings. These experiences with Himig at Alay have
taught me and my family to appreciate God’s gift and grace that I often overlook in the
past, to reconcile with Him in a more deeply personal way and an opportunity to grow
more spiritually.”
Eventually, Philip would like to see the ministry grow and become selfsustaining for it to be able to provide services in the following areas:
•
Liturgical music for celebrations and feasts that needed a solemn and
appropriate musical service
•
Reach out, bring and facilitate spiritual healing through music for those
who are sick, terminally ill, distraught and those are homeward bound
in the nursing homes, hospitals or simply at their home.
To provide the resources and meet the challenges of its mission, the future plans
he sees include the following:
•
Increasing volunteers into our ministry and not limited to just singers
and musicians but to anyone who can help us in various ways such as
financial managing, social organizing, cultural and artistic activities and
more importantly spiritual outreach.
•
Assemble and develop a pool of young talents to fill out youth choir group,
classical and jazz band or musical ensemble
•
Financial sustainability and fund raising projects such as performing
and sponsoring concerts, music production and recording, caroling and
special fund raising performance, choral training seminar and Computer
based music production
•
Seek out sponsors for our various activities who believe they can be part
of our mission and the generosity to be God’s instrument in the unfolding
miracles in our lives.
As for Philip’s advice, he says, “I wish to appeal to Filipinos to help and support each
other. Extending a helping hand and aid for those who really needed it and not to those
who you want to gain favor from. If you see a promise to an upstart, pull and help up
rather than push down. Service in our faith is all about stewardship and not ownership.
We must not let the ‘bayanihan spirit’ that our forefathers had, to fade and be forgotten.
We are Filipino Catholics and we can do a lot of things if we work together.”
Note: To join, please email [email protected] or come in during their
Sunday rehearsals.
Paaralang Pinoy sings for Bantay Bata
Let’s
Celebrate
L a N aval
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Nuestra Señora del Santíssimo Rosario October 6, 2013
Sunday
Holy Mass – 5:30PM
Procession begins
at 3:45PM
St. Michael’s Parish
138-65 Barclay Ave.
Flushing, NY 11355
Sponsored by The Filipino Association under the youthful leadership of Michael Pasion “I entrust the destiny of the Philippines and of all Asia
to Mary, Queen of the Rosary,
who with the title of “La Naval”
is venerated as the guardian of freedom
for the Catholic faith.”
Pope John Paul II
Fr. Patrick Longalong Main Celebrant Filipino Diocesan Apostolate Page 12 • September 11 - October 9, 2013 • The Filipino Catholic
The Paaralang Pinoy Band
performed last August 28 at a fund
raising event sponsored by the ABSCBN Foundation for Bantay Bata.
The event was under the direction
of Tina Monzon Palma and was
captioned “Kids sing for Bantay
Bata.”
The youngsters from Paaralang
Pinoy sang “Hawak Kamay” which
impressed the audience for their
beautiful rendition of the Tagalog
song … in spite of them being
Filipino-American youth.
Among those who watched the
show were well known Filipinos in
New York including Loida Lewis
and Consul General Mario de Leon.
The photos above were taken during
their rehearsal with Tina Monzon
Palma in the Kalayaan Hall at the
Consulate in New York.
The event was featured in the
“Balitang America” show in the
Filipino Channel.
MY POINT OF VIEW
Hidden Life of the Virgin Mary
by Mario M. Nieves
Strictly speaking, the stories in the life of the
Blessed Virgin Mary that I shall narrate here are not
really hidden. They are culled from The Mystical
City of God, a book written by Venerable Mary of
Agreda, a Spanish nun who lived in 1602-1665.
Next to the Bible, the Mystical City complements the life of Jesus and narrates the entire life of
the Virgin Mary. Sister Maria de Jesus of Agreda,
Spain, wrote it as dictated word for word by the Virby Mario M. Nieves
gin and published in a 4-volume, 2,676-page work.
Considered as public revelation and not Catholic
teaching, the book nevertheless received the Imprimatur of the Church, which means that
it is acceptable reading for the faithful.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: LIKE JESUS, LIKE MARY
As God did with Adam and Eve, the Holy Trinity declared, “We select for the formation
or our beloved Mary the womb of our servant Anne; in her shall she be conceived and in
her let the most blessed soul be created.”
Like Jesus, she has a mother but no father on earth. She was infused with the Holy
Spirit free from any stain of sin or effect of original sin.
But her birth was not without any difficulty. Satan, called the dragon, planned to take
the life of St. Anne. First, he tempted Anne with doubts and misgivings about her protracted pregnancy. God’s angels defended her.
Then the demon used a woman to quarrel with Anne, attacking and insulting her pregnancy at a late age. Anne responded with humility and kindness.
Still, Satan “possessed” and used the woman to physically attack Anne. God intervened.
Born on September 8, Mary was endowed with knowledge of the natural and supernatural order of things.
The marriage was performed and the couple lived in Nazareth.
“LET IT BE DONE UNTO ME”
It was a marriage of two avowed perpetual virgins. Joseph told Mary that when he was
twelve years old, he promised to serve God in perpetual chastity.
Mary answered that at an early age she consecrated herself to God by a “perpetual vow
of chastity in body and soul.”
After the two revealed each other’s resolution, they agreed to remain chaste.
Six months into their marriage, on March 25, the Archangel Gabriel, accompanied by
thousands of angels, appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive the Son
of God in her womb. The Virgin protested that she had been untouched.
The Archangel explained: “It is easy for the divine power to make thee a Mother without
the cooperation of man” and that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her.
Mary reflected and realized that on her answer depended the promises of the Old Testament prophets. When she answered “Let it be done unto me according to your word,”
these promises of the prophets were realized: opening of the gates of paradise, victory
and triumph over hell, redemption of the human race, satisfaction of divine justice, and
formation of a new law of peace.
During the entire ministry of Jesus, the Virgin Mother was always at his side, doing
supplemental acts of evangelizing and works of charity. She taught catechism to pious
women who would gather around her; she helped the poor by giving them food and taking care for the sick.
SUPERGIRL OF NAZARETH
The Virgin Mary had the powers of Superman and more.
Even as an infant she could talk if she wanted to. However, knowing that it would elicit
inquiries, she waited until age one and a half before using her faculty of speech. With the
Lord and her guardian angels, she used her vocal ability.
At the age of two years, in order to be like the ordinary children, she allowed herself
to be taught how to read, although she possessed infused knowledge of things.
When she was three years old, her parents Anne and Joachim received a vision from
God to take her to the temple to live a life of seclusion.
ASSUMPTION: BODY AND SOUL TO HEAVEN
The same archangel who called her “full of grace” descended at the Cenacle of Jerusalem to announce to Mary the “happy end of your pilgrimage and mortal life on earth.”
Seven-five years old but looking 33 years in appearance, the Virgin Mary had a full life.
Apostles Peter and John prayed for guidance on what to do with her body because the
two maidens who were supposed to anoint and wrap her body were prevented from seeing
or touching her due to a brilliant light emanating from her room.
They heard a voice from above, saying, “Let not the sacred body be removed or
touched.”
The faithful viewers lighted many candles at bier. These candles burned all day for
three days but were not consumed and remained in shape.
After three days Jesus took Mary’s soul to heaven and asked the Father to have her at
his right side. God the Father agreed.
Jesus took her soul back to earth, resuscitated her body, and took her up, body and
soul, to heaven.
MARRIAGE FOR A VIRGIN
Mary, when she was thirteen and a half years old, had a vision from God commanding
her to marry. It was customary that first-born maidens should have someone to provide
for them when they leave the temple.
Upon seeing the vision, Mary told God: “My good Lord, I confirm and ratify my desire
to remain chaste during all my life,” to which God replied:
“I will give you a spouse selected by myself, one who will put no hindrance to your
holy desires.”
At that time there was a gathering of the descendants of the tribe of Judah in the city
of Jerusalem. One of the men was Joseph, 33 years old, handsome and with pleasing
personality.
Joseph himself vowed to remain chaste, so when the priests of the temple chose him
to be the spouse for Mary, he initially protested. Told that he was God’s choice, he agreed
to the marriage.
CROWN FOR THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
In heaven, the Virgin Mary was placed at the throne of the Holy Trinity in the presence
of the angels and saints.
God the Father said: “Our daughter Mary was chosen according to our pleasure from
among all creatures; we shall recognize her as the legitimate and peerless Lady and Sovereign.”
Jesus said: “To my true and natural mother belong all the creatures which were created
and redeemed by me, all things over which I am King.”
The Holy Spirit said: “She is my beloved and Chosen Spouse; she deserves to be
crowned as Queen for all eternity.”
Could there be greater words of praise than these?
Mary’s cousin, St. Elizabeth, greeted her with: “Blessed art thou among women.”
Our Lady replied: “Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”
Indeed, throughout the past generations and the present, we call her the Blessed Virgin Mary.
7th Anniversary of Staten Island North Star Lions Club
The Staten Island North Star Lions Club celebrated its Seventh Charter Day with a luncheon at the Historic Bermuda
Inn August 25. A new set of officers for the year 2013-2014 was inducted into office by 20-R2 District Governor Maria
Sierra. In attendance were:
Below (seated): Eileen Magno, Secretary; Dee Carroll , 2nd Vice President; Aurora Nazareno Ocampo, Past District
Governor; Bert Olimpo, 1st Vice President; Ben Gupit, President; Maria Sierra, District Governor; Thomasina Williams,
Community Relations;
Eleanor Advincula,
Director; and Connie
Hernandez, Membership
Director. Standing are:
K. S. Kim, Past District
Governor; Mario Nieves,
3 r d Vi c e P r e s i d e n t ;
Manuel Carreon,
Treasurer; Michael Ona,
Lion Tamer; Lita Aquino,
Membership Director; Dr.
Lito Advincula, Director;
Ed Josey and Virginia
Allen, Community
Relations Directors
Lions Secrertary Eileen Magno (center) holds the
Robert Uplinger Award for Distinguished Service.
The award was named after Robert Uplinger, Past
International Director of Lions Clubs International.
Ms. Magno is flanked by Past District Governor K.S.
Kim, President Ben Gupit, Current District Governor
Maria Sierra and Past District Governor Aurora
Nazareno Ocampo.
FACES & PLACES
San Pedro
Calungsod
Hermano
and
Hermana
Mayor in
Las Vegas
by Ate Norma
Dr. Zosimo Micabalo and Mrs. Luz Sapin
Micabalo were the first Hermano and Hermana
Mayores of SPC ALAY Association in Las Vegas.
Photo at right was taken during the recent San
Pedro Calungsod celebratrion there. Luz was also
very active in the religious community when she
was still in New York.
Kamron’s Baptism
Left: Kamron Alexander Garcia (inset) was
baptized last September 15 at St. Anthony’s
Church in Oceanside followed a party at
Lambrou’s Restaurant in Island Park. Photo
from left: Grandma Marie Malvar, Mom
Maureen, Dad Kenneth, Uncle Michael and
Brother Markus. Marie was a hermanita of
the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau.
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -- Luke 12:31
SCARLETTT
CALEB
QUINN
ETHAN
ALLISON
Sweet
Sixty
FACES & PLACES
There’s a new sexagenarian in
town. Pilar San Juan (inset)
better known as Tita Pilar has
recently turned sixty. And to
celebrate the occasion, a party
was held at the Sheraton
Hotel in Queens. Right photo
shows Pilar seated with
hubby Jorge and flanked by
members of the Friends of the
Filipino Catholic. Bottom
photo shows most of her
other guests. Among those in
attendance were Frank and
Lina Posecion, Dean and
Carina Suba, Lydia and Virgie
Bautista, Cesar and Blanche
Lawas and Romy and Esther
Rancio from FDA.
Left: Pilar’s birthday
party guests at the
Sheraton Hotel.
Fr. George Atok, a frequent visitor and friend of Our Lady of Pompei parish, was given a send-off party by the staff and volunteers of Our Lady
of Pompei recently. Fr. Atok was recently assigned to a new parish in Vancouver, Canada.
FACES & PLACES
SANTO NIÑO
NOVENA
Latest sponsors of the
weekly house to house
novena to the Holy Infant
Jesus were Drs. Engracio
and Lily Samala (seated) of
Manhasset, New York.
Standing from left: Jun
Novenario, Marie Malvar,
Lett Dayao, Norma Pascual,
Zeny Berroya, Tessie, Ella
Berroya, Toots Berroya,
Jiji Shapiro, Ena Antonio,
Armely Novenario and Jun
Antonio.
Mary Anne Sachs (circled) and husband Craig were hosts to
Mass was held at the Immaculate Conception Center in
Douglaston, New York for the graduates and students of the the Santo Niño Novena at their home in Levittow, Long Island.
Third Order of Carmelites. FilCath’s Fr. Joe Cadusale was a Photo shows them with members of the Infant Jesus Prayer
concelebrant of the mass. Among those who attended were from Group of Nassau.
left: Tony and Lalaine Nassiri, Pilar del Fierro and Jocey Buzeta.
Filipino
Parishioners
of St. Mary’s
Church in
Roslyn, New
York hold first
meeting.
Filipino-Americans at St. Mary’s parish in Roslyn met last August 30 to talk about religious concerns in the community. Among those who attended
were Rev. Fr. John J. McCartney, pastor of St. Mary’s Church; visiting priest from Rome Fr. Edsel V. Delfin; Mr. & Mrs. Cesar & Dulce Barangan, Mr. &
Mrs. Augurio & Lourdes Collantes, Dr. & Mrs. Engracio & Lilia Cortes, Mr. & Mrs. Antonio & Gloria Enriquez, Dr. & Mrs. Salvador & Maria Theresa
Gales, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Melanie Hermosura, Drs. Eriberto & Divinia Lozada, Drs. Rodolfo & Esmeralda Magpantay, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond & Edith
Monteserato, Mr. & Mrs. Noozar & Lalaine Nassiri, Mr. & Mrs. Jonas & Ria Poblador, Drs. Loreto & Marietta Tanael, Drs. Dennis & Shirley Tansiongco.
TAGALOG
Mahal Mamahala si Bathala
Alalahanin nating lahat na ang
Maylikha ng langit at lupa ay kilala
ng mga tao sa ibatibang pangalan.
Sa mga Tagalog Siya ay si Bathala,
sa Bikol naman Kagurangnan, sa
Ilokano, Ti Apo, sa Visaya/Cebu
Ginoo/Dios, sa Latin ay Deus, sa
Spanish ay Dios, atbp.
Ganito ito sapagkat tinatakan ng
Maylikha ang kanyang nilikha ng
by Rev. Ruben Cammayo
mga katangian niya, upang mabakas ng tao ang Maylikha ayon sa
kanyang mga nilikha, sa abot kaya ng kanyang isip at damdamin, karanasan at
budhi.
Kaya masasabi na may mga bahagi ng sinag ng katotothanan, kagandahan at
kamahalan ang mga panamba ng tao, sapagkat ipinamalas ng Maylikha ang
kanyang balak sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga nilikha. Maaaring tawagin ito
bilang likas na aralingbathala, na dito ginagamit ang angkin isip at damdamin
upang tuklasin ang mga bagay ng daigdig at sanlibutan. At sa pamamagitan
ng pagsusubok na inuulit, ang alinlangan ay bumigay sa daan ng haka, at ang
haka naman ay humantong sa katiyakan at pagkatapos ito ay makarating sa
katumpakan.
Subalit nangyayari pa rin na sa Afrika, Asia, Europa, Amerika, China, India,
Russia at Oceania, ay may ibatibang taguri sa Maylikha bilang mga maylikhang dagat, ng apoy, ng bagyo, ng gubat, ng araw at mga bituin. Mula kay Zeus
at ang kanyang hapag, kay Thor, at kay Kami kasama ang Shintong hapag,
atbp., marami pang ibang mga diwata, o balabathala, diyusdiyosan ang tao.
May iba pang patubuan ng bansa na ginagawa ang tao bilang isang bathala
upang mamuno sa karamihan. Halimbawa ng mga ito ay ang Pharaoh ng Egypt
at ang Emperors ng Roma. Kadalasan ang pumintas sa isang hari, ay kinukulong o kaya pinapaalis sa daigdig.
Gayunpaman, sa wakas, ang kasaysayan ng tao ay naging kasaysayan ng kanyang kaligtasan dulot ng Bathalang Maylikha na namamahala at nagmamahal
sa lahat na tao.
Halos 2000 taon, bago dumating si Jesus na Kristo sa Bethlehem, si Abram/
Abraham at Sarai, at si Lot na pamangkin ni Abram/ Abraham, ay hinikayat
ng amang Terah na TagaUr ng mga TagaChaldea, na tumungo sa lupain ng
Canaan. Lumusan sila subalit nanahan sila sa Haran. Doon samantala nagsalita
ang Poon kay Abram na lisanin ang lupain ng kanyang mga ninuno tungo sa
ibibigay na lupa ng Poon. Ang pangako pa ng Poon: ay isang dakilang bansa
mula sa kanya, pagpapalain siya, ang pangalan niya ay magiging dakila upang
siya ay magiging pagpapala...
Itinalaga ni Abram ang palataya kay Poon at ginawa naman ng Poon si Abram
na matuwid. Dito matatawag ang lantarang pahayag ng Bathalang Poon sa
tao. Kayat masasabi na ito ay higit likas na aralingbathala, sapagkat nagsalita
na ang Maylikha sa tao, at ang tao ay naglagay ng kanyang palataya, panalig
at tiwala sa lubos na makapangyarihang Maylikha na nagpahayag ng tipan ng
katapatan at kabanalan, at sumangayon naman ang tao sa patakaran kasama
ang pagsunat bilang tanda ng tipanan.
Sa Bagong Tipan, ang bukal, buod, at batayan ng palataya ay si Banal Mabining Maria, na sumampalataya sa salita at balita ng Bathala sa paraan ng Anghel
Gabriel. Maaaring sabihin na sa pagbalita ng anghel kay Maria, siya ay karaniwang nakatayo, subalit nang tanggapin ni Maria ang Salita ng Bathala, ang anghel ay karaniwang lumuhod sa Salita na naging tao sa sinapupunan ng Mahal
na Ina. Sa hiwaga naman ng Banal na Misa ng Poong Jesus na Kristo, sa bahagi
ng Paibayongbuod/ Transsubstantiatio, ang lahat ay lumuluhod na Katawan
at Dugo ni Kristo sa pagtalaga o sa pagpagingbanal ng hostia / dipaangat na
tinapay, at alak.
Kaya sa mahabang pagmahal ng Bathala sa tao, sa kapunuan ng panahon,
isinugo niya ang bugtong Anak na si Jesus, ibig sabihin, si Yahweh ay kaligtasan, upang ating maging Tagaligtas, Katotohanan, at Tinapay ng buhay.
At 2000 na rin ang ating layo kay Banal na Maria/ Miryam, Ina ng Bathala at
Ina ng Anak ng Bathala, sa hiwaga ng buhay ni Kristo sa kanya, sa tuwa, lungkot, luwalhati, at luningning.
Subalit sa bawat dasal ng Banal na Rosahan/ Rosarium, at sa bawat diwa ng
Huling Hapunan ni Kristo, dito sa Simbahan at saanmang sulok ng daigdig,
ang mahal na pamahalaan ng Maylikha ay muling natutupad na kapanibaguhan sa bawat abang puso na naghihintay sa kalooban ng Ama, Abba at Bathala
at ng kanyang kabanalan, lalong higit sa Misa.
Ipinamalas man kay Moses ang kanyang Pangalan bilang YHWH, Siya na Ay,
ipinamalas naman ng huling Sugo/ Apostol Joannes, na ang Bathala ay Pagmahal, at ibig niyang mangyari na magmahalan tayo. At tayo na nagmamahal ay
pananatilihan ng Ama, Anak, at Hininga ng Bathala na nagpapabanal. At Sambahan ng Misa, ang katawan at dugo ni Kristo Jesus ay ang tugatog at bukal ng
katipan ni Kristo at ng katipun ng Simbahan ni Kristo Jesus.
Halina at langhapin ang simoy ng Pagmahal ng Bathala, at ang Pagibig sa
kapuwa.
At ibuga ang halimuyak ng mapanglikhang mahal ng Maylikha, nagmamahal
at namamahala sa lahat. Marami na ang bumalik kay Kristo, ang Mahal ng
Ama.
At ang nagmamahal ay gumagawa ng paraan upang mabuklod sa dulugan ng
Pagmamahal. Salamat po, Poon.
Third Month
Virgin Mary, you brought Jesus into the
world. You nurtured Him as every mother
nurtures her child. We pray for children and
young people: you know so well what they
need.
Guide teen-agers so that they will find adults
who are capable of listening to them, of
understanding and encouraging them.
Enlighten young adults in their desires for
happiness and their plans for the future.
Give courage, faith and confidence to those
whom Jesus invites to a closer union, and
strengthen their response to follow Him.
And then there are the children and
adolescents who know nothing about Jesus
and who have never heard about you. We
pray that they may encounter along their way
true witnesses of the Christian faith. Our Lady
of the Cape, “watch over the souls of the
young and over the hearts of children.” (John
Paul II). JCC
Prayer to
Saint Martin De Porres
St. Martin de Porres, you always had
sympathy for the poor and those who
were suffering. I need your help and now
ask for it with great confidence in your
goodness and power. The favor you
received from God encourage us now to
ask your intercession. We ask you most
humbly to befriend us and assist us from
your place in heaven. When you were
here on earth you spent your life loving
God and your neighbor. Now that you
live in the presence of God, intercede for
us and beg the Divine Physician to give
us health of soul and body. Amen. JCC
Apat na libo na rin ang layo natin kay Abraham, Ama ng palataya.
TAGALOG
Kailangan Kita
Peter James R. Alindogan
Sa mga gabing matampuhin ang mga bituin at
sa mga umagang walang liwanag na nasisinag,
sa mga araw na namamayagpag ang mga ulap
at sa mga sandaling umusad ang panahon, sa
mga tulang hindi nagkakatugma at sa mga
kuwentong walang tapos, tanong lamang ang
tanging sagot-- Bakit nga ba kailangan kita?
Pangalawa, ang panahon. May mga
panahong lumipas na kung kailan hindi natin
pinahalagahan ang mga bagay at taong bigay.
At may mga panahong lilipas pa rin na sana’y
mga tao at bagay na bigay ay pahahalagahan
natin.
At pangatlo, ang tao. May mga taong
dumarating sa buhay natin sa dahilang hindi
natin malaman. At may mga taong umaalis
naman sa buhay natin sa mga dahilang mas
lalong hindi natin malalaman.
Tinanong kita kung kailangan nga ba natin ang
karamay sa buhay. Sabi mo naman, kailangang
may kasama sa pagbahagi ng buhay at puso,
kailangang may kasama sa anumang tagumpay
at kabiguan, kailangang may kasamang asarin
at mahalin, sa kantiyawan at kakulitan.
Sa pagkakaibigan ba nagsimula ang lahat?
At paano nga ba namang mas madaling
magpahiwatig ngayon ng saloobin kaysa sa
noon? At paano nga bang nangyari na mas
lalong napapalapit ang isang tao sa atin ng
hindi inaasahan?
Sa pagkakaroon ba ng supling nadagdagan ang pangangailangan? At paano nga
ba namang mauunawaan na anumang galing sa atin ay talaga namang hindi atin,
kundi mga buhay lamang na hiram? At paano nga ba naman matatanggap na
anumang hiram ay kailangang isauli sa tamang May-ari?
Kinakailangang magbigay ang Maykapal kaya ibinigay niya ang ating
pangangailangan. Sa tatlong bahagi ng buhay ito nararamdaman.
Una, ang bagay. May mga bagay sa mundo na bigay ang Maykapal na hindi natin
nais. At may mga bagay naman sa mundo na talagang kanais-nais.
Hindi naman marahil kinakailangang
maunawaan natin ang lahat.
Sa mga bagay, panahon at tao na binigay
at kinuha, sa mga panahon, tao at bagay na
pinahalagahan at tinalikuran, sa mga tao,
bagay at panahon na dumating at lumisan,
ang tanging nararamdaman at nawa’y matuklasan ang pagpasalamat sa Siyang
nagbigay ng lahat.
Dahil kung tutuusin nga naman, maglalagas ang mga dahon sa puno at mawawala
ang dating lakas at sigla, puputi ang buhok at kukulubot ang balat, lilipas ang
panahon at tayo’y lilipas na rin.
At walang makakaalala…
Maliban sa isang mag-aalala pa rin at tanging nakakaalam—ang Diyos na alam ang
lahat ng ating pangangailangan, ang Diyos na kinailangang ibigay ang kanyang
sariling Anak para sa ating mga pansarili at pangkalahatang pangangailangan,
ang Diyos na sa buhay ngayon at sa darating ay kailangang kailangan.
St. Martin de Porres Prayer and Healing Ministry
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the wonderful things you
have done.” ... Psalms 9:1
In 2008, I was diagnosed with a high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the right popliteal fossa, an area behind the knee. Inspite of the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
that I had undergone for 8 months, the oncologist still recommended amputation of
my right leg. This was because pathology results showed that the treatment was not
able to kill most of the cancer cells and the type of tumor I had was notorious for
recurrence and metastasis. My doctor even said that without the procedure, he is
almost certain that my tumor would come back within a year.
At that time, I had been praying the novena to St. Martin de Porres for months
and I was fortunate enough to be prayed over by Sister Josephine Dichoso. During
our session, I was slain and rested with the Holy Spirit. According to my mother, I
started crying uncontrollably and when I stopped, I had my arm stretched out with
my hand resting on her head. I whispered in her ear the following message:
“The LORD is with you!
Blessed are you my children,
you have faith in My kingdom.
I have healed all my sisters.
Continue to pray for the
kingdom of God is near!
Pray to my Mother and She will
help you for She has mercy.”
I woke up a few minutes later and continued praying the novena to St. Martin de
Porres. At this time, Sister Josie’s hand was on my right knee. I, together with two
other people in the room, then noticed that despite my completely still upper body,
both my legs started to shake on their own, as if electricity was passing through them.
I refused the amputation with the faith that I had been cured … and follow-up
Sister Josephine Dichoso
Founder
scans every three months for the past
3 years have all showed that I was
clear of the cancer.
In December of 2010, they had to
re-open my leg because of repeated
bouts of inflammation. During the
surgery, the doctors performed a biopsy and the initial pathology report
was positive for tumor cells. My family and I immediately began praying
the novena to St. Martin de Porres
and we asked Sr. Josie to pray for
me via telephone. Three days later,
we get the official and final biopsy
report that showed I only had an infection, no trace of the cancer cells!
My surgeons couldn’t believe the
results. They had the specimen tested
Christine Santillana with Sister
at another facility which revealed the
Josephine Dichoso. Makati,
same thing ... no cancer recurrence!
Philippines (January 2012)
I have been in remission for three
and a half years now and I continue
to pray the novena regularly as a
thanksgiving to Him (through the intercession of St. Martin de Porres and Sister
Josie) for curing me.
Christine Arambulo-Santillana, 27 years old
Manila, Philippines
YOUTH SECTION
#FOLLOWERS
OF CHRIST
by Jessica Abejar
3 Reasons Why You Should Start Reading #Followers of Christ
#Followers of Christ is a new column written for not only Filipino Catholic youth
but for people of all ages. See why YOU
should be reading #Followers of Christ!
1) Because you are young. If you could follow Jesus on Twitter, you would.
Sadly, He is not on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. So this may be the
next best thing! #Followers of Christ is written with youth and young adults
in mind. #Followers of Christ shares in the experience of what it is like to
be young and Catholic in the world today. If you have any questions or
doubts or even revelations about your faith, #Followers of Christ may be
experiencing those same feelings!
2) Because you are “young at heart.” If you don’t know what Twitter or
Facebook or Instagram is, or if you have no idea what the “#” in the title
means, that’s okay! This column is for you, too! Read up on what is “trending” among our youth today and find out what topics are really important
to them. As always, #Followers of Christ wants you to remain young at heart
and be the inspiration for our youth today!
3) Because WE are the future of the Church. Whether you are young or
young at heart, we are ALL part of the Church. We are a part of a community that asks everyone to be a living witness to Christ’s love. #Followers of
Christ looks to build that community through shared experiences among
the young and young at heart. Through this community, we can start
building the future of the Church.
And here’s a bonus reason:
4) Because JESUS WANTS YOU TO! Maybe Jesus didn’t exactly say the
words “Go forth and read #Followers of Christ,” but He does want you to
BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Jesus wants YOU, and He wants you TODAY. Even if you are young, Jesus wants you. Even if you are young at
heart, Jesus wants you. Jesus wants all of you! And together, #Followers of
Christ can help lead you to a life closer to God and develop a relationship
with Him by recognizing His presence in every single aspect of your life,
from your joys to your pains to your everyday activities to your once-ina-lifetime adventures. #Followers of Christ is here to show you how God is
present in ALL the details of your daily life.
LAKAD TULONG 2013 RUN/WALK
LOVES 2 HELP 5K
ONLINE REGISTRATION http://bit.ly/loves2help2013
��
The future of the Church lies in our hands – the hands of the young and
the young at heart. But we can only build a better future, if we become
living witnesses of Christ’s unconditional love today!
And as God said to Jeremiah: “Don’t say ‘I’m too young.’ You must go
to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be
afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” (Jer 1:7-8)
So start today! Be inspired, share your thoughts, and become a #Follower
of Christ.
Jessica Abejar, the eldest daughter of Joel and Gilda Abejar, is a former
Santo Nino hermanita from Long Island, NY. Currently, she is a Youth
Coordinator at the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Manhattan, where she
also heads FAMILYYA – the Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry.
Jessica is also a sacred dancer, who recently performed at the 2013 World
Youth Day in Brazil.
SEPTEMBER.22.2013
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Mama Mary’s Birthday
and its Relevance!
by Mayven S. Cajucom
For us Filipinos, the “ber” months give us a
warm “homey” feeling and the excitement to spend
the longest Christmas celebration ever! It is during
the first “ber” month or as early as September that
some of us would undertake a fresh start, that is,
planning to renovate and decorate our homes,
listing and shopping Christmas gifts for our loved
ones and friends, among other things. Everyone,
young and old alike, appears to be in a jovial mood once “ber” months kick in. In
my case for instance, I still experience the same joyful feeling and I get excited for
the holidays, reminiscing my childhood days! Even our mother nature appears
to feel the same, the trees and leaves begin to change colors and the weather starts
to cool during the start of the “ber” months.
For us Filipino Catholics, there are more reasons to celebrate during the “ber”
months as some of the major holy days of obligations are being celebrated, one
of which is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. However,
even before the said liturgical celebration, something special and important in our
salvation history is also being remembered and that is the birthday of the Blessed
Virgin Mary on the 8th of September.
It is surprising that some of us may not be fully aware of the Blessed Mother’s
birthday much more of the historical fact about her being conceived without
original sin. For those who have not had a chance to seize the opportunity of
studying the catholic doctrine, original sin as explained in the Catechism of the
Catholic Church is the first personal sin of Adam and Eve which was transmitted to
their offspring and passed down from generation to generation. In other words,
our catholic faith teaches us that everyone born into this world inherit Adam
and Eve’s first sin and that only when they are baptized that the said original sin
is wiped out. The said catholic belief, particularly the transmission of original
sin, remains a mystery and the Church holds strongly to the said idea and most
importantly the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
As earlier mentioned, the Blessed Mother being chosen as the Mother of God
was granted a heavenly privilege of being free from original sin. She was blessed
among all women, hence she was an exemption to the so-called “all have sinned”
rule.
We Catholics believe that the selection of Virgin Mary as God’s mother on
earth was all His plan and love for Mama Mary. She was honored most greatly
by God and by His followers from then till now, hence her title as Mother of the
Church and Mother of All Nations. Our Blessed Mother plays a pivotal role in
our spiritual journey, specifically in leading us to God. As Christians, we are
called and challenged to emulate the life of Mama Mary, simple and humble.
She’s filled with graces and virtues and is willing to share with us the same if we
draw close to her.
I remember a short prayer I’ve learned from my mother when I was a child.
She would say, “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to
thee” after every prayer or whenever she encounters problems. To her, the utter
of the said powerful brief prayer provided comfort and relief. That has been true
to me as well, Mama Mary never failed to help me whenever challenges come
my way. Through Mama Mary’s prayerful assistance, we will be able to conquer
our weaknesses and limitations. The Blessed Mother provides comfort and hope
to those who seek her name and in fact this is one of her promises to us in some
of her apparitions.
Just like any ordinary birthday celebrations, we bring happiness to the celebrant
as well as family and friends. It is like the “ber” months, birthdays are joyful and
enriching! And so, on this very important day of Mama Mary, we should be more
generous by offering prayers, particularly reciting the Holy Rosary sincerely for the
intentions of other people, and pray for miracles especially to those in dire need,
through the intercession of the Blessed Mother. By doing so, we will be putting
smiles to the beautiful face of our Blessed Mother!
O Holy Mary, Our Hope, Handmaid of the Lord, Pray for us!
__________________
Incidentally, I wish to greet happy birthday to all the Filipino Catholic September
celebrants-readers especially to my dear Inday, Ma. Rhodora Samonte-Articona and Intoy,
Winston Francis Ilustre. May our Blessed Mother intercede for you and may God shower
you with His choicest blessings!
To our mother, Inay Aying, who is now in heaven and is also celebrating her birthday
this month, may God grant you eternal rest and happiness in Heaven.
Best wishes and congratulations to Ms. Eleanor Domingo-de Leon, who is the Hermana
Mayor of the feast day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Happy feast day to the
people in Borongan!
On the birthday of Mama Mary, I also fervently pray for the intentions of Kuya Manny.
Santo Niño, Birhen ng Antipolo
and the Filipino Catholic
On the 18th Anniversary of the Filipino Catholic, friends and members of the
publication, attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island
in Eastport last September 1.
As in previous celebrations, members of the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau
and devotees of the Birhen of Antipolo were in attendance. Mass celebrant was Fr.
Joe Cadusale, Spiritual Director of the newspaper.
Jessica and Joelle Abejar performed a liturgical dance during the mass. Jessica is a
former hermanita of the Santo Nino Group in Nassau.
Liturgical Music was provided by the Himig at Alay Music Ministry headed by
Philip Dancel.
The image of the Birhen ng Antipolo was
courtesy of Rick and Cecille Santisteban. Rick
is the coordinator of the BNA or Birhen ng
Antipolo Ministry in Brooklyn and Queens.
The mass was also an occasion to remember
in a special way the one year anniversary
of the death of Ramon Ulep, brother of long
time Filipino Catholic friend and supporter
Lily Ulep. Ramon’s portrait was blessed
by Fr. Joe Cadusale and his sisters Lily and
Nene at the end of the mass.
Also remembered during the mass was
Maria Pascual, a valuable writer of the
newspaper, who passed away last April.
After the mass, a small salu-salo was held
on a deck adjacent to the shrine’s cafeteria.
Filipino dishes were prepared and served
by the members of the Infant Jesus Prayer
Group of Nassau.
Fr. Joe Cadusale, Spiritual
Adviser of the Filipino
Catholic, speaks before the
congregation.
Rogie and Helen Instrella
and the Birhen of Antipolo.
The Filipino Catholic was formed 18 years
ago by a group of volunteers. Among them
the late Fr. Bobby Sison of the Filipino
Pastoral Ministry at Our Lady of Pompei
Church in New York City.
photos by: Rick Santisteban
Offerers Remy Galvez,
Nene Salandanan and
Let’s study the
CATECHISM
Come Holy Spirit, Come.
-
by Sonia Santos Salerni
Let’s Study the Catechism
Sonia Santos Salerni
III. HOW IS THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
CELEBRATED?
Christian Initiation
and of the Holy Spirit.” At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the
priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again.
1241 The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that
is, one “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest,
prophet, and king.
1242 In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the postbaptismal anointing announces a second anointing with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop
Confirmation, which will as it were “confirm” and complete the baptismal anointing.
1243 The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has “put on Christ,”
has risen with Christ. The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has
enlightened the neophyte. In Him the baptized are “the light of the world.” The newly
baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God entitled to say the prayer of the children
of God: “Our Father.”
1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a
Christian has been accomplished by a journey and
initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements
will always have to be present: proclamation of the
Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism
itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.
1230 This initiation has varied greatly through the centuries according to circumstances. In the first centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development. A long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which
were liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated
in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
1231 Where infant Baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually
celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian
initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a postbaptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but
also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. The catechism
has its proper place here.
1232 The second Vatican Council restored for the Latin Church “the catechumenate
for adults, comprising several distinct steps.” The rites for these stages are to be found
in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The Council also gives permission
that: “In mission countries, in addition to what is furnished by the Christian tradition,
those elements of initiation rites may be admitted which are already in use among some
peoples insofar as they can be adapted to the Christian ritual.”
1233 Today in all the rites, Latin and Eastern, the Christian initiation of adults begins with their entry into the catechumenate and reaches its culmination in a single celebration of the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
In the Eastern rites the Christian initiation of infants also begins with Baptism followed
immediately by Confirmation and the Eucharist, while in the Roman rite it is followed
by years of catechesis before being completed later by Confirmation and the Eucharist,
the summit of their Christian initiation.
1244 First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with the
wedding garment, the neophyte is admitted “to the marriage supper of the Lamb” and
receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. The Eastern Churches
maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord’s
words: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.” The Latin Church, which
reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason,
expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child
brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father.
1245 The solemn blessing concludes the celebration of Baptism. At the Baptism of
newborns the blessing of the mother occupies a special place.
The mystagogy of the celebration
1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the
rites of its celebration. By following the gestures and words of this celebration with
attentive participation, the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies
and actually brings about in each newly baptized person.
1235 The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the
imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to Him and signifies the grace of the
redemption Christ won for us by His cross.
1236 The proclamation of the Word of God enlightens the candidates and the assembly with the revealed truth and elicits the response of faith, which is inseparable
from Baptism. Indeed Baptism is “the sacrament of faith” in a particular way, since it is
the sacramental entry into the life of faith.
1237 Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil,
one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate. The celebrant then anoints
him with the oil of catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces
Satan. Thus prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the Church, to which he will be
“entrusted” by Baptism.
1238 The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter Vigil). The Church asks God that through His Son the power of
the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may
be “born of water and the Spirit.”
1239 The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It
signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy
Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed
in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from
ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times
over the candidate’s head.
1240 In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister’s
words: “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.” In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest
says: “The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
The Baptism of infants
1250 Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have
need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought
into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called. The
sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism.
The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child
of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth.
1251 Christian parents will recognize that this practice also accords with their role
as nurturers of the life that God has entrusted to them.
1252 The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. There
is explicit testimony to this practice from the second century on, and it is quite possible
that, from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole “households” received
baptism, infants may also have been baptized.
IV. WHO CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM?
1246 “Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.”
The Baptism of adults
1247 Since the beginning of the Church, adult Baptism is the common practice
where the proclamation of the Gospel is still new. The catechumenate (preparation for
Baptism) therefore occupies an important place. This initiation into Christian faith and
life should dispose the catechumen to receive the gift of God in Baptism, Confirmation,
and the Eucharist.
1248 The catechumenate, or formation of catechumens, aims at bringing their
conversion and faith to maturity, in response to the divine initiative and in union with
an ecclesial community. The catechumenate is to be “a formation in the whole Christian
life . . . during which the disciples will be joined to Christ their teacher. The catechumens should be properly initiated into the mystery of salvation and the practice of the
evangelical virtues, and they should be introduced into the life of faith, liturgy, and
charity of the People of God by successive sacred rites.”
1249 Catechumens “are already joined to the Church, they are already of the household of Christ, and are quite frequently already living a life of faith, hope, and charity.”
“With love and solicitude mother Church already embraces them as her own.”
Faith and Baptism
1253 Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers.
It is only within the faith of the Church that each of the faithful can believe. The faith
required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called
to develop. The catechumen or the godparent is asked: “What do you ask of God’s
Church?” The response is: “Faith!”
1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism. For
this reason the Church celebrates each year at the Easter Vigil the renewal of baptismal
promises. Preparation for Baptism leads only to the threshold of new life. Baptism is the
source of that new life in Christ from which the entire Christian life springs forth.
1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the
role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help
the newly baptized - child or adult on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly
ecclesial function (officium). The whole ecclesial community bears some responsibility
for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.
To be continued next month.
MAR2-10
x
Apr14-24
MAY7-17
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SUMMER
SEP9-21
SEP2-15
PILGRIMAGES FOR 2014
HOLY LAND
$TBD
Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
ISTANBUL & HOLY LAND
$TBD
Istanbul, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
ISTANBUL, JORDAN, HOLY LAND with Fr.PeterTran VanPhat $TBD
Istanbul,Amman Petra Mt Nebo, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
MEDJUGORJE & CROATIA
Medjugorje, Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Opatija, Bled
CRUISES FOR 2014
MIAMI – BAHAMASfrom
NEW YORK TO CANADA
NY to EASTERN CARRIBEAN
SCANDINAVIAN CRUISE
WATERWAYS OF RUSSIA
Moscow, Yaroslavl, Goritsky, Kizhi, Mandrogi, St. Petersburg
$TBD
$540(inside)
from$599
from$699
from$799
$2,599 JFK
PILGRIMAGES FOR 2013
TURKEY & GREECE (Footsteps of St Paul)
$2,999 JFK
Istanbul,Cappadocia,Ephesus,Cruise-Patmos/Rhodes/Santorini, Athens
SEP 15-27
100 CHURCHES IN ROME & BEST OF ITALY with Bro Carmelo $2,899 EWR
Rome, Avellino, Lanciano, Assisi, Florence, Padua, Milan
SEP 15-26
MEDJUGORJE & EASTERN EUROPE
$2,799 EWR
Medjugorje, Zagreb, Vienna, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw
SEP 16-27
THE BEST OF POLAND & CZECH REPUBLIC with Fr Ramen
$3,199 EWR
Krakow, Lagiewnki, Wadowice, Czestochowa, Prague, Brno
SEP 16-25
PARIS/LOURDES/ROME with Fr Rolando Yadao
$2,499 EWR
Paris, Lourdes, Nice, Pisa, Florence, Rome
SEP24-OCT7 ROME/LOURDES/FATIMA
$3,299 EWR
Rome, Assisi, Florence, Nice, Lourdes, Burgos, Fatima
SEP25-OCT5 HOLY LAND & JORDAN with Fr. Fernando Caindec
$2,799 JFK
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
OCT 7-20
FATIMA, LOURDES, PARIS
$3,599 EWR
Avila, Zaragoza, Avignon, Paray-le-Monial, Nevers, Lisieux
OCT8-18
IRELAND, WALES, and ENGLAND
$2,899 EWR
Dublin, Knock, Kylemore, Moher, Stonehenge, Westminster, London
OCT 8-16
HOLY LAND
$2,499 JFK
OCT 9-20
THE BEAUTY OF SOUTH AMERICA with Fr. Chris Panlilio
$4,099 JFK
Argentina, Brazil, Peru-Machu Pichu
OCT29-NOV11 EGYPT & HOLY LAND
$3,699 JFK
Cairo, Luxor, Nile River cruise, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
NOV3-14
HABEMUS PAPAM CRUISE(Meditteranian), ROME, AND FATIMA $2,049 EWR
Cruise: Milan, Barcelona, Malta, Sicily, Naples,3 nights Rome, Fatima (inside cabin)
NOV6-13
FAMILIARIZATION TRIP TO FATIMA & BEST OF PORTUGAL $ 999 EWR
FAM trip to Portugal, including Fatima, Lisbon, Cascais, Batalha.
NOV7-20
TURKEY & HOLY LAND with Msgr Ed Weber
$3,399 JFK
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Dead Sea
NOV20-28
HOLY LAND with Fr. Tito Ignacio
$2,399 EWR
NOV 30-DEC9 HOLY LAND with Fr. George Torok
$2.399 EWR
DEC8-13
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE with Fr. Mike Semana
$1,299 EWR
México City, Puebla, Ocatlan, Teotihuacán
Noelette Tours, LLC
206 Parrott Rd, West Nyack, NY10994
Tel: 1845 323 4522 845 634 6695
Fax: 845-818-3679
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.noelette.com
S
aints
by Erlinda Franco, SFO
The Archangels
St. Michael - Patron of Policement
St. Gabriel - Patron of Communications
Workers
St. Raphael - Patron of Travelers
ANGELS are spirits without bodies, who possess superior intelligence, gigantic strength, and surpassing holiness. They enjoy an intimate
relationship to God as His special adopted children, contemplating,
loving, and praising Him in heaven. Some of them are frequently sent
as messengers to men from on high.
This feast celebrates three angels who were sent by God to man over
the course of the ages: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. They are termed
Archangels, the second of nine choirs of Angels, which are in descending order: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers,
Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
The name Michael signifies “Who is like to God?” and was the
war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against
Satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as
“one of the chief princes,” and as leader of the forces of heaven
in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially
honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from
the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called “the Archangel,” the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the Angels—as Prince
of the Seraphim.
The name Gabriel means “man of God,” or “God has shown
Himself mighty.” It appears first in the prophecies of Daniel in the
Old Testament. This Angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of
the seventy weeks (Daniel, 9, 21-27). His name also occurs in the
apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the Angel who appeared to
Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptizer (Luke 1,
11). Finally, he announced to Mary that she would bear a Son Who
would be conceived of the Holy Spirit, Son of the Most High, and
the Savior of the world (Luke 1, 26).
The name Raphael means “God has healed.” This Angel first
appears in Holy Scripture in the Book of Tobit. He acts as a guide
to young Tobiah on his journey to Rages, a city in the country of
the Medes, east of Nineveh, to collect a debt owed to his father.
The Angel binds the demon Asasel in the desert of Egypt, helps
Tobiah to find a wife and recover the debt, and heals Tobit from his
blindness. He then reveals his identity: “I am the Angel Raphael,
one of the seven who stand before the throne of God.”
PRAYER God, with great wisdom You direct the ministry of Angels and
men. Grant that those who always minister to You in heaven may defend us
during our life on earth. Amen.
The Gospel Truth
Year of Faith 2013
My Daily Prayer Book
SUNDAY
Achieving Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
where there is hatred, let me show love.
where there is injury, pardon.
where there is doubt, faith.
where there is despair, hope.
where there is darkness, light, and
where there is sadness, joy.
Amen.
MONDAY
Keeping The Faith
I bind myself
by Rev. Joe Cadusale
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to teach me,
God’s eye to watch over me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guide me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.
Amen.
TUESDAY
Feeling Compassion
Jesus, may the contemplation of your sufferings move
me with the greatest compassion, make me hate my sins,
and kindle in my heart a more fervent love for you.
My beloved Jesus, grant that I may never cease to love You,
and do with me as You will.
Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Finding The Strength
O, mighty Lord , I pray that you will be my shield as I do
battle against Ignorance, cruelty and injustice.
through your unending love, I pray that you will grant me
goodness and steadfastness, so that I might lead others
to do Your will and glorify Your name.
Amen.THURSDAY
Leading The Way
Lord, inspire us today with the qualities of good leadership.
Give us insight to make wise decision, integrity to face the
truth, courage to make difficult choices and compassion
for the needs of others. Make us a model of justice and
Honor to the world, and let us never forget that our job
is to serve, both You and others.
Amen.
FRIDAY
Doing Your Will
Teach us to be generous, good lord;
Teach us to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for any reward
save that of knowing we do Your will.
Amen.
SATURDAY
Finding Comfort
Help me to remember what really important:
that I am Your child
you are my father
you love me for who I am
and how I live not for what I
look like or what I own.
Let me praise You who sees
into my heart, who is always
with me and who eases my suffering.
Amen.
SACRAMENTALS
HUMILITY --- ROAD
TO SPIRITUALITY
The Crucifix Medal
of St. Benedict
A mother had a teenage daughter who
was keeping something from her mother.
Her daughter was hearing voices and seeing
doors open and close by themselves. At
times she saw creepy blurry black figures
with teeth following her. She felt at one time
that something had entered into her. One
night she came to her mother’s bedroom
where she was sleeping. She woke her
up asking for help and told her what was
by Scapular John
going on. She was distressed and had a
demonic look on her face. The mother went into prayer and asked for a word
of knowledge. The word that came to her was, ‘horoscopes’. “Have you been
reading horoscopes?” “Yes, Mom” she replied. The mother applied the St.
Benedict Crucifix Medal to her head. Instantly the mother felt a demonic force
leave her. The mother then said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, be gone Satan!”
Her distressed daughter was instantly delivered from the effects of evil from
reading horoscopes. She looked normal again and doors stopped opening and
closing and black images no longer appeared.
What is the St. Benedict Crucifix Medal? It is a crucifix with the front half
of a round St. Benedict medal on the front of the Crucifix and the back of the
medal on the back of the Crucifix. It has a powerful exorcism prayer on it. This
sacramental has numerous other powerful blessings and many Plenary and
Partial Indulgences. One Plenary Indulgence is that of a happy death; this means
at judgment we see that Heaven is our destiny, even if it is through Purgatory.
This is something we can all use. Few of us realize the corrosive demonic attacks
on our souls as we approach death: such as to turn away form God, tempting us
with our past sinful desires, causing confusion, not wanting or trusting in Jesus’
Sacraments, and despair.
There are many ways to acquire a Plenary Indulgence. For the Medal Crucifix
one must go to Confession so as to be in a state of grace and receive Holy
Communion. Then wearing, touching or kissing this Medal Crucifix at the time
of death results in wiping away all punishment due to sin. The Corpus must be
on the Cross. Therefore it must be of durable material. Not acceptable are: lead,
tin, glass or pewter.
Other graces of the Medal Crucifix are its effectiveness, with faith, against: all
spiritual and material situations as they take place, such as: contagious disease,
poison, determined sickness, witchcraft, mediums, fortune tellers, Ouija boards,
Tarot cards, books on spells and charms and other temptations of the devil to
take us away from the internal guidance of the Holy Sprit. The devil wants us to
be guided externally and dependent on these occult practices. All of which can
lead to the ruin of our soul.
Using and praying with the St. Benedict Medal Crucifix cause us to grow
in holiness, joy and the love of the Lord. As mentioned before, we can receive
graces of valuable partial indulgences. Some of the partial as indulgences are:
200 days as often as one visits the sick, or makes visits to the Church, or teaches
his children the Faith at home, or to underprivileged relatives; seven years if
one devoutly accompanies the sick on All Saints Day; 100 days if one performs
some prayers before Holy Mass or before the reception of Holy Communion;
whosoever by his counsel or example converts a sinner, then obtains the remission
of a third of the punishment due to their sins; whosoever prays for the extension
of the Benedictine Order receives a portion of all the good works which will be
performed in this Order. It is up to God to dispense how much we really get
of these indulgences. He looks at our sincerity and effort and we are rewarded
accordingly.
It was St. Benedict who founded this order back in the 1500s. He lived a very
austere life and was very powerful against the devil. Hence, the St. Benedict
medal crucifix is a very powerful sacramental used in exorcisms by priests and
in deliverance work by lay people. This is why he is invoked when using this
sacramental. He intercedes for us to Jesus.
The Cross also teaches us to unite our sufferings with those of the Savior and
to offer them with Him as a sacrifice to the Father. This is what St. Benedict and
St. Paul did. One result of this was to gain favor with Jesus in helping others
overcome temptations from the tempter. St. Paul said in Colossians 1:24, “I
rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up those things that are wanting in
the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church.” May
we, by God’s grace, all rejoice in this.
For more information on sacramentals and how to obtain them, contact us at:
by Deacon Rolando V. Nolasco
G
od is calling us to be humble and ever mindful of those who are helpless,
poor and needy. Once invited to a banquet in one of the Pharisee’s house,
the Lord noticed many guests who seemed eager to be in seats of honor and
distinction. Apparently, this is no different from our time. It was but appropriate
then to use the wedding banquet protocol as a means to drive the significance of
embracing humility in our everyday life.
Humility is the honest recognition, that apart from God, we can do nothing. To
be truly aware of our status in the presence of our all-good and beneficent God will
keep us grounded. Human weakness and inadequacies become for us a humbling
experience. It will remind us that we constantly need God’s help no matter how
far one has achieved in life. The example of a branch that broke off from the vine
will soon wither and die is a manifestation of our dire need to be connected with
God. The advice for invitee to always seek a seat of lesser prominence is wise and
proper. There is a great chance of embarrassment if the host of the banquet will
ask you to give up the seat to a person of greater importance.
However, we hear much less today of this virtue as it is so much at odds with
self-determination, human ambition and aggressiveness. It becomes apparent that
our world today seems to be over-engaged in competition, losing our compassion
for those who have less in life. Many are madly driven by their passion and greed,
forgetting the rights of others. Many are numb to the misery and sufferings of
those around them. The massive corruption in our civil institutions perpetuated
by elected officials simply signifies their lack of concern for those whom they
promised to serve. As a result, the rich become richer while the poor are being
pushed to desperation.
Faith communities are not different from our civil society where leaders, who
are supposed to shepherd their flock, are the one taking advantage of them. Many
of these servants live extravagantly at the expense of their followers who hardly
meet their daily needs. Pope Francis asked our church leaders to live a simple life
that the faithful may see Christ by the witness of their lives. The culture of impunity,
a feeling of being over and above the law, seems to be the rule for many. Selfrighteousness and self-sufficiency make many forget of their basic responsibility
to help and care for the down-trodden. Instead, they cater to their own personal
and selfish goals-- to amass more power and wealth.
It is not surprising that some religious leaders fuel discord in their interpretation
of God’s Word. They interpret Scriptures according to vain pleasure of man rather
than remain faithful to what God wants his people to do. With this attitude, it
serves both the listeners and the preachers themselves. The former get to hear what
they want, hence the tendency for them to open their pockets a little bit more. It
is truly right that many prefer to hear the worldly things more easily rather than
God’s Word. It is for this reason that many abominable acts are sanctioned by some
faith communities who claim to be Christians. Union of the same sex, abortion
and capital punishment are openly supported. They even use some passages in
Scripture to validate their errant actions.
To embrace humility is a decision and commitment to remain submissive to
God’s will. The need to temper our human desire for worldly things must be done.
Let us always be aware that our attraction for earthly things will lead us astray
from what God wants us to be. We must remember that pursuing material things
with great longing serves no purpose in our spiritual exercise.
God’s reward is eternal, unsurpassable and far better, for it cannot be taken
away from us. How can the Lord ever refuse our offering: a pure and contrite
heart? We recall how the repentant criminal on the cross asked the dying Lord to
remember him. The Lord assured him when he spoke: “Today, you will be with
me in paradise.” We are assured that truly embracing humility will allow us to
grow and mature in our faith. The Lord will strengthen the faith He had given us
and not falter in spite to the many trials and temptations.
Dove Tales, PO Box 3623, Easton, PA 18043 or call us at 610.253.8604.
We have a free gift for parents! It is a 2-audio cassette album by Scapular John
on Developing your Child’s Self-Esteem, which is God-centered. It is anointed.
This is an excellent gift for any family. It fulfills a need in our youths today
to lead good and productive lives. Just send $5.00 to the above address to cover
shipping & handling.
San
RuizFeast
Feast2013
2013
San Lorenzo
Lorenzo Ruiz
Concelebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Sunday, September 29, 2013, 20:00
“A God-centered life promotes a neighbor-seeking faith.”
2000 Hail Mary Devotion Outreach Program at San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel
Marian Procession
“If I have a thousand lives to offer,
I will offer them to the Lord.”
Feast of
San Roque
Fr. Kevin McBrien, pastor of OLS, blesses the images of
San Roque and the Birhen of Antipolo prior to the procession.
The San Roque Devotional Group headed
by Luz Rebong celebrated the feast of San
Roque last August 11 at Our Lady of the
Snows Church in Floral Park, New York.
The affair started at 3 pm with a novena to
San Roque followed by a street procession.
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Kevin McBrien,
pastor of Our Lady of the Snows.
Reception after the Eucharistic Celebration
was held at the “White Room” in the church
basement where refreshments
were served.
The Himig at Alay Music Ministry headed by Philip Dancel
provided the liturgical music.
Fr. Rey Nacino and Bishop Chappetto
at the procession.
Himig at Alay Music Ministry.
For information on how to host
a novena to the saint, call Luz
Rebong at 718-217-9424 or
718-598-1795. Email: sanroque.
[email protected].
photos by: Rick Santisteban
Fr. Kevin McBrien and Luz Rebong
speak before the congregation.
Bishop
Raymond
Chappetto met
with
old friends and
guests at the
recetion
among them
Lily Ulep,
Norma Pascual,
Helen Instrella
and Marie
Malvar.
L DY
20
& Her Children
Celebrates ...
The whole year celebration through
pilgrimages includes a Tribute to
our Spriritual Director,
Rev. John
J. Oldfield, OAR
for his
Footsteps of St. Paul
which we dedicate to Fr. Oldfield
for being one of the greatest
servants of the Lord
April 1 - 10, 2014
2399
00
through
pilgrimages
50
years of priestly
ordination.
$
years
of service
Cruise ON MSC
ARMONIA and Air tickets on
Lufthansa. $100.00 discount for
Early birds until September 30, 2013
&
Evelyn’s
Medjugorjie
75
th
birthday
as extension of Footsteps of
St. Paul April 9 - 14, 2014. Price
approximate depends on number
of passengers.
699
$
2014 Pilgrimages, Tours and Cruises
• Medjugorjie pilgrimage April 19 - 27. 2014 - $1,999.00
• Marian Shrines Of Our Lady of Fatima, Lourdes,
Pillar and Miraculous Medal June 20 - 30, 2014 $1,999.00 - Land only
• Scandinavian / Baltic Sea Capitals - September 3 - 13,
2014 - a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line - $ 1,399.00
plus goverment tax $211. Supplements for Outside
Stateroom $200 and $500 for Balcony Stateroom, plus
goverment tax $211.
• Holy Land - Nov. 4 - 12, 2014 - $ 2, 499.00
For more information, please call:
Evelyn Buenafe (646) 775 1164
email: [email protected]
This picture was
taken by Evelyn
in one of her
pilgrimages to
Medjugorjie.
00
Medjugorjie Itinerary
Extension
Day 1: Split. Arrive in Split. The largest
Croatian city on the Adriatic coast, Split
boasts a rich history and a lively cultural
scene. Take a stroll on the refurbished
promenade along the harbor, or, if it is the
summer season, take a swim in the clear and
sparkling Adriatic Sea. In the evening, meet
the other members of your group for dinner at your hotel.
Day 2–5: Medjugorje. Nestled in the remote mountains of western Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Medjugorje exudes a sense of peace and serenity, despite being one of
the most popular pilgrimage sites in the world. As countless pilgrims have already
discovered, Medjugorje is the ideal place to contemplate and reflect on your faith.
During each day of your stay, you will be able to attend the Mass in English at St. James
Church (10 AM on Friday and Saturday, noon on Sunday). Plan on climbing up the
Apparition Hill, where a cross marks the spot where the first alleged encounter between
the Virgin Mary and the children occurred. Your experience in Medjugorje will be made
all the more meaningful by your encounters with local residents and other pilgrims. If
you wish, you may join them for the daily evening Mass in Croatian at 5 PM. Meeting(s)
with one or more visionaries will be arranged locally, subject to their schedule and
presence in the town at the time of your visit. Optional tours to the surrounding areas
may also be organized and booked locally. Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 6: Medjugorje & Dubrovnik. After breakfast, depart for Dubrovnik. The journey
along the mountainous southern Adriatic Coast is an unforgettable experience in and of
itself, and there will be sightseeing and lunch en route.

The Filipino Catholic - Filipino Pastoral Ministry

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