Author: Santuario de San Antonio Parish

Dear Co-Pilgrims:

Peace and well-being!

The general theme of our Parish Bulletin (PB) for this month is COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP. Our simple operational definition of leadership is: it’s a process by which an individual influences others in ways that help attain organizational goals. It involves the practice of decision-making, as well as communicating with, motivating, selecting and developing people. The word “collective” indicates cooperation, collaboration, inclusion, partnership, and participation. This understanding of leadership therefore promotes teamwork through active listening and “participatory” process. Another way to put it – this model of leadership illustrates that the process is as important as the product.

In the theological and pastoral point of view, collective leadership is essentially drawn from our identity as baptized members of our Catholic Christian community, endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in order to cooperate and participate in God’s mission through humble and joyful service to people. Personal agenda and interest are contrary to the spirit of service and ministry to say the least. Authentic service frees one from seeking recognition or desiring any position – obedience to God’s will is always a process of kenosis (self-emptying or denying oneself). In the words of St. John the Baptist, “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30).

Taking the points mentioned above, our parish ministerial-stewardship structure attempts to bring these principles into our leadership practices as entrusted to collaborate in the pastoral care of the Church whose function is that of healing, guiding, sustaining and reconciling. We therefore have another way of understanding structure – that while it shows us the position of authority, areas of coordination and concerns, we take structure in this context to mean PRIORITY (focus), which is our LIFE-in-MINISTRY. Thus, every single entity in the Parish finds its reason of existence in service of the “other” and on behalf of the Church.

That being said, we promote the spirituality of stewardship in our leadership functions to indicate that we abide by the principles of non-ownership, servanthood, gratitude, trust and love. Our ministerial services in the Parish are both an oasis and locus for our ongoing conversion to become a better person and credible witness of the Gospel. Ministry is an opportunity to be of service, rather than a privilege to holding position. It is God Who qualifies us, than us having the qualifications. It is a gift by God to us individually, yet affirmed collectively through the community of the faithful.

The quality of our relationship as ministers and stewards is the best way to share the joy of the Gospel and gift to our own faith-community as well.

Fraternally,
Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM

Since its inception in 1996, the SSAP Scholarship Program has graduated 986 scholars, the primary funding source being proceeds from the annual Francisfest concert. With the objective of helping indigent students learn skills that will help them obtain employment as quickly as possible, primary target beneficiaries are those who want to enrol in two-year vocational or technical course. In addition to tuition fees, scholars are provided with transportation and food allowances and upon graduation, assistance in job placements. In recent years, with the help of generous parishioners, the program has been able to accept applicants who are in the last two years of their college courses.

But, the SSAP Scholarship Program does not stop at merely providing financial assistance. A distinctive characteristic of the program is that it aims to build a Christian community composed of scholars, members of the scholarship committee, SSAP social worker, the Parish priest, various other volunteers PLUS all past graduates of the program.

A condition for acceptance into the program is that the scholar must agree to come to the Parish on two Saturdays of each month during the school year.

Thus, on two Saturdays of each month, the parish life is animated by the presence of around 50 students who benefit from enrichment programs, which include tutoring in English, sessions on how to prepare for job interviews, tips on good grooming, values formation workshops, small-group consultations with individual Committee members, and recollections. In the afternoons, the scholars render some kind of service to the parish, thereby getting to know the parish staff.

It’s not all serious business, however. Fellowships are formed among students, with committee members and with the social workers. This bonding takes place at the annual picnic, during rehearsals for the yearly Buling-Buling show, singing at special Masses, and during preparations for the big annual Christmas party to which all past graduates are invited.

Thus, even after they graduate, scholars know that in Santuario de San Antonio Parish they have a community to which they can always return in order to experience God’s victorious love.

SSAP Scho. Prog. Comm. / Mert Loinaz & Millette Ocampo

Last April 30 from 6PM-12MN, the Santuario de San Antonio Social Halls were lit as we had the annual YSA Ball 2016 with the theme, “Throwback to Decades Past.” This was a charity event for the benefit of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and it also served as a community bonding effort for all the 3 youth communities of the Santuario de San Antonio Parish. The event was organized by myself, Reg Galvez, and my fellow Antiocher, Enzo Agcaoili. However, the planning for the event itself was a concerted effort done by representatives from the Antioch, Luke, and SYA communities.

Stepping into the venue immediately brought you back to your own childhood as guests were greeted by flashes of light coming from CD curtains hanging all around the room. Table centerpieces made from tapes and CD cases and the overall feel of the whole venue just further reiterated the throwback vibe. All these decors were done by hand and was led by our decors head, Clara Pettersen. Even before the start of the event, music from the early 2000s to decades before that blasted through the speakers giving attendees an instant nostalgic feeling that even more so set the tone for what was to come.

The night started off with opening remarks from our hosts, Kevin Kramer and Iya Aguilar and with an opening prayer. This was then followed by dinner prepared by our caterer, Alessandra Trias. For dinner music and entertainment, we had an open mic set and bands. Performers from Antioch and Luke rushed onstage to amaze us with their on the spot musical renditions. Finally after everyone had their fill of the delicious food, we started our main program with performances by different representatives from all 3 youth communities that were handpicked to wow the crowd with their talent . These performers serenaded us and allowed us to travel back in time as they played songs from decades past. The diversity of the performers allowed the crowd to slow dance, and just jump and sway to the music as fast and upbeat songs started to fill every corner of the social hall.

To stick closer to the “ball theme” we also had an awarding ceremony wherein gift certificates from JJ Yulo and Tamarind (courtesy of Ramon Blanco) were given to the Ball King and Queen (Antioch) and Ball Prince and Princess (Luke). Awards were also given to the Stag of the Night, Best Dressed, and Life of the Party. This was also the part of the night wherein we thanked our sponsors from SYA and the PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) for their generous contributions. Our sponsors were as follows: Edmund Lim, Suzette Gatmaitan, Tina Teehankee, and Jaime and Karen Blanco who gave us monetary support that allowed us to raise more funds for PGH.

Finally, after the awarding, we had a short slow dance set for the ball winners and other ball attendees. Then we proceeded with our upbeat song set that had everyone heading out onto the dance floor. Before we knew it, we had already exhausted our number of performers but people still wanted to dance. To remedy this, we opened another open mic set and also started to blast songs from the speakers that had people dancing to the tunes of Backstreet Boys and other known bands and performers from decades past. With each new song, more people would flock to the dance floor until it was filled with bodies just moving and jumping up and down to the rhythm of the beat. It was truly a sight to see to watch people from all youth communities just dancing together and having the time of their lives.

Soon, the night was coming to an end. We topped off the event with our last song, “Closing Time” then ended with a prayer circle to thank God for this night’s success. We then cheered the respective cheers from the Luke and Antioch communities and with that, ball was over.

YSA Ball 2016 sold over a 100 tickets and was able to raise around P35,000 for PGH. This was a milestone effort that really filled our hearts with joy because of the overflowing support that we got from each youth community. Thank you to all who went and to all who helped us make this night one for the books! It was truly a night to remember!

In 2012, I was representing the CWL SSAP Chapter when Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM, the incumbent parish priest appointed me to chair the Hospitality Ministry, which was never occupied before. I learned that ushering our parishioners in Church is a calling of the Lord. Since then, I spent 8 hrs. in Church every Sunday to perform my duty as greeter and collector during the Holy Masses. As ushers, we see to it that PWDs and seniors are properly seated. We assist during communion. We enforce proper dress code. We welcome new families into the parish, congratulate newly baptized babies and newly married couples and send condolences to the passing of parishioners.

As chair of the Hospitality Ministry for four years now, I am still waiting for someone who can take my place. In the meantime, I would like to share with you the joy of serving in our parish. I would like to repeat the saying: “There is no accident with the Lord.” I was born in Tuburan, Cebu, where our patron saint is also San Antonio. My mother’s name is Antonia. I got married to a guy named Antonio. My daughter is named Antoinette and my other niece is Dr. Antoinette Cabahug. My parents were also devoted to San Antonio.

I have been a parishioner of San Antonio for more than half of my life and I intend to serve the Parish until the Lord calls me and says: “You have done your humble job serving me, it is time for you to rest and share your joy and happiness to others.” I thank and praise you Lord through San Antonio for giving me the great opportunity to serve this Parish with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and of Jesus Christ, my Savior.

A Eucharistic Community of Families Guided by the Virtues of St. Anthony

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” – John 5:30

St. Anthony lived a life of absolute poverty, adhering to it with all his heart. He lived the life of the poor by renouncing all worldly goods. He left his prominent family to preach to the poor. In poverty, he traveled tirelessly to spread God’s word, as he intended to literally walk in the footprints of Christ. He lived a truly Christian life “with feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God.” He believed that “Poverty is the true wealth; it keeps and generates humility; it is the source of spiritual joy; poverty frees one from the desires that tie men to things.” and that “Poverty is the only path to Christ, a way of participating in his kingdom.”

One of the prominent pictures of St. Anthony shows him carrying the child Jesus, while giving bread to a poor man. This symbolizes his concern for the poor, as he feeds the hungry. The bread symbolizes the sustenance of life, as well as the spreading of the Word of God to the world.

True poverty is recognizing that everything we have belongs to God and acknowledging that we are in desperate need of God’s grace to be able to fulfill our mission. It goes beyond material things, simplicity and humility. It is a total surrender of who we are what we have and all that we do.

Nothing belongs to us, our families, our talents, our ministries, our life. These were given to us for a reason, to serve a greater purpose, to bring out the goodness in each one, to be passed on from one generation to another to ensure continuity.