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SYA PGH SNK School End of Year Celebration by Sabrina Soriano

With the school year just ended, SYA planned and organized an end of year celebration for the PGH Silahis ng Kalusugan elementary and high school students. This was attended by the students, their parents, the teachers, and volunteers from church and SYA.

For most of us, one year is just a wink in our lives, something we take for granted, especially when we get bogged down by career, relationship and financial problems. For these students, one year in their lives means so much! With all of them with health / medical ailments, most of them congenital diseases, one year means another year where they have battled their conditions successfully. Being in the Silahis ng Kalusugan School in PGH allows them to have the support that they need – physically (in terms of the readily available medical services in the hospital) but most especially, emotionally through the support that they get from their classmates and the parents who are in the same position as themselves.

This party was a celebration of their lives – a year full of successes in being a survivor and still being able to study and attain achievements in school.

Congratulations are in order to Ryza, Cheycel and Josan, high school graduates, who are now embarking on a new journey in their lives. Good luck in whatever endeavor or course you undertake! You have all gone through so much already and have succeeded with smiles on your faces and a positive outlook in life. We know that with your strong hearts and minds, you will be winners in whatever goal you strive for.

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New Lectors, 2012

Commissioning rites of new lectors and re-commissioning of seasoned Lectors and Commentators was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the 6 pm mass, followed by our Ministry Christmas Party.

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June 2013 Induction and Blessing

Welcome our newest inducted members of the MSH! Bro. Marc, Bro. Jimmy and Bro. Eddie!

Induction and blessing of the Statues of Sacred Heart of Jesus were held on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 7, 2013 at the 6 pm mass.

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“Your Faith Has Saved You” by Fr. Jesus

What the gospel wants to tell us is that Jesus loves the sinner’s humility and repentance, while he detests the pride of the self-righteous.

During this Year of Faith, which is well into its second half, it might have been a good spiritual exercise to take up, on Sundays, gospel passages in which faith is mentioned and rewarded. Many of the cures performed by Jesus were the result of an act of faith on the part of the sick persons. On the other hand, lack of faith “paralyzed” the Lord’s hands and heart, and prevented him from working miracles-as it happened in Nazareth at the start of his public ministry (Mt. 13:58). The woman in today’s gospel professed her faith in Jesus, not in words but with her actions; and Jesus rewarded her for that.

The Gospel of St. Luke is called by different names. Among others, the “Gospel of Mercy,” if only for the three parables found in chapter 15 about the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. It is also called the “Gospel of Women,” because of the many passages dealing with Jesus’ respect and concern for women including the last two verses of today’s gospel about the women-disciples, and last Sunday’s gospel about tbe widow of Nain.

Thus, we can say that today’s passage is like a showcase of Luke’s gospel, as it combines both themes: Jesus’ mercy and his defense of the sinful woman against the accusing mutterings of Simon, the self-righteous Pharisee. A good number of gospel passages find fulfillment in this story. The passage about the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple (Lk. 18: 10ft) and that of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30ft) bear a striking similarity to today’s gospel. They all express Jesus’ predilection for the little ones, in fulfillment of the gospel’s oft-repeated paradox: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk. 14:11).

By accepting the invitation of a Pharisee to have dinner with him in his house, Jesus was displaying great courage and also taking a great risk. The Pharisees were not precisely his best friends. On the contrary, they were always harassing him and scrutinizing his every word and action in order to have something to accuse him of. Simon was probably delighted when Jesus accepted his invitation, so he and his fellow-Pharisees could observe him closely. And sure enough, he soon began to vent his bias against Jesus: “If this man were a prophet … ” Even though Simon said that “to himself,” Jesus was able to read his mind-a proof that he indeed was a prophet, endowed with divine knowledge.

Jesus did not care much about etiquette, when truth and justice were at stake. He masterfully turned the tables on the self-righteous Pharisee and lectured him, right there in his own house, about his “sins of omission,” all the practical demands of hospitality which he had failed to accord Jesus– while extolling the gestures of affection accorded him by the “sinful” woman. Simon learned the hard way Jesus’ teaching: “Do not judge, that you may not be judged. Do not condemn, that you may not be condemned … s s (Luke 6:37).

Jesus explains the behavior of the sinful woman with the parable of the two debtors. Her acts of kindness and affection toward Jesus were an expression of gratitude, knowing that her sins, her many sins, had been forgiven or were about to be forgiven. She could sense forgiveness in Jesus’ welcoming attitude-just as she could sense rejection in Simon’s judgmental attitude.

We must not conclude from today’s gospel that Jesus loves sinners more than he does the just. Of course not. What the gospel wants to tell us is that Jesus loves the sinner’s humility and repentance, while he detests the pride of the self-righteous. That is a constant found in all four gospels: “1have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners” (Lk. 5:32).

as published in the Parish Bulletin, June 16, 2013

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“Compassion Leads to Action”, by Fr. Reu

What belongs to Jesus – his authority and triumph over death — he first shared with the lowly.

Both the first reading and the gospel present two almost similar stories of God’s action of bringing bring back to life a dead person. It is easy to rationalize these events especially in terms of acknowledging God’s power over death – the forces of evil and death are no match compared to the forces of good and life and that God never allows suffering and sorrow to overshadow compassion and comfort. Let us reflect on some of the details specifically on the gospel.

The weeping of the mother, a widow, for her only son is essentially for herself than for her son. While death brings sadness, it also frees the person from so many concerns and responsibilities in order to overcome the different challenges of life. The cultural setting of this widow and mother placed her in isolation, alienation and in the margins — or worst, as a non-existent person in the community because she has no husband or a son to protect and to give her identity. Her son’s death is hers too. In this context, to be physically dead is better than the suffering of emotional death or having physical life but bereft of meaning.

On the part of Jesus, this is not the first time he encounters people going to bury a dead person for his was a mobile office … he was always with people on the road. His compassion to this widowed mother flowed out from his knowledge of his Father who is compassionate and to which he invites his followers to be like him. Jesus acted upon what he saw and felt for this weeping mother by giving back life to her son so she may have life as well. It makes us think that this new life for the son is not for himself but for his powerless mother – God’s way of taking good care of God’s partner in nurturing and propagating the precious gift of life.

The prophetic side of Jesus’ action is his ability to use his authority and power to ensure that those considered insignificant are not relegated to the sideline or to the margins but are protected and that their dignity are preserved. What belongs to Jesus — his authority and triumph over death — he first shared with the lowly. This is truly the Gospel incarnate in the person of Jesus – the action of Jesus at Nain — God telling us to reject all forms of evil, of separation, alienation, marginalization and deprivation that leads to human suffering. Truly, it is Jesus’ compassion that leads to life-giving action.

as published in the Parish Bulletin, June 16, 2013

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Enthronement at Sta. Maria Velvetura Chapel, Pasay

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“Touched by Padre Pio’s Guardian Angel”, by Letty Jacinto-Lopez

It was 1965. My brother and sister-in-law (“sis” for short) had wanted to have a baby in the first five years of their married life but all attempts failed. Anxious and getting desperate, my sis agreed to travel to a then-sleepy town called San Giovanni Rotondo — about a five-hour drive from Rome, Italy — to meet Padre Pio, the Capuchin friar who bore the nail wounds of Jesus on the cross.

She said, “I waited for three hours at the confessional room. Finally, Padre Pio motioned to me to speak. I was holding my knees to keep them from shaking. My confession was brief but I felt that he knew that I was there for something more important. After giving me the Absolution, he looked up and whispered, ‘Next year, you will have a baby boy.’”

“Wow!” my sis exclaimed. “He closed his eyes and made the sign of the cross on my forehead. Immediately, I felt a warm glow, both calming and comforting.”

The following year — as promised by Padre Pio — my sis gave birth to a healthy boy and she named him – you guessed it – Pio. My nephew, Pio, is now 47 years old, happily married and a loving father to two kids.

All the time, one teeny question kept popping into my head: “How did my sister-in-law and Padre Pio communicate? She didn’t speak a word of Italian, nor did Padre Pio speak English. Simple. Padre Pio’s guardian angel had acted as his translator and spokesman. “You don’t say!” I yelped. “Yes,” said my sis. “I heard Padre Pio speak to me in English!”

Still, I was not completely convinced. Maybe there was a hidden booth somewhere with UN-trained translators. That is, until I read a similar incident written by Father Alessio Parente, author of the book on Padre Pio entitled Send Me Your Guardian Angel. Here is an excerpt:

“A little American girl was brought to Padre Pio so that he could hear her first confession. Since she didn’t speak Italian, an American religious sister by the name of Mary Pyle, who was close to Father Pio, brought the little girl to him. ‘Father, I’m here to help you as this little girl doesn’t understand any Italian at all.’

‘Mary,’ said Padre Pio, ‘You can go, as the little one and I will take care of this.’ Mary Pyle waited outside and when the little girl emerged from confession, she asked her, ‘Did Padre Pio understand you?’ ‘Yes,’ came the reply. Mary, a little surprised, asked one more question: ‘Did he speak in English?’ ‘Yes, in English,’ said the little girl.”

If you enter the area called Ricordi di Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, you will walk into a room containing some of Padre Pio’s memorabilia. You will see thousands of letters from devotees all over the world encased in glass cabinets. It was a known fact that Padre Pio could only read, write and speak in Italian yet he was able to reply to these letters. How? He counted on his multi-lingual guardian angel and kept him busy and on his toes, in his “translation booth,” so to speak, all the time.

Padre Pio kept an active and vivacious relationship with all guardian angels — including his own — fulfilling a promise he made long ago to all his spiritual children that “If you are too busy to see me, send your guardian angel!” (Note: A special liaison that Padre Pio promised to continue even after his death.)

For example, there was a woman who never failed to attend the daily Mass celebrated by Padre Pio. One day, she was running late so she sent her guardian angel to Padre Pio to “delay” the Mass so she wouldn’t miss it. As a sign that her guardian angel would do this task for her, she told him to hide the skullcap of Padre Pio. When she reached the church, there was Padre Pio, indeed a little late, but ready to say Holy Mass. The woman confessed to Padre Pio what she did. Nonchalantly, Padre Pio replied, “I know that. Your guardian angel hid my skullcap and I could not find it in the usual place and only pointed me to where he kept it after a few minutes.” This guardian angel had played “hide and seek” with Padre Pio in complete obedience to his ward.

A Capuchin brother used to hear Padre Pio talking to himself in his private cubicle. This got him very curious so he asked Padre Pio, “Who were you talking to?” Padre Pio replied, “Guardian angels. They came with petitions and requests and they kept me up late again last night.”

Mind you, Padre Pio was physically beaten up and tormented by the devil, but he remained unyielding, thanks to the encouragement and protection of his personal guardian angel.

There are many more amusing stories of Padre Pio’s interaction with guardian angels and when I finished reading these inspiring stories, I was struck by Padre Pio’s consistent reminder not to forget the Virgin Mother. In the thick of all these amazing “save and rescue” operations, we must remember that our beloved Mary is the Queen of all Angels. They would not have made any move without her stamp of blessed approval (or is it blessed conspiracy?)

Incidentally, Padre Pio also had something to say about our tears. “Your tears are collected by the angels and are placed in a gold chalice and you will find them when you present yourself before God.” Now, who wouldn’t want to cry me a river or gather a bucket of tears or let the floodgates (of tears) open?

After a full day of touring San Giovanni Rotondo which included a private Mass in the same church where Padre Pio said Mass, watching videos on Padre Pio’s ministry, shopping for some religious souvenirs and posing for a group photo, Father Dave Concepcion, our tour chaplain, gave us something to think about.

“You will notice that all the saints manifest three deep loves in their lives: the love for God, the love for the Holy Eucharist, and the love for Mama Mary.”

I turned to my co-pilgrims and said, “Hey, doesn’t that apply to us as well? Could it be possible that we can also become saints, someday?”

They all laughed – nervously – but maybe hopefully, too.

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Originally published by PHILIPPINE STAR. Other articles written by Letty>>>>>

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“Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ” (Corpus Christi), by Fr. Tasang

Corpus Cbristi means above all the mystical body of Christ, the community of believers.

Background: Today’s feast is in a sense an unexpected feast for
several reasons: It duplicates Holy Thursday, we are repeating the Last supper celebration without the sadness of Good Friday. Secondly, because every Eucharistic celebration is a feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. Unexpected, because of the origin of its feast. An Augustinian nun, Juliana if Liege reported a vision. She had seen a full moon in splendour, save for the dark area on one side. As she understood it, the moon was the Church, the area that was dark was because the Church had no feast of the Blessed Sacrament. Fifty five years later, Corpus Christi became a universal feast of the Church.

GOSPEL: Today we hear Jesus’ feeding the hungry multitude of five thousand. The actions of Jesus, taking loaves, looking up to heaven, breaking the loaves and distributing them are the very same actions of Jesus at the last supper. The memory of feeding, points to the Eucharist at the Last Supper, when Jesus finally gives the bread that comes down from heaven. The multiplication of the loaves is the same miracle that John the Evangelist uses as a starting point of his presentation of Jesus as the Bread of Life in John 6. In this sense, the feeding of the multitude is not a simple act of satisfying the people’s hunger. Early Christians gave a Eucharistic interpretation to this event, the reason was that bodily nourishment is closely linked to the nourishment of the heart. The Eucharistic bread provides nourishment of the heart only when a man is led to more intense love of ills brothers and to provide them with the bread which they lack. Within the miracle of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fish is the parallel event of conversion and transformation of the disciples. From people turned only on themselves to disciples who share and are sensitive and responsive.

WORD
1. Corpus Christi means first of all the physical body of Christ. It is this body that suffered torture, bloodied by whipping. It is the same body that took all the cruelty thrown at him, the same body that was nailed and hung on the cross. Jesus took all of them not in stoic indifference neither with a revengeful spirit but in dignified silence. His body took all these without eliciting sympathy and exhibiting anger. There is serenity and strength that an only spring from a heart in communion with God – his words are only forgiveness. When Jesus took upon his physical body all the injuries inflicted on him and breathed his last on the cross, he acted out and fulfilled the words he said on the Last Supper when he said “This is my body which will be given up for you.” Therefore when we receive the Body of Christ, we want to conform ourselves to the depth of Christ’s love. We should be able to bear the suffering for the sake of others. We too are willing to give up our bodies for others. When Jesus asks us, “to do this in memory of me” he was referring to that kind of love for others.
2. Corpus Christi also means the Eucharistic body of Christ in the
Eucharistic species. In the Eucharist we have Jesus himself, body and blood, soul and divinity. When we receive Holy Communion, we have a closer contact with Jesus than was possible to anybody during his earthly life. In the Eucharist the actual distance between ourselves and Christ vanishes. The God-man out of sheer love gives the lowly bread and wine as his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. We can only respond in awe and wonder because something marvellous and enrapturing has broken into our common place world. As we grow older, most of us lose our sense of wonder. We get blase, wordly wise and sophisticated. We have grown up. Heschel saw it as modem man’s trap, believing that everything can be explained, that all of reality is simply an affair which has only to be organized in order to be mastered. All enigmas can be solved and all wonder is nothing but the effect of novelty on ignorance. The enemy of wonder is to take things for granted. We need to recover this sense of wonder. We have nothing to rely on except the words of Jesus, when he said “this is my body”. He did not say this is the symbol of his body. His words are trustworthy.
3. Corpus Christi means above all the mystical body of Christ, the community of believers. The Eucharist is essentially a meal. It intends to bring together not only us with God but with one another. When we receive the body of Christ in communion, we are also accepting the presence of Christ in one another. We can’t share fruitfully in the first if we are unmindful of the second. When we as a family have a meal at home together, we are drawn closer by that sharing more’than anything else. When we provide hospitality to friends by way of a meal or they for us, we have the opportunity for closeness too. In the Eucharist, God is providing us the same opportunity, with the addition that the closeness, intimacy and union are provided for by God in abundance. The more we eat together, the more we become his mystical body.

published, June 2, 2013 Parish Bulletin

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“The Dignity of Death”, by Letty Jacinto-Lopez

It was one of those “when-women-lunch” affairs that brought together old and new friends alike. I saw an old acquaintance from school, Nini Valdez, so I waved at her and she approached my table. “Ay naku Letty, what’s happening to your batch? So many are dropping like flies!” I grinned sheepishly. It surely felt that way. When I made a statistical count, we were averaging 1.3 fatalities per month in a period of eight months. There was also a bizarre pattern where my late schoolmates suffered from illnesses that were undetected and no aggressive treatment could arrest or reverse their conditions. Wakes and funerals had become so common that like an old uniform, I was automatically reaching for the same black shirt or white dress in my closet.

I’ve noticed however, that our grief was cushioned by a consoling thought that made it easier to move on and begin the process of healing. Our departed friends had found the dignity in dying.

What is that? Father Domie Guzman of the Society of St Paul’s explained, “It was Jesus on the cross who taught us about death.” Father Domie gave three measures: “Death becomes meaningful IF –

*You have lived your mission. What is our mission in life before giving up the ghost? I still am wrestling with mine although the most obvious is my mission toward my children and those left under my care. We had been taught that every gift from God has its corresponding responsibility that moves us to nurture and put each one to good use.

If you are a mother like me, you try to raise your child to find his worth and use his beauty and strength to be the mirror of God’s grace. My mother raised us to have a healthy fear of God and spread love that reflected the love we have for God and each other. We should avoid a life of hate and envy, greed and injustice because they only lead to perdition.

What happens to those guilty of leading wicked lives full of treachery, indulgence and self-aggrandizement? Will they see the writing on the wall? What would it take to have a change of heart and let the goodness in them take control of their lives? When I hear comments like “He had three close calls yet he’s still alive! He cheated death again.” Is this person being given the chance to finish his mission? Should we not take stock of how far we’ve come to fulfilling our own missions?

*You have entrusted or you are leaving something beautiful behind. Father Domie said, “In death, Jesus left someone beautiful and most precious to him: his own mother, Mary.”

In our case, what legacy are we leaving behind? Do our children keep a healthy fear of God so that they will not do anything to hurt or offend God? This will include the value they set to follow God’s plans and how they treat others; is it with kindness and mercy? Do our children keep faith in God? No matter how much we fail, God will never give up on us. Hard as it seems, we must try our best to imitate Christ.

When loved ones talk and reminisce about you like in the good old days, would they remember you for the humility and child-like innocence that brought them closer to God? Definitely, not for any form of notoriety.

*You are coming home…to God, our Father. Lift the veil of gloom. Death is not frightening; it’s a celebration, a party and a song-and-dance extravaganza that one could not begin to imagine. That’s because our long journey on earth will culminate in a grand homecoming in heaven. That is God’s promise.

Remember too that in order for us to see and be with God, we need to become a spirit, like Him. This gives the most plausible explanation why the physical body needs to be left behind. It’s our spirit – invisible and free – that will enjoy a non-stop, permanent state of happiness.

For the one who died, it would be his reward; he is reaping honor and respect for living a life patterned after giving and spreading kindness. For those left behind, it’s a wake up call. Knowing that his dearly departed is now safe and happy in heaven will help ease the emptiness and take the sting out of letting go. Of course, you will continue to miss him but it’s a tiny sadness in this otherwise grand, victorious, and ticker-tape celebration.

Last December, a dear friend, Rosette Herrera-Hebron, succumbed to cancer. Before she died, I made a last and whimsical request. “Please Sette,” I begged, “Promise me you’ll come back and tell me what heaven is like.” She laughed and with a lilt in her voice replied, “If God would allow me.”

A few nights ago, I had a dream. Rosette and I were relaxing in lounging chairs facing the calm, blue ocean. I turned to her and asked, “Sette, how is your new home?” She raised her arms full of delight and cried out, “Ang ganda-ganda, ang sarap-sarap!” (It’s incredibly beautiful and so nice). Being lighthearted, I answered something gibberish, “The children will just have to like it, right?” Rosette laughed, “Oh yes! But not yet; in time, they will.”

That’s when she vanished and logic kicked in. Rosette couldn’t have been with me because she was dead. But, could it be? Did she return to give me a sneak preview of heaven?

I woke up crying.

Rosette kept her promise to me, and God allowed her. “Thank you God,” I whispered.

When my number is up, my loving family, as well as three darling amigas – Chiqui Recio, Jopee Gueco and Rosette – will be dancing and shrieking by the pearly gates creating a riot and making me blush. “Letty, see how we’ve kept your lounging chair warm?”

Yey! That is the life.

My seat warmers with wings: Rosette Hebron and Jopee Gueco

Letty's Seat Warmers

*************

Originally published at Philippine Star, December 2011. Other articles written by Letty>>>>>

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“Congress on Liturgical Renewal”, by Letty Jacinto-Lopez

Dateline: SM Arena, May 18, 2013. Getting up with the pigeons was not easy but then eight thousand other sleepyheads did it to be at the liturgical Congress organized by the Archdiocese of Manila with the theme, Faith Celebrated and Lived.

There were three speakers:

His Eminence, Chito Cardinal Tagle began with a question: “What is a giveaway sign that you are growing old?” Answer: You always refer to the past as better than today. You love to retell your glorious past with comments like Mabuti pa noon or noong aming kabataan, etc. It was harking back at a life simple and serene.

Life indeed has become challenging and complicated especially for families plagued by migration and its harmful effects: Breakup of family depriving the children of parental care and guidance, loneliness, abuse, precious moments lost and guilt compensated by material goods.

However, if you peer past the gloom, there is a glimmer of light: Filipinos working overseas have unwittingly played a significant role in spreading and reviving the Catholic faith. Churches that were once closed have reopened and Filipinos have become a major influence for conversion and renewal of enthusiasm. It was proof that the Lord has not abandoned his children but has constantly opened opportunities to them. In an evolving world, the word of God has lost nothing of its value or brilliance.

While in the past, parents asserted their authority by skirting issues through an imperious stand – Basta! You obey – resulting in children complying but only out of fear or coercion, they grow up not fully convinced of their faith or religion. This too had to change. The youth must be inspired through a clear explanation of the teachings of Jesus that still resounds with the power: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for food which endures to eternal life.”

Reverend Father Genaro Diwa spoke of the reforms tackled by the Council of Vatican II held in Rome in 1962 during the papacy of Pope John XXIII. It addressed the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world.

Time was when Holy Mass was celebrated in Latin. The priest had his back turned away from the faithful, driving home the point that he was the sole celebrant while everybody else was to remain passive and silent in their pews. Lay ministers were unheard of.

That was fifty years ago and Vatican II in the Sacrosanctum Concilium moved to change this through,

1) Active Participation of the Lay Community in the celebration of the Liturgy. It brought meaning and fulfillment below the pulpit as lay people were made to participate in the Liturgy making it relevant to their daily lives.

Active Participation is the gift of self – you are physically there! It becomes rooted in the expression of your interior faith, and its external manifestations.

But, how would this filter down to me? As a LecCom, when you stand in front of the community, make an effort to read audibly, clearly, and slowly, pausing if you must,so that the community hears, listens and is eventually moved by every word you read from God.

2) Use of the Vernacular Language. Latin was not the favored language. Other native tongues could equally express beauty in the worship of God. In fact, certain sentiments and feelings acquired a deeper meaning when spoken in the vernacular language.

Any language expressed in faith is heard by GOD.

3) In-Culturation. The diversity in forms and expressions from other culture and heritage also celebrate, worship and honor God. Their existence has been part of history and legacy, not something new or created only today.

H.E. the most Reverend Teodoro C. Bacani spoke on Faith and Liturgy drawing attention to the Mystery of Faith that we the faithful recite after the Offertory, Christ has died…has risen…will come again.

It is not a mystery because it is reality imbued with the presence of God. We believe because God revealed it and God being God always speaks the truth, never deceives, never lies. We therefore hold the word of God even if our reasoning is limited. We rely and put our trust in God. His word is indisputably true.

Every time we celebrate mass, our faith becomes the magnet that enables us to touch reality, a faith that enables us to accept for example, that the wafer and the wine have truly been transformed to the body and blood of Christ.

Obedience is part of faith. Whenever we pray, we extend an invitation to God to come into our lives in humble supplication, Tuloy po kayo Panginoon.

Although meditative prayer has its merits, there is value in connecting with our peers and our community through external manifestations, “The more we express our faith, the more it grows,” Bishop Bacani said.

He also enjoined all lay ministers to show(your faith), pray aloud, sing, praise,and burn with enthusiasm, including in the external act of paying forward, sharingand donating your blessings.

“Let us be responsible for one another because we believe that we belong to one family in Christ,” concluded Bishop Bacani.

To cap the Congress, Holy Mass was celebrated by H.E. Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.His prayer rang loud for the Lord to increase our faith. Guide me, lead me, let my faith catch fire, deepen it, so that I may become a beacon of light to lead others to Christ.

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published on June 2, 2013, Parish Bulletin. Other articles written by Letty>>>>>

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