One of the most popular devotions celebrated in the Church that is now part of our Catholic tradition is the FEAST of the Sacred Heart.

In the Old Testament (Jer 31:33; Ezek 11:19; 18:31) we read how God in his love and Mercy promised to make the hearts of His people now hearts of stone whose love of God had gone cold into hearts of flesh.

They needed a new Heart that would beat in resonance with the Heart of God.
This new Heart is now given to us through Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God. It is to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus after whom the hearts of people should now be fashioned.

The devotion began when Jesus, hurt by the ingratitude of mankind for His loving kindness sought to arouse the Church into a realization of the love of God symbolized by his heart.

Apostle of the Sacred Heart
Chosen by Christ Himself for this task was ironically a young nondescript nun of the Order of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial, France. Though humble, devout, simple obedient and good she was rather clumsy, sickly and not too bright.
On June 27, 1673 three years after becoming a nun, while Margaret was praying in the chapel, she heard Jesus inviting her to be His instrument in arousing the Church to a realization of the love of God, Symbolized by the Heart of Jesus. He told her, “Look at this Heart which has loved human beings so much and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Though you my divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth.”

The Apparitions
One that day and for thirteen months thereafter, Jesus made numerous appearances and revelations to Margaret but four were especially remarkable.
1. During the first apparition on December 27, 1673
Jesus permitted Margaret to rest her head on His Heart and then disclosed to her the wonders of His Love.
He explained why He had chosen her – “an abyss of unworthiness and ignorance so that the accomplishment of this great work may rightfully be attributed to Him.”
Then taking the heart of Margaret from her breast (which she readily gave) He dipped it into His own Heart. When the Lord took it out it looked like a flame. He then placed it back in Margaret’s breast and gave her the title of “the blessed disciple of My Heart.”
2. In the second apparition (first half of 1674) the Lord revealed His Divine Heart as a dazzling throne of flames surrounded by a crown of thorns as a sign of His burning love for the souls He had ransomed with His sacrifice on the Cross.
He wished its image to be exposed for veneration. He then disclosed to Margaret His great desire to be loved by all men and women.
3. The third took place on July 2, 1674 while Margaret was praying before the Blessed Sacrament on the Feast of the Visitation.
The Lord opened His breast and disclosed His Heart from which came out fire. His human heart was to be the symbol of His Divine human love.
“I come into the Heart I have given you in order that through your fervor you may atone for the offenses I have received from lukewarm and slothful hearts that dishonor Me in the Blessed Sacrament.

DEVOTION to the SACRED HEART
Jesus then asked for a devotion of expiatory love through frequent loving communion on the First Friday of the month. To those who received Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months, Jesus promised, “My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.”

HOLY HOUR
Jesus also asked for the observance of the Holy Hour that is a prayerful one hour vigil before the Blessed Sacrament on Thursday night in memory of His agony and desertion in Gethsemane.

FEAST of REPARATION
He asked her a feast of reparation on the Friday after the octave of the Corpus Christi (now the Feast of the Sacred Heart). This Feast was in reparation for human ingratitude towards His goodness and mercy by worship of the Heart of flesh of His Son.

SAINTS of the SACRED HEART
Besides St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, she had now a powerful ally in her confessor, Jesuit Priest St. Claude de la Colmbiere. Not only did he believe in her mission but was also in part responsible for making her crusade known throughout in the world.
Another Saint – John Eudes helped to popularize the devotion through his writings. So these three are known as the saints of the Sacred Heart.
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The devotion was brought to the Philippines by the Jesuits. Young Rizal carved a little statue of the Sacred Heart which is kept at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Let us, like St. Margaret Mary Alacoque on her deathbed say, “I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the Heart of Jesus.”

Thank you for your warm welcome. Everyone knows fully well SSAP is a very special parish. It is such an honor and rare privilege for anyone to be part of SSAP Family. To be counted in as part of SSAP Family means to do one’s share, to meet the given demands and expectations. On my part, I can only think of my limited parish work experiences. I am a neophyte in terms of parish work. As a friar, this is my third time to live in a parish community. The first time is, when I was assigned in a parish community as a requirement for Ordination. This was my one-year pre-diaconal apprenticeship at Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, Santa Ana, Manila. Second, is in a rural parish in Santo Tomas, Isabela and stayed there for less than a year as a newly ordained priest. I was ordained to priesthood on August 02, 2012.

I had my solemn vows in the Franciscan Order on May 31, 2007. Thereafter, I was given the opportunity to do formation work in two different stages of Formation Program of the Franciscan Philippine Province of San Pedro Bautista. Eight full years of journeying and accompanying our young candidates; that they may respond generously to their Franciscan religious calling. I have spent 4 years in Our Lady of the Angels Seminary Aspirancy Formation Program and 4 years in the Post-Novitiate Formation Program. I had also the opportunity to work in the OFM-JPIC Office as
animator.

As I have come to begin to journey with my new assignment and be part of SSAP Family. I can see myself as an eager-learner, willing to learn new things and ready to acquire new experiences. The life and ministry in a simple parish is not without demands and expectations. How much more here at SSAP?! Indeed, it is very special parish. There is a huge task awaiting and challenges are but inevitable. But I know, with the community of seasoned friars around and with the support and help from the PPC Officers and Members together with the entire parish community, I will be able to do my share in serving the parish community.

I hope and pray that my one-year of stay here at SSAP will be a meaningful and wonderful one. I will always try to strive to give my best!

May SSAP continuously becomes a parish community for all! May it be a real home for all! May Saint Anthony of Padua, our beloved Patron Saint intercede for us, always!

An art work has this intriguing effect of putting yourself in the shoes of the artist who created it. You are suddenly drawn to it while a multitude of questions dance on your head. Is the artist using this medium to express something he has lost and now wants to recapture desperately? Find the answers, and more, in an Art Exhibition of portraits and paintings that will dot the walls of SSAP from Saturday, May 27, 2017 until Tuesday, June 16, 2017. (Ribbon-cutting on opening night, after the 4:30 pm mass). Get some insight into what moved a company of artist inmates to pick up the brush. One described it as “skirting around some personal upheaval, mixed with bad choices, that pulled me down into a cycle of sustained drug abuse.” Another went further, “It may be the rapture of being on drugs or of deciding to leave them behind, that released and opened up a sense of drama with an absolute absence of glamour.” What they have captured on canvas will hopefully build up public awareness, enhance sustainability and ultimately be the key to unlock shackles of dependency. Own a piece of this world?

* Sale of artworks is under two exclusive categories: P4,000 and P6,000. Proceeds of sale will go to the penal facility holding drug-related offenders and to the improvement of the SSAP Sacristy.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The best part in being volunteers in Church is that everyone works with a mission to serve as stewards and servants in the same value system and love for God and the Parish. The Council meets regularly with the Administrative Council to discuss budget requirements, employee concerns and performance, and facilities management. The desired and decided outcome is always for the good of the Parish through fairness, justice and kindness.

The Administrative Council works well as a team. Collaborative Leadership is practiced. No one assumes power over the other. Each one is given the chance to comment on an issue or bid. Assessing quotes and estimates is a standard procedure. Much respect is given to the options and recommendations given by the PPC. When there are differences of opinion, one is always ready to understand the other opinions before reaching a mutually agreeable course of action.

Providing services for parishioners, taking care of Parish facilities and assets are the focus. Manuals and Policies are reviewed to make sure that practice is still relevant and correct.

Continuous improvement evolves in Admin Council. We believe that better decisions are made when information is complete and communicated well. The synergy of people, ideas, processes, and opinions, allow us to work towards one goal. Employees continue to undergo values formation and trainings to improve their passion to serve.

There are a lot of challenges in putting order and discipline, most especially when decisions affect employees, parishioners, the PPC, pastoral team, ministries and the different mandated organizations.

The PPC, council members and employees work as a team for the glory of God. Given the diversified, vast and varied personalities, activities, functions, circumstances, services in the Parish, the Admin Council works best gathering information, reviewing and understanding the situation, listening with the eyes and ears of the heart, for the best interest of the Church.

With collective leadership and collegiality between the Admin and the PPC, the two are bound to work harmoniously.

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

Life may have thrown them by the wayside but it has not erased their dream to re-create their lives. Needy and impoverished students but with a thirst for knowledge and success want to create happy endings. They want to live a purposeful life: to learn a skill or finish a college degree, to provide a better future for their parents and siblings, to own a decent house, to put food on the table, to provide medicine and healthcare to an ailing family member, to get a job, to earn.

Jojit Bosi
Don Bosco Makati SY 2000-2001
Electrical Technology

The eldest among five children of a carpenter Jojit graduated with a degree in Electrical Technology at Don Bosco Makati in 2001. A diligent student, he garnered awards in “Technical Excellence,” “Attendance” and “Conduct.” His lack of financial means to go to a review center for the Philippine Regulatory Commission Board Examination did not deter him from aspiring to be a licensed Registered Master Electrician. He borrowed books/reviewers from his fellow workers and studied late in the night after work. He passed the PRC licensure examination – a feather in his cap!

After several jobs which gave him the needed experience, he worked as a ship electrician. It was his faith in God which gave him comfort and strength to battle loneliness, seasickness and sleepless nights and to brave the sometimes high and stormy seas. He proudly wears his Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc. uniform as an Electrical Engineer, Junior Officer of M.V. Dalia.

Ryan Barrios
Don Bosco Makati SY 2002-2003
Automotive Mechanic

He was four years old that time but vividly etched in Ryan’s mind was the terrifying nightly brawls and gang riots in their Reclamation Area neighborhood in Pasay. While his mother was out selling fish, his father got into an argument with a bystander outside their shanty and after a fierce scuffle, lay bloodied and lifeless. The widowed mother brought her four children to live with her parents in the province and worked as a househelper in Manila. With her income two of her children finished high school and found employment in Manila, sending money in the province for Ryan’s high school tuition. Upon his graduation a cousin mentioned about the SSAP Scholarship Program. Since he could not afford to have a college education learning a skill was his ticket to better employment opportunities. He was an Automotive Mechanic graduate of Don Bosco Makati in 2003.

Ryan has gone a long way, working at Chevrolet Alabang under Juno Cars for ten years now, and is a Spare Parts Supervisor. He had a house built for his mother in the province and is happily settled with his wife and two children in his dreamhouse in Cavite.

Sherly Tolentino
National Teachers College SY 2005-2008
BS Secondary Education Major in English

The second to the youngest among 11 children of a welder, Sherly hails from Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. She considers herself blessed for she was granted by the SSAP Scholarship Program a four-year college scholarship, allowing her to finish her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in English at National Teachers College, Manila in 2008. She passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers in 2009.

Life as a student in Manila wasn’t easy. She had to augment her living expenses and other school miscellaneous fees not covered by the SSAP tuition allotment by washing the clothes of her dormitory mates and working as a Jollibee Service Crew.

She worked for five years at the Divine Word College of Calapan in Mindoro. In 2013, she taught in a public school at Aurora National High School in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. From Teacher 1, Sherly has been promoted to Teacher 3 as a Senior High School teacher in Naujan Municipal High School, one of the biggest schools in Naujan. Currently working on her thesis requirement, Sherly is a candidate for a Masteral degree.

May Tapales
MTC Academy SY 2006-2007
Medical Transcriptionist

A burn patient who was in and out of the hospital for treatment and operation, May Tapales, the daughter of a tailor, was a first honor high school graduate. She was referred by Fr. David Turnball of Makati Medical Center to SSAP to apply as a scholar.

She finished her Medical Transcription course at the MTC Academy in 2007 and worked as a Media Transcriptionist for one year in a Makati office. She was affiliated with the BPO Industry for seven years where she received recognition as “Top Agent of the Year,” 100% Attendance of the Year, etc. Part of her earnings she invested in a market stall to help her parents start a business. She also set up a pastries shop.

Currently, May is a part-time Technical Support in a BPO Industry in Taguig and a Freelance Media Transcriptionist at SFERAS Studios, a US home-based online transcription office. She is now married with two children.

Susan Otadora
Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges SY 2006-2007
Caregiver

Her youngest sister was four months old when her mother died, and Susan, who was twelve years old at the time helped her father take care of her five other siblings. Living in Camotes Island, Cebu, her father would climb coconut trees to harvest the sap, earning P 100 a day. Her father made it clear that he could only afford a high school education for his children.

After her graduation Susan went to Manila and was hired as a laundry woman by the daughter of SSAP Scholarship Program Chairperson Menchu Bautista. Impressed with her work, Mrs. Bautista asked if she would be interested to study Caregiving through the SSAP Scholarship Program. After passing the interview, she took the exam at Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges in Mandaluyong, earning her degree in 2007,

Susan was the caregiver of Cesar Bautista, Mrs. Menchu Bautista’s late husband, Mrs. Carmen del Rosario, Mrs. Pacita Jacinto, Dr. Emilio Abello, Jr., among others. She is currently back with Mrs. Bautista as caregiver. With her earnings, Susan was able to send her younger siblings to school and build a concrete house for her father.

Irene Marquez
Careworld Philippines, Inc. Cavite SY 2010-2011
Caregiver

A former household helper of Mrs. Menchu Bautista, Irene Marquez, a high school graduate, fell in love, had two children, only to realize that her marriage was in shambles. She found support through Mrs. Bautista and Mrs. Nena Villanueva who helped her rebuild her life. Despite being overage at thirty years old, Irene was allowed to apply for scholarship. In 2011, she received her diploma as a certified Caregiver from Careworld Philippines Inc., Cavite.

She was hired by parishioner Mrs. Amelia Guevara as her husband’s caregiver until his demise in 2013. A whole new world has opened up for Irene. Now Mrs. Guevara’s caregiver, Irene has gone on numerous foreign trips with her employer, witnessing the canonization of two Popes, Pope John Paul II and Pope John Paul XXIII and Blessed Mother Theresa in Rome. Together with Mrs. Guevara she had been to San Giovani, Cuomo, Assisi, Venice, Milan, New York, California,… the list goes on. She was lost and helpless but has found a renewed self through her calling. She is proud to see her two children grow up properly and secure a good education.

Mara Camille Arroyo
Polytechnic University of the Philippines SY 2011-2014
BS Accountancy

Mara Camille Arroyo, 22 years old, is the daughter of the SSAP Security Guard. She finished BS Accountancy at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila in May 2014. Five months later, she hurdled and passed the CPA Board Examination. Mara worked as an Auditor for over a year and is currently an Accountant in Sonak Corporation. Mara is most grateful to parishioner Deborah Pe Sy who was her sponsor for three years, allowing her to fulfil her dream of becoming an accountant.

Brian Primalte
System Plus Computer College SY 2013-2014
BS Information Technology

At age six Brian was striken with poliomyelitis. Though wheel-chair bound, he did not regard his disability as a setback to making something out of himself. His fellow PWD (Person with Disability) dormitory mates Dominga Navarro and Eula Sabado informed him about the SSAP Scholarship Program of which they were scholar graduates. Brian was accepted at Systems Plus Computer College, finishing his Information Technology course in 2014. He is now an Encoder at the Pasig City Hall.

Low self-esteem, inability to articulate thoughts, lack of English proficiency and shyness evident in the applicant’s initial interviews have been replaced with confidence, knowledge and expertise, determination, ambition, good work ethics, commitment, a positive mind set and attitude and a strong sense of duty, of responsibility, and gratitude. Let us all join hands and build communities to uplift people’s lives. Together let’s create happy endings.