We Care Because We Pray. 8 th Week of Ordinary Time Catholic Culture.org

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1 May 22, 2016 We Care Because We Pray 8 th Week of Ordinary Time Forbes Park, Makati TRINITY SUNDAY The dogma of faith which forms the object of the feast is this: There is one God and in this one God there are three Divine Persons; the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. Yet there are not three Gods, but one, eternal, incomprehensible God! The Father is not more God than the Son, neither is the Son more God than the Holy Spirit. The Father is the first Divine Person; the Son is the second Divine Person, begotten from the nature of the Father from eternity; the Holy Spirit is the third Divine Person, proceeding from the Father and the Son. No mortal can fully fathom this sublime truth. But I submit humbly and say: Lord, I believe, help my weak faith. Why is this feast celebrated at this particular time? It may be interpreted as a finale to all the preceding feasts. All three Persons contributed to and shared in the work of redemption. The Father sent His Son to earth, for God so loved the world as to give His only-begotten Son. The Father called us to the faith. The Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, became man and died for us. He redeemed us and made us children of God. He ever remains the liturgist par excellence to whom we are united in all sacred functions. After Christ s ascension the Holy Spirit, however, became our Teacher, our Leader, our Guide, our Consoler. On solemn occasions a thanksgiving Te Deum rises spontaneously from Christian hearts. The feast of the Most Holy Trinity may well be regarded as the Church s Te Deum of gratitude over all the blessings of the Christmas and Easter seasons; for this mystery is a synthesis of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost. This feast, which falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost, should make us mindful that actually every Sunday is devoted to the honor of the Most Holy Trinity, that every Sunday is sanctified and consecrated to the triune God. Sunday after Sunday we should recall in a spirit of gratitude the gifts which the Blessed Trinity is bestowing upon us. The Father created and predestined us; on the first day of the week He began the work of creation. The Son redeemed us; Sunday is the Day of the Lord, the day of His resurrection. The Holy Spirit sanctified us, made us His temple; on Sunday the Holy Spirit descended upon the infant Church. Sunday, therefore, is the day of the Most Holy Trinity. Catholic Culture.org Santuario de San Antonio Parish Office Tel. nos

2 Parish Bulletin the taste of silence by Conchitina S. Bernardo St. Anthony de Padua We are all familiar with the story of St. Anthony de Padua. He was a Franciscan friar, who worked side by side with St. Francis of Assisi. His life and subsequent early death at age 36, would have been inconsequential had this event not taken place: The story is told that St. Anthony was spending the night at a residence, when the man of the house came upon the saint and found him holding the Child Jesus. The child was beautiful beyond words and surrounded with heavenly light. The man was overcome by this vision and the story has been recounted for centuries. This is why St. Anthony is often depicted as holding the Child Jesus. It is also for this reason that I tie in his life with that of contemplative prayer. It is only in deep contemplation and in the quiet of the prayer of silence, that he could have had such an encounter. While St. Anthony dreamed of life as a missionary, God willed that he become a renowned homilist. He learned theology at a young age, and grew to have great fame as a preacher. While he preferred the quiet, obscure life of the monastery, his was actually like a modern day evangelist. Burdened by work, he never forgot the admonition of his spiritual father, St. Francis, that the spirit of prayer must not be extinguished. While he spent the day in teaching and heard the confession of sinners till late in the evening, the many hours of the night were spent in intimate union with God. For this month we were asked to focus on purity, virginity and chastity, virtues attributed to St. Anthony. And in the quiet of Centering prayer it became clear. It is the child in each of us that we bring to God. The child that Anthony of Padua encountered. Children are pure, chaste, and with no blemish. This is why St. Anthony played with, and cradled the child Jesus. There is a beautiful sculpture in the Basilica of Assisi depicting St. Anthony tossing the child Jesus in the air. So marvelous is the art work that you can almost hear the laughter of the child as it gleefully soars in the air. The child that Anthony would touch daily caused him to burst into spontaneous, eloquent homilies that won for the church many converts. He would go into the prayer of silence and after that, moved by the Spirit, his soul would break forth into superlative discourse! Daily we must reach out to the child within, like Anthony would do, to reach the depth of our being and be moved to praise and joy. Do you wonder how come St. Anthony also helps us to find lost things? Perhaps it is because through him and in the quiet of the prayer of silence, he can lead us back to retrieve our misplaced virtues of purity, chastity and virginity. I prayed to him to help me find them. I heard him whisper back chuckling, Well, maybe not all of them... Find us at 2

3 May 22, 2016 RANDOM THOUGHTS Voices from Yesterday and Today by Peachy Maramba A Eucharistic Community of Families Guided by the Virtues of St. Anthony: Chastity, Purity & Virginity On June 13 we will once more be celebrating the birth anniversary of San Antonio de Padua, beloved patron saint of our parish. The theme chosen for this year is A Eucharistic Community of Families Guided by the Virtues of St. Anthony. Thus we will be focusing on the virtues of St. Anthony how he observed, lived and practiced them throughout his life in the hope that they will help shed light that we may become good Christians. CHASTITY, PURITY AND VIRGINITY These three virtues are all moral virtues that come under the cardinal virtue of temperance. As such they seek to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason. Thus it requires self-mastery or complete control over self which is a long and exacting work. But out of this sprouts the tender buds of the immaculate lily of chastity, purity and virginity. CHASTITY When we were baptized we, as Christians, put on Christ the model of all chastity. We are to cultivate chastity in the way suitable to our state of life. Thus some like St. Anthony who formed himself in the practice of chastity professed virginity or consecrated celibacy. This enabled him to give himself to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. However, others like us can live in the way prescribed for all by the moral law, whether they are married or single. PURITY This virtue is proclaimed in the sixth beatitude that states Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). Pure in heart refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God s holiness, chiefly in the three areas: charity, chastity or sexual rectitude, love of truth and orthodoxy of faith. The pure in heart are promised that they will see God face to face and be like him. It enables us to perceive the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. VIRGINITY The Catechism tells us that it is Christ himself who invites certain persons to follow him in this way of life (consecrated celibacy) of which He remains the model. Thus when virginity is practiced for the sake of the kingdom it is a powerful sign of the supremacy of our bond with Christ. ST. ANTHONY AND THE VIRTUES St. Anthony, a man of profound knowledge and filled with the Holy Spirit was called by Pope Pius XV Doctor of the Gospel because he often used thoughts and examples taken from the Gospel. In his many writings he loved to point out doctrinal and moral truths to raise the soul to closer union with God. Because his sermons though simple were eloquent and logical they brought sinners to their knees and led to a reformation of morals especially in Padua. So let us like St. Anthony practice the moral virtues of chastity, purity and virginity even if we are not priests, nuns, etc. They apply to people from all walks of life. They are gifts from God, graces and fruits of spiritual effort. We can do it and in so doing really put on Christ. Santuario de San Antonio Pastoral Team Fr. Baltazar A. Obico, OFM, Guardian, Parochial Vicar Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM Vicar Provincial, Parish Priest, Vicar and Busar Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM - Guest Master Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM Makati Medical Center Chaplain Fr. Serge Santos, OFM - Resident Friar Fr. Laurian Janicki, OFM - Resident Friar RDIP - PB Editorial Team & General Information Suzette H. Gatmaitan Head, RDIP-PB Marilou Consing Editor in Chief Javier Luis Gomez - Assistant Editor Earl Leonard Sebastian - Assistant Editor Hannah Roa - Assistant Editor Jonathan Cruz - Assistant Editor Marie Tycangco - Assistant Editor Jeannie Bitanga Website Administrator Edward Lu Art & Design Colorplus Production Group Corp. Production Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office Tel. nos ssap_info@yahoo.com Website: Website webi@ssaparish.com Foundation website: Parish Pastoral Council Edmund Lim, KHS President Cristina Teehankee Vice President Suzette H. Gatmaitan Secretary 3

4 Parish Bulletin The ABc s of Catholic Doctrine by Lianne Tiu Chastity is a beautiful virtue! The temptation to have sex outside of marriage is as old as marriage itself. Years before, St. Augustine struggled with the flesh and prayed, Give me chastity... but not yet! The sexual instinct is the strongest instinct next to that of survival. Unlike animals, human beings can control their sexual activity by the use of reason. However, this is not easy because of our wounded nature caused by original sin. What is chastity? It is the virtue that ensures the proper use of sex according to God s will - which means engaging in it only within marriage. Everyone is called to a chaste life according to his or her particular state in life. This means that there are unmarried chastity and married chastity. Sins against chastity are masturbation, premarital sex, homosexual acts, prostitution, rape, pornography, adultery, and artificial birth control. Sins also include impure looks, thoughts, and words. How to live chastity: Pray. Talk to Jesus. Seek His help. Ask for the prayers of the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mother Most Chaste), St. Maria Goretti (patron saint of chastity), and St. Anthony. Frequent confession, Holy Mass, and Communion. Have a devotion to Our Lady. Say three Hail Marys everyday for purity. Practice self-denial in little things to gain mastery over self. Avoid unnecessary dangers such as bad companions, excessive drinking, immodest dressing, indecent forms of entertainment (internet, magazines, movies), and sinful curiosity. Avoid idleness by focusing more on work, studies, sports, and developing skills. Date responsibly. Date in groups. Avoid places that are occasions of sin. Avoid getting too physically intimate. Modest affection such as holding hands, modest kisses and embrace are okay provided they do not stimulate sexual passion. Stay away from a relationship that causes you to sin. Avoid undue familiarity with a married person, or priest or nun (or viceversa). Avoid going steady if you are not of marrying age. Value the other person. He/She is not an object of pleasure, but is made in the image and likeness of God. (Reference: 10 1/2 Reasons to be Chaste by Dawn Eden, Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? by Matthew J. Pinto, Guide to Christian Living by Fr. M. Guzman, Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Virtues of Holiness by Juan Luis Lorda, What are Capital Sins? by Fr. William Saunders) 4

5 Joselle Bondoc 17 yrs. old Makati City 3rd Yr. of 4 Years BS Information Technology Jose Rizal University (JRU) GWA 2.52 Tuition: P 60,000/year Transpo:(P50/day) P 10,000/year Total: P 80,000 PROFILES OF COLLEGE SCHOLARS SSAP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (SY ) The SSAP Scholarship Program is in need of sponsors (full or partial) for the following students for SY Please call Jackie Macasias or Fatima Miraflor at ext. 4 for more detail. Referred by a driver of the Santuario de San Antonio, Ariel Bagat, seventeen year old Joselle Bondoc is the daughter of Claro and Dulce Cruzado, Makati City Hall employees. Joselle is her mother s only child from a previous relationship. She is an incoming third year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the Jose Rizal University. The schooling of her younger siblings and the family s living expenses can no longer accommodate her tuition requirements. Jeric B. Tecson 19 yrs. old Bacoor, Cavite City 2nd Year of 4 Years, BS Marine Transportation Philippine Merchant Marine GWA 2.15 School Tuition: P 45,000/year Transpo:(P20/day) P 2,500/year Total: P 57,500 Jeric hails from Cebu, the sixth among nine children of a carpenter. Jocelyn, his eldest sister, was a JPIC Scholar Caregiving graduate and brother Jeffrey is an Aircon- Refrigeration technician who graduated in Don Bosco this school year. Jeric s course requires three years of study plus one year of Apprenticeship in a company chosen by the school. His tuition and other course requirements can no longer be shouldered by his married sisters as they have their own family concerns. If accepted by the Scholarship Program as an incoming second year student, the aspiring seaman, Jeric, has another final year to master his navigation subjects, and another year of Apprenticeship in a private company where he will receive an allowance. Kristine Anne D. Balza 21 yrs. old Tondo Manila 3rd Year of 4 Years, BS Education Major in English Assumption College GWA 1.50 Books & Projects: P 10,000/year Transpo:(P118/day) P 23,600/year Total P 43,600 Kristine Anne Balza is the daughter of an ukay-ukay and spare parts vendor. Kristine s tuition is supported by the school s Financial Aid program. Since her father s meager income cannot cover her needs, Kristine hopes to secure financial assistance for miscellaneous expenses allotted for transportation, food, books, projects, etc. Her uniforms are hand-me-downs of past graduates who donate their uniforms to the school s scholars. Richard D. Villadolid 27 yrs. old Quezon City 6th Year, BS Dentistry Manila Central University (MCU) GWA 2.50 Books & Projects: P 60,000/year Transpo:(P76/day) P 15,200/year Total P 85,200 Twenty seven years old, and in his last year (6th year) at Manila Central University, Richard Villadolid aspires to be a dentist, like his paternal aunt, Dr. Cynthia Villadolid Monay. His parents are separated. His mother works as a yaya and earns 6, a month. They live in his paternal grandparents house which was left to them when his parents separated. His mother visits on her day-off, while his younger brother lives with an aunt so they could save on food, electricity and water expenses. Dr. Monay, will continue to pay his P 75, tuition per semester but can no longer shoulder his transportation, food and other miscellaneous expenses. His last year in Dentistry will cover transportation/food expenses for himself and his case study patients, medicines and laboratory fees, books or photocopy expenses, thesis preparation, etc. Dr. Monay mentors Richard by making him May 22, 2016 assist in her private clinic during his free time. Richard appeals for financial assistance so he could finish BS Dentistry this year, after which he will review for the Dental Board Exam. Maribel A. Jaco 18 yrs. old Tondo Manila 2nd Year of 4 Years, BS Education Major in Special Educ. Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science & Technology GWA 2.0 Tuition: P 10,000/year Transpo:(P41/day) P 8,200/year Total P 28,200 The daughter of a farmer from Capiz, 18 year old Maribel Jaco is an incoming second year Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Special Education (SPED) at the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST). One of her sisters, Cherrybel, is a personal assistant of Sen. Pia Cayetano. She resides in Tondo with another sister who used to help her with her school expenses, but whose living expenses for her own family make it difficult to balance her inadequate income, and support Maribel s needs. Maribel needs to improve her English skills. With her drive to achieve a better quality of life through education, she is looking forward to a rewarding teaching career here or abroad, handling children with special needs, in memory of her autistic sister who passed away. 5

6 Parish Bulletin 6 THE SSAP INVITES YOU TO WHAT CAN A I RECOLLECTION OFFER YOU, LORD? WHAT CAN I OFFER YOU, ON LORD? VOLUNTEERISM What WHAT CAN Can I OFFER I Offer YOU, LORD? You, WHAT Lord? CAN I OFFER YOU, LORD? By WHAT Fr. CAN Reu I OFFER Galoy YOU, LORD? WHAT CAN I OFFER YOU, LORD? Open WHAT CAN to I OFFER all those YOU, LORD? 35yrs WHAT old CAN I and OFFER above. YOU, LORD? Sat WHAT 28 CAN May I OFFER 2016 YOU, LORD? WHAT CAN I OFFER YOU, LORD? St Peter Rm San WHAT Antonio CAN I OFFER Parish YOU, LORD? WHAT CAN I OFFER YOU, LORD? For WHAT reservation, CAN I OFFER YOU, pls. LORD? WHAT CAN I OFFER YOU, LORD? call (0917) FAITH IN ACTION

7 May 22, 2016 PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK CALENDAR OF MINISTRIES FOR THE WEEK David Lu Connie Gomez Rosario Misa Fr. Hugh Zurat, OFM Marilou Arteficio Victoria Kate de Venecia Ma. Pilar Oledan Iggy Clavecilla Africa and Cecile Reynoso Maxima Amah Sy Aurora Gonzalez Tommy Dy Buncio Naning Bagabaldo Remedios Maceda Berris Cedric Castro Pilar del Gallego Nena Jalandoni Victoriano Chung Erlinda Miranda-Oledan Zwei Lopez Gadi Shallouh Bancil Swinnerton Francisco Tankiang Cynthia Arms Felicisimo Alcantara Rosario de Leon Tobias Gloria Syjuco Raffy Chan Edric Co Peter Soo Chito San Jose Nancy Imperial Johnny Lopez Lisa Alvendia Letty Ligon Norma J. Carlos Sony Lopez Gonzalez Shaina Bhudhrani Gia Gonzalez Orlando Bernardo Rolando Sotaso Cecilio Hidalgo Victorina Leus Iya Ocampo Bernadette Gonzali Guillermo Profeta Dra. Ofelia Adapon Soldedad T. Consing If you want a name added or deleted, contact Bernadette at the Parish office tel. nos Flores de Mayo SUNDAY - MAY 22 * 8:00AM - Thrift Shop MONDAY - MAY 23 Program at St. Francis Friendship Home *3:00PM - OFS Formation TUESDAY - MAY 24 Program at St. Francis Friendship *9:00AM - CWL FREE breakfast and clinic *9:00AM - JPIC Hospital Ministry PGH Visitation *2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancercise Open to all Parishioners. *4:00PM - Marian Cenacle Group Prayer Meeting WEDNESDAY - MAY 25 Program at St. Francis Friendship Home THURSDAY - MAY 26 Program at St.Francis Friendship Home *6:00pm - Lay Ministers Quarterly monthly meeting *9:00AM - Health Care Ministry Visitation at Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City FRIDAY - MAY 27 Prtogram at St.Francis Friendship Home *11:00AM -Adoration Chapel Monthly mass *2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancercise Open to All Parishioners *7:00PM - Household Help Charismatic Prayer Meeting *7:30PM - SYA Payday Prayer *9:00PM - Tig-awit Choir Practice SATURDAY - MAY 28 *9:30AM - CCD Confirmation Rites *4:00PM - LUKE 18 Prayer Meeting Children are welcome to attend the Flores de Mayo at the 6pm Mass in the main church everyday during the month of May. Flowers will be provided. 7

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