January 18, 2015 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Feast of the Sto. Niño www.ssaparish.com Forbes Park, Makati FOSA Christmas Party N Isinulat ni Eralyn Mindajao oong ika 6 ng Disyembre muling idinaraos ang FOSA (Friends of San Antonio) Christmas party with Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM, na siya ang nanguna sa opening prayer. Then followed by a raffle draw and parlor games. At ito y dinalohan ng mga kasambahay na sakop sa parokya ng SSAP. Halos tatlong daan na dumalo. Mula sa FOSA, taos puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat na support kay Fr. Reu at sa Parish Pastoral Council. Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon mula sa FOSA! Tumingin pa ng maraming litrato ng FOSA Christmas party sa website namin www.ssaparish.com
Parish Bulletin SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION By Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy Called to Become a Child-Friendly Community Feast of Señior Sto. Niño The pastoral visit of Pope Francis to our country is indeed a blessing - a once in a blue moon opportunity especially for those who cannot afford to go and visit the Vatican City in Rome. I wonder who are those who will have the chance to get closer to the Pope and those who will be relegated to the sidelines. My only prayer is that after his visit there will be no story of people being given the special privilege due to Connection, Hype, Influence, Lobbying and Donation because to some extent this is blatant disregard to what Pope Francis wants as well as a betrayal to the theme of his visit, compassion and mercy. The gesture of Pope Francis to be closer to people especially the poor is driven by his ability to see Christ among the least, last and lost. It is not an opportunity for Pope Francis to mingle with the ordinary people. It is rather a privilege for Pope Francis to celebrate with his flock as a shepherd, Christian faith-life together with the faithful amidst the struggles to living life lovingly and finding faith fraternally. Such an encounter is ministry in reserve - the condition of the faithful becomes the source of inspiration to the pope in exercising his office as servant-shepherd-steward. Pope Francis is humbly and seriously taking his office as both an encounter and communion with God. Most often than not, positions of authority and function alienates the person holding it in name of protection and security 2 RANDOM THOUGHTS Voices from yesterday and today By: Peachy Maramba BLESSED JOSEPH VAZ: MISSIONARY EXTRAORDINAIRE 1651 1711 January 16 Joseph Vaz was born on April 21, 1651 at Benaulim, Goa (India) one of the few Portuguese enclaves left. His Parents who belonged to the Brahmin (upper) caste were Catholic converts who brought him up loving God. After ordination as a priest in 1676 because he was considered a native he could not join the mainstream and sometimes ending up as prisoner of it. That is why Jesus wanted people including children to have access to him and would like to teach his disciples to learn a lesson and all of us - our role is to help the people become closer to Christ than to us, including the Pope himself. The powerful words of Jesus, Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it (Mk. 10:15). Again, Jesus is making use of contrasting images to lead people to understand his point. The image of the kingdom connotes power and prestige. The child on the other hand, represents the inferior and insignificant. Jesus did so to convey his message that the basis to enter God s kingdom is to be childlike which to me is a call and a challenge to be Compassionate, Humble, Inclusive, Loving and Dependent on God s grace. The child Jesus brought light into the world through his birth. May we also try to give birth to a CHILD-friendly environment in our parish and nurture it through sharing the light that Jesus brings in our homes and workplaces. religious orders who preferred priests of European blood. So he travelled all over Goa barefoot as an Indian sanyasi. He learnt the local language Sinhala and so that his companions could do the same he compiled a dictionary (English Singhala). Because of his austere life style, perennially steeped in prayer, reflection and self-denial he was much sought after not only as a priest, confessor and preacher but as a friend. His great regard and respect for local customs endeared him to the people that he brought nearer to God. He earned the title of being the perpetual slave of the Virgin Mother of God which he himself wrote in his Letter of Bondage a year after his ordination to express his phenomenal devotion to Our Lady. But Joseph never forgot his dream of going to Sri Lanka where the ruling Dutch Calvinists were attempting to eradicate Catholicism. So he asked permission from his superior but unfortunately his request was denied and he was instead sent to the Capital Kanara (now called Colombo) as vicar apostolic. When he returned to Goa on September 25, 1685 he decided turn to page 3 Editorial Team & General Information Marilou Consing Editor in Chief Jeannie Bitanga Assistant Editor/Website Administrator Jojo Avila Montenegro Art & Design Colorplus Production Group Corp. Production Submit articles, pictures, announcements, notices to: ssappb@yahoo.com Deadline for submission is every Tuesday of the week. The Parish Bulletin reserves the right to edit articles for clarity and space. Santuario de San Antonio Pastoral Team Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM Parish Priest Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM Guardian Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM Makati Medical Center Chaplain Fr. Serge Santos, OFM. Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office Tel. nos. 8438830-31 Email: ssap_info@yahoo.com Website: www.ssaparish.com Website email: webi@ssaparish.com Foundation website: www.santuariodesanantonio.org Parish Pastoral Council Jayme Blanco President Edmund Lim Vice President Cristina Teehankee Secretary To submit articles/pictures to the Parish Bulletin/Website Please submit photos with your articles, if at all possible. Submit them by email (not in paper form) with photos in.jpg format and a minimum photo file size of at least 80 KB (800 x 530 pixels). Articles submitted should be a minimum of 150 words and not more than 300 words. Email to: ssappb@yahoo.com
Random Thoughts...from page 2 to join a group of Goanese clergy seeking to lead an ascetical life at the Church of the Holy Cross of Miracles. After helping them to adopt the Rule of the Oratorians founded by St. Philip Neri he became its superior and the founder of the Institute of the Oratory in India, the first ever indigenous institute in the Third World. This pioneering effort of his not only ensured Goa of a steady supply of priests but actually helped Joseph to continue his work in reviving the church in Sri Lanka and save it from complete extinction. In 1606 he resigned his post as superior and left for Sri Lanka at the risk of his life. Learning to speak Tamil and with a former family servant named John Vax they managed to enter Jaffna in the north of Sri Lanka where the Dutch East India Company controlled the ports and allowed no Catholic priests to land on the island. Disguised first as coolies (porters) then as beggars they went looking for surviving Catholics. When he found them he was impressed by how they had managed to preserve their faith through all kinds of hardships. Going barefoot all over the island with a rosary round his neck he was priest, confessor, preacher and friend. To communicate the truths of the faith Joseph translated the Church s books and catechism into the native language. He also composed hymns and prayers in Singhalese and Tamil. He reached out humbly to communicate with the leaders of Buddhism and Islam. Working till his last breath Joseph was able to build 15 churches, 400 chapels with schools, dispensaries and hospitals all over Sri Lanka. Joseph Vaz died on January 16, 1711, and ws beatified 284 years later in 1995 when Pope Paul II himself beatified him in a special papal visit to Sri Lanka. Blessed Joseph Vax is indeed one of the greatest missionaries Asia has ever produced. SOURCES of REFERENCE: Butler s Saint for the Day - pp 23 24; Saint Companions pp 30-32; Saints for Our Time pp 36 37; and others. Read more on Blessed Joseph Vaz in our website www.ssaparish.com The ABC s of Catholic Doctrine by Lianne Tiu We are All God s Children! Do we really understand this truth, We are All God s Children, that s repeatedly sung for the papal visit? To many, being God s children sounds beautiful; but it hardly means anything or has any practical consequences. God, who is madly in love with us, has made us His children. This is actually the greatest gift we have received from Him. When we say I am a child of God, we are not using a metaphor (or a figure of speech) about the fatherly protection or watchfulness that God exercises over us. We are really His children! And it is our greatest dignity. If our birth made us children of our parents, our Baptism made us children of God. As children of our parents, we became their heirs, the heirs to their properties at some future time. As children of God, we became His heirs, the heirs of heaven. God, as our heavenly Father, gives us the right to enter heaven and see Him. God is our Dad or Papa. This is for real! Being aware of this truth will give us joy and peace in the face of all kinds of events, even in the most difficult moments of our lives. We learn to completely trust in His goodness, knowing that He has control over all creation and that He only wants what is best for us. When we are aware that God is our Dad, we will also see others as our own brothers and sisters - children of the same Father. We learn to love one another as we all belong to one race, one color, and one language. We hold everyone in great respect, including the weak and the poor. The thought about God as our Father can move us in a powerful way as our faith becomes unshakable, our Saints of the Week January 18 Feast of the Sto. Nino January 18, 2015 St. Margaret of Hungary St. Margaret of Hungary, daughter of King Bela IV, became a Dominican novice at twelve in a royal convent built on an island in the Danube. Although she was a princess among nuns who were of noble descent, she objected to any special treatment and went out of her way to perform the most menial tasks and the most exacting labors on behalf of the squalid poor and most advanced hospital cases. The extent of her labors and fasting and hours of prayer brought on the fatigue of which she died on January 18. Her feast day is January 18th. January 23 St. Ildephonsus St. Ildephonsus is closely associated with devotion to the Blessed Virgin, which he fostered by his famous work concerning her perpetual virginity. Born around 607, Ildephonsus came from a noble family. He entered the Benedictine monastery of Agalia near Toledo and went on to become its Abbot. In that capacity he attended the Councils of Toledo in 653 and 655. In 657 the clergy and people elected this holy man to succeed his uncle, St. Eugenius, as Archbishop of Toledo. He performed his episcopal duties with diligence and sanctity until his death in 667. Reference: www.catholic.org. hope becomes secure, and our charity becomes ardent. We are all God s children Let us live and enjoy this happy truth! (Reference: Guide to Christian Sanctification by Fr. M. Guzman; In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez; Pope Benedict XVI General audience Nov. 15, 2006; Romancing Work by Minyong Ordonez PDI; Divine Filiation by Fr. Roy Cimagala; 1 John 3: 1-2) 3
Parish Bulletin January 20 Fabian, pope and martyr St. Fabian was elected bishop of the Church of Rome in 236. In 250, at the beginning of the persecution of Decius, he won the crown of martyrdom, as Cyprian bears witness. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Callistus. On the same day, January 20 Sebastian, martyr St. Sebastian died a martyr at Rome in the beginning of the Diocletian persecution. From antiquity the faithful have venerated his tomb on the Appian Way. CALENDAR OF SAINTS FOR THE WEEK January 21 Agnes, virgin and martyr St. Agnes died a martyr at Rome during either the second half of the third century or, more probably, at the beginning of the fourth century. Pope Damasus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry, and many of the Fathers of the Church, following St. Ambrose, have honored her in their writings. January 22 Vincent, deacon and martyr St. Vincent, deacon of the Church of Saragossa, after suffering extreme tortures, died as a martyr at Valencia in Spain during the Diocletian persecution. His cult immediately spread throughout the Church. January 24 Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor St. Francis was born at Savoy in 1567. After being ordained a priest he labored diligently for the restoration of Catholicism in his country. Chosen bishop of Geneva, he showed himself as a true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful, strengthening their faith by his writings, work and example. He died at Lyons on December 28, 1622, and was buried at Annecy on this day. Reference: Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours. Published and distributed by Paulines Publishing House, Daughters of St. Paul, 2650 F.B. Harrison St., 1300 Pasay City, Phil. 13th printing 2010. ISBN 971-590-357-6. THANK YOU! Maraming Salamat! On behalf of our JPIC Scholars, MARAMING SALAMAT! All were truly appreciative of the entrance raffle gifts, and the winning and consolation prizes they received during the games, which they shared with their siblings. A BIG THANK YOU to all our donors who shared their blessings with our JPIC SCHOlars during the JPIC SCHOlarship Program s Christmas party. We truly appreciate your generosity! The true spirit of Christmas is really not just receiving material gifts, but realizing that the bountiful blessings we receive day to day do not have to be gift wrapped and placed under the tree. As our fellow member Dely wrote: It is more blessed to give, to share, to make another person happy! That is the true meaning of Christmas! JPIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM COMMITTEE MB / MVR DONORS SSAP JPIC CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 6, 2014 4 Renato & Charo Apacible Menchu O. Bautista Carlos, Mariza & Miguel del Rosario Nelia Anonas Rene & Pining Arcilla Atty. Aniano Bagabaldo & Family Lita Banson Noel & Liaa Bautista Della Besa Agnes Buenaventura Bambina Buenaventura Dr. Lynn Butler Marisa Chan Jean Chavez Raymond Chongco Joe & Marivic Concepcion Baby Cruz Tricia Cruz Marietta Cuyegkeng Elvira Dayrit Gloria del Rio Susan Filamor Frederick Filler Ella Gana Clarisse Gomez Annette Gonzalez Lulu Goquingco Alice Guerrero Letty Laurel Sr. Marisa Lichauco Adela Lim Mark Lim Mike Limpe Jun & Menchu Lopez Peachy Maramba Melissa Martel Arnold McKenzie Chona A. Montinola Ging Gonzalez Montinola Mary Rose Moreno Millette Ocampo Henrietta Ocampo Chloe Periquet Gilda T. Reyes Lita Revilla Ernest & Josie Rufino Buda Samson Norma Samson Henry Santos Doris See Melon Silverio Mila Tanseco Marge Tambunting Flor Tolosa Rory Torres Maria Lourdes Tuason Erlinda Ursua Nancy Uy Rosie O. Valencia Barbie Young Marie Yu
January 18, 2015 19-Jan-15 Baby Yulo Jose Cedo 20-Jan-15 Victoria Tambunting Ray Alimurong Ginger Roxas Niño Tupaz 21-Jan-15 Inez Lebron Wilfredo P. Reyes Tessie Idos BIRTHDAYS 22-Jan-15 Grace Padilla Antonio Lagdameo Jr. Lulu Cinco Joelle Tambuatco Betty Roxas Chua 23-Jan-15 Christopher B. Lim Carlo Lopez 24-Jan-15 Ia Genato Christopher Cantada 25-Jan-15 Caloy Villanueva Sarina Samson Margie de Leon Francis de Leon Janice Roxas Chua For corrections and additions to this list, contact Susan at the parish office. 5
Parish Bulletin WEDDING BANNS 11-Jan-15 Jaime Joseph Trinidad & Stephanie Shaw 12-Jan-15 Eric Ngo Gipit & Anina Theresa G. Domalanta 12-Jan-15 Anthony T. Morris & Maria Elena R. Lopez, The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, 40 Lantana St. Cubao, Quezon City 15-Jan-15 Joseph J. Yu & Regina Marie L. Alcasid, Our Lady of All Nations Parish, Brgy Payapa Ilaya, Lemery, Batangas 17-Jan-15 Ryan March B. Mateo & Mary Grace Cindy B. Garces 17-Jan-15 Bon Kimber Tee Syiaco & Kimberly Ann Lao Chupeco 18-Jan-15 Jan Erwin Manalo Veloso & Ma. Christina Gay Macasieb Dantes 23-Jan-15 Rio Mark L. Furog & Maria Victoria S. Arevalo 23-Jan-15 Michael Martin Nomorosa Merchan & Terecy Joyce Pasion Chia 24-Jan-15 Clarence Paul Aguilar Canlas & April Joy Rogacion Ocampo 24-Jan-15 Jose Emmanuel Ernesto B. Sibal & Ma. Cristina Louise C. Cuerva, Prelature Shrine of Saint Joseph, Brgy. Poblacion Polillo, Quezon 25-Jan-15 Daniel Mora Viernes & Sharmaine Chesna Wu Tan 26-Jan-15 Jose Carlo Guzman Enriquez & Shein Pailan 30-Jan-15 Paolo Aguila Bautista & Pier Christine Bernabe Castor 30-Jan-15 Peter Michael G. Dizon & Joanna P. Orbe 6 31-Jan-15 Guillen John Cubacub & Marie Therese Huervas Buensuceso 31-Jan-15 Brian Edward M. Tagle & Bernice Celeste B. Bernardino, Villa San Miguel, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong 01-Feb-15 Paolo Everardo S. Javier & Veronica Ann Ong Yap 07-Feb-15 Jose Francis Raymund V. Pantangco & Cheryl Anne Tan Que 07-Feb-15 Julius Ferdinand Maramag & Elena Lois Lantano Bautista 07-Feb-15 Baldwin C. Keh & Raisa C. Murillo, Christ The King, Greenmeadows Ave. QC 14-Feb-15 Anthony Bejado & Margaret Perez 14-Feb-15 Aaron Narciso Vitug & Ma. Ana Patricia G. Benitez 21-Feb-15 Mikael Sy Coyiuto & Jennica Grace Santiago Tañeca 22-Feb-15 John David Gan Dy & Larah Danielle Yauder Monterola 26-Feb-15 Martin Paul B. Roque & Veronica T. Messer 01-Mar-15 Eduardo Martin Legasi Chua & Vanessa Joan Chua Chan, St. Bede Catholic Church, Pyrmont NSW Australia 01-Mar-15 Markson Louie Sia Tan & Janice Adeline Kua Uy 14-Mar-15 Bradlee Zigfrid Cagampan Dungo & Elizabeth Dy Castañeda 22-Mar-15 Mark Michael Cervantes Sy & Lesley Anne Dy Ng 19-Apr-15 Bon Kimber Tee Syiaco & Kimberly Ann Lao Chupeco Meldy Cojuangco Connie Gomez Marilou Arteficio Ma. Pilar Oledan Iggy Clavecilla Cecille Reynoso Maxima Amah Sy Aurora Gonzalez Tommy Dy Buncio Naning Bagabaldo Remedios Maceda Berris Cedric Castro Please Pray for the Sick Anselmo Trinidad Jr. Pilar del Gallego Nena Jalandoni Rosario Lopez Victoriano Chung Erlinda Miranda-Oledan Zwei Lopez Gadi Shallouh Bancil Swinnerton Tony Boy Floirendo Jr. Francisco Tankiang Cynthia Arms Felicisimo Alcantara Rosario de Leon Tobias David B. Lu Gloria Syjuco Raffy Chan Edric Co Peter Soo Chito San Jose Ron Jacobs Nancy Imperial Johnny Lopez Lisa Alvendia Letty Ligon Norma J. Carlos Sony Lopez Gonzalez Corazon M. Samaniego Shaina Budhrani Gia Gonzalez Daniel Lao Orlando Bernardo If you want a name added or deleted, contact Bernadette at the Parish office tel. nos. 8438830-32.
January 18, 2015 LEASE / SALE FORBES DASMA URDA SAN LO BEL AIR MAGA CONNIE PERIQUET GATMAITAN CYNTHIA GATMAITAN MENCHACA TELS.: 8130875 8672227 CELL (0917)8109379 3/F SEDCCO BLDG., RADA ST., LEGASPI VILL., MAKATI CITY Our Latest Chapel, Crematorium and Columbary in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City 7
Thank you from the Altar Ministry! Written by Bing Bing Quiros T he Altar Ministry would like to thank Architect Conrad Onglao for his time and effort in preparing the advent wreath, main altar decorations and for the beautiful Belen Christmas season 2014. Together with Conrad, our heartfelt gratitude goes to Ms. Zsazsa Padilla and their staff for all the help they extended to us. Also to Mr. Onet Limchoc for the Belen shed. Thank you too to the Dasmarinas Village Association Office for lending us the star! Our Altar Ministry family is growing! Till next year! (l-r) Wilma Huang, Karen Limpe, Zari Poe, Bing Bing Quiros, Architect Conrad Onglao The Advent Wreath Architect Conrad Onglao The Advent Wreath by Architect Conrad Onglao