April 26, 2015 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER www.ssaparish.com 2015 Year of the Poor - Mercy and Compassion Forbes Park, Makati SSAP 40th Anniversary Declaration as a Parish Community Gathering By Jayme Blanco Last 15 April 2015, our parish kicked-off the 40th Anniversary Declaration as a parish of Santuario De San Antonio with a community gathering at the quadrangle after the 6PM mass where parishioners get together with drinks and food booths. Also, our parish priest Fr. Reu Galoy introduced the 40th anniversary prayer and the new logo. The original Santuario De San Antonio was located in the walled city of Intramuros, Manila but was destroyed during WWII. The Ayala family thereafter donated the current parcel of land to the Franciscans and in 1953 the church was built. But it was only on April 16, 1975 that the Archdiocese declared the church as a parish. The importance of the aforesaid is that all the sacraments can be celebrated as defined by the juridical boundaries. Anniversary activities for the year includes the Manila Symphony Concert on June 11, 2015 with Vocalismo, the installation of the relic of St. Anthony on June 13, 2015 and Fund Raising projects for the continuity of the outreach programs for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. We would like to thank the following parishioners for giving their time for the sharing interview: past PPC Presidents Manny Dizon, Petrona Lim, Joey Soriano, Randy Limjoco and wife Cecile. Jose Mari and Mary Ann Chan, Jolly Gomez, Rocky Chan, Ria Campos, Mimi Morelos, and PPC Vice President Edmund Lim. Further, we would like to thank food booths: Aling Nene s by the Secular Franciscan Order, Melo s Steak House (Tel.no. 7712288), Koyen Dela Cerna s Paella (Mobile no. 0917.814.6124), and SSAP Single Young Adults (SYA) drinks and dessert booths. Special mention to Janine Puno for the logo design, VT Roman for the photos, Robert Espiritu, Alli Raval, Jonathan Cruz and Pisha Banaag for assisting in organizing the event. See more pictures inside (page 5) Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office Tel. nos. 8438830-31
Parish Bulletin SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION By Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM 4th Sunday of Easter Good Shepherd The English language uses the word herd mentality it comes from the pastoral setting of tending the sheep. It means a mindless grouping/ congregation of people very similar to our political phenomenon called HAKOT system, where people are grouped together in a place not knowing why they are there in the first place, except that everybody is there. The basic disability of the sheep is its lack of vision, hence it is almost half blind. Therefore their security is being together. Their sense of smell is their source of action. No other reason except vulnerability and survival instinct put them together. Today the fourth Sunday of Easter, the image of the shepherd and the sheep dominate the readings from Psalm 100 to the second reading: Revelation 7 from the gospel acclamation as well as the very short gospel proclamation John 10:27-30. The early church has no symbol including the cross more prominent than the Good Shepherd. There is no better image to illustrate the intimate nature of our relationship with God than the image of shepherding. When the image of the sheep is applied to us it signifies dependence, that we are weak and in need of help. Sheep are not endemic to us except those who get to eat roast lamb in fine dining places. It may not occur to us that the sheep are the dumbest of all animals. They go to the gullies, become entangled in brambles, fall into ditches and wander into predators territory. It is because they do not know any better, they could hardly see. No domesticated animal is as defenseless. A dog has 2 enough intelligence to find his way home. (Remember Japan s Hachiko.) It has some acute sense of smell and hearing to find food; it can defend itself against other animals or run away from one if need be. A cat is a loner with enough cunning to take care of the worst situations. It has been said that cats have nine lives (Harold Buetow). It is neither of those ways with the sheep. It is so trusting that he mistakes anybody as his shepherd including the marauders. It can be beaten black and blue, bloodied without giving a fight or signs of pleas for help. Hence we hear the expression like a lamb led to the slaughter. No groan, no sigh, only tears in its eyes when it is being slaughtered. This is how vulnerable the sheep is with out a shepherd to guide him to the grazing lands and protect him from the predators. For us to admit that we are sheep is to put our trust completely, unreservedly in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The relationship between this kind of shepherd and his sheep is a power of connectedness, of empathy. The relationship between the Good Shepherd and his sheep is so intimate that it is an extension of the relationship between the Father and the Son. The Father s omnipotence is the guarantee of Jesus promises; his promise of eternal life, that we shall not perish, that no one can take us out of his hands as promises to his flock that can be fulfilled by the Father. With him we shall not only never perish, not only protected from danger and harm, but will be led to eternal life where we would not want anything for God is the only necessity in our life. 1. Like sheep, we are almost half blind. We would not be able to see what lies beyond the horizon that awaits us. Neither can we see the dangers around us trying to exploit and mislead us. It is Jesus alone who can lead us to the eternal pasture. The grind of daily life can lull us to contentment and we lose sight of the beyond. We can get so engrossed with daily cares and concerns that we are not able to see the marvelous future ahead of us. 2. Jesus is not only content in giving us the vision. Aside from images of security of giving us the basic necessities, he leads us to the right paths, to mean all danger averted. At the moment of greatest danger, God still provides, thus the Psalmist can say fear no evil. God s scepter/rod connotes royal authority hence his guidance and provision are reliable because God is sovereign. Jesus as Good Shepherd will put his life at risk in the face of danger. 3. The caring and tending of the sheep includes knowing the sheep personally, each by name. An intimate relationship between the Good Shepherd and the sheep binds them in an inexplicable way, The shepherd knows each one. Who is missing, who is sick, who has no appetite. There is no stranger in the flock. We are all known. None should feel she/ he is unrecognized. But more than recognition, knowing means involvement in our lives. In this age where many communities, neighbors are strangers to one another, whose neighbors scarcely know the name of those living next door and when many in fact seek anonymity, let us put away our isolation and alienation. Let us start hearing the voice and follow the Good Shepherd that we may become one flock where one knows and is known in the process. 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 Voices from yesterday and today By: Peachy Maramba ST. ZITA: PATRONESS of DOMESTIC WORKERS 1218 1278 April 27 Zita was born to an extremely poor farm laborer in Italy. Besides going to daily mass Zita was ever ready to obey and do God s will as pointed out by her devout mother. Zita consoled herself with the knowledge that if they were extremely poor there were certainly a lot more people worse off than they. When she was just twelve years of age her career and life as a domestic servant began. Hired by Pagano di Fatinelli, a well-todo weaver in the Tuscan city of Lucca, Italy the family were so overjoyed that she had landed such a prized position in such a rich household that they brought along with them a basket of fruit to thank them. While Zita was so happy at the fact that her new home was just next door to Lucca s basilica still all was not easy sailing for her. First of all because the city was soon put under an interdict so all churches were closed. So for the next three years Zita had to walk 1.5 miles to Pisa to attend mass. Then the other servants in the house initially resented the fact that because Zita was so hardworking she made them all look bad. They also disliked her for her holiness, austerities and abhorrence of foul language. However Zita deeply believed in the adage that, A servant is not pious if she is not industrious. She also regarded her job as her Christian vocation. She endured every trial uncomplainingly with great meekness and patience so that eventually her humility and attitude of forgiveness The ABC s of Catholic Doctrine by Lianne Tiu Not all can become rich, wise, famous,... yet, all of us are called to be saints! Our Lord wants all of us to be saints. He asks all men and women, without exception, to be perfect as His heavenly Father is perfect. (Mat 5:48) To be holy is to be a good Christian. It is to make our actions consistent with the demands of our faith. It is to resemble Christ. It isn t easy, but it isn t difficult either. Our Lord gives us graces to achieve it; although He needs us to cooperate with them. The main thing we are asked to do is to love: charity is the bond of perfection. (Col3:14) We are asked to love the Lord with our whole heart, with our whole soul, and with our whole mind. (Mat 22:37) To love and serve God, there is no need to do anything strange or unusual. Although some of us are called to the religious (or consecrated) life, majority of us are called to be holy in the middle of the world. We try to sanctify ourselves in the midst of our ordinary work and duties, overcame their enmity. Instead of eating all of the good food that she was meant to eat or even eating anything at all she would save the great portion of it to give away to the beggars and poor folk of Lucca. Her employers understandably in the beginning were upset by her gifts of food to the poor and destitute. Once when there was a local famine Zita had secretly given away much of the family s store of beans. Unbelievably when her master made a surprise inspection of the kitchen cupboards the beans had been miraculously replaced to the relief of the terrified Zita. This was just the first of several miracles that figured in her life. Besides bearing the cruel insults of her master and his family, Zita remained ever patient and kind. Finally realizing what a pearl they had in Zita they began April 26, 2015 doing them the best we can for love of God. To love God more, we have to get to know Him through prayers and in reading and contemplating His life in the Gospels. We cannot achieve holiness in a stroke. We will commit many mistakes and sins along the way; but this should not discourage us. We begin again each day in our struggle until the moment of our death. St. Josemaria wrote: Don t wait until you are old to start becoming a saint. That would be a great mistake! Begin right now, in earnest, cheerfully and joyfully, by fulfilling the duties of your work and of your everyday life. Don t wait until you are old to become a saint. Because I insist apart from its being a great mistake, you never know whether you will live as long as that. (The Forge # 113) (Reference: On Retreat with St. Josemaria Escriva by John O Dogherty; The Way; Furrow; The Forge by St. Josemaria Escriva; Novo Millennio inuente by St. John Paul II) to regard and treat her differently. She was entrusted with the care of the household, became their close confidant and could even cure her master s loss of temper with just a look. She was also allowed to rearrange her time to give her more time to visit the sick and those in prison. More and more people began to hear of Zita s good works and heavenly manifestations that appeared to her. But the most phenomenal experience she ever had happened one Christmas Eve after the interdict had been lifted. Her master upon seeing Zita leave home to go to mass on that freezing Christmas Eve hurriedly followed her and insisted that she borrow his fur overcoat. Of course he told her to be sure to take good care of it. turn to page 4 3
Parish Bulletin Random Thoughts...from page 3 But Zita saw this shivering poor old beggar standing outside the church door she unhesitatingly took it off to lend it to him. Imagine her dismay when she couldn t find a trace of him after the mass! Naturally her master was furious when he saw her come back without his coat. As he sat down to his Christmas dinner a stranger an old man - came to return the fur coat to Zita and then quickly vanished. Since then the portal of the church of St. Frediano, Lucca where he first appeared became known as the Angel s Door or Angel Portal. Zita was to remain the rest of her life (48 years) with the Fatinellis. When she became fatally ill on April 27, 1278 her now foster family wanted to lavish her with luxuries but she refused. On the night she died at the age of 60 the mansion was all lit up by a star as if it were the middle of the day. Canonized on 5 September 1696 by Pope Innocent III St. Zita became the patron of domestic workers on 26 September 1933. She is also the patron of housewives and waiters. She is venerated for her devotion (being a lifelong servant) and for her care of the poor and condemned convicts SOURCES of REFERENCE: Butler s Lives of the Saints Vol. II pp 173 174; Saint Companions pp 152 153; The Big Book of Women Saints p 129; and others. St. Zita s body still lies in the church of San Frediano at Lucca which she attended so regularly during her lifetime. Read more on St. Zita at our website www.ssaparish.com 4 Catholic Women s League (CWL) June 2015 San Antonio Parish: Fiesta Outreach Program Libreng Handog Group Baptism June 5 Medical Mission June 6 Group Confirmation June 8 Group Wedding June 10 We invite those who wish to join these activities to contact the parish through: CWL office: Evelyn, Mobile (09156410816) (M-F 9am-4pm) Parish office: Bernadette (Tel.no. 8438830) (M-F 11am-5pm) Deadline for submission of application forms is on April 30, 2015 SUNDAY- APRIL 26 * 9:15AM - CCD Sunday Religion Class MONDAY - APRIL 27 *1:30PM - OFS Formation TUESDAY - APRIL 28 * 9:00AM - CWL FREE Clinic * 9:00AM - JPIC Hospital Ministry PGH Visitation * 2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancersize Open to All Parishioners * 4:00PM - Marian Cenacle Group Prayer Meeting WEDNESDAY - APRIL 29 * 4:00PM - CCD Religion Class CALENDAR OF MINISTRIES FOR THE WEEK CALENDAR OF SAINTS FOR THE WEEK April 28 Peter Chanel, priest and martyr St. Peter Chanel was born in the town of Cuet in France in 1803. After ordination to the priesthood, he was engaged in pastoral work for a few years. He then joined the Marists and journeyed to Oceania to preach the Gospel. Despite many hardships he converted some of the natives to the faith. Out of hatred for the faith, a band of native warriors killed him in 1841 on the island of Futuna. April 29 Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor St. Catherine was born at Siena in 1347. While still a young girl, she sought the way of perfection and entered the Third Order of St. Dominic. On fire with love of God and neighbor, she established peace and concord between cities, vigorously fought for the rights and freedom of the Roman Pontiff, and promoted the renewal of religious life. She also composed works of THURSDAY - APRIL 30 * 9:00AM - Health Care Ministry Visitation at Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City FRIDAY - MAY 1 * 2:00PM - Health are Ministry Dancersize: Open to All Parishioners * 3:00PM - Health Care Ministry monthly healing mass * 6:30PM - Men of the Sacred Heart monthly meeting * 7:00PM - Household Help Charismatic Prayer meeting * 9:00PM - Tig-Awit Choir Practice SATURDAY - May 2 * 8:00AM -JPIC Scholarship meeting * 4:00PM - VOSA Choir Practice * 4:00PM - LUKE 18 Prayer meeting CORO Notice The Coro resumes on Sunday May 3 after a whole month of Easter Break. Rehearsal starts at 4 pm. Mass at 6pm. This will give us time to prepare for our fiesta on June 13. Thank you. 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 Pilar del Gallego Nena Jalandoni Victoriano Chung Erlinda Miranda-Oledan NOTICE There will be NO FIRST FRIDAY HEALING MASS on May 1, 2015. June schedule to be announced. Please Pray for the Sick Zwei Lopez Gadi Shallouh Bancil Swinnerton Tony Boy Floirendo Jr. Francisco Tankiang Cynthia Arms Felicisimo Alcantara Rosario de Leon Tobias 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 Shaina Budhrani Gia Gonzalez Daniel Lao Orlando Bernardo Rolando Sotaso Cecilio Hidalgo Victoria Leus If you want a name added or deleted, contact Bernadette at the Parish office tel. nos. 8438830-32. FLORES DE MAYO Children are welcome to attend the Flores De Mayo at 6pm masses everyday at the main church during the month of May. Flowers will be provided. doctrine and spiritual inspiration. She died in 1380. April 30 Pius V, pope St. Pius V was born near Alessandria in Italy in 1504. He entered the Dominican Order and taught theology. After being ordained a bishop and named a cardinal. He became pope in 1566. He vigorously implemented the reform of the Church begun at the Council of Trent, promoted the spread of the faith and renewed divine worship. He died on May 1, 1572. May 1 Joseph the Worker 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.
April 26, 2015 (from front page) SSAP 40th Anniversary Declaration as a Parish Community Gathering 5
19-Apr-15 Glenn Mark J. Blasquez & Vanessa B. Guevara 24-Apr-15 Floiland Kim A. Ramirez & Mary Ann Sabrina P. Montero 25-Apr-15 Juan Paolo Yrastorza & Pierre Pauline Mirabueno, San Vicente de Paul Parish 959 San Marcelino St Ermita Manila 27-Apr-15 Mathew Ryan Cruz Revilla & Maria Kristina Lumauig Marquez 30-Apr-15 Ivan Charlton Uy Pua & Jacqueline Cabal Pertierra 30-Apr-15 Rolando Tolentino Calderon Jr & Jinkie Joy Mariano Dy Andres Vicente L. Castillo III & Ma. Filomena Catherine Anne B. Alegre Jaime Julian Vetus Gonzalez & Maria Wincess Joy Repol Lee Joverienne Singian Chavez & Kathleen Quejado Oloroso 02-May-15 Jeffrey Roque Gamara & Erin Christina Balao Delfinado 02-May-15 Pieter Angelo T. Fentener van Vlissingen & Regina Rosa L. Gomez 03-May-15 Romeo Laurent A. Apostol IV & Angeline C. Agulto 04-May-15 Erwin Lyndon C. Castillo & Razzel Anne Q. Mercado 05-May-15 Ali Sta Ana Capati & Gloria Angela II Tubal Deloso 08-May-15 John Neil D. Canivel & Sherizza Ann D. Brondo 09-May-15 Eric Casilan Bonghanoy & Joanna Grace Pangilinan Manuel 09-May-15 Christian F. Abacan & Elimadonna S. Cruz 12-May-15 Rodney Marc Ramos & Sarah Moral 18-May-15 Victor Andrada Pulmano & Erotida Alcasid Rivera WEDDING BANNS 21-May-15 Gino Angelo P. Batallones & Marla Luisa B. Aquino 22-May-15 Jose Vicente G. Borja II & Katrina Priscilla D. Lanuza 23-May-15 Magdaleno Delos Santos Bandalan Jr & Ma. Lorena Releñas Angeles 23-May-15 Juan Miguel E. Curbita & Ayesa Kamille R. Idquival 24-May-15 Aylmer Stephen O. Olaño & Lindsay Happy Tan Cheng 25-May-15 Christopher Estavillo Bautista JR & Ma. Christina Angeline Banzon Villar 27-May-15 Armando Antonio A. Racelis III & Czarina Paola L. Recto 28-May-15 Rolando Martin Del Rosario Abello & Maria Krishna Reyes Pabalan 29-May-15 Jose Antonio Javier Gavino & Nanneth T. Naguit 30-May-15 Eric Rommel Dumlao Jugeta & Andrea Marie Pacheco Aguirre, St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish, Magallanes Village, Makati City 30-May-15 Rolly Joey Canlas Masbang & Mariel Jerelyn Teo Hung 30-May-15 Jesheido Binoui M. Velasco & Kristina R. Flores 05-Jun-15 Jess Anthony V. Marquez & Eunice Grace P. Capile 07-Jun-15 Timothy Jameson dela Cruz Chan & Lorraine Phillips Ngo Sy 18-Jun-15 Jun Karl Jon Pizarro Cantor & Arizia de Leon Sumilang 19-Jun-15 Andrei Alan A. Tipoe & Joyce Anne P. Apsay 20-Jun-15 Richard Ryan Felipe Nuñez & Michelle Delima Cervantes 20-Jun-15 Rafael Emilio Climaco Lopez & Maricris Rosales Du 21-Jun-15 Ivan Siy Co & Diorizza Tee Co 27-Jun-15 Jonathan Anthony F. Aquino & Erica Mae Lu Sy 28-Jun-15 Simplicio Gabriel De Leon Reyes & Jeri Jacqueline Tan Reminales 11-Jul-15 Richard Mejorada Sandoval, Jr. & Corinna Serrano Guerrero, St. John Bosco, Arnaiz Ave. cor Amorsolo, Makati City 11-Jul-15 Merrick Abella & Ma. Andrea Mae P. Quizon 18-Jul-15 Luther Yuson Solon & Agatha Valerie Laurel Javellana 18-Jul-15 Benn-Anthony Aragon Soriano & Anne Kathryn Sana Siazon 26-Jul-15 James Justin L. Gaisano & Tiffany Ives M. Mañalac 01-Aug-15 Collwyn Chen Tan & Lynn Tan Pua 15-Aug-15 Rafael B. Guinto & Leah B. Rayos Rates Start at Php1,000.00 WH 1 P30, 000.00 WH 2 P20, 000.00 WH 3 P10, 000.00 02 741-7159 / 02 576-0916 TRISTAN 0999-650-1815 / GEMMA 0922-810-1719 www.securestorage.ph 27-Apr-15 Maria Angela Crystal Lim Maylee Ansaldo Ani Payumo Mike Tripon Lara Fernandez Trina Bernardino Michael Limpe 28-Apr-15 Maricar Tiangco Derrick Santos Katya Castañeda BIRTHDAYS 29-Apr-15 Tingting Cojuangco Sheryll Garcia Anna Angara 30-Apr-15 Letty Guevara Richie Quidotti Vicente Rafael Rosales Joey Fernandez Anton Bengzon Wedding Anniversary Ronald & Marilyn Velayo Ed & Carrie Bautista 02-May-15 Nena Tantoco Nisha Michael Cindhy Castro Michelle Limpe 03-May-15 Andy Huang Angela de Lange For corrections and additions to this list, contact Susan at the parish office. 6
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My Salubong Experience By Yani Ledesma, 10 years old It was my first time to do this so I was a bit nervous. But when I made new friends, it became more fun. I was really happy that I had friends to talk to while waiting. We had to learn Latin verses and different tunes. It was hard at first, but after a few practices, I got to learn it and remember it easily. I am thankful that I had the chance to do this. It was my way of thanking and showing my love to Jesus. Yani Ledesma (in blue) during Salubong rehearsals Yani Ledesma was one of the soloists during the Angels Salubong held just this Holy Week. during rehearsals Easter Salubong rehearsal With Karen Blanco