September 7, 2014www.santuariodesanantonio.wordpress.com

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Forbes Park, Makati

A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPFOR CCD TEACHERS – “Understanding by Design”

CCD (Continuing Catholic Development), the Catechism Ministry of the Parish of Santuario de San Antonio, resumed classes for its 2014 -2015 school year last Wednesday, August 27. To set the pace and to help them prepare for and meet the challenges ahead, the CCD teachers held their annual workshop last Saturday, August 23.

As one of the most successful teachers’ workshops yet in terms of participation and attendance, this year’s Workshop was opened by Father Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM, Parish Priest and CCD’s Spiritual Advisor. In his Invocation, Father Reu prayed for blessings on the service of teaching; and he reminded the volunteer teachers and committee members “that their work is part of Jesus’ mission.”

For the fifth consecutive year, the Workshop Facilitator was Mrs. Rita Atienza, Faculty Member of the Loyola Schools’ Education Department, Ateneo de Manila University. Mrs. Atienza was assisted by Mrs. Elizabeth Virata and Ms. Yolanda Lomotan, of the CCD Curriculum Committee.

Mrs. Virata noted that “we have several new members to our

ministry, which is an encouraging indication that our CCD Ministry is strong.” And because of the new teachers and new members on the committee, it was decided that the 2014 Workshop be a refresher on “Understanding by Design” and on “Instructional Strategies.” She added that those who had attended previous UbD workshops, “will attest to how much ‘Understanding by Design’ practically overturned our approach to teaching and how the 2010 Workshop honed our skills and strategies in teaching.”

The CCD Faculty Section has been very privileged and fortunate in the teachings and instructions given by Mrs. Atienza at their annual workshops, on “Understanding by Design” –2010: How do I design effective lesson plans? (Understanding by Design – UbD)2011: How do I meet the needs of my students? (Differentiated Instruction)2012: What are our non-negotiables when we teach? (Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum)2013: Are my students learning? (Assessment)

The 2014 Workshop, on Refresher and Reviews of the subjects of

the last four workshops, had sessions on effective lesson planning, differentiated instruction, a guaranteed and viable curriculum and on students’ assessment. It focused on teaching primarily to make a MEANINGFUL UNDERSTANDING and a significant TRANSFER of knowledge to students. The afternoon session included the screening of a video on how to compile a proper lesson plan and how to execute the plan. Another session stressed the importance of ensuring that one’s students are THINKERS, and how not to rob them of the challenge and the struggle to think for themselves. And in this, the students will need TIME to absorb, to analyze and to think so that they can make meaning of the questions asked and answer in their own way

After an open discussion and an exchange of ideas and suggestions, and after a round of applause for Mrs Atienza, the Workshop closed at 4.00pm, with the teachers leaving happy in the certain knowledge that they had spent a meaningful and an enjoyable day together; and armed with teaching plans for the spiritual and religious formation of the students who will be in their care for the next twelve months.

Parish Bulletin

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Editorial Team & General InformationMarilou Consing – Editor in Chief

Jeannie Bitanga – Assistant Editor/Website Administrator

Dece Myra C. Urdaneta – Art & DesignColorplus Production Group Corp. – Production

Submit articles, pictures, announcements, notices to:

ssappb@yahoo.comDeadline 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 TeamFr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM – Parish Priest

Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM – GuardianFr. Efren Jimenez, OFM

Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM – Makati Medical Center Chaplain

Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office

Tel. nos. 8438830-31Email: ssap_info@yahoo.comWebsite: www.ssaparish.com

Website email: webi@ssaparish.comFoundation website: www.santuariodesanantonio.org

Parish Pastoral Council Jayme Blanco – President

Edmund Lim – Vice PresidentCristina Teehankee – Secretary

Holy Mass & Confession Schedule SSAP Sunday 6:30AM 7:45AM 9:00AM

10:30AM 12:00NN 4:30PM 6:00PM

Monday – Friday 6:15AM 7:30AM 12:15PM 6:00PM

Saturday 6:15AM 7:30AM 12:15PM 4:30PM 6:00PM

FPA Pavilion Sunday 11:00AM Dasmarinas Village Saturday 6:00PM

Urdaneta Village Sunday 7:00PMConfession SSAP Monday-Wednesday-

Friday 7:30AM 6:00PM

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THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION

by Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFMNOTE: This article is an excerpt from my doctoral thesis at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL, 2006, entitled Embodying Reconciliation: Restoring Relationship Amongst the Filipino Pastoral Agents. In praxis, the gospel of Matthew 18:15-17 suggests the process:“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word maybe confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and tax collector.”

There are five steps recommended by Matthew: The first step is to “go and point out the fault;” the second step is to “talk personally to the person;” the third step is to “bring a witness” in the dialogue; the fourth step is to “tell the church;” and finally to “treat the person as a Gentile and tax collector.” In lieu of the experience of the pastoral agents and the Filipino cultural approach to resolving conflict, the researcher proposes modifications in relation to the steps and framework of the process. Instead of the five steps, the proposed process includes only the second and third steps: talking out the conflict personally and privately; and bringing a witness, go-between or mediator. The first step provides the space needed for the preparatory phase. The final step serves as reminder when all

the efforts to achieve reconciliation are exhausted. To tell the whole community will never be helpful in the Filipino context. This is sensitive to handle precisely because the conflict involves the parish priest and lay pastoral workers. They both serve as leaders of the community and have developed personal followings. Taking such a step will do more harm than good to the persons involved and the community at large.

Go and Point Out the Fault: Self-introspection

The first step of reconciliation is the naming of the mistake. By naming it means that the person has control over the wrong committed against another person. Naming is, in itself, a result of a silent journey within and in relation to the conflict. This instruction of Jesus to go and point out the fault appears to be an outward-looking action. But if treated side by side with Jesus’ challenge “not to judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matt 7:3-5) it will resonate with the natural inclination of the Filipino pastoral agents. Silence is a very powerful source of reconciliation. Through the person’s moment of silence -- self-reflection, self-examination, and introspection -- the conversation with the inner self is actively happening. It gives depth and breadth once reconciliation is placed on the dialogue table and prepares the individual to take the necessary demands of an authentic reconciliation. If the person goes through this process, the space to reclaim one’s being and to pray becomes the instrument of seeing the other and the self. Space is necessary to broaden the horizon of the closed-in self to effect the reconciliation process. Seeing the self with its own limitations serves as an entry point to look at the other person with compassion and love. The “other” in this case is used to challenge the other party to look into himself or herself. Having the courage to point out the other’s fault involves resolving the discrepancies within the self. This is the preparatory phase before going to the more demanding stages of reconciliation. Talk in Private: Personal Dialogue Technically speaking, reconciliation

begins here. It is when the involved parties begin to talk face-to-face. Facing each other has no substitute. It clarifies many misinterpreted and misunderstood issues. The wisdom and beauty of this stage of the process is that it prevents both parties from being humiliated turn to page 3

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publicly. Aside from making sure that no one is put to a shameful situation or mapahiya sa madla, personal dialogue is conveying the message that a person is more valuable than the sin or mistake committed, as well as the value of co-responsibility – that is, we are accountable to each other. Settling the conflict privately is the most desired process expressed by the pastoral agents themselves. This is understandable because if more people take part in the issue, the more complicated the conflict becomes and will affect the lives of other people who are close to the parties involved. Talking about the issue personally and privately narrows down the possibility of putting the conflict out of control and blowing it out of proportion. On the question of who initiates the personal dialogue, it is advisable to have it open to both parties. Identifying who must take the first move or initiate limits God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to work in the person despite the fact that God begins to work with the offended. It is an act of disrespect to the maturity of the parties involved and prevents the person from taking the initiative. However, it is good to be reminded that there are values in the Filipino culture and in the Christian tradition urging the leader and the subordinate, the offender and the offended to be reconciled.

Take One or Two Others Along: Go-Between

To contextualize this second step, bringing someone is not just to have somebody as witness but someone who could facilitate the process of reconciliation. The practical implication if such step is considered is to bring someone who is credible and influential to both parties. The point here is to have a well-respected person as facilitator of the process. The idea of the go-between or mediator is to assist both sides to see the conflict with objectivity and move toward reconciliation. The conciliation skills of the facilitator are advantageous but her or his relationship to the parties involved is essential and vital in shaping the process and decisions to be undertaken. The key

role of the go-between is to ensure that both sides will feel justly treated and not betrayed.

Treat the Person as Gentile and Tax Collector: Embracing the other The important thing to remember alongside this instruction to treat the person as gentile and tax collector is Jesus’ attitude toward this people as model. Jesus showed compassion to the gentiles and tax collectors. He shared with them in table fellowship and reached out and embraced them as his own people. So to follow the communicative praxis of Jesus it could mean, first of all, an encouragement to never give up on the other - the offender. Secondly, this is an opportunity to give witness to Christian gratuitous and unconditional love. Taking a second look at the process in consideration with the experiences of the pastoral agents, the process should be dealt with flexibility and not strictly as sequential at all times. It is good to recognize that there are circumstances shaping the appropriateness of the approach to assist the conflicting parties. Sometimes having someone as facilitator is more helpful than expecting the involved parties to settle the conflict by themselves. There are times, however, that talking privately is better. The bottom line is, whichever is applicable and appropriate, the process is meant to clarify the issues and preferably bring back the broken relationship. Aside from the formal process, an informal process of reconciliation should be recognized. These are moments where even the parties involved are caught by surprise. It might be unplanned by both parties yet the “environment” makes it possible and conducive to openly and honestly share and discuss hurt feelings and emotions. At the very heart of the process is being able to communicate truthfully and assume accountability for the action done which sometimes may demand apology and going beyond the position of authority to save the relationship and serve the community better.

The Process.....from page 2

RANDOM THOUGHTSVoices from yesterday and today . . .

by Peachy MarambaST. ROSE of VITERBO: Teenage

Revolutionary Saint1235-1252

September 4

As a child of seven, St. Rose of Viterbo, Italy was already practicing penitential austerities and living as a recluse while living a home. The daughter of poor pious parents, when she was eight years old she became seriously ill and had a vision of the Virgin Mary who told her to wear the clothes of a Franciscan but to remain at her parents’ home so that she could continue to be a good example to her neighbors. When she reached ten years of age, Rose joined the Third Order of St. Francis. Young as she was she would daily preach in the streets of Viterbo about sin, the sufferings of Jesus and public penance.

Political controversy also inspired her. When Emperor Frederick II of Germany decided to wage war against the pope and the papal states he sent his forces to occupy the town of Viterbo. Rose went out into the streets denouncing her fellow townspeople as cowards for putting up with the presence of Frederick’s troops. At this time Rose was only twelve years old. Rose took the pope’s side against the emperor and she started preaching revolution accompanied by remarkable miracles. This caused tension and alarm not only for her own family but also for the villagers. People felt that she should turn to page 4

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Parish Bulletin

Random Thoughts.....from page 3be condemned to death for putting them at needless risk To settle the matter the imperial prefect banished her family and her from the city because he considered her a serious threat to his own authority. Rose however assured her parents that Christ would reward those who were persecuted for justice’s sake. So she continued her crusade for the Pope. Then Rose having the gift of prophecy predicted that the emperor was dying and peace would soon be restored. He did die 10 days after just as she foretold. When the pope’s side won in Viterbo in 1251 and the papal supporters returned to power Rose was finally allowed to return to her beloved city. She returned in triumph. But Rose’s life of controversy did not end here. When she petitioned to join the local convent of Poor Clares she was turned down because her father was not rich enough to give her a dowry. Besides that the abbess was reluctant to admit such a celebrity and revolutionary as she. So Rose then tried at age 15 to found her own religious community. But she was unsuccessful. Rose returned to live with her parents where she continued her life of prayer and penance. She died on 6 March 1251 at the age of 18. She was buried in the church of the Poor Clares, the convent of St. Mary of the Roses. It was Pope Alexander IV who on 6 March 1252 ordered her body to be interred there in the convent that had rejected her because she appeared to him three times in dreams telling him that it was God’s will that he do so. The church was burnt down in 1357 but her body was preserved. She was canonized in 1457 by Pope Callistus III. During the 750th anniversary of her birth in 1984 John Paul II visited Viterbo. Let us all follow St. Rose’s advise: “Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious.”

SOURCES of REFERENCE: Butler’s Lives of the Saint – Vol. III – pp 487 – 488; The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints – p 247; Saint Companions – pp 329 – 330; and others.

Read more on St. Rose of Viterbo and her conversion miracle at our website www.santuariodesanantonio.wordpress.com

The ABC’s of Catholic Doctrine

by Lianne Tiu

Who is your female role model? Is she Taylor Swift, Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge), Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Audrey Hepburn, Maria Sharapova, Tessie Sy-Coson, your teacher, your “lola,” or your mother? Sometimes, we will be dismayed to learn that the generation today reveres celebrities who dress around half naked, who are involved in drugs, in pre-marital sex and extra-marital affairs. Our society values status and beauty above true success and values. A true role model is one who possesses the qualities that we would like to imitate in our lives. And who would be more perfect for that title than the Blessed Virgin Mary? She is the perfect spouse, parent, friend, and relative. She is a woman of substance as she possesses outstanding virtues such as humility, obedience, detachment, charity, purity, ... (name them all). Mother Teresa called Our Lady, “the most beautiful of all women, the greatest, the humblest, the most pure, the most holy… a model for all women.” In fact, one of her great secret of sanctity was her closeness to Mary whom she loved so much. She wrote: “Cling to Mary and ask her to teach you how to love Jesus more and more since no one did the will of God as completely as she did.” Mary inspired admiration and emulation. She did not gossip. She was serene and at peace in the face of sufferings. She was obedient;

unlike many of us “Cafeteria Catholics” who chose what we wanted to believe and what we wanted to disregard on the Church’s teachings. In a twentieth century setting, Mary is not the type who will post a selfie on social media, but who only wants our attention on Jesus. We cannot imagine her wasting so much time on long phone conversations, soap operas, computer games, and some social networking services. Her choice of clothes will be something elegant and modest, avoiding low neckline and short skirts. We cannot go wrong in choosing Mary as our role model for today’s generation. By imitating and loving her, we have the key in our quest for sainthood. She will lead us straight to her Son, Jesus. (Reference: “Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love & Secrets of Sanctity” by Susan Conroy; “Catholic Truths for Our Children” by Patti Armstrong; “You can become a Saint!” by Mary Ann Budnik)

Invite your family and friends living abroad to use our

foundation/donation website:www.santuariodesanantonio.

orgfor donations or to learn more

about our parish.

“The Lord always forgives us and walks at our side. We have to let him do that.”

Pope Francis

Now Available “Sa Iyong Pag-ibig” Koro Ilusrado’s debut album under the Jesuit Communications Foundation. Koro Ilustrado gives a unique twist to original Jesuit songs as well as hits of Bruno Mars, Billy Joel, R. Kelly, Michael Jackson and Shakira.The album is available at the parish store for only P250.00. www.jescom.ph koroilustrado.weebly.com /koroilustrado @koroilustrado

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September 7, 2014

CALENDAR OF MINISTRIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY- SEPTEMBER 7* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 9:15AM - CCD Sunday Religion Class* 4:00PM - CORO Practice

MONDAY - SEPTEMBER 8* 1:00PM - OFS Formation

TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 9* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 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 - SEPTEMBER 10* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 4:00PM - CCD Religions Class

THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 11* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 9:00AM - Health Care Ministry Visitation at Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City* 7:00PM - SYA Prayer meeting

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 12* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancersize “Open to all Parishioners”* 7:00PM - Single Young Adult Weekend* 7:30PM - Household Help Charismatic Prayer meeting* 9:00PM - Tig-Awit Choir Practice

SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 13* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 4:00PM - VOSA Choir* 4:00PM - LUKERS Prayer meeting

CALENDAR OF SAINTS FOR THE WEEK

September 3Gregory the Great, pope and doctorSt. Gregory was born at Rome around the year 540. He rose through various public offices to the prefecture, which he renounced. He entered the monastic life and, once ordained deacon, he discharged the duties of legate at Constantinople. On September 3, 590 he was elevated to the Chair of St. Peter and he proved to be a true shepherd by carrying out his office, helping the poor, spreading and strengthening the faith. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. He died on March 12, 604.

September 8BIRTH OF MARY

September 9Peter Claver, priestSt. Peter Claver was born at Verdu, in Spain in the year 1580; from 1596 he studied arts and letters at the University of Barcelona. In 1602 he entered the Society of Jesus. With the help especially of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, porter of the Jesuit College of Majorca, Peter heard and followed the call to the missions. In 1616 he was ordained to the priesthood in the Mission of Colombia. There, until his death, he carried on an apostolate among the black slaves, vowing to be “the slave of the blacks forever.” His strength exhausted, he died at Cartagena in Colombia on September 8, 1654. He was canonized by Leo XIII in 1888. In 1896 the same pontiff declared him the special heavenly patron of all missions to the black peoples.

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.

CANDLE STAND SUBSCRIPTION

If you wish to have a candle lighted for a loved one, living or deceased, in our Candle Stand room, you may visit the Parish Office and fill out a subscription form which will give us the following information: name of the subscriber, name of the person for whom the candle is lit, name of the saint where you wish the candle to be lit and the period when the candle will be lit. Submit the subscription form together with the amount of P1,000/month for one candle at the Parish Office and arrangements will be made for a candle to be lit for the duration of the period requested.

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PLEASE DONATE

We are still in need of donations for the restoration of the two Amorsolo paintings that are located in the front entrance of the church. Please send in your donations to the parish office and indicate that they are for the Amorsolo restoration. Thank you in advance for your generosity. God who is not outdone in generosity will certainly bless you and your donations.

Please Pray for the SickMeldy CojuangcoConnie GomezMarilou ArteficioMa. Pilar OledanIggy ClavecillaCecille ReynosoMaxima ‘Amah’ SyEmmanuel GerodiasAurora GonzalezTommy Dy BuncioNaning BagabaldoRemedios Maceda BerrisCedric CastroAnselmo Trinidad Jr.Pilar del GallegoNena JalandoniRosario LopezSol LavadiaVictoriano ChungErlinda Miranda-OledanZwei Lopez GadiShallouh Bancil SwinnertonTony Boy Floirendo Jr.Francisco TankiangCynthia Arms

Felicisimo AlcantaraRosario de Leon TobiasDavid B. LuGloria SyjucoRaffy ChanEdric CoPeter SooChito San JoseRon JacobsNancy ImperialJohnny LopezLisa AlvendiaLetty LigonNorma J. CarlosSony Lopez GonzalezCorazon M. SamaniegoShaina BudhraniCarmen M. SotasoGia Gonzalez

If you want a name added or deleted, contact Bernadette at the Parish office tel. nos. 8438830-32.

WEDDING BANNS05-Sep-14John Violago De Guzman & Leah Cesar Tiongson06-Sep-14Carl Derick C. Duñgo & Noelle S. Gavino06-Sep-14John Violago De Guzman & Leah Cesar Tiongson08-Sep-14Mark Glen Co Say & Guinevere Ortiz Luis12-Sep-14Luis Gregorio Del Rosario Casas & Kristiane Rodriguez Sevilla13-Sep-14Levy A. Bajamundi & Dahlgren Joy L. Alonso13-Sep-14Nazerton E. Lacar & Mary Josephine A. Zarate14-Sep-14Jay R. Joson & Loimarie Nor L. Cruz17-Sep-14Nazerton E. Lacar & Mary Josephine A. Zarate19-Sep-14Bryan S. Pabustan & Charlene D. Arabia20-Sep-14Avelino G. Alfelor Jr & Lilli-Ann B. Bellen21-Sep-14John Wilmar Rondilla Palad & Vanessa

Bancaso Inigo26-Sep-14Miguel Roman L. Escueta & Angela Lucio N. Rodriguez05-Oct-14Avelino G. Alfelor Jr & Lilli-Ann B. Bellen09-Oct-14Mark Anthony Lansangan Tavera & Beverly Cabal Simsuangco10-Oct-14Avelino G. Alfelor Jr & Lilli-Ann B. Bellen12-Oct-14Lawrence Neil Hao Tiu & Gemma Paula Cedro Rarela17-Oct-14Christoper Landas Devilles & Christine San Juan Santos17-Oct-14Alvin Jan Robert C. Ramos & Kristine Anne O. Del Rosario18-Oct-14Paul Tecson Cheung & Tammy C. Lowtay Cruz19-Oct-14Luis Miguel E. Angeles & Charmaine O. Tang24-Oct-14Carlos Antonio Delos Santos Leviste & Monica Asuncion Velilla Padilla26-Nov-14Servillas & Analyn Dumago Deypalubos

04-Nov-14Alvin Jan Robert C. Ramos & Kristine Anne O. Del Rosario15-Nov-14Alvin Jan Robert C. Ramos & Kristine Anne O. Del Rosario15-Nov-14Alvin Jan Robert C. Ramos & Kristine Anne O. Del Rosario16-Nov-14Alvin Jan Robert C. Ramos & Kristine Anne O. Del Rosario18-Nov-14Rainer Francis A. Ricaplaza & Mary Doll AngeliqueDasig Legaspi22-Nov-14Rainer Francis A. Ricaplaza & Mary Doll AngeliqueDasig Legaspi26-Nov-14Rainer Francis A. Ricaplaza & Mary Doll AngeliqueDasig Legaspi28-Nov-14Rainer Francis A. Ricaplaza & Mary Doll AngeliqueDasig Legaspi29-Nov-14 Rainer Francis A. Ricaplaza & Mary Doll AngeliqueDasig Legaspi03-Dec-14John Vincent Sales Castro & Michelle

Olivia Gonzalez Lolim04-Dec-14Johan Wahlem Q. Pangilinan & Rafaela Margarita F. Fajardo04-Dec-14Fitzpatrick H. Puyat & Margarita B. Cacho16-Dec-14Leonardo G. Carrera Jr & Maria Luisa Paula Roldan17-Dec-14Ric-Justice Estrada Angobung & Neem Shafi Sierra Salandanan18-Dec-14Honey Alumisin & Weilana Niedzielski, St Francis de Sales, Miami, USA20-Dec-14John Antony T. Recolito & Maria Cynthia V. Salvador21-Dec-14Michael de Jesus Dungao & Anicia Teresa Evangelista Sochi27-Dec-14John Antony T. Recolito & Maria Cynthia V. Salvador04-Jan-15John Antony T. Recolito & Maria Cynthia V. Salvador18-Jan-15John Antony T. Recolito & Maria Cynthia V. Salvador22-Jan-15Alexander Fung Lobos Jr & Ma. Hazel Genieve Cruz Lizaso

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Parish Bulletin

BIRTHDAYS01-Sep-14Elma LumbaoCarlos VelayoPurita Salas04-Sep-14Javier Claparols05-Sep-14Bambi CarlosBammbamin Roxas06-Sep-14Gabby Padilla07-Sep-14Candy TupazHope SwannSol Lavadia08-Sep-14Carmela OngsiakoMary RufinoJay Pee LimAlexandra Cuyegkeng09-Sep-14Tanya ReyesStephen Longa

10-Sep-14Nicolo VilloncoHansley SeeLauren GaliciaVince A. Santos11-Sep-14Sevasia VergaraJohn WongReynaldo Concepcion Jr12-Sep-14Alice Loto14-Sep-14Alfonso MontelibanoHenry SeeCory AlindoganAntonio ClaparolsBobby Wong

If you would like to add a name to this list, contact Susan at the parish office.

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September 7, 2014

28TH SINGLE YOUNG ADULTS WEEKEND - MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

By Caron MacasaetI was brought up a in a very religious, Catholic family. We lived in the U.S. when I was young, and I served my church youth group in South San Francisco for about 4 years. I had a good relationship with God, although my prayers were mostly about asking Him for things I wanted and needed. God in His goodness would provide me these things, yet I felt something was missing in my life that I could not explain.

When we returned to the Philippines I continued to attend daily Mass and visit the Blessed Sacrament regularly. God continued to answer my prayers. Still, it did not seem like this was enough. Then one day, God suddenly stopped giving me what I asked for. Huh? But why, I thought. I pray and go to Mass. What is happening, God? It was during this time of uncertainty when I met my mama’s friend who told me, instead of asking God for things that I want, I should ask God for things He wants me to do for Him. So I attended the Single Young Adults (SYA) Weekend and there I found many ways I could serve God.

In SYA, I learned to serve God through our visits to Makati City Jail (MCJ). I didn’t really want to go to MCJ at first; I mean who wants to go to jail? I really did not understand why we had to visit a jail, but I still went. We arranged a recollection for the inmates on Black Saturday, and it was there that I saw God in each of the prisoners in my group. God made me sit with a group of five women who were all in jail for drugs. I remembered my relative, an addict whom I had pretty much given up on. One of the inmates shared about how her mother fell from a high staircase and while falling she prayed to God to just take care of her grandchildren because she knew she wouldn’t survive the fall.

Her mother survived unscathed. It was her prayer that saved her. After hearing that I didn’t give up on praying for my relative’s healing.

I used to feel depressed about small things. Sometimes I feel I don’t have money or maybe I don’t earn as much as other people. Spending time with the inmates has made me realize many things about my life. I am so blessed! God loves me so much & I have so many blessings! I have a roof over my head, food on the table and so many other things I take for granted. The inmates go through problems just as we do, but they really have nothing. No house, no food. The inmates are human beings like you and me. It is because of extreme poverty that they end up doing the things they do. I am more compassionate about their situation. They make mistakes and they also need forgiveness & love.

Matthew 25:35-36: 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ I’ve heard this passage through out my life but it seems this phrase always escapes me. “I was in prison and you came to me.”

Now I know why we go to prison. To share God’s love to every prisoner we encounter.

A few weeks ago we had an MCJ activity. We celebrated Mass with the prisoners and watched a Filipino Indie Film with them. As we were giving out popcorn and juice a lady prisoner called me by my name and was very excited to see me. “Ma’am Caron bumalik ka ulit. Magturo ka ulit,” she said. This encounter made

me realize that I could bring so much joy just by being there. Our mere presence in MCJ makes a difference. Sometimes we think we need to do amazing things, but all I did was eat popcorn and watch the movie from behind. Just being there brought smiles to this woman who called me by name but whose name I could not even remember.

Now I serve God through the many outreach activities of SYA and still keep my daily schedule of attending Mass and holy hour. In the past I would feel so bad if I failed to keep my schedule. Through SYA I’ve learned to offer my work as prayer; so if I can’t do all my prayers because of the work I need to do for God, I just say a little prayer while doing God’s work as my prayer and offering to Him.

In SYA, I found a family or a “faith family” as they call it. I have found sisters & brothers in Christ who have helped me become a better person & a better Christian serving God. It may seem like we have known each other all our lives, but I’ve only been in the community for 2 years. I have learned to look beyond my needs & priorities in life and put somebody else’s needs in front of my own. And as our faith leader, Jolly Gomez, always says, “”Do not worry God will always provide,” and God always does.

The 28th Single Young Adults weekend will be from September 12 – 14, 2014 (Friday evening to Sunday) at the 2nd floor of the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center. Registration Fee is P1,000. Informational brochures are available at the Parish Office. You may also contact Jonathan at 09178367374 or jona.dcruz@gmail.com for more information.