No. 286 Vol. 24 March 2014media.kerygmafamily.com/media/KMAG/pdf/20140301.pdf · increase your...

March 2014No. 286 Vol. 24

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

WHAT

GODCANNOT DO

A Deluge of Miracles and God’s Love in the Midst of Super Typhoon Yolanda

GoD CANNoT FAIL:Your Losses and Failures Are Temporary But Your Victory Is PermanentBy Bo Sanchez

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Philippines P70 US $7.00AUS $ 7.00Euro 5.00UK 4.00CDN $7.00SING $9.00HK $47.00RUPIAH 64,000

Congratulations, Graduates!A new chapter in your life begins. As you enter the bigger school of life, Shepherd’s Voice Publications provides you with hope and inspiration, helping you to seize your opportunities, conquer your challenges, increase your faith, and live life to the fullest through our magazines for all ages. K is for Kerygma - Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life!

Get monthly inspiration from the 33th Catholic Mass Media Awards’ Best Family Oriented Magazine, containing powerful teaching articles and life-changing stories – guaranteed to touch your heart, feed your mind, and nourish your soul!

F is for FiSH – The Zany Side of Loving God!

Winner of the Best Youth Magazine at the 30th, 31st and 34th Catholic Mass Media Awards, FiSH is the perfect magazine for the youth written in the language they understand on things they are interested in – spirituality linked to music, trivia, movies, technology, fashion and so much more!

A is for All Stars – A Generation That Shines for Christ!

Being “tweens” has its own set of challenges. Trust All Stars to guide them through their concerns. Inspiring stories and fun, fact-filled articles will help the 10- to 13-year-olds to know and love God more and shine for Jesus!

M is for Mustard – Sowing Seeds of Fun and Faith!

Kids aged 7 to 10 years (and even younger!) will love learning about their faith, family and school life with each exciting, colorful and informative issue. Recognized as the Best Children’s Magazine at the 30th CMMA, Mustard is loved by both teachers and parents!

There’s a magazine for every member of your family! Let Shepherd’s Voice Publications guide and inspire you at every stage of your life.

Subscribe Now. For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 to 108 or log on to www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph

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Take Life by the Reins!You live only once.

You don’t know when it will all be over.

Are you seizing the day or merely existing?

Are you going through life without passion, as if it won’t come to an end? Do you want to learn how to live life?

The Psalmist counsels, “Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

It is time to start living your life fully.

Don’t let it pass you by without making your deepest dreams come true and fulfilling God’s purpose for you.

George Gabriel’s new book, Live Life, challenges you to elevate your standard for everyday living. Dreams do come true! Ask George. He’ll teach you how to take life by the reins!

For starters, he advises you to list down your dreams. Confess them every day. Pray over them. And then watch God bring them to fulfillment.

Let George’s book be your guide on how to live life to the fullest as he shares valuable lessons from his own life experiences.

Compiled from his editorials from FiSH, the award-winning youth magazine, Live Life contains insights on everyday life that will help you make the most of God’s greatest gift. Read his inspiring articles and get ready to live life to the fullest:

• A Time for Everything• My Wife Has White Hair!• Don’t Settle for an Empty Mug• The Right to Rejoice• Every Tear Will Be Wiped Away• A Lesson from Candy Crush• God Hears Your Every Prayer• Say Goodbye to Shortcuts• Reset!• Fight for Your Dreams

Order your copy today. Call (02) 725-9999 or visit www.sheperdsvoice.com.ph to order online.

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Look. In the Old Testament, He was the “God of Wrath.” Cruel. Vindictive. Judgmental. Racist.

For example, in the book of Joshua, God ordered the mass slaughter of tribes — men, women and children — who were living in Canaan. These Canaanite tribes lived there for thousands of years, but according

to Israel, God wanted them to be massacred so that they — God’s chosen people — could live in their promised land.

All of a sudden, He is the “God of love” in the New Testament. Instead of a Warrior God, He becomes the helpless Baby in a manger. Instead of a Judge who gives a death sentence, He becomes the Good Shepherd willing to die for His sheep.

So has He really changed?No. God doesn’t change.Instead, it’s our understanding of God that has changed. We change. We mature. We develop. We transform. When you read the Bible, remember that the human writers’

understanding of God is always limited by the weaknesses of their culture, psychology, language and history.

That’s why you can’t get one verse from the Bible and say that it’s the entire truth. That’s crazy. When you read the Bible, you’re entering into a 3,000-year long journey.

Where does this journey take us?God is love — these three words summarize this journey.And my hope is that you’ll experience the power of these

three simple words — and how they have never changed and never will.

God loves you not because you’re lovable. He loves because He is loving.

Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.— Hebrews 13:8

Yesterday, He loved you. Today, He loves you. Tomorrow, He will love you. Nothing will change.Why? Because that’s who God is.God loves you with an eternal love — no matter what

happens to you.

May your dreams come true,

By Bo Sanchez

HAS GOD CHANGED?

MARCH 2014 • KERYGMA 1

TheBoss

We Want to hear from you!

Send your message via email to [email protected], through text to 0923-378-4941, or by snail mail to The Editor at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.

You can also reach us through Kerygma Family. Simply log on to www.kerygmafamily.com. Or like our Facebook page and send your message there.

For subscription-related concerns, text or call Sarah Discutido at 0922-814-7031 or email [email protected].

KERYGMA • MARCH 20142

I started reading Kerygma in 1995, then temporarily stopped. I’m happy that I could read it again.

I’m a victim of a hit-and-run accident, resulting to my above-the-knee amputation. Reading Kerygma gives me hope and courage to live life to the fullest.

More power and keep inspiring us.

Rommel AllaCalapan City

I was an ex-OFW for a year and seven months. Being a registered nurse in Saudi Arabia for two years, everyone expected me to reapply since I both have local and foreign experience. But I know that 80 percent of me longs to stay in Manila (I am from Iligan City) to become a part of The Feast PICC while my brother is trying to establish LOJ Iligan.

Bo’s charisma is very uplifting and I am spiritually fed at every Feast, being surrounded with happy and positive people.

Thanks, Kerygma, for capturing our inspirational stories.

GegsIligan City

A lady by the name of Josie dela Cruz from Kerygma phoned me and said she got my name in the list of discontinued subscribers. She encouraged me to subscribe again.

Doubts arose whether it was a legitimate or swindling call. I verified the fax number she left with the local store that sells your magazine after I have chosen to order the one-year book-bound copy.

It’s all OK now. I have received the much-loved book and I read the name of Josie dela Cruz in the Mail Room section.

I value the book so much, not only its well-blended colors and the substantive true-to-life short stories, but also its priceless words quoted from the Bible.

Narciso DalugduganBaybay City, Leyte

Mailroom

“OK, share it with others as well.” This was my aunt’s response when I emailed her asking if I can have her Kerygma 1998 issues.

I was doing a general cleaning in April 2010 when I found my aunt’s old Kerygma copies. Since then, I’ve been looking forward to have my copy every month and sharing it with my friends and the blessings I receive by reading it.

Rosary SendrijasTagbilaran, Bohol

A blessed day to all Kerygma readers. My mom is an avid reader of your magazine. Her month is not complete without having a copy of it. That’s why my dad always buys her one every month. That’s why I also came to know Bo Sanchez. Sometimes we also watch him on TV during weekends.

Thanks to all the people who make this magazine inspire other people.

Wayne Patrick E. MartejaGrade 1 – Molave

Holy Infant School of Malolos, Bulacan

I’m 81 years old. At this age, it may be normal to be mulling how the end will come. Complete faith in the Lord is a grace I pray for.

Kerygma is a factor in reinforcing and sustaining the thought that the Lord is with us all the way. We belong to Him and to Him we must return.

Kerygma, you are a great expediter and a grace. Thank you.

Renato B. GuevaraMakati City

As a Yolanda survivor from Ormoc, I am totally disconnected from the world of the Internet. With this, I ended up reading books and I stumbled upon a 1990 issue of Kerygma that my grandmother used to read. Gradually, I became more and more interested in this mag. Once tasted (or read), always wanted. And I’m now starting my “always wanted” with the September 2013 issue (because our local distributor is out of town due to the calamity). The design of the 90’s and the current issue may be different, but both never fail to inspire me. God bless! More power!

Thomas MosqueraOrmoc City

Three international geologists were trying to outdo each other. The American dug 100 feet in the US and found traces of copper wire. He concluded that as far back as 100 years ago, America had a massive telephone system. The Japanese geologist didn’t want to be outdone. He dug 200 feet deep and found traces of copper wire. He concluded that as much as 200 years ago, Japan had a massive telecommunication

system. The Filipino didn’t want to concede. He dug 300 feet in the Philippines and found absolutely nothing. Not wanting to be beaten, he concluded that as far back as 300 years ago, the Philippines was already wireless.

Even before the Internet, telephones, telegraphs, smoke signals and hieroglyphics were invented, God was already communicating with us. He has devised the most comprehensive, no-fail, massive communication system that the universe has ever known. It’s a communication system that transcends time and space, that communicates to you no matter what your language is, what culture you have, or what epoch you live in.

God speaks to us through many ways. Through creation. Other people. Circumstances. Religious experiences. A spoken word. Through the teachings of the Church. Through Scripture.

The problem isn’t that God doesn’t speak to us. He’s always speaking! The problem is we don’t know how to listen. And with the deluge of voices and messages out there in the world, it makes it even more challenging to tune in to God’s voice.

So let me share with you what I’ve found to be the easiest way to hear God: by reading Scripture.

Contrary to what most Catholics think, our Church “forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 3:8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures…. Let them remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For ‘we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2653).

Our prayer lives become richer and more effective when we use our Bibles as we pray.

At The Feast, our favorite prayer goes, “Today I open myself to God’s Word so that I would become more like Jesus every day” (Novena to God’s Love). As we grow in the knowledge of Scripture, we are transformed into the image of our God.

Our prayer meetings, service in community, Mass attendance, outreach to the poor, Scripture reading — all these should make us more like Jesus, who is loving, compassionate, merciful, humble, generous.

What to Expect This Month:

Be empowered every day with inspiration delivered straight to your gadget! Download the FantasticLife app and get your Didache, Sabbath and Companion readings. You can download this for FREE and enjoy life-changing messages! PLUS, you’ll get the unique Fantastic Life Devotional by Bo Sanchez available only on this app. You can download the FantasticLife app from Google Play Store or the Apple Store.

So if you’ve never begun reading your Bible, I invite you to do the 87-Day Challenge. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament. If you read just three chapters a day, you’ll finish the entire New Testament in 87 days. Go get a calendar now and count 87 days. Mark that day as your finish line for reading the New Testament. Then faithfully read your three chapters daily.

I assure you, at the end of this exercise, you’ll know Jesus more. And you’ll hear His voice better.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

— 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Email me at [email protected], subscribe to my Facebook updates, or visit my website www.rissasingsonkawpeng.com.

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MARCH 2014 • KERYGMA

By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

Living by

Grace

3

TAkE THE BiBlE CHAllENGERead the Entire New Testament in 87 Days

JustBreathe

Lost copy?Changed address?

Defective copy?

For all subscription-related concerns

Call Sarah725-9999 local 105 • 411-7874 • 726-9918 • 0922-8147031

[email protected]

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YES! i’m interested in becoming a Kerygma Shepherd. i commit myself to spread God’s Word by distributing Kerygma magazine every month.

Call MITZI 725-9999 local 101 to 108 • 0922-8692870

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ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL

Our pretty face in this month’s cover is 21-year-old Margarita Gabrielle M. Reyes. Everybody calls her Meg. She’s a senior in Ateneo de Manila University taking up AB Communications. She heads projects in her organizations, the Ateneo Association of Communication Majors and Junior Fellowship for Financial Literacy. Meg is also a swimming varsity member of the team FAST-Ateneo Swimming Team.

At The Feast Ortigas, she serves in the Liturgical Ministry as a lector. She also belongs to the Finance Ministry. Her parents, Fides and Ferdie, and sister Mikki are active servants as well. Meg grew up in the Light of Jesus Family. During her teen years, she was a member of its youth group called YMPACT. She is grateful to the community for helping mold her into a well-rounded person with great values.

After graduation, Meg dreams of becoming a news anchor or owning a restaurant, salon or events management firm.

THE BO FILES

1 The Boss HAS GOD CHANGED?

40 Point of Contact

DEPARTMENTS

2 Mailroom6 New You7 Real Stuff8 Toward the Great Jubilee 2021: IS THERE HOPE

FOR MARRIAGE IN TODAY’S SOCIETY?

10 Dear K11 KFam Insider13 Feast Snapshots15 It Happened: A DELUGE OF

MIRACLES AND GOD’S LOVE IN THE MIDST OF SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA

39 One Last Story:DAVID’S MINION HUGS

COLUMNS

SPECIAL SECTION

19 WHAT GOD CANNOT DO

20 GOD CANNOT FAIL: YOUR LOSSES AND FAILURES ARE TEMPORARY, BUT VICTORY IS PERMANENT

TESTIMONIES

24 Awaken the Hero Within You26 Priest Exchange28 The Might of God’s

Saving Power29 Surviving Yolanda and

Escaping Tacloban

3 Just Breathe Take The BiBle Challenge:Read The enTiRe new TesTamenT in 87 days

33 Seasonssummer:BesT Time FoR singles To move aRound

35 Bishop’s Move The lay FaiThFul

37 K PreacherkeeP sowing

What’s

INSIDEMarch 2014

founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • creative director MIKE CORTES • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • staff writer MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE • contributing writers LELLA SANTIAGO, REY ORTEGA • photographer DANIEL A. SORIANO • columnists BISHOP TED BACANI JR., VIC ESPAñOL, DR. ALLAN AND MARIBEL DIONISIO

chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ • vice-president and general manager WENG CEQUEñA • assistant vice-president for production RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG • sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ

Kerygma. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2014. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. Kerygma is published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel. Nos.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190. Fax: 727-5615 Email: [email protected]. Website: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph


It’s been four months since an earthquake and super typhoon hit the Visayas Region. From

relief work, we are now moving into the reconstruction phase. It is now a time to rebuild, to restore what was destroyed, and to build stronger, better communities.

From relief to reconstruction, here is one of the many ways you can help:

Join the GK Bayani ChallengeFrom April 12 to 16, 2014, 300 areas, including those badly affected in Bohol, Leyte and Samar, will experience hope being built from the ground up. Volunteers from all over the Philippines and the world will come to build homes for the victims of various disasters.

Bayani Challenge is an annual five-day test of courage, endurance and love for country. Teams go on an adventure to plant hope on ground by building communities and fostering friendships.

Apart from building homes, there will also be repairing of schools, health missions, tree planting, activities with the kids and many more. To join this event, visit Gawad Kalinga’s Facebook page or www.gk1world.com.

Last year, we saw volunteerism at its best when super typhoon Yolanda struck several provinces in the Visayas, wiping out entire towns and cities. Filipinos and non-Filipinos responded in creative ways that warm the heart.

Like in any giving, it’s not only the receiver who benefits from the experience. More often than not, it’s the giver who reaps lasting rewards. Studies revealed the following benefits on the part of the volunteers:

1. Improves health and decreases depression. If you’d like to live longer, volunteer. Studies reveal that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not. Volunteering has been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. It also reduces the risk of depression by preventing social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in touch with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression.

2. Builds and strengthens relationships. Volunteering as a family is beneficial to children as they observe everything you do. By giving back, you show them through your example how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help others.

Volunteering together is one of the best ways to strengthen existing relationships and make new friends. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to hone your social skills since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. It strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network.

3. Brings you joy. Doing volunteer work that you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine. It renews your creativity, motivation and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

A study published in the Social Science and Medicine journal explored the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults. Results revealed that the more people volunteered, the happier they were.

Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being “very happy” rose seven percent among those who volunteer monthly and 12 percent for people who volunteer every two to four weeks. Among weekly volunteers, 16 percent felt very happy. Giving time to religious organizations had the greatest impact.

Volunteer opportunities that match both your goals and your interests are most likely to be fun and fulfilling for you. For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community garden, lead local hikes, or help at a children’s camp. The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organization.

Sources: http://www.christiantoday.com, http://www.helpguide.org

A TiMe To ReBuild

VoluNTeeRiNG iS Good FoR You

6

Tips for

personal

development

New You

A warning for a storm surge during super typhoon Yolanda was heard but not understood. Seeing the grave aftermath of the storm painfully acquaints us

with the term. One asks, what exactly is a storm surge?According to National Geographic, a storm surge is a rise

in sea level that occurs during intense storms or hurricanes. Strong winds push the water into the shore, which leads to flooding. This makes storm surges very dangerous for coastal regions.

If the storm surge happens during high tide, water level can reach as high as 10 meters (33 feet). Some sources claim that storm surges in Tacloban reached seven meters. Water will easily flood a shallow coast than a steep one. When a typhoon like Yolanda hits land, its accompanying storm surge will most likely flood the surrounding coastal area.

A valuable lesson learned during the last year’s super typhoon is to expect storm surges when strong typhoons are predicted to hit coastal regions and to prepare for it.

The first 72 hours after a disaster is critical. You need to take care of

yourself and your loved ones. Red Cross recommends to prepare a lifeline kit in order to survive at least three days following a disaster. This kit should be checked every six months to change goods nearing expiration. Prepare a kit for each family member who can carry one. Before another

disaster strikes, put together a lifeline kit with these survival necessities:

1. Water. Prepare clean water in airtight containers for washing, drinking and cooking. Allot one gallon per person per day and stock purification tablets, one tablet per person per day.2. Food. Store non-perishable food items. You can put protein/granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, cereals and easy-to-open canned goods. Food should be sufficient for three days’ consumption of every family member. Also store disposable plates and utensils.

Good To KNow: SToRM SuRGe 101

SuRViVAl KiT iN CASe oF diSASTeRS

Many residents, such as those in hospitals and prisons, are at risk. Government agencies should arrange to evacuate residents to higher ground, especially those from communities near the ocean.

Advance warning of a strong storm surge also allows homes and businesses to prepare for damage. Business owners can relocate expensive machinery or tools to safe areas, and homeowners can board up windows to protect against strong floods or move furniture and other valuables to the upper floors, if any.

Residents along the coasts can reduce the damage of a storm surge by protecting local wetlands such as swamps, estuaries and mud flats. As the typhoon makes landfall, the marshy land and plants absorb the water and the energy of the storm surge. Silt and swamp vegetation prevents the most intense part of the storm surge from hitting homes and businesses.

Communities can protect themselves against storm surges by maintaining healthy coastal wetlands.

Source: http://education.nationalgeographic.com

3. Emergency tools, such whistle for calling attention; plastic-laminated ID for family members with special concerns; flashlight with extra batteries; multi-purpose knife; matches or lighter and candles; transistor radio (with AM frequency) with extra batteries; plastic sheets or garbage bags; ropes. 4. Personal effects and hygiene kit, such as extra clothing, undergarments, antibacterial soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand towels, alcohol, sanitary napkins, hair brush.5. Important documents and money:• Keep these in a sealed plastic envelope or resealable plastic

bag. Money should be in the form of cash and loose change (in case banks are closed or electronic banking is not available).

• Prepaid cards. • List of important information (security insurance number,

tax identification number, driver’s license, passport number, bank account details, insurance policy, etc.)

• Important legal documents: birth certificates, marriage contract, insurance certificates, land titles, passport, academic credentials, vaccination records, medical records.

6. Special needs for infant, children, elderly, sick member of the family, such as emergency medication, prescription medication, and children’s food.7. First aid kit composed of adhesive strips, bandages, medical tape, wound dressing, antiseptic, tweezer, disposable scissors, safety pins, resealable plastic bags, gloves, and first aid quick reference guide.

For more details, visit http://www.redcross.org.ph/lifeline.


Real Stuff


Toward the Great Jubilee

2021

Benjie meets Sarah. They fall in love. Next thing you know, they are living together. No marriage to bind them.

Willie and Ruth, 15 years married, encounter problems in their marriage. Irreconcilable differences, they say. They separate. As simple as that, without going through civil and Church annulment of their marriage.

Willie finds another love in the person of Chit. They want to marry but could not because Willie is still married to Ruth even if they have long been separated. Willie and Chit end up living together without the benefit of marriage.

These situations are not hypothetical. If we look around us, we will find many couples whose marriages are in that sorry state.

But wait, there’s a way to make things right with God and with society. Most parishes now have programs of helping non-married couples receive the sacrament of matrimony.

Kerygma interviewed Fr. Benny Tuazon, parish priest of St. Anthony de Padua in Singalong St., Malate, Manila, to understand why people settle for live-in arrangements when they could get married, and what the Catholic Church is doing to help couples get God’s blessing for their union. More importantly, is there hope for marriage in today’s society that’s getting more and more liberated?

Kerygma: Based on your experience as a parish priest, why do you think couples settle for live-in arrangements and not go for a church wedding?

iS THERE HOPE FOR MARRiAGE iN TODAY’S SOCiETY?

Fr. Benny: The most common reason is money. They always say they still need to save enough to afford a church wedding. Some say they do not think it is necessary and civil wedding is equally effective. Others cannot find the time because they are too busy with work. Still others say they are still trying things out and may not pursue the union once they realize they are not compatible.

Kerygma: What does your parish do to encourage live-in couples to avail of the sacrament of matrimony?Fr. Benny: We send the members of the Legion of Mary to look for couples who are not yet married in church and encourage them to receive the sacrament. We catechize them on the importance of being united in God’s way for their own salvation. We assist them in preparing the requirements and in obtaining the things needed for their wedding. We even adjust to the day and time when they want to be married. When we have sponsors, we prepare a simple dinner and tokens as gifts.

Fr. Benny Tuazon is one of the priest-writers for Sabbath, an annual publication of Shepherd’s Voice.


Kerygma: How do you prepare them for marriage? What church ministry handles this?Fr. Benny: In our parish, the Legion of Mary helps them in gathering and preparing the required documents and gives them preliminary catechism. The members of the Couples for Christ and Neo-Catechumenate provide the basic catechism and marital counseling. Other parishes do it through their family life ministry. I administer the canonical investigation, which is a process to determine whether the couple is free to marry.

Kerygma: In preparing long-time live-in couples for a church wedding, what are the common obstacles?Fr. Benny: Most of the time, couples are discouraged when they could not obtain easily the legal documents that are needed before marriage can be officiated. For example, their baptismal certificates, confirmation certificates, and birth certificates, especially for those who came from remote provinces. Because baptism and confirmation cannot be administered again, extensive search is done. If the parents and relatives of the candidates for marriage are certain that they had received these two sacraments, they are made to execute affidavits.

At times, some have a change of mind and are discouraged to pursue their church wedding, not only because of the hard-to-obtain documents but also due to their work schedule. But one thing I realize after many years of doing this is that children play an important role in convincing parents to get married in church.

Kerygma: What are the requirements (practical and spiritual) that live-in couples need to fulfill to avail of the sacrament of matrimony?Fr. Benny: First, the certificates as mentioned above. Second, marriage seminar and counseling, and canonical investigation. Of course, confession before the wedding. (Editor’s note: Church wedding for couples coming from previous marriages or complicated situations will be discussed in future articles.)

Kerygma: How else do you think church organizations and/or parishes could help live-in couples to go for a church wedding?Fr. Benny: Basically, education. Catholics should know that the sacrament of matrimony is necessary for salvation. Civil marriage only fulfills the need of civil law. The Catholic faith requires the sacrament of matrimony for couples for them to be witnesses of God’s love to us.

There is also a great need to let live-in couples know that church marriage is free. Couples who cannot afford donations that are exacted by their parish can ask for exemption or give whatever they can donate. If we examine it, the heavy expenses are mostly imposed by the couple on themselves, such as flowers, choir, gowns and suits, rings, reception, video coverage, car, etc. The church only requires them to submit the documents and come decently attired for their wedding. The rest are not really necessary.

Kerygma: How would you encourage live-in couples to seek God’s blessing for their union? What are they risking if they pursue their present live-in arrangement?Fr. Benny: Marriages do not happen by accident. In the Catholic faith, we believe that God has a hand in each of them.

I’d like to address the couples: If you go back to the time

you met each other, don’t you feel and see God’s part in it? When you realized you truly love each other and decided to be together, you say it was God’s will for the two of you. In other words, as far as God is concerned, you are meant for each other. But He leaves you free to decide. When you decide to get married, sacramentally, you express your agreement with God.

If you truly love the other person, you should be willing to give yourself fully. But how can you fully give yourself when you have not made a commitment? Expressing mutual love, we know, may change overnight. Words and intentions are contingent. Being married civilly is also not stable. Laws have exceptions. Now, “psychological incapacity” is so broad that anything can be a reason to get separated. But the sacrament of marriage is of God. What God has joined together, no man can separate. Sacramental marriage makes one fully commit oneself.

If God is part of the marriage, it means forever. Thus, in the sacrament of marriage, a third party is present. He is not the priest but God who also makes His own commitment.

Kerygma: Is there hope for marriage in today’s society?Fr. Benny: Some say that broken marriages abound. I would say that they have increased but are definitely less than those who stay married. Maybe those who separate are more noisy and those who stay married are more silent. But if we will really count them, those who stay married are a lot greater in number.

The fact that many still celebrate silver and golden wedding anniversaries is a strong testimony that God is right about marriage. I would even go as far as saying that even if there is only a couple left married, God is still right that two people can be married forever.

Think about it. Do you really think that a union as sacred, as serious, and as grand as marriage should only be sealed by words or laws, and not by God’s presence in the sacrament?

Editor’s Note: This interview and the succeeding articles in this section form part of the “Wounded Families, Wounded Healers” series for the Year of the Laity and on to the Great Jubilee 2021.

Dear “Petrified” friend,It is natural to worry about losing your loved ones someday.

It only shows how much you love them. But it would be good to cultivate a more realistic attitude.

First of all, nothing and nobody in this world lasts forever. We will one day have to face the fact that our loved ones have to return to their Creator. It is a painful moment and you may feel you lose them. But they only go into a better future — a future without pain, without illness, without worry and suffering. And the Church teaches us that they still remain close to us. When my beloved mother died, for a moment I was devastated. But now, decades later, I feel her presence and her prayers for me. No, we never lose our loved ones.

This fact may then lead to a deeper trust in God who knows better what is good for us. Pray for yourself — pray for the grace to overcome this fear and for a deeper trust in our loving God. Pray to Mary who also had to let go of her beloved Son — only to be reunited with Him forever in heaven. Pray with the father of the epileptic boy, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Also, instead of feeding yourself with bad news every day, try to read uplifting materials like the Bible and inspirational magazines. Surround yourself with positive people. And finally, pray for your loved ones: “Lord, protect my loved ones whom You love and care for more than I do. Whatever will happen to them, I know they are in Your hands.”

Fr. Rudy

DearK

Right now I feel so blessed. I have my family, friends, work, and most importantly I have God.

But lately, I have this fear whenever my mom or members of my family get sick. I worry that I will lose them. Sometimes I get scared about what I hear in the news, about earthquakes and the bad things happening in the world. I know that my faith is small whenever I feel this way but I want to admit this feeling because I want to trust God more.

How do I get rid of these fears? Please pray for me.

Petrified

i Am Afraid of What’s Happening Around Us

Now

When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he was first assigned to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Cubao. It was where he came in contact with the still young Light of Jesus Family. In 1990, he moved to Christ the King Mission Seminary, where he now serves as head spiritual director of the seminarians and teaches Religious Education. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill School of Theology and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.


Email your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center counselor. Pastoral counseling by telephone is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face pastoral counseling is by appointment. For correspondence pastoral counseling, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com. Or Call (632) 725-9999

Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0917-816-4700 or email [email protected]. You may also contact Pro-life Philippines at (632) 733-7027.


uite a big change. The orphans of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal are used to receiving and enjoying acts of kindness from various donors the whole year round.

But less than a month after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas, leaving in its

wake more than 6,000 dead and billions in properties lost or damaged, the Tahanan orphans did something that reversed the equation.

Like the poor shepherd boy who played his drums for Baby Jesus in the timeless Christmas carol, The Little Drummer Boy, the Tahanan kids made beautiful music with their violins for Baby Jesus. They performed in a benefit concert called Music for Christ 2013 Festival held at the Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan on December 12, 2013.

One hundred percent of the concert proceeds were given to Yolanda victims. And the Tahanan kids were only too happy to have helped raise funds.

It All Started with an EmailSometime in the middle of 2013, Bo Sanchez forwarded to me an email he received from a certain Ariel Arambulo. The email sender offered to Bo his (Ariel’s) services, gratis, as a violin mentor for Light of Jesus children. With the offer of free music lessons came another offer: a dozen violins for children.

So I replied to Ariel and accepted his offer. That started a weekly fun-filled mentoring on how to play the violin. Instead of the children going to Ariel’s music studio, it was Ariel himself who went to Tahanan every week.

Then in October, Ariel organized a music festival

K Fam Insider

featuring the Manila Symphony Orchestra, his regular paying music students in Greenhills, and the Tahanan kids. Proceeds of the planned concert were earmarked for Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home.

Tahanan, at that time, was in the midst of constructing a permanent house for the children.

Then a month before the music festival, super typhoon Yolanda struck. Moved by the resulting horrendous death and destruction, Ariel promptly changed the concert beneficiary and made the typhoon survivors as the concert beneficiary.

“Happy Birthday, Jesus!”And so it came to pass that in the evening of December 12, the Tahanan kids did their part in coming to the aid of the typhoon victims.

And that’s how they greeted the December 25 birthday celebrant a happy birthday.

Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Orphans:From Donee to Donor By Reylindo Ortega

Tahanan ng Pagmamahal has a new home at 45 Dr. Pilapil St. (near corner Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave.), Barangay Sagad, Pasig City. For inquiries, contact Rey Ortega at 0922-859-7035.


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Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the strongest cyclone to hit the country, brought devastation of epic proportions. But aside from destruction to lives and property, it also brought a

storm surge of humanitarian response from people all over the world including The Feast family of the Light of Jesus.

Calls for HelpAs soon as the storm winds abated, Feast Alabang (FA) mobilized to help the victims. Spearheaded by Senior Feast Builder, Arun Gogna, and the FA council, Task Force Blessings was formed. Calls for volunteers and donations were text blasted. A page was set up on Facebook where people can post pledges and volunteer for the repacking of relief sacks. Bo Sanchez, Light of Jesus Family (LOJF) head, echoed the call and a multitude responded. The winds of succor that blew in rivalled the strong gusts brought by the super typhoon.

The Feast Alabang Center and its extension, the Upper Room, were deluged with goods. People came in droves, bringing bottled water, ready-to-eat food, clothes, hygiene items, medicines, and cash donations.

The Silent HeroesMore than 200 volunteers packed the donations during the eight-day relief drive. They were LOJF members, attendees of various Feasts, Catholic Filipino Academy kids, and walk-in volunteers who said they just wanted to help. The volunteers were unmindful of the long hours it took to pack the goods. Even though their hands were blistered from tying the sacks and their muscles ached from all the lifting, they were glad to be doing something for the typhoon survivors. Buddy del

Feast Snapshots

Task Force

BlESSiNGS

Text by Lella M. SantiagoTask Force photos by Josie GalvanRelief Distribution photos by Tonette Veloso

Mundo, FA Special Needs Ministry and Task Force Blessings head, recalls the whole operation: “It was one concerted effort orchestrated by God for us to be able to help out. Nobody complained and everyone was happy while serving. It was a beautiful sight to witness.”

At the end of the drive, an astounding 50.5 metric tons of relief goods were sent to Leyte and Samar, particularly to Jinamok Island, Basey, Tacloban, Giporlos, Hernani and Marabut. Each sack contained provisions enough for a family of four to survive for three days. The goods were delivered to the An Waray group via cargo aircraft provided by the Air Forces of the Philippines and Japan. Task Force Blessings also sent two 20-foot containers full of relief packs that could not be accommodated on the planes. As of this writing, distribution continues, especially to mountain barangays that are not receiving regular aid.

Kapit Kapatid T-ShirtsTo raise more funds, a related project, Kapit Kapatid, was launched by FA’s iGive.Club. T-shirts with the Kapit Kapatid logo were sold for the benefit of disaster survivors. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts and the cash donations were used to purchase additional goods for the relief packs.

It is difficult to fathom why such destruction happened to our country. But the outpouring of support in the aftermath of the storm eased this feeling of senselessness. The catastrophe became an impetus for people to care and be a blessing to those in need.

It Happened

A DElUGE OF MiRAClES AND GOD’S lOvE iN THE MiDST OF SUPER TYPHOON YOlANDA


My husband and I had just attended the Lingkod National Leaders Training Conference (NLTC) in Cebu in October. The theme of the retreat was “Saved to Serve.” After the conference, we were fired up to love and serve like Jesus.

In less than two weeks, super typhoon Yolanda struck parts of the Visayas. It affected our city, Ormoc, in catastrophic proportions. At least 80 percent of business establishments and homes suffered major destruction. Thousands lost their homes and even their lives. We were blessed to be part of the 20 percent that was not as badly affected. Anything within our compound — fence, garage, trees — were completely destroyed. Our vehicles, which were parked outside, did not sustain any damage. We lost two roof panels which caused leaking and our ceiling became an instant swimming pool. We thought our ceiling was going to collapse, but it did not.

Praying for Our Dear LifeWhile Yolanda was pounding for more than four hours, all we did was pray. I told myself, if this is going to be my last day, I would rather be found praying and praising God. I prayed to Jesus repeatedly with these

SAvED TO SERvE How Our House — and Our lives — Became an instant Relief Center

By Vannie Siloterio-Ocampo

Continued on page 16

words: “Jesus, have mercy on us! Jesus, help us! Jesus, free us! Jesus, save us!”

We attribute our second lease on life to the power of prayers. We are certain that Jesus heard our prayers and that Mother Mary covered us with the mantle of her protection. Our two offices, Little Saints Tutorial Plus and Prulife UK, sustained minimal damages. A miracle indeed!

My husband, Junjun, who’s also in the rice trading business, was amazed at how God protected our bodega of rice. Except for a few sacks that got wet, the rest were in excellent condition and served lots of families after the typhoon. In fact, it became the source of the first relief goods that were distributed to many families.

There was no electricity for days and weeks after the typhoon. We had no access to any form of media. We assumed that the government had already declared a state of calamity. We experienced every bit of what it meant to be in that state. A looter was immediately in our compound at 2 a.m. of the following day. We had green papaya as our viand in the next three days. There was no drinking water and very limited

Fresh from the “Saved to Serve” Leaders Conference, Junjun and Vannie willingly gave their all to help their fellow Ormocanons.

Photo shows a house in Palo, one of the worst hit towns in Leyte.

i woke up at around 3 a.m. on November 8 after a 32-hour straight hospital duty as a medical intern of the University of the Philippines-Manila School of Health Sciences at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City.

I prayed, prepared my breakfast and my uniform — because I still intended to go on duty that day — and listened

to the radio. At around 5:00 a.m., power went out. Despite that, the radio was still able to broadcast. The weather that time was not that bad — it was just raining outside, no strong winds, and no floods yet. The only thing I knew about Yolanda then was that it was going to be the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines and that it might directly hit my city, Tacloban.

An hour later, I noticed that the wind was getting stronger and almost howling. I also heard on the radio that the waves were getting bigger and that water had crept into the radio station, which was located near the shore. Then the radio broadcast went off air.

I looked out the window of my boarding house and saw people walking and shouting at each other, “Hold hands together and walk on the side because the sea water will go up!”

Again, I paid no attention to it because I firmly believed that big waves would be less likely since my place is in a bay area, and that if ever the water rises, it would be San Jose area that would be hit first. I thought it would be rare in my place. I had not heard anything about the possibility of a storm surge because I had not been watching TV the days prior to November 8 because of my hospital duty.

A DElUGE OF MiRAClES AND GOD’S lOvE iN THE MiDST OF SUPER TYPHOON YOlANDA

I eventually decided not to go on duty that day since there were no more vehicles traveling. I went back to bed, but at around 7 a.m., I noticed water entering my room. I was still calm because I thought it was just the normal flood water from the outside. But in just a few minutes, I saw water coming into the sides of my door. I got up and peeked outside and I was shocked to see that the water was already thigh-high and that the wind was ripping the houses and roofs of my neighbors.

I grabbed some clothes and packed them along with my cellphones, money and other important belongings in a plastic bag. I wore a jacket as well as double clothing, and even put on my shoes. I again peeked at my window and saw that the water now was waist-deep and rising very fast.

I paused and asked myself, “Will I go out? Where will I go? Will there be other people outside? Will I die now?” Those were my thoughts. When I tried to open the door, it did not budge. So I pushed the door and all of a sudden I was thrown back because of the rushing water coming into my room. I fought the water flow and went out of the room, where it was already chest-deep. I locked my room again and went towards the gate.


THE WRATH OF YOlANDAAnd How i Came to Accept Why God Allowed it to Happen

By Jonathan Paghubasan

continued on page 17

Joining hands in serving their fellow Taclobanons are (from left) Fr. Amadeo Alvero, Msgr. Alex Opiniano, Damien Cappellini, Jonathan, Ike Sampayan, Fr. Oliver Mazo, and Fr. Mark Marwin Adona.


access to medical help. We had to send our maid’s brother to Cebu for surgery as his arm was fractured when it was hit by a falling tree.

Overflowing GenerosityOn November 10, our houseboy discovered that there was a cell phone signal while he was on top of a tree. My husband and I immediately sent text messages to our loved ones in the U.S., Manila and Davao to let them know that we were safe. We also texted leaders of our spiritual family, Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon and Ligaya ng Panginoon, and asked them to help us mobilize relief operations for our fellow Ormocanons. Lingkod Cebu and Mactan members, who were fresh from serving in the National Leaders’ Training Conference, were quick to respond. The first relief goods given to Ormoc came from Lingkod. The goods arrived on Sunday afternoon and were distributed immediately to the families of the Lingkod members.

Tons of relief goods from Ligaya and Lingkod arrived in the next few days and these were allocated to over 600 families in Ormoc and Tacloban. My husband went on four mission trips to Tacloban to share the relief goods with them. The recipients even tagged them as “class A” relief goods as there were vienna sausage, pork and beans, coffee, chocolate drink, easy-to-open canned tuna and sardines, luncheon meat, and branded new and used clothes.

Our home became a quasi-relief center and venue for our Saturday afternoon prayer meetings. The Lord sent us so many “angels.” Lucky Hormigos, former branch leader of Lingkod-Alabang, even came to Ormoc with his friend, Benj, to install solar panels in our home so we would have lights and electric fans working at night. Many were able to charge their lamps and mobile phones via solar energy.

Our brothers from the Servant of the Word, John Keating, Mon Samson and Abyong Calo, went to Ormoc to serve us. They picked up, carried and helped pack the goods. John exhorted us during our prayer meeting to keep on trusting and believing in God even in the most difficult times.

The priest who officiated our wedding, Fr. Steve Tynan, visited us in Ormoc to bring water purifiers, cash donations and even bought a generator for us.

We have experienced God’s steadfast love in varied ways. We are most thankful to God for moving so many generous hearts. Kindness, compassion and love really overflowed!

Exceedingly BlessedWith the eyes and heart of faith, I can sincerely declare that this experience has enriched me in every way. The spiritual blessings I received outweigh all the difficulties brought about by this typhoon.

I was privileged to witness how hearts are being changed, how people are becoming more and more selfless, and how many people have the capacity for real service and authentic love.

The absence of electricity strengthened relationships — families ate and prayed together instead of watching TV or indulging in Facebook. Some even experienced healing of relationships. People helped and loved each other in amazing ways. Indeed, we were blessed exceedingly by a God who knows what is best for us.

The Lord sustained, provided for, protected and loved us beyond measure. He was with us all the way. His saving hand enabled us to serve others. And for that, I only have thanksgiving in my heart.

It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was His plan. (2 Timothy 1:9)

SAVED TO SERVE continued from page 14

Tiny Miracles That Saved MeOutside, I saw a man with a plastic pail over his head. At least I wasn’t alone. Over at Magallanes Road, I also noticed the huge wave about to come, along with wooden debris. I saw another man taking cover at a wall and asked him where the evacuation area was. He didn’t know. I told him that we should go because of the huge wave that was about to come. It was a good thing that there were wooden debris clogged at the street corner, which served as our temporary dike against the wave. It was a miracle as it gave me enough time to swim and take cover.

Then I saw a second wave, which I was pretty sure would break the wooden debris. So, with all my might, I swam through the neck-deep water. The wind was already very strong, and I could barely raise my head as the current was also strong.

Just a few yards from my boarding house, I saw a small coconut tree. I grabbed one of its palms and pulled myself to take cover over a concrete wall. The man with the plastic pail was also washed away, but I helped him grab a branch and pulled him to where I was. We tried to push the debris as it was too dangerous for us — either we would be swamped by it or get tetanus from the rusty nails and broken glasses.

Suddenly I heard voices behind me. I turned and saw people climbing to the second floor of a unit just three lots away from my boarding house.

I was overwhelmed. Whenever I felt I was almost at the end of my rope, when I needed help the most, something would come up or happen to provide an escape for me.

I, together with the man with the plastic pail, followed the line of people climbing to the second floor of the house. There were at least 25 of us there, crowding in such a small space. All the windows were broken and we felt the strength of the wind. We placed all the women and children in the small room while we, the men, stayed outside to fend off the flying debris. We also watched if water would rise and thought of alternative routes. We all prayed. I held on to my rosary tightly and prayed silently.

I experienced the longest wait I ever had in my life. I counted the minutes. I estimated that the typhoon would last for three to five hours. While waiting, we saw people trying to break their roofs just so they could get out of their houses because their doors were blocked by debris and flood waters. Men, women and children emerged — in shock, wet and terrified. We helped those within our reach, but the others could not hear us because the wind was too strong and our view was obscured by the rain. We held on until the water subsided to knee level and the wind died down at around 10 a.m. What would happen to us after the typhoon? This was the silent question in my heart, and I guess for all of us in that room.

What Next? As the water subsided, I decided to go down and walk along the streets. I worried about stepping on nails on the wooden debris that piled up to five feet high. I arrived at the People’s Center and Library along Real St., expecting to find some evacuees, but did not find anyone there. The gravity of the situation started to sink in my mind.

I felt the fear of losing my loved ones, of having nowhere to go. I almost cried. I was so afraid of what would happen next. I stayed at the People’s Center for almost half an hour, then decided to go to the evacuation center near my place, expecting to find some food and water or anybody who could help me find a way to get home or contact my parents or relatives.

When I got there, people were running to and fro, and almost everyone was in shock. Then I saw that the evacuation center was also flooded and learned that many people died from the stampede.

I looked for a place to sit on because my legs were aching from standing and walking for hours. I was also thirsty and tried to find some washed-away mineral water from the debris but didn’t find any. Then a man pointed out to me a person lying underneath a car and told me that he was dead. I looked at the person and looked back to where I came from and checked if there were any dead bodies. I saw dead people everywhere, littered under the rubble and mud.

I went back to the People’s Center and, as I walked, I looked at the dead bodies. I did not feel affected, maybe because I am used to seeing dead people in the hospital and also because my mind was focused on thinking of where to go and what to do next. Good thing, the People’s Center opened its library for the people to stay. There, I sat on a chair and rested for a while.

Using My Gifts to HelpWhile I was there, scenes of people struggling to swim and survive flashed back in my mind. I decided to walk towards Sto. Niño Church. I chose Sto. Niño as it is nearer to the People’s Center. I thought that I might be able to get some help there because I knew that my friends were there, ready for the calamity. But as I walked towards the church, I saw from afar that the roof was almost completely torn out. I doubted whether there were people there but I proceeded. At

THE WRATH OF YOLANDA continued from page 15


the convent, I was relieved to find that all of my friends, the priests, and the evacuees there were all safe. I ate whatever was served and drank lots of water.

By 1 p.m., my friends and I decided to go home and check on our families and just come back to help if the situation would allow. We walked amidst dead bodies on the streets. Then, when I was almost near my home, I met a neighbor who told me that my parents and our house were OK, but advised me not to go home yet because water in the area near our house was still waist-deep and that iron and glass debris, as well as roofing materials, were everywhere. So I went back to Sto. Niño Church and stayed there for a while and volunteered in their rescue and relief operations.

I knew that many people needed help in cleaning and suturing their wounds and were also seeking consultations for their health and safety. So I went back. My friends and I dressed peoples’ wounds and assisted them in their medical needs.

We also cleaned the church and helped the priest by serving in the Mass as lectors since most of the staff were away. The first Mass we celebrated was at 4 p.m. of November 8.

I tried to help in whatever way I could — as a medical intern and simply as someone who commiserates with my fellow human beings in their suffering.

We conducted relief operations in the 15 parishes of Tacloban City when the relief goods started to arrive. Twice a week, I went home to bring some relief goods to my family, neighbors and friends.

I heard news of a cousin, an aunt, and very close friends who were among the casualties of Yolanda. Yet I never had time to mourn. We were always busy taking care of the people around us and sending relief. We could smell the stench of death as we traveled to different areas to bring relief goods.

Asking Why — And Then UnderstandingIt was only after almost a month that I contemplated and asked why those things happened. I would go to the belfry and look at

my surroundings ravaged by Yolanda. I asked God why He allowed such a catastrophe to happen to our land and why I’m still alive when a lot of people perished.

Then I asked a priest the same question, and he just said, “Di ko rin alam kung bakit pinayagan ng Panginoong Diyos na ibigay ang Kanyang bugtong na Anak sa atin para lang mamatay (I also don’t know why God gave us His only Son just to suffer and die).”

I was struck by his answer, and right then and there, I felt peace. I had no reason to complain.

I also reflected on my stay in the church, becoming a janitor, laundryman, lector, collector, carpenter, technician, gofer, and a whole lot more. With that, I have become more understanding and compassionate of the people around me, especially those who have lost almost everything.

It is a never-ending experience in my life. I feel now that maybe I was spared because I can still help — that I should share the life given to me so that it may give life to others. That though I lost most of my stuff dear to me, I was able to appreciate more the best gift God has given me — my life — which I take for granted most of the time. And this is why I continue to volunteer in the church, in the Red Cross and in other relief operations. All these will forever be etched in my heart and mind — a significant period in my life’s journey.

God gave me His gifts for free, and so I must share them freely to those who are in need.

Yolanda is a life-changing event. I hope and pray that through this experience, I will grow more to be a better person.


Jonathan, with blue cap, assists in addressing the medical needs of the Yolanda victims.

Super typhoons. Earthquakes. Flash floods.Devastation is all around us.Thousands of lives lost. Billions worth of properties gone in an instant.

How do you explain God to the people who were affected?I’m sure you’ve lost something in your life, too. Perhaps your family members all drowned together when

the storm surge came.Perhaps you lost a loved one to cancer.Perhaps you failed a lot of times in your board exam.But life went on for you — and I’m sure it will for the

people affected by natural calamities.When you look back, do you see the proverbial silver

lining?Do you see God’s hand now in your experience?

Friends, let me tell you — there’s only one thing that God cannot do. And that is to change.

His love for us is constant.It is eternal, consistent, unchanging

— no matter what life brings us, no matter how many super typhoons hit us.

He will pull us out of the rubble we’re in.

He will turn our sorrow into joy.He will bring us from defeat to

victory.Friend, put your hope in the God

who never changes.

WHAT GOD CANNOT DO


By Bo Sanchez

Special SectionIntroduction

By Bo Sanchez

GOD CANNOT FAil

Your losses and Failures Are Temporary,

But victory is Permanent


Special Section

Failures and losses can be devastating.

Just recall your most painful failures and losses.

Have you failed in school? Have you experienced waiting outside the registrar’s office — your body sweating, your knees

shaking, your stomach churning, praying that your grade isn’t a 72 percent but 75 percent — so you don’t get kicked out of school? (Been there, done that.)

Have you failed in your job? In your business? Did you lose money in your investments? Have you plunked in hard-earned money in a business — only to have the money disappear? (I’ve experienced this 10 times in my life.)

Have you failed in your diets? My friend tried the Atkins Diet and he failed. He tried the Mediterranean Diet and he failed. He tried the After-Six Diet and he failed. He tried the South Beach Diet, the North Beach, the East Beach, and the West Beach — and failed all of them too. Finally, he’s doing the See-food Diet and it’s been working. What he sees, he eats.

Have you failed in your exercise programs? Have you decided to run each morning — and lasted only for two weeks? Have you bought a treadmill and now use it as a clothes hanger?

Have you failed in your love life? Have you ever experienced a broken heart? Have you loved someone with all your heart, but that someone didn’t love you back and just wanted you to be a friend? (“But I don’t want to be just your friend! Grrrr!”)

Have you failed in your family life? As husband, wife, father, mother, sibling, child, grandchild?

Have you failed God?Have you failed yourself?People ask me how I could have written 36

books. The answer is easy. It’s not because I have more brilliance. It’s because I have more blunders. Because every time I fail, I try to learn from my failures — and share this wisdom in my books.

Here’s God’s big message for you today: Failure is temporary, but victory is permanent —

because God cannot fail.

Three Lessons I Will Never Forget A few years ago, I wanted to learn how to play badminton. I asked my friend, the late Mike Joseph, to teach me how to play. Mike was phenomenal in badminton. He had been playing the sport for over 30 years. Before badminton became fashionable, he was already playing it as a kid. I bet when he was still in his diapers, he wasn’t holding a rattle but a badminton racket.

After two training sessions with him, something unforgettable happened. While we were dressing up to train, two guys invited us to a doubles game.

I was about to tell them, “Oh sorry guys, I don’t know how to play yet. Just in kindergarten…” But Mike blurted out, “Sure!”

My jaw dropped. Was he out of his mind? I told the two men, “Excuse me for a moment while I confer with my friend...”

I walked over to Mike and whispered, “Are you insane? I don’t know how to play! These guys look like star players. We’re going to be massacred.”

He said, “It’s OK, Bo. Here’s what you do. Just stand in front of the net. If the shuttlecock goes near you, raise your racket and swat it down. Remember these two things: Give it your best shot. And I’ll take care of the rest.”

So I did the unbelievable.With trembling knees, I took my place near the net. I

looked at the two opponents on the other side and froze. They looked like pros. Because they had expensive badminton rackets. And matching outfits!

In the entire game, I did what Mike told me to do — stand near the net and swat whenever the ball came near me. And Mike would do everything else. Believe me, he was like The Flash. When I turned to my right, he was there. When I turned to my left, he was there. When I looked behind me, he was there!

What happened? That day, Mike and I crushed those guys. They didn’t know what hit them.

I felt great winning the game. Honestly, I didn’t do much. Goodness, I think I didn’t even perspire. In the entire 45 minutes of playing, I probably hit the ball twice. OK, that’s an exaggeration. I did more than that.

Let me share with you three key lessons I learned that day…

1. Always Play DoublesToday, you’re fighting different battles in your life. Perhaps you’re fighting health problems. Or you’re fighting financial difficulties. Or you’re fighting relationship conflicts. Or you’re trying to recover and rebuild your life after you’ve been hit by super typhoon Yolanda. Sometimes, you feel these opponents are huge and strong and powerful.

Here’s my word for you: Don’t try to fight alone.Because God designed your life to be lived NOT as a

singles game, but as a doubles game. You need a Partner. There are people I know who fight their battles alone

— and sooner or later, they lose. People think they lose because of a lack of proficiency. Or a lack of power. Or a lack of perseverance. Or a lack of provision. But actually, they lack a Partner. They lack a Champion Partner. Because if they had a Champion Partner, that Partner will give them the proficiency, power, perseverance and provision they need.

Now, let’s go back to my game with Mike. In the first game, the score was 15-9. We got 15 and they got nine. Do you know why the opponent had nine points? Because I made nine mistakes.

Here’s what I learned: If you partner with a Champion, you can make all sorts of mistakes — and still win.

I Shouldn’t Be Here!This is the story of my life. I have made so many mistakes in my life, I’m wondering, what in the world am I doing here, experiencing great blessing and success?

As I told you, I failed in school.I think it all started when I was in kindergarten. My teacher


asked the class to write our names. Simple, right? But not if your name is Eugenio Isabelo Tomas Reyes Sanchez, Jr. At that time, I couldn’t even memorize my name, much less write it down.

So I probably felt bobo (dumb) because by recess time, all my classmates were already playing outside — but I was still on my seat writing my name.

Seriously, I probably was mildly dyslexic because I couldn’t spell my words right. In grade school, my teacher gave us 20 words to spell — and I only spelled two words right. The two words were “cat” and “dog.” But I couldn’t spell words with two syllables.

I was also bullied. Note: Not just by my classmates but also by my teacher. Not only was I small and thin; I was also terrible in sports. I remember playing baseball. My teacher assigned me to be right outfielder, but I was so uncoordinated, I couldn’t catch the ball. My teacher told all my classmates, “Try to hit the ball towards Eugenio because he won’t be able to catch it…” and then he’d laugh really loud and all my classmates would laugh with him.

For our yearbook, they couldn’t write anything under my photo. There was nothing to write about. So they wrote something like, “Eugenio existed… sometimes.”

As I grew up, I failed God. I sinned against Him many times.And that’s why God’s big message for you now is very close to my heart:

Failure is temporary, but victory is permanent — because God cannot fail.Despite all those failures and the subsequent losses I experienced

in my life, I’m living a dream life today. I’m blessed beyond my wildest imagination. Every day, I’m surrounded by love. I have a wonderful family. I have phenomenal friends. I have the most amazing work in the universe. There are days when I pinch myself. How can someone who has failed so much be so blessed?

Here’s how: God’s specializes in transforming your failures and losses into your fortunes, your defeats into your doorways, your disasters into your

destinies, your messes into your magnificence.Have you failed in your life? Have you made so many

mistakes that you can’t count them? I have good news for you. If you make God your Partner, no matter how many

mistakes you‘ve made in your life, you can still win!

2. Always Give Your BestMike told me only two things. He said, “Give it your best shot. I’ll take care of the rest.”

As I said, in our first game, the opponent had nine points because I made nine mistakes. Think

about it: If I stood there like a flagpole, and did absolutely nothing, we would have won the game with the score 15-0. It would have been a more impressive win for Mike.

But Mike’s goal wasn’t to win. His goal was to teach me how to win. He wanted me to learn, to grow, to develop, to be better. So before playing, he told me, “Give it your best shot.” Even if my best wasn’t good enough. Even if my best meant making all sorts of mistakes.

Friend, that’s exactly what God is telling you to do now.

God wants you to give life your best shot.The world is your stage! And every day,

God wants you to go out there, stand on that stage, and give your best performance.

So if you’re a teacher, teach your students so well that they’ll be wiser and better and

kinder and nobler than their parents. If you’re an entrepreneur, sell us products that will elevate the human spirit. If you’re a janitor, hold your mop like a king holds his scepter and make that floor shine so that when people look at it, they’ll say that life is getting brighter every day. If you’re a nurse, then love your patients so well that they’ll think angels are walking in our midst.

It doesn’t matter what you do. The world is your stage and your audience is begging you to give your best performance every time. Soon, people will travel for miles, line up for a chance to sit at your feet to watch you give your best.

3. Always Trust Your PartnerWe actually played three badminton games that day.

In the first game, we won. But in the second game, we lost. The score was 13-15. Yes, I made more mistakes.

We took a water break after that. I walked up to Mike and said, “I’m such a lousy player. I think we should give up.”

“Nonsense!” he said, “you’re getting better!”

“Huh?” I looked behind me, wondering if he was talking to someone else. Nobody was there. “Gosh, Mike, we lost! All because of me.”

He shook his head, “We just lost one game. We’re now going to win the next game.”

That’s when I remembered that Mike gave me only two instructions. First, he said, “Give it your best shot.” Second, he said, “I’ll take care of the rest.”

I realized I needed to trust my mentor. If he said, “We’re going to win this next game,” then we’re going to win the next game. If he said, “Bo, you’re getting better,” then I’m really getting better!

True enough, we won that third game. The score was 15-7. They made seven points because I only made seven mistakes. I was getting better because I was committing lesser mistakes.

Friend, perhaps you’ve made a lot of mistakes and you feel disappointed with yourself today. But God is telling you, “You’re getting better! You’ll win in the next game.”

When you turn to the right, God will be there. When you turn to the left, God will be there, too. When you look behind you, God’s got you covered. He’ll back you up. He’ll make you win.

Live by this law: Do your best and let your Partner do the rest.

Friend, remove worry from your life. Trust in your Partner! Even when your situation is


impossible. Especially when your situation is impossible!

Do Your Best and Let Your Partner Do the RestLet me tell you a true story of my friends, James and Diana, a couple who have been members of Light of Jesus Family for more than 30 years now. (I’ve changed their names.)

More than 30 years ago, James and Diana had three friends who wanted to work abroad. Luckily, Diana had another friend who was in charge of hiring staff for luxury ships — and asked for her help for their friends. In no time, the three men got jobs as waiters in restaurants in the ship. The men happily worked as seamen, sending precious dollars to their family every month.

That same friend offered James a job as well. “James, we still need waiters. Why don’t you apply?” she asked.

Diana and James talked about the offer — which was really tempting, because at the time, they were in their 20s and were minimum wagers. Diana worked in a printing press and James in a food chain. They already had three kids, and their eldest, already six years old, would soon start school.

At that time, they were already part of the Light of Jesus Family. After praying together with their friends in community, James didn’t feel at peace about working abroad. He decided he should turn it down, stick it out here, and believe that God will prosper them.

“In the beginning, it was difficult to stand by our decision,” Diana told me. “I saw the families of my three friends happy with the money their husbands were sending them. They had big TV sets and nice ovens. The ladies also showed me their branded imported bags. Their kids played with big remote-controlled toy cars — and my sons just watched them, their mouths salivating. When the men came home for a vacation, they gave us chocolates and imported canned goods. Through those early years, we wondered if we made the right decision or not. It felt like we were failures and they were winners.”

Fast forward 30 plus years later. Here’s what happened to them…Friend #1 fell in love with a chambermaid in the luxury ship. His wife

threatened to leave him. James advised his friend to quit working at sea. He listened. He found a job as waiter in a local restaurant — and saved his marriage.

Friend #2, lonely at sea, found comfort in shabu he bought in ports where his ship docked. He became a drug addict and was fired. Because of his addiction, he couldn’t find work in the Philippines, so his family went bankrupt. To save her kids from poverty, his wife left him and lived with another man who provided for her. Friend #2 is now living on the streets, begging for food from his neighbors.

Friend #3 did not have a mistress. Neither did he become a drug addict. He provided for his family so well that his kids were able to go to exclusive schools. Happy ending? Not quite. His wife, unable to sleep during the long nights that her husband was away, took downers — sleeping pills that eventually affected her brain. She is now mentally ill and he had to quit working abroad so he could take care of her and their kids.

Meanwhile, James and Diana gave their best. And God did the rest. Their home now also has a large TV set. James rose through the ranks until he became a top supervisor. But most importantly, they have their family intact.

By the way, I’m not telling you this story to tell you NOT to become an OFW. It’s still possible, but I urge you that if you’ll be separated from your spouse, it can’t be for too long. If at all possible, find a way to be together. Because that’s how God designed families.

But that’s not the main reason why I tell you this story.

Here’s my main point: Early on, Diana and James thought they failed in life. But God vindicated them. Thirty years later, they realized that failure is temporary and victory is permanent — because God cannot fail.

God Doesn’t Do the Easy Things OnlyNothing is more impossible than death.

In the Bible, Jesus raised three dead people to life. They were the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha.

The daughter of Jairus had just died a few minutes ago. Her body was still warm. Because when Jairus asked Jesus to pray for his daughter, she was still alive. But when they arrived at the house, someone told Jairus, “Don’t bother the Master. Your daughter is dead.” But Jesus still entered the room, and said to her, “Rise!” and the daughter of Jairus rose up from her deathbed.

The son of the widow of Nain had died possibly more than 12 hours earlier. When Jesus met the funeral procession on the road, the guy was already in a coffin about to be buried. So his body was stiff and cold. They didn’t embalm people then, so they buried people on the same day they died. But Jesus stopped the funeral procession, touched the coffin, and said, “Rise!” and the man rose up from his coffin and started talking.

But among the three, no one was more dead than Lazarus. Lazarus had been buried for four days. In fact, when Jesus came, Mary said, “Jesus, his body smells by now. His body has been rotting for four days.” But Jesus still said, “Lazarus, come out!” and Lazarus walked out of the grave.

What do these three miracles say to you? Perhaps your dreams have died — and they’re

dead in varying degrees. Perhaps your dream just died yesterday and it’s

lifeless now on its deathbed. Perhaps your dream died some time back, and it’s now lying stiff and cold in a coffin. Or perhaps your dream died many years ago and it’s rotting in a grave.

All that doesn’t matter. Because God is in the business of resurrecting dead dreams.

God isn’t here to do the easy things only. God is here to do the impossible things.

God is telling you now, “Nothing is too hard for Me.”

All your failures are temporary. All your difficulties are temporary. All your disappointments are temporary. All your heartbreaks are temporary. All your bankruptcies are temporary. Even the pain of death is temporary! But your victory is permanent.

Because God cannot fail.

Email me at [email protected].


Special Section AWAkEN THE HERO WiTHiN YOU

and Give Hope to Those Who Need it the MostBy Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL, as told to Marjorie Duterte

Written by Tess V. Atienza

I ‘ve been to Cebu, Bohol and Leyte several times in the past, and nothing quite prepared me for what I was to see when I visited these places in the last week of November. I went there to check on the devastation because I was helping some friends who were raising money in Australia for the relief works. I wanted to talk to people who I knew who

were on the ground doing things so that I could course money through them.

But more than the devastation, what stuck in my mind and heart long after I’ve returned to Manila are images of God’s love and mercy and His people’s goodness and resiliency.

First Stop: Bohol It had been two months since the earthquake

when I visited Bohol, so there were a lot of tents and alternative dwellings for those whose houses were damaged. It was a very sad experience to see centuries-old churches, most of which I’ve seen a number of times before, looking like they may need to be bulldozed before they are rebuilt.

I spoke to a few priests there and they seemed quite relieved to be able to talk to other people. It was a cathartic exercise for them just to share what they’ve been doing, how they were

Testimony

affected, what their plans for the church are, and so on. I was amazed at how people in Sagbayan, the

epicenter of the earthquake, were preparing relief packs for the people in Leyte. They said, “At least we have food and supplies here. We can share what we have with the people in Leyte who don’t have anything.” That was quite moving for me.

Second Stop: LeyteThe first thing that I saw upon arrival in Ormoc was its damaged port terminal. There was devastation of unimaginable magnitude: denuded trees, damaged buildings, debris all around. I thought, “My God, this is devastation central!”

But the closer we got to Palo and the northern tip of Leyte Island, it just got worse until we reached Tacloban. Again, I’ve been to those places a number of times before and to see the devastation where there used to be hundreds of houses was just a very sad experience. I was on the verge of tears for most of the two days I was there because of the wreckage I saw, not only to properties but most especially to people’s lives.

Stories of Hope and Heroism Amidst the DevastationThe sadness in my heart, however, turned to hope and joy whenever I encountered ordinary people, who were doing what they could to help out the victims.

I met a friend, a single woman in Cebu, who first started helping one of their house helpers. She went up to


northern Cebu to assist her maid and her family. She was moved by what she saw in the area and so she went back home and started organizing with her friends, her family and her family’s connections. Then they began doing some relief work out there — bringing food, housing materials to rebuild homes, buying nets, new boats, and helping people get their life back together again.

I also heard the story of a husband and wife who were sheltered in their house when the storm took off their roof. When the wind stopped, they thought, “Thank God it stopped,” but Yolanda wasn’t finished yet. After 10 to 15 minutes of quiet, the wind started up again and they curled up, fetal position, at the back of their brand new car, praying the rosary together. They they felt the car slowly being carried away by the wind out of the garage, where it was parked, and down the hill. They continued praying and thinking of what to do — whether to go out of the car or just remain inside. They prayed that the Lord would help them, and then a mango tree fell on the car and they were saved. So that’s the story of hope — they were grateful that the mango tree hit their car. It meant that the wind would stop blowing it down the hill.

But it is disappointing as well that nobody there, not even the educated people, knew what a storm surge was, so it was a useless warning. They should have said tsunami. Technicalities at that time were irrelevant. They should have used a language that people understood. The people in Tacloban gathered in an area which was near the sea and so many people died.

Lessons from YolandaThe Philippines gets hit by more than 20 typhoons every year. That’s just a natural reality. One of the lessons that we can learn from the experience is that the government needs to be more prepared. They can have an excuse to be shocked for one or two days, but after that they should have been at work. The looting that happened in Tacloban could have been avoided. There should have been troops down there by nightfall. The typhoon had finished by 11 a.m. There’s no reason why they couldn’t have done airdrops of troops from Cebu. I understand that there are military establishments in Cebu. If the soldiers got on a boat in Cebu, they’d have reached Leyte before nightfall.

My opinion is the government should federalize all transport services in the affected areas. There has to be an announcement of offering 10-year interest-free loans or something like that to encourage businesses to get back on their feet because that’s what’s going to give employment to the people. That’s what’s going to help them get their lives back in order. They need something to take their mind off the disaster that hit them. For me, those are two simple things that weren’t done that should be done.

I’d simply encourage people to do what they can to help people down there — and to continue to do that for as long as they possibly can.

Let’s all awaken the hero within us and bring hope to our brethren in the south — or to whoever needs it the most.

Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL, is the parish priest of St. Benedict Parish in the Diocese of Novaliches, Quezon City. He is also the spiritual director of the Light of Jesus Family. Fr. Steve is a long-time writer of Shepherd’s Voice Publications’ annual devotional sets, namely Companion and Sabbath.



Special Section

PRiEST EXCHANGE:A time to rest for tired priests

By Fr. Jose “Bong” Tupino III Interviewed by Marjorie DuterteWritten by Tess V. Atienza

T he seminary was in a 24-hectare compound with several buildings, but only two had roofs left after Yolanda came and went. Their auditorium was in shambles, completely destroyed. And the priests told me that at the height of the typhoon and the ensuing storm surge, they all held on to the railings of the

tower of the seminary of the Sacred Heart in Palo, Leyte. They prayed for their dear lives. Nothing could have prepared them for the intensity of the winds and the storm surge that swept away much of their properties,” Fr. Bong shared.

This was one of the images that stayed in Fr. Bong Tupino’s mind when he returned to Manila after visiting his friend, Fr. Rex Ramirez, in the Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte.

Fr. Bong is the parish priest of Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City, which is under the Diocese of Cubao.

He shared further, “The parish priests were very busy attending to the needs of their parishioners despite the fact that they themselves were also still trying to cope with what happened. They were in constant meetings, attending to relief operations, listening to parishioners as they shared their grief over the loss of their loved ones and properties. They were all tired but didn’t want to rest because of the immensity of the work that needed to be done.”

Upon his return from Leyte, he discussed his observations with His Excellency, the Most Reverend Honesto Ongtioco, Bishop of Cubao.

Testimony

Bishop Ongtioco immediately said, “Why don’t you invite them to come to Manila for a rest? I am willing to allow you to go there also if there is a need to take their place while they are away.”

And that started what can now be called a “priest exchange” between the Leyte/Samar and Manila clergy.

Kerygma: How does the “priest exchange” work?Fr. Bong: Initially, Bishop Ongtioco issued a letter to all of us priests in the diocese, telling us that he is allowing us if we want to volunteer in the calamity areas.

Since then, a number of priests have come over for a short vacation. For example, last December during the Simbang Gabi, the seminary priests of the Archdiocese of Palo came to Manila to rest. They held a meeting and scheduled their vacations. So they took turns in coming here — five days to one week per priest.

We encourage the priests there to come here to rest. Our diocese even pays for their fare so that they would have no reason not to take a vacation. That is our humble way of showing our solidarity with our brother-priests in the Visayas.

As of early January, nine priests from Palo and one from Tagbilaran have taken their break here. The seminary fathers in Palo were able to take a break because they do not handle parishes. They were supposed to hold dawn Masses in the chapels, but the

Fr. Bong has been serving as parish priest of Christ the King Parish for almost two years now.


Kerygma: How long do you intend to continue extending help to the calamity stricken areas?Fr. Bong: As long as there are requests for assistance, we will help them in whatever way we can. But I talk directly to the people in-charge to know what they need and to make sure that they will be delivered to the right people.

We are looking to donating more to help them rebuild their lives. What’s amazing is how our parishioners respond to the calls for help. They are totally in solidarity with the victims.

I like what one priest-friend emailed me about his reflection on the tragedy that befell our country. He said, “More than the restoration of anything, we need to restore our faith. With the magnitude of this devastation, it is only our faith that can save us.”

When we all extend a hand to those in need, we are in fact helping them regain their faith in God through the goodness of His people.

chapels were all destroyed by the typhoon. So they assisted us in the Simbang Gabi here in our diocese. They said they missed celebrating Masses.

Other priests who came here for vacation stayed with their relatives. We just provided for their tickets. We allow them to use their time freely so that they could relax. If they want to say Mass, we let them. But we don’t force them because their purpose for being here is to really rest.

Last January, I went to Samar. I volunteered to assist in the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Mercedes, Eastern Samar, which is the parish of another friend, Fr. Moises Campo. I was trying to encourage him to take a break after the busy Christmas season.

Kerygma: Aside from the “priest exchange,” what else does the Cubao Diocese do to help the Visayan clergy?Fr. Bong: I went to Palo before the Simbang Gabi to find out what they needed and how we could help in the rehabilitation. I noted that it wasn’t time yet to talk about it because what they still needed was relief. People were still trying to put order to the situation, like clearing the debris, fixing their roofs, and so on. In the seminary, they were also cleaning the area. Some of the seminary fathers had to put up tents inside their rooms because they had no roofs over their head.

Some of the parishes in Cubao adopted parishes in the Visayas. They coordinate directly with the parishes there.

Like most parishes, we at Christ the King also did our own relief operations, which we coursed through Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan of the Jesuit Fathers. We asked people to drop their donations — food, clothes, hygiene kits. We also had a second collection in the Diocese of Cubao for Yolanda victims.

Another thing we did in our parish was to raise 1,000 school supplies packs throughout the Christmas season. These were intended for 1,000 students in Palo.

In Samar, they were asking for help in rehabilitating their livelihood. So we called for donations for motorized fishing boats and nets. It’s a P50,000-package. As of early January, there were about 10 people who donated.

Heavily damaged building of the college department of Sacred Heart Seminary in Palo, Leyte.

The high school department’s building of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Palo became roofless after Yolanda.

“The parish priests were very busy attending to the needs of their parishioners despite the fact that they themselves were also still trying to cope with what happened. They were in constant meetings, attending to relief operations, listening to parishioners as they shared their grief over the loss of their loved ones and properties. They were all tired but didn’t want to rest because of the immensity of the work that needed to be done.”


Special Section

THE MiGHT OF GOD’S SAviNG POWER

By Jerome Brodeth

Right after my wife, Gang-gang, was laid to rest in the afternoon of November 7, 2013, the rains started. We decided to stay overnight on higher ground at my sister- in-law’s two-story concrete residence in Buena Vida, Barangay Simangan, about five kilometers from Ormoc City. Together with the Clarin family, we mourned the

passing of my wife and derived strength from each other’s company, especially my daughter who lost her mother. To say the least, I had no time to prepare for the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda.

Prayers for Protection Yolanda’s landfall in Ormoc was expected at about 6:00 a.m. the next day. I woke up early, dressed up in denim pants, raincoat, hard hat and rain boots. I geared up to face the devastating typhoon. But before I did, I read the day’s Gospel using a lighted candle and said my daily prayers. Many believe that Psalms 23 and 91, and the devotion to St. Michael, are powerful prayers of protection. But as my wife battled with demyelination of the brain, these prayers seemed like powerless words. The only time I sensed that prayer was effective was when I prayed over Gang-gang when she was restless or had a spascity attack. I noticed that she would calm down. Aside from that, there was nothing else that I considered an answered prayer to my petitions for Gang-gang in the two years since her diagnosis.

The typhoon was brewing when Chardi, my brother-in-law, borrowed my hard hat to close the gate. But strong winds swept it away! I felt vulnerable minus my hard hat but I stayed in the living room determined to meet the typhoon head on.

My Near-Death ExperienceIn the last hour of the storm, the lanai glass doors were detached from the base so I barricaded it with a wooden table. As I pushed at the table, I recited Psalm 91 and 23. As I uttered Psalm 91’s “and I will show him my saving power,” the glass shattered towards me and surprised me. I ran for cover but a piece hit my right temple. Blood spurted out profusely and I was soaked in my own blood.

Testimony

My brothers-in-law administered first aid on me. With the horrifying typhoon, no ambulance, no hospital, no doctor to attend to me, and without a passable road, I could have died of blood loss. I was told that my wound was small and I was fine, but in reality my blood was all over the floor. We were clustered inside the guest room because the second floor had already collapsed. The whole family sang praise and worship songs. I was at peace and ready to face God whatever happens.

We rushed to the home of Dr. Jhee Castro, a surgeon and a brother in the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals. Fortunately, his home was among the two houses spared from the typhoon while all the other houses were destroyed. Otherwise, he could not accommodate me.

While waiting for treatment, I saw both my late parents in a vision, smiling at me with a message that Gang-gang was already with them. In my mind I told them I was not ready to go since I still have my daughter, Gabgab, to take care of.

Then I heard Dr. Jhee said that he could not do surgery because his surgical kit was in his clinic downtown. He tried to go and get it, but the road outside the subdivision was impassable and his vehicles were damaged. But he still proceeded using whatever material was on hand. He used dental floss and an ordinary needle to sew my head wound after sanitizing it with alcohol. The pain was intense without anesthesia and all I could do was scream. I went home drenched in blood like somebody who had come from a firefight.

My Angel in HeavenAs I rested in the dark of night, I dreamed of Gang-gang who came into my room and passed by. She was my angel!


Jerome, 46 years old, works in Pepsi Cola as sales manager.


Special Section

Testimony

By Atty. Sheilla Francia-San Diego

It has been four years since my parents-in-law visited us in Manila, so my husband, Alvin, and his brother, Andrew, planned to surprise their dad for his 74th birthday. They must have really missed their parents and we were determined to proceed with the trip despite the warning signs.

We arrived in Tacloban on the night of November 6. We checked in at ZPad Residences in Dadison Street and were given a suite at the third floor. The kids initially wanted a resort-type hotel beside the beach. Well, ZPad Residences is actually a hundred meters from the shore, but we never realized it until all the houses beside it were flattened after the storm.

After breakfast of November 7, we went to San Miguel, Leyte, a 45-minute drive from city proper, where my mother-in-law, Felisa, grew up and where she and my father-in-law, Rufino, bought a mango farm for their retirement. It was a lovely day actually, just a slight drizzle, and we thought maybe Yolanda had changed its course.

By 2 p.m., we drove back to Tacloban with my parents-in-law and bought some snacks and groceries. Fortunately, Mom also bought groceries for the farm. I bought more than enough water for two nights. At 7:30 p.m. that day, Andrew arrived but without his wife and two little girls — “just to be safe,” he said. That decision turned out to be for the best.

After our birthday dinner celebration, we all went back to the hotel. Andrew was given a suite at the ground floor together with Mom and Dad.

Watching Yolanda’s IreI was awake the whole night, constantly on the Internet monitoring the storm. My husband woke up at around 3:30 a.m., and by 4 a.m. we were already dressed for the day.

Electricity was out by 5 a.m. and the hotel’s generator was working until 7 a.m. when the storm was at its strongest. I was still able to post a status on Facebook for my parents back in Manila around 6:30 a.m., just before the mobile networks stopped working. I was taking a video from the window, as I had never seen a storm that strong. Then, at around 7 a.m., I started to get really scared as roofs and debris were flying outside and part of the ceiling near our kitchen fell off.

My husband decided it would be better if we go to the suite downstairs as the ceiling might collapse on us. He packed all our valuables in his backpack. When we were ready to go down, suddenly we heard a loud knock on our door. It was Mom, dripping wet and crying. Andrew and Dad were right behind her, all wet too.

Mom was inconsolable as she told us they barely escaped from their room. They were having coffee when they noticed the water level going up outside their room. Then, just a few minutes later, their front door collapsed as water rushed inside, reaching up to Andrew’s chest, or around five-feet high. They had to swim against the current to get out so they can go up to our room at the third floor. They had to battle with the force of the wind and avoid the flying debris before they reached us. Andrew, who was holding up a big piece of plywood to cover Mom, slipped and landed on broken glasses. Thus, he was bleeding when they got to our suite. That was around 7:30 a.m.

When I looked out the window again, the cars parked downstairs were already floating with only their top showing. Water has reached the second floor. I was scared beyond words. I was thinking that if the water rose up to that level in just a few minutes, it would reach us in no time now.

I prepared the water container, which I planned to tie on to

The San Diegos’ dinner to celebrate the birthday of their patriarch, Rufino (in blue shirt). Cali is the little girl beside her mom, Sheilla.


SURviviNG YOlANDA AND ESCAPiNG TAClOBANOn the Wings of a Prayer

By Atty. Sheilla Francia-San Diego

Through her prayers, our house in Fatima Heights was spared. Only one glass panel was broken and gave enough opening for our neighbors, whose houses were blown away, to go in and seek refuge. The two big trees just leaned towards our house but did not collapse on it. These were all acts of God to protect us!

Meditating on my near-death experience, God showed me His saving power. He alone could save us. He showed me that my prayers were not in vain because He heard me.

In the midst of the devastation, I still praised God for the love He showed me. Today, I read the Bible and see it as a testament of God’s covenant to His people. I have experienced the same miracles that Daniel, Moses, David and Samson did. It is in the most trying moments of a man’s life that God manifests His divine presence. I am blessed to have had that opportunity.

The following day, I was already on my feet accounting for each and every employee of my company and comforting those who have lost their homes, telling them that the Lord Jesus Christ is a God of love. Though my wound still hurts, I encouraged my family to move on with our lives and even led my company in delivering relief goods to the hard hit areas in Tanauan, Leyte.

Grateful for God’s protection, we can do nothing less than serve His people with love.

THE MIGHT OF GOD’S SAVING POWER... continued from page 28

Jerome thanks God for protecting their house and vehicle. Even the two big trees just leaned towards the house but didn’t collapse on it.


way in and out of Tacloban? What if I sleep and calm my nerves so I will have the energy the next day? But those “what ifs” were just too loud to keep my eyes shut and before I knew it, the sun was up.

Finding a Way Out of TaclobanThat morning, at 6:30 a.m., Mom, Andrew and I decided to check the airport. The airport was only less than 10 kilometers away, they said, so it will not be hard to walk there. What was difficult, however, was the scenery around. There were too many dead people lying on the pavements.

We did not reach the airport because the road just before San Jose was totally blocked with debris and overturned cars. Mom suggested we try the other end. Fortunately, a tricycle unloading passengers stopped in front of us. We got in and when we reached the other end, we were told that there were no trips in and out of Tacloban. We were all trapped in the city for the moment. I prayed, “Oh my God, have mercy and please help!” Then suddenly I saw a small sari-sari store that was partially hidden so people probably did not notice it. They still had two cases of one-liter water bottles and chips and biscuits. I thanked God for leading us there.

We requested the tricycle driver to come back the

my six-year-old daughter Cali’s chest with my scarf, and instructed her carefully. We all know how to swim, but I wanted to make sure that she would float. My three boys are all athletes and very fit, and they swim very well too, so it was my daughter whom I had to talk to about survival. She just nodded calmly and told me not to worry, saying, “Mom, I’ve been praying for our safety.”

Around 8:30 a.m., the water started to subside.

Devastation — and Grief — All Around UsWhen the winds calmed down, we looked outside and saw the houses around us all flattened and just gone. Only a few structures remained standing, but I noticed the roofs were gone too. We went out the balcony of the hotel where we could see the street and area around us. We saw people starting to come out of the rubble — wet, bloodied, injured and crying. After a while, we saw bodies being pulled out of collapsed houses and piles of dirt.

Alvin and I walked to the main street thinking the damage was probably just around our area. But I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were just too many dead people, injured people, and destruction everywhere.

I stayed awake again that night and just listened to the wind and strong rains, thinking all the “what ifs” I could come up with. What if it was indeed a tsunami, and a bigger one would come tonight? What if the storm would turn around and hit us again? Can our building withstand it? What if the flights are cancelled and we can’t leave tomorrow? What if there is no

30

SURVIVING YOLANDA... Continued from page 29

next day at 7 a.m. so he can take us to the airport. He agreed.The rain came again and Andrew went out the window

of his room to divert the drainpipe from the roof so he can collect the rainwater. That was very smart of him because at least we had water to flush our toilets and we were even able to take a bath with that water.

At around 3 p.m., I took our two older sons with me to check the airport again. Trent and Bijan willingly walked with me, bringing headlamps with them. I did not want them to see what they saw, but it was unavoidable. When we got there, the airport was totally destroyed. There was no way out, I thought! Then I saw a C130 plane. I approached a man from the Philippine Air Force and asked him if we can ride the C130 to go back to Manila. He said yes, and the plane would leave in 15 minutes, so we should get on board already. I told him that my family was still in the hotel, and asked if there will still be flights the next day so we can take it. He said yes and told us to line up early. I was so happy and just wanted to go back to the hotel to tell everyone the good news.

As we walked back, darkness began to set in. Good thing my boys had headlamps with them. So we navigated in the dark carefully, avoiding to step on dead bodies lying at the side of the street. People were camping out in the streets, some with candles, some with no light at all — and with no food, no water, no shelter, and no dry clothes to keep them warm. Most of them were injured, with blood and mud in their faces. I couldn’t help but cry as I ran. How can they go through all these?

When we got near our street, we saw my husband at the corner, with my other son Joshua, waving with their flashlights waiting for us. They were so relieved to see us and to find out that we could fly out of there the next morning. Alvin said that while we were away they initiated the clearing of the debris in front of the hotel so people could pass through safely.

That night, hoping to be our last in Tacloban, the hotel management gave us eggs and helped us cook our noodles so we can have a good dinner. The kids ate and were happy

with the noodles, but I couldn’t force myself to eat. The stench outside, both of the living and the dead, was just overwhelming that I did not have the slightest appetite to eat despite my hunger. I compelled myself to sleep, but sleep was elusive especially when heavy rains came again in the middle of the night. “Do Not Worry, Mommy”Morning came and we were up early. Alvin packed our bags. My parents-in-law decided to stay in Tacloban. The plan was, after the tricycle driver brings us to the airport, he would bring them in a single motorbike to San Miguel, Leyte.

It was 7:15 a.m. and the tricycle we hired the day before was still nowhere in sight. I asked Cali to pray so that we can find a ride to the airport. It would be traumatic for her if she would see all those dead bodies on the street should we end up walking all the way to the airport.

At 7:30 a.m., we decided to just walk to the main road and take our chances in finding a tricycle. We had one big luggage and individual backpacks.

Less than five minutes of waiting at the corner of Dadison St., Alvin saw a van with only a driver approaching, so he flagged it to beg for the driver to take us to the airport. The van stopped and the driver, who owned the vehicle, was an American missionary named Gordon Kalick. When he saw us, Alvin didn’t have to say much. Gordon simply said, “Get in! I’ll take you to the airport.”

I was shocked. What were our chances of finding an empty van that would fit us all with our luggage and with the driver more than willing to take us to the airport at times like these? Prayers can indeed move mountains and send angels to help.

On the way to the airport, the van’s windows were closed and misty and blurred so that the view outside was not clear. That shielded my little Cali from seeing a horrible sight.

There were many people lining up to board the C130 plane to Cebu and Manila. But it only took us less than an hour to have ourselves listed on the flight manifest and finally board the plane. The Philippine Air Force did a wonderful job in helping the people.

The plane stopped over in Cebu, where some of the passengers got off, and then refueled before heading to Manila and land at Villamor Airbase. Everyone clapped when we landed, sighs of relief were apparent.

Lessons from YolandaWe might have escaped Tacloban and the horror of that tragedy, but for sure Tacloban will remain a part of our family. It would be a constant reminder for us to value life, which can be lost in an instant; to respect nature and heed warning seriously so as not to compromise lives and property; to remain calm and alert in times of crisis; and to always have faith and never give up.

More importantly, it is a reminder for us that God does answer prayers and He is constantly watching over us. Just like what my daughter said to me during the height of the storm, when death was staring at me right in the eye: “Do not worry, Mommy, I already prayed and we will be safe.”


Cali was still a toddler when her grandparents last saw her.

You say you’re still single? Well, this we tell you: being single is one of the best stages in life!

If you are working, then you have money. And since you are single, you are not responsible yet for caring for a family.

There’s time to mingle with people (to find that one true love), time to develop one’s niche in career, and time to become a better person, both emotionally and physically. It is also time to set your goals in life.

And if you are looking for Mr./Ms. Right, work towards being Mr. Right or Ms. Right yourself, and you will soon find that special someone.

There are many things that singles can do, whether after school or after work. Try out the following:1. Learn a new sport or get into some physical activity. Besides

the usual basketball, volleyball, soccer and swimming, try out some other fun activities like scuba diving, mountain climbing, camping, zumba, yoga, and surfing, an activity gaining popularity these days. There are cheap places for singles interested in surfing. (Our son, Raf, and a friend of his, started a hostel chain in San Juan, La Union and San Felipe, Zambales called The Circle. Check out their website at: http://www.thecirclehostel.com.) While it is a great place to catch some waves, it is also a great venue to catch new friends.

2. Join a singles group for personal development (and to meet other singles as well). You can join the Light of Jesus singles group and the Singles for Christ of the Couples for Christ. There are also Bible study groups out there where you can learn more about your faith and meet other people.

3. Participate in fun runs to get fit (and make new friends). Or enrol at the nearest gym to get physically fit and to meet new people.

4. Attend retreats for spiritual recharging. There are many retreat houses and congregations that offer retreats. Ask also your local parish for any news on recollections or retreats.

5. Work on your personal healing to keep an emotionally healthy you (a requirement whether you stay single or you get married). Unload all, if not most, of your emotional baggage to stay happy.

Seasons

Summer:BEST TiME FOR SiNGlES TO MOvE AROUND

By Allan and Maribel Dionisio

6. Get involved in parish or community activities like the parish choir, medical missions, catechism classes, outreach programs and the like. Maybe you can even venture into becoming a lector for Mass.

7. Try joining a “customized get-together,” organized by a friend of mine, Riva Galveztan. It’s not exactly speed dating, because you don’t really get into it to find the love of your life (though there’s a possibility that it could happen). You get into it to meet a lot of like-minded people who you could be friends with. It’s customized, so you’re in a group of people who, more or less, you could be comfortable with. If you’re interested, contact Riva for the next get-together at [email protected].

8. Try asking your friends to set you up on a date! Ask your closest friends to find someone who they think matches you and go out! If nothing romantic comes out of it, it is still a good opportunity to gain a new friend.

9. Read up on relationships and strengthen your self-worth and confidence. I recommend Boundaries of Dating by Cloud and Townsend, Mars and Venus on a Date by John Gray, Discover Your Inner Beauty Queen by Rissa Singson-Kawpeng. Allan and I have co-authored a book entitled Thinking of Marriage. Mike Asis and I (Maribel) also wrote I’ve Been Dating, Now What? Take a look at these titles that will improve you as a person and will educate you on relationships.

Essentially, our point is to keep moving around. The more you move around, the greater your chance of meeting that special someone. Go out and meet people. See what you like and don’t like. Get to know yourself better as well along the way. And when the time is right, love will come.

Email us at [email protected].


God in Every

Stage of

Your Life

Bishop’sMove

THE lAY FAiTHFUl... and their mission

By Bishop Ted Bacani


The Catholic Church in the Philippines is preparing for a big jubilee celebration in 2021. In case you don’t know it yet, 2021 marks the 500th year of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

On March 16, 1521, Magellan arrived in the Philippines, and on March 31 the first Mass was celebrated in Limasawa

Island. Soon after, Rajah Humabon and his wife, Hara Amihan, were baptized together with their followers. Rajah Humabon was given the Christian name Carlos, and his wife was named Juana.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has decided that the Catholic Church in our country would embark on a nine-year spiritual journey in preparation for the Great Jubilee of 2021. This spiritual journey started in 2013 with the theme, “Integral Faith Formation.”

This year, 2014, has as theme “The Laity.” The themes for the following years are as follows: “The Poor” (2015); “The Eucharist and the Family” (2016); The Parish as a Communion of Communities” ((2017); “The Clergy and Religious” (2018); “The Youth” (2019); “Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue” (2020; and “Missio ad Gentes” (2021).

Who Are the Lay Faithful?This year, 2014, is dedicated to the Laity or the Lay Faithful. But who are the lay faithful? They are most of you, my dear readers. For the lay faithful, according to the Second Vatican Council, are “all the faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state sanctioned by the Church. Through baptism, the lay faithful are made one body with Christ and are established among the People of God. They are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. They carry out their own part in the mission of the whole Christian people with respect to the Church and the world” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, no. 31).

This “definition” of the lay faithful needs a whole book to be adequately explained. But let us try to understand the essentials. First, we note that the lay faithful are “all the faithful” except the bishops, priests, deacons and members of a religious state approved by the Church. The lay faithful therefore make up more than 99 percent of the Church’s population, for all the clergy and religious in the world do not amount to one percent of the Church’s members.

Second, the lay faithful are “through baptism” united with Christ and joined to God’s People. They become one body with Christ and

members of the Church. Thus, they are consecrated, made to belong to Christ and to His Church. They are full members, and not second-class members of the Church. They belong to the Church as much as any other baptized person, whether he be pope, bishop, priest or religious brother or sister. They share an equal Christian dignity with all the baptized of whatever rank in the Church.

Priests, Prophets and Kings — in Their Own WayThey are, however, consecrated for a mission. Thus, Vatican II states, “They are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. They carry out their own part in the mission of the whole Christian people with respect to the Church and the world.” In other words, the lay faithful are, by virtue of their baptism, priests, prophets and kings in their own way. They are co-responsible for the mission of the Church and are not to be passive members.

“In their own way.” The lay faithful are not only consecrated by reason of their baptism. They are called by the Lord “in the world” of the family, work, business, politics, culture, education, entertainment, the mass media, and the social media. They are called there by the Lord to work out their call to holiness and to transform “this world” from within in the manner of leaven. They are to be “in the world” but not conformed to “the spirit of this world.” Rather, they should work for the change of this world from within so that it may be conformed to the plan of God. The world is their specific or special responsibility.

If you, dear lay faithful, ponder over all these things, you will discover the greatness of your dignity and mission as lay faithful.


35

K Preacher


kEEP SOWiNG... and God will reward you abundantly

By Vic Español

37

One day, our homeowners’ association launched a tree-planting project in our village. Residents were encouraged to sponsor and donate trees that would be planted along our perimeter area. Many among the residents participated and actually planted the young trees. They had fun

while they were doing this.Days after that tree-planting activity, I noticed one set of

trees that was attended well by its sponsoring family. I would see the family’s driver going to the area to water and cultivate the soil surrounding the trees, remove weeds, and make sure that the area was clean and free of any debris. He did these diligently every day, carrying pails of water for a distance under the scorching heat of the sun.

That was five years ago. Today, I see the big difference. The trees that were cared

for are now towering and green and in full bloom, while the rest are slow in growing.

I admire the commitment and the passion of this man. He stayed faithful to his master. He was committed to his mission.

This reminds me of the story of Ruth, one of the two widowed daughters-in-law of Naomi in the Old Testament.

When Naomi decided to leave Moab to go back to Judah, Ruth and Orpah, the other widowed daughter-in-law, went with her. But, along the journey, Orpah changed her mind. She “kissed her mother-in-law goodbye and went back home.” Ruth, on the other hand, stayed to take care of her mother-in-law.

When they settled in the new land, life was hard. Ruth had to work in the fields. She walked behind the harvest workers and had to content herself with “picking up the heads of grain which they left behind.”

The owner of the fields, Boaz, noticed Ruth, and eventually married her.

There are several applications of these stories to our Christian life. I cite two of these:

First, the Lord wants us to grow in our relationship with Him by being faithful to our prayer and Scripture time every day. We can read, listen and watch religious and inspirational materials, attend prayer meetings, and join Christian groups. It

would be nourishing and fulfilling too if we devote a part of our time serving Him in these Christian groups or in parish activities.

Similarly, the Lord wants us to have strong marriages and families. We can make it a habit to spend time with our spouses and children. Having regular dates with our spouses is a way of improving our communication lines and enhancing our relationship with each other. Playing with our young children, helping them in their homeworks and joining them in their school activities will be very much appreciated and long remembered by them.

Doing all these require commitment and sacrifice. There will be times when you will encounter difficulties

in pursuing these missions. When these difficulties happen, let these words of Ruth inspire you:

“Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

If we persevere like the man who patiently tended the trees and like Ruth who cared for her mother-in-law, God will richly and abundantly reward our efforts.

Boaz and Ruth soon bore a son. They named him Obed, who “became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.”

Eventually, Jesus, the Savior of the world, will be born from this family line.


Vic Español is the Feast builder of The Ortigas Feast, which happens every Sunday, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and every Monday at 7:30 p.m., at Cinema 3 of Robinsons Galleria. He preaches in the 10 a.m. Sunday session as well as in its Monday session

Vic and his wife, Ditas, also train the counselors of the Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center.

Grab your copies now!

For orders call 725-9999 local 101 to 108 or log on to www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph

Bite-sized inspiration. Life-changing truths. Good things come in small packages.

These little books will help you live a fantastic life!

Great gifts to give yourself and your loved ones.

2013 Little Books ad-REVISE.indd 2 1/21/14 3:00 PM

OneLast

Story


A fter Yolanda struck the Philippines, my wife, Loise, and I showed our eight-year-old son, David, some photos of the devastation. We are now residents of Chicago, Illinois but have always kept the Philippines in our hearts.

After looking at the photos, David proceeded to play with his toys. The following day, we noticed that he was crying. When asked what was wrong, he replied that he remembered the photo of a homeless, young boy from the previous day. He only stopped crying after we promised him we will help the typhoon victims in whatever way we can.

A smart boy that he is, David decided to put on his “Minion” costume from last Halloween and gave out “Minion Hugs” to random strangers at a mall. We prepared a poster that said, “Minion Hug = $1.” He was shy at first but after a few minutes, he got the hang of it. He started shouting, “Hugs for Donations” and “Hugs for the Philippines” to call people’s attention. People started to notice and David became an instant celebrity. People did not only hug him, but had their pictures taken with him as well.

After a few hours, David was able to raise $136.00! Not bad for an eight-year-old boy. We gave him a list of potential charitable

DAviD’SMiNiON

HUGSBy Atty. J.R. Basa

organizations and explained each one of them. Probably still thinking of the photo of the homeless boy, he chose to donate to Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

After hearing about this good deed, one of David’s godfathers also donated $100 to Habitat for Humanity Philippines in David’s name.

Moreover, inspired by David’s act of kindness, several other people belatedly gave money to David. He was able to raise $50.00 more, which a U.S. company matched, and the doubled amount of $100 was donated by the said company to the Red Cross.

In addition, David also sent out letters to all the students in his school, asking for items for donation. Imagine a second grader coordinating with teachers and other (mostly older) students as to what items to donate and how they can be picked up. These items were turned over to a Chicago-based Filipino organization, which shipped them directly to Leyte.

Nobody wants tragedies to happen. But if there is any positive thing we can get

from Yolanda, it is the fact that Filipinos all over the world have stepped up, including this eight-year-old boy from Chicago.

David recently went on vacation in the Philippines to bond with his maternal grandparents in Bacolod City.

by Bo Sanchez

I pray that you receive your miracles in Jesus’ name!

SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH:Bless the readers of Kerygma, Lord. Many of them are in the midst of difficulties or are despairing because of their failures and losses. Many want to give up. Send Your Holy Spirit to them, Lord, and lift them up. Let them feel Your unchanging love no matter how much they have failed You or themselves. Grant them the grace to carry on and believe that You are always with them, that You are their best Partner as they face their battles in life. Be with them, Lord, and increase their faith. Amen.

Praying for you,

Pointof

Contact

Email your prayer requests to me at [email protected] or write to me at Shepherd’s Voice Publications, 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.


I pray that God lifts your trials, heals your diseases, blesses your problems, and directs you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God removes your fears and gives you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him.

So place your hand over my hand, and let’s pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now…

This page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection.Say after me…

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life....

I believe that You answer my prayers in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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