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Newsletter Date

I have been toying with the idea of fasting from writing the editorial for this issue… I mean not having an editorial at all, at least for now. After all, I could easily justify that it’s Lent and time for fasting. Indeed, a valid justification! The truth is, I have to admit, that my zeal for writing is waning. And perhaps, the culprit for this is the hectic schedule that I have. Appointments and deadlines have bogged me down that an inspiration hardly pops up even for a simple write-up. Truly, when undertakings pile up, we run out of time and inertia to do everything and we tend to sacrifice some things. But always the big quest ion is: have I real ly surrendered the right thing, which is truly unnecessary, or have I removed the essential? That’s the problem with being busy: WE DO MANY THINGS BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE ONLY DOING LITTLE, BECAUSE ONLY A FEW OF THE THINGS WE DO ARE TRULY IMPORTANT. Thus, we should always remember to pause and re-think our priorities in life. Are we so absorbed in our busy daily routine that we are on the verge of losing the important and essential elements in our lives that deserve our attention: our family, our friends, our faith, God? Lent is about resetting our priorities. The greatest among them, from which all others follow and emanate, is God. Wishing you all a contemplative Lent and a glorious Easter!

Editorial

PASTULAN

THE OFFIC IAL NEWSLETTER O F THE FIL IPINO C ATHOLIC CHAPLAINC Y VIENNA, AUSTRIA

(African, Asian and Latin American Catholic Communities, Archdiocese of Vienna)

Message from the Chaplaincy Ash Wednesday, which fell on 21 February this year, marked the end of Fasching, a carnival celebration of pagan origin that is considered a last opportunity for excess before Lent begins. And Lent as we all know is the 40-day period (not counting Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday during which we prepare for Holy Week. During Holy Week we recall the events preceding and during the Lord’s crucifixion, which occurred in Jerusalem of the Roman province Judea, circa AD 33. Lent is marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during this period are:

- prayer (justice towards God) - fasting (justice towards self), and - almsgiving (justice towards neighbour).

During this period, we particularly call to mind the suffering that Jesus underwent for the sake of our salvation, for example by joining in the community praying of the Way of the Cross. Fasting binds persons between the ages of 18 and 60 to eat only one full meal per day. Two smaller, meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one’s needs, but they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. In addition, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, we abstain from eating meat. Pregnant and nursing mothers and invalids are exempted. We can perform acts of penance through almsgiving (justice towards neighbour) not only by giving alms and giving up the excessive use or practice of things from which we derive pleasure (such as eating favourite Filipino delicacies, acquiring the latest fashion trends, using modern electronic telecommunications gadgets, etc) but also seeking ways to be nearer to God by treating our neighbours in a better way. Some examples are:

- we can abstain from showing too much interest in what we may consider to be socially unacceptable in OTHER people,

- we can abstain from spreading unwholesome stories about OTHER people,

- we can abstain from showing our disapproval of what OTHER people do,

(Continued on page 12)

Vol.III, Issue 1 March 2007

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IN THE RIGHT CORNER

Dear Father Jojo, I work as a nurse in one of the hospitals here in Vienna. From time to time, I am assigned to work during weekend, i.e., on Saturday night or Sunday, which makes it difficult for me to attend Holy Mass. On such occasions, I am too tired to fulfill my Sunday obligation. Am I excused from hearing Mass whenever I have weekend duty? In addition, I can also remember that I learned in my childhood catechism classes that one should refrain from unnecessary servile work during Sundays. Does this law of the Church still apply? And if so, is my work as a nurse considered a violation of this precept? Thank you in advance for a clarification. A Working Sunday Catholic Dear Working Sunday Catholic, One of the commandments given by God through Moses was: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work.” (Ex 20:8-10); cf. Dt. 5:12-15) It is from this third commandment from the Decalogue that the church founded its teaching on Sunday Eucharist, and by creating the notion of the “commandments of the Church” which oblige under mortal sin. Thus, presently the Code of Canon Law (the law of the Church) states that Sunday “is to be observed in the universal church as the primary holiday of obligation” and from this dignity arises the obligation to assist and attend the Mass and to abstain from work (Canon 1246). Although for Jews the Sabbath falls on Saturday, Catholics consider the Sabbath to be on Sunday owing to the fact that Christ’s resurrection as well as the Pentecost happened on Sunday. First, I understand that we all get tired from our work. However, this is not an excuse from our Sunday obligation to attend the Mass on Sunday. We still have a chance to attend the Mass: if you are on duty on the night of Saturday, you have the whole day of Sunday, and if you are on duty on Sunday, you can still attend the anticipated Mass on Saturday evening. Only one hour is asked of you by the Lord. I guess our problem is that we look at Sunday as an obligation, which is negative. Maybe we can start looking at it as a way to be closer to God as we listen to Him in the Scripture readings and their explanation, and to thank Him for the blessings we received during the previous week. Maybe we can start looking at it as a venue for strengthening our relationship with others in our community. Secondly, refraining from work during Sunday still holds true today. However, we do acknowledge too that your work as a nurse, caring for patients on Sunday is something noble. Of course, we are not supposed to be enslaved by interpreting the law literally. Thus, when working on Sunday, we have to make a distinction between:

1. work about which one has no choice, as for medical nurses, those serving in restaurants or hotels, or other professions that require work to be performed even on Sundays

2. work about which one has a choice, e.g. accepting part-time jobs on Sundays. The question is: why do you have to accept such work? Is it to earn money for a particular unavoidable need, or merely to supplement what you already have. If there is no real need, then one has no valid justification for accepting work on Sunday.

For all of us, it is good to bear in mind why we really have to be free from work on Sundays. And there are two things for this: First, Sunday is the response of the Church to the saving work of God, and we should make use of the rest not only to celebrate Him in our assembly but to meditate and reflect personally about the might of the love of God. We do not work so that we can take time to consider and ponder the great work God did for us in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(Continued on page 12)

Working on Sundays

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MOMMY’S THOUGHTS

On Courage Dear Anna, I really have so much to thank you for. Dahil sa ‘yo, alam ko na ngayon kung ano ang Elternabend. And you really made me proud. In front of all the other parents, your kindergarten teachers praised your independence and courage. They cannot explain how you could ladle the soup into the bowl with those small hands and carry it to your table without spilling anything. And they marvel at your ability to stand up to the other much bigger children, without even speaking a word of Deutsch! You are brave indeed, little one. If we would only let you, you would rather ride the escalator alone, get your milk from the top shelf of the refrigerator, play by yourself in Ikea’s Kiddy Corner. You could approach anybody and start a conversation. Sa langaw ka lang yata takot! I was different. I was and still am afraid of lizards. Pero hindi lang ako sa butiki nanginginig, takot din ako sa pulis, sa bumbay, sa dilim, sa kapre, sa tiyanak, sa duwende, sa multo at iba pa. You know, I always had to behave, and I wasn’t allowed to cry too loud, because otherwise the policeman would come and get me. I couldn’t play on the street, because a man might hide me in his turban and carry me off. And fear of the dark, with all those imagined evil characters was enough to make me give up the joys of playing taguan, patintero or tumbang preso after sunset. Talking to strangers was a big NO. In fact, my siblings and I were not even allowed to join older people’s conversations, we had to stay out of visitors’ sight, peeping through holes in the wall just to get a glimpse of them. But you know, looking back at those days, there really was not so much to be afraid of then. We knew practically everybody in the neighborhood. Not only that, they all seemed to be relatives. There were aunts and uncles in every street corner, and cousins in almost every classroom in school. In fact, parents in those days probably had an easier time raising children. That might be the reason why we were so many. Kidding aside, they did not have so much to worry about. My parents’ greatest fear was that I would marry and not be able to finish college … well, I did a good job, proving them wrong. How about you? Will raising you be easy for us? Will your courage and intelligence be enough to protect you from the world and its dangers? Will you be able to recognize and avoid friends who will bring you disaster instead of blessings? Before falling for a man, will you be able to tell the difference between love and lust? Will you be smart enough to muster your innate courage and face your problems, rather than turn to the easy but fleeting comfort of drugs? Will you be careful enough to stay away from temptations? Will you be able to see sin for what it is and then say no? My dear child, your world will be much more complicated and dangerous than the one Cinderella, Snow White and company knew. You will encounter many witches and poisoned apples, and many times, there won’t be a fairy godmother, much less a Prince Charming to kiss your problems away. Your daddy and I will try our best to be there for you for as long as we live. But don’t worry, don’t be afraid. Long after we are gone, there will be Somebody who will always be there to love and protect you. He will be there to wipe your tears, soothe your pains, allay your fears. You don’t have much to do, you only have to listen to His voice and follow Him. As you grow older, we will make sure that you get to know Him well. Remember the child in the manger you met last Christmas? Love, Mommy PS: I didn’t write this letter to test your courage but really to make you aware that, not everyday is Christmas. Ana, hindi araw-araw ay laging Pasko. In life, there will be many Good Fridays, but with God’s grace you should also see many Easter Sundays.

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NEWSROOM

The Followers of the Good Shepherd should always be happy! And truly they showed that when they hosted a Valentine’s Party last 16 February 2007. The event named TGIF, Thank God It’s Friday, was attended not only by members of FGS but also by their friends and by members of other religious groups. (MP)

Sino ang nagsabing ang paligsahan ng pagandahan ay para lamang sa mga bata? May ibubuga naman ang hindi masyadong bata! Anim na naggagandahang kalahok, na nagpakita ng kanilang kakayahan sa pagsayaw, pagkanta at pagrampa, ang nagtunggali para sa korona ng Miss Valentine’s 2007 noong ika-11 ng Pebrero. Ang mga miembro ng El Shaddai ay nagtunggali ng kanilang kakayahan sa isang Valentine’s Party na kanilang isinagawa noong nakaraang 11 Pebrero. Ang taunang pagdiriwang ng Araw ng mga Puso ng El Shaddai-Vienna ay ginanap sa Parish Hall ng Maria vom Berge Karmel. Sa taong ito, si Edith Pichler ang nagtamo ng karangalan.(Tom)

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NEWSROOM

Pit Señor Cebu’s oldest Roman Catholic Church, the

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, located in the

heart of downtown Cebu, is also the

Philippines’ oldest church. It was originally

made out of hardwood, mud and nipa when it

was first built by the Spaniards in 1566 on the

spot where the image of the Santo Niño – left

behind by the Portuguese and Spanish

explorers in 1521 – was found preserved in a

burned wooden box. The image was

considered miraculous because it survived the

fire that gutted the structure that housed it, but

had totally blackened it in the process.

It is widely believed that the image is that

which Portuguese explorer Ferdinand

Magellan gave in 1521 to Queen Juana of

Cebu when she, her husband Datu Humabon

and some followers were baptized in the

Roman Catholic faith. Basilica workers claim

that the image goes out of its class case to

take long walks at night, and they point to

grass stains on the hem of its dress as

evidence.

The devotion to the Santo Niño is celebrated

on the third Sunday in January, capping a

week-long festivity in honor of Our Lady of

Guadalupe, Cebu’s patron saint. Inspired by

the candle vendors in the basilica, celebrants

dance their prayers in the two-step-forward-

one-step-backward rhythm of the sinulog.

Our Chaplaincy celebrated this feast on 21

January with an exceptionally festive and joyful

Mass that started and ended with the dancing

of the sinulog to the compelling beat of drums.

Our church was well decorated with flowers.

The families who practice the devotion in their

homes brought their images – each one

exquisite in its own right – to be blessed during

the celebration. (Serva Libera)

A solemn and regal devotee

Celebrating the feast with joyful dancing in a full church …

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Zum ersten Mal gab Fr. Jojo der Youth Gruppe die Gelegenheit ein Weihnachtsprogramm auf die Beine zu stellen. Für uns war es etwas völlig Neues und eine echte Herausforderung. Die Vorbereitungszeit war ziemlich stressig, weil wir wenig Zeit hatten um das Ganze auf die Beine zu stellen. Man sah aber trotzdem, dass es den Jugendlichen sichtlich Spaß machte eine derartige Feier zu planen. Wir versuchten einfach mit der uns gegebenen Zeit das Beste zu machen. Zur großen Überraschung aller erschienen ziemlich viele zu dieser Veranstaltung. Wir hätten nicht gedacht, dass der Ansturm so groß sein würde. Es war schön Leute zu treffen, die man lange nicht mehr gesehen hatte. Das Programm bestand aus einer Abwechslung von Gesang, einem Sketch, Spielen und Tänzen. Ich muss gestehen, dass das Programm ziemlich chaotisch war aber trotzdem hatten alle ihren Spaß und das war das wichtigste. Das Beisammensein war das Schönste an dieser ganzen Aktion. Für die Organisatoren selber war es eine „lehrreiche“ Erfahrung für die Zukunft

FRISCHE GEDANKEN

was die Planungen für weitere Veranstaltungen betrifft. Ich für meinen Teil habe mich sehr amüsiert. Wenn ich schon die Gelegenheit habe, möchte ich diese dazu nutzen mich bei allen Leuten - aber besonders Ralph, Paula und Ian - für ihre Opferbereitschaft zu bedanken. Es hat mir großen Spaß bereitet! (Melanie Santiago)

PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2007 In May this year, our parish will hold elections for the Pastoral Council. This is the group of persons who work voluntarily with the Chaplaincy to assist in financial and administrative matters, on the one hand, and in organizing socio-civic activities to strengthen community networking, on the other. The term of office of each Council is 4 years, and there will be elected and appointed members. The Council meets on the first Sunday of every month after the community Mass. Recently, it organized activities to raise funds for the installation of the church heating system and in the future will also work closely with the counterpart body of the Austrian community at Maria vom Berge Karmel parish. Any person wishing to contribute to the work of the council and considering her/himself to be qualified can be nominated for election. The Declaration of Agreement to be nominated for Election is available from Fr. Joey Demoy, who will interview potential candidates. All candidates will be presented during a community Mass in April and the election will take place in May. Ballots will be distributed to parishioners before the Mass, and collected afterwards. Voting is only possible for those who are present to hear the mass on that day, and there will be no absentee-voting. Spoiled ballots will be disregarded. As soon as the election results are announced the new Pastoral Council will take up its work. If you are ready, willing and able to volunteer your time and efforts, please come forward. Our community needs YOU!

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CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

(All activities will be held at Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel Church except where otherwise indicated)

March

24 Saturday 19:00 h Benefit Concert by Joavanni-Rey v. de Pedro and Alina Pinchas for needy children in Cavite Yamaha Concert Hall, 1100 Vienna Schleiergasse 20

25 Sunday 11:00h Lunch in the Parish Garden (weather permitting) followed by a variety programme/talent show

31 Saturday 9:00-17:00 h Community Lenten Recollection by Fr. Medephil ‘Dodong’ Billones from Collegio Filipino, Rome Pot-luck lunch

April

1 Palm Sunday 11:00h 17:00h

Palm Sunday Mass Maria vom Berge Karmel Parish Palm Sunday Mass Donaucity Church

5 Holy Thursday 8:30h Way of the Cross Mariahilfberg, Gutenstein, Niederoesterreich (bus leaves from Stefan Fadinger Platz at 8:30h and returns at noon)

19:00h Mass of the Lord’s Supper

6 Good Friday 7:00h Way of the Cross Poestlingberg, Linz Lunch will be offered by Filipino Catholic Community in Linz (bus leaves from Stefan Fadinger Platz at 7:00h and returns at 16:00h)

19:00h Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

7 Holy Saturday 20:00h Easter Vigil Celebration

8 Easter Sunday

11:00h Easter Sunday Mass and Community Day

29 Sunday 10:00h Filipino and Austrian Communities’ Confirmation To be officiated by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn

May

16-20 Thursday to Sunday

Pilgrimage to Assissi, Subiaco and other places of interest in northern Italy Fee: €250 covers buss and two overnight stays at hotel. Bus seating arrangement is on a first-come-first-served basis, strictly based on submission of completed registration form and down payment

27 Sunday 17:00h Afro-Asian Latin American Communities’ Confirmation To be officiated by Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn

2-6 Monday to Friday

Summer Youth Camp Stift Seitenstetten, Lower Austria Programme will focus on hands-on activities (e.g. painting and dance workshops) and outdoor sports

July

I entered the seminary at a very young age: I was 12 (and I’m still young). They say it is an age when everything physical in a person changes — the voice, the height, etc. And it is that particular age when one tends to eat much and, most importantly, when one wants to stay longer in bed every morning. And it is that last item that I feel I was most deprived of. In the seminary, we usually awoke at 5:00 in the morning and, of course, most often I did not really enjoy the practice but I had to comply for fear of being punished. But there was always one day in the month that I liked most. It was not because we were allowed to wake up late but because we had to don the red scapular of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our already-angelic-all-white-uniform. It was always such a sight to behold especially when all the seminarians were gathered in the chapel for this Mass every first Friday of the month. But more than the dress attraction, the arrival of every First Friday of the month also meant that I was a few steps nearer to my goal of completing the nine consecutive First Fridays of the month. What for? For very special promises and spiritual benefits! The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on a promise made by Our Lord Jesus Christ during an Apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. This promise was implicitly approved by the Church in the 1920 canonization of St. Margaret Mary. The promises are the following: 1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their

state of life." 2. "I will establish peace in their homes." 3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions." 4. "I will be their secure refuge during life and, above, all in death." 5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings." 6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy."

7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent." 8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection." 9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored." 10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts." 11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out." 12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment." How reassuring: one will not die without receiving the sacraments if one completes nine consecutive first Fridays (if necessary, going to confession) and receives communion! It is a pity, though, that this devotion is dying despite the great spiritual benefits it offers. Perhaps many don’t know about it. Others may have forgotten. Well, I hope that with this reminder of its promises, this devotion will be re-awakened among Catholics here in Vienna. And thus, it will no longer be a dying devotion for happy “dying” but reliving the devotion for living eternally… (Fr. Cyrill) Special Note: The Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy holds a Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus every first Friday of the month at the Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel, Stefan Fadinger Platz 1 at 18:30 p.m..

A dying devotion for happy “dying”

SPOTLIGHT….

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Page 9 Pastulan

SPOTLIGHT…. Our busy youth After a great party held a few days before Christmas 2006 (see Melanie’s account elsewhere in this issue), the FCC Youth Group started its 2007 monthly activities with a film-viewing on January 28. Fr. Jojo selected A beautiful life, produced by famous Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni in 1997. The film is about Guido – played by Benigni himself – and his life in the 1 9 3 0 ’ s a n d t h r o u g h imprisonment with his family in a concentration camp. No matter how high the odds are stacked against him, Guido perseveres with unstoppable optimism to teach his son how to make the most out of every situation. While in the concentration camp, Guido went to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the painful truth, but instead pictured the situation into nothing more than a tough competition to win an armoured tank: without determination and perseverance there is no chance to win. From the whimsical beginning to the bittersweet end of the film, there are parallels from which we can draw for our own lives today. Based on their recently-gained experience in organizing an entertainment programme, and with the help of Tito George for the engineering aspects, the youths put together an afternoon of song, dance and games on February 18 to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Fasching and Chinese New Year (on target!) all rolled into one. It was a great pleasure to see the Parish Hall full of youths, partaking of their favourite spaghetti lunch, learning to sing Sure Foundation and enjoying the entertainment numbers that had been prepared for them. But, as the afternoon wore on and many had to leave for their respective Sunday appointments (a fact of life) only a core group remained to play a matchmaking game that was a source of great enjoyment not only to those playing but also to the

spectators. The afternoon ended on a happy note, as can be seen on the faces of our Kabataan or Jugend in the ‘photo. It must be remembered that the generous donations of supportive parents and other community members contribute to the success of the youths’ activities. On March 24, youth volunteers will actively support the classical concert being organized in the evening by the Pastoral Council at the YAMAHA Concert Hall, a stone’s throw from our church. Our youth will act as ushers, sell concert programmes, manage the hat-check counter, sell light snacks and drinks during the intermission and help ensure the proper turnover of the concert hall at the end of the evening. On March 25th, the youth will contribute with one dance number to the variety programme being presented in the afternoon at our church. In these activities, the youth will strengthen their team-working skills in organizing events and doing so in the knowledge that their efforts will benefit needy children in Cavite, a special project of Fr. Joey Demoy. Serva Libera

We work hard and play hard, and have lots of fun together!

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Until I sent off my university application, I had always wanted to become a journalist. I wanted to be just like Christiane Amanpour, one of the most recognized international correspondents. But my dream of becoming a journalist is a story for another day. On New Year’s Eve, CNN goes around the world showing pictures of celebrations in big cities, Moscow being one of them. The picture they show of Moscow is always taken from the Red Square looking toward the famous St. Basil Cathedral with fireworks in the background. Whenever Moscow is on the news, this is one of the pictures they like to show as well. And that’s how my dream to stand on that square first started… And once again, I have my job to thank for making that dream come true as we had an event scheduled in Moscow in February. We flew in on Saturday afternoon but were too s h o c k e d b y t h e f r e e z i n g temperatures to venture far from the hotel. My colleague, who flew in with me, had been to Moscow a couple of times before and so I trusted her to be my guide. The following morning, after a wholesome breakfast complete with caviar, we got ready to face the Russian winter. We were lucky as it was ‘only’ minus 6 degrees. And off we went down the main road towards Red Square, nearly ice-skating on the snow covered streets, pass the Bolshoi Theatre and into the ‘Gum’ department store. All of which are famous landmarks of Moscow. Once inside, my colleague tried to figure out which of the exits would be best to use to ensure a spectacular first view of the Cathedral and the Red Square. Unfortunately, they had built an ice-skating rink close to the shopping centre which eliminated half of the exits. We went in and out of the shopping centre enough number of times for me to memorize all the shops on the ground floor.

The “WOW” Moment Easter Trivia Araw ng Pagkabuhay is Easter Sunday by its Tagalog name. Spaniards say Dia de Pascua. The Christian liturgical calendar has three paschal feasts — Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. The December celebration is termed Pascua de Navidad to celebrate Baby Jesus nativity; the middle celebration is Pascua Resurreccion in honor of the resurrection which forms the thesis of church doctrine; and the last is Pascua de Pentecostes. Pascua (pasch in English) is derived from Passover, showing Christianity´s Jewish tradition. The word comes from Hebrew for "passage" and recounts the deliverance of Israelites from Egypt when the angel of death passed over their homes thus sparing first-borns. The Jewish paschal celebration occurs around March and April. Christ´s death and resurrection occurred at Passover. Paschal Tide in canon law requires members of the Church to receive H o l y C o m m u n i o n d u r i n g C h r i s t m a s , E a s t e r a n d Pentecost — thus the use of "pascua" for all three occasions. Araw ng Pagkabuhay is the 40th day of Cuaresma, a term to mark the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. The period is characterized by fasting in commemoration of Christ´s fasting in the wilderness. "Easter" has Germanic origins: from the Teutonic dawn-goddess Eastre whose festival was celebrated around the vernal equinox (March 21), a day when night and day are of equal length. "Lent" comes from a word for "long" because it is the season when days lengthen over night.

(Continued on page 11)

We finally found an exit which gave me a clear view of the Red Square and the Cathedral. And it was truly a “wow” moment. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling that went over me when I stood there. It was simply amazing! The cathedral is just grand, impressive, colourful…WOW is the word for it. We queued up to get tickets to go into the cathedral and admire all the icons. I don’t think I’ve said WOW that often in one day. Next stop was the Kremlin. Behind the walls of the Kremlin, there is total silence except for the whistles that you hear from the guards from time to time signalling the people to stay on the sidewalks. Another amazing place which is worth seeing. The next two days were the conference and were therefore spent pretty much in the hotel except for dinner on Tuesday night at a restaurant nearby. As it was my first time in Russia, everyone in the team made it their goal to make my trip worth remembering. And it was. Dinner was sumptuous and complete with vodka which you get refilled everytime you take a sip out of your glass. The next morning it was time to pack our suitcases, check out and fly back home. I always bring my sister back something from my trips and what was a better gift than a bottle of vodka. (We’re very good girls, promise.) We left the hotel and this time we were really faced by the Russian winter of freezing temperatures of minus 20. Despite the freezing cold, I think I’ll be back there next year…. Marizel Aguirre reporting live from Moscow.

Anna Ni Adelo Agbon Buwan ng Oktubre, araw ng Miyerkules; Ang iksaktong petsa ay ika-biente tres, At ang taon naman ay “Nineteen Fifty-eight”, Sa isang dalaga ako ay naakit. At magmula noo’y di na natahimik; Itong aking pusong natutong umibig, Ang larawan niya’y laging nasa isip, Kahit sa pagtulog, napapanaginip. Taglay ang damdaming may mabuting nasa; Pinagsikapan kong siya’y makilala, At aking nabatid, siya pala si ANNA, Ang butihing anak ni Aling Mamerta. Dahil sa matapat ang pita ko’t hangad; Ang abang puso ko ay naging mapalad, Katugong damdamin ay ipinahayag, Ng mutyang dalagang aking nililiyag! At tatlong taon pa, aming pinalipas; Pagharap sa altar, aming binalangkas, Bendisyon ng Diyos ay aming tinanggap, Mahal kong si ANNA, naging aking ganap! Dakilang asawa – at ulirang ina; Ang tula kong ito ay handog sa kanya, Kahit malayo ka at nasa Vienna, Ang tanging mahal ko’y IKAW LAMANG, ANNA! Dearest Ma, I hope you will like it. It reminds me the first time I saw you in Ruby Theatre, 28 years ago. The film then was “The Angry Age”

I love you always, Papa 1.10.1986

Ako’y Pinoy ni Bro. Jun Rico

Ako’y pinoy na tutuo sa puso ko at sa diwa

Ang balat ay kayumanggi ang dugo ko’y di banyaga Bughaw, pula puti ang sagisag dakila

Ang angking kong kakayaha’y doon sa Pinas nagmula

Tutuo ngang ako’y pinoy pagkat ako’y masayahin Lalo pa nga’t may okasyon, ako’y inyong mapapansin

Kahit na nga kausap ko’y katabi lang sigaw pa rin Ang katulad ay palengke sa lakas ng boses namin

Isa ko pang kakayaha’y ang angking kong kahambogan

Lalo pa at ang usapa’y may himig na pataasan Ako’y huwag nyong susubukang sa usapan ay lamangan

Maubos man itong pera mayroon tira pa ring yabang

Ngunit huwag magdaramdam pagka’t ito’y biro lamang Tila yata negatibo itong aking sinimulan

Ngayon naman tunghayan nyo ang tunay na katangian Ang pagiging pilipino’y marangal at may pitagan

Maganda kong katangia’y ang pagiging pala ngiti

Bumabati sa kabayan kahit hindi binabati Ako rin ay dumaramay sa taong may dalamhati

Nagmamahal, gumagabay kahit na nga walang sukli

Ako’y pinoy bisyo ko rin mga mahal ay tulungan Kaya naman ang bulsa ko ay lagi ng walang laman

Pag humingi itong mahal na sa Pinas ay iniwan Kahit mag minus sa banko pilit itong padadalhan

Taglay ko rin bilang pinoy ang tatag ng kalooban Dumaan man itong bagyo sa buhay ay lalampasan Pagkat ako’y nasanay na sa hirap na naranasan Dahil na rin sa pangarap at bukas na inaasam

Pinoy ako kung turingan bayani daw nitong lahi

At pag-unlad nitong bayan ay lagi kong minimithi Kahit man sa aking dasal ay lagi kong hinihingi Magkaisa, magmahalan ang bayan na aking lipi

Ito ako isang pinoy kailanma’y di tatanggi

Saan man ako naroroo’y lahi ay di iwawaksi Pagka’t ang tanging alam ko na di alam ay marami

Lahing pinoy ay dakila walang pwedeng ihalili

MAKA-PINOY

Page 11 Pastulan

(Continued from page 10) Easter Trivia

Good Friday is better known as Viernes Santo, literally "holy Friday" (and having a "viernes santo" face has come to mean looking very glum even off-Easter). Black Saturday is popularly called Sabado de Gloria or "Glorious Saturday" (which was not so "black" since Christ´s promise of resurrection the next day was made apparent in His visits). The phrase "Semana Santa" indicates that Filipinos consider Easter week holy, and that observance of mahal na araw shows that despite the role of passion and panata, Filipinos consider "love" the essence of Cuaresma. (Adapted by Ami Starnegg from “Halupe, Essays on Philippine Culture” by Corazon S. Alvina and Felice Sta. Maria)

PASTULAN T HE O FFICIAL NEWSL ET TER O F T HE

FI LI PINO CATHOLI C CHA PLA INCY V IE NNA, AUST RIA

(African, Asian and Latin American Catholic Communi-ties, Archdiocese of Vienna)

Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

Stefan Fadinger Platz 1 A-1100 Vienna

Tel: +43 1 6172346, Fax : +43 1 5267316 Email address: fccpastulan@yahoo.com

Fr. Jose Demoy Chaplain

Fr. Ely Dalanon

Assistant Chaplain

Fr. Cyril Villareal Assistant Chaplain

******

PASTULAN STAFF Marizel Aguirre

Angie Castor Rhona Rectra

(Continued from page 1)

Message from the Chaplaincy

- we can abstain from belittling the efforts of OTHER people, - we can abstain from laughing at the failures of OTHER

people, - we can abstain from trying to show OTHER people that we

are better, - we can abstain from acts of pride and arrogance toward

OTHER people, - we can abstain from being slow in helping OTHER people, - we can abstain from being jealous of OTHER people, - we can abstain from wanting what OTHER people have.

If, during this period of Lent, we can try to love others as much as we love ourselves, then we will have done something to truly prepare ourselves for the most important religious feast of our Christian liturgical year: EASTER.

(Continued from page 2)

In the Right Corner

Finally, on a more practical level, Sunday could become a time to spend with our family, loved one and friends. It can thus become helpful in building a better home, family and community.

Schedule of Activities

MASSES Anticipated Mass Saturday, 19:00h Stephansdom Sunday Masses 11:00h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel *

17:00h Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche) **

Wednesday Masses and Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

12:30h Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche)

18:30h Pfarre Mariahilf ***

Other Masses: First Friday & Novena to the Divine Mercy 18:30h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel Last Friday & Novena to Our Lady of Peňafrancia 18:30h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

CONFESSION Every Sunday, 10:30-11:15Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

BIBLE STUDY Every Friday, 7:30-8:30 Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

*Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel, Stefan Fadinger Platz 1, 1100 Vienna

**Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche), Donaucitystrasse 2, 1220 Vienna

***Pfarre Mariahilf, Barnabittengasse 14, 1060 Vienna