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Vol. 7 No. 12 June 25, 2011

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Pastor’s Message“Soul-Food”by: Rev. Fr. Victor Allan B. Dichoso

Malnutrition has always been a chronic problem besetting the world, especially the Third World. This glaring and disturbing reality runs contradictory to the richness of God’s creation and its resources. This problem could have been resolved and abated by greater sharing and caring among the rich countries and/with the poor countries. This physical problem can, however, be resolved through physical means. Physical or material life can only be sustained by physical and material means.

There is, however, a more unsettling and chronic problem affecting not just the poor but, more especially, the rich. This is the spiritual malnutrition. It has afflicted billions of people all over the world. It cannot be, however be resolved by any physical or material food but, only, by spiritual food or so called “soul-food”.

This disturbing condition can only be aided by God’s providential and sustain love which can only be received and experienced in and through the EUCHARIST.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Solemnitas Corporis et Sanguinis Christi). God knows that this spiritual craving is more deep-seated and urgent. His response is His eternal Sacrifice on the Cross, His abiding Real Presence and Eucharistic Communion – all present and celebrated in the Holy Eucharist.

SACRIFICEThe greater the sacrifice, the greater the love it

brings so to say. Our lives are the fruits of many

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With great desire to promote and sustain the spirit of Pondo ng Pinoy, Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Coordinator of Pondo ng Pinoy organized programs and activities to celebrate the 7th Year Anniversary of Pondo ng Pinoy on June 9, 2011.

It was highlighted by Eucharistic Celebration and Launching of “Festschrift” presented to His Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales as a gift from the Church. There were also photo and poster exhibits depicting Pondo ng Pinoy.

Despite the inclement weather, the Cuneta Astrodome

Binyagang Bayan marks St. John the Baptist’s Feast Dayby Bing Campos

The inclement weather failed to dampen the spirits of 17 sets of parents, godparents, family members and friends who happily gathered at the church last Friday, June 24, the feastday of Saint John the Baptist, and witnessed the Christening of their loved ones. Monsignor Dennis S. Odiver initiated and presided over the Binyagang Bayan. After delivering an enlightening message expounding on

Pondo ng Pinoy at Sevenby: Gene Alberto

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Pondo ng Pinoy ... from page 1

was filled up. Priests in their respective parish community, pastoral workers, faculties, staff and students from various schools, Religious congregations, urban poor communities, migrants and other sectors of the society who actively participated in the mission of Pondo ng Pinoy were there to celebrate.

During the Eucharistic Celebration, the good Cardinal said in his homily that seven years ago, the Pondo ng Pinoy was only a concept. Some reluctantly believe that wealth can be collected from as little as 25 centavo coins. However, with the blessing of the Providence the movement of Pondo ng Pinoy was not only real, but also credible.

Pondo ng Pinoy not only builds houses for the poor, but also daily fed thousands of malnourished children all over the country through Hapag-Asa. It also put up funds for little entrepreneurs, farmers and fisher folks. It provided funds for artesian and drinking water wells in barangays were no potable water was available. Pondo ng Pinoy pick up well among the youth and give them scholarships and other benefits. All of these have been accomplished over the years quietly without publicity.

The cardinal invites all of us to come together; no matter what each one can give and what little the other may offer. We have to find a starting point. The heart of

Pondo ng Pinoy is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, the very heart of the Gospel.

The Pondo ng Pinoy movement was motivated from the Gospel according to Luke that we read on Chapter 16 verses 19-31. The chapter deals about the rich man daily feasting abundantly, while the beggar, uncared for, waiting only for the scraps and crumbs that fell from the rich man’s door.

In the closeness of the dinner table and the door where the beggar lay, there was great uncovered distance between the rich and the poor. No wonder the Lord Jesus insisted in teaching of that parable. There are many reasons why that “remaining distance” still exists. The cultural and social distance has already been crafted and defended by culture in this life and the selfish economics that exists here.

Jesus taught us how important were the crumbs and the scraps were in real life. However, insolence, conceit or plain greed can further widen the distance between the rich and the poor.

Inspired by the words of Jesus Christ, who was sent to us by the Father to make the Kingdom available to all of us, let us practice to live with simplicity and reserve a little share for the poor.

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Parishioner and former pastoral worker Jerico “Ico” Blanquisco professed

his first vows as a Brother in the Fratres Scholarum Christianarum (more

commonly known as the De La Salle Brothers) last June 18.

First of all, I’m not studying to be a priest. On June 18, I professed publicly the vows of a member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. We are commonly known in the Philippines as the De La Salle Brothers.I am a Religious Brother, a De La Salle Brother.

“Ico” Blanquisco professed his first vows

The officers and members of the Bel-Air I, Sub Parish of St. Anthony celebrated their feast day last June 13, 2011. They started out with a mass at 5pm at the Gemini Room of Bel-air I. The mass was officiated by Rev. Msgr Dennis Odiver. Their celebration was followed by a simple fellowship with the members and guest of other sub parishes. Belle Oposa, Baby Reyes and Judy Deen, organized the celebration with some help from their sub parish members.

Sub Parish of St. Anthony de Padua celebrates their Feast Day

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Pastor’s Message ... from page 1

Binyagang Bayan ... from page 1

sacrifices which many people had to make out of love and sense of duty, responsibility and commitment. We may not know them or really know them personally. Sacrifice, Sacrum (sacred) + facere (to make) = to make sacred / do something sacred, only becomes meaningful, beautiful and enduring in and out of love. Whatever pain, hardships or difficulties it brings about are all accepted and borne willingly and lovingly because of the greater good it brings to others. The Eucharist is a Sacrifice. It is the reenactment of Christ’s eternal sacrifice on the Cross for the salvation of the whole world and God’s creation. The breaking of the Bread (Christ’s Body) and the outpouring of Wine (Christ’s Blood) give us a glimpse into this sublime reality which can be baffling to the mind but touching the heart. Love begets love. Sacrifice begets sacrifice. Gratitude is the memory of the heart. Gratitude/ Thanksgiving is our fitting response to this undeserved divine gift.

PRESENCEAbsence has always been a psychological, physical

and spiritual problem which has caused sickness, depression and loneliness. Absenteeism is a chronic problem which has plagued our government – its executive, legislative and judicial bodies, our society, family and country as a whole. It creates a feeling of insignificance, rejection, insecurity, meaninglessness and loneliness which have catastrophic consequences.

God fills up this void, nourishes this desire, strengthens our weakness and heals our affliction through His abiding Real Eucharistic Presence. The twinkling light emanating from the votive lamp beside the tabernacle and the burning candles beside the altar of sacrifice in the church and adoration room/chapel, signify to us this much-needed Divine Presence amidst the glaring and sickening absence in the world we live. His Presence is our consolation in our distresses, strength in our weakness and powerlessness, direction in our confusion, light in our darkness and hope in our

fallen world. We may be absent to God, especially in our unattendance in the mass and our laziness and in neglect of prayer, but He is always present to us 24/7 unto eternity. Shall we let Jesus wait for us and long for our presence in His Eucharistic meal and Eucharistic Adoration? Does love have to be spurned and unrequited continuously? His Presence is our life. His absence is our death. Choose life. Be always present in His Presence.

COMMUNIONDivision foments anarchy, hostility and destruction.

Communion brings about reconciliation, true development and lasting peace. Our world is torn apart by so much division in relationships both human, societal and environmental. Divorce, annulments and marital breakdowns create broken people, broken families and broken society. This condition has caused untold pain and suffering to many people which has tragically led to death in some cases. God has offered Himself as an enduring bond/bridge between Himself and Humanity/Creation, as Healing to all pain and suffering caused by division, light amidst confusion, misdirection and darkness, reconciliation amidst hostilities, misunderstanding and miscommunication and loving forgiveness in the midst of hatred, resentment and vindictiveness. Eucharistic communion is not only receiving Jesus but also living in and like Jesus. The effect of what we receive is to become what we receive. Indeed, we are ambassadors of reconciliation, bridges of communion and wounded healers.

“Corpus Christi” is not only a liturgical celebration of a solemnity. It is God’s loving response to our selfishness, absence and division. It is our life renewed, empowered, healed and transformed. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. That divine and undeserved Goodness is always signified and celebrated as Sacrifice, Real Presence and Communion in the Holy Eucharist.

the significance of the rites of baptism and the vital role of parents and godparents, he baptized and welcomed to the Catholic world and the SAAP community, 17 beautiful children, whose ages range from 4 months to 7 years old. Most of the newly baptized are either children or grandchildren of members of the parish’s shepherding community. The Binyagang Bayan was a truly joyous event for everyone present, and a most fitting way to celebrate the birthday of Saint John the Baptist.

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffEllie Medina, Angelina Poe,Emilio Medina, Pia SanedrinBulletin Board EditorEJ Carlos, Harley PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorGing Santos, JayR PaduaSAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

Contributors: Bing Campos, Gene AlbertoBro. Ico Blanquisco, Mandy de Guzman

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish. Media and Communications Ministry Co-coordinators

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Announcement“Ico” Blanquisco.. from page 2

June 27 to July 1 will be devoted as Days of Prayer. All are enjoined to visit and offer an hour of prayer at the Adoration Chapel for the intention of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of his 60th Sacerdotal Anniversary.

Many of my friends from Saint Andrew Parish came to witness and celebrate with me. Seeing them gives me joy and hope. I remembered how I started to enjoy serving God during the World Youth Day in Manila as a young kid of 9. And how I continued on loving God by serving our parish. I have been in many ministries and organizations. I started with Sunday Greeters, Saint Andrew Dramatics Society (SADS). For a time I was active with the Knights of Columbus and the Columbian Squires. I continued to be a member of the Ministry of Altar Servers, Parish Youth Ministry, and Saint Andrew Renewal Community(SARC).

I honed not only my love for service but my skills as well. Being part of ministries and organizations,even heading some, sharpened my leadership and relational skills. I am blessed to have been under good leaders and friends who walked along with me and guided me to choose what is good and holy.

I would always say that my vocation as a Religious Brother started and grew in the grounds of our parish. Many different people contributed to my faith and relationship with God. Many inspired me to zealously serve our parish most especially its youth. My hope and prayer is that the parishioners and its leaders may continue to find avenues to cultivate vocations to priesthood, and religious Brothers and Sisters. I am there are a number waiting to be ignited.

I would like to name all of the people who are part of my vocation so that all can see that we take care and love our parish workers.They gave me a chance to grow and choose the life I wanted to pursue. But I am limited to write a short article. May I just mention your name to God when I pray and hope that He who loves bless your life? Believe that God loves, accepts, and continues to forgive you.

Thank you Saint Andrew Parish.

Br. Ico

Br. Jerico Emil H. Blanquisco FSC