2
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
3
6PM Triduum Mass
4
6PM Triduum Mass
5:30PM HAPAG-ASA Formation Program, Daang Tubo
5
9AM Kasalang Parokya
9AM Legion of Mary Regular Meeting
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
6PM Triduum Mass
7PM PYM House Visit
7PM COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto
6
FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
10:30AM Procession
11AM Fiesta Mass
12NN Fiesta Salu-Salo
1PM Fiesta Socials
6PM PYM Mass
8
6AM Tuesday Circle Mass and Fellowship
7PM PYM Rosario sa Kapitbahayan
9
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
10
7:30PM Area Mass, Pook Dagohoy
11
7PM Kaka Formation Program
7PM Area Mass, Village A
7:30PM Area Mass, Pook Palaris
12
9AM Legion of Mary Regular Meeting
1PM Palarong Pambata
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
7PM Area Mass Village B
7PM PYM House Visit
7PM COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto
7PM Parish Choir Competition
13
Father’s Day
8AM Area Mass, UP Bliss
2PM L/C G Regular Meeting
2PM SMHC Regular Meeting
15
6AM Tuesday Circle Mass and Fellowship
7PM PYM Rosario sa Kapitbahayan
16
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
6:30PM PPC Execom
17
7PM Vicariate PPC Meeting, Holy Family Parish, Kamias
7PM Deliberation of JAM Batch 7 Participants, GOMBURZA Conference Room
18
2PM PYM Retreat, St. John Vianney Retreat House, Bulacan
19
PYM Retreat, St. John Vianney Retreat House, Bulacan
9AM Legion of Mary Regular Meeting
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
7PM PYM House Visit
7PM COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto
20
8AM Area Mass, UP Bliss
9AM Area Mass, Hardin ng Rosas
2PM PPC Meeting
2PM COM Organizational Meeting
6PM Youth Mass
22
6AM Tuesday Circle Mass and Fellowship
7PM PYM Rosario sa Kapitbahayan
23
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
25
PYM JAM Batch 7
26
PYM JAM Batch 7
9AM Legion of Mary Regular Meeting
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya
4PM Area Mass, Daang Tubo
7PM PYM House Visit
7PM COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto
27
PYM JAM Batch 7
8AM Area Mass, UP Bliss
PYM Green Day
29
6AM Tuesday Circle Mass and Fellowship
7PM PYM Rosario sa Kapitbahayan
30
3-5PM Bigasang Parokya

“Hosanna!” ang naging maluwalhating bungad ng ating paggunita ng Semana Santa. Bagama’t hindi opisyal na kasama sa Semana Santa, ang Visita Iglesia na isinagawa noong Marso 27, isang araw bago ang Linggo ng Palaspas, ay isang mahalagang paghahanda para sa pagdating nito.  Ika-anim ng umaga ng araw na iyon nang umalis ang grupo mula sa parokya lulan ng isang bus at mga pribadong sasakyan.  Mahigit sa 60 rin ang sumama at karamihan dito ay kasapi ng mga ministry o may katungkulan sa mga area.  Ngunit may may mga parokyano rin na kahit walang katungkulan sa parokya ay nakita ang kagandahan at kabutihang maidudulot ng Visita Iglesia lalo na sa kanilang paghahanda para sa Semana Santa, kung kaya’t pinili rin nilang sumama.

Pitong simbahan sa Rizal at Laguna ang binisita ng grupo.  Sa bawat simbahan, nagbabasa ng dalawang istasyon sa Banal na Daan ng Krus at ito’y pinagninilay-nilayan habang namamangha sa disenyo at arkitektura ng mga lumang simbahan.  Ang unang binisita ay ang simbahan ng Parokya ng San Ildefonso sa Tanay. Dito sinimulan ang Visita Iglesia sa pamamagitan ng isang misa na pinangunahan ni Fr. Raymond Arre.  Sunod na binisita ang magkalapit na simbahan ng Pakil at Paete sa Laguna.  Sapagkat medyo malayo ang kasunod na simbahan ng Magdalena, inaliw ng tour guide na si Alan Navida, na siya ring nag organisa sa paglalakbay, ang grupo sa pamamagitan ng mga kuwento tungkol sa kasaysayan ng mga lugar at simbahang binisita at bibisitahin.  Sa Magdalena nananghalian ang grupo sa mga kubong matatagpuan sa labas ng simbahan.  Mas mahaba naman ang panahong iniukol sa bayan ng Liliw sapagkat bukod sa pagdalaw at pagdarasal sa simbahan, namili rin ang grupo ng mga tsinelas at sapatos kung saan naging kilala ang nasabing bayan.  Namangha naman ang lahat sa ganda ng simbahan ng Nagcarlan.  Kapansin-pansin ang mahaba nitong pasilyo, ang mga mala-gintong retablo at ang lumang arkitektura na siyang nagpatanyag dito.  Marahil ito ang naging dahilan sa pagpili ng naturang simbahan na maging lokasyon para sa teleseryeng “Kampanerang Kuba”.  Dumaan din ang grupo sa underground cemetery ng Nagcarlan at nalaman mula sa tagapagbantay ang kasaysayan nito.  Sa simbahan ng Pila natapos ang Visita Iglesia.  Dito binasa na ang panglabing tatlo at panglabing apat na istasyon ng Banal na Daan ng Krus.

Magtatakipsilim na ng magsimulang umuwi ang mga sumama at gabi na ng dumating sa parokya ng Banal na Sakripisyo.  Bagamat pagod sa mahabang biyahe bakas naman sa mga mukha nila ang sayang nadarama nang samahan nila si Hesus sa Kanyang mga naging karanasan – mula sa Kanyang paghihirap at pagkamatay hanggang sa Kanyang muling pagkabuhay.

Nang sumunod na araw ipinagdiwang naman ang Linggo ng Palaspas na kinapalooban ng prusisyon mula sa UP College of Engineering kung saan nagbasbas ng mga palaspas. Lalong napasigla ng pagkalansing ng tamburin ang prusisyon nang ito’y sinalubong ng mga benepisyaryo ng KaKa Scholarship Fund. Ang pagtatapos ng prusisyon ay siyang simula ng pangunahing misa sa Linggo ng Palaspas na pinamunuan ng ating Kura Paroko.

Tunay nga namang angkop ang panahon ng Semana Santa upang pagyamanin at palalimin ang ating pananampalataya at ang ating pagpapahalaga sa misteryo ng kuwaresma. Napatungkol dito ang Lenten Recollection na pinamunuan ni Fr. Baltazar Obico, ang Minister Provincial ng mga Franciscans. Nagbuhat sa mga pagninilay na tampok sa recollection noong Lunes at Martes Santo ang higit na pagbuti ng pag-unawa sa atedg ng Kuwaresma at sa Pasko ng Pagkabuhay.

Pinakamahalagang bahagi na marahil ng mga paghahanda para sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan ang pagkilala at pagtanggap sa ating pangangailangan ng kapatawaran mula sa Diyos. Ating tinugunan ang tawag ng Panginoon na magbalik-loob kung kaya’t ating isinagawa ang Kumpisalang Bayan noong Miyerkules Santo kasama ang walong pari, ang iba sa kanila’y mula ated mga karatig na simbahan. Upang lalong maging makabuluhan ang Sakramento ng Pakikipagkasundo, pinangunahan ito ng isang simpleng liturhiya ng pagbasa at pagdasal kung saan inilarawan ang pagbabagong-buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagpatay ng mga kandilang nagsasagisag sa iba’t-ibang uri ng kasalanan.

Ang napipintong kasukdulan ng Semana Santa ay lalong napahayag sa paggunita ng Huling Hapunan ng Panginoon noong Huwebes Santo. Tinampok sa pagdiriwang ng Misa sa gabing iyon ang paghugas ng mga paa ng mga apostoles na kinatawan ng mga magulang ng mga iskolar ng KaKa. Ani Fr. Anil sa kanyang homiliya, tanda ng ating pakikiisa sa Diyos ang ating pagdamay at pagsilbi sa kapwa. Hayag sa paghuhugas ng paa ang tawag ng Panginoong dumamay at magsilbi. At sa paanyayang samahan rin ang Panginoon sa gabi ng Kanyang pagtangis, ating itinugon ang pagsamba sa Santisimo Sakramento na kahanga-hangang idinambana sa Hardin ng Pamilya.

Sa mismong araw ng paggunita ng pagpapakasakit at pagkamatay ng Panginoon, Biyernes Santo, at sa ganap na ika-tatlo ng hapon, ang oras ng Kanyang pagpanaw, dama sa buong simbahan ang damdamin ng lungkot at lumbay. Tila tanda ng pakikiisa sa madamdaming mga pangyayari ang pagkamaalinsangan ng panahon. Ang altar, nanatiling walang gayak; ang prusisyon, walang kasabay na ni anong awit; ang mga mamumunong pari, dumapa lamang sa altar bilang tanda ng masidhing paggalang sa Panginoong kapapanaw lamang. Tunay ngang simbolo ng ating kaligtasan at pananampalataya ang krus na siyang pinagpakuan ng ating Diyos. Kung kaya’t sentro ng liturhiya ng Biyernes Santo ang pagsamba sa krus. Matapos ang mga pagbasa at ang mga panalangin, itinampok ni Fr. Mike, ang siyang punong pari noon, ang krus at ihinayag ang anyayang, “Ito ang kahoy na krus!” Atin namang itinugon, “Purihin at sambahin!” Sumunod na rito ang paghalik sa krus bilang tanda ng ating ating pagsamba. Matapos ang komunyon ay nagtuloy na tayo sa prusisyon ng Santo Entierro, tanda rin ng ating pagdamay sa Birheng Dolorosa sa gitna ng kanyang pagtatangis.

Kung anong lungkot ng nagdaang araw ay siya namang sigla ng Sabado de Gloria, ang gabi ng paggunita sa muling pagkabuhay ng Diyos. Sa pangunguna ni Fr. Raymond, binasbasan ang isang bagong apoy, simbolo ng tagumpay ng nabuhay na Diyos laban sa kadilimang idinulot ng kasalanan. Napakaganda nga namang ated, na mula sa isang kandilang itinanghal kasabay ng mga katagang, “This is the light of Christ!”  nabasag ang dilim sa simbahan ng mga kandilang nagsindihan kasabay ang tugon na, “Thanks be to God!” Anong ganda nga naman ng pagkasagisag ng pagtagumpay ng ilaw ng Panginoon laban sa kadiliman ng kasalanan! Hayag sa pag-awit ng Exsultet ang pagkagalak ng buong simbahan sa muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Sa limang pagbasa, muli nating ginunita ang kuwento ng ating kaligtasan. Matapos ang mga iyon, muling inawit ang Gloria na tila kay tagal nang ‘di natin naulinigan. Sa maluwalhating paggunita, sinindihan ang mga ilaw ng simbahan at doo’y namalas ng lahat ang dambanang lubusang ginanyakan ng atedg tela, mga halaman, at mga bulaklak. Tampok rin sa gabing iyon ang pagbinyag, pagkumpil, at pagtanggap ng unang komunyon ng kapatid nating si Geneva Malinao. Kasunod nito ay muli nating ipinagtibay at ipinahayag ang ating pananampalataya. Ani nga ni Fr. Raymond sa kanyang homiliya, nabuhay nang muli ang Panginoon at marapat lamang ng ikasiya natin ito at tugunan ng ating pagsasabuhay ng bagong buhay  mula sa pagkamakasalanan at kawalan ng pag-asa.

Tanto natin na ang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay ay siyang pinakamahal sa mga mahal na araw sapagkat dito’y naipamalas ng Panginoon ang Kanyang tagumpay laban sa kamatayan. Naging bahagi ng ating pagdiriwang ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay ang pagsama kina Hesus at Birheng Maria sa kanilang Salubong. Ating tinunghayan ang pagtanggal ng anghel ng itim na belo ni Maria na tanda ng kalungkutang hindi na dapat niya, maging natin din, danasin. Kay-angkop rin na idinaos sa Sunken Garden ang Misa sapagkat nalahad sa mga panahong iyon ang pagbukang-liwayway na akmang sumabay sa pagpapahayag ni Fr. Serge sa kanyang homiliya na dapat tayo’y gumising na’t mamulat sa pag-asang dala ng muling pagka-buhay ng Diyos. Naging bahagi rin ng ating pagsasaya ang Easter egg hunt at ang Easter picnic noong araw na iyon.

Atin nang ginunita ang Semana Santa at atin na ring ikinasiya ang muling pagkabuhay ng ating Panginoon. Nawa’y manatili tayo sa liwanag at pag-asang ated ng Paskong ating ipinagdiwang.

- By Kiboy Tabada and Michelle Rubio

I was in a bus when I saw in the street a 40 year old man in dirty rubber shoes, stomping his feet upon an empty plastic bottle. Next to him was a sack of what appeared to be 20 or so flattened empty plastic bottles. And on his other side is a pile of empty plastic bottles yet to be squashed by his dirty rubber shoes. And then a thought saddened me.  I thought of how much or rather how little he would earn for his huge effort of stomping on those bottles. Let us do some math here. Suppose he can flatten 7 bottles in one minute. In one hour, he would have 420 flattened plastic bottles! That is a good number of plastic bottles. But would he earn enough from selling them to put food on his table? It sure is a hard life especially if you compare it with the life of a person working in the office, earning P400 for half a day’s work.

Here is another scenario. I bet at least once in your life, you were able to cross paths with a person rolling a wooden cart containing used bottles and old newspapers taken from the garbage dumpsters outside your house or somewhere near your street.  Now let me ask, have you ever wondered why they endure the heat of the sun, the polluted air and the tiring long walks, just so they can earn a living? I’m sure somehow you thought, maybe they can do better with a more convenient job. There are a number of other alternatives. But as any job applicant knows, qualification is a necessary consideration. How can they apply to better paying jobs when they have not even finished high school? How can they finish high school when they have to work since they were little, in order to support their family’s needs?

I am sharing these tidbits of everyday scenarios to make you remember the reality of our nation. In a statement given last April 25, 2010, by Bishop Nereo Odchimar, the President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), he asserts that “The country is in a critical situation.”

All these tidbits of news above are just accurate incidents showing the truth of Bishop Odchimar’s assertions that there are “the need of true moral and social transformation”, “an erosion of moral values” and a “truly widespread corruption and dishonesty all around us.”

However, a change in leadership in the government is a chance for some transformation in this country. And so, for this coming election, he calls for us Filipinos to unite “in self-sacrifice and in hope for our great people, and our beloved land”. Let us be one in pursuing the “realization of [an] integrally free, clean and honest election.”

Now it may be true that political strategies have already been established to promote corruption and dishonesty in the election results. But as our truly Filipino quote says, “Nasa Diyos ang awa, sa tao ang gawa.” Thus, Bishop Odchimar claims, “there must be first a turning to God in prayer.”

“This is why the Catholic Bishops’ conference of the Philippines, endorse the urgent novena addressed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, interceding our Father in heaven, for the realization of integrally free, clean and honest election.” Bishop Odchimar calls for a novena, as proposed by His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila starting May 01 to May 09.

The novena is for God’s “awa”, deciding wisely on who to vote is our share of “gawa” in bringing about a transformation in our country.

In a pastoral statement of Archbishop Fernando Capalla written in the year 2004 when he was then the President of the CBCP, he enumerated 3 criteria to consider in choosing the candidate to elect to office. These are as follows: a person of competence, of conscience and of commitment. We see a person’s competence by looking at his record while in office. What was he able to accomplish? How did he use his power in order to serve his people? What situations showed his leadership abilities? A person of conscience is one who promotes respect for human rights. What did he do to combat prostitution, drugs or child abuse? Has he been transparent in all his transactions while in office? Has he had any issues regarding abuse of power and how did he address these scandals? A person of commitment is one who is active in pursuing a vision for a better nation.

Media has been very active in providing us with many programs that help us get a glimpse of the running candidates — what their views are, how they think and how they react. It is our duty not just as citizens of this nation but as Christians as well, to ponder on who we will vote in order to provide this country with a respectable and capable leader.

If we add this kind of leader to a community of people with the right attitude and values we would have less saddening scenarios. Hopefully, we would have better laws protecting people from abuses from those who are in power. Hopefully, we would have better educational system to cater to the less fortunate population so that they would have better chances at getting themselves respectable jobs which would not require their risking their health. Hopefully, our nation will be changed, even just by a little bit.

As Bishop Odchimar puts it accurately, “the success of the election is significant to the country’s political and economic stability while its failure could further the suffering of many poor people.”

Your vote would mean less saddening everyday scenarios and more amazing stories happening here in our country. Don’t you want a better society for yourself and for your fellow Filipinos?

- By Kristine Turado

Reflection

What is love? If we look at popular culture we will find different answers to that question. Movies, books and love songs have tried to paint a portrait of what it is. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” They are the famous lines from the book The Love Story by Eric Segal that was made into movie. Or the song of the Beatles that says “All you need is love.” There is no arguing that our world needs love. But what kind? Jesus agrees that we all do need love in our lives. But not only the love stories written and love songs sung kind of love. We hear in the Gospel today Jesus give his disciples a new commandment, different from the commandments they have been used to. His new commandment said: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Three things make Jesus’ kind of love new and different. First, he says don’t love the way the world loves. Let your kind of love not be what is popular and the fad. Jesus is saying do not love only with human love. Mind you, not everything about human love is wrong though. But many times it does not always work. But love the way Jesus loves. And how did Jesus love? He gave this commandment of love at a time when he was about to suffer on the cross and be put to death. It would show the ultimate sacrifice: offering one’s life out love for the heavenly Father and the people given to Jesus. His was a love empty of self-concern, conditions and expectations. Second, this is a new kind of love because he makes it an imperative, not just a request, for his disciples to follow. It is not a multiple choice kind of thing. It is not a cafeteria or turo-turo situation where you pick and point only what you want. It is a clear command of Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you!” Even if it is a command, we are still free to reject it, be indifferent to it or respond and obey it. Third, if we do take seriously his imperative of love, it becomes the proof we are his disciples. It is the badge by which we are recognized as faithful to Jesus. It would be helpful to describe more in detail what this command of love that Jesus gives entail. In the Greek language, four words are used to describe it: Storges, philia, eros and agape. Storges is love for family members. Philia is love for friends. Eros is between a man and a woman. Agape is love not based on feelings or emotions but on willing what is best for the other. This is the love Jesus wants us to have that should guide thenother loves we have. That is why he can say “love your enemies” and “forgive seventy-times seven times.”

Response

As the command to love is the greatest commandment of Jesus, it also is the hardest and most difficult. It is a mandate that is now and forever, in season and out of season. It is the highest duty of any Christian faithful. The obligation of love seems contradictory because many believe you cannot force love. But love is also a decision that requires discipline and dedication. It needs to say I’m sorry.

1

HOLY THURSDAY

Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, 7 AM

Breakfast at the Parish, 9 AM

Practice for the 5 PM Mass, 10 AM

Mass of the Last Supper with Washing of the Feet, 5 PM

Vigil at the Alter of Repose

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

2

GOOD FRIDAY

Practice for the 3 PM Veneration of the Cross, 9 AM

Veneration of the Cross, 3 PM

Procession of the Santo Entierro, 5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

3

BLACK SATURDAY

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Practice  for the Easter Vigil Mass, 9 AM

Easter Vigil Mass, 8 PM

4

EASTER SUNDAY

Salubong, 4 AM

Easter Egg,Hunt, 11 AM

Easter Sunday Fellowship, 12 NN

SMHC Regular Meeting, 2 PM

PYM Youth Mass, 6 PM

5

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

6

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

Area Mass, HAD, 7:30 AM

7

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Coordinators’ Meeting, 6:30 PM

8

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

PYM Execom Meeting, 6:30 PM

9

HAPAG-ASA Feeding and Formation Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Mass, Palaris, 7 PM

Area mass, Village A

10

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

Area Mass, Village B, 7 PM

11

LCG Regular Meeting and Fellowship, 2 PM

12

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

13

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

PYM Animators Practice, 2-4 PM

14

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

PPC Execom, 6:30 PM

15

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

16

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Mass, Ricarte, 7 PM

KaKa Parents Formation Program, 7 PM

JAM Formation Batch 7

17

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

Area Mass, Area 17, 7 PM

JAM Formation Program, Batch 7

18

PPC Meeting, 2 PM

PYM Youth Mass, 6 PM

JAM Formation Program, Batch 7

19

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

20

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

21

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

22

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

23

HAPAG-ASA Feeding and Formation Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

24

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

Area Mass, Daang Tubo, 4 PM

Catechists R & R

25

Catechists R & R

26

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

27

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

28

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

29

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

30

HAPAG-ASA Feeding and Formation Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM,

Kaka Parents Formation Program, 7 PM

A hero is well loved by many. People adore heroes. We have a strong attraction for them, giving them our applause and adulation. I’m sure you have your own personal heroes in your lives. They may be popular personalities like actors, politicians or other celebrities.  But I suspect for many of us, we just are admiring them from a distance and we would not be willing to put out our lives on the chopping board for them.

Isaiah, in the first reading, describes the true servant of God. He remains faithful to his mission even when persecuted. For he relies on God. The second reading is a hymn of the early church. Jesus humbles himself and becomes one among us to serve us even unto death. But God glorifies Him for His faithfulness. The gospel is the passion of Jesus. In His suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus overcomes death and sin and brings us fullness of life in God. He enters Jerusalem with the adulation of the people. They were waving their palm branches and shouting their Hosannas to him because they thought he would be their liberator from the occupying Roman forces. But he was not who they wanted and expected him to be. In the end, they abandoned and even wanted their supposed hero dead.

Is Jesus your hero? If so, how far are you willing follow Jesus? This is the challenged posed to us today as we recall the glorious entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. People were acclaiming Him as God’s messenger: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” A few days from now, on Good Friday, people will change their mind and stop following Jesus and even shout: “Crucify Him.” We can understand this better if we reflect on our own lives. We have some days of glorious happiness, of success and joy, but also sad days of contradiction and failure. Today we look at them in the light of the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. With Him we live happy days, with Him we experience sad days, but whether sad or joyful, in all of them we remain with the Lord and follow Him till the end. Let us be one with Jesus in His suffering, that, we may share in His glorious victory.

Response

Place a crucifix or a cross in a visible place today, perhaps somewhere at work where you can easily see it. Each time you look at it, ask yourself: What kind of follower am I? How willing am I to walk behind Jesus and everything He stood for?

From January 25 to 29 of this year, about 5,000 diocesan and religious priests from all over the country gathered for the Second National Congress of the Clergy (NCC 2) which was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The Congress was conducted in observance of the proclamation by Pope Benedict XVI  in a letter dated 16 June 2009, which read:

“This year (is) meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world.” (NCC 2 General Information issued by the CBC Episcopal Commission on the Clergy)

The five-day Congress was focused on “providing the priests a deep and religious experience, a spiritual conversion, and a greater commitment to live a good, holy and apostolic life as shepherds of God’s flock.” (NCC 2 General Information)

The delegates were housed through the Family-Adopts-Priests “Home Stay Program” were some 3,000 host-families in the dioceses of Manila, Parañaque, Cubao, Pasig and Caloocan were adopted by host families who were expected to perform the following roles:

1.  to have an encounter with the clergy in order to gain a better understanding of their life, prayer,  ministry, and struggles;

2.   to host one or two priests from January 25-29 providing a room, meals, and transport to and from the pick-up and drop-off points.

About 75 bishops and priests from the dioceses of Maasin, Calapan, Kidapawan and Boac were distributed among the parishes of the Vicariate of St. Joseph, of which the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice is a member.  All but the Holy Cross Parish and the Quasi-Parish of San Isidro Labrador, who were both exempted from hosting delegates, accommodated at least two priest-delegates.  Five priests, all from Maasin, were assigned to our parish.  The following families acted as hosts to these priests:

Mrs. Gregoria Cervantes – Fr. Amiel Borneo

Ms. Elsie Opinaldo – Msgr. Santos Sabondo and Fr. Melbher Alfante

Mrs. Florinda Angela Lesaca – Fr. Vicente Alpeche Jr.

Mr. Rene & Mrs. Vilma Resuma – Fr. Angelo Arbiol

The delegations hosted by the Vicariate were transported from the World Trade Center to the drop-off and pick-up points in two tourist buses provided by the Diocese of Manila.  One bus conducted the Kidapawan and Boac delegations to the drop-off and pick-up point (Sta Maria della Strada) while the Calapan and Maasin delegations were ferried in the second bus, which had the Parish of Holy Sacrifice as drop-off/pick-up point.

Each parish was encouraged by Rev Fr Raymond L Arre, Vicar Forane, to plan their own reception for the delegates.  The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, for instance, welcomed the delegation upon arrival with a modest dinner and a short program introducing the priests to their respective host families.

The Congress was culminated by a 1.2-kilometer procession as the delegates walked the entire distance from the World Trade Center to the Cuneta Astrodome.  Marching through Roxas Boulevard, the clergy, with their respective bishops carried flags that bore the name of their respective diocese.  A Mass was celebrated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales when the group arrived at the Cuneta Astrodome.

* Some information were taken from the NCC2 website: http://clergycongress2.org/

By Nestor Pilar

The Worship Ministry, with the leadership of Boots Concepcion, headed a pilgrimage at Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon last February 27, 2010. Though open to all, the said activity was participated in by 45 servant leaders from the Worship Ministry and other ministries of the parish. This lenten activity calls for a time of sacrifice as the participants pray the Way of the Cross while climbing the many steps of Kamay ni Hesus. Also, this pilgrimage encourages parishioners to begin a time of healing not limited to that of physical pains and infirmities but also includes healing for spiritual and emotional needs, as one celebrates the Holy Eucharist before the healing rites commenced.

***

As part of our Lenten tradition, the Way of the Cross has been observed in the 15 different areas of our Parish. Our priests led our parishioners in the different areas through the 14 Stations of the Cross which were set-up in front of 14 homes in our Parish’s localities. The Stations of the Cross, more than just an avenue for reflection and united prayer, contributed to our Parish’s vision of strengthened Basic Ecclesial Communities. The homes in front of which the Stations of the Cross were put-up were selected such that the families living there could become members of the new Ugnayans that would be started in their communities.

***

March 7 was a day of fun and excitement for the Sunday School students.  On that day, as they graduated, their proud parents watched as they were awarded for their hard work and dedication.  There were a total of 222 graduates – 7 from Prep, 25 from Grade 1, 32 from Grade 2, 75 from Grade 3, 23 from Grade 4, 32 from Grade 5, 16 from Grade 6 and 12 from High School.  Our parish priest, Fr. Raymond Arre, acted as the Guest Speaker.

One of the highlights of the program is the presentation of the Loyalty Award to Faye de Castro who was a Sunday School student from Prep to Grade 6. Ms. de Castro gave an inspirational message to her fellow students.  Her mother, who also delivered a message, served as an inspiration and encouragement to the parents of the other students.  Other awards – Most Outstanding Student, Most Creative, Most Respectful, Most Behaved and Best in Attendance – were also given to students per level.

The graduation was held from 10 AM – 12 NN at the Delaney Hall and was followed by a salu-salo, which was attended by the graduates, their parents and the volunteer catechists.

***

Eighty-two students from the Sunday School Program received their First Communion last March 14.  Majority of the first communicants were from the third grade although a handful came from Grades 4, 5 and 6, and even from the high school students.  The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Fr. Mike Ty

***

In thanksgiving for the successes of this year’s batch of graduates of the University of the Philippines, the UP community gathered last March 18 to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass. It was organized by the Campus Ministry Office, in cooperation with the Catholic Students Community and its member organizations. Our Parish Priest, Fr. Raymond Arre, led the celebration, with the Campus Minister, Fr. Mike Ty, and Fr. James McTavish of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, as his concelebrants. The mass, which was especially prepared to unite our community to pray for the University’s graduates, was warmly attended by a good number of students, deans and heads of academic units, instructors and professors, administrators and staff, and the UP President, Dr. Emerlinda Roman, herself. Fr. Arre’s homily, Dr. Roman’s address, and Fr. Mike’s message made the mass even more eventful for UP’s graduating students as they spoke of our Parish and University communities’ oneness in the celebration and thanksgiving of our graduates’ successes.

***

This year, the Parish organized a Visita Iglesia as one of its activities this Lenten Season geared towards deepening the parishioners’ understanding of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The one-day pilgrimage will be held on March 27, 2010, and will cover various churches in the provinces of Rizal and Laguna. The Visita Iglesia will commence with a mass at Tanay, Rizal to be officiated by our Parish Priest Fr. Raymond L. Arre. Thereafter, the Stations of the Cross will be recited and prayed in the towns of Pakil, Paete, Magdalena, Liliw, Nagcarlan, and Pila.

By Michelle Rose Rubio, Kiboy Tabada, Kristine Turado and Ily Grace Yumul

Triduum, in Latin, refers to a period of three days. It is the holiest of days for us Catholics. If Semana Santa is holy, the three days within that period is deeply sacred.  They are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Three days filled with mystery, sacrifice and love.

We call the first of the three days Maundy Thursday. It is Maundy, from the word ‘mandatum’ which means an order or a commission. It centers on the final command of Jesus to his disciples at the Last Supper to “do this in memory of me.” On Maundy Thursday, Jesus celebrates the first Eucharist and He institutes the priesthood. At the last meal of Jesus, he uses the bread and wine as the signs of his very self, His body and blood. It is His gift and memory, His presence and love to all of us. When we attend the liturgy in our parish on Holy Thursday, we will witness the washing of the feet during the celebration of Eucharist to remember the Lord’s Last Supper.  After communion at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, there is no final blessing because the three days continue into each other. So the priest brings the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of Repose for adoration until midnight. Those taking part in the liturgy accompany Jesus into the night, and into the garden of olives, as they think of His arrest.  It is the reversal of every religious expectation.  People usually expect God to help them when they are in trouble.  On this night, we are asked to help Jesus when He is in trouble.  ‘Could you not watch one hour with me?’  In our world, God is weak, powerless.  Only by being like that can God be with us and help us – when we are weak and powerless.

We call the second day of the Triduum Good Friday. There is great irony here calling the day Jesus dies ‘good.’  It should be a day of mourning, a bad day. Instead we call it good. It is because we Christian remember and celebrate how far God’s love was willing to go for us. That love was willing to go to the far and dark country we call sin and conquer it with His love. When we attend the liturgy in our parish on Good Friday, we shall witness the proclamation of the passion story of Jesus, how He suffered and died. It will be followed by the veneration of the cross of Jesus. The priest will raise it three times and people will honor the cross of Jesus by touching or kissing it. Afterwards, communion shall follow with the consecrated bread of the Mass of the Last Supper of Maundy Thursday. Again, quietly the Good Friday liturgy will flow to the third day of the Triduum. Meanwhile, the Filipino tradition of procession of the Santo Entierro follows. It is a small way of expressing our sorrow at the suffering and death of Jesus.

The last day of the Triduum include two adjoining days: Black Saturday and the Easter Vigil Mass which begins in the Evening of Saturday leading to Easter Sunday. On Black or Holy Saturday, nothing happens in the church. People come and pray in silence, many come to pray the way of the cross. We wait for the night of our glorious redemption to come.  At 10PM, we gather to celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass. It will begin with a darken church with one light aglow: the Easter candle. Just as the priest raised the cross three times on Good Friday, he will raise the Easter candle three times to proclaim that Christ is risen and has defeated the darkness of sin. Many readings will be proclaimed especially from the Old Testament to remind us of the history of our redemption. The waters to be used for baptism shall also be blessed this holy night. We shall also welcome to our faith an adult person who has decided to receive baptism.  From the night liturgy of Saturday to the full light of Easter Day, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, his ‘passover’ from death to life.  God has not left his son crucified and in the bonds of death.  God has raised him up.  God has lifted him out of death.  God has given God’s life to the one who gave his life for God and for us all. Christus vincit. Christus regnat. Christus imperat.

1

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

2

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

Area Mass, Hardin ng Dona Aurora, 7:30 PM

3

Bigasang Parokya, 3-5 PM

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Coordinators Meeting, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Village A, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, AMORSOLO, 7 PM

4

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, UP BLISS, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, PAG-ASA, 7 PM

5

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

KaKa Parents Formation Program, 7 PM

Parish Station of the Cross, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Area 17, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Village B, 7:30 PM

6

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Mass Practice of First Communicant, 2 PM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

7

Sunday School Graduation, 10 AM

Catechist Meeting, 1:30 PM

SMHC Regular Meeting, 2 PM

PYM Youth Mass, 6 PM

8

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

9

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

10

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, AMORSOLO, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Hardin ng Dona Aurora, 7 PM

11

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

PYM Execom Meeting, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Village A, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Palaris, 7 PM

12

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Area 1, 2 & 3, 6 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Ricarte, 7 PM

13

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

Mass Practice of First Communicant, 2 PM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

14

First Commnion Mass, 2 PM
LCG Regular Meeting, 2 PM

15

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

16

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

17

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

PPC Execom, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Arboretum, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Hardin ng PAG-ASA, 7 PM

18

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

PYM Academic Night, 7 PM

CM Visioning Process, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Area 11, 7 PM

19

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Parish Station of the Corss, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Area 1, 2 & 3, 6 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Village B, 7 PM

20

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

21

PPC Meeting, 2 PM

PYM Youth Mass, 2 PM

22

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

23

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

PYM Rosaryo sa Kapitbahayan, 7 PM

24

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Kumpisalang Parokya, 7 PM

25

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Arboretum, 5:30 PM

Area Station of the Cross, Hardin ng Dona Aurora, 7:30 PM

26

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Parish Station of the Cross, AMORSOLO, 7 PM

Area Station of the Cross, 7 PM

27

Legion of Mary Regular Meeting, 9 AM

PYM House Visit, 7 PM

COM Cenacle at Palaris Grotto, 7 PM

28

PALM SUNDAY

PYM Kalakal Day

Blessing of Palms at the Engineering Steps, 9:30 AM

Palm Sunday High Mass, 10 AM

29

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

30

HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program, Daang Tubo, 5:30 PM

Tuesday Circle Mass & Fellowship, 6 AM

Lenten Recollection, 7 PM