The UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (PHS) held a two-day Parish Evaluation and Planning Workshop last September 15-16, 2012 in the Delaney Hall.  The workshop’s main objective was to align the parish’s pastoral plan with that of the 8-Point Priority Agenda of the Diocese of Cubao for the years 2012- 2017.

The workshop had two components: the first was an evaluation of the previous PHS Pastoral Plan for 2009-2011, formulated and executed by the former parish priest, Fr. Raymond L. Arre.  The second was an extensive planning of the first year of a pastoral plan that would span 5 years under the leadership of the current parish priest, Rev Fr Henry E. Ferreras.

The former pastoral plan fully conformed with the 5-Point Priority Agenda (5-PPA) implemented by the Diocese of Cubao from 2009-2011.  Since the past 5-PPA goals are currently incipient in the new 8-Point Priority Agency (8-PPA), the results of the evaluation workshop identified the strong points  in terms of the best practices in the areas of manpower, resources and facilities, systems and procedures, communication, and resource management.

The objectives that were unfinished or partially accomplished were noted and marked for improvement in the succeeding pastoral plan.

In brief, the 8-Point Priority Agenda consists of:
·        BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES (BEC)
·        FORMATION
·        CLERGY
·        STRUCTURE & POLICIES
·        SOCIAL ACTION
·        MEDIA
·        STEWARDSHIP
·        CATECHETICAL

From the evaluation results of the previous agenda, the secretariat derived 11 objectives to be discussed and fine-tuned in the planning workshop. The first eight objectives indicated a sharp consistency with the diocese’s 8-PPA, while the last three captured the needs and priorities that are unique to the PHS:
·        To maintain, repair, upgrade and improve parish facilities
·        To strengthen and monitor linkages with the different organizations and sectors of the University (administration, faculty, students, barangay, and public officers)
·        To enrich the servant leaders’ fellowship program

Based on partial data given by the Secretariat, the following paragraphs provide some insights on how the various ministries, organizations, and areas link their respective plans with the 8-PPA.  (Note: The order of presentation follows the sequence according to the Diocesan 8-PPA).

Goal 1: Strengthen and Enliven the Parish through the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC)
The BEC group plans to strengthen the BEC organization by formulating an organizational chart that links the Parish-level BECs with the Parish Pastoral Council  (PPC) down to the area levels.  It also plans to continue the conduct of BEC orientation seminars, and regular monthly activities in the areas with intensified participation of ugnayans in area masses, area council meetings, and rosaryo sa kapitbahayan.

The Family and Life Ministry shall undertake Basic Catechism for Family, formulate a basic catechetical module for use in homes, and conduct catechetical formation on family and life.

Goal 2:  Sustain and enhance the relevant, on-going pastoral management program, focusing on skills and servant leaders and formation of lay leaders.
Family and life ministry will conduct a series of seminars on such subjects as person hood, human sexuality, responsible parenthood, and art of communication.

The Workshop Ministry will contribute to the formation of servant leaders among the ranks of LCGs to serve at area masses in collaboration with BEC.

Goal 3:  Clarify, align, and update organizational structures and policies for effective monitoring and evaluation of the 5-year pastoral agenda.
A unique feature of the new parish pastoral plan is an initiative of the PPC Executive Committee to present, ratify an updated version of the organizational structure of the PPC.

This plan includes designing a regular monthly and quarterly monitoring system that builds up into an annual summative monitoring and evaluation of the pastoral plan.

Goal 4:  Provide social service and development projects that respond to issues in solidarity with the poor
The Social Services and Development Ministry (SSDM) plans to conduct medical clinics twice a year targeting 180 beneficiaries and continue sending referrals to government and private welfare agencies (medical centers and hospitals, medical associations, orphanages and funeral parlors) for 200 beneficiaries.  It also plans to assist victims of crises and calamities (fire, typhoon, flood), and to hold Christmas gift-giving to 400 deserving families in the parish.  It will also continue implementing its HAPAG-ASA Feeding Program to 100 eligible children from Area 17 and Arboretum.

Goal 5: Intensify mobilization of servant leader and parishioner resources guided by the spirituality of stewardship
The BEC group will respond by training BEC servant leaders to become shepherds of BEC zones, kawans and cells by continuing the Seminar on Spirituality of Stewardship (SSS).

The Worship Ministry will organize spiritual formation seminars among its members, while the Public Affairs Ministry (PAM) will intensify basic orientation for lay leaders through seminars that highlight the importance of social apostolate.

Apologies are forwarded to the Formation Ministry, Parish Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, and Catechetical/Vocation Ministry for non-coverage of their plans.  All plans, however, remain tentative until finalized and approved by the Parish Priest at the monthly meeting of the PPC on 21 October, 2012.

The Parish Evaluation and Planning Workshop was headed by the parish priest, Rev Fr Henry E. Ferreras and co-facilitated by the communication group, particularly Kristine Turado and Teresa Torres.

-Dr. Nestor N. Pilar

Change has always been a cause of various emotions like excitement and anxiety. Sometimes, changes are made to move forward, while not very often, some changes are made to move a step back.

Come December 2, 2012, our celebration of the masses in English will have a number of several changes. The first of these changes began in our parish last June 01, 2012. The usual response to “The Lord be with you” is no longer “And also with you.” It was now changed to “And with your spirit”, the literal translation of the Latin “Et cum spiritu tuo”.

Why do we have these changes? Is it simply to bring something new to the celebration of the mass, so that there will be a renewed interest from the attendees, just as whenever there is a newly opened restaurant in the mall, more mall goers are enticed to visit?

Obviously, a renewed interest in the celebration of the Holy Mass is most welcomed, but more than mere interest and a bit more attention, what is aimed by the changes in the responses, prayers, and songs in the masses in English, is for us Catholics to have a clearer and deeper understanding of what we celebrate.

Sometimes, we need to step back to check that we are moving to the right future. In a sense, the move to change the English translation we use today is a step back, in order to allow us to be closer to where we came from. It is a reminder that we should know our roots and be true to it.

The English translation that we use today is the 1973 translation that was made by the International Commission on English Liturgy (ICEL). While this direct and plain translation has been widely accepted and used, the late Pope John Paul II felt the need to make the translation closer to the original Latin text. In 2001, he authorized the ICEL to translate the 3^rd edition of the Latin Roman Missal. The Liturgiam Authenticam served as their guide in making the translation. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI approved the revised English translation.

Here in our country, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) approved the adoption of the new translation in January 2011. After a year of preparation, the gradual implementation of the new translation has been put into effect.

The question now is what should we do? Since it is but natural to have the desire to understand what we don’t know, we encourage everyone to make themselves familiar with the changes. Catechesis will be given to enlighten us parishioners on this milestone in our history of our mass celebration. The internet is also a valuable source of information on the changes in the translation. Bookstores also provide a number of leaflets, books, and other materials that are helpful in understanding the change we are experiencing.

Let us keep ourselves prepared for these changes. Hopefully, these changes will make us more curious about our faith and lead us to have a deeper and closer relationship with God.

-Kristine Turado

The Contract of Lease between the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao was finalized and signed by Most Rev Honesto F. Ongtioco, Bishop of Cubao and Dr. Caesar A. Saloma, Chancellor, UP Diliman on 17 May 2012. The contract was signed in the presence of President Alfredo E. Pascual of the UP System.

During the exchange of messages, Bishop Ongtioco thanked the University officials, led by President Pascual, for receiving him and his party warmly. He also thanked Chancellor Saloma for facilitating the contract finalization. Bishop Ongtioco was grateful for the easier terms provided in the contract and for the UP leadership’s appreciation of the church’s contribution to the student body and the UP community. The bishop observed that while the Church and the University are separate entities they can be united as one in the pursuit of a common direction.

Chancellor Saloma said that upon his assumption to office in March 2011, he noted that the contract of lease which expired in 2005 had not been renewed. Thus, he worked for a draft that would put things in proper order, i.e. satisfying the requirements of the Commission on Audit and reviewing the relations between UP Diliman and the Diocese.  The review process sorted out activities pursuant to, among others, running a school, maintaining the roads around the Parish Church, and providing security to the throngs who are attracted to the Church on Sundays and other occasions. He said the process for negotiating the contract renewal helped his administration to come up with a “harmonized” program pertaining to other preparatory schools around the campus.

President Pascual said that the UP Chapel or the Church of the Holy Sacrifice was “memorable” because it was where he and his wife, Merchu, were wed, a significant part of their lives. While they were students, the chapel also provided spiritual refuge. In candor, he admitted that the lease contract for the parish and its pre-school was difficult to decide on. Even when he was UPAA President, he tried to mediate a solution that could be acceptable to everyone. Being a secular organization, UP cannot give special treatment to religious groups. A decision must be based on consistent and acceptable principles. After research-based information showed that the parish pre-school along with other similar schools were providing service to the community, the years of impasse was broken. The contract now  assures that the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice can maintain its presence witout worrying about  its renewal. It recognizes the impact of the program on parents’ ability to send their children to school. The University leadership, in partnership with theBisop of Cubao may endeavor towards quality and excellent service to the children of parishioners in the UP community.

UP Diliman officials who witnessed the contract signing were Dr. Ronald S. Banzon, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Prof. Virginia C. Yap, Vice-Chancellor for Administration; Dr. Raquel B. Florendo, Director, Business Concessions Office, and Dr. Kristine DLR Villagonzalo, Director, Office of Extension Coordination.

The witnesses for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao were Rev. Fr. Henry Ferreras, Parish Priest of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice; and Dr. Nestor N. Pilar, PPC Lay Coordinator. Former parish priest  Rev. Fr. Raymond Joseph L. Arre was unable to attend.

-Nestor Pilar

The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice began practicing a corporate approach to planning and implementing parish programs in the year 2007 when its parish priest Fr. Raymond Arre gathered the then ministry heads and the top 2 officers of each organization for an evaluation and planning workshop. Together, they formulated the parish goals. These goals set the direction as to where the parish, through the leadership of its ministry and organization heads, is going.

Programs were then created to make concrete the formulated parish goals. Each year, these programs are evaluated for fine tuning if the program remains relevant to the parishioners’ needs or for dismissal if otherwise.

In the year 2009, through another evaluation and planning workshop participated in by the ministry and organization heads, the parish aligned its goals to the Diocese of Cubao’s Five-Point Priority Agenda and thus, the parish goals were reformulated in such a way that at its heart is the Diocesan 5-Point Priority Agenda and the PHS’ mission-vision.

The existing parish programs were again evaluated if they serve the then newly formulated parish goals. After the evaluation comes the planning phase where programs are re-formulated to make it more attainable if it was difficult to achieve the previous year, to make it target more beneficiaries if it was a success the previous year. Simply put, the planning makes better each of the programs by refining the objective itself, by detailing all the necessary steps and activities to make the program a success and by scheduling each of these steps.

It is necessary that goals and accompanying concrete programs are available to make the church as engaging and inspiring to its parishioners, so as ultimately, parishioners will be moved to better service for the Lord. This service may be in the form of attending mass regularly, volunteering in parish programs, or serving in one of the parish organizations. This year, the parish servant leaders headed to Capuchin Retreat Center at Lipa City, Batangas on August 19 to conduct its 5th parish evaluation and planning workshop.

This year’s highlight is in the planning of the action plans for the third and final year of the 3-year pastoral goal which was initiated in 2009. Initial evaluation activities were done at the Delaney Hall last August 14.

On August 20, the workshop was concluded by a Holy Mass and an official announcement of the newly elected members of the parish council. The list goes as follows:

PPC Coordinator: Nes Pilar

PPC Secretary: Tere Torres

Ministry Heads

Worship: Boots Concepcion

Campus: Fr. Mike Ty

Public Affairs: Deming Landrito

Family & Life: Noel & Chie Lumbre

Formation: Vilma Resuma Youth: Nanette Pelaez

Social Services: Seving Arias

Catechetical & Vocation: Boy Lumbreras

BEC Coordinator: Alan Navida

-Kristine Turado

When one says that today is a Holy Day of Obligation, this means that as Catholics, we are expected to go to mass as it is our Catholic obligation to do so. Here are some reminders for the upcoming Holy Days of Obligation.

This year, December 25 or Christmas Day falls on a Saturday. This is a Holy Day of Obligation as the Catholic community celebrates the coming of Jesus. One may go to mass on any of the mass schedules on the day itself or at the 6.00PM anticipated mass the day before, in order to fulfill his Catholic obligation. The readings for the December 25 evening masses will be for the readings for Christmas.

In the Liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Holy Family, another Holy Day of Obligaiton, is celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas Day. This means that for this year, on December 26, we shall celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. One may go to mass on any of the mass schedules for that day in order to fulfill his obligation. However, if one hears mass at 6PM on December 25, one fulfills his Sunday obligation.

On January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. On January 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. If one hears mass at 6pm on January 1, one may not go to mass on January 2 anymore as he has already fulfilled his obligation. The readings for the January 1 evening mass will be the readings for the Feast of the Epiphany.

By Kristine Turado, Vianney Natividad & Doris Yumul

Beginning August this year, Basic Formation Seminars and Renewal Formation Seminars, spearheaded by the Diocese of Cubao, were attended by Worship Ministry servant leaders. Those attendees will be having their annual Worship Ministry commissioning during the 6:00PM mass this November 27, 2010 inside the Parish grounds. A fellowship activity for all newly commissioned servant leaders will take place at the Delaney Hall after the mass.

By Kristine Turado, Vianney Natividad & Doris Yumul

November 14, 2010 marked the first of the three consecutive Sundays of the Sweet KaKa project organized by the Lectors and Commentators Group (LCG) of the UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.

Aiming to share the sweetness of giving, the Sweet KaKa serves as a channel for the parishioners’ to share their blessings while enjoying the delicious doughnuts from Cello’s Doughnuts and Dips and for our KaKa scholars to feel the sweetness of the season with their new school supplies. The project proceeds will be awarded to the Kaloob-Karunungan officers on the LCG’s Christmas Party on December 12, 2010 at the Delaney hall.

By Kristine Turado, Vianney Natividad & Doris Yumul

Noong Ika-9 ng Nobyembre, namayapa ang ama ng ating dating Kura Paroko na si Fr. Robert Reyes. Si Ginoong Carlos Reyes ay pumanaw sa edad na 87 dahil sa atake sa puso.

If we accept that life is a school, and that every experience is an opportunity to move forward on our evolutionary path, there will be some very useful lessons to be gained even in this most unpleasant experience. (Robert Najemy, The Psychology of Happiness)

Sa darating na Enero 2011, ilulunsad ng Formation Ministry ang pagbabahagian ng Salita ng Diyos. Nilalayon nitong mapalalim ang kaalaman ng bawat isa ukol sa salita ng Diyos at mas magkakilala pa ang mga miyembro ng BEC o Basic Ecclesial Communities.

Ang gagamiting gabay tungkol sa pagbabahagi at daloy ng programa ay nagmula sa Diyosesis ng Cubao. Binubuo ito ng pitong (7) hakbang na naglalayong makatulong sa programa. Sisimulan ito ng pag-aanyaya sa Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng pambungad na awit. Ikalawa ay ang pagbasa ng isang sipi sa bibliya. Ikatlo ang pagpili ng ilang linya sa binasang sipi sa bibliya at ang pagninilay sa napiling linya. Ikaapat ay ang pananahimik sa loob ng ilang minuto at hahayaan ng magsalita ang Panginoon sa bawat isa. Ikalima ay ang pagbabahagi mga narinig sa ating mga puso na tumimo at nakaapekto sa atin at kung paano maisasabuhay ang salita ng Buhay. Ikaanim ay ang pagpili ng ating “Salita ng Buhay” mula sa pagbasa na siyang magiging “action point” para sa mga darating pang araw. Panghuli ay ang sama-samang panalangin sa pamamagitan ng mga sariling salita.

Gaganapin ang nasabing bible sharing isang beses sa isang buwan kada area. Iminungkahi ng ating kura paroka na si Fr. Raymond na sisimulan ang pagninilay isang lingo bago ang nakatakdang iskedyul ng area mass.
Kaugnay nito, magkakaroon ng Bible Sharing facilitators Training sa Ika-31 ng Disyembre, Biyernes sa ganap na Ika-1 hanggang 5 ng hapon sa Delaney Hall.

By Kristine Turado, Vianney Natividad & Doris Yumul