Issue No. 11 Oicial Newsletter of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Recoletos de Project 6) * Diocese of Cubao DECEMBER 2016

CARMEL light

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. Thoughts in Words - Fr. Larry J. Garces, OAR 2. iBAHAGI - The Parish Stewardship Program In Full Swing 3. Photo Gallery - Stewardship Launching 4. Saloobin Sa iBAHAGI Program 5. How Can I Become A More Cheerful Giver? 6. The Immaculate Conception 7. Special Feature - Virgen de la Salud

8. Up Close and Personal - Fr. Hector C. Gonzales, OAR 9. To Jesus Through Mary (Marian Pilgrimage 2016)10. MASS SCHEDULES - Advent, Simbang Gabi, Misa de Gallo and Christmas Eve11. Parish News atbp ... and many more

www.ourladyofmountcarmelparish.com * OLMCP * olmcp6@yahoo.com

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

CARMEL light

2

he CARMEL light

Editors- Angie Sajona and Bebet Talusan

Assistant Editor - Pia Belarmino

Website Administrator - Angie Sajona

FB Administrator - King Gonzalez

Contributing Writers (this issue) - Dik Sajona, Adel Salva,

Rina Paca, Egay Ferrer, Caesar Pangan,

and Emmanuel Luis Romanillos

Contributing Photographers (this issue) - Elton Maceda,

Paolo Abelita, and Seb Sajona

Layout Consultant - Noel Pabalate

Adviser - Fr. Larry J. Garces, OAR

The Carmel light is the oficial quarterly newsletter of OLMC Parish, Project 6. It is produced by the Social Communication and

Promotion Ministry.

Fr. Larry J. Garces, OAR

THOUGHTS IN WORDS

Cover photo - Special thanks to Ryan Aristotle Carreon Aragon, a multi-awarded Filipino artist for his kind permission to use his masterpiece for this issue. Mr. Aragon is based in Cagayan de Oro City.

I have experienced celebrating Christmas a few times in other countries, and as far as I am concerned, Christmas in the Philip-

pines is a lot diferent, it’s totally a blast! Perhaps other Filipinos who had the same experience will agree with me. But what is it that makes the celebration here diferent from those in other countries? Beats me! Is there really a diference?

Iguesstheonesigniicantfactortoconsidervis-a-

vis the celebration is that there is no place like home! It is

alwaysdifferentinyourownturf,inyourownbackyard,withyourownfolks.Yung ambiente baga! The Christmas spirit

hereislikenoother!Yes,wedonothavesnow;wedonothavereindeersnorsnowmennorsleighs,butwedohaveour Simbang-gabi! Wedohaveputo bumbong, cuchinta, lechon, buko salad with kaong,andothernativefarewhichmake for an unforgettable noche buena, that timeless

ChristmastraditionintroducedtousbytheSpaniards!

Everywhere in the world, Christmas is celebratedforoneandthesamereason-thebirthofJesus!ShouldwethenhavedifferentperspectivesinlookingatHisbirth?Ipresupposeweallhavesimilarconceptsofhumanbirth,thoughwehavebeentaughtthatJesus’birthwasundoubt-edlyofveryuniqueandsupernaturalcircumstances!Still,whythedifferenceinthecelebrations?

Thisyear isaspecialone. It ismademeaningfulbecauseitistheJubileeYearofMercyasdeclaredbyPopeFrancis;itisalsotheYearoftheEucharistandtheFamily

asdeclaredbytheCBCPinpreparationforthe5thcente-

naryoftheCatholicfaithinthePhilippinesin2021.Thesetwocelebrations,onelocalandtheotheruniversal,donotcomplicatebut rather enhanceour celebrationof life, ourcelebrationofbirth,ourcelebrationofChristmas!

ThecallforMercyandtheneedformercyservetoaugmentourcelebrationsthewholeyearthrough,includingChristmas.TheendgoalofmercyistobereconciledtotheFather,toreturntoHim,toseekhisforgivenesssothatwemaybeonewithHimandremaininHislove.Christ’sbirthisinrealitytheestablishmentofthatlink,thestrengtheningofthatbond!SowhenwereturntotheFather,weareinfact reunited with Him, and there ensues our rebirth andrenewal!

When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we areunited toHim. Forusordinaryhumans, therecanbenogreater bond than this. Of course this pales in compari-son to the bond between Jesus and Mary. But we havemorereasonstomaintainthisbond,receivingChristmorefrequentlyintheEucharist,maintainingthelinktotheHolyFamily! We remain connected to God through the HolyEucharistand,asHisadoptedchildren,wesharethesamebond–onefaith,oneGod,onebaptism,onefamily!

Soifwestillthinkthatthereisadifferenceinthecel-ebrations,thenwehaveaproblem!WhatismostimportantisthatChristdwellsinus–Emmanuel!Andwithcertainty,werecognizethatChrist’sbirthisaninitiativefromGodtobewithus, tobeonewithus inorder todrawusback tothe Father! In this way, Christmas becomes a more Christ-

centeredcelebration!Andwithorwithoutdecorations,withorwithoutfrolickingandparties,withorwithoutfattyandun-

healthyfood,wecancelebrateChristmasmeaningfullyaslongasJesusisinourhearts!MaythespiritofChristmasbe always in our hearts!

PeopleofGodandparishionersofOurLadyofMt.Carmel,Project6,mayyouallhaveaBLESSEDCHRIST-

MAS IN YOUR HEARTS! AND IN THE COMING YEARMAYYOUALWAYSREMAININCHRIST.

Christmas in ourHearts

CARMEL light

3

iBaHagi -

The Parish Stewardship Program, is now in full swing!

4

The Christian concept of stewardship of time, tal-entandtreasureissomethingverynew,infactvirtuallyun-

known,toOLMCparishionersandeventhoseactivelyserv-

ingintheparish.Why?Becauseneverbeforeinthe55-yearhistoryofourparishhadastewardshipprogrameverbeenlaunched.

Thatisalsothereasonwhysessionsofthe5-min-

utecatechesisbeforethemasshadtodwellonthetopicofstewardshipforseveralSundays.Theessenceandspiritu-

alityofstewardshiphadtobegraduallyintroducedandcare-

fullyexplainedinorderto instill intheheartsandmindsofparishionersthatGodisthesourceofalland,ingratitude,itisonlyittingthattheygivebackaportionoftheirGod-givengiftsoftime,talentandtreasurejoyfully,motivatedbylove.

Our parish stewardship program, called iBAHAGI,hasinallybeenlaunched.iBAHAGI,anacronymforiBalikHandogsaGinoo,couldn’tbeamoreittingnamebecausestewardshipisaboutgratitude,itisaboutgivingback;stew-

ardshipisalifestyleofsharing.Theparish-widelaunchingwasheldonSunday,October23inall10massesfrom6:00amto8:30pm.Abeautifulvideo,producedbytheLWPGChoir,waspresentedduringeachmasstointroducethenewprogram;italsoshowedhowtheparishcontinuestoprovidespiritual nourishment to its lay faithful and respond to theneeds of the underprivileged members of the community.Throughthevideo,parishionerswereinvitedtosupportiBA-

HAGIbysharingtheir time,talentandtreasureforthefur-theranceofthemissionoftheChurch.Awholedayfestiveministry fairdubbedas “LingkodSimbahanFair”washeldsimultaneouslyoutsidethechurch.

Guest priests who were invited to preside eachmassgave inspiringhomilies that focusedonstewardship

topersuadeparishionerstosupportiBAHAGI.BishopOng-

tiocograciouslypresidedtheveryirstmassat6:00am.Heblessedthestewardshipboothinfrontofthechurchandtheministryboothsstationedinthepatioafterthemass.

All ministries and the BECs had their own boothsrepletewithcolorfultarps,lyersandotherpromotionalma-

terials;theboothsweremannedbycheerfulservantleaderswhowelcomed interested joiners, talkedabout theirminis-

tryandaboutgrowinginfaiththroughservice.Attheendoftheday, theministry fairprovedfruitful.Manyparishionerssigneduptojointheministriesandorganizationswheretheybelievetheirtimeandtalentmaybeworthsharingandputtogooduse.Thatisstewardshipoftimeandtalent!Likewise,quiteanumberofparishionersreadilyregisteredattheiBA-

HAGI booth to commit their monthly pledges. Others whowerestill undecided requested tobringhome theirpledge

Everything we have - our life, our time, talent and treasure, everything we are and every-thing we will become - is from God. Everything we have is God’s; we are just stewards. Stewardship is caring for what belongs to God. It is the grateful response of a Christian who receives God’s gits, cultivates and uses these gits to serve Him and others, and shares them

generously; in doing so, he gloriies God and builds his faith.

Comeandjointhe

LITURGY OF THE HOURS

Lauds (Morning Prayers)daily,exceptSundayafterthe6amMass

&

Vespers (Evening Prayers)Saturdayonly,5:45pm

Everything we have is God’s; we are just stewards.

“

“

CARMEL light

4

ANO ANG iBAHAGI?

Ito ay pinaikling i-BAlik-HAndog sa GInoo*, ang bagong

Stewardship Program ng Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

Ang programang ito’ynaglalayong hikayatin ang

bawa’t parokyano na magingbahagisa:

• pagtataguyodngSimbahan,• pagpapalaganapngMabutingSalita,• pagpapatibay ng pananampalataya, at

• pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto ng awa, malasakit, at

pagtulong sa nangangailangan.

*Diyos(saCebuano)

Bakit kO kailangan ang

prOgramang itO

AnglahataynilalangngDiyosdahilsaPag-ibig.Sagayon, ang lahat nang mayroon tayo - kakayahan, talino,

panahon, kayamanan at maging ang ating buhay, katawan,

atkaluluwa-ayhindinatinpag-aari(Ps24:1,Eze18:4;Hag2:8).Bagkus,lahatngito’yipinahiramlamangngDiyossaatin. Ang mga biyayang ito ay ipinagkatiwala sa atin bilang

mgatagapangasiwa(stewards)kungkaya’tmayroontayongpananagutannaito’ypagyamaninatgamitinayonsakagus-

tuhanngDiyos(CCC2402,2404).

paanO akO makakatugOn sa

pananagutang itO

Tinatawaganglahatsabukas-paladngpagbabalik-handogbilangpasasalamat,pagpupuriatpagmamahalsaDiyos. Tayo ay maaaring maglaan ng PANAHON, KA-

KAYAHAN atTALINO bilang lingkod ng Simabahan at ngating mga pamayanan.

Mahalaga rin na magbalik-handog sa Diyos sapamamagitan ng taos-pusong pag-aambag ng yaman na

gagamitin na pangtustos sa mga programa ng Simbahan(Rom12:8). Saganitongparaan,tayo’ymagigingmgaMISSIONPARTNERSokaBAHAGIngDiyossalayuninngKaligtasanpara sa lahat.

paanO akO makikiBaHagi

• Magparehistrosa iBAHAGIBoothsaharapngSimba-

hantuwingarawngLinggoosaParishOficesalahatng oras na bukas ito.

• MaaringmagbahagingpanahonatkakayahanbilangpaglilingkodsaSimbahano/atmag-pledgenghalagangiaambagsaSimbahannangbuwananotuwingikatlongbuwan(quarterly).• Ang pledge ay maituturing na iyong personal na pan-

gakoopanatasaDiyos.• Ikaw ay bibigyan ng isang passbook na magsisilbing

talaan ng iyong mga ambag. Ang passbook ay tatatakan

sa tuwing ikaw ay mag-aambag ng halagang ayon sa

iyongpledge.• MaaarimongdalhinangiyongpledgesaiBAHAGIBooth

saarawngLinggoosaParishOficesaibangaraw.

iBAHAGI The Parish Stewardship ...

forms to deliberate on how much they can share. Stew-

ardshipof treasure isaplannedandperiodicsharing,anyamount thataparishionerwishes topledge isacceptable.Theattitudeingiving-cheerful,heart-felt,andmotivatedbylove- ismoreimportantthantheamount.Altogether,theparish-widelaunchingofiBAHAGIwasasuccess.

With iBAHAGI now in full swing, the challenge toparishionersistowhole-heartedlysupporttheprogramandmakestewardshipawayoflife.Stewardshipisacalltoholi-ness.ItgivesusthecouragetocommittotheLordandgivelikeJesusdidwithoutfearofeverlacking.Stewardshipisaneternalinvestment.

WhatevertheparishreapsfromiBAHAGIwillenableittoenhanceexistingpastoralprograms,extendmorehelptotheneedypamayanans,andembarkonmoreprogramscommittedtobuildingupavibrant,Eucharist-centeredOL-

MCPcommunitysharingGod’sgiftsanddoingGod’swork.

3

CARMEL light

5

Our parish welcomes another young priest, Fr. Tiktok, born on April 29, 1986 and ordained on April 25, 2014. He is the youngest among four chil-

dren of Joselito Gonzales (+) and Corazon Cata-pang of Candelaria, Quezon.

He inished his philosophy and theology at theCasiciaco Recoletos Seminary and Recoletos FormationCenter,respectively.HisMasteralArtsdissertationsubjectwasChurchHistory.

BeforehistransfertoOLMCP,heservedattheOurLadyofPeaceandGoodVoyageinDelpan,Tondo,Manila.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONALFr. Hector ‘Tiktok’ C. Gonzales, OAR

1. Do you have a favorite Augustinian Saint and why? Yes, Ihaveandit isSaintRitaofCascia,anItalianwidowandanAugustiniannun–thepatronessofimpossible.Storyhasitthatmonthsbeforeherdeath,afriendvisitedherinthemonasteryandaskedwhatshedesired,Ritarequestedherfriendtobringherarosefromherparents’garden,asmallfavor,butimpossibletoindinJanuary,awintermonth!Toherfriend’samazement,shefoundabrightlycoloredblos-

sominthegarden,pickedit,andrushedimmediatelytothemonasteryandRitathankedGodforthissignoflove.Shewhose impossible requestsweregrantedher,became theadvocate of all those whose own requests seem impossi-bleaswell.Asshebreathedher last,Rita’sinalwords tothesisterswhogatheredaroundherwere,“Remain in theholyloveofJesus.RemaininobediencetotheholyRomanChurch.Remaininpeaceandfraternalcharity.”Atpresentthe plant still bears sweet smelling roses. 2. If you are sent to Rome what would you ask your superior? IwouldaskhimifIcouldfurthermystudiesinChurchHistoryortakeupArcheology. 3. In the course of your studies, what was your greatest challenge which could have prevented you from becoming a priest? WhenIwas inmysecondyear inTheology,Ivoluntarilyappliedforaone-year leavefromtheOrder.IwentonleavebecauseIrealizedthatforalmostmyentireseminaryformation,theschedulesbecameroutinely monotonous to the point that I almost lost the main

reasonwhyIwantedtobecomeapriest.Outsidethesemi-nary,andasan‘ordinary’layperson,Iwenttoworkinaship-

pingcompanyinParañaque.ThenIdeliberatelystoppeddo-

ingmyspiritualactivities:prayingtheLiturgyoftheHours,attending masses daily, sometimes even skipping SundayMasses, and other spiritual exercises. It’s not because of‘spiritualfatigue’or‘spiritualdryness’butbecauseIwanted

HALF-WAY TO 2021!

Since 2013, the Philippine bishops have al-ready announced a 9-year plan to prepare us for 2021, the 500th anniversary of Chris-

tianity in the country.

“We remember with thanksgiving the irst Mass cel-ebrated in Limasawa Island on Easter Sunday March 31, that same blessed year. We remember the baptism of Ra-

jah Humabon who was given his Christian name Carlos and his wife Hara Amihan who was baptized Juana in 1521. Our eyes gaze on the Santo Niño de Cebu, the oldest religious icon in the Philippines, gift of Ferdinand Magellan to the irst Filipino Catholics that same year. Indeed the year 2021 will be a year of great jubilee for the Church in the Philippines.”

TheCBCPhadeachyeargivenadifferent themetoguideandpreparethefaithfulaswegothroughthisnine-yearjourneyfortheNewEvangelization.

• IntegralFaithFormation(2013)• TheLaity(2014)• ThePoor(2015)• TheEucharistandtheFamily(2016)• The Parish as a Communion of Communities

(2017)• TheClergyandReligious(2018)• TheYouth(2019)• EcumenismandInter-ReligiousDialogue(2020)• Missioadgentes[missiontothenations](2021)

Itissigniicanttonotethatthe9-yearpreparationislikenedtoanovenawhereweeagerlyawaitthatjoyfuldayoffestivitiesandcelebrationofayearofgreatjubileefortheChurchinthePhilippines!

6

When you feel you are drowning in life’s situation, remember that your lifeguard walks on water.

CARMEL light

6

toseeifIwouldfeeladeeperlongingforGod,astrongerzeal andfervortoloveandserveHimifImissallthoseac-

tivities.Monthsanddayswentby.Atonepoint,Isuddenlyrealized, and my eyes were opened, at how my my co-workerspracticedtheirfaithanddevotion.Despitethedailygrindthatmadeusequallytiredafterofice,theywouldstillrushandbeatthetraficjusttoattendtotheirreligiousde-

votions: thenovenaMassat theShrineof theMotherofPerpetualHelpinBaclaran,theirstFridaydevotiontotheBlackNazareneofQuiapo,andSundayMasses.Werenotthese thesamedevotion that Ipracticed in theseminarybut which I suddenly grew tired and bored of? Surpris-

ingly,Goddidnotjustgiveuponme.Heusedthesesimplefolksandtheirlittleactsoffaithtobringmebackknocking

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

BAKIT KAILANGAN ANG IBAHAGI? AngYSLEP(YouthServantLeadershipandEducationProgram)ayprogramangCaritasManilanatumutulongsapag-papaaralngmgakabataang may angking talino ngunit walang pangtustos sa

pag-aaralsacollege/university.AyonsaSocialServiceandDevelopmentMinistry(SSDM),sangayon,angOLMCPaymay 17 college scholars na tinutulungan ng programangito.Kasamadinsaprogramangitoangpaghubogsakanilaupangmagingactiveparishservantleaders.

5at thegateof theseminary. 4. Other than your spiritual books, do you have time to read any particular book? Notreally,butIlovetoreadhistorybooks.5. What makes you smile?Ilearnedfrommyfamily“asmuchaspossiblealwayssmilenottolookgoodbuttosharethejoyofbeinglovedandinlove”.6. Where did you get your nickname, ‘Tiktok’ ? According to my Inay, when I was still a baby

my elder sister would babysit me while she prepares mymilk.Onetime,whileIannoyinglycriedformilk,myAteAdagrabbed my bimpo, wrapped her index inger with it andslowlymovedheringerinacircularmotionaroundmylipswhile saying tik-tok-tik-tok mimickingthesoundofourwallclock.Amusedwiththe‘sound’Istoppedcryingandgaveher a smile like an angel! 7. Who is you favorite pastor?

Fr.JosephGranada,OAR,myirstlocalpriorandagreatcompanion. 8. What are your comfort food? Puchero,pastaandicecream.

Nais po ba ninyong tumulong sa programang itoat makapag-sponsor ng scholar? Sumali na sa iBahagi!MagparehistrosaiBAHAGIboothsaharapanngsimbahantuwingLinggo,omagtungosaparishofice,odikayaaymagtextotumawagkayKuyaNoelSantos,09279182590/KuyaRodVillafaña,09158427373,SSDMleadservants.(Photos: left - OLMCP scholars; right - Monthly ServantLeadershipTrainingngVicariateofSto.NiñoYSLEPschol-ars,Nov.13,2016,GB).

Fr.LarryGarces,OARcommissionedanewlastOctober9,2016, the63membersof theLectorsandCommentatorsMinistry(LCM)bothofthemainchurchandchapels,includingtheirsixnewmembers,toservetheparishcommunityforanotheryear.PaoloAbelita(top,2ndfromright)headstheministryfrom2014-2016.

CARMEL light

7

SALOOBIN SA iBAHAGi PROGRAMBY ADEL SALVA

FLOR OBIAS,69yrsold,Pamayanan5 - “Maganda dahil ang mga tao aymatutong magbigay at malaman nila

naangpagbibigayaylifetimecommit-ment.Dilangsabasketnakanilangna-

kasanayan.”

JESUSA DOMINGO,47yrsold,Pama-

yanan 6 - “Maganda at hindi namanmabigatdahildependenamansaiyongkakayahan.”

GRACE FRANCISCO, 51 yrs old,Pamayanan 9 - “Ok naman ang pro-

gramdahilmaremindangmgaparish-

ionersnamagbigay/magbahagi.Maypressuredinsatreasuredahilhindiakosanay na inoobligang magbigay regu-

larly.”

CYNTHIA SORIANO,72yrsold,Pama-

yanan9-“Okmagcommitngtimeandtalent lalo na sa sariling pamayanan

pero sa treasure medyo mahirap parasaakindahildependentnaakosamgaanak ko.Ang iBAHAGI Program itselfay OK, upang ma-encourage ang pa-

rishionersmagshare.”

MERCY PAMARANG, 47 yrs old,Pamayanan6-“OKdahilpagbabalikngblessingssaDiyosperodapatwalangspeciic amount, kung magkano langangmakakayananbawa’tbuwan.”

GRACE BOTOVARRA, 59 yrs old,Pamayanan 5 - “OK naman dahilmakakatulong sa pamayanan at sa par-

ish.At saka ang proceeds naman nitoaymapupuntasaPamayananPastoralprogramngatingparokya.”

PARISH NEWS ATBP...ON THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, NOVEMBER 27, 2016,theCBCPannouncedinalltheparishesalloverthePhilippinesthat2017istheYearoftheParishasCommun-

ionofCommunities.Itisenvisionedandprayedforthattheyear-longBECevangelization/formationineachparishwillbring the “un-churched”, nominal and alienated Catholicsback‘Home’.

AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2016, THERE ARE ALREADY 343 parishionersthathaveregisteredtotheiBAHAGI Steward-

ship Program. We anticipate an increase of membershipthisChristmasseasonastheybecomemoreinformedandinspired.

FR. OMER PRIETO, PARISH PRIEST OF ST. ANTHONY of PaduaParishandDiocesanPREXCoordinator,calledforaseminarforallcurrentparishPREXSecretariatandrep-

resentativesofparisheswhowishtoadoptthePREXSemi-naraspartof their formationprograms.Theseminarwasconductedfrom21to23November,2016attheElisabethHalloftheOurLadyofMt.CarmelShrinefortheirstdayandattheArsobispadoBuildinginLantana,Cubaoforthesecondandthirddays.Theseminarisaimedatharmonizingtheconduct,procedures,topicsandobjectivesofthePREXSeminar, in light of the apparent variations that evolvedsincePREXwasintroducedinthePhilippinesin1983.WiththeadoptionofthePREXseminarbytheDiocese,healsoadvisedallcurrentPREXsecretariattoresigntheirmember-shipfromtheNationalAssociationofParishPrexSecretari-

ats(NAPPS),astheywillnowoperateunderthediocese’sdirection.AlthoughPREXiscurrentlyanoptionalformationprogram forparishes,Fr.Omer targets its integrationwiththePARC(ParishAliveRenewalandConversion)Seminar,which is the mandatory formation series espoused by theDioceseofCubao.

THE FIRST GRAND REUNION OF PREX GRADUATES

fromBrgy.Palanas,Pamayanan10,happenedlastOctober22,2016heldat thePalanasBbasketballcourt.Fr.Larry,PREXSecretariatandguestsgracedthisjoyousgathering.Todate,thispamayananhasproducedthebiggestnumberofgraduates,98,outsidetheProject6community.

PREX SEMINAR BATCH #110 HELD LAST NOVEMBER 25-27,2016washeadedbyleadcoupleKuyaPickardandAteAppleBalajadia.

THE EMHC ANNUAL RECOLLECTION OF OUR LADY OF

MountCarmelheadedbyBro.MannyGellaco,heldtheiran-

nualrecollection lastSaturday,September24,2016at theGintong Bulwagan.This year the EMHC invited Kuya DikSajona, PPC lead coordinator, who gave an insipring talkabout the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist,whileFr.LarryGarces,OARgaveatalkoncommitmentaslayservants. Thisannualspiritualactivityisdesignedtoeducate,energizeandinspireEucharisticMinisterstoservetheLordwithrenewedpassionandcommitment.

CARMEL light

8

‘NEW’ SACRISTY BLESSED

OnthefeastdayofSt.ThereseoftheChildJesus, October 1, 2016, Fr. Emil Larlar,OARleadstheblessingofourslightlyreno-

vated sacristy with Frs. Larry and Tiktok,PPCoficers,parishstaffandguestsaswit-nesses.Additional space was provided toaccommodatethenumerousliturgicalvest-ments, linens, books, other liturgical items,

andthelaypeoplewhoserveintheMass.The‘new’sacristyisnowamorespaciousand comfortable vesting area with morebreathing space.

MARK THE DATES

Dec02,Fri - AdventRecollectionDec03,Sat - BinyaganatKumpilang ParokyaDec04,Sun - GrandMarianProcessionDec08,Thu- SolemnityoftheImmacu- late Conception

Dec08,Thu- FirstHolyCommunionDec09,Fri - KumpisalangParokyaDec10,Sat - KasalangParokyaDec15,Thu - StartofSimbangGabiDec23,Fri - FreeParishChoirConcertDec29,Thu- PaskoNa,Ipadama PalaroSaMgaBataDec30,Fri - ParishChristmasParty

ConfESSion

is heard every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

at 5:30 pm.

SAN NICOLAS DE TOLENTINO (SNDT) BUILDING.Fr.EmilleadsthededicationoftheSaintNicolasdeTolentinobldgduringthesaint’sfeastdaylastSeptember10,2016aswitnessedbyFrs.ChrisandNimrod,ThirdOrderCarmelites(TOC),andmass-goers.Itisnoteworthythattheceremonywaspostponedtwice,onJuly16(OLMCP’s55thFiesta);andonAugust25(Fr.Larry’s25thpresbyteralordination)onlytohappenonSt.Nicolas’feastdayitself.Indeed,everythinghappensinGod’sownperfecttime.

CARMEL light

9

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY (Marian Pilgrimage 2016)

bY RinA PACA

Six countries, twenty-two churches, eleven Holy doors, seventeen days, twen-ty-eight pilgrims, one pilgrimage. Who would not feel blessed?

11

Sixcountries,twenty-twochurches,elevenHolydoors,seventeendays,twenty-eightpilgrims(photo 1),onepilgrimage.Whowouldnotfeelblessed?Allofuswhojoinedthe2016MarianPilgrimagewithFr.LarryconsiderourselvestrulyblessedbytheLord.Itwas,forus,anincomparablejourney,illedwithunexpectedgracesandsurprisesaswetravelledfromonepilgrimsitetoanother. Theirst legofourpilgrimagewas in Italy.FromRome,wevisitedtheShrineofPadrePio inSanGiovanniRotondo,thesecond-most visited Catholic shrine in the world. St. Pio’s bodyliesinthetombofOurLadyofGrace(SantaMariadelleGrazie).PadrePioisknownforhisdevotiontoGod,careforthesickandsupernaturalgiftsandisadmiredforhisferventloveofChristandtheVirginMary.WepassedthroughtheirstofmanyHolyDoorsoftheextraordinaryJubileeYearofMercy,thereforequalifyingtoreceive thegraceofplenary indulgenceasdeclaredby theholyfather,PopeFrancis,himself. OnourwaybacktoRome,wevisitedtheChurchofSanFrancescoatPiazzaPlebiscito.ThisiswheretheEucharisticmira-

cleofLancianohappened.Thismiracledatesback to theeighth

centurywhenamonk,whohaddoubtsabouttheRealPresenceofJesusChrist in theEucharist,witnessed the transformationofthehostheconsecratedtobleedinghumanlesh.Themiracle isoficially certiiedby theCatholicChurch to serveasa reminderthatChrististrulyandwhollypresentintheEucharist–body,blood,soulanddivinity! Day3markedoneofthehighlightsofourMarianPilgrim-

age - Vatican City! (photo 2). Within Vatican City are the mostfamous Catholic religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’sBasilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. Our irstdestination was the Sistine Chapel where cardinals gather in aconclave when electing a Pope. Inside the chapel is the ceilingfamouslypaintedbyMichelangelo,whereBiblestoriesareelabo-

ratelydepicted,fromtheCreationtotheLastJudgement. Barelydigestingthesplendorwehavejustwitnessed,wewereevenmoreoverwhelmedbytheenormityofSt.Peter’sBasili-ca.Billedasthelargestchurchintheworld,ittooktwelvearchitects

21

3 4 5

CARMEL light

10

Test me in this, says the LORD

Almighty and see if I will not throw

open the loodgates of heaven and

pour out so much blessing that you

will not have room enough for it. -

Malachi 3:10

“

“ANSWER: We can learn to be a cheer-ful giver by studying the greatest giver this world has ever known: Jesus Christ. Leaving behind the riches and glory of His heavenly kingdom, He came to Earth and willingly gave His life so that we could keep ours. As God predestined His children to be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29), there can be no better way to emulate Jesus Christ than by giving selless-ly the way He did. Our Savior Himself told us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Quite simply, then, our greatest motiva-tion for cheerful and generous giving should be that it pleases the Lord and relects His git of salvation to us.

The second letter to the Corinthi-ans revealsanumberof inspiring truths thatshouldhelpusbecomemorecheerfulgivers.As Paul wisely admonished the Corinthians,“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows gen-

erously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthi-ans 9:6).This indelible truthwasalsostatedbySolomonathousandyearsearlier:“Honor

the Lord with your wealth, with the irst fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be illed to overlowing” (Proverbs 3:9-10).AndChristHimselftoldus,“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38).Indeed,“Good will come to him who is generous” (Psalm 112:5).

Thisprinciple isunfailingly clear—wecannotout-giveourgraciousCreator.ThemorewegiveinservicetotheLord, themorewewill get in return. In fact, theonlyplaceintheBiblewhereGodinvitesustotestHimisMala-

chi 3:10whereHeistalkingaboutourofferingsmadeuntoHim:“Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty and see if I will not throw open the loodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”Oncemore,thewordsofSolomonechothis:“Onemangivesfreely,yetgainsevenmore;anotherwithholdsunduly,butcomestopoverty.A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25).

AsPaulstated,“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor-

QUESTION: “How can I become a more cheerful giver?”

inthians 9:7).Cheerfulgiving,therefore,shouldbeawayoflifefortheChristianwhounderstandsthegraceofGod.Whenwegivegenerouslyandwithawillingheart,God assures us

He will watch over us and provide for us (Isaiah 58:9; Psalm 41:1-3; Proverbs 22:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11).Andweneedtorememberthatit’snotjustourtreasurethatwearetocheer-fullygivebacktoGod.AsKingDavidpointedout,everything

we have is from God (1 Chronicles 29:14),andthisincludesourtalentsandourtimeaswell.As our days are numbered (Psalm 139:16), our time indeed belongs to God.Andanygiftswehavearealso fromHim; therefore, “each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

ForGodsolovedtheworldthatHegave.We

would do well to remember that we are saved because our God so generously gave (John 3:16). AsHischildren,wearecalledtobe“the

light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).Whenwe trustGodandhonorHimbygenerouslygivingourtime,treasure,andtalent,wearetrulylettingourlightshinebeforemen,andourgood-

nesswillrelectradiantlyonourFatherinheaven.

(Editor’snote:Thisfeaturearticlewastakenfromhttps://got-questions.org/cheerful-giver.html)

he Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao

oUR LADY of MoUnT CARMEL PARiSH

(Recoletos de Project 6)Road 2 cor. Road 8, Project 6, Quezon City * Tel # (63) (2) 927.5496

www.ourladyofmountcarmelparish.com *FB page OLMCP * olmcp6@yahoo.com

Parish oice Hours

MONDAY - Oice is closed.TUESDAY - SATURDAY - 8am - 12nn; 1pm - 6pm

SUNDAY - 8am - 12nn; 1pm - 5pm

CARMEL light

11

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY 9

andmorethanacenturyofconstructionworktoinishthisRenais-

sancearchitecturalmarvel.Itwashugeinallaspects–thedoors,thealtar,thestatues,paintingsandthestainedglassart.PassingthroughoursecondHolyDoor,wecansensethegrandeurofGodandthemagniicenceofheaveninthisholiestofplaces. We also had a great opportunity to celebrate the HolyEucharistatSanctaSanctorum(English:HolyofHolies)theper-sonalchapeloftheearlyPopesknownasthechapelofSt.Law-

rence.Onourway,wepassedthroughtheScalaSancta(English:HolyStairs)whichisasetof28whitemarblestepslocatedwithinabuildingneartheLateranBasilica.WeenteredourthirdHolyDoorattheBasilicadiSantaMariaMaggiore,oneofthefour“Basilicamaior” a title given to the four highest-ranking Roman Catholicchurches.

The last legofour Italianexcursion (Day4)wasavisittooneofUNESCO’sWorldHeritageSites, themedieval townofAssisi,alsothebirthplaceofSt.Francis. IhadtheopportunitytogouptotheUpperBasilicawithco-pilgrimswho,likemyself,aredevoteesofSt.Francis.TheviewofAssisi’sskylinefromtheUp-

perBasilica’svantagepointisabsolutelybreath-taking! We visited the iconic leaning tower of Pisa and othermagniicentbuildingsandsites,andpassedthroughtheHolydoorof the Cathedrale Santa MariaAssunta. Crossing the border toFranceonDay5,wearrivedatMonacoandvisitedanotherHolydoor,thatoftheCathédraleImmaculéeConceptionwherePrinceRainierandPrincessGraceareburied.WespentthenightinNice.Day7marksaspecialdayforme,asweleft theFrenchRivieraacrosstheSpanishborder.ItisthedaythatI,asanarchitect,wasexcitedlyanticipatingandoneofthemajorreasonswhyIjoinedthepilgrimage–theLaSagradaFamiliaChurchinBarcelona,Spain(photo 3).Thevisittothismagniicentcathedralwastrulyahighpointofthepilgrimage.ThechurchwasdesignedbytheeminentlyfamousAntoniGaudi,arevolutionaryarchitectwhoacknowledgedGodasthegiverofhisenormoustalent.Unfortunately,Gaudidiedearlywhenhewasstruckbyapassingtram.134yearssincetheirststoneoftheLaSagradawaslaid,itremainsuninishedandisnotexpectedtobecompleteduntil2026,thecentenaryofGaudi’sdeath.EcstaticwouldbeanunderstatementofhowIfeltuponsee-

ingLaSagrada.Thespires,thedetailsofthedoor,theelaboratestonesculptures,thenave,thepillars–justabouteverythinginitinspiresaweandadmiration! FromBarcelona,weheadedtoLourdes,oneof thetwomostreveredMarianapparitionsites(theotherbeingFatima).Theroute going to Lourdes was a challenging traverse through thePyreneesMountains.Weirstvisitedthegrottowheretheappari-tiontookplace.Pilgrimsweresolemnlypraying, lightingcandles,gazingattheimageofOurLady,eachprobablypouringouttheirmostferventrequestsfortheHolyVirgin’sintercession.Inoneofthe caverns of the grotto hang numerous crutches, left there bythecountlesscrippledpeoplewhoweremiraculouslycuredafterpraying toOurLadyandbathing in thehealingspringwatersofLourdes.Again, overwhelmed by this blessed experience, I wasinspired to pray for the intentions of all the other pilgrims there,insteadofofferingmypersonal intentions.The followingday,wewerealsoable todrinkandbathe in thewatersofLourdes,visitthenatalsiteofSt.BernadettetowhomOurLadyappearedatthegrotto,andparticipateintheeveningcandlelightprocession. FromLourdes,weheadedbacktoSpaintovisittheBa-

silica of Our Lady of the Pillar, patroness of Spain. The victori-ousbattleof theoutnumberedarmadaofEurope’sHolyLeagueagainsttheformidableOttomanEmpireleetin1571isattributedtoansweredprayerstoOurLadyofthePillar.WepassedthenightatBurgos,where,unexpectedlybutquitepleasantly,wewereable

toattend theceremonial closingof theHolyDoorof theBurgosCathedral(photo 4). NextstopwasatSantiagodeCompostela.ThissiteistheculminationoftheCaminodeSantiago(theWayofSt.James),alargenetworkofancientpilgrim routesstretchingacrossEuropeandcomingtogetheratthetombofSt.James.Arrivingattheca-

thedral,a “holycoincidence”happenedagain,as thecathedral’sHolyDoorwasclosingaccompaniedbyanenormouscenser,thebiggest Ihaveseenso far.Wevisited thesilvercryptwhereSt.James’remainslieinsidethecathedral. Onthe13thday,wecrossedovertoPortugaltovisittheFatima.Iconsiderthistobethesummitofourpilgrimage.Wevis-

itedthehousewherethethreevisionaryshepherds,Lucia,JacintaandFrancisco lived.Ofall thepilgrimsiteswevisited,theShrineofOurLadyofFatimawasmyfavorite.Itwassopeaceful.FromprayingoftherosarytojoiningtheprocessionoftheBlessedVirgin(photo 5),ItrulyfelttheendearingpresenceofChristthroughHisMother. We visited another Jubilee church, the Catedral SantaMariaMaior,whereSt.AnthonyofPaduawasbaptized,andpaidhomage to theburial placeofSr.LuciaandBlessedsFranciscoandJacintaat theGreatWhiteBasilica.OurPortugal legendedwithaHolyMasscelebratedbyFr.Larry.Hedeliveredasome-

whatimpromptuhomily,astheonehepreparedwasforadifferentGospelreading.ButGod issogood,asthishomilyhedeliveredwastrulyinspiredandinspiring;itwasmyfavoriteamongtheotherhomilies he did during the pilgrimage. His message was simpleyetsotrue:that,sometimes,whatweplannedforwillnotactuallyhappen,andthatwemustbepreparedforanythingthatGodwills.Hesharedapersonalstoryinwhichhisfatherplannedforabigcel-ebrationforhisordination.Sadly,hediedmonthsbeforeFr.Larryreceivedhispriesthood.Hisstoryandrelection,thatwemustholdonandentrustourfatetothewillofGod,asHisplansarealwaysgreaterandmorebeautifulthanallourdisappointments,leftmeintears.

OurreturntoSpainmarksthelastlegandtheendofourjourney,visitingmoremedievalandrenaissanceperiodcitiesandcathedralsincludingAvila,thebirthplaceofSt.Theresa,dubbedas theCityofKings.We toured themarvelouscityofMadrid in-

cludingtheRoyalPalace,theCathedral,PuertodelSol,GranVoa,CibelesFountainandPlazadeEsanya,allilledwithsplendidar-chitectureandinteriordesign. We had our last mass at the Parroquia Santa María laRealdelaAlmudenawhereFr.Larrygaveussomethingtoponder.Heaskedus,“Whatwillbethechangethatpeoplearounduswouldseeafterthispilgrimage?”Thesechangesneednotbeabrupt,butitshouldbegradualandconsistent,littlethingsthatwillimpactthelivesofpeoplewemeet.Noteveryonewouldhavethechancetovisit theseplaces,butweshouldallowour livestobecomeare-

lectionofourexperience,sothatothersmayalsoexperiencetheblessingsthatmaylowfromGodthroughus. Unlikeavacationwhichisanescapefromthebusynessoflife,apilgrimageisajourneythatbringsusclosertotheheartofGodandwhichbeckonsustogointoadeeperliferelationshipwithHim.Ourjourneytothelandsofmiraclesandmajestymighthavealreadyendedbuttheart,architecture,conversation,prayer,communion, friendship and the common joy of experiencing thepalpable presence of God will forever stay. This pilgrimage hasstrengthenedinmethebeliefthatprayerisanessentialpartofourlives.ItisaconversationwithGodwhospeakstousthroughexpe-

riencesandthepeoplewhowesharethemwith.AsweareabletoapproachJesusthroughMary,weshouldalsobecomelittlepathstoleadotherstoJesusaswell. “Aseachhasreceivedagift,useittoserveoneanother,asgoodstewardsofGod’svariedgrace.”(1Peter4:10).

CARMEL light

12

MASS SCHEDULESAdvent,SimbangGabi,MisadeGallo,

andChristmasEve

1ST PRAY Luzon GATHERING-MATAGUMPAY NA IDINAOS!

BY CAESAR IAN PANGAN

Matagumpay na isinagawa ang kauna-unahang Recollect Augustinian Youth Regional (RRAY-Luzon) Gathering na

ginanap noong ika-18 hanggang 20 ng Nobyem-bre, 2016 sa Recoletos Formation Center, Mira-Nila Homes, Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Ito ay iniugnay sa pagtatapos ng Extraodinary Jubilee Year of Mercy na may temang “Merciful like the Father”.

Malugod na tumugon ang ating parokya sa paan-

yayangpinangunahanngCommisiononVocationMinistryngOrderofAugustinianRecollects(OAR).IpinadalabilangkinatawanngParishYouthMinistrysinaBro.FrancisGabrielEbora,Bro.TimothyMacaisa,Sis.JoanKyleGuevarra,Bro.ChristianGaller,Bro.JeoffreyPalomaratangkanilangpu-

nonglingkod,Bro.CaesarIanPangan,sapamamatnubayniRev.Fr.ChrisGaspar,OAR.

Mahigit sa isang daang kabataan mula sa mgapaaralan at parokya na nasasakupan ng OAR sa Luzon ang

dumalo’tnakiisasalayuninngRRAYnamapagnilayanangtawag ng bokasyon sa kabataan.

Samu’t-saring gawain ang inilunsad para sa mgakalahok.InuumpisahanangbawatarawngBanalnaMisa,susundanngmgamakabuluhangpananalitanamaykaug-

nayansaTaonngAwa,angCallejerosdelaFe,Lucenarium(Service of Light), Sakramento ng Kumpisal at ang pang-

wakasnagawainayangFestivalofCulturenakungsaanang lahatngpangkatnadumaloaymagpapakitangkani-kanilangpagtatanghal(sayaw,kanta,tulaatbp).

Inaasahanmulianglahatngdumalonamakiisana-

mansadaratingNationalRecollectAugustinianYouthGath-

eringnagaganapinsaNobyembre,2017,LungsodngBa-

guio.

CARMEL light

13

Virgen de la Salud(OUR LADY OF HEALTH)

Special Feature -

(AreproductionbyAtelierRafaelLopezfortheOrderofAugustinianRecollects)

In 1634, a group of Recollect missionaries carried down from the galleon their fourth Marian image, that of Nuestra Señora de

la Salud. In a devout procession it was taken to their San Juan de Bagumbayan Church. Like the Carmel icon of San Sebastian Church, the Brown Madonna was a git of the Discalced Carmelite nuns of Mexico City.

FatherAndrésdelEspírituSantostatesinhisindis-

pensableaccountontheirstmissionariesandicons:“IntheconventofSanJuanBautistaitmustbefourteenyearsnowthatanimageofOurLadywiththetitleofLaSaludwasen-

shrinedfollowingawellattendedprocessionandgatheringofmanypeople.ThisimagewasbroughtfromNewSpainbysomereligiouswhocamethatyear.TheDiscalcedCarmel-itenunsoftheconventinMexicoverydevoutlyofferedittothemsoitcouldberevered intheir journeyasprotectressandrefugeandbeputhereinsomeappropriateplace.”

StormsandsicknessbesiegedthedangerousAca-

pulcoManilajourney.FatherAndrésreportedthatthetimelyintercessionof theVirgende laSaludmiraculously savedthem.InManilathesmalliconwascarriedinprocessiontotheirchurchatSanJuandeBagumbayan.Inthecourseoftimetheresidentsofthecapitaldevelopedaffectionandde-

votiontotheMotherof theSavior invokedasVirgendelaSalud. ThechurchwhosepatronwasSaintJohntheBap-

tistwasoriginallydedicatedtoSaintNicholasofTolentino.Itsinaugurationwasdoneon10September1606.TheEx-

tramurostemplewasdemolishedtwice.Theirst timewasin1644whentheSpanishgovernorgeneralSebastiánHur-tadoCorcueradecidedtotearitdownbecausethechurchallegedly posed security risks to the adjoining walled city.TheRecollectsprotestedthedemolitioninvain.Afterasuc-

cessfullegalsuit,GovernorCorcuerawasforcedtopayrep-

arationmoneyamountingto25,000pesos.Rebuiltwiththatsum,thechurchwasagainleveledtothegroundanderasedforeverfromthefaceoftheearth.ThissecondandlasttimewasthehandiworkofBritishOccupationforcesinthe17thcentury.

The Virgen de la Salud icon was transferred to the big-

gerandmoregrandioseSanNicoláschurch.TheiestaofNuestraSeñoradelaSaludinIntramuroscoincidedwiththefeastofthePresentation,likewiseabigiestaoftheLourdesChurchoftheCapuchins.SoherfeastwaslatertransferredtoMarch19andjointlycelebratedwiththesolemnityofSaintJoseph.ThecofradíadelTránsitowassetup forhercult.Muchlater,theMarianimagewasmovedagaintoanicheinthealtardedicatedtoSaintAugustine.

AfterthedestructionanddemolitionofSanNicolásChurchin1945,theMarianiconwastakentotheconventofSanSebastianwherethevicarprovincialheldofice.In1970itmovedagaintothenewlyinauguratedvicariateinQuezonCity.Thehistoricicon—darkenedthroughtheages—iskeptsince1988attheMuseoRecoletointheRecollectForma-

tionCenter,Mira-NilaHomes,QuezonCity.TheBulwagangRecoletos which was blest and inaugurated in February1994istheactualhomeoftheBrownMadonna.Thegrandi-oseediicesheltersthemuseum,libraryandarchives.“Hergloryofyorehasturnedtocompleteoblivion;hercultandvenerationarenolongerknownbythepublic,”lamentstheauthorofa1981articleabouther.

(Source: Romanillos, Emmanuel, AMOR DIFFUSIVUS. AU-

GUSTINIAN RECOLLECT ICONS AND EVANGELIZATION EFFORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES SINCE 1606.)

The original image of Virgen de la Salud (1634)

Special Feature

Virgen de la Salud

Her glory of yore has turned to

complete oblivion; her cult and veneration are no longer

known by the public

“ “

CARMEL light

14

The spirit of Christmas is love.

God loves us so much that He gave His Son to us.

Let us celebrate His birthday!

MANNY and SUSAN DELA CRUZ

MALIGAYANG PASKO at

MANIGONG BAGONG TAON SA LAHAT!

Abel and Dada Pangilinan and Family

CARMEL light

15

P H O T O

G A L L E r Y

9. BishopNessOngtioco,DDblessesthestewardshipandministryboothslastOctober23,2016.10. Aninterestedpa-

rishioner. 11. iBAHAGI lealets.12.TheStewardshipBoothpatientlyawaitsnewmemberstosignup.13. Happy ministry

members. 14. Ministryandorganizationmembershelpexplainthestewarshipprogramtointerestedparishioners.15. The

successfullaunchisobviousinthesmilesoftheactivelayservantsoftheparish.16.Moreparishionersenlistasnewmem-

bersoftheministriesandstewardshipprogram. 17.“Heart”.OurstewardshipprogramisallaboutthehearttoserveandgivebacktoGodallthatwehave-time,talentandtreasure.18. Startthemyoung.Ourparish’sfutureservantleadersposewith Fr. Larry. 19. More interestedparishionersswarmtheStewardshipBoothaftertheMass.

9

10

11

12

13

14

15 19

18

16

17

“Ang lahat ng ito’y para sa yo, Luha at tagumpay dulot lahat sa yo, Lahat ng himig at awitin, Lahat ng isip at damdamin, Handog ko lahat,

Alay ko lahat sa yo...” (AngLahatNgIto’yParaSaYo,stewardshipthemesong)

CARMEL light

16

1.Dancingknowsnoagelimit.2.Akuyagamelydancestohisheart’sdelight 3.TheLWPGandKawanngDiyosChoirsleadtheparticipantsinsomemood-settingdancemoves.4.Fr.LarrygivesatalkonSino Ako. 5.AteMaye,doingaChi-neseact,entertainsthelistenerstotheboneswhileshegivesaninspiringtalkonBiyaya at Pasasalamat,and6.KuyaDikpassionately emphasizes a point on a topic, Ang Mabuting Taga-pangasiwa. 7.Parishionerswhopledgedtheirtime,talentandtreasuresymbolicallyofferthemtotheLord. 8.Asimpledinnerisservedtocaptheday’sevent.

STEWARDSHIPSEMINARDRAWSAGENERALASSEMBLYOFMOMsANDBECs

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8

Prior to the parish-wide launching of iBA-HAGI, a Stewardship Seminar was held purposely for all servant leaders, mem-

bers of mandated organizations and ministries (MOMs), and pamayanans (BECs) on Satur-day, October 08 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Gintong Bulwagan. Since these individuals have already been sharing their time and talent in service of the parish, the spirituality of steward-ship of treasure was instilled in them through this seminar. hree talks were presented.

Talk1,titled“Sino Ako?” byFr.LarryGarces,dealtwithanintrospectionaboutourtrueidentity:wedonotownourlife,everythingwehaveisonloanfromGod.Asthesonggoes, “Hiram sa Diyos ang aking buhay... Diyos ang ating pinagmulan.”Fr.Larrysaidthatthisdivinetruthshouldleadus to the realization that “we are baptized, adopted children of God, by His love we were created in His own image and likeness, and saved by His grace; no one can separate us from the love of God.”BecausewearetotallylovedbyGod,

weshouldbegoodandresponsiblestewardsofGod’sgiftoflife.

Talk2wasabout“Biyaya at Pasasalamat,”withSis.MayePunoasspeaker.Sheexplainedthatnomatterhowunworthywemaybe,sinfulasweare,God’sloveredeemsuseachtime,andHecontinuestoshoweruswithHisbounti-fulblessingsandgraces.BecauseGodissogood,wecanonlyrespondingratitudebypraisingandthankingHimwithallourheartandbysharingHisblessingswithothers,glorify-

ingHisnameintheprocess.

Talk 3, titled “Ang Mabuting Taga-pangasiwa” was

expoundedbyKuyaDikSajona.Itdealtwiththetheologyofstewardship-thatbeinggoodstewardsentails3things:rec-

ognizingthatwehavearesponsibility(tayo ay may panana-

gutan), responding ingratitude (tayo ay nagpapasalamat),

andgivingback(tayo ay nagbabalik-handog).

Afterthetalks,stewardshippledgeformsweredis-

tributed. Thesewereilledupand laterofferedduring themasswheneveryoneproceededtothechurchat6:00pmtoreceivethegraceoftheEucharistwithFr.Larryaspresider.

Theeventwasconcludedwithafellowshipanddin-

nerbackattheGB.