parishworks! 1Vol. 7 No. 21 August 27, 2011

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Pastor’s MessageFollow the Leaderby: Rev. Msgr. Dennis S. Odiver

Peter is the first Vicar of Christ. He was entrusted the keys of the kingdom. He took this task seriously that when Jesus told them of His impending suffering and death at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes. “Peter started to remonstrate with Him. Heaven preserve you Lord; this must not happen to you.” (Mt. 16:22-23)

Obviously, it was normal for Peter to think of protecting Jesus. He wants no harm befall the Lord. But he failed to hear Jesus out. He was still absorbed with the thought and the feeling of the glory of an earthly kingdom. Earlier, he was named leader of the band of apostles and he was eager to exercise this power and authority.

Jesus countered Peter with the words: “Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.” (Mt. 16:23)

The apostles were taught the cost of discipleship. They were being prepared to share the Cross. Peter needed more time to learn and accept it.

Congrats and Welcome to 22 new PREX graduatesby Bing Campos

“Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you! For where you go, I will go, and where you live, I shall live. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. – Ruth 1:16

With these words, sung by the spirited community of SAAP Prexies, 22 grace-filled men and women were warmly received into the PREX family in simple graduation rites held after the 5:00 pm Mass presided over by Rev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver last Sunday, August 21.

The ceremony capped yet another extremely successful PREX seminar. As always, the weekend brought together

Fr Allan Dichoso Celebrates his birthday

Last August 25, Fr Allan celebrated his birthday with a dinner celebration at the Parish Jubilee Hall. The place was filled with his previous parishioners and of course parishioners of St. Andrew. Friends and guest priests wer also present. It was nice especially to see the mom of Fr. Allan gracing that special night.

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Pastor’s Message ... from page 1

Jesus suffered and died. However, after three days He rose again in victory over sin and death. Peter and the apostles then understood that through the sacrifice of the cross, Jesus gained salvation and new life for all of us. It is in carrying His cross that we can be truly His disciples.

“If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mt. 16:24-26)

The Christian life is a call to sacrifice and self-denial. It is not easy to tread the path of Jesus. But we must lead lives like Him. Our life must be lived not only for our own selves. Our life must enrich others as well. Our life must glorify God.

Monsignor Sunga’s Installation (August 15, 2011) Parishioners of St. Andrew the Apostle visited Msgr Emmanuel Sunga at Our Lady of Loreto Shrine last August 15, 2011 for his installation as new parish priest.

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22 new PREX Graduates ... from page 1

a team of devoted and energized Prexies who collaborated with the core group and sponsoring class and generously shared their time in various capacities – as sharers, emcees, facilitators, prayer warriors, fund raisers, recruiters, secretarial staff, marshals, food and beverage aides, designers and craftsmen, choir members, morale boosters and supporters. Conducting his third PREX seminar since he assumed the position of SAAP parish priest barely six months ago, Msgr. Dennis Odiver skillfully delivered eight edifying and inspirational talks that captivated his thoroughly engrossed listeners. Our Parochial Vicar Fr. Allan Dichoso handled two of the talks; he got the seminar off to a rousing start on Friday night with his opening talk

and delivered another one on Saturday afternoon. The third speaker was our guest priest Fr. Patrick Paraiso, who inspired the enthralled participants with his memorable and thought-provoking ideas.

Selected to head PREX class 27-11 were Ken Dasal and Kate Driz, together with Kaloy Mallorca and Yna Layugan as assistants. The graduates will meet again on September 3rd at 4:00 pm for the final talk which will be given by Msgr. Dennis.

Congratulations and welcome to the new PREX graduates! Indeed it is the hope and prayer of every Prexie that “…we will be together forever, and our love will be the gift of our life.” – Song of Ruth

Better Than the Fig TreeBy Susan Amoroso

I saw two beautiful girls attending the Holy Hour at the second floor of our parish. Monsignor Dennis S, Odiver was officiating. What struck me was the fact that these stylish girls are attending a religious service when they could be just watching TV or malling with their friends on a TGIF (Thank God its Friday) night. Finally after the service we got to talk and lerned they are Kathleen and Keren, both graduates of the Parish Renewal Experience(PREX) . These two girls along with other PREX graduates will be assisting in the next batch of attendees the next day and they sure will welcome others who would like to experience the spiritual renewal they had at PREX. They gave their cellphone numbers to me in case I know of somebody who would. A week or so had passed and I still haven’t given them any PREX candidates.

Finally, I had to write something about PREX and I called and texted their cellphones.. Kathleen’s phone

was off .I got lucky with both. Keren answered my call and said she along with the other PREX members are busy preparing for another PREX event that evening in the Parish but would be happy to provide some details I needed.

Kathleen finally texted me and gave me some details of her life. Only 21 years of age, she is the main bread winner of her family. She and her family moved from a hard life in Ormoc to settle in Manila for a new and better life. An accountancy undergraduate, she sells perfumes and condotels , also works in a private construction company part time, and sells franchise for a mobile loading company. `` …in short marami po akong ginagawa to support my family here in Manila para may pang-allowance sa younger siblings ko at may pangkain araw-araw,’’ Kathleen courageously reveals.

The sufferings and trials Kathleen endures unselfishly for her family is a manifestation that the

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Magda Gana, Emilio Medina, Angelina PoeBulletin Board CoordinatorsEJ Carlos, Harley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina , Ging Santos SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

ContributorsBing Campos

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

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

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

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AnnouncementsBetter than a Fig Tree.. from page 3

Holy Spirit is actively working in her life. It is in trying times that a persevering character is molded . God sends trials but also equips us with courage and strength to endure and triumph over them. Kathleen ‘s life has borne fruits unlike the fig tree in the gospel of St. Mark.

In Mark chapter 11 verses 12-14, it says``…as they were coming from Bethany Jesus was hungry. He saw in the distance a fig tree covered with leaves, so he went to see if he could find any figs on it. But when he came to it, he found only leaves because it was not the right time for figs. Jesus said to the fig tree,``No one shall ever eat figs from you again.’’ And his disciples heard him.

“ Im making myself near to God. I always bear in mind that these problems are part of life and my way of helping Jesus carry his cross. Since I graduated from Prex, I look at all aspects of my life in a positive light. I know that at the end of them all, a better and brighter future awaits me and my family. I consider PREX as my second family. Because of the support of my Prex family, I regained my confidence and trust in God and people, ’’ Kathleen said.

Jesus went to the fig tree because he was hungry but he was not able to eat because the there was no fruit. In the case of Kathleen, she said carrying her problems is her way of helping Jesus carry his cross. Coming from the lips of a young woman who had her share of tribulations which most of our readers have never experience, her words never rang clearer.

1. Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish Community would like to invite everyone to the second and third series of Spiritual Conferences in preparation for our 43rd Parish Fiesta. This will be at 7:00 pm at the parish church.

• September 16 – A Community Driven by Hope

• October 21 - A Community Impelled with Love

2. There will be a Kumpisalang Bayan on August 31, Wednesday, at 7:30 pm.

3. On September 8, Thursday, birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary our schedule of masses will be at 6:30 am, 12:15 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:00 pm.