parishworks! 1Vol. 08 No. 02 April 14, 2012

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Welcoming the Dawnby: Russel Matthew Patolot

The darkness of night is still reigning. The heavens, parted by a singular circular silver lantern, remain undaunted in the peace that encumbers and encloses the surroundings. The cool winds beckon the body to remain in bed, to curl up into a ball and remain asleep. Yet, this is no ordinary night. This is not a night of seemingly pervading gloom.

In the stillness of this night giving way to early dawn, the entire world prepares to resound and resonate with joy, gladness and exultation. The cries of “Hosanna!” and clamors of “Crucify Him!” give way to creation’s shouts of “Alleluia!”

Early Easter Sunday morning, Mary walks around, draped in her black mourning dress, restless and alone, still pained by the sword of sorrow and suffering caused by the death of her Son. Because of her anguished and tear-filled eyes, she does not see the person whom she is to have a head-on collision with. Suddenly, angels surround her and greet her with Alleluias and comforting hymns, telling her to rejoice and be glad – Regina Caeli, laetare! One of them lifts her mourning veil and, to her surprise, she finds her Son, her Jesus, standing in front of her, arrayed in dazzling white garments. Her tears of sorrow give way to tears of joy for her Son has conquered sin and death and has now fulfilled the Eternal Father’s plan of redemption.

Mary welcomed the dawn and she was welcomed by the Risen Christ.

The silence of that early dawn bought, and still brings, hope of a brighter and better day. Because of Christ’s resurrection, all the earth becomes a new creation – many choruses of birds are intoning their Easter lauds, the stars shine their last glimmer, as if bowing to the Eternal Sun who was conquered the darkness of sin and death. The subtle blowing of the

At 4:32 am, Salubungan starts with the solemn procession with prayer of the rosary. We would stop about three times for the carriage to avoid overhanging branches that scrape against the statue of Our Lord.

Easter Salubongby: Emilio Medina

Gisingin nyo kami! (Wake us up!)By Susan Amoroso

Keep us always on our toes! Wake us up if you see us sleeping on the job! Keep us busy . And please pray for us. Awaken our ministerial priesthood. Kahit anong oras! Magpabinyag kayo. Magpakasal kayo. Pumasok kayo sa seminaryo para may ma-ordinahan naman kami. Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle may seem to be joking but they’re meant to be taken seriously when he emphasized the laity’s role in his homily during the Mass of Chrism held last Holy Thursday (April 5, 2012) at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish Church.

Archbishop Tagle emphasized that mankind shares in the priesthood of Jesus when He offered himself, in the last supper . Jesus turned bread and wine into His body

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Easter Salubong...from page 1

Easter Snapshots

Upon reaching the stage, there is a welcome meeting of Mary and Jesus. The hood of the image of Mary is removed by an angel. Sprinkling of confetti on the images of Mary and Jesus, with a choir of angels singing, “Alleluia, He is risen; pray for us. Te Deum.” Then two bayanihan songs presented by the Parish Youth Ministry. Then time of celebration of The Easter Mass.

In the Easter gospel, Msgr. Odiver delivered his message:

Today, we celebrate the twin paschal feasts of birth and of resurrection. We Filipinos celebrate these two. There is quite a gap or distance between our celebrations. “Ber” months during Xmas. In the streets and media. There is much more consciousness of Christmas among the people.

Resurrection can be compared to rare Stampitas of the past. Not much is seen about this celebration. But we celebrate the humanity of our God, Jesus. The passion and death is the fulfilling of the plan of God of His everlasting love for us. No greater love than this was shown by anyone. To die for one’s friends and to rise from the dead.

Believe that you may understand. Faith—we should understand the mystery of Lord Jesus. In our gospel about Christ’s rising from His tomb. Women went to clean the tomb in violation of the Sabbath; but the body

was gone. Conclusion: he was stolen from the tomb.

Like doubting Thomas, we are always asking for proof. We are followers of Christ who have our doubts about His divinity. The stone in the tomb was taken away. Stone is a symbol of the obstruction to our being close to Jesus, but for our sins. Because of resurrection, the power of sin over us is ended. No more obstacles. Christ is the light that conquers the power of evil over mankind. This is the dawn of light; bring hope to our minds to fill it with faith.

Injustice exists in society. With the deep love of God we can fight this injustice and offer forgiveness. We offer the gift of our life for our friends; like the gift from Jesus. Greater hope also is the benefit. We have witnessed the love of God. We experienced in various times of our lives. We must proclaim this season of hope to our fellow men. To emulate the example of Christ, live for love. Good works are expected of everyone. Love is urging us towards the sanctification of God’s love. We in turn, are sanctified by God’s love.

Renunciation of Evil. We pledge publicly “Opo. Itinatakwil namin.” Renewal of our Faith (Apostles’ Creed). “Opo, Sumasampalataya.” Blessing of holy water with olive branch. Msgr. Odiver ended the Mass by giving thanks to all who have participated in today’s Easter activities.

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Welcoming the Dawn...from page 1

Gisingin Niyo Kami...from page 1

cold dawn wind calls mortals to rise and give praise, to walk the roads and proclaim that Christ has risen and now reigns forevermore.

Even now, the same dawn, ushered in by the Resurrection, bids us to rise and go, no more to the tomb which we will find empty, but to Galilee, where we will undoubtedly meet Him. (Saint Matthew 28:10) We must welcome and usher in the same dawn where, sadly, the darkness of sin remains to rule unabridged.

The dawn of a new morning heralds hope. We must become heralds of the same hope to everyone we meet, no matter what circumstance they may be in. Christ Risen is our reason to hope. Our task as an Easter people is Christi lucem illaturi – to spread Christ’s light.

Indeed, it is wonderful to remain and bask in the

glory of the Risen Christ, like the disciples at Mount Tabor when Simon Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” (Saint Matthew 17:4) But the Resurrection calls us to action, not only to mere observation. Our joy should not be contained only to ourselves – it is for all the world, since Christ died and rose for the salvation of the entire world. Our Easter joy and hope should rekindle our faith and love for God in our neighbor. If not, Christ’s victory will fall flat and remain an unusual cosmic event in history and nothing more.

Let us go and welcome the dawn, braving whatever cold winds we may face, because Christ Risen is waiting for us to proclaim Him to the ends of the earth.

Have a happy and blessed Easter!

and blood which He offered to be shared by the apostles. It is a prelude to our Lord’s ultimate sacrifice when He will suffer and die on the cross the next day. Priesthood is an offering of oneself to a life of holiness and service to God. Jesus is the anointed one, the messiah who shares His priesthood with all of mankind.

Archbishop Tagle said: ``We are all anointed. All of us are called to be holy. Holiness is not only for the priests and the religious. As a priestly people, we should be bringers of truth, joy, happiness, comfort, and peace to all. Let us work together ’’.

The Mass of Chrism is a celebration of priesthood where all the priests of the archdiocese of Manila gather together to acknowledge solemnly once again before God and man their commitment as priests. During this time also the holy oil are blessed and distributed to all the priests to be used for their sacramental and religious administration. That morning, six golden jubilarians and three silver jubilarian priests were acknowledged and

presented with plaques of recognition by Archbishop Tagle,

The Chrism mass was held at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish Church ( Paco Catholic School Compound) in lieu of its usual venue, the Manila Cathedral which is presently undergoing repairs and refurbishment.

After the mass, parishioners and lay leaders of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish (SAAP) greeted and congratulated Fr. Patrick Paraiso and Fr. Allan Dichoso . Unfortunately SAAP Pastor Msgr. Dennis Odiver was absent. He had to go to the province for the burial of his uncle-priest Monsignor Lucio Odiver . Our heartfelt condolences .

The group headed back to SAAP where a sumptuous brunch of fried rice, smoked fish, tocino, scrambled eggs, assorted cupcakes, coffee and hot choco were relished and finished with gusto amid the usual chatter ,warm smiles and laughter.

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Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Emilio Medina, Russel Matthew Patolot, Karen Ann Phoa, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta Anna, Angelina Poe, Magda GanaBulletin Board EditorHarley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina, Ging Santos, SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

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 Coordinator

Sunday Mass Schedule 6:30am - Filipino

8:00am - English 9:30am - English 11:00am - English 12:15n.n - English

3:30pm - Filipino 5:00pm - English 6:30pm - English 8:00pm - English

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April 15, 2012 - 2nd Sunday of EasterReadings: Acts 4:32-35 / Psalm 118 / 1 John 5:1-6 / John 20:19-31

Announcements

1. The Parish is inviting male individuals who are 11 years old and above to be members of the Ministry on Altar Servers.

2. Please support Paeskwela ni San Andres. Sponsorship forms are now available at the Parish Office.

3. The Parish Feeding Program 2012 will commence on Monday April 23. Screening of children aged 2 to 5 years old will be at 10:00 in the morning. Donors may contact Tita Ope Lopez & Bing Campos of the Social Services and Development Ministry.

4. A Kumpilang Bayan will be held on May 27 at 3:30 in the afternoon. Candidates aged 12 years and above may register at the parish office.

By: Karen Ann Phoa

1. Since May 2008, the Octave of Easter or 2nd Sunday of Easter is also _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C Y I I D V E M N E R Sunday.

2. “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D B T D T S E R I I U to each according to need.

3. “And the victory that _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S Q U R N O C E the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

4. “But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M A I R K A S L N and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’”

5. “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S E E D S L B are those who have not seen and have believed.’”

Give your spouse and yourself an enchanting and divine experience. Join the

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTERMay 26 – 27, 2012

At the Parish premises (No fees involved)For reservations or more info, contact

Cecille 0920 220 1685

Come and be part of PREX Class 29

on April 20, 21, 22. Kindly register at the PREX friendly table after the mass.