Vicarial officers of Lay ministers

SUMMARY OF EVENTS

Meeting of Vicariate Lay ministers of the Holy Communion in St. Augustine Parish, Bay, Laguna. The vicariate of Los Banos includes the Parish of Immaculate Conception, Los Banos Laguna; St. Therese Parish, UP, Los Banos, Laguna; St. Anthony, San Antonio, Los Banos, Laguna; St. Augustine, Bay, Laguna; and St Isidore Parish, Calauan, Laguna. To continue the work of the former priests and officers who handled this organization, we met to discussed all the possible ways of which the organization could be of service to all its members and to the people of God entrusted to us. Continuing of the ongoing formation of lay ministers every third Wednesday of the month from 7:30-9:00 in the evening and the regular meeting of vicariate officers every second Wednesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 in the evening, are some conclusion we have put to order.

Canossa

It was almost 12 noon when Fr. William Ong, an Opus Dei priest, arrived. We are our lunch and talk about a lot of things< I inquire about the Dualtech and the Anihaw. He gave me leaflets about these institution which will be of great help for those who could not afford to go to college.

A car blessing, the owner believes that when his car will be blesses it will no longer encounter accidents. I add also that our desire to make us home safely should also be our desire to be safely home with God for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

A student from canossa approahed me to asked about the activities of the Church especially during these Lenten season.

Good For Vocation Promotion

What Shall We do Now with our Environment?

Prayer for the Protection and Care of our Environmnet

I could not perfectly arrange this, but this could do.

This is an Environment prayer used during the Basic Ecclesial Community Seminar handled by the Social Action Center of the Diocese of San Pablo headed by Fr. Rene Iriga. A video prayer for the protection of our environment.

Summary

I have tried to to podcast but I am having some difficulties in looking fort the right software and host for my podcast material. I am also trying to get a clear audio so that I could record my daily mass. Most of my time was wasted on that endeavor. Until now I am still in oblivion.

Meetings

Every tuesday the lay ministers of the Eucharist meet to discuss the agenda that confronts the organization, its purpose and works as well as the explanation of the next Sunday celebration

Arnold and his son visited me and ask for some guidance.

I met the president and the treasurer of the cemetery organization of the parish, Elmer Barroso and Lynda Medina. We discussed the state of the cemetery and the possible solution to some of the problem.

CBCP office

Summary

After meeting with Msgr. Quitorio and his staff I decided to drop by at one of the mall before going home to scout for a digital audio recording for my plan of audio blogging. I end up buying one. But not from this saleslady.

After the morning Mass, I proceeded to Manila, Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines Media affairs office to meet Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III. He is the director of the said office. I also met his staff. The purpose of the visit is to volunter as an additional hand in making the pages of the CBCP and its partners up to date. I discussed with them the procedures on how I could work with them. They are preparing the material for the said undertaking.

Summary of events in pictures

Message of the Pope Benedict VI on Refugee and Migrant Sunday

(Message of the Pope Benedict VI on Refugee and Migrant Sunday reposted. Thanks to Zenith)

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

This Sunday we observe the annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Therefore, I address to all men of good will and, in particular, to Christian communities, a special message dedicated to migrant families.

We can contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth, image of all families, as it reflects the image of God, guarded in the heart of every human family, even when it is weakened and at times disfigured by life’s trials.

The Evangelist Mark recounts that, shortly after Jesus’ birth, St. Joseph was obliged to travel to Egypt, taking with him the child and its Mother, to flee from King Herod’s persecution (cf. Matthew 2:13-15).

In the drama of the family of Nazareth we can perceive the painful condition of so many migrants, especially refugees, the exiled, the displaced and the persecuted. We recognize, in particular, the difficulties of the migrant family as such: the difficult conditions of life, the humiliations, inconveniences and fragility.

In fact, the phenomenon of human mobility is very widespread and diversified. According to recent United Nations estimates, migrants impelled by financial reasons number almost 200 million; refugees number 9 million and international students some 2 million.

To this great number of brothers and sisters must be added the internally displaced and irregular migrants, keeping in mind that each one of them has, in one way or another, a family. Therefore, it is important to care for migrants and their families through the help of specific legislative, juridical and administrative protections, as well as through a network of services, listening centers and structures of social and pastoral assistance.

I hope that soon a balanced management will be established of the migratory flows and of human mobility in general, so that it will bring benefits to the whole human family, beginning with concrete measures that favor regular migration and family regrouping, paying special attention to women and minors.

Also in the huge field of international migrations, the human person must always be placed at the center. The just integration of families in social, economic and political systems is only achieved on one hand, by respecting the dignity of all immigrants and, on the other hand, by immigrants recognizing the values of the host society.

Dear friends, the reality of migrations must never be seen just as a problem, but also and above all as a great resource for humanity’s progress. And the migrant family is especially a resource, if it is respected as such, and does not suffer irreparable lacerations, but is able to remain united or to regroup, and to fulfill its mission as the cradle of life and first sphere of a person’s education.

Together we ask this of the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, and of St. Francesca Xavier Cabrini, patroness of migrants.

Pope Benedict VI

[Translation by ZENIT]

Prayer For Migrants

Prayer

Lord, no one is a stranger to you
and no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness watch over refugees and asylum seekers,
those separated from their loved ones,
those who are lost,
and those who have been exiled from their homes.
Bring them safely to the place where they long to be,
and help us always to show your kindness to strangers and those in need.

- ACSJC Prayer Card

Service

A child hose one of her parent is an Overseas Filipino Workers of which we are praying for today as a part of the celebration of the Catholic Church in honor of the migrants who were "forced" to leave the country, their families and love one to go abroad so that they have food in the table. It is celebrated every year on the first Sunday of Lent. For our Filipinos working abroad may you have the strength to fight against all temptation as Jesus Christ have triumphantly succeeded. For information for the government agencies of which migrants may need to access please try http://www.gov.ph.

Knights of the Altar of the parish. Many of them are nameless for me. I have difficulty of memorizing name. A sign of old age?

A seminarian of the diocese who is formerly from the parish of San Isidro, Calauan, Laguna, Philippines who is now residing here in the parish serves during the 10:00 oclock mass in the parish. With him is one of the lay ministers of the Holy Communion.

A seminarian from Bay, now a graduating theologian student in SVD tagaytay City. Formerly under the diocese of San Pablo, however decided to tranfer to one of the dioceses of Palawan because he wants more challenge. This does not mean that there is no challenge in this diocese, it depends on one's personality and aspiration in life. It is only certain that it is his choice from which he believes he could serve God more. A decision I have to respect.

Couples who are celebrating their wedding anniversary invited me for breakfast after our Mass
Every Sunday at 8:30 in the morning I say mass in one of the barrios, today it was Sto. Dominggo. There is a large community there. Couples for Christ is the choir who accompany the people during the celebration

Fr. Sisoy, SVD, one of the priests studying in University of the Philippines is helping me out on several schedules of the parishes especially on sundays and saturdays. I am really thankful for the services other priest have rendered and still doing so especially when the need arises.

Summary

Summary of my activities of the day.

Lenten Recollection

Lay ministers of the Holy Communion of Sta. Maria passed by after their Lenten recollection held in San Pablo. They text me before hand so we prepared a simple lunch for them.

Ben and Darling

Ben and Darling Sanchez of Los Banos decided to renew their vows in their 5oth anniversary as husband and wife with their children and grandchildren in one of the place here in my parish. I celebrated Mass with them. They remember me as the one who officiated the blessing of their resort in Pansol while I was a parish priest their.

It is a glaring example of faithfulness and love which the present generation should not forget.

Blessing and Mass in the Barrios

Masses in the sitio Sipit, Sto. Dominggo and Barrio Paciano Rizal in my parish.
Blessing of the residence and a store. The owners ares expanding their business to warehouse the goods. Ussually they coincide it with someone birthdays. In this occasion, thier daughter.

Ben

Ben, Celeste, daughter and their daughter's friends passed by to visit me. They are on the way to a birthday party but since they are waiting for th delivery of their cake gift they decided to take a peek on me. Ben and Celeste are active in the Bible apostolate of the Diocese.

People's Faith

Every Friday after the Ash wednesday, it was scheduled to celebrate Mass in the different places of the parish. This is to invite other people to celebrate with us the Holy Eucharist. The morning mass is still upheld. This is an additional celebration of the Mass especially for the lenten season for the people. It is also the time to met other people who seldom or not going to mass.

If you can noticed at the far left of the picture is an old man in the wheelchair. People's faith could surely emulate others to be more faithful to christ.

Preparation

One of the two couples who are scheduled to be married tomorrow morning. Confession is one of the important preparation in order to be opened to the grace of God on the reception of the blessing of God in their marriage vows.

Holy Family School

Glo Lazareto dropped by to fetched me to visit their school which is situated in my parish. Howeve, I have some visitors to attend to. I told her to be back next time.

Msgr. Elias O Poblete

Msgr. Elias O. Poblete, a retired priest of the diocese and one of the pillar of this diocese, happened to see each other in visiting one of our friends in Calamba City. We talke also of a lot of things, asking his guidance in a lot of matters, including proper administration of one's position assigned especially as parish priest.

Invocation

Invoking God to guide and protect these children who will be the foundation of the future. May they live the life of Christian living so that they could really be effective examples and movers of the present generation.

May they always remember to thank the Lord for all the grace He bestows on us.

Liceo De Bay

Teachers during the final preparation for the Junior-Senior Prom of their students. Beside me is the principal of the said school.

Little People School

The choir pose as they prepare for the celebration of the Mass.
They lead the songs as the community sings
I have to wear sunglasses because the sun rises facing my direction
Students are place together in the cooler area of the playground
The principal reads the book of Genesis on the occasion of the blessing of the school chapel

Verify

frjessie.blogspot.come11eb8596479c38ab3d1a46b9a2d379271854866.txt

Verify. Yes, this one does not work out well. Today there are a lot of programes that I tried to work with to make this site more competitive. Well, I could also use it to other website that I am trying to build in the near future. However, there are some reflection that I have made. Not all theories are practically viable. There are also that you have to work with deligence. There are new ways to come up with the same result. Of course, quality may vary. So there is a lot of time that have to needed to do all these things.

One thing is sure however, experience is really an asset that we must not take for granted.

Thirty Years

Eras, one of the Knights of the Altar invited me to their home. Three of them are servers in the table of the Lord. Their grandfather died 30 years ago. They decided to commemorate his death by coming together. They include me to be one of their visitors. I attended after my Mass in Bitin, Bay Laguna

Liceo de Bay (JS)

Today as we celebrate the starting day of the lenten season, God is reminding us of one of the gifts that He has given to Man - self control. Fasting and abstinence are tools to amplify that gift. VBirtue does not come instantly, it is being practice. The more it is practice, it is the more easierfor us to fulfill. Abstinence and fasting are some of the spiritual excersises that we could master.
The social dimension of the practiocvce of fasting and abstinence will spring by if charity follows.

Tomorrow, the third year and the fourth year students of Liceo will have a Junior-Senior prom, in preparation for that they decided to hold mass in preparation for the said event. In the afternoon of the Ash wednesday, Icelebrate mass with them for the said intention.

Ash Wednesday

(Sa abo ka nagmula sa abo ka magbabalik) From the dust you came from the dust you shall return
(Magsisi at talikdan ang iyong mga kasalanan at maniwala sa mabuting Ebanghelio) Repent and believe in the Gospel

Ash Wednesday Prayer

Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil.
As we begin the discipline of Lent, make this day holy by our self-denial.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS

( I am reposting this message of the Pope Benedict VI)

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
FOR LENT 2007

“They shall look on Him
whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37)

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

"They shall look on him whom they have pierced" (Jn 19: 37). This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of his life (cf. Jn 19: 25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ Crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. In the Encyclical Deus caritas est, I dwelt upon this theme of love, highlighting its two fundamental forms: agape and eros.

God's love: agape and eros

The term agape, which appears many times in the New Testament, indicates the self-giving love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other. The word eros, on the other hand, denotes the love of one who desires to possess what he or she lacks and yearns for union with the beloved. The love with which God surrounds us is undoubtedly agape. Indeed, can man give to God some good that he does not already possess? All that the human creature is and has is divine gift. It is the creature, then, who is in need of God in everything. But God's love is also eros. In the Old Testament, the Creator of the universe manifests toward the people whom he has chosen as his own a predilection that transcends every human motivation. The prophet Hosea expresses this divine passion with daring images such as the love of a man for an adulterous woman (cf. 3: 1-3). For his part, Ezekiel, speaking of God's relationship with the people of Israel, is not afraid to use strong and passionate language (cf. 16: 1-22). These biblical texts indicate that eros is part of God's very Heart: the Almighty awaits the "yes" of his creatures as a young bridegroom that of his bride. Unfortunately, from its very origins, mankind, seduced by the lies of the Evil One, rejected God's love in the illusion of a self-sufficiency that is impossible (cf. Gn 3: 1-7). Turning in on himself, Adam withdrew from that source of life who is God himself, and became the first of "those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage" (Heb 2: 15). God, however, did not give up. On the contrary, man's "no" was the decisive impulse that moved him to manifest his love in all of its redeeming strength.

The Cross reveals the fullness of God's love

It is in the mystery of the Cross that the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Father's mercy is revealed in all of its fullness. In order to win back the love of his creature, he accepted to pay a very high price: the Blood of his Only Begotten Son. Death, which for the first Adam was an extreme sign of loneliness and powerlessness, was thus transformed in the supreme act of love and freedom of the new Adam. One could very well assert, therefore, together with St Maximus the Confessor, that Christ "died, if one could say so, divinely, because he died freely" (Ambigua, 91, 1956). On the Cross, God's eros for us is made manifest. Eros is indeed, as Pseudo-Dionysius expresses it, that force which "does not allow the lover to remain in himself but moves him to become one with the beloved" (De Divinis Nominibus, IV, 13: PG 3, 712). Is there more "mad eros" (N. Cabasilas, Vita in Cristo, 648) than that which led the Son of God to make himself one with us even to the point of suffering as his own the consequences of our offences?

"Him whom they have pierced"

Dear brothers and sisters, let us look at Christ pierced on the Cross! He is the unsurpassing revelation of God's love, a love in which eros and agape, far from being opposed, enlighten each other. On the Cross, it is God himself who begs the love of his creature: He is thirsty for the love of every one of us. The Apostle Thomas recognized Jesus as "Lord and God" when he put his hand into the wound of his side. Not surprisingly, many of the saints found in the Heart of Jesus the deepest expression of this mystery of love. One could rightly say that the revelation of God's eros toward man is, in reality, the supreme expression of his agape. In all truth, only the love that unites the free gift of oneself with the impassioned desire for reciprocity instils a joy which eases the heaviest of burdens. Jesus said: "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (Jn 12: 32). The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome his love and allow ourselves to be drawn to him. Accepting his love, however, is not enough. We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others. Christ "draws me to himself" in order to unite himself to me, so that I learn to love the brothers with his own love.

Blood and water

"They shall look on him whom they have pierced". Let us look with trust at the pierced side of Jesus from which flow "blood and water" (Jn 19: 34)! The Fathers of the Church considered these elements as symbols of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. Through the water of Baptism, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit, we are given access to the intimacy of Trinitarian love. In the Lenten journey, memorial of our Baptism, we are exhorted to come out of ourselves in order to open ourselves in trustful abandonment to the merciful embrace of the Father (cf. St John Chrysostom, Catecheses, 3, 14ff.). Blood, symbol of the love of the Good Shepherd, flows into us especially in the Eucharistic mystery: "The Eucharist draws us into Jesus' act of self-oblation... we enter into the very dynamic of his self-giving" (Encyclical Deus caritas est, n. 13). Let us live Lent, then, as a "Eucharistic" time in which, welcoming the love of Jesus, we learn to spread it around us with every word and deed. Contemplating "him whom they have pierced" moves us in this way to open our hearts to others, recognizing the wounds inflicted upon the dignity of the human person; it moves us in particular to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate the tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of so many people. May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God's love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must "re-give" to our neighbour, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need. Only in this way will we be able to participate fully in the joy of Easter. May Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, guide us in this Lenten journey, a journey of authentic conversion to the love of Christ. I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, a fruitful Lenten journey, imparting with affection to all of you a special Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 21 November 2006

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

Aurea

Sister Aurea came to visit me and asked for my prayers for the intention of her family. She suggested and volunteer to do my laundry. I really appreciate it but my friends from Sta. Maria is the one doing my laundry. I do not want to antagonize people who would like to help and suggested other work of which she could beof great help.

Frames

I asked Jose to help me arrange my office by putting the picture frames in the wall and to clean it. I have to be organized in my office so that I could use the maximum potential of the place and of my movements.