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 Return to Me with All Your Heart “Return to me with all your heart… return to the Lord” (Jl 2:12, 13). The prophet Joel makes this plea to the people in the Lord’s name. No one should feel excluded: “Assemble the aged, gather the children, even infants at the breast, the bridegroom… and the bride” (v. 16). All the faithful people are summoned to come and worship their God, “for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (v. 13). We too want to take up this appeal; we want to return to the merciful heart of the Father. In this season of grace that begins today, we once again turn our eyes to his mercy. Lent is a path: it leads to the triumph of mercy over all that would crush us or reduce us to something unworthy of our dignity as God’s children. Lent is the road leading from slavery to freedom, from suffering to joy, from death to life. The mark of the ashes with which we set out reminds us of our origin: we were taken from the earth, ...

The Church has been a voice in the wilderness crying out against the reimposition of the Death Penalty and the blind eye of the Philippine Government on Extra Judicial Killing on its war on illegal drugs since the President Duterte assume office. Since then a lot of explanation has been voice out on the immorality of Death Penalty and Extra Judicial Killing however, I would like to share with you the pastoral letter of the San Pablo Diocese Bishop Buenaventura M. Famadico on such issue highlighting that killing fellow Filipinos is not the solution to the problem.  Ang mga sumusunod na pangungusap ang LIHAM PASTORAL ng Lub. Kgg. Mons. Buenaventura M. Famadico, D.D., Lingkod-Obispo ng San Pablo, para sa Araw ng Pasko (2016): Minamahal kong mga kapwa anak ng Diyos, Ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon ang pagsilang ng Diyos na naging tao. Ang Diyos ay naging tao upang tayong mga tao ay makibahagi sa kaluwalhatian, pag-ibig, kagalakan, kapayapaan at buhay na walang hangga...

CBCP chief asks prayers for INC was the title of the article in the CBCP News . This was the response of Archbishop Socrates Villegas on the call to prayer for the peaceful resolution of the conflict within this denominational church. A very christian act and an example of Christ's summon to love one another. It  garnered positive response to the Netizens knowing that the members of INC are relentless in their attack of Catholic faith and faithful. Practically, I am reminded that truly this is the Christian way, praying for those all people even if they are inimical to you.

For  more that 28 week from now, the 51st International Congress will start here in Cebu, Philippines. It will be the second International Eucharistic Congress to be held here in this country. The first was last 1933 as the 33rd international Eucharistic Congress held in Manila and first to be held in Asia. The secretariat publishes three pamphlets to help the faith prepare and understand the greater gift of the Holy Eucharist. Here is first of the three,  the facilitators guide for Children.   51st International Eucharistic Congress Facilitators' Guide for Childre

GOSPEL REFLECTION: All Souls' Day Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed  2nd November 2014 by Rev. Fr. Allen Baclor Abadines There is a tinge of sadness in my heart as I reflect on this Sunday's Gospel. This Sunday's Liturgy reminds of us of our loved ones who have passed on before us. We remember whom we love the most and whom we miss the most. When we lose a somebody we love so much,the pain will always linger. We can never move on. We only have to deal with it everyday of our lives. As we celebrate "All Souls Day," we commemorate our departed loved ones. Remembering them is like bringing back all the memories - the time we spent with them, all the joys, the laughter as well as the pains and struggles we've shared with them - all these can never be recreated. And that makes it all the more sad. But I find consolation in the very words of our Lord Jesus in today's Gospel. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and a...

Every month the clergy of the diocese of San Pablo through the Leadership of the local ordinary meet to pray, recollect and discuss important matters that affect the presbyterium and the whole community. Last Monday, as usual,  we start the order of the day with the Holy Hour. A time that we commune with god not only as individual, because we can do it alone in our own parishes in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament but here as a community of God's disciple with the head of the diocese. The bishop, Buenaventura Famadico weight that though we may not see any changes in the outside but there is really happening in the inside because what does not matter to men might have greatly to God as simply as accompanying Him in silence with the rest of the presbyters. Here are some of the topics discussed during the meeting: The invitation of the Ministry on Family and life to actively grow in the ministry by engaging the couples especially on dealing with their problem by cr...

Una Fides Clarifications on the Celebration of Religious Processions During Holy Week (P.No. DCL-007-11)   There is one faith, one baptism, one Lord of all.  The call of the bishop to all clergy and laity alike is the voice of Christ that calls the flock into the one sheepfold. This call for unity is found in its utmost expression in the celebration of the liturgy most especially the Paschal Triduum. In the past the former pastors of the diocese had labored hard so that the celebrations and expressions of devotions held most especially during holy week be in accordance to the norms of true liturgical life. Though important and still valid, another consideration is to be added to the former. This consideration is in the mind of the present shephered of the diocese so that those who desire to interpret the past pronouncements may be able to fully understand it in light of the true Spirit of the liturgical norms. Sacrocanctum Consilium states; “ Devotions proper t...

Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of the archdiocese of Jaro reflects on the meaning of Palm Sunday Archbishop Lagdameo of Jaro, Iloilo reflects on the meaning of Holy Thursday's washing of the feet. Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo of the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo, Philippines, shares his reflection on the Crucifixion and death of Jesus Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo of the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo share his thoughts on Easter. Bishop Soc Villegas' catechesis on holy week, this segment is part 1, focusing on Palm Sunday. Most Rev. Soc Villegas bishop of Balanga (Bataan) talks about Holy Thursday Most Rev. Soc Villegas, Bishop of Balanga (Bataan) gives a short catechesis on Good Friday Most Rev. Soc Villegas, bishop of Balanga, Bataan, talks about Easter Vigil. Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo gives a catechesis on the Holy Week Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo on Chrism Mass Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, Chairman of the CBCP Na...