Laity Week Celebration: Laiko, Like Ko!

Saint Anthony of Padua Parish was all out in reflecting the significant place and roles of the Laity in the Church as it joins the celebration of the National  Laity Week, September 21 - 27, 2014. 

program of activities

program of activities

The week of the Laity was formally opened with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at the Christ the King Park, September 21, coinciding with the feast of INA, Our Lady of Penafrancia. It was however preempted with the Parish Youth Congress held on September 20 as part of the Laity Week celebration. This particular activity was attended by over three hundred (300) young men and women from all over  29 Kapilyas under the Parish.

Another significant activity of the celebration was Men's Fellowship. This 3-night activity exclusively for men aimed to empower the men of the Church and to reflect on their significant part in the life and mission of the Church. The Parish Pastoral Council decided to hold this particular activity coming from the common observation of the weakening  participation of men in most of the barangaychapels and in some BEC groups. 

Finally the celebration was culminated last September 27, 2014 with the 2nd General Assembly of the Laity, with the guest speaker Ms. Judith Ayo, diocesan lay commission head of the Commission of the Laity, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of  the Philippines (CBCP) has declared the celebration of Year of the Laity from December 01, 2013 - November 23, 2014,  as part of the  preparation of the 500 years celebration of our Catholic Faith in the Philippines. This year's theme is LAITY: Called to be Saints and set forth as Heroes

For the duration of the year, the Laity are recognized as significant part of the Church and thus called to choose to be brave in witnessing the Gospel of Christ

http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=32666

26th Sunday in Ordinary time- Cycle A

Readings:

Ez 18:-25-28/Ps 25:4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Phil 2:1-11/ Mt 21:28-32

http://www.madreseton.it/nuovosito/en/

“Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future” says Oscar Wilde.  This saying speaks a lot about one’s personal responsibility in setting a direction for his or her life.  A person is always confronted whether he or she would like to dwell and curse his/her ugly past or set things straight as the future continues to unfold before his/her eyes. 

The house of Israel believes that everything in their past has something to do with what is happening to them in the present.  This is what we heard from the first reading taken from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.  When the house of the Israel starts complaining that the Lord’s way is unfair, it is because they believe that they should not be suffering or be held responsible for the sins of the past generations.  The house of Israel plays a blame a game and they extend it to God by accusing him of being unfair.  Yet, the Lord reminds them that he has always been fair to them by giving them the chance to correct their mistakes.  He gives them the chance to choose virtue over evil. The preceding verses show God as saying that a son will not die because of his father’s iniquity.  God in all his fairness does not count the offenses of the past.  He only wants his people to turn away from their wickedness and start living a just and holy life. This is more than what fairness can give.  In our world’s standard, we always consider what a person did in the past. An ex-convict has a hard time finding a job even if he is completely reformed because of his record.  

We see the same thing in the gospel of today.  Jesus addresses the parable of the two sons to the chief priests and elders of the people.  These are the people who regard themselves highly in front of the people. They condemn the tax collectors and prostitutes for they choose to live a life that is evil and sinful.  While they look at themselves as holy and righteous because they try to follow the letters of the law.  Jesus in telling the story of the two sons who have different responses, the one saying “yes” but did not go, and the other one who initially said “I will not” changed his mind and went instead, clearly delivers his message to the chief priests and elders of the people.  They certainly feel alluded to in this parable most especially when Jesus spoke of John.  They did not recognize the authority of John nor consider his message when they should have been the first ones because of their knowledge of the scriptures and the law. Yet, it is the sinners who lined up to be baptized in river Jordan to be cleansed. They, who have initially rejected God in their lives, have now expressed sorrow by recognizing that they need the mercy of God and so they go to John for baptism.

The good news in today’s readings is that we are shown that we have a lively possibility of turning our “no” into “yes”. For many of us who are sinners, the tax collectors and prostitutes in Jesus’ time taught us that we can always change and that God is always willing to take us up.  It is a challenge for all of us struggling to not ever give up.  We are challenged not to lose hope. The question for all of us is “where do we stand in regards to God’s invitation to change and to fulfill our God-given mission?”

SAdP Honors INA!

from: https://www.facebook.com/baedino

Hundreds of devotees and parishioners gathered together to celebrate the feast of our INA, Nuestra Seniora de Peñafrancia, September 21, 2014. The celebration started at around 1 o'clock in the afternoon with a motorcade from the Parish ground to Tiris Bridge, Brgy. Tiris, Gubat, Sorsogon, wherein the Fluvial Procession will start. Long lines of vehicles preceded the INA in the motorcade which was participated by different religious organizations, Local Government Unit, delegates from different kapilyas under the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, and some sectoral groups of Gubat.

click here for the video of the motorcade

Afterwards, the Queen of Bicolandia blessed the waters of Gubat through a Fluvial Procession from River of Brgy, Tiris to the Pier in Brgy. Balud Sur, together with around 60 motor boats.

Our Lady also visited the Poblacion of the town in a festive and colorful Procession. She was joined by the voyadores (co-travelers), hundreds of  men and women of different age, dancing their prayers, thanksgiving and honor to INA.

The Celebration was culminated with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Sabino Fulo, together with his parochial vicars Rev. Frs. Mark Marbella and Jupe Garalde at the Christ the King Park, Brgy. Pinontingan.

Our Lady of Peñafrancia is the Patroness of Bicolanos whose devotion to her started more than three hundred years ago.St. Anthony of Padua Parish started their own celebration of the Feast of INA since the year 2000, and has then become the center of parish celebrations every September of the year.

more pictures

video of the dance procession

Kafiestahan ni Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia - September 21, 2014

Mga Pagbasa: Genesis 3:9-15    Apokalipsis 11:19; 12:16    Lukas 2:27-35

photo: http://www.panchopiano.com/

Ang linggong ito ay espesyal sa buhay ng mga bikolanong katoliko sapagkat sa araw na ito ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang kapyestahan ni Ina, Birhen ng Peñafrancia, ang patrona ng Kabikolan. Tayo ay nagbibigay pugay at nagpapasalamat sa mga biyayang natanggap sa pamamagitan ni Ina. Kaya ito sa parokya ni San Antonio de Padua sa Gubat ay malaking paghahanda rin ang ating ginawa upang lubos na maipakita at maipadama ang lalim ng debosyon sa Mahal na Ina.

Sa lahat ng ating pagsasaya at paghahanda sa kapyestahan ni Ina, mahalaga na huwag sana nating makalimutan kung ano nga ba talaga ang mga importanteng bagay na dala ng ating mahal na Ina sa buhay natin bilang mga Kristiyano. May tatlong mahahalagang bagay ang pwede nating pagnilayan sa buhay ni Ina na sana ay maging bunga ng patuloy na pagdebosyon natin sa kanya:

            Una, si Maria ay nakikinig sa salita ng Diyos (hearer of the Word)

            Pangalawa, si Maria ay sinasabuhay ang salita ng Diyos (doer of the Word)

            Pangatlo, si Maria ay dinadala tayo patungo kay Hesus

Una: Ang espesyal na lugar ni Maria sa ating pananampalataya ay nag-uugat dahil sa kanyang pakikinig sa salita ng Diyos. Siya ang nagging Ina ng Diyos  dahil sa pakikinig at pagtanggap nya sa balita ng anghel na sa Gabriel na nagdala ng napaka espesyal na mensahe mula sa Diyos. Kahit may takot na dulot ng presensya ng isang banal na anghel ay nagawa pa din ni Maria na pakinggan ang mensahe ng anghel.  Ang misteryo ng inkarnasyon o ng pagiging tao ng Diyos ay nagkatotoo dahil binuksan n’ya ang kanyang puso upang makapasok ang mensahe ng Diyos.

Kahapon ay ginanap sa parish youth congress.  Nakakatuwang basahin ang mga suhestyon ng mga kabataan na kanilang sinulat sa papel. Para sa mga susunod na pagpaplano ng komisyon ng kabataan, minarapat naming humingi ng kung anong mga nais nilang mangyari o gawin ng komisyon para sa kanila. Nakakatuwang makita na isa sa pinakamaraming beses na naisulat ay ang suhestyon an magkaroon ng pag-aaral ng bibliya sa kanilang mga kapilya. Hindi eto ang pinakainaasahan kong magiging una sa prayoridad ng kabataan subalit eto ang lumabas.  Marahil nga ramdam nila ang pangangailangan na makapakinig at makapag-aral ng salita ng Diyos.

Pangalawa: Hindi lang pakikinig kundi pagsasabuhay ng napakinggan. Ito ang pinakita sa atin ni Maria. Ang kanyang buhay ay naging buhay ng pagtalima sa kalooban ng Diyos, pagsunod sa salita ng Diyos. Hindi n’ya man lubos na maunawaan ang mga sinabi sa kanya ng anghel ay tinanggap n’ya ang misyon at pinalaki n’ya si Hesus.  Ang mga salita ni Simeon ay naganap sa kanya dahil sinikap n’yang gampanan ang misyon hanggang sa huling yugto ng buhay ng kanyang anak sa krus at sa patuloy na pag-aruga sa mga iniwan ng kanyang anak.

Pangatlo: Ad Jesum per Mariam, mga katagang latin na nagpapakita sa atin ng tamang lugar ni Maria sa patuloy nating pagdebosyon sa mahal na Ina.  Ang lahat ng ito ay magdulot nawa ng pagiging malapit natin kay Hesus, ang anak ni Maria, ang anak ng Diyos.  Sapagkat ito naman talaga ang misyon ni Ina; ang tayo ay maging malapit sa kanyang anak.  Iisa lang naman ang hangad ni Maria para sa atin, ang magawa rin natin ang kalooban ng kanyang anak.  Ang mangyari din sa atin ang kalooban ng Diyos. Kaya unang milagro ng kanyang anak sa kasalan sa Cana ay maririnig nating namutawi sa kanyang bibig ang mga katagang “gawin ninyo ang anumang pinapagawa N’ya” (Jn 2:5) Hindi galing kay Maria ang kapangyarihan at grasya kundi sa kanyang anak. Kaya tayong lahat ay itinuturo n’ya papunta kay Hesus.

Magdiriwang tayo ngayong araw pero sa pagtatapos ng ating pagdiriwang nawa ay patuloy nating ipanalangin kay Ina na pag-alabin pa ang ating mga puso sa pagnanais na makapakinig ng salita ng Diyos at maging tunay na taga-sunod ni Hesus.

Viva la Virgen!

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - September 14, 2014

photo from: http://avemomma.blogspot.com/2012/09/feast-of-exaltation-of-holy-cross.html

Let me start with the story of The Three Trees: (story from: http://www.word4life.com/threetrees.html)

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: " I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. " I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.

One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain and cut the three trees.

The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. " All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. " This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Lessons we can learn from the Story:

• Everything finds its new meaning only in Jesus Christ. yes! even the seemingly useless ones.
• The power of the love of God changed the meaning of the Cross from being  a symbol of punishment  to that of forgiveness ; slavery to freedom; weakness to power and; death to life
• and so are our daily personal crosses will have new meaning in Jesus Christ.

as the Gospel for today says: "As just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)

The Triumph of the Cross is the triumph of the Love of Him lifted up on the Cross.

Ika-23 Domingo sa Ordinaryong Panahon -Cycle A - September 7, 2014

Mga Pagbasa:
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romano 13: 8-10
Mateo 18:15-20

“Sino ka para pagsabihan ako kung ano ang tama o mali?” “Gagawin ko kung ano ang gusto ko at wala kang pakialam dahil sarili ko ‘to!” Kapag naririnig ko ang mga katagang ito ay nagigising muli ako sa katotohanang ang mundo nga sa ngayon ay malaki na ang pinagbago lalong lalo na sa aspeto ng pagkilala sa kapangyarihan ng mga merong otoridad katulad ng mga magulang, guro, pamahalaan o kaya ng kahit ng mga taong simbahan. Sinasabing ang mga ganitong uri ng pag-iisip ay bunsod ng post-modernism na kung saan ang nagiging sukatan ng lahat ay ang sarili. Tyranny of relativism ang tawag ni Papa Benedikto XVI sa pangingibabaw ng personal na pamantayan kesa sa pamantayan na binigay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga utos at ng batas ng kalikasan na umiiral sa ating mundo.


Sa mga pagbasa natin sa linggong ito, pinapaalalang muli ng Diyos sa atin ang pag-iral ng kanyang mga batas. May mga batas Siyang ibinigay sa atin hindi para tayo ay pigilan sa mga pansarili nating kagustuhan kundi para tayo ay ihanda at ihatid patungo sa buhay na inilaan Niya sa atin. Ang mga kautusan na ito ay paulit-ulit Niyang ipinapaalala sa atin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga propeta katulad ng utos ng Diyos kay propeta Ezekiel na paalalahanan ang mga tao. Na sa tuwing kinakalimutan o hindi sinusunod ang kanyang mga utos ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan at kamatayan ang mga tao. Dumarating ang kahirapan o kamatayan hindi dahil gusto ng Diyos na maghirap o mamatay ang tao dahil sa hindi pagsunod s Kanya kundi dahil sadyang ang daan papalayo sa Diyos ay tiyak na daan patungo sa kahirapan at kamatayan. Walang ibang kayang magbigay ng buhay kundi ang Diyos lamang. Tayong mga bininyagan ay mga profeta kaya may tungkulin tayo na kausapin o paalalahanan ang kapwa natin sa kung ano ang tama at ang mali ayon sa batas na binigay ng Diyos.


Pinapaalala rin sa atin ni San Pablo na ang mga batas na binigay sa atin ay hindi batas ng pagbabawal kundi ang kabuuan at ugat ng lahat ng mga batas na ito ay ang gawin tayong mapagmahal sapagkat ang katuparan ng batas ay pagmamahal.
Kung kaya ang makikita natin sa ebanghelyo ngayong lingo ay ang pangingibabaw ng pagmamahal sa taong hindi nakakasunod sa utos ng Diyos o kaya ayaw sumunod sa utos ng Diyos. Itinuturo sa atin ni Hesus kung ano ang kailangan nating gawin sa kapatid nating nagkasala. Ang bawat pagkakasala ay pagtalikod sa kakayahang magmahal. Subalit ang sinasabi sa atin ni Hesus sa ebanghelyo ay patuloy na iparamdam sa taong nagkasala sa atin ang pagmamahal. Sa mga pagkakataong ito mas lumalabas ang tunay na hamon ng pagmamahal dahil kung meron mang napakahirap mahalin ito ay ang mga taong nagkasala mismo sa atin. Binigyan tayo ni Hesus ng halimbawa kung paano natin gagawin ang pagtutuwid sa kapatid nating nagkasala. Una ay ang kausapin ang taong nagkasala. Ang pakikipag-usap sa taong kaalitan natin ay isang napakahirap na bagay lalo na kung iniisip natin na siya ang may tunay na kasalanan. Pangalawa, kapag ginawa na natin ang lahat, katulad ng paghanap ng ibang makakatulong at sa huli ay sumangguni sa simbahan, at ayaw pa ring tanggapin ang kasalanan ay dapat na itong ituring katulad ng isang hentil o kaya taga-singil ng buwis. Marahil ay naiisip natin na may hangganan naman pala ang pagmamahal ni Hesus kasi parang Siya mismo ay nawawalan ng pag-asa. Subalit ang utos na ito ni Hesus ay lalong nagpapakita kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal N’ya sa mga taong nagkakasala. Sapagkat kung ating susuriin ang lahat ng utos at buong buhay ni Hesus kung paano N’ya pinapakisamahan ang mga hentil at mga makasalanan ay walang iba kundi ang patuloy na pagpaparamdam ng walang hanggang awa at pagmamahal. Nariyan ang kwento ni Hesus at Zakeo, ang babaeng nahuling nakikiapid at napakarami pang mga kwento. Nawa ngayong lingo ay makita rin natin kung paano at hanggang saan ang pagpaparamdam natin ng awa at pagmamahal.

Be Man Enough for Ina

photo and text from Atty. Nonong Paps' Facebook account

Inviting 100 Men devotees of Ina to join the Voyadores 2014 which will be held on September 21, 2014, the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia.