parishworks! 1Vol. 08 No. 01 April 07, 2012

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Renewing One’s Faith, Rekindling One’s Missionary Spirit (3rd day of the recollection) by Emilio Medina

On March 21, 2012, Fr. Jose Vidamor Baybay Yu, 45, Ph.D., of the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society provided a masterful guidance for the recollection, “Renewing Ones’ Faith, Rekindling One’s Missionary Spirit. He started the talk at 8:10 pm with the title of our Recollection. When speaking of Faith, we are talking Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit Who is the source of our Faith. And when we speak of mission, we mean a real, concrete and mortar project, like what was presented to Fr. Damien in the island of lepers, Molokai. Mark8:27-30, Christ’s question: “Who am I,” and the profession of Peter: “You are the Christ.”

When we are recollecting, we describe it in terms of some elements.

1) Change. We want a transition from sin to grace. John Paul II said, everyone has a right to life and with a minimum quality of life, in order to seek our spiritual fortune. How can this be achieved if we live in a “shattered family.” He gave the example of the “Via Cruces,” typically in the Philippines, only the aged attend. If a youth were initially interested to join, they would want to celebrate with other members of the same age, who are full of energy and moving with the energy of youth. Because it is mostly done by the seniors, what takes normally one hour, drags on and on, until people lose interest. We are not interested; we are being pulled away by our sensuality and materialism.

2) There are forms of discrimination. Race, culture

Senakulo sa SAAP 2012by Emilio Medina

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The Legion of Mary Makati Comitium including the Senior and Junior Praesidia of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish gathered together last March 25, 2012 at Our Lady of La Paz Parish to celebrate their annual function called ACIES (Latin word meaning “army arranged in battle array”) to renew their fealty to Mary, Queen of the Legion .

Start with the opening prayer followed by the rosary, Fr. Gabby gave the significance of total consecration to

ACIES the Central Function of the Legionby Irene Gonzales

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Senakulo...from page 1

On Holy Tuesday, April 3, 2012, we were treated to a fine performance to SAAP ‘s version of the Passion Play. It was called “Senakulo 2012” and presented by the SAAP Youth Ministry. The play spoken in Pilipino, re-enacted the passion of Jesus Christ, starting from the agony in Gethsemane, His suffering, death on the cross, resurrection and the meeting with the apostles including doubting Thomas. The opening hymn, “Ang Dyos Ay Pag-ibig,” was beautifully rendered by H.P. Horfilia.

CAST. By and large, we are thankful to the scores of young men and ladies who participated in the cast with religious zeal that moved us all to tears and sometimes to amusement. We continue to be inspired by the acts of heroism by accidental heroes, Simon of Cyrene and the Good Thief.

Jesus, played by Zachary Villareal seemed to be the most hard-working. He appeared in 70 per cent of the story and must be exhausted after the play. His deep-breathing seemed a bit over-done;

Pilate. Played by Brian Neris; it was a realistic rendering of the character who was forced to condemn an innocent man and release a murderer instead.

Devil. Ana David was convincing in her attempts to divert Jesus from His saving mission.

Director, Lemuel Gavino has the makings of a fine director for theatre. We are impressed by his drive and determination to organize such a large cast with so little time to prepare. We are in awe and anticipation of his future productions.

Wardrobe. Kudos to the original and colourful costumes that served we offer our appreciation to the members of set design, production and stage handlers for their excellent work. A feast to the eyes.

Set Design. The scenery was simple but colourfully-executed. Scenes were numerous, and the stage crew made sure the scenes were changed fast and arrangement was perfectly-done. For example, the resurrection scene was nicely-done, while simple. The earthquake, to this writer, was well-timed and the guards collapsed at just the right moment, according to the need of the situation. Another

example was the suicide of Judas. With the appropriate development of his despair accompanied by apt music, he is seen climbing up a tree, deliberately applying the noose on his neck and releasing his body to hang until dead. We offer our appreciation to the members of set design, production and stage handlers for their excellent work.

Lights and Sound. We acknowledge the professional expertise of our crew who provided the external monitor that made the show visible to audience who did not have the chance to face the stage directly. We praise the efforts of the men and women who provided the lights in perfect timing with the sound system. There was a seamless combination of audio and video throughout the presentation of the action on the stage. We congratulate the management and staff who have contributed their unselfish services pro Dei gloriam (pro the glory of God).

Observations. Crowd control and outside motor traffic control could be improved by assigning an usher to control unnecessary standing at the first row and obstructing the view. A sign similar to “hospital zone” should be posted at N. Garcia St. to advise motorists and ambulances to observe silence while the show is on-going.

Finally thanks to the Production Assistants ,(Magda Gana, et al ) and our Finance manager, Elle Medina for their untiring energy brought into the successful production of Senakulo 2012.

parishworks! 3

Renewing One’s Faith (3rd day of recollection)...from page 1

and religion. The metaphor of an old lady trying to find a seat in a crowded bus. No one seems to have any sympathy. They lady is virtually addressing empty clothes with the apathy that is exhibited by the other people in the crowded bus. This illustrates that we love material things more; rather the love should be directed to people, like the old lady in the bus.

3) The Altar. We are tainted by foreign ideologies. We cannot see that the table in the Mass is transformed into a symbol of Christ. The priest in kissing the altar, is kissing Christ. When we enter the church, the closer to the altar we sit, the better-- the closer to Christ. Story of da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper. Leonardo had a rival for the business of getting jobs. In the rendering of the “Last Supper,” Leonardo resolved to finish the faces of the apostles, then Judas and last, the face of Christ. So he finished with the apostles. When it came to Judas, he painted the face of his hated rival. Then, he started the face of Christ. His hands would not move. He would have nightmares about this until he erased the face of Judas and gave him another face. After this, he peacefully painted Christ and the painting was finished,

PENANCE. It means to listen.

a) It means inner change of heart under the influence of the word of God. We take the opportunity to change our heart. Thus says the Lord, speaking to your heart. This is why silence in the temple is needed, so that you can hear what God has to say without distraction. This silence makes change possible.

b) Harmony with the change of heart. There is no reconciliation with Him, if we do not accept the Word of God in our hearts.

c) Confession. it is a form of continuous striving to be better spiritually. When we confess we cleanse

our conscience, heart and soul. We make a promise to amend our life; to turn our backs to sin. “There is no sinner without a future; there is no Saint without a past.” Goodness flows by itself. We learn to be ascetic., to act with self-sacrifice, just as Christ sacrificed His life for our sins.

KNEEL(10 Hail Maries, with Glory be to the Father ...)

d) Love , self-sacrifice. The Bible is the “Love Story,” between God and man. Christ’s death on the cross shows the deep, profound nature of His love.. Mother Teresa adds: “Love is seeing Christ in the poor.” . His love is boundless. St. Leo The Great: “If God is charity should know no limit for God cannot be confined.” The most painful experience by Christ is to receive a cross made by human hands.. How many of us bears a cross which was caused by the person whom we deeply love.

Three Gifts.

1. Responsibility. We need to develop a sense of responsibility, a concern for each other. To have attentiveness. God asks us to be guardians of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Reciprocity. Love grows from love. All possessions are commonly owned. We practice almsgiving.

3. Gift of materiality. It is better to give than to receive. The illustration of the towels of Monsi Dennis.. Every Christmas he receives towels with the embroidered name, “Monsi Dennis.” Every year we receive towels until the whole closet is full of towels. Then, an idea to share these objects with the poor. Bring it to the embroiderer and add the word, “from.” We are able to share our surplus with the poor. Instead of towels, it can be clothes, shoes, food, etc.

By way of summary, recollection is broken down into: CHANGE --> PENANCE --> LOVE.

Palm Sunday Snapshots

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Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffMagda Gana, Emilio Medina, Russel Matthew Patolot, Karen Ann Phoa, Angelina PoeBulletin Board EditorEJ Carlos, Harley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorEllie 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.

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1. We celebrate the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _N T R S E R U C R I O E of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

2. “He _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D O M I S C O N S M E I us to preach to the people and testify that He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

3. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T E R N C S O O N R E. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. “

4. “On the first day of the week, Mary of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L A A D M A G came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. “

5. “When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the _ _ _ _ _ _ L U R A I B cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.”

Answer key: 1) Resurrection; 2) Commissioned; 3) Cornerstone; 4) Magdala;

5) Burial

April 8, 2012 – Easter SundayReadings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Psalm 118 / Colossians 3:1-4 / John 20:1-9

By: Karen Ann Phoa

ACIES...from page 1

the Blessed Mother and thereafter led all legionaries in reciting the individual Act of Consecration “ I AM ALL YOURS MY QUEEN,MY MOTHER AND ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS.”

He also celebrated the Holy Mass and gave the homily to reflect the acronyms of ACIES ~A- acceptance; C- communion; I- integrity, E- encounter, and S- sacrifice. Renewing one’s promise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God showed true devotion to her and ultimately to Our God who is the source of all blessings and graces as they ask to be humble and faithful servants of the Lord.