parishworks! 1Vol. 7 No. 47 February 25, 2012

www.saaparish.com and www.facebook.com/saaparish

turn to page 3

turn to page 2

The Significance of Ashes in LentBy: Russel Matthew Patolot

We are at the threshold of another season in the liturgical calendar. The Sundays succeeding the Solemnity of the Epiphany seems like a short transition phase, an interlude, if you will, to this season. Perhaps, if you have been listening carefully to last week’s Gospel, the theme revolves around man being in sin and in dire need of reform. Any ideas for this season yet? If you said the season of Lent, you’ve got yourself the correct answer.

This season is very special since it is characterized by prayer, fasting and almsgiving and lasts for forty days. All Christians around the world are called to devote themselves to these Lenten practices of mortification so as to respond more fully and more radically to the call of Christ: “If anyone wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross daily and follow me.” (St. Luke 9:23)

The season of Lent takes up forty days in length, excluding the Sundays in between. Why are Sundays

not included? Mainly because each Sunday is still remembered as the day of the Resurrection, thus, making it a day incongruent to fasting and penance.

We begin Lent with Ash Wednesday. Although not a holy day of obligation, many Catholics, especially in

A Timely Retreatby: Claire Padilla

It was raining when we were enroute to Angin, La Union at 12:00am of February 17, 2012 to join the retreat of the Archdiocese Greeters and Collectors of Basilica Immaculada Concepcion of Intramuros, Manila. Some Greeters of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish were thankful to be part of this retreat through the invitation of Ms. Lui Magpayo, AGC Coordinator. Thanks also to Msgr. Dennis Odiver for this rare opportunity he has given us. The venue of the retreat is at Mary Consolatrix in the Eucharist Monastery, Angin, La Union.

We arrived at exactly 6:15 am at the retreat house. We found to place very solemn and really conducive for a retreat. The church though small, is a church away

from home that enkindled our enthusiasm to be at the retreat room right after our breakfast. The retreat was facilitated by Bro. Angelus Maria Francisco OPBEC,

Taken during the Silab Sala, the burning of the palms from the previous Palm

Sunday to be used during the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

2

Significance of Ashes...from page 1

our country, would arrive in throngs to go to Church, attend Holy Mass and receive the imposition of the ashes. Parishes would be filled to the brim with people and pastors would normally make adjustments in Mass schedules just to accommodate the faithful who are to participate in the solemn rites which would mark the beginning of this penitential season.

Why the use of ashes?

In the Old Testament, ashes were used to show repentance and sorrow, alongside the wearing of sackcloth and fasting. Jeremiah the prophet heralded such sentiments to the people of Israel by saying, “O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes” (Jeremiah 6:26). The best known example of the use of ashes in the same context is that of the prophet Jonah who went through the town of Nineveh, preaching its destruction in forty days if they would not change their ways. ““When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes” (Jonah 3:6)

In the New Testament, Jesus also affirms ashes as a sign of repentance when he said: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes” (Saint Matthew 11:21, Saint Luke 10:13)

Aside from ashes as a sign of conversion, it was also the symbol of mortality and death. “For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) For this

same reason, the missal before the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council prescribed the like statement while the priest imposes the ashes on our foreheads. Today, as the norm, the priest would say: “Repent and believe the Gospel”, mirroring the opening statement of Jesus’ public ministry (i.e. St. Mark 1:15).

As we begin the Holy Season of Lent, let us truly live to what is expected of us by the Lord by virtue of our being Christians – to pray more, to fast and abstain from our vices and carnal appetites, to practice works of mercy and charity – so that we may be able to prepare ourselves to become one with Christ in His suffering, passion and death and rise with Him in glory in His Resurrection. Let us be more Christ-like this season so that we may be able to radiate Christ to a world hungry for His presence and in dire need of renewal. We cannot effect change if we ourselves do not enter into true conversion of the heart.

Our way of the Crossby: Emilio Medina

On 23 February, after the 6:30 p.m. Mass, we prayed “The Way of the Cross,” at St. Andrew the Apostle with Msgr. Dennis Odiver. The season of Lent has started, and “The Way,” is one of the penitential practices open to all parishioners.

Each station is introduced by a moving song which sets the tone for this beautiful rite, which describes and meditates about 14 events in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We carry the saving crossThrough the roads of the worldThrough the alleys of poverty and miseryMarching to a dawning day,To freedom and victoryTo God’s life and endless glory.

Christ, paschal lamb,God’s perfect sacrifice,He leads the way of the cross.

1. The Last Supper. This reading from Matthew 26:26-30 describes the establishment of the sacrament of The Eucharist. We ask for forgiveness for the “times we failed to appreciate your gift of self to us.”

2. The Agony in Gethsemane. This reading also from Matthew 26 calls to mind Our Lord’s feeling of loneliness at His disciples’ being asleep during prayer. We should be mindful of the loneliness of our neighbors who have no one to comfort them in their dying.

3. Jesus is Condemned to Death. The people choose

parishworks! 3

turn to page 4

A Timely Retreat...from page 1

Barabbas to live, and For Jesus to die. We should be mindful of the weak and defenseless among us, who are victims of injustice.

4. Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns. A continuation of chapter 27 of Matthew, the soldiers dress Him up as a “king.” When we know of people being unjustly-treated, we maintain silence for fear of being ridiculed, like Jesus was made fun of in this event.

5. Jesus Carries the Cross. From John 19:16, He was led to Golgotha, “Place of the Skull.” Christ is giving us a practical lesson of humility, that God is willing to endure the basest punishment to redeem us from sin.

6. Jesus Falls. Luke 23:15 When we see Jesus falling from the weight of our sins, we are reminded of our own “burden of trials.”

7. Simon of Cyrene. Matthew 27:32 Simon’s life chanced upon a detour which led him to salvation. We

need a person like Simon who can help us carry our burden of sin and make us seek forgiveness.

8. Jesus Meets the Women. Luke 23:27-29 He told the women to weep for themselves and not for Him, as the future brings more sorrows, like the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. We must be mindful and tend to the victims of injustice and exploitation.

9. Jesus is strip of His Garments. A continuation from Matthew 27, describes the soldiers who gamble for the seamless robe of Jesus. We pray for grace to endure our own form of crucifixion.

10. The Repentant Thief. Luke 23:40. The humble man who accepted his guilt and asked forgiveness from the Son of God. This illustrates, that no matter what crime we have done, we can always avail of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

11. Mary and the Beloved Disciple. John 19:25-27

Vicariate Coordinator of Navotas. He is a very young brother who really knows our obligation as Greeters. The theme of the retreat is “Faith Reinforced”; he gave emphasis on our duties as Greeters which all of us agreed that serving requires a lot of patience, understanding and hard work. Faith in God and within ourselves are strong factors to be considered , it evokes a firm involvement in our chosen field of serving in the Church and strengthen our spirit that serving faithfully without expecting anything in return count much. To be able to achieve this unwavering desire to serve, we have to be a devotee of Mama Mary because those who have devotion to her have a special place in her heart.

There was also a film showing entitled “Liwanag sa Dilim” which is about Exorcism – in the end the good spirit prevailed, prayer is really powerful and God is stronger than the devil.

Here are some phrases that touched our hearts

• “True devotion to Mama Mary doesn’t stop to Her, we have to love Jesus and the Holy Eucharist.”

• “To know more about Christ, know first thyself”

• “God is in union with us in our prayers and He understands our weaknesses.”

Really, the retreat was remarkable and an unforgettable one, it uplifted our spirits, it made us stronger in facing challenges and allowed us to gain friends from other parishes. To mention a few, are Greeters from Sto. Nino de Paz of Greenbelt, St. Anthony, Holy Cross, Mirror of Justice, St. John Vianney, St. John of the Cross, Our Lady of Abandoned, my apology to those I have not mentioned, till we meet again.

4

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

ContributorsClaire Padilla

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 Coordinators

Puzzle Corner

A Day in the Past

AUTHORIZED PETRON DEALER IN MAKATI

FAST DELIVERY

TEXT OR CALL: 0918-9640000

843-2207•886-0931843-8440•843-8691

487 J.P. Rizal St. Makati CityFiRsT ChOiCE

1. The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S E E N S I G is the 1st book of the Bible.

2. God said to Noah: “I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you, so that the waters shall never again become a _ _ _ _ _ D O F L O to destroy all mortal beings.

3. “One does not live on _ _ _ _ _ B D A R E alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

4. The _ _ _ _ _ _ I P I T R S drove Jesus out into the desert, and He remained in the desert for forty days.

5. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and _ _ _ _ _ _ _V E E L B I E in the gospel.

Answer key: 1) Genesis; 2) Flood; 3) Bread; 4) Spirit; 5) Believe

February 26, 2012,

1st Sunday of Lent

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

Our Way of the Cross ... from page 3

many scholars say that John the Beloved wrote this gospel. Christ so loved John, that He entrusted the life of Mary to him. Like St. John may we pray to Mary and serve our less unfortunate neighbors, as Jesus taught us.

12. Death of Jesus. In Matthew, 27:45 “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” We are reminded that when we commit sin, we are abandoning God’s family, and only the redemption resulting from Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, can guarantee forgiveness.

13. Jesus Laid in the Tomb. Matthew, 27:57. Christ is buried in the tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea and guarded as a precious treasure. Like Christ, when death comes to take us, we hope to rest in “tranquil sleep,” in our own places of rest.

14. The Resurrection. Matthew 28:1-9 on the third day, an earthquake shook the earth and moved the stone that sealed the tomb of Jesus. Angels stood guard before the empty tomb. This is the main event that gives the greatest value to our Faith. As Jesus rose and conquered death, we too, will experience resurrection when Jesus, in His Second Coming will raise us up, as He did to Lazarus.

After carrying the cross to each station, Msgr. Dennis gave the closing prayer. He also invited us to repeat “The Way of the Cross,” after the next 6:30 p.m. Mass.

On the 25th of February 2004, during the 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday mass, our beloved Father Allan Dichoso was introduced in our parish as its new Parochial Vicar.

“I almost fell off my chair,” joked Father Allan, when he was informed of his assignment here. But falling off his seat has never been a problem for our dear Father Allan, because the parishioners have solidly been behind him since then – supporting him and praying with and for him.

This year, as we celebrate his eight years of service in our parish, we give thanks to the Lord for blessing us with a wonderful shepherd, brother, and friend. Join us in praying that he will continue to be used by God as His instrument of love, wisdom, strength, and an inspiration for all of us.

HAPPY 8TH ANNIVERSARY IN SAAP, FATHER ALLAN!

by: Rochelle Pineda