Palm Sunday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Matthew 21-22, Mark 11-12, Luke 19-20, John 12

Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people spread their coats in front of Him and greeted Him with palm branches.

It was a springtime Sunday in about the year 30 A.D. The holy city of Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims who had come for the annual Passover celebration.

Jesus had spent many months traveling through the towns and villages of Palestine. He preached about the kingdom of God and healed the sick wherever He went. Now the time had come for Him to claim His title as the Messiah - the Savior that God had promised to the Jewish people.

Jesus knew His mission was almost finished. As they traveled to Jerusalem, Jesus warned His disciples that He would soon be put to death, and after three days He would rise again.

(continued on page 4)

April 2017. Issue 4. Vol 12

One of the fascinating books in the old Testament is the book of Sirach which I believe offers us appropriate thoughts in this time of Easter. Sirach, before the revelation of God's love in Jesus, was convinced that God would not leave us forsaken. How much more then can we trust in the one who is compassionate and merciful. This passage is about trust in God while loving and serving him faithfully. What comes through is that serving God can be quite difficult, yet it must be done with sincerity, steadfastness, and fidelity. This is an important passage because it is written by a man who had not heard of Jesus, nor could he possibly have imagined that God would come to live amongst his people. Despite difficulties he recognises the importance of perseverance and trust. So, what about us? We have everything -- we know God became man and that he lived amongst us. We know that Jesus died for each one of us. We have been gifted in so many ways especially in our sacramental encounters with Jesus. We have so many reasons for knowing how much God loves us and for knowing how to live our lives. So how come we are not more enthusiastic about our faith? How come we are not as persevering as Sirach? This passage challenges us to look at what our faith really means to us in our daily lives. Through our Baptism we became members of God’s family. In Confirmation, we were empowered to be disciples of Jesus. In our celebration of Mass and reception of Holy Communion we are united with Jesus and with each other. In our celebration of the feast of Easter, we renew our Baptismal Promises and state our intention to make a new beginning. If this is going to become a reality, this commitment has to affect every single aspect of our lives. We have so much more than Sirach did and we have reflected on his level of faith. I would suggest it is time to have a very close look at our lives as individuals and as a community and to see how we can make our faith more vibrant in our daily living. This of course should be the consequence of our journey through Lent to Easter. It is not too late for each of us to make a new beginning and for us as members of this prayer community to make a new beginning as part of God’s family.

From the Desk of

Monsignor Ron Straight to The Hearts

EXTRA EXTRA ... READ ALL ABOUT IT HJM PRAYER MEETING, SAT, 8 APRIL 2017

PLACE: FR BYRNE CENTRE, MARAYONG TIME: 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm LEADER: SIS ESTHER VIOLA THEME: GROUP LENTEN DISCUSSION CORE MEETING, FRI, 28 APRIL 2017 PLACE: FR BYRNE CENTRE, MARAYONG TIME: 8.00 PM - 10.00 PM FEAST OF PENTECOST, SAT, 3 JUNE 2017 PLACE: ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE PARISH

TIME: VIGIL MASS AT 6.00 pm

FELLOWSHIP: 7.00 pm

& PROGRAM: ST ANDREW'S PRIMARY

SCHOOL HALL

HJM PRAYER MEETING, SAT, 22 APRIL 2017

PLACE: FR BYRNE CENTRE, MARAYONG TIME: 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm LEADER: SIS NENETTE GAPUD THEME: TALK ON PSALM 136 1ST FRIDAY MASS, 5 MAY 2017 PLACE: ST ANDREW THE APOSTLE PARISH TIME: 7.00 PM HOLY MASS, HOLY HOUR, FOLLOWED BY CHURCH

CLEANING LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR (LSS), SAT/SUN, 29-30 JULY

2017 (SUNDAY MASS AND GRADUATION INCLUDED)

PLACE: ST ANDREW'S PRIMARY SCHOOL HALL

TIME: 8.00AM - 4.30PM (SAT)

8.00AM - 4.30PM (SUN)

ESTHER VIOLA

Sis Esther Viola is an active member of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (HJM) prayer community and has been with the group for many years now. Married to Bro Oscar Viola, HJM is so blessed to have them as both are dedicated and hardworking members of the prayer community. They have been blessed with four children and 7 grandchildren. Sis Esther is an older sister to our Sis Marilyn Villa, also an active member and a daughter to Mommy Flor Cabrales, a very enthusiastic and full of life senior citizen/member of HJM. For many years, Sis Esther worked side-by-side with Bro Oscar, especially during the time he was the Service Ministry Head Servant, a very important role they took on to serve the community. Members of HJM are grateful to Sis Esther for her continuous commitment. Sis Esther also serves St John 23rd parish as a Minister of Communion.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP MINISTRY PROFILES

THIS MONTH'S PRAYER LEADERS

A LEADER’S PRAYER

Lord, I have been incredibly blessed for so many years now to serve You. It is in that recognition that I find myself amazed at how far I have come -- and over how many hills and valleys I have travelled. Along this path I have learned a great deal about perseverance -- as I have learned to trust You -- so You could use me to help others. It is here in the study of Your Word, and under the guiding light of Your Holy Spirit who helps me to go deeper in my understanding, that I will find the tools I need to lead. I remember someone once telling me that a leader must first be a follower – someone who knows how to follow You. This hasn’t always been easy because of my own human pride and selfishness – but it has certainly proven to be true. Jesus, You are my leader, You alone are worthy of the honour and glory, and You are THE LEADER.

NENETTE GAPUD

Sis Nenette has been a committed member of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary (HJM) prayer community for almost 21 years now. She’s married to Bro Romy, who like her, was a graduate of Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) Class 13 in August 1996. They’ve been blessed with two sons, a daughter who is married to John and two grandkids named Thomas Benjamin and Frances Olivia. Previously, Sis Nenette held the head servant’s position in the Youth Ministry, the Praise and Worship Ministry, the Growth Ministry and the Apostolate Ministry where she encouraged her members to use this as a guiding principle in doing ‘apostolate work and in evangelising’ – ‘Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand’. Currently, Sis Nenette serves HJM as a member of the Pastoral Team. She is also a member of the LSS Steering Committee in the Growth Ministry responsible for planning, organising, discerning LSS speakers and running the conduct of the 2-day-LSS. A member of the Praise and Worship Ministry, Prayers and Intercessory Ministry, the Music Ministry as well as the Service Ministry, Sis Nenette is always willing and able to lend a helping hand. An Editor-in-Chief for almost 12 years now, Sis Nenette has been responsible for the production and publication of HJM’s monthly newsletter called ‘Heart to Heart’, which can also be found in the parish’s website. Serving at St Andrew the Apostle parish as a Minister of Communion and a Commentator, Sis Nenette also helps, in her own little way, celebrate a few special liturgies.

SERVANT LEADERS UNDER

THE SPIRITUAL

DIRECTION OF

MSGR RON MCFARLANE,

PARISH PRIEST OF ST

ANDREW THE APOSTLE

PARISH, MARAYONG

PASTORAL TEAM

Mirza Alata, Joseph Cacdac

Cezar Estrera, Nenette Gapud

Len Limguangco

MINISTRIES:

APOSTOLATE

Head Servant: Noel Tolentino Deputy: Ladybyrd Buan GROWTH Head Servant: Josie Durante

Deputy: Sam Singh

MUSIC

Head Servant: Myra Estrera

Deputy: Doris Barrios

PRAISE & WORSHIP

Head Servant: Shonee Attwood

Deputy: Marilyn Villa

PRAYERS & INTERCESSORY

Head Servant: Mercy Aquino

Deputy: Eva Velez

SERVICE

Head Servant: Paolo (Boy) Emperado

Deputies: Tony Villa

Edgar Reyes SERVICE FINANCE Deputy: Lorie Atienza

SERVICE SECRETARIAT

Deputies: Anna Nifas

Rose Ferrer

Hearts of Jesus and Mary (HJM) Prayer Community

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To be a group of people who are journeying together in faith, guided by the Spirit of God, growing and learning from each other, and whose life, as a whole, follows the footsteps of the Master Himself...that is, a life of prayer and active, loving service to others.

ST. PEDRO CALUNGSOD

Feast Day: April 2 Venerated: January 27, 2000 Beatified: March 5, 2000 Canonized: October 21, 2012

The story of Pedro Calungsod shows us that young

people can do great things. Born in Guam, in the

Philippines, Pedro was only 13 when he joined a group of

Spanish missionaries who were going to travel to the

Marianas Islands to teach the native people about God.

Pedro loved the Church, and he received the sacraments

whenever he could. He was eager to share what he knew

about Jesus with others. He did well, and many people

were baptized into the faith because of his efforts.

But some people did not trust the missionary priests.

Often the medicine men in the village viewed the

missionaries as a threat to their power. One night, when

Pedro and a priest arrived in a village to baptize the

chief’s daughter — at the request of the chief’s wife —

they were killed by assassins led by the chief. Pedro died

for his faith in 1672, when he was only 17.

In 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified Pedro, telling the

crowds that gathered for the ceremony, “From his

childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself

unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his

call. Young people today can draw encouragement and

strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus

inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the

faith as a lay catechist.”

Pedro Calungsod was canonized on October 21, 2012, by

Pope Benedict XVI.

http://saintsresource.com/pedro-calungsod/

A Glimpse of This

Month’s Featured Saint

Palm Sunday (continued from page 1)

As they came near Jerusalem, Jesus told two of His disciples to go into a nearby village and bring a donkey that would be waiting there. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. Crowds of people spread their coats on the ground in front of Him. Some waved branches of palm trees, a sign of victory. The people shouted,

"Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!"

Only a king would be greeted this way (2 Kings 9:13), and the people wanted Jesus to be their king.

Most of the people did not understand what kind of king Jesus would be. They expected their Messiah to be a great political and military leader who would free them from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. But the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom that is now growing in the hearts of people who put their faith and trust in God.

Cleansing the Temple

Jesus drove the merchants and money changers out of the temple

Jesus went to the temple once He got into Jerusalem, and He didn't like what He saw. This most holy of places had been turned into a marketplace. Merchants were selling animals for temple sacrifices. Money changers were exchanging the pilgrims' money for special coins used in the temple. Many of these people were cheating the pilgrims who came to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem.

Jesus turned over the seats of the merchants and the tables of the money changers, scattering their coins. He told them all to leave. He made a whip of some cords and used it to drive out the animals. He said,

It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations', But you have made it a den of robbers!

Teaching and Healing Jesus went to the temple every day. Blind people, crippled people and sick people came to Him, and He healed all of them. He told stories and parables to help people understand the kingdom of God and God's love for all people. The crowds of people who came to hear Him were spellbound.

A expert on the Jewish Law asked Jesus which of God's commandments was most important. Jesus replied,

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is just as important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and the teachings of the prophets are based on these two.

Trust in God and Christian love (kindness and respect) for all people are the basis for everything Jesus taught us. These are the things that are really important in life.

Conflict with the Chief Priests and Elders

The chief priests and elders of the temple challenged Jesus' authorityNot everyone was happy that Jesus was preaching at the temple every day. The chief priests and elders of the temple were angry and upset. The chief priests had given permission for merchants and money changers to use the outer courtyard of the temple, but Jesus had driven them out. They were afraid of a crackdown by Roman authorities because of the large crowds who followed Jesus. Worst of all, the people were putting their hopes and trust in Jesus. The temple officials felt their authority slipping away.

These temple officials came up with a plan to trap Jesus with His own words. They came to Jesus and demanded to know by what authority he was doing all these things. If Jesus said His authority was from God, they would accuse Him of blasphemy. If He did not claim authority from God, they could say He was just a crazy man.

But Jesus knew it was a trap. Instead of answering the question, He asked them another question: "Did the baptism of John come from heaven?" The temple officials realized this was also a trap. If they said "Yes", Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" If they said "No" it would make the people angry because they believed John the Baptist was a prophet. So, they refused to answer.

As usual, Jesus had defeated his opponents at their own game! But the temple officials were even more angry and began to plot to have Jesus killed.

Lessons For the Jews, Jerusalem was the holy City of God. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9-10) and left little doubt that He was accepting the title of Messiah. Jesus was adored by the crowds of people who had come to Jerusalem for Passover.

But there was harsh conflict between Jesus and Jerusalem's religious leaders. They clashed on issues of prayer, holiness, life after death and paying taxes to the Romans. Above all, they clashed on the issue of Jesus' authority from God. These conflicts led to Jesus being crucified less than a week after entering Jerusalem.

Jesus did some of His most important preaching during this final week. He spoke of His second coming and told parables of the kingdom of God. Most of all He said we must put our total trust in God and put that trust into action with kindness for other people.

Questions:

What Is Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, is a celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some churches decorate with palms and distribute palm branches in memory of the greeting Jesus received from the pilgrims

as He rode into Jerusalem.

Why Did Jesus Preach and Work His Miracles Among the Jews? The people known as Hebrews, Israelites or Jews were

God's chosen people. It was God's plan to bring salvation to the Jews first, then to the rest of the world through the Jews. Jesus was born a Jew and remained faithful to Judaism (the Jewish religion) throughout His earthly life. He worked and preached mainly among the Jews of Palestine, which is now the country of Israel.

Christianity began as a small sect of Judaism. It was only after many Gentiles (non-Jews) converted to Christianity that it emerged as a separate religion. God has not revoked His covenant with the Jews (Romans 11:25-29), but His salvation is now available to all people of the world.

What Does Messiah Mean? Messiah comes from a Hebrew word meaning "the

anointed one." In Old Testament times, important people

like kings and priests were anointed with oil as a sign of

their office. For hundreds of years, the Jews had

expected God to send them a special king (Daniel 9:25-

26, Isaiah 7:14-17, 11:1-9, Micah 5:2). Jesus avoided

accepting the title Messiah until the very end because

the people were expecting their Messiah to be a military

and political leader instead of a spiritual leader. In Greek,

the original language of the New Testament, christos

means "anointed one", and that is where the word

"Christ" comes from.

http://www.christianbiblereference.org/story_PalmSunday.htm

Many rock-‘n’-roll bands of the 1950s used the piano, and rock bands likewise, though often in a more peripheral role as tastes headed towards the electronic keyboard. Pop music less frequently rings to the sound of the acoustic piano, with the likes of Sir Elton John and The Scissor Sisters notable exceptions.

http://www.classical-music.om/a-z-piano-13

MUSIC MINISTRY

FEATURES AN ARTICLE ON

'THE A-Z OF THE PIANO' – SERIES V is for Vamp till ready: the piano as accompaniment

Perhaps the widest use of the piano – and certainly the most significant socially. Whether it be lending support to a singer in a Lieder recital, as the equal partner of an instrumentalist in a sonata, providing a one-man orchestra for ballet and opera rehearsals or simply accompanying a sing-along down the local pub, the piano is the ubiquitous friend that bonds and binds. Before the advent of radio, television and the gramophone, it had, in author Peter Gammond’s words, ‘already stood, ill-used and beer-sodden in British songs-and-supper rooms and music-halls and, in the USA, in the saloons of the West and the dance halls of the cities’.

.

Below is a prayer of commitment written especially for leaders in Catholic Charismatic Renewal by a very prayerful lady who served for many years as a much loved leader in a Melbourne Prayer Group and published in the Voice of the Spirit, NSW Catholic Charismatic Renewal Newsletter, Issue 84 - February / March 2017. Worth sharing as it's very appropriate to our prayer community and being published in our own newsletter as requested by Sis Mirza. Prayer of Commitment "You did not choose Me; no, I chose you and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, and then the Father will give you anything you ask Him in My Name. What I ask you is to love one another." (John 15:16-17) Lord I accept the role of leader in answer to your call. Thank you for your trust in me to shepherd the flock of our Catholic Charismatic Prayer Community. As I re-commit to continuing my role as a leader, I ask once more for the anointing of your Holy Spirit. Inspire me again to follow courageously in your footsteps, Lord. Help me to keep close to you through prayer. Renew my mind with your Holy Scriptures as I seek to mould the hearts and minds of each person who attends the meetings. Especially grace our Core Group with your Holy Spirit of love, peace, unity, understanding and most importantly, forgiveness of each other because of personality clashes. I ask you, Jesus, to heal my heart from any hurts I have received from misunderstandings of others on the Core Group. Help all of us to focus only on you, Jesus, our Lord and master, and seek only to do your will and not our own. Truly bless our prayer meeting with all the fruits of your Holy Spirit. Jesus, once more I freely commit myself to your service.

Life, light and love

EIC

PRAYER MEETING One of the gifts we receive during Life in the Spirit Seminars is the gift of prayer. Prayer is one way of establishing a closer relationship with the Lord and a way of living a fuller Christian life. This growing intimacy with God may be developed by praying with one another. In prayer groups, this is commonly done during prayer meetings. The beauty of attending prayer meetings is that people who pray together encourage and support one another:- finding comfort and strength in times of trials, or sharing the joys over spiritual and physical healing we have just received.

During prayer meetings, our hearts are united in praising and worshipping God for His goodness and mercy. There is a feeling of oneness in acknowledging God as our creator and Father. Where there is prayer, there is unity which Jesus prayed so fervently for His followers to have. “I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23 Prayer meetings help us grow spiritually. I believe that Gospel reading, witnessing by members of their personal faith experiences on God's goodness, asking for repentance and thanking the Lord, give us wisdom - in other words, spiritual maturity. We establish good relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ when, as a group, we pray together spending some quiet time with God savouring His loving presence. It becomes evident how we care for those around us when we share our burdens and joys in moments of triumphs over trials. But most of all, it is a time when God lets us feel His unconditional love for us because ultimately, it is His desire to communicate with us like a 'Father to his child'. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us make 'attending prayer meetings' part of our lives. It is a time we allow God’s love to engulf us with the fires of the Holy Spirit. It is my belief that prayer meetings may lead us to a Spirit-filled life.

Heart of the Matter QUICK BITES FOR

YOUR THOUGHTS -

by the Growth Ministry

PRAYER MEETING

The Coming of the Kingdom That new life began on Easter Sunday. In the Our Father, we pray that "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven." And Christ told His disciples that some of them would not die until they saw the Kingdom of God "coming in power" (Mark 9:1). The early Christian Fathers saw Easter as the fulfillment of that promise. With the resurrection of Christ, God's Kingdom is established on earth, in the form of the Church.

New Life in Christ That is why people who are converting to Catholicism traditionally are baptized at the Easter Vigil service, which takes place on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter), starting sometime after sunset. They have usually undergone a long process of study and preparation known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Their baptism parallels Christ's own Death and Resurrection, as they die to sin and rise to new life in the Kingdom of God.

The Sacrament of Baptism Communion: Our Easter Duty Because of the central importance of Easter to the Christian faith, the Catholic Church requires that all Catholics who have made their First Communion receive the Holy Eucharist sometime during the Easter season, which lasts through Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. (The Church also urges us to take part in the Sacrament of Confession before receiving this Easter communion.) This reception of the Eucharist is a visible sign of our faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God. Of course, we should receive Communion as frequently as possible; this "Easter Duty" is simply the minimum requirement set by the Church.

The Easter Duty The Sacrament of Communion The Sacrament of Confession

Christ Is Risen! Easter isn't a spiritual event that happened just once, long ago; we don't say "Christ has risen" but "Christ is risen," because He rose, body and soul, and is still alive and with us today. That is the true meaning of Easter. Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

https://www.thoughtco.com/easter-in-the-catholic-church-542486

The Greatest Christian Feast - by Scott P. Richert - Updated February 08, 2017

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Piero della Francesca (1463). Public Domain

Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving known as Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of His Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in new life on Easter. For the date of Easter in this and other years, and for information on how the date of Easter is calculated, see When Is Easter?

A Day of Celebration In Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on Easter, Christians greet each other with cries of "Christ is risen!" and respond "Indeed He is risen!" Over and over, they sing a hymn of celebration: Christ is risen from the dead By death He conquered death And to those in the graves He granted life! In Roman Catholic churches, the Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us in his famous Easter Homily, our fast is over; now is the time for celebration. The Fulfillment of Our Faith Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. Saint Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.

EASTER IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Bible Cell: Blessed Trinity Facilitators: Bro Rod and Sis Len Limguangco Deputies: Rudy/Agnes Rupac Members: Martha Aquino/Ladybyrd Buan, Eden De Leon, Fe Hernandez, Freddie/Baby Lorenzo, Message: BERRIMA - Activate and awaken the Christ within. Action: NIL Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: Our Lady of Fatima Facilitator: Bro Romy and Sis Josie Durante Deputy: Cheryl Dequina Members: Mercy Aquino, Iodine Carreno, Nenette/Romy Gapud, Elmer/Anna Nifas Message: BERRIMA- I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Action: NIL Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Facilitators: Bro Noel and Sis Jackie Tolentino Deputy: Gloria Ferrer Members: Pilarly Balgos, Valerian/Dora D’Lima, Rose Ferrer, Ding Rivera, Joe/Rita Vella Message: BERRIMA - There is no place too dark that God cannot bring us out of, if we reconciled back to

Him for He is our Resurrection. Action: NIL Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: St. John Paul II Facilitators: Bro Cezar and Sis Myra Estrera Deputies: Sam/Siony Singh Members: Col/Shonee Attwood, Mary Bonavita, James Daas, Lalaine Dunuan, Jun/Vita Hurtado, Filomena Petroni, Message: BERRIMA

* Be thankful for the blessings and trials (obstacles). * Trust in the Holy Trinity. * A.S.K. Ask, Seek, Knock and God will answer in His time.

Message: Place your trust in the Lord and He will raise you from your troubles. Action: How did you live a Christian way of life? Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: St Joseph Facilitators: Bro David and Sis Mel Bustamante Deputies: TBA Members: Lia Banzuelo, Leighton Farrell, Analiza Limguangco, Nenette Motio, Edgar/Jeannie Reyes, Marilou Van Asten Message: BERRIMA - In this season of Lent, Christ reminds us that He is the way and as Christians, we

should follow His examples. Action: NIL Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: St. Padre Pio Facilitators: Bro Tony and Sis Marilyn Villa Deputies: Nards/Doris Barrios Members: Danny/Linda Aguas, Mirza Alata, Boy/Ghie Emperado, , Message: BERRIMA - Transformation - From Old ways to New ways - Repent! Action: NIL Next Meeting: TBA Bible Cell: St. Paul Facilitators: Bro Marcial and Sis Tet Cacdac Deputy: Milabel Estrera Members: Soc Amos, Efren/Lorie Atienza, Lucy Dewi, Merlie/Nori Domingo, Erna Sow Message: BERRIMA - Jesus calls us to die to our sins and rise up with Him to enjoy everlasting life Message: The Samaritan woman was filled with joy in her discovery of the loving Saviour and

shared her discovery to all. Action: Share your personal discoveries of God and how you communicated that discovery to

others. Next Meeting: TBA

APOSTOLATE MINISTRY SEEKS TO

HAVE A WORD WITH GOD

How to Get Into Heaven

A man dies and meets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says to the man, "Here's how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you've done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in."

"Well," says the man. "I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly."

"That's great," says St. Peter. "That'll be two points."

"Hmmm," says the man. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully."

"Wonderful," says St. Peter, "That's worth another point."

"One point!" says the man. "Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them."

"Wow!" says St. Peter. "That's another two points!"

"Only two points!" says the man. "At this rate, it'll be only by the grace of God that'll I'll ever get into this place."

"Bingo!" says St. Peter. "That's one hundred points! Come on in.

Forest Gump and St. Peter

When Forest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, "Welcome, Forest. We've heard a lot about you." He continued, "Unfortunately, it's getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in."

COMIC CORNER

"Okay," said Forest. "I hope it's not too hard. I've already been through a test. My momma used to say, 'Life is like a final exam. It's hard.' "

"Yes, Forest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are."

1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'?"

2) How many seconds are in a year?

3) What is God's first name?

"Well, sir," said Forest, "The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'? Today and Tomorrow."

St. Peter looked surprised and said, "Well, that wasn't the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer."

"The next question," said Forest, "How many seconds are in a year? Twelve."

"Twelve?" said St. Peter, surprised and confused.

"Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …"

St. Peter interrupted him. "I see what you mean. I'll have to give you credit for that one, too."

"And the last question," said Forest, "What is God's first name? It's Andy."

"Andy?" said St. Peter, in shock. "How did you come up with 'Andy'?"

"I learned it in church. We used to sing about it." Forest broke into song, "Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own."

St. Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, "Run, Forest, Run!" http://www.guy-sports.com/jokes/clean_christian_jokes.htm

Please send feedback to the EDITORIAL TEAM as follows:

Editor-in-Chief

Nenette Gapud Tel: 0439 649 463

nenette.gapud@gmail.com

Layout and Design

Elmer Nifas Tel: 0466 781 305

elmer_nifas03@yahoo.com

Circulation

Anna Nifas, Rose Ferrer

Regular Contributors

Monsignor Ron McFarlane, Tel: 9622 0817

Pastoral Team

HJM Ministries

SECRETARIAT (SERVICE MINISTRY) PRESENTS OUR

BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRANTS

Many happy returns to the following brothers and sisters who celebrate their birthdays this month:

Doris Barrios 01 April Julie Gamban 12 April

Lydia Villamarin 01 April Ike Enriquez 13 April

Romy Durante 03 April Eva Velez 14 April

Joe Vella 08 April Wilfredo Navarro 15 April

Evelyn Villanueva 09 April Eden De Leon 17 April

Van Nguyen 10 April Jun Hurtado 19 April

Josefina Flor 11 April Maria Siva 19 April

Claudette Albano 11 April Josh Dela Cruz 23 April

Cheryl Dequina 12 April Rosario Manglicmot 27 April

Prayers and Intercessory Ministry requests prayers for the following HEARTS:

HEARTS ASKING FOR PRAYERS: Linda AGUAS Mercy AQUINO

Freddie LORENZO Mary MANALILI

Doris BARRIOS Nards BARRIOS Brian/Ladybyrd BUAN

Nora MOLINA Armando NIFAS Emma PEREZ

Solomon CASSAR Chona CASTILLO Digna V CLARK Yeye DELARA Romy DURANTE Keith EDMONSON Boy EMPERADO Prosec Jo HIPOL Mariles HOLLERO Carmen INDOLOS Joshua (son of

Filomena's cousin)

Boy RAMIREZ Paul SAMMUT Ernesto SAYO Marilou VAN ASTEN Eva VELEZ Miguel VERDAN Romualdo VERDAN Maribel WASLOWICZ Alan YUEN ALL SENIORS

HEARTS CALLED TO ETERNAL LIFE:

Best wishes to the following couples who celebrate their wedding anniversaries this month:

Chris and Annie Atienza 21 April Tony and Marilyn Villa 24 April Efren and Lori Atienza 25 April

Oscar CAPULE Jose Mari Robert DEQUINA Rita MARCELO Fe Bonilla PALISOC Manny PERLAS