parishworks! 1Vol. 08 No. 21 September 08, 2012

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Invest in One Another, Parish is the KeyBy Susan Amoroso

“Ang aksyon ay nasa mga parokya,” Bishop Broderick Pabillo told PARISH WORKS in an exclusive interview, when asked how to address the declining donations to Pondo ng Pinoy (PnP). Pondo ng Pinoy is a Catholic community-based charity fund program launched by retired Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in 2004.

It’s aim is to gather small donations like 25 centavos continuously from everyone rich and poor alike, and from this fund, help the poorest of the poor in the country by poverty-alleviating projects such as feeding,livelihood, housing and scholarship programs.

Bishop Pabillo said the Pondo ng Pinoy must be strengthened within the parishes.

He urges all the parishes to move and do more for the continued success of the PnP in the midst of declining contributions in the last four years.

Mary, Cause of our Joyby Gene C. Alberto

“Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?” (CATENA LEGIONIS Antiphon)

On the floor kneels the trusting maiden. Her name is Mary, with love beaming from her face when heaven’s message delivered to her by the angelic visitor. He said to her: “Rejoice, O highly favoured daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women! You have found favor with God. You shall bear a son and give Him the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

Mary said: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”

How was this young maiden able to utter her “Fiat” with so much sincerity, with so much love and with so much self-forgetfulness and trust? Did she

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Invest in one another, Parish is the Key ... from page 1

The Bishop also said a meeting of all parishes will be called to assess the direction of the program and address the declining donations.

The Bishop however admitted the decline is not only in Manila but true as well in the other regions.

According to PnP Executive Director Fr. Edwin Mercado, total fund reached P163,853,738 in eight years from 2004-2012. This year Manila contributed only P40.5 million in the first half of the year , compared to P45 million last year. The Archdiocese of Manila contributes more or less one third to the total fund .

The program is based and operated in Manila but other dioceses in Luzon and other parts of the country are involved in the various pro-poor projects of Pondo ng Pinoy.

The program since has fed thousands of malnourished children, provided scholarships to thousands of students, provided decent homes and livelihood to the unemployed and marginalized poor in the thousands of families who benefited from the Pondo ng Pinoy.

Invest in One Another for God’s Kingdom

“Anumang magaling kahit maliit, basta malimit ay patungong langit.This is the motto and dictum of the Pondo ng Pinoy which aims to gather the crumbs and leftovers no matter how small for the common vision of helping the poor. In that way, everyone is benefited

The idea is for the whole community, not only the rich, but also the poor to contribute no matter how small like crumbs or leftovers, personified by the lowly 25 centavos,as a from of small investments to help each other.

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle calls the Pondo ng Pinoy as a new way of evangelization. The Archbishop was the main celebrant during the PnP 8th anniversary

mass celebration held at the University of Sto.Tomas (UST) gym.

He calls the Pondo ng Pinoy as a movement or “daan ng pagsasaksi, daluyan at saksi ng pagdating ng Year of Faith which will formally commence in October this year.

“Sa ating paghuhulog ng bente singko,sa araw-araw nating pag-iipon para sa kapwa,hindi para sa sarili, sa ating maliliit na pagkilos ,tayo ay sumasaksi sa ating pananampalataya (witnessing our faith). Sa ating mabuting gawa at kabutihan, magiging ganap ang ating pagkatao, lalo na ang mga dukha,’’ he continued.

“Lahat ay nagtutulungan, bahagi ng buhay at development ng tao ay pag-aambag (contributing) sa isa’t isa. Maging daan tayo para umunlad ang iba. According to each one’s capacity, we have the responsibility to improve what God has given us by contributing to the development of God’s kingdom.’’

The Archbishop stressed the need to invest in one another, particularly for the improvement of the marginalized poor. We are investing not to accumulate things for ourselves, but investing no matter how small our resources, our talents, so that others will improve and find fullness of life. That according to him is the new evangelization.

The focus is to simplify our lives and invest in God’s plan. He said everyone, no matter how poor or impoverished has something to give, has something to invest for the common good.

He said the first to invest in mankind is God the Father. He invested His Son , so that we may all grow in the fullness of life.

He calls the Pondo ng Pinoy a new way to evangelize. By offering the little we have, the crumbs , the lowly 25 centavos, in our little ways, we as a people are evangelizing and witnessing our faith.

The Spirit of the Omnipotence Choir is recruiting first time male and female members to join the choir. The SOTO sings every Sunday at 6:30 pm.

If you are 18 years old and above and would like to offer your voluntary services in church by singing God’s melodies through music. . .why don’t you sign up now and join the group!

For those who are interested, you may contact Mrs. Cora Red Orig through mobile # 0918-2427010.

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Mary Cause of our Joy... from page 1

then know of the crib, of the cross, of the Eucharist? Did her Spouse, the Holy Spirit show her what her “Fiat” would mean to all mankind? Did she know then that her Child would with Calvary’s Key open the door of heaven? That He was The Way, The Truth, the Light that would shine, leading men back to God once more? Did she know that a Eucharistic miracle of love would be her Divine Son? The answer is found in Mary’s life.

Mary was born on September 8 in a little town of Nazareth. God worked miracle of love and blessed Joachim and Anne with a baby girl. Mary, as she was called means lady. She brought much joy to her father and mother. Everyday Mary grew closer to God, corresponding with the many graces He lavished upon her. Grace prompted her to make a vow of virginity.

When Mary had reached the marriageable age, God chose for her a carpenter of Nazareth named Joseph, was like Mary came from the house and family of David. He was holy, just, humble, loving and upright. He loved God fervently. With one mind and one heart they agreed to fulfil the will of God together. God blessed their holiness and their prayers. The wedding ceremony took place.

It was on a cold December night when the Father in heaven sent His Son to us that Holy Night. He was born poor to make us rich. His saving mission begins already in the stable of Bethlehem.

It is sad to think that Mary was forced to give birth to the Savior of the world in a stable used to shelter animals because no one offered her hospitality. The soft light of Joseph’s lantern enveloped Mary, who was sitting on the hay holding a tiny bundle.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon him. Like any happy child, under the loving care of His mother, Jesus learned to talk, to pray and to do things. Mary was His first teacher. What a joy it was for Joseph to show his little foster-Child how to use the hammer, how to hold the saw, and to explain what a nail was for. What happiness and joy the three shared in the holy house of Nazareth. Peace, contentment, love, union with God

reigned in that humble house.

When Jesus was about thirty, it was believed that during his public life, Mary remained at Nazareth leading a secluded life of prayer, but her heart was with her Son. What joy to get news of Him, a short visit from Him, to know that all was well! How her heart ached when she

realized all the hatred that was being stirred up against her Son.

Mary was in Jerusalem during Jesus’ bitter passion. She made the way of the Cross with her Son. When they met for a fleeting moment it was to bolster courage. Mary stood at the foot of the cross. Her heart bled for her children – they knew not what they had done. She accepted them from her dying Son in the person of John, the beloved.

Courageously, she received her Son’s body as He was taken gently down from the cross. How lovingly she held Him, her Son, her God, a sacrificial victim for the sins of mankind.

On that Easter morning, what joy was Mary’s as her Son stood before her gloriously! How well she understood everything then! The gates of heaven were reopened. The purchase price for souls was paid in full, the acceptable sacrifice of atonement was consummated.

Mary’s joy was again mingled with sadness as her Son bade farewell on the day He ascended to His Father. His physical presence was no longer with her, but spiritually He was so close.

Mary’s great love and longing for her divine Son caused Him to come for her. It is believed that Mary died a few years after Jesus’ own death in Jerusalem. Tenderly and reverently, the apostles buried her. But Jesus would not let His mother’s precious, immaculate body remain in the tomb. He had her body carried into heaven where it was reunited with her pure soul. When the apostles opened the coffin, only fresh lilies were found.

God has been so very good to us. Our greatest joy, the world’s greatest joy, heaven’s greatest joy has been and is Jesus. Mary gave us Jesus. The invocation in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin “Cause of our Joy” is truly deserving one. May Mary be ever the “Cause of our Joy.”

May Mary be ever the “Cause

of our Joy.”

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Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Emilio Medina, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta Anna, Jennifer Reyes, Ann LopezBulletin Board EditorHarley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina, Ging Santos, Leomar Alvarez, Mria Rhea Pia Libao SAAP Facebook AdminKaren Ann Phoa

ContributorGene Alberto

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 Coordinator

Parish Office Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-Noon; 2:00-7:00 p.m.Sunday 7:00 a.m.-Noon; 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass Schedule 6:30am - Filipino

8:00am - English 9:30am - English 11:00am - English 12:15n.n - English

3:30pm - Filipino 5:00pm - English 6:30pm - English 8:00pm - English

Answer key: 1) Divine; 2) Partiality; 3) Speech; 4) Opened; 5) Proclaimed

Puzzle Corner September 9, 2012 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary

By: Karen Ann Phoa

1. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with _ _ _ _ _ _ E N I I V D recompense he comes to save you.’”

2. “My brothers and sisters, show no _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ T Y T I A L P A R I as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.”

3. “And people brought to him a deaf man who had a _ _ _ _ _ _ H E E P S C impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.”

4. “He looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ - that is, ‘Be _ _ _ _ _ _ D O P E E N!’”

5. “But the more he ordered them not to (tell), the more they _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ L A M E D I C R O P it.”

Announcements

• Sept 14 (Fri) EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

• Sept 15 (Sat) San Lorenzo Ruiz: A Hero of Faith by His Excellency Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D.

• Sept 20 (Thu) PARISH LEADERS’ CONFERENCE , “Communicating the Faith with Commitment, Confidence and Credibility” by Ambassador Tita de Villa

• Sept 28 (Fri) KUMPISALANG BAYAN 5:00 p.m. onwards

The Media Ministry Wants you!1. The Media Ministry is in need of Power Point

operators for the Sunday Masses.

2. We are also need of Adobe Indesign operators

Please leave your name at the parish office, send an email to media@saaparish.com or text 09178482986 and state your name and interest. Thank You!

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