parishworks! 1Vol. 7 No. 37 December 17, 2011

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Simbang Gabi: A Uniquely Filipino Heritageby: Russel Matthew Patolot

An emotional 54-year-old Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle became the 32nd archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila on Monday.

Humbly accepting his new position, he said in his first homily as Manila archbishop, “Dominus est [You are the Lord]” thus illustrating his attitude—as you wish, Lord. Your will be done.

Tagle was already emotional at the start of the rite of liturgical reception at the doors of the historic Manila Cathedral when he hugged Manila Auxiliary Bishops Broderick Pabillo and Bernardino Cortez.

Tagle was also on the verge of tears during his homily as he bade farewell to his former flock in his hometown of Imus, Cavite, where he had served as bishop since December 2001.

He asked the Manila faithful to accept him as the successor of Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. “There is much that I will learn and should

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle,32nd archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila

In Photo: Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle greets the faithful from the balcony of the Arzobispado de Manila where is he going to stay. Tagle was formally installed as the new Manila archbishop in a solemn ceremony at the Manila Cathedral on Monday. (Roy Lagarde)

A Tribute to Msgr. Dennis Odiver on his 20th Sacerdotal Anniverasy by: Mrs. Ope L. Lopez

God leads us where He wants us to go, and He has a reason for everything that happens in our lives. Monsignor Dennis, there is a reason why you are now Pastor to us here in St. Andrew, why 10 months ago you ended up in a parish, many have warned you, is a difficult parish.

Twenty years ago He called you and anointed you to offer our Lord’s bread and wine, and consecrated your life to be the instrument of healing and forgiveness, and gave you the gift of priesthood. Today on this special day of your sacerdotal

Whenever the sixteenth of December arrives, almost any Filipino Catholic anywhere in the world would remember only one thing: a cherished tradition that has been handed down through the years of colonial rule and has been kept alive through the centuries by the Filipino faithful – Simbang Gabi.

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A Tribute to Msgr. Dennis Odiver ... from page 1

anniversary, allow us to celebrate with you, and thank God for calling you and giving you to us as our Parish Priest.

The priesthood is not an easy life, and being Parish Priest to us doesn’t make it easier — and we recognize and appreciate how you have embraced it and live it — in such a way that those of us who have gotten to know you better and work with you are encouraged and inspired. We have seen and are impressed, and we are in awe with the seriousness and dedication, the energy, your work ethics, and the intensity with which you approach and take on your duties and responsibilities, and the passionate pursuit of your chosen vocation.

Today we thank God that He has given us a Shepherd who is with us, amongst us, all his waking hours — someone whom we can count on to support us and be with us, as we go about our assigned tasks as pastoral workers.

Monsignor, you are father, friend, and co-worker to all of us. As father, we know that you are caring, thoughtful, protective, hands-on, (you are the only parish priest I’ve seen carry tables around), and on top of things. Like a true father, you can sometimes be strict and firm, but really, Monsie, it’s fine with us because we accept that’s the way one has to be to get things done!

You are a Shepherd who knows his flock, and tends to all without exception, especially those who have less. As friend, we know that you are compassionate, sympathetic, kind, forgiving, have a sense of humor, a

wonderful listening ear, and are easy to talk to, fun to be with, and even quite funny, and “kalog” too!

As co-worker, you have set an example with your 100% focus and dedication to your duties and responsibilities, and your willingness and readiness to do whatever needs to be done. We can just take a look around us here in the parish grounds, and inside the church and we can see for ourselves how much you have done to improve our facilities and environment, in such a short period of time. You have also brought us, your parishioners, together in many significant ways, as you are always mindful of keeping each one of your sheep within your flock carefully attended to, just as you have welcomed with open arms those who seemed to have gone astray, and helped them find their way back into the fold.

So Monsignor, as your parishioners, your children, your co-workers, your friends, we are here today to tell you how much we recognize and appreciate all that you have been doing for us, for the past 10 months that you have been with us. Today, we promise and pledge to endeavor to share the same fervor and commitment.

We wish you more fruitful, joyful, and rewarding years of service to the Master in whatever vineyard He may bring you. We promise to always pray for you, and to reserve a special place in our hearts for you.

Happy 20th sacerdotal anniversary, Monsignor Dennis!

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Simbang Gabi... from page 1

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle... from page 1

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learn from you. Teach me. Be patient with me. Let us love one another at all times,” he said.

He also assured the public that his new post, which had been occupied by one of the most prominent Church leaders in the country’s history, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, will not change him and who he is.

He said he will not allow himself to be “blinded” with the greater power he has now as archbishop of Manila.

Caracol processionAT exactly 9 a.m., the transfer began with the

traditional “caracol” procession participated by the Imus faithful.

His first Mass as leader of the faithful in Manila was

attended by some 2,000 people.

At one point during the Mass, his predecessor, Cardinal Rosales, ordered the reading of the Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI on the appointment of Tagle as the new Manila archbishop.

After the reading, the two met at the center of the altar before facing the crowd and then their fellow bishops before he was led to the “Cathedra” while being given a standing ovation by the crowd.

Also in attendance were more than 80 archbishops and bishops, including Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

-SARA SUSANNE D. FABUNAN / CORRESPONDENT

Simbang Gabi calls to mind the normal yet still peculiar sights, sounds, smells and tastes – yes, tastes – of the Christmas season which it heralds. Walking toward the church in the wee hours of the morning, one would typically find houses and homes bedecked with a kaleidoscope of Christmas lights and parols of all almost all the colors in the spectrum. One would hear the different church bells ring, as well as those carols which at one point or the other, made one’s heart leap with joy in eager anticipation of the birth of the Savior. One would smell and taste the traditional puto bumbong, as well as the bibingka, and who would leave out a hot cup of salabat? These would certainly perk any sleepy soul that makes its way toward the church.

The celebration of these dawn masses can be traced back to Spanish rule, when churches would open its doors before the sunrise to let the farmers, bringing their handmade farolas (lanterns, from which our term parol originated) to light the dimmed ways, attend mass and pray before working in the fields. This practice, which really originated from Mexico in 1565, was finally approbated in the 16th century by Pope Sixtus V.

Liturgically, the Simbang Gabi is a novena in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as proven by the sequence of the day’s opening prayers, as well as the preface of these masses. The nine days also bear significance, since it represents the nine months that Mary bore Jesus in her womb. Allegorically, even the time of the mass presents another meaning – Mary is the dawn of

the day of salvation; Jesus, her Son, is the rising “sun of justice” who bears healing in his rays. (Malachi 4:2)

There also has been an innovation in the tradition. As a pastoral accommodation for the faithful who wish to attend the traditional Simbang Gabi masses without the hassle of waking up early in the morning, the Archbishop-Emeritus of Manila, Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales allowed parishes to hold “anticipated Simbang Gabi”. This year, since December 19 is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and since Sunday mass takes precedence over such, he made it clear that Sunday evening Eucharistic celebration does not serve as an “anticipated mass”. The other days preceding and following can have the aforementioned.

Be that as it may, whether you attend the anticipated masses or fire yourself up at three in the morning to brave the ever-delightful cold spell that the season brings, this Christmas lifestyle is a heritage worth celebrating, continuing and preserving. It is a uniquely Filipino way to offer gratitude, to render praise and worship and to ask for God’s beneficence toward us. Besides, waking up a little early than usual is a small sacrifice to present God with this Christmas since He gave the greatest gift of all – His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins and lead us all to Him.Sources:

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/205507/news/nation/manila-

archbishop-allows-anticipated-simbang-gabi

Hermoso, Christina I. ‘Simbang Gabi’: A cherished Christmas tradition.

Manila Bulletin. December 15, 2011.

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffMagda Gana, Angelina Poe,Emilio MedinaBulletin Board EditorEJ Carlos, Harley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorGing Santos, Ellie MedinaSAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

Contributor: Ope Lopez, Russel Matthew Patolot

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 Co-coordinators

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Advent & Christmas SchedulesPagsisiyam sa GabiDec 15 – 23 8:00 PM

Aguinaldo Mass (Simbang Gabi)Dec 16 – 24 4:00 AM 5:15 AM(No 6:30 AM mass on Weekdays and Sunday)

Christmas Vigil MassDec 24 (Sat.) 6:30 PM

Midnight Mass 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:30 PM

Solemnity of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas Day)Dec 25 (Sun.) 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM

12:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM 8:00 PM

Feast of the Holy Family Dec 30 (Fri) 6:30 AM 12:15 PM 6:30PM

Holy Hour (Thanksgiving)Dec 31 (Sat.) 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

New Year’s Eve Mass 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:30 PM Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day)Jan 1 (Sun.) 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 11:00AM

12:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM 8:00 PM

Epiphany of the Lord Jesus ChristJan 8 (Sun.) 6:30 AM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM

11:00AM 12:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM 8:00 PM

Baptism of Jesus Christ(End of Christmas Season)Jan 9 (Mon.) 6:30 AM 12:15 PM 6:30PM