Paraclete march 2014

The

Vol. 7, No. 1 Issue

PARACLETE The little paper that feeds on prayer

Parish of the Holy Spirit, BF Homes, Quezon City

March 2014

Launch of the Year of the Laity

Choose to be Brave: Called to be Saints, Sent Forth as Heroes By: Angeli and Aleli Rivera ATE JOAN AND Kuya Ham were early at the West Avenue Office of the Piñeras, where the PNP truck and three officers await the arrival of Kuya Ver and his fare. No time was wasted in furling up the truck’s side canvasses and procuring mineral water for the next pick-up point – the Quezon City Hall where a 30-man marching band waited.

As soon as the last player was accounted for, the truck left for North Susana Executive Village, where last-minute decorations were being rendered on the cars that would join the motorcade. Colonel Kuya and his wife Ate Euffrey cooled their heels in their van while the band snacked on taho. Soon, the signal to start was given. From the Immaculate Conception Chapel, the party proceeded to neighbor New Intramuros Village’s Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, where more cars joined the 20-car convoy, completed by a contingent from the Sto Niño de Leyte Shrine. The band has now progressed from tentative hymns to Marian homages to the pilgrim Lady of Manaoag which was the centerpiece of the processional fleet. It exited the villages and traversed Commonwealth Avenue onto its final destination, the

Holy Spirit Parish in BF Homes. Where the local launch of the Year of the Laity, from its official one March 1, 2014, was conducted as part of its nationwide declaration by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The Year of the Laity is part of a nine-year journey for the new evangelization which prepares us for the 500th year of the coming of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021.

Upon the convoy’s arrival, a Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr. Bobot Clemen, whose homily’s highlight was Pagsisilbing Walang Pasubali.

The Mass’ conclusion was greeted by the final strains of the band, who was sent off by parishioners scattered all over the car park abuzz with

expectations for what was to come.

Ella Doller was soon confirming to one and all she had what it takes to master the ceremonies. By her lead, the program commenced with the lighting of the candles as the Spirit Minstrels sang the Doxology and three Marian hymns. The multitude raised their collective candle at the Ave Maria part of the community singing.

When the singing settled, PPC Chair Thelma Ponferrada welcomed the crowd and stated the purpose of the gathering. The Holy Spirit Parish and her chapels assembled front, center and every which way to symbolize solidarity in fellowship. Knights of Continued on page 8

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Editorial

The Paraclete

March 2014

The Spirit that is Filipino

THAT THE FILIPINO spirit is indomitable no longer needs substantiation. It has emerged on top of any situation, whether trifle, triumphant or tragic. A runner-up title is enough cause for a country’s joy, more so if the crown is brought home. And even if the occasion rends the stiffest soul, as in the recent onslaught of natural calamities that hit the Visayas, mostly, and other parts of the country, that spirit sustains, probably bloody but surely unbowed.

What heart would not melt in the face of suddenly homeless, kinless, wasted victims of a 7.2 earthquake and a double whammy of a tempest? Not the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Norway, Turkey, Canada, Israel, Australia, Buenos Aires, South Korea, the International Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement, the ILO and even the UN, which launched an action plan worth billions of dollars for the relief and rehabilitation operations for typhoon-affected areas. Not China, which sent her ship complete with crew, medicines and medical personnel.

Certainly not our very own BF residents who never double take on the church’s or Caritas Novaliches’ calls for help.

In the earthquake’s wake, one family responded by going to the supermarket en masse and, having done the groceries, proceeded to the parish office with 31 boxes of assorted goods. Like charity were a family hobby. Generosity being an invisible heart stuck on their sleeves.

Evidently – thankfully – they are not alone. The community lives up to its loving ascription. A chinky-eyed lady not only

maintains her religious pledges to PREX but also delivers medicines every third Sunday the DMI sponsors a medical mission. Another lady of similar bloodline was recently frantically asking for help to unload her 52 boxes of water, canned goods and old clothes because she still had to go to work and the Caritas Office, where she has just been to, was closed.

There are others like them, all shirking identity, anonymity an apparent spiritual shield that solaces their generosity more than sufficiently.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit Parish is not lacking in souls willing to put in as much centavos as required by charity, or the simple act of kindness. At the recently-reorganized Parish Pastoral Council, the new set of lay leaders hit the ground genuflecting by an opening prayer that asked for guidance in word and deed. No sooner had the initial meeting ended than the PPC distributed, by way of a give-back, prayer cards and calendars for parishioners and families, respectively. The prayer card pegged the community adoration every Saturday from 6:45 to 8 a.m., with the end of maximizing the use of air-conditioning at a time conducive for mass vigil. The two-year calendar contained significant information about the church and her different ministries as a guide for those contemplating which ministry to join. Some sort of tug for one to be self-effacing. To sustain not only the spirit but also spirituality. No, Honesto, the new leadership does not live by lip service alone. TP

Members of the Parish Pastoral Council and some officers of the mandated organizations take their oath of office before Fr. Bobot Clemen. The new PPC Officers are the following: Thelma Ponferrada (Chair) Minnie Dacanay (Vice-Chair), Lirio Abuyuan (DMI Regent), Aida Aguinaldo (Apostleship of Prayer President), Remy Coronel (Mother Butler Guild Coordinator), Nito Coronel (Extraordinary Mininsters of Holy Communion Coordinator), Eve Diocson (BEC Coordinator), Ham de la Torre (The Paraclete Editor), Tess Fernandez (Treasurer), Myrna Dupaya (Coordinator of the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration), Gel Rivera and Yeye Rivera (Youth Ministry), Ed Santiago (Legion of Mary President), Dante and Linda Reyes (Family and Life Ministry Coordinators), Noel Tamase (concurrently PREX Chair and PPC Secretary), Marilou Tamase (concurrently PREX Co-Chair and Ministry of the Word President), Susan Valix (Auditor), Tony Viray (Knights of Columbus Grand Knight), Boni Limos (Facilities Coordinator), Isa Velazquez (Ushers and Collectors Coordinator) and Verr and Euffrey Piñera (Stewardship Ministry Coordinator).

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The Paraclete

March 2014

A(l)-lel-(u)-i-(ah!)

Aleli Francis S. Rivera

Basic Formation and Renewal Seminar (Editor’s Note: Parishioners wishing to serve in any Church Ministries are required to attend a basic formation seminar. Present members undergo periodic renewal seminars.

Our Parish will be particularly busy with these seminars in the Diocese because our Parish Priest heads the Diocese’s Worship Ministry.)

THE COMMISSION ON Worship of the Diocese of Novaliches conducts a Diocesan-wide Basic Formation Seminar for junior proclaimers and new lectors/commentators, the Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Commuion and other Ministries such as the Choirs and the Mother Butler Guild. Renewal seminars for the Parishes of the Vicareate of the Holy Spirit for existing members are also held in the Parish. These seminars are spearheaded by our very own parish priest, Rev. Fr. Victor Emmanuel I. Clemen, who is also Director of the Commission on Worship.

One recent formation seminar for junior proclaimers and for lectors and commentators commenced with the Liturgy of the Hours. In his lecture, Fr. Bobot stressed the importance of knowing the basics as readers in the Eucharistic celebration. Bishop Antonio Tobias appreciated the services of church people and cited the important role lectors/commentators in proclaiming the Word of God. The program was divided into five lectures with the single objective of

instilling in the readers their duties and guiding them to be keen with the parts and materials of the Holy Mass, from its history to the present liturgical year.

Significant insights of the lectures: a) Through our voice, Christ comes to the presence of the people. The lecture on Parts of the Holy Mass, specifically the Eucharist, was taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) highlighting God’s plan for man and for us in search of love and happiness thru God (CCC, 2); the Eucharist as a sacrament of sacrifice through the body and blood of Jesus (CCC 1359); the Eucharist as a Memorial, the sacrifice of Jesus for each Catholic is made present in every altar across times and cultures (CCC 280); the Eucharist as Presence, the true and real and substance of Christ’s body, soul, blood and Divinity (CCC, 282) and the Eucharist as Pledge for the Glory to come, the Grace and heavenly blessing of God that fortifies us for eternal life (CCC, 294). It is emphasized that the more we receive Christ through the Eucharist, the more we allow Him to take possession of our souls. b) Full, Conscious, Fruitful and Active Participation .Introduction to Liturgy highlighted this objective of the Vatican II (SC, 14).

Lectors, as voice of God, must be knowledgeable with the basics, in particular with the instrumentations and symbols of the church.

c) “Go. Do not be Afraid. Serve.”- Pope Francis. The lecture on Lay Liturgical Ministries, History and Spirituality gave a bird’s-eye view of the brief history of the lectors of the church since the 3rd century, clericalization in the middle ages and, finally, the proclamation of Vatican II thru Ministeria Quaedam, a document that brings back to the laity their position as servants of the church. Internal and external preparations for the Holy Mass and spirituality behind the Holy Communion were stressed so that the Eucharist is expressed in their lives and manifested to others. Summing it up, the Love for the Eucharist and Living in the Life of Prayer through humility, obedience, service and excellence help people grow as Christians with virtues. d) Pray. Practice. Proclaim. The liturgical year celebrates the paschal mystery of Christ starting from Advent and ending with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Specifically, its parts constitute the seasons of Advent, Ordinary time, Lent and Easter. The Liturgical Year is God’s embrace of humanity and Christ is present in many ways by the power of His Word and the Holy Spirit. f) Prayer begins and ends with Jesus.

The very technical lecture on the Lectionary gave an introduction to the books used in the daily and Sunday Masses taken from pre-selected Continued on page 8

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The Paraclete

Ev-Angeli-um

March 2014

Angeli Francis S. Rivera

Year of the Laity THE CATHOLIC BISHOP’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) declared in July 2012 the Nine Pastoral Priorities of the Church in the Philippines as key themes for a nine-year period in preparation for the celebration of the 500th year of Catholicism in the Philippines. The Year of Faith, which transpired between October 11, 2012 and November 24, 2013, initiated four areas or dimensions of concerns of the Philippine Church which needed consideration for New Evangelization or the new means and methods to teach about Christ: - Promotion of missio ad gentes – The Latin Ad Gentes means “to the nations.” This is to proclaim Christ regardless of geographical diversity.

This mission is for everyone baptized as Christ in the Sacred Scriptures tells us: “Go forth and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). To proclaim Christ is to recognize also the richness of the gifts/charisms from the cultures of peoples that the Spirit has bestowed in them.

- “Bringing Good News to the Poor” – The Gospel tells us that Christ has a soft spot for the poor. - The CBCP in its Primer calls it a “special relevance” and “urgency” to bring down poverty through justice and love. Justice and love can be shown through prayers and corporal works of mercy.

- Reach out to those who have drifted from the Faith and the Church – The Gospel message will never cease to be relevant to all times and cultures (who doesn’t want to be in the loving presence of the Trinity for eternity?). But the means and methods of encouraging

others to see its relevance is another thing. The CBCP warns of the growing moral relativism or the decreasing regard for the sacredness of life.

- Fuller formation and animation of the youth – There is hope in the youth. Their ingenuity and vigor combined with their fuller faith formation can help bring about hope.

These concerns are to be brought over for the next pastoral priority or theme of the Philippine Church devoted to the Year of the Laity. The Year of the Laity has begun automatically after the year of Faith closed. Its primary concern is “empowerment” of the laity, to use their charisms in evangelization and social transformation.

What is a laity/lay? (origin and nature) Laity or lay: from the Latin laikos/ laos meaning “one of the people.”

The laity/lay are the members of the church outside the sacred hierarchy of the clergy but are called with certain responsibilities towards the Church as

they are baptized. Before Vatican II, all works of evangelization are done by the clergy and the religious. But there is a shift when Vatican II defines that the members of the church “share a common dignity from their rebirth in Christ…” this means all the baptized (including a laity) have a role in evangelization work. Like the clergy and religious, they are bestowed with gifts/ charisms from the Spirit to perform a special service for the Church.

What are the duties and rights of the laity?

Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium (Light of Peoples), clarifies that “a secular quality is proper and special to laymen” (LG, 31).

This means the laity are to evangelize by witnessing Christ in their lives.

The rights and duties of the laity to the sacred ministry are “correlative.” The table provided below is a simplified version from the comprehensive article about the Laity in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Rights Duties To share in the common spiritual To employ means of sanctification goods necessary for their salvation. (performed by the clergy to them) to attain these spiritual goods.

To obtain direction, protection To be subject to ecclesiastical and service from the ecclesiastical authority. (Author’s note: This is authority. not blind obedience per se but out of volition; after the laity’s faith has sought understanding from learning about the truths of faith.)

To obtain Christian teaching.

To believe and to learn the truths of faith (from catechism, religious instruction, etc).

Continued on page 6

March 2014

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The Paraclete

Of Saints and Saintliness Lilia F. Antonio

Sana, Araw-araw ang Lasa TUWING NAKAKAKITA AKO ng feeding program, naaalala ko ang proyekto ng Mother Butler Guild ng North Susana Executive Village, partikular iyong inilunsad namin mula Oktubre hanggang Disyembre noong isang taon.

Paano ko malilimutan ang bagongligong mga bata, may sapin ang paa, malinis ang damit, unat ang buhok at mapuputi ang ngiping halatang pinagsikapang sipilyuhin. At ang pananabik sa kanilang mata sa masarap at paborito nilang handang almusal: spaghetti, hotdog, tinapay, nilagang itlog at mainit na tsokolate. At ang ibayong kinang sa kanilang mga mata nang lumabas na si Santa Klaus at mamahagi ng matitingkad at pulang bag na punung-puno ng pagkaing pang-noche buena, laruan, kendi, tsokolate at iba’tiba’t mumunting bagay na nakaka-akit sa kanila. Katulad nila, kitang-kita, damang-dama at lasap na lasap naming matatanda ang Pasko sa oras na iyon. Ngunit, kaiba sa kanila, madaling maglaho at mabaling sa ibang kahalagahan – kaligayahan? – ang aming paningin, pandama at panlasa.

Kaydaling paligayahin ng mga bata.

At, kumpara sa matatanda, bagamat may hangganan ang kanilang tuwa, madali itong mahalinhan ng ibang biyaya.

Paano magiging makabuluhan at kasiya-siya sa mga may-edad ang pagkatapos ng Pasko? Kapag naalis na sa buong bahay ang mga ilaw at dekorasyon, kapag naitapon na ang mga kahon ng regalo, kapag naubos na ang mga pagkain, ano ang maaaring gawin upang ang mga darating na araw ay mailaan naman sa pakikipagkapwa? Saan

pwedeng bumaling para magawang payapa ang puso at isipan at matigib ng pag-asa ang kalooban sa muling pakikisalamuha sa tao sa kabila ng mga krisis at trahedya sa bansa? Lubos kong iminumungkahi ang pagbasa sa librong A Reason to Give Thanks ( Reflections on Ministry at Mid-life) ni Fr. Frank A. Gerry para sa praktikal na pamamaraan sa pagharap sa buhay at maging sa kamatayan lalo na sa mga may-edad na. Sa ngayon, magbibigay ako ng dalawang paraang magagawa bilang handog sa Diyos at sa sarili hindi lamang sa Pasko at Bagong Taon kundi sa bawat buong santaon: 1. Muling pagbasa sa mga paboritong awtor o aklat. Posibleng ang mga tauhang isinasalaysay o inilalarawan sa mga aklat, gaya ng Bibliya, ay maging napakalapit sa atin at maging personal nating mga kaibigan. Sila ang ating gabay at mga lihim na taga-aliw sa maraming iba’t-ibang kadahilanan.

2. Pakikipagniig sa kalikasan. Ito ang isa sa pinakamayamang bukal ng karunungan at pagkatuto. Mahalagang maglaan ng kahit ilang sandali bawat araw para makapagnilay at maka-ugnay rito: araw at buwan, bundok at kaparangan, mga ibon, isda, mga puno’t halaman at mga hayop sa paligid. Mula sa kanila’y matututo tayo ng tiyaga, katapatan at iba pang pagpapahalagang nakatutulong para tayo maging matatag sa mga pagsubok sa buhay. Kailangan lamang maglaan tayo ng oras sa pananahimik at pagpapatalas ng pandama (paningin, pandinig, pang-amoy, panghipo at panlasa) upang maunawaan ang

mga sinaunang karunungan mula sa kanila na magagamit nating praktikal na gabay sa kasalukuyan. Ito ang susi sa kaligayahan at katiwasayan ng puso na hindi maaagaw sa atin ninuman.

Narito rin ang isang tulang sinulat ko na nagpapahiwatig ng kahalagahan ng paglasap ng kahit mumunting bagay sa ating paligid upang lubos nating mapahalagahan ang kasalukuyan. Magawa sana natin ito sa harap ng katakamtakam na mga pagkaing aakit sa atin sa bawat salu-salong tayo ay kabilang sa mga panauhin.

Paglasap Mula sa araw na ito igagalang ko ang aking katawan: akin siyang pakikinggan at hindi pagkakaitan ng mga bagay sa paligid na umaakit o naisusubo sa bibig.

Maingat kong pipiliin ang pinakamalaki’t pulang istroberi kakabit pa ang dahon sa tangkay.

Idadaiti ko sa labi ang magalas nitong balat.

Lalaruin sa dila ang bilugang hugis.

Continued on page 8

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Ev-Angeli-um

The Paraclete Continued from page 4

March 2014

Announcements

To participate and obtain in and from To persevere in spiritual life and the Divine service (Mass, Sacraments moral conduct. and other sacred rites). (Author’s note: Thus, going to mass and receiving the sacraments should be perceived as a right rather than an obligation for these are instituted by Christ and are necessary for our salvation!)

What are the documents to look for to understand the laity and its mission?

The Vatican II Council’s The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents are a good start. Among the documents to look for are: 1) Dogmatic Constitution of the Church or Lumen Gentium (Light of peoples), 2) Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World or Gaudium et Spes (Joys and Hopes) and most especially 3) the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People or Apostolicam Actuositatem (Apostolic Activity). The Apostolicam Actuositatem is probably the most comprehensive reference about the laity’s mission up to date. It consists of the following chapters: I. The Vocation of Lay People to the Apostolate (participation, foundation and spirituality of lay apostolate); II.Objectives; III. The Various Fields of the Apostolate (Church communities, family, youth, national and international levels); IV. The Different Forms of the Apostolate (individual and group); V. The Order to Be Observed (the Laity’s true place within the apostolate of the whole Church); VI. Training for the Apostolate (For a hard copy, the Vatican II documents can be found in various renowned Catholic bookstores in

the Philippines. Soft copies of the documents are available at the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/.)

Pope Francis has yet to announce the international theme for 2014. The Year of the Laity theme is spearheaded by the CBCP in the Philippines for the nine-year period of preparation for the celebration of the 500th year of Catholicism in the Philippines. Other local churches in the world have used the same theme for 2013 instead of 2014.

Sources: -Boudinhon, Auguste. “Laity.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 29 Nov. 2013. http:// www.newadvent.org/cathen/08748a. htm (accessed 29 November, 2013).

-Flannery, Austin. Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents. New Revised Edition.

Pasay City, Philippines: Paulines, 2006.

-Joseph A. Komonchak, Mary Collins and Dermot A. Lane. The New Dictionary of Theology. Bangalore, India: Theological Publications in India, 2011.

-Quevedo, Archbishop Orlando, B. Primer on the Year of Faith & the New Evangelization. TP

The Community Adoration was launched in January 2014, replacing the weekend adoration and the Sunday Liturgy of the Hours.

Scheduled every Saturday, the Community Adoration starts right after the 6:00 A.M. Mass and lasts until 8:00 A.M. The Parish welcomes volunteers for the succeeding hours in order to extend the Community Adoration. Parishioners may contact Myrna Dupaya, the Coordinator, or the Parish office for further details.

The Adoration Chapel remains open for private devotion daily until 10:00 P.M.

The Parish is conducting another PREX Seminar. Coinciding with the Lenten season, Parishioners who have not attended may take this opportunity to attend the PREX Seminar as their Lenten Retreat.

March 2014

By Maricar Lansang

The Paraclete

Second Son

MY BROTHER RICHARD and I used to do things together – go biking around the village, play “family computer” and make soap bubbles. The 3-year gap between us did not hamper the “normalcy” of our pursuits.

Although I used to wonder why his speech was garbled and I had to listen very closely to understand the words he mumbled, I guessed it was normal for him at age 9. His home tutor did not only teach him reading and writing but also mouth exercises to improve speech like blowing bubbles.

Nanay would take him to Cubao for his one-on-one class while juggling her clothes business. She believed he brought luck to the business when he was born. Eventually, he had to be transferred to a school for “special children.” This didn’t work because even if he got perfect scores, like 100/100 in Math, he would often hide to escape his rowdy and violent special classmates. He was assessed to have “retardism.” Dr. W said his mental capacity would digress as he grew older.

I was jealous of him when we were teenagers. He was given more attention then, and I was unaware of his condition. I regret those times so I am making up for them now. Only when I started studying Masters in Education thirteen years ago did I appreciate his “uniqueness.” I cannot completely explain the 180-degree turn in compassion and understanding on my part. I guess I just grew up. Along with his habitual flushing, washing of hands, leaving the freezer and refrigerator doors open, garage and front gates occasionally ajar in the middle of the night, which irked us every now

and then. Prompting us to bind and lock those gates and doors for security.

His sudden bursts of laughter would jolt us awake from a reverie. His shouts of pain [or so we thought because he could hardly express himself] leave us wondering what exactly he is feeling.

His preference for food varies from processed to home-cooked like vegetable spring roll, tempura, adobong pusit and siomai. His distinctive sense of taste and hypersensitive olfactory capacity let him recognize if the recipe had been modified or the brand of food changed from his usual preferred label.

No amount of bribery (like soda or a dash to McDonald’s) can convince him to eat. He would even say, “Ayaw ko yun e.” Our usual routine would have Nanay, he and I driving through a fast food restaurant. Once he surprisingly went down the car, sat inside the restaurant and heartily ate his meal without a care for the world. How proud we were of him; ecstatic and beaming from ear to ear. We were in heaven that day: awed, dumbfounded, speechless if with a tall tale to tell. I was enlightened that day, too, by the fact that children with special needs like him can be “social,” too.

When we walk around the village, he would ask me, “An ta?” (Saan punta?)

When I say we will go walking, he would immediately reply, “Layo yun eh.” without knowing where we’re headed. We have not walked for ten minutes and he would pretend to limp already. He knows I won’t give in to his trick so he would walk straight again with the limp gone in an instant. He would hold my arm or hand while walking and people would think he was my son or husband. He would

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always linger at the barbecue stand, point at the grill, order a stick and say, “Sarap yun!” He even gets free candies from the store owner. He is definitely one with a load of surprises. ​Richard’s autism limits him to comprehend emotions but does not render him devoid of feelings. I especially remember when I slipped on a tiled floor in front of him, my head hitting the ground first. He uttered, “Sakit yun!” along with a pained facial expression.

He just stays home nowadays, listening to radio music, playing video games or sometimes coloring books.

His laughter, however, reminds me to always smile, take life with a sense of humor and maintain youthfulness no matter the age. His shortcomings teach me to empathize and understand people and my students more. His stillness teaches me to live in and for the moment. Instructing him to do daily tasks step by step equips my character with patience. His highly sensitive nature reminds me to be gentle with him even if he is around 5’5’’ tall. His “handicapability” is not a disability but is what a transient human being is capable of.

He teaches me to care for others and beyond myself, to go for my dreams, live outside the box and color beyond the lines. He is the perfect epitome of my favorite motto carpe diem. The only thing I dream for my beloved brother Richard is to have someone care for him as long as he lives. I hold on to my faith that God is good. He will not let him grow old without somebody caring for his needs and wants. I will give a day of my life just to hear his thoughts because “I love him to the moon and back.” TP

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The Paraclete

Launch of the Year of the Laity Continued from page 1

Columbus’ Tony Viray led the toast.

Afterwards, Fr. Bobot blessed the food that embellished the buffet tables.

While the faithful feasted on the food, Ate Ella annotated a short video of Cardinal Chito Tagle on the theme of the celebration. It prompted every lay person of their dignity from Baptism and their attendant duty to sanctify and transform the world. The video ended with tips on being active lay evangelizers through faith, communion and the bible.

No festival would be complete without

Of Saints and Saintliness Continued from page 1

Pakikinggan ang malutong na tunog sa pagkagat nito.

Sisipsipin ko ang tamisasim na katas at sisiilin ang natatanging bango bago ko lunukin at pasayarin sa nanunuyong lalamunan.

Ganito ang tunay na sarap ng anumang pagkain wala sa dami o sa halaga kundi nasa banayad tahimik at taimtim parang-panalanging paglasap. TP

fun. Representatives from the mother church and her chapels strutted their stuff. Youth from New Intramuros Village went tribal while their youngin-spirit counterparts performed bellydancing to the sound of JLo’s remix.

Their masculine lot danced to the Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There.”

North Susana could not be ignored for they sang their renditions of the classics, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Hindi Kita Malimot, Minamahal and Ikaw Lamang ang Aking Iibigin. The men from Sto. Niño sprang a spirited pop and R and B number. The penultimate performer was the returning Spirit Minstrels with a Sergio Mendes medley.

Their “The Look of Love” version

Handog Walang bantayog para sa aking rubdob Walang puntod sa king niloloob Sa aking paglisan anong ipagkakaloob?

Walang gunitang hihigit Sa buhay at kamatayan liban sa Pag-ibig Pahiwatig ng aking walang maliw na Pagsinta Ay hindi kailangang makilala.

Ilalapit ka noon sa akin nang walang pagmamaliw Ang pagsuyong tunay Ay hindi naluluray Hindi makababawas sa halaga ng Buhay.

Bagkus hangad nito ay bumuo Hindi ka sa akin lalayo Dahil ikaw ay akin Sa pag-ibig tayo ay lalago Isa sa lahat ng panahon.

Malou de Vera

March 2014

stirred the air with sweet nostalgia.

The ultimate act was by Fr. Bobot, who traded his Roman collar with a cowboy hat just so he could perform a terpsichorean feat with his Cowgirls.

With that, the crowd went wild.

Like most good things, the program paused with a prayer for the laity led

by Fr. Bobot, who formally concluded it with gratitude and a blessing. Just when everyone thought they have heard and seen the most, fireworks spewed from the balcony of the rectory.

Lasting for more than five minutes, the pyrotechnics lit up the night sky and put a fitting lid to an awesome feast.

One that, Fr. Bobot promised, fed four hundred. TP

A(l)-lel-(u)-i-(ah!)

Continued from page 3

collection of readings from the Bible and the Roman Missal used by priests.

Readings from the lectionary, divided into three cycles, were taken from the book of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and the Lent, Easter and Advent readings came from the book of John. The 34 weeks of ordinary time and weekday Gospel were arranged in a single cycle repeated each year.

The lectures sum up to us that Christians in search of true love and happiness can find the virtues from God through servicing the church.

The lessons also pay tribute to Mama Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the importance of our being connected to her as we connect ourselves to God. TP

theParaclete Official Newsletter published bimonthly by the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish of the Holy Spirit, Nepomuceno Street, BF Homes, Quezon City. Tel. 931-3940 Editor-in-Chief Contributors

Adviser

Abraham M. de la Torre Angeli Francis S. Rivera Aleli Francis S. Rivera Rev. Fr. Bobot Clemen