The paraclete sept final 2016

September-October 2016 Issue

The Vol. 9 Issue 5

The Paraclete

PARACLETE

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The little paper that feeds on prayer

Parish of the Holy Spirit, BF Homes, Quezon City

September-October 2016

Rediscovering The Eucharist God speaks - do we know how to listen?

UNLESS WE ARE thoroughly absorbed in the Mass, we cannot discern what happens during its celebration which is not quite normal. We may see the reader or lector in front proclaiming the Word of God but nobody is listening.

All have their eyes focused on their missalettes. Some even have their Bibles opened on the very same page the lector is reading! They are not listening, they are reading! They might as well have been on the ambo, too.

When we were young, our parents would tell us: “When someone speaks to you, listen!” Each time a reader or a lector proclaims the Word in Church, we should remember what our parents said.

The usual arguments (okay, excuses) for reading a text at the same time it is proclaimed by a lector are well known: “The reader is poor,” goes the gripe. “S/he pronounces badly and is not loud enough. S/he stammers Continued on page 2

Fr. Bobot announces new Children’s Mass format My dear Parishioners, THE EPISCOPAL COMMISSION on Liturgy (ECL) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Paul VI Institute of Liturgy and the Diocesan Liturgical Directors met in Malaybalay, Bukidnon in July, 2011 to address the concerns of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission on matters of Liturgy. One of the concerns that emerged during the meeting was the organizational structure of the Commission of Liturgy, particularly that which includes lectors and commentators, the youth and children.

Under the guidelines of the Commission on Worship of the Diocese of Novaliches, lectors and commentators should be between 16 and 60 years of age at the time of screening. However, the youth and children are given a special place in the commission since in the mind of the Roman Missal of 1970, there are Eucharistic prayers for Masses with children (and the youth). The text of the Eucharistic prayers adapted for them should enable them to participate with greater benefit than at Masses celebrated for adults.

In our Holy Spirit Parish, Masses for children will start this first Sunday of November (6) at 8 in the morning under the care and as an apostolate of the Legion of Mary. May I express here my profound gratitude to all the church workers who serve the church with a generous heart.

God bless us all!

2 The Paraclete Rediscovering The Eucharist, from page 1

or mumbles her/his words. We get the impression s/he doesn’t understand what s/he is reading.”

This may be true sometimes. In this case, we understand, we understand very well, since there is very little to listen to. We also understand that when a person suffers from being hard of hearing, that person needs to have the text before his eyes. There is no question about that.

But when the lector carries out the reading ministry in a proper manner, with a pleasant voice, good diction, proper inflection and, furthermore, the reading is done intelligently, should we not lay aside our missalettes and listen? Listen, and do nothing else. After all, the reader is doing well enough.

To listen to the Word of God without following the text with our eyes is a unique experience, very different from listening and reading what is proclaimed. It is nothing like mouthing off the words mechanically, because the ear listens with a heart.

At least, once in a while, we should experience a total listening to the Word of God which is proclaimed. Listen by looking intently at the one who speaks. Sometimes we can listen with eyes closed. But let us listen with both ears, with all our heart, and with our whole being.

God is the one speaking! He deserves our full attention.

Three Readings On Sundays, we have three readings at Mass. The first is taken from the Old Testament. The second offers an extract from the letters of St. Paul or from another apostle. The third is always a passage from the Gospels.

The Old Testament readings speak to us of God’s action before the coming of Jesus. The Gospel texts talk about the events in the life of Jesus, as well as His word and actions. The second reading usually instructs us on the thought and life of the early Christians. During the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, as well as on big feasts (like Christmas, Pentecost, etc.), there is a close relationship among the three readings. From three different angles, the same message is proclaimed. During the other Sundays (which we call “in ordinary time”) we always discover a link between the first reading and the Gospel.

Occasionally, the second reading is also related.

Those who remember what happened before the Vatican Council in 1965 will tell you that

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there were only two readings which kept coming back every year. Now it’s different. We have three readings every Sunday and they are repeated only every three years. Therefore many more scripture texts are now proclaimed during the Mass.

The Council increased and diversified the readings so that Christians would know the Word of God better and nourish themselves on it abundantly.

The Word of God is real food. It gives light and life.

Some of the faithful, even as a family, like to reread, during the week, the passages which they heard on Sunday. This is an excellent habit which bears much fruit. St. Ephrem (4th century) expressed very well the richness of God’s Word when he wrote: “The Lord colored His word with much beauty, so that each one who looks closely may contemplate what he likes. And in His Word, He has hidden all his treasures, so that each one of us may find a richness to meditate.”

Finally, do we know the purposes for which the Mass is offered? Otherwise, the reason for our being in church would be nothing more than to be seen and heard. We should, therefore know that we are at Mass to adore God as our Creator and Lord; to thank God for His many favors; to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men; and fourth, to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him. The manner in which the sacrifice is offered at Mass is different from when Christ offered Himself as an oblation. On the cross, Christ physically shed His blood and was physically slain, while in the Mass there is no physical shedding of blood nor physical death, because Christ can die no more; on the cross, Christ gained merit and satisfied for us, while in the Mass He applies to us the merits and satisfaction of His death on the cross.

We should assist at Mass with reverence, attention and devotion. And the best method of doing is to unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice and to receive Holy Communion.

We best unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice by joining in mind and heart with Christ, the principal Priest and Victim, by following the Mass in our heart (without the aid of a missal) and by similarly reciting or chanting the responses. [Sources: Discovering the Eucharist (According to a Ritual Approach) by Jean-Yves Garneau and Catechism of the Catholic Church] TP

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The Paraclete

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Of Saints and Saintliness Lilia F. Antonio

SAN JUAN CHRYSOSTOM: GINTONG TINIG PARA SA DIYOS

TAONG 349 nang isilang sa Antioch ang isang Ama ng Simbahan na sa husay ng mga homiliya ay maraming naakit upang maging Kristiyano at sumunod sa mga yapak ni Kristo. Siya si San Juan Chrysostom (349-407) na naging Arsobispo ng Constantinople at ginugunita ng simbahan tuwing ika-13 ng Setyembre. Siya rin ang patron para sa edukasyon, ng mga tagapanayam o lektyurer, orador, tagapangaral at maging ng mga may sakit na epilepsy. Inilalarawan siyang nakasuot ng damit-obispo, may hawak na Bibliya at nakataas ang kanang kamay sa pagbabasbas. Malapad ang kanyang noo, bahagyang nakakal-

ang pangangalaga sa mga ispiritwal at temporal na pangangailangan ng mga mahihirap at nagpatayo siya ng ilang ospital para makatulong sa mga ito.

Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mababasa pa ang napakarami niyang sinulat na homiliya kaugnay sa Luma at Bagong Tipan. Kabilang dito ang 67 homiliya sa Genesis, 59 sa Salmo, 90 sa Mabuting Balita ayon kay Mateo, 88 sa Mabuting Balita ayon kay Juan at 55 sa Gawa ng mga Apostol. Bagamat daan-daang taon na ang nakalipas, ang mga ginintuang pahayag ni San Chrysostom ay patuloy pa ring makabuluhan at naaangkop gaya ng mga sumusunod:

路 Kung hindi mo matagpuan si Kristo sa pulubi sa may pintuan ng simbahan, hindi mo rin Siya matatagpuan sa kalis sa harap ng altar. 路 Kapag tinuturuan natin ang ating mga anak na maging mabuti, maging maamo, maging mapagpatawad (lahat ng ito ay mga katangian ng Diyos), maging mapagbigay, at mapagmahal sa kanilang kapwa, at ituring ang kasalukuyang panahon bilang lumilipas, nagpupunla tayo ng birtud sa kanilang kaluluwa, at nailalantad ang imahe ng Diyos na nasa kalooban nila. 路 Ang dasal ang kanlungan sa lahat ng ligalig, ang saligan sa lahat ng galak, ang bukal sa patuloy na kaligayahan, at proteksyon laban sa kalungkutan. bo at may mahabang balbas. Mukha rin siyang payat 路 Mas mabuti pang maglaho ang araw kaysa na payat dahil sa labis na pag-aayuno, kakulangan mawalan ng kaibigan; mas mainam pang mabuhay sa pagtulog at pisikal na pagpapahirap sa katawan sa kadiliman kaysa walang kaibigan. bukod pa sa dibdibang pagmememorya sa Bibliya.

Katulad ni San Pablo na kanyang idolo, nakatag- Nawa, magkaroon tayo ng oras upang mabasa at po siya ng ligaya at kapayapaan sa kanyang mga mapagnilayan ang maraming mga sinulat ni San Juan pagdurusa. Maraming nagalit sa kanya dahil tinu- Chrysostom upang makatulong sa higit pa nating ligsa niya ang mga pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan pagkakilala at pakikiugnay sa Diyos. TP ng mga taong-simbahan at maging ng mga pi(Lilia F. Antonio has more works printed on nunong-bayan at ang labis na marangyang pamupages 11 and 12 of this issue of the Paraclete) muhay ng mga mayayaman. Binigyang-diin niya

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Ev-Angeli-um

The Paraclete

september-October 2016 Issue

Angeli Francis S. Rivera

Nine Martyrs of the Ninth Month

AS THE TITLE preempts, there are nine martyrs for the liturgical, ninth month of September. Their names are: Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (Sept. 16), St. Januarius (Sept.19), Sts. Andrew and Kim (Sept. 20), Sts. Cosmas and Damian (Sept. 26), St. Wenceslaus (Sept. 28) and our very own, St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Sept.

28). This article aims to give our readers a brief tour down memory lane, to the choices these heroes of faith did for their love of Christ and His Church.

At the outset, it would be proper to define what a martyr means. In commonplace references such as the Merriam Webster dictionary, a martyr refers to “a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives more depth to the cause of martyrs by raising them as witnesses to truth - Who is Christ - by Whom they are united in love and strengthened to endure death. Tradition holds records of martyrs’ perseverance to truth. We remember and learn that we may also persevere in putting the face of Christ for and on others.

remaining steadfast in his faith.

Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (Sept. 16)

Sts. Andrew Kim and Paul Cheong (Sept.20)

In 251 CE, a scandal among the faithful erupted in Africa. St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, proposed that repentant apostates - those who had previously betrayed their faith publicly at the time of persecution - may be accepted back to the Church. Cornelius was the reigning pope then, and he accepted Cyprian’s proposal to welcome back the repentant apostates to the Church. Two years later, another persecution by Emperor Gallus emerged. Cornelius was exiled to Civitavecchia and died suffering for the persecution of the Catholic faithful. Cyprian was asked to worship Emperor Gallus to which he replied, “In such a just cause there is no need for deliberation.” He was sentenced to death for

Andrew Kim was the first Korean priest. Paul Cheong was a seminarian. After Andrew Kim’s ordination in 1845, he went back to Korea at the time of his persecution. He was to arrange for the entrance of foreign missionaries to Korea that the Good News of Christ may be heard. Andrew Kim and Paul Cheong bore witness to their faith in Christ soon enough. After being arrested by the border patrol, they were beheaded beside the Han River, with their bodies left for the public eye to behold.

St. Januarius (Sept.19) A century after Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, another ordained martyr by the name of Januarius surfaced.

He was the Bishop of Benevento. He visited his two deacons and two laymen who were imprisoned for declaring and professing their faith in Christ to the public. In his journey, he was disovered.

He and the four prisoners were sentenced to death by feeding them to wild beasts. But the beasts miraculously refused to devour them. They were then brought to Pozzuoli to be beheaded instead.

His story aside, he became more famous for the liquefaction of his blood, which remains stored in a reliquary and is presently displayed at the Cathedral of Naples. Three times in a year, a certain priest turns his reliquary upside down. The mass of blood becomes liquid and turns to red. Even scientists cannot deny that true liquefaction takes place within the blood. It has continued to astound the faithful for many centuries (and counting!).

Sts. Cosmas and Damian (Sept. 26) Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers. Both earned their medical degrees in Syria and became

September-October 2016 Issue

respectable physicians. Many people were attracted to the Christian faith by how the twin brothers witnessed Christ in their deeds - they never asked payment for their medical services! Emperor Diocletian heard about them and condemned them to be crucified and ultimately beheaded.

St. Wenceslaus (Sept. 28) Wenceslaus was a former king of Bohemia. He was raised to love God above all things and to serve his people. He had punished nobles for their cruel deeds.

His brother, Boleslaus, grew jealous of him. On his way to morning Mass, Boleslaus struck him at the entrance of the chapel. Boleslaus heard nothing but forgiving words from the brother he had slain. His story was strikingly familiar with that of Cain and Abel.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Sept. 28)

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The Paraclete

bodies were punctured with long needles; and third, they were suspended upside down to holes filled with human filth. Before his death, Lorenzo had nothing but love for Christ. He said, “I am a devout Christian and am ready to die for Christ. If I had a thousand lives, I will give all of them to Him.” Ordained or lay, these September martyrs have witnessed not only to the truth of our faith but Christ himself. They have personified Christ to those who have not heard or heard little of Him. They have offered their sufferings and life without hatred nor anger. Their love had moved the hardened hearts of the unpleasant and inspired more those who stay in love with Christ. These martyrs are gifts to the Church. Their blood are but seeds that have become pillars for the Church from the days of her tribulation until her glory in the eternal life to come.

Sources: Catechism of the Catholic Church Pirlo, Paolo. My First Book of Saints. Makati: Don Bosco Press, 1997.

Lorenzo, a layman, served as a clerk at Binondo Church. After being accused of murdering a A GLIMPSE, a souvenir program commemorating the Year of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, is still available Spaniard, he went with Dominican missionaries to 35th at the Parish office.

Japan. In Okinawa, he and the rest were persecuted through various horrible methods: one, they were made to swallow pails of water only to be trampled on their bellies by soldiers afterwards; second, their

The Paraclete Official Newsletter published by the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish of the Holy Spirit, BF Homes, Quezon City.

Editor-in-Chief: Abraham de la Torre Contributors: Angeli Francis S. Rivera Aleli Francis S. Rivera Lilia F. Antonio Adviser: Fr. Bobot Clemen

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The Paraclete

september-October 2016 Issue

BEC Big Day Brings Mission and Missionaries Closer THE SPIRITUS HALL of the Holy Spirit Parish was filled with pink and blue t-shirt-clad members of the 38 Kawan, Bukluran and Mumunting Kristyanong Kapitbahayan members that gathered in the morning of Saturday, September 17, 2016. They were there to celebrate the first ever Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) assembly.

As early as 8 am, Ate Aida Aguinaldo and Ate Terry Dumalaon were already at the registration counter to welcome the BF Homes participants and guests from member-parishes of the Holy Spirit Vicariate. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Bobot after which the program promptly started at 9:30.

Moments after the Mass, Ate Naomi and Kuya Ham introduced themselves as the hosts for the day’s program of activities. They made light banter while waiting for Fr. Bobot to reemerge from the rectory.

Ate Naomi commended the love-filled pink shirts of the ladies and the pacific blues of the menfolk. Kuya Ham was quick to deflect with a funny explanation the expected query of why he was wearing pink and she blue. To the visible amusement of the audience.

The opening prayer was led by Sr. Marie Grace Puzon, SSpS, followed by the returning parish priest who warmed the crowd with his insight on the little churches. Fr. Bobot offered that the BECs originated in Nicaragua, a Latin American country. He explained that the said BECs were suspected as movements to topple the government. This was not the case, however, in the Philippines for it became a group of fellowship among Catholics where each member has a sense of belongingness and responsibility. In spite of this origin, he believes that the formation of BEC is biblically based. He quoted Acts 2:42 on the fellowship of believers, which states, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Then Kuya Ham walked the audience through the flow of the proceedings, not failing to mention the painstaking Filipino translation effort of Ate Jane Gonzales who, he quipped, made him feel Florante at Laura come back to life. While

their creator, Francisco Balagtas Baltazar, stirred happily in his crypt.

Next, Ate Naomi called on Ate Eve Diocson, BEC Coordinator, to expound on the theme of the BEC, which went: “As the Eucharist and the Word of God is all about Love and Sharing, so is the BEC. There was “Unity in Equality” among its committed members who all shared their time, treasure and talent and made our 1st BEC Big Day - indeed - memorably successful with all hands held together as one big family.” She segued into a situationer of the program in BF Homes, which has produced zealous members who now meet regularly weekly to read, ponder, reflect on and share the Word of God. The process had its share of bumps along the way but they never daunted the faith and enthusiasm of its loyal members.

Ate Naomi gave a wikipedia backgrounder on the origins of BEC in the Philippines, an actual take-off from Fr. Bobot’s portion, while Kuya Ham acknowledged the physical instruments responsible for its growth and thriving in the parish community.

Among them was the first half of testimonials to the changes BEC did to the lives of Ate Naomi, Ate Neri and Ate Terry who shared newfound spirituality, peace and joy and from-passiveto-active cheerful service, respectively. As an intermission, Bro. Kyle Acaddemia from St. Camillus Seminary rendered a hymn accompanied by fellow seminarian Bro. Niño on the organ.

The next half of testimonies was volunteered by Ate Lilian , Kuya Jowell and Ate Clare. Ate Lilian shared that she was discreet to even her late husband before but is now freely opening up her private thoughts to fellow bible students. Kuya Jowell was more specific in pointing out his concern for carrying the standard of the church by being true servant leaders.

Ate Clare, admitting to being a social mobilizer, attributed the trait to her parents, doctors like her, who were great influences to her desire to serve.

Before calling on the next cultural performance, Continued on page 9

September-October 2016 Issue

The Paraclete

Castle Party

A DUTCH TREAT Castle Party was held on August 26, 2016 at the BF Homes Clubhouse to celebrate the 56th birth anniversary of Rev. Fr. Bobot Clemen. It was like one big family affair attended by about 120 parishioners /guests who all honored the invitation’s exhortation to come in costumes. All three congregations whose convents are housed in the village (sisters of the School of the Holy Spirit, Daughters of St Mary of Providence and the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters) were happily one with the laity in answering the call (a video of their dance number attests to this). The BFQC Homeowners Association also had their representatives and contribution (free use of the venue) not only to the

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Waltz line-dancing led by Ms. Rea Molina, the ever loyal dance instructress-friend of the celebrator, but to the general frolic of the royal throng. The theme was conceptualized by Misses Ella Doller and Mel Elido, PPC Chair. Bro. Kyle Acaddemia of Saint Camillus Seminary hosted the program with Guest Priest Rev. Fr. Noel Ancheta, Fr. Bobot’s friend from Bohol, who also served as judge for the 5 best-costumed guests. They were Imelda Ileto, Thelma Ponferrada, Lirio Abuyuan, Mel Elido and Ham de la Torre, who won Php 1,000 each, donated by Chief Justice and Mrs. Hilario Davide Jr. The party ended at 10 pm with everyone happily looking forward to another dinner-dance-together. TP

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The Paraclete

september-October 2016 Issue

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

Aleli Francis S. Rivera

Foundations

FOUNDATION OF RELIGIOUS orders and congregations seems to be the theme for the majority of the saints remembered for the month of October. These saints are: St. Francis of Assisi (Oct.4), St. Bruno (Oct.6), St. John Leonardi (Oct.9), St. Teresa of Avila (Oct.15), St. Paul of the Cross (Oct. 19) and St. Mary Claret (Oct. 24). A brief history of their life will be provided in this article for the educative enjoyment of our readers.

St. Teresa of Avila (Oct. 15) Teresa founded the Discalced Carmelites in 1561. The congregation is dedicated to a life of discipline and perpetual silence. Besides evangelical poverty, she required her nuns to a life of study - for she believed study trains the mind to be simple and submissive.

In 1566, together with John of the Cross, they founded the Discalced Carmelite Friars.

St. Francis of Assisi (Oct.4)

St. Paul of the Cross (Oct.19)

Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1210 with the approval of Pope Innocent III. He was 25 when he received Christ’s private revelation to him, telling him to rebuild His Church which otherwise will go into ruins. He restored a solitary chapel in the mountains and gave money, food, and clothes to the poor. He attracted followers to his evangelical poverty and love for the poor and God’s creation. Before his death, he said to his brothers, “I have done my part; may Christ teach you to do yours.”

Paul founded the Passionist Congregation in 1741 with the blessing of Pope Benedict XIV. Before the foundation of the congregation, he and his brother went to Monte Argentario to become hermits. After their ordination, they went on missions and preached the passion of Christ. They also dedicated themselves to the same passion by scourging themselves in public.

St. Bruno (Oct.6) Bruno founded the Carthusian Order in 1084. His decision to retire to a contemplative life was provoked by the vanity and false ambitions of the world. He and his followers (also hermits like him) built a chapel for common prayer and lived the life of evangelical poverty.

Known for being scholarly, he decided that the main work of the Order is to copy books.

St. John Leonardi (Oct.9)

St. Mary Claret (Oct. 24) Mary Claret founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1849. He dedicated his work to the propagation of faith through local and foreign missions. When he was first assigned as a Bishop of Santiago de Cuba, he initiated a spiritual reform. Back in Spain, Mary Claret started the printing apostolate and called the first center as the Libreria Religiosa of Barcelona. He was known to have published 200 books and preached 10,000 sermons.

Some may have pursued the contemplative life and study while others go to preach Christ to local and foreign lands. Though of different charisms, these saints have proven that their own giftedness contribute to the unity and oneness of the members of the Church. Their stories continue to lead and inspire others to serve Christ and His brethren through religious life.

John Leonardi founded the Order of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God in 1574. He dedicated the work of the Order for the formation of the faithful, both lay and soon-to-be-ordained priests. He established the College of Propaganda Fidei, a seminary for foreign missions. Source: As the name of the seminary suggests, it is devoted to forming priests, who will in turn propagate what they Pirlo, Paolo. My First Book of Saints. Makati: Don Bosco know about Christ among the faithful.

Press, 1997.

September-October 2016 Issue

BEC Big Day...

The Paraclete

from page 6

Kuya Ham credited the Filipino for being creative in the arts such that the program comprised of literary verve, elocution, song and dance. And the trio of terpsichores, Ates Aida, Ely and Tess, elicited applause and cheers with their native number.

Excerpts from the closing remarks of Ate Thelma were like a benediction: “It is almost like reliving the scriptures in experiencing Jesus in our fellowship with one another, rejoicing with Him

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as one community of faith and, more importantly, acknowledging with joy the surpassing worth of knowing, loving and serving Him in the BEC. We also formally mark the BEC observance and celebration of the Year of the Family, Eucharist and Mercy.” She confirmed that the endeavor is supported by and attributable to the fact that the Holy Spirit Parish BEC community, albeit a gated subdivision, is stronger than ever with committed members who share their life’s experiences and inspire one another. TP

Fund raising for a new audio-video system THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL of the Holy Spirit Parish launched its Christmas 2016 Project last September 11, 2016 – the procurement of an upto-date, high-quality audio and video system that will upgrade the existing facilities at the Church. The new system will deliver better sound quality from the Sanctuary and from the loft where the Parish choirs sing during Masses. It will also bring crisper, higher resolution display and playback of visual media.

This is a major endeavor and the Parish is appealing to generous hearts to help defray the cost of the new system. Donations are accepted at the parish office or by dropping them into the 2nd collection bags during Mass every weekend.

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The Paraclete

september-October 2016 Issue

Mary Untier of Knots

MARY UNTIER OF KNOTS is a devotion being popularized by Bishop Antonio Tobias, DD, in the Diocese of Novaliches. She is now considered “Ina ng Novaliches” where she is called Inang Desay. She is a special devotion of Pope Francis.

On September 24, her Image was in the Parish from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Fr. Lando Jaluag, Parish Priest of Kristong Hari which the pilgrim image calls home, in his short talk, explained that “Desay” was lifted from the Argentinian word “Desata” which means “Untier/ Undoer.” In Argentina, thus, Inang Desay’s title is “Nuestra Señora la que Desata Los Nudos.” Pope Francis is from Argentina.

During this talk, Fr. Jaluag related how the devotion started in early 1600s. In Germany, he said, Sophia Rentz decided to seek a divorce from her husband Wolfgang Langenmantel. Wolfgang sought the spiritual direction of Austrian priest Jakob Rem, a Jesuit. On their fourth session, he asked Wolfgang to bring the cord used during their wedding. Fr. Jaluag explained that this is akin to what we use during weddings here but in Germany then, the couple are literally tied together at the wrists with that cord. Wolfgang brought the cord and the two prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary to untie all knots that beset the family and smoothen them. Immediately, the knots untied, peace was restored between the couple and the divorce didn’t push through.

The Parishioners were given pieces of paper to write their prayer intentions on. These were then knotted using color-coded ribbons to the white cords held by the Image, a plea for Mary’s intercession to untie the knots. TP

September-October 2016 Issue

The Paraclete

Kapayapaan ng Isip

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ngang pagsisikap. Kung may panloob kang kapayapaan, lalaganap ito sa labas at sa paligid mo, ISANG ARAW, ISANG matanda at matali- at bunga ito ng pagpapaubaya at hindi mahignong guro ang naglalakad mula sa isang lun- pit na paghawak. TP sod patungo sa isa pa. Habang daan, tumigil siya upang magpahinga malapit sa isang ilog. Lumapit ang guro sa isa sa kanyang mga estudyante at nagwika: “Nauuhaw ako, pakikuha mo ako ng tubig mula sa ilog.”

(Salin mula sa World Malayaii Club ni Lilia F. Nagtungo sa ilog ang masunuring estudyante. Pag- Antonio) sapit niya roon, nakita niya ang mga taong naglalaba ng damit sa ilog at, sa pagtawid ng kalesa ISINASAAD sa Unang Prinsipyo na: sa ilog, nabulabog ng mga paa ng kabayo ang “Sinuman ang iyong makatagpo ay siyang tama.” Nangangahulugan ito na walang duputik at dumumi ang ilog. marating sa ating buhay na nagkataon lamang. La“Paano ko maipaiinom sa guro ang mapu- hat ng nasa paligid natin, sinumang nakatik na tubig na ito?” ang naisip sa sarili ng es- katagpo natin, ay kumakatawan sa isang bagay, tudyante. Bumalik siya sa guro at sinabing napa- para magturo sa atin o tumulong para mapaunkarumi ng tubig at hindi puwedeng inumin. lad ang isang situwasyon.

Pagkaraan ng kalahating oras, muling tinawag ng guro ang estudyante at humi- Isinasaad sa Ikalawang Prinsipyo na: “Anungi ng tubig, at masunuring bumalik sa ilog ang es- man ang nangyari ay ang tanging bagay na maaaring mangyari.” Walang anutudyante. mang bagay na naranasan natin ang posibSa kanyang pagkamangha, ang lawa ay na- leng maiba. Maging sa pinakamaliit na detalye. ging napakalinis! Lumubog ang lahat ng pu- Walang “Kung iba sana ang aking ginawa…. tik at ang tubig ay maaari nang inumin. Su- hindi sana….” Hindi. Kung anuman ang nangmalok siya ng kaunting tubig at nagbalik sa guro yari ay ang tanging bagay na dapat mangTiningnan ng guro ang tubig at pagkatapos ay yari para maturuan tayo ng leksyon at umunibinaling ang paningin sa estudyante. Wika niya: lad. Ganap na perpekto ang bawat sit”Tingnan mo kung ano ang ginawa mo para ma- wasyon na ating nararanasan,kahit na itoý talipalinaw ang tubig. Hinayaan mo lang itong mag- was sa ating pang-unawa at pagtingin sa sarili. isa, at kusang lumubog ang putik, at lumi- Isinasaad sa Ikatlong Prinsipyo na: “Ang banaw ang tubig. Ganito rin ang iyong isipan. wat sandali kung kailan nagsimula ang Kapag itoý nababahala at nalilito, kaila- isang bagay ay ang pinakatamang sandali.” Ang langang pabayaan mo lang. Bigyan mo ng kaun- hat ay nagsisimula sa pinakatamang sandali, hinting panahon ang iyong sarili, at ang mga bagay ay pa- di mas maaga o huli. Kapag handa na tayo para sa payapa at lilinaw ayon sa kani-kanilang pagkuku- isang bagong bagay sa ating buhay, narisa. Hindi mo kailangang magpursigi para pumaya- to na iyon, handang magsimula.” pa ang mga bagay. Magaganap ito nang wala kang Isinasaad sa Ikaapat na Prinsipyo na: anumang gagawin.”

“Kung ano ang tapos na, tapos na.” GaAt ganito rin ang masasabi sa pagkakamit ng paContinued on page 12 yapang isipan. Isa itong proseso na walang kaila-

Apat na Prinsipyo ng Kabanalan

12

The Paraclete

San Francisco ng Assisi ni Lilia F. Antonio Kawal na umurong sa pakikidigma dahil sa utos na napakinggan: “Itayo mo ang aking kaharian.”

At tinalikdan niya ang marangyang pamumuhay at mapagmahal na mga magulang para mamalimos ng bato sa pagtatayo ng kapilya ni Kristo.

Pagmamahal, kababaang-loob at pagyakap sa karalitaan, ang naging patakaran niya sa buhay.

Itinuring niyang kapatid ang Araw at ang Buwan.

Nakisaliw sa mga ibon, sa mga hayop nakipagkuwentuhan.

september-October 2016 Issue

Apat na Prinsipyo ... from page 11

nito lang iyan kasimple. Kapag nagwakas ang isang bagay sa ating buhay, tumutulong ito para sa ating pag-unlad.

Kaya nga, dahil napayaman na ng mga karanasan, mas mainam na magpalaya at magbago.

Isiping hindi aksidente na binabasa mo ito ngayon. Kapag nakaantig ang mga salitang ito, ito’y dahil natupad mo na ang mga kailanganin at nauunawaan na walang isang patak ng ulan ang babagsak sa maling lugar!

Maging mabait sa sarili. Magmahal nang buong pagkatao. Laging maging maligaya. TP

Regular Parish Schedule

Mga pulubi’t maysakit pinakain at pinaliguan.

Pati mga Moroý sadyang kinaibigan alang-alang sa kapayapaan.

Sa kuwebaý mag-isang namuhay, nag-ayuno’t nagdasal nang ang kapatiran niyaý malihis ng daan.

Daily Mass from Monday thru Saturday at 6:00 AM.

San Francisco ng Assisi, dakilang huwaran sa buhay-Kristiyanong sumusunod kay Kristo.

Nawa kamiý patnubayan at patuloy na gabayan hanggang sa pagkikita sa Kanyang kaharian. TP

The 5:45 and The the

The Saturday anticipated Mass (or first Mass of Sunday) is at 6:00 PM. Sunday Masses are at 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Holy Rosary is recited at the Church at AM except on Wednesdays (5:30 AM) every first Saturday of each month (with Our Lady of Fatima procession around BF Homes Park starting at 5:30 AM).

Devotional Prayers: Prayer to the Holy Spirit (after each Monday Mass), Novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help (Wednesdays, 5:45 AM), Divine Mercy prayer (after Mass of the first Tuesday of the month), Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Fridays, after the Mass), Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Saturdays, after the 6 AM Mass).

Regular Confession every Saturday at 5:30 PM or you may approach the Priest after Mass.

Liturgy of the Hours: Ten minutes before the Saturday Anticipated Mass and each Sunday Mass.

Baptism: Sundays, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM or by appointment.

Regular second collection is every first Sunday of the month.