GigAlive Celebrating our Children issue 1

A child is a treasure to every parent. Parents work hard to provide their children not only the basic necessities in life, but most importantly the foundation for their future. That foundation transcends material things it includes education, religious upbringing and yes, love, love, love. The affirmation of the sacrifices that parents make for their children is through the successes and accomplishments of the latter. It is in this light that GigAlive celebrates our children.

In TawagAwit, the participation of children in the ministry is encouraged. Not only do the children sing in the group, they play musical instruments, like Ina Esclamado (of power pop trio KIS) who accompanies the Our Lady of Lourdes-Glen Eden chapter on the piano and Eleanor Adviento (in St Mary’s) who contributes every now and then, her violin accompaniment. Mia Go, at the age of 7, served as cantor singing the psalm during one of the masses in Glen Eden. The children in St Mark’s-Pakuranga chapter (see photo above), who are called T-Kids (for TawagAwit Kids), have been an inspiration not just for the parents, but also parishioners for delivering wonderfully some of the songs during the masses.

We invite you to attend GigAlive “Celebrating Our Children” on November 27, 2011 at 2pm in St Mary’s Northcote. Let us find joy in the songs of our children; let us find joy in our children.

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GigAlive: A Concert of Inspirational and Spiritual Songs with a dash of Pop Music “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.�

(Mark 10:13-16)

The image of Jesus Christ welcoming the children leads us, parents and adults, to understand the importance of children in our lives and to God. The special relationship of Jesus with the children is because of their innocence and their unquestioning faith.

And it is that same kind of relationship that God wants us, parents and adults, to develop with God, for truly we are His children and He is our Father.

With music we shall celebrate this special relationship with our Father, and with more meaning through the songs of our children. They shall render inspirational and spiritual songs with a dash of pop music in praise of God.

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Who is Eleanor?

At 15 years old, Eleanor Adviento has ventured in a field only a few dare to pursue – and has she triumphed! In January 2012, Eleanor joins a team of Kiwis to represent New Zealand in the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria in the Curling event. From there, she will proceed to South Korea for the International Junior Competition in Curling.

A student of Birkenhead College, Eleanor served as captain in the school’s team that took the Auckland, North Island and New Zealand secondary school titles. She teamed up with former Olympian Lorne DePape to gain third place in mixed doubles in a competition organized by the Auckland Curling Club and was part of the team that took second place in the Auckland under-21 competition.

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For the past months, Eleanor has trained for the forthcoming international competition under the supervision of Physical Education teacher Liz Matthews, who for the past nine years represented New Zealand in the Senior Curling International Competition.

Because the event is not among the priorities in New Zealand sports arena, Eleanor and the rest of the team have to raise funds to defray their airfares to Austria and South Korea and back to New Zealand. Her parents – Bert and Rosana – have made the rounds seeking donations so their daughter could participate in this rare opportunity.

The target: NZ$7,500.00.

Not just a sportsperson, Eleanor will showcase her musical talent by playing the violin and rendering songs accompanied by a ukulele.

GigAlive-Celebrating our Children aims to raise donations to help Eleanor fulfill her Olympic dream.

To Eleanor, congratulations on what you have so far accomplished. We pray that you bring home the gold.

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Our Presenter: TawagAwit-St Mary’s Northcote TawagAwit-St Mary’s Northcote is the mother chapter of the TawagAwit ministry. It was organized in 2007 and sings every 2nd Sunday 10:30am in the parish.

The chapter is currently led by Bro Cyril/Sis Rose Bas supported by Bro Bert/Sis Rosana Adviento. The chapter initiated the following projects: Singalleluia! and OG: Open Gathering and hosted the Food & Music FEAST. The group’s pianist Jenny Fox said that through the years the group has improved in their singing and the members’ commitment to the parish has been consistent.

The chapter invites parishioners and other interested individuals to join the group.

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Featuring Eleanor Adviento, KIS, Mia Go, T-Kids and John Fabian November 27, 2011 @ 2pm St Mary’s Social Hall, Northcote, Auckland To support the participation of Eleanor Adviento in the Winter Youth Olympics and for OG: Open Gathering 2011 CONTACT: Debbie 813 1616 or email: librelaw@yahoo.com 6|A Con cer t of Ins pirationa l and Spiritual Songs plus a das h of Pop Mus ic 31 Oct 2011