New Notes April 2011 by Mel Libre

NEW NOTES TawagAwit Newsletter

April 2011

YOUNGEST CANTOR, TEEN PIANIST IN MASS As part of the 2011 program of TawagAwit to get the children and youth involved in its activities, the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish chapter had as its cantor during the 10:30am Mass on March 20, 2011, Mia Go, daughter of Bro Arne and Sis Carmen. The seven-year old delivered her lines with confidence and ease, smiling throughout her assignment. Ina Esclamado, the 15-year old daughter of Bro Ferdie and Sis Jenny, for her part, accompanied the group in all of the songs of Mews’ New Mass. Ina was complimented for flawless piano accompaniment. If only to highlight the active participation of the children and youth members, the gathering song, “Amazing Grace” featured their voices in its first verse.

We Need You TawagAwit invites you to help in spreading God’s Word through music and other acts of love. You can be a: (1) member; (2) supporter or (3) organizer A member is one who can attend to the regular activities of the Ministry. The minimum participation are: attendance during practice sessions of songs, usually once a week or once every two weeks AND singing with the group during the assigned mass usually once a month or once every two months. A supporter is one who can donate services or resources to the Ministry. There are special events that TawagAwit organizes and the events need finances or helping hands. An organizer is one who initiates the formation of a chapter in a parish. The Ministry will provide all the assistance within its means to help in the vital task.

The Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral (East Auckland) chapter for its part is currently practicing for April 10, when the children and youth members will sing some of the songs for the 11:15am Filipino Mass. The youth members of the St Thomas More, Glenfield chapter is the backbone of the musical accompaniment of the group, while in certain times, some of the youth members of St Mary’s, Northcote chapter feature their music talents. Bro Mel B Libre, Lead Servant of TawagAwit, has encouraged more active involvement of the children and youth, towards making the Ministry a springboard of families singing together. During the Food & Music FEAST on May 15, one of the highlights is the “Mash O’ Rhythm” where the youth members are expected to showcase their dancing ability.

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Our Vision: Harmony in the World

Our Mission: To spread God’s Word through music and other acts of love.

Our Values: Godliness We believe in God and live His Word. Offering We share our talents, time and resources for God’s greater glory. Devotion We commit ourselves to the mission of the Ministry. Love We love God with all of our heart will all our soul, with all our minds and with all our strength. Originality We promote artistry and creativity to express our faith. Victory over Sin We fight Satan in each and every moment of our lives. Evangelization We bring the Light of God to those who are in the dark. Sustainability We contribute and manage our resources effectively. Unity We are one with the Lord, one with the Church, one with the community, and one with the Ministry.

For more information about TawagAwit, please contact Bro Mel Libre sl at tawagawit@gmail.com

Bro Noel and Sis Gladys Borgueta take the lead in one of the dances.

Quick Notes: Led by the Borgueta family, some members of TawagAwit St Thomas More chapter joined the Samar Leyte Waraynon New Zealand in the presentation entitled „In Your Glory‟ (Kulturang Pananampalataya ng Pilipinas) on March 18 and 19, 2011 in Tauakau and Waiku where Fr Ralph Barcelo serves as parish priest. The group entertained both Filipinos and Kiwis with dances and songs that depicted the strong faith of Filipinos

…TawagAwit-St Mary‟s chapter conducted its fellowship in the parish social hall on March 27. The group honored the birthday celebrants namely Sis Jo Matiga, Bro Bob Nacario and Bro Ogie Bonilla...TawagAwit- St Patrick‟s Parish, Taupo conducted its first gathering on March 13. The group is slated to sing during the mass in May…TawagAwit-Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral (East Auckland) chapter welcomed back from the Philippines, Bro Estoy and Sis Elvie Duhig in its first gathering for the 2011 on March 12. The gathering also served as birthday celebration of Sis Elvie. The group is preparing for its mass on April 10…As part of the Sow & Harvest program, Bro Mel B Libre on March 19 shared with members of the TawagAwit-Our Lady of Lourdes Parish tomatoes harvested from his backyard garden. The ministry encourages its members to plant vegetables in their backyards and share these with members…Members of TawagAwit joined the Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand in Zumba Jam for Christchurch, a fundraising event to raise money to assist victims in the recent earthquake. The event attended by 30 supporters was held in the Henderson Intermediate School. Jam Parado said the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross…The best recipes from the members of TawagAwit will be served on May 15, 2011 during the Food & Music FEAST. The event will mark the fourth anniversary of the founding of the ministry.

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Vatican Notes:

Counting the Blessings

April 2011 General Intention: That through its compelling preaching of the Gospel, the Church may give young people new reasons for life and hope. Missionary Intention: That by proclamation of the Gospel and the witness of their lives, missionaries may bring Christ to those who do not yet know him … Pope Benedict XVI made a heartfelt appeal for peace at an emotional memorial ceremony in Rome on March 27. The Pope visited the site where 335 people, mostly Romans, were executed during World War II by the Nazi occupation forces. In a brief discourse that followed, Pope Benedict called the event of March 24, 1944 “a grave offense to God, because it was deliberate violence of man against man…It was the most deplorable effect of war, of any war; while God is life, peace and communion.” Only the mercy of God can “fill the void, the abysses opened by men when, impelled by blind violence, they renounce their dignity as children of God and as brothers of one another,” he said. Whoever and wherever he may be, man is the child of God and brother to rest of humanity, he added. Being “sons” and “brothers” is a status that must not be taken for granted but be sought, he said. “We must say yes to good and no to evil”… Before the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter‟s Square on March 27 for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI said that God‟s all-powerful love respects the freedom of every person and therefore touches man‟s heart and “waits patiently for his answer.” “God the Father sent Christ to satisfy our thirst for eternal life by giving us his love, but Jesus asks of us the gift of our faith,” the Pope stated before the Angelus. He discussed the gospel reading about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, explaining that his fatigue is “a sign of his true humanity” which can be seen as a prelude of his Passion. “Each one of us can take the place of the Samaritan woman,” the Pope continued. “Jesus waits for us, especially in this time of Lent, to speak with us. Let us pause for a moment in silence in our room, or in a church or in a secluded place”… Pope Benedict XVI appealed for a suspension of fighting in Libya and the immediate start of a serious dialogue aimed at restoring peace to the North African country. Speaking at his weekly blessing March 27, the pope said he was increasingly concerned at the news from Libya, where rebels supported by U.S. and European airstrikes have battled the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. "My fear for the safety and well-being of the civilian population is growing, as is my apprehension over how the situation is developing with the use of arms," the pope said. "To international agencies and to those with political and military responsibility, I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate start of a dialogue that will suspend the use of arms," he said. The pope said that in moments of great international tension, there was more urgency for diplomatic efforts that take advantage of "even the weakest sign of openness to reconciliation" among the parties in conflict. Solutions should be "peaceful and lasting," he said. The pope offered a prayer for "the return of harmony in Libya" and throughout North Africa.

NEW NOT ES Page 4 So Laff :-) The beating of the heart is the unbeatable rhythm of life. Mass Offerings in New Zealand April 10 10:30am St Mary’s Parish, Northcote April 10 11:15am Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral Invitation: +TawagAwit invites everyone to join the ministry: (1) The St Mary’s Church, Northcote (2) St Thomas More Church, Glenfield (3) Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Glen Eden (4) Good Shepherd Church Balmoral (East Auckland) (5) St Patrick’s Church, Taupo

+Should you be in another area in New Zealand or other parts of the world, TawagAwit will help organize a chapter. Existing music groups or choirs can also affiliate as a chapter. Email: librelaw@yahoo.com

Photo at right: Members of TawagAwit join other participants of Zumba Jam for Christchurch.

TAWAGAWIT http://www.tawagawit.host56.com email: tawagawit@gmail.com