TawagAwit New Notes January 2010

NEW NOTES TawagAwit Newsletter

Jan 2010 Issue 1

JESUS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY Three hundred (300) individuals came to celebrate Christmas in Open Gathering (OG) on December 20, 2009 in the Fr David Nolan Auditorium, St Joseph’s Parish, Takapuna, North Shore City. Treated to the party of giving, sharing and caring were twenty-five (25) new migrant families.

Food was abundant, gifts were enough for all and songs filled the hall the entire afternoon with enlightening messages delivered during the program. Fr Mike Tria, assistant parish priest of St Joseph’s, said that Christmas away from home is actually a homecoming to Jesus. Fr Reno Alima, assistant parish priest of Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, appealed for more involvement of the community in assisting new migrants, calling for the establishment of a ministry for migrants in the diocese.

OG. Birthday cake for Jesus delivered by Clarinda Bonilla and son Andre (top); Junz performs “O Holy Night” (below)

Thanks to Our Supporters

PLACE PHOTO HERE, TawagAwit would like to thank all the OTHERWISE DELETE BOX firms, associations, parishes, groups and individuals that supported OG 09 namely: Western Union, Oscar/Miriam Batucan, Tahanang Pilipino sa Aotearoa Trust, Planet Earth Travels; North Shore Liturgical Team, ACFC, CFC-IC, CFC-FFL, Light of Jesus, St Joseph’s Takapuna, St Thomas More Glenfield, St Mary’s Northcote and Good Shepherd Balmoral, North Shore Filipino Community Association, Migrant Action Trust, Auckland Pinoy and the Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand.

New Format for New Notes TawagAwit begins 2010 with a new format for New Notes. The first issue of New Notes came out on March 2007. Its purpose was to inform the few members who organized the TawagAwit.

It has since increased its subscription to individuals who find interest in the activities of the ministry.

Bro Oscar and Sis Miriam Batucan, OG Hermano Mayor and Hermana Mayor respectively, delivered the Christmas Sharing on Family, advising parents to always open their communication lines with their growing children as the latter now “live in a different environment from where we come from.” High calibre and meaningful performances were delivered by Junz, Cez Nacario, Bro Mel B Libre, Sem Larry Rustia, Dicdic del Castillo, Kath and EJ Zurita, Theresa Credo, Pat Amiscua, Kayth and Shaine of KIS, KBNZ Singers and TawagAwit.

The audience joined in the community singing of “Silent Night”, “Himig ng Pasko” and “Happy Birthday Jesus”. In the last song, 6-year old Andre Bonilla led the children in offering a special birthday cake in front of the child Jesus projected on the large screen. When all the new migrants had been given gifts, the rest of the audience lined up for the gifts donated by kind and generous individuals. Truly, it was the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ.

1-19 Danube Lane, Glen Eden, Waitakere City Auckland, New Zealand P 09 813 1616 F 09 813 1616 www.tawagawit.host56.com

NEW NOTES Page 2

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

TawagAwit members pose with Jenny Fox, Larry Rustia and Fr Craig Dunford after the performance at the Christmas Concert on December 13

Quick Notes: Due to the hectic schedule of activities in December 2009, TawagAwit visited a fewer homes for its annual Christmas caroling. The following families welcomed the group: Freddie and Eloisa Peralta, Ramon and Lita Villarias, Jun and Maria Juezan, Romy and Ann Abarientos, Jojo and Roselyn Taghoy, Eli and Minda Villaver and Boy and Pat Amiscua…TawagAwit-St Mary’s Parish rendered PLACE PHOTO HERE, two songs during the Christmas Concert of the North Shore Male Choir on December OTHERWISE 13 at the StDELETE Mary’sBOX Church.

The group performed “Who will Send a Baby” accompanied by pianist Jenny Fox and “Ania Kami/Ang Pasko ay Sumapit/It is such a Joyful Season”.

Bro Bert Adviento accompanied on guitar Seminarian Larry Rustia who renderedthe popular Christmas song, “A Little Merry Christmas”.

A considerable number of people attended the concert nearly filling nearly all the pews…TawagAwit joined the Combined Choirs that led in the singing of songs in the Simbang Gabi mass on December 24, 2009, 9pm at St Joseph’s Parish, Takapuna. Andy Basa conducted the group with M Basa serving as pianist Fr Ruben Elago, Fr Reno Alima and Fr Mike Tria were the celebrants…TawagAwit has been invited to lead in the singing of missal songs in the Filipino masses in St Joseph’s Parish, Takapuna (Jan 24, 4pm) and Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral (Jan 31, 11:15am)…The Feast of Senor St Nino (Sinulog Festival) will be held on January 17, 9am at the Malaeola Samoan Catholic Community Centre, 16 Waokauri Place, Mangere (off Tidal Road). The nine-day novena starts on January 8 up to January 16 every 7pm at the Good Shepherd Parish Church, Telford St., Balmoral.

TawagAwit will sing the missal songs in the January 10 novena…Our congratulations to Bro Peter and Sis Jamelle Gayaman, chapter coordinators of TawagAwit-St Thomas More Parish, on their wedding on January 9 in Baguio City, Philippines…Bro Mel and Sis Debbie Libre will renew their marriage vows for their 25th wedding anniversary on January 6 in St Mary’s Parish, Northcote with Fr Craig Dunford and Fr Ralph Barcelo as celebrants.

NEW NOTES Page 3

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

Pope Benedict on December PLACEXVI PHOTO HERE, 30 in his weekly audience (above) OTHERWISE DELETE BOX The 100-foot tree from Belgium gifted to Pope Benedict XVI on display in Vatican (below)

Vatican Notes: Papal Intention for January 2010.. General: That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society. Missionary: That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.... Taken all together, the teachings of the Catholic faith are "a marvelous symphony that sings of God and his love," Pope Benedict XVI said. In a world where people tend to pick and choose what to believe, what to study and what to specialize in, the church must help people see how all of its teachings about the Trinity, creation, redemption, the sacraments and morality reflect "the harmony of God's plan of salvation," the pope said Dec. 30 at his weekly general audience. The pontiff expressed his hope that friendship with Jesus would accompany each of his visitors throughout 2010 (CNS).. As Pope Benedict XVI says goodbye to 2009, his 2010 calendar is already being filled. On the horizon for the next 12 months are four papal trips; a Middle East Synod of Bishops; the expected publication of a document on the Bible and the second volume of "Jesus of Nazareth;" a major gathering of the world's priests; a pilgrimage to the Shroud of Turin; a probable consistory and several likely canonizations and beatifications -including that of Pope John Paul II. In April Pope Benedict marks five years in office, and the event will no doubt be marked by modest festivities and lots of analysis on the accomplishments and priorities of the German pontiff, who turns 83 the same month (CNS)...

Celebrating Christmas Mass on December 24 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about a modern tendency to be “tone deaf” to God. Christmas, he said, reminds people that “God is the highest priority.” But rather than reveal himself with an astonishing miracle or an imposing sign of power and greatness, God’s sign at Bethlehem is his humility, the pope said. The Christmas Mass began with a security incident as the pope processed into the basilica. A woman jumped the barriers separating the crowd from the pope and briefly knocked the 82year-old pontiff to the ground, according to Vatican spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini. The pope was unharmed and quickly rose to his feet and continued down the main aisle to the altar, as applause rang out in the basilica (CNS)... Pope Benedict XVI led the Angelus from the window of his Vatican chambers on the crisp, clear winter morning of the fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20) in Rome. In his preAngelus address to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, he echoed the words of the prophet Micah in Sunday´s liturgy, inviting the world to look to Bethlehem for peace. The Holy Father began his address by quoting Micah's prophesy from 1,000 years before Christ's birth, 'But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.' "So, there is a divine design that knows and explains the times and places of the coming of the Son of God into the world," said Benedict XVI of the prophesy. "It's a design of peace ..." one that comes with the arrival of the Lord on Earth, he said. (CNA)

NEW NOTES Page 4

So Laff :-) Joyous singing elevates the soul to heaven Next Event: TawagAwit will sing in St Mary’s Parish along Onewa Road, Northcote, North Shore City during the regular Sunday mass on January 10, 2010 at 10:30am.

Invitation: +TawagAwit invites everyone in North Shore City, Auckland, New Zealand to join the ministry: (1) The St Mary’s Church, Nortcote Chapter meets every Sunday 6:00pm at St Mary’s Church at Onewa Road (coordinators: Bro Bob-Sis Cecil Nacario) (2) St Thomas More Church, Glenfield meets every other Friday 7:30pm at St Thomas More Church in Glenfield (coordinators: Bro Peter-Sis Jamelle Gayaman) +Should you be in another area in New Zealand or other parts of the world, TawagAwit will help organise a chapter.

Photos at right. Outogether event in Piha, West Auckland; Sow&Harvest launch in Glen Eden, Waitakere City.

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX PLACE LOGO OR PHOT O HERE

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