NEW NOTES TawagAwit Newsletter
April 2011
500 KM ROUND TRIP TO FEAST They travelled for a round-trip distance of 500 kilometers to attend the Food & Music FEAST 2012, the 5th anniversary celebration of TawagAwit, held on May 27 at the Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre, Albany, Auckland. Their spirit of camaraderie, their sacrifices to render their music offerings and their faith to celebrate God’s blessings on Pentecost Sunday served as an inspiration to members of the six other chapters in attendance. The delegation from St Patrick’s Taupo led by Bro Edwin Silerio arrived early in the venue and neatly seated themselves in three rows in the seats reserved for the music groups. Bro Nelson Unalivia, servant leader of the host chapter, Blessed John Paul II, provided guitar accompaniment to the nearly 30-member group as they sang majestically their assigned song “Blessed are You Lord” during the Offertory. They joined the 200-plus churchgoers in the shared lunch; and stayed on for the programme.
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.
Fr Sam Pulanco acknowledged St Patrick’s for their participation. Danica Buerano represented the chapter through the beautiful rendition of “Sa ‘Yo Lamang” that delighted the audience, especially the emcees Bros Andrew Quirke and Jason Sharma of the sister ministry, Teachers in Sandals Fellowship. Even though pressed with time, the group joined in the Bible Quotient Quiz (BQQ) that was won by the St Mark’s Pakuranga chapter. Six gentlemen who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to their service to TawagAwit and its members were honoured as Inspirational Brethren Awardees during the event. The honourees were: Bro Cyril Bas (St Mary’s), Bro Peter Gayaman (St Thomas More), Bro Glenn Albinto (Our Lady of Lourdes), Bro Nelson Unalivia (Blessed John Paul II) and Bro Mikki Guantero (St Mark’s). Bro Edwin Silerio (St Patrick’s Taupo) was present, but had to leave early. They were each given a certificate of recognition, as members applauded them with glee and gratitude. Special awards were also given to Bro Romy Loay (Best in Sow & Harvest), Sis Cecille Muhal (Most Supportive Member) and Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand represented by Sis Claudia Menchavez (OG Institutional Partner). Bro Nonoy Buerano (New Notes’ Best Messenger) was present, also left early for Taupo.
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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
(Left to right) Bro Mel Libre with Inspirational Brethren Awardees Bros Mikki Guantero, Nelson Unalivia , Glenn Albinto , Cyril Bas and Peter Gayaman
Msgr David Tonks celebrated the Mass with the different chapters rendering assigned songs, highlighted by the rendition of “Panis Angelicum” by the Mt Mary’s Titirangi chapter. Fr Sam, who assisted Msgr Tonks, recognised TawagAwit for commitment to its mission of “spreading God’s Word through music and other acts of love” for the past five years, and Bro Peter Gayaman, servant leader of St Thomas More, who was admitted as Barrister of New Zealand on May 25. The Blessed John Paul II chapter ensured the smooth flow of the people during lunch. By 1:00pm, the programme started with Fr Sam leading the Opening Prayer surrounded by children (whom he referred to as “the future of TawagAwit”). Bro Mel B Libre, Lead Servant of TawagAwit, followed with his message, highlighting some of the achievements of the ministry for the past five years and declaring that “TawagAwit is what it is because of the continuing support of the members and the commitment of the servant leaders. He also reiterated the aim of the ministry “to establish as many chapters as there are parishes in the world”. He left the members with a question, “as we journey in our faith, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we retraced the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land during our lifetime?” The winners in the Bible Quotient Quiz other than the champion St Mark’s Pakuranga were Mt Mary’s Titirangi, second, and third places were St Mary’s/St Thomas More chapters and Blessed John Paul II. The prizes were donated by Sis Julie Valencia, Bro Rex Yap, Sis Nida Gray and Sis Pat Amiscua.
The following chapters made uplifting presentations: St Patrick’s Taupo (“Sa ‘yo Lamang”), St Mark’s Pakuranga (“Glorious”), St Mary’s Northcote (“Power of Your Love”), and Our Lady of Lourdes Glen Eden (“Feast of Feasts”). The host chapter, Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre, Albany, closed the event with everyone joining them on stage with the “How Great is Our God”, in front of emptied chairs, which Bro Mel explained, “We are singing not to empty chairs, but to the most important audience of all, our God.”
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Vatican Notes: General Intention: That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life. Missionary Intention: That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel....The modern world is a latter-day Babel, where arrogance inspired by technological progress leads people to play God and sets them against each other, a predicament from which people can escape only through divinely inspired humility and love, said Pope Benedict XVI. The pope made his remarks during his homily May 27, Pentecost Sunday, during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Acknowledging that communications media and modern transportation have brought the world's people "closer to one another than ever before," Pope Benedict lamented that true "understanding and communion" is "often superficial and difficult." Pope Benedict likened these developments to the Old Testament story of the Tower of Babel, according to which men came to think themselves "strong enough to be able to construct on their own a path to heaven in order to open its doors and put themselves in God's place." Pope Benedict said the remedy for today's strife is the same one bestowed at the first Pentecost, when the "flame of the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered disciples ... and lit in them the divine fire, a fire of love with the power to transform." "At Pentecost, where there was division and estrangement, there are born unity and understanding," he said. The Holy Spirit "sustains and unites" mankind, the pope said, and also resolves interior conflicts within each person, between the constantly struggling impulses of the flesh and the spirit‌ Addressing God as "Father" is an acknowledgement that God is the one who created, supports and guides humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Maybe people today do not understand the beauty, greatness and deep consolation" that comes from recognizing God as father, "because the paternal figure is not sufficiently present today," the pope said May 23 during his weekly general audience. Addressing an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict continued a series of audience talks about prayer in the letters of St. Paul. Focusing on St. Paul's assertion that it is the Holy Spirit that enables people to pray and to address God as "Abba, Father," the pope said, "the absence of one's father or the lack of a father's presence in a child's life today is a big problem that always makes it difficult to understand fully what it means to say that God is our father." From the beginning of Christianity, believers adopted Jesus' form of addressing God as father, especially in the Lord's Prayer, the pope said. Pope Benedict XVI will meet with the world's families at a time when the institution of the family is under threat and many are still struggling with a worldwide economic crisis and a lack of cultural and societal support...At the end of his weekly general audience May 16, Pope Benedict noted how the United Nations chose "family and work" as the focus of the 2012 International Day of Families, which was celebrated May 15. Work should not be an obstacle to the family, he said, "but rather should support and unite it, help it to open itself to life" and interact with society and the church. Pope Benedict also expressed his hope that Sundays would be respected by employers as "a day of rest and an occasion to reinforce family ties." (All items taken from Catholic News Service)
NEW NOTES Page 4 So Laff :-) Listen well and you will hear the music in your heart.
Invitation: +TawagAwit invites everyone to join the ministry: (1) St Mary’s Church, Northcote (2) St Thomas More Church, Glenfield (3) Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Glen Eden (4) St Mark’s Church, Pakuranga (5) St Patrick’s Church, Taupo (6) Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre, Albany (7) Mount Mary’s Church Titirangi
+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: Bro Peter Gayaman with family during his admission as Barrister of New Zealand at the Auckland High Court on May 25, 2012.
TAWAGAWIT http://www.tawagawit.host56.com email: tawagawit@gmail.com
Also read:
CORD
http://issuu.com/magazinecord/docs/cord_april_2012