New notes june 2013 by Mel Libre

NEW NOTES TawagAwit Newsletter

June 2013

CELEBRATING FILIPINO FAMILY DAY “The family that prays together, stays together” but how about if the family plays together as well? Well, Filipino families played together traditional Filipino games in LingawDuwa that highlighted FILIPINO FAMILY DAY on June 1, 2013 in Henderson Intermediate School, Auckland. And everyone agreed it was exciting and fun. TawagAwit through its members actively participated in the daylong program. TawagAwit-St Mark’s Pakuranga rendered the Invocation during the opening ceremonies. Bro Mikki Guantero (St Mark’s), Sis Ching Mandawe (Our Lady of Lourdes) and Bro Ferdie Esclamado (Our Lady of Lourdes) led their teams in the competition. Sis Rexy Jose (Blessed John Paul II) dropped by to show support on behalf of the Albany chapter.

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 PLACE HERE, formation of a PHOTO chapter in a parish. The Ministry will provide all the assistance OTHERWISE DELETE BOX within its means to help in the vital task.

TawagAwit Lead Servant Bro Mel B Libre, as president of the Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand, delivered his message at the start of the program, saying: “It is not the fault of our children if they become more Kiwi than Pinoy. The educational system trains them to be assimilating with other cultures, if not follow the liberal attitude of society. More so that media and legislation have stretched morality away from conservative values. But then parents can still do something so as not to alienate their children from Filipino custom and tradition. Like the family praying the rosary, attending mass, celebrating birthdays and eating at the family dining table. Another way is by participating in community activities like Sinulog, Simbang Gabi and the Philippine Independence Day. Or joining organizations like Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ) for Bisaya-speaking people or UragoNZ for Bicolanos. There are also faith-based groups like Couples for Christ and TawagAwit.” Irong Kagiron of East Auckland won as overall champion by topping three of the four events. Nearly 200 people participated in the celebration. Bro Mikki with the support of the East Auckland delegation agreed to host next year’s event.

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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 librelaw@yahoo.com

BLOTFREE by Bro Mel B Libre It was supposed to be a quick stop, but a playful child stretched it for nearly an hour. On Sunday (2 June 2013), my wife, Debbie and I brought two visitors to the home of Shirley where they’d stay for the next six weeks. They were simply going to put their luggage in their then leave for another urgent PLACE PHrooms, OTO HERE, appointment. As we were about to depart, Debbie couldn’t find the key of the car. We traced and re-traced our steps and even checked the luggage just to make certain it hadn’t fallen inside - nothing. The image of the Sto Nino (the Holy Child Jesus) was on its last Novena day in Shirley’s house, and though I noticed it, I didn’t really bother to say hello. (The image had stayed in our house for 10 days about a month ago). We got another key from our son, who had to drive from 45 minutes away. As we left, Shirley told us, “Maybe, the Sto Nino was playing hide-and-seek with us?” As we were on our way, the phone rang. It was Shirley telling us that we left a bag in her living room. As we arrived, the image of the Sto Nino was about to board the vehicle of Fiel who was assigned to host the image. I thought, “I should kiss the holy image, and maybe, he’d let us find the key.” Later in the evening, Shirley called and notified me that they’ve found the key. She narrated, “When I arrived this evening, I told my daughter to move my husband’s car in front of the garage as it had been parked for sometime in the grassy lawn. After moving the car, my daughter noticed the lost key in the place where my husband’s car was previously parked.” She asked, “How could it have gotten under that car?” I couldn’t answer her immediately, for not anyone among us had come near the car at any point in time. Then I said, “Hmm, the playful child in the Sto Nino could have been responsible,” We both had a laugh. The original icon of the Sto Nino in Cebu that was gifted in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan to Queen Juana has been known for its playfulness. Priests, sacristans and churchgoers have through the centuries shared stories of seeing dirt or grass in the image’s well-adorned clothes when the icon is, in fact, placed inside a glass case. That reminds me of one particular dialogue in the film, “Life of Pi”: Adult Pi Patel: So which story do you prefer? Writer: The one with the tiger. That's the better story. Adult Pi Patel: Thank you. And so it goes with God. Writer: [smiles] It's an amazing story. I had told you an amazing story about the Sto Nino. It’s up to you to believe or not.

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PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

VATICAN NOTES: Pope’s Intentions: June 2013. General: That a culture of dialogue, listening, and mutual respect may prevail among peoples. Mission: That where secularization is strongest, Christian communities may effectively promote a new evangelization… In the Eucharist, Jesus makes himself the food that nourishes and sustains Catholics, even when the road gets rough, Pope Francis said before leading a Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Rome. Mass and participation in Corpus Christi processions are times for Catholics to reflect on how they follow Jesus and, particularly, what the Eucharist means to them, the pope said at Mass May 30 to celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ… Selfishness only brings sadness and bitterness, while stepping outside of oneself to evangelize is the ultimate "pick me up" and source of joy, Pope Francis said. "Let's live the Gospel with humility and courage. Give witness to the newness, hope and joy that the Lord brings to your life," the pope said May 22 at his weekly general audience. Speaking to more than 80,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis also called for prayers for those struck by a deadly tornado in Moore, Okla., which left at least 24 people dead, including at least eight children, as it destroyed numerous homes and leveled an elementary school May 20.… If a person's prayer life is boring, that generally means that he or she is focused too much on the self and not enough on Jesus and the needs of others, Pope Francis said during a morning Mass homily. "True prayer leads us out of ourselves toward the Father in the name of Jesus; it's an exodus out of ourselves," the pope said May 11 during Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. During the Mass, attended by members of the Vatican police force and by Argentine journalists working in Rome, Pope Francis said prayer typically involves two forms of exodus: one "toward the wounds of Jesus, and the other toward the wounds of our brothers and sisters. This is the path Jesus wants our prayer to take”… Listen to the Holy Spirit because he is giving people the good news that God loves them and can renew, purify and transform their lives, Pope Francis said. The Holy Spirit is the living water that "quenches the thirst in our lives because he tells us that we are loved by God as his children, that we can love God as his children and with his grace we can live as children of God, like Jesus," the pope said May 8 at his weekly general audience. Speaking to more than 80,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis continued his audience talks about the affirmations of faith in the creed, focusing on the Holy Spirit. …Patience in the midst of trials and patiently putting up with other people are marks of Christian maturity, Pope Francis told ushers and other staff members of the office that cleans and repairs St. Peter's Basilica and watches over the millions of people who visit it each year. Jesus calls his disciples to follow "the path of love, of patience, of putting up with tribulations and -- if I may say so -- of putting up with each other. We must do this with charity and love because if I have to put up with you, I am sure you will put up with me and we'll walk together on the path of Jesus," the pope said in a homily May 7. Celebrating an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis was joined by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and by basilica staff members (Catholic News Service)

NEW NOTES Page 4 So Laff :-) “Successful doctors have patients and more importantly patience.” 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: Bros Me-el and Glenn (of Our Lady of Lourdes chapter) observe the sungka games during LingawDuwa2013 in Henderson Intermediate School on 1 June 2013. .

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PLACE LOGO OR http://www.tawagawit.host56.com PHOT O HERE email: tawagawit@gmail.com