OG NEWS 2

NEWS Inside: p 2 What is OG?; p4 Performers Line Up; p5 Photos; p6 Ten Things to Do on Christmas

The True Meaning of Christmas Sunday, December 18, 2011 2pm Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre. Massey University, Gate 4, Albany Highway OG Issue 2/page 1

issue 2/Dec 8, 2011

What is OG? OG: Open Gathering was conceived in 2007 during the formative year of TawagAwit, a Catholic Ministry spreading God’s Word through music and other acts of love.

Inspired by Luke 14:13, “Rather when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,” TawagAwit held the first OG on December 23, 2007 at St Mary’s Parish Social Hall in Northcote, Auckland. Ninety people turned out to the activity with TawagAwit and guest artists singing Christmas carols, with food and gifts shared to those invited, mostly new migrants.

The second OG was again held in St Mary’s, while in 2009, with the increasing number of invitees, the birthday celebration for Jesus Christ was in the Fr David Nolan Auditorium, St Joseph’s Parish, Takapuna. In 2010, Fr Ruben Elago and Dicdic del Castillo, leaders of ACFC, fully supported the event at the Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral. (see photo above show KBNZ Singers) Bro Mel B Libre, Lead Servant of TawagAwit, said, “What is most miraculous each time we hold OG is the abundance of food and gifts brought by kind hearted individuals. It is like we have more than three kings bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, who was like a migrant, a stranger in Bethlehem.”

One new migrant who attended the activity in 2008 wrote: "We attended the Open Gathering today and I would just like to commend everyone from TawagAwit for the wonderful welcome. We enjoyed the songs that hit home and it was a fitting birthday celebration for the King of Kings…You have touched and lifted spirits today. We hope to pass the goodwill forward."

This year OG has adopted the theme, “The True Meaning of Christmas”. It will be held in Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre, Gate 4, Massey University, Albany.

OG Issue 2/page 2

YOU CAN BE AS TALL AS SANTA Invite a new migrant, bring food stuff and gifts – as we sing Christmas carols and play games

OG

Open Gathering

The True Meaning of Christmas Sunday, December 18, 2011 2pm, Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre. Massey University, Gate 4, Albany Highway OG Issue 2/page 3

PERFORMERS LINE UP With the intention of giving entertainment par excellence to its most special guests - the new migrants, OG 5 has invited some of the most successful Filipino performers in Auckland.

Leading this year’s line-up is Jam Parado who choreographed the winning entry of KBNZ in the Auckland International Carnival in 2010 and was third in the Global Zumba “Pause” Video competition. Jam is the dance columnist of CORD international music magazine and has once again been tapped by KBNZ as its choreographer in its dance offering in the 2012 Sinulog Festival in the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland.

KIS is the vocal trio co mposed of Kayth Ycong, Ina Esclamado and Shaine Belleza, that was voted as the People’s Choice Awardee in the Pinoyz Got Talent during the Labour Weekend NZ-wide Filipino gathering in Hamilton. The power pop girls have wowed audiences with not just with their singing, but also with their dancing routines. They have been invited in some of the biggest social gatherings among Filipinos in Auckland, and are expected to create a blast in “Disco Diskoral-The Biggest Pinoy Dance Party” set on January 28, 2012 in the North Shore.

Completing the list are OBG, a band that covers classic pop hits; Cecille Muhal, acoustic artist who is highly sought among TawagAwit chapters; J.A.C., the entertaining dance crew led by Errin Cerna; and Fr Sam Pulanco, singercomposer and chaplain of the Auckland Catholic Tertiary Chaplaincy.

Added to the performances is the community singing of Christmas carols to be led by the different chapters of TawagAwit.

OG Issue 2/page 4

PHOTOS OF PAST OPEN GATHERINGS 2007

2008

2009

2010

OG Issue 2/page 5

TEN THINGS TO DO ON CHRISTMAS Many people look forward to Christmas for different reasons. For some, it is a break from work, while others find extra work with the increased business activities. For some, it is a time to play Santa Claus, while others expect gifts to come their way. For some, it is having fun, while others spend time to pray.

Whatever way we spend Christmas, it is important that we put the first six letters of the word Christmas on top of everything we do. All the rejoicing, gift giving and partying will be meaningless if we forget about the birth of Christ who brought hope and salvation to us, God’s children.

To make Christmas meaningful, here are ten things to do: 1. Wish everyone a “Merry Christmas”. There is magical warmth to a Christmas greeting. It brings about a smile, a hug or even a kiss. Though you may not know it, you are actually evangelising – sharing the wonderful story of the King of Kings who was born in a manger.

2. Attend Christmas church services. To honour Jesus, we must attend masses where His presence is in the bread and the wine, His Body and His Blood. The mass is the highest form of celebration for faith believers.

3. Give affordable gifts to loved ones. The essence of Christmas is that of giving, for such was the reason for His being born on earth.

He was so giving that He died for you and me.

4. Display the manger scene at home. Forget about Christmas trees, lanterns and Santa Claus. If there is a perfect reminder about the birth of Christ, then it is the Nativity scene that shows us of His humility and sacrifices.

OG Issue 2/page 6

5. Read the Bible and see a Christmas movie. By reading the Holy Book, one is able to strengthen the cord that binds us to our Creator. By reflecting on God’s Word, one can gain deeper insight on the love of the Lord to His people. There are many wonderful films that carry the message of hope, peace and love; most importantly the Nativity movie.

These kinds of flicks seen together with family can bring about respect, closeness and understanding.

6. Give a stranger or a new migrant a treat. It is human to give to those whom we know and care for. It is divine to share what you have to others, especially the needy and the helpless. Joseph and Mary were migrants and strangers in Bethlehem and nobody opened their doors to give them shelter. If we open our hearts to strangers and migrants, we will have given shelter to Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

7. Sing a birthday song to Jesus and Christmas carols to believers and unbelievers.

When Christ was born the angels sang “Gloria in excelsis Deo” that resonated in Heaven, Earth and even in Hell. Acclaiming Jesus through songs will certainly fill the void in the world. The power of a song can penetrate hearts of stone and disarm Satan and his minions.

8. Volunteer in a Christmas event. The shepherds and the Three Wise Men visited and adored the Child Jesus. They did not demand anything in return, for they came with love and awe. There are many events organised where you can be of help. Lend a hand and you will experience immense joy and inner peace.

9. Cook your best dish and share it with others. If Jesus was your guest what would you cook for Him? Surely, you will cook that you know best and have been complimented many times in the past. You would want Jesus to taste and savour your dish. Wouldn’t you be delighted if He says thank you and asks you for the recipe? In the physical absence of Christ, every other person represents Him; thus feeding others is actualising your finest cooking for Christ.

10. Join Open Gathering (or similar activities). What great experience it would be, if you joined Open Gathering (OG) where people party-to give, share and care. An OG will have artists sharing their talents, those who have more giving gifts to strangers, and everyone bringing food for a feast. While OG happens in Auckland on the Sunday prior to Christmas Day, it can definitely happen anywhere so long as there are people who want to make Christmas meaningful for themselves and for others. OG can best be described in Washington Irving’s quote: “Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

OG Issue 2/page 7