OG NEWS Official Publication of Open Gathering 2010
A LETTER FROM JESUS Peace be with you.
Issue 6
I am thankful that you continue to recall and celebrate my birth more than 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. I came as a gift from the Divine Father to humanity, conceived in the womb of Mary and cared for by Joseph. It was difficult for them, as they would have wanted me to be born in a decent place, but as no one welcomed them in their homes, I was born in a manger, in the company of sheep, cattle and donkey. If you thought that the world failed me, when I was born, erase such thought, for truly I was full of joy. The embrace of Mary, the support of Joseph, the adoration of the shepherds, the songs of the angels, the gifts of the Magi, all these made me welcome into this world among the children of the Father. Every moment of my life, from birth until the ascension, I cherish, and I shall return to reward all who have kept the faith, as I will punish the wicked and unrepentant. This Christmas, I ask you to have a welcoming attitude, a charitable spirit and a caring heart to all especially the least of your brethren. As you share with your family, your friends, your associates, do share as well to the dying and the destitute, to the migrants and their children, to the beggars, the prostitutes and even the sinners. Think not about receiving gifts, but rather of giving yourself, your possessions and your time for others. It would mean so much to those who receive, it would mean so much to me. I love you! Merry Christmas. Yours in faith, hope and charity, Jesus Christ
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Programme of OG 2010 11:15am Filipino Mass 12:30pm Lunch for New Migrants 1:30pm Entertainment/Gift Giving Program Minister Bro Ferdie Esclamado Prayer/Welcome Remarks Dicdic del Castillo Performance Mother of Perpetual Help Choir Performance Ina & Kayth Performance Kisi Muevo Message Fr Gilbert Ramos Game 1 Performance TawagAwit-Good Shepherd (East Auckland) Performance JUNZ/TBB Performance TawagAwit-St Thomas More Sharing Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta Zumba for All Jam Parado Performance KBNZ/TawagAwit-Our Lady of Lourdes Performance Angel Baguna Performance Mark Singzon Game 2 Performance Jojo Aquino Performance TawagAwit-St Mary's Performance Bro Mel B Libre Gift Giving 4:30pm Finish
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Champion Choreographer & Spanish-flamenco guitar duo in OG The choreographer of the Auckland International Carnival Grand Champion, KBNZ Sinulog Dance Troupe, and a brilliant pianist who has expanded his horizon to Spanish flamenco guitar music are the latest artists to join the strong line-up of performers in OG: Open Gathering on Sunday 19 December 2010 in Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City. Jam Parado conceptualized the presentation and mentored the Visayan-speaking contingent that beat more than 20 other contestants including samba groups from the major cities of New Zealand, dragondance performers from China and a professional troupe from the Cook Islands in the multi-ethnic competition held at Ellerslie Event Centre on November 6 this year. (click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ei4lEuO5x0) A certified Zumba instructor based in South Auckland, Jam was a champion in Latin Category in the Dance Sports Competition in Central Visayas, Philippines. She earned units in Bachelor of Dance in Auckland Institute of Technology in North Shore, Auckland. She writes a dance column in the music magazine, CORD. In OG, she aims to get everyone on their feet in her presentation, Zumba for All. On December 5, 2009, M Basa headlined “A Night with M”, where he displayed his piano virtuosity and accompanied other talents in popular song numbers. He also performed a classic guitar solo (click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZFENqTjt7Y) during the concert that raised money for the calamity victims of typhoons Ondoy and Peping in the Philippines. This year he formed ‘Kisi Muevo’ with Kelvin Cortez, performing in Mavericks Bar in Glenfield Mall, Paskong Pilipino and during the Labour Weekend at the Civic Theatre in Auckland. Influenced by the group, Rodrigo y Gabriella, „Kisi Muevo‟ specializes in Spanish-flamenco style guitar playing. Page 3 of 8
GUIDE TO OG: OPEN GATHERING 2010
On its fourth annual outing, OG: Open Gathering expects between 250-500 attendees at the Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City. Aiming to bring people together to celebrate the true essence of the birth of Jesus Christ, OG invites new migrants (2 years or less in New Zealand) to feel at home and loved through songs, food, fellowship and prayers by the generosity of artists and kind-hearted brethren. To lift up the spirits of attendees, speakers – Fr Gilbert Ramos and Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta – will share inspiring words. Page 4 of 8
Here are guidelines to OG: Open Gathering:
VENUE: Good Shepherd Parish, 27 Telford Avenue, Balmoral, Auckland City SHOWTIME: 1:30PM – 4:30PM TRANSPORT: Free parking is available in the parish ground and a bigger parking space beside the tennis court. If you have a vehicle, kindly accommodate new migrants to Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral and drive them home as well. DONORS: The organisers encourage Filipinos who have established themselves in New Zealand to donate food/drinks and gifts to new migrants, and toys to children preferably on December 19, 2010, prior to 11:00am. Kindly wrap the gifts. For food/drinks, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Mel Ambrosio For gifts to new migrants, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Claudia Menchavez For toys to children, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Josie Matiga NEW MIGRANTS: For those who have arrived in New Zealand within the period of two years or less, please register prior to the event in Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral or email: tawagawit@gmail.com Page 5 of 8
COME &
OG
Open Gathering Celebrating the True Essence Christmas 11:15 Filipino Mass 12:30 Food Sharing 1:30 Entertainment 3:30 Gift-giving
December 19, 2010, Good Shepherd Church, Balmoral AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND Page 6 of 8
OG:
Open Gathering
AUCKLAND CATHOLIC FILIPINO CHAPLAINCY Hosted by:
The Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy is one of the few ethnic chaplaincies in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand. The ACFC operates as a quasi-parish community based at the Good Shepherd Parish in Balmoral, Central Auckland. As a quasi-parish, it offers religious services such as regular Sunday Masses in Pilipino, weekly Wednesday Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, fortnightly Bible apostolate, monthly devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, house to house rosary and various devotional practices to the Blessed Virgin. The management of the Chaplaincy is a collaboration between the Chaplain and the ACFC Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is made up of ten members who are elected from the Filipino Community every two years and of representative from each of the different Catholic groups and associations in the Filipino community who are appointed or elected by their respective groups. As strategy for integration, the Chaplaincy is represented at the Good Shepherd Parish Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement is to collaborate with the Bishop of Auckland and the Chaplain in the pastoral care of the Filipinos in the Auckland Diocese and to assist them in their journey towards maturity in Faith and towards integration into the local church and New Zealand society. ACFC CHAIRMAN: Ma. Consuelo del Castillo CHAPLAIN: Fr. Ruben Elago, MSP
Organized by:
TawagAwit, a Catholic Ministry spreading
God’s Word through music and other acts of love
Support OG: Open
Gathering
Email: tawagawit@gmail.com Page 7 of 8
THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:
CORD Read Past Issues. http://issuu.com/meel/docs/cord_july_2010
ANONYMOUS http://issuu.com/meel/docs/cord_oct2010
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