This rare youth gathering kicked off with a “Walk of Faith” from The Plaza in front of the New Calamba City Hall to Letran Calamba. To set the mood and to prepare the attendees for the overnight activities, tar-paulins with religious messages were displayed in each station of the pilgrimage route.

continue on page 3WHAT’S INSIDE?

MeetFr. Marce

WYD Laguna Celebration

Featured Server

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VOL I ISSUE 2SEPTEMBER 2013

Rev. Fr. Alex C. Pontilla, Assistant Youth Director of SPYC, welcomed the delegates from different parishes and schools. He also shared his experiences during the WYD 1995 which became a massive factor in his deci-sion to enter priesthood.

Rev. Fr. Nińo Formeloza and Rev. Fr. Domingo Mar-fori rendered some religious songs during the recollec-tion concert. Bro. Roberto ”Obet” Cabrillas and Rev. Fr.

In celebration of the World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an estimated 15,000 young people from the four districts of Laguna flocked together at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba as the Diocese of San Pablo Youth Commission hosted a simultaneous event dubbed as “WYD Laguna version 2.0” last July 27and 28.

SPYC Brings WYD from Rio to Laguna

Parish celebrates Feast of Corpus Christi

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August 24, 2013 marked the Feast Day of St. Bar-tholomew or Nathanael, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The festivity started with a Eucharistic Celebration at 9:00 in the morning presided by Rev. Fr. Renie Oliver and Rev. Fr. Marce Ramos. As part of the annual tradition, the Sacrament of Baptism was performed right after the holy mass.

Prior to the grand celebration, a nine-day novena mass was held every afternoon at the South Marinig Chapel from August 15- 23.

The celebration was made more vibrant through the street dancing. Cheers and jeers of those who joined the procession, wearing their color-coded shirts representing different zones in Marinig, filled the event. Street dancers from Barangay Southville clad in their tribal outfit grooved to the beat of the music played by the marching bands. A group composed of old folks opted to come in their traditional “baro’t saya” as they joined the dancing.

A stand-up comedy show and fireworks display wrapped up this year’s fiesta.

Flowers and ornaments surround the image of Saint Bartholomew.

Chai Laviña

Marinig Celebrates the Feast of Saint Bartholomew

Part of its mission to disseminate information to churchgoers, the Saint Polycarp Power Media comes up with a new way of keeping everyone updated with the upcoming events and activities in the parish. Two months after the release of the maiden issue of the Ignite, SP Power Media releases the SPPM Digest. This one-page bulletin is issued every month online and on print posted on designated areas in the par-ish.

Reagan Dedicatoria, SPPM President, thought of having a supplementary medium issued every month to keep every parishioner informed about parish activities since the Ignite is published only once every quarter. SPPM Digest is yet another testament of the group’s commitment as herald of information.

SPPM’s New Baby is Born

[photo by Lito Cansicio]

Devotees of Saint Bartholomew join the spectacle as street dancers show their graceful and flashy moves.

[photo by Lito Cansicio]

Chai Laviña

Joven Nevalga

www.stpolycarp.comsppowermedia@gmail.com

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As the church aims to strengthen the spirituality of its workers, a series of seminar and get-together for members of various parish organizations is being held bimonthly every third Friday after the 5:30 pm mass.

“The Liturgical Life as a Source of the Interior Life”, was the topic of the first talk delivered by Fr. Renie Oliver last July 19, 2013 at the St. Polycarp Parish. In this particular session, Fr. Renie focused on the liturgy and the liturgical spirit. He emphasized on the full and active participation of the congregation in public and solemn prayers of the church. He also encouraged the church workers to render quality service and cultivate fraternal love among members of the church.

An open forum and short gathering followed after the session.

Fr. Renie talks about liturgical life

Reginald Mamaril, SPYC Youth Director, also deliv-ered inspirational talks. They emphasized that this kind of gathering for the youth can help strengthen their faith and knowledge about God especially that morals and values of the present generation are be-ing strongly influenced by what they see on televi-sion and other forms of media.

Bro. Obet stressed that “the youth are not only the future of the church but they are the church them-selves”.

In the midst of the celebration, the youth had an opportunity to get to know better Most Rev. Buenaventura Famadico, DD., the new Bishop of the

Diocese of San Pablo. Bishop Ben answered ques-tions during the youth forum entitled “Tatay Speaks”. He graced the occasion as he joined the youth in doing the “WYD Laguna clap”.

The Family and Life Worship Committee led the worship series called Praisefest. Neo Catechumen, and Taize Prayer were also performed at early dawn.

Bishop Ben Famadico presided a concelebrated mass to close the WYD 2013 celebration.

Saint Polycarp Power Media served as one of the media partners of the said event.

SPYC Brings WYD...

Chai Laviña

Story by Chai Laviña

Fr. Renie speaks before the parishioners of St. Polycarp Parish dur-ing the Faith Formation. [photo by SP Power Media]

Banner photo by San Pablo Youth Commission

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Hodgepodge

It is truly a great and blessed year for the Parish Youth Commission of St. Polycarp Parish as it celebrat-ed its third anniversary last July 7, 2013.

Members of the PYC gathered in a Youth Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Renie Oliver. A dance animation entitled “Magpasalamat” was played after the post communion prayer, followed by a video presentation for the World Youth Day Celebration in Laguna. Gema Alomia, Parish Youth Coordinator, delivered a short message and thanked the parishioners, parents of the PYC members, the Parish Pastoral Council, and our parish priest for the support they have given to PYC.

Rev. Fr. Renie Oliver also encouraged young peo-ple to serve the Lord and the Church by being part of all parish activities. He emphasized the role of the youth as future leaders not only of our parish but of our country as well.

A short gathering followed at the Bulwagan San Policarpo, wherein PYC members coming from the Ushers and Collectors Guild Jrs., Knights of the Altar, Saint Polycarp Parish Liturgical Music Ministry, and SP Power Media welcomed the Youth for Christ Cabuyao Chapter as the new members of the PYC Family. Members of YFC Cabuyao introduced themselves and their organization’s mission, vision, and activities. Pre-registration and orientation for the delegates of the World Youth Day Laguna also took place in the said gathering.

PYC was re-established during the time of Rev. Fr. Alex Pontilla as Parochial Vicar way back in 2010. It was a difficult task for him by then, but three years lat-er, the youth’s commitment and passion to serve the parish was further strengthened. This passion to serve is evident in their exercise of leadership and active participation in various parish activities and events.

It’s Been a Great and Blessed Three Years!

Gigi Barrio

Editorial TeamIGNITE Geraldine Barrio l Reagan Dedicatoria l Chai Lavina l Apple Caparas l

Benedict Bueno l Joven Nevalga l Joy Lemence

• 38 years old, born on October 2 at San Pablo City, Laguna.• Youngest among the three siblings.• Loves to sing and play bass guitar. • Graduated from Philippine Air Transport and Train-ing Services with a degree on Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering. • Worked at various semi-conductor companies at Science Park I, Pulo, City of Cabuyao, Laguna• Entered St. Peter’s College Seminary at the age of 27 • Ordained as priest on July 24, 2013.• Started serving Saint Polycarp Parish on Aug 3, 2013. • Expectation on the parish: Do a lot of pastoral work and lay formation

fast facts

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“I fought a good fight.” This is how the 45 year-old priest from Paete, Laguna describes his life after surviving a tough challenge which he encountered at the prime of his youth.

Fr. Marcelino Ramos or Fr. Marce to most of the parishioners shares his story of entering priesthood as no extraordinary. Just like most clergymen, he went straight to St. Peter’s College Seminary right after fin-ishing high school at Liceo de Paete.

Being a product of a Catholic institution, he was actively involved in different church activities and or-ganizations when he was young. He used to be an al-tar server back in grade school and later on became a member of the church choir. Though he had a strong determination to be of service, things seemed to turn against his will. The choir to which he belonged was dissolved for some unexpected reasons. But it did not stop him from having a positive attitude towards rendering service to the church.

His life in the seminary was not a bed of roses. Aside from academic challenges, he also faced emo-tional crises just like most seminarians. He decided to have a break for a while and lived a life of a regular guy in order to find himself and the answers to many questions of his mind and heart.

After spending a year outside the seminary, he found out that something was still missing in his life. He was not able to find the longing of his heart in the company of his friends, nor the happiness that “gim-mick” and weekend hangouts bring. He knew that it was not the kind of life he wanted for himself. This was when he started to realize that the mystery of God’s calling to serve remained in him. Since then, he began to believe that long before he was born, God destined him to become a priest.

As a young priest, he had an active lifestyle. Play-ing basketball and exercise were part of his routine.

He worked hands-on at every project in his assigned parish churches. However, things had changed when he met an accident three years ago. He thought it was the end. His spine was damaged and had to undergo a serious operation. He found out that prior to the accident, he had a “slip disc” in his spinal cord which was worsened by what had happened. This was probably the reason for his numbness at times.

According to him, he could not figure out up to this time the reasons why such a catastrophic event happened to him. Despite everything, his faith in the Lord was never shaken. He’s trying his best to hold on, pursue his chosen vocation, and render the best service that he could give to God and his people. He believes that God gave him another chance be-cause of the people who love him and pray hard for him.

“In this game called life, I can consider myself as a survivor, and when my time on earth has come, I am proud to say that I FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT”, Fr. Marce exclaimed.

How he became a priest sounds quite ordinary but his determination to live a life devoted to his Creator and his positive outlook towards his existence is in-deed extraordinary.

SurvivorThe

Chai Laviña

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World Youth Day: The Lagune-World Youth Day Laguna is a local gathering of the young and the young at hearts in line with the World Youth Day Celebration. The idea of having a local celebration came from Rev. Fr. Alex Pontilla, Assistant Youth Director of San Pablo Youth Commission and Edsel Amarante. It was during the 26th World Youth Day in Spain in 2011 when the SPYC decided to organize a simultaneous event since not everyone could come to the host country. Aiming to gather all the youth from the Dio-cese of Laguna, San Pablo Youth Commission spear-headed the event. It was then dubbed as the World Youth Day Laguna Celebration with the theme “Planted and Built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith”. The first WYD Laguna happened in August 20-21, 2011 on two main venues: Immaculate Conception Catho-lic College, Sta. Cruz, Laguna for Districts 3 and 4 and Rosario Square Glorietta, Rosario Complex, San Pedro, Laguna for Districts 1 and 2. The first attempt of con-ducting a local celebration was indeed a successful one.

Two years later, the 27th World Youth Day took place at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. And for the second time, the SPYC together with the Young Leaders of the Diocese of Laguna led the occasion which was named “World Youth Day RioToLaguna V2.0” with the theme “Go and Make Disciples of All Nations”.

Both local celebrations proved to be fruitful and brought a great impact on the youth of Laguna. Students, young professionals, parish servers, and lay persons were overwhelmed on how the grace and love of God flourished in the event.

Here are some of the testimonials from fellow pilgrims of the WYD Rio to Laguna V2.0 celebration:

Rev. Fr. Alex Pontilla – Asst. Youth Director, San Pablo Youth Commission.“Participating in an event like this somehow refreshes my vocation. My idea of entering the priesthood started when I attended the World Youth Day Philip-pines in 1995. With grateful heart, I experienced once again the love of God together with the youth of Laguna.”

Charlie Sitao ( from facebook)“I am beautiful, I am loved, I am forgiven by the mercy of God. ~St. Catherine of Siena from Daddy O’s talk @ World Youth Day - Laguna 2013.”

Jayl Jueco (San Miguel Arch-angel Parish – Villa Palao, Calamba, Laguna)“WYD is such a wonderful experience to remember. As a part of the local organizing committee I was blest to wit-ness how committed young servants work together hand in hand and how the result became meaningful in each of our lives. The performances, the program were excellent but the thing that will be in my heart forever was the unity of estimated 15,000 youth all over Laguna. Lets GO and make YOUng disciples of all nations!”

Edgardo Escasura (Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vi-cente Ferrer–Mamatid,Cabuyao, Laguna “It is a great privilege for being part of WYD 2013 Rio to Laguna v2.0, atleast kahit sa papaanong paraan may naibahagi ako sa tagumpay ng makasaysayang pagdiriwang na ito. Napakaraming kabataan ang nagtipon to celebrate God’s Love. Damang-dama ko sa mga kabataan ang pagmamahal ng Pangi-noon! Sabi nga sa aklat ni Juan “…Kabataan, sapag-kat malalakas kayo, nananatili sa inyo ang salita ng Diyos...” (1 Juan 2:14) Kaya tayo’y Humayo! at gaw-ing Disipulo ang lahat ng mga bansa!”

Albert Capuras Amoguis (SPYC – Social Communica-tions Ministry Member)“It is the quality of one’s convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.” - Remus Lupin#WYDRioToLaguna LAKAS NG KABATAAN! LAKAS NG DIYOS! isa ito sa mga activities kung saan mapa-

#WYDRioToLagu-

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World Youth Day: The Laguneños Waypatunayan natin na ang mga kabataan pa rin ay nakiki-isa sa adhikaing maging kawangis ni Kristo! Na-kakatuwa dahil higit 15,000 Kabataan mula sa Lagu-

na at karatig probinsya/lugar ang nag sama-sama upang mag puri at

masayang ipagdiwang ang Pandaigdigang Araw nating mga Kabataan. Mula sa the Plaza ay ramdam ko ang excite-ment nila kahit umulan hindi nagpatinag; at nang nag start na ang WYD sa Letran mas lalong nag hiyawan ang bawat isang kabataan na naandun. Ang saya-saya at maram-ing napulot na bagong karanasan at kaalaman na pwedeng i share sa ibang mga kabataan na s’yang talagang tema ng pagdiriwang na iyon. Ang panawagan na Humayo

at maging Disipulo para sa lahat at maging buhay na patotoo ni Kristo ay nasa puso ng bawa’t isa sa aming Kabataan. Worth-it lahat ng inalay na oras namin! Malaman lang na hindi kami nag iisa sa aming pag lalakbay kasama ang ibang kabataan na hindi na din mag kanda-ugaga para sa WYD. Hinding hindi ko malilimutan ang Experience na ito na maging part ng makasaysayang pagdiriwang na ito! Mabuhay ang mga Kabataan ng Laguna!”

Kim Arvin Aseron (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish – Golden City, Sta. Rosa, Laguna)“WYDLaguna? WOW! BIG WORD! Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin po ako makaget over dun, grabe nakakamiss po! Isang karangalan po ang makasama ako sa event na yun ng Diocese. Nakakapagod man po dahil sa dami ng gawain sa Parokya bago ang event, pero bawing bawi naman po dahil nakita kong successful ang pagdaraos ng WYD Laguna v2.0!

Napakasaya nung makita ko na sobrang daming kabataan na tumugon at dumalo sa WYDLaguna, astig talaga grabe! Salamat po kay Daddy-O at PaRegj para sa mga Talk na ibinigay nila at sa lahat ng bumuo ng Event na yun, saludo po ako sa inyo! Nawa’y ipagpatuloy n’yo pa po ang mga event tulad nito, dahil kapupulutan po ito ng aral. More power po para sa SPYC! God bless you all! #Im-issYouWYDRioToLaguna #MorePowerSPYC”

Arthur Dans Dela Cerna( from facebook)“Naglalakbay na po kami, and we are happy na hindi lang po basta pumunta at nakinig, nakisayaw at nagdasal...kundi ipinaramdam po namin sa iba.. #WYDRioToLagunaToPaeteToCentralSchool”

Richard Hagosojos(Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish – Golden City, Sta. Rosa, Laguna)“It was a great and memorable experience to be part of this event. We are the pilgrims in our journey to life ... at patuloy tayong naglalakbay sa buhay natin at nagiging makahulugan ito dahil sa mga taong na-kakasama, nakasama o makakasama pa lang natin. Alam natin na may kasama tayo at di nag iisa sa buhay at nagiging makabuluhan ito dahil sa paglil-ingkod natin sa ating kapwa para sa DIYOS . Package na yung experience ko noong #WYDRioToLaguna.” POPE FRANCIS: I AM BLESSED being God’s Beloved and Ambassador of Christ. I will serve Him in my own way. I will MAKE JESUS FAMOUS in every person I will encounter in my journey. I will make HIM as an inspiration to pursue my mission, that is ... “ PUT ON FAITH - and your life will take on a new flavour, it will have a compass to show you the way ... PUT ON HOPE - - and every one of your days will be enlightened and your horizon will no longer be dark, but luminous.. PUT ON LOVE - and your life will be like a house built on rock, your journey will be joyful, be-cause you will find many friends to journey with you.

The number of attendees this year has doubled and this event indicates that more and more young individuals are being led towards Catholic faith.

Everyone is looking forward to the coming WYD Celebration which will take place in Krakow, Poland

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#WYDRioToLaguna

Story by Gigi Barrio

On a typical Sunday morning, churchgoers would easily notice a group of women clad in brown robes uttering prayers and actively participating during the mass. One of those who leads this group of prayer warriors is Expectacion Sequi Parala, fondly called as “Sis. Espie”.

Sis. Espie currently heads this so-called group of ‘brown women’ , more commonly known as the Del Carmen Association.

Before joining Del Carmen, Sis. Espie was the usual churchgoer who attends mass every Sunday until one day, Sis. Dareng Alemania approached her and invited her to join the organization. For more than a decade now, she has gone a long way serving in the church and along with Sis. Dareng, has become the face of this much-revered Del Carmen Association.

For Sis. Espie, being part of Del Carmen is life-changing. She became more active taking part in church activities with her devotion to the Blessed Mary

growing deeper over the years.

Sis. Espie emulates the Blessed Mary as a mother and a housewife. She is as active at home as she is in the church. Juggling responsibilities in Del Carmen and her family has been a normal way of life for her. She sees it as the two most fulfilling jobs in the world.

Unknown to many, Sis. Espie also had her fair share of issues surrounding the organization. But as an es-teemed woman of integrity, she says challenges like this form part of the everyday life of a church servant. She respects each and every person’s tendencies knowing that as human beings, she must understand people for liking or hating her.

“Dapat lamang ay huwag manaig ang galit sa kapwa dahil ito ang babagabag sa iyo hanggang sa pagtulog,” she says.

For trying times like this, prayer has always been her ultimate shield.

“Kapag naiinis ako ay nagdarasal lamang at pagdating ng kinaumagahan ay kinakalimutan ko na ito,” she adds.

She draws strength and inspiration from her devo-tion to the Blessed Mother and her faith to the Lord. And when the day comes she has to leave her foot-prints here on earth, she wants to be remembered for her simple acts of prayer, charity, and benevolence.

FEATURED SERVERPrayer and Service:A Way of Life

Benedict Bueno

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Saint Clare: Living a Life of Faith “Fidelity to the Gospel” is this year’s theme of the Feast Day cel-ebration of Saint Clare of Assisi.

As we commemorate St. Clare’s martyrdom, let us look back on how she dedicated her life in serving God.

Clare was born to a well off family at Assisi in July 1194 to Favarone and Ortulana. She had an elder brother named Martin and two younger sis-ters, Agnes and Beatrice.

It was on March 18, 1212, Palm Sunday when Clare went with the crowds to the cathedral for the dis-tribution of palms when she received the “brown tunic” from Francis. From then on she became a trusted fol-lower of Francis. She became the first abbess in the new Order of St. Damian’s con-vent. She was an ideal superior, for she recognized at the outset that the task given to her implies a devoted service to others. She had the discerning eye that detects at once the

The Nativity of Mary or Birth of the Virgin Mary refers to the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Scripture does not record Mary’s birth. The earliest known writing regarding Mary’s birth is found in the Protoevangelium of James (5:2), which is an apocry-phal writing from the late second century, where her parents are said to have been Saint Anne and Saint Joachim.Tradition celebrates the event as a liturgical feast in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints on 8 Septem-ber, nine months after the solemnity of her Immacu-late Conception, celebrated on 8 December.

Mary was born to be the mother of the Savior of the world, the spiritual mother of all men, and the holiest of God’s creatures. Because of her Son’s infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of heaven and of earth, all grace

Retrieved August 26, 2013http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/

day.cfm?date=2012-09-08

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy; and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all hu-man nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times. This is one of the three birthdays in the Church Calendar — the Birth of Jesus (December 25), the Birth of John the Bap-tist (June 24) and the Birthday of Mary. All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb at the Visitation of Mary.

genuinely sick and was prompt to succor them with liberal dis-pensations.

Her teachings mirrored her life. She spoke of self-mastery and of the need of penance. Like St. Francis she had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Her other devotion was to the Sacred Passion, wherein she meditated on the Five Wounds of Jesus.

The whole exterior fabric of Poor Clare’s life is “contempla-tive”; that is to say its whole pur-pose is to facilitate a life devoted primarily to prayer. After careful investiga-tion by the church hierarchy into the many miracles by the saint, Clare was solemnly canonized at Anagni by her old friend Cardinal Raynaldo, which became Pope Alexander IV.

Let us make St. Clare of Assisi as our model of faith.

Apple Caparas

LITERARY

We are born travelers, journeyers on this earth.Carrying ideas and concepts in search of our birth.Many have questioned, many have pondered,many became lost, and many just slumbered.Who am I? Am I real? Questions still unanswered.

Am I lost? Perhaps . . . Or perhaps not!For in my journey see what I have found,A parish of greatness profound.A home which speaks of the love of God and love for wisdom.A home dedicated to justice, equity and freedom.

A home which served as a comforting hearthA refuge of reason, faith and of brooding hearts.A home in whose bosom I met my second mother, father and brothers.Though handful we are, we’re bonded by love for one another.A home which rectified my impulsiveness and tenacity,which builded up my demeanor and spirituality.

A statue here stands tall, a sentinel to remind us all.To spread the words and works of God, that is our call.To let go of all trepidations, to always keep faith and negate all expectations.And respond we did, living the words. Letting it bear-fruit like the tree of fig, Carrying knowledge as a walking stick and camaraderie to serve as a tunic especially at times we fail to find what we seek.

Lessons well learned from the community so dear,Now becomes weapon of arms and our gear.Intellect from experiences to vanquish ambiguities, faith to endure and persevere,And love to support those people who are dear.When it seems as though we are standing at the wake of devastation, and we cannot comprehend nor give any explanation.Must our journey end in pitiful lamentation? Of course not! For in every loss there is a resurrection!

I know I would not fear in this journey,Because I have a family to keep me company.A lot of people asked me: Are you lost? And some: Do you even know the cost?Well, I was never lost, because in my mind and in my heart,Even though distance stood in all its might.I have a family, a community which I call home.

Still at HomeBro. Rudy Jerome Mallannao

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