Vol. 3 Issue No. 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER...

1

Vol. 3 | Issue No. 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

DVENT. . . the trumpet that heralds the nearing celebration of the first coming of the PRINCE OF PEACE, the most awaited season of the year with

fun-filled days, festivities, and family reunions. Sparkling multi-colored lights adorning streets, homes and establishments and lively tunes in the air are but a few manifestations of the grand season for which Advent prepares us.

Amidst the excitement and glitter, however, have we ever thought of a deeper, more fitting way of preparing for Christ’s birth? Have we ever paused for a moment and pondered on the CALL TO HOLINESS OF ADVENT?

Advent is actually a WAKE-UP CALL for us to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord through PENANCE, SACRIFICE, CONVERSION and OPENING OUR HEARTS NOT ONLY TO GOD, BUT ALSO TO PEOPLE.

Preparations should begin with us. By reviewing the status of our relationship with God, our family, and our neighbors, we can gauge how near or far we are from the right path. Only then, can we answer the call to repentance through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

REPENTANCE is not an end in itself, however, but a means to an end. To be meaningful and worth doing, it must be accompanied by PENANCE and SACRIFICE. Going out of our way to help others, especially the needy, elderly, disabled, sick, and the hapless victims of calamities and oppression are some of the spiritual offerings we can avail of to atone for our offenses and shortcomings. Helping others need not be in material form. Rather, simple acts of kindness, sympathy, words of comfort or advice, will go a long way in lightening their burden.

CONVERSION comes when we are ready to “turn a new leaf.” Determined to change from bad to good, we

decide to leave our sinful nature behind and follow the path of righteousness. Conversion is a beautiful

and priceless gift from above. It is only when we experience it that we see

things in proper perspective and feel the presence of God in our

life. With hearts filled with love for God and our fellowmen, we

accept His teachings sans reservations and inhibition

and give ourselves to Him in complete submission

to His divine will.

Please turn to page 15

By Fely Bernaldez

2

The Sower : The Official Newsletter of the St. John Bosco Parish & Center for Young Workers, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Editorial

Ibalik ang Ningning ng Bokasyon

Fr. Roger Tamares, SDB Kura Paroko

ng bokasyong PAGPAPARI ay minsan nang naging bukambibig at pangarap ng isang pamilya. Itinuturing na isang malaking karangalan ng isang pamilya ang pagkakaroon ng anak o kaanak na naglilingkod sa Diyos. Kaya naman pinagsusumikapan nilang maitaguyod ang pangangailangan nito gaano man kahirap. Maging ang mga kamaganakan nila ay buong

pusong nagaambag-ambag kung kailangan para matupad lang ang pangarap ngpamilya at angkan.

Subali’t tila nagbago na ang ganitong paniniwala sa pagdaan ng panahon. Ang bokasyong ito ay unti-unti nang nawawalan ng halina. Maihahalintulad ito sa maningning na bituing na nawawalan na ng ningning. Katunayan, sa mismong parokya natin, wala ni isa mang pumasok sa bokasyong ito sa loob ng 16 na taong inilagi nito. Patunay lamang ito na dapat na nating bigyang pansin ang napakahalagang bahaging ito ng buhay ng isang parokya.

Maraming bagay ang maaaring sanhi ng pagbabagong ito. Sa panahon ngayon ng makabagong kabihasnan, ang mga kabataan ay nahuhumaling na sa makabagong pamumuhay habang ang kanilang mga magulang ay tila nawalan na ng panahon para imulat sa kanila ang pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa Diyos. Maituturing ding dahilan ang pagsulpot ng iba’t-ibang idolohiya at relihiyon na lumalason sa isipan ng mga kabataan tungo sa maling paniniwala sa mga Aral ng Banal na Aklat. Ang mabilis na pag-usad ng social media at maling nalalathala tungkol sa Simbahan at ang hindi magandang halimbawang pamumuhay na ipinakikita ng ilang kaparian ay mga isyu na maituturing ding kadahilanan.

Ang isyung ito ay dagok sa Simbahang Katoliko. Nakalulungkot isipin na baka dumating ang panahon na tuluyan nang mawalan ng “PASTOL” na aakay at gagabay sa mga “TUPA” ng Diyos.

Panahon na marahil na magsama-sama ang ating Parokya at pamilya upang maibalik ang ningning ng bokasyong ito sa pamamagitan ng pagmulat sa murang isipan ng mga bata sa pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa Diyos. Patuloy natin silang hikayatin sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng magandang halimbawa. Marahil, kung makikita nila ang kanilang mga magulang at ang mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila na masigasig sa paglilingkod sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod sa kapwa, mabubuhay sa kanilang puso’t damdamin ang hangaring makapaglingkod sa Panginoon.

Samahan natin ang ating Parokya sa ginagawa nitong mga hakbang upang hikayatin ang mga kabataan na tumugon sa tawag ng Panginoon. Kabilang rito ang:

1. Pagbuo ng Parish Vocation Plan alinsunod sa Salesian Vocation Plan2. Pagtatag ng Parish Vocation Team at pagtalaga kay Fr. Ting Miciano bilang Coordinator3. Pagdarasal ng “PRAYER FOR VOCATION” tuwing ika-2 linggo ng buwan at huling araw ng buwan (DB Com.)4. Maghanap, manghikayat at mangalaga ng mga kabataan na tumutugon sa Tawag ng Diyos sa Pagpapari

Ito ang dakilang gawain na kalulugdan ng Panginoon, ang DAKILANG PASTOL, na magbibigay- daan para biyayaan ang ating Parokya ng maraming banal na mga pastol na magpapatuloy sa pangangalaga sa Kaniyang bayan.

ANG PINAKADAKILANG HANDOG NG DIYOS SA ISANG PAMILYA AY ANG PAGKAKAROON NG ANAK NA PARI AT MADRE.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editorial Adviser Fr. Richard N. Varela, SDB

Editor-in-chief Marissa B. Ancheta

Editor Nora S. Bunso

SCM CoordinatorCory Oca

Contributing Writers Fely Bernaldez

Agnes Datu SantosSusan Grace Rivera

Armi Cortezano-DoradoEdz Caparas

Obet BunaganMindy S. Andaya Myh S. AndayaGene EscosiaBart Santiago

Photographers Benjie V. BalarbarAldrine Tolentino

Design/LayoutFelix S. Pio

Charie A. RembonArnel L. Eugenio

3

Volume 3 : Issue No.4 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

3

4


By Susan Grace Rivera

4

Bro. Victorius

Koli Koten, S

DB

Bro. John

Saw Shine Win, SDB

e, Christians, believe that

God has created each one

of us with special gifts and

talents to fulfil specific

purposes and live a certain way of life.

Our fundamental vocation is “to love,”

as such, we can say that “love is the

innate vocation of every human being”

(CCC 1604). These were the very words

that Bro. John Saw Shine Win, SDB,

stated with great emphasis and clarity

when asked about when he first realized

he was being called to a priestly

vocation.

The common thread that binds the

wonderful vocation stories of Bro.

Saw Shine and his Salesian brother: Fr.

Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB, and

Bro. Victorius Koli Koten, SDB, is that

special grace and call “to love,” a

voice that is subtle yet powerful in its

invitation. It is a voice that manifests

itself in ways that are uniquely personal.

How was God’s voice heard? For

Fr. Donnie, it came in the person of

Fr. Roger Miranda whose “friendly

demeanor, warm presence, and

cheerfulness drew me and my friends

closer to Him.” For Bro. Saw Shine, it

was a shift from the dream “to become

a successful and famous businessman”

to one that recognized the needs of

his countrymen in Myanmar (largely

steeped in the Buddhist tradition) to

be evangelized as Christians. For Bro.

Victor who always had a “dream and

obsession” to be a soldier in Indonesia,

his “Emmaus experience” came from a

simple observation from his niece, “you

looked like a priest when you led the

prayer!”

When “the call” came, how each of

them responded reflected the distinctly

different circumstances of their

individual journeys. “The first time I

felt God’s call, I did not respond,” says

Bro. Saw Shine. The book The Stories

of Don Bosco, which Bro. Victor read in

one sitting, moved his heart so deeply

that he decided to join the Salesian

community. In turn, the childhood desire

to become a priest remained dormant in

Fr. Donnie until it was reawakened when

he was 18. Yet, he went ahead and got a

college degree first before entering the

seminary.

Fr. Donnie Duchin Duya, SDB

All three are thriving members of the

Salesian community where the stories

from the book about Don Bosco are

revealed and encountered daily.

It is a community whose “friendly

disposition, warm coziness, sense of

humor, brilliance in music, psychology

and faith” are palpable. As Fr. Donnie

aptly describes it, Salesian spirituality

is about doing one’s ordinary duties

extraordinarily well. It is embracing a

life that is shared and made whole by

the love for Christ and radiating this love

to young people, migrant workers, the

poor and abandoned everywhere.

For Fr. Donnie, Bro. Saw Shine, and Bro.

Victor, heeding God’s voice is about

finding time to be still and silent in a very

noisy world and to listen to that voice

that calls us all to be holy “in perfect

conformity to the will of God,” which is

love in its purest form.

* Alter Christos (Latin) - Another Christ

5


or Sr. Leowela M. Sagun, SCG, December 8, 2016 marked the most memorable day of her religious life. On that day, she professed her perpetual vows as a

sister of the congregation of Suore della Carita Di Gesu (SCG) or Caritas Sisters of Jesus and took the religious name of Mary Johanne.

Sr. Wency, as she is better known, spent 11 years of her formation in Tokyo, Japan, where the SCG provincial house is located.

It was no surprise that she was led to the religious life because her family was very active in their parish. Her mother was a former Parish Pastoral Council president, a lector, and organizer of Youth Encounters. Her siblings served in various capacities in the Church ministries. She was also a volunteer catechist in Barangay Don Jose and a daily Mass-goer.

Sister Wency heeded God’s unmistakable call for her to become a religious while teaching English and Values Education at Caritas Don Bosco. After much prayer, search-ins with different congregations and advice from a priest friend, she finally entered the convent.

She remembers that day very well for as she experienced peace and boundless joy. “There was no fear. Joy was a gift from God.” Today, as Sister Wency carries out her responsibilities as school principal of Caritas Don Bosco, that joy is still alive for, as she says with conviction, “Jesus is my focus.”

any years ago, Virginia C. Limbauan was the last person you would ever expect to wear a nun’s habit. She graduated with a computer engineering degree,

earned a good salary in a semiconductor company, and had a boyfriend. She also spent every weekend at SM Megamall to be with her friends and indulge in her obsession—shopping for shoes and bags.

Yet, despite all these, she was not happy. Providentially, she had a consistent prayer and sacramental life that led to a search of God’s will for her. Once she felt that special call to be a religious, she knew it will not be easy to convince her family. Her father was vehemently against it. Her brothers did not take her decision seriously. Their reactions were understandable as she is the only girl and the youngest in the family.

She was determined to enter the religious life at age 22. While there were times when she pondered on her life-changing decision, like when she saw her friends become successful in their careers, after prayer and reflection, she would always end up so joyful for having been chosen by God to work in His vineyard. Now called “Sister Virgie”of Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice (FMA), better known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, she is the Student Services Coordinator of the Mary Help of Christians School in Canlubang.

While narrating her past work for poor young girls in a technical school in Cebu and the Sunday Oratory for Aeta kids in Pampanga, her face radiates happiness. Sr. Virgie has found her true calling as she explains, “I have a joy that is priceless.”

There was no fear. Joy was a gift from God.

I have a joy that is priceless.

5

By Marissa B. Ancheta

6


iscernment involves a lot of thought, analysis; weighing of options, advantages, and disadvantages;

even gut feel. However, when discerning God’s will, it is important to listen to God through the heart. Discerning one’s vocation to be a priest or religious takes a lot of spiritual courage and acceptance. Before writing this article, I turned to a good family friend for his insights, Rev. Fr. Gomer R. Torres, STHL, the Spiritual Director of St. Peter’s College Seminary.

According to Fr. Gomer, we must understand that an individual’s process of discerning God’s will is rooted in spirituality, in one’s way of living. The vocation to religious life of the young, geared to a particular spirituality, is greatly affected by what he/she experiences in life through the family, parish, and other social groups. Thus, vocation starts within the family. Vocation, from the Latin term vocare meaning “to call,” is a gentle invitation or summons to a certain kind of life or spirituality. Very few nowadays feel the pull towards entering the religious life, which is a gift, a valuable gift for any young person to feel the desire to live his/her life serving the Lord.

By Armi Cortezano-Dorado

6

When a person is confused on whether one’s vocation is a religious life, he/she needs to discern. As the Lord said, “Come and see” (cf. Jn 1:39), clarity of vocation can be achieved through the God’s help. Discernment can be aided by a series of dialogues with a Spiritual Director. The Spiritual Director can help the person realize his/her motivation(s) in entering the religious life. Part of one’s discernment could be to join a religious congregation or enter a seminary, even if he/she has not yet arrived at a definitive decision to become a priest or a religious (e.g., nuns, sisters, brothers - Editor). Rather, the person will undergo years of formation to enable him/her to discern even more. It is in this process of formation that one can evaluate if he/she is truly meant for a religious life or not.

The deeper challenge in discernment is not the question of whether one WANTS to follow our Lord in His mission or not, but, rather, if one IS READY to “deny one’s self, carry one’s cross and follow Christ” (Mt 16:24).

7


ith a population of around 105.3M, of which 86% is Roman Catholic, how is it

that the Philippines now faces a critical shortage of religious vocations? In search for answers, I turned to two members of our Parish who work closely with the young in our community: Fr. Ting Miciano, SDB, Spiritual Director of the SJB Parish Youth Ministry; and Sister Wency Sagun, SCG, Principal of Caritas Don Bosco School (CDBS). Here I share their insights on why fewer and fewer youth are hearing and responding to God’s call to a consecrated life.

The presumption that, being a predominantly Catholic country, the Philippines will preserve its Catholic culture, notwithstanding the changing times, has been proven wrong. We did not immediately adjust to modernization but, by the turn of the century, we began to feel its effects. We realize how different today’s youth are compared to how we once were decades ago! Exposure to technology and information formed them into a distinct culture: they are sophisticated, with outlooks

and expectations that are very different from ours.

Moreover, some adults who had been exposed to the same factors have had a change in priorities. Parents began to focus on the material needs of their children and on their social and academic development as means towards worldly success. Simultaneously, as much of the task of education and formation had been given to lay mission-partners, and as emphasis had shifted to lay-empowerment, we provided the youth with different role models. More attention was given to psychology, while the crucial development of the spiritual dimension of a person, even of simply speaking of religious matters, has been neglected.

The result . . . a generation of millennials (those born between 1980 to 2000) who thrive on instant satisfaction and short-term rewards without committing or striving for it. With so many options to choose from and so much “noise” coming from all directions, demanding their attention, and often promising immediate earthly gratification,

they are pulled towards hedonism. They can’t stand silence or solitude, nor are they adept in tapping their spiritual dimension—elements essential in discerning vocations in life. What would make them see that there are other paths leading to happiness and that living the simpler, harder life of the religious is a way to attaining lasting joy?

An essential part of the solution is the strengthening of the family and religious influence. Looking back to the time when more people responded to God’s calling, we see that family, school, and Church had much influence on one’s faith and choice of vocation. We need to nurture the family with Christian values, form strong relationships, and bring religious influence back to these environments so we can pull the youth towards religious life. Mere presence of the religious is not enough: they need to directly invite and inspire the young to choose religious vocations, as well as indirectly influence them through their lives and examples. One proposed program of SJBP’s Family and Life Ministry and Parish Youth Ministry is an initial

vocation campaign in CDBS and Canossa School of Sta. Rosa. For more than a year now, the sisters of CDBS have been inviting interested female students to join them in Adoration and Evening Prayer once a month as a way of helping them discern their vocation.

Strengthening family bonds is particularly hard to accomplish in the Philippines, considering the large number of parents who have become OFWs due to economic reasons. Obstacles like these need to be addressed by the Church and ministries concerned through programs like: family formation, migrant workers’ desks, fathers’/mothers’/youth clubs, and the like.

The crisis will not be solved overnight; neither is there a single solution to it. It will take a consolidated effort of the members of the Church to do so but one thing is sure . . . it must begin with the family and the religious themselves.

By Cory Oca

7

8


spent seven years of my life in the seminary, experiencing what it was like to be someone who served God’s people as a religious. It felt really

good when people looked up to me and expected me to persevere in that vocation because of what I was doing then. I thought then that being a religious was actually the life that God had laid down for me. But things didn’t turn out as expected. In short, I left the seminary.

The biggest question that I faced then was, “What now?” Naturally, I would look for a stable job, a good place to live in, and all the things that lay people are concerned about. But still, the question persisted, “What now?” Surely, there was more to life than just settling down financially and starting a family! That was when I realized that there was something more to the lay vocation.

In today’s generation, with the dwindling number of those who answer the call to religious life, the Catholic Church struggles to make her teaching reach all people of the world. It has always been incumbent on our Church ministers to make sure that Christ’s Good News of salvation continue to reach the ears and hearts of the faithful, both Catholic and otherwise. However, the Catholic clergy makes up only 0.1% of the Catholic populace. The remaining 99.9% are lay people! Therein lies the beauty and clarity of the lay vocation.

Lay people share the Church’s essential mission. They are unique because they hold a special place in the functioning of society. The laity has influence where the Church (ordained) ministers do not. Our engagement in secular activities can transform ordinary work into something salvific. Whenever we do in our daily lives—at work, at home, or in our relationships—if done prayerfully and with God at the center, we share in the priestly office of Christ.

Christian lay persons often ask themselves on what more they can offer to partake in Christ’s mission of salvation. It is an ongoing struggle for the laity to arrive at such realizations. Fortunately, the Lord does not really require us to look hard because He has already given us holy empowerment through the diversity of our gifts and talents. These we can definitely employ in making Christ’s presence, love, and salvation ever more felt in the world we live in. With so many gifts and talents in our possession, by applying these to our own contexts, we can become effective prophets of the Good News in our present time.

By Edz Caparas

8

9

lang minuto bago magsimula ang Misa sa kapilya ng MESA Homes, kapansin-pansin ang pagiging abala ng Pamilya dela Cruz.

Ang padre de pamilya na si Bro. Teody ay matatagpuan sa likurang bahagi ng kapilya upang tiyaking maayos ang gagamiting sound system. Siya ay kasalukuyan ring kasapi ng Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) at may walong taon nang kasapi sa Lectors and Commentators Ministry (LCM).

Ang kanyang maybahay naman na si Sis. Lorena ay mapapansin nasa may gawing harapan at abala sa pagsasaayos ng Powerpoint at gagamiting projector. Bukod sa pagiging Chapel Coordinator sa “MESA,” siya ay kasalukuyang kasapi rin ng LCM. Una siyang naging aktibo sa CFC Handmaids of the Lord.

Pawang abala rin ang kanilang tatlong anak na sina Lilian Karla (19) na kasapi ng Youth Choir; Danielle Andrei (14) na isang KOA at si Lindsay Kyla (12) na kabilang sa Children’s Choir at Pastol ng Bayan.

Ang pananampalatayang ipinahahayag ng Pamilya dela Cruz ay tunay nilang isinasabuhay sa pamamagitan ng kanilang sama-samang paninilbihan sa Simbahan. Sadyang kahanga-hanga ang kanilang pagbabahagi ng panahon at kakayahan sa Panginoon at sa Simbahan.

Kapag Lunes naman ng gabi, ang mag-asawa’y matatagpuan sa Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) sa MESA Homes. Aktibo rin sa BEC Youth tuwing Biyernes nang gabi ang magkakapatid.

Noong una’y, si Sis. Lorena lamang ang aktibo sa mga gawaing Simbahan subali’t sa tulong ng taimtim at pamayanang panalangin

Isang makabuluhang Kapaskuhan sa ating lahat!Isang makabuluhang Kapaskuhan sa ating lahat!

hindi naglao’y tinugunan ni Teody ang panawagan ng Diyos. Ang dating laman ng lansangan ay naging laman ng Simbahan.

Kaya naman hindi naging mahirap sa mag-asawang hikayatin ang kanilang mga anak na maging aktibo rin sa Simbahan. Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Sis. Lorena dahil lumaking mababait at maaayos ang kanilang mga anak sapagka’t maaga nilang nakilala ang ating Panginoon.

Dulot ng kanilang paglilingkod sa Simbahan, samu’t-saring pagpapala ang dumating sa kanilang buhay, higit na naging maligaya ang kanilang 20-taong pagsasama, at tumibay pang lalo ang “taling” na nagbibigkis sa kanilang pamilya. Patunay lamang na ang pamilya’y tunay na pinagbubuklod kung sa Panginoo’y sama-samang naglilingkod.

Ang pamilya dela Cruz ay patunay na lahat tayo’y tinatapik ng Panginoon upang maglingkod sa Kanyang ubasan. Wala Siyang pagtatangi o pagsisino. Hindi mahalaga sa Panginoon ang ating nakalipas o ang ating katayuan sa buhay. Tulad ng mga dela Cruz huwag tayong mabahala kung tayo’y hindi nag-uumapaw sa yaman, kakayahan, o kaalaman. Ang ating tanging kailanga’y isang bukas at mapagkumbabang puso. Anuman ang ating pagkukulang ay pupunan ng Panginoon lalo’t higit kung gagamitin sa paglilingkod sa Kanya at sa ating kapwa. Katulad ng Pamilya dela Cruz, huwag mangamba at umasa lamang sa Panginoon upang maging mga buhay na saksi ng Kanyang Ebanghelyo.


By Obet Bunagan

AngPagsisilbisaPanginoon angSusingPamilyang

Nagkakabuklod

10


Subali’t sa pagdaan ng panahon, ang diwa ng pagbibigayan ay nabahiran na ng diwang makasarili. May nagbibigay ng regalo dahil may inaasam na kapalit nito. May nagbibigay ng regalo upang matupad ang mithiing kadalasa’y sanhi ng panlalamang sa kapwa. Anupa’t unti-unti nang naglalaho ang magandang diwa ng Kapaskuhan. Sa halip, napalitan na ito ng diwang materyalistiko kung saan ang halaga at kalidad ng regalo ang nagiging sukatan ng halaga nito.

Ano nga ba ang nararapat nating handog sa ating kapwa at, higit sa lahat, kay Hesus na ating Manunubos? Ayon sa mga kasagutan ng mga nakasalumuha natin sa Parokya, ang karamihan sa mga nakatatanda ay may malalim na pang-unawa sa tunay na diwa ng pagbibigay ng regalo tuwing Kapaskuhan. Pawang tungkol sa kabutihan sa kapwa, pang-unawa, at pagkakawang-gawa ang kanilang sinasambit. Binibigyan-diin din nila ang pagmamahal kay Hesus sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal sa kapwa. Pagsisilbi naman sa Simbahan ang sagot ng mga kabataan. At mula sa mga maliliit na bata naman, ang pangako ng pagpapakabait ang napili nilang regalo kay Hesus.

Ito na siguro ang tamang panahon para linangin sa mga kabataan ang tunay na diwa ng Kapaskuhan. Ito na rin ang tamang pagkakataon para talakayin natin bilang mga Kristiyano ang handog na nararapat kay Hesus. Alisin natin sa ating isipan ang mga materyal na bagay at karangyaan, bagkus pag-ukulan natin ng masusing pagninilay ang Kaniyang mga banal na aral at salita. Sinabi ni Hesus, “Ano man ang gawin ninyo para sa pinakaaba sa Aking mga kapatid, ito’y ginawa ninyo para sa Akin” (Mt 25:45). Higit Niya sigurong kalulugdan kung ating bibigyan ng buhay at katuparan ang mga salitang iyan sa pamamagitan ng pagmamalasakit at pagtulong sa higit na nangangailangan sa abot ng ating makakaya. Higit na kaligayahan marahil ang maibibigay natin sa Kaniya kung bubuksan natin ang ating mga puso para sa mga kapus-palad nating mga kapatid sa Pananampalataya na naghihintay ng kalinga at pag-unawa.

MAGAGAWA BA NATIN ITO PARA SA KANIYA?

10

By Fely Bernaldez

Ang Karapat-dapat na Regalo kay Hesus sa Pasko

ASKO NA NAMAN! Muli na namang mananariwa sa ating isipan ang magagandang pangitain ng unang Pasko na natutuhan natin sa mga aklat

ng kasaysayan at binigyang buhay ng ating mga ninuno, magulang, at guro. Hindi natin makakalimutan ang isang eksena kung saan nakahimlay ang Banal na Sanggol sa isang sabsabang napapaligiran ng kaniyang mga magulang, ng mga pastol at ng kanilang mga alagang tupa, at ng tatlong Magong nag-aalay ng kani-kanilang mga handog na GINTO, MIRA at KAMANYANG—tanda ng kanilang pagpugay at pagkilala sa kadakilaan ng Banal na Sanggol.

At doon nagsimula ang napakagandang tradisyon ng pagpapalitan ng regalo tuwing Pasko, tradisyong nagpasalin-salin sa mga sumunod na henerasyon at nanatiling buhay hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Napakalaking kasiyahan ang dulot ng mga regalong ito, kapwa sa mga nagbibigay at sa binibigyan. Simbolo ang mga ito ng kapayapaan, kababaang loob, pagmamahal, at pagbibigay-halaga sa bawa’t isa.

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON SA LAHAT!MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON SA LAHAT!

11


God chooses whom He wills.

The poor, the rich, the educated,

the smart, the-not-so-smart, and

everyone in between. Where does

the family enter when God calls?

Is there a relationship between

the family and God’s call? Yes,

certainly. Oftentimes, God’s call is

heard in prayer, in solitude, in quiet

moments.

Prayer begins in the family.

Families are the first schools of

prayer. Children from their earliest

years perceive a sense of God in

the family. When parents love and

support one another, both in joys

and in sufferings, this sense of the

divine, of a good and loving God,

permeates the home. It is in the

family that children learn how to be

grateful to a great and loving God.

Later in life, they may want to serve

this great and loving God, whom

they may want to serve with all their

heart, mind, and will later in life.

How can we make our homes

conducive to prayer? How can our

families become wellsprings of and

bedrocks for vocations?

The Gift of the Holy Eucharist:

Bread, Blessed and Broken

On our own, we can never be the

gifts that God wants us to be for

our children. We need God’s grace

in each moment to understand how

to love our children in a way that

they need to be loved. Sometimes,

we love them in silence—simply by

being a listening ear, or an ever-

present gentle presence—like how

God is to us in the Holy Eucharist.

He is always there for us. We just

have to go to Him, adore Him, love

Him. He, in turn, will guide us on

how to love our children. God-in-us

will attract them to Himself.

By Agnes Datu-Santos

Snippets of Light and Wisdom Snippets of Light and Wisdom Snippets of Light and Wisdom Snippets of Light and Wisdom

Love for Mary

Looking to our Blessed Mother, we,

as parents, understand how it is to

love first without expecting to be

loved in return. Though pregnant

with Jesus, Mary did not hesitate

to visit her cousin Elizabeth. There

she was: the first to serve, with

simplicity and humility. Similarly,

experiencing simple lifestyles where

needs are prioritized over wants,

our children, too, learn how to live

for others. The family that loves

Mary and prays the Holy Rosary will

always be a source of peace and

joy to others.

Our Blessed Mother herself will

bring to God and His Church, those

whose joyful hearts are open to

follow her Son in Holy Priesthood.

12


PersonalExperiences

of the Power ofthe Rosary

The power of the Holy Rosary is unmistakable.

Wars are won, diseases are conquered and relationships are healed through what St. Louis

Marie de Montfort describes as “a priceless treasure inspired by God.” Our parishioners share their personal experiences with their

devotion to the Holy Rosary.

hen I started my journey as a mother, I needed to always hold on to something to chase away the anxieties of pregnancy,

motherhood, and of being a good wife. My rosary habit, which started in school, was then intensified. What better way to have the Blessed Mother as my model.

With the rosary, I am reminded of what she went through as a loving and obedient child of God. She experienced a most joyous yet apprehensive event during the Annunciation, the difficult and humble birth of a firstborn, the anxiety of raising the Child whom she knew would experience physical, emotional, and psychological pain. There was also the excruciating physical loss of a Son whose early death allowed God’s plan for our redemption through Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

Her life showed me to accept God’s will, her perseverance taught me to deal with difficulties with grace, and her love for humanity inspired me to be selfless. Whenever I pray the rosary, I am comforted by the compassionate and merciful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary. – Audrey Gallardo

hen I was a student, our uniform was not considered complete without a holy rosary in our pockets. Knowing that the Blessed Mother (through her rosary) is my daily

companion has always been my source of strength, calmness, and guidance.

Now that I have my own family and business, I continue to keep a rosary in my pocket. In every bead is Mary’s embrace and assurance like that of the love of my late mother, Aniceta Gabriel. Mother Mary’s love and care for me and my family endure and unfailingly lead me to Jesus. – Engr. Rey Gabriel

used to pray the rosary when I was very young and even learned it in Latin because I grew up with my grandparents. I just memorized and recited it only

to please them. But that changed in 2011. I experienced the power of the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary when my husband and I travelled to the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, we went to the Church of Dormition (This is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary “fell asleep” – Editor) where it was customary to place in a receptacle a picture of the person you are praying for. I put a photo of my family with a fervent prayer to Our Lady for my children’s lives to prosper. True enough, my prayer was granted. My children are now finished with their post graduate studies and, despite their achievements, they have remained simple and humble. I feel blessed as a parent. – Liza Glodoviza

12

Compiled by Marissa B. Ancheta

13

Several victories in the religious war against attacks by non-Christians were

likewise attributed to this powerful devotion, particularly that of the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary commemorates this battle.

They say the devil receives a strong punch for every “Hail Mary” recited because he does not stand a chance against the purity of our Blessed Mother. As Pope Pius XII declared, “Where Mary is present, Satan is absent.”

To this day, Mary and the Rosary figure prolifically in events in Catholic (and world) history, like the fall of the USSR and the triumph of our own People Power. Gen X’ers (those born from early to mid-1960’s to early 1980’s – Editor) will always remember Fr. Patrick Peyton’s message on the Rosary, once

posted on an EDSA billboard, “The family that prays together

stays together.”


Mary and the Holy Rosary

n October 18, 2017, Fr. Remo Bati, SDB, gave

a very instructive talk on “Mary and the Holy Rosary”

at the SJB Parish Church.

According to tradition, when St. Dominic de Guzman was in the thick of fighting heresies that deny the divinity of Christ, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary who gave him instructions on praying the Holy Rosary, composed then of 150 Angelic Salutations with the “Our Father” recited after every 10 Salutations. He greatly encouraged this devotion. The Salutation eventually included St. Elizabeth’s greeting of “Blessed are you . . .”

Some 300 years later, the fervor for this devotion slackened and Blessed Alain de la Roche, another Dominican, received another vision of St. Dominic, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ urging him to propagate this devotion.

Confraternities of the Holy Rosary were established around Europe to counter the Reformation.

F O R M A T I O N T A L K

By Myh S. Andaya

13

14

Far from a lover’s song of gift-giving, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is believed to be a coded reminder of our beliefs, which was created during a period in England when Catholics were persecuted.

The persecutions began in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII when the Pope denied approval of the king’s petition to divorce his wife. A few of our British saints were martyred from this turn of events.

The partridge in a pear tree is supposedly Jesus

crucified. The partridge is known to sacrifice its life

to protect its younglings by diverting the predator’s

attention to itself.

Two turtle doves stand for the Old and New

Testaments. These doves were the offerings of

Mary and Joseph when they presented Jesus in the

Temple.

Three French hens represent the theological virtues

of Faith, Hope and Charity–the foundation of Christian

morality.

Four calling birds refer to the Gospels according

to Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John; the Good News

calling us to our salvation.

The five golden rings are the first five books of the

Old Law or the Pentateuch, which tell full circle of

man’s fall into sin and God’s promise of sending the

Messiah.

Six geese a-laying their eggs are the six days of

Creation when God brought life into existence.

Seven swans a-swimming stand for the gifts of

the Holy Spirit which are: Wisdom, Understanding,

Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the

Lord. These predispose us to obey divine inspiration

as it comes to us.

Eight maids a-milking denote the Eight Beatitudes,

the very distillation of Christ’s teaching that builds

the cardinal virtues in us.

Nine ladies dancing are the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are

the perfections formed in us as the first fruits of

eternal glory.

Ten lords a-leaping symbolize the Ten

Commandments. The lords in England are the titled

peerage of aristocracy and many are members of

the parliament.

Eleven pipers piping are the faithful Apostles who

remained vigilant through Christ’s Paschal mystery.

Finally, the twelve drummers drumming signify the

twelve points of belief in the Apostle’s Creed, which

is our profession of faith. Drummers in any society

herald attention, “to hear or listen to” a decree or

announcement.

The 12 days of Yuletide fall between Christmas Day and The Epiphany, with the gift-giving progressing through each day:

And who is the true love who has been sending us these gifts? God our Father, of course! There are different claims to the origin of this song, though. Still, the next time you hear this carol,

you can review the Catholic doctrine as you sing along.

as researched by Mindy S. Andaya

H i d d e n C a t h o l i c M e a n i n g s i n a

P o p u l a r C h r i s t m a s S o n gH i d d e n C a t h o l i c M e a n i n g s i n a

P o p u l a r C h r i s t m a s S o n g


14

15


EMHC Conducts Diocesan Basic Formation Seminar-Training

EMHC ‘s Annual Renewal of Commitment and CommissioningBy Gene Escosia and Bart Santiago

he Annual Renewal of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy

Communion (EMHC) of the Diocese of San Pablo was held last November 4, 2017, at the San Agustin School auditorium.

M I N I S T R Y U P D A T E S

The Guest Speaker, Bishop Buenaventura Famadico, DD, of the Diocese of San Pablo, Laguna, also celebrated the Mass and officiated the Pledge of Commitment by all the EMHC.

Led by their President, Bro. Jesus Garcia, 50 EMHC of the St. John Bosco Parish (SJB) and Center for Young Workers renewed their commitment to serve the Lord by distributing communion to SJBP Mass-goers and the housebound sick and elderly parishioners.

The following Sunday, November 5, 2017, during the 4:00 PM Mass, SJB Parish Priest Fr. Roger Tamares, SDB, officiated the installation and commissioning rites of the renewed EMHC of the Parish.

CONGRATULATIONS to all new and renewed EMHC!

he Vicariate of Santa Rosa de Lima hosted the First Diocesan Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) Basic Formation Seminar -Training of the Diocese of San Pablo at

St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers.

Forty candidates from the seven Vicariates of Districts 1 and 2 completed the seminar, which began on September 9, 2017. They were commissioned as new EMHC on October 14, 2017 at the Chair of St. Peter Parish, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Half of the new graduates are from the host Vicariate and the rest from the other six.

The Second Diocesan EMHC Basic Formation Seminar-Training was held from October 7 to November, 2017 at the St. Peter College Seminary.

Love for God is better manifested by answering His call for service: to the Church, to His creation, and through religious vocations. By active participation in Parish activities and programs, we manifest our oneness with Him.

There is no sacrifice more fulfilling than responding to the call for priestly and religious vocations. Tantamount to denying themselves of worldly pleasures and comfort for the

love of God, thousands of men and women have dedicated their lives to bringing God and His teachings to people from all walks of life. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA lived her whole life serving the poorest of the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the dying. Likewise, thousands of young people leave their families and the comfort of their homes to follow their passion to serve God. They live in abject poverty, devoid of worldly pleasure and attributes,

yet are happy and fulfilled in their mission to serve God. Our very own St. LORENZO RUIZ and St. PEDRO CALUNGSOD are shining examples of those who followed their passion to serve God.

Nowadays, despite the lure of modern life, men, women, and youths are still responsive to the religious call for service and holiness. Many more will follow for as long as we continue feeding them with the words and love of God.

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (Cf. Ja 2:17). Let us breathe life into our faith by getting involved in projects and

missions that uplift the well-being and living conditions of our less fortunate countrymen. With the Holy Bible as our guide, let us attune our minds to SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION so that we can be a part of the Church advocacy to nurture and protect God’s gift of life.

Walking the path to holiness does not mean going out of our way. It only takes PROFOUND RELIGIOUS CONVICTION and just ONE STEP FORWARD.

Advent ushers in CHRISTMAS whose message remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow: PEACE ON EARTH GOODWILL TO MEN!

...From page 1

16

Volume 3 : Issue No.4 | OCTOBER - DECEMBRR 2017The Sower : The Official Newsletter of the St. John Bosco Parish & Center for Young Workers

DECEMBER 2017 FEBRUARY 2018

MARCH 2018

16

DATE CELEBRATION DATE CELEBRATION

DATE CELEBRATION

ConfessionsEveryday after Mass upon request, every Friday during Adoration

Pre-Jordan Seminar (preparation for baptism) Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month

Baptism Interview of parents who were not married to each other in Catholic Church rites. 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Celebration every Sunday except the 2nd Sunday of the month, 11:30 a.m.

Pre-Cana Seminar (preparation for weddings) First Saturday of the month. By appointment.

Weddings (Canonical interview)- 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. Celebration - Tuesday to Saturday in the following timeslots: 9:00 a.m. • 11:00 a.m. • 3:00 p.m.

House or company blessing/sick call/funeral Mass: Please make requests in person. Phone calls or text messages will not be accepted.

1st Sunday: San Jose Village 3, Phase 6 - 10:30 a.m.

MASSES IN VILLAGES, ONCE A MONTH:

R E G U L A R PA R I S H S C H E D U L E S

For inquiries or concerns, you may contact the Parish Office (049) 541-1134 / 502-2897

or visit us during our office hours: Tuesday thru Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Lunchbreak is from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.) The office is closed every Monday

* Anticipated Mass.

ST. JOHN BOSCO PARISH CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Christmas Cantata 1st Sunday of Advent

Immaculate Conception (7 am; 6 pm; 7:30 pm Masses)

2nd Sunday of Advent First Holy Communion of Public Schools

Advent RecollectionStart of Christmas Novena (Simbang Gabi)

3rd Sunday of Advent Formation Talk

4th Sunday of Advent End of Christmas Novena (Simbang Gabi)

Christmas Day Holy Innocents

Holy Family

238

10

1315172024

252831

Presentation of Our Lord Youth Chastity Gathering

(Talk and Fellowship) Ash Wednesday

1st Sunday of Lent Formation Talk

Mary Help of Christians (MHC) Commemoration

2nd Sunday of LentDon Bosco Commemoration

BEC Mass and Formation

210

14182124

252829

JANUARY 2018 DATE CELEBRATION

1

78

17222527283031

Mary, Mother of God New Year

Epiphany of Our Lord Baptism of the Lord

Formation Talk Start of Novena to Don Bosco

BEC Mass and Formation Youth Night

Parish Fiesta Celebration End of Novena to Don Bosco

Don Bosco’s Feastday

3rd Sunday of Lent 4th Sunday of Lent

Kumpisalang Parokya 5th Sunday of Lent

Formation Talk / Recollection MHC commemoration

Palm SundayMaundy Thursday (Washing of the Feet)

Good Friday (Siete Palabras, Veneration of the Cross, Procession of Santo Entierro)

Black Saturday (Easter Vigil, Salubong)

31014182124252930

31

Vol. 3 Issue No. 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER...

Documents

Transcript of Vol. 3 Issue No. 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER...