Christmas Greetings and New Year Wishes!

 

 

 

Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament Successfully Launched at Saint John Marie Vianney Parish

 The members of the Ostiarette Ministry and of the Lectors and Commentators Ministry of St. John Marie Vianney Parish in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, had their renewal on November 30, 2016.  Rev. Fr. Nelson Roque, SSS, gave formation before proceeding with the rite of renewal of commitment of the members in their ministry. He also took this opportune time to launch the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament (ABS).  Rev. Fr. Jon Sison, SSS, the Assistant In-Charge for ABS and who attended the event gave a short input regarding “The Real Presence” preparatory to introducing the ABS.  After the launching, there were 29 parishioners who signified their interest by

completing and submitting their membership application form.  And to date, their number is still increasing as efforts are being made to invite others to join the ABS.

Thank you to the all-out support of the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Grogee de Guzman, SSS, and to the rest of the San Leonardo SSS Community, namely, Rev. Fr. Manuelino Maamo, SSS and Br. Gary Manansala, SSS.

Let us continue praying for the growth of the ABS and for more launchings in our local communities. (Courtesy of Fr. Jon)

 

Sta. Cruz Parish Recollection

“Eukaristiya – Pag-asa at Biyaya ng Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino” (Eucharist – Hope and Blessing of Every Filipino Family). This was the theme of the recollection on December 3, 2016. Sta. Cruz Parish is known to hold monthly recollections every first Saturday of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.

The recollection talk was given by Sta. Cruz Parish Priest Fr. Rudsend Paragas, SSS. But before the talk, there was a song and dance animation by the Charismatic Communities, a rendition of the 51^st Eucharistic Congress theme song “Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory” by the Parish Youth Ministry, then the exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament and a Gospel reading.

Fr. Rudsend’s talk was very personal as he drew on his own life story: his parents, family life, why he entered the Congregation, the reason he decided to stay.  He spoke of life experiences that many could relate. More importantly, he proclaimed the triumphs and changes that a family could undergo through prayers and a fervent belief of the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

After the talk, healing through the Most Blessed Sacrament followed. Afterward, some children processed down the main aisle carrying flowers to offer to Our Lady of the Pillar.

 

Side Trip Turned Pilgrimage – Fr. Provincial

I made a trip to Surigao last December 11 to 12 to animate the members of the SSS Surigao mission station, especially regarding the role of the station’s recently appointed person-in-charge. The trip to Surigao was made via Cebu because it was cheaper to do it that way; and I thought I might as well follow up the planned Life in the Eucharist Seminar (LITES) in the parish of the Redemptorists. So I stayed in Cebu for two days, December 9 to 10, at the Asilo De La Milagrosa Orphanage.

 The Cebu side trip once again showed me that the Lord has so many unique ways of manifesting himself to us especially in order to teach and encourage us. My side trip to Cebu was not planned, but it became an opportunity to listen to the Good Shepherd regarding lessons on discipleship especially on trust, prayer, doing one’s level best and living a simple lifestyle. 

1. A lesson from Asilo De La Milagrosa Orphanage – My base for my two days stay in Cebu was the Asilo de la Milagrosa,

   

   an institution for the abandoned children put up and being administered by the Daughters of Charity. It is a big compound to maintain with a building that dates back to 1928, so too a big operation to sustain, with 40 plus salaried employees. Of the nine Sisters staying there, only two are in their 40s (the Sister Servant and the Administrator), while the rest are in their 70s and 80s. The community does not receive regular support from the Archdiocese nor does it get a regular subsidy from their Congregation. However, both the community and the institution do survive. Unfortunately, to some Religious this kind of situation may be a source of worry and anxiety. The lesson is that we just have to do our ministry faithfully and the Lord will take care of us. 

2. Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration – On the morning of my second day, my good friend the Sister Servant of Asilo de la Milagrosa brought me to the monastery of the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration, a religious institution of the Roman Catholic Church operating in the Archdiocese of Cebu.

   I was not able to see the monks but this is what I learned: The monks who came from Pampanga settled in a hilly portion of Upper Lindogon in Simala, Sibonga, Cebu, in the 1990s, where they purchased a piece of land with the inherited wealth of one of their members.

    The rough land condition did not allow them to plant food crops. So, they went begging for

   

   their sustenance and in the course of it experienced both generosity and insults of people. Everyday they worked hard and prayed deeply – ora et labora. The attitude of the locals toward them changed for the better when the Virgin Mary was said to have interceded through the Penitential Rosary Walk in 1998 to stave off an epidemic that had already claimed the lives of several local children.

    Now, because of their dedication to prayer and hard labor, they have been blessed with a very huge pilgrim site. I once heard it described as “just like Disneyland.” If we are faithful with our life of prayer and always do the will of God, we will certainly receive unimaginable blessings. 

3. The late Archbishop Camomot – On the way back to the city, we visited the tomb of the late Archbishop Camomot in Carcar.

    Archbishop Camomot was known more for his works than his words, so to speak,

   

   as he was not an eloquent preacher. He performed his pastoral duties diligently, devoted many hours to prayer and meditation and performed charitable works especially toward the poor and the sick. He lived a simple life as attested by so many people even fellow prelates. One of the stories told about him was that he sold his pectoral cross (the cross a bishop wears on his breast) to give some money to the poor.

   Archbishop Camomot’s simplicity of lifestyle, deep prayer and works of charity are just some of noteworthy traits that we Sacramentinos should emulate in order to give a radical witness to our vowed life.

 

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – Courtesy of Fr. Joel L.

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle (A Four-Part Series)

http://www.wikihow.com/Live-a-Healthy-Lifestyle

Being healthy involves more than eating an occasional salad or going for a short walk once every few weeks, but while you’ll need to put in some effort, your health is well worth it. To live a healthy lifestyle, consistently choose healthy foods, fit more exercise and physical activity into your daily routine, and practice good hygiene. You’ll also need to avoid unhealthy habits, like fad dieting and neglecting sleep. Making lifestyle improvements may require some gradual adjustment, but improved health is readily accessible once you commit to it.

 Part 1: Choosing Healthy Foods 

1. Choose food that contains minimal amounts of unhealthy fats. Unhealthy fats include both trans fats and saturated fats. These fats will raise your LDL cholesterol, and elevated LDL cholesterol often correlates with an increased risk for heart disease.

   Foods that are high in trans fats include foods made with “partially hydrogenated oils,” such as shortening or margarine. Baked goods, fried foods, frozen pizza, and other highly processed foods often contain trans fats.

   Foods that are high in saturated fats include pizza, cheese, red meat, and full-fat dairy products. Coconut oil is also high in saturated fat, but may also increase good cholesterol, so it’s okay to use in moderation.

2. Eat healthy fats in moderation. Poly-unsaturated, mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fats are all good lifestyle choices. These good fats lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol, which correlates with decreased risk for heart disease.

   Choose oils such as olive, canola, soy, peanut, sunflower, and corn oil. Fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Choose fish including salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines, and herring. You can also get omega-3s from plant sources, like flaxseed, plant oils, and nuts and seeds, although your body doesn’t process the fats from these as effectively.

3. Select foods that are low in both sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. Minimize your consumption of sweets, soft drinks, sugary fruit juices, and white bread. Choose whole fruits, freshly-squeezed juices, and whole grain bread instead.

4. Eat a variety of different whole foods instead of eating processed foods. Whole foods offer a balance of healthy carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and other nutrients.

   Eat fruits and vegetables for their high vitamin and mineral content. Try to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, rather than canned ones that often contain added sugar or salt.

   Choose lean meat, beans and tofu for their protein content. Enjoy whole grains such as whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and quinoa.

   Eat low-fat dairy products. Skim milk and reduced fat cheeses will reduce your fat intake while ensuring that you receive enough calcium.

5. Incorporate organic foods. Shop at a natural food store or buy food from your local farmer’s market. Organic foods are not more nutritious for you, but they don’t contain as much pesticide residue or food additives. They are generally more eco-friendly, too.

   If price is a factor for you, consider buying only certain foods organic, such as apples, berries, stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, etc.), grapes, celery, bell peppers, greens, potatoes, and lettuce. These foods often have much higher pesticide use than other produce when grown conventionally.

 

 

 

Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS

[DECEMBER 15, 2016]