The Election of Matthias – Deep in Prayer
The Book of Acts (1:15-26) tells us that there came the time when Peter spoke to the disciples gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. He told them of what transpired after Judas received the money for his betrayal of the Lord, and how Judas died. Peter then said that “one must be appointed to serve with us as a witness to his resurrection.” There were two names proposed: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. Lots were cast and the lot fell upon Matthias.
We could make a parallel of this time of “election of Matthias” with what we Filipinos will be doing on May 9. The Gospel tells us that the disciples were later filled with the Holy Spirit. This year Pentecost Sunday falls on May 15, six days after we Filipinos cast our votes. Let us reflect on this for a moment.
We did not choose who are running in this election unlike Barsabbas and Matthias who we could assume as having been chosen by the congregation gathered in the Upper Room based on their personal characteristics and service. However, the candidates in this election have chosen to run because each of them believes that he/she is capable of serving in the position aspired for.
The disciples were constantly in prayer in the Upper Room days before Peter called for “the election” (Acts 1:14). And when the two candidates were named, they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen” (Acts 1:24). We Filipinos are a prayerful people. Let us trust in these prayers of ours, just as the disciples trusted in their prayers to the Lord. The Lord trusts us to decide with clear conscience.
The Holy Spirt fell upon the disciples after Matthias’ “election” as they would need His gifts for their arduous ministry. Let us pray that we too would be blessed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we can achieve our goals as one nation. Most especially, may those who win in this election be filled with the Holy Spirit and become true leaders of our country.
Philippine Elections May 9, 2016
Prayer:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Discernment:
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:21-22).
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Practical things that we should know:
1) Voting hours (6am to 5pm)
2) Illegal to bring out the voter’s receipt.
3) No use of cellphones in polling precincts.
4) Expect the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) third member or support staff to stand behind the Voter Counting Machine (VCM) while voters are inserting the ballot. This person will be the one to cut the receipt and fold it. Once done, he or she will give this to the voter.
* If an objection is raised by the voter, voter can raise such objection. Voter will sign his/her voter receipt. The objection will be noted in the Minutes of Voting. Then, the voter’s receipt will be attached to the minutes.
* Filing of frivolous complaints will be considered an election offense. Punishable with 1 to 6 years of imprisonment.
6) In case ballot is rejected during scanning, the voter is allowed to feed the ballot in the VCM four times in four different orientations. In case ballot is still rejected, voter should return to the BEI Chairman, who shall distinctly mark the back of the ballot as REJECTED. Then, all the remaining BEI members should also sign on the back of it.
* A replacement ballot should be issued to a voter, if his or her ballot is rejected with no fault on his or her part.”
Servitium Christi – Profession and Renewal
Servitium Christ, a lay consecrated life, welcomed as a temporary professed member Ms. Maria Lourdes Passe during her profession of private vows on April 24, 2016, at Eymard Formation Center. One other person, Ms. Veronica Valmonte, renewed her private vows to the Lord on the same occasion. Both are pursuing a definitive commitment to love and serve their Eucharistic Lord as inspired by Saint Peter Julian Eymard, the Apostle of the Eucharist.
The solemn celebration of the Mass was presided by Fr. Miguel ‘Mike’ Garcia, their Director. The occasion was attended by Ms. Lou’s and Ms. Veron’s families, friends and the members of the Eymardian family.
Life In The Eucharist Seminar (LITES)
This past April 25 to 27, a refresher was held at the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Maharlika Hi-way, Tigbao, Tacloban City for the LITES Team – Tacloban. This is in response to the mandate of the Provincial Council to assist and animate all the LITES Teams especially those which are considered inactive for years now. The refresher included the following topics: (1) Speakers’ Training Program (2) Review on the Five Modules of LITES, and (3) Frequently Asked Questions on the Eucharistic Celebration.
The said event was attended by the Core Group of LITES – Tacloban headed by Mrs. Tina Reyna and selected Lay Volunteers of the Blessed Sacrament Parish. LITES – Tacloban is under the spiritual directorship of Rev. Fr. Dante Mejillano, SSS. The refresher was given by the National Coordinator himself, Rev. Fr. Jon Sison, SSS, and Mr. Dante Chua of LITES – Manila. Our deep gratitude to the SSS Community – Tacloban for the warm accommodation, assistance and support extended to our brothers!
On June 4 – 5, 2016, adult LITES will be given at St. Dominic Parish, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, with thanks to the referral of Rev. Fr. Mike Garcia, SSS, to Rev. Fr. Allan Abuan, Parish Priest of St. Dominic Parish. Abp. Socrates Villegas, D.D., of Lingayen Pangasinan extended his best wishes and assurance of full support for LITES through Mr. Dante Chua. Kabataang LITES (K-LITES) will also be held on June 10-12, 2016 and June 24-26, 2016 at San Pedro de Alcantara Parish, Pakil, Laguna and San Antonio de Padua Parish, Parañaque City, respectively.
We continue to support Rev. Fr. Jon Sison, SSS, through our collective prayer. Meanwhile, he is trying to introduce LITES (although there were already initial presentations) to St. Gabriel Parish, Caloocan City; Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish, Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila; Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Angeles City, and to Most Rev. Jose Romeo Lazo, D.D., bishop of Antique.
International Preparation for Perpetual Profession Program (IP4)
The Asia-Oceania Conference agreed to hold an International Preparation for Perpetual Profession Program (IP4) this 2016 during its meeting which took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from January 19-21, 2016. Since it is impossible to gather all those who will be preparing for their perpetual profession from the different Provinces of Asia-Australia for the three-month duration, the following special arrangement was made:
For the first half of the three-month period of preparation, the ‘perpetualists’ from Australia, India, Philippines and Sri Lanka will be together in the Philippines from April 15 to May 31 (one and a half months). Then in the second half from June 1 to July 15 (one and a half months), the program will continue in the Philippines with the candidates from Australia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. This means that those from India will go back to their country after the first half and those from Vietnam will join the rest for the second half.
POLA approved during its last council meeting (March 14-17) five Filipinos for perpetual profession. They are the following: Bros. Leonard Ayuyao, Joseph Casiao, Renoir Oliver, Jr., Oligario Manansala and Marc Bryan Adona. A month later, the five Filipinos were joined by Br. Edirisooriya Mohattige Ushantha Seram from Sri Lanka. Then this past April 27, six SSS from India joined the group; they are Bros. Inigo Antony Sebastian Raj, Jesuraja Thomas, Rajeshkumar Duraisamy, Xavier ArockiRaj Dominic, Martin Peter Raja and Stivan Poul. Later, in the month of June, the group will be joined by 13 Vietnamese; namely, Bros. Joseph Nguyen The Anh, John Đinh Van Bon, Joseph Nguyen Danh Dung, Fancis Xavier Phan Duc, Joseph Pham Cong Hai, Martin Le Trung Hieu, Anthony Dang Quoc Huy, Peter Tran Ngoc Khoi, Joseph Nguyen Huy Kiet (Phil.), Peter Mary Pham Duc Thanh, John The Baptizer Dao Vu Anh Tuan, Inhaxio Mary Nguyen Quoc Hung, Joseph Tran Ba Thien.
The program has the following basic weekly schedules: Lord’s Day, Conferences, Day of Silence, Integration Day, Apostolate and Free-day.
Ballroom Dancing – A Fun and Exciting Fundraising
The Provincial Development Office of POLA once again staged a fundraising campaign and it was through another fun and exciting Ballroom Dancing. This was held on April 30, 2016, at the Quezon City Sports Club. As expected, the congregation’s friends and benefactors flocked to the venue to enjoy the evening and to raise funds for the education of our seminarians.
We thank Fr. Choy Ramos and his group for this very successful undertaking that will help assure the continued promotion of the charism, mission and spirituality of the congregation which is centered on the Eucharist.
Prayer
- For peaceful and credible national and local elections
- For more vocations to the religious and priestly life
- For the sick members of the respective families of our religious
- For the speedy recovery of Fr. Randy Vergara and Fr. Arnel Martinez
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS [APRIL 30, 2016]