December 14, 2014 3rd Sunday of Advent Forbes Park, Makati www.ssaparish.com ECHOES OF GOD’S LOVE A Book Launching ovember 30, 2014, Saturday, marked a milestone in the life of SSAP guest friar- priest, Fr. Robert Manansala, OFM. He launched his first book,Echoes of God’s Love N(Homilies for Liturgical Cycle B) at the packed St. Bonaventure Room. The room was filled with parishioners, Franciscans, seminarians, family and friends, who came to show their love and support for Fr. Robert. Echoes of God’s Love is a compilation of homilies for the Sundays and major Solemnities and Feastdays for the Liturgical Year Cycle B, which started with the first Sunday of Advent. Echoes of God’s Love is meant for spiritual reading to accompany us in our spiritual journey towards God. It speaks to the heart about the amazing love of God. Further, it challenges us to respond to His love by the way we live and love. Despite Fr. Robert’s hectic schedule, he was able to complete the book and launch it in time for Advent. Fr. Robert heart-warmingly thanked the people who have supported him to see this dream of his turn into reality. Fr. Robert happily signing purchased copies of The official launch of the book were led by parishioners Mrs. Petrona Lim and Nanette his book. Jalandoni. Assisting them were Ambassadors Howard Dee and Francisco del Rosario. All proceeds of the book sale and donations have been pledged for the Library Upgrade and Renovation project of the Our Lady of Angels Seminary-College. Interested parties may contact Bernadette Andulte at the parish office or visit the parish bookstore. This article was written with contributions from Jaja Ledesma and Fr. Robert Manansala, OFM. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014 at 10:30 AM Parishioners Petrona Lim and Nanette Jalandoni led the cutting of ribbon of the first copy of “Echoes of God’s Love.” Assisting them were Ambassadors Petrona Lim proudly unveils the book as Nanette Howard Dee and Francisco del Rosario. Jalandoni looks on. Fr. Robert giving a few words during the book launching. Parish Bulletin days? Hopefully not just the material SUNDAY GOSPEL frills and perks of the season, such as REFLECTION the Christmas bonus, the 13th month By Fr. Jesús Galindo, OFM payment, gifts, vacation, extra food, etc. There must be better and deeper reasons for joy. (One of the first gifts I got this Christmas is a book entitled, “14,000 Things to Be Happy about.”) Today’s Mass readings help us discover the true joy of the season. In the gospel we meet John the Baptist, a powerful voice and a powerful witness to Christ. People were drawn to him because of his austere lifestyle. RANDOM THOUGHTS He made a difference. As somebody Voices from yesterday and today… once said, “Do not give an explanation By: Peachy Maramba of your faith unless they ask you; but Third Sunday of Advent B live in such a way that they will ask ST. MARY DI ROSA: Rejoice in the Lord Always you.” Hopefully we will arouse interest Founder of Handmaids of for being forgiving, generous, and Charity A visiting tourist left his hotel room honest in business and in politics. 1818 – 1855 on a Sunday morning, looking for a church. He approached a policeman John the Baptist was thought to be December 15 and asked him for directions to the the Christ, or perhaps Elijah, or the Mary di Rosa may not be well known nearest church. He thanked the Prophet. However, he did not take among the congregation of religious policeman for the information and advantage of the people’s mistaken women but she is better known as the was about to walk off when he turned opinion about him. He knew his role founder of the Handmaids of Charity. and asked, “Chief, why have you and stuck to it. He was not the light, recommended that particular church? but only a witness to the light. He Born on November 6, 1813 into a It looks like a Catholic church. There gave Christ the place of honor. That’s wealthy family at Brescia, Italy Mary must be other churches nearby that it: Christ, at the very center of our even at an early age lived a prayer- you could have recommended.” The life, at the center of our Christmas filled and service-oriented life. celebration; not overshadowed by policeman smiled and replied, “I’m Having lost her countess-mother not a churchgoer myself, but I have Santa Claus, not drowned by the when she was only eleven she decided noticed that the people who come glitter of lights and décor, but out- to leave school when she reached 17 out of that church are the happiest- standing and out-shining them all. He years to take over the running of her looking people in town. I thought that is the true source of our joy! father’s household. would be the kind of church you would turn to page 3 like to attend.” [Could it be Santuario In his first letter to the Editorial Team & General Information de San Antonio? Sana.] Thessalonians, St. Paul tells us to Marilou Consing – Editor in Chief “pray without ceasing.” Amid the Jeannie Bitanga – Assistant Editor/Website Administrator Jojo Avila Montenegro – Art & Design Today is Gaudete Sunday or noises of the Christmas caroling and Colorplus Production Group Corp. – Production Rejoice Sunday. Joy is all over the Christmas parties, we must strive to Submit articles, pictures, announcements, notices to: [email protected] texts of today’s Mass: Rejoice in the find some time and place for silence Deadline for submission is every Tuesday of the week. Lord always (entrance antiphon); and prayer in order to keep in touch The Parish Bulletin reserves the right to edit articles for clarity and space. enable us to attain the joys of so with the mystery. It will surely enhance Santuario de San Antonio Pastoral Team great a salvation (opening prayer); the joy of our Christmas celebration. Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM – Parish Priest Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM – Guardian I rejoice heartily in the Lord (first Fr. Efren Jimenez, OFM reading); my soul rejoices in my God Finally, prophet Isaiah reminds us Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM – Makati Medical Center Chaplain Fr. Serge Santos, OFM. (responsorial psalm); rejoice always that we must provide reasons for joy Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office (second reading). It looks as if the to others. We must be messengers of Tel. nos. 8438830-31 Email: [email protected] Church wants us to take a break from joy: “[The Lord] has sent me to bring Website: www.ssaparish.com our Advent penance—although you glad tidings to the poor!” Definitely, Website email: [email protected] this reading puts our Christmas Foundation website: www.santuariodesanantonio.org wonder if any Advent penance is Parish Pastoral Council really going on, with all the Christmas celebration in focus. Our Christmas Jayme Blanco – President Edmund Lim – Vice President shopping and Christmas parties going will be truly happy and meaningful only Cristina Teehankee – Secretary on! to the extent that we bring happiness to others, and share with others God’s To submit articles/pictures to the Parish Bulletin/Website Please submit photos with your articles, if at all possible. The first question that comes to blessings, just as God the Father has Submit them by email (not in paper form) with photos in .jpg format mind is: Rejoice, why? What about? Do shared with us the most precious and a minimum photo file size of at least 80 KB (800 x 530 pixels). Articles submitted should be a minimum of 150 words and not we have any good reasons to rejoice? gift—his only Son. Sharing is another more than 300 words. What is it that makes us happy these name for Christmas. Email to: [email protected] 2 December 14, 2014 Random Thoughts...from page 2 The ABC’s of Catholic Some people believe that they As if that was not enough to keep can simply say sorry for their sins in her busy Mary, early inclined to a Doctrine the secrecy of their hearts; and God religious life, involved herself in caring by Lianne Tiu forgives. True, such is the case for for the spiritual needs of the female venial sins. In fact there are many employees of her father’s textile mill other ways for them to be forgiven at Acquafredda and his estate at Capriano. Thus she organized retreats without recourse to Confession, such and spiritual missions for them. as by prayer, good works, use of holy water, etc. However, as regards to When a cholera epidemic broke mortal sins, it is the teaching of the out in 1836 Mary immediately offered Church that we must confess all our her services ministering to the victims mortal sins before we can receive in the hospital at Brescia. Though Communion. It is not enough to simply not a trained nurse she nevertheless tell God that we are sorry; we have to focused on the spiritual welfare of her confess them to a priest. This is how patients. God wants it to be done. On Easter Sunday night, Jesus told his apostles: Seeing the plight of indigent and “Whose sins you shall forgive, they abandoned girls she at first supervised Long line for Communion are forgiven them; and whose sins you a workhouse for them. When she saw versus short line for shall retain, they are retained.”(John that they had no place to stay she confession: even set up her own boarding house 20:23) The apostles (and the priests for them.