parishworks! 1Vol. 7 No. 25 September 24, 2011

www.saaparish.com and www.facebook.com/saaparish

Sunday GoSpel

Mt 21: 28-32

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the Hope that Went IgnoredBy Gene Alberto

Of the many heart breaks of our time, one of the most painful is the scourge of spousal and child abuse. For many of the women who have fallen victim to this tragedy, the darkness of their situation seems almost insurmountable.

And yet, throughout history, the hand of God reaches out to His suffering children through the mercy of others. Through the Bahay Pangarap Women’s Center, a flagship of Pondo ng Pinoy, hopes to extend not only the hands of God’s mercy, but also the light of His abiding hope, to battered wives and abused children from the underprivileged communities all over the country.

a Community driven by Hopeby: Magda Gana

Saap Shepherding Flock receives Flu Vaccines.

Flu Vaccines given to Shepherding flock members Last September 14, influenza vaccines were administered to 485 members of SAAP’s Shepherding community in the parish grounds. The vaccines were donated by Barangay Belair, courtesy of Barangay Captain Mrs. Nene Q. Lichauco who was present to personally oversee the event. Mrs.

“Hope is not just the promise of tomorrow but of what we do today”, that was the message of Rev. Fr. Enrico Gonzales of Sto. Domingo Church, when he gave his talk on “A Community Driven by Hope” spiritual seminar in Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish last September 17, 2011.

In his talk, he described the qualities of a prophet; one who proclaims the Good News, one who is faithful, pure-hearted and one who is unadulterated. According to Fr. Enrico, we must aim to become like prophets in order for

Fr. Enrico Gonzales at the center with Fr. Allan and Fr. Patrick at the sides

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the Hope ... from page 1

The Bahay Pangarap Center located within the Immaculate Concepcion Seminary Compound in Guiginto Bulacan, the center serves as a heaven of peace and tranquility where its “residents” can, in an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion and respect for their dignity as children of God, recover from the trauma of their former situations. Professional psychological treatment, and counseling from a religious congregation whose chairman is the succor of women and children in crisis, will restore their emotional and spiritual strengths. Health care programs for physiological healing and recovery, scholarship grants for the children, and livelihood programs for working mothers, all managed with the help of the trained professionals, will help to prepare the women and children to their re-integration into society.

The Pondo ng Pinoy Committees have been promoting the Foundation’s work. Let us all continue to support the Pondo ng Pinoy and give thanks to God for inspiring and motivating us to love Him and sharing our compassion with those who are weak and poor.

“the tears of the penitents are wine for the angels.” -- St. Bernard

by: Emilio S. Medina

Confession, or reconciliation, seems single out Christianity from other organized religious cults. It is the way to return to the good graces of God’s membership. Buddhism, for example, does not provide for such a sacrament. The Buddhists believe that your life actions in total determine your future reincarnation. It is your major mistakes (murder, for example) that shape your punishment for the future and only good works done after that can erase the sins of the past.

When Jesus Christ founded the New Testament church, He gave us this gift of mercy. There is a need for examination of conscience. When we were in grade school, we would list down our sins in a notebook. Citing the sins and the number of times we committed. We would bring this list to the chapel (in the little dark confessional box) and then read each entry to the priest. Then the Act of Contrition. The priest would give us some advice and then give his blessing and a penance of three hail Mary’s.

A comment about Act of Contrition. In the past practice, we would mention about the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell. The resolution in the future to confess our sins, to do penance and to amend our life. There is the emphasis on the fires of hell being the alternative to the love of Christ.

However, in the new prayer, we declare our rejection of sin and profess to atone for them. Let the precious blood of Christ wash away our sins so that we may be worthy to participate in the feast of the Holy Eucharist. To me, this is a more friendly and conciliatory approach to a forgiving Lord.

After confession we would be walking on air; enjoying a spotless soul, having satisfied our need to purge our conscience and restoring our closeness to our Creator. Go, therefore, and celebrate our Kumpisalang Bayan.

Flu Vaccines ... from page 1

Lichauco was warmly received and assisted by SAAP parish priest Monsignor Dennis Odiver, SAAP Social Services Ministry chair Mrs. Ope Lopez, SAAP Health Ministry chair Dr. Evelyn de Vela, and volunteers from the parish community and the Social Services ministry. The outreach program is currently being undertaken in various areas of Makati City by Barangay Belair in cooperation with the Philippine Medical Association and the Women of Belair (WOBA) headed by its president Mrs. Ope Lopez.

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a Community driven by Hope ... from page 1

Seeds By Susan Amoroso

`Kahit maraming problema at kahit madagdagan pa, feel ko kakayanin ko na. My family and my PREX family , alam ko sila magsu-support sakin. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan ko at nangyari sa buhay ko nawalan ako ng tiwala sa sarili, sa mga tao , sa God. Before I always experienced betrayal. and always meet `plastic’ people. But since I have become a member of PREX, unti-unti naibalik ko tiwala ko sa ibang tao, at sa sarili ko. PREX now is my second family. I have found true friends with PREX. ’’

Kathleen, 21, single, college undergraduate and family breadwinner.

``Sa PREX nakahanap po ako ng matatalik na kaibigan kahit sa maikling panahon. Hindi pala sa tagal ng pagsasamahan kundi sa kung paano ka matuto at makilala ang bawat isa. Natuto po ako humingi ng tawad at magpatawad. Natuto po ako magpakumbaba at makisama. Mas nauunawaan ko na ang message ng Panginoon.Committed po ako sa Youth Parish Ministry.’’

Keren , 18, single, second year computer student.

``As a member of the Youth Parish Ministry , PREX changed the whole me. Three days might be short but it was enough for me to learn so many things. I realized there are many barriers that stop me from being a real Catholic. With PREX, I learned how to forgive and to reconcile with people I’ve hurt. It taught me how to be

the community to grow in love driven by hope. However, he said that the great challenges in attaining such goal are the negative things we see and hear in the community like bad words, gossip, and fault of others. ‘Pessimists are those people who turned off the light and yet they ask why it is dark’ according to him.

On the latter part, Fr. Enrico went through his ‘3 phrases’ which contribute to a community driven by hope; “I love you” which people nowadays don’t usually tell their families, but this phrase makes people healthy according to him, it makes the heart beat faster that causes more blood pumped in the body; “I’m sorry” which many doesn’t want to tell because of pride, yet this phrase can make people feel happy; And “Thank you” which is also a forgotten virtue, according to Fr. Enrico we must always give thanks and praise to all the blessings we receive no matter how small it is, we can mourn but not moan, who always complain, then he quoted “blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted”. In his concluding message he believed there are still many words to say but the best Word to share is God, he said “Try the good words, try the good news, it brings you hope”.

a Community driven by Hope: a ReflectionBy: Micah Reynoso

Last Friday, I attended a talk by Rev. Fr. Enrico Gonzales about HOPE. He explained how to differentiate between real hope versus false hope. According to Fr. Gonzales, words of the prophets give us hope that can be relied upon while words of the fortune teller—or “manghuhula”—give us false hope.

As a community, we shall have positive hope in our hearts. We shall not entertain negative thoughts. Let us not count those things that we don’t have that will give us worries and anxieties. Let’s also refrain from uttering negative or bad words to other that will not help them to grow. Instead, let’s give encouragement and thank God for all the blessings He has given us—doing that will give us positive outlook in life.

Let us learn how to trust God. There’s a huge different between belief and trust. Many believe in Jesus Christ but few trust Him. As a Christian we must continuously communicate with Jesus. Let’s pray with and for one another and grow as a Community with love and hope.

If we learn how to trust Him, we will have a boundless Hope and infinite blessings in our way. My fellow brethren, in any adversity, do not lose HOPE for there is always Hope in our Lord Jesus.

teenS CoRneR:

There will be Fiesta Logo Contest with the theme : “SAAP, A Community Imbued with Faith, Driven by Hope, and Impelled by Love” which will be used for our upcoming Parish Fiesta’s t-shirt design, invitations, banners. Details of the Contest will be posted in the bulletin boards, Facebook and website.

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Magda Gana, Emilio Medina, Angelina Poe, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta. AnaBulletin Board CoordinatorsEJ Carlos, Harley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina, Ging Santos SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

ContributorsGene Alberto, Bing CamposMicah Reynoso

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish. Media and Communications Ministry Co-coordinators

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announcementsSeeds ... from page 3

1. Kumpisalang Bayan on September 30, Friday, 5:00 p.m.

2. The pilgrim image of Our Lady of Manaoag will visit and stay in our parish on October 4 -10, 2011.

3. A Marriage Encounter Weekend is scheduled for October 15-16. Married couples are encouraged to attend this seminar which aims to enhance a couple’s relationship with each other as well as with the Lord.

a real Catholic not only physically but emotionally, mentally and spiritually.’’

Michael Angelo, 17,single, broadcast communication student .

Real words from three young people who have experienced the seeds of faith, love, forgiveness and enlightenment through the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) and by becoming committed members of the Youth Parish Ministry.

The Parish Renewal Experience or PREX for them is an experience of a lifetime that changed their whole perspective in life. The three-day life in the spirit seminar has sown the seeds that opened their eyes to what is the real purpose in being here on earth. It has opened their hearts and minds to a life committed to being a good Catholic, serving God , their family and the community as members of the Parish Youth Ministry.

The St. Andrew the Apostle Parish regularly holds PREX seminars and is open to all parishioners no matter their age, profession and walks in life. For those interested to join, you may inquire at the Parish office or call (632)890-1796, 8901743.