Kerygma Jan 2012

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
Drug Dependent Makes a 180-Degree Turnaround Prophesy Leads Physical Therapist to Foreign Land
Kerygma Bags the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Award for Best Family-Oriented Magazine
No. 260 Vol. 22
January 2012
Whos Afraid of Change?

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS TO STAMP OUT YOUR BAD HABITS CHOOSE INNOVATIONS THAT WILL OVERHAUL YOUR LIFE
By Bo Sanchez
KERYGMA BARCODE.pdf
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ALEX LACSON: Little Things Have the Power to Make Big Changes
It was wonderful to be part of your years past. This 2012, lets journey together again through another year of blessings.
Happy New Year from K.F.A.M!
Kerygma - Best Family Oriented Magazine at the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards in 2011.
All Stars - The magazine for 10- to 13-year-olds.
Mustard - Best Childrens Magazine in the 30th Catholic Mass Media Awards in 2008.
FiSH - Best Youth Magazine at the 30th and 31st Catholic Mass Media Awards in 2008 and 2009.
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Small in size.
BIG ON WISDOM.
HEAVY ON INSPIRATION.
LOADED WITH PRACTICAL TIPS FOR GODLY LIVING.
More to come from Bo Sanchez and his co-preachers.
Fill your cart now with these little books and live BIG.
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I encourage all who love Jesus to read this book of blessings.

+Socrates B. Villegas Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan
An inspiring read from a man who has made serving the poor his means of loving the Lord.
One hundred percent of the net income from the sales of this book will be distributed among the following ministries: Anawim, a haven for the abandoned elderly Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Childrens Home, an orphanage Pag-asa ng Pamilya, a scholarship foundation for the poor youth SIHM, Congregation of indigenous religious sisters in the Cordillera Grace to Be Born, a ministry for saving the unborn from abortion and a halfway house for pregnant women in crisis.
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rey ortega
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Boss
the
By Bo Sanchez
riends, the world needs superstars. You owe it to the universe to become one. Aim to serve people in the best way you can. No one benefits if you play it small. You only live once. So go full throttle. Live to the max! Thats why I say that barriers are wonderful. Without barriers, therell be no superstars in the world. Imagine that you and I can pick diamonds in our backyards.
Imagine that theyll be as numerous as pebbles. Would you be wealthy? Of course not. Why?
Diamonds are superstars precisely because theyre scarce. If theyre no longer scarce, why bother? And theyre scarce because of the huge barrier of getting them you have to build underground tunnels, excavate them from under the earth. Think of the huge barrier of becoming a doctor. If you want to be a doctor, you need more than 10 years of study. Imagine if there was no barrier like that. Imagine if all you need to be a doctor is to say, Im a doctor, and instantly you become one. If that were so, then anyone can be a doctor. You, me and your fish vendor Mang Enteng. Mang Enteng might offer appendectomies while you buy your tilapia. Then the title doctor wont be considered a success anymore. Or think of the barriers of becoming a great singer, a great artist, a great chef, a great businessman, a great
priest, a great father, a great mother, and a great salesman. Or think of the barriers of building a spiritual family like ours the Light of Jesus. I mean, if were just going to be a mediocre group, why even bother building one? Not us. Weve decided to be the most loving spiritual family we can ever become to be a superstar in love. I repeat: Barriers create scarcity. And scarcity creates superstars. Friend, are you facing a huge barrier in your life? Something that prevents the fulfillment of your dreams? Then heres a more important question: Are you willing to conquer this barrier all the way until you become a superstar? If not, quit. Dont even start. And choose a barrier youre willing to give your all. Be a superstar. May your dreams come true.
ME A SUPERS TA CO E
Bos clothes courtesy of ANDREI.
JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA
Mail
room
Thank you for the wonderful testimonies that are full of great lessons, heartwarming messages and inspirational thoughts. They help me to build a stronger relationship with God as a student. April Anne Quicho St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur Vigan City, Ilocos Sur I started reading Kerygma sometime in 2010 when my coemployee introduced it to me. Since then Ive been reading it. I try to internalize all the articles, from the first to the last page, because they inspire and strengthen me, especially the testimonies. More power! Grace S. Jagmis Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Kerygma has been my long-time companion since 1999. Although my life today is still full of ups and downs, Kerygma is the source of my strength and gives me inspiration to continue living despite trials. Laila B. Armamento Guisguis, Sariaya Quezon Province
A CMMA WIN FOR KERYGMA!

Kerygma, your favorite inspirational magazine, was chosen as the Best Family-Oriented Magazine in the 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards on October 19, 2011 at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati. The CMMA is one of the most trusted award-giving bodies in the Philippines in the field of media. This years CMMA award for Kerygma is the fourth CMMA win of Shepherds Voice Publications. Photo above shows SVP editor-in-chief Rissa SingsonKawpeng and Kerygma managing editor Tess Atienza (3rd and 4th from left), sharing the trophy with (L-R) SVP staff Rey de Guzman, Weng Cequea, Joseph Martinez and Angie Espuerta. The award is shared, too, with countless others who could not be captured in one photo the people who shared their stories, the writers and columnists, models, artists, proofreaders, Bo Sanchez, Sir Jill Ramiscal, and many others who help make each issue an inspiring one. Above all, the award is dedicated to the One who is truly behind Kerygmas staying power. To God be the glory!
We Want to hear from you!

Email us at editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph or text us at 0917-800-5535, or write to The Editor at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109. You can also reach us through KERYGMA Family. Simply log on to www.kerygmafamily.com. For subscription-related concerns, text or call Sarah Discutido at 0922-814-7031 or email subscription@shepherdsvoice.com.ph.
2 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012
Breathe
By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng
living by grace
HUMPTY DUMPTY MENTALITY

In Our Quick-Fix World, We Need to Learn Some Lessons from a Nursery Rhyme
ve been staring at this blank screen for hours on end. For the life of me, I just cant pin down a message that I felt the Lord wanted me to share with you. After all, its the New Year and I should have an earth-shaking reflection that will hopefully stay with you for the rest of the year, right? Nope. More precious hours pass and my screen remains blank. I scrounge for inspiration. From the Internet. From the writings of saints. From my journals. Wala. Nada. Zilch. Another day has passed. A new one has begun. And just as Arun Gognas new book says, Today is my day. Because Bishop Raul Martirez celebrated Mass in our parish this morning. And when its Bishop giving the homily, get ready for a Spirit-filled treat. Today was no exception. Speaking of the signs of the times, the retired bishop of Aklan spoke of three portents we need to watch out for in our lives: the Mr. Quickie mentality, the Alaxan mentality, and the Nike mentality. We live in a fast-food age where we want things to be instant. So when we encounter difficulties, we want quick fixes. Our threshold for pain is so low that wed rather avoid it all costs. Weve lost the virtue of longsuffering and perseverance. And when it comes to what we want, we just do it without consideration for what is right, moral or pleasing in Gods eyes. I fought back the tears as I listened to his homily because I remembered a dear friend. He had given in to all three temptations and now he stands to lose his family. Ryan (obviously not his real name or Id have one less friend) had a wonderful wife and two kids. Things werent perfect in his marriage, but then again, who has a perfect marriage anyway? Just as water can wear out the hardest of rocks, little arguments and petty incompatibilities slowly eroded Ryans marriage. With both their love tanks empty, it was easy for him to magnify his wifes faults and vice versa. It didnt help that Ryan had a female friend who provided him with sympathy and affection at a time that he needed it most. Today, Ryan is fighting to get his family back. But it seems that hes not willing to do what it takes to restore his broken marriage. He wants a quick, pain-free fix to his dilemma. Often, we forget that just as it takes time for relationships to break down, it takes even more time to restore them. Remember, Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall in one piece. But when Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, he scattered into a thousand
fragments. You need patience, hard work and time not to mention a lot of glue! to pick up all the pieces and put Humpty Dumpty together again. As we start another New Year, we face a blank screen. It can be anything we want it to be. We can let days pass without achieving anything. Or we can through the inspiration of the Spirit and by adopting virtues of persistence, forbearance and temperance make our dreams come true. If our dreams are worth pursuing, then well need to do what it takes to make them happen.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12) Email me at justbreatherissa@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook.
just

Rissas clothes courtesy of Freeway/Elite Garments
What to Expect This Month:

Today is Your Day by Arun Gogna is just the reading you need to start your New Year right. How to Prosper (Overhaul Your Financial Life by Learning a Simple 5-Point System to Change Your Financial Life Forever!) is Bo Sanchezs newest personal finance book that will help you grow your assets. My Conspiracy Theory, also by Bo, is his midlife autobiography that will open your mind to Gods amazing work in your life. Dont miss out on Discover Your Inner Beauty Queen by yours truly and find out why women are blogging and posting about this book online. Just call (02)725-9999 to order our books and magazines and well deliver them to your doorstep here or abroad. Free delivery within Metro Manila! Also available on www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph and bookstores nationwide.
JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 3
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The Bo Files.
1
Departments.
2 6 7 9 10 12 14 15 17 Mailroom New You Real Stuff In the News Dear K Kfam Insider Feast Snapshots Laughingly Yours It Happened An Orphan Finds His Perfect Home 39 One Last Story Hand in Hand: God and I Working Together
1 The Boss Become a Superstar 40 Point of Contact
INsIDE
vol. 22 no. 260
Whats
JANUARY
26
Special Section.
21 Whos Afraid of Change? 22 Can You Really Change? 28 Do You Embrace Change?
14
Testimonies.
17 37
Columns.
3 Just Breathe Humpty Dumpty Mentality 35 Catholic Soul Sunday Sweet Sunday 37 K Preacher Theres Something About Mary
26 180-Degree Turnaround 32 The Power of Little Things to Make Big Changes
32
ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL
Cerise Manuel-Cabactulan knows what it means to struggle with change. At a certain point in her life, she went into depression and her relationship with God helped her rise above it. Her family and friends in and out of her community were also there to support her. But when alone by herself, praise music, especially Christian Alternative Rock music, gave her company and there were times when she literally felt Gods loving and comforting presence. Cerise joined the Charismatic Renewal movement while still a highschool student. She has since served the Lord in various ministries. But after doing volunteer work for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, she realized that she wants to make a difference in this world. She hopes that God will use her being a praise minister to touch someones life in one way or another. Cerise and her husband, Brian, serve as one of the tri-cords of the St. James the Great Renewal Movement Praise Ministry. They also serve in JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA the music ministry of Makati Feast. Definitely, music blends well5in their marriage.
Chairman of the board and publisher BO SANCHEZ editor-in-chief and production manager RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA creative director REN CORTES graphics director REY DE GUZMAN assistant layout designer PIO MALLARI contributing writers JUDITH CONCEPCION, MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE, ALVIN FABELLA, ELEANORE LEE-TEO, CARLO LORENZO, DINA PECAA, TINA SANTIAGO-RODRIGUEZ, PIA SUIZA, LEEANNE SY, MAYMAY SALVOSA, LELLA SANTIAGO, JOY SOSOBAN photographers DANIEL SORIANO, DAKILA ANGELES columnists BISHOP TED BACANI, JR., OBET CABRILLAS, EDGARDO DE VERA sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ administration and finance manager WENG CEQUEA KERYGMA. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc. 2012. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. KERYGMA is published monthly by Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tels: 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190. Fax: 727-5615 Email: editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Website: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph
You
Beauty
new
tips for personal development
Health
Choosing the Right Clothes for Your Body Type
sleep Deprivation Costs Money
ts the time of year for parties, reunions and more parties. So heres Clothes 101 to see you through the Christmas season with flair: Circle. If you are thick around the middle, clothes should fit loosely around the midsection and more snugly somewhere else. Avoid high-rise pants, belts and waistcinching tops. Triangle. This ones for you if you are larger at the bottom. You should avoid shapeless, oversize sweaters, skinny jeans and pants, and skirts in a flimsy, curve-hugging fabric. Hourglass. If you are curvy but evenly proportioned, choose clothes that work and move with your natural curves, not against them. Try to avoid shapeless or boxy styles, like baby-doll dresses, tunics and oversize cardigans. Rectangle. Now if you are straight up and down, opt for styles that fit snugly at your middle but flare out at the bottom. Avoid dresses that are tight all over and anything too flowy or unstructured around the waist, like Empirewaist tops.
leep deprivation is not only a drag to your productivity. It can also be a drain on your bank account. Here are four ways lack of sleep can cost you money. More Accident Prone. You have seen the news. Statistics say that anywhere from 16 percent to 60 percent of car accidents involve a sleep-deprived driver. Lack of sleep can also make you clumsier than usual, which could lead to higher probability of having an accident doing routine tasks at home or in the office. Increased Medical Expenses. People who dont get enough sleep are 15 percent more likely to have a stroke and 48 percent more likely to develop or pass away from heart disease. Sleep deprivation can also affect appetite hormones that lead to obesity. Sucks Out Success. Employees who have insomnia have been shown to cost employers more money than those who get enough sleep. This is because the brain doesnt function as efficiently and isnt able to remember things as well. Paying for Convenience. If you are tired, you are more apt to look to other people to take charge of various tasks for you. These costs can add up quickly.
Source: http://www.realsimple.com
Source: www.money.msn.com
Quick Health Tip:
nzymes act as spark plugs for the vast majority of chemical reactions that make life possible. Enzymes are necessary for proper digestion, confer inflammatory and oxidative protection, support the immune system, and promote general metabolic efficiency. Fresh, raw plant foods are our primary source of food enzymes. While there have been no large scale, controlled studies to document the impact of enzyme-containing, fresh, raw plant foods on digestion and health, practitioners in fields of complementary, natural and functional medicine have used enzyme supplementation successfully to help treat a wide variety of health problems and have long advocated the inclusion of fresh, organic, raw plant foods in the diet.
Source: http://www.whfoods.org 6 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012
real
stuff
AMENDED ENgLIsH TRANsLATIoN of THE oRDER of THE MAss To BE ADoPTED THIs YEAR
he English translation of the Order of the Mass will show some changes this year. The adoption of this new translation was approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) during its plenary assembly in January last year. Some parts of familiar responses and prayers have been amended to reflect the true meaning in the original Latin text, the language of the Roman liturgy. For instance, in the Introductory Rites, the response of the faithful And also with you to the priests greeting The Lord be with you, will become And with your spirit. English-speaking countries including the Philippines are currently using the 1973 English translation of the Roman Missal prepared by the International Commission on English Liturgy (ICEL) which followed a sense translation. To prepare the faithful, the CBCP has asked Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, to make a catechetical primer on the liturgical development. Chupungco was a professor and president of St. Anselm Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome and currently the director of the Paul VI Institute of the Liturgy in Bukidnon. It should be pointed out that the previous and the new translations do not differ in doctrinal content, although each expresses it in distinctive styles proper to the methods of translation known as dynamic equivalence and formal correspondence, Fr. Chupungco said.
HIgH-REsoLUTIoN DEAD sEA sCRoLL IMAgEs CAN BE sEEN oNLINE
he public can now get access to ultra high-resolution images of five of the main Dead Sea scrolls, containing some of the oldest-known surviving biblical texts. By visiting http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/ web users can view all of the text, as well as a translation tool and other background information on the documents. Digitization of the scrolls is part of the $3.5-million project which uses space-age technology to produce the clearest renderings of the ancient texts: the Great Isaiah scroll, the Community Rule scroll, the commentary on Habbakuk, the Temple scroll and the War scroll. We are privileged to house in the Israel Museums Shrine of the Book the best preserved and most complete Dead Sea Scrolls ever discovered, Israel Museum director James Snyder said in a statement. Now, through our partnership with Google, we are able to bring these treasures to the broadest possible public.
Source: http://www.canada.com
Source: http://www.cbcpnews.com
St. Angela Merici

BORN AND DIED: March 21, 1474, Lombardy, Italy January 27, 1540, Brescia, Italy NOTABLE FACTS:
saints at a glance
n the 15th and 16th century, education for women was for the rich and for nuns. Angela herself had learned everything on her own. She noticed how little education girls had. Angela brought together a group of unmarried women, fellow Franciscan tertiaries and other friends, who went out into the street to gather up the girls they saw and teach them. Living in their own homes, these women met for prayer and classes, bound together by their dedication to education and commitment to Christ. This became so successful that Angela was asked to bring her innovative approach to education to other cities. Not a religious order in her lifetime, Angelas Company of Saint Ursula, or the Ursulines, was the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women.
KERYGMA JANUARY 2012
Christ in the Call Center Industry = Decreased HIV and sTDs

By Tina Santiago-Rodriguez
News
in the
here is no denying it the Philippines is growing to be one of the biggest business process outsourcing (BPO) centers in the world. According to Wikipedia, there is an estimated 788 call centers all over the country as of September 2011, with even more on the way. Being a call center agent has become a career opportunity for many young and not-so-young Filipinos, especially those who have difficulty getting jobs that are in line with their educational backgrounds. Admittedly, a career in the call center industry has its perks: bigger salaries and better benefits than many other jobs. But recent news reports have shown that it also has its dark, dangerous side. Aside from the obvious toll that erratic work schedules can have on ones physical health, call center agents may also be at risk for another scourge: sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV infection.
active. He said that sleeping quarters found in call centers provide the opportunity for trysts and sexual encounters. What Studies Show about STDs and HIV in the Philippines Kerygma columnist Ariel Driz and his wife, Ambec, are consultants for the Department of Health and World Health Organization (WHO). They are helping formulate the Health Sector Strategy for Prevention of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). They are part of a composite team from WHO, UNAIDs (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and different agencies of the Department of Health (STI group, National Epidemiology Center and Philippine National Aids Council). According to Ariel, The most at risk for HIV/AIDS are men having sex with men (MSMs) and injectable-drug users (IDUs). He explained that the rising promiscuity in the BPO industry can be attributed to the fact that its workers dont have face-to-face encounters with their clients and customers, unlike in corporate circles where appearances and demeanor count. In the latter environment, transgender males tend to be more subtle in practicing MSM, he said. But in the free-wheeling, Western-oriented BPO world, the freedom and acceptance of self-expression comes with an increase in sexual activity among the transgender community. It doesnt help that the stigma that comes with being infected with HIV/AIDS and the lack of education prevent people from getting tested for the diseases. What Then Are We to Do? Agencies like the WHO and DOH are attacking the problem with medical, educational and social interventions. But Ariel suggests that the solution should have a two-pronged approach: a pragmatic, spiritual one. From a pragmatic, practical approach, we should help in educating people on the ill-effects of HIV and AIDs, Ariel said. But at the end of the day, people need Jesus, he concluded. Management of call centers could help by working with church groups to have spiritual activities in their companies like an office-based Feast, prayer meeting or Bible study. In a world where instant gratification of ones desires seems to be the norm, the solution to the HIV/AIDS problem wont be found in condoms or contraceptives. Gods age-old prescription of chastity and fidelity is where salvation lies.
STDs and HIV in the Call Centers A news report from ABS-CBN said that there is an estimated 6,498 recorded HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines. According to Dr. Eric Tayag, Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary and director of the National Epidemiology Center, unless people become careful about their sexual practices, HIV-AIDS cases will surge five-fold by 2015. An older news report also from ABS-CBN stated that although most people in the Philippines who contract HIV are sex workers, gays and drug addicts, hospitals have also recorded cases among young urban professionals such as call center agents. Although experts have yet to make a study that directly links increased STD and HIV cases and call center agents, employees in this industry are at risk and exposed to the temptation of engaging in risky sexual behavior, often outside the boundaries of a committed one-partner relationship. This hopping from one partner to another increases the risk of contracting STDs such as herpes, syphilis and HIV. Tony (not his real name), a call center employee for two years, attests to this. Having sexual partners is sort of an open secret, a given in the call center world, he divulged. There are those who maintain a strict moral conduct, but suffice it to say that we live among those who are sexually
dear
K
HELP I MIGHT LOSE MY JOB IN SINGAPORE!
feel depressed right now. I dont feel that I am effective in my work as an auditor here in Singapore. Ive been here for six months. Prior to moving here, I was an accountant for four years. Because Im new in auditing, I make a lot of mistakes. What makes matters worse is that my manager is so judgmental and makes me feel stupid with the way she questions me. This has affected my self-esteem. I know I am being hard on myself, but I hate myself for not meeting my managers expectations. Recently, a client complained because my report was long delayed. Although it wasnt entirely my fault, I felt that I was the one being blamed. Thats one thing with me, I always think of what other people think of me. I know that I need to read more to refresh my memory about auditing, but because I feel down, I do not have the motivation to do so. I am afraid that they will terminate me and I will fail my parents if this should happen. They are my reason for working here. I want to give them everything, to take them to places, to make them happy. During my first month here in Singapore, I felt so happy because I could finally fulfill my dreams for them, but because of whats been happening lately, I feel sad every time I talk to them on the phone. I always pray to God and lift everything up to Him, but there are times when my worries prevail over my faith. I want to feel inspired again but I dont know where to get it. Please help me. Ching
Dear Ching, I feel for you. I would have felt the same if I were in your shoes. This is the world you entered and this is the price tag they hoist upon those who want higher salaries and a more comfortable existence outside of the Philippines. You can consider my thoughts: 1. Learn (or relearn) auditing quickly or do what you are currently good at. Auditing is a different discipline in the accounting world. Either you gain expertise in this area quickly (at par with your superiors expectations) or do another work in accounting where you are most comfortable and excellent in. It may not be a bad idea to start an online job hunting while still trying to make things work in your current job. 2. Keep your lifestyle, financial obligations and expenses low. While relearning or feeling your way into the work that fits you, many things can happen, including losing your present job. But losing it is not the end of the world. When this happens, you want to make sure you have enough financial resources to bridge the in-between jobs gap. 3. Forget about finding motivation from your boss or elsewhere. Motivate yourself and keep the faith. Write down your God-given dreams. Stick them where you always see them. Things can turn worse before they turn better. But if your dreams are clear to you and your hunger for them doesnt wane, you can hurdle these heartaches and transition difficulties. Your situation is not unique. Many have been through it, even repeatedly. But the good news is that God is always faithful. He will not leave you and will work things out with you. Ill pray with you and for you. Jon
Editors Note: Learn how to breathe unseen fun that will fill the lifeless walls of office living in Jons book Find Extraordinary Joy at Work. Available at www.shepherdsvoice.com, call (632)7259999 or in bookstores nationwide.
Kerygma Preacher Jon Escoto is the president of Leadlife, a training company that specializes in helping businesses bring the best out of people. He has extensive corporate leadership experience as a senior executive for top multinational corporations. In 2010, Shepherds Voice Publications released Jons first book, How to Find Extraordinary Joy at Work. He is also the dean of the Light of Jesus School of Leadership. Jon is insanely in love with his beautiful wife, Marissa, and their two lovely children, Frances and Yosef. 10 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012
Email your questions to editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 7264709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus counselor. Telephone counseling is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face counseling is by appointment. For correspondence counseling, email lojcounseling@yahoo.com or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.
Or Call
(632) 725-9999
Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0917-816-4700 or email reylindo.ortega@gmail.com. You may also contact Sr. Pilar Versoza at Pro-life Philippines. Call (632) 733-7027 or text 0920-9455494 or email pilar.verzosa@gmail.com.
CAN WE RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION?
am currently living in Singapore. I recently married a man whose civil marriage to his first wife in the Philippines was annulled but who is still married in the Catholic Church. My husband and I asked a Catholic
priest here if we are allowed to have a Catholic wedding ceremony or at least get a blessing. He said he is going to ask the bishop regarding it. After some time, we went back to him to follow up on his answer. He said he still hadnt talked to the bishop. Meanwhile, he said that he noticed that my husband and I are taking Holy Communion when our union is not yet blessed in the Catholic Church. I was bothered after that. So we sent him a message reminding him to talk to the bishop. He replied, I have talked to the bishop already. If your husbands former wife is still alive, it is impossible to bless the second marriage. If it is so, it is better to refrain from Holy Communion. We understand the laws of our Church regarding second marriages and we accept that. What bothers me is being told to refrain from taking Holy Communion. This is somehow new to us. What I knew is if were late for Mass, we cannot take Communion. Does it mean that if we committed mistakes and our hearts are not pure, we are not allowed to take the Holy Communion? If I avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, can I receive Him?. We replied that if he will advise us to refrain from taking Holy Communion, then it will be useless to attend the Mass. We didnt receive any reply from him anymore. I hope you can help us understand what he means and give us a deeper explanation regarding this matter. Irene
When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he was first assigned to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Cubao. It was here where he came in contact with the still young Light of Jesus Community. In 1990, he moved to Christ the King Mission Seminary where he now serves as head spiritual director of the seminarians and teaches Religious Education. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill School of Theology and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.
Dear Irene, Your letter has filled me with pain. I can see that you want to be close to God and that you are confused by the answer of the priest. Whatever the reason for the priests reaction might be, I can imagine that he was in a dilemma because he had to tell you what you surely did not like to hear which is unfortunately true. Your husband is still married as long as his wife is alive, unless he gets an annulment of his marriage from the Church. Your present marriage is, therefore, not a marriage at all in the eyes of the Church and of God. And so it sounds so strict and cruel both of you, as the Church puts it, are living in sin and can therefore not receive the sacraments, including confession. Many have questioned these rules but unfortunately the Church cannot decide anything against the teachings of Jesus Himself. He said very clearly that whoever divorces (leaves) his wife and marries another commits adultery (Luke 16:18, Matthew 19:9). The Church would not be faithful to Christ if She would allow something He prohibited. So, please, Irene, dont blame the Church. You ask if youre not allowed to receive Holy Communion when your hearts are not pure. The answer is yes. Holy Communion is the Body of Christ and we have to be pure (at least from serious, mortal sins) when we receive Him. What about confession? As I pointed out, in this situation you cannot even go to confession because absolution is only granted when we promise not to commit this sin again. Since you live with a man who, in the eyes of God, is still married, you cannot make that promise. Is it then useless to attend Mass? No! During Holy Mass you are close to Christ through His Word proclaimed in the readings. When it comes to communion, the Church suggests that you make a Spiritual Communion. When the priest distributes Holy Communion, you may, for example, pray: Lord, I want to receive You but I cannot. That pains me. But I really want to be united with You because I need You. Fill my heart with Your love and peace and help me to do Your will. Help me also to come out of this situation so that I can receive You again in the Eucharist. I also suggest that once in a while you adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and tell Him what you feel. Or just sit in His presence and let Him bless you. May I suggest again that you encourage your husband work on the Church annulment of his first marriage so that you can receive Gods blessing through the sacrament of matrimony. I will include you in my prayers, especially when I receive the Lord in the Eucharist. God will take care of you. Fr. Rudy
fam K insider
THIS 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAS A BABY

By Rey Ortega
abait po pala ang Diyos. Di Niya pinabayaang mamatay ang baby ko. Ngayon po gusto kong lumaki at makapagaral hanggang college ang anak ko, para di siya maging kagaya ko lamang. (God is really good after all. He did not allow my baby to die. Now I want my baby to grow up and finish college so she wont become like me). So said Annabel (not her real name) in between sobs. She vacillates between moments of despair and moments of fierce determination to face an uncertain tomorrow. Unfortunately, its a tomorrow thats beyond her control as she waits for a court decision on where she will go and what government agency will take custody of her baby. No, this is not an episode in a telenovela (TV soap opera). This is an ongoing true-to-life drama unfolding in Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Childrens Home, an orphanage being supported by Bo Sanchezs Kerygma Family, a borderless, virtual family in cyberspace. Its a gripping story and only God knows how and when it will end, as the outcome is beyond the power of the orphanage staff to influence or control. But Annabel believes God has not lost control of the situation. She believes in her heart of hearts that God will touch the judge and make the latter render a decision that will be fair, just and favorable to her and to Tahanan ng Pagmamahal. Hope Turned to Ruin Annabel was born in a remote barangay located in Central Visayas. Her mother died when she was still a baby. Then her father left her to seek greener pastures in Metro Manila. She grew up under the care of her loving grandparents who, although very poor, had showered her with much love and affection. In November 2009, when Annabel was 14 years old, her father returned to their barangay and took her from her grandparents. Her father told her lolo and lola that he would send her to high school in Manila where the schools are of much better quality. Her grandparents agreed. When Annabel arrived in Manila, she discovered that her father had already remarried. And she uncovered something even worse, much sinister than having a cruel stepmother. She noticed that her father was displaying an unusual fondness towards her. Three months after her arrival, the unthinkable happened. Her father abused her, resulting in her pregnancy in February 2010. The abuse happened not once, not twice but many times, often accompanied by physical violence. Thats when she lost all her faith in God. She thought that God had either abandoned her or did not exist at all. She stopped going to Mass. She stopped praying. And she suffered in silence, afraid of more beatings if she complained. She tried various ways of aborting her baby. She just hated the life growing inside her womb. She even jumped from the top of the stairs in one attempt to stop the pregnancy. She failed. The baby kept on living and growing. Her Rope Back to Hope One time, she finally told her stepmother what had been happening every time the latter was out of the house. The result
was totally incomprehensible to Annabel. Her stepmother told her to shut up, lest a scandal break out and shame would befall them all. So she continued to suffer in silence, screaming mentally at a God who seemed either absent or non-existent. Until she told her neighbor, who promptly brought her to the police station. The cops acted fast. Police raided the house, arrested her father and turned over Annabel to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)in Quezon City. DSWD eventually brought Annabel to Grace to Be Born shelter in Pasig in August 2010. She gave birth to a baby girl in October. Then Annabel and her baby were temporarily turned over to the custody of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Childrens Home while awaiting the judgment on the case. As of this writing, Annabels father is in jail while her stepmother is trying to force her to retract her police statements so he could be freed. Under the law, a minor involved in a rape case is not allowed to take custody of her baby since she is emotionally and financially incapable to bring up the child. Eventually, the child will have to be turned over to a government agency. The latter shall decide later to either take full responsibility for the child or turn her over to the care of a private orphanage. In the meantime, Annabel is receiving all the physical, mental, spiritual and moral nourishment that Tahanan can give within its limited resources. Slowly, she is being restored to a healthy relationship with God since Bible studies, Sunday Masses, daily prayers and catechism are all part of the routines in Tahanan. Now she is at peace with God and she dreams of nothing but a good future for her baby a college degree even. And she never stops thanking God that all her attempts to abort the baby had failed.
Indeed for your own lifeblood I will demand an accounting: from every animal I will demand it, and from a human being, each one for the blood of another, I will demand an accounting for human life. (Genesis 9:5) Editors Note: To read more stories like these and learn how to love Gods poor, grab a copy of Rey Ortegas new book, Crazy Love. All profits from this book will be for the benefit of Bo Sanchezs ministries and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a congregation of indigenous religious sisters.
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Childrens Home runs orphanages in Quezon City (for boys) and in Pasig (for girls). Donations are most welcome. Donations may be deposited in BDO Savings Account No. 4301-9102-2 or in BPI account 2670-0006-32. For inquiries, please contact Rey/Myrna Ortega at 0922-8597-035 or 09178039-139. Email: reylindo.ortega@gmail.com
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or the fourth time, St. Paul University Manila (SPU Manila) held the Paulinian Feast with the theme, Magbunyi, Magpuri, Magpasalamat. Held on September 16, 2011, it was part of the celebration of the Christian Formation Week. At exactly 2 p.m., the Paulinian community assembled at the Fleurde-lis Theatre. An estimate of 900 Paulinians and 160 volunteer servants gathered together to be blessed by The Feast. The event began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Jade Licuanan, SDB. Focusing on CF Weeks theme, Spirituality of Excellence, Deeply Rooted in Christ, he said, With Gods grace, you can be excellent! The crowd was not able to contain its excitement after the Holy Mass. Everybody was shouting as the curtains closed. Migs Ramirez (from the Feast Manila and Feast PICC), Ms. LalaineVitug Mallari (chairperson of the Mass Communication program) and Minette Sto. Tomas (a Music student) gave an overview of the Feast.
THE FEAST AT ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY IN MANILA
WHERE WORSHIP AND ExCELLENCE MEET

By Michelle Anne N. Sto. Tomas
The Paulinian Liturgical Animators led the crowd into a doxology. Then the Paulinian Compassionate Clowns shared smiles and laughter as they entertained them with clown tricks. When the drum started to roll and the band picked up the beat, the crowd stood from their seats and danced on the rhythm of praise songs. Obet Cabrillas, or Daddy O as many call him, brought the crowd to tears when he gave an inspiring talk on excellence. He pointed out the Four Ws of Excellence, namely, worship, wisdom, workmanship and witness. After The Feast, many Paulinians shared how they were blessed in their Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Paulinian Feast is, for now, held at least once a semester. It is open to the public, especially those who are studying and working along Taft Avenue in Manila. The campus missionary for St. Paul University is Cookie Fontanilla.
For Feast schedules in other areas, please call Annie Mesias at (632) 725-9999 local 205.
TEsTIMoNY
Laughingly
yours
TRANSFORMED BY THE FEAST
FROM A BUSINESSWOMAN TO A WOMAN OF GOD
Funny New Years Resolutions
By Elvie Sotaso as told to Leeanne Sy
y handicrafts and accessories business had been incurring losses for four years, but I couldnt seem to give it up in just a snap of a finger. God helped me resolve my problem on September 26, 2009. Super typhoon Ondoy took away my attachment to my business. My products were ready to be delivered to the client when the floodwaters in Laguna rose and swallowed my dreams. I found myself in deep debt because of that tragedy. I was forced to close down my business in over a month. A Typical Religious Woman Raised up by my Uncle Simeon and Aunt Lea, I was the typical religious woman. Even though they have four children, I was treated as their own. I grew up in an exclusive school for girls ran by Augustinian sisters. My aunt is a devout Catholic who instilled in me the importance of first Friday Mass, novena to the Perpetual Help on first Wednesday, Holy Hour on first Thursday, novena to the Sacred Heart on first Friday, and prayer to Mama Mary on first Saturday. I got reprimanded whenever I missed Sunday Mass. My aunt taught me the proper way to dress for church and even the proper way to laugh and walk. From 1992 to 2001, I was a member of Evangelium Dei, a Charismatic community in Don Bosco, Makati. In 2000, I resigned from work to put up my own business. From then on, my business ate most of my time. Needless to say, it became my priority my god. I got so busy storing up riches on earth that I forgot to store riches in heaven. After Ondoy happened, a friend, Rose Lay, invited me to attend the Makati Feast. Since I attended on May 27, 2010, God started to put order into my life. I began to develop a deeper relationship with God whom I now regard as my Best Friend, not just a distant Father. He gave me back my business, too, but its not the most important thing in my life now. My spiritual life and service to God are. I have Care Group meetings on Tuesdays, Makati Feast on Thursdays, BGC Feast on Saturdays (where I serve in the warmth ministry), and PICC Feast on Sundays. I am trying to apply everything I learned from the teachings at the Feast such as tithing, living simply, avoiding bad debt, eating healthy, forgiving, and being grateful even for the littlest things. And now, more than ever, I can clearly see Gods hands in everything.
Tell us how The Feast has transformed your life. Email your sharing to editsvp@shepherdsvoice. com.ph or call (02) 725-9999 local 219.
Nerd: I will stop using So, whats your URL? as a pickup line. Computer Addict: I will spend less than 10 hours a day on the Internet. Boss: I will stop checking my e-mail at 3:00 in the morning; 4:30 is much more practical. Busy Parent: I resolve to work with neglected children my own. Cat: I will not annoy the dog next door, unless Im in a bad mood. Dog: I will not chew red crayons or pens because my master will think that I am hemorrhaging. Overweight Lady: Stop exercising. Waste of time. Telecommuter: Spend more time at work.
New Years Day Prayer for One and All: Dear Lord, so far this year Ive done well. I havent gossiped. I havent lost my temper. I havent been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. Im very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, Im going to get out of bed, and from then on Im probably going to need a lot more help. Amen.
Jun and Gail believe in Gods dictum: Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
AN oRPHAN fINDs HIs PERfECT HoME

By Jun and Gail Campo as told to Leeanne Sy
y dads car collided with a speeding car in McKinley Road, Makati. Unfortunately, he didnt survive the accident. My mom, who was a month pregnant with me at the time, was depressed and heartbroken after my fathers death. Her love for my dad and her agony was so great that she even predicted her own death. Leni, Im going to follow my husband on May 8, she told her sister months before I was surgically removed from her lifeless body in 1965. My mom was only 23 years old when she died of cardiac arrest after giving birth to me. The doctors gave her a choice and she chose me.
Rebellion Against God I grew up rebelling against God for taking both my parents too soon. I was like a pingpong ball passed from one relative to another until I permanently stayed with Aunt Leni, who eventually became my foster mother.
IT
happened
At the age of seven, I found myself sulking in a corner when Aunt Leni gave birth to her firstborn. My relatives asked me why I was crying. I replied in between sobs, No ones going to love me anymore now that Aunt Leni has her own son. Even though my aunt, uncle and grandparents loved me like their own, I felt so lost. I didnt feel like I truly belonged. I was an achiever at a young age. But as I grew older, I began to question God for my parents early death, and it affected my grades. My rebellion against God took the form of aggressiveness. I was even expelled in grade
I got promoted early as convention supervisor. I resigned from the job when my paternal grandmother left me an inheritance and a business that I decided to run. Unfortunately, for several years I had nothing to show for as I had given all my earnings to some relatives whom I felt needed the income more. So there I was 40, bankrupt and alone. The straw that broke the camels back was the subsequent death of my maternal grandparents whom I loved dearly, in December 2006. They always asked me when I was going to get married and they died not knowing. At that point, I wanted to die with them. I tried to commit suicide by overdosing with Valium. In my sleep, I dreamt of my grandfather who had just passed away. He had a concerned look on his face as he put his arm on my shoulder, saying, Dont do it. Better things will come. When I woke up, it was then that I called out to God: Please make me Your puppet! I could have died so many times, but I am still here. What are Your grand plans for my life? A Wife Enters the Picture I met Jun when he was still depressed. Together with our common friends, we met thrice a week for bowling and poker. We were friends for four years. The first time we really talked to each other was when we both became the Bowling Crush ng Bayan(bowling heartthrobs) in our Christmas party and that was when he implied that despite the prize he didnt fancy me at all. Another close encounter was when we were both early for a bowling match. The usual Jun who avoided me had no choice but to talk to me. I plan to die alone, he told me point-blank, unsmiling. The first time he told me his life story, I was moved. How can an orphan choose to grow old alone? I wondered. Fatherless at an early age, I always dreamt of having my own family in the future. All my life I was praying for the right man I even attended Simbang Gabi (nine dawn
Working at their marriage is a daily thing for the Campo couple.
school and was the source of headache of my adoptive parents and grandparents all throughout high school and college. I even got into drugs just to numb the pain of my lost soul. In one of my ecstatic moments, I lay down in the middle of Makati Avenue while speeding cars avoided me. I found a friend in my vices: drugs, alcohol and gambling. My life was empty.
God at Work One day, I woke up and decided to turn my life around. I flushed all the drugs I had in my cabinet and decided to clean up my act. I applied and worked for Philippine Airlines for a short while before I got hired by Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
Masses anticipating Christmas), wishing and begging God for The One. But after one broken relationship and engagement after another, I began to lose hope. It was at this time when I found out through common friends that Jun, who made it clear he didnt like me, actually did. Jun was never vocal but his actions spoke louder than his words. When he decided to go with me to confession upon my invitation, I knew he liked me big-time. It was a giant step for him since his family couldnt even make him go to church. The Sunday after that, he sat in front of St. James Alabang to hear Mass, much to the surprise of his relatives and friends. They had to stop themselves from fainting when he lined up for Holy Communion. That night, he said that he prayed, Is she the one You prepared for me? He woke up with a smile on his face as he dreamt of his young dad who told him, Go ahead and marry Gail. Meeting His Family Meanwhile, his entire clan in Alabang was curious about the woman who was responsible for making Jun go to Mass. The last time he went to church was 20 years ago. The first time I stepped on the threshold of his house, his family welcomed me. It was as if we had known one another for a long time. They warmly accepted me, and I felt at home. So this is why I had all my breakups, I thought to myself. This is why I waited. God was all the while preparing His answer to my prayers. My Complete Family I proposed to Gail in between tears on February 14, 2007. We got married on January 5, 2008. With Sasha, our two-year old daughter, in the picture, I now have the family I have been longing for all my life. They both bring joy to my life and give essence to my existence. I thank God for His patience with me. I know in my heart His plans for us are always bigger than our biggest dreams. Now, my family waits in joyous anticipation for what He has in store for us in the days to come.
EDITORS NOTE: Jun and Gail are requesting for everyones prayers that they be granted a baby boy who will continue his fathers name and lineage, just as how they fervently asked the intercession of the community for Sasha.
Jun and Gail expose Sasha early to service to the less privileged children in Grace to Be Born.
Every Sunday is special for the Campo family as they attend The Feast. Shown here with Valle Verde Feast Builder George Gabriel.
Through The Feast, Jun and Gail grow in the different aspects of their lives, primarily because of Bo Sanchezs practical teachings on Biblical virtues.
Whos Afraid of Change?

By Bo Sanchez
ave you ever wondered why some people stay stuck in a bad habit even if they know its not good for them? Take smoking doctors, for example. They know all the medical facts about the effects of cigarette smoking on health. Yet they continue to puff that cigarette. Or how about a wife who constantly nags her husband to refrain from drinking? She threatens to leave him if he doesnt change. Yet he continues his love affair with booze. They dont change. Why? Because when you want to change yourself or someone in your life facts dont work, fear doesnt work, force doesnt work. What works? The right tools relate, repeat, reframe. Study after study has revealed that people change when they are in an emotional relationship of hope. Frank Jerome, a doctor, wanted to find what kind of therapy works. So he organized three groups. One went through classical Freudian psychology, which means intense private counseling of many hours per session. The second group went through group therapy. And the third group went through an experimental minimal counseling 30 minutes only per session, and only twice a month. After compiling the results on the patients, this is what Frank Jerome found out and he was totally surprised by the results all the therapies worked as long as there was a positive emotional relationship with their counselors. And heres the thing that totally shocked them: It didnt matter what theories they held or what strategies they employed. The counselor didnt even have to be a therapist or a psychologist. He could be a friend, a family member, a colleague in the office, a spiritual leader. As long as that relationship gave hope to the patient the patient changed. So, you want to change something in your life? Or you want someone to change? Dont use the wrong tools, like facts, fear or force. Use the right ones relate, repeat, reframe. And do it in an emotional relationship of hope. In it, no ones ever going to stay the same. Believe that change can happen.
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Can You Really
Change?
By Bo Sanchez guy wanted to become a security guard. So he went to a security agency. The interviewer asked him, We are looking for a person who has a suspicious mind. Someone whos highly alert. Someone who has an extra keen sense of hearing that he can overhear conversations from afar. Someone who has a killer instinct. Do you want to apply? The man replied, I dont think I qualify. But can my wife apply? Its just like when we hear a preacher or a priest talk. We hear the Word of God, and the first thing that comes to our mind is, Wow, thats a great message! I wish my wife (or friend or husband or someone else) were here! We want to apply the Word of God that we hear to someone else. But you know what you need to do? Apply it first in your life.
Here is the new agreement that I, the Lord, will make with the people of Israel: I will write my laws on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 The last line of the verse means that God is establishing a relationship. The relationship with God is not the result of your change. Rather, the relationship with God is the cause of the change. I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings. Ezekiel 36:26-27 When God changes us, Hell work on our insides. Hell change our hearts. Hell change our minds. Hell change our thoughts. Hell change our desires. You will desire to do the will of God in your life. Let me be honest with you: In the early part of my marriage, I wanted to change my wife. I really did. I wanted to change this attitude and change that behavior, and change that habit. But as the years went by, God taught me to surrender my wife to the Lord. And immediately, I had peace. Changing her was not my problem. It was Gods problem. I said, Lord, I believe my wife will change in Your good time. But I wont fret about it. I wont worry about it. I just surrendered that to the Him. Friends, heres my message for you: You cannot change anyone. You cannot change your children. You cannot change your mother and father. And definitely you cannot change your mother-in-law. But listen carefully: You can change yourself. And when you do, you can help others change. Now, the big problem why we dont change is this: because we use the wrong tools. The Wrong Tools for Change: Facts, Fear, Force My friend experienced chest pains. His doctors told him to change his lifestyle, or he would have to undergo a bypass operation or angioplasty. They explained the procedure and how much it would cost. So its either he spends about a million pesos for the procedure, or change his lifestyle totally. What did he do? He changed his lifestyle for two weeks. He started exercising. He ate more fruits, salads and vegetables. He stopped smoking.And his chest pains disappeared. But after two weeks, when he no longer felt chest pains, he stopped exercising and started smoking again. He went back to the stress of his job. Isnt he nuts? Its a familiar story. More familiar than you think. Because Dr. Edward Miller, CEO of Johns Hopkins Hospital and the dean of the medical school of the Johns Hopkins University, says that two years after the bypass operation of patients, study after study after study say that 90 percent do not change their lifestyle. Why? Because the doctor uses the wrong tools. The doctor tells them the facts: Your artery is clogged. You need to have a bypass. Youve got to do this and that. He uses fear: Youre going to die! Youre not going to see your kids anymore. But information doesnt work. Fear doesnt work. You hold a belt in front of your kid and you say, Do what I say or Ill hit you with this. It will work for a while, but not for long. If your kid doesnt eat vegetables, what can you do? Pry open his jaw, shove the vegetables into his mouth, and make him chew? Force doesnt work. Neither do facts. Fear doesnt work either.
Force doesnt work. So what works? What are the right tools? If you want to change your life or help others to change, you need to use these three tools: relate, repeat, reframe. Relationship of Hope For the past 30 years, Dean Ornish has been bringing together hundreds and now thousands of patients who are all candidates for heart bypass and angioplasty. Hed gather them in a hotel for 30 days. In that period of time, hed feed them only a vegetarian diet, teach them meditation and yoga, and teach them how to exercise. Three times a week, they have support group meetings. After 30 days, 91 percent of them would stop having chest pains. But this is the most astonishing fact of all: After three years, 70 percent of his patients would have maintained their new lifestyle. They would still exercise, eat healthy food, and do meditation and yoga. Recall Dr. Edward Millers study that says 90 percent do not change their lifestyle, and only a measly 10 percent do. So why does the program of Dean Ornish work where thousands of doctors have failed in changing their patients lifestyle? Because he used the right tools: relate, repeat, reframe. How many minutes does a doctor give you during an appointment? Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? Thirty minutes? I have met doctors who do not even look at me. He would just ask questions and fill up his pad. Then hed say, OK, heres your prescription. Do this and you should be OK. Bye. On the contrary, Dean Ornish spent 30 days with his patients. He gave them a relationship of hope. He had an emotional relationship with each patient as he lived with each of them. Then he repeated habits they needed to learn, like eating the right food for 30 days, within the context of that relationship.
He repeated certain habits and then he taught them to reframe to think in a different way. So friends, if you want to change your life for good, you have to be in a relationship. When I look back at the major changes in my life, they happened because of a relationship an emotional relationship. Why I Changed Most of you know my story. I was not a bright student. In fact, I failed in school. I was not good in sports. I was the guy in the classroom that you wouldnt notice. I only began preaching because of a relationship with a prayer group leader named Aida. She made me believe in myself when I didnt believe in me. But my academics never improved. I was so happy that on my third year in college, I stopped schooling and just worked full-time for the Lord. But after a few months, I wanted to study about God. So I went to a theology school. The dean of that school was Fr. Lode Wostyn, a Belgian, who explained to me that they only offered Masters degree in Theology. And since I didnt finish college, I wasnt technically qualified to enroll in the masters program. But he interviewed me and learned that I was preaching in small prayer groups. He accepted me and he became my first professor. He believed in me so much, he blew my mind. Soon, he would ask me to enter his office and wed just chat together. Later on, he said, I believe in you, Bo. In fact, think about this, I could send you to take up your PhD in Theology in Louvain, Belgium for free. He saw something in me that I didnt see in myself. After my first major exam in Fr. Wostyns class, he stood up and said, Im going to write on the board the top five students who scored the highest in our exam. I wasnt even looking. Someone had to tap me on the shoulder and say, Bo, look at the board. I couldnt believe what I saw. Fr. Lode Wostyn wrote, No. 1, Bo Sanchez Perfect. That was the first time I ever excelled in school. I was totally dumbfounded, floored. I approached the blackboard, two inches away from my name and I said, Unbelievable. Dont tell me it was all a lie. From that time on, every grade I had in my Masters in Theology degree was A and B+. After my Masters in Theology, I returned to college with a vengeance. I became a Deans lister. My mother tried to change me when I was a kid. She nagged me, Study hard! Study, study, study! Do your homework! But it didnt work. All my other teachers tried to change me. Youre going to fail if you dont study. They used facts. They used fear. Sometimes my mother used force. It all didnt work. But there was one man who changed me: Fr. Lode Wostyn. Hes an old man now, and I still love him. He believed in me. He gave me an emotional relationship of hope. You see, at the end of the day, Christianity is not a religion. Its not a set of laws and rules. Its not a bunch of ceremonies. Christianity is an emotional relationship of hope, a relationship with Jesus. Christianity is a relationship with Someone who believes in you so much that He died for you on the cross.
Christianity is a relationship with Someone who loves you so much and sees something in you that you yourself cannot see. He sees your future. He sees you and your sanctity and your holiness. God sees you with hope. And I believe this is why we change. Because God loves us so much. Do you want to change? Then you need to be in a relationship with God. I will be your God, you will be my people, He says. When that happens, then He will be able to write His law in your heart, and change your heart and mind. But He also wants you to be in relationship with other human beings, like what I had with Aida Manongdo, or with Fr. Lode Wostyn. They discipled me. To this day I have wonderful mentors. In the Bible, a Christian is called a disciple. If youre attending The Feast, join a caring group and there youll be discipled. You will get into a relationship. Every major change in my life happened within the context of a relationship of hope. Look back into your life and youll find the same thing. There was someone who gave you hope. And it was within the relationship that you changed. If you want to change a person, you have to see their future not their present or their past. And thats what God sees in you. Then change will happen.
Email me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com.
BOS ACTION STEPS:

1. Look back at your life and see that one person who has influenced you to change something in you. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for that person. 2. Do you want to change a particular area of your life now? Look for someome who can help you do that someone who believes in you. It could even be a group. 2. Is there someone in your life whos struggling to change? Forge a relationship of hope with that person.
pecial TEsTIMoNY s section

urly orderlies hauled me off, almost bodily picking me up. They brought me to the basement of Makati Medical Center for detoxification from the substances that gripped my body in a stranglehold. My mom and brothers arranged for the treatment. They needed to intervene to rescue me from my downward spiral into drugs. I could no longer function well in any way. I felt I was in a different world without cares, without responsibilities. My seven-day stay at the hospital was my first step to rehabilitation. Mine was not an isolated case; many have gone through this. Some changed for the better; some for the worse. Some survived; others have left this world. Through the help of my family, I opted to change. Hooked on Drugs I was barely in my teens, only 13 and in high school, when I began taking drugs. Blocking out all cares was such a high. My only thought then was how to sustain my habit. I did not have much money so I stole from my mother. When my addiction deepened, I stopped going to school and instead went around with people who were likewise on drugs. But in my heart, I knew it was wrong. I was guilt-ridden so I could not go to church and face God. This went on for 17 long years until my family reached the breaking point. It was then that my mom and I had a heart-to-heart talk. I promised to stop on my own. Initially, she agreed but gave the condition that I should get an assessment from a psychiatrist to first determine if I needed to enter a rehabilitation center. Later, she retracted because she knew that wouldnt work. Steps in the Right Direction My mother brought me to a rehabilitation facility The New Beginnings Foundation. I went through their 12-Step Program, which helped me to accept that my addiction was out of control and that only God can give me the power to overcome it. I decided to take the right path but I knew it wasnt going to be easy. I needed conviction and dedication where I was going. The center
Robie relaxing in a beach in Koh Chang, Thailand where he works in a resort-type rehab center.
180-Degree Turnaround
By Robie Bernardo as told to Lella M. Santiago
Robie and Joanne with their children (L-R): Julia, Kyle and Justine.
Robie and Joanne in Bangkok.
Witnessing Real Changes

is not a lock-up facility; patients are not forced to stay. I stayed because of my belief in God. It was the only way. I turned to God and prayed like I had never prayed before. I started hearing Mass again. Little by little, I moved towards the right direction to propriety and caring about the right things, especially about my loved ones. Sobering up made me realize how much time I wasted. It also taught me that there is life after addiction. Getting and Giving a New Life After I finished the program in New Beginnings, I volunteered as a counselor. It was my way of giving back. This helped me a lot. I was constantly reminded that the best thing I can do is to help other dependents. I worked in that rehab center for 15 years first as counselor and later as admission officer. A year after I was clean of drugs, I married Joanne. She was my neighbor so she knew what I went through. We have been married for 15 years and are blessed with three children: Julia, 14; Kyle, 12; and Justine, 11. Just recently, New Beginnings changed their treatment method and closed the center. They now run an outpatient facility. The working arrangement became difficult for me so I decided to leave. I was lost for about two months. I needed a job, as well as money for my family. My prayers were answered when I received a job offer from the Drug and Alcohol Rehab Asia (DARA), an island resort type center in Tai A. Koh Chang, Thailand. The distance from my family made me reluctant to accept the offer. When my family and I attended The Feast Alabang, Joey and Myrna Salanguit, our Caring Group heads, asked Feast Builder Arun Gogna to pray over us. His prayer gave me enlightenment. It also eased our separation. Now I work in DARA as a counselor. My new post allows me to continue helping those with addictions make a 180-degree turnaround.
By Joanne Bernardo as told to Lella Santiago
obie and I have known each other almost all our lives. I began to avoid him in high school because of his badboy image. He went with an older crowd, had lots of girlfriends, drank, smoked and did drugs. When he courted me after his rehabilitation, his sincerity and persistence changed my impression of him. This gave me the courage to fight for our relationship, which my parents objected to. In our 15 years of marriage, he has not given me any reason to regret my decision. Several times, I saw him exert resolute effort to avoid his old vices. I witnessed his hardship during the withdrawal and also his determination to do the responsible thing. Once, I asked him if he did drugs because of his parents separation. He said he can use that as an excuse but the reality was that it was his own decision. His stand is that we are all accountable for our deeds and change can only happen when we admit that.
Robies profile in DARAs website www. alcoholrehab.com shows how impressive his turnaround has been. It says, Aside from counseling, he also co-facilitated seminars on drug and alcohol awareness in schools and NGOs. He was also a consultant for establishing several government-run rehabs in the Philippines.
pecial s section
DO YOU EMBRACE
CHANGE?
By Bo Sanchez
ne day, a guy calls up his boss at home, but gets the bosss wife instead. She says, Im sorry, but he died last week. The next day, the man calls up again and asks for his boss. The wife answers, I told you, he died last week. On the third day, the guy calls up again and asks for his boss. By this time, the wife is mad and shouts, Dont you understand? I already told you twice my husband, your boss, died last week. Why do you keep calling? The guy laughs and says, Because I just love hearing it
Are You Stuck in Life? Many people are like this guy: They wait for their boss to die. He clearly hated his boss. So why didnt he do something about it? He could have confronted him. He could have changed jobs. Many people are stuck but they wait for things to change on their own. Dont wait for the boss to die on you whatever boss means to you. If you want your life to change, then you have to change. Let me share with you two fascinating stories. The first one is a story emailed to me by friends about 273 times already. OK, Im exaggerating. But Im sure you have this charming parable in your email inbox, too. If you know this tale, then skip it, and read my brilliant, profound and luminous analysis after the story. (At least, thats what my mother says, and you cant argue with her.) If you havent read it yet, then enjoy. Here it goes
The Businessman and the Fisherman One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish. About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. You arent going to catch many fish that way, said the businessman to the fisherman. You should be working rather than lying on the beach! The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, And what will my reward be?
Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish! was the businessmans answer. And then what will my reward be? asked the fisherman, still smiling. The businessman replied, You will make money and youll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish! And then what will my reward be? asked the fisherman again. The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated by the fishermans questions. You can buy a bigger boat and hire some people to work for you! he said. And then what will my reward be? repeated the fisherman. The businessman was getting angry. Dont you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world and let all your employees catch fish for you! Once again the fisherman asked, And then what will my reward be? The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, Dont you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach looking at the sunset. You wont have a care in the world! The fisherman, still smiling, simply looked up, nodded and said, And what do you think I am doing now? The Greatest Joy of Life Lovely story, right? But may I poke a giant hole in this lovely story? Think with me. If the fisherman decided to expand and complicate his life by setting up a large fishing business, wouldnt he have been able to give jobs, feed their families, and serve many customers? Aha. I believe the biggest question of life isnt Who had the most fun? The biggest question of life is Who loved the most? Being content with where you are is fantastic. But growth, if required by love, is fantastic too. At the end of the day, contentment and growth are important, but not the most important values. Love is! This will solve this next problem Be Content and Desire Growth at the Same Time? This is absurd. But this tension in fact is one of the secrets to extreme happiness. You must learn to be content with what you have, say thank you often, and take time to celebrate and throw a party. Yet at the next breath, you desire for better things, strive for higher summits, and embrace change.
How is that possible? Love is the answer. Now, let me tell you my second fascinating story. Im sure you havent read this story before. Why? Because I wrote 75 percent of it. OK, read and enjoy! The Stream and the Wind One day, the Stream stared at the desert and sighed a deep sigh. He knew he was stuck. How could he cross this giant desert? So the Stream talked to the Wind. Mr. Wind, I need your advice. I want to cross this gigantic desert. But if I throw myself to it, the sand will absorb me and I will be no more That is true, the Wind thought deeply. So what should I do? You see, I have a dream. I want to grow. I want more fish to make their home in me. I want more trees to plant their roots on my shoulders. I want happy families to have picnics on my banks. I want to bless the world with great love. The Wind smiled, I can help you. I can absorb you and carry you through this desert. The Stream was stunned. He said, Isnt that terrifying? What does that mean that you will absorb me? That means that youll become a cloud and Ill carry you to the other side of the desert. Once there, youll become rain and you can become a stream again. Ill change my form? Ill no longer be me? No One Can Resist Change Mr. Stream, you have three choices. Your first choice is to give up your dream and stay where you are. The Stream said, Out of the question. My dream of love pushes me to grow. Your second choice, said the Wind, is to cross the desert without changing anything. To dream and yet to prevent the dream from changing you. And what is my third choice? To dream and embrace change, the Wind smiled. Carry me, Mr. Wind. Im ready! the Stream laughed. Be Comfortable with Chaos Immediately, the Wind rushed down and blew hard on the Stream. Bits and pieces of the Stream began to swirl upwards. It was terrifying. Chaos ruled! For a moment, the Stream was gripped by the clutches of fear again. So the Wind shouted through the chaos, Who are you? Youre not a Stream. Youre Water! Your essence is not your form. When you know who you really are, you can be comfortable amidst the chaos. Because deep within you, you know that nothing will ever change. Water said, But I am still afraid! Love who you are and love your dream. Love the fish who will live in you, the trees who will be planted on your shoulders, and the families who will have picnics on your banks. And love will push all your fear away. Finally, at the other side of the desert, the falling rain collected itself into a Stream again. When he was complete, he said, Mr. Wind, I dont know how to thank you. You changed me. The Wind smiled, No, my friend. Only love can change you. What Is Your Path? So what is your dream of love? Like the Stream, you too have three choices.
Choice #1: Play Small One day, a woman came up to me complaining about her husband. Hes not had a job for the past six years. Im earning for the family, she said. What is he doing at home? I asked. Praying and reading the Bible. And reading your books! So I talked to him. The first thing he said was, Bo, I love your books. Especially on simplicity. Im now living the simple life. Im so content with my life. Thats what you wrote about, right? For a moment, I wondered if I indeed wrote about it. He then said something profound. You see, Bo, Im now at this stage in my life where Id rather be poor and close to God than be rich and far from God. Touching, right? Makes you want to cry. If only it didnt come from a husband and father who hasnt had a job for six years. For him, life was black and white. If youre poor, youre close to God. If youre rich, youre from God. It never occurred to him that its possible to be rich and close to God. A poor fisherman fishing enough for his family is lovely. Simple. Comfortable. Peaceful. But heres a question: In the off chance that God gave him the resources to grow and the chance to feed more people, shouldnt he take it? If you play small because love requires you to play small, then fine. But if you play small because of fear, youll never be happy. Choice #2: Dream Big But Remain Unchanged There are two types of innovations: sustaining innovations and disrupting innovations. Lets say you own a skateboard. And your dream is to travel farther and faster. Sustaining innovations means youll improve your skateboard. Perhaps youll put more oil. Perhaps youll make the board more aerodynamic. Perhaps youll transform the material to high-grade flexible plastic. Perhaps youll change the wheels to titanium alloy. Perhaps youll take skateboarding lessons from the masters of skateboarding. Disrupting innovations are totally different. Here you ask the dangerous question, If I can change anything in my life, what will I change so I can reach my dream? Disrupting innovations means throwing away the skateboard and getting a 3,000-cc Harley Davidson motorcycle. Thats difficult. Disrupting innovation believes that what took you to where you are now may not take you to where you want to go. When people talk about change, they usually talk about sustaining innovations, not disrupting innovations. Dont get me wrong. Sustaining innovations are crucial. We need to make them every day. But theyre not enough, especially if you have big dreams. Because big dreams require you to embrace big changes another word for disrupting innovations. That leads us to the third choice Choice #3: Dream Big and Embrace Big Changes Ive noticed that people who can embrace big changes are those who
know who they are apart from their job titles, positions, reputations and labels. They know the difference between essence and form. My spiritual family, Light of Jesus, has been going through a disrupting innovation in the last two years. Were throwing away the skateboard and building ourselves not a motorcycle but a spaceship. Because of our dream of discipling 100,000 by 2020, were now overhauling our structure, our meetings, our styles almost everything we cherished and held dear to us. Nothing is untouchable. Oh, believe me, its chaotic! Its like a storm passing through us. But Im so happy that most of our leaders and members are going through the chaos with peace. Because they know their essence: theyre people who love God and love others. That will never change. Hey, its your turn. Look at your life now and answer these questions. Out of these three choices, what choice have you taken? Are there disrupting innovations youve been putting aside? Believe me. Your answers to these questions will determine your destiny.
For reactions, email me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily. com.
(Editors Note: This article is lifted from Bos book, Dont Worry, Be Happy. Get a copy now to read all the secrets to extreme happiness.)
BOS ACTION STEPS:

1. Name 10 big dreams you have for 2012. 2. If you can change anything in your life now to reach your dreams, what will it be? 3. What innovations do you need to do?
pecial TEsTIMoNY s section

was driving along Paseo de Roxas at around five-thirty in the afternoon. I was on my way to Mandaluyong to give a talk to a company that bought 1,000 copies of my book, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country. They were celebrating their 50th foundation anniversary and Christmas party. Traffic seemed heavier than usual. As I looked further ahead, I saw why the vehicles were slowing down. A car was stalled in the middle of the street. A man, presumably the driver, was trying to get a cab or some help. Unfortunately, as it was rush hour, all the vehicles just passed him by. The first thing that came to my mind was of a friend who died of a heart attack in his car. So when I came by the stalled vehicle, I decided to stop, pulled down my window and asked the driver, Is it an emergency? Yes, he replied with no hesitation. Then he opened the passenger door of the stalled car where an old man came out. The driver opened the rear door of my car to let in his boss. Thank you so much. You are God-sent. I have to be in Malacaang by 7 p.m. to attend a state dinner, said the man as he sat at the back of my car. I took a quick glance at my passenger from the rear-view mirror. He looked familiar but I couldnt completely identify him. As we drove off, my backseat passenger asked for my name and offered to shake my hand. My name is Alex, I simply said. He then handed me his business card saying, Im Max. His business card read: Maximo V. Soliven, Chairman of the Board and Publisher, Philippine Star. I turned my head and exclaimed, Wow! What a great honor to have you in my car! I read your article every day! That started our casual conversation on a variety of topics. I felt so ecstatic talking with a great journalist and publisher. Small Act, Big Blessings Our conversation continued as we navigated the length of EDSA. I told him about the small book I wrote and revealed to him that around five years ago, my wife and I thought of leaving the country. We felt that the Philippines was not improving; in fact, it was getting worse every year. We wanted a better environment and a better future for our three children. But after deliberating about it for almost a year, we eventually decided to stay. We decided to continue living here and
The POWeR OF LITTLe ThIn TO MaKe BIg ChangeS
By Alex Lacson as told to Alvin Fabella
ngS
raise all our children in our country. Why did you write this book? asked Mr. Soliven. I am a writer, although not a very good one or a known one, but yes, I am a writer. So I thought that perhaps this is the small talent God gave me that I can contribute to help our country. I told him that my motivation in writing the book was simply to see a better Philippines someday. I wanted to give our people an idea on how we can help our country even through little things or small acts. I believe that a person or a Filipino can be a patriot or a hero, even through small deeds of love. Mr. Soliven asked for a copy of the book as well as my autograph. When I dropped him at his Greenhills house, he said something that I still remember to this day, I am glad to know a Filipino like you, especially in our times today. After I left him at his house, I thought that was it. But four days after our fateful meeting, I woke up to the constant ringing of my mobile phone. I read about you in Max Solivens article in the Philippine Star today, said the voice on the other line. When I ended the call, I noticed that my phones inbox was filled with text messages. Most of the messages praised me for what I did. My email box that morning was also filled with messages on the same subject. I received a lot of queries as to where they could buy my book. I realized at that moment that Max actually read my book. He wrote about it and our chance meeting in his column that day. He entitled it A Filipino of Faith. After that article was published, I started receiving many speaking invitations from all over the country. In 2006 alone, I must have received more than 300. There were many days that I spoke for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all in one day. My book sales and my speaking engagements took off the ground like an airplane. To me it was obvious. God sent Max Soliven to help me spread and bring the books message to so many of our people. To cut a long story short, Max Solivens newspaper article gave my book so much marketing exposure at no cost. And all I did was help a man who needed a ride! The Power of Little Things I wrote about 12 little things in my book that every Filipino can do. They are simple things that can bring about changes that could make big positive results. These 12 things are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt. Dont buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.
5.
Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier. 6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. 7. Support your church. 8. During elections, do your solemn duty. 9. Pay your employees well. 10. Pay your taxes. 11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child. 12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country. This book is my humble way of promoting Gods two highest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor. Each of the 12 little things in the book contains love of neighbor. For instance, when you follow traffic rules, the love of neighbor is there. When you support a scholar, the love of neighbor is there. Inspired by the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, I have written other versions of my book now, such as for the youth, for senior citizens, global Filipinos. I am currently finishing the versions for parents and public servants. Other Change Advocacies for a Better Philippines Changes in our country will not happen overnight. But every small act we do will lead us closer to the better Philippines that we all dream for our children and ourselves. History shows the same pattern with other countries. Lee Kuan Yew was not able to bring progress to Singapore during the first six years of his rule. The same happened with Mahathir Mohammed of Malaysia and Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Despite the negative news and issues hounding our country, I still believe in what the Filipino can do. An ordinary Filipino, wherever he is, can help build the image of our country and its people. We can all be great in the eyes of our own countrymen and of the world. In Kabayanihan Foundation, we endeavor to promote a culture of greatness for the Filipinos. Each one of us should answer a very important question: What can we do as a people? Every Filipino is part of the solution and should be made part of the solution. Every family or company or organization should become part of the answer. We are all part of the hope of our country. The youth have their own list of little things they can do. Our overseas Filipinos should have their own list of little things, too. Our public servants should also have their own list. Its amazing how a simple gesture of giving a ride to someone in need led to other wonderful things. The small changes we do every day would soon bring about the big changes we all seek with a lot of grace from the Lord.
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Catholic
By Edgardo C. de Vera
sunday sweet sunday

aby boomers will remember Blue Sunday Law of the 1950s when shops were closed on Sundays and holy days of obligation and grocery stores (no supermarkets yet) conducted business halfday out of reverence for the Lords Day. Sundays of Advent were the exception when most department stores (no malls either) opened to Christmas shoppers. Societys outlook then was not as consumerist and irreverent unlike now.
Mandatory Rest Day The unwritten law was a continued tradition from an ancient decree. On March 3, 321, Emperor Constantine made Sunday mandatory rest day for everyone, Christians and pagans alike. Prior to this ruling, Sunday was just another regular working day, the Jewish Sabbath being the traditional day of rest. His real intention was to make it easier for Christians to attend Mass, hence the universally accepted two-day weekend of Christian culture. Sunday was originally a pagan holiday dedicated to the Roman sun god. Around the first century the cult of Sol Invictus (Unconquerable Sun) developed among Romans who dedicated the weeks first day
to this pagan god, thus, Sun-day (Day of the Sun). Christians meanwhile had also chosen the same day for Eucharist. With good reason: Christ resurrected on the first day; so were all of His appearances to the disciples as recorded in the Gospels. The Infant Churchs observance is mentioned in Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2, the Didache, and in Patristic writings. Christological Perspective The Apostolic Fathers recognized Christ to be the Sun of Righteousness spoken of by the prophet Malachi and viewed Sunday from a fittingly Christological perspective in light of his prophecy (Malachi 3:20, 4:2). Just two decades before Constantines edict the Church at the Synod of Elvira (AD 303) had already decreed Sunday a day of rest for observance for Eucharist and the Sacraments, especially Baptism. Christians looked forward to Sunday, thus the espying Romans gave them the sobriquet people of the eighth day counting days from Sunday to next Sunday. What may also have contributed to the tag is the apocryphal seven periods of the world that originated among Alexandrian Jews. According to lore, the seventh era marks restoration of the lost Eden and ushered in an eighth symbolising eternity. In the ancient world, eight, being beyond natural order of completeness represented by
seven, conveyed an eschatological dimension of end and re-beginning in a new perpetual world of fulfilled relationship with the Creator. This idea dovetailed neatly with the Old Covenant prescription of circumcision of infant males eight days after birth. The Early Church of mainly Jewish Christians knew that membership in Gods New Covenant family was no longer through the rite of circumcision prescribed by Mosaic Law but Baptism. Rebirth in Christ is the restored lost Eden an idea carried over to octagonal-shaped baptisteries or eight-sided baptismal fonts, which may be seen in old churches to symbolize this. Sunday is the first and oldest feast day of the Church. To celebrate Resurrection with Eucharist is the Christian way of starting a week. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, and the Lords Day fittingly bookends our eight-day week. Sadly, Filipinos no longer observe Blue Sunday Law and many families are more predisposed to start and end their week at shopping malls. Hey, there are Masses there, too! One gigantic mall even boasts of More Masses in a roadside billboard. Email me at catholicsoul@gmail.com.
soul
KPreacher
By Obet Cabrillas
THEREs soMETHINg ABoUT MARY
Y
too! it.
ou will reveal your age if youre familiar with Theres Something About Mary. The movie is all about a beautiful woman played by Cameron Diaz, who possessed that something the X-Factor!
I believe that in everything there is always Someone behind
Now, speaking of Mama Mary, theres something about her,
What about you? Theres something about you your smile, your looks, your behavior, your zeal. Are you sure thats not a someone? Now, lets have some diversion. Theres magical beauty in the alphabet and their numeric equivalence. If the letters A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z are represented by these numbers: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26, Then, H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98% And: K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96% But: A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E 1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100% Therefore, one can say that while Hard Work and Knowledge will bring you closer to your dreams, Attitude will get you there. Because our attitude in life determines the altitude of our success! People nowadays are driven by what I call the Four Toxic Rs: Reacting, Rejecting, Resenting and Rebelling. I believe these disempowering attitudes cause deterioration of ones health and wealth. A doctor friend said that every person has totipotent cells that manufacture cancer cells when a person is in severe depression and constantly has the 4 Toxic Rs. Should we take this sitting down? Lets learn something about Mary that detoxifies us from the four toxic Rs. These are Mama Marys life winning attitudes represented by M-A-R-Y. Mary is always: Meditating
Accepting Rejoicing Yielding Mama Mary is always Meditating. While the rest of the world reacts, she piously prayed for meaning. Reactivity hurts us and the people around us. Lets imitate Mary who, when faced with great uncertainties, chose to meditate and pray, Lord, what is your message to me? She is ever Accepting. The word Catholic (kathoulos) does not only refer to religion. It means all-embracing. While we often reject God and His calling on our lives, Mary accepts. She accepted the call to be the Mother of our Salvation. Mary is vibrantly Rejoicing. We tend to do the opposite. We are loud when we face trials and silent when theres a reason for jubilant praises. Mary spoke the Magnificat with unceasing spiritual zeal. Lets imitate her to empower ourselves. Rejoicing in the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Finally, Mary is Yielding. While the worlds norm is to rebel, the Mother of God obeys. Her yielding attitude unlocks Gods mighty powers and makes her full of grace. Lets obey and usher in success in life both temporal and spiritual. Marys life revolved around the love of God. Look how far the love of God will take you: L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D 12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101% As we open the year 2012, lets welcome the Holy Mother of God into our lives and follow her example. We honor you on your feast, dear Mother, the way the Angel Gabriel lovingly and reverently greeted you: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners Now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Mary said, Be it done to me according to Your Word. (Luke 1:38) Email me at kpreacherobet@gmail.com. Obet Cabrillas is Feast Builder of The Feast Manila, which happens every Friday at Cinema 4 of SM MAnila, 4:30-7:00 pm and 7:00-10:00 pm.
HAND IN HAND:
god and I Working Together
By Armie Medrano as told to Judith Concepcion
od will use you and your hands to bring hope, love and compassion. Youll bring these to strangers to win the world, said Bro. Walter Heidenreich while he pointed to me. Bro. Walter, a foreign missionary, was the guest speaker during the time I attended the Valle Verde Feast in November 2007. He didnt know me personally so I was surprised why he singled me out from among the huge crowd of attendees and directed those words to me. A week before that Feast, I asked God for confirmation if my decision to go to the US to work as a physical therapist was His will. My working visa was already approved. I had passed the National Physical Therapy Exam and the English Proficiency Exam, and my employer had already booked my flight to the US. I was supposed to be excited but fears of making it there alone overwhelmed me. I doubted if I was really meant to work there. Those words proclaimed by Bro. Walter came to me like a sudden gust of wind that blew my fears away. In my heart, I knew God had spoken. I flew to New Jersey on December 13, 2007 with peace in my heart. I thought that everything would be OK but circumstances made me doubt if I heard the Lord right. Temporary Setback My working visa expired on January 8, 2008 and was extended for another 30 days. By the third week of January, my employer told me to return to the Philippines. Since I still didnt have my PT license number because my social security (SS) number hadnt been released yet, I had no choice but to return to the Philippines. My employer assured me that they would take care of my flight expenses and would process my
visa extension before I leave the US. I cried every day. I could barely sleep. Why do you want me to go back to the Philippines? I dont have money anymore, I told God. Some friends suggested that I become a TNT (overstaying tourist). They said it would be harder for me to return to the US once I leave. I thought about it for more than a week. I was tempted to consider their suggestion but God stepped in. On February 4, 2008, four days before my flight back home, I read my Bible and the Didache reflection for the day entitled Announcing the Miracle. The Gospel verses in Mark 5:19-20 struck me like lightning. Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in His pity has done for you. Then the man went off and began to proclaim what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed. I asked the Lord, Wheres the miracle? What will I announce? But I know, Lord, that Youre working on something and I need to tell others what Youre doing in my life. I chose to obey and trust in Gods Word. I went home. When my visa extension got approved, I returned to the US in April 2008. It took two months before my license was released so I was short of funds. But the Lord did not abandon me. He provided me with a place to stay for one year free board and lodging through a generous and kindhearted Filipino family.
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one Last
Non-Monetary Rewards of the Job My job is physically demanding and draining but it gives me joy. Being able to help restore my patients bones, muscles and limbs to normal functioning is already a miracle and a reward in itself. When I touch my patients, I silently pray for them. When they cry because of extreme pain, I comfort them. I engage them in friendly conversation to make them feel at ease and forget about their pain. But there are times when my work frustrates me. When some patients are not able to walk or move their feet even after several therapy sessions, I beat myself up. I feel that I am not a good therapist. Am I really cut out for this profession? I ask myself. Whenever doubt starts to creep in, the Lord uses Psalm 34:8 to remind me, Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. I also get affirmation through my elderly patients who say, Thank you for helping me, or Thank you for making me happy today. Then I feel enthusiastic again. Working for a Higher Purpose Gods Word continues to be my ever-reliable companion. Whenever doubt and anxiety blur my vision of my purpose for working here, I just turn to His Word. Then light sifts through the dark clouds and all is well with me again. As a therapist, I literally use my hands to bring hope, love and comfort to strangers, as Bro. Walter had prophesied. But I am only Gods instrument. It is the hands of the Divine Healer that make healing possible. I work not just for the sake of practicing my profession and earning a living. I now do my job to serve a higher purpose just as the Lord announced four years ago.
Contact
point of
By Bo Sanchez
I pray that you receive your miracles in Jesus name!

PRAY THAT GOD LIFT YOUR TRIALS, heal your diseases, bless your problems and direct you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God remove your fears and give you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him.
So place your hand over my hand, and lets pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now This page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection. Say after me In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life... I believe that You answer my prayer in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen! SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH: Bless the readers of Kerygma, Lord. Many of them are struggling to change for the better. And many of them dont know how. Send loving people to them, Lord, so that they may have hope. Allow them to see and feel their goodness through these people. Above all, let them see and feel Your love for them that You died on the cross for every single one of them. May they learn to give hope, too, to the people in their lives who desperately need to change. May they have patience for those who are seemingly hopeless cases. Amen. Praying for you, Email your prayer requests to me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com or write to me at Shepherds Voice Publications, #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.

Kerygma Jan 2012

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Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

No. 260 Vol. 22

Whos Afraid of Change?

Happy New Year from K.F.A.M!

All Stars - The magazine for 10- to 13-year-olds.

LOADED WITH PRACTICAL TIPS FOR GODLY LIVING.

More to come from Bo Sanchez and his co-preachers.

I encourage all who love Jesus to read this book of blessings.

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JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA

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1 The Boss Become a Superstar 40 Point of Contact

26 180-Degree Turnaround 32 The Power of Little Things to Make Big Changes

tips for personal development

Choosing the Right Clothes for Your Body Type

sleep Deprivation Costs Money

Quick Health Tip:

Source: http://www.whfoods.org 6 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

HIgH-REsoLUTIoN DEAD sEA sCRoLL IMAgEs CAN BE sEEN oNLINE

St. Angela Merici

KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

Christ in the Call Center Industry = Decreased HIV and sTDs

CAN WE RECEIVE THE HOLY COMMUNION?

THIS 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAS A BABY

12 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

THE FEAST AT ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY IN MANILA

WHERE WORSHIP AND ExCELLENCE MEET

14 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

TRANSFORMED BY THE FEAST

FROM A BUSINESSWOMAN TO A WOMAN OF GOD

Funny New Years Resolutions

By Elvie Sotaso as told to Leeanne Sy

16 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

AN oRPHAN fINDs HIs PERfECT HoME

Working at their marriage is a daily thing for the Campo couple.

20 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

Whos Afraid of Change?

JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 21

Can You Really

22 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 23

24 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

BOS ACTION STEPS:

pecial TEsTIMoNY s section

26 KERYGMA JANUARY 2012

Robie and Joanne in Bangkok.

Witnessing Real Changes

By Joanne Bernardo as told to Lella Santiago

JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 27

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JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 29

BOS ACTION STEPS:

JANUARY 2012 KERYGMA 31

pecial TEsTIMoNY s section

The POWeR OF LITTLe ThIn TO MaKe BIg ChangeS