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Lungsod ng Marikina, Diosesis ng Antipolo Enero - Marso 2013

Lent: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

ention the word Lent and these images come to mind: ashes, palms, visita iglesia and pabasa. Former CBCP president and Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo commented about these popular practices, Because we really do not know our faith well, we are often easily persuaded by religious teachers who interpret the Sacred Scriptures differently . . . While we are outwardly devoted to the practices of our faith, we often do not understand their meaning. Our faith is ritualistic and devotional. We see this kind of ritualistic faith in our veneration of the saints, in our processions and fiestas. The Second Plenary Council praised these popular religious practices as rich in values in that they manifest a thirst for God and enable people to be generous and self-sacrificing in witnessing to their faith. (CFC 1535) These traditions are good things, but the Church asks us to focus on more fundamental aspects of our faith. What should we then focus on? In Matthew 6:1-18, Christ discoursed on three Jewish practices for effecting personal conversion: prayer, fasting (and abstinence) and almsgiving. The early Church fathers prescribed the same pillars of Lent for our forty-day journey of conversion. Lent is one of the best times to think about new ways of fostering a personal relationship with God. Let this season mark our return to these basics. Prayer: St. John Damascene gave us a classic definition of prayer: Prayer is the raising of ones mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God. We can request Him for the strength and grace to live out our Baptismal promises more fully. We can pray for those who receive the sacrament of Reconciliation with us during Lent especially our family members, that they will be renewed in their Baptismal commitment. The point of Lent and prayer is to grow closer to Christ. Here are some suggestions: Spend more time each day in prayer than we normally do. The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer. If daily

Mass is not possible, the readings can be read and meditated upon daily as a family. Pray the family rosary. Learn how to examine our consciences daily and have recourse to Confession. The Via Crucis is distinctive because it meditates on the passion and death of our Lord. The Church strongly encourages reflecting on Scriptures as a way for us to know Christ and open doors for Him to enter into our hearts.

our purpose is defeated.

Fasting & Abstinence: Fasting and abstinence are to be kept on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is required from ages 18 to 60, and abstinence is from age 14. On all Fridays of the year, even during Lent, all faithful who have completed 14 years of age have the choice either to observe abstinence or to perform a work of mercy, and act of piety or any work of apostolate. (Ordo) We must fulfill the minimum requirements of the Church for fasting and abstinence. But there are other forms of abstinence and fasting. When we do give up something, it should be completely, not just postponed or saved for later. The money we save from not buying a mocha frappe should be donated to charity. The time we dont watch TV or surf the internet should be spent doing spiritual reading or family time. Fasting reminds us to not take food for granted. It should be motivated by our concern for millions of our brothers who starve due to poverty or suffer from unjust economic and political structures. It should move us to help lessen the suffering that many experience every day.

Almsgiving: The early Church fathers taught that fasting needed to be connected to something else: almsgiving. St. John Chrysostom wrote that fasting without almsgiving was hardly praiseworthy. For St. Augustine, fasting was avaricious unless one gave away what one saved. The practice, then, needs to go with charity; it is not simply a desire to attain spiritual perfection. By experiencing hunger, we become more in touch with those who have nothing or little to eat and that leads to the Lenten practice of almsgiving. St. Augustine bade us, Let us by our prayers, add the wings of piety to our alms, deeds and fasting, so that they may fly more readily to God. Sharing our time, talents and treasures are signs of our care for those in need and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given to us. In whatever we give up, the money we save should go to the needy, to the missions, the Church or a worthy charity. Almsgiving may include giving ones time or goods to those who are in need, e.g., spending time for a feeding program, giving clothes to charity, visiting the elderly and other similar practices. Almsgiving can deepen our prayer as we are brought into contact with our brothers who live in poverty, and it can prompt an important question: Am I consuming too much? May the fruits of our journey to Easter teach us to consume less, give more and pray more. (The Editor)

Abstaining from meat spiritually links us to the poor, who can seldom afford meat let alone eat three meals a day. Feasting on prawns or crabs to avoid eating meat misses the whole point. And incidentally, if we give up delicious ice cream but do not give up delicious gossip

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Charity is Faith in Action

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17) Community, CWL, Eco-Disaster Management Team, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, OLA Development Cooperative and OLA Marshalls. The Ministry, chaired by Bro. Richard Jocson, has around forty individual volunteermembers serving and uplifting the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters regardless of their religion.

DMI Cares for the Abandoned

The Daughters of Mary Immaculate, OLA Circle, is an all-female organization that has been in existence for 37 years. The organization serves in five basic thrusts: Pro Life; Upliftment of Women Workers; Morality in Media; Assistance to Prisoners Families and their Victims; and the Squirettes of Mary.

Through Childrens Smiles

The Eco-Disaster Management Team held its annual outreach program on December 16 at Boso-Boso, Antipolo. On its ninth year, Binubuong Pangaraps beneficiaries numbered more than 100 five to nine year old kids of Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Tanza. Eco-DMT devoted the entire day for the kids to play, share meals and give gifts. Adults and children actively participated in popular parlor games. Nutritious packed meals were distributed to serve as the kids brunch. To cap the day, members gave groceries and of course, toys. Steep roads and bad weather were no barriers for the determined Eco-DMT members. Sponsors assistance and members efforts paid off when they saw the childrens smiles throughout the day. Indeed, sharing without expecting any return is Christian charity at its best. To raise funds for the said activity, Eco-DMT set-up a booth at the parish every Sunday and solicited through Mass announcements and social media. Parishioners were encouraged to donate in cash or in kind, particularly toys or to sponsor a child. Members sold Christmas lanterns made out of recycled water bottles and plastic spoons for 400 pesos. The group also shared its talent by caroling for its worthy causes last Christmas. As tokens of appreciation, small lanterns were given to families that welcomed the carolers. Celebrating the tenth year of Binubuong Pangarap, Eco-DMT plans to do ten outreach programs in different communities this year. Already the group is set to visit and extend help to the elders of Anawim and cancerstricken kids in February and March, respectively. (Soph de la Paz)

Last year, under the leadership of Regent Annie Santiago, the organization conducted several activities for the abandoned. A livelihood seminar on baking for women workers was conducted in collaboration with St. Ellens Marketing and Universal Robina Corp. It was attended by DMI members and prospective entrepreneurs from OLA. Three children of prisoners were recipients of scholarship grants under the Assistance to Prisoners Families. The Pro Life mission group, aside from regular conducting marriage orientation and Pre-Cana Seminars was steadfast in opposing the passage of the RH Bill.

Members are kept updated about social issues through learning sessions such as seminars on Morality in Media. Leadership skills are enhanced through team-building activities, national and regional conferences. The DMI OLA Circle meets every fourth Sunday of the month after the 8:00 am Corporate Mass. DMI members are active participants in all OLA PPC Activities and a number of officers and heads of organizations in the OLA Diocese and Shrine Parish come from DMI. The year 2013 under the leadership of newly installed Regent Ria Santos will continue to joyfully pursue their mission. (Scribe Eyra Lourdes Umali)

Unknown to many, the parish allots a percentage of church donations to fund projects of the Ministry. Among the Ministrys noteworthy projects are medical and dental missions to various indigent groups, back-to-school program wherein school supplies are given to deserving students from public schools and annual Christmas gift-giving of noche buena baskets to one thousand poor families living within the vicariate of OLA. On a day-to-day basis, the Ministry lives up to its mission by giving food to mendicants who often visit the Social Service Office. Though the Ministry gives basic goods, the able-bodied are advised to look for work and earn a living; they are counseled and taught to help themselves.

OLA Social Service Office

As long as we have the poor with us, the Ministry of Social and Human Development will continue conducting medical missions, gift-giving and livelihood programs. It is with fervent hope that more parishioners will support and join the Ministry so that they could all grow in faith, live the Gospel, share joyfully and serve truly as sincere devotees of our dear Lady of the Abandoned. Those who wish to help by way of donations or volunteering their personal services may visit the Social Service Office at the back of OLA Church along Kapitan Moy Street. (Cynch Pelago)
EDITORIAL STAFF: Editor-In-Chief Manjoe Mendoza Photography Rojie Pioquinto and Marky Enriquez and Rodel Enriquez Adviser Libay Ao Associate Editor Cynch Pelago Art Director Gary Enriquez

The Eucharist commits us to the poor. Inspired by the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the mission of Our Lady of the Abandoned, the Ministry of Social and Human Development recognizes Christ in the poorest of our brethren. It responds to the needs of the poor, the sick, the prisoners and victims of calamities by providing vital social services, medical help and spiritual or moral assistance. The Ministry of Social and Human Development of OLA is comprised of seven organizations namely: Basic Ecclesiastical

Staff Writers EYRA UMALI, Rey Plata Publisher Fr. Nante Tolentino

If you can write coherent articles in English or Tagalog, we need you! Please contact: 09209142415 or 0922-8281124. Join our Facebook Group Abbandonata Online to gain access to back issues or a soft copy of this newsletter.

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Nantenics:
ni Rev. Fr. Reynante U. Tolentino

KUMPISAL

Sakramento ng pagpapatawad ng Diyos sa tao. Hinihilom nito ang sugatan nating pagkatao. Itinatag ito ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo, Upang patawarin tayong mahihinang kristiyano. Bawat taon, bawat katoliko kailangan ito, Ayon sa turo at aral ng ating katesismo. Nagkakasala at nakakalimot tayong mga tao, Kayat dapat sa grasya ng Diyos tayo tumakbo.

such as those that will not draw attention to us. Shorts are out for both ladies and gentlemen; same with baseball caps or hats, sleeveless or undersized tops, tight-fitting jeans, mini-skirts, stringed or strapless clothes that have been designed for their own purpose. In deciding what to wear, think, I am meeting my Lord to participate in the mystery of my salvation. We should put on our Sunday dress, and offer Christ our best. Fourth: Upon entering the church, we dip our right hand fingers into the water font, make the sign of the cross in a deliberate manner with the holy water as we pray, May this holy water cleanse my mind from all vain, evil or distracting thoughts. This gesture also reminds us of our Baptism.

Sa Inang simbahan ipinagkatiwala ang pagpapatawad. Ang kalagan nya sa lupa ay ganun din sa langit. Ang mga pari lamang ang maaaring maggawad, Ng pagpapatawad sa makasalanang handang magsakit. O napakabuti mo Diyos naming Santatlo! Sa panahon ng pagkalugmok at kahinaan, Hindi mo kami iniiwanan at binibigo. Pag-ibig ang sagot Mo sa aming kasalaan.

Fifth: Genuflect before entering the pew where you intend to sit for the worship. If you are with someone, pause beside the pew; the lady genuflects and is allowed to enter followed by the male. There are two kinds of genuflection: (1) When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, during a benediction, Holy Hour or perpetual adoration, we kneel on both knees, fully bended; (2) When the Holy Eucharist is not exposed, we may kneel using our right knee touching the floor facing the direction of the tabernacle. And whenever we cross the center aisle of the OLA main altar (where there is no tabernacle), we pause and reverently bow our heads. Sixth: Maintain prayerful silence during the Eucharistic celebration. Turn off cellphones, manage childrens behavior and avoid talking to each other unless extremely necessary. All other personal devotions like novenas or the rosary should give way to our full participation in the Mass.

Living Our Faith Inside and Out

sang maayos at naglilingkod na dambana at parokya ng Mahal na Birhen para sa lahat ng mananampalataya, lalo na sa mga walang mag-ampon, tungo sa banal na buhay kay Hesukristong mapagmahal. (OLA Vision)

Seventh: Participate actively during the Mass proper. Pray, respond and sing with the community. During the consecration, do not move unnecessarily, kneel on both knees and maintain a prayerful stance. If you cannot kneel, remain standing; because nobody should be sitting down during consecration unless one is physically incapacitated. When the priest raises the sacred host and chalice, we silently respond, My Lord and my God. Eight: At Communion time, make sure you are properly disposed to receive our Lord. This means that we are in a state of grace, having no mortal sins. Approach the altar with reverence, conscious that we are receiving the real body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord. We must make sure we have observed the one hour Eucharistic fast before the actual communion.

Ever mindful of our diocesan shrine and parish vision and in celebration of the Year of Faith, a series of catechesis during the last simbang gabi focused on the proper conduct inside a church. This is a synthesis to reach those who were not able to follow the talks last Christmas season.

First: When we attend mass, we are approaching our Almighty God who deserves all the outward respect befitting a power greater than the highest civil authorities. When we enter a church, we are not entering an ordinary building but a sacred place where we participate in the Eucharist wherein the mystery of Christs dying and rising is made present. Second: Preparing for mass is important because the more we realize what it means to come to church, the more it will manifest in our choice of clothes, our actions, our speech and our silence; publicly witnessing our faith in God who gathers us together so that from the rising of the sun to its setting, a pure sacrifice may be offered to His Name. (Roman Missal)

If receiving communion by the hand, the hands must be clean and held like a throne for the Lord with the left hand over the right with palms upwards. We respond Amen once the priest or lay minister says, The Body of Christ. As soon as the sacred host is placed in our left hand, we make one side step; then use the right hand to pick up the sacred host and consume it before turning back to our place. We should take serious care of any particles which may be left in our hand because every particle no matter how small is still the complete Body of Christ.

Third: Wearing the appropriate attire and deciding to arrive in church on time form part of the preparation. Be respectful and respectable by wearing the right clothes in meeting our Lord

Clamp your hands in prayerful position to avoid the temptation of talking or greeting friends. Upon reaching the pew, remain in kneeling position while giving thanks for the precious gift received and allowing Jesus to speak to you. Do not leave the church until the final blessing and the recessional song have been completed. The way we relate and feel for God is seen and expressed in the way we behave inside the church. Lets continue to pray and work for personal and spiritual integration in our lifethat our external actions may manifest our interior disposition. (Eyra Lourdes Umali)

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The Bishops Corner

uring this season of Lent, let us reflect on our desire, for many actions originate from desire. Evil desire gives birth to evil action while good desire gives birth to good action. For instance, desire for wealth, regardless of the means, can give rise to theft, robbery and even murder. As long as one gets rich, it does not matter for the person whether he gets it through foul means. On the other hand, desire to holiness will beget actions that will lead to holiness.

by Most Rev. Francisco M. de Leon, D.D.

On Desire
It will also help that, when we go to confession during the Kumpisalang Bayan on March 22nd, we pay attention to our desires in the examination of conscience and confess our evil desires to the priest. This will purify our desires. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)

When St Thomas Aquinas was on his deathbed, his sister asked, Thomas, what is the main thing to do to get holiness? And the saint replied, The main thing is to have a great desire to get it. No wonder St Thomas is one of the greatest saints! Do you want to be holy? DESIRE IT. Our desire is the engine that moves us towards sinfulness or holiness. Therefore, it will greatly help us if we become conscious of our desires. Knowing our desires will help us know why we do what we do.

Salamat, Mahal na Ina!

Recipients of favors through the intercession of Our Lady of the Abandoned may write us at: libay@cuervoappraisers.com.ph. Your words of gratitude will be included in the next issue under Salamat, Mahal na Ina! (formerly the Miracle Box). It need not be a narrative; it may be a simple one-sentence thank you note to Our Lady in Tagalog or English mentioning the favor received whether big or small. You may also text to: 0917-8121712 or 09228251712.

What are some key resources for the Year of Faith?

We are asked to reflect on the act of faith and rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) or the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC), and the documents of Vatican II so that we may deepen our knowledge of the faith and put it into action. There is also the Compendium of the CCC, a much shorter document which makes the Catechism even more accessible to readers.

In Thanksgiving
O God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Pope Benedict XVI to preside over your Church, we give you most hearty thanks for the years of his faithful service, praying that, after having served as the Vicar of your Son on earth, he may enjoy your abundant blessing in this life and, at lifes end, be received by your Son into eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE March 24 Palm Sunday Masses: 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30, 8:00 Procession: 5:30 AM Pabasa ng Parokya, Parish Formation Center: 9:00 PM

Catholics can talk to their pastors and other parish leaders to learn about what activities will be taking place within their communities. Our own parish provides opportunities to parishioners to deepen their faith during the Year of Faith through recollections, special liturgies, Bible studies, symposia and gatherings that foster knowledge of the Catholic Churchs teachings.

March 25 Holy Monday Masses: 5:30 AM, 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM Senakulo, Parish Patio Area: 7:00 PM

March 26 Holy Tuesday Masses: 5:30

Paanyaya sa mga Magulang: Alamin ang mga sagot sa mga mahihirap na katanungan tungkol sa pagpapalaki ng ating mga anak. March 15, Friday, 7:00PM OLA Formation Center, For more information: 09178358620 / 09232450022
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March 28 Maundy Thursday Chrism Mass, Antipolo Cathedral: 6:00 AM Mass of the Lords Supper, OLA Parish: 4:00 PM Procession of the Blessed Sacrament & Vigil: 5:30 PM

March 27 Holy Wednesday Masses: 5:30 AM, 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM Procession: 7:00 PM

AM, 6:30 AM and 6:00 PM Daan ng Krus ng Sambayanan 7:00 PM

March 29 Good Friday Via Crucis: 6:00 AM The Seven Last Words: 12:00NN Veneration of the Holy Cross: 3:00 PM Procession: 5:00 PM March 30 Black Saturday Easter Vigil Mass: 9:00 PM March 31 Easter Sunday Salubong Rites & Mass, Parish Patio: 3:30 AM Procession: 5:00 AM Masses: 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 4:00, 5:15, 6:30, 8:00

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