November 16, 2014www.ssaparish.com

Solemnity of Christ the King Forbes Park, Makati

Once again, the holiday season is almost here! How about sharing your abundant blessings with our SSAP JPIC-scholars? It is time to bring out from storage the NUMEROUS UNUSED CLOTHES, TOILETRY AND TRAVEL KITS, BACKPACKS, HANDBAGS, WALLETS, TOWELS, UMBRELLAS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS. There are many young men and women who certainly appreciate these and could use them.

Our Annual SSAP JPIC Scholarship Program-Christmas Party on the 1st Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the Parish Center is an eagerly anticipated event where entrance raffle prizes, games, and hearty party fare bring a lot of good cheer to about 250 of our JPIC Scholars.

Do bring your donations to the Parish Office c/o Ms. Jackie Rafales, our Parish Pastoral Worker soonest and no later please, than Wednesday, December 3, 2014.

As we anticipate your overwhelming response, we do appreciate your labeling the items “M” (male), “F” (female) or “U” (unisex) to facilitate our volunteers’ task of sorting, wrapping and listing them.

Be generous, a sense of joy and fulfillment are guaranteed for all.

Happy Holidays!

SSAP JPIC Scho. Comm. / Marietta Cuyegkeng

Spread Holiday Cheer!

Dear SSAP Parishioners,

The Continuing Catholic Development (CCD) Ministry invites you once again to be part of our annual Christmas fundraising project, Light-A-Parol 2014 (LAP). A parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five pointed star lantern representing the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men on their way to Baby Jesus.

Each parol will represent a gift from you, and by Christmas Eve, we hope to fill the church with parols and welcome our Savior with your acts of generosity.

Now on its 20th year, this project has been the only channel of CCD to raise funds for select charitable organizations for this coming year: Binhi, Grace to be Born, Dream Big Filipinas, Marillac Hills, CCD Disarter Fund, other CCD Special Projects, and the Franciscan Mission parishes.

Our annual drive begins today. Each donor shall be entitled to a 9-inch, 14-inch, 20-inch or 30-inch parol, the size of which may be chosen depending on donation amount. Each parol will carry the donor’s name and hung in the Church, complemented by the elegant Christmas décor (courtesy of Rustan’s Flower Shop) throughout the Christmas season. The LIGHT-A-PAROL 2014 Donors’ list will be published weekly in the Parish Bulletin.

Please join us for the LAP 2014 official lighting event on November 29th (Saturday) during the 6PM Mass at the Santuario de San Antonio (Main Church).

You may start submitting donations and pledge forms as follows: Tue to Sun – Submit to CCD Office beginning today (9am-6pm)Mon to Sat – Submit to SSAP Parish Office beginning today (9am-6pm)Saturday & Sunday Masses – LAP Booth outside Church entrance beginning Nov29th onwards

Please make checks payable to SSAP-CCD. Donations will be accepted until December 29th. For inquiries and pledge forms, please contact Leah at 02-8438834 or 0917-8193542 or email ccd.office.ssap@gmail.com You can also download the pledge forms at the SSAP website www.ssaparish.com

We are counting on your support in this community endeavor.

Thank you very much!!

Katty Roxas-Chua QuaLIGHT-A-PAROL 2014 CHAIRPERSON

Lia Marie TeMarivic BorromeoCCD LIGHT-A-PAROL 2014 COMMITTEE

Christ the King procession

Sunday, Nov. 23, is the Solemnity of Christ the King. Please join the procession at 3:45PM from Colegio de San Agustin chapel along Palm Avenue, Dasmarinas Village, to the church. Liturgy starts at 3:30PM.

It is almost unbelievable that the feast day of a saint long venerated in the East and one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages so that she has been a favorite subject of canvases and icons through the ages has been erased from the calendar of the church. This came about as an aftermath of Vatican II, which reformed the universal

RANDOM THOUGHTSVoices from yesterday and today…

By: Peachy Maramba

ST. CATHERINE of ALEXANDRIA: Patroness of Philosophers, Maidens and

Preachersd. c. 310: November 25

Parish Bulletin

2

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION

By Fr. Reu Jose C. Galoy,OFM

Today marks the closing of the church’s liturgical year with the celebration of the feast of Christ the King. Jesus came as our Good Shepherd and entrusted us to one another. When he comes again at the end-time, we shall come face to face with him and see our worth through his eyes and from our own. We anticipate him asking us: Have you cared for one another? What have you done for the poor and weak among you? Put in another way, only one criterion will matter when the time comes – love and compassion for others.

As followers of Christ, our lives can best be examined on the basis of what we have done to alleviate six conditions of poverty and suffering: hunger, thirst, exile, nakedness, illness, imprisonment. Jesus tells us that our faith in God is manifested in our action in behalf of compassion and in the passion and perseverance with which we pursue the work to combat these inhumane conditions.

The kingship of Christ is not one of dominion, power and control. His kingdom is not about building empires, about prestige and popularity. Rather, it is the kingdom of love, service, justice, reconciliation and peace. It is about the transformation of our hearts into his vision – that all may have life and have it to the full or abundantly.

Jesus uses the image of the final judgment not to scare us as to what will happen at the end of the world

but to teach us on the essentials of life, on what really counts or matters. This gives us an opportunity to evaluate what concerns us in developing a healthy and joyful life. This gives us a chance to look at our service as an act of deep faith.

And so on in this feast of Christ the King we ask ourselves: What holds dominion over us? What drives us in this life? How are we growing in Christ’s vision? Are we becoming Eucharist to one another? How are we working for the transformation of our world and of our community into a kingdom of love, peace, reconciliation and service?

Perhaps, truthful answers to these questions will reveal to us that we have other gods that capture our allegiance and attention. The image of the last judgment is not only serving those in dire need. Rather it is about serving God, for the neighbor in need is no other than Christ himsef.

Editorial Team & General InformationMarilou Consing – Editor in Chief

Jeannie Bitanga – Assistant Editor/Website AdministratorDece Myra C. Urdaneta – Art & Design

Colorplus Production Group Corp. – ProductionSubmit articles, pictures, announcements, notices to:

ssappb@yahoo.comDeadline for submission is every Tuesday of the week.

The Parish Bulletin reserves the right to edit articles for clarity and space.

Santuario de San Antonio Pastoral TeamFr. Reu Jose C. Galoy, OFM – Parish Priest

Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM – GuardianFr. Efren Jimenez, OFM

Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM – Makati Medical Center ChaplainFr. Serge Santos, OFM.

Santuario de San Antonio Parish Center Office Tel. nos. 8438830-31

Email: ssap_info@yahoo.comWebsite: www.ssaparish.com

Website email: webi@ssaparish.comFoundation website: www.santuariodesanantonio.org

Parish Pastoral Council Jayme Blanco – President

Edmund Lim – Vice PresidentCristina Teehankee – Secretary

To submit articles/pictures to the Parish Bulletin/Website Please submit photos with your articles, if at all possible.

Submit them by email (not in paper form) with photos in .jpg formatand a minimum photo file size of at least 80 KB (800 x 530 pixels). Articles submitted should be a minimum of 150 words and not

more than 300 words.Email to: ssappb@yahoo.com

turn to page 3

CHRIST THE KING

liturgical calendar by dropping out what they considered in all likelihood to be nonexistent saints.

St. Catherine of Alexandria was one such saint demobilized from active service even if her cult had flourished since as early as the eighth century. Since the church could find little or no evidence to connect her to her supposed adventures in Roman times it was with great reluctance that the church concluded that no such person ever existed. Amazing!

While it is attested that it was Catherine’s voice that was one of the heavenly voices that Joan of Arc supposedly heard encouraging her to defend the faith in France and empowering the peasant maid to defy every authority, there is little historical proof of this.

And yet to this day her reputed “remains” located in a monastery on Mt. Sinai, still annually attracts great numbers of pilgrims to this holy site.

According to the legend, which exists in various versions Catherine (Aikaterine) of Alexandria, Egypt was an extremely learned young daughter of a noble family sometime in the third century during the Roman era. It was through her study of

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November 16, 2014

Can we choose to die at our own terms?

The ABC’s of Catholic Doctrine

by Lianne Tiu

Recently, we heard the sad and highly publicized story of 29 year-old Brittany Maynard, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and decided to take her own life. Some suicide advocates are using her story to fuel emotions and to market the idea of “death with dignity” – that people should be able to have a choice to

philosophy that she became so convinced of the truth of Christianity, that she converted to the faith even if it was illicit at that time and its believers persecuted.

Another version that dates from the late middle ages says that she became a Christian when immediately after her baptism she had a mystical vision of her marrying Christ.

Whatever the reason for her conversion she became an eloquent fearless preacher of the Word of God who by word and example inspired many to be baptized. After Catherine bravely denounced Emperor Maxentius for his persecution of the Christians he had her converts burned to death and had her seized.

At her trial the 18 year old highly educated virgin underwent intense examination by fifty of the leading philosophers of the court. She not only managed to confound them in a religious debate defeating the most eminent scholars in argument but also in fact persuaded all to convert. Consequently they too were burned to death.

As for Catherine because she so impressed the emperor with her beauty and brilliance the Emperor actually tried to persuade her to be his consort if only she would renounce her faith. Only Catherine staunchly declined. She would rather be imprisoned and tortured.

But she put her time behind bars to good use. She befriended the Emperor’s wife and managed to convince her along with many of her household to convert to Christianity. Even her jailer and two hundred of the imperial guards took up the Faith and became Christians.

On the Emperor’s return from a camp inspection he found what had happened and consequently put to death all the new converts including his wife.

Enraged the Emperor condemned dangerous Catherine to be starved and then tortured on a spiked wheel. This is why the spiked wheel is the

famous emblem of Catherine and she is the patron saint of wheelwrights.

Once strapped to a wheel of spikes the machine miraculously broke apart killing many onlookers. In exasperation the Emperor or his son Maxentius had the unharmed virgin beheaded on November 24 or 25, 304.

Supposedly after her death angels took her body to Mt. Sinai where it was discovered about AD 800.

Veneration for Catherine extended to Rome by the 8th century and by the 11th century had become one of the most popular saints. However as earlier mentioned her feast on November 25 was dropped from the universal liturgical calendar in 1969 because of doubts about her existence.

Catherine is one of the 14 auxiliary saints or Holy Helpers and served for centuries as “the patroness of maidens and women students, of philosophers, preachers and apologists, of wheelwrights, millers and others.”

SOURCES of REFERENCE: Butler’s Lives of the Saints – Vol. IV pp. 420 – 421; The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints – p. 112; The Book of Saints – p. 291; and others.

Random Thoughts....from page 2 end their lives if they are suffering. They also want the government to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Maynard’s story is making us consider an issue, which we haven’t thought of before – that of accepting suicide and euthanasia.

Suicide is taking our own life. Euthanasia is assisting death to someone who is suffering. We have to be reminded that both are sins against the fifth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” Nowadays, we hear people talking about their rights, their choices. “Who has the right to tell me that I deserve to suffer greatly for years?” “Why can’t I have the right to choose when, how and where to die?” God alone is Lord of life and death. (Deuteronomy 32:39; Job 12:10, 1Samuel 2:6) He created us. He alone has the right to decide when we should die. We are not the master of our own lives. If we are in pain, if we are unhappy with our lives, God wants us to endure our suffering patiently for a higher purpose, which we sometimes cannot understand. Euthanasia, on the other hand, is actually false mercy. Our intention may be good; we want to alleviate or cease the suffering of the sick, elderly or the dying. But such action or omission, which causes death is evil. We do not have the right to dictate when and who should live or die. When a person in extreme pain expresses his desire to end his life, we must refuse (even if his sickness is incurable and is at the last stage of life). True compassion is to help him, to give him our love and patience, to pray for him, and to teach him about the redemptive and purifying value of suffering. We also ask the priest to administer the sacrament of anointing the sick (which can help eliminate his fear and anxiety and can help him accept suffering and death). Our help is not to hasten death or to assist him in killing himself.

(Reference: The Faith Explained Today by Joe Babendreier; “Brittany Maynard Ends her Life” by Sheila Liaugminas {Sheila Reports Nov. 3, 2014})

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Parish Bulletin

SUNDAY-NOVEMBER 23* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 9:15AM - CCD Sunday Religion Class* 3:45PM - Christ the King Procession from San

Agustin Chapel* 4:00PM - CORO Practice

MONDAY - NOVEMBER 24* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 1:30PM - OFS Formation

TUESDAY - NOVEMBER 25* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 9:00AM - JPIC Hospital Ministry PGH Visitation* 9:00AM - CWL FREE Clinic* 2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancersize “Open

to All Parishioners”* 4:00PM - Marian Cenacle Group Prayer meeting

WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER 26* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 4:00PM - CCD Religion Class

THURSDAY - NOVEMBER 27* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 9:00AM - Health Care Ministry Visitation at Rizal

Medical Center, Pasig, City * 7:00PM - SYA prayer meeting

FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 28* 8:00AM - LUKE 18 Weekend* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop*11:00AM - Adoration Chapel monthly mass* 3:00PM - SSAP Employees monthly mass* 2:00PM - Health Care Ministry Dancersize “Open

to all Parishioners”* 7:30PM - Household Help Charismatic Prayer

Meeting* 9:00AM - TigAwit Choir Practice

SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 29* 8:00AM - LUKE 18 Weekend* 8:00AM - Thrift Shop* 4:00PM - VOSA Choir Practice

CALENDAR OF MINISTRIESFOR THE WEEK

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY

INDULGENCESBy: Barbie Young

November is the month that the Church remembers and prays for its departed members. Every November 2, All Souls’ Day, priests can celebrate Mass for their benefit, and all the faithful can gain special indulgences to expedite their entrance into heaven.

Indulgences have often been misunderstood and misconstrued. This may be due to the many abuses that took place throughout the history of the Church. In fact, one of the causes of the Reformation was the selling of indulgences. Some individuals, the best known of them being the German Dominican Johann Tetzel (1465-1519) did sell indulgences, but in doing so, they acted contrary to explicit church regulations. The Philippines was not spared from these abuses; many Spanish friars during the Spanish era were guilty of the same exploits. The Council of Trent (1545-1564) issued a decree that gave Church teaching on indulgences and that provided stringent guidelines to eliminate abuses.

The most famous biblical example of someone getting an indulgence is when Jesus, from the cross in Luke 23:43, gave the good thief complete remission for his sins, promising him that he would be in paradise that day.

What is an indulgence? It is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. There are two kinds of indulgences, plenary and partial. In layman’s terms, even if we have gone to confession and the priest

has absolved us of our sins, we still need to make reparation for having violated God’s justice even after the sin itself is forgiven. For example, if you wreck someone’s car, the owner can forgive you, but you still owe the debt of fixing his car. In the bible, God forgave David for his sin of killing Uriah and stealing his wife Bathsheeba, but his temporal punishment was the death of his son.

We pay for this by our sufferings in purgatory when we die or we can do it through indulgences. We can gain indulgences everyday. Each prayer and good work to which an indulgence is attached is like a check that we can draw upon from the Church’s spiritual treasury.

How does the church remit the temporal punishment due to sin by means of indulgences? By applying to us from her spiritual treasury part of the infinite satisfaction of Jesus Christ and the superabundant satisfaction of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the saints. Saints throughout history have offered up their sufferings, mortifications, alms, and good works as capital in the Church’s spiritual warehouse. The Church teaches that we can also add our present sufferings to this repository by “offering it up.”

What must we do to gain an indulgence for ourselves? We must be in the state of grace, have at least a general intention of gaining the indulgence, and fulfill the requirements laid down by the Church. All indulgences and devotions to which indulgences have been attached are published in an official book of the Church called The Enchiridion.

What are the requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence? First, the exclusion of all attachment of sin, even venial sin; second, the performance of indulgenced work; third, the fulfillment of three conditions namely, sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions. If all these are not satisfied, it only becomes a partial indulgence.

Can we gain indulgences for others? We cannot gain indulgences for other living persons, but we can gain them

for the souls in purgatory, applying them either in general or to anyone in particular.

Remember that we can gain partial indulgences daily. Below are listed some of the easily gained indulgences with which we can keep our account paid up and thus lessen our stay in purgatory:

1. Prayers; say some pious invocation2. Acts of mercy; give of oneself or

one’s goods to serve others in need3. Penance; accepting crosses4. Recitation of the rosary

SOURCES: Q&A CATHOLIC CATECHISM, by Fr. M. Guzman; THE FAITH EXPLAINED, By Leo J. Trese; www.catholicbible101.com/indulgences.html

5

November 16, 2014

St. John Berchmans

CALENDAR OF SAINTSFOR THE WEEK

November 23Last Sunday in Ordinary Time

CHRIST THE KING

November 30Andrew, apostleAndrew, born at Bethsaida, was a disciple of John the Baptist before he became a follower of Christ, to whom he also brought his brother Peter. With Philip he presented the Gentiles to Christ and, before the miracle in the desert, it was Andrew who pointed out to Christ the boy carrying the loaves and fishes. After Pentecost, he preached the Gospel in many lands and was put to death by crucifixion at Achaia.

Reference: Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours. Published and distributed by Paulines Publishing House, Daughters of St. Paul, 2650 F.B. Harrison St., 1300 Pasay City, Phil. 13th printing 2010. ISBN 971-590-357-6.

Eldest son of a shoemaker, John was born at Diest, Brabant in 1599. He early wanted to be a priest, and when thirteen became a servant in the household of one of the Cathedral canons at Malines, John Froymont. In 1615, he entered the newly founded Jesuit College at Malines, and the following year became a Jesuit novice. He was sent to Rome in 1618 to continue his studies, and was known for his diligence and piety, impressing all with his holiness and stress on perfection in little things. He died there on August 13, 1621. Many miracles were attributed to him after his death, and he was canonized in 1888. He is the patron of altar servers. His feast day is November 26.

From Catholic Online

24-Nov-14Nena LehmannCandy LehmannJoey CarpoMartin Pantangco

25-Nov-14Lourdes AbelaMargie AbaryMartin TordesillasNathania VilloncoDanielle Kaylet Shana Lao

26-Nov-14Cristina WeberJustin Lina

27-Nov-14Milette ZamoraRafael SantosIan Zafra 28-Nov-14Twinky LagdameoTina JacintoKaren Limpe

29-Nov-14Marissa AranetaHector QuesadaLester TeodoroPia VelasquezAna TanatoAnthony Ty

30-Nov-14Maya Gomez

For corrections and additions to this list, contact Susan at the parish office.

BIRTHDAYS

20-Nov-14Bernard Denis Almeda Datoc & Maria Carolina Rivera Cuyco23-Nov-14Tom Adrian Valera & Laiza Wong03-Dec-14John Vincent Sales Castro & Michelle Olivia Gonzalez Lolim04-Dec-14Vincent Edward Uy Tintoc & Jimmy J Luansing Go IV05-Dec-14Tristan Enrico S. Timbol & Nicolai Anne B. Terry07-Dec-14Victor Eleazar SJ Santos & Gemma V. Laderas09-Dec-14Richard E. Gutierrez & Camille Bettina Dona Kabamalan10-Dec-14Angelo Roman Estrada Cabalona & Mycah Cortez Sarmiento12-Dec-14Gino San Diego Trinidad & Eryn Jade Echavez de Leon14-Dec-14Jeffrey Cabinta Vinluan & Jerissa Leonardo de Jesus

18-Dec-14Adrian A. Sanchez & Ma. Cecilia Manalad18-Dec-14Herbert Roy Mirondo Cruz & Maylen Katherine Ponferrada Blanquiso19-Dec-14Miguel Luis M. Ferrer & Chiara Jaimee C. Fojas 20-Dec-14Kim Loyola Zamora & Jacquelyn Po Chan22-Dec-14Deuz Mark Anthon B. Gueriña & Caroline Marcel B. Ramos23-Dec-14Jose Antonio Jobim B. Garcia & Katrina Mae S. Gamponia23-Dec-14Armando Casibang & Ma. Barbara Tarrosa27-Dec-14Nels An Castillo Badillo & Mary Francis Roa Yu Mapinlac28-Dec-14Jordan Nerizon Diola & Katherine Ignacio Buhain29-Dec-14Syfeuang Maokhamphiou & Melissa Patricia Bautista Ong

03-Jan-15Deogracias M. Natividad & Diana Grace V. Lopez04-Jan-15Vincent Uy Tintoc & Jimmyjay Go05-Jan-15Lenin Ramos Madlangbayan & Shanna Zane Casayuran Delos Santos06-Jan-15Carlo William Evangelista Lim & Patricia Kalaw Feria08-Jan-15Paolo Katipunan Escalona & Pauline Anne Marie Alejandrino Martinez09-Jan-15Dennis Cristoffer Babista Tagaza & Marion Angelle Ordas Rivera10-Jan-15Santino Miguel A. Audencial & Micaela Nicole Fae A. Tamayo11-Jan-15Jaime Joseph Trinidad & Stephanie Shaw15-Jan-15Ricardo Ramos Ong, Jr. & Pearl Trisha Marcelo Padilla

17-Jan-15Ryan March B. Mateo & Mary Grace Cindy B. Garces18-Jan-15Jan Erwin Manalo Veloso & Ma. Christina Gay Macasieb Dantes23-Jan-15Michael Martin Nomorosa Merchan & Terecy Joyce Pasion Chia24-Jan-15Clarence Paul Aguilar Canlas & April Joy Rogacion Ocampo19-Feb-15Jose Velmore Vidad & Joanna Marie M. Trono21-Feb-15Mikael Sy Coyiuto & Jennica Grace Santiago Tañeca01-Mar-15Eduardo Martin Legasi Chua & Vanessa Joan Chua Chan, St. Bede Catholic Church, Pyrmont NSW Australia04-Mar-15Bradlee Zigfrid Cagampan Dungo & Elizabeth Dy Castañeda

WEDDING BANNS

6

Parish Bulletin

Please Pray for the SickMeldy CojuangcoConnie GomezMarilou ArteficioMa. Pilar OledanIggy ClavecillaCecille ReynosoMaxima ‘Amah’ SyAurora GonzalezTommy Dy BuncioNaning BagabaldoRemedios Maceda BerrisCedric CastroAnselmo Trinidad Jr.Pilar del GallegoNena JalandoniRosario LopezVictoriano ChungErlinda Miranda-OledanZwei Lopez GadiShallouh Bancil SwinnertonTony Boy Floirendo Jr.Francisco TankiangCynthia Arms

Felicisimo AlcantaraRosario de Leon TobiasDavid B. LuGloria SyjucoRaffy ChanEdric CoPeter SooChito San JoseRon JacobsNancy ImperialJohnny LopezLisa AlvendiaLetty LigonNorma J. CarlosSony Lopez GonzalezCorazon M. SamaniegoShaina BudhraniGia Gonzalez

If you want a name added or deleted, contact Bernadette at the Parish office tel. nos. 8438830-32.

Terms & Conditions: Valid for dine-in at Tony Roma’s The Fort. Discount applies to full slab of Baby Backs only. One Free Rootbeer Float with every full slab of Baby Backs purchased. Maximum of three full slabs of Baby Backs on discount, per table, per visit. Not valid with other promotions. Offer is valid until 15th December 2014.

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7

November 16, 2014

Our Latest Chapel, Crematorium and Columbaryin Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

LEASE / SALEFORBES • DASMA • URDA • SAN LO • BEL AIR • MAGA

CONNIE PERIQUET GATMAITANCYNTHIA GATMAITAN MENCHACA

TELS.: 8130875 – 8672227 CELL (0917)81093793/F SEDCCO BLDG., RADA ST., LEGASPI VILL.,

MAKATI CITY

Upcoming Advent Recollections!

Echoes of God’s Love

You are cordially invited

The book Echoes of God’s Love includes homilies for the Advent Season, Misa de Gallo, Christmas Season, Lenten Season, Easter Triduum, Easter Season, Ordinary Time, and Major Solemnities and Feastdays. It is intended to

humbly contribute to the task of evangelization andto help provide some food for the spiritual journey.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will be for the benefit of the Our Lady of the Angels

Seminary-College Library Renovation Project.

Fr. Roberto B. Manansala, OFM, a member of

the Philippine Franciscan Province of San Pedro

Bautista, hails from San Fernando, Pampanga.

He serves as president of Our Lady of the

Angels Seminary-College (OLAS) in Novaliches,

Quezon City, dean of the Franciscan School of

Theology (FST), friar-in-charge of St. Francis

School of Quezon City, and director of the

Franciscan Center for Spirituality and Spiritual

Direction (FCSSD), all based at OLAS.He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in the field of spirituality from the Catholic

Theological Union (Chicago, USA), a double MA/STL degree in spirituality and

systematic theology from the Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (Netherlands), and

an MA degree in pastoral ministry from the CICM Maryhill School of Theology

(MST). He obtained certificates in spiritual direction and religious formation from

the Claret Center for Psychotherapy, Counseling and Spiritual Direction and from

the Institute for Religious Formation (Chicago), respectively.

He was pastor of Santuario de San Pedro Bautista Parish (San Francisco

del Monte, Quezon City) and St. Anthony Parish (Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley).

He ministered as spiritual director and assistant chaplain at St. John’s Catholic

Newman Center at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, USA).

Fr. Robert currently teaches at OLAS, MST, FST, Inter-Congregational

Theological Center (ICTC) and Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA). He

provides spiritual direction, facilitates recollections and retreats, conducts training

programs in spiritual direction, and ministers as a guest friar-priest at the Santuario

de San Antonio Parish, Forbes Park, Makati City. PHILIPPINE FRANCISCAN PROVINCE OF SAN PEDRO BAUTISTA

FRANCISCAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS SEMINARY-COLLEGE

FRANCISCAN CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

(Homilies for Liturgical Year Cycle B)

by: Fr. Roberto B. Manansala, OFMVenue: St. Bonaventure Conference room, Convento bldg., Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Forbes Park, Makati City

on November 29, 2014 (Saturday) at 3:00 PM to theLAUNCHING OF THE BOOK

This upcoming season of Advent, we would like to invite everyone to join us as we prepare for both the upcoming Christmas season and the papal visit of Pope Francis next year. The theme for next year’s visit is “Mercy and Compassion” and it is certainly something that each and every one of us called to deepen in ourselves.

Cardinal Tagle has said that “The Pope’s visit draws all Christians to personal and social responsibility. As disciples of Jesus Christ driven by the Holy Spirit, we will be challenged to reach out with love to the neglected and abandoned, to help heal the wounds inflicted on children, women and families, to respect who differ from us, to form the youth in responsible freedom, to value life and creation, and to imbue our culture and society with mercy and compassion. With the Pope let us spread the Gospel of hope with joy”.

Our first Advent recollection will be on December 6 from 10am to 12nn in the parish center. It will be given by Fr. Maxell Aranilla on the topic of “God as a God of Mercy and Compassion.” Fr. Max is a priest for thirteen years in the Archdiocese of Manila and holds several key positions such as Secretary for Academics of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Seminaries. He has a long history of forming individuals for ministry and service in the Church. On December 6, he will guide us in deepening our understanding of what is means when he say that “God is Mercy” and how that applies to our lives today.

The second recollection will be on December 13 from 10am to 12nn in the parish center, which will be given by Mr. Leo-Martin Ocampo. He’ll be challenging us on “Becoming People of Mercy and Compassion.” After all, it is not enough that we understand what it means for God to be Mercy, but we need to be able to become people of mercy ourselves. This is what Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle are calling us to do. Mr. Ocampo teaches Theology, Philosophy and Sociology at the University of Santo Tomas. He finished A.B. Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2007 and is due to complete his M.A. Theological Studies from Loyola School of Theology at the same University.

We would like to invite everyone to both of these recollections, in order to guide us in developing and deepening our faith life this Advent. We hope to see you all there!

By Javier Luis Gomez