parishworks! 1Vol. 09 No. 47 April 12, 2014

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

turn to page 2turn to page 4

April 13, 2014

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the LordMt 27:11-54 (or Mt. 26:14-27:66)

Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Pilate, who questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over.

While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to

Sunday Gospel How Can We Refuse?by Gene Alberto

The fourteen steps that we walk, we do not take alone. Jesus walks with us. And therefore His way of the cross two thousand years ago and our “way” now are truly one.

That cross, that chunk of tree is what the Father chose for Him. However, the crosses we must bear are largely products of our daily life. And yet the Father chose them too, for us. Jesus asks us to receive them from His hands.

We take our day cross, we welcome the monotony that often marks our day, discomforts of all kinds, the summer’s heat, our disappointments, tensions and setbacks. They all remind us often that in carrying our cross we carry Christ’s too. Although we bear a bit only of His cross, He carries all of ours.

How can we refuse? We willingly accept our weaknesses, our irritations and our moods, and heartaches and fatigue, all our defects of body, mind and soul.

Because they are God’s will for us, these “handicaps” of our humanity, we gladly suffer them. Be content with our discomforts, and Jesus shall give strength to struggle after Him.

We know what the Lord is telling us; to watch the pain of those we love, although is harder than to bear our own. For us to carry our cross after Him, we too, must stand and watch the sufferings of our dear ones – the heartaches, sickness and grief of those we love.

2

How can we refuse... from page 1

Every time we wipe a dish, pick-up an object off the floor, assist a little child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or the store, each time we feed the hungry, teach the ignorant or lend our hand in anyway – it matters not to whom – our name is Simon. And the kindness we extend to them, we really give to Jesus.

At times when failure heavily presses on us and we are desolate, Jesus stretches His hand to lift us up. There are moments when we would snap to those who hurt us with their

ridicule, those who misunderstand, or hinder us with some misguided helplessness, those who intrude upon our privacy – we pray that the good Lord help us curb our tongues.

We offer our Savior our all – whatever we possess and more, ourselves. Pray to detach us from craving for prestige, position, wealth. Most importantly to release us from the vice of pride, our longing to exalt ourselves and lead us to the lowest place, so we can be poor in spirit and rich in Him.

The Manila Cathedral re-opens By Susan Amoroso

The re-opening of the Manila Cathedral Minor Basilica (MCMB) dedicated in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was one of the biggest event of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. More popularly known as the Manila Cathedral, its re-opening was studded with the who’s-who of Philippine politics on the night of April 9, 2014. His eminence Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle who heads the 92 parishes comprising the Diocese of Manila was the chief host of the whole event. He was ably assisted by Monsignor Nestor C. Cervo and Ambassador Henrietta Tita de Villa, executive secretary and chairperson respectively of the Manila Cathedral Minor Basilica Foundation Inc.(MCMBFI).

No less than Philippine President Benigno Aquino III graced the momentous event. Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada,his wife Senator Loi Estrada, Senate President Franklin Drilon and his wife, Senator Heherson Alvarez and wife Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez were present. Letty Syquia, Marixi Rufino Prieto of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Danny Dolor, Cecille J. Oppen, Atty. Erlito ‘Alex’ Fider and wife Ester, Atty. John David Garcia, singer-composer – cum businessman Jose Mari Chan and wife Mary Ann were also among the noted guests. Mr. Alberto Lina and wife who donated the carillon of the Cathedral were also present. Many other prominent religious personalities, Church donors and benefactors nuns, pastoral leaders and noted businessmen active in Church activities graced the affair. The Manila Cathedral was bursting at the seams with God’s people, the laity and the religious men and women of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Father Victor Allan Dichoso was prominently seated in the left-side front pew reserved for the priests. Our former pastor Monsignor Emmanuel Sunga was there. I saw among the greeters and collectors headed by

Ms. Luisa Magpayo familiar faces. They are our very own SAAP parish workers Elizabeth Bustamante and Ms. Gina dela Cruz. Noemi Sta. Ana of the SAAP Media Ministry was there leading the group of PWDs ( persons with disabilities) , the deaf and mute, and the beneficiaries of Caritas. This special group was invited and given a special seating place to represent the poor, the underprivileged, the unemployed, the weak, the outcasts of our society.

The Manila Cathedral opened again after almost two years of retrofitting and rehabilitation to ensure the structural integrity of the centuries old minor basilica. It is the eighth time the Manila Cathedral was opened to the public. Founded in 1571, from the original structure of bamboo and wood, it metamorphosed into its present grandeur of majestic beauty and structure. Seven times it was destroyed and rebuilt, everytime on a much grander scale than the previous one. Now it stands grand and sublime, a symbol of the dignity of the Church Christ founded when he said to Peter, ``Thou art rock and upon this rock I will build my church.’’

Former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, husband of MCMBFI President Leni Panganiban gave a brief summary of the retrofitting process. According to MCMBFI member Atty. Fider, about P120-130 million were already spent for the retrofiiting. An additional P50 million is needed to continue and finish the process. One of the biggest donor is San Miguel Corporation Chairman Ramon Ang who gave P70 million and Metrobank Chairman George S.K.Ty. The Cardinal is hoping the much needed additional funds can be raised.

Other special guests and MCMBFI Board members include : His Eminence Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto; Rev. Father Domingo Asuncion; Rev. Fr. A. Cecilio Flores; Msgr. Bernardino Cortez; Vicente De Villa; and Alex Prieto.

parishworks! 3

Faith MattersBy: Gene C.Alberto

Is Jesus sacrificed again in every Mass?

Catholics believe that the Mass is a re-presentation of Jesus’ historical one-time sacrifice death on the cross. In every Mass, the priest re-enacts Jesus’ priestly actions at the Last Supper, offering once more His Body and Blood. But Jesus is not sacrificed again in the Eucharist. Rather, His unique sacrifice is made real and present to us, here and now, because it is a divine reality that transcends space and time.

What do we mean when we say in the Apostles’ Creed that Christ descended into the dead?

After he died, the soul of Jesus descended into a place or state of rest of the dead. All of the just who had died before Jesus’ death were waiting the Redeemer to open the gates of heaven for them. They were in a state of deprivation of the vision of God. The Lord’s conquest over sin and death was announced to them and made real through this action on the part of Jesus.

Why did Christ remain on earth for forty days after resurrection?

Christ remained on earth for forty days after His resurrection to prove that He had truly risen from the dead and to complete the instruction of the apostles, to open their minds and become witnesses.

When we say that Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, what do we mean?

We mean that Christ as God is equal to the Father, and that as man He shares above all the saints in the glory of His Father and exercises for all eternity the supreme authority of a King over all creatures.

References: Lk 22:20, 22:31-32, 27:17, 24:15, Heb 7:24, Rv 5:6, Jn

5:25,20:17,24:25, 20:19, 26, Mt 12:24, 28:18, Acts 3:15, Rom 6:4, 1 Cor 2:12,

15:8 Heb 13:20, Mk 16:19, Rev 1:18,

ccc 1330, 1359, 1372, 1470, 2643, 63,632, 631-632, 636, 637, 659, 661 -664

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (April 13)

Blessing of Palms & Procession - Rizal Village 6:00 a.m.

Regular Sunday Mass Schedule

6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.,

12:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.

Blessing of palms will take place before every mass.

Monday of Holy Week (April 14)

Youth Lenten Recollection, 3:30 p.m.

Resource Speaker: Rev. Fr. Kali Pietre Llamado

Venue: Parish Center

Parish Lenten Recollection, 7:30 p.m.

Resource Speaker: Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio G. David, DD

Venue: Parish Church

Tuesday of Holy Week (April 15)

Parish Lenten Recollection, 7:30 p.m.

Resource Speaker: Rev. Fr. Alfredo G. Guerrero

Venue: Parish Church

Wednesday of Holy Week (April 16)

Parish Lenten Recollection, 7:30 p.m.

Resource Speaker: Rev. Fr. Ramil V. Tapang, SSP

Venue: Parish Church

Holy Thursday (April 17)

Mass of Chrism (Manila Cathedral) 6:00 a.m.

Thursday of the Lord’s Supper 5:00 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration 6:30 p.m.

Friday of the Passion of the Lord (April 18)

The Seven Last Words 12:00 p.m.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross and

Holy Communion 3:00 p.m.

Solemn Procession 6:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday (April 19)

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

Mass of Vigil 9:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday (April 20)

Salubong 4:30 a.m.

First Easter Mass 5:00 a.m.

Regular Sunday Mass Schedule

6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

12:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.

Holy Week Schedule

4

Coordinator Matthew Lizares Parish Works Staff Managing Editor: Susan Amoroso Web Editor: Emilio Medina Photographers: Ann Lopez, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta Anna, Rio Angeles Graphic Artist: Jessica Samantha Lim Bulletin Board Editor Harley Dave Punzalan Powerpoint Coordinators Mria Rhea Pia Libao, Ging Santos, Ellie Medina, Vince Eduard Reyes, SAAP Facebook Admin Karen Ann Phoa

Contributors:Gene Alberto, Rhoni Christel Trillana

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

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

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.

4

Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffSusan Amoroso, Emilio Medina, Russel Matthew Patolot, Karen Ann Phoa, Irene Gonzales, Noemi Sta Anna, Angelina Poe, Magda GanaBulletin Board EditorHarley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorsEllie Medina, Ging Santos, Leomar Alvarez SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

ContributorsWina de Vera

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

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

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.

Media and Communications Ministry Coordinator

Sunday Mass Schedule 6:30am - Filipino

8:00am - English 9:30am - English 11:00am - English 12:15n.n - English

3:30pm - Filipino 5:00pm - English 6:30pm - English 8:00pm - English

AUTHORIZED PETRON DEALER IN MAKATI

FAST DELIVERY

TEXT OR CALL: 0918-9640000

843-2207•886-0931843-8440•843-8691

487 J.P. Rizal St. Makati CityFiRsT ChOiCE

Announcements

Answer key: 1) Winged; 2) Courageous; 3) Yields, Grain; 4) Mustard; 5) Parables

Puzzle CornerJune 17, 2012 - Readings: Ezekiel

17:22-24 / Psalm 92 / 2 Corinthians

5:6-10 / Mark 4:26-34By: Karen Ann Phoa

1. “Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every _ _ _ _ _ _ D E W G I N thing in the shade of its boughs.”

2. “We are always _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S A G E C O U O U R, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

3. “Of its own accord the land _ _ _ _ _ _ S L I D E Y fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full _ _ _ _ _ N A G R I in the ear.”

4. “It is like a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D R U M A S T seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.”

5. “Without _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ B A R A P L E S he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.”

• June 22-24 PARISH RENEWAL EXPERIENCE (PREX)

• June 29 (Fri) KUMPISALANG BAYAN

many others back to religious observances.

Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for “the saint” who was coming to preach a mission.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

He was canonized in 1737.

St. John Francis Regis ... from page 3

Sunday Gospel... from page 1

it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha — which means Place of the Skull —, they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there.And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God,

why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, ‘Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

Reflection:The Palm Sunday celebration is a liturgy of paradox

and contrast. In the first part we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, while the Gospel reading in the second part talks about His passion and death. This probably reminds us of the paradoxical nature of our existence too. We are joyful as redeemed sons and daughters of God, but we experience the passion of our sinfulness which sometimes leads us to an experience of death and the loss of meaning of our existence. Today’s celebration may well remind us that triumph and defeat, joy and sadness, life and death are two concepts that are inseparable. One has little or hollow meaning without the other serving as a contrasting principle. But Jesus Christ who bursts open everything that He touches has enriched our understanding of these dual concepts. He added a third: there is new life after death; not the same life that one had prior to dying but a renewed and transformed life afterwards.