parishworks! 1Vol. 10 No. 36 January 10, 2015

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Sunday Gospel This Year I Will Make a DifferenceBy: Gene C. Alberto

This year I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by any circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and hear says. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. I know time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this year with joy of a child and courage of a giant. I will take each day as though it was my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving.

I will not let past failure hunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble…I will get up. It’s OK to fall…I will rise again.

I will spend time with those I love. My children, my grandchildren, my family, my friends. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationship. This year I will spend at least five minutes each day with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes each day of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes each day with those I love and even those who are not so lovable.

This year I will make a difference. I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.

Gospel: MK1:7-11

He preached to the people, saying, “After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize in the Holy Spirit.”

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth, a town of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And the moment he came up out of the water, heaven opened before him, and he saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And these words were heard from the heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.”

Reflect: The Public life of Jesus starts with the baptism done

by John. The baptism of the Lord inaugurates his mission as Messiah revealed in his obedience to the Father and closeness to the poor and sinners. It also reminds us of our baptism, dying to our own sinfulness and rising up as beloved children of the Father. Our Gospel invites to follow Jesus who is to commence the journey that would lead him to death and resurrection.

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Faith MattersBy: Gene C. Alberto

Is Papacy in the Bible?When we read in the Gospel according to Matthew

that Jesus gives a special commission to His chief apostle: “You are Peter (meaning literally, “Rock”), and upon this rock I will build my Church” (16:18). This is the most direct biblical reference to the papacy. In this moment, our Lord establish St. Peter as the first pope and leader of one, holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church, whose role is indispensable to the mission.

Now notice what Jesus goes on to say to Peter at his commission: “I will give you the Keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on hear shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (16:19).

Here Jesus tells more about what it means for Peter to be the “Rock” of the Church. Peter and his successor will have a unique share in Christ’s authority as the keeper of the “Keys”.

St. Peter became the first bishop of Rome, so his unique office in the Church has been passed down to his episcopal successors. It is called Apostolic succession.

Do Catholics believe the Pope is infallible?

Contrary to the idea of many people infallibility does not mean that the Pope is free from possibility of error when he speaks as a private teacher. However, the successor of Peter guards with fidelity the revelation in the deposit of faith handed down by the Apostles.

What then does infallibility mean?Simply this: when the pope in his official capacity,

with the fullness of his authority, as head of the Church on earth, proclaims a doctrine of faith or morals binding on the whole Church, he is preserved from error. It is noted that three conditions are required:

1. The pope must speak from the Chair of Peter, in his official capacity.

2. The decision must be binding on the whole Church.

3. It must be in a matter of faith and morals.The pope has the function to hand down unchanged

the deposit of divine truth to all generations of men.References: Is 22:21-22; Mt 16:18-19;Mk 16:7;Lk 22:32;Jn 21:15-17 Acts

2:14-36; 3:1-26; 1 Pt 5:1;Catechism of Catholic Church 440-443;552-

556;737;765;815-816;874-887;914;936-937;1444

January 15

5:45 pm – Arrival in Manila, followed by a motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature, or the Vatican Embassy, along Taft Avenue

January 16

9:15 am – Welcome ceremony in the presidential palace, Malacañang, with a courtesy visit to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III

10:15 am – Meeting with civil authorities and the diplomatic corps, and a speech by Francis; followed by a motorcade to the Manila Cathedral

11:15 am – Holy Mass with bishops, priests, and consecrated persons at the Manila Cathedral; followed by a motorcade to the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City

5:30 pm – Meeting with families at the Mall of Asia Arena

January 17

8:15 am – Departure for Tacloban City, from the Villamor Air Base

9:30 am – Arrival in Tacloban City

10 am – Concelebrated Mass near the Tacloban airport

12:45 pm – Lunch with several Yolanda survivors at the

Archbishop’s Residence in Palo, Leyte

3 pm – Blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in Palo, Leyte

3:30 pm – Meeting with priests, consecrated persons, seminarians, and families of Yolanda survivors at the Palo Cathedral

5 pm – Departure for Manila

6:15 pm – Arrival in Manila, at the Villamor Air Base

January 18

9:45 am – Meeting with leaders of various religions at UST in Manila

10:30 am – Meeting with the youth in the sports field of UST, and a speech by Francis; followed by a motorcade to Rizal Park

3:30 pm – Concluding Mass at Rizal Park, Manila

January 19

9:45 am – Departure ceremony at the presidential pavilion of the Villamor Air Base

10 am – Departure for Rome

Pope Francis’ Itinerary on his visit to the Philippines 2014

parishworks! 3

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Paeskwela Corner

Thank you…By Kriztel Aguirre, Asia Pacific College

A simple thank you will never be enough to thank

everyone who has been part of our 2014 but a simple thank you will always be the best way to express how we appreciate their presence, care and love during the last year.

To express our thanks to everyone who has been part of our 2014, we in Paeskwela had this thanksgiving activity. In this activity, we are asked to share something that we are thankful for in the past year and write a letter to someone whom we are thankful to. We are all thankful for our friends who always have been there in our ups and downs, for our co-paeskwela who have become our brothers and sisters in church. To our family, who always believes in us, also for our mentors who are

really dedicated and passionate in guiding us, not only in our academic life but also in our spiritual life. To our benefactors, who always believe and support us. To our dear Msgr. Dennis, parish staffs and to all those people behind the Paeskwela. We are thankful not only for all those people but also for the events that happened in the past year. May it be good or bad we have learned something from it that we can use as we start the New Year. But we are most thankful to our God who gave all those people and events we are thankful of.

This may be the best time to thank everyone before you start a new year, but we should always remember that we should be grateful for everyday that God has given us. We should always show our gratitude to everyone in any possible way we can.

From the Paeskwela ni San Andres, thank you so much for all your love and support this past year, may we continue to grow in God’s love.

The Purpose and the PromiseRhoni Christel R. Trillana

There are only two probable perspectives that people might look at life in this time of the year; either a life filled with so much joy or resentment as they look back on what had happened to them this 2014, or a life filled with so much anticipation or fear from all the unpredictability and challenges they are about to face for 2015. It’s either they look back or they look ahead, probably failing to realize the purpose and promise that God has upon His children.

As it has been in the years that had passed, everyone is filled with so many reasons to smile and laugh as much as they have the reasons to regret or be saddened about. The usual cause behind why people sometimes can’t reach the greatest heights they are fated to achieve is because they simply find it difficult, if not impossible, to move on and let go of what had come to pass. They simply clutch onto the things they can’t handle to live without that they cease to make the most out of the moment, and ignorantly let the current and future blessings pass by without being appreciated and shared. 2014, no matter how it has been either a living nightmare or a haven of bliss, is just a smidgen of a chapter that God

had written for them in the book that has always been destined to be nothing but perfect. Things might be a bit too chaotic and twisted right now, but everyone must rest assured that soon enough, God will show them how every piece will fall back into their place- proving how this year is actually just another milestone towards a better life written cleverly by our Creator. Everyone must learn to breathe and live, appreciate or survive current situations, and simply move on; while lifting their heads up high and confidently being aware of God’s purpose of making them better than they ever were.

Now, as we stand a few days away from welcoming another year, everyone might feel ambivalent, restless and pressured from all the anticipation of having to welcome 2015 with a great spectacle of joy and excitement. Filipinos prepare a new year in ways that are

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Coordinator Matthew Lizares Parish Works Staff Managing Editor: Susan Amoroso Web Editor: Emilio Medina Photographers: Ann Lopez, Noemi Sta AnnaBulletin Board Editor Harley Dave Punzalan Powerpoint Coordinators Ging Santos, Ellie Medina, Vince Eduard Reyes, SAAP Facebook Admin Karen Ann Phoa

Contributor:Gene Alberto, Kriztel Aguirre, Rhoni Chriristel 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.

Parish Office Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-Noon; 2:00-7:00 p.m.Sunday 7:00 a.m.-Noon; 2:00-7:00 p.m.

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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

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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

Puzzle Corner

1. “To open the eyes of the _ _ _ _ _ D I L B N, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ N O U N G E D, those who live in darkness.”

2. “Rather, in every _ _ _ _ _ _ O T I N A N whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

3. “I am not _ _ _ _ _ _ H Y T O R W to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ D I Z E P A B T you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”

4. “It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the _ _ _ _ _ _ N O J R A D by _ _ _ _ H O J N.”

5. “On coming up out of the _ _ _ _ _ T A W R E he saw the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S A V E H E N being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.”

January 11, 2015 - Baptism of our Lord; Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 / Acts 10:34-38 / Mark 1:7-11

Answer key: 1) Blind, Dungeon; 2) Nation; 3) Worthy, Baptized; 4) Jordan,

John; 5) Water, Heavens

Mass Schedule Sundays 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

Weekdays 6:30am - English 12:15n.n - English

6:30pm - English

The purpose and the promise. from page 2

very unconventional; from following ancestral traditions, to applying Feng Shui tips in trying to find the safest and “luckiest” ways to get through their everyday living. Certainly, most people are bothered by a lot of things, such as worrying who to spend the New Year’s eve with, which outfit to wear, what menu to serve and feast on, or what resolutions they vow to follow- not realizing that at the end of the day, we should simply drop everything and offer the days of our lives in God’s hands. Life has always been one filled with surprises that are impossible to foresee and control. Having that kind of limitation makes everyone true “children” of God, forever in need of comfort, support and strength from their Dear Father.

As everyone ushers in a brand new year, may God’s love, mercy and compassion be at the centre of their lives. Filled with reasons to be happier, stronger and bigger than they ever were, may they live for God’s purpose alone. Everyone is caught up between the two obligations of embracing what God had given and served, and preparing themselves for the greater trials and abundance He has in store for the coming year. Certainly, this year has not been an easy one for anybody to conquer, and there is no assurance that 2015 will make it even a bit lighter for them to bear. But one thing is still for sure; not once did God promise a painless road for us to take on; our Heavenly Father never promised an easy life, but He did assure us that everything will be worth it- and with that promise, who are we to still fear on what lies ahead?