parishworks! 1Vol. 6 No. 16 July 17, 2010

Pastor’s MessageLove for Godby: Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

Sunday GoSpeL

Lk 10:38-42

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Dear Parishioners:

Last Sunday through the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we were introduced to the second part of the commandment of Love as Jesus answered the question of the Scribe “who is my neighbor?”

This Sunday St. Luke gives us the first part of that commandment.

How do we love God?

A story may help us in this.

Most of you have heard the poem “Trees,” which winds up with the words:

webs i t e : h t t p : / /www. saapa r i sh . com

Subtle attacks on Family explained (SaFe)

The Vicariate Ministry of Family and Life of Sts. Peter and Paul sponsored a seminar on Subtle Attacks against the Family Explained (SAFE). Attended by workers of the various parishes of the Vicariate, the Seminar was held in the SAAP.premises and coordinated by Ed and Pinky Cuenca, Vicariate Couple Coordinator .

The first day of the seminar concentrated on the issues on global population. It has been noted that population is not increasing but a bigger percentage of countries have declining population. Countries who introduced population control early in the 70’s are now having issues with low birthrates and having more senior citizens to take care. With low birthrates, there are less and less young people in the workforce and aged workers have to stay longer at work to support themselves as they grow older in their senior years. Because of this, countries like Singapore and Japan are even giving incentives to couples to give birth.

It has also been discussed that the whole world is so vast that even just the state of Texas can already accommodate the whole world’s existing population. In our country, it was also shown that overpopulation is not happening in all provinces, it only happens on major cities like here in Metro Manila. Is there

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Hapag-asa Feeding program on its 6th year

The Social Service Ministry’s Hapag-asa feeding program provides balanced and nutritious lunchtime meals to 50 malnourished and underweight children, between the ages of 2 and 7, who have been screened and selected from the parish community. On its sixth year in operation, this year’s feeding program started last March 22 and will continue on until the end of September. Complete meals, vitamins, and medicines are given to the children from Monday to Friday, for six months straight. Every participant’s weight is monitored regularly throughout the six-month program. The parents are also trained on how to prepare nutritious but affordable meals on their own so that the gains achieved can be maintained even after the end of their children’s participation in the program.

The feeding program owes its heartwarming and amazing success to its many generous donors and sponsors, both individuals and organizations, mostly from the parish community.

Among the program’s regular sponsors is the Rotary Club of Makati Poblacion, represented by Mr. Roman Leus and Mr. Arvin Lim, who are both active SAP parishoners. Their Club members recently visited the kids, and once again made a most generous contribution to this year’s feeding program.

Interested individuals or organizations who wish to donate to the feeding program are encouraged to contact the Parish Office for further information.

Caption for photos: SSM Head Ope Lopez and Bing Campos receive donation to the feeding program from Rotary Club of Makati Poblacion President Migs Bichara, and Rotary Club Fukui Ajisai Japan PP Awashima

our of Lady of Mount Carmel Feast day: July 16patroness of the Carmelite

Mount Carmel, in Jewish history, appears as holiest place of worship (“without any image upon it and without a temple around It.”) favored by many religions dating before the 15th century before Christ. According to 1Kings (18, 20-35), there is an altar to God which had fallen into neglect by the time of Ahab, but was rebuilt by Elijah. It was here that Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal to end the famine afflicting the land to prove whose God was actually in control of the kingdom of Israel. Yahweh honored Elijah’s sacrifice and the rain poured down to end the drought that caused the famine.

The solemn liturgical feast on July 16 is known as the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. I t was first observed in England around the 14th century, for the purpose of thanksgiving to Mary, patroness of the Carmelite Order, for various benefits given to the Carmelite Order, the first of which was the vision of St. Simon Stock, who was praying deeply for succor from the Blessed Virgin. As a sign of this help, Mary presented the Carmelites with a Brown Scapular. Any Carmelite who wears this Brown Scapular, which, thereafter would form part of the Carmelite habit, will earn forgiveness of sins and guaranteed salvation at the time of death.

At several times in history, the Church has intervened to explain the benefits and privileges of wearing the Brown Scapular. “The Scapular is a Marian habit or garment. It is both a sign and a pledge. A sign of belonging to Mary; a pledge of her motherly protection, not only in this life but in the next. As a sign, it is a conventional sign signifying three elements strictly joined:

first, belonging to a religious family particularly devoted to Mary, especially dear to Mary, the Carmelite Order;

second, consecration to Mary, devotion to and trust in her Immaculate Heart;

and third a exhortation to become like Mary by imitating her virtues, above all her humility, chastity, and spirit of prayer.”

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pastor’s Messasge from page 1...

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“Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.” The author of that poem became a Catholic at the age of 27. He was a sensitive, straightforward, and simple writer who took common things, like a tree, and brought out their beauty. He enlisted in World War One and was killed in action at the age of 32, leaving a wife and family.

Kilmer’s deeply religious spirit found fulfillment in the Catholic faith. He loved and lived it. His letters to his wife, also a poet, to his children and friends were filled with spiritual insights. In one letter he wrote something closely related to today’s Good News: “Pray that I may love God more. It seems to me that if I can love God more passionately, more constantly, without distraction, nothing else can matter… I got faith by praying for it. I hope to get love the same way.”

How many of us have ever asked God to help us love Him? To love God is a gift-from God Himself. Too many falsely think we can grow in the love of God by our own efforts, that it is entirely up to us to learn how to love Him. To be sure, we need to do everything humanly possible to carry out the command of Christ: “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God.” But above and beyond our efforts this gift will be ours when we beg it from our heavenly Father.

This is shown in the incident that took place in Bethany when unexpectedly Jesus dropped by the house of Martha with His retinue of His apostles. In addition to preparing and serving the people, the rules of hospitality require that host/hostess provide for the physical comforts of his guest, e.g. water for washing feet, hands, oil for anointing head etc. No wonder Martha’s expressed her resentment “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” (v.40) This remark would serve as the opening to the essential point of the story.

To this statement of Martha, the Lord replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need only of one thing.” (v.41-42 a)

Some suggested that Jesus was telling Martha only few dishes were needed for their meal. In fact only one would be enough.

Others giving an eschatological meaning to Jesus’ answer interpreted it as reference to the subordinate and passing significance of material things. With the coming of the kingdom of God which is so near, only a few things are necessary and least of all, material things and preoccupations.

But the final sentence clarifies it all. “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (42b). Let us first give meaning to this sentence “ There is need only of one thing (42a).’

Looking at Luke 12: 29-31, “As for you, do not seek what you are to eat, and what you are to drink and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

INSTEAD, SEEK HIS KINGDOM, AND THERE OTHER THINGS WILL BE GIVEN YOU BESIDES” With this mind, the meaning of Jesus’ statement to Martha is for her to seek God’s kingdom first more than any of her worries. In fact centuries ago, the psalmist in Psalm 27:4 had expressed the same in a prayerful manner

“ONE THING I ask of the Lord;

This I seek:

To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life;

To gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple.

Now going back to Mary who had that undivided attention to Jesus, she was there at the feet of Jesus listening and hearing the word from Him.

Hearing the word and listening to Jesus are what it means TO LOVE GOD WITH ONE’S WHOLE HEART, SOUL, MIND, AND STRENGTH. The gospel of Luke says it in chapter 11: 27-28. “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed. He replied rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observed it.”

Look at the position of Mary. She was at the feet of Jesus (v.39). To sit at a person’s feet was tantamount to being that person’s disciple, or studying under that teacher. Mary’s position and her single-hearted attention communicate the evangelist powerful message; TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL ONE’S SELF IS TO BE A

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresBulletin Board EditorEJ CarlosParish Works StaffEllie Medina, Angelina Poe,Emilio Medina, Teresita CabralAnnouncements CoordinatorRochelle PinedaPowerpoint CoordinatorGing Santos, JRContributorsEd & Pinky Cuenca, Bing Campos

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

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 Co-coordinators

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pastor’s Messasge from page 3...

SaFe from page 1...

DISCPLE OF JESUS. At Jesus’ feet Mary is our model of loving God through our discipleship. She has learned that life comes not from bread alone (or earthly cares) but from every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Are you this kind of disciple?

Is this the kind of your love for God?

Everyone is encouraged to visit the “Angels and Saints Exhibit” of Radio Veritas 846 with the theme, “Truth: Way to Holiness” from July 15 to 28 at the ground floor of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The exhibit features life-sized images of our favorite saints from different parishes in Metro Manila.

July 15 to 28

Rediscover your relationship with self, others, and God through our Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) seminar from July 23 to 25 at the Parish Jubilee Hall. This weekend encounter begins Friday evening at 6:30 and ends Sunday afternoon. All Catholics aged 18 and above are invited to join. Registration forms are available at the Parish Office.

July 23 to 25

overpopulation in Laguna, in Batangas, in Mindanao? None.

Why is population control being pushed? Because of the foreign funding that is made available should bills supporting it be passed.

Speaker of the said event was Fr. Gregory Gaston , who has worked in Rome in the Pontotifical Commission of Family and Life and eventually designed the Seminar: SAFE.