The college will celebrate its Golden Foundation Anniversary on October!
The blog of a group of Filipino Catholics and their frank commentary on anything that affects their lives as a citizen of the Philippines and as a Roman Catholics.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Pro Life Rally on the Feast of the Annunciation
As you may recall, the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila announced the staging of a huge pro-life rally this March 25, Friday, the Feast of the Annunciation. You may get the full day's schedule here.
This feast is very important especially for Catholics since this is the moment that the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that She would be the Mother of God. And Mary willingly gave her FIAT to the angel, trusting in the words of the Lord.
At the moment of her "Yes" GOD BECAME MAN!
Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Mother!
Conception at the moment of Her "Yes".
That is why in the older liturgy, the priest and the laity bow down at the words in the Creed:
- Et incarnátus est de Spíritu Sancto
- Ex María Vírgine, et homo factus est.
Is it nostalgia folks? No!
It is simply regaining the sacred that was lost with oversimplifying how we worship. I hope we get this practice of kneeling or even bowing at the mention of these words at Mass and during the prayer of the Angelus.
Lex orandi, lex credendi!
The people lose their faith because our pastors show it in the liturgy!
But I digress...
The Pro Life Rally during the Feast of the Annunciation is REALLY the PERFECT TIME to hold such a public declaration of outrage for a bill that is immoral and does not espouse the right's of women but only the pockets of pharmaceutical companies!
OUR LORD AND OUR GOD BECAME MAN AT THE MOMENT OF THE VIRGIN'S YES!
Life begins at conception!
And sex is ONLY between two heterosexual couples bound together in the Sacrament of Matrimony!
GET THAT!
Monday, March 21, 2011
The New Patriarch of the Maronites
“We carry Lebanon in our prayers, to regain its role in these difficult days that the east is living in,” announced the new patriarch after his election, referring to widespread instability throughout the Middle East.
“We pray for Lebanon especially to get out of its crisis,” he said, expressing hope that the country would soon manage to form a new government.
The former Bishop of Jbeil has become the Maronites' 77th leader, with the official title of “Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Maronites.” His successor, Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, retired on Feb. 26 at age 90.
A spokesman for the Maronite synod of bishops, Monsignor Youssef Tawk, announced the news to crowds gathered outside the Maronite Church's headquarters in Bkerke, near Beirut. Since the deliberations began on March 9, the faithful had been eagerly anticipating the election of a new leader for the ancient church.
“Our joy has no limit,” said Monsignor Boulos Nasrallah, a priest of the new patriarch's former diocese, following the election announcement. The monsignor described the Maronites' new leader as “a very qualified person from a spiritual standpoint,” who has long been “one of the pillars of the church.”
“He listens to everyone,” Msgr. Nasrallah said, “and greets everyone the same, whatever their background.”
Although 59 percent of Lebanese are Muslims, Christians also have a strong presence. Maronite Catholics are the country's largest Christian group, representing 21 percent of the total population.
Lebanon's unusual power-sharing system reserves political offices for candidates who hail from the various religious groups, so that the president is always a Maronite Catholic, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliament speaker a Shi'ite Muslim. Long-running political tensions forced Saad al-Hariri to resign as Lebanon's prime minister in January 2011, and no new government has yet formed. [Lebanon's political system has a very unique set-up.]
Patriarch-elect Rai is known as a political moderate, in contrast with his predecessor's outspoken opposition to the influence of Syria and the militant political Islamic group Hezbollah.
The patriarch-elect entered monastic life as a member of the Mariamite Maronite Order, founded in 1695 during a monastic revival. Lebanese Christianity has favored monasticism from its earliest days, with the Maronites deriving their name from the monk – St. Maron – who established their church.
Maronites are Eastern Catholics of the Syriac tradition, whose church was never formally separated from communion with the Pope. [The most faithful of the Eastern Catholics to stay loyal to the Holy Father.] Maronites worship in Jesus' own language of Aramaic, [and they understand it! So what does the vernacular champions have to say about it? Devotees of the TLM are of the same page as the Maronites.] and follow a different liturgical tradition than many of the other Eastern churches which trace their origin to the Byzantine empire. (CNA)
***
What? They were not inculturated?
Sorry. Can't help it.
Ha!
God bless the Maronites!
May the new patriarch guide his flock especially during this trying times.
And may he be a shepherd modeled after the Heart of the Good Shepherd.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Mass for Pro-life lawmakers
MANILA, March 18, 2011— The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will celebrate the Holy Eucharist next week to recognize the efforts to block the passage of the reproductive health (RH) bill.
Monsignor Juanito Figura, CBCP secretary general, said it would be a Thanksgiving Mass for all the work of pro-life organizations, professionals and the legislators March 23 at 9 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.
“It is specifically for all the pro-life efforts that we have been able to do so far in defending the sanctity of life,” Figura said.
He said the liturgical activity is the CBCP’s “special way” of thanking the advocates’ effort in promoting the “true welfare” of the Filipinos including the unborn.
“So it’s a way of commending the efforts particularly by our legislators because largely the struggle is in Congress and eventually in the Senate,” he said.
“Now, in this Mass we are exhorting everybody to altogether commend the continuing efforts against the bill to the blessing of the Almighty,” Figura added.
The church official said the Mass will be led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with members of the CBCP Permanent Council and other prelates and priests concelebrating.
He said all “pro-lifers” are invited to attend the Mass which will be held ahead of an anti-RH bill rally at the Quirino Grandstand on March 25.
The demonstration will be led by Cardinal Rosales amid a “serious threat” against “the fundamental love of Filipinos for family and life.”
“Being the last country standing against the vicious attacks of power in connivance with lawmakers, we see the urgent need now to stop the attack by the proposed RH bill on our valued culture of life,” said Rosales.
“This orchestration instigated by those against life, local and foreign, has to be stopped. We shall all stand united against the assault on life and its values,” he said. (CBCPNews)
***
I am pretty sure the Rabid Harlots and the Agents of Death aka Filipino FreeeDumbers will be around to do some heckling.
Well, bring it on!
See you there!
Monsignor Juanito Figura, CBCP secretary general, said it would be a Thanksgiving Mass for all the work of pro-life organizations, professionals and the legislators March 23 at 9 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.
“It is specifically for all the pro-life efforts that we have been able to do so far in defending the sanctity of life,” Figura said.
He said the liturgical activity is the CBCP’s “special way” of thanking the advocates’ effort in promoting the “true welfare” of the Filipinos including the unborn.
“So it’s a way of commending the efforts particularly by our legislators because largely the struggle is in Congress and eventually in the Senate,” he said.
“Now, in this Mass we are exhorting everybody to altogether commend the continuing efforts against the bill to the blessing of the Almighty,” Figura added.
The church official said the Mass will be led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales with members of the CBCP Permanent Council and other prelates and priests concelebrating.
He said all “pro-lifers” are invited to attend the Mass which will be held ahead of an anti-RH bill rally at the Quirino Grandstand on March 25.
The demonstration will be led by Cardinal Rosales amid a “serious threat” against “the fundamental love of Filipinos for family and life.”
“Being the last country standing against the vicious attacks of power in connivance with lawmakers, we see the urgent need now to stop the attack by the proposed RH bill on our valued culture of life,” said Rosales.
“This orchestration instigated by those against life, local and foreign, has to be stopped. We shall all stand united against the assault on life and its values,” he said. (CBCPNews)
***
I am pretty sure the Rabid Harlots and the Agents of Death aka Filipino FreeeDumbers will be around to do some heckling.
Well, bring it on!
See you there!
Pope sends money to Japan
VATICAN CITY, March 16 (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Benedict XVI sent a donation of $100,000 to the Bishops' Conference of Japan to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country on March 11.
Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, told Vatican Radio that the council is working closely with the Japanese bishops, Caritas International network and other aid organizations to determine the best way to respond to the needs of the people.
Cor Unum is the council that carries out the Pope's humanitarian efforts.
Msgr. Figueiredo said Japan has experienced "a vast tragedy" on par with the 2004 tsunami in Asia, the earthquake and flooding in Pakistan, and the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
"The first thing we need to do is to pray that these people have hope," he said, before explaining that material assistance is also needed. "The Holy Father has sent $100,000 to the Japanese bishops through this pontifical council because that is the fastest way to get the funds to the most affected dioceses."
In addition, the Vatican official continued, "The bishops are the ones responsible first for the works of charity in the dioceses, and they know what the people need." He emphasized that the Church plans to continue assisting those in Japan for the long term.
Bishop Tetsuo Hiraga of Sendai, one the regions most affected by the tragedy, told Fides news agency that unity and good will are needed. "Catholics in the Diocese of Sendai are a small flock of just over 10,000. But we continue praying for the victims and we will do everything possible to bring relief and bear witness to the message of Christ during this time of suffering," he said. [Christian charity is helping all as exemplified in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.]
He added that the bishops will hold an emergency meeting on March 16 in Sendai. "We need to advise each other on how to respond. In the meantime, we trust in God and we ask for prayers from Christians around the world."
"We have received the message from the Holy Father and we thank him for his words that inspire courage and hope. Right now this is our specific mission: to help the nation raise its eyes to heaven and to keep the flame of hope alive," Bishop Hiraga said. [Sursum Corda!]
***
Now what has those anti-pope harlots done to aid the people of Japan?
Filipino FreeDumbers, where are you?
And why am I not surprised that I did not see this news item in the MSM.
Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, told Vatican Radio that the council is working closely with the Japanese bishops, Caritas International network and other aid organizations to determine the best way to respond to the needs of the people.
Cor Unum is the council that carries out the Pope's humanitarian efforts.
Msgr. Figueiredo said Japan has experienced "a vast tragedy" on par with the 2004 tsunami in Asia, the earthquake and flooding in Pakistan, and the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
"The first thing we need to do is to pray that these people have hope," he said, before explaining that material assistance is also needed. "The Holy Father has sent $100,000 to the Japanese bishops through this pontifical council because that is the fastest way to get the funds to the most affected dioceses."
In addition, the Vatican official continued, "The bishops are the ones responsible first for the works of charity in the dioceses, and they know what the people need." He emphasized that the Church plans to continue assisting those in Japan for the long term.
Bishop Tetsuo Hiraga of Sendai, one the regions most affected by the tragedy, told Fides news agency that unity and good will are needed. "Catholics in the Diocese of Sendai are a small flock of just over 10,000. But we continue praying for the victims and we will do everything possible to bring relief and bear witness to the message of Christ during this time of suffering," he said. [Christian charity is helping all as exemplified in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.]
He added that the bishops will hold an emergency meeting on March 16 in Sendai. "We need to advise each other on how to respond. In the meantime, we trust in God and we ask for prayers from Christians around the world."
"We have received the message from the Holy Father and we thank him for his words that inspire courage and hope. Right now this is our specific mission: to help the nation raise its eyes to heaven and to keep the flame of hope alive," Bishop Hiraga said. [Sursum Corda!]
***
Now what has those anti-pope harlots done to aid the people of Japan?
Filipino FreeDumbers, where are you?
And why am I not surprised that I did not see this news item in the MSM.
Get and share!
Right click on the photo and save!
I saw the "Obey God's Will" banner hanging in front (in the loggia) of St. Peter's Parish Church in Commonwealth Avenue.
Hope other parishes follow suit.
Will we see this hanging in the Church of the Gesu?
I mean the one in Katipunan.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Why a medical doctor is against the RH Bill
Kudos to Dr. Abraham Cruz for writing what is Making a Truly Informed Choice: Why I Am Against the RH Bill. Dr. Cruz graduated his MD from the University of Santo Tomas. He is currently an Instructor, Department of Pharmacology at the Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Institute of Medicine and an
MS Pharmacology Candidate, University of the Philippines Manila – College of Medicine.
If your asking me how good the article is, here is how he starts his article:
And here is how he concludes his article by quoting Dean Tony La Viña of the Ateneo School of Government has said, it is:
Ha!
MS Pharmacology Candidate, University of the Philippines Manila – College of Medicine.
If your asking me how good the article is, here is how he starts his article:
While my stand against the RH Bill stems from the initial fact that I am a Catholic first and a physician second, this faith must be enlightened with reason, lest we reduce our faith to natural religiosity, sentimentality, and pious intentions.
And here is how he concludes his article by quoting Dean Tony La Viña of the Ateneo School of Government has said, it is:
“… the love between husband and wife, love for children and family that is the fruit of that love, and ultimately the love of God that forgives us and that enables us to be faithful to the Word in spite of our sinfulness and scarce resources. This is a beautiful message and the Church should not be ashamed of it.”Since the good dean is from the Ateneo, I am hoping that some of the Jesuits there concur with what he wrote.
Ha!
Why I love Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Imagine what Archbishop Fulton Sheen would have said to these "Catholics"!
I know what...
"GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A GIFT FROM ALMIGHTY GOD AND I WILL NOT HAVE YOU POLLUTING IT. GET OUT!"
Another Filipino economist speaks out against the RH Bill
Kudos and thanks to my good friend Carlos Antonio Palad of the Catholic Position on the RH Bill for posting the response of one of the country's imminent economists, Dr. Jesus Estanislao, former Finance Secretary, pictured above
Go on over to the blog to read why this highly-respected economist is against the Bill from Hell.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Dare Number 2
The first one was against Humpty Dumpty which quite expectantly, he did not bite.
This one is about liturgy.
I really struck a nerve.
Apparently, I had been under the radar of the die-hard fans of the monk-liturgist. You-Know-Who!
He or she has this for his motto: That in all things, blogging included, God may be glorified!
Giveaway, right?
This blogger launched a diatribe against yours truly, labeling me as:
And if that is not enough, look how "catholic" this nutty one is!
With fellow Catholics like that, who needs the Iglesia ni Cristo!
Fr. Anscar is a brilliant priest. He is. I once admired him. Once. But as soon as he assumed his "Liturgical Magisterium", if I may, by openly criticizing the Bishop of Rome, it was all downhill for me brother!
so...
I dare the Fisher and the likes of him or her:
Show me in Sacrosanctum Concilium where the word inculturation appears!
Don't strain yourself. I'll answer it for you.
NOWHERE!
And now my turn:
SC says that "the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites." and..
Tell me, fisher, what did your "greater awareness of the Sacred in the locality of universal grace" (aka inculturated liturgy, yup, folks, that is how he describes his brand of Mass comparing it to the centuries old Mass as "a romantic retreat to the less intelligible old days") did to implement those two directives of Sacrosanctum Concilium?
Don't strain yourself. I'll answer it for you. Because even in the liturgical school in Bukidnon, there was...
NOTHING!
***
PS: Dear TPC readers, don't ask for his website. You'll just spike his stats and it'll make his day. And, mind you, his/her rant against me did not even get one comment. Let it stay that way.
It just confirmed my darkest fears for a veerryy long time...
Even after the pope's motu propio Summorum Pontificum...lovers of the more reverent way of worshiping is STILL RIDICULED AND MARGINALIZED by fellow Catholics!
These same people will sing "Let there be peace" with heretics like Lutherans and Evangelicals but will never dare attend the Traditional Mass with traditional Catholics.
Such a pity for highly inculturated people.
There goes active participation, folks!
The fruits of Vatican 2?
This one is about liturgy.
I really struck a nerve.
Apparently, I had been under the radar of the die-hard fans of the monk-liturgist. You-Know-Who!
He or she has this for his motto: That in all things, blogging included, God may be glorified!
Giveaway, right?
This blogger launched a diatribe against yours truly, labeling me as:
one K of C who can’t seem to distinguish between a sound theological argument and an ad hominem. [What has theological argument and ad hominem got to do with being a K of C? Now who is playing the same ad hominem card?] As for the monk Fr. Anscar, he always labels him as “nutty,” [he is!] calling his passion for the liturgical vision of Vatican II a mere hatred of the extraordinary (Latin) mass [it is! He really hates the Latin Mass. He wrote the directive preventing it to be celebrated in the Manila Cathedral which Cardinal Rosales signed! Did this blogger know about this. Obviously not.] and sour-graping for not being consulted. [Not only that, he was booted out of Rome. I guess he does not know that too!] He attacks Episcopalian and Rome-graduate Fr. Maddela, for all his credentials and groundbreaking work in inculturated liturgy especially among indigenous communities, as having no right to teach at a Catholic theological school. [One of Fr. Maddela's credential is... Oh, Carlos Celdran would be soooo happy if he knows! Rainbow power! Aww!] He spews personal attacks on professors and pedagogies at St. Vincent School of Theology. [A school that claims to be Catholic but is anything BUT Catholic deserves all the condemnation in the world!] He downplays the power of inculturation and liturgy, but rather rejoices on elaborate golden papal rings and cathedra. [I downplay the power of inculturation and liturgy?! Gasp! I must have slept for more than a month!]
And if that is not enough, look how "catholic" this nutty one is!
The Pinoy Catholic is quite an articulate advocate of the Missale Romanum; [I am? I did not know that! Pinch me please! I must be in lala land!] adept in quoting the Church Fathers on “communion by mouth only”; [hmmm...somehow those open-closed quotes are not flattering.] professorial on the details of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.[professorial? But...but...I just pressed Ctrl C, then Ctrl V!] With the Reproductive Health Bill now contested again in the hall of Congress, The Pinoy Catholic is as fiery as an Islamic extremist. [You defend life and you are likened to those blood thirsty lunatics! Wow, the price of too much inculturation? HA!] One wonders if he is one paid lobbyist of the New Liturgical Movement for his bashing views![Wow! How I wish I have a dollar every time I get that!]***
With fellow Catholics like that, who needs the Iglesia ni Cristo!
Fr. Anscar is a brilliant priest. He is. I once admired him. Once. But as soon as he assumed his "Liturgical Magisterium", if I may, by openly criticizing the Bishop of Rome, it was all downhill for me brother!
so...
I dare the Fisher and the likes of him or her:
Show me in Sacrosanctum Concilium where the word inculturation appears!
Don't strain yourself. I'll answer it for you.
NOWHERE!
And now my turn:
SC says that "the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites." and..
"The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services."
Tell me, fisher, what did your "greater awareness of the Sacred in the locality of universal grace" (aka inculturated liturgy, yup, folks, that is how he describes his brand of Mass comparing it to the centuries old Mass as "a romantic retreat to the less intelligible old days") did to implement those two directives of Sacrosanctum Concilium?
Don't strain yourself. I'll answer it for you. Because even in the liturgical school in Bukidnon, there was...
NOTHING!
***
PS: Dear TPC readers, don't ask for his website. You'll just spike his stats and it'll make his day. And, mind you, his/her rant against me did not even get one comment. Let it stay that way.
It just confirmed my darkest fears for a veerryy long time...
Even after the pope's motu propio Summorum Pontificum...lovers of the more reverent way of worshiping is STILL RIDICULED AND MARGINALIZED by fellow Catholics!
These same people will sing "Let there be peace" with heretics like Lutherans and Evangelicals but will never dare attend the Traditional Mass with traditional Catholics.
Such a pity for highly inculturated people.
There goes active participation, folks!
The fruits of Vatican 2?
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