White Vote Movement Endorses 6 Senatorial Candidates. CFC-FFL Included 3 Kapatiran Candidates.

Bro. Mike Velarde, spokesperson of the White Vote Movement announced Saturday, April 13, before a huge crowd of more than 500,000 people in Amvel Business Park in Paranaque City, the first batch of six (6) senatorial candidates for this May 13, 2013 election.  All six (6) were present last night: JV Ejercito, Gringo Honasan, Mitos Magsaysay, Koko Pimentel, Sonny Trillanes and Cynthia Villar.

The White Vote Movement, is a coalition of Catholic lay organizations initiated by the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (LAIKO) and which was formed in response to perceived mounting sentiment among different lay groups in the country regarding the lay faithful’s role in preserving core family values.

Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches led the Mass.

Taken just before the Mass presided by Bp. Ted Bacani

CFC-FFL 6+3

CFCFFL Servant General Frank A. Padilla says in his follow-up letter... "We endorsed the following for the Senate: JV Ejercito, Gringo Honasan, Mitos Magsaysay, Koko Pimentel, Sonny Trillanes and Cynthia Villar. Notice that 3 are from Team PNoy and 3 are from UNA. We are not siding with particular political parties. We are simply on the side of faith, family and life."

CFCFFL Servant General Frank Padilla with Senators Tito Sotto
and Gringo Honasan

Bishop. Ted Bacani during his homily.

As he continues... "In addition, we are endorsing the 3 senatorial candidates of the Ang Kapatiran Party: Lito David, JC de los Reyes and Marwil Llasos. Collectively, these 9 candidates are known as TEAM BUHAY."

Senatorial candidate Rizalito "Lito" David,
one (1) of the three (3) Ang Kapatiran candidates.
Photo taken during the Laiko consultation last
February 23, 2013.

He also asked the Filipino people to... "NOT vote for the following who voted in favor of the RH Bill: Sonny Angara, Teddy Casino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jackie Enrile, Chiz Escudero, Risa Hontiveros and Loren Legarda. These candidates also cut across party lines. Collectively, these 7 are known as TEAM PATAY."

SG Frank says... "As there are 12 seats in the Senate, we have endorsed 9 and there are still 3 slots that you can fill up. There are other pro-lifers running for the Senate and we ask you to seriously consider them as well."

Panoramic photo taken just before the start of the Mass.

Chrism Mass

Mass of the Holy Chrism was held at St. Andrew Cathedral, considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It was established in 1580 by Spanish Augustinian friars. The church is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque, the local church that comprises Parañaque City, Muntinlupa City, and Las Piñas City.

Most Rev. Jesse Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque, presided the Eucharistic Celebration. Also present was Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, Jr., D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches.

Gospel Reading

Gospel LK 4:16-21

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, 

and went according to his custom

into the synagogue on the sabbath day.

He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,

and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.

He said to them, 

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Bishop Jesse Mercado during the homily

Renewal of the priestly commitment

The blessing of the oil

The blessing of oil is very ancient – there is documented evidence of this liturgy from the fourth century, but it is certainly of earlier origin. Today the People of God, bishops, priests, deacons and the lay faithful, assemble on Maundy Thursday at St. Andrew Cathedral, for the Chrism Mass with the main celebrant Bishop Jesse Mercado. There is a long standing tradition that it takes place on the morning of Maundy Thursday in the Cathedral, where the bishop is surrounded by the priests of his diocese, whose presence demonstrates their unity with him. As Maundy Thursday is the day on which both the Mass and the priesthood were instituted, Pope Paul VI introduced the renewal of the priestly commitment into the liturgy. This is followed by the blessing of oils and the consecration of Chrism.

The Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens are plain olive oil – the Oil of Chrism is perfumed with balsam. 

Lenten Recollection with the Most Reverend Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Jr. D.D.

Parish of the Last Supper of Our Lord 

Manila Times Village, Las Pinas City

Diocese of Paranaque

March 09, 2013 

A LIFE OF FAITH 

Pope Benedict XVI has decreed, that the Catholic Church will observe the Year of Faith, from October 11, 2012 until November 24, 2013. The Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church and sustain it until the very end of our life. 

But for most Catholics, FAITH is seasonal. We focus on our faith through the occasions we celebrate. During Lent, we go through penance, reflection and fasting which prepare us for Christ’s suffering, death and on Easter, His resurrection. In the season of Advent, we prepare Christ coming through the Simbang Gabi and His birth on Christmas day. We pray the novena to lift up our petitions, like passing the board exams, healing the sick, promotion at work, trip abroad and many others. 

But what happens after Christmas, after Easter Sunday, or after our prayers and petitions are answered? Sad to say, this is how we practice our Catholic faith. We have learned a lot from the numerous Catholic teachings we heard and read, but we do not consistently act them in our lives.

As Bishop Bacani said, our life should be a life of faith. It is not seasonal or occasional. Rather, every breath that we take should be a life of faith.

Most Reverend Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Jr. D.D. during his talk.

What is a Life of Faith? 

1. FAITH IN OUR BELIEFS (“paniniwala”) – our Catholic beliefs are professed in the Apostles Creed 

Normally, a person believes in something if there is evidence manifested through the five senses. If one sees, hears, tastes, smells or feels something, then he believes. The most common saying we have is “to see is to believe”. 

Another way by which we believe is through logical reasoning: major premise, minor premise and then we arrive at a conclusion. 

And lastly, belief is established because we were told about it. 

With FAITH, we believe that God’s words are true. It is a belief that is not based on proof. We don’t use our senses or logical reasoning. 

2. FAITH IS TRUST (“pagtitiwala”) – this is faith through the heart. When we believe in our heart that God will take care of all our needs, because He is not only the most powerful, but He loves us so much and will never forsake us, that is trusting the Lord with all our heart. God makes all things work together for those who love Him. With His Divine Mercy, we say, “Jesus I trust in you”. 

3. FAITH IS OBEDIENCE (“pagsunod”) – The prayer of faith consists not only in saying “Lord, Lord”, but in disposing the heart. In Matthew 7:21 it says, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven will enter.” Indeed, faith without action is dead. 

4. FAITH IS LOVE (“pagmamahal”) – God’s first and greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) and the second is “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). 

In closing, Bishop Bacani’s advice is to: 

1. Read the Holy Bible daily – God speaks to us through the bible. 

2. Hear Mass – God speaks to us through the readings and the Gospel. 

3. Attend prayer meetings – God says in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” 

The recollection was capped with a final blessing from the bishop. 

(Write-up by Deity Lim, parishioner/CFC-FFL)

Closing prayer.

Rev. Fr. Angel Sanchez, parish priest, thanking Bishop Bacani.