CFC-FFL COMMUNITY CONFERENCE 2014

The Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL) held it's annual Community Conference at Ynares Gym in Pasig City. January 11, 2014.

2014 Theme: EMPOWERED TO WITNESS was taken from 2 Timothy 1:7-8

Servant-General Frank Padilla talked in detail about this year's theme and the direction and thrust of the community. While, Bro. Pat Oconer, head of CFC-FFL Work With the Poor, launched the NO ONE IN NEED Movement. He also updated the community of the work done during the post Bohol Earthquake and Yolanda Typhoon.

His Excellency Most Rev. JESSE EUGENIO MERCADO, D.D.. Bishop of Parañaque, Chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Lay Apostolate, explained in his homily the Year of the Laity and how our theme, #empoweredtowitness, fits the call of the Church to #choosetobebrave.

CFC-FFL Servant General Frank A. Padilla

During the Praise and Worship.

Most Rev. Jesse Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque,
During his homily.

Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, D.D.,  Bishop of Antipolo,
during his special message.

Related post: CFC-FFL Community Conference 2013

DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS 2013

Theme: Uniting Around Christ's Redeeming Cross

"Love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12)

The Diocese of Paranaque's first Diocesan Eucharistic Congress was held at St. Andrew Cathedral in La Huerta, Paranaque City, September 14, 2013.  This was attended by more than 1,200 enthusiastic delegates from the Diocese' six (6) Vicariates. Resource person is Rev. Fr. Genaro Diwa.

Welcoming of delegates.

During the Holy Hour.

Fr. Genie during his talk.

Workshop.

Awarding of prizes "Poster Making Contest".

Tableau presentation.

Holy Mass.

 

Final blessing of Bp. Jesse Mercado and the singing
of the Congress Theme Song.

Related post: The image of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso (Our Lady of the Good Event), St. Andrew Cathedral, La Huerta, Paranaque City.

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

The Parish of the Last Supper of Our Lord (PLSOL) held the Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Main celebrant is no less than Most Reverend Jesse Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque, last Sunday, June 2, 2013. 

Also known as Feast of Corpus Christi, which is Latin word for "Body of Christ", this is celebrated properly on a Sunday after the Holy Trinity Sunday.

St. Paul says in the 2nd Reading (1 COR 11:23-26)

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Recounting Bishop Jesse's Homily:

>Bishop Jesse mentioned that our parish' celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi is in consonance with the Diocesan Year of the Eucharist, which the Diocese of Parañaque is observing this year.  

In his homily, Bishop Jesse expounded the dynamics and structure of the mass, which is in two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The entrance song is supposedly a gathering song, encouraging the parishioners to congregate inside the church while singing joyfully in preparation for the upcoming celebration of the Holy Mass.

The Liturgy of the Word begins with the First Reading which is taken from the Old Testament, to which we respond by way of the Responsorial Psalm.  This is followed by the Second Reading which usually comes from the letters of St. Paul as written in the New Testament.  Again, we respond by singing the Alleluia which at the same time anticipates the proclamation of the Gospel.  

The Gospel is God's word/message to us written by any one of the four Evangelists which is explained through the Homily.  The Homily correlates what God's message is to our everyday life and that serves as our guide as we live in the modern times.  This establishes the truth that God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Our response to God's message is by way of praying the Apostles Creed.

As a community, we then lift and pray for our petitions through the Prayers of the Faithful followed by the Offertory, where we offer ourselves and our gifts to God.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Doxology, where the priest recites "through Him, with Him, in Him, in unity with the Holy Spirit, all Glory and Honor is Yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever", to which we respond "Amen".  This is the part where Jesus Christ is offered as a sacrifice, whereby the bread and wine are transformed to Christ' Body and Blood.

As an expression of being one family and one with God, we pray the Lord's Prayer ("Our Father").  We then share the peace of Christ as a sign of being one family.

As we share Christ' peace, Jesus then shares Himself to us during the Holy Communion.  When we receive Him, we receive life.  When we eat His body, we become part of that bread which will transform us to become more and more like Christ, and not Him becoming a part of us.

Towards the end of the mass, we are all enjoined to go and live the message of God, to live the Eucharist and be an instrument of God's love.  This we can do in simple ways, a gentle touch, a sincere smile, an act of kindness.  We become brothers and sisters, and that is the secret to become "Eucharist". <By Deity Lim> 

Parish priest Rev. Fr. Angel Venancio Sanchez; Rev. Fr. Vincent B. Rozario; Rev. Fr. Rodyn R. De La Torre and Rev. Fr. Jojo Sadia, Uphdmc Chaplaincy co-celebrated the Holy Mass.

Since it is the first Sunday of the month, all parishioners celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversaries for the month of June, got a special blessing from the good Bishop.

Bishop Jesse during his homily.

The highlight of the celebration... Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ!

Fiesta message from. Rev. Fr. Angel Sanchez. our parish priest.
Commentator Bro. Romy introduced the special guest.
Senator-elect Cynthia Villar during her "thank you" message to us.

Birthday and wedding anniversary celebrants for the month of June.
Final Blessing of Bishop Jesse.

Some photos during the fiesta lunch held in the formation center.

More photos....

More...

Awarding of the winners of the BEC Quiz Bee.

Glory to God!

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. 

Ordination to the Order of Priesthood of Rev. Mariel Anday Sarez

"Do NOT FEAR, for I am with you, DO NOT BE AFRAID, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you" - Isaiah 41:10

Presbyteral Ordination of Reverend Mariel Anday Sarez and Diaconal Ordination of Seminarians Jason Bill Camacho Valeza and John Paul Bringas Frias was held in St. Andrew Cathedral morning of Saturday, March 23, 2013. Presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Paranaque.

In attendance to witness the memorable event were all the clergy of the Diocese of Paranaque, families, relatives and friends of Rev. Yel, seminarians John Paul and Jason.

Family of Rev. Fr. Mariel "Yel" Sarez

CONGRATULATION...

Glory to God!