CBCP reiterates pope’s call for new evangelization

ECHOING the call of Pope Benedict XVI for a renewed evangelization, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines urged the faithful to live their Christian faith fervently as the universal Church opens the year of faith and the Philippine church looks forward to celebrating its 500^th year of Christianity.

The pope, in a message to the Catholic bishops at the beginning of their midyear plenary assembly, has called on the hierarchy to promote “new evangelization.”

The pontiff said he is hoping that various initiatives by the Philippine bishops to fulfill such Church’s mission “will bear much fruit” to lead all people “to the faith, freedom and peace of Christ.”

Jubilee year

Taking heed of the pope’s counsel, the CBCP has announced a nine-year spiritual journey towards the celebration of 500^th jubilee of Christianization of the Philippines in 2021.

In a pastoral letter on the Era of New Evangelization, the bishops have laid out itineraries for the revitalization of the Christian faith, focusing on specific topic each year leading to Jubilee year 2021: Integral Faith Formation (2013); the Laity (2014); the Poor (2015); the Eucharist and of the Family (2016); the Parish as a Communion of Communities (2017); the Clergy and Religious (2018); the Youth (2019); Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue (2020); and Mission ad Gentes (2021).

The New Evangelization calls for the faithful to deepen their faith, to believe in the Gospel and go forth proclaim it. Its focus calls all Catholics to be evangelized and then go forth to evangelize.

In a special way, the New Evangelization is focused on ‘re-proposing’ the Gospel to those who have experienced a crisis of faith due to secularization.

Synod of Bishops

“The New evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” will be the focus of the upcoming XIII General Assembly of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops at the Vatican from October 7 until 28 this year.

Within that synod, on October 11, the Holy Father will launch the solemn celebration of the Year of Faith which also coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

The synod will gather experts and participants from bishops all over the world who will discuss on the issue of how to reinvigorate the flame of the Christian faith in the life of the faithful who have strayed away from the Catholic faith.

Participating bishops from the Philippines are CBCP president, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen and Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, who were elected official delegates by the CBCP during the plenary assembly last January. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ of Cagayan de Oro was elected as alternate delegate.

Pedro Calungsod

Among the many grace-filled events marking the Church calendar this year is the canonization of the second Filipino saint, Pedro Calungsod, a teen-age catechist martyred in Guam in 1672.

The canonization, slated on October 21 this year, will happen “under the brilliant light” of the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, the 20^th year of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the declaration of the Year of Faith from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013.

On July 14, Catholic leaders led by Archbishops Jose Palma of Cebu and Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila simultaneously launched a countdown leading to the canonization date of Pedro Calungsod, both in Cebu and Manila.

A massive education and information campaign are ongoing to deepen awareness on the saint and to encourage the faithful, especially the youth to learn from his values.

People are encouraged to know more about the saint and all activities leading to his canonization by logging on his official sites at at www.sanpedrocalungsod.com; on facebook, Saint Pedro Calungsod; and twitter @SPCalungsod; together with www.cebuarchdiocese.org.

Mission Year

As the Philippine celebration of the “Year of Pontifical Mission Societies” will be reaching its climax towards the end of the year, the universal Church will begin its celebration of the “Year of Faith”.

The CBCP has declared 2012 as Year of Mission to commemorate the 80th year anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

In a pastoral exhortation, it noted that “a profound relationship exists between these two year-long activities: faith and missionary evangelization are always interwoven.”

In launching the Year of PMS, the hierarchy also wanted to “rekindle among Filipinos a dynamic commitment to the effective preaching of the Good News of Jesus Christ—even to the ends of the earth” (cf. Acts 1:8; 13:47).

The PMS are the “Pope’s Mission Societies” having the “leading role” in mission promotion of the Catholic Church.

The mission societies have been generously serving the local Church in the Philippines since their establishment here in 1932. 

Social media evangelists urged to be faithful to Gospel teachings

THE success or failure of a social media evangelist is not measured by the popularity of his social network account but by his fidelity to the teachings of the Gospel, a Church official said.

(http://litigationsupporttechnologyandnews.com )

Speaking to some 400 participants at the second day of the Catholic Social Media Summit in Marikina, CBCP Media director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio pointed out that the number of hits, visits or likes a person gets in his social media account does not determine his success as an evangelizer.

Rather, it is his faithfulness to the Word of God and the teachings of the Church that serve as a beacon for his success, Quitorio said.

He said the Catholic social media has a bias – and its bias should be for the truth, for justice and for life.

Quitorio urged everyone to go beyond the personal dimension of using the social media and transform the means “in pursuit of the salvations of souls.”

“If other people can use it for other purposes, why can’t we use it for evangelization,” he said, adding that as baptized persons, everyone is an evangelizer of the word.

He also stressed that social media can be used as an advocate for social transformation especially now that the Church is gearing to celebrate the 500th year of Christianity in 2021. (CBCPNews)

Actor dares fellow youth to proclaim the word in cyberspace

A YOUNG actor-politician dared fellow netizens to use social media responsibly and transform cyberspace as a venue to proclaim the Word of God.

Quezon City councilor Alfred Vargas said anonymity in cyberspace can lead users to become irresponsible in their words and actions.

But he reminded everyone to remain solid in their Christian principles and not to forget that they are real persons and should communicate the truth in cyberspace.

“What we lack nowadays are people with integrity, people [whom] you can trust. One does not only have to be intelligent, but has to be dependable and trustworthy. I believe this is the attitude that should permeate our every dealings and communication in the internet,” the award-winning actor said.

Vargas was one of the three young people who shared their experiences of using social media at the second day of the Catholic Social Media Summit held in Marikina City, July 14 and 15.

He said the progress of technology and its impact on people’s lives has also highlighted the need for people to firmly adhere to their Christian principles.

Vargas stressed there is the need for people to answer to the challenge to become more loving, trustworthy, helpful and available to serve anyone in need.

“Instead of using [the internet] in bashing others and hurting them, let us use social media to spread the glory of God, in a way that we can communicate better and express our good feelings and in a way that we can really express our true selves,” Vargas said.

“I believe that if we observe integrity, the social media will be a good venue in expressing ideas and spreading the word of God,” he added. (CBCPNews)

Sierra Madre Cross a strong symbol of hope―archbishop

MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle welcomed the pilgrim Sierra Madre Cross in the archdiocese stressing its presence is a call to hope and a challenge for everyone to act towards the protection of nature and fellow man.

“We are challenged by the cross to restore peace that should prevail between nature and man, between man and his neighbor and between all of God's creation and creator,” Tagle said in a message written in Filipino.

The pilgrim Sierra Madre Cross which has been touring dioceses in Luzon provinces was welcomed in the Archdiocese of Manila on July 7 and has since visited several parishes within the archdiocese.

A symbol of advocacy against environmental abuse, the Sierra Madre Cross is being brought in pilgrimage visiting various provinces that are being threatened by ecological destruction.

Parishioners venerate the Sierra Madre Cross during an
overnight vigil held in Quiapo Church, July 7 and 8.
(Photo: www.quiapochurch.com)

Made of mulawin driftwood, the Cross was created through the help of some Ifugao natives.

The Manila archbishop said that the Sierra Madre cross is also a representation of the groaning of the environment, an innocent victim of violence, greed and human arrogance.

When destruction is inflicted on the environment, Tagle said, the same act of violence is also committed against persons, especially the indigenous people whose very existence has a deep connection with nature, and those who protect it.

The Quiapo Church was the first stop of the pilgrim Cross after it was handed over by the Diocese of Kalookan to Manila archdiocese on July 7.

After an overnight vigil of various groups, including students of Catholic schools in the vicariate and Manila youth Ministry, the Cross was transferred on July 8 to San Roque parish in Pasay City, and on July 9 to Makati City, where it stayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe until 2:30 pm of July 10.

On July 11, the pilgrim Cross will be brought to EDSA Shrine in San Juan, and will stay there until July 12 before it leaves for the Diocese of Cubao.

The Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance (SSMNA) is bringing the pilgrim Cross to different parishes in an effort to raise awareness on the abuses done on environment, especially mining and illegal logging along Sierra Madre. (CBCPNews)

SVD elects missionary to PHL as new superior general

AN SVD missionary in the Philippines has been elected new superior general of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) during the congregation’s 17th General Chapter held in Rome, July 2.

Fr. Heinz Kuluke was provincial superior of the Southern Province of the SVD in the Philippines and professor of Philosophy at the University of San Carlos, Cebu prior to his election as the congregation’s top official.

He will take over the post from Fr. Antonio Pernia, a Boholano native who served as the congregation’s Superior General for two terms.

A native of Spelle, Germany, Kuluke was assigned to the SVD mission in the country’s Southern province after his ordination to the priesthood in 1986. Since then, he has made the Philippines his home, first in Agusan del Sur and later on in Cebu, where he has lived since 1994.

He served as vice-president for Academic Affairs of USC from 1997 to 1999 and Rector of the SVD community at the University of San Carlos from 1996 to 2005.

Kuluke was elected provincial superior of the Southern province in 2005; was re-elected in 2008 and again in 2011, for a third term.

Despite his academic assignment, the SVD missionary was also known to go out of the university walls to visit children living in dumpsites, prostitutes and homeless within the city.

He helped establish the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Centre, Inc. (JPIC-IDC), a non-government organization that implements developmental projects in various areas of Cebu and Mindanao.

In January this year, Kuluke was conferred a Federal Cross of Merit Award by the Federal government of Germany in recognition for his meritorious work among the poor and marginalized of Cebu.

The SVD has at present some 6,102 members worldwide, more than 500 of whom are Filipinos. Around 140 Filipino SVDs are assigned in missionary posts abroad.

In the Philippines, the SVD has three ecclesiastical provinces: The Philippine North (PHN) that comprises mission from Pangasinan to Aparri, the Philippine Central (PHC) that covers Tarlac, Manila, Mindoro, Bicol and Palawan, and the Philippine South (PHS) which is present in the Visayas and Mindanao islands. (CBCPNews)

Bahay Pag-ibig: Providing love and care to abandoned elderly

The 'Lolos' and 'Lolas' at Bahay Pag-ibig

“I AM an orphan, no more parents, nor brothers and sisters. I am all alone in the world.”

Elena Labig (not her real name) is an 81year-old woman living in a residential nursing home in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga. A native of Sta. Rita, Labig is among the 61 elderly people housed and provided for with care and love at Bahay Pag-ibig.

The gate to the healthcare facility has no sign written on it to let visitors know if they are in the right place, except a logo of a heart inscribed on the door that says it all.

Bahay Pag-ibig, loosely translated in English as House of Prayer is a nursing home situated in an approximately one hectare property at Holy Angel Village in Telabastagan, San Fernando, Pampanga. The sprawling compound has eight ground floor buildings, including a good sized chapel that overflows with people who come to hear Mass on Sundays.

Labig says she has been a resident of Bahay Pag-ibig for more than two years already.

With no immediate family members, Labig used to transfer residence from one relative to the next until one of them asked the help of the town mayor who recommended her to Bahay Pag-ibig.

Still strong despite her age, Labig says she cleans the window panes of their ward and sweeps the surroundings. Although the residents are not expected to do chores around the facility, some residents on their own, perform whatever tasks they can.

“But don’t complain afterwards that you are tired, otherwise, the staff will scold you, since they don’t expect you to do the chores.”

After lunch, we usually have our afternoon rest, then we take our afternoon snack, if there is, otherwise it’s still okay if there’s none, says Labig.

Here in Bahay Pag-ibig, we are provided with everything we need. I can’t ask for more, she furthers.

Reaching out to the abandoned

Bahay Pag-ibig was established in 1988 by Fr. Florentino Concepcion, a diocesan priest from Bustos, Bulacan who wanted to reach out to the poor and abandoned old people in the area. The home first started in an old rented house of the Francisco Nepomuceno family in Angeles City but later on transferred in a bigger place donated by the heirs of Don Juan Nepomuceno at Holy Angel Village in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The day to day operations of the facility is being supervised by Fr. Daniel Baul, the current Archdiocesan Apostolate Director. A roster of 16 dedicated volunteer staff including an office coordinator, Laura Simbulan and her assistant Almira Gabalfin, help him run the place.

Gabalfin, who has been part of Bahay Pag-ibig since 1995, says their work in the institution is purely motivated by a sense of ministry, although each of the staff is given honorarium for services rendered.

The nursing home has no other means of income except donations from generous individuals that keep on coming and have sustained the operations of the institution since its foundation.

Gabalfin says the people of Pampanga have been very generous to Bahay Pag-ibig.

Even when supplies are about to run out, donations of various kinds will arrive in the nick of time to replenish what is lacking.

Although the nursing home was established to provide a safe and caring place to abandoned elderly who have no immediate family members to care for them, some of its residents actually do not fall under that category.

Gabalfin cites some cases wherein the responsibility of caring for an aging parent is surrendered to Bahay Pag ibig due to extreme poverty of the family and other grave reasons.

She mentions a case of a daughter who told them that her mother would be better off at Bahay Pag-ibig than to live with her, because she herself struggles to feed her family a decent meal.

In situations like this, we have to reconsider, says Gabalfin.

The institution has 21 male and 40 female among its residents.  They are provided with holistic care that involves the spiritual, psychological and physical well being of the person. A daily program would consist of morning prayers, grooming, exercise, rest and recreation. On Sundays, those who are able attend Mass in the chapel, while those unable follow the liturgy in their rooms.

Among its male residents is 68 years old Juan Sinong (not his real name) from Legazpi City who came to Bahay Pag-ibig in 2001. Although blind, Sinong is very active and possesses a sunny disposition. He came to the nursing home together with other four female companions through the help of a social worker from Jose Fabella Center. Sinong says exposure to alcohol in a manufacturing company he worked for could have contributed to the loss of his eyesight. He proudly shares that despite his disability he is able to bring joy and laughter to fellow residents because of his optimistic attitude.

“Here, I am the one doing my bed, my laundry and other personal tasks. I don’t let others do it for me,” he says.

Companionship

The elderly residents at Bahay Pag-ibig may be separated from their nearest of kin, but living with fellow elderly has also given them the joy of companionship, comforted by the thought that they have one another to rely on as friends.

But visitors also come regularly to bring cheers and gifts to the ‘Lolos’ and ‘Lolas’. That particular Sunday of June 24, three nuns from the Daughters of St. Paul together with lay collaborators brought food and gifts and entertained the ‘Lolos’ and ‘Lolas’ with games and songs. As it turned out, the guests were also entertained as some of the residents, like Lolo Juan willingly belted few songs to the delight of visitors.

Until death

Being a residential institution, the elderly once accepted in Bahay Pag-ibig, becomes a part of the community until he or she dies. Gabalfin says some family members, when notified of the death of a relative, normally leaves the decision to them even telling them to go ahead with the burial.

“It is because once they entrusted to us the care of their loved ones, their responsibility is already cut off,” she explains.

In Bahay Pag-ibig, the abandoned elderly are provided with companionship, friendship, care and love that allow them to live their remaining years on earth with dignity until they are ready to meet their Creator.