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December 2003 |
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John
Paul II's Address to Philippine Bishops (part III)
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Year of the Sacred Heart
- Happy
Birthday!
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SCJ Founder to be named
blessed
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Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year!
- News Flash
- Prayer
of the Month
- SCJ of the
Month
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Incoming Celebrations, Activities & Anniversaries
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John
Paul II's Address to Philippine Bishops (part III) |
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Here is the
address John Paul II gave on October 27, 2003 to the third group
of the Philippine bishops (21) from the ecclesiastical
provinces of Manila, Lingayen-Dagupan, Nueva Segovia, San
Fernando, Tuguegarao and the military ordinariate, on the
occasion of their five-yearly visit to Rome.
To read the
address delivered to the first two groups of bishops, please
click
here |
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My Dear Brothers
in the Episcopacy,
1. It is with great joy that I welcome you, the third group of
Filipino Bishops, as we come to the end of this series of "ad
limina" visits. I am especially pleased to greet Archbishop
Diosdado Talamayan, and I thank him for the good wishes he has
expressed on behalf of the ecclesiastical provinces of Manila,
Lingayen-Dagupan, Nueva Segovia, San Fernando, Tuguegarao and
the military ordinariate. I give thanks to Almighty God that
during the last few months I have had the pleasure of meeting
almost every bishop from your country, which is home to the
largest Catholic presence in Asia and is one of the most vibrant
Catholic communities in the world. Not only have these visits
reinforced the bond between us, but they have also offered a
unique opportunity for us to look more closely at the
accomplishments achieved and the challenges still facing the
Church in the Philippines. In this regard, I wish to commend all
of you for your successful work on the National Pastoral
Consultation. You are well aware that implementing a plan of
such breadth is not an easy task, but you also realize that you
are not alone in this undertaking. In fact, as "Shepherds of the
Lord's flock," you know that you can count on a special divine
grace as you carry out your ministry as bishops (cf. "Pastores
Gregis," 1).
Having already discussed themes related to the Church of the
poor and the community of disciples of the Lord, I wish to
reflect on the commitment to engage in "renewed integral
evangelization."
2. Christ left those he loved with the command to spread the
Gospel to all people in all places (cf. Mark 16:15). The pledge
of the Church in the Philippines to engage in renewed integral
evangelization demonstrates her desire to ensure that Christian
faith and values permeate every aspect of society. Your
Vision-Mission Statement describes evangelization in this way:
"We shall embark on a new integral evangelization and witness to
Jesus Christ's Gospel of salvation and liberation through our
words, deeds and lives." This description of the "new
evangelization" clearly recognizes that an essential element of
this process is witness. Today's world is one that is constantly
bombarded with words and information. For this reason and
possibly more than at any time in recent history, the things
Christians do speak louder than the things they say. Perhaps
this is the reason that the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta
speaks to so many hearts. She put what she heard into action,
spreading Christ's love to all those she encountered, always
recognizing that "it is not how much we do, but how much love we
put into what we do" that matters. Indeed, "people today put
more trust in witnesses than in teachers, in experience than in
teaching and in life and action than in theories." Therefore a
loving witness of the Christian life will always remain "the
first and irreplaceable form of mission" ("Redemptoris Missio,"
42).
3. Men and women of today desire role models of authentic
witness to the Gospel. They have a longing to be more like
Christ and this is apparent in the many ways Filipino Catholics
express their faith. An example of the effort to bring Christ to
others is found in the Church's development of social welfare
programs for the poor and outcast, at both national and local
levels. This dedication to the proclamation of the Good News is
also evident in your effective use of the mass media to heighten
moral sensitivity and stimulate greater concern for social
issues. Notwithstanding these notable achievements, there still
remain various obstacles, such as the participation of some
Catholics in sects which witness only to the superstitious; the
lack of familiarity with the teachings of the Church; the
endorsement by some of anti-life attitudes which include the
active promotion of birth control, abortion and the death
penalty; and, as I discussed in my last address to the Filipino
bishops, the persistent dichotomy between faith and life (cf.
Proceedings and Addresses of the NPCCR, January 2001, p. 146).
A solid way to address these concerns is found in your
commitment to animating and developing the mission "ad gentes."
Jesus, the "chief evangelizer," appointed the apostles to follow
in his steps by becoming his personal "emissaries." As their
successors it is your sacred duty to make certain that those who
assist you in your pastoral ministry are ready to carry Christ's
message to the world (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church,
858-859). You can ensure such readiness if you guarantee that
Filipinos are given ample opportunity to hear the word of God,
to pray and contemplate, to celebrate the mystery of Jesus in
the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, and to see examples
of "true communion of life and integrity of love" ("Ecclesia in
Asia," 23). Once again I affirm that "the more the Christian
community is rooted in the experience of God which flows from a
living faith, the more credibly it will be able to proclaim to
others the fulfillment of God's Kingdom in Jesus Christ"
(ibid.).
4. Events of recent years in the Philippines have illustrated
the urgent need for integral evangelization in all sectors of
society, especially in the spheres of government and public
policy. As concerned Christians and citizens of the world, we
can never ignore "the evil of corruption which is undermining
the social and political development of so many peoples"
(Message for the 1998 World Day of Peace, 5). In this regard, it
must be made clear that no office of public service can ever be
treated as private property or as a personal privilege.
Considering public office as a benefice necessarily results in
favoritism, which in turn leads to the abuse and misuse of
public money, bribery, graft, influence peddling and corruption
(cf. Proceedings and Addresses of the NPCCR, January 2001, p.
120).
The people of the Philippines are aware that to denounce
corruption publicly requires great courage. To eliminate
corruption calls for the committed support of all citizens, the
resolute determination of the authorities and a firm moral
conscience. The Church has a major role here inasmuch as she is
the primary agent for properly forming people's conscience. Her
function, as a rule, should not be that of direct intervention
in matters that are strictly political, but rather that of
converting individuals and evangelizing culture, so that society
itself can take up the task of promoting social transformation
and develop a keen sense of transparency in government and
abhorrence of corruption (cf. "Apostolicam Actuositatem," 7, and
the Message for the 1998 World Day of Peace, 5).
5. One way to ensure that a society engages actively and
faithfully in integral evangelization is to give young people a
proper formation early on in their faith and life journeys. My
presence at the World Youth Day in Manila in 1995 allowed me to
witness at first hand the enthusiasm that young people can have
for Christ and his Church. This eagerness to know more about
their faith is evidenced by the numbers of young people who are
involved in parish life. I compliment the Church in the
Philippines for all it has done to offer suitable pastoral care
to youth. Many of your dioceses provide summer camps, retreats,
frequent youth Masses and youth formation offices. Most
impressive is the manner in which your local communities listen
to the concerns and suggestions of young people, allowing them
to have an active voice in the Church (cf. "Ecclesia in Asia,"
47).
At the same time, obstacles still exist to evangelization among
young people. In some families parents do not encourage their
children to participate in Church-sponsored activities. Young
people's potential is threatened by illiteracy, the desire for
material goods, a casual attitude towards human sexuality and
the temptation to abuse drugs and alcohol. You have mentioned
your distress over the numbers of youth who have left the
Catholic Church in favor of fundamentalist sects, many of which
accentuate material riches over spiritual ones. In response to
these concerns, I pray that you will continue to engage young
people, especially those most at risk, by providing them access
to affordable Catholic education and Church-sponsored youth
activities, and by helping them to understand better that Christ
alone has the words of everlasting life (cf. John 6:63).
6. Finally, I ask you, dear brothers, to continue to encourage
the clergy and religious who spend so much of their time and
energy trying to develop creative and effective ways of
spreading Christ's saving message. Assure them that their unique
role as heralds of the Gospel is essential to the success of
integral evangelization. In this regard, I wish to express my
gratitude both to the missionaries and religious of the past who
brought Jesus to the Filipino people and also to those who
continue to make his presence known today. We thank God that, as
the Second Vatican Council stated, "the Lord always calls from
the number of his disciples those whom he wishes ... so that he
may send them to preach to the nations" ("Ad Gentes," 23). It is
my hope that all the faithful of the Church will continue to
encourage young men and women to answer the call to this
"special vocation" modeled on that of the apostles (cf. "Redemptoris
Missio," 65).
7. My dear brother bishops, as you make your way back to your
local Churches, I ask God to strengthen you in your commitment
to a renewed integral evangelization, in your efforts to
"present the One who inaugurates a new era of history and
announce to the world the good news of a complete and universal
salvation which contains in itself the pledge of a new world in
which pain and injustice will give way to joy and beauty" ("Pastores
Gregis," 65). Commending you, the clergy, religious and lay
faithful of the Philippines to the protection of Mary, Mother of
the Church, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing. |
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Year of the Sacred Heart |
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The Bishops of the
Philippines have decided to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a very
special manner from October 2003 to June 2004. To that effect, they have
assigned a special theme to be developed during the First Fridays of the
said period.
Below is the short
version of a pastoral message from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) regarding the Year of the Sacred Heart. |
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In the Heart of Jesus: Healing
Our Land, Renewing Our Lives |
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Introduction:
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Recent events in our country reveal once again what difficult times
our people are going through. We move from crisis to crisis, in the
social, economic and political areas, which threaten some of the
deepest beliefs and values in our family and community life as Church
and as a nation. Thus, the Philippine Bishops (CBCP), in its efforts
to confront and respond to these difficulties, are proposing to all
the faithful two concerted efforts of Spiritual Renewal, of Penitence
and Prayer.
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First is a
nationwide observance of “Nine First Fridays” offered to the Sacred
Heart of Jesus (7 November 2003 to July 2004), including a
re-consecration to the Lord of our families and our people. The second
“project” will be a new Marian Year beginning August 2004.
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THE “NINE FIRST FRIDAYS” IN HONOR OF
THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
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“They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced.” (Jn.19: 37 cf.
Zec.12: 10)
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The focus of the earnest renewal of devotion to the Sacred Heart will
be that which Pope Paul VI set before us; “The cult rendered to the
Sacred Heart is the most efficacious means o contribute to that
spiritual and moral renewal of the world called for by the Second
Vatican Council”. Through the Nine First Fridays, we will seek this
spiritual and moral reformation in our hearts, in our society and in
our nation.
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Our Filipino Catholic faithful have always been marked by a strong
devotion to the Heart of Jesus. It is in the spirit that we are urging
our faithful people in all parishes and dioceses, all Catholic schools
and institutions, to renew the practice of the Nine First Fridays,
from 7 November 2003 to 2 July 2004.
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Each parish church, the chapels and oratories in our schools are asked
to offer a special Mass and a Holy Hour each First Friday of the month
We ask every Catholic man, woman and child who can do so, to offer
Mass and Communion - and to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation
if possible.
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This devotion can be a powerhouse of grace. In the striving of our
country and our people to build up for our land a more truly human,
more genuinely just and caring society, a Filipino nation living an
authentic civilization of love, the heart of Jesus can be the
unfailing source of light and energy from the Spirit. Our Lord himself
has promised this.
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TWO SPECIAL INTENTIONS
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We proposed two special intentions for which these Masses and
Communions of Reparation will be offered:
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The Sanctification of Priests
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1. We need priests, we need holy priests, priests with their hearts
deeply rooted in the Heart of the Crucified and Risen Lord, priests
who are totally committed to the labor and love of shepherds like the
one Good Shepherd, like him ready to give their lives for the flock,
especially the poor.
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The Renewal of Christian Life
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2. Secondly, this process of conversion and sanctification must take
place in all of us, Catholics. We are only too greatly aware of the
need of reform in all of Philippine society, in our government and
public life. Corruption, a cancer in our national life, is one prime
example of what must be tenaciously fought.
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It is our hope and prayer, that our nationwide consecration to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus may turn our desires and efforts toward
much-needed changes, and may motivate us to resolute and courageous
action to bring a genuine renewal into our lives and into the society
around us.
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Our Program: C-O-R
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The overall purpose of this movement Is inspired by the message of Our
Lady given to the Fatima children, which the CBCP effectively used
during the Marian Year of 1985: C-O-R: Conversion, Offering of our
daily lives, and Reparation.
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C = CONVERSION.
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The call of the Gospel is a constant summons to conversion. We are
invited to seek first God’s rule and the justice end holiness it calls
us to. “Be converted, and be faithful to the Gospel!” All of us need
to change our lives to put them in line with God’s demands. Daily we
must seek to translate this conversion into effective action. No
renewal can move forward without it.
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O = OFFERING OF
OUR DAILY LIVES.
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Our Blessed Mother at Fatima reminds us that In our most ordinary
duties and tasks In each ones state of life, in our family, in our
jobs, in whatever we do, we bring forward the work of God’s rule and
kingdom, or hinder it. By offering our daily lives to God means asking
him to work through each one of us, to fulfill his will and purpose
not only in ourselves but in the ongoing course of our history.
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R = REPARATION.
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We offer reparation, out of love, for the evil and the sins committed
against God’s law and against our neighbor. Through St Margaret Mary,
our Lord asked for Masses and communions of reparation on each First
Friday. We are invited to prayer, penance, and praxis by which we seek
to participate in the redeeming love of Jesus operative in the world.
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CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF
JESUS
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Consecration of Families
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We are also urging you, for a true Christian renewal of our people and
our society, that we consecrate ourselves and our families to
the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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From November 2003 to July 2004, during these nine months, let all
Catholic families consecrate, genuinely entrusting the lives of all
the family-members to the Heart of Jesus. An appropriate catechesis
must precede the act of consecration. Have family-members really
understand what they are committing themselves to: that they are
renewing their baptismal consecration as true sons and daughters of
our Father In heaven. That they are to be faithful to the Gospel in a
fuller way. That they are seeking more integral obedience to God’s
commandments, trying to make their homes truly “domestic churches”.
That they will try to turn their homes into true centers of deep and
joyful Christian family life, realizing the promises of the Sacred
Heart to bring much blessing into their lives, much more than they
might even expect.
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We hope that one million families in the entire Philippines will
consecrate or re-consecrate themselves to the Heart of Jesus and also,
to the immaculate Heart of Mary. Can every Filipino Catholic help
bring this hope to fulfillment?
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Nationwide Consecration
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Lastly, on Christ the King Sunday on 23 November 2003, the CBCP
enjoins every diocese and parish in a solemn way to make its Act of
Consecration to the Sacred Heart - the faithful consecrating our
priests, our families, our people and our land, to the Heart of Jesus.
Let preparation begin already for this great event, by solidly
instructive and meaningful catechesis so that this consecration will
take root in our minds, in our hearts, in our wills and spirits. Let
us make this event mark a new beginning in our striving to be a
genuinely Christian nation, striving to be faithful to the spirit and
the heart of the Savior,
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On the eve of the feast of Christ the King, let each family make its
own act of consecration in the home, and on the Feast itself every
family so consecrated will join the common act of consecration of the
diocese or town or parish, - as shall seem best in every part of our
country.
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Dear faithful People of God, all our good intentions, our plans and
our expectations will depend on you generous response and the
fruitfulness of God’s grace working In you and in your communities, to
make this come true.
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Let this be a challenge to all of us. With God’s plentiful grace, let
us rise to the measure of this challenge, and make our country truly a
realm of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as never before, truly a realm of
justice, solidarity, love and peace.
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CONCLUSION
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In the 17th century, Our Lord gave St Margaret Mary some promises for
our growth in Christian holiness and apostolic action. Today we see
those promises in the light not only of f personal needs, but those of
our country and of the whole world. Our Lord invites us to turn to him
with greater trust and love. He asks us to fulfill the Gospel demands
of obedience to his commandments, of compassionate service to our
brothers and sisters, as true and urgent imperatives in our times.
Surely today, He asks us to strive against all the ways by which
society injures the dignity and rights of others, especially the poor
and the powerless. This we are to do as deeds of reparation, to
“repair” the sins of hardheartedness and injustice, sins against love
of neighbor, which was Our Lord’s last commandment to us.
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So much needs to be done in our country today, to bring it in line
with the heart of our Saviour. The projects and programs we are
embarking on - beginning with the Nine First Fridays and our Acts of
Consecration - are only the beginning, but the very important
beginning, of a mobilization for conversion and renewal, which - we
trust - our Lord himself will empower and bring to fulfillment, in the
overflowing mercy and love of his Sacred Heart.
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For the Permanent Council of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
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+ORLANOO B. QUEVEDO, OMI
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Archbishop of Cotabato
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President, CBCP
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1 September 2003, Manila
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Happy
Birthday ! |
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59 is not the number of
channel on TV, but number of years |
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Recently two of our
confreres celebrated their birthdays. November 12 - Fr. Rino
Venturin, SCJ and December 1 - Fr. Franciszek Pupkowski, SCJ. Let
the pictures tell more! |
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May I have this big
piece of cake? |
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Do you want some more? |
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"Do I look 45?" |
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"The first part of
celebration...is finished" |
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"With this background I
feel much younger..." |
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"Please, don't ask me
to sing or dance..." |
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"If we hold on
together..." |
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SCJ Founder to be named
blessed |
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According to the news,
the Commission for the
Congregation of Saints approved the cause for Fr. Leo John Dehon, SCJ
founder, last week of November 2003. It is anticipated that his
beatification ceremony will take place sometime in fall, 2004. It's
really a good news!
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- To read about it more, please go to
http://www.fridgenotes.org .
- To know more about Fr. Dehon, please
click here
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Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year ! |
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- Be born in us
- Incarnate Love
- Take our flesh and blood and
- give us Your humanity;
- take our eyes and
- give us Your vision,
- take our minds and
- give us Your pure thought;
- take our feet and
- set them in Your path,
- take our hands and
- fold them in Your
prayer;
- take our hearts and
- give them Your will
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In the name of all
members of the Philippine District, we wish you a Blessed Christmas and
Happy New Year 2004! |
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News Flash |
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On December 3, 2003, deacon
John Karl Cabaluna arrived in Dumalinao to start his pastoral exposure. |
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On December 12, 2003, Fr.
Andrzej Sudol graduated from the Maryknoll Language School. For the time
being he will be assigned in Kumalarang. |
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The Christmas Party this year
will be held on December 25, 2003 in Cagayan de Oro City. |
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| From December
26-29, 2003, our Vocation Promotion Team is organizing in Cagayan de Oro a
Search-in Seminar for candidates interested in our Congregation.
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Prayer
of the Month |
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O Heart of Jesus, treasure of
tenderness,
You Yourself are my happiness, my only hope.
You who knew how to charm my tender youth,
Stay near me till the last light.
Lord, to you alone I've given my life,
And all my desires are well known to you.
It's in your ever infinite goodness
That I want to lose myself, O Heart of Jesus.
Therese of Lisieux |
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SCJ of the Month |
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Fr. Franciszek Pupkowski, scj
The passion to travel and a
wish to become a
priest joined together...
He became a missionary...
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Father Franciszek Pupkowski was born on December 1, 1958
in Koszalin, a middle size city in the north of Poland. He is
the elder of the two sons of +Edward and +Zofia Kordyl. Since
elementary school, his big dream was to become a seaman and at
the same time, being an altar boy, he wished also to become a
priest. Nevertheless, the passion to travel won. After
graduating from elementary school in 1973, he applied to the
Maritime School, but unfortunately was not accepted. Without
giving up his dream, he decided to take a course in electrical
engineering in one of the local secondary schools in his
hometown, hoping that one day he will make it. The course he
chose turned to be very interesting and later on he decided not
to change it. During that time he became an active member of one
catholic youth movement called "Oasis". It was also the
time when he met for the first time one of the priests of the
Sacred Heart. During one of the visits of the SCJ House in
Krakow, he got attracted by the tales of one of the missionaries
working in Zaire in Africa. It was then when the wish of
becoming priest came back.
Upon graduating
from the school in 1979 he decided to become an SCJ. He entered
the Congregation. After one year of Novitiate and six years of
studies in the Seminary, he was ordained in 1986. His wish was
to work in Africa, but instead he was assigned in one of the
parishes in Poland, Ostrowiec Sw. In 1988 he volunteered to
become a member of the first group coming to the Philippines. In
the Philippines, he was assigned in Margosatubig, Kumalarang,
Bacolod and now, presently in Dumalinao.
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Incoming Celebrations, Activities & Anniversaries |
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December 2003 |
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- Fr.
Franciszek Pupkowski -
Birthday (1958)
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8
- Immaculate
Conception of BVM
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16 - Start of "Novena de Gallo"
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10 - Human Rights Day
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20 - Fr. Rino Venturin -
Ordination Ann.
(1969)
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25 - Christmas Day
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26 -
Saint Stephen, the first
Martyr
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26 - 29 Search-in Seminar
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27 -
Saint John, Apostle,
Evangelist
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28 -
The Holy Family
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30 - Rizal Day (Philippines)
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31 - Fr. Aloisio Back - Ordination Ann. (1982)
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