Bi-monthly newsletter of Santuario de San Vicente de Pal

May 13, 2012 Volume 1, Issue 4

A prayerful Mothers Day - this is what Sunday, May 13, will be as mass-goers purchase roses at the church portal and have them blessed for and alongside the women in their lives. The Santuario de San Vicente de Paul hopes to launch a beautiful tradition, says Fr. Roland Tuazon, Shrine Administrator and Project Director, about this second Sunday of May. grandmothers, aunts and surrogate He will bless the roses brought to mothers of all types, before the the foot of the altar by children of final blessing. all ages, who will escort mothers, I will also ask everyone to help

me and my Mass co-celebrants bless the women in our lives, he adds. Before each Mass roses will be sold by members of mandated organizations for the benefit of the on -going summer catechesis. Our Patron believed that women can prepare their children for Christ-like lives, says Fr. Tuazon, and on Mothers Day, we will have the chance to thank them prayerfully for doing this, often at great cost. - Pinky Choudry

The soup kitchen of Santuario started last October 1, 2011, and is still on-going. From an aspiration to reach out to our brothers and sisters on the street, it has now embraced quite a number of children coming from different areas surrounding the shrine. At least 150 recipients, on irregular basis, come every Saturday afternoon. The childrens ages range from 4 years up to 15 years old. Together with filling up their stomach, Santuario also strives to fill up their spirit, by giving them catechetical inputs. The process has also opened an opportunity for the kids to have practical guidance on hygiene and cleanliness, such as the

regular hand-washing before and after meals. The program is charitably supported by the Quezon City Lions Club and YGGIM Corporation, alternately serving food for the children. The MOG or Ministry of Greeters and other volunteers, also add life to the soup kitchen. With their determination, commitment, care, and 'motherly touch, the MOG members prove that a simple greeting can go a long way, much like the way St. Vincent de Paul shared compassion and generosity to those in need... (Turn to pg. 2)

(How God took pieces of everything wonderful to make moms) God took the fragrance of a flower... The majesty of a tree... The gentleness of morning dew... The calm of a quiet sea... The beauty of the twilight hour... The soul of a starry night... The laughter of a rippling brook... The grace of a bird in flight... Then God fashioned from these things A creation like no other, And when his masterpiece was through He called it simply Mother.

CONTACT US:

221 St. Vincent Seminary Compound, Tandang Sora Ave, Quezon City
santuario_depaul@yahoo.comhttp://santuario.com.ph

(02) 9268063(02) 4556152(0917) 8151871

A hundred volunteer workers, members of various ministries (Telling mom about all the times you in Santuario, took time off from thanked God she exists.) their regular tasks to have fun, food I said a Mother's Day prayer for you and sun at Mount Makiling High Lands, a resort in Laguna last April to thank the Lord above for blessing me with a lifetime 28, 2012. The excursionistas chose differ- of your tenderhearted love. ent nipa huts all marked Reserved I thanked God for the caring for Fr. Tuazon and Vincentian group, which served as their base you've shown me through the years, where they parked their belongings, for the closeness we've enjoyed hoarded some junk food and stole in time of laughter and of tears. a few winks when fatigue caught up with them. The most popular activAnd so, I thank you from the heart ity was swimming: the Palad kids enjoying a kiddie pool for most of for all you've done for me the day and the others including and I bless the Lord for giving me the Vincentian Marian Circles & the Association of Vincentian Eld- the best mother there could be! ers preferred the big pool for serious swimming or just plain clean fun. Food and drinks were a-plenty, thanks to the potluck scheme almost perfected by ministry members and event organizers. Fr. RoPICTURE land Tuazon made sure to drop by most, if not all, of the nipa huts for small talk but he did not forget to join the swimmers at the pool. By 3:30 pm, the last swimmers were finally coaxed to leave the pool, dry up and join those waiting for them in the buses and at 4pm, we were off, tired but looking for- The Santuario de San Vicente ward to the next outing. - cjck de Paul community threw a sur-

(From pg 1 Feeding...)

From the soup kitchen, the Social Ministry hopes to go beyond the literal hunger for food and lead the beneficiaries into gaining more knowledge about Christ. We call on people wishing to share their talents and time and join this worthy endeavor that reflects the Vincentian Spirit. - Jones Alibin

prise party for Pastoral Ministry Adviser Fr. Peter Hequilan, CM last May 4. It was in celebration of his birthday on May 8 and his impending re-assignment to Bicol by the end of this month. Various ministries of the Santuario gave their appreciation to Fr. Peters presence in the community and how he has touched many lives throughout his short but meaningful tenure. Fr. Roland Tuazon,

CM and Fr. Benny Enano, CM greeted the celebrant as well, while giving him their reminders and prayers for his new apostolate. A video presentation was shown recalling some events of Fr. Peters life before and during his Santuario days. Fr. Peter then expressed his gratitude to all those who were present and he went on to bless the food that was shared to the community. While losing such a special person in our community is something to be sad about, we should be happy for this new step for Fr. Peter for he can touch new people in his life. So, with his departure, we wish him luck as we wait for others to come and share in our communal life here in the Santuario. - Jolo Maniquis

MASS SCHEDULE: SUNDAY 6AM 7:30AM9AM6PM TUESDAY 6PM NOVENA FOR ST. VINCENT WEDNESDAY 6PM MASS FOR THE DEAD (COLUMBARY) SATURDAY 6:30AM MIRACULOUS MEDAL

Below is a summary of the lecture given by Fr. Raul Pura, CM, (Fr. Polloi to one and all) at the ongoing Vincentian Lecture Series.
It was evident Fr. Polloi knew that one prerequisite of an effective speech is know your audience when he gave his lecture at the Vincentian Lecture series. He began by asking a series of questions like: What made you decide to volunteer to work for the Santuario? (expected answer God) How did God talk to you? What language did he use? After getting the audiences interest, he segued to his speech proper on the topic Celebrate Life: Liturgy. Highlights of his lecture include the following: What Is Liturgy? Liturgy is the official gathering of the people of quote: When we talk to God, thats prayer, but when God talks to us, thats schizophrenia, but his explanation erased all doubt. He said there is a disparity between God and men, especially in terms of communication. In short, Gods language is beyond mans capacity to understand. He added that God cannot communicate directly to us, his creatures. He needs a medium which can come in the form of someone, something, an event, a circumstance or even an absence. This phenomenon is called immediacy. In the Eucharistic celebration, the revelation or experience of God comes in two ways: LOGOS (or word) and SHEKINAH (or presence). In the mass, God communicates to us through the word that may come through the prophets, epistles, gospel readings and the priests homily. In all these, God talks indirectly to man. Man responds through the responsorial psalm, alleluia, the Apostles Creed and prayers of the faithful. Fr Pura, in an aside, said that on the lector lies the burden of protecting this experience of God and ensuring that churchgoers experience God because of the lectors clear and loud proclamation of the word. 2. Images and Symbols of God Aside from the readings, God also communicates to us through images and symbols. Images or signs used in the Mass include the Gospel book or bodily gestures like arms stretched during the Lords Prayer. Symbols are primarily used in the sacraments. 3. Trinitarian Action The liturgy is offered to the Father (Ad Patrem) Through the Son (Per Filium) In the Holy Spirit (in Spiritu

Sancto.
The Mass should always be prayed within this three-fold action especially in the prayers before and after the consecration. Churches must make sure this Trinitarian action is not diluted by prayers addressed to Mary and novenas to other saints. This does not mean, however, that rosaries and novenas are prohibited at mass but they should not be prayed within the presidential prayers. 4. Ecclesiological Dimension `The Church is a sacrament of Christ and like the living Christ, is never static nor stagnant. It continues to evolve through the years, heeding the signs of the times and adjusting as needed. In the past, focus was on the title of priest, prophet and king but we are now more conscious of work, service and witnessing. During the Open Forum, a question arose: Since one precondition of a attending mass is full, conscious and active participation, some parishes, in a desire to achieve this, may include creative elements in the mass like dance, mime, drama, or choral recitation. Is this acceptable? Fr. Puras answer: Yes, as long as creative elements are also integrated in various parts of the mass. If you want a more comprehensive explanation of the liturgy, enroll in Fr. Puras Hapag Layko class at the SVST or visit him at Provincial House. - cjck

God. The words origin refers to two Greek words laos which means people and ergon which means work. Liturgy, thus, means work of people. Today, liturgy has two references: MESA (or meal) and MISA (or sacrifice or offering). which has two scriptural sources, respectively, the last supper and the suffering and death on the cross in Calvary. Attending a liturgy means full, conscious and active participation. What are the four pre-conditions in a sacred the liturgy? 1. Experience and Revelation of God Fr. Pura shocked not a few members of the audience when he gave a

Please Support our Newsletters!!!

May 03, 2012 marked a very special and hallowed day for all the members of the Alagad ni Maria for God granted them the opportunity to join a pilgrimage for spiritual revival and relaxation in Marian Hill. Angono. Lalin Basilio, the leader of Alagad ni Maria, Fr. Roland & Fr. Quir joined the group. Traces of eagerness and excitement were seen on the faces of everyone as they boarded the car bound for Angono. Upon arrival, we saw on top of the hill, gigantic structures of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ that seemed to beckon every passerby to stop by and pray. Mrs. Erlinda Juan, the person in-charge of the place welcomed us warmly. Her helper toured us along the way, making sure we went up the hill

Around 90 children are attending the summer catechesis at the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul which started on May 2 and will end on May 26, 2012. The month-long classes are handled by volunteers from Adamsom University and some other volunteers from different ministries. Catechists hope to deepen the knowledge of these children about God, inculcate values in them and teach them to pray the rosary. Children are taught four days a week; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 5:00 in the afternoon. Snacks are provided to children from generous donors. On May 23, kids will undergo a Sport fest with Quiz Bee in the

tion to the Holy Trinity followed by a prayer session with Fr. Tuazon acting as prayer-director and he encouraged us to share personal experiences with God in our life. Our pilgrimage was a fruitful and inspiring trip and we enjoin everyone to have a pilgrimage to Angono or other places in order to feel the touch of Gods hand. slowly and carefully. We were - Gloria V. Orejana more cautious as we went down the narrow steps. Inspite of the hardship to reach the topmost part of the hill, all the members of Alagad Comments of Children & Volunteers ni Maria were able to climb it suc- on the summer catechesis. We hope to instill cessfully. Perhaps it was because of values among the kids the intercession of Mary or the especially respect for words of God (proverbs, etc) enelders and for one angraved on the slopes along the way. other. The morning session included Jayvee C. Go, Catechist various activities which started with Adamson University a Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Quir. After breakfast we had our adora- Nais ko pong matutunan at maunawaan nila ang sampung utos ng Diyos para po di nila gagawin morning and games in the afternoon ang mga ito at magkato be ministered by the Vincentian sala. Margie Lyn S. Returbar Marian Youth (VMY) headed by Catechist. Palad Kids Jolo Maniquis. Culmination will be on May 26 where there will be a procession Dati na po akong nag-aaral dito; noong umpisa pa. Gusto around the patio, floral offering to ko pong makapagkothe Blessed Mother and a Eucharistic munyon, sana! Celebration. Children will also reJerzon M. Vicher ceive certificates of attendance. Student - Myrna Genovate
Gusto ko pong mapalapit sa Diyos at may makilala pang ibang batang katulad ko para matuto akong makisalamuha sa ibang tao. Arlene Grace I. Llemit, Student

Trust the Columbary that Cares Buy a Columbary Unit and Help Build Our Shrine

Contact Us: 926-8063 loc. 29 456-6151 0927-4234788