Bacolod strengthens BECs through Parish Youth Day

Around 400 youth participants from 33 Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) of the diocese attended the Parish Youth Day of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Taloc, Bago City yesterday.

The assembly centered on the theme “Pamantan-on, Paglaum sang Pagbag-o sang Simbahan kag Kalig-onan sang Pagtoo” (Young People, Hope for Renewal in the Church and Steadfastness in Faith).

The diocesan commission on youth of Bacolod was also invited to grace the event.

The youth coordinator spoke about the youth organizational structure, the link of the BEC youth to the parish, vicariate and diocesan level.

Diocesan youth director Fr. Arnold Deletina, presented to the young people the result of the Filipino Catholic Youth Survey, analyzing how the youth are in relation to their family, society and faith.

Deletina challenged the young people to remain strong in their faith and be courageous in expressing their faith.

He encouraged them also to participate actively in the formation activities offered to them by the parish and by the Church in general.

“Young people should develop an interpersonal relationship with God through reading and reflection of the word of God and constant reception of the sacraments,” Deletina said quoting the words of Pope Benedict XVI.

The whole day activity had workshops, group sharing, presentation of workshop output, cultural presentation and the election of parish youth officers which ensures the continuity of formation programs for the youth in the local Church. (Jandel Posion/Analaida Carmona Berethon)

Bacolod youth join nationwide tree planting activity

In response to the invitation of the Episcopal Commission on Youth to plant at least one million trees nationwide, the Diocesan Commission on Youth planted at least 300 seedlings at Sitio Lantawan, Brgy. Guimbalaon, Silay City last December 11.

The Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY), on the celebration of its 25th year, has urged the Filipino youth to concretely express their love for Mother Earth by protecting, preserving and restoring the environment through various activities, including tree planting.

Fr. Arnold P. Deletina, DCY Director, in his message during the opening rites, told participants to keep their hopes high as their efforts have great impact on the environment.

“Never get discouraged when people doubt on how much impact planting a few seedlings can make in the world; what matter is, we have given our share to be good stewards to God's creation,” he said. “Even how few it may be, it will surely make a difference. God sees what you are doing and He is surely happy about it.”

Participants include DCY staff, parishioners and delegates to World Youth Day 2011 and National Youth Day 2011.

In a talk given after the activity, resource speaker Myk S. Guanco stressed that “we only have Earth to live in, [so] we have to exhaust all means to protect and preserve it.”

“Everything is interconnected and we cannot separate ourselves from the environment for we are a part of it,” he said. “Instead of looking at our differences from our surroundings, we ought to find our commonalities so that we can live in harmony with it.”

The Provincial Environment Management Office provided 300 seedlings but asked the DCY to submit a report on the status of the seedlings three months after they were planted and to encourage the youth to donate fruit seeds to replenish the seedlings in PEMO Nursery at Panaad Sports Complex.

Residents and officials headed by Brgy. Captain Anto-nio Duca, Jr. of Brgy. Guimbala-on supported the activity.

The tree planting was one of the highlights of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Year of the Youth and the Diocesan celebration of the Year for the Environment. (Ma. Lourdes Eudela)

Letter from Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle

Circular No. 2011 – 63
19 December 2011

TO: ALL PARISH PRIESTS, RECTORS OF SHRINES, AND CHAPLAINS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA

RE: SECOND COLLECTION FOR CAGAYAN DE ORO AND ILIGAN

Dear Brother Priests,

Greetings of peace in the Lord!

Typhoon Sendong that struck Northern Mindanao and some parts of the Visayas left thousands of families affected and hundreds of lives lost.  This calamity saddens us and breaks our hearts, as it struck at the dawn of the Christmas season.

In the spirit of Christian solidarity, I request that a second collection be made at all Masses in all parishes, shrines, and communities in the Archdiocese of Manila from today until Christmas Day.  Please immediately remit all collections to the Treasury and Accounting Department of Arzobispado de Manila.  We will then send them to the bishops of the affected places.

Donations in kind may be sent to Caritas Manila.

Finally, I encourage everyone to keep our Christmas parties simple.  Let Christmas joy be found again in Jesus who became poor for us.

As we celebrate the mystery of the God who became man to be in solidarity with us, let us make our Christmas this year more meaningful by our solidarity with each other.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

+ LUIS ANTONIO G. TAGLE
Archbishop of Manila

source:http://www.rcam.org/rcam%20circulars/2011/second_collection_for_cagayan_de_oro_and_iligan.html

Palo continues youth program despite YOTY culmination

         

        The Commission on Youth of Palo Archdiocese said that events for the youth will continue to be held despite the culmination of the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth. Palo Youth Director Fr. Manuel Baybay Jr. said that programs for the youth had been started this year not only in connection with the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth but also in view of the upcoming archdiocesan diamond jubilee in 2013. “Youth events will still continue, here in our archdiocese, we will be celebrating our diamond jubilee in 2013, that’s why we have prepared a four year pastoral direction for our young people,” he said. “In its first year, 2010, we dubbed the year as ‘youth in communion’. Then in 2011, ‘youth in formation’. All the things that transpired these past years were geared towards that, forming the young people and empowering the youth leaders to become more efficient leaders,” Baybay explained. He added, “next year, 2012 will be the year of mission and we dubbed it as ‘youth in mission’. We will try our best to reach out to the grass roots, that’s why we will be involving ourselves with the Basic Ecclesial Communities. Youth leaders who were formed this year will become agents or leaders. Sila ang magiging kaagapay ng parokya sa paghubog ng mga kabataan na masali sila sa BEC. And lastly, 2013 is the ‘youth in celebration’. ‘Yan ang four-year pastoral formation ng Archdiocese for our young people. ”Baybay thanked the bishops, especially the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for declaring year 2010-2011 as the year of the youth. “It was really a grace filled year where a lot of initiatives were done to show how the young people are precious [to] the Church,” he said. He also thanked the youth directors from all over the Philippines who initialized programs for the youth and encouraged everyone to continue to move ahead in the journey of ministering the youth. The archdiocese culminated the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth through their annual YouthFest last Dec. 17 at the Tacloban City Convention Center with 2000 youth participants. Baybay said that they started the youthfest last year as a sort of Christmas party to gather young people together. “But this year’s youthfest was basically dedicated as the culmination of the Year of the Youth,” he said. The youth event included a talk given by Sr. Ravena Dominguez, FMA and performances by the youth. Msgr. Jaime Villanueva presided the Thanksgiving Mass. Fourteen young people from seven vicariates were awarded with the Youth of the Year awards.  (Jandel Posion)

source :http://cbcpnews.com

Faithful urged to spend more time in prayer, less in techie gadgets

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle has urged the faithful to spend the days leading to Christmas as occasions to deepen one’s prayer life and worship of God.

He called on the congregation to “recover this sense of worship [and] resting in God, for us to relish the salvation that comes to us in Jesus.”

“We are asked during these days and on Christmas Day to be a worshipping people, to pray, to rest in God,” he said in his homily during a Mass he celebrated at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

He noted that people spend more time with television, computers and mobile phones thereby significantly losing time for prayer.

According to him, Filipinos are not a worshipping people “unless we worship the tv set.” The television set is the Filipinos’ “new God” as it commands attention, and “dictates on us.”

Tagle said for one to benefit from God’s salvation, one has to pray. He recalled that the Jewish people have always been faithful to the Sabbath Day spent on prayer, adoration and worship of God because He truly deserves it.

He explained the Sabbath Day is the time to re-establish the family, “as a family of God, as a family brought together by prayer, worship and adoration.” He added the Jewish people keep the Sabbath Day sacred, a day spent with one’s family “because it is worship day.”

“So from prayer, you go into action because prayer and action must come together,” he explained. Godly actions come from worship and affinity with God because “our God is a God of goodness.”

Tagle said the gospel talks about testimony and witnessing as John the Baptist was a witness to the One greater than him. He said the world is in need of witnesses to Christ.

“Kaya ang mahalaga we have God, that we have received God in ourselves so that we can witness Him through our words, through our attitudes, through our interaction, through our deeds, all of them hopefully, will be a living witness to the God who comes to save,” the Manila prelate further explained.

The 54-year old prelate said the nine-day Misa de Aguinaldo is celebrated to prepare for the birth of the Messiah.

According to him, he has been often asked why the celebration takes nine days. But he explained that the nine-day celebration symbolizes the nine months Mary carried Jesus in her womb and “every day is an equivalent of one month until the joyful event of the birth of her son.”

“Ngayon ho, nagsisimba kayo ng siyam, kapag hindi ninyo kinompleto yung siyam, premature,” he added.

Chief Justice Renato Corona and staff attended the Mass.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Administrator and Spokesman Justice Midas Marquez said the invitation extended to Archbishop Tagle was made before the impeachment moves at the House of Representatives.

He expressed the Court’s sincere appreciation for the prelate’s presence despite the controversy brought about by the articles of impeachment approved by 188 lawmakers of the House of Representatives last Dec. 12. (Melo Acuna)

Youth challenged to proclaim God’s love; be role models to others

At the closing liturgy of the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth, December 15, Episcopal Commission on Youth Vice-Chairman and San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Mallari challenged the young people to continue proclaim the truth of God’s love and become role models to fellow youth.

Mallari said it is important that there are young people who will proclaim the truth of God’s Love and would challenge fellow youths to aspire for greatness because so many young people are deprived of love from their families and communities.

“The Church in the Philippines can be called a young church. Majority of our members are young. We are [a] vibrant community; full of idealism because of you my dear young people. And because you are many, you serve as a gauge and reference for the lifestyle of this world,” he said during his homily.

Mallari invited the youth to take advantage of the liveliness and aggressiveness of loving in a more radical and authentic way.

He also challenged them to go against the currents of materialism and consumerism.

“In a world marked with various forms of materialism, Catholic youth must dare to be different to manifest pure love that flows forth from Divine Love,” he added.

Mallari said that Jesus inspired the young people during the whole year celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth and that the youth in return felt intensely the tight embrace of God’s love.

“The CBCP desired so much that during the whole year of the youth, our young people would have felt very intensely the tight embrace of God’s love for each of them and would really have deep conviction that each of them is truly loved so that they will also have the confidence to love others,” Mallari said.

He expressed that the prelates would also like to instill in each of the youth their great hopes that young people too, have to aspire for greatness.

Quoting former CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar in his pastoral letter announcing the opening of the Year of the Youth, he said, “Dear young people, we need you. The Church needs you. Echoing the loving words of Pope Benedict XVI,…we affirm ‘your lively faith, your creative charity and the energy of your hope. Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church’.”

“In the same manner, today I urge you to give all you can [to] glorify God and His Church,” Mallari stressed.

The bishop explained that the various activities held within the celebration of the Year of the Youth, such as the visit of the relic of St. John Bosco, the beatification of Blessed John Paul II, and the National Youth Day, were not coincidences, but meant to make the young people see clearly that God loves them and is challenging them to aspire for more in their relationship with Him.

Mallari again quoted Bishop Odchimar saying, “trust that this will provide a new impetus and grace from above to pursue our desire as one Church to give a preferential option for our young people.”

Posting questions to the youth, he asked: “What are the things that we have to stop doing which we found ineffective and inefficient in our work for the youth? What are the things that we have to continue doing in line with our vision/mission statement? And finally, what are the things that we have been longing to do but we have not started yet?

“May your answers to these questions put you on the road to take seriously your journey to greatness in God’s Kingdom and help you to be more concrete in following Christ more closely and loving Him more dearly,” he concluded.

More than 500 young people from different Catholic Schools in Metro Manila and youth ministers and leaders in the dioceses of the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog attended the closing liturgy.

Main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist was ECY Chairman and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, with ECY Vice-Chairman and Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando Pampanga Roberto Mallari, Infanta Bishop Rolando Tria-Tirona, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortes and eight other priests, as concelebrants.

After the mass, a simple meal was served to those who attended the closing liturgy and thanksgiving of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. (Jandel Posion)

Malolos’ outstanding youth conferred with Blessed Pedro Calungsod award

Some 59 outstanding young people in the diocese of Malolos were conferred with Blessed Pedro Calungsod Award during the Diocesan Youth Big Day last December 10.

The diocesan commission on youth which organized the affair anticipated that this year’s celebration would bring young people to a renewed living of their Christian faith, to stand firm and strong in the pursuit of transforming society following the footsteps of the Lord.

Awards were given by Fr. Angelito Santiago, the diocesan youth director and Fr. Boyet Atienza.

Awardees were DCY volunteers, young professional and youth ministers from the 10 vicariates of the diocese.

Vicariate of St. Didacus of Alcala (Valenzuela): Paul Bryan P. Barnacea, Mark Lester E. Risma, Kim Albert C. Grabillo, Maricris A. Bacong, Delo D. Monterde, Randolf J. Yabut, Roxanne L. Asis, and Angelo N. Buhay.

Vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi (Meycauayan): Dominic Jay P. Roberto, Ralph Irvin DR. Ramos, Raffy R. Montalban, Angelo Y. Caburnay, Marydel M. de Jesus, Mark Saavedra, and Glenn Christian A. Encarnado.

Vicariate of St. Joseph the Worker (San Jose del Monte): Maria Rosario Corazon D. Sia, Princess Jackie R. Mata, and Edralyn Mabesa.

Vicariate of Immaculate Conception (Sta. Maria): Cris B. Gonzales, Jayson T. dela Cruz, Lourdes M. Bartolome, Roby Ramos and Kimberly V. Aseñas.

Vicariate of St. Martin of Tours (Bocaue): Reuben P. de Guzman and Lambert Michael I. Resurreccion.

Vicariate of St. Michael the Archangel (San Miguel): Raymart Espiritu, Angela T. Juan, Carlo Zadie delos Santos, Caithlin B. Gonzales, and Ralph Michael G. Omaña.

Vicariate of San Augustine (Baliuag): Ferdinand Guansing, Arriane S. Garcia, Kateina Mari Ann U. Martin, Eugene L. Gonzales, Robelle C. Abaquita, Darwin I. Placido, Joman S. Juan, Elchie Guevarra, Arjay R. Javier and Rowell B. de Sotto.

Vicariate of St. James the Apostle (Plaridel): Leomar Cordero, Rochelle Jose and Crispin Manalo.

Vicariate of St. Anne (Hagonoy): Jhonny C. Clemente, Rene Rose P. de Jesus, Melissa del Rosario and Vann Joseph B. Ibasco.

Vicariate of Immaculate Conception (Malolos): Cherie Rose C. Rubiano, Joanne Mica B. Cruz, and Han Benzen R. Buenaventura.

DCY volunteers, young professionals and youth ministers: Abner Cruz, Sta. Monica Parish, Former VCY Chairman-Vicariate of Baliuag, Joseph Sebastian, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, VCY Chairman-Vicariate of Hagonoy, Conrado de Castro, St. John the Baptist Parish, DCY Volunteer, Carlito Villanueva Jr., Sto. Rosario Parish, DCY Volunteer, Jerone Carlo Labausa, St. John the Baptish Hagonoy, DCY Volunteer-Music Ministry, Elimark Cruz, (DYP) Diocesan Young Professionals Member, Jan Robin Rodriguez, Youth Minister, Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Mary Grace Principe, Sto. Cristo and St. Andrew Kim Taegon Parish Bocaue, Former DCY Staff.

Aside from the Blessed Pedro Calungsod awards, the diocesan youth big day ended with the youth jam 3. (Jandel Posion/Narwin Gonzales)

Prelate: Church's work for the youth continues beyond YOTY

Even if the CBCP Year of the Youth (YOTY) draws to a close today, the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) said there is "much work" to be done for the youth ministry, especially to reach out to the "unchurched" young people.

ECY chairman and Legazpi, Albay Bishop Joel Baylon said while the Church reminisced the milestones of its work with the youth for the last 25 years during the YOTY, it realized various challenges to overcome for the next 25 years.

"The biggest challenge for us is to make sure that the YOTY does not end as it is this year. We hope that the YOTY will continue at least in spirit, as we continue to look back and gaze forward to the future of the youth ministry," he said.

"While we were able to celebrate this YOTY with year-filled activities, we are also aware that there is still much to be done because a great number of youth are still in search of their way leading to the Church," he added.

Baylon admitted the youth's continued detachment to the Church, apathy in social and moral issues in their local setting and the growing influence of digital media in their lives are only among the prevailing challenges that the Church has to learn to address and remedy.

"We are continuing to attend to these challenges, making use of digital media to evangelize and providing modules for catechesis, among others, to help make the journey of the youth more meaningful," he said.

The prelate called on the Filipino Catholic youth to continue to cherish and share their experiences with the various activities held during the YOTY, reminding them that the work of youth ministry goes on.

The CBCP announced 2011 as the YOTY as the ECY celebrates its 25 founding anniversary.

Since last year, the ECY facilitated the tour of the Youth Cross in various dioceses nationwide and spearheaded the holding of forums on relationships, "especially on being faithful to the Church teachings by being pure and chaste in relationships," Baylon said.

Aside from heading a huge delegation of Filipino pilgrims to the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain last August, the ECY also launched a tree planting activity with school-, parish-, and diocesan-based young people. The environmental project committed the planting of a million trees from the youth.

"Hopefully our tree planting activity continues beyond this year as a tree-growing initiative for the sake of our environment," Baylon added.

The prelate also asked for the youth to help the Church reach out to their peers who have been aloof from the Church.

He urged them to share their reflections on Sunday Gospel readings in their blogs and websites, to "make God present in cyberspace" and also draw readers to reflect.

"Try to respond to social and moral issues in the community. Be instruments of peace to others. And use social networking to evangelize others," Baylon suggested.

For the ECY's part, Baylon said the Church will double its efforts to strengthen the youth ministry structures from the national to the grassroots level. (YouthPinoy)

Malolos holds diocesan youth day

More than 1600 young people from Malolos diocese gathered at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium to celebrate the diocesan youth big day, youth jam 3 and the Annual Blessed Pedro Calungsod Leadership Awards.

Themed “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith”, the December 10 youth gathering started with a Youth Walk from the Malolos Cathedral to the Bulacan Capitol Gym to protest against the RH Bill.

The vicariate of Malolos won the most meaningful slogan of Yes to Life, “Buhay man ay mahirap, hindi dapat magpalaglag. Dahil ang taong nagsusumikap, may biyayang matatanggap.”

Invited speaker for the event was Mr. Loreto San Juan, executive secretary of the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP).

San Juan shared his insights on how mass media greatly influences today’s youth.

He also discussed the event’s theme, likening the phrase “Planted in Jesus Christ” to the sacrament of Baptism, saying that in Baptism, we are all planted in a Christian community.

He further said that through the sacrament, we share in Jesus’s prophetic, kingly and priestly mission.

The second part of the talk was about being ‘Built up in Jesus Christ’, implying the wisdom gained through the sacrament of Confirmation.

“Confirmation is the stage of an individual owning of faith, and through this,” according to San Juan, “… is a very special gift to every believer to become like Jesus.”

The last part of the talk was being firm in the faith, which San Juan compared to the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

It is in the Eucharist that we accept Jesus. “…and we accept Him, because we believe in Him,” he said.

San Juan concluded his talk by providing what it takes to become a Y-O-U-T-H.

“Youth is Yearning desire, Openness to earn readiness, Understanding to acquire compassion, Talents which will be used in glorifying God and Humility that will lead to Holiness,” he explained.

Malolos Bishop Jose F. Oliveros D.D. led the mass together with Fr. Angelito Santiago, Rev. Fr. Alvin Pila and Fr. Edward.

Oliveros challenged everyone to get engaged in the supremacy of prayer and to embrace the idea of having extraordinary feeling of joy because Jesus is with us.

“It is with prayer that we experience oneness with our God,” he said.

Highlights

The main highlight of the diocesan youth big day was the Blessed Pedro Calungsod awards that were given to 59 outstanding young people of the diocese.

Youth Jam3 awakened the lives of the delegates as the different Vicariates performed the official animations of the past Youth Gatherings, like National Youth Day in Davao and Bacolod, and the CLYP.

Vicariate of Valenzuela brought home the prize for having the Most Number of Signatures in No to RH Bill, Yes to Life Campaign.

Vicariate of Baliuag was recognized for having the Biggest Delegation in Vicarial Level, and Parish of St. James the Apostle of Plaridel for Biggest delegation in Parish Level.

The whole event ended with a jamming of youth of the Diocese. Rev. Fr. Boyet Atienza gave the Closing Remarks. (Narwin Gonzales/Jandel Posion)

IT IS THE LORD Homily of His Excellency Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila

IT IS THE LORD

Homily of His Excellency Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD

Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila

My dear friends, sisters and brothers in the Lord,

We are in the holy season of Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah through prayer, penance and good works. A few days ago a friend told me that my coming into the Archdiocese of Manila as its 32nd Archbishop is truly Advent. “You are the one who is to come,” he declared. The remark made me laugh. It also made me think. Is this occasion really about me? I know many people are asking “who is this new archbishop of Manila? What is he like? What are his vision and plans?” But like John the Baptist I am inviting you to focus on the One mightier than all of us, Jesus Christ, the Risen One and the True Shepherd of the Church. My Episcopal motto says it plainly, “Dominus Est! It is the Lord!”

This exclamation is drawn from the Risen Christ’s appearance to some of his disciples at the Sea Tiberias as recounted in John 21. In a retreat that I facilitated as a priest, this episode impressed me deeply. Although it tells of a Resurrection appearance, it is indeed an Advent experience. The Risen Lord comes to his disciples. He reveals who he truly is.

Seven disciples went out fishing. Five of them are named: Simon Peter the recognized head of the band of the Twelve who denied Jesus, Thomas who doubted the testimony of his companions about Jesus’ appearance to them, Nathanael who questioned if anything good could come from Nazareth, the sons of Zebedee known for their ambition to get the seats of honour in Jesus’ kingdom, and two who remain unnamed. Doubters and unknowns, they represent the Church at its infancy. Simon Peter planned to go out fishing and the rest joined him. Together they were the fragile Church embarking on its mission. Into the vast waters of mission they traveled together.

But that whole night they caught nothing. Tired and distraught they returned to shore. They probably did not notice the early morning light. It was still night for them. Standing on the shore was a man they did not know. He asked if they had caught anything to eat. That question could sound provocative to a group that had laboured all night without success. If I were one of the disciples, I would have retorted, “Hey don’t you see that our boats are empty? Don’t you see? Are you blind or are you insulting us?” But the disciples were probably so tired to argue with him. Then the stranger issued a surprising command to cast the net over the right side of the boat. He also promised they would find something. They followed him and had a catch so bountiful they could not pull it in. This stranger was not blind after all. He saw where the fishes were. What the disciples of doubters and unknowns did not see, he saw clearly.

At this moment the disciple whom Jesus loved exclaimed, “It is the Lord.” The eyes of the beloved disciple were opened. His stare moved from the catch to the loving presence in their midst. This man is not a stranger. He is the loving Lord. The long dark night is over. Morning has come. It is the Lord!

This simple story teaches me valuable lessons about the missions of the Church and my ministry as a bishop. First of all, the mission of the Church should be wholly directed by the Lord who is always present as Shepherd and guide. Human efforts should continue but unless the Lord directs the catch, we labour in vain. We know that the Lord guards His Church. He keeps watch with us on those long nights of confusion and helplessness in mission. When in spite of our good intentions and efforts there are still multitude of hungry people we cannot feed, homeless people we cannot shelter, battered women and children we cannot protect, cases of corruption and injustice that we cannot remedy, the long night of the disciples in the middle of the sea continues in us. Then we grow in compassion towards our neighbors whose lives seem to be a never ending dark night. But in our weariness the Lord comes. Advent never ends. He is the shepherd promised in the first reading from Ezekiel. He will come to his sheep where they are scattered when it is cloudy and dark. He is near. He is Emmanuel. But we need to hear his voice and to follow hi direction. We need to see realities with His eyes. We need faith. Without faith fueled by love, we cannot truly be a missionary Church of Jesus Christ. It is only by the vision provided by faith that the Church could meaningfully casts its nets in the vast seas of the world and history. They may be murky to human eyes, but the Lord sees where the fishes are. The new evangelization requires putting in the mind and eyes of the Lord again, a transformation coming from prayer. Then we see differently. A child, especially the unborn is no longer seen as a burden but a gift, the youth are not a problem but a promise, women are not objects but persons, labourers are not machines but partners, the poor are not a nuisance but our jewels, and the creation is not an object of manipulation but a sign of God’s sustaining love. These and many more comprise the Church’s miraculous harvest from the seas of mission of only we see with the eyes of Christ. Whenever we see as the Lord does, there is hope!

Secondly, we need to follow the Lord in our mission not singly but together as the disciples did. Mission is an ecclesial event. We will be together in failure, in listening to the Spirit, in beholding the God’s miracles, and in hauling the nets to shore. As it was then, so it is today. The ordained, the religious and the lay faithful, including non-Catholic Christians are called to one mission, though in various states of life and with a diversity of gifts. When we take different boats and even compete against each other to get the better portion of the catch for our own teams, we are not engaging in mission. Divisiveness and destructive competition will only help sink the boat. Let us look to the one Shepherd who gathers his sheep instead of scattering them. It is the Lord!

Finally, let us turn to the beloved disciple, the disciple whom Jesus loved. He was the one who recognized the Lord who had loved them by laying down his life on the cross and now as the Risen On who could turn nights of despair into dawns of hope by the power of His word. We realize that the beloved disciple does not occupy any known rank among the disciples. Peter was clearly the leader and spokesperson of the group. This episode teaches me that merely assuming the position of Archbishop of Manila does not guarantee that I will recognize the Lord. If I am not careful it might even blind me to the Lord and others. It is rather by being a humble disciple content with love of Jesus that I would see the advent of him whose love propels us to mission. Notice that at this moment the beloved disciple taught Peter. Later Jesus would ask Peter three time if he loved him more than the others. Love makes one a true shepherd, not position. I pray that my Episcopal ministry and all ministries in the Church may be rooted in humble and loving discipleship. I tell myself as though it were the Lord telling me, “Chito, do not think you have become great because of your new position. Be great rather in being a beloved and loving disciple of the Lord.”

The narrative we have reflecting on serves as a good description of the mission of the Church: Discerning the Lord’s presence, following his word, celebrating his love and proclaiming “It is the Lord.” The Church cannot stop proclaiming the Word of God as the second reading says. In season and out of season, we direct people to the person of the Lord. Even if it an inconvenient truth that we are proclaiming, it is always the Lord. “Love your enemies” is inconvenient. “Share what you have with the poor” is inconvenient. “Bless your prosecutors” is inconvenient. But through these inconvenient words, the Lord comes. He speaks. He brings true light.

As I embark on my new ministry as Archbishop of Manila, I feel deeply united with the many beloved disciples who have taught me to recognize the Lord: my loving parents Manuel and Milagros and brother Manuel Jr. They have always provided a haven of love and commitment for me; my aunts, uncles, cousins, and clan who never fail to nurture me; my self-less and caring teachers and mentors in St. Andrew’s School, the Ateneo de Manila University, the Loyola School of Theology, the Catholic University of America and San Jose Seminary; the dedicated people of the commissions that I have been a part of in the CBCP, the FABC, and the Vatican; my former students, seminarians, the religious and the poor who have taught me to be more sensitive to the presence of Jesus who calls me to mission. Your love has enabled me to see the Lord. Thank you. I remember in a special way Bishop Artemio Casas, Bishop Felix Perez, Bishop Manuel Sobrevinas, the clergy, the religious, the seminarians and the lay faithful of the Diocese of Imus. You have loved me. You have directed me to the Lord. Please remember me as loving you.

Now I face my new mission in this great Archdiocese of Manila that is rich in tradition, culture, history and religiosity. I tremble before the love that calls me to lead the people to the Lord. But my poor sinful person finds rest in Him who is the Church’s true Shepherd. I am also consoled to know that we would be building on the legacy of loving service of 31 bishops, notably those of the recent past: Archbishop Gabriele Reyes, Cardinal Rufino Santos, Cardinal Jaime Sin and my immediate predecessor, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. As I look at the clergy, the religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese, I feel humbled. There is much that I will learn from you. Teach me. Be patient with me. Let us love one other at all times. Extend your love to all, especially the poor and to the Churches in Asia. As one Church we will journey together even if the night is long and wearisome. We will welcome the ever new dawn who is the Lord, the light and shepherd of the Church. Everyday will be an advent of the Lord.

We are strengthened by the maternal love of Mary who 480 years ago appeared to the lowly Juan Diego in Guadalupe. She is the Advent woman who comes to the poor; she walks with them in dark paths; she brings hope. We rejoice to hear again her words to Juan Diego, as though addressed to us, “Do not let anything afflict you and do not be afraid of any illness or accident or pain. Am I not your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Do you need anything else? Do I not hold you in the folds of my mantle, there where my arms meet together and I can keep you close?” To you dear Mother I entrust the Church of Manila, the Church in the Philippines, the Churches in Asia, the entire Church and my Episcopal ministry. You come to us, as I have experienced so many times. Bring Jesus to us. Take us to Jesus. In the never ending advent of life and mission, help us to see your Son coming to us as our loving Shepherd to dispel all fear. We hope for the day when the Church and the whole creation would joyfully declare with one voice, “It is the Lord!” Amen.

Canonical Possession
12 December 2011
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
(Manila Cathedral) Intramuros, Manila