CBCP asks Pope to visit Manila in 2009

by ARIES RUFO, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak 09/29/2008 6:05 PM

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has formally invited Pope Benedict XVI to attend next year’s celebration of Asian Youth Day to be held in Manila, abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak has learned.

It will be the second invitation extended by the Catholic Church to the Holy Father, who declined an offer this year to make a side trip to the Philippines from his visit to Australia for the World Youth Day last July.

Two bishops confirmed that an invitation has been forwarded to the Vatican, following consultations with other CBCP members.

The invitation was prompted by a separate request of the Catholic Church in Taiwan for the Pope to attend its 150th anniversary of its evangelization. Taipei’s local bishops have asked the CBCP to also invite the Pope, noting that Manila would host the Asian Youth Day next year.
The Asian Youth Day (AYD), a regional version of the World Youth Day, was last observed in Hongkong in 2006.

But one of the sources said the Pope is likely to refuse the offer, considering the diplomatic implication of the Pope’s visit to Taiwan, which is still considered a “renegade” province by China.

Asian Youth Day

According to a July 30, 2008 story on Asian Youth Day on the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) website, organizers plan to hold the AYD in the Philippines last week of November or first week of December 2009.

The UCAN report said, “AYD organizers have not decided on the theme for the celebration, but activities will center on the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) thrust toward Eucharist in the context of the young.”

The report said “AYD celebrations, held in years when no international WYD celebration takes place, aim to inspire Asian Catholics to continue and live their faith “passionately, in a more dedicated way,” according to Jessica Joy Candelario, the head of the desk of the FABC’s Office of Laity and Family.

Asian bishops vowed in a previous World Youth Day celebration to “give more priority to the needs of young people.” They agreed to establish a “youth office that will give a more concrete voice for young Asians,” the UCAN report said.

“Three years later, the FABC established its laity office’s Youth Desk. The desk organized the first AYD celebration in Thailand in 1999,” the UCAN report said.

Eucharistic & Marian Vigil

In celebration of the Month of the Most Holy Rosary this October 2008, our Parish will be having a Eucharistic & Marian Vigil to be organized by the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina (ANF) Turno 1193 and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist (EMHC) in cooperation with the Ushers & Collectors Ministry (UCM) and Catholic Women’s League (CWL) to be held on the 11th of October, Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the parish church.

For this year’s celebration, our parish invited His Excellency, Most Rev. Bishop Deogracias S. Iniguez, Jr., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan as the Mass Celebrant.

PANALANGIN NG LAYKO

Mapagmahal naming Ama,
Ikaw ang may akda ng buhaySalamat, ang dangal nami’y binigyang halaga.Ikaw ang bukal ng karununganSalamat, kalooban nami’y pinukaw mong ganap.Ikaw ang pinagmulan ng pag-ibigSalamat, puso nami’y tinuruang magmahal.

Mapagkalingang Hesus
Ikaw ang Pastol ng mga layko.Hayaan mo kaming makatugonSa iyong makapangyarihang tinig,upang kami’y makapaglingkod sa iyong kawannang may pag-ibig at pagmamalasakit.

Espiritung Banal,
Halina’t likhain kaming muliupang maging isang simbahanghandang maging mukha ni Kristosa bawa’t pamilya’t tahanan,handang maging tinig ng Diyos, nagpapalaganapat nagsasabuhay ng Mabuting Balita,handang maging puso ni Hesus,naglilingkod at nagbabahagi sa lahat ng panahon.

O Kabanal-banalang Santatlo,
Salamat sa halimbawang ipinakitani San Lorenzo Ruiz,Ibinahagi niya ang kanyang pag-ibig sa Diyosat katapatan sa misyon.Pagindapatin mo pong kami’y maging tulad niya,Isang lingkod na tapat, isang laykong may dangal,nananalangi’t nagmamahal ngayon at kailanman.

Amen.

The National Laity Week 2008 Celebration

Last September 26, 2008 Friday, the parish celebrated the National Laity Week which started last September 21 and will end yesterday October 1, 2008. The activity aims to promote lay apostolate and to honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod, the Patron Saints of the Catholic Laity in the Philippines. The activity was held at Bulwagang Sta. Catalina thru the kindness of the Dominican Sisters.

The Organizing Committee of this year’s Laity Week Celebration has adopted the theme: “PISTA NG MGA LAIKO”. The recognition of the efforts contributed by different church mandated organizations, ministries and communities of renewal were presented thru a “festive fair variety program” ala Barrio Fiesta” set-up.

Most of the organizations, presented various colorful native dances which really moved the audience to move their feet and ”harana” song medley that helped the audience reminisced some of their memorable moments as young ones then.

On top of the variety program, ,the church workers of the parish enjoyed the food that were brought by the different organizations which include, dinuguan, puto, suman, sago at gulaman and even sorbetes!

The activity is actually an annual affair in the parish that started last year wherein an Exhibit was held showcasing the various organizations thru the use of native and indigenous materials.
One of the highlights of the activity is the Special Message given by Rev. Fr. Toochy Ubarco wherein he stressed that the joy brought about by the Fiesta atmosphere should also be illuminated in the life of a lay person no matter what circumstances they have. The very same joy that each lay perosn should posses to be able to spread the Good News.

The Year That Was-The 2007 Parish Year End Report

2007 was a milestone year at San Antonio De Padua Parish, with the appointment of Rev. Fr. Buenaventura C. Ubarco as the new Pastor and various tangible innovations—implemented both by the Parish Pastoral Council and the parochial ministries and organizations themselves—to deepen the parishioners’ spiritual life.

Revival of the Novena in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help every Wednesday; (February 2007)

Revival of one of the most pleasant traditions that Catholics observe during the Lenten season, The Visita Iglesia (Visit of the Churches). For 2007, the Parish visited the churches in the Province of Zambales; (March 24, 2007)

New approach on the Salubong Rite was also introduced wherein balloons were attached to the veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary which was released along with the balloons during the actual encuentro. The parish contact numbers were attached on the veil in order for the people who will be lucky enough to get it shall be able to call the Parish for such blessing. The parish prepared some grocery items and other gift packs for the lucky recipient. On its first year, the veil landed in the hand of a Farm caretaker in Antipolo City. On top of the gifts that were presented to the recipient, a Holy Mass was also held in the said area that was led by Fr. Toochy and attended by selected church workers; (March & August 2007)

The parish also adapted the 31-day Novena for the Flores De Mayo created by Msgr. Sabino Vengco, Jr.; (May 2007)

The Parish was also visited by one of the well known Healing Priest, Rev. Fr. Joey Faller. The said visit of Fr. Faller was noted as one of the most well attended gathering in the Parish as substantial number of faithful attended the activity which lasted for almost 5 hours. (July 10, 2007)

Through the efforts of the new Pastor, the Parishioners actively participated in the observance of the Prison Awareness Month as reflected in the substantial donations that were gathered for the prisoners of the Binan Municipal Jail. (September 2007)

In celebration of the National Laity Week, the Parish conducted another pioneering efforts when it held the first-ever Pista ng Layko. Various booths were set up showcasing ingenuity and creativity of the church workers. The celebration was made even memorable with the Merienda ala Barrio Fiesta set up. (September 22-23, 2007)

Through the efforts of the Family Life Ministry, the Parish organized a Kasalang Bayan wherein 10 couples who are either civilly married or living together for at least five years were finally blessed by the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony last October 27, 2007. These couples came from the Brgy. Platero and San Antonio. Fr. Toochy officiated the mass wedding while the reception followed at the Parish Multi-Purpose Hall with the HRM students of St. Michael’s College providing the reception accommodations;

In celebration of the Month of the Holy Rosary, the Parish was able to invite the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches, His Excellency Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr., D.D. The good Bishop graced the Parish for a Holy Mass and talk on the topic “Maria, ang Talang Gabay sa ating Paglalakbay sa Dagat ng Buhay”;

Lastly, the parish revived the yearly tradition of distributing Christmas bags to our less fortunate parishioners dubbed as Pamaskong Handog 2007. More than 300 families were given bags of grocery items collected from the offertory in the nine day Misa De Gallo.

The Former Pastors

Since the installation of the Parish in 1979, the Parish of San Antonio De Padua has been under the Pastoral Care of seven (7) Parish Priests.

PARISH PRIEST
PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT
PASTORAL THRUST

Rev. Fr. Emilio C. Palma
January 1979-1983
To establish the Parish and organize church mandated organizations including youth groups.

Rev. Fr. Jacinto S. Diaz
1983-August 1988
Formation and establishment of Basic Ecclesial Communities and Bible Studies.

Rev. Fr. Felipe A. Almosa
August 1988-July 1991
A Living church that cares for its people.

Rev. Fr. Tomas D. Cuenca
July 1991-November 1995
Revival of Parish and other church mandated organizations thru active lay participation in parish activities

Rev. Fr. Ricardo R. De Luna
November 1995-January 2003
Renewed evangelization thru Parish Renewal Experience

Rev. Fr. Rex MP. Delos Angeles
January 10, 2003-January 14, 2007
To be rather than to do

Rev. Fr. Buenaventura C. Ubarco
January 14, 2007-Present

Parish Profile

ECONOMIC STATUS

The parishioners are mostly professionals, employees: bank executives, lawyers, physicians, school administrators, accountants, teachers, office workers. Some have their own businesses like rice milling & trading, fast food stalls, grocery stores, fruit and meat stalls, passenger jeeps and tricycles, shoe making and shuttle buses for students and employees, and ready-to-wear clothes as well as handicrafts. Their monthly income approximately range from a low P8,000 to a high of P50,000 or more.

However, there are thousands of families living below poverty line. There were few slum areas, residents of which are either underprivileged or unemployed. The men work as jeep or tricycle drivers. The women seek employment as laundry women. There are some who work in factories situated in special economic and industrial zones in Binan and nearby towns.


SPIRITUAL PROFILE

About 85% of the populations are Roman Catholic and 15% belong to different religious affiliations such as, Protestants, Baptist, Born Again-Christians, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Aglipay, Adventist Church of Christ, and others. While 85% of the population are Roman Catholics, not even 10% are practicing although there were substantial number of them that are actively involved in the El Shaddai Prayer Partner Groups especially those in Brgy. Platero

At present the Parish serves two (2) Chapels who are represented in the meetings and activities of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). These chapels are as follows:
1. Resureccion Chapel-Tulay Bato
2. San Roque Chapel-Brgy. Platero

Masses are celebrated in these chapels every Saturday and Sunday by the Parish Priest and other visiting priests through arrangements made with the Parochial Office.

Presence of Religious congregation in any parish provide significant pastoral support for its catechetical ministry and religious education programs. San Antonio De Padua Parish is very fortunate with the presence of the lone religious house within its jurisdiction, Sta. Catalina College of the Dominican congregation or from the Order of Preachers (OP). This gives hope that in following the charism of their congregation in the Parish will continue to develop greater collaboration with parish groups and the parish priest, as well as among themselves and their institution, and thus enhance the catechetical work throughout the Parish.

Regarding other Religious Sects, there are twelve (12) Christian Assemblies which have fellowships done mostly on Sundays. There is also one (1) Aglipay Chapel (Sta. Filomena) at Municipal Cemetery, one (1) Hindi/Moslem Mosque at G&F Subdivision in Brgy. Platero and a Jehovah Assembly at Golden Meadows Subdivision.

SOCIO-CULTURAL PROFILE

The town of Binan attracts and offers business opportunities, as the town is considered the center of trade to nearby towns and provinces. Nearly 30% of the Parish’ population are migrants. Majority of these migrants come from Quezon Province and the Bicol Region. Some are here due to intermarriage in the course of business pursuits. Filipino language is the main dialect interspersed by one’s own region or province accent. Generally, the people are warm and friendly that can be attributed to their being in the trade business.

Our Parish History

Digging out facts regarding the parish history is quite arduous due to the inadequacy, if not at all the absence of authoritative records. Compounding the problem even more was the unfortunate fire that raged the Chancery Office at Calauan, Laguna in 1992. Interviews of the barrio’s old folks on the basis of oral accounts were made and collated.

The collated account pointed out the Parish had its humble beginnings. The first edifice church was built of nipa and bamboo and was dedicated to San Antonio De Padua because the early churchgoers and workers then were devotees of San Antonio. As the faithful began to grow and to set out on its journey as a community of Christian towards the fullness of the Kingdom of God, the chapel could no longer fully accommodate the growing number of people so it became necessary to build a larger church. Started in 1940s up to 1970s a new church built of concrete stone was erected to where it is located now.

It was 1979 that the Chapel of San Antonio De Padua was formally established as a Parish and carved out of San Isidro Labrador Parish thru the initiatives of the late Rev. Fr. Emilio C. Palma who also became the first Pastor. There it expanded to a wide territory embracing today’s Barrio San Antonio and Platero.

Today, this church dedicated to San Antonio de Padua, stands as a symbol of the peoples faith in God. The people also consider it as their living spiritual legacy to their children and their children's children.

Ang Pasimhay-The Blog Version

Last 1997, during the time of Rev. Fr. Ricardo R. De Luna, San Antonio De Padua Parish Binan, Laguna created a Parish Journal entitled "Ang Pasimhay" or Ang Patunay ng Simbahang Buhay. The journal served as the newsletter of the parish for almost two (2) years and became the bridge that closes the gap between the parishioners and the Parish Church.

It even uses the tag line, "The only paper that informs and inspires" since aside from bringing updates and news on the latest and incoming activities in the Parish, it also features inspiring articles that aims to somehow inspires the parishioners to reflect on the message of the Gospel thru heart warming stories.

The newsletter only lasted for two (2) years due to financial concerns particularly on the printing expenses as there are no major advertisements and subsidies from the parish that could somehow support the paper then.

In the advent of new technology and channel like the internet more particularly the Blog mania, the passion for the apostolate on new means of communication or new media has remained strong, thus, this blog site.

The people that will maintain this site is almost the same creative minds behind the dream of Ang Pasimhay 11 years ago. The site will also carry the same tagline before of Ang Pasimhay but this time with a twist, "the site that informs and inspires"

Unlike the newsletter then, the site can be a source of stories everyday and even information and latest updates of the Parish affairs and even from the persona behind it. Welcome and may we hear from you soon!