Collect (Opening Prayer) for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Something many of us already know and live.

The Latin text goes:

Da nobis, quaesumus, Domine Deus noster, in tua semper devotione gaudere,

quia perpetua est et plena felicitas, si bonorum omnium iugiter serviamus auctori.

Per Dominum.

The 1970 translation says:

Father of all that is good, keep us faithful in serving you, for to serve you is our lasting joy.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Ikaw, saan ba nakabatay ang kaligayahan mo?  Masaya ka nga ba talaga?

Reminders for Tomorrow's Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

About the Mass

1.  Walang Gloria.

2.  Ang lineup ng music pang Easter na may tema ng resurrection.

3.  Hindi tama ang pagbabasbas ng sobre.  Hindi nagbabasbas ng sobre.  We only bless bodies of the dead, not envelopes with money.  

4.  There is no need for a special rite for the dead during the Mass but additional intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful may be added.  Note that the formularies and the Eucharistic Prayer already contain sufficient prayers.

Appreciating liturgical prayers and ICEL translations

I have been typing the Liturgy on a weekly basis. I will finish the entire cycle A already.  If you don't actually type it, the prayers don't really sink in for lay people because we probably won't remember them after they have been proclaimed by the priest.

The Collect for the 21st sunday in ordinary time reads:

Deus, qui fidelium mentes unius efficis voluntatis, da populis tuis id amara quod praecepis, id desiderare quod promittis, ut, inter mundanas varietates, ibi nostra fixa sint corda, ubi vera sunt gaudia.  Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

ICEL 1975 translation: Father, help us to seek the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world.  In our desire for what you promise, make us one in mind and heart.  Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

ICEL also made a second version of the prayer, an inculturation into the sensibility of the language.  

Lord our God, all truth is from you, and you alone bring oneness of heart.  Give your people the joy of hearing your word in every sound and of longing for your presence more than for life itself.  May all the attractions of a changing world serve only to bring us the peace of your kingdom which this world does not give.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.

The prayer was originally the Collect for Dominica IV post Pascha.  The earliest appearance of the same prayer is in source V.  Which means it comes from the Old Gelasianum (Sacramentarium Gelasianum Vetus).  Used by the 8th century in Rome and probably composed from the 5th to 8th centuries.  This means that the prayer we are using until today is antique and imported.

The Nicene Creed

Πιστεύω είς ενα Θεόν, Πατέρα, παντοκράτορα, ποιητήν ουρανού καί γής, ορατών τε πάντων καί αοράτων.

Καί είς ενα Κύριον, Ίησούν Χριστόν, τόν Υιόν του Θεού τόν μονογενή, τόν εκ του Πατρός γεννηθέντα πρό πάντων τών αιώνων. Φώς εκ φωτός, Θεόν αληθινόν εκ Θεού αληθινού γεννηθέντα, ού ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τώ Πατρί, δι’ ού τά πάντα εγένετο. Τόν δι’ ημάς τούς ανθρώπους καί διά τήν ημετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα εκ τών ουρανών καί σαρκωθέντα εκ Πνεύματος ‘Αγίου καί Μαρίας τής Παρθένου καί ενανθρωπήσαντα. Σταυρωθέντα τε υπέρ ημών επί Ποντίου Πιλάτου καί παθόντα καί ταφέντα.

Καί αναστάντα τή τρίτη ημέρα κατά τάς Γραφάς.

Καί ανελθόντα είς τούς ουρανούς καί καθεζόμενον εκ δεξιών τού Πατρός.

Καί πάλιν ερχόμενον μετά δόξης κρίναι ζώντας καί νεκρούς, ού τής βασιλείας ουκ εσται τέλος.

Καί είς τό Πνεύμα τό ¨Αγιον, τό Κύριον, τό ζωοποιόν, τό εκ τού Πατρός εκπορευόμενον, τό σύν Πατρί καί Υιώ συμπροσκυνούμενον καί συνδοξαζόμενον, τό λαλήσαν διά τών Προφητών.

Είς μίαν, αγίαν, καθολικήν καί αποστολικήν Έκκλησίαν. ‘Ομολογώ εν βάπτισμα είς άφεσιν αμαρτιών. Προσδοκώ ανάστασιν νεκρών. Καί ζωήν τού μέλλοντος αιώνος.

Άμήν.

Pisteuo his ena Theon Patera panhocratoran pyetin uranu kae gis oraton kae panton kae auraton Kae his ena Kyrion Ihm Xpm tonion tu theu ton monogenin ton ec tu patros genitenta pro panton ton eonon fos ec fotos theon alithin ec theu alithinu genithenta upyithenta omoysion tu patri diutapanta egenonton ton di himas tus antrophus kae dia tin himeteran soterian kateltonta ec ton uranon ke sarcotenta ecpneuma tos agiu kae Marias tis par tenu kae inantropisanta staurotentha de yper imon epi pontio pilatu kae panthonta kae tapenta kae anastenta titriti himera kata tas graphas kae anelthonta his tus uranus kae katezomeno en dexia tu patros kae palin ercomenon meta doxis crine zontas ke necrus utis basilias ucestin thelos kae histo pneuma to agion ton kyrion kae zoopyon ton ec tu patros emporegomenon ton syn patris kae yion synpros kynumenon kae syn doxazomen tolalesas dia ton prophiton his mian agian catholicin kae apostolicin eclesian omologo en baptisma his apesin amartion prosdogo anastas sin necron kae zoin tumellos tos aeonas Amin. 

Huling Imbiteyshon: Fiesta na Bukas

Bukas, 28 June 2008, ipagdiriwang ng pamayanang Kristiyano ng Ina ng Laging Saklolo ang kapistahan nito.

Ito ang schedule:

6 am Mass

7:30 am Panalangin ng Kristiyano sa Maghapon: Lauds 

8 am Misa ng Bayang Pilipino (Totoo na ito at sasayaw si Padre.  Hahaha)

9-ish am Palaro

12-ish noon Potluck Lunch (Kung pupunta kayo, magdala ng food to share, parang Xmas party)

4:30 pm Harana kay Maria

5 pm Mass presided by the Bishop

6-ish pm Procession

7:30-ish pm Concert na may ACOSTIC sengers :))

Kung gusto niyo nang may inuman, kayo magpainom.   Inabono ko ang pera ko sa budget ng fiesta.  K?

Again, pag umattend kayo at marami kayo, iparereserve ko ang isang part ng church at bago ang concluding rite, babatiin ko kayo sa microphone.  Pag binati kayo, tatayo kayo at mag-wu-woooh at magwewave.  Parang wowowee.  K?

* Paano pumunta sa OLPH?  Ang OLPH ay nasa Jersey Rd, Project 8, QC.  Kung galing ka ng Munoz, may madadaan kang caltex na may katapat ng shell.   Derecho ka pa lampas nito hanggang makakita ka ng stoplight.  Pag dating sa stoplight, tumingin ka sa kanan at may makikita kang arko, nakalagay "Maligayang OLPH Kapistahan" na natangay ng bagyo kaya ang mababasa na lang ay "Maligayang OLPH Kapihan."  Ang street na ito ay Sta Gertrudes.  Pumasok ka sa kunwaring subdivision at makikita mo na ang simbahan.  Maliwanag?

I am a Theology Professor of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas

I am a Theology Professor of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas. I graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree Major in Humanities which was made up of courses in writing, literature, art and languages. I am currently finishing my Master of Arts degree in Liturgy at San Beda College with a Thesis on the Classical Roman Liturgy of the 5th to 8th Century. I had worked at ABS-CBN before becoming a Math Teacher at the Ateneo Grade School for two years, where I taught math in four levels. Now I am teaching Theology 1 (Contextualized Salvation History) to two freshman sections (Engg and IPEA), Philosophy 5 (Christian Ethics) to one sophomore class (SpS), and Sociology 9 (Marriage and Family) to four junior sections (Sps, BOT, Music, Ar) and one senior section (Com). That is three different subjects to six different colleges. Now try to connect everything in the previous two paragraphs and join me in the confusion and the amusement at the mystery of God's will. God continues to reveal himself to me as a God who's will is beyond logic. Sa tagalog, malakas ang trip ng Diyos. Today, I began my long day, which starts at 7 am and ends at 7 pm. My first class at Engg was at 7 and traffic was bad along Spain. I arrived on time. The guard at the lobby however stopped me and asked where I was going. I showed him my teaching load. And he goes, "Ano yan?" I answer, "Teaching load." "Huh?" he seemed puzzled. "Ito po yung binibigay sa mga professor." Two students who were talking to him when I arrived laughed. "Ikaw kasi e, prof pala yang kinakausap mo." At Arki, the IR coordinator introduced me to the people at the Dean's office. Apparently they had thought that I was applying to be a student the day before (I was confirming my class schedule). The apprehension of everyone in the department is that the students might take advantage of having me as their teacher but I've been teaching for two years. The Ateneo gave me a very good experience of teaching and the other things teachers must do. And now I find myself in another situation where things I've learned in the past are very much useful. And besides, even if I look young (and because I am young), I STILL HAVE THE POWER OF THE GRADE. I told my classes that I expect them to be matured and to behave maturely and that I do not need to make them stand at the back of the room or stand outside the classroom. Which, however, I can still do. Now, I am in the process of designing my courses. Fortunately, liturgy gave me a broad perspective of things which is why I am able to have broad insight into the subjects I teach. I have come to know how the ancient Fathers did it and their ways were far more effective than what I had experienced in the course of my education (no offense to my teachers). My students this year will have one hell of a semester and hopefully, I can help them reach heaven (the wholesome heaven).

Ang Pagiging Liturgist ay Holistic Parang Gatas

A person interested in the liturgy must have no fragmentary interest in the concerns of the church.  They are all rooted in the liturgy.  It is infinitely sad when someone devoted to the liturgy will minimize an interest in social doctrine, in rural life, in racial problems, in international life, in Catholic action.  We cannot, of course, have a comprehensive knowledge of these things, but we must have an interest and a sympathy.  When you find a person lacking in that interest and sympathy, you have found a person who is imperfectly schooled in the liturgy, who does not understand it in its completeness, who does not have the vision it is able to give.

- Mary Perkins Ryan “The Sacramental Way” (1948)

Problematic Euchalette Presuppositions

The missalette produced by the Salesians has this as the introduction for this Sunday's Mass.

Today we celebrate the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The message coming to us from today’s Gospel is most encouraging. We are reminded that Jesus came to call sinners to conversion and to invite them to sit with him at the banquet of God’s Kingdom.  But Jesus also warns us that the essence of our membership in the Kingdom does not consist in external religious observances.  Instead, we are challenged to have a merciful and compassionate heart, as well as to show this through concrete actions.  Let us remember this as we are about to start the celebration of the Eucharist. What makes our worship acceptable to God are not external things, but the disposition of our hearts.

Basically they are downgrading the role of the external elements of the ritual worship of the Church.  This runs contrary to several liturgical theologians, to the Constitution of Sacred Liturgy and to the Tradition of the Church.  We do not worship through only our internal dispositions.  Liturgy has always involved signs.  Your sacraments are sacred signs.  I am saying that these external observances are essential in the prayer of the Church.

I am not saying internal disposition is not important.  It is this internal disposition that makes our worship experience fruitful in our lives.  It is our cooperation to what has happened in the rite, to what we experience through the perceivable signs and symbols of the liturgy.

What makes worship acceptable to God is both the worthy external execution of the liturgy and internal disposition of those who celebrate it - everyone who is in it, because it is only through a good and meaningful experience of worship can we all live what we celebrate.

Draft Diocesan Guidelines for Altar Servers and Lectors

Attached are the drafts of the Diocesan Guidelines for the Ministries of (1) Altar Servers and (2) Lectors.  Ito pa lang po ang tapos.  Madali na lang po yung sa EMHC at sa Greeters dahil copy paste ang karamihan.

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love we have received from the heart of Jesus your Son. Open our hearts to share his life and continue to bless us with his love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Pentecost - Mass during the Day

Diocsan Guidelines for Music in the Liturgy - Draft

Ayaw ko na ng paulit ulit na pagsasabi kung bakit puwede o hindi puwede ang isang kanta sa isang part ng misa.

The link below will give you a link to the draft of the Diocesan Guidelines for Music in the Liturgy. The first part (Proemium) is the premises on which the rest of the guidelines are founded. It was written in a scholarly manner with solid foundations on the theological, historical and pastoral aspects of the liturgy and music in the liturgy.

Once signed by the bishop, it will be the rules. When you sing in the liturgy, you just don't sing in the liturgy, you should sing the liturgy. Hindi ito parang variety show na kung anong maisip ng musical director e yun na. There's always a right and wrong way of doing anything.

http://sacredliturgy.blogspot.com/2007/03/diocesan-guidelines-for-music-in.html

Reviewing 2000 Years of Liturgical History

makes me dizzy.

Also reviewing Liturgical Books makes me bookish. Hahaha. I am so tired. But I am not done.

Today, my brain will fry with the review of the Theology of Liturgy with Sr. Graziella. In bocca al lupo.

Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension

From Anscar J. Chupungco OSB

Dear Jeff,

I read your thesis proposal. Very much what I would expect. But perhaps
for the MA we might do somewhat less than what you propose. Give me some
time to study your proposal more closely.
By the way, I accept the assignment from Dr. Manabat to direct your
thesis. I guess I won't regret it.
Best wishes.


Fr. Anscar

Alfonso Cardinal Trujillo is Dead

He died in Rome at the age of 72, succumbing to diabetes. He was president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.  He was Pope John Paul II representative in the Fourth World Meeting of Families.

4th Sunday of Easter

Morning Prayer at San Carlos

Third Sunday of Easter

Liturgy for 3rd Sunday of Easter. For printing.

Tara sa Emmaus

Gospel: Lk 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
“What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?”
And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
They said to him,
“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's interesting to point out that this happened on the day Christ rose from the dead. The same day that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, the same day Peter and John rushed to it, the same day he appeared to the disciples without Thomas, the same day he appeared saying "Peace be with you." It's the gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, technically, two three weeks after the actual event. BUT and this but is in all caps, Easter is but one great Sunday. In Church reckoning, the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday is considered only one Sunday. Ang galing no?

This is also the scriptural manifestation of our eucharistic celebration. Dito makikita ang unang Mass as we know it. Una, may gathering with Jesus (Introductory Rites), tapos may explanation ng Scripture (Liturgy of the Word), may breaking of the bread (Liturgy of the Eucharist) at uwian (Concluding Rite). Puwede niyong iargue ito sa mga hindi nakakaintindi. Anyway, ang point lang is that our Mass is an encounter with the Risen Lord at tuwing nagsisimba tayo, para tayong yung dalawang disipulo na nakatagpo niya sa Road sa Emmaus.

Pero siyempre, kung bano yung pari, uuwi na lang ako.

Bakit naman kita rerespetuhin?

Mga Video ng Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at Easter Vigil

Kapuri-puri ka
Exultet
Gloria
Aleluya

Hindi kasi masend ang file. Anyway, panoorin niyo na lang. Marami akong cameo.

Liturgy ng Kasal ni Miss Mimi Moran (Mentor)

Ang sukli ko sa lahat ng tulong mo ngayong taong ito. Hindi pa tayo tapos dahil clearance pa.

Message for the Marriage of Mentor

This is the foreword of the liturgy I am preparing for Miss Moran who was my mentor for SY 2007-2008. This is where people with units and people without units differ. Mas malandi ang liturgy, may foreword pa. Hahahaha.

Marriage as a Living Witness to Christ

In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul urges married couples to love their spouse as Christ loves his Church. The Church is the Bride of Christ and he showed his love on the cross, when he offered his very body and blood for the salvation of this Church. No other sacrament of the Church shows this most wonderful reality than Christian Marriage. In Christian Marriage, two baptized individuals commit to offer themselves to each other out of love for the rest of their life. They enter into a covenant with each other and become united in love.
The minister of Christian Marriage is not the priest but the couple. Not like other marriages which are simply contracts, two Christians stand before God and the People of God as baptized members of the Body of Christ and conformed by Confirmation in the image of Christ, to enter into a covenant to love one another as Christ did. The People of God, represented by the sponsors, accept the couple, pray for them and help them later on in their married life. The priest, as representative of God and the Church, will ratify and bless this union.
The Rite of Marriage is situated within the Eucharistic Celebration because it is the source and summit of Christian Life. In it, we remember and make present the loving act of God through Christ who offered himself on the cross, an example couples are to live out in married life. By our participation in the Eucharist, all Christians are called and obliged to offer themselves in service of others and by the Body and Blood we receive, we get the strength to do what is asked of us.
Finally, Christian Marriage is a sacrament, a transformative encounter with God and thus, married life should be seen as an encounter with God, a living out of our dignity as creatures in the image and likeness of the God who is love, and living the divine life which Christ gained and gave to us. In the love between husband and wife, the world sees the truth of Christ’s live. By their sacrifices and struggles in their life together, they witness to Christ who gave his life out of love for us. In the Sacrament of Christian Marriage within the Mass, the transformative power of the Lord is made present and effected. Just as ordinary bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, the ordinary love between humans become divine. May the power of the same Christ who transformed water into wine be the source and strength of those married in him.
This Order of the Mass and Celebration of Christian Marriage has been prepared from the pertinent liturgical books that have been approved by the Church. Through the full, active and conscious participation of all in the celebration, this will be a fruitful one and a good start for a long and happy married life. With the Christian community, I pray that you will be blessed by God who is love

In Christ,

Jeffrey Velasco

Memo for Music Ministry

To: Coordinators and members of the Music Ministry

Re: Songs for the Easter Season

The Season of Easter is the highest, most festive and most solemn of all seasons, it is thus to be celebrated with utmost joy and festivity. It is our season to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death and our birth as a Church. The tendency of some choirs, as what I have seen last week, is to sing the usual Ordinary Time songs. As what has been discussed in several formation seminars conducted in our parish, we have such a thing as a liturgical year wherein there are liturgical seasons and differing themes for each. It was also discussed that singing the liturgy is different from singing IN the liturgy. Singing the liturgy means that our songs are thematically and intrinsically connected with what is being celebrated. Singing in the liturgy means there is singing in the liturgy that is not necessarily connected to what is celebrated. You are supposed to sing the liturgy not just sing in the liturgy.

Ergo, Music for the easter celebrations SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME AS YOUR ORDINARY TIME LINEUP. Sing songs with Alleluia and the theme of the resurrection. You have enough time after Easter to sing the songs for Ordinary Time. It is Easter until Pentecost Sunday; help the people feel that it is Easter with your music.

I understand the difficulty of learning songs that are unfamiliar with you and that it takes time. But the ministry in which you are involved requires this. It is not enough for any liturgical minister to be contented with what one already knows. We will not grow if that is the case. Music has a catechetical value in the celebration. What kind of faith are we passing on to the people who go to mass if we are singing the wrong songs?

I am asking the Music Ministry coordinator and the coordinators of each choir to meet and prepare a list of Easter songs. Share what you know and accept what others share. I need the list to be drafted, posted and implemented as soon as possible.

It’s Easter. Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is truly risen! Alleluia!

In Christ,

J. Velasco
Worship Coordinator

My Schedule (Where You Can Find Me)

Easter Message ng Lahat ng Gumagamit ng Church of the Holy Sepulchre sa Jerusalem

Nakakatuwa lang na isa lang ang message nilang lahat. Ut unum sint.

Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
Easter 2008 Message

"In the evening of the first day of the week, Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, "Peace be with you" and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord and again he said to them "Peace be with you."

St. John ch.20 vv 19-21

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Christ is risen.

Many people limit their thoughts on Easter to the empty tomb. How important then, for us to concentrate on the first manifestation which our Lord made to his disciples. There is considerable encouragement to be gained from the fact that the living Christ is greeting his living Church. We do not under estimate the burden of so many of our faithful today from the continuing violence and acts of terrorism that surround them, and of which we all are victims, in the West Bank, in Gaza and in the Israeli society. Nevertheless, the Risen Lord reminds us and tells us that we have a role and we have to change the present situation, through the power and strength which He gives us.

On that first Easter evening it seems obvious that the disciples were full of fear mingled no doubt with doubt and perplexity So much had happened to make them uncertain of the future and consequently they were afraid. However, in their moment of greatest need Jesus came and stood amongst them. At least they believed that he suddenly appeared to them. Because, since they saw him die on the Cross, they believed that everything had ended and the Master has abandoned them. But, fear, weakness and locked doors could not keep Jesus from his disciples... then or now ! He appeared to them glorious and renewed their faith.

In giving the disciples the conventional greeting "Peace be with you" Jesus is seeking to quieten the hearts of his anxious and troubled disciples. He shows them his hands and his side to convince them of his identity as the one recently crucified. So their fear and doubt are replaced by joy. Today we too, we live in fear and perplexity. We too need to see the Risen Lord, in order to take away perplexity and fear because of all that is happening around us and in us, so to replace our fear and anxiety with peace and joy.

However the message of Easter does not end there. The new joy is a mission which the apostles have to bring to the world. Jesus sent them to the troubled world as a whole in order to bring to every one its joy and peace.

So Jesus says: "As my Father has sent me, even so send I you."

In this way Jesus reveals that his Church is to be the instrument through which his saving power is to be made known to the world as the lives of men and women are challenged to submit to the claims of his Kingdom.

More is revealed as Jesus tells the disciples of the spiritual power which will be given them to enable them to fulfill their task which he has given them.

"He breathed on them and said Receive the Holy Spirit."

In that instance he is preparing them for the forthcoming Pentecost. He also shows them the intimate relationship between himself and the Holy Spirit, sometimes described in the Early Church as "the Spirit of Christ".

Having told the disciples of the spiritual power He is giving them Jesus then makes it clear that the Church has a specific function in the world to explain and convince people that men and women have a respons¬ibility to confess their sins. If they truly repent and relieve then their sins are forgiven.

It is very normal that we bring the same message to our Land. Similarly we have to take away the many burdens on people's lives caused by Occupation, bloodshed, violence and killings and mutual hatred, as well as the wrong ways followed so far to reach security. In all these situations of death we demonstrate that we are the apostles of the resurrection, with its joy and hope. We have to tell the people that the present situation in which we are living is part of the world's sin, but it must also be part of the new power given to us by the Risen Lord. Hence we invite them to make penitence, to admit their involvement in the sin of the world, to be forgiven and to become able to see the right ways that lead to security and peace. We say this to our Leaders in Palestine and Israel. The ways used until today to reach security must be changed. If not, we will remain in the same positions in a permanent cycle of violence. For you, Leaders of this Land, we ask that God give you light and strength to take away from it death and fear so as to restore in it peace with security.

So, as we greet all of you this Eastertide we urge all concerned to demonstrate their faith in more positive terms not least showing their personal belief in a Risen and Glorified Jesus. Moreover, our Jesus is no figure of history but rather the One to teach us and guide us along the path of peace and new life.

To our friends across the world we wish the peace and joy of the Risen Lord. Thank you for your prayerful support but please we would ask that you recall that your faith in Christ has its origin in this Holy Land. You have to assume your responsibilities here. You too are responsible with us for restoring in it the joy of the Resurrection so as to lift the burdens of death, hatred, Occupation, Security Walls and the fear of taking the risk of peace. Do whatever you can and please involve your Governments too to assume their responsibilities for the peace of this Land.

Pray for us as well as for a just and comprehensive peace in this Land ; pray that fear, the main obstacle for peace, will disappear. Pray that people recognize and accept each other, so that the right ways be open before the glory of the Resurrection so that this Land of the resurrection may enjoy the new life to which God has called it.

Christ is risen.

Happy and Holy Easter.

Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox
Patriarch Michel Sabbah, R.C. Latin

Patriarch Torkom I Manoogian, Armenian Orthodox
Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land
Archbishop Anba Abraham, Coptic Orthodox

Archbishop Swerios Malki Murad, Syrian-Orthodox
Archbishop Abouna Matthias, Ethiopian Orthodox
Archbishop Paul Sayyah, Maronite

Bishop Suhail Dawani, Anglican
Bishop Mounib Younan, Lutheran
Bishop Pierre Malki, Syrian- Catholic

Archimandrite Joseph Saghbini, Greek Catholic
Fr. Rafael Minassian, Armenian Catholic

1st and 2nd Sundays of Lent

[printing instructions: letter size back to back]

Formation Program for Masters of Ceremonies (for Dave)

Module 1: Foundations

1. The Role of the Master of Ceremonies

a. Definition of Role according to GIRM 106 and CE

b. History of the office of Master of Ceremonies

c. Masters of Ceremonies today

2. The Theological, Christological and Pneumatological Dimensions of the Liturgy

a. SC 7

b. Liturgy as a Return to the Father through the Son in the Spirit

c. Priesthood of Christ – role of the Mystical Body

d. Anamnesis (ritual memorial) and Epiklesis (effects of the ritual memorial)

3. Sacramental Theology

a. Theological definition of sacraments (Schillebeeckx – encounter with God, etc)

b. Sign – symbol – sacrament

c. Sacramental Presence

d. Liturgy and Sacraments

4. Liturgical Books

a. Nature and importance of Liturgical Books

b. Short History of Liturgical Books and their effects

c. Introduction to each liturgical book

Module 2: The Eucharist

1. Theology and History of the Eucharist
2. General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Rubrics
3. Ceremonial Actions, Solemn Mass, Pontifical Mass

Module 3: The Liturgical Year

1. Theology, History and Structure of the Liturgical Year
2. Lent-Easter Cycle
3. Advent-Christmas Cycle and Important Feasts

Basic Formation for Parish Masters of Ceremonies

To: Parish Priests, Parochial Vicars and Parish Coordinator of the Ministry of Altar Servers
Re: Basic Formation for Parish Masters of Ceremonies

Dear brothers in Christ,

Liturgical celebrations must be distinguished by grace, simplicity and order. In diocesan and parish liturgical celebrations, the master of ceremonies is tasked to coordinate the planning, preparations and actual celebrations of the liturgy. The master of ceremonies should be well-versed in the history, theology and pastoral aspects of the liturgy (cf. Ceremonial of Bishops, 24). This requisite knowledge facilitates planning and preparation of the faithful.

Considering the important role of the Master of Ceremonies plays in our liturgical life, the Ministry of Altar Servers of the Diocesan Ministry for Liturgical Affairs will be offering a Basic Workshop for Parish MCs on 28 February, 6 March and 13 March from 6:00 until 9:00 in the evening at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Multi-purpose Building.

Participants must:

• be appointed and highly recommended by the parish priest (with accompanying letter of appointment)
• have basic knowledge of the liturgy
• be a senior altar server (not necessarily by age nor years in service)
• have the capability to direct liturgical celebrations

This is also open and highly recommended for parish worship coordinators.

Participants are to submit their recommendation letters signed by the parish priest a week before the seminar to facilitate the preparations of materials. You may fax it through 7237847. Participants without recommendation letters will not be entertained. The registration fee is Php 1000 for the dinner, venue, speakers and materials.

For further inquiries, please get in touch with Randy at 723 5113 to 15 local 514

May the Lord continue to bless you in your apostolic endeavors for the promotion of liturgical renewal in our diocese.

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Rev. Fr. Dennis Soriano
Minister for Liturgical Affairs


Noted by:

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel O. Sarez
Pastoral Director

Answering the Need for Liturgical Education

This is a paper for liturgical education class.

When the pastor of my real parish was transferred, he asked me to help him in his new parish. It was a small church and it was quite far from the center of the diocese. It did not take me long to find that it had been neglected. And as my pastoral work in the liturgical celebrations there commenced, I saw that it really needed liturgical formation. Most of the ministers only know what was taught them in the formations from the diocese, the choirs did not have any decent repertoire of liturgical music and eveything in the celebration barely passed the minimum requirement (even the lights, only the light above the altar worked).

As the elected (I find it strange that I was elected without me knowing) Worship Coordinator, I was given the opportunity to improve the liturgical and devotional services in the parish. I was responsible for spearheading all planning, directing and evaluating what we do for worship. I took the time to attend meetings just to answer questions and clarify things. I found myself answering questions regarding small details of what we do in the Mass like bowing, genuflecting, etc and I realized that for many of the people here, it was the small things, the petty things, that were important. It was then that I realized that there was really a need to deepen their understanding of Christian prayer.

For the last two years, I had been busy not just with the liturgical services of the parish but also with giving formation seminars and talks. It is really amazing how the people in this parish are very open to these seminars and talks and they are very interested. I liken them to someone who hasn’t eaten for days who finds food and eats it voraciously. The people were very receptive and very willing to listen to someone half, or even a third of their age.

Recently, I have begun a worship publication for them that comes out monthly. I named it Ecclesia Orans because Fr. Dennis wont let me use Bukal (or Bukalette) and so that I can follow the tradition of the liturgical movement. It is where I try to explain things in a manner most can understand. It is mostly in Filipino. It is comforting to know that those who take copies do read them and keep them.

After reading the assigned articles, it was nice to know that I had been doing my part – helping make celebrations better and teaching litugy. I wish I could do more to make the liturgical celebrations in my new parish and in the bigger community of the Diocese better. But I need ordination for that. As of now, I am content with maximizing what I can do as a layperson, as a worship coordinator and as a member of the diocesan ministry for liturgical affairs.

Death Notice

FR. EDUARDO P. HONTIVEROS, SJ

(20 December 1923 – 15 January 2008)

Fr. Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, was born on 20 December 1923 in Molo, Iloilo City. He was one of eight children born to Jose Hontiveros and Vicenta Pardo.

Fr. Honti, as he is fondly known, was educated at the Capiz Elementary School and the pre-war Ateneo de Manila in Padre Faura, graduating from high school in 1939. From 1939 to 1945 he was at San Jose Seminary. He entered the Society of Jesus after the war in 1945, pronouncing first vows at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches in June 1947. There he finished his studies in philosophy and then proceeded to Ateneo de Zamboanga for his three-year regency, teaching religion, Latin, and English, and moderating the Choir String Band. In 1951, he traveled to the United States to study theology, and was ordained in 1954 by Francis Cardinal Spellman. After earning a doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, he returned to teach in the Philippines in 1958. He pronounced final vows in the Society of Jesus in 1960.

Fr. Honti had a long career as a theology professor and seminary formator for Jesuits and San Jose seminarians. He served in various capacities, including as Rector of San Jose Seminary and Dean of Loyola School of Theology. For more than thirty years until 1991 when a stroke seriously hampered his mobility and capacity to communicate, he was a fatherly figure to generations of Jesuit and Josefino seminarians.

But Fr. Honti is best known for his music. In 1965, as the Second Vatican Council ended and called for inculturation of the liturgy, Fr. Honti, whose family is musically inclined, was already composing Mass hymns in Tagalog. He asked the church choirs in Barangka, Marikina, and Pansol, both communities near the new Ateneo campus in Loyola Heights, to sing his songs, and he readily adjusted the notes if the choir found his compositions too difficult. Before long, he had composed a complete set of hymns for the Mass. Thus began Fr. Honti’s love affair with heartfelt liturgical music. His songs spread to other parishes and by the 1970s, aided by a fresh wave of nationalism, his songs had become staple fare at Masses.

His name may not be familiar to all, but his music certainly is. He was not the only Filipino who experimented with sacred music in the vernacular starting in the 1960s, but he was certainly the most prolific, and most successful, if success is measured by the popularity of one’s work. Over a period of twenty-five years, Fr. Honti composed hundreds of hymns, many of which with moving stories of ordinary people behind them. He has inspired younger generations of composers like Fr. Nemesio Que, Fr. Fruto Ramirez, Fr. Manoling Francisco, Fr. Arnel Aquino, and Fr. Jboy Gonzales. It is no exaggeration that Fr. Honti has been called the Father of Filipino Liturgical Music.

Today it is a testament to Fr. Honti’s pioneering spirit that so many styles of church music are sung in our Masses and other gatherings. The choices can seem quite daunting, and it is never easy to select songs that various generations of churchgoers can follow, but play the opening notes of Fr. Honti’s Pananagutan, or intone his Luwalhati, Santo, Kordero ng Diyos, or his Magnificat, and everyone can join in. That is the surest way to show that while his name may not ring a bell, his music does.

Fr. Honti’s initiatives have been recognized with the Ateneo de Manila University’s Tanglaw ng Lahi Award (1976), the Asian Catholic Publishers’ “Outstanding Catholic Author” (1992), and the Papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (2000), among many other awards and citations. He suffered another major stroke in early January, and went home to the Lord on 15 January.

His wake is being held at the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University, where daily masses will be held at 8:00 p.m. The funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, 19 January, 8:00 a.m. at the Church of the Gesu in Ateneo Loyola Heights campus. Interment will follow at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Loyola School of Theology, for the Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ, Professorial Chair.

15 January 2008

Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus

Lent, Holy Week and Easter Preparations for OLPH Project 8

Materials to be prepared:

• Ecclesia Orans Lent-Easter Issue
• Ecclesia Orans Holy Week Issue
• Ecclesia Orans Easter Triduum Issue
• Prayer Guide for Lent (Seven Sorrows)
• Via Crucis
• Prayer Guide of Visita Iglesia
• Penitential Service Modules
• Catechumenal Formation
• Mystagogical Catechesis
• Ceremonial and Liturgy Guides
• Promotional Materials for Lent
• Promotional Materials for Holy Week
• List of Things Needed

Materials to be made:

• Platform extensions with step
• Taller cross stand
• Altar of Repose
• Concelebrants platforms
• Candle holders
• Triptych
• Via Crucis in Tarpaulin
• Banners for Holy Thursday
• Banners for Good Friday
• Banners for Easter Vigil

Materials to be procured:

• Covers for the Liturgical books
• Candles
• Incense
• Flowers
• Cloths
• Tubes for banners
• Flags
• Tambourines

Date	Time	Activity	Materials/Notes
5 February	7:00 pm	Rite of Blessing Palms to Ashes	· Gather last year’s palms from people · Rite of Blessing · Purchase bowls · Prepare ashes
6 February	6:00 am 7:30 am 5:00 pm 6:30 pm	Ash Wednesday Masses Rite of Imposition is after the Homily	· Instruct EMHC/Lectors/Servers · Prepare table at the side with the ashes
	7:30 pm	Rite of Imposition of Ashes within the Celebration of the Word of God	· Assign: 1 lector · Prepare music or ask Kurei ·
13 February 20 February 27 February 5 March 12 March	7:20 pm	Penitential Service and Confessions Themes: 1 Penance leads to a strengthening of baptismal grace, 2 penance prepares for a fuller sharing in the paschal mystery of christ for the salvation of the world, 3 sin and conversion, 4the son returns to the father, 5 the beatitudes, 6 God comes to look for us, 7Renewing our lives according to christian vocation
		Lenten Recollection/s
8 February 15 February 22 February 29 February 7 March 14 March	6:00 pm or 7:20 pm	Stations of the Cross (Area and Church)
Everyday	Before Mass	Rosary of the Seven Sorrows
16 March	Sunday Schedule	Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Rite of Blessing of Palms at the Beginning of the Mass	· Prepare at the Entrance: Microphone Gospel Book Holy Water · Copies of the Passion Narrative · Announce: bring candles on Easter Sunday
	7:00 am	Principal Mass	· Assign 2 MCs in charge · Prepare things · No Candles nor Incense
17 March	12:00 mn	Pabasa	·
18 March		Pabasa	·
19 March		Kumpisalang Bayan (?)	·
20 March	7:00 am	Chrism Mass (Cathedral)	· Lead: Execom
	7:00 am	Morning Prayer (OLPH)	· Lead: CBO
	6:00 pm	Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper	· Feet owners: Area/CBO/Ministry · Materials · Altar of Repose · Ciborium
		Vigil	· Lead: CBO
21 March	7:00 am	Morning Prayer	· Lead: CBO
	8:00 am	Public Stations of the Cross	· Lead: Area Coordinators
	3:00 pm	Celebration of the Lord’s Passion	· Worship
	5:00 pm	Prayer Service before the Image of the Corpse of Christ	· Lead: CBO
22 March	7:00 am	Morning Prayer	· Lead: CBO
	9:00 pm	Easter Vigil	· Worship
	12:00 am	Salubong	· Lead: Worship + Catechetical
	1:00 am	Salu-salo	· Lead: PPC
23 March	Sunday Schedule	Easter Sunday Celebrations	· Sequence (sung) · Renewal of Baptismal Vows
24 – 30 March		Mystagogical Catechesis	·
30 March	Sunday Schedule	2nd Sunday of Easter/ Domenica in Albis Divine Mercy Sunday	·
6 April	Sunday Schedule	3rd Sunday of Easter	·
13 April	Sunday Schedule	4th Sunday of Easter	·
20 April	Sunday Schedule	5th Sunday of Easter	·
27 April	Sunday Schedule	6th Sunday of Easter	·
4 May	Sunday Schedule	Ascension	·
10 May	6:30 pm	Pentecost Vigil (Long Celebration)	·
11 May	Sunday Schedule	Pentecost	·