ANG INIT

I MEAN NOT only the weather but also the situation the Catholic community is in, in light of the raging spiritual warfare.

Heat is caused by exposure to high temperatures, exacerbated by high humidity. Its worse level is exhaustion, which can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition. Fortunately, heat exhaustion is preventable. Unlike the overheating of our soul, when we lose track of its trajectory. Because waylaid by the enticements and (wicked) entrapments of the devil. The only antidote to the absence of good is the presence of goodness itself, Christ. Still, even with Christ in us, evil does not relax its watch for opportunities to ensnare those who are especially devout.

The Satanic Convention in Boston was one such observance. Hyped (as early as December 2022) as the largest gathering ever of Satanists all over America (thank God), the much-touted heavy turnout garnered 800-strong (their press release) attendees, surpassed by numerically half of the Chinese blockbuster eponymous movie. I will not waste ink and space to describe what went on in that weekender. Suffice it to say that God spared us from the consequences its effect might have engendered, had it been the blockbuster that it was touted to be.

Because the Archdiocese of Boston issued a timely precaution that the convention could be disturbing for people of faith yet urged Catholics not to protest, a bishop wrote in an email to church members: "The balance is between countering its intended evil effects, and drawing attention to it, and making it more prominent. To that end, we ask you to not organize or encourage any of your parishioners to go to the event to protest. It will only fuel the hate of those who support it and feed the media with images. Rather than protest in person, we hope to storm the heavens with prayer." Which made a lot of spiritual sense. Or else, those who may have been inclined to be there (if only to object) would’ve been counted as sympathizers, and upped the headcount.

CBN’s Senior Writer Billy Hallowell interviewed Missionary Musician Sean Feucht who said that in the middle of the convention, nearly 100 were converted to Christianity, a miracle that confirmed John 1:5’s “Darkness is Scared of Light.” Feucht said that, in spite of the headlines Satanists made for tearing up a Bible and other antics at the Boston event, something far more inspirational unfolded around it: souls were saved. He added that there was an “amazing community of ministries and a network of churches” and other leaders who coordinated evangelistic outreaches in the area. Seemingly and silently, the alternative was also employed by the generally Catholic Philippine population, with favorable results. The prayerful faithful did storm heavens quietly and effectively. There was no need for fire-and-brimstone rhetoric or hysterics to convince the community of kneeling down in supplication for support against the adverse ripples of the conference. There was not even a murmur of the malevolent milestone in gatherings of import. Thankfully, storming heaven must’ve greatly helped ease the Russia-Ukraine conflict, similar to the consecration of the former way back, confirming the potency of prayer, particularly when collectively lifted.

And, just recently, Leila de Lima’s chances at acquittal are gaining momentum and her dismal 6 years of incarceration will soon be a dark memory. Light is on its way.

The initial downpours of the merry (albeit scorching) month of May are showing signs of intensifying. As fervid as the daily floral offering, and other activities of the parish community, in veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the May Flower culminates on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit Fiesta of BF Homes, the faithful shall have been reassured that June will usher a refreshing boon of rainfall and rainbows, the heat of its predecessor, albeit still a benediction of sorts, a faint, benevolent whiff already. Amen. TP

Parish Gets An Administrator

With the prolonged stay of Fr. Mar Sanchez in the hospital, Bishop Roberto O. Gaa, DD, has appointed our former Parish Priest, Fr. Jerome (Jigs) Rosalinda as Parish Administrator. Fr. Abe Arganiosa remains the Parochial Vicar of the Parish.

In his first meeting with the Parish Pastoral Council, Fr. Jigs explained that Fr. Mar’s hospitalization makes it difficult to see stability in the Parish, despite the good work of Fr. Abe Arganiosa as Parochial Vicar. That is why Bishop Gaa deemed it fit to appoint a Parish Administrator. He clarified that Fr. Mar remains the Parish Priest. He elaborated that Pastoral care of souls has 2 different aspects: the Administration of the Sacraments and the Care of temporal goods. In ordinary circumstances, these are rolled into the office of the Parish Priest but in his absence, or at the discretion of the Bishop, these may be given to different Priests. He said there is no need to define the distinction of these aspects now. Finally, he said he and Fr. Abe will work together towards the objective of stabilizing the Parish. This is a very temporary arrangement and the Bishop can pull him out anytime.

Diocesan Fund Raising For Priests

Bishop Gaa has asked the faithful of the Diocese to help replenish the funds meant to cover the hospitalization of its Priests. The Parish is participating in this endeavor and has so far raised more than P400K from generous Parishioners. This was turned over to the Chancery of the Diocese.

This does not include funds directly deposited to bank accounts the Bishop has specified like the proceeds of the Homeowners Association’s Garage Sale on March 11-12, 2023 which generated P208,455.

The fund raising for the Diocese is continuing. The Parish remains open to receive donations from the Parishioners.

Redrawing The Parish Boundary

The Parish used to have 3 Chapels - The Sto. Niño de Leyte along Commonwealth Avenue has been turned over to the Jesus of Nazareth Parish while the Chapels of the Immaculate Conception in North Susana Executive Village and our Mother of Perpetual Help in New Intramuros Village have become a Quasi-Parish. Before the decla- ration as a full-pledged Parish, Fr. Marlou Le- maire has been designated its Administrator.

The Holy Spirit Parish now exclusively covers BF Homes Subdivision.

Parish Recruitment

The Parish continues to look for fresh batches of Parish workers. For everyone’s information, the Church has 3 main Ministries: 1) The Worship and Liturgy Ministry; 2) The Growth in Faith Ministry; and 3) the Social Action Ministry.

The Worship and Liturgy Ministry is composed of the Mother Butler Guild, Music, the Ministry of the Word (under which banner are the Young Proclaimers at the 10 AM Mass), the Altar Servers, Ushers and Collectors, and the EMHC (the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion).

This Ministry is focused on the Eucharistic Celebrations: Worship is the basic function of the faithful and the liturgy is the tool for that worship.

The Growth in Faith Ministry is composed of the LOM (Legion of Mary, with its 2 Presidia, the Annunciation and the Tower of Ivory [which is oriented towards the youth]); the Divine Mercy Apostolate; the Apostleship of Prayer; PREX (the Parish Renewal Experience); Youth (the Parish Youth Ministry); Vocations; Social Communication and Media Ministry; Bible Apostolate; and Ecumenism. This Ministry is focused on formation whose activities are designed to strengthen our faith.

The Social Action Ministry is composed of the DMI (Daughters of Mary Immaculate) and KC (the Knights of Columbus). This Ministry is focused on the poor as the empowered partners of the Church in alleviating their social conditions.

The BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) and Stewardship (Balik-Handog) are special Church Ministries.

Indeed, many are the options for service. The Parish especially calls the YOUTH to start their service early. TP

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