SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
VOL. 66, NO. 17 & 18
An apology from the managing team of the U Matuna Dear Friends, On behalf of the managing team of the U Matuna, we extend our sincere apologies for not publishing a regular issue of the newspaper last weekend. Due to circumstances, internally, the April 22, 2012 edition of the newspaper was not printed for distribution. We assure our readers and benefactors that we are committed to providing you with the latest news and information in the Archdiocese of Agaña and from around the world. The U Matuna is an important resource of our Catholic Church in Guam and we will continue our mission of sharing the Good News. Please be assured of our efforts to continue producing and publishing the newspaper that you have relied on for over 60 years. Once again, please accept our sincere apology and we look forward to your continuing support as we give praise and honor to God through the gift of our Catholic newspaper. Sincerely, The Managing Team
IN BRIEF First Chamorro NDHS sister remembered Remembering Sr. Rose Marie’s life and ministry. PAGE 2
102 youth receive confirmation from St. Teresita Church, Maniglao
Honoring our manåmko’ Month of May recognizes senior citizens By Jon Junior Calvo The common act of gesturing to nginge’ the hand of our manåmko’ as a symbol of respect is seen less these days. People usually exchange a kiss on the cheek and, in some cases, give a simple wave or nod of the head. The days of respect are fading away. The month of May has been designated as Senior Citizens Month in honor of our island’s elders. As the pillars of families and clans, the manåmko’ possess a great deal of wisdom and knowledge accrued from life experiences over the years. SEE VIDEOS OF These experiHISTORY AND carry THE LIFE OF OUR ences important lesMANAMKO sons ranging youtube.com/ from cultural user/palecap practices, family traditions, and faith, all of which are usually shared at the dinner table or social gatherings. And the conversation usually begins, “Boy, back in the day…” or “Let me tell you…” And just when
Gala Dinner for the Seminary By Jennifer Louise Dulla
Prayer is needed during crisis
“And My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4,19). The Seminary in Yona lives on providence. Numerous times, God manifested His generosity through persons. These are ordinary people who recognize the Redemptoris Mater Seminary as a valuable institution that we must continue to uphold and help flourish. They are the ones who are giving their time, talents, money and assistance in all kinds of ways. God will reward them. The expenses to run a seminary
TOKEN
FA I TH
“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” St. Therese of Lisieux
RESPECT. Gianna Aguon, right, nginge’s the hand of her grandfather, Vince Leon Guerro, as a gesture of respect to elders or manåmko’. The month of May is designated in honor of the island’s senior citizens. Photo by Jon Aguon you think you have a unique experience to share our manåmko’ tend to reply, “I know.” There is much to learn from their age and wisdom and for this reason they deserve the
respect from every generation after them. Throughout the month of May, and every day, take the opportunity to find an elder, ma’nginge’ their
hand and wait for their blessing, and then ask them a question – any question. Make the time to have See MANÅMKO’, Page 3
A miracle of providence
An evening filled with beauty and love. PAGE 4
Pope encourages community to seek prayer, not formulate strategic plans, in times of crisis. PAGE 7
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with forty seminarians are enormous but the providence of God is always greater. The only fundraiser that the Seminary organizes is an annual Gala Dinner which this year will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 6.00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Guam. This will be the tenth Gala Dinner coordinated by the Seminary. This year Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron together with the Formators and staff of the Seminary have the pleasure of honoring Mr. Pedro Palomo Ada and Mrs. Fe Perez Ada for their Christian witnessing and exemplary generous service they have and continue to render to the Church and to the society of Guam and neighboring islands and countries. Since its establishment in 1999, the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona stands as a monumental achievement in the 400-year
Photo by the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Guam
Catholic history of Guam and Micronesia. It has served as a beacon of spirituality and enlightenment – making possible a world-class education for homegrown Guamanian seminarians alongside a rich diversity of seminarians from around the globe. Seminary graduates go on to serve communities on Guam and anywhere there is a need. The Redemptoris Mater Seminary forms priests. Without the guidance of holy priests, many
souls get lost. Without priests we have no sacraments. Without sacraments we have no Catholic Church. Already the Seminary has produced ten priests – all serving in our Archdiocese. Forty more are being formed! A Gala Dinner is not just a question of raising money. It is yes, an opportunity for our benefactors to help us continue the mission of this See GALA, Page 5
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First Chamorro Notre Dame Sister remembered By Marilyn Manibusan For the U Matuna Si Yu’os
Sister Rose Marie Manibusan, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, passed away on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15, 2012. She was 83. Sister Rose Marie was born and baptized as Lourdes Isidora Blas Manibusan, one of Sister Rose Marie 11 children Manibusan
to Benigno Camacho Manibusan and Joaquina Cruz Blas. After her sophomore year at George Washington High School, she entered the religious life as an aspirant with the School Sisters of Notre Dame on December 8, 1949. In 1839, Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame community, wrote, "United and
content with little, we go out into the whole world, into the tiniest villages, into the poorest dwellings, wherever the Lord calls us, to bring poor children the good news of God's reign." Lourdes, anchored with the charism of her foundress, continued her formation at the Milwaukee Motherhouse in Wisconsin. On August 21, 1952, she became a novice and trained to be a homemaker. At her profession on August of 1953, she received the name Sister Rose Marie Manibusan and was sent on her new mission at Saint Mary's Academy, Praire Du Chien, Wisconsin. Sister Rose Maria returned to Guam, which fondly called her beloved island, in August 1957 and was assigned to the San Vicente Convent in Barrigada. On August 22, 1959, Sister Rose Marie made her final vows at the St. Francis Convent Chapel in Yona, which included the vows of consecrated celibacy, gospel poverty and apostolic obedience express the fullness of the commitment to God and to the members of the SSND In-
STA students shine at history competition St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School students won first place in 7 of 8 categories at the Guam History Day competition held on March 24th at the Historic Lujan House in Hagåtña. After months of historical research and interpretation on a topic relating both to Guam's history and the annual theme "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History", nineteen students showcased their individual and group exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, and performances to a series of judges. Winners at the competition may have an opportunity to represent Guam at the National History Day competition in Maryland this June. Congratulations to all participants and many thanks to the Guam Preservation Trust for organizing the annual competition.
ternational Congregation. Sister Rose Marie once wrote, “Being the first Chamorro Notre Dame sister is a special thrill for me. I always enjoy cooking and serving my Sisters in Burlington, Wiscon-
“How lucky I am! How grateful I am to God, my family and especially my Sisters for the more than 50 years of serving the Lord with joy, obeying Him, and loving Him above all.” Sister Rose Marie Manibusan sin; Gary, Indiana; and Chatawa, Mississippi. But I love spending most of my days on Guam serving in each of the four mission schools: St. Francis, Yona; San Vicente, Barrigada; Mount Carmel, Agat and
Notre Dame Regional House, as well as Queen of Peace Ebeye Mission in the Marshall Islands." Some of Sister Rose Marie's memorable moments were when she joined her profession classmates in Rome for their Silver Jubilee in 1978. According to Rose "Chai" Manibusan Balajadia, Sr. Rose Maria remained peaceful, without a sigh of pain or complaint, in dealing with illness. At early dawn last Sunday, Sister Rose Marie breathed her last breath after praying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy with Sister Mary Juan Camacho. In remembering Sr. Rose Marie’s life and ministry, we reflect on her parting words from a personal journal, "How lucky I am! How grateful I am to God, my family and especially my Sisters for the more than 50 years of serving the Lord with joy, obeying Him, and loving Him above all". Sister Rose Marie Blas Manibusan was laid to rest on April 25, 2012. She was the island’s first Chamorro School Sister of Notre Dame.
is an entity of the Archdiocesan Development Group 207 Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores Street Hagåtña, Guam 96910 PUBLISHER
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First Place Winners Exhibit - Individual Shana Yang, Sophomore Performance - Individual Caleb Skvaril, Freshman Performance - Group Janielle Cuala & Kyra Rocco, Sophomores Documentary - Individual Pilar Righetti, Sophomore Documentary - Group Rosario Perez & Ai Motomura, Juniors Paper Leonardo Orsini, Freshman Website Julia Faye Munoz, Sophomore
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ARCHDIOCESAN
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
Sunday Gospel & Reflection
ARCHBISHOP
Anthony Sablan Apuron, O.F.M. Cap., D.D.
S
isters and Brothers: Today’s gospel answers the question: is loneliness an inevitable curse of our times? For indeed Jesus asserts with great emphasis: “I know my sheep…in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father.” This is an astonishing statement. It means that I am never completely alone— and as a consequence, I should never feel lonely—if in my innermost I can always find someone who knows me with a perfect intimacy. And even more importantly, that someone not only knows me but also loves me to a supreme degree. Indeed, five times in these TODAY’S GOSPEL eight verses Jesus says that he dies for me. And we know that, John 10:11-18 according to him, “there is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In short, I am known and loved by a lover who is always present in the depths of my heart. Whenever I feel lonely (and even saints can experience such a feeling at times), I can always turn to him and thus escape from loneliness. This gospel reflection is taken from St. Paul’s 366 Days with the Lord. May your day be filled with love and may Almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pinagat Atsubispo Anthony Sablan Apuron, Kapuchinu
M
ane’lu-hu: I Ibangheliun pa’go ha o’oppe i kuestion: kao i experiensiha pat i sinienten i tinaiga’chong matdision i tiempo-ta? Sa’ gi magahet si Jesu Kristo ha asigura hit ni este na sinangan-na: “Hu tungo’ i kinilu-hu siha…gi taiguenao na
manera na i Tata ha tungo’ yu’ ya guahu hu tungo’ gue’.” Gof na’manman este na kuentos. Sa’ kumeke’ilek-na este na ti sina yu’ gi magahet taiga’chong—ya put mas, ti sina hu siente na taiga’chong yu—maseha gi sen taddong gi lina’la’-hu sina hu sodda’ unu ni tumungo’ yu’ yan i sen kabales na inatungo’. Ya, mas impottante, na guahu unu ni fuera ki ha tungo’ yu’ ha sen guaiya yu’ gi mas tadudong. Gi magahet, sinko biahi gi este i ochu betsu siha ilekna si Jesu Kristo na matai gue’ put guahu! Ya ta tungo’ na, sigun iya guiya, “taya mas tatkilu’ na guinaiya ki este: i para un po’lu papa’ i lina’la’-mu para i amigumu siha.” Gi kinadada’, matungo’ yu yan maguaiya yu’ ni i Manguaguaiya ni todu i tiempo gagaige gi tinaddong i korason-hu. Yanggen hu siesiente na kulan taiga’chong yu’ (ya kun todu i manantos guahu ha’ na ma’ekspirieriensiha este na siniente), sina yu’ todu i tiempo hu bira yu’ giya guiya ya sina yu’ hu upus i sinienten tinaiga’chong.
E
Ibangeliu (Juan 10:11-18)
ste na pinagat machuchule’ ginen i lepblon San Papblo 366 Dihas yan i Saina. Ohalara ya u bula guinaiya i ha’anen-miyu ya i todu hana’sina na Yu’os infambinendisi gi na’an i Tata yan i Lahi-na yan i Espiritu Santo. Amen. Ilek-na si Jesus: “Guahu i maolek na pastot; I maolek na pastot ha na’innanaihon i lina’la’na para i ga’-na kinilu siha. Ayu i hotnaleru—put i ti pastot gue’ ni ti ga’-na i kinilu—anai ha li’e’ na mamamaila i lobu malagu ya ha dingu i kinilu para ‘there is no u fanhinabao yan u fanchinalapon ni lobu. greater love Mina’ taiguini este sa’ than this: to lay machocho’cho’ gue’ put apas; taya’ interesdown one’s life for na para i kinilu. Guahu one’s friends.’ i maolek na pastot. Hu tungo’ i ga’-hu kinilu siha ya siha matungo’ yu’. Gi parehu na manera na ha tungo’ yu’ i Tata ya guahu hu tungo’ si Tata-hu; ya put este siha na kinilu na bai-hu na’innaihon I lina’la’-hu. Guaha otro siha ga’-hu kinilu ni ti manasaonao guini na inetnon. Debi di bai hu konne’ siha lokkue’, ya siempre u mahungok i bos-hu. Ya siempre unu ha’ na inetnon kinilu yan unu ha’ na pastot. Ha gofli’e’ si Tata put este: put i hu na’innaihon i lina’la’-hu lao para bai chule’ ha’ ta’lo tatte. Taya’ ni unu umamot yu’; sinoki hu na’innaihon bulontariamente. Guaha fuetsa-ku para bai na’innaihon, yan guaha fuetsa-ku para bai chule’ ta’lo tatte. Hu risibi ese na tinago’ ginen as Tata-hu.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS \\ SCHOOLS ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF GUAM
May 1: May Crowning Liturgy, 8:30 am May 10: Baccalaureate Mass; Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, 6 pm May 11: Commencement Ceremony; FD Phoenix Center, 6 pm May 15-18: Second Semester Exam Week May 18: Mass of Thanksgiving/ Junior Ring Ceremony/Awards CeremoNY Last Day of Classes May 21: Teacher Record Day, NO CLASSES Join the AOLG Advancing Women Educationally (AWE) Program to help prepare for the G.E.D. test. Program open to women 18 years or older who do not have a high school diploma and who qualify. Classes to be held on Saturdays at AOLG campus. An appraisal test must be taken to determine math and language skills level prior to attending classes. For more information, contact Marilyn Megofna at 734-7407/email: tonlyn123@guam.net or call the school at 477-8203. Application available online at www.aolg.edu. Please visit the school’s website at www.aolg.edu.gu or call 4778203 for more information.
\\ PARISHES OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH IN AGANA HEIGHTS Beginning Tuesday, May 1st, the weekday Mass time will be changed from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Manåmko’
New Mass Schedule as of May 1st
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Sunday – 7 am and 9 am
them tell you stories about life before and after the war, the secret recipe for the best kadu, or who has the best looking belen or nativity scene during Christmas. They have the answer. If not, they will lead you to the next person who does. One of the most effective ways to keep our culture alive is to listen intently and engage in the stories of our elders. If you get the chance, stop by a senior citizens center or at your next family gathering, and capture them on video with your digital camera or cell phone and share them. Not only will you have important memories recorded on some form of media, but it allows for the immediate connection of one generation to the next. The culture of the Chamorro people on Guam is faced with a difficult task of keeping our language and traditions alive. The respect, honor, and love for our manåmko’ must not be lost in the journey of protecting the values we hold dear as a people. Biba Senior Citizens Month! Biba Manåmko’!
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Monday – 6 pm Tuesday – 6 pm Wednesday – 6 pm Thursday – NO MASS – CAPUCHIN FRATERNITY DAY Friday – 6 pm Saturday – 6 am and 6 pm Students in the Sacramental classes will be receiving their sacraments on: Monday, April 30, 2012 at 6 pm - Confirmation Mass Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 9:00 am - First Holy Communion Mass
\\ OTHER MASS FOR AN INCREASE OF VOCATIONS All those interested in the vocation to the priesthood or religious life are invited to attend a weekly Mass for Vocations offered every Wednesday, at 7 pm at Santa Barbara Catholic Church. For more info, please contact Fr. Paul Gofigan at 4880613. Those interested in the permanent diaconate ministry are also invited to attend. WWME GUAM (WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER - GUAM) will have 3-on-1 concurrent fundraisers Saturday, May 5 from 8am to 2pm at the parking lot of GTA’s upper Tumon location off the north bound side of Marine Corps Drive. While you have your car washed for only $5 per vehicle, you could check out the bake sale tent and buy an assortment of homemade goodies including different kinds of bread. Or check out the rummage sale tents for bargains to buy. For more information on this event or WWME Guam contact Charlie and Esther Keone at 688-7654 or email estherkeone@yahoo.com.
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Photo by Jessica Guerrero
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Generation: Change
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
102 youth receive Confirmation in St. Teresita Catholic Church, Mangilao By Kevin AN Delgado For the U Matuna Si Yu’os
The parish of Santa Teresita in Mangilao had two reasons to celebrate on April 20, 2012: first, it was the anniversary of the dedication of the new Church building. Secondly, 102 parish youth completed their Christian initiation through the celebration of the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation. In the absence of our archbishop, Fr. Felixberto C. Leon Guerrero, OFM Cap., pastor, presided over this year’s Mass. Cars lined both sides of Vietnam Veterans Highway as hundreds of family members and friends witnessed their loved ones receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The evening was blessed with good weather and an infusion of spirit for all those who walked through the church’s doors. The church was adorned with bright tropical flowers and bamboo, tying faith with our island culture. The celebration began with the presentation of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, each represented by an arrangement of roses. Five confirmation candidates led a pre-entrance dance reflection to the song, “Who Am I?,” which was one of this year’s retreat songs. A procession of 12 flags representing the apostles and the retreat cross then followed. Various confirmation candi-
dates took part as lectors, ushers, gift presenters, and ministers of the altar. The parish’s youth choir led in song and praise, which was fitting as the candidates attended the ‘Youth Mass’ throughout their twoyear preparation. It was a personal touch for all those who confirmed at Santa Teresita Catholic Church, who also received floral leis immediately after the anointing with Sacred Chrism. The floral leis are not only a gesture of congratulations, but rather a remembrance of an unending relationship they have with ‘the Little Flower’ – Santa Teresita. In the end, leis were presented to Fr. Felix as a gesture of appreciation. It was truly a memorable journey for this year’s confirmation candidates. To connect with their retreat experience, which was focused on the theme, “Journey’s Ended, Journey’s Begun,” these new soldiers of Santa Teresita now have reached the end of the confirmation journey. The journey of life has begun. The parish community of Santa Teresita Catholic Church congratulates all confirmation candidates this year. Kevin AN Delgado is the Director of Faith Formation at Santa Teresita Catholic Church in Mangilao
TOP CELEBRATING. Newly-confirmed parishioners of Santa Teresita Catholic Church in Mangilao dance to the song “You Are Holy” after the two-hour celebration. Photos courtesy of Kevin AN Delgado
PROCLAIMING. Triston Flores prepare to lead the people in the Universal Prayer on April 20, 2012.
TOP REFLECTING. Confirmation candidates lead the parish in a reflective dance to the song, “Who Am I?” Dancers are (L-R): Jennisha Santos, Meya Noket, Erica Eustaquio, Rebekah Delgado, and Bridget Cabrera.
LEFT SERVING. Four parish Altar Servers received the Sacrament of Confirmation in Mangilao. They are: Jacob Garrido, Christian Rodriguez, Gregory Guerrero, and Charles Chiguina.
ARCHDIOCESAN
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
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his untiring ministry for the most needy and defenseless of our society. Last year was a special year because we had the Discalced Carmelite Sisters, the ‘power house of the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Archdiocese’ as honorees. And this year we seminary. But above all, it is a social moment have invited a very special couple, Mr. Pedro to bring into focus a person who has helped Palomo Ada, affectionally known as Pete Ada through our journey and a time to be together. Jr. and his wife Mrs. Fe Perez Ada. The cost All this around dining tables. Eating together has a deep meaning in our culture. When we of the tickets eat together we are sharing life. Even bibli- for this Gala SAVE TH E DATE cally, God expresses His is Hihiscovenant over Dinner is $160 the meal table, and it is during the Last Supper per person or Gala Dinner for the a table of ten that God established His perpetual covenant. for $1,500. Seminary The history of these Gala Dinners is very The price may diverse. The first honorees in 2003 were Sir DATE be somewhat Knight Edward S. Terlaje and Mr. Albert H. steep but Sunday, Tsutsui. In their particular expertise, one as the cause is May 20, 2012 an attorney and the other as an architect, they worthwhile maneuvered the purchase of the then Hotel and precious Accion for the Archdiocese of Agana. TIME – the future of In the subsequent years we honored in 6 pm the Church in turn three ladies who believed deeply in the Guam! Worth vision of this newly founded Seminary. In pitching PLACE in! 2004, Mrs. Veronica M. Calvo, the matriarch of 100% of the Hyatt Regency Guam the E.T. Calvo family in Guam, in 2005 Mrs. Eu- net proceeds genia A. Leon Guerrero, who together with her of your support For more information, husband Jesus was one of our earliest benefac- will go directly contact Rev. Julio tors, and in 2006 Mrs. Maria Hong Santos who to sustaining Cesar, Vice Rector of the dedicated lots of vigor and resources into the the operations Seminary, at life of the seminary and the seminarians. of the Redemp789-2400 In 2007 we ventured into the military toris Mater environment, honoring Rev Thomas E Dan- Seminary. The sak, Captain in the US Navy and then serving Seminary is a as Chaplain at the base in Guam. In 2008 it 501(c)3 organization, hence all donations are was the turn of Mr. Norberto ‘Bert’ Unpingo, tax deductible. known as ‘Mr. Guam Tourism’. The following The Seminary also asks your help in sponyear, we asked the then Senator Eddie Baza soring an ad in the Commemorative Booklet, Calvo to be our honoree because of his clear inviting relatives, co-workers and businesses stand in favor of life. to support the Gala Dinner and providing suitIn the year 2010, Deacon Frank Tenorio able items or vouchers that could be used for kindly accepted to be the honoree of this Gala the Silent Auction that will take place in conDinner. Deacon Tenorio is respected by all for junction with the Gala Dinner. We thank you!
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SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
CHURCH & SOCIETY
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Pope Benedict XVI and prelates applaud during a concert by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra during his 85th birthday celebrations in Paul VI hall at the Vatican April 20. The pope’s actual birthday is April 16. CNS Photo
Prayer, not strategic campaign, is needed during crisis, pope says By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When a community is faced with crisis, persecution and trouble, it should come together in prayer for strength from God, not formulate strategic plans to defend itself from difficulties, Pope Benedict XVI said. Unity is fundamental, he said, and the community needs to come together and ask “only to proclaim the word of God fearlessly in the face of persecution,” not to avoid tests, trials and tribulation. There was a festive atmosphere during the pope’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square April 18 — two days after the pope turned 85 years old. Thousands of pilgrims sang “Happy Birthday” when a Bavarian band struck up the tune, and smaller groups of the 22,000 people present sang or shouted “Happy Birthday” in their native languages. The pope also thanked people for their well-wishes marking the seventh anniversary of his pontificate April 19. “I ask that you always support me with your prayers so that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I may persevere in my service to Christ and the church,” he said. During his main audience talk, the pope continued his cycle of talks on
prayer. He looked at how the early Christian community prayed when the apostles Peter and John were released after being arrested for teaching in the name of Jesus. The fledgling community “raised their voices to God with one accord,” St. Luke says in the Acts of the Apostles, asking the Lord to note the threats being made against them and give them the power and courage “to speak your word with all boldness.” “Facing danger, difficulties and threats, the first Christian community does not seek to analyze how to react or devise a strategy in how to defend itself, what measures to adopt,” the pope said. The vulnerable community did not pray to God to for revenge or “to be defended, be spared trials and suffering, it is not a prayer to be successful,” but just to be able to proclaim the word of God with candor, freedom and courage and make “God’s bounty visible.” An important aspect of their prayer was that it took place in unison and harmony, he said, underlining how important such unity is for the church. “The community didn’t get scared and didn’t split up, but it was deeply united in prayer,” he said. “Unity is consolidated rather than be compromised because it
is sustained by unfaltering prayer.” At the end of their prayer, the Gospel says, “the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” The pope said the trembling building is meant to show that “faith has the power to transform the earth, the world” and that being filled with the Holy Spirit pushed the disciples to proclaim the Gospel everywhere. The pope asked that people’s prayers be inspired to seek “God’s loving plan in light of Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” to find answers to life’s questions and difficulties, and better discern the correct direction of one’s life and vocation. People need to reflect on Scripture and to help make sense of daily events, especially when encountering problems and difficulties. “Let us be enlightened by the word of God to learn God is present in our lives even in difficult moments and that even trials are part of a divine plan of love.” “Guided by the spirit of Jesus Christ we will be able to live through every situation with serenity, courage and joy,” the pope said, “knowing that troubles bring about patience” and the Holy Spirit brings hope which doesn’t disappoint.
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REGIONAL
Marinduque’s masquerade of faith Roman pageant is act of faith for participants (UCA News) Every year, faith takes center stage in the province of Marinduque as people showcase art and culture in a week-long festival of masks and costumes dubbed “Moriones”. Life in the province is slow-paced and laid-back for most of the year, but during Holy Week the island comes alive with the sights and sounds of a Roman garrison town. Tourists from across the country, along with international visitors, flock to Marinduque to witness the transformation. Local residents of all ages and walks of life participate in the telling of the story of Longinus, reputed to be the centurion who stabbed the crucified Jesus with a spear and was healed by Jesus’ blood. For residents of Marinduque, the festival is more than a display of artistry in the rendering of beautiful and garish costumes; it constitutes a religious vow of sacrifice. “This is a practice that has been handed to us for over two centuries now,” said Raymund Nepumuceno, head of the Legions of Marinduque, one of the three Morion groups in the province. “It is a lifetime commitment to God,” he said. He said that wearing the Morion costume – a Roman centurion’s helmet, cape, breast plate, leggings and weapons – brings a sense of pride. “Walking with those defines the meaning of a Morion’s sacrifice,” Nepumuceno said. Costumes can weigh up to 20 kg, so a Morion soldier must first learn to walk in the heavy
“caligae” or military boots, where controlling one’s steps is crucial to remaining upright. “It’s not as easy as it looks. People look at the glamour of our costume, but behind the mask is a struggle and a prayer that God gives us the grace to survive,” Nepomuceno said. For his part, 68-year-old Alfredo Maglakas, a Morion for more than four decades, one can have the best costume “but without faith it is nothing.” When asked how he endures the grueling life of a Morion, he says that life would be much harder without God..
“It’s not as easy as it looks. People look at the glamour of our costume, but behind the mask is a struggle and a prayer that God gives us the grace to survive,” Raymund Nepumuceno,
Head of the Legions of Marinduque
“Moriones is a festival of faith.” The Moriones festival traces its roots to 1807, when Padre Dionisio Santiago, parish priest in Mogpog town, organized a group of players to re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The staging of the play evolved around Roman centurion Longinus, who it is believed also served as officer of the guards outside Jesus’s tomb and witnessed the resurrection. Tradition holds that Longinus was the one who rushed into town to spread the news, which prompted the high priest and scribes to order his execution.
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
NATIONAL
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
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Secularism in America: Growing American movement raises concerns By Chaz Muth Catholic News Service
(CNS) WASHINGTON — Arianne Gasser of Canton, Ohio, is proud to call herself a graduate student at a prestigious Catholic university, and she also is proud to call herself an atheist. The pride she has in her atheist status is part of what inspired her to travel from the Philadelphia area, where she is enrolled at Villanova University, to Washington in March to join thousands of other atheists, agnostics and other nonbelievers for the “Reason Rally,” an event that was billed as an assembly to unify secular people nationwide. Carrying a sign that reads, “This is what an atheist looks like,” Gasser is part of a growing segment of Americans under the age of 30 who identify themselves as atheists or agnostics. It’s a movement that concerns Catholic leaders worldwide, including Pope Benedict XVI. “We have morals and we have beliefs and we have these values,” said Gasser, as she walked along the National Mall and marveled at how many people turned out for the rally. “People just think that we’re evil, God-hating. We’re just people. We just don’t believe that something happens to us after we die.” A survey released in 2009 by the Pew Research Center found that a quarter of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 surveyed said they were atheists, agnostics or had no religion. “Radical secularism” threatens
the core values of American culture, the pope warned a group of U.S. bishops visiting the Vatican in January. He called on the church in the U.S., as well as politicians and other laypeople, to render “public moral witness” on crucial social issues. “The larger concern with secularism is that it damages people, and that it actually keeps people from being reasonable with one another,” said Chad C. Pecknold, assistant professor of systematic theology in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington. “It creates a great level of intolerance for people of faith. I think secularism for Pope Benedict is a feature of this growing bifurcation between faith and reason,” he told Catholic News Service. Pecknold, who also is the author of the 2010 book “Christianity and Politics: A Brief Guide to the History,” said secularism is a greater threat to humanity than to the Catholic Church because it could lead to great social unrest and fragmentation. Vilification of Muslims in the United States following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania can be viewed as an example of secularists’ intolerance. Richard Dawkins, vice president of the British Humanist Association and author of the 2006 book “The God Delusion,” was quoted as saying religion is dangerous “because it gives people unshakeable confidence in their own righteousness. Dangerous because it gives them
false courage to kill themselves, which automatically removes normal barriers to killing others.” His remarks are an illustration of hostilities toward people of faith, Pecknold said. “These are all examples of an attempt to cause civil unrest, which I don’t think are sustainable,” he said. “It could actually lead to greater and greater social unrest, and could potentially give so much power to culture wars that we become an increasingly fragmented society.” The greatest threat to civil society comes from militant atheists, Pecknold told CNS. Gasser and many of the atheists and agnostics who gathered at the “Reason Rally” said they don’t see the secular movement as a threat to society. They just want people to respect their right to shun organized religion and to have their voices heard by politicians and policymakers. They carried signs that read “Good without a God,” “Proud to be an atheist,” and “It’s OK to be an atheist.” Others carried signs or wore shirts that had more provocative messages, such as “If you really believe prayer worked, you’d stop voting,” “Freedom is the distance between church and state,” and “No God, No Devil, Just Us.” Gasser said she just wants her voice to be heard with the same volume as Christians, Muslims and Jews. “I’m not really into politics, but I do think that secular beliefs need to be treated equally with people who are believers,” she told CNS. “I don’t think we’re recognized in the government policies and the way people cover campaigns. It’s just all ap-
Alberto Valdez from Del Rio, Texas, joins others March 24 for the Reason Rally, a gathering of atheists and nonbelievers held on the National Mall in Washington. Research shows a growing number of young adults who say they are atheists, agnostics or have no religion. CNS photo/Tyrone Turner courtesy of Religion News Service pealing to religious people, but there are so many of us who want to have a say in how our country is run.” The poll numbers revealing growing atheist numbers and events like the “Reason Rally” have theology scholars focusing on what they believe is driving the secularism movement. “The cultural conditions have become more conducive to atheism. We can see that in economic ways in that we are encouraged to think of ourselves as economic individuals,” Pecknold said. “We see that in the Tea Party, a libertarian approach to economic
good in which economics is something that is merely representing my own self-interests,” he said. “That kind of radical individualism in economic terms or philosophical terms is itself kind of a practical atheism, in which you detach yourself from any sort of transcendent notion of the good, any sort of sense of a common good that you would participate in. “A kind of view in which I can participate in something bigger than myself is kind of eroded from our economic practice as human beings.”
Citing doctrinal problems, Vatican announces reforms of U.S. nuns' group By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
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Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Citing “serious doctrinal problems which affect many in consecrated life,” the Vatican announced a major reform of an association of women’s religious congregations in the U.S. to ensure their fidelity to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and homosexuality. Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle will provide “review, guidance and approval, where necessary, of the work” of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Vatican announced April 18. The archbishop will be assisted by Bishop Leonard P. Blair of Toledo, Ohio, and Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., and draw on the advice of fellow bishops, women religious and other experts. The LCWR, a Maryland-based umbrella group that claims about 1,500 leaders of U.S. women’s com-
munities as members, represents about 80 percent of the country’s 57,000 women religious. The announcement from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith came in an eightpage “doctrinal assessment,” based on an investigation that Bishop Blair began on behalf of the Vatican in April 2008. That investigation led the doctrinal congregation to conclude, in January 2011, that “the current doctrinal and pastoral situation of LCWR is grave and a matter of serious concern, also given the influence the LCWR exercises on religious congregation in other parts of the world.” Among the areas of concern were some of the most controversial issues of medical and sexual ethics in America today. “While there has been a great deal of work on the part of LCWR promoting issues of social justice in harmony with the church’s social doctrine, it is silent on the right to life from conception to natural death, a question that is part of the
lively public debate about abortion and euthanasia in the United States,” the doctrinal congregation said. “Further, issues of crucial importance in the life of the church and society, such as the church’s biblical view of family life and human sexuality, are not part of the LCWR agenda in a way that promotes church teaching.” The Vatican also found that “public statements by the LCWR that disagree with or challenge positions taken by the bishops, who are the church’s authentic teachers of faith and morals, are not compatible with its purpose.” But the congregation’s document also praised the “great contributions of women religious to the church in the United States as seen particularly in the many schools, hospitals, and institutions of support for the poor, which have been founded and staffed by religious over the years,” and insisted that the Vatican “does not intend to offer judgment on the faith and life of women religious” in the LCWR’s member congregations.
FAMAGU’ON YAN MANHOBEN
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SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
Imagination, myth, and the pursuit of joy
MOVIE REVIEW
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
God, and as such, its purest, highest purpose is to draw us closer to Him. Working through our imagination, Much of the meaning of C.S. God gives us foretastes of Heaven Lewis' life with all of its winding, while we live in this world. It is thus turning, and searching through that He calls to us, making us desire varying philosophies and ideologies that which is beyond this earthly is bound up and centered around realm and we are filled with a keen what he calls Sechnucht, the German and restless longing that is akin to term for intense longing for beauty home sickness. This makes perfect and joy. Lewis' pursuit of this joy sense to the Christian who realizes made him a man of many colors as that such a feeling has always burned he donned the cloaks of atheism and in the heart of man because God did realism, then idealism, then panthe- not create man for earth but for Heavism, then theism, before his conver- en - his true home. "In Him we live sion to Christianity. Although Lewis and move and have our being...For was a Christian to begin with, having we are indeed His offspring" (Acts been born into a Puritan family, the 17:28). Our instinct, as creatures of course of his journey away from and God, is to find the love and solace back to Christ transformed him into that is the Beatific Vision. This feela Christian with a grasp on the faith ing of not being quite content or at so powerful that it took the world by home pervades the writings of St. storm and continues to transform Augustine who penned the oft-quotmillions of people to this day. ed words, "Our hearts find no peace In his spiritual autobiography until they rest in you." Thusly, we Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis defines see that God sends us these shafts the origin and nature of his joy with of light, these pangs of longing to rewords that leap off the page in a feast mind us of this, protecting us from of images and sensations. It is as if becoming too comfortable in a world Lewis wants his readers to become that falls infinitely short of the glory aware that the joy he describes as be- that He desires to share with us. ing central to the story of his life is reThese mystical-like experiences, ally the central story of all our lives. Lewis reveals, ordinarly do not come What exactly is the nature of this to us by bolts of lightening or any joy? How can it be, at the same time, such phenomena. More often, the the reason for Lewis' dissent from "sense of the beyond" engages our Chrisitianity and his conversion back imagination and speaks to our souls to it? The answers to these probing through the simple pleasures of life. questions are remarkably revealed In Lewis' case, as a child, it was the through the roles that imagination distant Green Hills seen through his and myth played in Lewis' life, his nursery windows, a miniature toy pursuit of joy and his quest to help us garden in the lid of a biscuit tin, the in ours. Beatrix Potter books, and Northern As a young boy, Lewis lives al- poetry that instilled and fostered the most entirely in his imagination. insatiable sense of longing and desire "The imaginative experience of those that stayed with him and shaped him years," he writes in Surprised by Joy, for the rest of his life. We see that al"now seems to me more important though these experiences happened than anything else." Lewis makes to Lewis through the fabric of every this statement with the understand- day pleasures, they held a transcening that imagination plays an essen- dent power: "It was something quite tial, necessary role in faith. different from ordinary life and even Human imagination is a gift from from ordinary pleasure; something, By Michelle Rohr
NEW YORK (CNS) — We have it on the authority of Victorian librettist W.S. Gilbert that "it is, it is a glorious thing/to be a pirate king." If the rollicking 3-D animated comedy "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" (Columbia) is to be believed, being the captain of even a motley shipload of 19th-century buccaneers isn't such a bad lot either. That's the role fate has assigned to the luxuriantly bearded central character in this historical fantasy, voiced by Hugh Grant. Despite many failed attempts to do so, this warmhearted and enthusiastic — but not overly successful — plunderer still dreams of winning the accolade "Pirate of the Year." His adventures in pursuit of that title eventually bring him into contact with humorously revisionist versions of both Charles Darwin (voice of David Tennant) and Queen Victoria (voice of Imelda Staunton). The former is shown to be shifty, the latter a shrew. LO C AL S H OWI N G S Fleeting elements of Gideon Defoe's script — adapted from his Micronesia Mall book "The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists" — preclude 10:00am 2:15 6:35 10:45 recommendation for all. The dia(in 3D) 12:05pm 4:25 8:45 logue, for instance, lapses into a bit of low-level vulgarity. And, in addition to a smattering of carGPO - Hollywood toonish violence and some perilTheaters ous situations, the proceedings also find one character referring 11:25am 3:35 to a "scantily clad" woman and (in 3D) 1:30pm 5:35 7:35 another jokingly admonishing his peers to "lock up your daughters." Agana Theaters One of the Pirate Captain's numerous misadventures brings him no showings scheduled at briefly onboard a vessel populated this time by naturists, though a variety of strategically placed objects preSchedules may be subject to vent us, of course, from glimpsing change. Please contact theater to anything inappropriate. And one confirm showing schedule. of his merry cohorts, whom he dimly characterizes as "surprisingly curvaceous," turns out to be a woman disguised as a man. Still, as helmed by director Peter Lord, this swashbuckling saga does teach viewers a good lesson about placing loyalty to friends above worldly ambition. Freighted with that respectable moral, it should make smooth sailing for teens and their seniors. The film contains very mild action violence, a brief scene involving obscured nudity, a couple of crass terms and a few vaguely sexual references. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.
For the U Matuna Si Yu’os
as they would now say, 'in another dimension.'" Lewis calls these experiences "stabs of joy," indicating that the power and nature of this joy is so intense that it is mixed with grief, and yet, he says, "it is a kind [of grief] we want." Underlying each of these experiences is an unsatisfied desire, "which," writes Lewis, "is itself more desireable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy..." Recounting one of these childhood episodes, Lewis, very descriptively, tells us that, one summer day, while he was standing beside a flowering currant bush there "suddenly arose in [him] without warning, and as if from a depth not of year, but of centuries," one of his childhood memories. It was the memory of his brother Warren presenting him with a tiny toy garden that he had created out of moss, twigs, and flowers in the lid of a biscuit tin. "It is difficult," Lewis writes, "to find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me." His senses were overcome by what he describes as an enormous, ancient bliss, an intense longing for he knew not what. It was not an aesthetic attachment for the garden itself or even for his youthful, bygone days. As a child, his brother's toy garden had made Lewis instinctively aware of nature "as something cool, dewy, fresh, exuberant." It was his first close encounter with the experience of true beauty - the kind that points searingly to the Divine. This childhood impression gained voluminous significance in Lewis' memory with the passing of time because of its connection to Joy. In it, Lewis would come to recognize how God was calling him to Himself even as a child: "As long as I live my imagination of Paradise will retain something of my brother's toy garden." A follow-up article will be published next Sunday.
Puzzles & Games WORD SEARCH THEME The Apostles ANDREW BARTHOLOMEW JAMES THE GREATER JAMES THE LESSER JOHN JUDE THADDEUS MATTHEW MATTHIAS PAUL PETER PHILIP SAUL SIMON THOMAS
R P O U J W H S F O D J J D R
Q E K N E F I T X A U X O H G
M V T R U M M L K D L B H G A
Find all the words hiding within the puzzle. Words are placed diagonal, forward, backward, up and down.
L W A L S Y A N S O T B D T A A K N A N T L M D O E H H D O I G R A I U Z E H G B A H T O E E C E P I L I H L V H W E G X F G Q W U A R T H O L N R B C S L T C Q R K U K N Q O D I
G T E U H H P S P T E O L Z E
V S M G U C A P N R T A F E T S O T H A P E E U T P W L A D W R Y U J B K M L Q S F I A M E W X F X M K V V B A F J E O
R E S S E L E H T S E M A J J
SUDOKU
Fill the empty cells so that each column, each row, and each of the 3x3 regions contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.
5 8 2 3 6 7 4 1 7 8 9 5 6 9 4 2
TIPS No region can contain any duplicate digits. There is only one solution to a Sudoku puzzle. Use a pencil.
Solution for April 8, 2012 9
3 4
8 6
5
2
5
6 1
7
3
2
8 9 4
1
7
6 3 5
7
8 2
9
4
1
2
7 6 4
1
8
3 5 9
1
4 9 6
5
3
7 2 8
8
5 3
2
7 9
1 4 6
3 9 7
5
6 4
1 8 3 2 5 1
2
6 4 8 1
9 4 5 7 2 8 7 9 6 3
7 5
8 5 8 4 9 6 1 3 8 3 9
6 3 8 2 8 2 3 4 5 9 4 9 6 7 8 1
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
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Jesus brings new hope Fr. Joel de Los Reyes
Divine Mercy Moments Somber days are gone, song-less ending of Mass dulled by dreary and “requiem-like toll” in some churches is at last over and the purple drapes that covered the sacrosanct essentials are folded back to their cache. Gold and silver linens and linings regain their prominence in the altar and elsewhere in the church to punctuate the joyful season of Easter. A high octave of Alleluia now fine-tunes the cacophony of sound into a marvelous chorus glorifying the risen Christ, our Merciful Savior. We don’t celebrate the empty tomb but the One who was contained in the tomb for three days but is longer there for he is now risen for you and me as He promised, a divine event that guarantees our own resurrection. All the negatives and darkness of our life will now have hope and light. Probably you were lost and couldn’t fine meaning in whatever you do much like a wayward traveler with no direction and purpose. Easter brings new hope, new opportunity, new vision and renewal. The risen Christ offers solution to our problem, answer to our question and assurance to our doubt which we have kept in our hearts for so long a time now. All He asks of us is to ask Him and trust His Divine Mercy. Didn’t he say, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will opened unto to you? For whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds and whoever knocks the door is opened.,” He said to St. Faustina, “ Act like a beggar who does not back away when he gets more alms… ( Diary 294). Before the crown of glory, the risen Christ had a crown of thorns, went through deep pain, abandonment, mockery, humiliation and bloody agony himself far worse than we have, and what a great comfort to realize that we have an ally and a friend who truly understands our plight, our brokenness and misery. Judas Iscariot thought that he was following a wrong leader when Jesus earlier mentioned that He will be subjected to human persecution. And so before that happens Judas took advantage of the situation by selling his Master for thirty pieces of silver, an amount at that time to indemnify a slave. Judas realized that he was in the wrong side of business and despair caught up on him. Don’t we too act like Judas when we rebel against God especially when things go wrong and prayers remain unanswered? Some people shift to other religion when their demands are not met or their request turned down by the church. Disobedience and despair are cousins. Pilate feared losing his position and prestige in the face of public opinion and pressure, Peter chose denial over loyalty, and the other disciples sought security over sacrifice. As we deride their acts, don’t we too do the same sometimes? Can you remember that
moment when loyalty to God and loyalty to the world clashed and you sided with worldly gain? When our Lord rose from death, He didn’t play a vengeful character but a forgiving and merciful Master. The first word He uttered when He first appeared to His disciples was “PEACE’. He gave back the trust and pardoned everyone who abandoned, denied and turned against Him as if nothing happened. What an amazing God we have and what an amazing and peaceful life we’ll have if we follow Him! Someone said that when people hurt you over and over, think of them like a sand paper. They may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end you become polished while they turned useless. Let your smile change people, but don’t let people change your smile. It’s a sad fact of life that when you do good no one remembers, but when you committed a mistake no one forgets. In our daily endeavor and engagements, let us always leave something for God but never leave God for something. Because in life something will leave us later, but God will always be there for us no matter what, no matter how. A story is told that one day, Jesus and a man were crossing a narrow bridge. The man held Jesus’ hand but the Lord said, “No. I’ll hold your hand instead.” When the man asked what’s the difference, Jesus said, “If you hold my hand, you might let go, but if I hold your hand, I’ll never let you go. Amen on that folks!!! In her Diary entry no. 1396, St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words; “Oh, if sinners knew My mercy, they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My mercy.” Tune in to KOLG 90.9 FM for the Divine Mercy prayer at 3 p.m. daily. Recite the Chaplet of Mercy for peace in the world and conversion of sinners. Thanks to the Divine Mercy prayer team for your faithfulness in our Sunday afternoon Divine Mercy home apostolate. May the Risen Lord continue to bless you and your families abundantly with His grace and mercy. To arrange for Divine Mercy home presentation, prayer and veneration of the first class sacred relics of St. Faustina and Blessed John Paul 11, apostolate, please contact Amy Borja at 472-7778.
Divine Mercy Pilgrimages: Philippines, France, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Austria Join me in Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, St. Therese of Liseux, see Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, visit the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette in Nevers, go to Lyon, Geneva, Switzerland, Infant of Prague, Czechoslovakia, Vienna, Austria, Divine Mercy Shrine, Housen of Blessed John Paul 11, Black Madonna, Poland from July 9-26, 2012. For more information, please contact Fr. Joel G. de los Reyes at 483-9464.