A Monthly News Bulletin of Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community

May 2014

P17.00/copy

Issue No. 185

Pag-ibig sa DiyosPag-ibig sa DiyosPag-ibig sa DiyosCommunity ActivitiesActivity Venue Ministry

FLM

Date

May 2014

The Lord strengthens and heals us in our individual lives, our families, our parishes, our neighborhoods and in our community. He encourages us to move forward together. Always trusting in His goodness, we present to Him our petitions saying: “Lord, hear our prayers.”

For the Holy Father, Pope Francis, may He continue to be a sign to the world of the healing and liberating power of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

For all bishops and priests, may they all be sources of enlightenment, consolation and inspiration for the faithful, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

For all families, may joyful peace reign in all homes and bind all the members together in love, forgiveness and cooperation, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

For our community, the Pag-ibig sa Diyos: A) For all our spiritual and servant leaders, may they

all find joy in service and become salt and light to the members, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

B) For all our community and prayer group activities, may they all manifest the workings of the Holy Spirit and be channels of God's graces, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

C) For all of us members, may we all celebrate with grateful hearts our community's 29th anniversary this month of May, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

D) For those of us who have special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, may the honor they give her be accompanied by the practice of her virtues, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

E) For those of us who are sick and find it hard to carry the cross of their condition, may their faith and the love of their relatives and friends give them the strength they need, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

F) For the souls of our departed brothers and sisters, may they all find peace in God's presence, let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Lord God, You alone are the source of our strength and hope. Grant us the grace we need to make our daily life a life lived in Christ. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Nurturing Life in Christ

For inquiries/comments/suggestions, please contact

COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY c/o PAG-IBIG Secretariat16 Sanggumay St., Mandaluyong City

Telephone: (632) 5325459 Telefax: (632) 5322459 E-mail : pdcc_672@yahoo,com

Priest Presider for June 03, 2014 Eucharistic Assembly

Fr. Jose ‘Bong’ Tupino IIIParish Priest, Christ The King Parish,

Green Meadows, Quezon City

Don Bosco Prayer Group

May 04 Family Youth Sportsfest Ayala Alabang Gym FLM

May 03-04 Leader’s Formation Seminar Pag-ibig Center NM

May 06 Eucharistic Assembly Christ the King Parish

WM

May 10-11 ESS Outreach (SOLPG) Muntinlupa GCM

May 17-18 LCR 87 Hospitaler de Merci CBM

May 17 PT4 Gathering Pag-ibig Center NM

Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community

May 24, 2014 – Ynares Sports Arena

PROGRAM

7:30 Registration

8:30 Rosary

9:00 General Membership Meeting

9:45 National Anthem, Pag-ibig Theme, Joyful Songs

10:00 Praise & Worship – Nohmee Mendoza

10:30 Holy Mass with Fr. Sal, Fr. Noel & Fr. Bert Message from Dennis Dulce Abcede (Before the final blessing)

11:45 Welcome (Emcees); 1st Raffle*

12:00 LUNCH

1:00 2nd Raffle Draw

1:10 RETREAT CENTER UPDATE

1:20 Salt of the Earth Prayer Group Presentation

1:35 3rd Raffle Draw

1:45 Lord’s Disciples Prayer Group Presentation

2:00 4th Raffle Draw

2:10 St. Francis Prayer Group Presentation

2:25 5th Raffle Draw (Major)

2:35 Acknowledgements/Announcements

2:40 6th Raffle Draw (Major)

2:50 CLOSING REMARKS – Jojo Jing Tapang

2:55 Grand Prizes

3:00 CLOSING PRAYER – Ted Evangelista

* pre-drawn; 11 winners per draw

May 25 : Jn. 14: 15-21 LOVE NURTURES GOD'S LIFE IN HIS CHILDREN “Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.”1Pt.3:18b "I am in My Father and you are in Me and I am in you. Jn14:20 The Holy Spirit is the "advocate" who is God's presence. He is the love between the Father (who Himself is love) and Jesus, the Son who is the Father's love for men. He is the life of God through whom Jesus "was brought to life" in the resurrection and God's life, we received in Baptism. The Holy Spirit is the inexhaustible spring of grace which enables the faithful to live a Christian life and become holy and perfect like Jesus and the Blessed Trinity. As Jesus returns to the Father, He leaves God's abiding love, the Holy Spirit with the "beloved" believers whom Jesus raised up with Himself. There can be no denying love is the lifeblood that flows through us nurturing the life of God in us. Loving like Jesus is our true nature which makes us like our Father. Our preoccupation in life should only be to love like Jesus, become holy and perfect like the Father and be restored to the nature of God, to manifest the true image and likeness of the One Who breathed His life into us! This is all God desires of us. This only is expected of us! In what way is loving like Jesus nurturing God's life in me, making me like Jesus, holy and perfect like the Father and restoring me to the true image and likeness of God who made me? How am I able to show throughout the day that I have learned to love like Jesus? How can I do, be better?

May 16-18 MEW 515 Joseph Marello MEPM

he ICW class 67 was held on April 27, 2014 at the Pag-ibig TCenter. 23 couples, two widows and one single completed the spirit-filled seminar workshop. Talks were given by Carol Sabino (Spiritual Growth through Community), Egay Paulate (Understanding the Charismatic Gifts and Praise & Worship), Estela Polancos (Leadership and Membership in Pag-ibig sa Diyos, Lorrie Buhain (The Vision and Mission of Pag-ibig sa Diyos. Lito Escalona acted as moderator and music was provided by SOLPG while Fr. Teody Mamalias, PACEM celebrated the Holy Mass. The next ICW will be on August 10, 2014.

Introduction to Community Workshop 67

STUDY GUIDE... (from page 5)

THE PAG-IBIG SA DIYOS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, INC.16 Sanggumay St., Mandaluyong City

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Date: April 9, 2014

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general membership meeting of THE PAG-IBIG SA DIYOS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, INC. will be held at 8:30 a.m. on May 24, 2014, Saturday at Ynares Sports Arena, Mandaluyong City. The agenda for the said meeting are as follows:

Ï Opening PrayerÏ Determination of QuorumÏ Approval of the 2013 Minutes of Annual Membership

MeetingÏ Presiding Elder's ReportÏ Report of the Treasurer and Approval of Financial

Statements for the preceding yearÏ Confirmation and Ratification of all Acts made by the

Council of Elders from period January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014.

Ï Unfinished BusinessÏ Appointment of External Auditor F. Leano and Company.Ï Such business as may be brought before the bodyÏ Closing Prayer and Adjournment

The record date has been fixed as the close of business on May 1, 2014, for the determination of members entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual general membership meeting.

Very truly yours,

Bro. Jojo & Sis. Jing Tapang

Jun 27-29 MEW 517 Jubillee Center MEPM

Jun 28-29 GSS Pag-ibig Center GCM

Jun 22 LSS Invocation Mass Pag-ibig Center GCM

Jun 21-22 ESS Pag-ibig Center GCM

Jun 14-15 SFS Pag-ibig Center NM

Jun 07 (PM) LECOM RenewalWM

Jun 07 (AM) EMHC Renewal San Carlos Seminary

Jun 13-15 MEW 516 Franciscan Mission MEPM

Jun 03 Eucharistic Assembly Christ the King Parish

WM

Jun 08 (PM) Youth Alive Pag-ibig Center FLM

May 31-Jun 01 Youth GSS 8 Pag-ibig Center FLM

TBA Singles Summer Outing TBA FLM

May 31 Youth GSS 8 Pag-ibig Center FLM

May 24 Foundation DayYnares Sports

Complex COE/PCM/WM

May 18 MYX Mindoro FLM

Youth Alive Pag-ibig Center FLMMay 11 (PM)

REFLECTION and STUDY GUIDE: Jesus came to restore us to our rightful place in the Father's house. He shows us that when we love like Him we allow the Father's love to flow through us to others, making us intimate with the Father and nurturing His life in us. Loving will restore to us our true dignity in the image and likeness of the One Who breathed His life into dust from which He created us.

WEEKLY PROMPTERS: The Sunday Gospel, readings and psalm should be studied to inspire reflections. A journal of reflections should be kept to track progress and ensure that the sharing of faith life experiences through the WORD format is focused and kept to within 5 minutes. Households are enjoined to assign at least two members to share prepared reflections based on the weekly subject of the monthly theme. Everyone should share their reflections.

May 4 : Lk. 24:13-25 BELIEVING JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are? How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” Lk.24:25 Like the two men on their way to Emmaus, we often fail to recognize Jesus and understand God's plan of salvation. This must be so disheartening for Jesus, the “Son of Man” who sacrificed so much for our sake. Yet Jesus never gives up on us. Instead He responds to our need to know and be assured that God did the impossible for us. That God Himself came to save us not merely from slavery to the decadent world but to share in His eternal life in heaven. To believe Jesus is God the Son become “Son of Man” to save humanity, means we have been privileged to glimpse into the Heart of God and truly understand our faith. God revealed through the prophets He would reject the ways and “wisdom” of the world in saving His people. God rejected the corrupted world for our home. In His wisdom He chose instead to show us how to harness the power of His infinite love to be transformed to His image and likeness, establish His reign to change the world, save and be saved. This is how Jesus' ministry, passion and death enabled God's Spirit to raise Him from the dead and show the world how men of goodwill who submit to God's loving and perfect wisdom and life giving ways, can be transformed into His children. Jesus showed He is the “way, truth and life”Jn.14:6 we should follow. In Jesus God came to dwell in our hearts and our midst to let His love claim us for all time. This is the intention in the heart of God, His plan from the beginning to raise from mere dust, a people empowered by His grace to liberate themselves and rise from their pitiful condition, and to His glory, attain holiness, perfection and eternal life as His children. Often failing to recognize Jesus as I sort out the many concerns in my own “road to Emmaus”, how have I experienced Jesus among co-pilgrims and in everyday life situations? How have I grown in faith, learned to trust in God and become more loving and forgiving? How do I feel about this?

May 11 : Jn. 10:1-10 FOLLOWING JESUS LEADS TO LIFE, ABUNDANT LIFE IN HIS SHEEPFOLD “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”Jn.10:10b Many times the meaning of the passion of Christ is lost in His misshapen countenance in the crucifix, the symbol of our faith. Many assume that "living" the Christian life

entails quiet submission to a life of pain, suffering, constant sacrifice and dejection in the manner of Christ's own sacrifice and passion and that the faithful will only get their just reward in the last day. This is far from what God intended. We forget or pay scant heed to what Christ the good shepherd said about His purpose of leading His sheep to a life of peace, joy and abundant goodness in His “sheepfold”. Through His Transfiguration Christ revealed our true God given and blessed countenance that He came to restore to those who “hear His voice and follow Him”. By the disfigurement wrought by evil and sin in the world upon His body during His passion, Christ mirrored to us how sin and evil disfigure the blessed countenance God gave us. The world robs us of our true dignity and defaces God's glorious handiwork in us. The bloodied and battered image of Christ crucified should deflect our horror and compassion to ourselves. For this is what we let evil and sin do to us. But Christian life allows us to transform our own pitiful condition and raise our debased lives to a life of godliness that God meant for us. This is the life Jesus restored to us during that Easter morning of His victory over evil, sin and death. The faithful take their rightful place with God the Father, whose Spirit provides the means to live in the light of God's presence in the journey to restoration. Peace was Jesus often repeated greeting to the disciples and His way of assuring His faithful followers He made them the children of Easter raised to life with Himself. We know that the world cannot give peace. Only in Christ is peace found and through Christ that real peace is gained. In faithfulness and obedience to God, we remain in the "sheepfold", the mystical body of Christ. Secure in His sheepfold, God's love and our love for Him will make us fruitful in every grace and blessing, bring us the peace of Christ and restore us to God's glory! In the worlds of St. Ereneus, “the Glory of God is man fully alive!” (That is “full of God's life, living in godliness, the good life .”) How is living the Christian life making my life fruitful, bringing and spreading peace and joy? How do I feel about this? How can I do, be better?

May 18 : Jn. 14:1-12 CLAIMING THE POWER TO DWELL IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE “Amen, amen I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the father."Jn.20:8 These very powerful words of farewell were spoken by Christ, the Son of man, to the disciples just before His passion and death. Before He became one of us, He was already God, the second person of the trinity. He never lost His divine nature even during His earthly sojourn so that He did not have to suffer and die for Himself like He did for us, to regain it. But among the fruits of His lifelong ministry, His passion and death on the cross for our sake, Jesus conferred upon His disciples the power to assume divinity by following the example of His life. He gave us the greatest gift that can ever be bestowed for all time. He gave to mere creatures of dust, the power to become children of God and forever dwell in the Father's house. This power is such that Jesus was referring to as "greater ones than these". In my relationships, how am I claiming for myself and for others, the awesome power to rise from the dead and dwell in the Father's house? How do I feel about this? Can I do, be better?

STUDY GUIDE FOR HOUSEHOLDS

Theme for May 2014: NURTURING LIFE IN CHRIST

5

...Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; give glory to Your Son, that the Son may give glory to You. You have given Him power over all mortals, and You want Him to bring eternal life to all You have entrusted to Him. For this is eternal life: to know You, the only

true God, and the One You sent, Jesus Christ.” Jn.17:1-3

2

(cont. at page 6)

Being Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community members and

followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Chr is t , we are equal ly mandated together with his original disciples, when He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt 28:19-20) As such mandated, we can only look back at how He did it. For three years they lived together under His influence and watchful eye. They ate together, traveled together, faced supporters and detractors, battled great sorrows, pains and dealt with food and financial shortages as a group. Each new experience became a teaching opportunity for the Master. They learned things about God and His Kingdom on earth as Jesus took time out to explain and contextualize them. Some lessons were hard to learn. Others didn't make sense at the time (but do so now, since His resurrection). Like sunshine, fertile soil and rain, the seed of God's word spoken by Jesus fell on “good ground” and grew in their heart. Jesus nurtured and molded them to become “fishers of men” making disciples of billions of new believers and followers. We, too, pray and worship together, learn and understand God's word together, encourage and comfort one another, serve in the same vineyard together, teach and admonish one another, respect and honor one another, forgive and accept one another, bear each other's burden , blessing one another, and always at every occasion of fellowship, we ate together. We have been growing in deeper faith, gaining spiritual maturity and adopting Christ-like-virtues and character. We now lead changed lives in

Christ. We are wonderfully being spiritually nurtured in our Community so that, in so many ways, we can effectively help in making many more new disciples. Let us continue nurturing our life in Christ in our Community by lovingly supporting and caring for one another, by listening, modeling (example), instructing (teaching), facilitating fellowship, giving active support and honest feedback, keeping confidences, setting boundaries and keeping the goal in mind. As the Apostle Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1) “You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to those who are able to pass them to others.” (2 Tim 2:2) “Nurturing life in Christ is more than a private apprenticeship. It is more than developing skills and achieving competencies. It is also about character and personality development, imitating the person of Jesus and becoming like Him. It is all about following Jesus. Without Him conversion, faith, obedience, teaching, discipline, suffering, meditation, pilgrimage, ethics and values , organizational expectations are worth nothing and do not have eternal meaning.” (“Making Disciples” by Allan Davis)

Let us open our hearts to all that God wants to do through our life. Let us learn to be responsive to the things He wants to achieve in the lives of others. Let Father God reach out through us to those who are without Christ and to bring them into active and ongoing relationship with Him. We are never alone in this. As promised by our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes along side-by-side with us, instructing, guiding, promoting, nudging and teaching us…. somehow, running the race with us

Thank you Father God! Thank you Holy Spirit! Thank you

Jesus! Thank you Pagibig sa Diyos Catholic Community for

nurturing my life (our lives) in Christ!

Reflection

“Nurturing Life in Christ”By NOHMEE MENDOZA

Ministry Head - Growth in the Community Ministry

hile everybody was busy planning and Wrushing for their trip to the beaches and resorts, the Our Lady of Grace Prayer Group went to the Divine Mercy Shrine, Marilao Bulacan last April 15, 2014 for its annual Holy Tuesday pilgrimage. The OLGPG pilgrims started the night with the Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Alvin Pila, vicar of the Divine Mercy Shrine. The OLGPG members reflected on the Passion of Christ, during the Stations of the Cross.

34

EW512 was held on April 4-6, 2014 at St. Benedict MMonastery, San Rafael, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. There were 23 couple-candidates,one widow, one widower and two nuns who attended the seminar, which was sponsored by MEW 9 together with LGSPG. The Ecclesial Team was

composed of Fr. Simplicio A. Bonquin, Odie Olga Cajanding (Incoming Shepherd Couple), Manny Olive Bodadilla, Jojo Hazel Ercia, Ernie Mary Jane Hernandez and Tim Rose Acedo (Admin Couple). Music was provided by LGSPG Music Service Group.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND SEMINARSMEW 512

MEW 513EW513 was held on April 11-13, 2014 at Jubilee Center, La MSalette, Silang, Cavite. There were nine couple-candidates

who attended the seminar, which was sponsored by MEW 507 together with SHJPG. The Ecclesial Team was composed of Fr.

Edwin Semblante, Boyet Tata Cortez (Incoming Shepherd Couple), Emer Edith Legaspi, Al Gigi Guzman and Nelson Eva Rongalerios (Admin Couple). Music was provided by SHJPG Music Service Group.

EW514 was held on April 25-27, 2014 at Queen Margarette MHotel, Lucena City. There were 28 couple-candidates, who attended the seminar, which was sponsored by MEW 498 together with SFPG. The Ecclesial Team was composed of Fr.

Rekto Hernandez, Nelson Eva Rongalerios (Incoming Shepherd Couple), Jess Fely Balag, Lino Estela Garcia and Tim Rose Acedo (Admin Couple). Music was provided by SFPG Music Service Group.

MEW 514

he Pag-ibig sa Diyos/Family Life Ministry held for the first Ttime a gathering of Encountered Families (from FEW #1 to #63) on January 26, 2014 at the Kaban ng Hiyas, Mandaluyong City. The event was attended by 50 families, five of which are currently members of the COE. The FE Program commenced in 1989. Rev. Fr. Sal Pico, Spiritual Director of Pag-ibig celebrated

the Holy Mass, with Rev. Fr. Ador Javier as guest, giving a Talk on Family Life. It was a joyous celebration of families - sharing life experiences, eating together, playing, and getting to know other families. Nomer Daday Joson, Presiding Elder, gave an inspirational message, wishing for more FE Gatherings to come. God be praised for the success of this event.

Family Encounter Gathering

esponding to the theme of the year of the Laity 'Called to be Rbrave', members of the Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community shared their experiences and views during the two separate TV stations' programs on the Seven Last Words last April 18, 2014. In the IBC 13 presentation produced by Make Mine Creative Production, Belle Catiis and Chito Jimenez of Don Bosco Prayer Group gave their testimonies related to the 6thWord 'It is finished'. Belle Catiis (wife of Norman Catiis) briefly described her fulfilment and joy in serving God through the ME Ministry as Panayam presenters and later as ME presenters. She also highlighted the need to put faith into action and to serve God while one is strong and able because tomorrow may be too late.

Chito Jimenez (husband of Zeny Jimenez), Cluster Head of DBPG North Sector Households (Blessed John Paul) shared how the Pag-ibigsaDiyos Catholic Community has helped him become a better Christian. He pointed out that Service to God should not only be confined in a specific group. Being a good example to other people is also serving God. We also need to enhance our prayer life and be dependent on God, he added. Another M.E. presenter Emer Legaspi (husband of Edith) of Sacred Heart Prayer Group also gave a short life testimony on the 1st Word 'Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing' in the SVD program on ABS-CBN Channel 2. Emer's sharing focused on his transformation through our Community.

Pag-ibig sa Diyos Members Share in TV Programs - 'Seven Last Words’

from the COE

CIRCULAR LETTERCL 2013-00023

Subject: PAG-IBIG SA DIYOS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY THEME SONG

Relative to Circular 2014-00021,where the members are encouraged to use Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community, Pag-ibig sa Diyos or simply Pag-ibig instead of PDCC whenever they refer to the community, the Council of Elders has approved the revised lyrics of the Community's theme song as submitted by its composer, Bro. Benjie-Sis. Thel Muñasque.

Henceforth, all “PDCC” in the lyrics of the song will be changed to “Pag-ibig sa Diyos”.

For your information.

ivine Mercy Prayer group will hold a Dbenefit concert for the construction of Pag-ibig's Retreat Center in Carmona, Cavite on June 7, 2014, (6:30pm) at Kaban ng Hiyas , Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City. To be featured are Franciscan Dream Choral, Aleron, Transchoral a surprise guest artists. Musical director is Flordeliza Tuyay-Licono.

DMPG Concert for a Cause

Members of the Divine Mercy Prayer Group recently visited the Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose, Tarlac where the relic of the Holy Cross is enshrined. The monastery is run by the Servants of the Risen Christ (SRC) Monastic Community, founded by Fr. Ronald Thomas Cortez in 1998.