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OOGG NNEEWWSS Official Publication of Open Gathering 2010 Issue 6

A LETTER FROM JESUS

Peace be with you.

I am thankful that you continue to recall and celebrate my birth more than

2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem.

I came as a gift from the Divine Father to humanity, conceived in the womb of

Mary and cared for by Joseph. It was difficult for them, as they would have

wanted me to be born in a decent place, but as no one welcomed them in

their homes, I was born in a manger, in the company of sheep, cattle and

donkey.

If you thought that the world failed me, when I was born, erase such thought,

for truly I was full of joy. The embrace of Mary, the support of Joseph, the

adoration of the shepherds, the songs of the angels, the gifts of the Magi, all

these made me welcome into this world among the children of the Father.

Every moment of my life, from birth until the ascension, I cherish, and I shall

return to reward all who have kept the faith, as I will punish the wicked and

unrepentant.

This Christmas, I ask you to have a welcoming attitude, a charitable spirit

and a caring heart to all especially the least of your brethren. As you share

with your family, your friends, your associates, do share as well to the dying

and the destitute, to the migrants and their children, to the beggars, the

prostitutes and even the sinners.

Think not about receiving gifts, but rather of giving yourself, your

possessions and your time for others. It would mean so much to those who

receive, it would mean so much to me.

I love you! Merry Christmas.

Yours in faith, hope and charity,

Jesus Christ

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Programme of OG 2010

11:15am Filipino Mass

12:30pm Lunch for New Migrants 1:30pm Entertainment/Gift Giving

Program Minister Bro Ferdie Esclamado

Prayer/Welcome Remarks Dicdic del Castillo Performance Mother of Perpetual Help Choir

Performance Ina & Kayth Performance Kisi Muevo

Message Fr Gilbert Ramos

Game 1

Performance TawagAwit-Good Shepherd (East Auckland)

Performance JUNZ/TBB

Performance TawagAwit-St Thomas More Sharing Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta

Zumba for All Jam Parado

Performance KBNZ/TawagAwit-Our Lady of Lourdes

Performance Angel Baguna

Performance Mark Singzon

Game 2

Performance Jojo Aquino

Performance TawagAwit-St Mary's Performance Bro Mel B Libre

Gift Giving

4:30pm Finish

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Champion Choreographer & Spanish-flamenco guitar duo in OG

The choreographer of the Auckland International Carnival Grand Champion, KBNZ Sinulog Dance

Troupe, and a brilliant pianist who has expanded his horizon to Spanish flamenco guitar music are the

latest artists to join the strong line-up of performers in OG: Open Gathering on Sunday 19 December

2010 in Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City.

Jam Parado conceptualized the presentation and mentored the Visayan-speaking contingent that beat

more than 20 other contestants including samba groups from the major cities of New Zealand, dragon-

dance performers from China and a professional troupe from the Cook Islands in the multi-ethnic

competition held at Ellerslie Event Centre on November 6 this year.

(click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ei4lEuO5x0) A certified

Zumba instructor based in South Auckland, Jam was a champion in

Latin Category in the Dance Sports Competition in Central Visayas,

Philippines. She earned units in Bachelor of Dance in Auckland Institute of Technology in North Shore,

Auckland. She writes a dance column in the music magazine, CORD. In OG, she aims to get everyone on

their feet in her presentation, Zumba for All.

On December 5, 2009, M Basa headlined “A Night with M”, where he displayed his piano virtuosity and

accompanied other talents in popular song numbers. He also performed a classic guitar solo (click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZFENqTjt7Y) during the concert that raised money for the calamity

victims of typhoons Ondoy and Peping in the Philippines. This year he formed ‘Kisi Muevo’ with Kelvin

Cortez, performing in Mavericks Bar in Glenfield Mall, Paskong Pilipino and during the Labour Weekend

at the Civic Theatre in Auckland. Influenced by the group, Rodrigo y Gabriella, „Kisi Muevo‟ specializes in

Spanish-flamenco style guitar playing.

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GUIDE TO OG: OPEN GATHERING 2010

On its fourth annual outing, OG: Open Gathering expects between 250-500 attendees at the Good Shepherd Parish,

Balmoral, Auckland City. Aiming to bring people together to celebrate the true essence of the birth of Jesus Christ, OG

invites new migrants (2 years or less in New Zealand) to feel at home and loved through songs, food, fellowship and

prayers by the generosity of artists and kind-hearted brethren. To lift up the spirits of attendees, speakers – Fr Gilbert

Ramos and Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta – will share inspiring words.

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Here are guidelines to OG: Open Gathering:

VENUE: Good Shepherd Parish, 27 Telford Avenue, Balmoral, Auckland City SHOWTIME: 1:30PM – 4:30PM TRANSPORT: Free parking is available in the parish ground and a bigger parking space beside the tennis court. If you have a vehicle, kindly accommodate new migrants to Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral and drive them home as well. DONORS: The organisers encourage Filipinos who have established themselves in New Zealand to donate food/drinks and gifts to new migrants, and toys to children preferably on December 19, 2010, prior to 11:00am. Kindly wrap the gifts. For food/drinks, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Mel Ambrosio For gifts to new migrants, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Claudia Menchavez For toys to children, kindly deposit at the Social Hall c/o Josie Matiga NEW MIGRANTS: For those who have arrived in New Zealand within the period of two years or less, please register prior to the event in Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral or email: tawagawit@gmail.com

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COME &

OG

OOppeenn

GGaatthheerriinngg CCeelleebbrraattiinngg tthhee TTrruuee

EEsssseennccee CChhrriissttmmaass

1111::1155 FFiilliippiinnoo MMaassss

1122::3300 FFoooodd SShhaarriinngg

11::3300 EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt

33::3300 GGiifftt--ggiivviinngg

December 19, 2010, Good Shepherd Church, Balmoral AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND

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OG: Open Gathering

Hosted by: AUCKLAND CATHOLIC FILIPINO

CHAPLAINCY

The Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy is one of the few ethnic

chaplaincies in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand. The ACFC

operates as a quasi-parish community based at the Good Shepherd

Parish in Balmoral, Central Auckland. As a quasi-parish, it offers religious

services such as regular Sunday Masses in Pilipino, weekly Wednesday

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, fortnightly Bible apostolate,

monthly devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, house to house rosary

and various devotional practices to the Blessed Virgin.

The management of the Chaplaincy is a collaboration between the

Chaplain and the ACFC Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is made up

of ten members who are elected from the Filipino Community every two

years and of representative from each of the different Catholic groups

and associations in the Filipino community who are appointed or elected

by their respective groups. As strategy for integration, the Chaplaincy is

represented at the Good Shepherd Parish Council and the Diocesan

Pastoral Council.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement is to collaborate with the

Bishop of Auckland and the Chaplain in the pastoral care of the Filipinos

in the Auckland Diocese and to assist them in their journey towards

maturity in Faith and towards integration into the local church and New

Zealand society.

ACFC CHAIRMAN: Ma. Consuelo del Castillo

CHAPLAIN: Fr. Ruben Elago, MSP

Organized by: TawagAwit, a Catholic Ministry spreading

God’s Word through music and other acts of love

Support

OG: Open Gathering

Email: tawagawit@gmail.com

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THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

AANNOONNYYMMOOUUSS

CCOORRDD Read Past Issues.

http://issuu.com/meel/docs/cord_july_2010

http://issuu.com/meel/docs/cord_oct2010