Issue No. 07-09 JUL JUL JUL JUL JULY 2009Y 2009Y 2009Y 2009Y 2009

With Our Voice, We Build Our ChurchBy Lorina Lepon

I was even one of the pioneermembers of this group with ourInstructress, Ma’am Tess. I couldremember our first singingexposure -- it was a flop becauseeverybody were all nervous. Butnow we have grown up. JennelynClamor was second to ouryoungest before Inee Villa and now she’sthe main trainor of the group.

Who could tell that this group wouldbe the first organization in the Parish whocame up with this great activity, afundraising project for the church? It is afirst in the history of our parish, and it is avery beautiful gesture from people who loveour church so much, singing to raise funds,straight from the heart.

It was a good performance from thechoir while they sung songs of Bukas Palad.Even the Parish Pastoral Councilcommended this group for a job well done.Those who were not there really missedsomething! Two of our talented priestsjoined the concert. Fr. Jonie sung a beautifulsong composed by David Haas, “Now WeRemain,” together with the choir. Fr. John

Little Flower Choirheaded by Ms. Mabel

Abella has startedtheir singing career

way back 1997.

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All proceeds will be for the construction of the church. Please supportour CD for only P150.

did an acapella of his very own songcomposition entitled “Abide in God.”

Astounding was the prowess of theguest sopranos, Gianni Capili, Mika Capiliand Kara Salimbangon, singing the openingprayer “Pie Jesu” as if Sarah Brightman andCharlotte Church were really there as wellas the soloist Izarzuri Vidal, for thebreathtaking “Ave Maria.”

The Parish Youth Coordinating Councilalso made their special participation in theHandmime for the song, “In My Heart” withsome creative choreography done by Ms.Susan Santinor.

Everything was well-prepared and well-done. The Little Flower Choir is not very

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Last June 17, 2009 the St. Therese ParishYouth Coordinating Council (STPYCC) electedtheir new set of officers for 2009-2011.Present were 17 youths who representedtheir different organizations in the Parish.Before the election, held at the Parish SocialHall, was done, Certificates of Appreciationsigned by the Team of Pastors were given tothe outgoing officers for their 2 years ofservice in the Parish.

The two years term of the officers ispracticed by our own PYCC since 2005 asper mandate of the Commission on Youth ofthe Archdiocese of Cebu handbook forPYCCs. Past PYCC Presidents were LorinaLepon (2005-2007) followed by SusanSantinor (2007-2009).

The election was done through ballots.And the new set of officers are:EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

President: Lorina LeponVice-President (Internal): Clyde Rose

PiosVice President (External): Anabel

Dinglasa

little at all. They have done somuch for our parish aside fromsinging regularly in our 9 a.m.Sunday Masses. Seeing themperform that night was soinspiring. Hopefully, it wouldinspire others too to think of waysto earn for the benefit of the St.Therese Church construction. Wereally need that!

While admission to theconcert was free, the sales of theconcert CD all went to the churchconstruction fund. Help ourChurch and get your CD now! Itis not only a donation, you willalso have a memento for years tocome, and songs to play wheneveryou feel like listening for musicdivinely sung!

To the choir, Keep it up!

With our voice... (cont’d.)

STPYCC Elects New Setof Officers

Secretary: Sharalyn RamirezTreasurer: Cyril TanaelAuditor: Jolly Ann Maghanoy

WESTS COORDINATORS

Worship: Frederick YongcoEducation: Sarah CañeteService: Kim Bryan BaringTemporalities: Mary Joy ZaspaSocial Communication: Jessa

Charisma TecsonAlthough some officers were reelected

for the same position, we hope and praythat God will shower the new officers theSpirit of Perseverance and Faith during their2-year term.By Jess Charisma Tecson, STPYCC

Last May 20, 2009 at the Fuente Osmena rotunda, CWLPresident Sonia Babarin and her members, parish youthreps, and Fr. John joined the Pro-Life Rally led by HumanLife International Director Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer.Speaking before the crowd, Fr. John said, "They are notteaching about virtue anymore, not about chastityanymore. They are not teaching Christian valuesanymore. The issue is about morality. They want tolegalize what is wrong."

Defend Life against those who seek to destroy it.For love of God.

In Defense of Life

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Not Just With Us But In UsWho we are and what weare to do is supposed tobe very clear to us!What do you mean?You see, from the verybeginning, we weremade in the image andlikeness of God. Thatpresupposes manythings. To be sure, as hisimages we are “toimage” him in our lives.Nothing can be as clearas that.I agree with you in that.That is Old Testament,remember. Our firstparents destroyed thatimage by disobedience.Thus, they were expelledfrom paradise and fromthe presence of God.Actually, this is reallywhat happens when we sin. We get expelledfrom paradise and from his presence.Yep. Paradise is a metaphor for intimacy withGod. You are in paradise if you are in thepresence of God. Man disobeyed God and lostthat intimacy.Exactly. When he lost God, he lost everything.He lost his happiness as well as his dominionover all the earth!They wouldn’t have sinned if they knew theconsequences!My dear chap, they knew. God told them theywould die if they ate the fruit of the tree in themiddle of the garden, and ate they didanyway.But they were deceived! The devil deceivedthem.

Yes. Yes. That is true. Andthat is so sad. The devilcontinues to deceive,can you not see? Adamand Eve knew that fruitwas forbidden. All thedevil needed to do wasto nudge them a little.“Eat of the fruit and youwill be like God!” Now,don’t we know what Godforbids? Thou shalt notsteal. Not shalt not kill.Thou shalt not commitadultery.”Oh, my gosh! How canman be so stupid?With full knowledge thatit is wrong, people stealand kill and commitadultery. No one can saywhen he commits sin thathe did not know it waswrong. They know it is

wrong and yet they still commit it!And by continuously sinning, we continuedestroying ourselves as “images” of God.You are right and you are wrong, my dearfriend?So explain it to me?In the beginning, man was an image of God.It did not take long. He destroyed that imageand he could not do anything to restore it. Itwas beyond his capacity. Consequently, allthe descendants of our first parents were“destroyed images” of God!It is very easy to see where you are going.Somebody has to come and restore ourintimacy with God, to restore the paradise welost! We needed a Savior! Somebody with the

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He gives us the greatestcommandment of loving others

the way He loves us...

www.

sfcny

c.org

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Chit-chat (cont’d.)

power to repair the damage our first parents havedone.Our Deliverer, Jesus Christ! He came and savedus in a manner totally different from the waythey expected. Our Savior did not just repairthe “destroyed images” that we were! He cameto totally change us. He gives us his body to eatand his blood to drink so that we will truly beone with him in flesh and blood. And he givesus the greatest commandment of loving othersthe way He loves us because love unites us withhim and one another in a very special way!He tells us: “If anyone loves me… then myFather will love him and we will come to him andmake our dwelling with him!”I am paraphrasing St. Clare of Assisi. “Theheavens cannot contain the Creator but thefaithful human soul is the mansion of God andthe throne of Jesus Christ. And this onlythrough love- which the ungodly lack.”Now I see how God truly makes us a newcreation!We cannot enter paradise by ourselves but JesusChrist makes sure that we can because he isnot just with us. He is “in us.” Can you not seehow wonderful that is! He made sure that he isinseparable from us!And the portals of heaven open for us. Theangels cannot close it. Our Father awaits.Heaven is our home! We are his children and weare returning home. Paradise is once again ours!Alleluia!

CapriceCapriceCapriceCapriceCapriceRosario Alviola Orat

Let us be young, my loveBefore the dawn is pastShy sunbeams flickerThrough the shadesLike shadows in a mast.

Now is the time, so comeTarry not nor look behindPull hard upon the stringsOf fate that someday we may wind.

Steps must never falterPush onward to the goalSee for there out yonderAre promises, thrills and splendor

Breathe in the virgin breezeMildly rushing in thy faceOpen your heart, spread wideArms to feel the beckoning space.

Dearest we are young though in allThings else we differWhat of the rest when hand in handWe’ll waft the wind together.

Time is short and waryStingy youth dies youngLet’s drink our fill ofOf springs efflorescencePoet’s long have sang.

Let’s go where beauty bids usAway from pains and fearsLet’s be young my love soWe’ll be young foreverAh! You hear and now youFling your cloak of caresInto the vast vale of tearsWhere flows the wasted wanton years.

General: General: General: General: General: That the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be aninstrument of peace and reconciliation.

Mission:Mission:Mission:Mission:Mission: That the Church may be the seed and nucleus of a humanity reconciled andreunited in God’s one and only family, thanks to the testimony of all the faithful in every

country in the world.

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July 2009Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July 2009Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July 2009Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July 2009Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July 2009

www.

graceb

aptis

tsperr

y.org

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The Blog of GodAfter every long and exhausting day

from work, I go straight home. I walk pastall the smiling faces of my neighbors, enterthe gate of our compound, get through thedoor and sit in front of my PC. I hurriedlybrowse my friendster, multiply, facebook,twitter and tagged accounts. While doingthis, I click on my online messaging: YM,skype and MSN, type my account name andpassword and there you go - I’m all set fora few hours of browsing on my friends’ sites,looking through latest pictures, and blogsand whatever are on their pages.

Today, those who don’t have any know-how about blogs is not “in.” Students,teachers, employees, even out-of-schoolyouth, have their own friendster accounts.Undoubtedly, having a homepage makes itconvenient to keep in touch with friends. Inmy case, since my high school and collegegraduation, it has been increasingly difficultfor me to meet my classmates, so this isbeneficial for me. Although blogging hasbecome widely accepted and enjoyedespecially among the young members of oursociety, it poses some danger.

For instance, since it is very easy toaccess a person’s profile in the internet,privacy is at stake. Also, instead of meetingfriends in person, comments and messagesare just being posted. There is no eyeballto eyeball relationship, and in many instancesone can never be sure if the person he ismaking friends with is really the person whohe says he is. We just presume that theother party is telling the truth. And if theyare lying, it doesn’t matter because thereare hundreds of them. Everything is shallow.There is no deep friendship. How much moregenuine intimacy? What about enduring andlasting love?

What’s inside your homepages, anyway?How many hundreds of pictures have youuploaded? Even the unimportant ones arethere. Even pictures of people you do notknow and places you cannot even rememberwhere. And the ideas that you placed there,

are they notjust merespur-of-the-moment-I-f e e l - l i k e -w r i t i n g -s o m e t h i n gthoughts. Andthen Ithought ofJesus. Howmany longhours have Ispent surfing the net sacrificing my prayertime? What does Jesus have to say to me?

And then I thought of Jesus some more.How will his blogs look? What will it contain?And I answered those questions myself. Itwill contain pictures of his loved ones. Itwill contain pictures of me. Him watchingover me. Him taking care of me. Going withme. Eating with me. Playing with me. He hasbeen with me all the time and he has picturesto prove it. I may not have noticed it, buthe was there. In my times of sadness and inmy times of joy; in my times of testing andin my times of triumph; He was there. Andhis write-ups? Gosh! A profusion ofovertures of love! How beautiful! How sweet!How romantic! Only someone so in love withme could write those. He is my greatest fan.He is my greatest lover. No doubt about it.

How about you? How will you feel whenyou browse Jesus’ page? You should not besurprised to see that he has posted a lot ofyour pictures, too. And his blogs, believe it,they declare to the whole world withoutshame about His great love for you. Yes.They declare to the whole world His greatlove for all of us! No matter how many weare, his love is authentic. His love is deep.His love is enduring and lasting.

And then I woke up from my reverie,and I murmured a prayer to God, “Thank youGod for loving me, and placing me in yourblog!”By Hazel Joy Celestial

www.

timeso

nline

.co.uk

His blogs declare tothe whole world

without shame aboutHis great love for you.

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Teams Growing in Grace

Every year, the Churchof Cebu forms a Pastoralthrust to achieve. Thisyear’s thrust is “At 75 theArchdiocese of Cebu:Growing Together in Graceas the Body of Christ”. Thisis the mandate of theCardinal to bedisseminated to allparishes under theArchdiocese of Cebu. Inresponse, the team ofPastors of St. ThereseParish initiated the Re-echo Seminar on thismatter last April 15, 2009,participated by supportiveparishioners who are activemembers of the differentmandated organizationssuch as CCRM, BEC,Catechists, Lectors &Cantors, FLA, and LayMinisters. Four MissionTeams (Teams A, B, C & D)were formed and led by Rev.Fr. Rolando Manayon, Rev.Fr. Jacinto Rama Jr, Rev. Fr.John Jonah Orat, and Rev.Fr. Vicente Tupas Jr.respectively.

Ready, set, go! DuawKapilya was the hit of themonths of May & June2009. Each Mission Teamwas assigned at least 13chapels to visit or a total of52 chapels to be given the“pastoral thrust” seminars.The teams themselveswere a reflection of how itis to grow together in grace,as they planned ways andmeans by which people willknow more about theteachings of the Church,have a deeper faith and loveof God as well as how tohave a harmoniousrelationship with family,friends and neighbors.

Different speakerswere assigned to talk on the3 different topics:

1. The Priestly function,which encouraged thepeople to live a holy life andto be a blessing to others.

2. The Propheticfunction, which remindedthe people to preach thegood news of our salvationand be a living gospel toothers by witnessing thegospel values in our lives.

3. The Kingly function,which means leadership byexample. “If you want to befirst in God’s Kingdom putyourself at the last andserve them all” – Learn tobe the servant of All.

Those three functionsreflect who Jesus Christ is.As Christians we aretherefore to emulate him inevery way possible.“Growing in grace is abouta little child, like Santino,”Fr. John shares, “who talksto God in an intimate way,like a friend, like a brother.He has a personalrelationship with God dueto the example of hisparents. Good Christianparents will have goodChristian children andtogether they will grow inthe grace of God!”

Bringing the pastoralthrust to every chapelneeds conviction andaffection of every MissionGroup. “Madaling sabihinngunit mahirap gawin.”Many difficulties wereencountered along the waysuch as problems on thebudget, transportation,chapel distance, time andweather conditions, and thecooperation of chapel

officers. But as the sayinggoes, “Thorns matter not, ifthe rose is on the top(eternal perspective)”. Rainor shine, bright path or darkto traverse, it doesn’tmatter. The mission groupnever gave up. We knew thatwe were on the right trackwith the Lord. “He is ourLight and our Salvation.Whenever we go andwherever we are, whomshall we fear?” Moreover,with the grace of the Lordthat inspired us, the MissionTeam members felt deeplythe camaraderie, thebonding, and teamwork inevery chapel activity.Moreso, we felt the joy thatonly God gives to those whoserve Him.

In every task that weundertake there’s abeginning and an ending.Now almost all the teamsare done. After braving therains, the cold of the nightand sometimes verydifficult terrain, theenthusiastic missionerswere commensurated bythe warm welcome andwholehearted support ofthe host chapels. Theyhope that the participantshave inculcated the gospelvalues they heard from the“talks” and the “homilies” intheir hearts and canpropagate the seed of thepastoral thrust to theirfamilies and to theirneighborhood. Hence, ourTriune God – the Father, theSon, and the Holy Spirit behonored and beglorified,.Alleluia, Amen!By Sis. Aida G. Santinor andBro. Frank Alaba

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As the countrycelebrated IndependenceDay last June 12, 2009, theCatholic CharismaticRenewal of St. ThereseParish had their pilgrimage,excursion and sacerdotalcelebration of its spiritualadviser. The group headedsouth -- to the TheotokosShrine in Carcar, BoljoonHeritage Church, andSamboan Church.

At the peacefulTheotokos shrine, the groupled by Fr. John Jonah Oratand Fr. Jacinto Rama Jr. metMsgr. Binghay who wasoverwhelmed with the visit.After enjoying thebreathtaking view of the seafrom the shrine and takingpictures, the group visitedthe Boljoon heritage church.Centuries-old paintings on

the church ceiling and theancient artifacts andreligious icons displayed inthe church museum weresuch magnificent sightsmaking the place toremember indeed!

Next stop was at theSamboan church. We sawthe excavated 10-foot statueof St. Joseph and 5-footstatue of Child Jesusbelieved to be buried duringthe world war. As usual,cameras were all over theplace capturing photos andvideos of the said statuesand the plaza’s scenic view.

The group proceededto the very nice resthousealong the beach of Bro.Undo Pura in Ginatilan torelax. There, CCR’s spiritualadviser Fr. John Jonah Orat,for his 18th sacerdotalanniversary, was given asurprise program. It wascelebrated the way a girlcelebrates her debut. Bestwishes were given to him aswell as candles, flowers and

gifts. It was so emotional onthe part of the celebrant aswell as so many of us.

In view of the foregoing,I said to myself that I wasblessed that I’m with theCCR, a religious groupmade by the Lord. Iremember the saying ofJoseph Addison that goes,“Three grand essentials tohappiness in this life are:something to do, somethingto love, and something tohope for.”By Bro. Boyet Alimurung

A Charismatic 3-in-1 Celebration

Ginatilan beach

Boljoon Church

St. Joseph’s Grotto, Samboan

Theotokos Shrine, Carcar

STP Bulletin staff: Lorina Lepon, Clyde Rose Pios, and Sarah Cañete.Contributing writers: Fr. Jacinto Rama, Jr., Fr. Jonie Tupas, Jr. and Fr. Rolando Manayon.Spiritual adviser: Fr. John Jonah Orat.

The St. Therese Parish Bulletin is the official monthly publication of St. Therese Parish. Itaims to foster unity and love among parishioners by providing schedules of services as well asarticles that may upbuild the church through testimonies as well as other stories.

For comments and/or suggestions, please feel free to call the parish office at 231-4380 andlook for Jeanna Villarante or Euvy Bascon Bucio during office hours.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus ParishPasteur cor. Edison Sts., Lahug, Cebu City Tel. nos.: 233-4964 / 231-4380

Office hours: Monday thru Sunday 8am-5:30 pmWebsite: www.stherese.org.ph

CHURCH SERVICESHoly MassWeekdays:

6:00 am Cebuano12:00 nn English (except Saturday)6:00 pm English

Sundays:5:30 am Cebuano7:00 am English9:00 am English10:30 am Cebuano (with baptism)4:00 pm English5:30 pm Cebuano7:00 pm Cebuano

Special ServicesPre-Jordan Seminar Sunday morningPre-Cana Seminar 3rd Sunday 8:30 amEucharistic Vigil 1st FridayDawn Mass 1st Saturday 4:30 amGeneral Bible Study/ 1st, 2nd, & 3rd

Prayer Meeting Monday, 8 pmHealing Mass Last Monday, 8 pmFeeding Program Last SundayBible Study with Friday, 7:30 pm Msgr. Dakay

STP Bulletin Available OnlineSTP Bulletin Available OnlineSTP Bulletin Available OnlineSTP Bulletin Available OnlineSTP Bulletin Available OnlineIf you want to receive the monthly STP Bulletin online,send your e-mail address to our Parish Office or tosarahcanete2004@yahoo.com. Salamat.

FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE CHURCH PROJECT(As of June 11, 2009)

Estimated project cost ........................ P43,000,000.00Total cash donations received (6/11/09) ................................................. 16,356,762.41Amount needed to completeAmount needed to completeAmount needed to completeAmount needed to completeAmount needed to complete

the constructionthe constructionthe constructionthe constructionthe construction ..................................................................................... P 2 6 , 6 4 3 , 2 3 7 . 6 0P 2 6 , 6 4 3 , 2 3 7 . 6 0P 2 6 , 6 4 3 , 2 3 7 . 6 0P 2 6 , 6 4 3 , 2 3 7 . 6 0P 2 6 , 6 4 3 , 2 3 7 . 6 0

Donations can be given to the parish office or depositedat our Chinabank Account No. 279-040901-6. Please makechecks payable to St. Therese Parish Foundation, Inc.

Official Receipts will be given.

Do pray 1 Our Father, 1 HailMary, 1 Glory be… each dayat 8:00 in the evening for ourchurch construction project.

In Defense of Life RallyEveryone is invited to join the Pro-Life Rally on July14, 2009 to be attended by the Cardinal and pro-lifeCongressmen, students from Catholic schools inCebu, as well as all concerned pro-life and pro-family advocates. Defend Life. For love of God.