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January 23, 2012Personal

Fr. Jun Pascual’s Farewell Tribute Video

Thank you Lord for the blessing that is Fr. Jun.

If you ever find this blog Father, I hope you liked the small funny gift. You will be missed. May God bless you in your new parish assignment!

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November 1, 2011Also posted in Events

Honoring All the Saints

Honoring All the Saints

November 1 is All Saints Day. It is the day set aside by the Church for commemorating all the saints in heaven, canonized or not. November 2 on the other hand is All Souls Day – the official holy day when we remember and pray for our dearly departed ones. The official name of the celebration is “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed”.

all saints day

The lives of the saints serve as great inspiration for all of us. They are the shining examples of the Christian faith showing how mankind, broken as they are, can do seemingly impossible heroic deeds when he/she cooperates with the Holy Spirit and God’s graces.

Saints do not become saints through their own human effort. Therefore, it is not wrong to honor the saints. When we honor the saints, we also in turn praise God for His mercy and goodness. It is in the imperfections or “the defects of the saints” that God shows his mighty power in transforming us.

There’s no popularity contest between saints. Some have been well-known to the public usually because people saw the struggles in life of these saints to be profoundly similar to the ones they were having. Some of these blessed people I look up to as great inspirations for my own life are:

  • St. Augustine – for his honesty
  • St. Patrick – for his great faith
  • St. Ignatius of Loyola – for being a true soldier of Christ
  • Mother Teresa – for her humility
  • St. Anthony of Padua – for his purity

To become a saint is the primary goal of the Christian life because saints are the true followers of Christ.

Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

~ 1 Peter 1:13-16

Many people don’t really know why a lot of saints have been canonized. It would be good for people to read on their lives too. There’s a nearly inexhaustible number of saint stories out there. I’m sure you’ll find at least one or two that you would be able to personally relate to. As always, humbly ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Remember that saints were once sinful and broken people too. What set them apart was their enduring decision to believe and trust in God’s plans for them. Many of them experienced great doubts too but instead of falling into despair, their response to life’s difficulties is to increase their faith even more. The stories of the saints do prove that anyone, and I really do mean anyone, can be a saint.

Here’s a beautiful music video (using that Hercules song) with clips from various movies of some well-known saints.

All the Saints, pray for us.

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October 25, 2011Also posted in Events

A PREX Graduate, at last!

A PREX Graduate, at last!

prex_logo

The Parish Renewal Weekend is a conversion experience. It is a strong recall into belonging to the people of God, the Church. The reestablishment of belonging occurs through an emphasis on, and an experience of, reconciliation. It is an attempt to respond to the search for direction and approaches to strengthen and deepen the life of our parishes. It advances the parishes (priests, religious and laity together as a family) toward the goal of a faith community.

Taken from: http://prexnapps.org/what_is_prex.asp

 

A few months ago, I would have never thought I’d get the chance again to finish PREX. It was what I could call my own “dark night of the soul” moment this year. I avoided talking about it online and offline. Actually, I acted as if I never attended PREX. I’ll keep this short by not going into the melodramatic details of that.

Things changed slowly however and last week, I sincerely planned on attending again but now with two of my family. I did get a text message from PREX inviting me to the next class but I still didn’t register early. Well, it seemed like God didn’t want to give me the possibility of backing out at the last second so He sent someone. She cornered me as I was just about to leave the church after Mass. Well, how could I say no? All these stuff I’ve been learning since last year about faith would go to waste if I decline an obvious invitation from God. So I went to meet my former classmates. The name of the person who cornered me is Faith and I’m not kidding!

I only missed day 3 of the seminar so I was a staff member helping with the activities on the first two days. On day 3, I was a participant along with my sister and cousin. We were all tired but of course, it was all worth it. Nothing beats being surrounded by people who truly loves God and His Church.

But just when I thought all the surprises were uncovered, there came the shocking announcement of me being appointed as one of the officers for the next class. It turned out that there had been a confusion. My original class is 71. This class I had attended to finish the seminar is 72. My certificate says I’m from class 71. Naturally, I wasn’t in the contact directory of class 71 when they graduated. But neither was I listed under class 72’s directory and I was the one who encoded that and I didn’t include myself because I was under the impression that I’m really a 71er. So basically, I’m class-agnostic. Haha!

Officially, however, I’m from class 71 but now I’m an officer of class 72. That means I’ll be serving again! This is all confusing and I think it’s too late to correct things now since the blessings have been given already. Interestingly, I tweeted the following quote from a daily devotional just a few days before PREX 72:

Blessings come as surprises and are sweet because we never expect them. Whenever unexpected things come, ask not “WHY?!” but “What for, Lord?” as you wait excitedly for the blessing behind the surprise. #365dayswiththeLord

(Tweet)

That quote popped into my head while I was busy protesting contemplating this sudden development. So I took an honest look at the several good things that happened to me these past few years and realized they were all blessings disguised as usually unwelcome surprises. All I needed to obtain the fruits of the blessing was to trust in Him that everything will be alright. It has always been consistently that way and I believe I only need to apply the same reaction on this new situation.

I’d be lying though if I say there are no more doubts left in me (how could I do this all over again with PHP codes and unrealistic project deadlines in my head?!) but I take that as proof that I’m imperfect and that I can’t do anything without His help and guidance. At PREX, I have learned the Faith. But now it’s Trust that I need to work on learning more.

OLHP PREX Class 72

OLHP PREX Class 72

Even this photo shows that I’m only half a member of this class. Haha!

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October 8, 2011Also posted in Technology

syaoran.net :: The All-New Homepage

syaoran.net :: The All-New Homepage

The countdown is over. You can now see the all-new syaoran.net page.

syaoran.net

Yeah, I know. Another brown-themed design, again. But it is reasonable this time since it's supposed to be a map.

syaoran.net

So what’s in it? Basically, it’s a portal or a map rather, for most of the stuff I have put up on the web.

  • The latest post from my two blogs are always featured there.
  • A formal link to the new historicity sub-sites.
  • Links to my social media profiles
  • My latest online vanity photo

To make the homepage distinct from this blog, its official name syaoran.net is in lowercase. Whenever I mention SYAORAN.net (that’s in uppercase letters), I’m referring to this personal blog site. I know it could be confusing but I just don’t want to have to change the name of this blog.

Acknowledgments

I enjoyed designing, coding and writing this new page. I had a lot of help of course so here are some links to the resources that helped me hugely in finishing this project.

There’s more to thank particularly on the design aspect but unfortunately, I’ve not kept all the links in my notes.

And yup, there’s some hidden messages which are best viewed on my screen resolution of 1440 x 900. Sorry!

So that’s it. Till my next personal design challenge which I really, really hope would be of a different hue other than brown. Seriously.

syaoran.net

The countdown for the unveiling of the new syaoran.net page has begun.

syaoran-countdown-2011

It’s been years since the root directory or the primary URL of this site was last used for an actual page or website. Previously, accessing http://www.syaoran.net would only redirect people to this blog. But now I’ve decided to put something useful there. Watch the time run out to see the new page in “action”.

See the countdown at syaoran.net

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September 24, 2011Also posted in Books

Grateful for World Mission Magazine

Grateful for World Mission Magazine

my-first-world-mission-magazine-subscription-issue-september-2011

There are many gracious words that could describe this magazine but informative and inspiring are the ones that immediately stand out for me.

I have been an avid reader of World Mission for a year and now I am officially a subscriber. I first came upon it after (finally!) taking notice of the magazines displayed in the racks of St. Pauls’s stores. I was delighted to see a publication geared towards the Christian thinker. Unlike Kerygma magazine and Catholic Digest, World Mission could be labeled as the more “serious” type of magazine.

World Mission regularly features important social and economic news not just in the Philippines but from all over the world.

world mission - poverty globalization

It’s a very Catholic magazine in its universality of topics ranging from interreligious dialogue to political talks the Church is (or should be) engaged in.

world mission - world touch

world mission - interreligious dialogue - mother of god and of the word

One of my favorite things about the magazine is its knack for publishing well-written stories of inspiring people. It was World Mission’s January 2011 issue that introduced me to the spirituality of Thomas Merton and the brilliance of G. K. Chesterton.

world mission - chesterton

On its July 2011 issue, World Mission featured Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga. That eye-opening article should be required reading for many people in seats of influence and power today.

world mission - tony meloto - gawad kalinga

One doesn’t need to have power or to accumulate money to make a difference. Jesus didn’t aspire to have wealth and power, but He made a difference. Since I am a disciple, I want to follow in His footsteps.
~ Tony Meloto

As I was browsing my old copies, I came across this article from their February 2011 issue.

world mission - heavy burden of depression

Lately, we’ve been hearing news of a few young Filipinos resorting to killing themselves, often in cases of what they call “crimes of passion”. Some had even announced their deathly plans on Facebook. Let us remind ourselves that suicide should NEVER be the subject of a joke. When people use it for humor, it reminds me how some people nowadays use the word “rape” so casually to describe things. It’s wrong and desensitizes people about the true nature of these grave issues.

The above article on the society’s problem of depression is one fine example why Filipinos should consider reading World Magazine. So many people today are in hunger for truth and meaning in their lives. Worse is that many aren’t even aware of it although it’s obvious from the choices they make daily, such as what they choose to spend the day on or which people they’d look up to (although they wouldn’t admit it) as role models. Each time I surf TV channels, I mourn seeing what passes for entertainment nowadays. Ever seen Hell’s Kitchen? Glamorizing evil has never been this entertaining. Yep.

With great freedom comes great responsibility. Sadly, many in the entertainment industry have been ignoring this axiom for too long. Should we be surprised then by these dramatic crimes of the youth today?

world mission 2010-2011 issues

But enough negativities. We have World Mission – a very welcome light for Christians today. In a society that regards religion as a crutch for the dumb, the weak and the loser, World Mission is a shining example of what the Church really does.

I appreciate that World Mission doesn’t tone down issues but tell them as they clearly are. Filipinos, especially the youth, definitely need a good dose of reality check and this magazine can burst that bubble of false safety they’ve unwittingly formed around themselves. Only when one has truly seen life with the eyes of faith can he live it fruitfully to accomplish the mission he has to do in this world.

~~~
World Mission regular subscription is 400 pesos. For the price of one IMAX ticket, you get a year’s worth of true knowledge and inspiration while helping the missionary work of the Church. If you don’t want a subscription yet, you can buy individual issues at St. Pauls for 50 pesos only.
Not in the Philippines? World Mission is also circulated around the world. Please see the website for international fees.

Visit World Mission magazine official website

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September 12, 2011Also posted in Books

Asking God’s Help and Being Confident of Regaining His Grace

Asking God’s Help and Being Confident of Regaining His Grace

praying at the crossMy son, I am the Lord, your stronghold in the day of tribulation.1 Come to Me whenever things do not go well with you.2

The main obstacle that keeps you from receiving heaven’s consolation is the fact that you are too slow in turning to prayer. Before you have decided to come to Me you have already sought consolation and comfort from outward things. And only after you have learned that creatures are of no help to you do you remember that I am the deliverer of all who hope in Me. Apart from Me there is no worthwhile help, no useful counsel, no lasting remedy.

…

Can there be anything too difficult for Me?3 Will I be the one who makes a promise and then fails to fulfill it?4 Where is your faith? Stand firm and persevere in your decision. Be a man of patient courage and consolation will be yours in due time. Wait patiently for Me.5 Yes, wait, and I will come and heal you.6

It is temptation that distresses you and unreasonable fear that frightens you. Why worry about uncertain future happenings? These only heap sorrow upon sorrow. Sufficient for the day is the evil in it.7 It is useless and senseless to rejoice in, or to become distressed about some doubtful future event. It is most likely that it will never happen.

….

Believe in Me,8 and trust in My mercy. When you think you are the farthest from Me, it is then that I am nearest to you. When you think that all is lost, it is then that your victory is close at hand.

…

Don’t think that you are totally abandoned if for a time I have sent you some trial or have withdrawn the consolation you sought, for this is the road that leads you to the kingdom of heaven. Doubtless, it is better for you, and for my other servants too, to undergo these trials than to have everything come out just as you desired.

I know your secret thoughts9 and I know it is more helpful to your salvation that you sometimes be left without any interior relish; otherwise, you might begin to boast your success, yield to self-conceit, and then think yourself better than you really are.

What I have given you I can take away, and when it pleases Me I can again restore it to you.

…

Though I have granted you a grace it still remains Mine, and when I withdraw it I am not taking something that belongs to you. Every good endowment and every perfect gift is Mine.10

If I send you affliction or adversity, neither complain nor become depressed for I can quickly lift up your spirits and change every burden into a joy. In all this I am just, and when I deal with you in such a manner you should still praise me.

If you see reality as it actually is and judge it correctly, you ought never to be dejected and troubled at adversity but ought to rejoice and give thanks. You should consider it a special joy that in sending you these sorrows I do not spare you.

I have told My beloved disciples: “as the Father has loved me, so I love you.”11 When I sent them out, I sent them…
not in search of temporal joys but to fight mighty struggles;
not to look for honors but to be happy in being victims of contempt;
not to seek leisure but to spend their time in laboring for others;
not to desire rest but to bear fruit with patience.12

My son, take these words of Mine to heart!

~~~
Excerpt from Book III, Chapter 30 of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
Translation by Joseph N. Tylenda, S.J.
Vintage Spiritual Classics edition
~~~
You may also read the full chapter with a different translation here.

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Mama Mary! Thank you!


(Image Credit)


Footnotes:
  1. Nahum 1:7 [↩]
  2. Matthew 11:28 [↩]
  3. Jeremiah 32:27 [↩]
  4. Numbers 23:19 [↩]
  5. Psalms 40:1 [↩]
  6. Matthew 8:7 [↩]
  7. Matthew 6:34 [↩]
  8. John 14:1 [↩]
  9. Psalms 44:21 [↩]
  10. James 1:17 [↩]
  11. John 15:9 [↩]
  12. Luke 8:15 [↩]
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August 24, 2011Also posted in Events, Music

Ooberfuse at World Youth Day 2011

Ooberfuse at World Youth Day 2011

So World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid just ended and naturally, it was a huge success!

72920I am extremely moved to read about all the great things that happened there. It did sadden me to hear the bad things but let us not allow ourselves to dwell on the things which are not of God.

It’s comforting to know that many young adults around the world do realize the beauty and value of the Catholic faith. And because I’m still feeling kind of down for not being able to go there, let me share two great songs from the event.

Ooberfuse is a London-based electro-pop band composed of Hal, Cherrie, Alex and Michel. They have two songs for World Youth Day 2011.

image

The band’s female vocalist Cherrie Anderson happens to be a Filipino!

Here’s the first song titled “Faith In You”. It’s one of the seven winning songs for WYD 2011. It got the highest number of plays (400,405) on the contest’s website.

I like Cherrie’s voice, the melody and how the music is mixed in this song. Great message too! The theme for WYD 2011 is:
“Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith” (cf. Colossians 2:7)

Listen to Cherrie Anderson talk about this song and their band here.

Their other song “Unshakeable” has a more distinguishable electro-pop sound.

Ooberfuse hasn’t released an official video yet but there’s a fan video by Cool Catholics.

It’s definitely a catchy song. I like how it ends with a fade-out scream of “God!” Hehe.

However, I’m no longer as excited about this type of worship/church music as I used to. I’m learning to appreciate the more traditional Catholic music now. I’m currently into Taizé music, for example. This is why I like the first song better. I’m no curmudgeon but I feel uncomfortable when they play songs during Mass that sound nearly like “contemporary pop”. I wish they’d keep the solemnity of the Holy Mass more often and… that’s a topic for another blog post.

You can download these two songs for free at Ooberfuse’s WYD 2011 page.

Like Ooberfuse’s Facebook page
Follow @ooberfuse on Twitter

Catholic News Agency’s WYD 2011 Special Coverage

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