Lunar New Year 2012 …Wishes and Prayers!

Wishing you a very happy 

and prosperous Lunar New Year!

The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year 

marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Lent.

Mother Nature awakes from her long sleep, 

and the farmers rejoice because they can start planting 

rice (in southern China) and grain (in northern China)

For us, “biblical people” this is an occasion 

to thank and praise the Lord for his loving care, 

for providing us with all our needs during the past year.

As we celebrate this day with joy, we also pray humbly,

“Father, give us, all the people in the world, 

every day during 2012 our daily bread.

Let none of your children die of starvation. 

For all of us, let this year be a year of favor 

from you, o Lord (cfr Is 61:2)

Sr. Emma, 

Fr. Doms and

Ms. Star  

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2011

 

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

It’s Christmas once again.  It’s a joyful season since it is the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ who was sent by the Father to our world and to be one like us to be assured that the Covenant between Man and God will be fulfilled.  The birth of Jesus is Good News!  Jesus Christ is Good News!  He is our way to salvation and eternal life.

However, typhoon Sendong came just days before Christmas and much damage had been done and many lives were lost.  One of my good friends, Rexy Ramos Pador, died in the calamity.  He did not expect that his life could end before Christmas and in this way.  More than a thousand more lives were lost in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities due to the flash floods.  Was it God’s will or due to the human greed of illegal logging and mining?

The survivors had nothing except themselves now packed in the evacuation areas that have no facilities for thousands of people.  They have no food, no water, no clothing, no footwear and no house to go back to.  Help and donations were sent for the victims.  Even the prisoners fasted to donate their food to the typhoon victims.  They also gave the little that they have by way of solidarity.  Small children gave their little savings for the victims too.  So much love and generosity were showered on the victims.  I just hope that the money sent by foreign countries and local government units really all reach the victims.  I guess with the big amount of cash donations, it will be enough to make each family of the victims own a simple house in a small lot.  I sincerely hope that the cash donations truly reach the victims of the typhoon.

Whatever happens, Christmas is here.  We celebrate the birthday of Jesus.  Even if there is sadness in our hearts due to the deaths and loss of properties, Christmas is Christmas.  Even the victims who have lost almost all, they could still smile and greet others a Merry Christmas!  In spite of economic difficulties, we prepare gifts for family and friends because the birthday celebrant is happy if we give gifts to each other.

What could be God’s message for us in this event?  I was thinking…  Perhaps God is reminding us not to focus on things as these are only temporary.  And for those who have contributed to the denuding of our forest and the changes in our land topographies that easily caused the flash floods, I hope they are truly sorry for what they did and make amends.

We could work and work for money to have properties – house, appliances, furniture, car, etc. to live a comfortable life.  That is good.  However, we realize that these can be taken any time.  Even our lives are no longer secure.  Bad elements in society, natural calamities and accidents could make us lose all.  What then is more important?  What could last for eternity?  I believe it’s the love that we have, the good things that we did or do; the good and right relationships that we hold and maintain.  These are the things that last forever and bring us to the eternal paradise of God’s home.  We are pilgrims and passers-by in this world.  Our place in God’s home is secured because Jesus was born to us to save us.  Jesus is the Good News to humankind.  The challenge is for us to be good news to others starting with our family.  This is our best birthday gift to Jesus.

Let us rejoice and thank the Father for Christmas!  Let us thank Mary and Joseph for saying Yes to God’s plan.  Can we also say our YES to the Lord?

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year of prosperity and success for all. I wish you good health, the courage and inspiration to follow Jesus and make our world a better place to live in.

Estrella (Star) del Mar

Christmas Brings a Message of Hope

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

 

Our dearest friends in the Word,

 

Christmas brings a message of hope

to our messy world which is very much like Nineveh

in the Book of Jonah,

where people could not distinguish

their right hand from their left,

because they lived as if God did not exist.

Yet they were the object of His concern

and obtained His mercy and were saved.

 

Our Savior has come!

Every year we celebrate and actualize

the greatest mystery in the history of mankind:

“And the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw His glory,

the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

 

“For a Child is born to us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:5)

Maybe we are still groping in the dark,

like the Magi who had lost sight of the star.

But before long it appeared to them again,

and guided by its light they found the Messiah.

May the bright star of Bethlehem guide our steps

safely throughout the year 2012.

May we experience each day anew, in joy and sorrow,

the tender love and strength of God-Emmanuel.

 

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas

and a grace-filled New Year!

 

 

The SEA Subregional Coordinarors Team:

Sr. Emma Gunanto, Fr. Doms Ramos, Estrella del Mar

San Fernando, La Union Bishop Passes Away

Most Rev. Artemio Rillera, SVD,DD

PHILIPPINES. SAN Fernando Bishop Artemio Rillera, a missionary from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), died unexpectedly Sunday. He was 69.

Rillera succumbed to severe asthma attack after holding a Mass at the Seminary of the Sacred Heart in San Fernando City, La Union.

The prelate was immediately rushed to Bethany Hospital, also in the city, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 10:40 am.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has expressed sorrow at the death of Rillera who had been an active member of the CBCP for 18 years.

An official of the CBCP said the prelates are deeply saddened to hear Rillera’s death.

“This came as a big shock. This was totally unexpected,” said Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, CBCP media director.

Rillera was a known advocate against illegal drugs in La Union and led several street demonstrations for the authorities to act against it.

Last February, the prelate led people to the streets in protest over a court order allowing one of the suspects in the operation of a drug laboratory in Naguilian, La Union in 2008 to post a P1 million bail.

The bishop questioned why the Municipal Trial Court in Bauang, La Union allowed former Dagupan City chief of Police Dionicio Borromeo to file a bail bond for his temporary liberty.

Report from CBCP News

Source:
http://www.cathnewsphil.com/2011/11/14/la-union-bishop-passes-away/

The CBF-SEA Greets Star del Mar … A Happy Birthday!

The CBF-SEA Greets the Finance Officer…

Star del Mar Who Turns 60 Today

Father Almighty,

I thank YOU for this day!

Thank YOU for another year of existence.

For all the wonders, goodness, guidance and patience

YOU bestowed upon me, I am forever grateful!

I hurt YOU often times but YOU are always forgiving.

In between life’s adversities and misfortunes,

YOU clothed me with YOUR love and protection.

I am nothing without YOU Father,

that’s why here I am begging for YOU to always hold my hands

so that I can walk the path that will lead me to YOU.

I am forever indebted and I am offering everything to YOU

in the Mighty Name of Your beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

AMEN…

South-East Asia Bible Link Now 4 Years in the Web

CBF-SEA WEB CELEBRATES

4TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

GREETS SISTER EMMA

A HAPPY 74TH BIRTHDAY…

The day after the celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross in 2007 was the birth of this website as a birthday gift for our Subregional Coordinator Sister Emma Gunanto, OSU when she turned 70.  As of today, our site have been visited 35,370 times and we are still counting.  We are grateful for all your prayers dear friends and collaborators out there for your support and inspiring witness to the Word. We shall continue our journey in spreading the Word through the Web in Southeast Asia and throughout the world.

We thank the Lord for the gift of life as we join our beloved subregional coordinator for Southeast Asia Sister Emma on her 74th year of being in the world laughing like in her picture…

Happy Birthday dear Sister Emma,

Hope lovely surprises are coming your way

To make your Birthday a wonderful day

Smiles and laughter, joy and cheer

New happiness that stays throughout the year

Hope your birthday brings all these and more

Filling life with surprise and joys galore!

So on this very special day

We would like to say to you

We  hope you’ll always find happiness

In whatever you may do.

Another candle on your cake

Well there’s no need to pout

Be glad that you have strength enough

To blow them all out! Adduuuu!

Wishing you your happiest birthday yet

A birthday too special To ever forget.

So many wishes

So many smiles

Too many memories

Too few words

With one big Birthday

Happy Birthday!

It’s your birthday and we can’t be there

But we’ll send you a special birthday wish and a little prayer

Have a happy birthday dear Sister

We hope that all of your birthday wishes come true

May you have a great time today and find happiness in everything you do.

Happy Birthday form our  heart

Cause that’s where all great wishes start

THE CBF-SEA

members, friends and collaborators

Archbishop John Ha’s BIBLE SUNDAY MESSAGE – 2011

 

 

Bible Sunday Message – 2011

Verbum Domini – The Word of the Lord

Archbishop John Ha, DD

 

Archbishop John Ha, DD

Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation after the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God (held from 5 to 26 October 2008) was published on 30 September 2010. Entitled Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord) it gives a theology of the Word of God and goes into the relevance and importance of the Word for the Church’s life and ministry and for her mission to the world as well. At its meeting in February this year, the Regional Biblical Commission (RBC) decided to dedicate the annual Bible Sunday message to this document. Because of its richness, the RBC would spread its coverage of the document over the next few years.

 Continuity With The Past

 The Post-Synodal Exhortation Verbum Domini was published in continuity with two other documents: Sacramentum Caritatis and Dei Verbum. The former is Pope Benedict’s Exhortation after the XI Synod of Bishops – the Synod on “The Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church’s Life and Mission.” The Pope affirms the continuity between the two Synods, since Word and Eucharist are inseparable foundations of the Church and lie at the very heart of the Christian life. Dei Verbum, that is, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, is one of the sixteen documents of the Second Vatican Council which took place over three years – from 1962 to 1965. This document gives the Church’s teaching on the Word of God. The Pope sees it as the culmination of a “crescendo of interventions” by the Church’s Magisterium “aimed at an increased awareness of the importance of the word of God and the study of the Bible in the life of the Church” (VD 3).

Unity In Plurality Of Meanings

Between its Introduction and Conclusion, the Post-Synodal Exhortation, Verbum Domini. has three parts: 1. “Verbum Dei” (Word of God); 2. “Verbum in Ecclesia” (The Word in the Church); 3. “Verbum Mundo” (The Word to/for the World). The Exhortation affirms and explores the manifold aspect of the Word of God.  For this year’s Bible Sunday, our message chooses to touch on the plurality of meanings of the word of God, all held together in unity by the Word of God. This word of God comes to all humankind because God in His infinite love wants to dialogue with them to invite them to share in His life and love. In striking this dialogue with humankind, the eternal God “condescended” to the level of finite humankind.

As revealed in the Prologue of John’s Gospel (Jn. 1:1-18), God’s condescension reached its depth in the incarnation. The eternal Word of God took on human flesh and dwelt in the midst of all humankind. The Word of God made man is Jesus Christ, “born of woman” (Gal. 4:4) and the woman was the Blessed Virgin Mary. The whole purpose of the incarnation was to enable man to grasp God’s Word who “became small enough to fit into a manger; He became a child, so that the word could be grasped by us” (VD 12).

Word In Creation, History and Prophetism

Jesus Christ the Word of God holds all the various meanings of the word of God reflected in creation and history. Prior to the incarnation, all creation came into being through the eternal Word of God. It was through Him that “all things were created; and without Him was not anything made that was made” (Jn. 1:3). This is presented in the story of creation in Gen. 1. Indeed, then, creation truly speaks God’s word.

Following creation, history also became a way in which God communicated with humankind. God did this because of the unique and singular position occupied by man in creation, which was founded on the fact that God had created him in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:27). Man was gifted with reason, freedom and conscience. From this reality flows an important corollary: man is guided by the natural law which is written on his heart (cf. Rom. 2:15; 7:23). Natural law then is also a form of God’s word. It finds its fulfillment by the law of the Gospel given by Jesus Christ.

God’s image and likeness in human beings enable them to encounter Him in history. Two historical events are singled out here: (i) God’s covenant with Abraham; and (ii) His covenant with the race of Israel (Abraham’s descendants) mediated through Moses. Events in history were a learning experience for Israel. Through them, they discovered God dealing with them and through them with the entire humankind. In these historical events, God communicated with them and invited them into a relationship with Him. In this relationship He made them His own people and chose to be their God.

In order to help His people understand more fully and more clearly His communication of love with them through events in history, God gave them prophets. These were God’s “spokesmen”, bearers of God’s word to His people. Prophetic messages were human but inspired expressions of God’s word calling the people back to covenantal relationship with Him. They explain the meaning of creation and history as forms of God’s word. They couch the word of God in human language.

Word Incarnate, Crucified And Risen

The Old Testament provides ample evidence of God’s word communicated through creation, event (history) and human words. But all these different expressions of God’s word are incomplete in themselves. They find their full meaning only in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh. The incarnate Word is “an unprecedented and humanly inconceivable novelty”, “the definitive word which God speaks to humanity” (VD 11). He is the force of unity of all the various forms of expressions or meanings of God’s word. “In a perfect way, He hears, embodies and communicates to us the word of God” (VD 12).

Jesus, the incarnate Word of God, exhausted His communication with humankind at His death on the Cross. There, He held nothing of what it [He] had to tell us”. There He was “revealed as the word of the new and everlasting covenant” (DV 12) and accomplished our definitive salvation. Following His death on the Cross, Jesus rose from the dead. This was His victory over death.  His resurrection “took place through the creative power of the word of God” (DV 13). With it, a new creation now came about.

Christ’s death on the Cross and His resurrection on the third day took place “in accordance with the Scriptures”. This means that Christ, the incarnate, crucified and risen Word of God fulfills all Scriptures and embraces all the different meanings of the word of God. This also means God’s plan of salvation for all humankind came to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

Word In Living Tradition Of The Church

The Scriptures reveal that in the fulfilment of the divine plan of salvation, the Holy Spirit was at work. Indeed the Holy Spirit was present in salvation history and in the life of Jesus – from His conception to His death (DV 15). In fact, it is thanks to the Holy Spirit that the word of God is expressed in human words. For He inspired sacred authors to commit the word of God to writing. Upon His resurrection, Christ sent the Holy Spirit upon His apostles gathered in prayer with Mary on the day of Pentecost. As a result of this outpouring of the Spirit on them, these apostles were empowered to carry out the mission Christ had given them to preach the good news of God’s kingdom. Faithful to their Lord and Master, they proclaimed what they themselves had received from the teachings and works of Christ, and indeed from His way of life. Through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they also proclaimed what they had come to understand of all that they had received from Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles handed on all these realities that they had received by their oral preaching, by their example and by their ordinances. What they passed on gave birth to what we call Tradition of the Church. This Tradition of apostolic origin lives on by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is “essential for enabling the Church to grow through time in the understanding of the truth revealed in the Scriptures” (VD 17). The Constitution on Divine Revelation affirms, “By means of the same Tradition, the full canon of the sacred books is known to the Church and the holy Scriptures themselves are more thoroughly understood and constantly made effective in the Church” (DV 8). The Apostolic Exhortation goes on to stress the importance of properly teaching and training the People of God “to approach the sacred Scriptures in relation to the Church’s living Tradition and to recognize in them the very word of God” (VD 18).

The word of God takes on different forms of expression in the sacred Scriptures. But in the final analysis God speaks only one single Word in Jesus Christ. In Him God reveals Himself fully to all humankind. In Him God invites every human person to communion with Himself. In Him, therefore, it is possible for every human person to enter into communion with God and share in His life. Today, the Church continues His mission of proclaiming the Word of God to all humankind and inviting them to a life of communion with God and share in His life.

Conclusion

The one Word of God was communicated in multiple forms within the grasp of all human creatures of God created in His image and likeness. He became flesh in order to break into the company of all humankind.  The role of the Holy Spirit in all this must be acknowledged. In fact, today, the Word of God lives among all men through the Holy Spirit and continues to be proclaimed in and by the community of disciples of Jesus Christ the Word of God made flesh, crucified and risen. On these grounds, Verbum Domini confidently reiterates what Dei Verbum affirms: “Indeed, the word of God is given to us in sacred Scriptures as an inspired testimony to revelation; together with the Church’s living Tradition, it constitutes the supreme rule of faith” (VD 18; DV 21).

Questions For Reflection 

 The following two questions are intended to help readers to do a recapitulation of the Bible Sunday message.

1.   Down through the ages God spoke one word in many words. How did He do it?

2.   The one word spoken by God is not dead, but “living and active” (Heb 4:12) even to our day and until the end of time. How?

(This article has been published in a Malaysian Catholic Newspaper: “Herald” and posted at the blogspot:

www.RBC-CBCMSB.blogspot.com )

CBF-SEA Greets A Blessed Corpus Christi To All Members & Collaborators!

Jesus lives within each one of us who are baptized into His Body..

In this celebration we proclaim our belief in the Real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We also proclaim that same Jesus lives within each one of us who are baptized into His Body, the Church. In the Holy Eucharist we receive the Divine Host whom we carry in procession. Through our Baptism he has taken up residence within each one of us. We carry Him into the real world just as we carry the monstrance into its streets today. When we process we proclaim that the Lord continues to come into the world, through us.

The faithful throughout the whole world are invited to enter into the depth of this Feast and be changed profoundly by their participation. No ‘old fashioned ritual’, this reveals the very truth of the new reality.

===============================

A Blessed Pentecost to All . . . from the CBF-SEA!

A NEW PENTECOST FOR THE CBF FAMILY…

PRAYING FOR THE SUCCESS

OF EPA IN ARICCIA.

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, Divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to you my understanding, heart, and will, my whole being, for time and for eternity. God, Holy Spirit, Infinite Love of the Father and the Son, through the pure hands of Mary, Your Immaculate Spouse, I place myself this day, and all the days of my life, upon your chosen altar, the Divine Heart of Jesus, as a sacrifice to you, consuming fire, being firmly resolved now more than ever to hear Your voice and to do in all things Your most holy and adorable will.

Come Holy Spirit

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen, warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray! Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them forever. Amen.

For the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

 

Blessed Spirit of Wisdom, help me to seek God.

Make Him the center of my life and order my life to Him,

so that love and harmony may reign in my soul.

Blessed Spirit of Understanding,

enlighten my mind,

that I may know and love the truths

of faith and make them truly my own.

Blessed Spirit of Counsel,

enlighten and guide me in all my ways,

that I may know and do Your holy Will.

Make me prudent and courageous.

Blessed Spirit of Fortitude,

uphold my soul in every time of trouble or adversity.

Make me loyal and confident.

Blessed Spirit of Knowledge,

help me to know good from evil.

Teach me to do what is right in the sight of God.

Give me clear vision and firmness in decision.

Blessed Spirit of Piety,

possess my heart, incline it to a true faith in You,

to a holy love of You, my God,

that with my whole soul I may seek You,

Who are my Father, and I find You,

my best, my truest joy.

Blessed Spirit of Holy Fear,

penetrate my inmost heart

that I may be mindful of Your presence.

Make me fly from sin,

and give me intense reverence for God

and for my fellow men who are made in God’s image.

 

Prayer

 

The word of God, in fact, is “sweeter than honey, that drips from the comb” (Ps 19:10),

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Ps 119:105). We consecrate the CBF

Extraordinary Plenary Assembly to the Divine Spirit of light and love. Being “one heart

with many faces” in our biblical pastoral ministry, may the Word of Life and the Holy

Spirit guide us to bring forth a TRANSFORMED CBF.

Come Holy Spirit, Creator blest!

And in our souls take up Your rest;

Come with Your grace and heavenly aid,

To fill the hearts which you have made.

O Comforter, to you do we cry,

O heavenly Gift of God Most High;

O Fount of life and Fire of love,

And sweet Anointing from above!

Now to the Father and the Son,

Who rose from death, be glory given,

With you, O Holy Spirit,

Henceforth by all in earth and heaven.

Amen.

CBF-SEA Join in Prayer for All our EPA Delegates…

 

O God, Who did cause the children of Israel to traverse the Red Sea dryshod; Thou Who did point out by a star to the Magi the road that led them to Thee; grant to all our EPA Delegates we beseech Thee, a prosperous journey and propitious weather; so that, under the guidance of Thy holy angels our brothers and sisters may safely reach that journey’s end at Ariccia, and later the haven of going back home to their destinations.

Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy servants. Bless their journeyings. Thou Who art everywhere present, shower everywhere upon them the effects of Thy mercy; so that, insured by Thy protection against all dangers, they may return to offer Thee their thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.