parishworks! 1Vol. 6 No. 36 December 4, 2010

Pastor’s MessageJohn the Baptizer’s Call to Conversion by: Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

Sunday GoSpel

Mt 3:1-12

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John the Baptizer in this second Sunday of advent is calling each one of us for a conversion (Metanoia) which is both personal and communitarian. Conversion has two aspects. One is remorse for abandoning God and the other is the positive growth and the deepening commitment to justice and love. These are the implications of John the Baptizer’s call in the desert. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2) John the

website: http://www.saaparish.com and http://www.facebook.com/saaparish

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St. andrew Celebrates Fiesta (nov. 30, 2010)

new Chair person of St. Francis assisi Sub parish (nov. 29, 2010)

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Fiesta celebrated its fiesta last November 30, 2010. The day started with the 6:30am Fiesta mass by our Parish Priest Msgr. Emannuel V. Sunga. Followed by a “Feed My Sheep” Program by the Social Service Ministry, which gave food from 7:30am to around lunch. While the Youth Ministry prepared some parlor games for the children. Likewise,

Vinnie A. Indigne is the new chair person of St. Francis of Assisi Sub Parish Community (Bel-air III) . Taken during the 8th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, last November 29, 2010.

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St. andrew Fiesta from page 1... St. Francis XavierFeast day: 3 december

He was born on April 7, 1506, at the family castle, known in Spanish as Castillo de Javier (Xavier, in English). The Xavier Castle sits about 45 miles southeast of Pamplona

In 1525, at the age of 19, Francis went to Paris and entered the university there. In time, he and Ignatius of Loyola became roommates and then good friends for the rest of their lives. In time, Francis and several other companions of Ignatius’s decided to gather together and form a group that would become known as the Society of Jesus.

In 1537, Francis was ordained a priest in Venice along with Ignatius and four other Jesuits. Within two years, Francis was in Rome with Ignatius and others who were laying the foundations of the Society of Jesus. Suddenly, a great opportunity fell in the path of Francis Xavier. He was commissioned by Ignatius, at the request of the king of Portugal, to travel to Lisbon, Portugal, and from there to go as a missionary to the East Indies. On April 7, 1541, he was the first Jesuit missionary to go to the Orient.

He was beatified by Paul V on 25 October 1619 and was canonized by Gregory XV on 12 March 1622. He is the patron saint of Roman Catholic missionaries serving in foreign lands.

mothers also joined in the fun. Rev. Fr. Allan Dichoso said the noon fiesta mass.

The afternoon activities started with a procession. Fr Allan and Fr. Jeffrey Jamias joined in the walk. The procession ended in the church in time for the 6:30pm evening fiesta mass. The mass was officiated by Most Rev. Francisco M. de Leon, DD, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Antipolo, together with our parish priest, parochial vicars and some other vicariate priests.

After the mass, dinner was served to the guest priests, members of the parish pastoral council and some other guests. Decors and design of the function room was taken cared for by the Parish Youth Ministry.

Sayatime (nov. 27. 2010)The Parish Youth Ministry hosted a youth night

entitled” Saya Time” as part of St. Andrew’s fiesta celebration, last November 27, 2010.

The event included a talent show to entertain the guests, where Jessa San Jose was awarded Ms Youth Night 2010. Snacks and giving of St. Andrew bread tailed the night.

PYM hosted some parlor games for the young and the mothers.

Social Service Ministry serving food during the Feed My Sheep Program.

Fr. Allan Dichoso during the fiesta procession.

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pastor’s Messasge from page 1...

Baptizer represents the end of the Old Testament i.e. the age of Israel from the Patriarchs through the prophets and the inauguration and beginning of a new era focused on Jesus and His ministry. His call for positive conversion will ensure the coming of the kingdom of God which is a kingdom of unity, a kingdom of love and a kingdom of peace.

Body : (I) - John’s call for conversion was a human response to the call of God.

It was based on an earlier call of an Old Testament figure, the prophet Deutero – Isaiah (40:3)

“A voice cries out:

In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

This invitation came from God calling forth His people to a new exodus to bring home Israel from Babylon. But the synoptic gospels changed the text of Isaiah from

“A VOICE CRIES OUT: IN THE DESERT PREPARE”…

Into

“A HERALDS VOICE THAT CRIES IN THE DESERT: PREPARE THE WAY.”

So here it was John who appeared to be the voice of God and a friend of the bridegroom calling Israel into the desert in the place of God Himself.

But still conversion is a human response to the initiative of God. It is more than merely giving up sin; in fact, it is more than the pardon of sin. It is the gift of a new life. It is being conceived and being born from the seed of God (1 Jn. 2: 29; 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 4,18)

(II)- The conversion called by John is a process-event.In the New Testament conversion is a response to

Jesus, the Son of God, the Second person of the Blessed Trinity. On the other hand Jesus receives a mission of establishing God’s kingdom here on earth. This concept of the kingdom is a dynamic one. It is equivalent in the New Testament of the psalmist’s cry: Yahweh is king. Therefore to be converted means not only to accept God’s invitation to make an about –face and to return to him but to be deeply involved in establishing His kingdom on

earth. And this process (of establishing His kingdom) will only mature until its full flowering in the Parousia. So in our lifetime here on earth this will be one of our main goal in life.

True conversion means:

1. to seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33),

2. enter into the kingdom of God,

3. accepts the kingdom of God in simplicity and humility as a child accept the gifts of its parents. (Mt. 18:3, Mk. 10:15)

(III) – The conversion called by John has a message of expectation and hope for deliverance.

As stated in St. Matthew 3:1,4 “In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea saying ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’…John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey” Members of the Essene community at Qumran believed that the Messiah would make his appearance in the desert. For this reason they withdrew from society to await His coming in the desolate region of the Dead Sea with great expectation and hope of deliverance. This could be seen in the Dead Sea scrolls discovered in the middle of the 20th century. And many believed that John had lived in an era at least associated with the Essene sectarians and shared their expectations in many ways than one.

(IV)- John calls for a personal conversion. He went beyond legal and ritual purity of ritual

baptism as practised by the Essenes and Jews daily. They did it in a self-administered way every time they came home from public places for they might have eaten something prepared by a gentile or have touched blood or a dead person.

In that case, they would be impure and therefore they had to be purified by a ritual of purification. On the other hand John acknowledged that his baptism was only preparatory to a more powerful one to come i.e. the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. While John called God’s people to conversion Jesus would be the one to judge whether or not their conversion was authentic.

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffEllie Medina, Angelina Poe,Emilio Medina, Teresita CabralJohn David OngAnnouncements CoordinatorsPia Sanedrin, Rochelle Pineda Bulletin Board EditorEJ CarlosPowerpoint CoordinatorGing Santos, JayR PaduaContributor: Magda Gana

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish. Media and Communications Ministry Co-coordinators

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Conclusion :A true to life story may help us to see how to apply this to

our life today as we prepare ourselves for Christmas.

While working on his famous painting “The Last Supper,” Leonardo da Vinci had an argument with a certain man. He lashed out against the fellow with bitter words and threatening gestures. When the argument was over da Vinci went back to his canvas where he was working on the face of Jesus. He could not make one stroke. At last he realized what the trouble was. He put down his brush, found the man he had offended, and asked his forgiveness. He returned to his studio and calmly continued painting the face of Jesus.

Like da Vinci we are trying to put Christ into the masterpiece called Christmas. We want Jesus to be in the center of our Christmas celebration. With the birthday of Christ just a few weeks away, we hear the strong voice of St. John in today’s Good News: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Guide Questions:1. What is the connection between repentance and

preparation for Christ’s coming?

2. How do you know or how can you judge whether your conversion is genuine or not.

3. Does your preparation for the coming of Christ during this advent include the building of God’s kingdom in your family, community and parish? How will you do it?

There is no happiness in the world comparable to that of the experience known as conversion.

Triduum Masses in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be held starting December 5 at 6:00pm, and on December 6 and 7 at 6:30pm. On December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception masses will be at 6:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am, 12:15pm, and 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 pm. The 6:30 am and 9:00 am masses will be a First Holy Communion Mass.

The Health Care Ministry will conduct a Pro Health Program on December 5 from 6:30am to 10:00am at the Parish Jubilee Hall and Ground Floor. The total health package costs Php 250 and includes Urinalysis, CBC, Fasting Blood Sugar, ECG, Cholesterol, Blood & Uric Acid, and Eye Refraction. Affordable eyeglasses are available. Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is required. Please bring your urine sample.

December 12 is the deadline for registration for the Confirmation Rites on December 19. All registered candidates are required to attend the seminar on December 15 at 5:00pm.

Everyone is invited to Kumpisalang Bayan on Wednesday Dec 15 from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Let us all receive the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for the Birth of Our Lord Jesus.

Simbang Gabi masses will start on December 16 through December 24 at 4:00am and 5:00am. The anticipated Simbang Gabi mass will start on Dec 15 through Dec 23 at 8:00pm.

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