s a young student, this is the time of the year I love most: Summer time… It means no more classes, no more assignments, no more books, no more having to wake up early in the morning, no more staying up late at night

to studying (believe me, I have always been faithful to my studies). It means also more time for “lakwatsa”, “pasyal” and “gimiks” and more time with friends… But on the other hand, I also hate it in a way, for it also means I have to be woken up to buy ‘pandesal’ early in the morning, to fetch water, to do other household chores. I hate it also because it is the season of the year that I am the poorest -- my

allowance is stopped at summer time. Yes, I also hate it because it is really so difficult to sleep at night with the hot temperature in my room… I hate it because it makes me sweat so much (though, summer is not just to blame since I realized lately while here in Austria that I also sweat a lot even during winter… sometimes…). But I learned something important about this summer time experience that is applicable to life. I believe it is really true that one can never have the best of everything. As in summer which will always have its good sides and bad sides, life and the things that go with it will also be like that… there will always be good and bad sides… after all, one can never have the best of everything… And whatever we have and receive and choose in life… there will always be something not perfect and not complete… something lacking… but I believe that what is important amidst this reality is: we accept and appreciate what we have… and never ever be discontented and clamor for more… Happy people are not really those who have everything… they are people who, although they have less, are contented even with the little that they have …Yes, they are appreciative and submissive. So don’t fret over what you receive in life… be happy… be grateful and have that accepting and submissive attitude… they all come in a package, the good and the bad, if we see only the bad, it will spoil everything… but if we see the good amidst the bad, then there will be contentment. Start working this out this summer… This summertime, I invite you:… enjoy the heat, relax and enjoy the time that there are still no classes and assignments, enjoy the company of friends but enjoy also working at home, enjoy the heat and sweat… enjoy everything. We could never have the best of everything, but one thing is for sure, we are happy with what we have. Wishing you all a relaxing summer vacation…

Volume IV, Issue 1 June 2007

THE O FFICIAL NEWSL ET TER OF THE FILIPINO CA THOL IC CH APLA I NCY V IENNA , AUST RI A (African, Asian and Latin American Catholic Communities, Archdiocese of Vienna)

EDITORIAL PASTULAN

Message from the Chaplaincy 2

Holy Week Diary 3

Mommy’s Thoughts 5

Culture Shock 6

Helping Unprivileged Children 7

Newsroom 8

Confirmation: A Retrospective 9

Spotlight: Confirmation 2007 10

Schedule of Parish Activities and Services 12

Insiders 13

Maka-Pinoy 14

First Communion 17

Pligrim’s Path 18

Calling All Youths ! 20

Inside this issue:

Frische Gedanken 20

P A G E 2

Message from the Chaplaincy As we inch closer toward the end of the Easter Season and resume the Ordinary Time in our Church calendar, our attention is called to the continuous unfolding of the richness of the Easter mystery into the everyday happenings of life. Sometimes we fail to sustain the grace of an important moment, e.g. Easter, Christmas, because we do not translate its message into deeds. We lack witnessing. The message remains just a message without a personal link to us. In fact, seldom has it renewed our flagging spirits with the taste of God’s abiding presence. As we move on in life, we have to live our Christian calling - to be witnesses of our faith. "Each individual layman," says a document of the Second Vatican Council, "must stand before the world as a witness to the resurrection and life of the Lord Jesus and a symbol of the living God" (Lumen Gentium, 38). It is not an easy job. To witness nowadays is not only to passively see and hear no evil but to actively wage war against evil. Sometimes sufferings and defeats are even inevitable. “The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times,” says the famous author Paulo Coelho. A Christian is someone who sees joy and victory amidst sufferings and failures. Pope Paul VI has famously said that "the world needs witnesses more than it needs teachers." Yes, it is easy to be a teacher but it is much less easy to be a witness. In fact, the world is full of both true and false teachers, but has few witnesses. These two roles offer the same difference when we speak of saying and doing. Because of it, we often say, “actions speak louder than words. A witness is someone who speaks with his life. And this is a must for all. Parents are the first teachers of faith because the family is the first school of faith. But fathers and mothers must also be the first witnesses of faith for their children. A believing mother or father must therefore help children to know their faith, e.g. review the catechism and basic prayers, explain the meaning of the church celebrations or maybe encourage them to be altar servers. Such parents are doing a noble thing. No doubt they are admirable and worth emulating. (It means lesser work for us, priests, too.) But what would children think if, despite what their parents had taught and done, the latter themselves never go to Mass on Sundays, never go to confession and seldom pray? That would be short of the expectation. True, they could be hailed as teachers but never as real witnesses. The art of witnessing is not taught by books. It is simply living out the contents of the books. With the way parents correct and forgive their children and forgive each other; with the way we speak with respect and tact to all; with the way we conduct ourselves before a poor person begging for alms; with the comments and opinions we make in the presence of children about sex, politics and religion; through them we can effectively bear witness to our faith everyday. “The souls of children,” says a preacher, “are like sheets of photographic film: Everything they see and hear in the years of childhood leaves a trace and one day the "film" will be "developed" and will bear its fruits -- for good or for bad.” May we all believe what we teach, and practice what we preach! (Fr. Ely Dalanon)

P A S T U L A N

"The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

In the Church, during the gospel reading, we heard the account of the passion of the Lord. I tell you, it was really long. Had it not been Holy Week I would have easily been irritated. I treated it as my own personal sacrifice. Luckily though, three priests celebrated the Mass and the three of them shared the speaking lines of the account of the passion. It made the gospel a bit more interesting. When I come to think of it, as I now lay in my bed, the sacrifice that I made in church - standing most of the time during that long celebration - was really nothing compared to Jesus’ sacrifice!! Lord, thank you for making me realize this. May I never lose sight of this reality amidst the trials and difficulties I encounter in my life. 5 April , Thursday Ooops! I didn’t write anything from Monday to

Wednesday. I guess there was nothing special to write, except that I did attend Mass at Mariahilf last Wednesday and made the Way of the Cross last Tuesday. But today was a bit special. I joined the Way of the Cross organized by the chaplaincy at Gutenstein in Niederösterreich. Two buses full of our parishioners left Stefan Fadinger at 8 in the morning. The Stations of the Cross are strung out along a path on a hillside in the woods and we trekked almost 3 kilometers to complete all 14 stations. We were done just before 11 a.m., and were back again in Vienna by 12 noon. This morning’s travel was not so long, but I tell you, I was so tired that I had to force myself to attend the evening service at 7 p.m. at Stefan Fadinger.

That Mass, as explained by the priest, was the Mass commemorating the Lord’s institution of the Eucharist and of the Washing of the Feet. And speaking of the washing of the feet, would you believe that I was one among those randomly chosen to act as the twelve apostles whose feet the priest washed after the homily? It’s a good thing that I had a pedicure last week, and that I washed my feet thoroughly when I bathed before coming to the service! How did I earn this? Imagine: the priest washing my feet and kissing them! This led me to my lesson for today: God is full of surprises, many of which we do not even dream of! We just have to trust Him.

(Continued on page 4 )

31 March, Saturday I woke up early and prepared my contribution for the potluck lunch. No, it wasn’t a picnic day. And how could it be since I went to Church at Stefan Fadinger Platz? The chaplaincy invited Fr. Mediphyl ‘Dodong’ Billones from Rome to facilitate the Lenten recollection that would help us prepare ourselves for the Holy Week and Easter. The Jesuit-trained priest focused on the gospel passage about the Prodigal Son and led us to the realization of the Father’s great love for us and the need for us to go back to Him. The recollection ended with a para-liturgy in which we were blessed, a symbol that we have been sanctified by the Father. Thank you Lord; it was truly a day of blessing for me. In fact, I went to confession today - after a long while. May I never forget that you are the Father who always longs for our - your prodigal sons and daughters – return, and runs to greet us when we do.

Fr. Dodong giving the Lenten Recollection 1 April , Sunday I was so lucky to have bought palm branches earlier on; today I heard that the stores ran out of them. Just before the Mass, we were gathered outside the church where the Mass also started and where the blessing of the palm branches took place.

P A S T U L A N

Holy Week Diary

P A G E 3

(Continued from page 3) April 6, Friday Once again, I was on the road. The faithful were ferried in 4 buses to Linz; and others joined the trip in their private cars. Why Linz on a Good Friday? I learned that the Filipino Community there – for whom the priests from our chaplaincy also say Mass - invited the faithful in Vienna to make the Way of the Cross at the basilica that is also a well-known pilgrimage place. The stations are located on the side of a steep, paved road, and it was a long walk to the top where the basilica is located and where the community ended their Way of the Cross in private prayer and petition. Then the Linz community invited us to lunch featuring fish dishes, in keeping with fasting and abstinence practice. However, it could be said that if not for the Way of the Cross beforehand, the lunch could have been described as luxurious eating on Good Friday. This time the long trip was truly tiring but once again I had to be in the church for the Good Friday services. It was not really a Mass. There were the readings, then the veneration of the cross, and then communion. I could really feel the sorrowful character of the day through the symbolism of the altar which was bare at the start, and only received the cover cloth during communion. With that set-up, I felt that something is missing … and I guess it brought home the feeling that the Lord is dead… but I hope that He is just there, and that He will rise again.

The Way of the Cross in Linz.

Holy Week Diary

P A S T U L A N P A G E 4

7 April, Saturday It is already almost midnight and I just returned from the church after attending Easter Vigil (I never came home from a party this late). The church was fully-packed, as usual. Actually, I saw many new people. I guess they were also resurrected with the Lord! The celebration was very long. We started outside the church for the ceremonies of that big candle, called the Easter Candle, before proceeding back into the church which had been darkened. It was only after the many readings and the Gloria was intoned that we enjoyed again the beauty of the light. Well, I must say, it was really dramatic and it helped me a lot to appreciate the celebration. Also, from that time on, we again heard the alleluia, which had neither been sung nor mentioned since Ash Wednesday. What I learned today? I guess, it is about light … in a darkened church, I felt sad but as soon as there was light, I felt good. Indeed, I got the message of Easter in that simple symbolism: the risen Lord is truly the light that can bring joy to my life. I wish and pray that I will never forget this. 8 April , Sunday The Lord is risen and so am I! I rose early and prepared my donation of food for the church for lunch.

You see, after the 11 a.m. Mass celebrated by Fr. Joey, we had the annual celebration of Community Day. This year was totally different because, for the first time, it was warm enough to hold the Agape in the parish garden. It was followed by a variety show featuring the musical talents of many members of the community. Now, I really have nothing much more to write. The whole week has been so exhausting for me. But no matter, I don’t complain because I see this week as special compared to all other weeks. I may not be in the Philippines to enjoy the many traditions and melo-dramatic practices we have back home, but the activities we had this week are more than a good substitute! And truly, they are unique to Vienna.

Have to sleep now. Till the next entry.

P A G E 5 P A S T U L A N

MOMMY’S THOUGHTS

On Vocation and Profession

P.S. But you know, at such a young age, you’re pretty good at pronouncing difficult words, you can clearly say hippopotamus, alak-alakan, bukong-bukong, balunbalunan, almdudler, etc. How about a career in public speaking? No, not politics! How about becoming a newscaster? CNN correspondent! I will dream of the day when I shall hear – ‘Anna Kathrina Magno, reporting from the White House’. WOW!!!

Dear Anna, It’s 2:30 in the morning and while most of Europe is sound asleep, here I am looking for things to do to keep me awake. The last crossword puzzle has just been solved, the sudokus are also finished. My legs have decided to go to sleep earlier than the rest of me, my back is starting to give in to gravity’s pull, even my eyelids are getting heavier by the minute. The next cup of coffee is due at 5:30, an extra one now will mean a sleepless ‘schlaftag’. But don’t get me wrong. Didn’t I tell you, I used to love night duty? I enjoyed the peace and quiet, the absence of the bosses, and most of all, I loved the extra pay. But having you pushed all of that into the background. These days, I’d much rather bring you to bed, read your books and watch you sleep. But why can’t I be like other moms who go to work in the morning and come home in the evening? Why am I a nurse? Well, I actually know the answer to that. I became a nurse because your Lolo wanted me to. He decided that it was the right profession for me – there will never be a shortage of hospitals and patients, there was always the chance to go abroad even if he himself was not too keen on the idea, and the white uniform would surely look good on me. At 16, graduating from high school, I dreamt of taking up Foreign Service. But as fate would have it, the course was scrapped from U.S.T.’s list of courses. And for reasons I no longer recall, there was no other school for me then. I managed to finish college with flying colors, survived every semester’s threat of getting kicked-out. I will never forget those countless hours spent in the library, the thrill at imagining Jose Rizal might have leafed through those old medical books, the sleepless nights spent reviewing for exams, the big sigh of relief for every passing grade and the excitement to see that cute medical student. Unforgotten too, are the tears shed on my first night away from home, the sad reluctance to leave home for duty on Christmas Eve, and most of all, the awful food in the dormitory. I became a nurse without really wanting to be one. How about you? Everyone seems to agree that you are an intelligent girl. What direction will you take, which interest will you pursue? You are good at reasoning, will you be a lawyer? You wanted to measure Daddy’s blood pressure the other day, will you be a doctor? I saw how concerned you were when Lolo was sick, will you also be a nurse? But you can also sing and dance real well, and can squeeze a tear at the snap of a finger, are you showbiz material? You’ve been to many CFC conferences, heard almost all the formation talks, would you be interested in the religious vocation? Well, dear child, you have your whole life ahead of you and you could be anything you would want to be. It will be your decision. Your Daddy and I will be here to support and guide you. The only decision we would make is to pray for your future, that whatever you’d do, may bring you even closer to God. My nursing profession brought me closer to Him. I did not have to go very far in search of the least of His brethren, who was sick and whom I took care of, who was hungry and whom I fed, who was thirsty and whom I gave something to drink. Because of this, I love my profession. I am proud to be a nurse. Love,

Mommy

For hospitable, warm and gentle Filipinos, food and home intertwine with families and the joy of bringing people together. "Food is more of a family thing," says a friend in Vienna when I asked him how the Filipino food culture compares to that of the Austrians’. Filipinos bring home-cooked native fares to a meeting, fellowship, or birthday for everyone to share and enjoy, like the food-galore that Anna’s daughter, Grace, cooked and lugged to a recent lay ministry meeting for her mother’s birthday. Close friends are greeted with "Kain na!" (translation: "come and eat") and handed a plate, even before they have time to think of their cholesterol levels! They make snacks and share them, bring home-cooked lunch to work; enjoy multi-culture cuisine like the kebaps at Naschmarkt, Austrian dumplings and leberknoedel. "A Filipino’s fellowship strengthens around food" left-over party foods are wrapped-up in good cheer to bring home for the members of his family who were not able to attend. We call it "take-home", "doggie bag", or "baon": the guests pack homecoming gifts of preserves, delicacies or sweets for their loved ones. Back home, the cafeteria, canteen and portable eating places are buzzing places where you can enjoy hot food and fiesta desserts at a moderate price in a friendly-family atmosphere. Generally, food plays an important part with Filipinos both at home and abroad. It is the glue that keeps families together.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Austrians love fine dining, comfortably seated at a table. Food must be attractive and served in appropriate dishes; no throw-away plastic plates! They don’t walk around with a plate in their hand, or squeeze themselves among people seated on a row of chairs and balance food-filled plates on their knees! Austrians have their coffeehouses, beer and wine culture; schnitzels, dumplings and Sachertorte cakes. They have snack shop (der Imbiss), a pub (der Beisel) or inn (das Gasthaus), that offer a cozy setting and moderately priced local cuisine. There are the pastry shops (Konditorei), the wine taverns (Heurigen) serving local vintage and buffet. And Austrians have their favorite neighborhood restaurant (Lokal) that have tables reserved for regulars (Stammtisch). For Austrians, there is a saying, "What the farmer doesn’t know, he won’t eat" ("Was der Bauer nicht kennt, frisst er nicht.") implying that they are generally conservative in their tastes. Austrians remain seated long after they are done with their meals, except at sausage stands (der Wuerstelstand) or snack shops (der Imbiss) where they catch a bite and go. (Ami Starnegg) Sidebar: Tips on Dining Out in Vienna

• Bring cash. Many restaurants in Vienna do not accept credit cards, so if you plan to use one, call or ask ahead ("Nehmen Sie Kreditkarten?"). Also, you may want to ask which days, if any, the restaurant is closed ("Haben Sie einen Ruhetag?").

• Seat yourself, unless you have a reservation.

• Don’t expect to find a non-smoking section, there is no such thing, with very few exceptions. Try a corner table or sit outside.

• Ask for a menu ("Die Speisekarte, bitte"). Then the waiter (Herr Ober) or waitress (Fräulein) will ask what you want to drink ("Zu trinken?). Keep in mind that all menu prices include tax and service charge. (Continued on page 19)

P A G E 6 P A S T U L A N

CULTURE SHOCK:

The Filipino Food Culture explained to Austrians

P A G E 7 P A S T U L A N

Helping Unprivileged Children ♦ Together with friends from and living in

Japan, Fr. Joey has been able to build a structure that houses Japanese nationals visiting Cavite for two-week “exposure programs”. Under such programs, the visitors are brought face-to-face with conditions in depressed areas to help them understand the extent of deprivation to which people living in such areas are exposed. Such visitors can thus speak convincingly when they return to their home country to raise funds to help the less fortunate. The structure can accommodate up to 20 persons gathered for, say a seminar, and is also being used as the venue for giving Nippongo and English lessons.

♦ An education program for deserving

children of poor families underwrites the school expenses for a four-year secondary education (approx. Pesos 80,000) while parents bear the costs of transportation and food. Currently, the program supports two youths, and it is hoped that three will be selected for the coming school year that starts in June. Jaycel Crisostomo is a second-year student at Midwest High School. Her parents Celso and Lilette provide for their family of 5 children from income derived from scarce odd jobs or during the harvest season. Without financial assistance, Jaycel, a bright and hard-working young lady, would have no means by which to build a foundation for the future.

Our Chaplaincy focuses in 2007 on providing assistance to street and underprivileged children from Cavite because it is the Diocese of Imus that has provided a pastor since 1983 for the Filipinos living and working in Vienna. Each of us contributes to this cause in his own way: by sharing God-given musical and dance talents, through the teamwork called for by the logistics requirements of organizing these benefit events, by being an appreciative audience and by inviting family and friends to share in our efforts. It all involves hard work that is rendered over and above the normal call of duty, but is interesting in the one aspect that marks our being Filipino: we do everything in good humour and with a deep understanding for our fellow man. Let us pray to God that we will succeed in our aims, not only to be able to help needy children, but to do so as part of our commitment to living our lives as good Christians. (Serva Libera)

During the weekend of 24 and 25 March 2007, the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy organized a benefit concert and festival to help underprivileged children in the Philippines. FGS choir member Jovanni Rey V. de Pedro presented a classical piano concert on Saturday evening 24th March at the YAMAHA Concert Hall, not far from our parish church. And on Sunday 25th March, we had this year’s first food festival in the parish garden after the 11 a.m. Mass. This was followed by a 2-1/2 hour variety show held in the upper church with numbers contributed by various members – both young and not-so-young – of our parish.

The three fund-raisers netted a total of €4000 that will be administered by Fr. Joey for the following projects: ♦ In Cavite, the Diocese of Imus under Bishop

Luis Antonio G. Tagle runs a shelter that offers a feeding and formation program for up to 30 street children from Manila and Cavite. The children are washed, groomed and fed daily; they are taught Christian values, and receive education and training to prepare them to lead normal lives. The house parents are Filipino citizens trained as social workers and civically-conscious individuals who are members of organizations affiliated with the Society of Jesus. Some funding for this house is available from the Diocese, but donations are needed to increase the number of children that can be cared for, and to meet rising costs.

The FCC’s first “garden party” in 2007 was a win-win situation: we enjoyed ourselves while raising funds for underprivileged children!

P A G E 8 P A S T U L A N

It has been a little over 20 years since Fr Joey took his vow to dedicate his life to the priesthood. This special ,anniversary was celebrated last 30 March with a thanksgiving Mass followed by a dinner full of surprises. Fr. Joey gave a very touching sermon which caused more than just a couple of tears to drop throughout the community. He shared his story of becoming a priest as well as his dedication to the community. Some people let more tears drop than others but all felt genuinely touched by his words. When the Mass had finished, most of the crowd proceeded to the parish hall where there was a salo-salo prepared by the various associations. And then the fun began. There was a series of surprise numbers performed impromptu including songs by Frs. Ely and Jojo, Rhona Rectra, Michael Florendo, the Donau City Choir and many more. An impromptu giving of flowers also filled the room with laughter. All in all, the night was one to remember. We wish Fr Joey many more faithful and fruitful years in the ministry of shepherding the people of God! (Marizel Aguirre)

Lieblingskirche? Cardinal Schönborn the second time around in Fadinger on 27 May 2007 during the Confirmation of Afro-Latin American Communities. 17 candidates received the sacraments, 9 of whom were Filipinos. Just a month before, he was in the same church for the joint Confirmation of Filipinos and Austrians last 29 April. 59 Filipinos and 16 Austrians received the sacrament.

NEWSROOM

Always put on a happy face. Fr. Joey with Austrian and Filipino parishioners on the background during the March 30 celebration.

P A G E 9 P A S T U L A N

The term ‘Confirmation’ first occurred in Gaul in 439 AD in the Acts of the Council of Riez and in 441 AD in the Acts of Council of Orange. In the early church, the sacrament of Confirmation was always associated with the sacrament of Baptism. Thus, it was natural that there has also been a certain overlapping of ritual. For instance, the tradition that the one to be confirmed must have a godparent seems to be derived from the custom of each child to be baptized having a godparent. The association of the gifts of the Holy Spirit with the anointing is also an early tradition regarding the anointing of Baptism. According to the Canons of Hippolytus (the usage of the Church of Rome in 200 AD), the priests, immediately after baptizing, would anoint the person on the forehead, mouth and breast with the oil of thanksgiving. The person to be confirmed was then clad in a white garment and brought into the church (the baptistry during that time was often outside the church) where he would be confirmed by the bishop. The bishop would lay his hand on the head of the person to be confirmed with a prayer of thanksgiving that the Holy Spirit had been outpoured. This is followed by a prayer so that the newly-confirmed person might receive a foretaste of the Kingdom of Heaven. This prayer is followed by the sign of the cross made on the forehead. Until the end of the fourth century, the imposition of the hand was the principal act in the ceremony of confirmation. By this time, the anointing of the forehead had come to be considered an integral part of the sacrament. Until the reformation era, infant confirmation was the common practice, just like infant baptism. Two ceremonies used to follow the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation: the kissing of the candidate with the words ‘ the Lord be with you’; and the giving of milk and honey to the candidate. The latter disappeared by the 6th century, but the kiss of peace is still preserved in the Roman Rite. The blow on the cheek, which is no longer administered, seems to have been copied from the blow on the face by which knighthood was conferred. The newly-confirmed is regarded as a knight of Christ – dedicated to his service. Another custom that has been discontinued is the placing of the foot of the person being confirmed on the foot of the godfather. This seems to smack of

Confirmation : A Retrospective The symbols used in the conferring of the sacrament today – that of the imposition of hands and the anointing – have roots that go back beyond the early church to the religious origins of the Hebrew people. To impose (i.e. put hands on someone) was a sign of blessing, consecration, and also of the handing over of an office. Jesus ‘imposed’ his hand in curing the sick (Mt. 9:18) and the same rite is observed at the ordination of deacons, priests and bishops. At the time of Jesus, anointing was a symbol of cleanliness (Matthew 6:17) and of hospitality (Luke 7:36-50), but it was also used in the consecration of kings, priests and prophets. The Sacrament of Confirmation symbolizes the aromatic influence of the Holy Spirit who is Himself anointing and consecrating the Christian as king, prophet, priest and witness. The Fathers of the Church linked this anointing to the spreading of ‘the fragrance of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). The gift of the Holy Spirit that this Sacrament imparts is fortitude – giving the newly-confirmed person strength for spiritual combat. As in Baptism, the sponsor or godparent presents the person to be confirmed to the bishop. Placing his right hand on the candidate’s shoulder, the godparent gives the candidate’s name to the bishop. The bishop then dips his thumb in the oil of chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the person to be confirmed and says (using the candidate’s name) ‘be sealed with the gifts of Holy Spirit’. The reference to ‘sealing’ is connected with the idea common in the early church that like baptism, confirmation imprints an indelible mark on the soul – a brand as it were – and thus ‘seals’ the person who receives it as being forever a Christian. This ‘sealing’ should impel the adult Catholic, now longer a child living with an infant’s faith, to participate more intelligently and actively in the Church’s liturgy and life. In the Church’s mind, once a person has been confirmed, she has the right to expect that such a person will proclaim the Gospel fearlessly and courageously by virtue of the commission received from Jesus through the ‘sealing’ by the Holy Spirit.(Timmy de Mata)

P A G E 1 0 P A S T U L A N

I COUNT ON YOU !I COUNT ON YOU !

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Church; it is conferred on baptized Catholics from 14 years of age. This sacrament strengthens one’s bond with the Church, gives special strength of the Holy Spirit and, especially, unites one more closely with Christ.

This year 68 youths signed up to undergo the preparations for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. 59 candidates received Confirmation on 29 April together with Austrian youths from the Parish of Maria vom Berge Karmel, while the remaining 9 received the sacrament on 27 May together with other candidates from the Afro-Asian Latin American Communities in Vienna. We prepared ourselves quite well for this special day. Every Saturday for about 3 months, we had Confirmation Preparation during which we had lessons in the church, talking about the gospels and homilies. We learned about the sacraments, the Mass and the meaning of a Christian’s life; and we discussed several topics concerning ourselves and our surroundings. Then we had a recollection in Franzen, Niederösterreich from 1 to 3 April. We were accompanied by Melanie, Ralph, Tita Linda, Tita Alice, Tita Flor, Tito Julio and Fr. Joey. We were all excited since we didn’t really know what to expect. Everyday we had 2 or 3 sessions during which we tried to get to know each other better through activities and games. In groups we talked about the values we have in life, prepared a poster showing those values in the order of importance and presented our respective posters to the other groups. Our recollection had a special theme: You Count! We learned that each of us counts a lot as a child to our parents, to our siblings, to our friends, as a Christian and as a person. People also count on us and we bear the responsibility of not letting them down. On the last evening of the recollection, we had a program at which each group presented a dance, a song, or a skit based on the theme of the recollection. All in all, everybody was quite satisfied with this experience. Confirmation Day! We were a lined up on the sidewalk outside the church to greet Cardinal Schönborn on his arrival. After a short and warm welcome ceremony, we all filed into the church. During the Mass, Cardinal Schönborn reminded us of the meaning of Confirmation, and the reasons why we get confirmed: because Jesus impresses us, because we want to get to know Him, because He’ll always be there no matter what, because the love He gives is unconditional. Confirmation is a milestone in our Christian life that takes us further on the road to fulfillment as a Christian being. We are all grateful to have received this Sacrament.

Thank you to all the adults who took care of and assisted us, and especially to Fr. Joey. We thank you for your patience and assistance. We count on you and YOU COUNT !!! (April Faustino)

Confirmation 2007 SPOTLIGHT

P A G E 1 1 P A S T U L A N

CONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATION 2007:Recollection 12007:Recollection 1--3 April 20073 April 2007

SCHEDULE OF PARISH ACTIVITIES

P A G E 1 2 P A S T U L A N

MASSES Anticipated Mass Saturday, 19:00h Stephansdom Sunday Masses 11:00h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel *

17:00h Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche) ** Wednesday Masses and Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

12:30h Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche) 18:30h Pfarre Mariahilf ***

Other Masses: First Friday & Novena to the Divine Mercy 18:30h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel Last Friday & Novena to Our Lady of Peňafrancia 18:30h Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel CONFESSION Every Sunday, 10:30-11:15 Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

BIBLE STUDY Every Friday, 7:30-8:30 Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel

*Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel, Stefan Fadinger Platz 1, 1100 Vienna

**Christus, Hoffnung der Welt (Donaucity Kirche), Donaucitystrasse 2, 1220 Vienna

***Pfarre Mariahilf, Barnabittengasse 14, 1060 Vienna

Date Time Place What Remarks

Vormittag Pfarrcafé Fischer Pfarrkaffee Alles rund ums Aquarium

12:00 h Garten

“Alay kay Tatay”

Food Festival followed by variety show

Fund-raiser to replace carpets in upper church

17 June Ab Vormittag Pfarrgarten Pfarrfest

24 June 12:00 h Church Election of the new set of Parish Pastoral Council

22 July Vormittag Pfarrcafé Fischer Pfarrkaffee Alles rund ums Aquarium

18 Aug Whole Day To be advised Parish outing

Whole-day bus excursion to places of interest within

Austria; for parishioners and Lay Ministers

23 Sept Erntedank

7 Oct 10:00 h Patrozinium 70. Jubiläumsfeier Maria v. Berge Karmel

10 June

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

P A G E 1 3 P A S T U L A N

Lenten Recollection As preparation for the start of Lenten Season, the Legion of Mary held a one-day recollection last 24 February at the convent of the Parish of Maria vom Berge Karmel. The 3 talks given by Frs. Joey, Ely and Jojo focused on the meaning and demands of Lent, on the need for reconciliation and conversion and on the lay faithful’s call to holiness. One-hour prayer then followed at the house chapel and it finally ended with a Mass and the apostolate of giving medals and tecera to churchgoers at the Stephansdom. Acies Several Legionaries from different praesidia gathered together last 18 March at 14:30h at the Salesianer Kirche in Rennweg, Vienna, for a Mass for the venerable Edel Mary Quinn, an Irish lay missionary. There was also a solemn renewal of the Legionary’s promise and at the same time, consecration of all legionaries to our Lady. This annual activity is called Acies and was well attended by 5 members from our Filipino Catholic chaplaincy’s praesidium, Mary Mediatrix of All Graces. A simple agape followed after the Mass. “Flores de Mayo” festivities Choosing to be a part of the Filipino tradition of celebrating Flores de Mayo, the Legion of Mary sponsored flowers to be offered by children to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Mass. This floral offering has already been a long practice of our chaplaincy and it is done on every Sunday of May. The Legionaries added a feature to their apostolate on the 13th of May – Mothers’ Day - they also offered flowers to all the mothers who attended the Mass. There was also a short presentation about the Blessed Mother and distribution of Miraculous Medals and flyers about the Legion. (Jess Lessinio & Dina Godts)

Christian Life Program (CLP) Just very recently the Couples for Christ – Vienna concluded its 28th Christian Life Program at the Maria vom Berge Karmel Parish Hall. After ten (10) weeks, five (5) couples namely Jojo / Weng Dungca, Rod / Ester Dagan, Garry / Mitzi Luna, Nel / Gee Dimailig, and Jun / Vicky Calma signified their intention to continue their walk with the Lord in the covenanted community of Couples for Christ (CFC). CFC is a movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. The 28th Christian Life Program (CLP) paved the way also for Charlotte Sarmiento to exit from Youth for Christ (YFC) to enter the Singles for Christ (SFC), another ministry of CFC whose aim is to provide a Christian support environment for single men and women who are at the crossroads of their state of life, choosing between mar-riage, religious life or single blessedness. In the same CLP, seven (7) ever young at heart ladies decided to join the Handmaids of the Lord (HOLD), one of the most vibrant & empowered ministry of CFC. HOLD provides a Christian support environment for single mature women, widows, separated or divorced, single parents, wives of overseas workers, and those whose husbands are incapacitated or in prison or whose husbands simply would not want to join the CFC. Mie Dioso, Thess Maza , Loy Vidallon , Anne Cabar , Alice Domingodo , Sally Arceo & Mely Quiballo will join their support group that would meet weekly in prayer meetings. Couples for Christ – Vienna Cluster together with its Family Ministries are looking forward to welcome again everyone to its 29th CLP on September 16, 2007 at the St. Rafael Center, Siemenstrasse 26, 1210 Vienna. (Jorge V. Villanueva, Jr.) Bayani Na, Sikat Pa! GK Batang Bayani’s Bayani Na, Sikat Pa! Solo singing challenge finals took place on the 22nd April 2007 at the Haus der Begegnung - Donaustadt. Throughout the whole singing challenge, which started mid October 2006,the kids

(Continued on page 15)

INSIDERS LEGION OF MARY

COUPLES FOR CHRIST

P A G E 1 4 P A S T U L A N

Vienna ni Elena Bustonera

Vienna! Ika’y Venus ng kagandahan! Tunay kang larawan ng makabagong kabihasnan at isa kang munting siyudad sa malawak na Europa. Kay tataas ng iyong mga gusaling halos niluma na ng panahon! Ang modernong pamamaraan mo sa buhay ay inilalarawan ng mga makabagong kagamitang pinatatakbo ng elektrisidad. Ah! Ang karangyaan ng buhay ay tunay na taglay mo. Kahalin-halina ang angkin mong ganda! Di ba’t halos lahat ay naghahangad sa kagandahan mo? Gusto nilang marating at mamalas ang tunay mong larawan. Ngunit ilan na nga ba ang nagtagumpay? Teka… di ba’t marami na sila. Mula sila sa iba’t-ibang panig ng daigdig. Kung gayon ikaw ang pugad ng kanilang mga pangarap. Tukso! Ayon sa iba, tukso raw na maituturing ang iyong ganda. Ops!!! Tila ika’y balatkayo lamang. Ba’t kaya ganoon? Mayroon daw ibang dumarating ngunit halos hindi pa nagtatagal sa iyo ay nagiging marupok na. Nawawalan ng sariling paninindigan. At ang hinhin nilang taglay ay biglang napaparam. Tanda mo pa ba nang dumating ang isa sa kanila? Mula siya sa ma-layong lugar. Taglay niya ang lahat ng magagandang katangian ng kanyang sinilangan. Ngunit... ba’t kaya siya nagkaganoon? Makaraan ang ilang panahon ay napansin mong tila isa na siyang tunay na katutubo sa banyagang bansa. Tagumpay... Tama ka. Nagtagumpay siya. Sa pakiwari mo ba ay ma-layo na ang kanyang naabot? Sa kanyang kilos, pananamit at pananalita ay isa na siyang likas na banyaga. Nakamit na niya ang mga adhikaing kanyang hinahangad. Ngunit kaalinsabay ng kanyang tagum-pay ay ang pagkalimot sa magagandang kaugaliang taglay mula sa sariling bayan. Napapansin mo ba kung paano siya nakikipag-usap sa mga taong sugo ng kanilang pamahalaan? Tila ba wala na ang tatak ng pagkamagalang na sa kanya ay nabansag. Sayang… Sayang ang binuong bantayog na iginupo ng karangyaan. Ngiti… iyon ang pambati upang makuha niya ang simpatiya ng bawat isa. Ngunit ba’t ganoon? Pati ba naman ngiti na hindi nagkakahalaga ng sangkusing ay ipinagdadamot niya. Dati naman ay palabati siya. Komo ba at nasa estado na siya ay hindi na niya tatapunan ng kahit ngiti man lamang ang mga taong minsan ay nakasalamuha niya? Talagang malaki na ang kanyang ipinagbago. Pati wikang sarili na kinagisnan ay parang ayaw na niyang bigyang pansin. Di ba’t minsan ay naitanong mo sa kanya kung ba’t di niya malimit gamitin ang kanyang wika? Ano ba ang naging sagot niya? Teka... Teka... di ba’t sabi niya ay nahihirapan na siya sa kanyang wika. Nabubulol na raw siya. Isa lamang siya sa mga taong nang dumating sa iyo ay mayroon ng matayog na ambisyon sa buhay. Tila ba nakikipagtaasan siya sa mga gusali mo na naging moog na ng mahabang panahon. Lahat ng bagay ay may hangganan. Sana ay maalaala niya na siya ay hindi likas na mamamayan. Na kahit anong gawing pagbabalatkayo ay lumilitaw pa rin ang tunay niyang lipi. At ang dugong nananalaytay sa kanyang mga ugat ay dugo ng kanyang mga ninuno. Vienna -- Tunay bang ang ganda mo ay mapanghalina? Madaling makalupig ng marurupok na damdamin? Ilan pa kayang banyaga ang sa iyo ay pasasakop?

MAKA-PINOY

Maalaala Mo Kaya ni Bro. Jun Rico

Binagtas ko yaong bundok, nilakbay ko yaong dagat Upang doon ay humabi ng tulaing malalamyos Tulaing ibinaon sa puntod ng paglimot Ngayo’y aking huhukayin upang sa inyo ay ihandog Bituin ang naging tanglaw sa paghabi ng tulain Awit ng panggabing ibon ang nagbigay aliw sa akin Awitan ng mga angel ang nagbigay inspirasyon At sa gitna nitong dilim, ikaw “oh Lord ang siyang tanglaw” Tulang handog ko sa inyo’y paggunita sa kahapon Ala-alang pumupukaw sa kahapong nakalibing Sa puntod ng gintong limot binabakas ng panindim Ala-ala ng lumipas na ka’y daling nangulimlim Maalala mo pa kaya ang kahapong nakalipas Ang tatak ng kahirapa’y sa mukha mo’y mamamalas Pero kahit ang ulam mo araw-araw ay sardinas Bakas pa rin ang ligaya sa puso mo’y umaawas Ang kulturang nilakhan mo’y kailan ma’y di malimutan Naron din ang kapamilyang sa iyo ay nagmamahal Kapit-bahay sa paligid laging handa sa pagdamay Kahit ika’y walang pera meron sa’yong aagapay Maalaala mo rin kaya ang sa iyo ay nagbigay Ng magandang kapalaran pati na ng iyong buhay Minsan ba ay nasambit mo na salamat sa Maykapal At ang lahat ng tagumpay balik sa iyong iaalay Dapat huwag mong kalimutang mukha nati’y hiram lamang Huwag nating ipagyabang itong ating katanyagan Baka kinang nitong araw, paglibog ay malimutan Saka tayo mananangis, buhay pala’y hiram lamang Huwag din sanang masisilaw sa luningning ng tagumpay Marami ang mahihirap sa atin ay naghihintay Ang kasimot mong barya kung ito ay ibibigay Sanlaksa na ang katumbas sa taong walang hanap-buhay Kaya maging sino ka man huwag ka sanang magdaramdam Paalala lamang ito, kapamilyang nagmamahal At lahat ng tatalina, sa Diyos aking idadasal Bigyan ka ng gantimpala at higit pang magtagumpay

P A S T U L A N P A G E 1 5

(Continued from page 13)

staged a variety of production numbers. They sang their solo numbers, in duets and in groups, and sang ballads and up-beat songs. Three elimination rounds and one semi-final led to the main event in April 2007. After an exhilarating two-hour show, the board of judges took another half hour to come to an agreement on who should be named the overall winners of the contest, after which the scoring matrix revealed too-close-to-call results. Finally the following results were announced: Junior Division (Ages 4-8) Winner - Alyssa Rosales; First runner-up - Sabrina Jimenez; Second runner-up - Casey Argao Senior Division (Ages 9-12) Winner - Philip Pineda; First runner-up - Bryan Macalindong; Second runner-up - Louise Denciv Auman Winners or not, all contestants proved themselves as true heroes. During this whole experience, the kids came to realize that their talents can be used for greater causes, such as Gawad Kalinga’s movement for nation building. Through GK-Batang Bayani, an arm of Gawad Kalinga, the kids’ heroism is encouraged to answer the cry of the world’s poor. The kids are reminded of the importance of family values, friendship and love of God through others especially the poor. In their purity & innocence, our kids have proven that they can take to heart the maxim “less for self, more for others, enough for all” even better than the adults. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s Bayani na, Sikat pa! events which will undoubtedly be as impressive, as we press on to raise heroes that will rebuild the motherland. A Philippines rebuilt through faith & patriotism will certainly achieve her prophetic role as “light to Asia & the world”. (Mehru de la Cruz)

FGS Labor Day Excursion 1 May 2007-- the Followers of the Good Shepherd hit the road again… this time to the Imperial Festival Palace Hof in the Marchfeld, Austria’s largest countryside palace estate. On the way, our group side-tripped the famous Schloss Esterhazy in Eisenstadt. As the gothic castle was closed when we arrived, the group went to the nearby Haydn Kirche also known as Kalvarienberg Kirche. The church was built by Fuerst Paul Esterhazy as a giant pilgrimage chapel. After saying our own prayers, we moved on to the front of Esterhazy castle for some photo shots and just a peek ot the building and its grounds. Packing ourselves back into the bus, we then drove on to the Basilica of Our Lady of Loretto. This famous pilgrimage place is located in the Leithagebirge mountain range, in the middle of Europe’s largest natural green village. Finally arriving at our intended destination, we had a guided tour of the Palace Hof which made us understand better the history and significance of the palace. Another enjoyable moment of the trip was our picnic at the Schlosshof football field, where we shared our potluck lunch, undisturbed by the cold winds. Nourished with loads of energy, we were back on the road again to Vienna with more stopovers. First, we dropped by at the Schloss Marchegg. It is just an old dilapidated building which used to be a castle but is now used as a private residence. But its vast grounds is being enjoyed by nature lovers for hiking. The second was to Hainburg, a mountain peak where we were greeted with an overwhelming view of Vienna, Bratislava and Burgenland. This mountain peak has a rich history by itself. Unfortunately we have to learn it on our own.

(Continued on page 16)

INSIDERS

FOLLOWERS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

P A G E 1 6 P A S T U L A N

Erntedankfest und Adventrekollektion

(Continued from page 15) Tired but with a smile of enjoyment and satisfaction, we headed home… back to our busy city life in Vienna. Austria is indeed a wonderful land, rich in history and sights. We, FGS members took a break from our hectic life to discover and enjoy these places even for just a day. Looking forward to the next Labor Day excursion! (MP)

A New Force of Lay Servants for the Filipino Catholic Community in Vienna A group of willing servants attended a recollection led by Fr. Joey Demoy in a yearly retreat to prepare the lay ministers for their service to the Filipino Catholic Community in Vienna. The recollection was held 4-5 May 2007 at the Missionhaus St. Gabriel, Mödling. Fr. Joey in this year’s retreat gave examples from the lives of people in the bible that relate to self-examination of one’s responsibilities in the service as lay ministers of the chaplaincy. This includes obedience to the calling and opening of oneself to the call of service as told in the story of Jonah. Significantly, the story of Martha led to the examination of one’s ability to learn to focus on the needy and to avoid resentments and blaming others. The sessions were intended to lead the new set of lay ministers in the realization of their role as well as purifying their intentions as lay servants of the church. Sessions for a half-day formation are to be scheduled for newcomers and bi-monthly meetings are being held to facilitate additional formation activities. The new force, nine of whom are couples, will be organized to assist in the regular celebration of the Holy Mass during Saturday evenings (1900h) at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the 1st district and on Sunday afternoons (1700h) Christus Hoffnung der Welt church in the 22nd district, as well as during Sunday mornings (1100h) at Maria vom Berge Karmel Parish in the 10th district where the chaplaincy mainly gathers for the community-church affairs and activities. The lay ministry also assists the chaplaincy in organizing socio-cultural activities that encourage the community spirit among Filipino Catholics living in Vienna. It gave a new hope for the current batch when two young members of the community willingly committed themselves to join the lay ministry. On Pentecost Sunday on 27th of May 2007during the community Mass at Maria vom Berge Karmel Church, the lay ministers were installed in their function, i.e., for the newcomers, they promised to serve in the ministry of the church while the old-timers also formally renewed their promise. Our call is still on, as is our never-ending invitation to our fellow faithful Filipinos, especially the young ones, to consider joining the lay ministry. (Bong Segura)

Araw ng mga Ina Ang kapatirang El Shaddai ay naghandog ng isang makabagbag-damdaming sorpresa para sa mga nanay noong nakaraang 13 May. Isa-isang binigyan ng pagkakataong makabahagi ng kani-kanilang karanasan ang bawat inang naroon sa lingguhang pagtitipon ng El Shaddai. Mga luha naman ng pagmamahal ang nalaglag sa kanilang mga mata habang nagsasaad sila ng karanasan ng hirap at saya sa pagiging ina. Bilang pagtatapos sa sorpresang handog ng mga choir members, ang mga anak, apo, pamangkin at asawa ng mga inang naroroon ay nagdatingan at nagbigay ng mga bulaklak at nagpakita ng kanilang pagmamahal sa mga ina. Tunay nga namang naging kakaiba at espesyal ang araw na iyon sa mga ina, kung kaya’t natapos na rin ang pagtitipong iyon ng higit pa sa karaniwang 3-oras--natapos ang pagdiriwang na iyon ng halos alas-5 na ng hapon. Bilang parangal sa mga nanay nagbibigay pugay ang kapatirang El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI para sa inyo mga nanay. (Tom)

INSIDERS

LAY MINISTERS

EL SHADDAI

P A G E 1 7 P A S T U L A N

FIRST COMMUNION

Seven children took part in this year's First Communion preparations and celebration. The classes began in February, led by Lito Ramos and assisted by myself. The children were taught prayers and parts of the Mass. They were given weekly homework including retelling stories out of the Bible to the rest of the class. The last week before the First Communion, the children had their first confession with Fr. Jojo. All were very nervous about it but managed very well. First Communion is traditionally an important occasion for Catholic families. The three girls all got new white dresses, symbolizing purity, especially sown for the occasion.

After several weeks of early morning classes, Pentecost Sunday was the big day for the children. As they joined the procession towards the altar, I could not help but feel proud of the group. I myself, learned a lot out from teaching the children. For one, it is not easy to be teaching children in that age group as they are full of questions, sometimes not easy to answer.

First Communicants of 2007:

Joana Marie Acenas Marie Louise Segura Gilyn Agbon Patrick Agbon Vincent Agbon Jonas Oca Marvin Domingo (Marizel Aguirre)

On behalf of the community, Tito Lito and I would like to congratulate the seven First Communicants and hope that they have learned enough from us to be able to participate in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church.

P A G E 1 8 P A S T U L A N

Erntedankfest und Adventrekollektion

Several weeks after the celebration of Lent and Easter, Fr. Joey sent a group of 45 parishioners led by Fr. Jojo on a journey to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion (i.e., a pilgrimage), choosing as the main destination the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, in the region of Umbria in Italy. St. Francis was born in 1181 to a family of rich merchants but throughout his childhood was interested in non-material matters, and sympathetic to the plight of the diseased and less fortunate. He went on to establish the Order of Friars Minor that, unlike older monastic orders, does not bind its members to a cloistered life within the confines of a monastery. The Franciscans – like the Dominicans – quickly became popular because they provided pastoral care that existing ecclesiastical structures could not provide in cities that were growing so rapidly at the time. The order is based on a rule that was first submitted to the pope in 1209 but disappeared in history. It is the rule that was written by St. Francis in 1223 that is still in use today and starts, “The rule and the life of the lesser brothers is this: To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own, and in chastity.” Standing in front of the Basilica and the complex that surrounds it, and calling the beginning of that rule to mind, one can only wonder at the faith and zeal that have since widened the Franciscan order’s area of influence and the efforts that are being undertaken to perpetuate St. Francis’ message. The sense of wonder deepens when one is made to realize that animals, merchants, Italy, Meycauayan, Philippines, Catholic Action and the environment (a topical issue!) have been placed under the patronage of St. Francis. In the town of Assisi there are manybuildings, small and large, that house one or another convent, each one representing pastoral work being done elsewhere in the world. It is mind-boggling! During the Mass that was said in the Chapel of Peace (located in the basement), Fr. Jojo reminded us of the purpose of our journey and encouraged us to continue praying for the Lord’s guidance to be positive in our day-to-day lives. In all truth, after hearing the Mass and visiting the Basilica and the treasures it houses (including the tomb of St. Francis himself) one had the feeling of having received so many impulses for further reflection from the spiritual, cultural, social and historical points of view that the return journey home at that point would not have seemed unreasonable. However, Fr. Joey had planned a program for an extended weekend, so we followed the schedule to discover – in turn – the sights and delights of Perugia, Siena, Pisa and Florence before returning to our dear Stefan Fadinger Platz on Sunday morning 20th May. (Serva Libera)

PILGRIMS’ PATH

Ass i s i et al . . .

P A G E 1 9 P A S T U L A N

Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival introduced by the Spaniards. During the whole month of May, flowers are offered to the Virgin Mary at the altar in the church. Young children, girls, dressed in white, will visit the church with cut flowers and baskets of petals in their hands. While walking to the altar, they sprinkle the petals in honour of Mama Mary. At the altar they leave the bouquet of flowers. Such tradition still lives on among Filipinos in Vienna. The chaplaincy holds this festival every Sunday on the month of May after the Mass. The chaplaincy wishes to thank all the individuals and families who sponsored and donated flowers to be offered.

NEWSROOM

A glimpse of Flores de Mayo celebration in Maria vom Berge Karmel…

The Filipino Food Culture explained to Austrians (Continued from Page 6) • If you want tap water, ask for it ("Leitungswasser, bitte") or order mineral water (Mineralwasser, bitte").

Water isn’t part of the regular service here. • Keep your voice down. Like many people, Austrians appreciate quiet conversation inside restaurants and,

especially outdoors in neighborhood eateries (Schanigarten). Also if you are speaking a language other than German, you’re likely to call attention to yourself.

• If you need a doggie bag, say, "Konnen Sie mir das, bitte, einpacken?". Austrians don’t normally take

leftovers home, but if you ask in German, the waiter will oblige. • Ask for the check ("Zahlen, bitte"). Your waiter may ask if the check will be paid by one person

("Zusammen?") or separately ("Getrennt?"), then will calculate the bill. (You will also be charged for each piece of bread eaten.) You give a sum that usually includes a 7-10 percent tip (e.g., he/she says, "20." You give the exact amount plus tip and say, "Das stimmt schon" or "Danke." Or, say "22" and wait for your change. It’s impolite to leave the tip on the table, unless you paid directly to the cashier.

• To eat in or to take out? If you are at a fast-food place, tell the cashier whether you want your order to

go (“Zu Mitnehmen") or to eat in ("Zum Hier Essen"). (Adapted from "Living in Vienna, a Practical Guide for the English Speaking Community by Ami Starnegg).

P A G E 2 0 P A S T U L A N

CALLING ALL YOUTHS !!! Summer is approaching

FRISCHE GEDANKEN Vergangenen März durfte die Youth Group bei einem Konzert ganz besonderer Klasse zu zuschauen. Father Jojo erteilte uns die Aufgabe die Rolle von Ushers und Usherettes zu übernehmen. Das Ereignis fand in den wunderschönen Räumlichkeiten der Concert Hall der Yamaha Academy of Music statt. Für Liebhaber der klassischen Musik war das Konzert wahrlich ein Ohrenschmaus. Es war eine abwechslungsreiche Darbietung von Stücken berühmter Komponisten auf Klavier und Violine. Die Youth Group genoss es sichtlich den Gästen behilflich sein zu können. Außerdem hat man nicht so oft die Möglichkeit bei einer so eleganten Veranstaltung beizutragen. Was mich persönlich am Meisten beeindruckt hat, war der überwältigende Anblick des großen schwarzen Flügels auf dem der Pianist sein Publikum mit seinen Musikstücken in den Bann zog. Es war für alle Beteiligten ein unvergessliches Ereignis. (Melanie Santiago)

The school year is fast drawing to a close: after the merry month of May with its number of religious holidays (and therefore school-free days) the month of June and final exams is upon us! In the parish, youth activities have been scaled back in respect of the youths’ more pressing commitments. But in this case, out of sight is certainly NOT out of mind because Fr. Cyril has been busy planning the biggest youth event of the year: SUMMER CAMP!! This year, it will take place 2-6 July, i.e., during the week directly after schools close, in the hope that families have not yet escaped to their respective holiday retreats. Because of last year’s all-around good experience, this year’s camp will also be held at Jugendhaus Schacherhof, a short distance from the Benedictine abbey at Seitenstetten in Lower Austria. As is the custom, our youths will leave by bus from Stefan Fadinger Platz at 9 a.m. on Monday 2 July, and return on Friday afternoon 6 July. Already at this point the allotted time seems rather short, what with the list of workshops being included in the program. Consider: painting, taize prayer, lady salsa, swing, hip-hop, theatre, thematic writing. Of course there will be sessions on applying religious theory in daily life, sports, games and one afternoon will be spent at the Erlebnisbad in Haag. This should give potential participants an idea of what they need to pack in their suitcases, in addition to slippers, sleeping bags, bedsheets and pillow cases. Completed registration forms (available after the 11 a.m. Mass on Sundays) and a €50,-- downpayment are due by 15 June, and the balance of €20 (for a total of €70,-- participation fee) on 30 June. The number of places is limited, so it’s going to be first-come-first served. Please note that proper decorum will be expected during camp, and parents will be notified if anyone is found lacking. As with other activities, there is a heavy reliance on the generosity of parish members for donations in the form of cash or goods because the advertised participation fee will only cover bus and lodging expenses. Fr Cyril eagerly awaits the receipt of pledges in this connection. Calling all youth: those who came last year and had a wonderful time (religion and fun fit) and others who are interested in meeting new friends (you count): join us for a week of fellowship for a great start of summer 2007!

PAS TULAN

O FFICIA L NEWS LETTER OF TH E FILI PI NO CATHOLIC CH APLA INCY

V IENNA , AUST RIA (African, Asian and Latin American Catholic

Communities, Archdiocese of Vienna)

Pfarre Maria vom Berge Karmel Stefan Fadinger Platz 1

A-1100 Vienna

Tel: +43 1 6172346, Fax : +43 1 5267316 Email address: fccpastulan@yahoo.com

Fr. Jose Demoy

Chaplain

Fr. Ely Dalanon Assistant Chaplain

Fr. Cyril Villareal

Assistant Chaplain

*******************************

PASTULAN STAFF

Marizel Aguirre Angie Castor Rhona Rectra