Claret Explodes

Ave Maria:-)

May the peace Jesus obtained for us cover us all , hello!

At fifty sumthin' you must had your share of experiences, highs, lows, noble, foolish... mah-turrr moments, awakenings.. drought.. more drought.. learning.. more learning whether in the classroom venue or elsewhere... complacency, euphoria.. inclinations to revert to fetal position and consciousness... hehehe... after 5 decades you more or less begin to understand what an endless cycle life is.. we have those phases that absolutely explode with success , richness, color...ahhh ...we go: " Mamma Mia...This eezzz L-i-f-e!!!Bring it on!"  and then we have our either doldrum or agonizing dark moments.... " Awww, I won't commit suicide for sure.. but I kinda wanna die.. because it seems more peaceful and a kinder state to be in." 

If you haven't been in any of the above..or none of the above...will begin to wonder if you are existing in this exciting planet.

It's Lenten season... recieved an e-amil form a dear cousin that had the 40 days of LENT as its theme..Forty days............hmmm ...what would I do in 40 days.

Well we could either proceed as tho' the Church's teaching on seasons didn't matter .. or hey... we could choose to be refreshed.. reminded..about what Lent is all about.

Contrary to what Catholics have long been accustomed to ..maybe a misconception that developed in Spanish times ..under the Spanish yoke... we as a people thought Lent was all about being utterly quiet, watching people walk in processions , wear gloomy faces... abstain and fast... and if you have the stomach for it.. try to get some scourging yourself or be nailed to a cross for a few minutes... after which the medics are ready to resuscitate you.. this and mind you, with a lot of tourists and paparazzi to cover the event.

But is this Lent?

And is this the way our Lord would want us to remember and celebrate Lent? All of the rituals and practices would be worthless if Jesus and His Essence were taken out of the picture.

For sure, of course we must dwell on what Jesus did ever so willingly for us..to suffer for our sake and ultimately lay down His life , dying as tho' He were a criminal , shamed , rejected, tortured and forsaken by many He had helped. As it is.. the banner cry of most folks in whatever century it is ... is : "Nobody  loves me...I am all alone."

But Lent shatters this myth.  Someone does love us..to the extent  that He gave His life that we might live..and that is Christ.

We have just come from a most strengthening Life in the Spirit Seminar , invited by Claret Formator Fr. Ama to give an LSS to young seminarians...1st to 3rd year...about almost 50.the 4th yr seminarians were in typhoon stricken areas.

Initially we thought... "oh my.. what could we possibly share with them... they know it all... theology probably coming out of their ears... they have listened to the best speakers... they are 20 x more prayerful and behaved than us..hahaha."

but then again it is not about theology.. it is not about knowing more.. it is not about being holier .... it is simply about sharing what experience we have about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.. the truth of the charismatic renewal. It is about sharing generously our faith experience so that we build up others... in return we get blest as well..how good our Lord is.

the seminar lasted : Sat.evening 7:45 to 10:45 whole of Sunday  .

For good measure...Fr. Ama allowed both seminarians and the Outreach Team to go to confession, several priests were available... and He allowed the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed for vigil before the start of the Sat.evening session.

With a preparation like this..and the a beautiful, serene venue..how could the Lord not come?

the seminarians were a joy to be with.so open, so humble ... so hungry for the Lord.

Sometimes , we feel we know it all.. especially when one has attended a Catholic school..has  had a strict religious upbringing... but we soon find out.. there is another dimension, the Lord wants to expose to us.

and this is the very same experience that the Blessed Mother and the Apostles had on Pentecost. When after praying together for 50 days... the Holy Spirit descended 

upon Mary and the Apostles ..changing the apostles from "Can't do"  to "Can do" men of GOD.

From fearful to courageous, from unsure to men of faith, wisdom and understanding.. when the Holy Spirit came, they were given a full anointing of power, love and all gifts needed to proclaim the gospel! In the Book of Acts..we can read how the early Christian community grew... how so on fire with love and zeal for God they were.. how miracles, healings , powerful preaching could now be done in the Lord Jesus's Name.... this was the power of the Holy Spirit, and this the young seminarians as  well as every avowed Christian will need in his/her own lifetime and vocation.

Claret chapel exploded with God's love especially on Sunday.. when the highlight was the renewal of Baptismal Vows and Commissioning of the seminarians :" Be the salt of the earth ..be the light of the world . The seminarians and Living Word fellowshipped  during group sharing sessions..and during meal times .. both  strengthening each other.

In truth -- to just be with these young boys   , uprooted from their families their homes...  to listen to them (some had parents who did not want them to become priests..) to be moved by their own faith experience makes one's heart  expand in love and thanksgiving... Oh may many if not all of them become good priests, in Jesus Name I pray!

Lent is thus remembering from whence we came.. it is remembering a bit ruefully..in the middle of our angst, stress and negativities that " Wait a minute.. I was meant for better things!"  God did not give me a life on earth to waste on worldliness and sin.. God did not want me to be inutile and helpless when faced with adversities and temptations.  


God has given me the Son as my Saviour..and the Son has baptized me in the Holy Spirit..there is simply no way I'll remain unchanged. For the Lord transforms us with His love and grace.  And a brighter , more abundant life in Christ unfolds before us.

In closing.. when Cebu folks believed that false tsunami alert... hundreds scrambled...left their expensive cars..stores.. building and homes... and just ran as fast as they could to higher ground...this is instinct..this is gut feel.... 

Indeed..when we face certain death.. we soon find out the things we hold onto on earth we must leave behind... in a manner of speaking our percieved riches become worthless.And all we have is our little soul to present to our Father and Creator... we face Him in His Throneroom and say timidly: "Father, I'm home."

This Lent let us make a safe return to our Heavenly Father thru his Son Jesus Christ. God bless us all! May the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph all angels and saints in heaven pray for us............................................................................te myeActs 2:1-4 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

Claret Explodes

Ave Maria:-)

May the peace Jesus obtained for us cover us all , hello!

At fifty sumthin' you must had your share of experiences, highs, lows, noble, foolish... mah-turrr moments, awakenings.. drought.. more drought.. learning.. more learning whether in the classroom venue or elsewhere... complacency, euphoria.. inclinations to revert to fetal position and consciousness... hehehe... after 5 decades you more or less begin to understand what an endless cycle life is.. we have those phases that absolutely explode with success , richness, color...ahhh ...we go: " Mamma Mia...This eezzz L-i-f-e!!!Bring it on!"  and then we have our either doldrum or agonizing dark moments.... " Awww, I won't commit suicide for sure.. but I kinda wanna die.. because it seems more peaceful and a kinder state to be in." 

If you haven't been in any of the above..or none of the above...will begin to wonder if you are existing in this exciting planet.

It's Lenten season... recieved an e-amil form a dear cousin that had the 40 days of LENT as its theme..Forty days............hmmm ...what would I do in 40 days.

Well we could either proceed as tho' the Church's teaching on seasons didn't matter .. or hey... we could choose to be refreshed.. reminded..about what Lent is all about.

Contrary to what Catholics have long been accustomed to ..maybe a misconception that developed in Spanish times ..under the Spanish yoke... we as a people thought Lent was all about being utterly quiet, watching people walk in processions , wear gloomy faces... abstain and fast... and if you have the stomach for it.. try to get some scourging yourself or be nailed to a cross for a few minutes... after which the medics are ready to resuscitate you.. this and mind you, with a lot of tourists and paparazzi to cover the event.

But is this Lent?

And is this the way our Lord would want us to remember and celebrate Lent? All of the rituals and practices would be worthless if Jesus and His Essence were taken out of the picture.

For sure, of course we must dwell on what Jesus did ever so willingly for us..to suffer for our sake and ultimately lay down His life , dying as tho' He were a criminal , shamed , rejected, tortured and forsaken by many He had helped. As it is.. the banner cry of most folks in whatever century it is ... is : "Nobody  loves me...I am all alone."

But Lent shatters this myth.  Someone does love us..to the extent of that He gave His life that we might live..and that is Christ.

We have just come from a most strengthening Life in the Spirit Seminar , invited by Claret Formator Fr. Ama to give an LSS to young seminarians...1st to 3rd year...about almost 50.the 4th yr seminarians were in typhoon stricken areas.

Initially we thought... "oh my.. what could we possibly share with them... they know it all... theology probably coming out of their ears... they have listened to the best speakers... they are 20 x more prayerful and behaved than us..hahaha."

but then again it is not about theology.. it is not about knowing more.. it is not about being holier .... it is simply about sharing what experience we have about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.. the truth of the charismatic renewal. It is about sharing generously our faith experience so that we build up others... in return we get blest as well..how good our Lord is.

the seminar lasted : Sat.evening 7:45 to 10:45 whole of Sunday  .

For good measure...Fr. Ama allowed both seminarians and the Outreach Team to go to confession, several priests were available... and He allowed the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed for vigil before the start of the Sat.evening session.

With a preparation like this..and the a beautiful, serene venue..how could the Lord not come?

the seminarians were a joy to be with.so open, so humble ... so hungry for the Lord.

Sometimes , we feel we know it all.. especially when one has attended a Catholic school..has  had a strict religious upbringing... but we soon find out.. there is another dimension, the Lord wants to expose to us.

and this is the very same experience that the Blessed Mother and the Apostles had on Pentecost. When after praying together for 50 days... the Holy Spirit descended 

upon Mary and the Apostles ..changing the apostles from "Can't do"  to "Can do" men of GOD.

From fearful to courageous, from unsure to men of faith, wisdom and understanding.. when the Holy Spirit came, they were given a full anointing of power, love and all gifts needed to proclaim the gospel! In the Book of Acts..we can read how the early Christian community grew... how so on fire with love and zeal for God they were.. how miracles, healings , powerful preaching could now be done in the Lord Jesus's Name.... this was the power of the Holy Spirit, and this the young seminarians as  well as the outreach team will need in our own lifetime and vocation.

Claret chapel exploded with God's love especially on Sunday.. when the highlight was the renewal of Baptismal Vows and Commissioning of the seminarians :" Be the salt of the earth ..be the light of the world . The seminarians and Living Word fellowshipped  during group sharing sessions..and during meal times .. both  strengthening each other.

In truth -- to just be with these young boys   , uprooted from their families their homes...  to listen to them (some had parents who did not want them to become priests..) to be moved by their own faith experience makes one's heart  expand in love and thanksgiving... Oh may many if not all of them become good priests, in Jesus Name I pray!

Lent is thus remembering from whence we came.. it is remembering a bit ruefully..in the middle of our angst, stress and negativities that " Wait a minute.. I was meant for better things!"  God did not give me a life on earth to waste on worldliness and sin.. God did not want me to be inutile and helpless when faced with adversities and temptations.  God has given me the Son as my Saviour..and the Son has baptized me in the Holy Spirit..there is simply no way I'll remain unchanged. For the Lord transforms us with His love and grace.  And a brighter , more abundant life in Christ unfolds before us.

In closing.. when Cebu folks believed that false tsunami alert... hundreds scrambled...left their expensive cars..stores.. building and homes... and just ran as fast as they could to higher ground...this is instinct..this is gut feel.... 

Indeed..when we face certain death.. we soon find out the things we hold onto on earth we must leave behind... in a manner of speaking our percieved riches become worthless.And all we have is our little soul to present to our Father and Creator... we face Him in His Throneroom and say timidly: "Father, I'm home."

 

This Lent let us make a safe return to our Heavenly Father thru his Son Jesus Christ. God bless us all! May the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph all angels and saints in heaven pray for us............................................................................te mye

O, Maria

Ave Maria :-)

tis the month of hearts... many people  fuss about Valentine.. I'd like to believe that for those who are in Christ, it is a perpetual Valentine.. a sunrise always in our heart even if there be this incomprehensible mixture of joys/sorrows/highs and lows in life... the sun rises because indeed the Son Christ Jesus has risen from the dead and conquered satan, sin death and disease. How I love to keep saying-- proclaiming this... but others will be quick to point out...Well if Jesus has won why is your friend cancer stricken.. oh and I forgot ... your friend by the way did not survive the cancer.

These critics miss the point of it all.

When we say Jesus has triumphed over sin ,satan death and disease.. it means  that all four no matter how intense these be thrown at us will not overcome us. Yes we may suffer...and how! But for as long as we are in Jesus  , victory is ours in the end. We have been promised eternal life and an intimate relationship with God right here and now, and that cannot be taken away from us. Amen!

It is not so much whether we got afflicted by these terrible diseases or got troubled by various hardships...it is whether we patiently endure till the end, holding onto our faith... allowing the sufferings to mold us more like our Saviour... confounding the enemy the devil as we resolve to still choose life, goodness, truth as revealed by our Lord,  choosing Christ until the Very End.Now that indeed kills the enemy.

It is whether we are able to draw good from the bad / painful or ugliness that besets us for this is the ever present challenge for each and every Christian. We rise to the occasion with God's grace enfolding us!

tis the season of comings and goings... reunions with dear old friends... classmates..relatives... as it is also the season that we must say good-bye to loved ones.

Let me share with you our dear Mary.

She passed  away just a few days after Valentine's Day.. stricken with liver ailment ..for the longest time she did not complain.. that is her character.. strong woman that she is to not complain or grumble for as long as she can bear it...until it became clear she was truly seriously ill.

Sis. or Mama Mary as we lovingly call her is a designer and costurera by profession.. oh how many women have sparkled and joyously celebrated their special anniversaries with Mama Mary "fixin them up" ... that would include yours truly. Dress designers are similar to hairdressers , make-up stylists in the sense that theirs is not just to beautify the client..but they too have that special connection to be confidante, confessor, true-blue friend. Mama Mary was all of that and more.

Married to her Rox for the longest time, they were able to celebrate a lovely silver wedding anniv..one of the happiest silver we've attended.. such an outpouring of joy and happiness , laughter  and merriment that evening... and would have gone on to aim for a Golden Anniv. had Sis. Mary lived longer. Their union was blessed with one beloved son, Paolo - an architect by profession - a dutiful, obedient son.

Sis. Mary was the first one to be member of the Mother Butler's Guild  but in time she was able to convince Bro. Roz to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister..and then of late... Paolo was inducted as a Lector/Commentator ..with Paolo offering his services for construction in the parish buildings.

A family who serves the Lord stays together, eh? right

I'm sure many will miss the following :

- her naughty laughter... we'd tease her to be a bit maldita because she wouldn't blink an eye whenever she had to do sisterly correction

- the love she poured when hosting parties big or small... twas more of cooking for us really, she was a great cook.... Dilbert my Kapampangan husband becomes meek as a lamb when Maria cooks pinakbet and ladles it on his plate.

- she has a way of making customers so very pleased and happy.. allowing us to make suggestions no matter how undoable they may be.. in the end , we let her "do it" becuase she knows best.

- a member of our small couple bible sharing group, the St. Peter's Cell... she and Bro. Rox have religiously attended the Tuesday weekly cell meetings -- many a time, I'd catch her falling asleep  in the middle of the bible sharing -so exhausted from the day's work, or nursing a head-ache -- truthfully --- I'd be fast to plead "Absent muna ako..so pagoddd or sakit ulo" but would think twice becoz I know Sis. Mary  ( and another sis. dear Ethel would still attend ...grahbe... what powers do these women have? ) Later on I recognized it as plain pure commitment and love for the cell members and for the Word of God shared.  

- She did not have a Coca Cola Body  but wow Mama Mary was a Fashionista..dapat lang  whenever she had time she'd coif her hair.. maayos make-up and all... she loved dressing up for occasions.

- many times she and husband would extend a helping hand .. whether this be for nieces's tuition fees, pang pamasahe abroad ... or for brothers and sisters ( in the parish)  in need - napaka matulungin.

-MABAIT SIYA. TUNAY NA MABAIT.

Sis. Mary would be so fast to be with friends whose loved ones had died -- so that she could assist in dressing up the deceased...how many friends are there willing to sit thru embalming and all... just to provide comfort?

Many pass thru life not quite knowing what their purpose was.. not realizing the amount of gifts loaned by GOD...sis. Mary was well aware of her unique gifts and blessings given her and her family -- she was a good steward, generous to a fault.

If friends like us miss and feel that void she will leave... we can imagine how it must be for her immediate family..they who benefitted the most from her love and friendship.  Mama Mary...  it's strange how I'll miss the little sweetest things you do... pag timpla mo ng kape ... cup per cup (for each cell member) grinding the coffee,sugar and cream with gusto..just so we understand the full flavor of coffee.. thank you for helping me  thru my crazy ballroom years..when I foolishly thought dressing up and dancing was the end-all and be-all and my drug ... when  I'd sometimes throw caution to the winds , the h--k with convention , I want to dress this way ... kesehodang anong isipin nila... I'd be surprised during fitting time to see how you fixed the hemlines, the design so that I wouldn't show more than was needed hahaha, a guardian angel that's what you were... We have different ways of expressing love and you were so sucessful in making us feel how much you loved us . In the end... how loyal you were to your namesake the Blessed Virgin Mary , because the Holy Spirit gave you too many of the virtues our Blessed Mother has.

Paolo your son has a lot on his hands.. that's how it is especially for children who survive such wonderful parents.

how to continue sharing what love you have given him in your lifetime. Paolo, we join you and Bro. Rox in sharing the gifts Sis. Mary has lavished on us. May the peace of Jesus be with us all...may our Lord and His holy Mother  this very moment be holding sweet conversations with Sis.Mary in heaven!!!.............................................................sincerely.... ta mye  

   

  

O, Maria

Ave Maria :-)

tis the month of hearts... many people  fuss about Valentine.. I'd like to believe that for those who are in Christ, it is a perpetual Valentine.. a sunrise always in our heart even if there be this incomprehensible mixture of joys/sorrows/highs and lows in life... the sun rises because indeed the Son Christ Jesus has risen from the dead and conquered satan, sin death and disease. How I love to keep saying proclaiming that... others will be quick to point out...Well if Jesus has won why is your friend cancer stricken.. oh and I forgot ... your friend by the way did not survive the cancer.

These critics miss the point of it all.

When we say Jesus has triumphed over sin ,satan death and disease.. it means  that all four no matter how intense these be thrown at us will not overcome us. Yes we may suffer...and how! But for as long as we are in Jesus  , victory is ours in the end. We have been promised eternal life and an intimate relationship with God right here and now, and that cannot be taken away from us. Amen!

It is not so much whether we got afflicted by these terrible diseases or got troubled by various hardships...it is whether we patiently endure till the end, holding onto our faith... allowing the sufferings to mold us more like our Saviour... confounding the enemy the devil as we resolve to still choose life, goodness, truth as revealed by our Lord,  choosing Christ until the Very End.Now that indeed kills the enemy.

 

It is whether we are able to draw good from the bad / painful or ugliness that besets us for this is the ever present challenge for each and every Christian. We rise to the occasion with God's grace enfolding us!

tis the season of comings and goings... reunions with dear old friends... classmates..relatives... as it is also the season that we must say good-bye to loved ones.

Let me share with you our dear Mary.

She passed  away just a few days after Valentine's Day.. stricken with liver ailment ..for the longest time she did not complain.. that is her character.. strong woman that she is to not complain or grumble for as long as she can bear it...until it became clear she was truly seriously ill.

Sis. or Mama Mary as we lovingly call her is a designer and costurera by profession.. oh how many women have sparkled and joyously celebrated their special anniversaries with Mama Mary "fixin them up" ... that would include yours truly. Dress designers are similar to hairdressers , make-up stylists in the sense that theirs is not just to beautify the client..but they too have that special connection to be confidante, confessor, true-blue friend. Mama Mary was all of that and more.

Married to her Rox for the longest time, they were able to celebrate a lovely silver wedding anniv..one of the happiest silver we've attended.. such an outpouring of joy and happiness , laughter  and merriment that evening... and would have gone on to aim for a Golden Anniv. had Sis. Mary lived longer. Their union was blessed with one beloved son, Paolo - an architect by profession - a dutiful, obedient son.

Sis. Mary was the first one to be member of the Mother Butler's Guild  but in time she was able to convince Bro. Roz to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister..and then of late... Paolo was inducted as a Lector/Commentator ..with Paolo offering his services for construction in the parish buildings.

A family who serves the Lord stays together, eh? right

I'm sure many will miss the following :

- her naughty laughter... we'd tease her to be a bit maldita because she wouldn't blink an eye whenever she had to do sisterly correction

- the love she poured when hosting parties big or small... twas more of cooking for us really, she was a great cook.... Dilbert my Kapampangan husband becomes meek as a lamb when Maria cooks pinakbet and ladles it on his plate.

- she has a way of making customers so very pleased and happy.. allowing us to make suggestions no matter how undoable they may be.. in the end , we let her "do it" becuase she knows best.

- a member of our small couple bible sharing group, the St. Peter's Cell... she and Bro. Rox have religiously attended the Tuesday weekly cell meetings -- many a time, I'd catch her falling asleep  in the middle of the bible sharing -so exhausted from the day's work, or nursing a head-ache -- truthfully --- I'd be fast to plead "Absent muna ako..so pagoddd or sakit ulo" but would think twice becoz I know Sis. Mary  ( and another sis. dear Ethel would still attend ...grahbe... what powers do these women have? ) Later on I recognized it as plain pure commitment and love for the cell members and for the Word of God shared.  

- She did not have a Coca Cola Body  but wow Mama Mary was a Fashionista..dapat lang  whenever she had time she'd coif her hair.. maayos make-up and all... she loved dressing up for occasions.

- many times she and husband would extend a helping hand .. whether this be for nieces's tuition fees, pang pamasahe abroad ... or for brothers and sisters ( in the parish)  in need - napaka matulungin.

-MABAIT SIYA. TUNAY NA MABAIT.

Sis. Mary would be so fast to be with friends whose loved ones had died -- so that she could assist in dressing up the deceased...how many friends are there willing to sit thru embalming and all... just to provide comfort?

Many pass thru life not quite knowing what their purpose was.. not realizing the amount of gifts loaned by GOD...sis. Mary was well aware of her unique gifts and blessings given her and her family -- she was a good steward, generous to a fault.

If friends like us miss and feel that void she will leave... we can imagine how it must be for her immediate family..they who benefitted the most from her love and friendship.  Mama Mary...  it's strange how I'll miss the little sweetest things you do... pag timpla mo ng kape ... cup per cup (for each cell member) grinding the coffee,sugar and cream with gusto..just so we understand the full flavor of coffee.. thank you for helping me  thru my crazy ballroom years..when I foolishly thought dressing up and dancing was the end-all and be-all and my drug ... when  I'd sometimes throw caution to the winds , the h--k with convention , I want to dress this way ... kesehodang anong isipin nila... I'd be surprised during fitting time to see how you fixed the hemlines, the design so that I wouldn't show more than was needed hahaha, a guardian angel that's what you were... We have different ways of expressing love and you were so sucessful in making us feel how much you loved us . In the end... how loyal you were to your namesake the Blessed Virgin Mary , because the Holy Spirit gave you too many of the virtues our Blessed Mother has.

Paolo your son has a lot on his hands.. that's how it is especially for children who survive such wonderful parents.

how to continue sharing what love you have given him in your lifetime. Paolo, we join you and Bro. Rox in sharing the gifts Sis. Mary has lavished on us. May the peace of Jesus be with us all...may our Lord and His holy Mother  this very moment be holding sweet conversations with Sis.Mary in heaven!!!.............................................................sincerely.... ta mye