Reflection for this Sundays Gospel

Alexander Woolcott, one of the most famous alumni of Hamilton College, New York, was asked to give a major address at the college’s centennial celebration. Woolcott gave a memorable speech which began with these words: “I send my greetings today to all my fellow alumni of Hamilton College, scattered all over the world. Some of you are successes, and some of you are failures – only God knows which are which!”

This is a wonderful reminder to us that in our measurement of success and failure, “God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways God’s ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God’s ways higher than our ways, and God’s thoughts than our thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9 paraphrase). This is the lesson that the overambitious disciples, James and John, are about to learn in today’s gospel story.

If there is one thing we know for sure about predestination it is this: God created everyone for success. God did not create anyone for failure. But what do success and failure mean? For most people, as for James and John, success means to be head of the pack. To succeed means to excel. Success is measured by comparing one’s achievements against the achievements of one’s “competitors.” That is why James and John go to Jesus and ask not that they be granted a place in his kingdom but that they be granted “to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37). “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus says to them (verse 38), and then proceeds to teach them a new understanding of success.

For Jesus success means people realizing and fulfilling God’s dream for them. Jesus tells us, contrary to popular thinking, that anybody cannot be anything. Before people come into this world, divine providence has already crafted a dream for each person to live out. We do not come into life to write our own job description, we come with a divine job description in our hands and with the physical and mental traits necessary to get the job done. That is what the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is all about. God needed a singular job to be done, that of being the mother of His incarnate Son, and He created a woman fully prepared and equipped specifically to do the job. No other woman before or after Mary could have become the mother of God out of her own personal effort or ambition. This is why Jesus tells James and John that, “to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared” (verse 40).

Does this mean that God has already determined, from the word go, the outcome of our earthly existence? No. God has an intended destination for which He created you and me. This is predestination. But whether you and I attain this destination or not depends on how we cooperate with God’s grace. To say that whatever people are or do in life is what God created them to be and do is determinism. The Bible teaches predestination (God has something in mind for creating you and me) but does not teach determinism (whatever we are or do is what God has predestined for us). God gives us free will to cooperate with divine grace or not. That is why, even though God predestined Mary to be the mother of our Saviour, when the time came for her to accomplish this mission, God sent an angel to seek her cooperation. She is a perfect example of success because she courageously said yes to the word of God detailing to her what Providence has in store for her.

James and John, on the other hand, represent the anyone-could- be-anything mentality characteristic of our times. This way of seeing things encourages unbridled ambition, rivalry and unhealthy competition among people, which we call the rat race. But the trouble with the rat race is that, even if you win, you are still a rat. The new vision of success that Jesus teaches, on the contrary, encourages mutual cooperation and the contentment of realizing that we can all be successful because God has created every one of us for something different. God has enough dreams to go round, a different dream for everyone, a different success for everyone. Our ambition in life should be to discover and live God’s dream for us. Herein lies our true success. But to vie and struggle with one another over the same dreams – that is failure.

Our Prayer

Let us recite this prayer daily at 7 a.m. and/or at 3 p.m. to strengthen the bond we have forged.

Eternal Father, we offer you this humble prayer in honor of your Son - Jesus. Let it be an offering of ourselves that you may renew us in the Spirit of Brotherhood we share as former Claretians.

We pray for blessings in all our endeavors, big or small; we pray for our family that they may be safe and secure under Your care everyday of our lives.

We pray for our country, our church, our community, our KCI family, that its leaders may be guided by YOU and their responsibilities will be for the betterment of all that we love, all that we care and that we share.

Lord, give us the consolation during times of sadness and difficulties. Allow us to reflect Your Love, Compassion and Charity to others. Share with us Your Wisdom that we may fulfill Your will on earth and in Heaven

Our Father..
Hail Mary...
Glory be....

Calling all KCI People !!!

October 15, 2006 is our Family day. It’s a day of fun,

A day of being together.

a day of sharing our talents and skills. badminton

volleyball basketball

Please come and bring your family on the said occasion. The event will start with a celebration of the Eucharist at 9am, launching of our simultaneous prayer and then to be followed by our sports fest. Venue will be in Claret College Seminary.

Ka berks, kapuso,

ka KCI…tara, join na at sama-sama tayong magsaya!!!!!

p.s

please bring your own provision

The First Assembly (2005)

And Then There Were More Than 60

(Or What Happened in the 2005 Assembly)

A very successful gathering was held by the “former” Claretian Seminarians, Brothers & Priests last July 16, 2005 at the Claret School-QC, AVR. Some 60 brothers attended the affair and enjoyed forging anew their lost bonds with one another.

The affair started with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Rev. Fr. James Castro, CMF officiating. In his homily, Fr. James related that that day’s affair was so far the most successful attempt to gather ‘Ex-Claretians’ since efforts of organizing the group started in the 80’s. Further, he rallied the attendees to be active in all the undertakings that the group will launch soon and that the group to be mindful of its objectives as it grows in the coming years.

After the Mass, a program hosted by Joe Torres (’83) & Auggie Cadua (’92) began.

During the program, a Council of Fifteen, who will be the governing body of the organization, was elected by the different clusters or batches. Elected Officers were: Paul Polintan (‘83) as President, Arman Nocum (’83); Vice President, Finance & Special Projects; Auggie Cadua (’92) as Vice President for Administration & Membership; Willi Baclao (’93) & Charlie Macaranas (’96) as Secretaries; Nonoy Borja (’94) as Treasurer; Steven Iñigo (’89) as Auditor and Joe Torres (’82) as PRO. Other elected members of the Council were: Rowel ‘Tata’ Rodriguez (’82), Delfin Aguilar (’84), Dennis Ongmanchi (’91), DexterCarreon (’96), Alvin Alcaraz (’96), Alfie De Vega (’97) & Roel Castro (‘2000).

Ex-officio Council Members and Board of Advisers include Fr. Albert Delvo (’72), Boni Tago (’72), Noel Asiones (’75), and Fr. Orly Cantillon.

The elected Council will take the lead in organizing projects for the organization and in generating more membership, in terms of inviting more former Claretians to join the Organization.

TV & Movie personality, Ms. Daisy Reyes performed to the delight of all the brothers present.

Everyone who attended won raffle prizes which was made possible and arranged by Delfin Aguilar and Alan Navida (’85).

The brothers continued to enjoy the rest of the night enjoying the food and drinks while exchanging stories of the days they were still “inside”, of how they are now and the many things that happened in between those times.

---oOo---

We want to hear from you your honest insights, views and suggestions on how we could improve our organization by answering the questions listed below:

• What do you search in an organization to win your active participation? And what are the deterrent factors for one’s participation?

• How do you see AFCP? What are your expectations to the group?

• How could the association sustain the active participation among members?

---oOo---

It is in the start of laying the foundation that everything seems impossible to realize. Having little of things, it demands too much of everything. But indeed, the collaboration of each one’s little things made us able to start a scratch towards something great. That is how AFCP came to be.

“It’s the birth pain of our organization which makes everything so demanding that it requires a lot patience and sacrifices”, Rowel Rodriguez, a council member said. “So please bear with us”, he added as he solicits support from the former Claretians in the provinces who are willing to be part on the making of an enterprise. Although AFCP is far functional as it ought to be, the fact that it is already there matters and the council projects plans to make the young organization mature into a self sustaining one.

Arman Nocum, the Vice President for Plans and Projects, has inspired everybody as he shares the possible fate that the AFCP has. “Since we are well represented from society’s different sectors, we are quite a strong team and it is possible that AFCP becomes influential”. Utilizing its links from broadcast media and prints, in vital government agencies, in big private companies, clergies and from supportive individuals, as to mention that we are well represented from Ilocos to Zamboanga, we are indeed a great-team-in-the-making.

In the mean time, the council stated that drafting the constitution and by-laws of the organization is the main concern of the term. Thus, they have come up with a special committee appointed to Delfin Aguilar, a council member, in partnership with Atty. Edwin Infante, Atty. Ulric Badiola and Father Albert Delvo as an over seer. “After which drafting of the constitution is done, we would then acquire legal identity which would make us able to do our business engagements without apprehension”, said by Paul Polintan, the AFCP President. “And everything would become quite easy for the next elected council by next year”, he said further with assurance.

The council, being committed towards forging a pertinent association, wishes to invite everybody to take part in our pursuit to unite former Claretians to rekindle the Claretian flame in us, to live a life of a lay Claretian way and to partake in the invitation to do mission with the Claretians.

For those who want to receive a copy of this Newsletter or update your Directory, please Contact the Secretariat or email: eClaret@yahoogroups.com

Priests seek sainthood for modern martyr

A Filipino priest deserves to become the first Church-declared martyr and saint of the new millennium.

Five years after his death at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, Claretian missionary Fr. Rhoel Gallardo is being considered a “modern-day saint” by his former parishioners, friends and fellow missionaries.

Allan Navida, leader of an organization of former Claretian seminarians and Gallardo’s classmate, said it is time the Catholic Church canonized a saint that people can identify with.

“It’s time for the Catholic Church, especially in the Philippines , to have an inspiration in its struggle to work for peace amid the new challenges confronting us,” Navida said.

Navida said Gallardo is a “modern-day saint for a modern world confronted by modern-day problems like terrorism.”

“Let us not forget the martyrdom of Fr. Rhoel... who offered his life for peace to work in the most distant communities of Muslims and Christians,” said Claretian Fr. Bernardo Blanco, himself a former hostage of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

“It is unfortunate that despite the attention given to him during his captivity and death, five years later people seem to have forgotten what he did,” Blanco said.

The killing of Gallardo and his companions on May 3, 2000 brought the people of Basilan together, he pointed out.

“Let us remember the example of those who not only talk about peace but strive to work for it so that true reconciliation in Muslim and Christian populations of Mindanao will become a reality,” said another Claretian, Fr. James Castro.

The Abu Sayyaf first came to the world’s attention on March 20, 2000, when it kidnapped Gallardo, several teachers and dozens of pupils from two schools in Basilan. One month later, on April 19, the bandits beheaded two teachers when both the Philippine and US governments refused their demands to release several jailed Islamic extremists.

The Abu Sayyaf also demanded that all Christian crosses be removed from public places in Basilan.

When the soldiers attacked the bandits’ lair, another group of Sayyaf bandits abducted over 20 hostages from the Malaysian tourist resort of Sipadan.

Published in Manila Standard Today on May 04, 2006

Birthday celebrators

HAPPY HAPPY BEERDAY/BIRTHDAY

September 5, 1976 - Cruz, Herbert U.

September 6, 1974 - Licudine, V. Joseph

September 9, 1976 - Palpal-latoc, Marc Anthony

September 12, 1973 - Ticman, Danilo B.

September 18, 1967 - Origenes, J. Ricarte

September 19, 1976 - Ala, Francis Nicolas

September 19, 1963 - Estioco, Faustino

September 20, 1957 - Gacrama, Santi

September 23, 1980 - Renomeron, Lino

September 27, 1964 - Santiago, Damian Samuel S.

Pagtitipon

Isa na namang masayang pagtitipon ng kapatiran ang naganap nitong Sabado. Nagsimula ito tanghali pa lamang. May pagkain, softdrinks at maraming kuwento. Huli akong dumating kaya maraming kwento akong 'di narinig. Pero salamat sa mga kapatid, tinirhan ako ng lechon kawali yata 'yon at inihaw na tilapia. Pinilit pa ako ni pareng Paul na magkanin.

Pulong iyon ng BOT sa pangunguna ni pangulong Augie. Napag-usapan ang mga pinaplanong mga proyekto, mga negosyo at siyempre pa mga pangarap at mungkahi papaano makakatulong ang kapatiran sa lahat na mga miyembro. Para sa kung ano ang pinag-usapan, tingnan nyo na lang sa minutes na sigurado namang ipapadala ni William "my best friend" Baclao.

Hindi nagtapos sa Martino building sa Mandaluyong ang huntahan at kantiyawan. Siyempre pa, tumuloy kami sa Newsdesk sa Timog, Quezon City, at doon nagkilitian, nagkainan, este kumain pala, ng sisig, isaw ng baboy na lumalangoy sa mantika, grilled tuna belly na para lang sana kay Augie pero tinira ni Kit at Charlie, mani na gustong-gusto ni Alvin at Alfie, at naglasing sa iced-tea si Augie at Will na hindi natuloy sa Pasay kung saan mag-fraternal correction yata sana sila, bwahahahaha.

Sa pagitan ng paglagok ng beer at "film showing" ng mga scandals ni Alvin, nagkakwentuhan tungkol sa buhay, nagkapalitan ng mga kuro-kuro mula human rights situation hanggang sex education, nagkakantiyawan, nagkaladlaran at nagkalaglagan, joke lang.

At habang lumalalim ang gabi, dumating pa si Tata Rodriguez na galing pa daw sa Batangas kaya di nakarating sa meeting pero mabilis pa sa ala-singko nang sabihing nasa Newsdesk na kami. Habang gumagabi, nagsawa din kami sa mga video ni Alvin at sa pagiging serious ni Kit at Steve, kaya si William na lang ang aming ipinulutan. Kwento dito, kwento doon, tungga dito, tungga doon, hanggang sumasara na ang talukap ni Alfie at nag-init na si Alvin. Si William naman ay nag-bloom habang dumidilim sa tabi ni Kit. Hindi na rin pinanindigan ni Chay ang pananahimik at dumaldal na rin tungkol sa pulitika. Habang cool lang talaga si Mr. President Cadua kahit na nagkulitan na si Alvin at Tata.

Sino pa ba ang di ko nai-tsismis? Sinong di ko nabanggit?

Alas-dose na at mahigit dalawang libo na ang bill nang magpasya kaming maghiwa-hiwalay. Maaga pa kaming magkikita kinabukasan, araw ng linggo, para mamasyal sa tiangge sa Lung Center.

Kaya, susmarya, alas-otso pa lang yata nang magtxt ang pangulong Augie at sabihing ninong, yes, NINONG siya sa binyag at alas onse ang binyagan nila. Kaya di siya nag-appear sa aming date.

Present sa Lung Center nang dumating ako si Charlie at Alfie na hindi man lang yata naligo dahil parehong damit pa rin ang suot. Nag-buko kami, tapos kumain ng alamang na may kamias at ampalaya, sinampalokang manok, sinigang na bangus at tahong na di ko alam kung bakit pati ang shell ay pinrito. Umikot kami nang umikot hanggang halos mahilo na kami. Nakabili naman ako ng hasa-hasa, hipon, tinapay at kung anupang maisipan naming pagwaldasan. Natutunan ko ring ang tawag ni Alfie sa arroz valenciana ay berengge (tama ba Alfie?).

At nang mananghali na, dumating si Willie na may dalang ngiti sa mukha. Smiling talaga lagi si William. Dumating din si Leo (nalimutan ko ang apelyedo) at nakakatuwa naman dahil first time ko siya nakilala at patunay lang ito na napakalaki talaga ng ating kapatiran.

Parang walang gustong umuwi kahit na pawis na pawis na kami sa init ng araw. Parang gustong ipagpatuloy ang pagsasama. Mag-aala-una na nang kami ay mahiwa-hiwalay sa gitna ng pagpapalitan ng "ingat ka lagi". Nakakataba ng puso, nakakabusog sa damdamin, nakakabutas ng bulsa pero walang kapalit ang tunay na pagsasama ng mga kapatid.

O siya, kayo naman ang magsulat. Ilabas nyo na ang pagiging makata, manunulat at maniniyot at ilathala na natin dito. Mwah!

A young girl and two monks

Courtesy of Fr. James Castro, cmf

Two monks, Brother Francis and an elder monk, are walking down a muddy road on a rainy day. They came upon a lovely young girl dressed in fine silk, who was afraid to cross because of the flood and the mud.

“Come on, girl,” said Brother Francis. And he picked her up in his strong arms, and carried her across the river. The two monks walked on in silence till they reached the monastery. Then the elder monk couldn't bear it any longer. “Monks shouldn't go near young girls,” he said, “certainly not beautiful ones like that one! Why did you do it?” “Dear brother,” said Brother Francis, “I put the girl down by the river bank, but you have carried her right into the monastery.”

In these two monks we see the two often conflicting approaches to Christian spirituality, namely, avoidance and involvement. The spirituality of avoidance emphasizes the devout fulfillment of pious religious obligations, and shuns away from those regarded as sinners for fear of being contaminated by them. It aims at keeping the believer unstained by the world, not at changing the world or making a difference. The spirituality of involvement, on the other hand, emphasizes active solidarity with sinners, who are often perceived as the untouchables of the world. It does not shun but extends a helping hand to them, believing that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Balance in Christian spirituality consists in reconciling these two tendencies and bringing them into harmony. As James tells us, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress [involvement] , and to keep oneself unstained by the world [avoidance]” (James 1:27).

In today’s gospel the Pharisees and the scribes speak for the spirituality of avoidance. Their focus is on ritual observances. Their complaint about eating with unwashed hands has nothing to do with personal hygiene. They are interested in the ritual washing of hands which was an institution meant to avoid the presumed impurity of Gentiles from contaminating the ritual purity of Jews. By not observing the ceremony the disciples of Jesus are blurring the distinction between Jews and Gentiles and behaving as if the two were one. Jesus defends this spirituality of inclusion with outsiders in very unmistakable terms: “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile” (Mark 7:14-15).

In this one single sentence Jesus demolishes the entire structure of religious homophobia, the fear and avoidance of people who are different from us. Gentiles do not defile Jews any more than Jews defile Gentiles. Nothing and nobody outside a person can defile a person. If in the presence of someone or something you smell defilement, chances are that you brought the defilement with you in the first place. You need look no further than within your own heart and soul. A clean-minded person sees nothing but cleanness everywhere, in everything and in everyone.

We might indeed expand a famous beatitude of Jesus as follows: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God everywhere, in everything and in everyone” (Matthew 5:8). No wonder Jesus did not hesitate to touch a leper, to eat with sinners and to let an “unclean” woman touch him. He got so involved with bad people that they nicknamed him “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:9).

Today is a good day to take a second look at our spiritual orientation. Do we cultivate a spirituality of avoidance like the elder monk who would leave a small girl out in the cold for the sake of keeping some man-made rule or for fear of compromising his holiness? If so today’s gospel challenges us to be more like Brother Francis who would reach out to all those in need, knowing that unless we carry the defilement in our hearts already, nothing and nobody outside of us can defile us.

Let us get involve and live our faith! Have a nice weekend!

Sa malayong Iligna, sa Bunguiao, circa 1987