CiDEs, Catching Fire in the Archdiocese

(October 19, 2009) –  The Circles of Discernment for Elections and Beyond is slowly catching fire in the Archdiocese of Lipa.

It started with the eagerness of the officers and members of the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity, headed by Bro. Loreto “Ito” Guinhawa.  The ACL made the CiDE as one of their activities in the celebration of the Laity Week.

“We are responding to the challenge posed to us lay people, especially the leaders, to take an active part in social change in our country.  We know that the forthcoming May elections is a means towards that change.  However,  the CBCP is right in pointing out that it is incumbent on us, lay people, to evangelize politics in our country,” declared Bro. Ito in appearing in an interview over the Archdiocesan radio, DWAL-FM 95.9 RAdyo Totoo, in the program hosted by Fr. Nonie Dolor and Lita Bicol, both veteran broadcasters of the defunct AM radio of the Archdiocese.  The newly-opened FM radio is what Archbishop Ramon Arguelles calls “evangelization radio”.

After the CiDE, facilitated by Fr. Nonie Dolor and Fr. Lito Malibiran,  the ALC officers decided to bring CiDE to the vicariate level, after conferring with Fr. Oscar Andal,  the spiritual director of the Council of the Laity in the Archdiocese.  Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, on his part, gave his support, noting his disappointment with the few turn-out of a previously set July CiDE, where only 12 parishes and two schools sent representatives despite his previous announcements in the priests’ assemblies.   The team of Fr. Carmelo Diola from Cebu, where CiDE was born and currently being spread through the country, came over for that July CiDE, intended to be an orientation for priests and lay leaders of the Archdiocese.  Frs. Dolor and Malibiran previously attended CiDE workshops in Cebu, separately.

Last October 10,  Vicariate VII, under Fr. Matty Orario and its lay Vicarial Coordinator, Bro. Demmy de la Cruz, invited Fr. Nonie Dolor to give the CiDE orientation to the Vicariate lay leaders. Close to 50 leaders came to the Parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.  Fr. Nonie Dolor said that he needed to explain the role of the laity in political involvement to these leaders who have been indifferent even to volunteer to the usual political engagement of the Church during elections in movements like PPCR and Namfrel. Of those who attended only three have said that they were volunteers of PPCRV and Namfrel during election; the others were mere by-standers saying that they did not know that it is the duty of Catholic faithful to participate directly in politics. Fr. Dolor took pains in explaining to them the laity’s vital responsibility in evangelizing the political sphere.

Last October 17,  Fr. Nonie Dolor went to Tanauan City to give the CiDE orientation to the lay leaders of Vicariate VI.  Fr. Cris de Guzman,  the newly-installed Vicar Forane, welcome the more than 70 participants.  He emphasized the call of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, for the faithful’s active participation and duty  in social transformation.  CiDE, he said, is a way to do this, especially given the worsening political situation and culture in our country. After Fr. Dolor’s presentation,  which zeroed in on the two CBCB recent documents relating to lay participation on politics and peace-building,  the leaders, headed by Bro. Cris Perez of Sto. Tomas Parish, promised to bring CiDE even to the barangay or MSK level. The CiDE orientation was held in the morning.

Simulataneously with the Tanauan CiDE, Bro. Ding Tejada presided over the orientation to CiDE at San Juan Nepomuceno Parish, San Juan, Batangas.  The half-day seminar-workshop drew some 260 participants coming from the various barangays and church-based organizations, headed by the Parish Pastoral Assembly, including lay-faculty members of Joseph Marello Institute.  Bro. Ting Tejada reported that Fr. Randy Marquez,  parish priest and Vicar Forane of Vicariate IV, was with them the whole of the CiDE exercise.  He also said that they were able to hold a real CiDE, with 25 participants composing a circle.  Fr. Marquez promised to bring this down to the “tuklongs” of the parish, as a way of political education of the people.

Some 196 participants gathered that same afternoon at St. James Academy Gym to hear Fr. Dolor’s orientation on CiDE.  With the help of Fr. Jorge de Chavez, OSJ,  who recently joined the National Discernment of the the Clergy in Their Role as Prophets, the participants were able to get a glimpse of how CiDE works and more importantly,  why it is important in changing the political scene in the community.

Lastly,  yesterday, October 19,  the lay leaders of the Parish of St. Joseph, San Jose, Batangas underwent a similar orientation with close to 90 participants.  It will be noted that it is only Vicariate IV that took the initiative to have parochial CiDE orientation.  Others have scheduled their by Vicariates.  The parishes composing these vicariates would decided on their future moves of accepting or not CiDE as a means of their political education.

Community Foundation Practitioners Visit Lipa

(September 19) – “Peer Learning Visit” to the Archdiocese of Lipa to observe and to have a first hand experience of how Pondong Batangan Community Foundation, Inc. works was what some members of the Association of Foundations did in their three-day visit, hosted by PBCF, Inc., under the leadership of Fr. Manny Guazon, executive director of PBCF, Inc..  He is also currently the AF chairman.

It’s Now 5-2 for Paring Batangas

(September 17,2009) – Paring Batangas, playing one of its most brilliant games, is now tied with Manila priests-cagers to whom they bowed in a heart-breaking two point loss when they beat Paranaque, 74-72.  Although the score was close,  this time around,  the Batanguenos were more relaxed and played smart especially during the end-game.  Fr. Bobot Hernandez had his break-out game, consistently puncturing the hoop with his side jumpers, highlighted by his brilliant pass to Fr. Irwin Mendoza, OSJ,  who suddenly got loose from his guard to score an unmolested lay-up,  which was wildly cheered by the loud Lipa bench.  Ironically, Fr. Irwin was absent in their Monday’s loss to Manila.

Paring Batangas now tots a 5 win-2 loss card, the same with Manila.  The wins came courtesy of Paranaque (two times), Novaliches (2 times) and Cubao (once).  Their other loss is from the Antipolo quintet.

6th National Pilgrimage to Lipa, a Resounding Success

(Sept. 13,2009) – Despite the unpredictable weather, thousands of pilgrims from all over the country, including members of the First Asia Oceania Mariological Conference, trooped to Lipa City to celebrate this Marian festivity,  the sixth in honor of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.  Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles got out of the hospital to lead the dawn procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the San Sebastian Cathedral to the site of the proposed parish to be dedicated to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, some three kilometers away from the Cathedral.  upon arrival, after the benediction,  a thanksgiving mass, presided over  by the Archbishop accompanied by several priests was held at the multi-purpose hall located near the proposed church, presently under construction.  the place was made available by art-patron and prinicpal benefactor of the proposed parish, Mr. Danilo Dolor.

Dr. Mark Miravalle and Msgr. Arthur Calkins, eminent Mariologists and invited personally by Archbishop Arguelles, expounded on the proposed 5th Marian dogma.  Both speakers extolled the deep Marian devotion of Filipinos, saying that the nation really deserves to be tagged “pueblo amante de Maria”.

“You really are a special chosen people,” declared Dr. Miravalle.  ”You have chosen the perfect symbols of our faith — the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary”.  He also said that Mary is the heaven’s remedy to today’s tragedies.  ”The solemn proclamation of the fifth dogma will bring peace to the world, as promised by Our Lady. The era of peace will be ushered by the solemn approval of the apparition of our Lady at Carmel Lipa,” he boldly announced to his audience of students, pilgrims and fellow Mariologists gathered to listen to his lecture.

Msgr. Arthur Calkins, on the other hand, centered on the Marian pronouncements of the late John Paul II regarding his teachings on Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediator and Advocate. He said that it is not really difficult to understand these Marian titles, even among non-Catholics.  He emphasized the subordination of Mary’s redemptive role to the One and Only Mediator, her Son Jesus.  He also said that Mary’s mediation does not destroy the Mediator-ship of Jesus but rather facilitates it.  He also called on priests that in this year for priests,  they are to be more conscious of their role as mediator of God’s grace to the faithful.  The Filipinos, he said,  are doing this through their devotion to the Twin Hearts. he also echoed Dr. Miravalle’s call for the solemn proclamation of the proposed Marian dogma to avert further crises in priestly and religious vocations in the world.

Ms. June Kiethley, a prominent Marian advocate and producer of many documentaries about Lipa apparition,  emceed the morning conference.  She also read the message of Bishop Pund of Haarlem, Amsterdam,  who was supposed to come.

“Right from the start, at the Incarnation,  it is already Mary’s vocation to participate in the redemptive mission of Christ.  This is very evident in her presence during his passion, death and resurrection, and even in the early life of the apostolic community,” he stated.    ”That is why she said to Teresing (the visionary), ‘when His heart bleeds, mine bleeds also’.”

During the conference,  pilgrims availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Earlier,  a triduum preparing for this event was held every afternoon at the cathedral.  This featured talks on Mary, confessions and Eucahrist, participated in by the faithful of the Archdiocese of Lipa, taking turns by vicariates.  Prior to the event was a night-long vigil held at the Cathedral, capped by a Mass by renowned healer, Fr. Diwane Cacao of the Dicoese of San Pablo.

Another procession took place at 1:30 pm, this time from the site of the proposed new parish going back to Carmel Church, some two kilometers distance, where more than two thousand pilgrims had been waiting.  Archbishop-elect Socrates Villegas, convenor of the Conference, formally introduced the present delegates to the Mariological Conference, most of whom experienced this awesome display of Marian devotion of the Filipinos for the first time.  Earlier,  the delegates met with the Bishops present and the cloistered Carmelite nuns in an exclusive lunch-reception held in their honor.

His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, once Archbishop of Lipa and now Archbishop of Cebu, presided over the closing Mass, aired live by the government television network and broadcast over the Archdiocesan radio stations and Radio Maria of the Diocese of Tarlac.  Present among the faithful were the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,  who led the prayer of consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Popular movie personality-turned-governor, Vilma Santos Recto led the Consecration of Batangas Province to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Lipa City Mayor, Atty. Oscar Gozos and his wife offered flowers to the crowned image of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.

Ih his homily, Bishop Guillermo Afable of Digos Diocese in Mindanao recounted how two Bishops from what are now dioceses of Digos (Davao) and Kidapawan(Cotabato), despite the negative verdict on Lipa apparition, still consecrated their then-parish churches to Mary Mediatrix of all Grace in the early 50s.  His own Cathedral in Digos is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under this title.  He also learnt that in Lipa,  the title of Mary Mediatrix is still to be affixed to the proposed parish in the Archdiocese. He publicly expressed his support for the move to revive the Carmel case and also to have the proposed 5th Marian dogma solemnly proclaimed.  This was wildly cheered by the devotees!

Proposed 5th Marian Dogma to be Presented during National Pilgrimage

(September 5, 2009) –  The 6th National Marian Pilgrimage for world Peace and Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy, slated for September 12, the feast of the Holy Name of Mary,  will feature not only Marian devotions  like praying the Rosary,  the celebration of the Eucharist, consecration of the country to the twin Hearts of Jesus and Mary.  This year’s pilgrimage will also mark the opening day of the First Asia-Oceania Mariological Conference,  to completed at its venue in Alfonso, Cavite.

“Paring Batangas” posts 3rd win

(September 3,2009) –  Paring Batangas, the basketball team composed of priests from the Archdiocese of Lipa,  notched its third win at the expense of the priest-basketeers of the Diocese of Paranaque at the resumption of the on-going Pari-lympics at the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary gym at San Carlos Seminary Compound in Makati City. Also known as the Cardinal Sin Cup,  the tournament features nine teams coming from the Archdioceses of Manila (hosts) and Lipa, Dioceses of Malolos, Cubao, Antipolo, Paranaque, Novaliches, Lucena, and guest team Legaspi.

Archbishop Streamlines Body Overseeing Centennial Celebration

(August 28, 2009) –  Prior his departure for Geneva,  Archbishop Ramon Arguelles streamlined the Executive  Committee overseeing the planning for the celebration of the Centennial Jubilee 2010. Naming Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan, Vicar General, as head,  a Central Steering Committee was set up in lieu of the multi-layered Executive Committee.  According to the Archbishop,  this will lessen the number of people coming to a meeting, avoid overlapping of functions and makes the line of responsibility easier to define.  

The Central Steering Committee will act as the coordinating body to the Archbishop and the different committees previously set up by the former larger body, set general directions for the centennial celebration, monitor activities,  work with the committees as animator, and facilitates the flow of information regarding the centennial celebration.  As a started, according to Msgr. Dimaculangan,  the Central Steering Committee met last August 24 at the Archbishop’s Residence to map out the actions that they are to take.

The newly-streamlined body is composed of Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan as head with Fr. Manny Guazon, Fr. Eyong Ramos, Fr. Jojo Gonda, Fr. Randy Marquez, OSJ, Fr. Gamelin Balita and Fr. Oscar Andal.  Fr. Manny Guazon was formerly over-all chair of the program committee that oversee all the programs of the three-year preparation.  Fr. Jojo Gonda was co-chair of the program for first year ; Fr. Eyong Ramos co-chair for second year; and, Fr. Randy Marquez, co-chair of this last and third year program.  Fr. Gamelin Balita is Dean of Vicars Forane,  while Fr. Oscar Andal is the Archdiocesan Chancellor.  

During that meeting,  plans for the opening of the Centennial, April 10, 2010 was discussed.  The plan is set to be presented to the archbishop in a meeting set for August 31, Monday. 

Lipa Gears for the 6th Marian Pilgrimage to Carmel

All roads will lead to the Mediatrix Shrine at Lipa this September 12!

The Archdiocese of Lipa is bracing itself for the influx of Marian devotees for the 6^th Marian Pilgrimage for Word Peace and Sanctification of the Clergy on September 12.  Making it more meaningful,  the Pilgrimage will also mark the first day of the four-day First Asia Oceania Mariological Conference (FOMC) with noted Marian theologians, Dr. Mark Miravalle, STD, and Msgr. Dr. Arthur Calkins, STD, giving their lectures on the proposed 5^th Marian dogma.

Archbishop to Religion Teachers: Be Faithful to the Magisterium

(August 14, 2009) – Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles met with more than 200 religion teachers in Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Lipa, together with the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) catechists, in his residence as part of his personal effort to reach out to all the sectors in the Archdiocese to drum up the evangelization efforts being undertaken in preparation to the celebration of the Centennial Jubilee of the local Church in 2010.

Lipa Clergy had Neo Experience for Annual Retreat

In order to know the Neo-Catechumenal Way up closer,  Archbishop Ramon Arguelles invited the responsible teams of neocatechumen catechists to facilitate the annual retreat of the Lipa clergy held last July 25-July 30 at the Carmelite Sisters Retreat Center in scenic Tagaytay City.