The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has assured the next administration of its “vigilant collaboration.”
In a “post-election statement” (“Get Up and Let’s Go!”) issued on May 9, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, assured those elected of the prayers of bishops so they “may discern God’s will for his people and courageously do as he bids.”
“God… calls you to service and to care for the weakest and the most distressed in our midst,” Villegas writes. “Children need care that cannot be postponed. And many women still find themselves in situations of exploitation. Indigenous peoples remain marginalized and the vaunted growth in the economy still has to mean something significant for Filipinos living outside urban areas.”
“The greatest promise the Church can offer any government is vigilant collaboration, and that offer, we make now,” Villegas adds. “We will urge our people to work with the government for the good of all, and we shall continue to be vigilant so that every so often we may speak out to teach and to prophesy, to admonish and to correct—for this is our vocation.”
Marian seminar
May as Marian pilgrimage month is among key topics to be discussed in the Marian Encounter Seminar on May 29, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the University of Santo Tomas Tan Yan Kee Student Center, España, Manila. Resource person will be Fr. Roberto Luanzon, OP, vice rector of the UST Central Seminary.
Seminar theme is “Mary: Mystical Rose.” There will be a talk on St. Louie Marie de Montfort’s “Secret of the Rosary” by Fr. Benjie Notarte of the Society of Montfort Missionaries.
In connection with the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Fr. Francis Tiquia of the Diocese of San Pablo will discuss “Saints of the Divine Mercy (St. Faustina Kowalska and St. John Paul II) and the Sacred Heart of Jesus (St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque). Tiquia is the spiritual director of the Mary, Help of Christians Crusade and Alliance of the Holy Family International (Phils.).
Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be at 3 p.m. Floral offering and distribution of the rosary after the Eucharistic celebration will be presided by Fr. Arturo Pestin, OP, director of pastoral care services, UST Hospital. Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary will follow.
Mariology series is organized by the Missionaries of Mary, a lay Marian community, in partnership with Radio Veritas (846 AM). Seminar fee of P150 includes lunch and snacks. Call 7412830.
Sr. Myrna Francia, ICM
Family and friends of the late Sr. Myrna Hunt Francia will gather on May 21, her golden jubilee as a nun of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM).
Fr. Eugene Cañete, MJ, will celebrate the 9:45 a.m. Mass at the chapel of Queen of Peace Convent on Banawe Street, Quezon City. Lunch reception will follow at De Meester Residence at the ICM compound.
Sister Myrna died on June 7, 2010; she was 68. She had been at various times a missionary in Mati, Davao Oriental, and among informal settlers in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City; a teacher of philosophy at St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City and Cebu; chaplain to students and faculty at St. Louis University in Baguio City; and chair of the District Team for ICM Philippines.
A year after her death, her family and close friends launched the Sr. Myrna Francia Memorial, Inc. (SMFMI), a foundation to help needy but promising high school graduates get a technical-vocational education and find jobs. Bagong Barrio was chosen as the pilot site of the scholarship program.
Three years ago SMFMI published a biography of Francia, “The Party’s Over: A Nun for Modern Times.” Proceeds from the sale of the book support the foundation.
Novena to St. Dominic
In connection with the 800th anniversary of the Dominican order, Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City is holding every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., the perpetual novena to Santo Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers (OP). Everyone is invited.
E-mail announcements to lzulueta @inquirer.com.ph or [email protected].
