IN PREPARATION FOR THE CENTENNIAL celebration of the Archdiocese of Lipa starting April 10, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles led a three-year preparation beginning with a Primer on the Centennial, instructing Fr. Manny Guazon to lead the group preparing it. The Vatican, at the same time, approved that visiting 21 churches in Batangas would grant pilgrims a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

On April 10, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, former Archbishop of Lipa, will officiate in the concelebrated Mass at San Sebastian Cathedral with 10 bishops and clergy. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, also an Archbishop of Lipa, will be homilist.

Theme of the celebration is ?Renewing a People toward Transformation like the Holy Family and Consecration to the Holy Trinity.?

Congress of Divine Mercy

On April 19-22, the Philippine Apostolic Congress on Mercy (Pacom) will take place in Lipa. In charge is Fr. Romy Mendoza. Invited as speakers are Msgr. Josefino Ramirez, Rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Imus Bishop Chito Tagle, Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David of San Fernando, Pampanga, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila and Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato.

Bishop Eric?s response

In response to the overwhelming welcome Bishop of Paris Eric de Moulins d? Amieu de Beaufort received from his cousins and relatives during the reunion at the Our Lady of Victory Chapel in Malabon, he said during his homily: ?Today, it is a great joy and deep emotion for me to be here. I remember especially my grandfather Henry de Moulins-Beaufort. He did love his grandmother who was also his godmother. When he came to the Philippines in 1959, he was deeply moved by the way he and his wife, my grandmother, were welcome, and he taught us to be grateful to those who helped our family during the dark years.

The name of Araneta has always been meaning faith and friendship to us. Events in the Philippines have always been of great interest to us. This part of the world is part of our world.

Much to my delight, I accompanied the Filipino community to Lisieux last October, when this community offered a beautiful mosaic reminding the ?People Power of 1986? to Saint Teresa sanctuary.?

The homecoming of Bishop Eric to Manila was a project of the Mission Catholique en France. He was accompanied by members of the Filipino community in Paris that included Elpi Caimoy, secretary-general; and Fr. Gil Apuli, chaplain of the Philippine Chaplaincy of Mission Catholique en France.

Those who came

Those present for Bishop Eric?s homecoming were Don Antonio J. Roxas of the Don Pedro Roxas side and his first cousin Beatriz Roxas. Heading the Felipe Roxas line were Consuelo Marcalain and Ricardo Ysmael; followed by John Spakowsk, Martina Spakowski and Pia Marcalain Spakowski, Kako Macarlain, Franco Alvarez, Camille Marcalain, Chantal Ysmael, Paolo Alvarez, Lolita Delgado Fansler and Doña Nelliie Delgado. The Tuasons were represented by Tonichi Tuason, Cuquita Matute Jordana (contact person for the Tuasons) Manuel Genato, Maripaz Godinez and her daughter Ciable, Maripaz?s sister Vicky Godinez, Nene Quimson and Lita Quimson.

Araneta-Zaragoza clan

From the Araneta-Zaragoza line came Doña Conchita Ortoll, Inma O. Mutuc, architect Ramon Zaragoza, Greggy Araneta and Elvira Araneta Avila (children of Don Luis Araneta), Carlos and Connie Araneta and their son Carlos and daughter-in-law Cay; Bomboy and Baby Araneta, Maria Angela del Rosario who was the co-organizer of the event; Marites Climent, Marilou Senn, Consuelito Velhagen, Celuch Manahan; Irene W. Araneta, Mitos Cabrera, Isabel Araneta; Mano Alcuaz, Nena A. Reyes, Binggay A. Lim, Robi and Kristine Lim; Ditas and Nenuca Araneta; Ramon and Marylou Albert; Conchitina Ladao, Maita and Richard Morse; Tony Santos-Ocampo, Vicky Santos Ocampo, Nino Santos-Ocampo who supervised the completion of Victoria Pavilion in time for the reception, Rory and daughter Nikki Santos-Ocampo. Marivic and Joe Concepcion, Erica, Bernie Concepcion and Enrique Concepcion, Marie Young, Francis Reyes and Eric Reyes; Lina Araneta Santiago and her daughter Danielle and Danielle?s husband lawyer Ed Lizares and their children Caroline and Edward.

Lina Santiago did a thorough research on the Roxas-Zaragoza-Araneta clans because (as she told me), she?s deep into families.

Sharing Christ?s home

The Brothers of Christ, a congregation founded by Servant of God Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz, will inaugurate its Sharing Christ Home, a home for the elderly, mentally challenged and out of school youth on Wednesday, March 17. It is at Crisanto de los Reyes Avenue in Barangay Biclatan, Gen. Trias, Cavite. Bishop Chito Tagle will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. and bless the facilities.

Healing Masses

Fr. Nelson Osorio, OSJ, will celebrate Healing Mass on March 21 at 9 a.m. in the Promenade in Virra Mall, Greenhills. On March 25 at 5 p.m., he will be at the St. Joseph Shrine in San Jose, Batangas.