The Carmelite Mission Office launched the new music album “Faith: Like and Share,” a collection of inspirational songs composed especially around the theme of mercy and compassion in connection with he recent pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the country.
The album features award-winning Filipino vocalists Laarni Lozada (ABS-CBN “Pinoy Dream Academy” Season 2 Grand Star Dreamer); John Cadeliña (ABS-CBN “Pilipinas Got Talent” Season 2 Grand finalist); and Rocky Rosabal (first runner-up, 2014 Voice of McDonalds Worldwide Search), among other young artists.
Proceeds from the launch will be used to support the Carmelite mission to Papua New Guinea and the Carmelite ministry in poor communities in the Philippines.
To purchase copies of the music album, call Fr. Gilbert Billena, O.Carm., at 0942-3624145 or 0936-3249618; e-mail likeandshare2015@gmail.com.
Bamboo organ fest closes
At the St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas, the 40th edition of the International Bamboo Organ Festival closed last Feb. 27 with the gala performance of “Exodus,” described as consisting of “sacred rhapsodies” composed by Canada-based Filipino Divine Word liturgist Fr. Nicanor Matias Sengson.
The music was performed by Manila Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eudenice Palaruan; with Calvin Kleiner-Cheng on the organ; baritone Andrew Fernando; soprano Bianca Camille Lopez; and choral groups such as Las Piñas Boys Choir, University of the East Chorale and Asian Institute of Liturgical Music Chorale.
Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado blessed the audience before the concert closed.
Leo Reiner, executive director of the foundation that organizes the annual festival, said Sengson’s sacred music, while contemporary, clearly owes to the tradition of sacred music fostered during the Spanish period especially in the churches and mission territories of the great missionary orders, music that is often neglected in Philippine musicology.
He said even the bamboo organ was constructed by Recollect friar Fr. Diego Cerra, who was also an engineer and scientist and who was sent by the Royal court of Spain because of the demand for organists, a proof of how music and culture were valued during the Spanish period.
Father Sengson, who used to teach at the UST Conservatory of Music before his assignment to Canada, said “Exodus” is a “vigil” following the earliest and most venerable tradition of the Christian faith.
He added that sacred music is for everyone, even for non-Catholics or non-Christians. “It has healing properties,” he said. “It challenges, provokes, sustains, inspires and nurtures a change in thought, reasoning, sentiment, attitude and well-being.”
Lenten retreat in Baguio
The Missionaries of Mary is also holding inviting everyone to the Lenten retreat it will be holding at the Sta. Catalina Retreat House, Baguio City on March 13-15. Registration fee of P3,500 includes board and lodging, transport, and retreat materials.
Theme is “Co-Journeying with Mary to the Foot of the Saving Cross of Christ.”
Retreat masters are Fathers Alino and Niez, and Bro. George Bersabe.
Call 6435091 or 7412830.
Centering Prayer retreat
Contemplative Outreach Ministry (COM) is holding an “introductory retreat” on Centering Prayer, March 13-15, at the Carmelites Center for Spirituality, Tagaytay City.
COM is also holding introductory workshops on Centering Prayer on March 21 at Don Bosco Parish, Santa Rosa, Laguna; and on April 18 at Don Bosco Parish, Makati.
Call 5015231; e-mail cop.secretariat@gmail.com.
Lent pilgrimage to Ilocos
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, will have Lenten Pilgrimage to Ilocos Norte on March 20-22.
Churches to be visited are Sta. Maria, San Agustin in Bantay, Metropolitan Cathedral in Vigan, St. John in Badoc, St. Augustine in Paoay, St. Monica in Sarrat and St. William the Hermit Cathedral in Laoag.
There will be an overnight stay in Pagudpud with side trip at Light House, Rock Formation, Windmills, Patapat and Aqua Grande.
Pilgrimage fee is P4,000.
Call 5235797 or 09157844446; FB (Assumption Parish Malate).
St. Thomas Aquinas Feast
The Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies (PDCIS) celebrated the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas at the San Pio V Building on Jan. 28, with a Mass presided by Fr. Michael Mascari, OP, Socius for the Intellectual Life of the Order of Preachers based at Santa Sabina, Rome.
In his homily, Father Mascari reminded his Filipino brethren about the inspiration of St. Thomas Aquinas.
“Truth is not acquired but it must be pursued,” the Socius said, explaining that truth is a gift from God that must be shared with others.
He also mentioned the importance of engaging in conversations.
“Dominicans must learn to share their ideas and opinions with one another,” he suggested, underscoring the value of listening.
After the Mass, the six fourth-year Dominican philosophy students delivered their theses before the students, professors, and alumni of PDCIS in the event called as “Lectio”; Brothers Roberto S. Castellano Jr., Rocky Niño L. Manire, Beaujorne Sirad A. Ramirez, Jose Nico P. Apa, Andrew S. Bautista, and Br. Paulo S. Sillonar.
Fr. Rudolf Steven Seño, OP, delivered a short talk about the ethics of St. Thomas Aquinas at Santo Domingo Parish Hall, where he highlighted the Natural Law and its application to religious life.
He proposed the concept of child’s play as an important element in balancing the four pillars of the Dominican life: prayer, study, community, and apostolic life.
E-mail announcements at lzulueta@inquirer.com.ph or noelmogate11@gmail.com.