The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)  has set the implementation of the New English Translation of the Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent  2012 (Dec. 2).  This would be the third edition of the Roman Missal and the bishops deemed it necessary that preparations be made to help the faithful better understand and appreciate the changes in the way we will celebrate the Mass.

In response to this challenge of our Bishops, the Pink Sisters, with its lay collaborators, the Eucharistic Adorers’ League, have chosen this theme for the 24th Eucharistic Congress, “Understanding the Revised Order of the Mass.” The congress will be held Nov. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Speakers are Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado,  Fr. Timoteo J.M. Ofrasio, SJ, and Fr.  Apolinario L. Ty, SSS.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco  will preside over the Mass.   Marife Baculid-Zamora is in charge of this year’s Congress.

This is an annual event held at the St. Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters) on  71 Hemady and 11th Streets,  New Manila, QC.  Registration is free; it starts 6:30 a.m.

Diaconate ordination

The morning ordination of three theologians from the Order of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers on Oct. 23 at the order’s convent, 34 Hemady, Street was awesome.

Cabanatuan Bishop Bancud, SSS, ordained Bro. Vergel Dalangin, Bro. Allen Peña and Bro. Lennen Deciar deacons.  Bishop Bancud said as deacons, they have to keep God’s flock alive.

Fr. Apolinario Ty, SSS, the Father Provincial, presented the candidates for diaconate.  Fr. Sebastian “Bong” Luistro, assistant superior general, came from Rome to attend the ordination representing the generalate.  The order of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers was founded by St. Peter Julian Eymard.

Miraculous Medal Shrine fiesta

Managed by the Congregation of Mission founded by St. Vincent de Paul, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Posadas Village, Parañaque,  will celebrate its fiesta with novena Masses (Nov. 18-26).  Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado will officiate the concelebrated Fiesta Mass on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.  Fr. Vic Torres is parish priest.

Novena Masses

The novena Masses are at 6 p.m., and their celebrants are: for Nov. 18, Fr. Frank Vargas, CM;  Nov. 19,  Fr. Francisco Magnaye, CM; Nov . 20, Fr. Raymundo Regua, CM;  Nov. 21 ( Fr. Bernardo Diaz, CM);  Nov. 22,   Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP;  Nov. 23,  Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ; Nov. 24, Msgr. Matt Garcia; Nov. 25, Fr. Peter Solis, CM; Nov. 26, 7 a.m., Fr. Fernando Suarez, and at  6 p.m.,  Fr. Randy Agner, CM.

Fiesta Masses:  6 a.m., Fr. Victoriano Torres, CM; 7:30 a.m, Fr. Raul Abetria, CM; 9 a.m., Fr. Vince Robles, CM; 11 a.m., Fr. Dave Dominguez, MCCJ;  12:30 p.m., Fr. Rolando  Tuazon, CM; and  3 p.m., Fr. Bienvenido Dulfo, CM.

Miraculous Medal fiesta in Ermita

At the St. Vincent de Paul St. on San Marcelino St., Ermita, novena Masses in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will be on Nov. 18-26 at 5:15 p.m., except on Saturdays and Sundays when the novena is at 5 p.m.  Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani will officiate  the Concelebrated Mass on Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. Procession will follow.  Those who want to sponsor Masses can go to the parish office.

Incidentally, Fr. Rene Ruellos who says Mass in honor of St. Nicholas of Bari every Monday at 8 a.m. in San Marcelino Church advises readers in  the provinces to write to him for novenas.  Write to Fr. Rene Ruellos, San Vicente de Paul Parish, 959 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila.   Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for easier mailing.

Remedios, Malate fiesta

Ongoing in Malate Church is the Novena of Masses in honor of Our Lady of Remedies until Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Theme of celebration is “Mary, source of inspiration towards change in society.”

Celebrants are Fr. Sanny de Claro (Nov. 11); Fr. Enrico Martin Adoviso (Nov. 12);  Msgr. Hernando Coronel (Nov. 13);  Fr. Benjie Ledesma (Nov. 14);  Fr. Jose Rendon, Jr. (Nov. 15);  Fr. Lorenz Moises Festin (Nov. 16);  Fr. Genaro Diwa (Nov. 17);  Fr. Asis Bajao (Nov. 18);  and Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue (Nov. 19).

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales will officiate in the Concelebrated Mass on Nov. 20 (fiesta day) at 9 a.m.

Our Lady of Remedies is patroness of pregnant women praying for safe delivery.

Joyful mysteries for Mozambique

Let us pray the Joyful Mysteries (Nov. l4) for the intentions of Mozambique, Africa: That it would heal from the prolonged civil war; return to the ranks of true electoral  democracies; for economic policies that would protect the poor from inflation;  for improvement in its education system; and  for the control of HIV/AIDS.

Christmas in Bethlehem

Adam’s Travel will lead Filipino pilgrims to the Church of the Nativity in the Holy Land on Dec. 18. This structure was built over a cave and   considered the oldest church in the world. Visited by millions of devotees every year, the Church of the Nativity remains the focus in Holy Land pilgrimages.   Those interested to join may call Adams Express Travel 5211651 or 5223876.

‘There be Dragons’ showing

Here are the movie houses where the film “There be Dragons” are being shown Nov. 9-15:  SM North, TriNoma, Glorietta, SM Megamall, Festival Mall and SM South Mall.  It is a beautiful story woven around the life St. Josemaria Escriva during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.