Tiples de Santo Domingo, the famous boys choir of Santo Domingo Church, will mount the Christmas concert, “Benedicere,” on Dec. 13, 8 p.m., at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Also the oldest existing choir in the Philippines, Tiples will be performing in connection with the Jubilee of the foundation of the Order of Preachers (OP). More popularly known as the Dominicans, OP is marking its 800th anniversary this year as one of the Church’s most influential religious orders.
Tiples, under choral director Eugene de los Santos, will perform with the Dominican student-brothers and special guests such as pianist and CCP President Raul Sunico, soprano Thea Perez, tenor Ronan Ferrer, harpist Lourdes Gregorio, and the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets are available at Ticketworld.com.ph or Santo Domingo Church (tel. 7126271).
Fr. Guido remembered
Santuario de San José in Greenhills, in celebration of its golden jubilee next year, recently unveiled the life-size statue of Fr. Guido Bertagnolli Coletti of the Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ) who built the parish church in Mandaluyong in 1967. The occasion was officiated by OSJ vicar general Fr. John Atulli, provincial superior Fr. Jayson Endaya, OSJ, and parish priest Fr. Alex V. Magtibay.
Unveiling was witnessed by by Gerry and Zonet Lanuza, sculptor Antonino Raymundo and parishioners.
Fr. Guido was born on April 30, 1912, in Trento, Italy.
He entered the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph at an early age and was ordained priest in 1937. He first served as a pastor in Ibaan, Batangas. The rest of his years were spent at Santuario de San José, Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City. He died at the age of 84 on Nov. 21, 1996.
For Fr. Guido, “There is nothing wrong to ask for money or for any kind help… if you are given, thank God; if not, thank God also!”
This is the philosophy that made possible the construction of five churches, six schools and six other religious edifices.
Persecuted Syrians
During the launch of the Philippine office of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Syrian Bishop Antoine Chbeir of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Latakia condemned “western powers” for fueling the Syrian conflict. “What is happening in Syria is not our war but western war,” he declared. “Everybody is taking advantage of the conflict.”
Chbeir deplored the Islamic State group attacks earlier this year in his diocese that had become an evacuation site for Christian and Muslim refugees from all over Syria. Some 200 people were killed.
Chbeir said those who witnessed the horrors of war suffered from “traumatism” and depression.
Syrian Majd al-Jalhoum, a young dentist and church volunteer, recalled the siege of Homs, the capital of the Syrian opposition. She said the church there had put up the St. Peter’s Relief Centre to treat the wounded and take care of refugees.
She warned that 30 percent of Christian Syrians had left to seek shelter and safety abroad.
Persecution in Malawi
Meanwhile, Bishop Montfort Stima of the Diocese of Mangochi in Malawi deplored the persecution and harassment by the majority Muslims of the Christian minority.
With the opening of the ACN Philippine office, Filipino Catholics can now help in mobilizing resources and raising money to provide relief to persecuted Christians around the world.
This year, ACN is spending 160 million euros (some $172 million) to assist persecuted Christians and non-Christian religionists around the world.
For assistance, visit the ACN office at CBCP headquarters in Intramuros, Manila or e-mail [email protected].
Novenas
Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City is holding every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., the perpetual novena to Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order.
It is also holding the perpetual novena to the Santissimo Rosario La Naval de Manila every Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Mass follows at 6 p.m.
E-mail [email protected].
