Posts made in December, 2009

4th Sunday of Advent-20 December 2009

Posted by on Dec 20, 2009 in Sunday Reflections | 0 comments

Luke 1 : 39 – 45 Year C Mary set out quickly ….. Why is Mary in such a hurry? She reminds us of the haste of God, the divine Spouse of the Song of Songs: Leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills (Song. 2:8) to go to free His exiled people. It is the same desire that presses You, Lord, to come and free us from our sins. And it is You Who inspires Mary, Your Mother to hasten to the mountains of Judea, to carry to John the joyful news of Your coming on earth. And me, what about me? What is my enthusiasm to follow You? and firstly to hear Your voice? Be quick to listen! recommends St. James (Jas.1:19) …. quick to listen through the words of Scripture … And through the calls which I receive from people, my brothers. Grant us the fervour and the haste of Mary, Your Mother! She greeted Elizabeth … Undoubtedly she said “Shalom”, “Peace to you!” But through this ordinary salutation of Mary, it is already Your peace with is offered to people, Jesus, that which You will obtain for us through Your death and Resurrection, that which, risen, You will bring to Your disciples: Peace be with you!… that which You never cease to offer to us through the Sacraments: Your peace, the joy of being loved by God, the joy of being His child. John the Baptist mysteriously understood Your message of salvation and peace: he leaped for joy. What are my greetings worth? Am I a bringer of joy for those I meet? Is it Your joy, Your peace that I convey to them? Am I in a hurry to carry Your love to my brothers, like You, like...

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3rd Sunday of Advent-13 December 2009

Posted by on Dec 13, 2009 in Sunday Reflections | 0 comments

Gospel : Luke 3 : 10 – 18 Year C Crowds came to be baptised …. “Crowds”: The word could seem like an exaggeration. Without doubt crowds are seen heading to where something extraordinary is happening … However when it’s about a call to conversion, to penitence …. it’s another story! There is not such enthusiasm! But the word draws us forward from the time of John the Baptist. It is to the crowds of the whole world and of all eras, it is to us, to-day, that this call is addressed. We are all called to come and “be baptised”, to come and “immerse” ourselves in the divine water which You bring us, Lord. What must we do? That’s the important question! What do You expect of me, Lord? What do You want me to do? And it’s not simply once in my life, or even from time to time, but frequently during my days that I should turn to You and ask what do You expect of me, what You are asking of me …. Your answer, I can find in Your example, throughout Your earthly life. How often You said : My aim is to do not My own will, but the will of Him Who sent Me … I always do what pleases Him (Jn.5:30, 8:29) … Thank You for this example, Lord. Let us know how to turn ourselves towards the Father with the same simplicity, the same love, the same trust! John answered them : He gives everyone a concrete message, which responds to what he is and what he sees. The love of God is offered to all, but everyone welcomes and responds to it according to his own heart, his own state in life. The same divine life remains in all, but it produces different flowers and fruits in everyone. May I be, Lord, for You and for others, the flower which You desire, there where You want me to...

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2nd Sunday of Advent – 6 December 2009

Posted by on Dec 6, 2009 in Sunday Reflections | 0 comments

Gospel : Luke 3 : 1 – 6 Year C In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius … Your coming among us, Lord Jesus, is important to all people. St. Luke makes this understood by naming all the celebrities of the world at that time, civil and religious, Jews and Pagans. He calls them all together to come and listen to the message transmitted through John the Baptist, a call to welcome Him Who comes to save them. This message is addressed also to us to-day, to all people …. I must hear it, and re-hear it to let it enlighten my life, and also to make it known to others. John went through the whole Jordan district …. John was “the voice” which proclaimed the Word of God. It is the mission of Christians down through the centuries. It is my mission. John announced You, Lord, as much by his life as by his words. Itshould be the same for us. What we say has no value unless we live it, unless we put it into practice ourselves. Let us be logical, let us be messengers through our entire life. He proclaimed a Baptism of conversion for the forgiveness of sins. “Baptism of conversion”: Baptism is an “immersion” in Conversion. In Hebrew, conversion means returning to the beginning and taking a different direction. In Greek, it means changing views, opinions. It is therefore to a radical change that You are calling us, Lord. We must renounce our “sins”, our self-centred lives in order to be open to You and to welcome Your love. To be converted … It would be great to do this quickly, once and for all …. but as it is, we must re-commence constantly! Grant us Lord, day after day, courage, and above all, love, to continue a permanent conversion …. with concern for drawing others towards You, helping them to discover that You love them, and helping them to respond to Your love, because All people will see the salvation of...

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Five New SSS Professed Religious

Posted by on Dec 4, 2009 in Congregation, NEWS | 0 comments

It was on October 31, 2009 that five SSS scholastics who joined the International Preparation for Perpetual Profession Program (IP4) made their Perpetual Vows which was presided by the Very Reverend Father Fiorenzo Salvi, SSS, Superior General of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament at Sta. Cruz Parish, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines. They were Br. Mario Jose Parlingayan, SSS from the Philippines, Br. Emil Indika Rodrigo, SSS from Sri Lanka, and Brs. John Baptist Tran Dihn Thang, SSS, Dominic Mai Xuan Thoung, SSS and Joseph Nguyen Minh Toan, SSS from Vietnam. It was a great joy for the Congregation to celebrate this event in the occasion of the Year for Priests. Let us pray for them that they will be faithful followers and servants of the Church and that they may persevere in their chosen vocation. To view some photos of their profession of vows, please click...

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SSS General’s visit to the Philipines

Posted by on Dec 2, 2009 in Congregation, NEWS | 0 comments

The Blessed Sacrament community in Davao City, Philippines was blessed to be visited by the superiors of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament fathers and brothers. Last November 2-5, 2009, Fr. Fiorenzo Salvi, SSS (Superior General), Fr. Bong Luistro, SSS (Vicar General), and Fr. Jhess Malit, SSS (Provincial Superior-Philippines) visited the community. The visit was an opportunity for them to see the condition of the community and the parish it administers. They encouraged the religious and the people associated with the mission of the congregation to become effective Eucharistic evangelizers. In the Mass presided by Fr. Fiorenzo, he expressed his appreciation of the people’s participation in the mission and life of the Sacramentinos. During their stay in Davao, Fathers Fiorenzo, Bong and Jhess have a hectic schedule. Aside from meeting the various groups of the parish, they visited some GKK (Basic Ecclesial Communities) areas and the soon-to-be Sacramentino Village. They too made a courtesy call to the Archbishop of Davao, His Grace Fernando Capalla. The three also had the chance to meet and discuss formation issues with the postulants. Fr. Fiorenzo expressed his amazement in the uniqueness of the community – a pastoral community and at the same time an effective formation house for the postulants. In his meeting with the professed community composed of Frs. Frankie, Felix, Roel, Hermie and Br. Marlon, he commended them for their efforts to integrate all important aspects of the life of a Blessed Sacrament religious: prayer, apostolate, formation, and community life. The Superiors’ fellowship with Eucharistic organizations and with the Blessed Sacrament fathers, brothers and sisters was also one memorable part of the visit. The Father-General participated in the program and sang a gregorian chant version of the Ave Maria. In his inspirational message, he thanked everyone for the very warm welcome and hospitality uniquely expressed by the Davao Community. Aside from Davao Community, the Superior General and his Vicar are scheduled to visit the other communities of the Philippine Province including the two communities in Hawaii, USA. To view the photos of Fr. General’s visit to Davao City, Philippines, please click...

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