CAGLILIOG is a small barrio in the town of Tinambac,
Camarines Sur that can only be reached by boat.
The parish is dedicated to St. Joseph and its pastor is Fr. Julio
Buena, a tall and strong priest who can take the rigors of
walking long miles to be able to reach his barangay chapels and
say Mass there.
The parishioners of Fr. Buena are mostly fishermen and farmers.
It is a poor parish, all right, but the dedication of its parish priest
inspires the people to stand by their faith.
It is a small parish, but the archbishop chose it to be the place
where to hold the priests' general assembly last June 29. Fr.
Buena was mighty proud and happy that his humble parish was
chosen for this special occasion.
He wished, however, that the parish was better equipped. He
does not have a pastoral center nor a decent convent where to
live and conduct church affairs.
Let's help build a pastoral center
Fr. Buena is appealing for help. St. Joseph will be very pleased.
Kindly write to Fr. Buena at St. Joseph Parish in Cagliliog,
Tinambac, Camarines Sur, or beep me at 141-020543. I'll be going
to Naga for the fiesta and I'll surely see him.
A message of faith from Padre Pio
WHEN Padre Pio was building a hospital for the poor in San
Giovanni Rotondo, he put out the first donation--a small gold
coin which was given to him by a devotee. That small donation
spawned millions of liras given out by devotees from all over
the world at that time because it was given with love.
In the book ''City on a Mountain--Padre Pio,'' the holy priest was
talking about charity.
He said: ''One single act of love on the part of man, one single
act of charity is so great in God's eyes that He could not repay it
even with the immense gift of the entire Creation. Love is the
spark of God in man's soul, it is the very essence of God
personified in the Holy Spirit.''
Not a 'wishy-washy' Catholic
What I learned from the life of Padre Pio is his total dedication
as a priest and as a child of God. He taught us to be dedicated
and committed as well; to be faithful to the Commandments, to
be committed to attending Masses on Sundays. Padre Pio
taught us not to be ''wishy-washy,'' like even in trying to help
others less fortunate.
Perhaps, if we followed his example, we would be less lonely,
empty. Perhaps, if we thought less of ourselves, we would
experience ''the peace that surpasseth all understanding.''
Father Act in concert
THE DIOCESAN clergy of Antipolo launched the third season
of Father Act in a standing-room-only audience at the
Assumption College-Antipolo, July 30.
The concert featured 19 priests of the diocese, swinging and
singing not only standard religious songs, but also love songs
and Centennial-inspired songs in pop and retro beat.
The singing priests, calling their group Father Act, are Rodney
Cruz, Rowie Reyes, Neil Tacbas, Francisco Deang, Lody Garcia,
Willy Gula, Rigo Guzman, Cunegundo Garganta, Lito Rocero,
Buddy Yun, Pepe Pedraja, Eymard Balatbat, Efren Villanueva,
Sandy Enhaynes, Gerald Mital and Ric Eguia.
The priests have banded together to raise funds for the
construction of the chapel at St. John Mary Vianney Seminary
at Hinulugang Taktak Road, Antipolo City.
The next concert is on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the covered gym
of Baras, Rizal. Please call Fr. Ric Eguia at tel. 951-5199 for more
info and for tickets.
The musical director is Eric Turralba, while David Gener T. Sasis
VI is choreographer and stage director. Nick Pacis is musical
arranger.
Psychic vibrations
I MET psychic Purita Alvior one time and she told me I would
travel soon. True enough, I left for New York last July. When I
saw her again, she said that I would leave the country again.
Whether you believe in psychics or not, you sometimes wonder
why things they say come true. You can see Purita Alvior at the
Pan Pacific Hotel coffee shop from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Bishop Cariqo at Lourdes Parish
BISHOP Nestor Cariqo will celebrate the High Mass marking the
feast of Our Lady of Salvacion, on Aug. 21, 6 p.m., at Our Lady
of Lourdes Parish in Retiro, QC. Special guest is Ms Sonya
Mathay, a devotee. Organizing the event is the Family Rosary
Crusade-Lourdes chapter. Bicolanos are invited.
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