2. NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH
5 to 13 March at 7:30 pm
St. Michael Parish, Blacktown

3. FEAST OF ST JOSEPH
14 March 2010 (Sunday) at 10:45 am
St. Michael School Ground,  Blacktown
Lunch: 12:00nn
Final Singing Contest and other Entertainments

4. LENTEN RECOLLECTION
20 March 2010 (Saturday)
Mt Schoenstatt Conference and Retreat Centre
230 Fairlight Road, Mulgua

5. PABASA
1 April 2010 (Thursday) at 8:00 pm
Filipino Chaplaincy Pastoral House
62 Orwell St, Blacktown

6. STATION OF THE CROSS
2 April 2010 (Friday) at 11:00 am
St Michael School Ground, Blacktown

7. SALUBONG
4 April 2010 (Easter Sunday) at 4:30 am
St Michael School Ground

MARIAN RECOLLECTION 2009 (Theme: Reflecting the Faces of Mary)

28 October 2009 (Wednesday)

8:00-8:20 pm- Praying of the Holy Rosary
8:20-9:05 pm- Topic: The Face/s of Mary in the Philippines (Church)

9:05-9:10 pm- Night Prayer

29 October 2009 (Thursday)

7:30-7:35 pm- Opening prayer
7:35-8:20 pm- Topic: The Faces/s of Mary in the Universal Church

8:20-8:30 pm- Night prayer and Benediction

30 October 2009 (Friday)

7:30-8:00 pm- Praying of the Holy Rosary
8:00-9:00 pm- Holy Mass

Fellowship

All Souls Day Mass

31 October 2009 (Saturday)

10:00 AM - Pinegrove Memorial Park, Kington St., Minchinbury

NOVEMBER 2009

9 November 2009 ( Monday)

7:30 PM - 4SM core group meeting at FilChap House

12 November 2009 (Thursday)

7:30 PM – meeting of invited groups for the Feast of St. Joseph,
At FilChap House

13 November 2009 (Friday)

7:30 PM – Formation for core groups of 2SM, 3SM and 4SM

16 November 2009 (Monday)

7:30 PM – Formation for Acolytes at FilChap House

DECEMBER 2009

16 - 24 December 2009 - Misa de Gallo, 4:30 AM at St. Michael’s Church, Orwell St, Blacktown.

31 December 2009 (Thursday) - Solemnity of Mary Mass, 9:30 PM at St. Michael’s Church

MARCH 2010

14 March 2010 (Sunday) - Feast of St. Joseph’s celebration at St. Michael’s School Ground

27 March 2009 (Saturday) - Lenten Recollection

APRIL 2010

1 April 2010 (Holy Thursday) – Pabasa, 8:00 PM at FilChap House

2 April 2010 (Good Friday) – Way of the Cross, 11:00 AM at St. Michael’s School Ground

4 April 2010 (Easter Sunday)

- Salubong, 5:00 AM at St. Michael’s School Ground
- Easter Family Picnic after the Mass

When I heard that there were GK villages in Cambodia, I knew people would have to go and visit. So Kris Alegrid and I ventured to Cambodia on the 7th March for a seven-day journey. We wanted to meet with the GK workers, the beneficiaries and find out about Cambodia, so that we could encourage more people to visit the GK Cambodia in the future.  What Kris and I saw was similar to the poverty in the Philippines – there were people scavenging in rubbish areas, kids begging for money, roadside and riverbank shanties, and squatters on land and in buildings, albeit, more tame and less harsh than the bustling city streets and towering buildings of Manila.

Cambodia is a developing country with a population of around 14 million people.. Despite its brutal history during the reign of Pol Pot, Cambodia is widely known as a peaceful country, possessing a low crime rate making it safe for tourists to walk around the streets (even at night). It is, therefore, a ‘worry-free’ place for GK GATers to visit!

Kris and I were even able to briefly delve into the life of a “tuktuk” driver. It was amazing when Piset, the “tuktuk” driver, invited us to come with him to see his home. He led us through the busy streets onto a rugged narrow alley way and into a dwelling barely the size of a GK house. With the few English words he knew, Piset told us about his family. It was humbling to witness the life of a happy and hardworking man. Although he was not living in a GK village, he lives by the GK principles of no drinking, no gambling, no smoking and working hard to send his son to a Khmer and English school. We also met Sister Louise, a nun stationed at the Catholic Church in Seam Reap, who ran classes for a few strayed kids and who looked after seven surrounding poor villages – building houses, running health and hygiene programs, similar to the GK style. In our travels we visited the GK Rafaella Village, the second GK village established in Cambodia. It celebrated its first anniversary on the 27th February, 2008. It comprises of 20 families who used to be trash scavengers,
but now mostly work as – market vendors, plant growers, cooks in a hotel, bakers, etc – thanks to the GK livelihood programs.

The most difficult challenge Kris and I encountered in the village was the language barrier, since there was only one person in the village that we knew who could speak English. We spent a few days and nights in the village and most of the time we spent was playing charades, just to communicate with them. Though they could not speak English, most of them could understand; and although they knew Kris and I could not understand their language they persisted in speaking to us, as if hoping that if they spoke to us for long enough, we would understand.

Being a Filipino, I remembered the non-Filipinos who visited the GK villages in the Philippines; now I can say that I know how they felt. After one year, GK Rafaella Village still has some structures to complete – a SIBOL school, a concrete canal and a wall at the outer surrounds. The GK workers in Cambodia, led by Andrew Chua, are currently seeking opportunities to establish a third GK village. These plans sound exciting but more work needs to be done, more houses need to be built and more volunteers need to visit Cambodia.  Contact me on 0410573429 if you are interested in going for GKYGAT Cambodia 2010!

1st Australian team to join the Bayani Challenge in Sulu Mindanao

Team Southern Cross who made history to be the 1st Australian team to join the Bayani Challenge in Sulu Mindanao in April 2009.  Their experience truly showed liberation from religious prejudice, uniting to fight a common enemy of peace - that which is poverty.

2008 was the first year GK YGAT split into the three main groups – LVM (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao). Being in team Visayas (“go Visayas!”), we encountered a non-Tagalog dialect but somehow, through improvised hand signals we were able to communicate with the locals and form deep connections with them. The main villages we visited were in Bacolod: ERH GK Village & Sinagayan Village. Here we tackled tasks of farming (with the help of caribou), painting, laying foundations for two GK houses and also preparing the ground for a six-feet deep septic tank.

One vivid memory I have from the build was when we were about four-feet deep in the septic tank that we were digging. Our only tools were four shovels and two rusty metallic picks. It was around 2pm and the harsh heat of the afternoon sun was at its fiercest but we continued to dig because it was our last day at that village. All thirty of us took turns and relieved the tired so we could get through as much as we could on our last day. The temperature was in its mid-thirties and humidity was high. We were all sweating and exhausted. Then I remember seeing this little local kid no older than seven, who had been watching us for the last two days, suddenly walk towards us. Without saying a single word, he jumped down into the pit and picked up one of the spare shovels (which was much taller than him) and started to dig. Witnessing this simple action sparked a fire and willingness in our hearts to go on. Eventually more kids came down to help, carrying dirt and digging – all of us side by side. It was a funny, warming and encouraging sight for this little boy to open up his own heart to us through such a simple deed. For him to have crossed his own boundary and courageously lend a helping hand was very inspiring and in turn, I realized the effect that we had as volunteers to these people in the village. We too were crossing our own boundaries (physical and emotional) to help these people – our fellow Filipino brothers and sisters. And it was at this point in time when I saw the ‘hope’ for future generations to come.

Last year was my first year to come to GK YGAT and having already heard a lot people’s experiences I immersed myself in the program with an open heart and with no expectations. And with that I have come to learn and embrace many things. As a Filipino, I have come to appreciate my heritage more and be proud of my background. As a Catholic, I have come to see the immense ‘hope’ and ‘love’ that the Holy Spirit brings to those in need. And as a person, I have come to see life more clearly and I now strive to take more value in the simple things that God has given me.

Before my GK YGAT experience, I was tempted to think that the problem of eradicating poverty was too great and too impossible of a task. Being in a country so blessed with opportunities, I was sometimes misled to think that poverty was so disparate from my world and that ‘someone else’ would take care of it. Now I know that poverty is REAL. It is real for you and I – for all of us. Now I am inspired to be a bayani (hero), to be a bearer of hope for the poor, and to be a part of the movement to liberate the poor from poverty.  I invite you to be a hero for your mother country and join us for GK YGAT - Philippines 2010!

“One person at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time…”

It started in 2004 and runs throughout the year to places such as the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

For more details of upcoming GK YGATs, email gkygat@gk-youth.org or contact:
-    Josanne Musa on 0450 416 252  for Papua New Guinea (September 6-20, 2009)
-    JR Diaz on 0405 202 531 for Philippines (January 16-30, 2010)

You can also find information of other activities of GK Youth at www.gk-youth.org

Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated into English means “to give care”. Starting in the Philippines, it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world.

What started in 1995 as an initiative by Couples for Christ to rehabilitate juvenile gang members and help out-of-school youth, has now evolved into a movement for nation-building. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry, and as a result, providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.

To date GK is in over 2000 communities all over the Philippines and its holistic approach is being used as a template in other developing countries such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

For more information visit www.gawadkalinga.org

With a government in operation, Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines. He believed that such a move would inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards and at the same time, lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country. Mabini, who had by now been made Aguinaldo’s unofficial adviser, objected. He based his objection on the fact that it was more important to reorganize the government in such a manner as to convince the foreign powers of the competence and stability of the new government than to proclaim Philippine independence at such an early period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won.

* * *

On June 12, between four and five in the afternoon, Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit). For the first time, the Philippine National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza, was officially hoisted and the Philippine National March played in public. The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who also read it. A passage in the Declaration reminds one of another passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the proclamation. The proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated on August 1 when many towns has already been organized under the riles laid down by the Dictatorial Government.  (History of the Filipino People. Teodoro A. Agoncillo )

Proclamation of Philippine Independence

The most significant achievement of Aguinaldo’s Dictatorial Government was the proclamation of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. The day was declared a national holiday. Thousands of people from the provinces gathered in Kawit to witness the historic event. The ceremony was solemnly held at the balcony of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence. The military and civil officials of the government were in attendance.
A dramatic feature of the ceremony was the formal unfurling of the Filipino flag amidst the cheers of the people. At the same time, the Philippine National Anthem was played by the band. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista solemnly read the “Act of the Declaration of Independence” which he himself wrote. The declaration was signed by 98 persons. One of the signers was an American, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery. (The Philippines: A Unique Nation. Dr. Sonia M. Zaide)

Protectorate Proclaimed

Aguinaldo continued his moves for consolidation. The next step was the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. Appropriate celebrations marked the event in Kawit at which the Philippine flag was officially raised and the Philippine National Anthem first publicly played. The declaration was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista who patterned it after the American Declaration of Independence. Aguinaldo invited Dewey to the festivities, but the latter declined the invitation and did not even report the event to Washington. The declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, including an American office, L.M. Johnson, Colonel of Artillery. (The Philippines: A Past Revisited. Renato Constantino)

St Thomas More was born in England in 1478 into a legal family. His father persuaded him to study law—his first interest was in the humanities. He entered parliament and he also practiced as lawyer and diplomat. He was the first layman to become Lord Chancellor of England (1529) and for many years collaborated with Henry VIII in legal reform and in the political life of the nation. More’s fame as lawyer and politician was exceptional. This was an extraordinary man: a real ‘operator’, but with the highest ideals of integrity, moral sense and justice.
Thomas More was a (twice) married man and father of several children. He and his wife kept a warm, hospitable household in which guests (including the King) were valued and conversation welcomed. Thomas was also a man of deep prayer and intense religious belief.

At the time of St Thomas More’s appointment to the Chancellorship, Henry VIII was already seeking an end of his marriage to his Queen, Catherine, so as to marry Anne Boleyn. Henry’s wishes were not granted by the Pope and after a tense stand-off, Henry appointed a new Archbishop of Canterbury willing to declare the marriage annulled. Henry was moving towards an open break with Rome. He eventually required all clergy in England to acknowledge him as ‘Supreme Head’ of the Church.

St Thomas More opposed the King’s marriage plans and the King’s actions against papal supremacy. In 1532 More resigned as Chancellor and came under increasing suspicion by the King and his supporters. Eventually, in 1534, Thomas More’s refusal to acknowledge the heirs of Henry’s new marriage led to his imprisonment in the Tower of London. In 1535, after a trial in which he conducted himself with utter dignity, we was sentenced and beheaded at Tower Hill.
St Thomas More died as he lived: in faithfulness, goodness, with great courage, and with his professional reputation and integrity of the highest. His life and death remind us that heroic courage is not only for priests and religious but for working, professional people too. St Thomas More is a saint, God’s champion, a professional role model, and a figure of literally awesome courage.

In my own perspective, the Fellowship Committee has always played an important role in any activities of the Filipino Chaplaincy such as 4SM, St. Joseph Fiesta, Lenten activities, Recollection and any occasion for that matter.  Before the event, I almost always have sleepless nights thinking about the food to offer, if we will have enough or if the people I have called will respond, etc.  But the Holy Spirit has always been with us all the time and the food if not enough is always more than we can consume.

Without the special participation of my committee members as well as the assistance and support from the different organizations, this special task would not be as successful as it has ever been.   I found all of them to be very cooperative and supportive in any way they can to provide a wholesome service to the community.

I am still working full time and only have spare time to provide any service I could give to enable me to fulfill this role.  But I found it very gratifying when you have such wonderful members who are always willing to help even without any words to say.  The people who have been our contacts among the religious organizations are always there to assist and support even for short notice or advice.  They have always been very enthusiastic and eager to extend their participation not only in the Fellowship but also in the Liturgy every time I give them a call.  For this, I sincerely and greatly appreciate their efforts as being valuable members of the Filipino Chaplaincy.  They have always proven their worth and lending hands whenever the need arises.  I salute them all.

The Filipino Chaplaincy will not stop in its ministerial work to the community and because of this I will continually beset you for your contribution in its activities and projects.  I trust and hope that my fellow members and the members of the organizations are still willing and able.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for very much for everything.  I know the last was not the end of my call but always a beginning.  I know by heart that you are always there for Fr. Raning and the Filipino Chaplaincy.

God bless.

Mother’s Day History

The history of Mother’s Day is centuries old and goes back to the times of ancient Greeks, who held festivities to honor Rhea, the mother of the gods. The early Christians celebrated the Mother’s festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent to honor Mary, the mother of Christ. Interestingly, later on a religious order stretched the holiday to include all mothers, and named it as the Mothering Sunday. The English colonists settled in America discontinued the tradition of Mothering Sunday because of lack of time. In 1872 Julia Ward Howe organized a day for mothers dedicated to peace. It is a landmark in the history of Mother’s Day.
In 1907, Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948), a Philadelphia schoolteacher, began a movement to set up a national Mother’s Day in honor of her mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. She solicited the help of hundreds of legislators and prominent businessmen to create a special day to honor mothers. The first Mother’s Day observance was a church service honoring Anna’s mother. Anna handed out her mother’s favorite flowers, the white incarnations, on the occasion as they represent sweetness, purity, and patience. Anna’s hard work finally paid off in the year 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as a national holiday in honor of mothers.
Slowly and gradually the Mother’s day became very popular and gift giving activity increased. All this commercialization of the Mother’s day infuriated Anna as she believed that the day’s sentiment was being sacrificed at the expense of greed and profit.
Regardless of Jarvis’s worries, Mother’s Day has flourished in the United States. Actually, the second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year. Although Anna may not be with us but the Mother’s day lives on and has spread to various countries of the world. Many countries throughout the world celebrate Mother’s Day at various times during the year, but some such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May.

Mother’s Day and What it Really Means

To understand Mother’s Day and what it really means, you need to understand the person in your life called ‘Mother’. Mother is one who nurtures you in her womb for nine months and brings you forth to enjoy the supreme blessing on earth, that is, Life. Mother is one who guides you through your infancy and turns the soft, helpless creature to the powerful and successful YOU. She is the guardian angel protecting you and supporting you, feeling for you and serving you silently always with a smile on her face. She prides herself watching you grow and provides you a shoulder to cry on whenever you need. She is every child’s best friend.
For a child, every single day should be a Mother’s Day. The essence of the meaning of Mother’s Day is in the fact that we should try and make this day every year a memorable one for your mother. She should cherish the special feeling of this day and the intensity of that feeling should last her the lifetime.
This is the day to stop, remember, and pray for that special person in our life, without whom we would not have been, what we are today; a day to prove that all her efforts, towards making us a complete person, have been worthwhile and make her feel proud for us. In the broader sense of the term, Mother’s Day is a day to be grateful to God for being so kind as to bless us with an angel in the form of Mother.

The Year 2009 was greeted with a “big bang” and lots of lights with sparkles  and fireworks.
Another big event was Australia Day on the 26 January.
February is the month of love and the start for our Filipino Chaplaincy activity, the St Joseph Festival  Fundraising night on the 13 February 2009.
March is the month of the Big Event for our Chaplaincy , the Annual  Feast of St. Joseph , the husband of  Mary.

The excitement and enthusiasm of each Chaplaincy member who are very much  involved in the different committees is very evident on the first meeting  in  the Chaplaincy House.
Many ideas , concerns and voluntary work are overwhelming and has given a good start for the planning, implementation , and looking forward to the end result of the Big Event as a Success.
The different committees were formed, with new and old members working together in preparation for the improvement for a better if not the best Fiesta.
As one of the committee members, together with my husband, we felt the camaraderie and the genuine support of each member.
It is a wonderful feeling for a church member to be contributing in small or big ways on such an important and memorable event.

March 22,2009 , the Feast of St Joseph, the husband of Mary, the good and faithful servant.
The scene of a well organized and proper planning of an important event is shown on how the stage, the altar, the tents, and the different booths were set up. The conservative yet elegant decoration with a strong message at the stage exemplifies the strength and hardwork of the different committee members who worked day and night prior to the big event.
The scene of the different religious organizations with their members preparing for their own booth in order for them to share the blessings and grace that our Lord God provides in our daily life , that is the food prepared by the different groups for the fellowship after the mass.

Then the important participation of each and every church member, visitors and the priests and nuns who came from different localities for the Thanksgiving Mass.
The message of the most Reverend  Kevin Michael Manning, the Bishop of Parramatta is very clear and simple – It is indeed vital for all to learn from the example of Saint Joseph which demonstrates that fidelity and patience are vital virtues in family life.
The message of Fr. Raning Creta – Through the feast of St. Joseph, God is reminding us to become a community of hope.
As one of the workers , Fr. Raning Creta is a role model in uplifting the moral of an individual as an important creation of our Lord God. He is a silent worker but a great achiever in faith, an inspiration in His sharing of the Word of God .
One of the highlights of the event is for Fr. Raning to thank the different committees, organizations and individuals involved in the hardwork, enthusiasm and support of those involved.
The different speeches of the invited special guests were short but full of praise and support for the success of the Big Event.
What was most enjoyable and fun was the fellowship, how we gather the people of different walks of life sharing the grace of the Lord God prepared by the concerned and generous individuals.
The continuation of the event was a successful Talent competition, family games and activities for the children  participated by different age groups.
It was a beautiful , bright, colourful event and most of all a Blessed Day  !
Congratulations to all who participated and made this years’ Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary a SUCCESS !!!

My name is Kamella Alcantara and I am from the OASIS youth group, St Michael’s Blacktown South.

Our youth is currently organising a Talent Quest to be held on Saturday 16th of May at 7pm in the Nagle Collge School Hall.

We would like to invite you and your community to participate in our talent quest and showcase your talents.

This is a community event and all proceeds go to our local St Vincent De Paul and Fr Chris Riley Youth Off the Streets.

Auditions are happening now, every Thursday at St Michael’s Parish Hall at 6pm.

Please contact Shivon, our young organiser of the event, at shivon.coelho@gmail.com and mobile 0433378252 if you have any further questions or would like to request an audition.

Below is a formal letter of invitation and the flier.

We appreciate your time

Thanks and Regards,

Kamella Alcantara
OASIS Youth Group

Talent Quest Invite