Pope marks fifth anniversary, joining cardinals for lunch

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI marked the fifth anniversary of his election with a formal luncheon with 46 cardinals in Rome, thanking God and the cardinals for their help in carrying out his ministry.

"After five years, I can only say thank you, thank you especially to the Lord himself who guides me, but also to all of you," he said at the end of the luncheon April 19 in the frescoed Sala Ducale of the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican did not publish the entire text of the pope's remarks.

The remarks were brief, off-the-cuff and "everyone has a right to some moments of privacy in life, even the pope," Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told Catholic News Service.

Brief audio and video clips of the meal were distributed by the Vatican Television Center and included the pope's thanks to the College of Cardinals and to all Vatican staff members, who help him fulfill "the Lord's mandate to Peter to confirm the brothers in the faith, to proclaim his resurrection and to be witnesses of God's love."

In its report on the meal, the Vatican newspaper said the pope also cited the words of St. Augustine, who spoke of the church being on a pilgrimage through the tribulations of the world, supported and consoled by God.

"In that context, the pontiff accented the sins of the church, recalling that the church -- wounded and sinful -- still experiences the consolation of God," the newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, reported.

The luncheon was hosted by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals.

"We cannot forget the challenges that the modern world poses for each disciple of Christ, and even more for us pastors, but we always are strengthened by the light of Christian hope with the certainty that the Lord's grace continues to work in our midst," the cardinal told the pope.

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SLRP PPCRV Begins Series of Voters' Education Talks

With the 2010 elections barely three weeks away, the PPCRV and the Diocese of Novaliches have joined forces to intensify voters’ education for the coming elections. Here in San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, we have started conducting 5-minute educational talks for voters on their key role in the coming 2010 elections. First topic is the LASER Test,a short guide that lists out important attitudes and values of the candidates that we need to look out for. LASER stands for Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct and Reputation.

What is meant by lifestyle? Why do we need to give it our attention?

Lifestyle is defined as the way a person lives, particularly those of the candidates seeking our votes. Does he live a simple, people-oriented, God-directed life? Does he live within his means? Does he live a lavish lifestyle?

Does the candidate pay his taxes? If he is currently serving in government, does he file the correct Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth?


Action refers to the candidate’s capability and ability to accomplish things in an honest, responsible and transparent way. What has the candidate accomplished? Is there incontrovertible proof of his accomplishments? What has he done that benefited the Filipinos and the country? Did he do what he said he promise? Does the candidate have the credibility to follow through with his promises?

Supporters refer to the people that help or surround the candidate. These are the people that help him with his campaign, which includes his family, relatives, friends and others.

Are his supporters people who are trustworthy? Does the candidate owe any political favors? Is the candidate beholden to anyone? How does the candidate treat his spouse, family, relatives, friends and supporters?

Election conduct is how the candidate and his supporters behave before, during and after the election. Does the candidate abide by the guidelines prescribed by the COMELEC, such as posting campaign posters? Is the candidate employing unfair campaign strategies, such as smear campaign, mudslinging and vote buying?

Does the candidate have a platform of government? Is it clear? Is it explained to the voters well? Are these reasonable and attainable?


Reputation is how people perceive the candidate to be. It is the constituents' collective perception of the candidate.

Do the candidate, his family or relatives face cases against them? Is he accused of or is into illegal or unwholesome activities? Does the candidate have a strong and firm conviction about his actions and values? Does the candidate have any vices or actuations that are different from what he projects externally?

Simultaneous with the voters' education, the parish has also launched it Voters' Assistance Desk where parishioners can inquire on their precinct number for this coming election.

Next week the topic will be on the process of voting - how one goes about voting on election day, and the do's and don'ts for voters.

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Sunday School Students Reach Out to the Disabled

What a fitting way to end nine months of catechism classes!

Last March 27, students of the pre-confirmation class of SLRP’s Sunday School, ages 10-13, initiated among themselves an outreach project to spend a few hours with the 11 male residents afflicted with various disabilities under the care of the Servants of Charity. Their home in Centerville in Pasong Tamo is a wide expanse of grass and trees, with a handful of grazing sheep and goats, and a cluster of buildings housing the residents, a chapel, and a covered gym. Construction has just started on a new wing for more residents.

Organized just a couple of weeks prior to the end of classes, the students formed themselves into a committee chaired by Ian Yadao with just about everyone in the class joining as members of the food, entertainment, and a donor’s committee to solicit funds.

By 10 in the morning, the students trekked to the site, then took tricycles while the catechists rode in a pick-up carrying a cooler with frozen fruit drinks and packed lunch of spaghetti cooked by a student’s mother, and pastil, a Muslim meal of steamed rice and chopped chicken, adobo-style, wrapped in banana leaf. Banana was served as dessert. Funds came from the students and catechists, and donations solicited from family and friends.

Fr. Dong, the house director, gave a welcome talk explaining to the young students, the ministry of their congregation that focuses on caring for persons with disabilities, the poor and needy, abandoned children, and the aged. Immediately, a program of dancing and singing followed. To the visitors’ surprise, the residents had prepared an engaging program.

As soon as the mini-sound system was hooked up, several of them quickly whipped up dance numbers, ala Michael Jackson, clapping to the rhythm while laughter ensued from all corners of the gazebo. Of course, the young gentlemen would not pass up the chance to ask the female students to dance. The young girls shyly gave in to the request which for most was their ‘first dance.’ The students responded with a mellow group song, signalling the start of lunch.

Everyone ate heartily, a few residents needing assistance. To mark the day, each resident received a gift pack of toiletries and a T-shirt assembled by Ate Virgie. Soon it was nap time for the residents and both sides waved good-byes. Short but sweet! Reactions from the students ranged from “Masaya! Na-touch ako. ” to “Nakakahanga sila. Ang gagaling nilang sumayaw. ” It was truly a program befitting a pre-confirmation class. They learned to reach out.

Leila Vicente
Sunday School Catechist

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SLRP Youth Holds Summer Formation

Last April 9, the parish youth held its summer formation cum outing in San Fabian, Pangasinan. The formation spanned two days with activities designed to foster bonding, camarederie and spiritual deepening as they embark in reorganizing and building the Youth Ministry into a dynamic organization that will cater to their needs.

With over forty(40) members of the PYM and their adviser couples, the convoy of six vehicles left Manila at 4:30AM on a hot summer day on a journey of discovery. After a rather long trip, with lots of stops along the way, the group finally arrived in San Fabian towards noontime. A few days before the group had been divided into different teams, with each team assigned to take care of a particular meal, from the marketing to the cooking to the setting of the table and the cleaning up after.

While the first team assigned kitchen duties went about preparing lunch, the rest of the group unpacked and helped set up the place. Then Ate Karen set out the rules to be followed for the duration of the stay.

The afternoon was filled with teambuilding activities. After sundown, everyone settled down to watch "The Bucket List". The story revolved around two men, one a mechanic and the other the rich owner of the hospital they were confined in, trying to find fulfillment in their lives knowing they were only living on borrowed time. Thus, they prepared a bucket list of things they wanted to accomplish before they passed on. It was a heartwarming movie about priorities in life, friendships and relationships.

Day 2 began with breakfast followed by a talk by Ate Mavic on the Holy Mass. It was an apt topic for the youth as they need to be immersed in the central core of all parish workers' service - the Holy Mass. Ate Mavic discussed the different parts of the mass and their importance and meaning for all Catholics, especially for the youth who serve in various capacities in church, from altar servers to choir members to proclaimers of the word to projectionists. Ate Mavic emphasized in a big way that the mass is the apex of our belief and service, that every time we serve in the mass, we have to give it its due respect and reverence, from the way we dress to our behavior and proper decorum while attending mass.

She made everyone realize that since it was Jesus who is there present in the altar, and knowing it was Him, then we should give Him our full respect and attention. If we give so much importance to gold or silver, what more that it is the Lord present who is more precious than anything here on earth.

After the catechesis, Kuya Al shared with the group the results of a study made by the church on the realities of the youth in Catholic parishes (Source: National Study of Youth and Religion directed by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton). According to this study, teenage youth have the smallest percentage of participation in church activities. This was attributed to a variety of reasons: non-involvement of parents in church activities, parishes not putting emphasis on youth formation, a drop in the number of Catholic schools, vague structure and organization of the youth.

With this as the take-off point, Kuya Al broke the kids into five(5) groups, with each group tackling one area that needed to be addressed based on the study. Each group discussed, brainstormed and suggested projects on the topics assigned to them.

The topics were: (1) Liturgy and Prayer, (2) Relationship Building and Socialization, (3) Formation, (4) Christian Service and Outreach, and (5) Budget, Facilities and Communication. The write-ups on the discussions will be taken up in the next meeting of the Youth in preparation for the Vision-Mission exercise that will follow.

After the closing prayer to end the group activity, everyone partook of a nourishing lunch of barbecue and nilaga before packing up and departing for home.

It was a preparation for the youth for their big task of working for a dynamic organization that will meet their needs and allow them to grow socially and spiritually as the "youth guarantees the future of the church." We thank God for allowing the youth this special time for formation,bonding and preparation for a deeper and meaningful service to God and the church.

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SLRP Installs Reconstituted PPC on Easter Sunday

What better way to start the new Easter season than with the installation of the new leaders of the lay organizations in SLRP. Last Easter morning, the new officers of the Parish Pastoral Council and the WESTM heads were installed in their new posts. Heading the PPC for the next year are the following: PPC Coordinator: Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson PPC Asst Coordinator: Ate Josie Cruz Secretary: Ate Bel Geronimo Asst Secretary: Ate Lina Tamayo Treasurer*: Ate Shirley Ruiz Asst Treasurer: Ate Elsa Maskarino Auditor: Kuya Buddy Lising Asst Auditor: Kuya Peter Tamayo Worship Head: Ate Aida Arines Education Head: Ate Ruby Almazan Social Services: Kuya Boy and Ate Heidi Temporal Temporalities*: Ate Shirley Ruiz Mass Media: Kuya Al and Ate Karen Yap Father Luke administered the oath-taking of the newly installed officers of the PPC and admonished them to work together for the growth and development of SLRP. Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette, as the new PPC Coordinators, on the other hand, enjoined everyone, parish workers and parishioners alike, to journey with the new PPC in making SLRP a community working together for the common good of the parish and its endeavors.

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