Yesterday afternoon, I had another encounter with someone in need. This middle-aged woman was sitting at the pavement stairs of the parish chapel when I first saw her. She did not recognize me as a priest at first since I was only wearing a white t-shirt. After a while, a seminarian approached me and used the title "father" during our conversation. And that upon learning that I was a priest did she come to me and asked for financial assistance. Initially I requested her to seek help at the parish office where they provide social services. However she told me they could not provide her with the amount she needs since she is not a parishioner. I was surprised to hear this. She was saying many things about her family problems until I asked her to wait awhile and try once more at the parish office with the help of the info guard. I left to resume with my work without knowing whether the parish office was able to help her.
Deep inside me however, as I was at my office I was burning with compassion for her wondering if she was able to secure the help she needs, as well as my being unable to help her personally at that moment. I could not get her off my thoughts.
This is precisely the reason why the parish office offers social services for the poor and needy. Those who come and seek assistance are enjoined to go there instead of "begging" at the door of the chapel. There were instances in the past where problems occurred on this (e.g., theft, arguments and fights, fraud, etc.) that is why the parish pastoral council decided to put up these services. Of course, on their own anyone can personally help our needy brothers and sisters.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Monday, March 21, 2005
UST Fathers' Annual Retreat
The Holy Week is usually the time the Dominican Fathers at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, spend their communal retreat. The horarium is as follows:
Holy Monday (March 21, 2005)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Office of Readings/Introduction (Fr. Vicente Cajilig, OP)
3:15 pm - Talk "Religious and Theological Endeavors: Harvesting the Fruits" (Speaker: Fr. P. Pabillo)
6:15 pm - Talk "Life of Simplicity: Condition for Effective Ministry"(Speaker: Fr. P. Pabillo)
Evening Prayers
Holy Tuesday (March 22)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Talk "Notes on Community Building from the 2004 General Chapter" (Speaker: Fr. Edmund Nantes, OP)
3:15 pm - Talk "Strengthening Brotherhood through Affirming Brotherhood" (Speaker: Fr. Edmund Nantes, OP)
6:45 pm - Rosary/Office of Readings/Evening Prayers
Holy Wednesday (March 23)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Talk "Builders among the Laity/Religious: Assets of the Church" (Speaker: Mr. E. Lopez, EWTN)
3:15 pm - Rite of Reconciliation/Confession (c/o Fr. Boy Luanzon, OP)
6:45 pm - Rosary/Office of Readings/Evening Prayers
Maundy Thursday (March 24)
6:30 am - Office of Readings/ Morning Prayers
5:00 pm - Commemoration of the Lord's Supper (UST Grandstand)
Good Friday (March 25)
1:00 pm - Seven Last Words
3:00 pm - Veneration of the Cross/Procession
Black Saturday (March 26)
6:30 am - Office of Readings/Morning Prayers/ Apostolic Blessing
10:00 pm - Easter Vigil Service
Kindly note the following:
- conventual masses are celebrated at the UST Chapel.
- other communal sessions at the 3rd floor, private Oratory.
Please be guided accordingly. Thank you.
Holy Monday (March 21, 2005)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Office of Readings/Introduction (Fr. Vicente Cajilig, OP)
3:15 pm - Talk "Religious and Theological Endeavors: Harvesting the Fruits" (Speaker: Fr. P. Pabillo)
6:15 pm - Talk "Life of Simplicity: Condition for Effective Ministry"(Speaker: Fr. P. Pabillo)
Evening Prayers
Holy Tuesday (March 22)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Talk "Notes on Community Building from the 2004 General Chapter" (Speaker: Fr. Edmund Nantes, OP)
3:15 pm - Talk "Strengthening Brotherhood through Affirming Brotherhood" (Speaker: Fr. Edmund Nantes, OP)
6:45 pm - Rosary/Office of Readings/Evening Prayers
Holy Wednesday (March 23)
6:15 am - Conventual Mass/ Morning Prayers
9:00 am - Talk "Builders among the Laity/Religious: Assets of the Church" (Speaker: Mr. E. Lopez, EWTN)
3:15 pm - Rite of Reconciliation/Confession (c/o Fr. Boy Luanzon, OP)
6:45 pm - Rosary/Office of Readings/Evening Prayers
Maundy Thursday (March 24)
6:30 am - Office of Readings/ Morning Prayers
5:00 pm - Commemoration of the Lord's Supper (UST Grandstand)
Good Friday (March 25)
1:00 pm - Seven Last Words
3:00 pm - Veneration of the Cross/Procession
Black Saturday (March 26)
6:30 am - Office of Readings/Morning Prayers/ Apostolic Blessing
10:00 pm - Easter Vigil Service
Kindly note the following:
- conventual masses are celebrated at the UST Chapel.
- other communal sessions at the 3rd floor, private Oratory.
Please be guided accordingly. Thank you.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
A Million Dollar Baby
Last night after dinner, we hurriedly went to SM-Manila to watch a movie entitled "A Million Dollar Baby" which garnered three or four(?) awards (Best Picture, Director, Actress and Supporting Actor) during the last Oscar's. We arrived just in time to see it since we left after 9:00 pm; the last full show started at around 9:35 pm and we lodged ourselves at the balcony area.
The movie, in my opinion, really deserves the Best Picture award - the scenes were clear, the lights and sounds are ok, there were no stray actions, and the lines were audible and down to earth. The characters were extraordinarily portrayed by a powerful cast of actors in the likes of Clint Eastwood (best director), Hilary Swank (best actress) and Morgan Freeman (best supporting actor).
The story is ok though I find it a bit poignant at the end. The focus is on self-sacrifice and belief in one's capacities, courage in the face of difficulties, dreams realized through hard work and dishonest dealings. Moreover, there is a moral issue at the culminating part of the story - the removal of the tubes and injection on a patient/boxer to alleviate her suffering (and of course, to stop the soaring medical expenses) which is equivalent to a "direct killing".
I should have seen this movie in the afternoon rather than nightime - actually it did not help me relax and prepare myself for a good night sleep...hmmm...
The movie, in my opinion, really deserves the Best Picture award - the scenes were clear, the lights and sounds are ok, there were no stray actions, and the lines were audible and down to earth. The characters were extraordinarily portrayed by a powerful cast of actors in the likes of Clint Eastwood (best director), Hilary Swank (best actress) and Morgan Freeman (best supporting actor).
The story is ok though I find it a bit poignant at the end. The focus is on self-sacrifice and belief in one's capacities, courage in the face of difficulties, dreams realized through hard work and dishonest dealings. Moreover, there is a moral issue at the culminating part of the story - the removal of the tubes and injection on a patient/boxer to alleviate her suffering (and of course, to stop the soaring medical expenses) which is equivalent to a "direct killing".
I should have seen this movie in the afternoon rather than nightime - actually it did not help me relax and prepare myself for a good night sleep...hmmm...
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
A beautiful way of saying goodbye...
Yesterday afternoon, we had an unexpected "despedida" party at the Faculty of Engineering in honor and in gratitude to Maam Belen Pereira who will be retiring at the end of this school year after more than 40 (tama ba 'to, I stand to be corrected...) years of committed service, and Engr. Fe Tabamo who will be leaving for Spain also at the end of this school year to attend to her daughter's children there.
A very lovely and touching party! I arrived at the Physic lab where the celebrants were enjoying themselves - faculty members as well as students singing and rendering songs for the two retirees. Upon arriving and greeting those present, I sat beside Maam Belen all throughout the affair conversing with her. I asked her of her plans after life in UST and she answered none, that is why she said she is hopeful that the administration will still allow her to teach. She further told me several faculty members who are now her colleagues were her former students, and they reminisced those days together in fun and laughter.
On her part, Engr. Fe, I was told, could not hold back her tears as those around her have rendered their numbers. She will surely miss the company of her friends, colleagues and students, the whole engineering faculty and life in UST as well. I hope she will be able to adjust herself soonest in her new environment in Spain, and of course learn to speak spanish fluently since her grandaughters could probably communicate with her only in spanish.
At the end, Maam Belen requested everyone to join her in thanksgiving prayer - in profound and humble gratitude to the Lord for those unforgettable years and everything given as graces and gifts especially of life experiences shared together in the classroom and at the Faculty; for the gift of education she said was privileged to contribute/impart on her students; for friendship with colleagues with whom she had learned so much as a person and as a professional, and they in turn hopefully could have learned from her.
Well, I should say that heroes never die, they just fade away. To Maam Belen and Engr. Fe, thank you very much for being a part of us! and good luck as you begin another chapter/adventure in your life... do not forget us when you are already in your kingdoms! ....three cheers!
A very lovely and touching party! I arrived at the Physic lab where the celebrants were enjoying themselves - faculty members as well as students singing and rendering songs for the two retirees. Upon arriving and greeting those present, I sat beside Maam Belen all throughout the affair conversing with her. I asked her of her plans after life in UST and she answered none, that is why she said she is hopeful that the administration will still allow her to teach. She further told me several faculty members who are now her colleagues were her former students, and they reminisced those days together in fun and laughter.
On her part, Engr. Fe, I was told, could not hold back her tears as those around her have rendered their numbers. She will surely miss the company of her friends, colleagues and students, the whole engineering faculty and life in UST as well. I hope she will be able to adjust herself soonest in her new environment in Spain, and of course learn to speak spanish fluently since her grandaughters could probably communicate with her only in spanish.
At the end, Maam Belen requested everyone to join her in thanksgiving prayer - in profound and humble gratitude to the Lord for those unforgettable years and everything given as graces and gifts especially of life experiences shared together in the classroom and at the Faculty; for the gift of education she said was privileged to contribute/impart on her students; for friendship with colleagues with whom she had learned so much as a person and as a professional, and they in turn hopefully could have learned from her.
Well, I should say that heroes never die, they just fade away. To Maam Belen and Engr. Fe, thank you very much for being a part of us! and good luck as you begin another chapter/adventure in your life... do not forget us when you are already in your kingdoms! ....three cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)