Last part 4.

The Holy Spirit, soul of the Church and principle

of communion

August 3, 2008

A PUBLICATION OF AND FOR THE FILIPINO CATHOLIC MIGRANTS IN SEOUL ARCHDIOCESE

If we are to understand the mission of the Church, we must go back to the Upper Room where the disciples remained together (cf. Lk 24:49), praying with Mary, the Mother, awaiting the Spirit that had been promised. This icon of the nascent Church should be a constant source of inspiration for every Christian community. Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness is not principally due to programmes and pastoral methods that are cleverly drawn up and efficient, but is the result of the communitys constant prayer (cf. Evangelii Nuntiandi, 75). Moreover, for the mission to be effective, communities must be united, that is, they must be of one heart and soul (cf. Acts 4:32), and they must be ready to witness to the love and joy that the Holy Spirit instils in the hearts of the faithful (cf. Acts 2:42). The Servant of God John Paul II wrote that, even prior to action, the Churchs mission is to witness and to live in a way that shines out to others (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 26). Tertullian tells us that this is what happened in the early days of Christianity when pagans were converted on seeing the love that reigned among Christians: See how they love one another (cf. Apology, 39 7). To conclude this brief survey of the Word of God in the Bible, I invite you to observe how the Holy Spirit is the highest gift of God to humankind, and therefore the supreme testimony of his love for us, a love that is specifically expressed as the yes to life that God wills for each of his creatures. This yes to life finds its fullness in Jesus of Nazareth and in his victory over evil by means of the redemption. In this regard, let us never forget that the Gospel of Jesus, precisely because of the Spirit, cannot be reduced to a mere statement of fact, for it is intended to be good news for the poor, release for captives, sight for the blind .... With what great vitality this was seen on the day of Pentecost, as it became the grace and the task of the Church towards the world, her primary mission!

the Church through the working of the Holy Spirit. We carry within us the seal of the Fathers love in Jesus Christ which is the Holy Spirit. Let us never forget this, because the Spirit of the Lord always remembers every individual, and wishes, particularly through you young people, to stir up the wind and fire of a new Pentecost in the world. 5. The Holy Spirit as Teacher of the interior life My dear young friends, the Holy Spirit continues today to act with power in the Church, and the fruits of the Spirit are abundant in the measure in which we are ready to open up to this power that makes all things new. For this reason it is important that each one of us know the Spirit, establish a relationship with Him and allow ourselves to be guided by Him. However, at this point a question naturally arises: who is the Holy Spirit for me? It is a fact that for many Christians He is still the great unknown. This is why, as we prepare for the next World Youth Day, I wanted to invite you to come to know the Holy Spirit more deeply at a personal level. In our profession of faith we proclaim: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed). Yes, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the love of the Father and of the Son, is the Source of life that makes us holy, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (Rom 5:5). Nevertheless, it is not enough to know the Spirit; we must welcome Him as the guide of our souls, as the Teacher of the interior life who introduces us to the Mystery of the Trinity, because He alone can open us up to faith and allow us to live it each day to the full. The Spirit impels us forward towards others, enkindles in us the fire of love, makes us missionaries of Gods charity.

So let us become familiar with the Holy Spirit in order to be familiar with Jesus.

6. The Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist

You might ask, how can we allow ourselves to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and to grow in our spiritual lives? The answer, as you know, is this: we can do so by means of the Sacraments, because faith is born and is strengthened within us through the Sacraments, particularly those of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, which are complementary and inseparable (cf. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285). This truth concerning the three Sacraments that initiate our lives as Christians is perhaps neglected in the faith life of many Christians. They view them as events that took place in the past and have no real significance for today, like roots that lack life-giving nourishment. It happens that many young people distance themselves from their life of faith after they have received Confirmation. There are also young people who have not even received this sacrament. Yet it is through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and then, in an ongoing way, the Eucharist, that the Holy Spirit makes us children of the Father, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, capable of a true witness to the Gospel, and able to savour the joy of faith. I therefore invite you to reflect on what I am writing to you. Nowadays it is particularly necessary to rediscover the sacrament of Confirmation and its important place in our spiritual growth. Those who have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation should remember that they have become temples of the Spirit: God lives within them. Always be aware of this and strive to allow the treasure within you to bring forth fruits of holiness. Those who are baptized but have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation, prepare to receive it knowing that in this way you will become complete Christians, since Confirmation perfects baptismal grace (cf. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1302-1304). Continuation on page 03

I know very well that you young people hold in your hearts great appreciation and love for Jesus, and that you desire to meet Him and speak with Him. Indeed, remember that it is precisely the presence of the Spirit within us that confirms, constitutes and builds our person on the very We are the fruits of this mission of Person of Jesus crucified and risen.

Vol. 13 Issue 31

Dont
Show affection between the sexes in public. Show your anger. It is impolite, and can permanently damage interpersonal relationships. Keep your temper at all times. Criticize. When absolutely necessary, it must be done tactfully, gently and privately. Dress too informally. The way you dress reflects your position. Also, it is a sign of respect, so when meeting people, or when visiting someones home, one should dress nicely and conservatively. Shorts, bacless dresses,a nd so on are not appropriate in public. Expose money unless you are applying at the market or at a store. When giving a gift of money or when paying an employee, money should be put in an envelope. Be impatient when services are not performed on time, some one is late, or things are not done efficiently. Answer personal questions if you do not wish to answer them. Simply change the subject. These questions may include Why arent you married? and How old are you? and are simply a way Koreans use to get to know another person. Establish a good relationship before you discuss any business. Develop social networks , both among expatriates and Koreans, to help you in future business transactions. Remember that in Korean society, smooth social relationships often take precedence over business efficiency. Recognize that entertaining is an essential part of doing business, and that the cost of entertaining may far exceed what it costs in your home country. Be flexible at all times. viewed favorably. Pushing too hard will not be

Remember that yes does not always mean yes.

Dont
Assume that everyone in Korea understands your language. Get into the habit of having people paraphrase what you say, and do not be afraid to write down key points. Cause anyone to lose face. Always allow an escape. Use the telephone for business communication. Use face to face contact. Criticize anything Korean.

BUSINESS Do
Always get a third party formally to introduce you to a potential business associate. Self-introductions are rarely successful in Korea. Always carry business cards, preferably printed in English and Korean, and make sure that you give one to business acquaintances during the introduction. Amy Hermosa Elyrey D. Dizon
Source: Sonja Vegdahl Hur and Ben Seunghwa Hur, Culture Shock in Korea.

Birthday Greetings 07/15 07/19

SAMBAYANAN is prepared and published weekly by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants which is being administered by the Mission Society of the Philippines under the auspices of Seoul Archdiocese.
ARCHDIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER FOR FILIPINO MIGRANTS 115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 136-020

EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph. D. Assistant Editor: Jojo Geronimo Encoder/Lay-out Artist: : Frt. Fredy C. Permentilla, MSP Contributors: Allan Rodriguez, Edgar Balista, Amie Sison, Bevi Tamargo, Joel Tavarro, Michael Balba Circulation Manager: Frt. Moises T. Olavides,MSP

Tel No. (02) 765-0870; Fax No. (02) 765-0871 e-mail: alvin_parantar@yahoo.com e-mail: jjgeronimo14@yahoo.com e-mail: emelyabagat@yahoo.com
Page 2

Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

Pope Benedict XVIs message..

... from page 01 Confirmation gives us special strength to witness to and glorify God with our whole lives (cf. Rom 12:1). It makes us intimately aware of our belonging to the Church, the Body of Christ, of which we are all living members, in solidarity with one another (cf. 1 Cor 12:12-25). By allowing themselves to be guided by the Spirit, each baptized person can bring his or her own contribution to the building up of the Church because of the charisms given by the Spirit, for to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). When the Spirit acts, he brings his fruits to the soul, namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22). To those of you who have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation, I extend a cordial invitation to prepare to receive it, and to seek help from your priests. It is a special occasion of grace that the Lord is offering you. Do not miss this opportunity! I would like to add a word about the Eucharist. In order to grow in our Christian life, we need to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ. In fact, we are baptized and confirmed with a view to the Eucharist (cf. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1322; Sacramentum Caritatis, 17). Source and summit of the Churchs life, the Eucharist is a perpetual Pentecost since every time we celebrate Mass we receive the Holy Spirit who unites us more deeply with Christ and transforms us into Him. My dear young friends, if you take part frequently in the eucharistic celebration, if you dedicate some of your time to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Source of love which is the Eucharist, you will acquire that joyful determination to dedicate your lives to following the Gospel. At the same time it will be your experience that whenever our strength is not enough, it is the Holy Spirit who transforms us, filling us with his strength and making us witnesses suffused by the missionary fervour of the risen Christ.

7. The need and urgency of mission

Many young people view their lives with apprehension and raise many questions about their future. They anxiously ask: How can we fit into a world marked by so many grave injustices and so much suffering? How should we react to the selfishness and violence that sometimes seem to prevail? How can we give full meaning to life? How can we help to

bring it about that the fruits of the Spirit mentioned above, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol (no. 6), can fill this scarred and fragile world, the world of young people most of all? On what conditions can the life-giving Spirit of the first creation and particularly of the second creation or redemption become the new soul of humanity? Let us not forget that the greater the gift of God - and the gift of the Spirit of Jesus is the greatest of all so much the greater is the worlds need to receive it and therefore the greater and the more exciting is the Churchs mission to bear credible witness to it. You young people, through World Youth Day, are in a way manifesting your desire to participate in this mission. In this regard, my dear young friends, I want to remind you here of some key truths on which to meditate. Once again I repeat that only Christ can fulfil the most intimate aspirations that are in the heart of each person. Only Christ can humanize humanity and lead it to its divinization. Through the power of his Spirit he instils divine charity within us, and this makes us capable of loving our neighbour and ready to be of service. The Holy Spirit enlightens us, revealing Christ crucified and risen, and shows us how to

become more like Him so that we can be the image and instrument of the love which flows from Christ (Deus Caritas Est, 33). Those who allow themselves to be led by the Spirit understand that placing oneself at the service of the Gospel is not an optional extra, because they are aware of the urgency of transmitting this Good News to others. Nevertheless, we need to be reminded again that we can be witnesses of Christ only if we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit who is the principal agent of evangelization (cf. Evangelii Nuntiandi, 75) and the principal agent of mission (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 21). My dear young friends, as my venerable predecessors Paul VI and John Paul II said on several occasions, to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to the faith is more necessary than ever today (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 1). There are those who think that to present the precious treasure of faith to people who do not share it means being intolerant towards them, but this is not the case, because to present Christ is not to impose Him (cf. Evangelii Nuntiandi, 80). Moreover, two thousand years ago twelve Apostles gave their lives to make Christ known and loved. Continuation on page 12

FREQUENTLY CALLED NOS.

Phil.Embassy (Labor Office) (Consular Office) (Hotline) 3785-3634/35 796-73-87-89 (Dan Panti) (Misael (Emely) Recreation (Aiko) Youth Ministry (Rowena) 010-4441-0870 Sr. Miguela Santiago Allan Rodriquez (Secretary) 010-3144-3756 Edgar Balista Edison Pinlac (JPC) 011-9683-7430 010-8688-04 016-706-0870 Liza Anglo (Eucharistic) Neneth Mari (FMAA) (Detention) Center 010-5821-7799 016-266-3109 010-7753-5087 02-2650-6247 011-273-3657 Worship 774-35-81 Education Fr. Alvin Parantar,,MSP Taerim (Marissa Poblete) 010-2203-4694 010-8684-7897 010-8680-2208 010-8272-4252 010-5160-2928

SCRIPTURE GUIDE
Sunday, August 3, 2008

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Philippine Airlines ( Reservation)

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 55:1-3 Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18 Romans 8:35:37-39 Matthew 14:13-21
Monday, August 4, 2008

Jeremiah 31:31-34 Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Psalm 51:12-15, 18-19 Major in Rome Matthew 16:13-23 Jeremiah 30:1-2, 1215, 18-22
Friday, August 8, 2008

Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23 Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Holy Father Dominic, (Feast) 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Psalm 37:3-6, 30-31 Matthew 5:13-16
Saturday, August 9, 2008

Mokdong Immigration Processing

St. John Mary Vianney, Jeremiah 28:1-17 Psalm 119:29, 43, 7980, 95, 102 Matthew 14:22-36 http://www.ewtn.com/D evotionals/inspiration

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Hwaseong, Suwon Immigration ProcessEl Shaddai (Sis.Irene) 794-23-38 ing (Detention) Center 031-355-2011/2 010-2273-1215 Chungju Immigration Processing Masok Com. (Gil Maranan) 010-5822-9194 (Detention) Center (031) 593-6542 043-290-7512/3

The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast) Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 2 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Habbakkuk 1:12 -- 2:4 Psalm 9:8-13 Matthew 17:14-20

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

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CATHOLIC FAITH:
The traditional biblical foundation of the missionary duty of the Church was placed in Mt 28,19 ff. Ad Gentes, however, tries to place the foundation of the mission of the Church in the Trinitarian missions. Following LG (2-4) which sees the origin of the Church in the Trinity, Ad Gentes inserts the mission of the Church in the dynamism of the sending of the Son and the Spirit by the Father. In comparison with Vatican I, which used the term Gospel only once and never used the term evangelize or evangelization, Vatican II mentioned the Gospel 157 times, evangelize 18 times and evangelization 31 times. Vatican II understood evangelization as the proclamation of the basic Christian message to those who did not yet believe. This tradition goes back to Saint Justine martyr, who attributes the truth present in other religions to the Word of God which illumines all people coming to this world (Prologue of Gospel of John) 1. The link between Trinity-mission Ad Gentes places the foundation of the mission of the Church in the fontal love of the Father, from where the Son and the Spirit proceed (AG 2). There is a clear intention of placing the foundation of the mission of the Church in the salvific plan of God, which takes its origin in the fontal love of God, understood as the love of the Father from where proceed the Son and the Spirit; from these processions come the salvific economy: the Father sends the Son and the Son sends the Spirit. From the Trinitarian processions come the divine missions. 2. The link between Church-mission The missionary nature of the Church derives from the divine missions; the Church is in the world a sign of Gods communication and as an epiphany of this communication (AG 2); the Church, then, appears as the result of the salvific action of God which begins in creation and in the Church calls all to a participation in His life; the objective of the communication of God is to pervade all things. This communication reaches the persons not only as individuals but forming a people, the People of God There is a sort of analogy between the missions of the Son and the Spirit and the missionary activity of the Church; both missions and missionary activity have as objective the expansion of Gods love.15 In that way the mission of the Church is in continuity with the mission of
Page 4

the Son is an intrinsic need of the nature of the Church, not the result of a command; the content of the mission of the Church is the same as that of the Son: the reconciliation and unification of everything (AG 3). The moving energy of the mission is the Spirit given by Christ at Pentecost, which is the moment of the public manifestation of the Church, the beginning of the proclamation of the Gospel (AG 4); as Jesus mission started after the consecration by the Spirit at Baptism, the same happens with the Church (this is the parallelism insinuated by Lk). Mission is then not something added or optional to the Church, but co-natural to her; without mission the Church has no meaning. This is the authentic foundation of the mission of the Church. 3. The Foundation of Mission in Protestant Theology During the past centuries mission has been understood in a variety of ways; sometimes just in soteriological terms, as saving souls; or in cultural terms, as bringing Christian civilization to other peoples and cultures; or in ecclesial categories, as the expansion or plantation ecclesiae; also mission was defined as a process of transforming the world into the reign of God. The Protestants also wanted to give a theological foundation to the mission. The concept of the missio Dei which would become common for Protestants and Catholics in the 60s, appeared already in 1952 at the international Missionary Council of Willingen: Mission was understood as deriving from the same nature of God, from the Trinity, not from ecclesiology or soteriology; mission is an attribute of God, a movement of God towards the world; and the Church is just an instrument of this salvific movement of God16 During the last decades, beginning with Karl Barth, mission has been articulated as an activity of God himself: missio Dei. Mission is understood as derived from the very nature of God, not anymore in the context of ecclesiology or soteriology, but of the Trinity. The classical doctrine on the missio Dei, as God the Father sending the Son, and God the Father and the Son sending the Spirit was expanded to this: Father, Son and Holy Spirit sending the Church into the world. Mission is, then, a participation in the

marily an activity of the Church, but of God. God is a missionary God. It is not the Church that has a mission of salvation in the world, the Church is just an instrument associated to the mission of the Son and the Spirit; there is Church because there is mission. To participate in mission is to participate in the movement of Gods love for the world, since God is the fountain of sending love. Vatican II also appropriates this concept; Ad Gentes, after affirming that the Church is missionary by its very nature, gives the reason of this affirmation since it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and continues giving a definition of the missionary activity of the Church: it is nothing else, and nothing less, than the manifestation of Gods plan, its epiphany and realization in the world and in history (AG 2, 9). Mission is here defined in Trinitarian, Christological, pneumatological and ecclesiological terms. According to this theological understanding of mission, the primary purpose of the mission of the Church cannot be the plantatio Ecclesiae or saving souls; rather it has to be a service to the missio Dei, a constant witness and epiphany of Gods love for the world. In its mission, the Church must constantly witness to the promise of Gods reign and participate, empowered by the Spirit, in the ongoing struggle between the reign and the powers of darkness and evil.

In Gaudium and Spes, this wider theological understanding of mission is expounded pneumatologically rather than Christologically. The history of the world is not only a history of evil, but also of love, a history in which the reign of God is being advanced through the work of the Spirit. Thus, in its missionary activity, the Church encounters a humanity and a world in which Gods salvation has already been operative in a secret and mysterious way by the Spirit. In reference to the social order and its development toward service to the common good, Gaudium and Spes affirms: The Spirit of God, who, with wondrous providence, directs the course of time and renews the face of the earth, assists at this development (GS 26); further, GS sounds a warning: we must be careful to distinguish earthly progress clearly from the increase of the Kingdom of God.. though such progress is of vital concern to the Kingdom of God, in so far as it can contribute to the better ordering of human socimission of the Trinity. In this understanding (continuation on page 5) ety (GS 39). of mission as missio Dei, mission is not priVOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

Karunungan:
Continuation of July 20 issue

Bro. Allan Rodriguez

begins to sing, and she says to Fr. Branigan, As soon as I was baptized, all my doubts vanished! Needless to say, Mass is no longer a drag for A third encounter.with Peter himself! Jennie; on the contrary, the Eucharist has become the center of her life! Their last day in Rome, Terry and Jennie go into St. Peters for a last Now she knows who GOD is, and where HE is, but that is not enough look around before heading to the airport. Confused and frustrated with she tells everyone she meets about HIM! - taken from a testimony; Good News, April 15, 2008 so many conflicting emotions and thoughts going through her soul, she finds herself in front of the statue of St. Peter and blurts out, YOU saw Because I have accepted Jesus into my heart: Jesus but you DOUBTED him and you REJECTED him three times! So * I am saved and considered righteous because of the shed how can you expect me to believe? Help me then, show me what to do! Blood of Jesus Christ. Suddenly it hits her like a ton of bricks! Oh my God! Fr. Branigan is my helicopter! * I am free from sin and guilt and shame. She had let the car and the boat pass by, and now the helicopter was * I am loved and accepted by God my past is forgiven and about to take-offliterally! On the way to the airport she tries to call Fr. erased. Branigan a million times, but no answer. In a frustrated last effort, she simply leaves a message at the seminary, Tell Fr. Branigan I think I am * I am now a child and heir of God and joint heirs with Jesus ready! Jennie. Just before she boards the plane, her cell ringsits Fr. Christ. Branigan! She quickly answers and just comes out with: FR. BRANI* I am sanctified through the Blood of Jesus. GAN! YOURE MY HELICOPTER! There is silence. She repeats: YOURE MY HELICOPTER! Then there is laughter; he laughs and * I am set apart unto You Lord for service Lord use me as she laughs and cries at the same time. She says, I think Im ready! To You desire. which he responds, Jennie, if you are ready, I am ready! Yes! At long * I thank you that I have the right to experience intimate last. I was ready! And yes Fr. Branigan is going to be in Rome around fellowship with You Lord. Easter! And yes, he is going to baptize me! Thank you so much God! Easter 2008: The moment finally arrives, Easter Vigil at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rome. The rite of baptism comes to an end, and so do all her doubts, worries, and insecurities; PEACE! The choir .Ffom Catholic Faith, page 04... 4. - Mission as Missio Dei The understanding of mission as missio Dei has helped to articulate the conviction that neither the Church nor any other human agent can ever be considered the author or the bearer of mission. Mission is, primarily and ultimately, the work of the Triune God, Creator, redeemer and sanctifier, for the sake of the world; a ministry in which the Church is privileged to participate. Mission has its origin in the heart of God. God is the fountain of sending love. This is the deepest source and root of mission. There is mission because God loves the world. Mission is not a prerogative of the Church. God comes to save the world before the Church; and the Church in her mission finds God already present in the world through His Spirit. This vision implies a new understanding of mission and of salvation: mission is not ecclesiocentric anymore; the reign of God is no longer identified with the Church, and the world is not excluded from the salvific action of God and Gods salvation does not reach the world only through the Church. The mission of the Church is now a participation of Christians in the history of the world; the Church in mission takes part in the process of total salvation which is already going on in the world. Mission, then, is a participation in the salvific action of God in history. Mission is understood not from the Church but from God and from the needs of the world17. http://icla.claret.org/courses/missiology/index.htm * I thank you Lord for the maturing and molding process that is ongoing within my life. Praise Him and receive Him as your righteousness and sanctifier today!

PRAYER PARTNERS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

Thursdays: Praise and Worship Holy Mass............ Bokwang Dong

Saturdays: Prayer Intercession.. Bokwang Dong Bible Sharing........... Ansan Sundays: Fellowship; Praise and Worship service......... Sungdong Social Welfare Majangdong

*Every 1st Sunday: Mass and Healing

REGULAR ACTIVITIES Mondays: Bible Sharing .............. Incheon Wednesdays: Prayer Intercession..... Itaewon

Fridays: Bible Sharing........... Itaewon Sangmun Sokye Myonmok Dong Songsu Dong

For inquiries, Prayer and Counseling, please call: Sis. Irene T. Diones, Coordinator Office: 02-794-2338 Cellphone: 010-2273-1215

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

Page 5

LIKHAAN
PAGLALAKBAY
ni Bro. Joel Tavarro
Marami ang bumabagtas sa daanang malubak Mag-ingat ng mabuti upang hindi mapahamak Maging mahinahon at matatag sa iyong

ALLEN JUN Amie Sison

Isang kaligayahan na ikay matagal na mayakap Nangyari ang isang natupad na pangarap Kaligayahang parang nasa alapaap Nakikita sa mga mata kong kumikislap.

SALAMAT PANGINOON Michael Balba

tinatahak Maaaring biglang matalisod, sa kasalanan ay masadlak.

Salamat sa Iyo,oh Poong Maykapal, Sa mga biyayang,iyong ibinigay, Ang anumang bagay,na aking nakamtan, Utang ko sa Iyo,Poon naming mahal,
Ang paglalakbay sa buhay ay hindi gawang biro Maging matalino sa lahat ng dako, huwag itong gawing laro Upang maiwasang mahulog sa patibong at ikaw ay mapasubo Kung hindi ka makakabangon, ang bukas a y maglalaho.

Kailanman di ka nawaglit sa isip ko Kasama sa bawat kilos at hakbang ko Ikaw ang natatanging kayamanan ko Magsisilbing gabay para sa buhay ko.

Salamat sa Iyo,ako'y binigyan mo, Mahal na magulang,butihing totoo, Mula pagkabata,sila ang gabay ko, Tunay na uliran,ang ama't ina ko.

Sa bawat paghakbang sikaping dulot ay tagumpay Sapagkat ang kinabukasan moy sa iyo din nakasalalay Huwag lumimot sa kaitaasan, manalangin ng walang humpay Kay Yahweh na dakila, sa Kanya humingi ng patnubay. Salita Niya ay siibing mapa upang ating maging gabay Na pumapawi sa mga suliranin, nag-aalis ng lumbay Sa paglalakad dito sa sanlibutang walang katiyakan Bundok man o kapatagan, patuloy na sa buhay ay makipaglaban.

Tunay na kaligayahan ang aking napagmasdan Sa talinong daig mo pa ang ilan Kahit na ikaw ay may kakulitan Ipinagmamalaki pa rin kita kaninuman.

Salamat sa Iyo, ako'y binigyan din, Ng mga kapatid,na sadyang butihin, Malalayong lugar,kanilang narating, Upang kahirapan,ay huwag danasin,

Malapait na ang araw na hinihintay Na sa buhay tayo ay laging magkaagapay Magkasama sa bawat takbo ng buhay Matatawag na panatag at malumanay.

Salamat sa Iyo,ako ay binigyan, Mga kaibigan,na tapat at tunay, Sa saya o dusa,sila ang karamay, Sila ang kasama,tuwing nalulumbay.
Huwag susuko, hawanin ang mga dawag sa daraanan Hindi dapat magpatalo sa problema, nawa lahat ay mapagtagumpayan Limutin na ang nakalipas, ang kahapon ay hayaan ng umalpas Ang malalim na pilat, maghihilom din sa darating na bukas. Tanawin ang dulo ng iyong nais patunguhan Magsikap, magpunyagi, sa huli may gandang matunghayan Sa pagtakbo ng mga panahon, wagi ang makakamtan Sapagkat sa iyong kahinaan, Siyaang sa iyo ay magpapasan.

Ang lahat ay isang pasasalamat Sa pagsubok na kinakaya lahat Para sa kinabukasan na para sa iyo ay dapat Magtutulungan tayo upang maging ganap.

Salamat sa Iyo,mahal naming Ama, Pagkat ang pagsubok,aking nakakaya, Anumang problema,hindi iniinda, Pagkat sa tuwina,lagi kang kasama..

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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

SANAYSAY atbp.
Ni Jun R. Torrano
ang simbahan upang patayin lahat ng kalalakihan. Subalit ang pananakop at bantang kamatayan ay hinarangan ng apoy, ang paligid ng ba"At nagsimula ang paglalayag kay Zebedee yan nagningas at itanaboy ang mga kawalHapones, at mula sa langit ay walang tigil na at Salome" kulog, sa paligid ay patuloy ang yabag ng isang Isinilang ang anak ng kulog mula sa pamilya ng kabayo sakay ang mahal naming patron- Ang mangingisda, nagmula ang mandirigma sa ang- Mahal na Poong Santiago. kan ng hikahos, nakipaglaban at naglayag gamit ang kayang kabayo, espada at bandilang Sa bawat salin-lahi, sa mga dekadang lumipas, puti na may Krus na pula upang ihatid ang ma- ang paglalayag na nagmula kay Zebedee at Salome sa pamamagitan ng kanilang anak na si buting balita sa sangkatauhan. Santiago Apostol ay patuloy ang paglipat sa Tinaguriang matalik na kaibigan ni Hesus at bawat henerasyon kasabay ng kasaysayan ng kauna-unahang apostoles si Santiago (Saint bayan namin. Malalim ang pagkakapunla ng James). Pawang binansagan sila ni Hesus ng binhi na sumibol hanggang naging puno ng kanyang kapatid na si Juan na anak ng kulog o pananampalataya ng bawat isa sa amin. MalaBoarnerges (Son of Thunder). Pinagkanulo ni gas man ang dahon sa tangkay ng panahon, Haring Herod Agrippa at pinatawan ng kamata- patuloy ang paglayag at pag-ukit ng isang miyan; subalit ang kangyang misyon ay hindi syong paglalayag at pagtatanggol. natapos sa isang pamamaalam. Nakisama sa malaking digmaan upang harangin ang mga Manlalakbay naming maituturing ang bawat isa, kawal ni Haring Herod Agrippa na pumipigil sa magdirigmang- uri, subalit sa ibang dimensyon pagpapalaganap ng Kristiyanismo noong pana- ng digmaan ang aming nilalabanan, naglalayag kami at nakikipag-digma upang labanan ang hon ni Hesus. kahirapan para masagip namin ang pamilyang Sa bayan ng Espanya muli siyang nakita sakay iniwan sa Bayan naming mahal. Katulad ng sa kanyang puting-Kabayo sa kasagsagang ng aming Patron, nagmula din kami sa angkan ng Digmaan. Ang kanyang paglalayag ay nagpatu- kahirapan na hindi natatakot makipagbuno sa loy hanggang nakarating siya sa inosenteng digmaan ng buhay. Sama-sama naming hinabayan dala ng mga misyonaryong Espanyol.

Paglalayag Sakay sa Kabayo ng Am- Mula sa bayan na ito, napatunayan ang kanyang harap ang mga pagsubok, nakabigkis kami sa pagtatanggol ng salakayin ng hukbong-Hapones iisang pananampalataya, sabay naming hinaing Pananampalataya

harap ang kung anumang intensyon ng tao at mundo para sa amin.

Sa pagkakataong itanataboy kami sa kung saang sulok-upang makidigma at abutin ang aming pangarap para sa sarili, sa pamilya, sa Bayan naming mahal at sa aming Parokya, hindi mawawala ang aming niyakap na misyon. Patuloy ang layag hanggang kung saan maabot ang yabag ng aming sinasakyang kabayo kasabay ng pagtupad namin upang palawigin at ipagbunyi ang kinagisnang pananampalataya at tradisyon na nagpapa-igting ng aming pananampalataya. Ganito kalalim ang istorya ng buhay ng aming tagapagtanggol kasabay ng istorya ng aming pananampalataya, ganito siya naging parte ng aming pamumuhay na itinturing namin ngayon na Kalayaan mula sa mapagsamantala at mga digmaan dulot ng pananakop. Sa bawat nakasulat sa kasaysayan ng buhay, sa bawat yabag ng paglalayag ay patuloy kaming nakasakay sa pananampalatayang ito, mga Kristiyanong kaanib ng Parokya ni Poong Santiago, mga manlalayag na Ibaeno na nagmula sa munting bayan ng Batangas, ang bayan na tinawag na Ibaan. Mananatili kami na may iiisang sigaw at panalangin : "Santiago iyo pong ihain sa Diyos ang aming daing"

TULAY PATUNGO SA TAGUMPAY

ni Bro. Joel Tavarro
Natatandaan ko noong bata pa ako, nagbakasyon kami sa lugar ng aking Ama sa Tigbauan, Ilo-ilo. Nangangahoy kami ng Lolo ko nang biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Mabilis na tumaas ang tubig sa ilog na aming daraanan sa pamamagitan ng tulay na yari sa kawayan. Marupok na ito at butas-butas pa ang sahig. Umuuga pa ito ng malakas na parang idinuduyan ka. Kailangang humawak ng mahigpit sa lubid na tanging hawakan nito dahil kapag nahulog ka ay siguradong tatangayin ka ng malakas na agos ng tubig. At habang tumatawid kami ng Lolo ko sa tulay na yaon ay pinapasan niya ako sa kanyang balikat. Napakahigpit ng pagkapit niya sa lubid upang hindi kami mahulog at dahan-dahan lamang ang kanyang paghakbang. Hindi ako nababahala sapagkat alam kung hindi pahintulutan ng Lolo ko na ako ay mapahamak. Nagbalik-tanaw muli ako at binigyan ng malalim na pagninilay kung anong aral ang mapulot ko sa karanasang iyon. Magtatatlong taon na rin ako sa bansang ito subalit patuloy pa rin ang pagtawid ko sa tulay patungo sa tagumpay. Bawat paghakbang ko ay may kaakibat na takot at pag-aalinlangan na baka mahulog at maanod ng malaks na agos at hindi na muli pang makabalik. Layunin ng halos lahat ang pagparito ay upang mahango sa kahirapan ang pamilya at makamit ang mga pangarap. Kasama ang mga pangako at pag-asang magtatagumpay. Subalit marami ang nakalimot sa tunay na misyon sa bansang ito, nahulog sa marupok na sahig at idinuyan ng malakas
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

na ugoy ng tulay at hindi na nakuhang magtagumpay sa pagtawid. May ilan ding tumigil na lamang sa gitna at hindi na umusad at tuluyan ng nilamon ng takot na nauwi sa pagkakasala. Sa araw-araw kong pakikipaglaban sa buhay, hinahayaan kong maghari sa puso ko si Kristo. Nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob upang sagupain ang mga bagay-bagay. Siya ang sibling baluti at kalasag ko sa oras ng kahinaan. Alam kong pinapasan Niya ako sa tuwing ako ay bumabagsak at tinutulungan Niyang makabangon muli. Minsan na akong inanod ng isang malakas na daluyong patungo sa gitna ng laot at inakalang hindi na makabalik pa sa pampang. Subalit wagas ang pag-ibig ng Panginoon. Iginawad Niya ang habag at pagpapatawad sa aking mga kasalanan at tinawag Niya ako upang maging manggagawa sa Kanyang ubasan. Nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng direksiyon ang ating paglalakbay upang maiwasan ang pagkaligaw sa dapat na tatahakin. Humingi palagi ng gabay sa Dakilang Pastol na mag-aakay sa iyo at handa kang tulungan at sasamahan. Kailangan lamang ang maging tapat upang kaagad Niyang marinig ang iyong pagtawag. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiwala sa Kanya ay makakatawid ka sa kabilang dako at humawak lamang ng mahigpit sa lubid na siyang magdadala sa iyo sa tagumpay. Tumayo kayo sa panulukang-daan at magmasid. Hanapin ninyo ang dating landas. Alamin kung saan ang pinakamabuting daan. Doon kayo lumakad at magtatamo kayo ng kapayapaan. (Jeremias 6:16)

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

Page 7

ULAT KOMUNIDAD
MGA LIBRENG KONSULTA AT GAMOT
Doty Hospital42-5 Eung-am-dong, Unpyeong-gu, Seoul 122- 906, tel. no. (02)385-1477 Joseph Clinic - 423 Yeungdongpo-dong, Yeung dongpo-gu, Seoul 150-030, Mon.-Fri. 1pm-9pm, Tel. No.(02)2634-1760 Raphael Clinic - inside Tong Song High School, every Sun. , 2-6 pm. National Medical Center Dongdaemun Tel. No. 2260-7062 to 7063 Seoul Medical Center Gangnam Tel. No. 3430-0200 MIRIAM COUNSELING CENTER For Migrant Women 50-17 Dongsoong Dong Chongrogu Seoul 110-809 near Maronnier Park. Tel #(02) 747-2086 E-mail: kcwc21@jinbo.net (KCWC) Office hours: Mon-Fri. 11 am-5 pm Sat. day off Sun. 3 pm-6 pm Activities: Emotional/spiritual counseling Womans rights and labor issues Korean language/culture study (men and women are welcome).

b.) Kailangan na magparehistro kayo sa loob ng tatlong buwan (3 months) mula sa inyong pagdating dito sa Korea. 2. Para sa lahat ng manggagawa na kabilang sa Employment Permit System (EPS): a.) Kayo ay legal na makakapagtrabaho sa loob ng tatlong taon. b.) Sa lahat ng mga bagong lipat o nagpa-transfer: kung ang visa ng isang manggagawa ay na-expire na dahil hindi siya nakahanap ng trabaho o employer na magre-rehistro sa kanya, kailangang pumunta o mag-report sa Immigration Office para kayo ay ma-rehistro. SA LAHAT NG MAY E-9 VISA PARA PO SA LAHAT NA MAY E-9 VISA, MAY TATLO PONG TANGING DAHILAN UPANG PAYAGAN KAYONG MAKALIPAT NG KUMPANYA. ITO PO AY ; 1. KAYO AY DALAWANG BUWANG HINDI PINAPASAHOD 2. KAYO AY PISIKAL AT VERBAL NA SINASAKTAN, o di kayay 3. BANKRUPT O LUGI ANG KUMPANYA PAANO MAG CLAIM NG SEVERANCE PAY Para sa mga EPS na nakatapos ng isang taong kontrata, pumunta lamang sa Center at mag file ng application. Ito po ay para sa mga umalis na sa kanilang mga pagawaan. Dalhin ang mga sumusunod: Passport, Alien Registration Card, at Libreta/Bank Book. Ipapadala ng Center ang inyong application sa Insurance Company. Maghintay ng 3 linggo hanggang 1 buwan para sa resulta. Ang pera ay ipapadala sa inyong Libreta/Bank Book. Paki-check lamang ito pagkatapos ng naturang panahon sa mismong opisina. Kailangang alam ninyo ang Company Identification Number. wala ito hindi ninyo makukuha ang inyong severance pay. Kung

MIGRANT CENTERS
Guri Pastoral Center Ansan Galilea Center Suwon Emmaus Center Friends Without Borders Counseling Office Gasan, Song-uri International Community Uijungbu, Nokyangdong Migrant Center Masok Chonmasan Migrant Center Bomun, Seoul Foreign Workers Labor Counseling Office 02-928-2049/924-2706 031-566-1141 031-494-8411 031-257-8501 032-345-6734/5 031-543-5296 031-878-6926 031-593-6542

MGA IMPORTANTENG PAALA-ALA

Mga kailangang dokumento sa paga-asikaso ng mga reklamo tungkol sa sahod: 1. Pay Slip or any other proof of payment of salary 2 . Daily Time Record (DTR) if available, or self-made record of daily work attendance specifying Regular Working hours, Overtime, and Night Differential. 3. Labor Contract

KAILANGAN SA PAGPAPAKASAL
Birth Certificate ng mga ikakasal Status of singleness from Census (notarized) Parents consent as proof of singleness (notarized) Baptismal Certificate for marriage purposes Confirmation Certificate for marriage purposes

1) 2) 5. Alien Card and Passport 3) 4) IMPORTANTENG PAALA-ALA SA MGA BAGONG DATING SA 5) KOREA
4. Bank Book/ Passbook Para sa lahat ng mga bagong dating na mga manggagawa, lalong lalo na sa mga kabilang sa Employment Permit System (EPS): a.) Tungkol sa Alien Card Registration - nasa dayuhan o sa manggagawa ang responsibilidad ng pagkuha o pagpaparehistro ng Alien Card, at hindi sa employer.
Page 8

6) Passport (xerox copy) 7) Pre-Cana seminar na gaganapin bago ang takdang araw ng kasal. Makipag-ugnayan po lamang sa Catholic Center para sa schedule.
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

11th Basketball Conference

Schedule of Games
August 3 A. Cavite Saints vs. Ilocano B. Aguman vs. Rosarians C. Cavite Saints vs. Ilonggo (cont. game) August 10 3 points shootout Friendship Game Uijeongbu Diocese vs HFCC Archdiocese of Seoul

Ginoo at Binibining Kalinangang Pilipino Isasagawang muli ang Ginoo at Binibining Pilipinas-Korea sa September 21, 2008 sa Tongsong Auditorium. Lahat ng mga interesado ay magpalista sa kahit na sinong miyembro ng Council. Qualifications: The candidates must be: - a Filipino citizen; - 18-35 years of age; - Single; - a Catholic; and - with good moral standing Deadline of Submission of names: August 24, 2008 Screening of Candidates: August 31, 2008

AUGUST CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES DATE August 2 (9:00pm) August 3 (8-9pm) August 10 (8:00am) August 24 (12pm) ACTIVITY Prayer Vigil Leadership Seminar and Ministry Preaching Skills
Free Medical Check-up

Contact Person: Edgar Balista Panawagan sa mga magpapabinyag Mula sa buwan ng Agosto, isasagawa na ang pre-baptism interview sa lahat ng mga magulang (tatay at nanay) isang linggo bago ang schedule ng binyag ng bata. Makipag-ugnayan kay Liza Anglo o sa kahit na sinong miyembro ng Lay Eucharistic Ministry.
KASAN FILIPINO MIGRANTS SONG FESTIVAL
Those who are interested to join may call Tonette 01086894162, Orly 01086954848 or Junnie 01031494586. The occasion will coincide with the Kasan International Communitys 8th Anniversary on September 7, 2008. The audition is going on until August 24, 2008. The prizes will be the following: Champion 500,000 won, 1st runner up 300,000 won and 2nd runner up 200,000 won.

VENUE Catholic Center Holy Spirit Mission Center Catholic Center Hyehwadong Church

Physical Check-up for Foreigners

Free physical check-up for foreigners on August 24, 2008, 12:00 noon. Categories to be checked: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. skin disease blood pressure Blood Test: Liver Function, Blood Sugar, High Fat Blood, Anemia and General Blood Test Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis B, Syphilis, AIDS, Hansens Disease Urine Examination: Kidney and Urinary Disease Chest X-Ray

Ilocano Raffle Draw (July 20) 1st prize 2nd prize 3rd prize Marilandskie ticket # 004169 Totoy ticket# 003671 Rhem ticket# 002473 Consolation Prize Conbenk ticket# 001205 Eric Aruma ticket# 002485 Eddie S. ticket# 004086 Cartula ticket# 003561 Lino ticket# 001939

NOTE: DO NOT EAT ANYTHING AFTER 10:00pm of AUGUST 23, 2008. KAILANGAN SA PAGPAPABINYAG
1) 2) 3) Birth certificate ng batang bibinyagan 2X2 ID pictures (2 pcs) Application formipasa ito sa Catholic Center isang linggo bago dumating ang takdang araw ng binyag.

Maraming salamat po sa mga sumuporta sa Ilocano Seoul Chapter.

BARYA MO, BUHAY KO Ipinapabatid po sa lahat na ang proyektong Barya mo, Buhay Ko ay patuloy na isinasagawa ng Sambayanan. Sa mga nais makibahagi sa proyektong ito, huwag mag-atubiling dalhin ang inyong mga barya at ialay sa Banal na Misa sa araw ng linggo. Maraming Salamat po!!!

Katekismo sa binyag na ginaganap tuwing ika-10 ng umaga, araw ng linggo (mismong araw ng binyag). Tanging ang mga pangalan ng mga nakadalo ng katekismo ang mailalagay sa Baptismal Certificate. Ang bilang ng mga ninong at ninang ay hindi dapat lalabis sa dalawampu. Ang lahat ay pinakikiusapang isaisip ang angkop na pananamit para sa okasyon.
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men.

Page 9

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Office Address: Chongro Hyehwa Dong, 7/F 109-4 406 Bldg., Seoul, Korea We are open from MonFri 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00 pm For more information please call: Tel. No. (02)3672-1384 You can remit thru online remittance to any of the following bank accounts of ePadala Mo in Korea: Post Office (010892-01-001084) Woori Bank (512-518974-13-001) Choheung Bank (313-01-148631) Kookmin Bank (031-01-0423-044) Hana Bank (274-810000-82104) Service Charge is only 8,000 won and FREE SERVICE CHARGE for new remitters with valid passport and Alien Card!!!

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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

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Philippine/World News
Group: Arroyo's SONA mum on OFWs' welfare
MANILA, Philippines - Militant overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Hong Kong questioned President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday for keeping mum on measures to promote their welfare in her State of the Nation Address (SONA). Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Hong Kong (Bayan-HK) said poverty has become so rampant that the economic and political crises are even felt abroad. "(Government) keeps on exacting from the earning of OFWs through various government fees. It even takes money from what we send to our families through the documentary stamp fee in every remittance," said Norman Uy Carnay, Bayan-HK country information officer, said in a statement on the Kilusan website. Carnay said that Filipino migrants are enraged with the refusal of the Arroyo government to heed the people's demands to remove the value-added tax on oil and the scrapping of oil deregulation. Also, he said government remains silent on issues affecting OFWs in the host country. In her 57-minute speech, Arroyo praised the efforts of OFWs who send money back home to ease the economic woes not only of their families in particular but also of the country in general. "I care for our OFWs for their skills, integrity, and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away," said Mrs Arroyo in her eighth SONA on Monday. "Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga pangkaraniwang Filipino (I laud them, ordinary Filipinos)," she added. After praising the OFWs, Mrs Arroyo received the 10th applause during her speech. The group's information officer mentioned the lack of reaction of the Philippine government to the HK$100 wage increase for foreign domestic helpers in HK that migrant groups have called "too small" as well as the suspension of the levy that migrants believed would lead to massive termination of current FDHs. "Other consulates have already expressed disappointment over the levy decision but the Philippine Consulate General has remained silent. It just shows how the GMA government mortally fears rocking the labour migration boat that is the only one supporting the country's economy," Carnay said. Carnay added that the rice problem, the incessant increase in prices of oil and oil-dependent commodities and the Value Added Tax are the major concerns of OFW families that impact Filipinos abroad. "These are the everyday needs of our families that stretch our budget to the limits. These expenses are on top of what we have to shoulder on education and health that should have been basic services that this government has never delivered," he added. "As breadwinners of our families, we cannot escape from the tragedy after tragedy that GMA's policies and inaction to burning issues bring. Every month, we are full of worries as to how we can still shoulder the increasing needs of our families," he said. GMANews.TV http://www.gmanews.tv/nation Page 12 ..Pope Benedicts Message...from page 3

Throughout the centuries since then, the Gospel has continued to spread by means of men and women inspired by that same missionary fervour. Today too there is a need for disciples of Christ who give unstintingly of their time and energy to serve the Gospel. There is a need for young people who will allow Gods love to burn within them and who will respond generously to his urgent call, just as many young blesseds and saints did in the past and also in more recent times. In particular, I assure you that the Spirit of Jesus today is inviting you young people to be bearers of the good news of Jesus to your contemporaries. The difficulty that adults undoubtedly find in approaching the sphere of youth in a comprehensible and convincing way could be a sign with which the Spirit is urging you young people to take this task upon yourselves. You know the ideals, the language, and also the wounds, the expectations, and at the same time the desire for goodness felt by your contemporaries. This opens up the vast world of young peoples emotions, work, education, expectations, and suffering ... Each one of you must have the courage to promise the Holy Spirit that you will bring one young person to Jesus Christ in the way you consider best, knowing how to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but [to] do it with gentleness and reverence (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). In order to achieve this goal, my dear friends, you must be holy and you must be missionaries since we can never separate holiness from mission (cf. Redemptoris Missio, 90). Do not be afraid to become holy missionaries like Saint Francis Xavier who travelled through the Far East proclaiming the Good News until every ounce of his strength was used up, or like Saint Thrse of the Child Jesus who was a missionary even though she never left the Carmelite convent. Both of these are Patrons of the Missions. Be prepared to put your life on the line in order to enlighten the world with the truth of Christ; to respond with love to hatred and disregard for life; to proclaim the hope of the risen Christ in every corner of the earth. 8. Invoking a new Pentecost upon the world My dear young friends, I hope to see very many of you in Sydney in July 2008. It will be a providential opportunity to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirits power. Come in great numbers in order to be a sign of hope and to give appreciative support to the Church community in Australia that is preparing to welcome you. For the young people of the country that will host you, it will be an exceptional opportunity to proclaim the beauty and joy of the Gospel to a society that is secularized in so many ways. Australia, like all of Oceania, needs to rediscover its Christian roots. In the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania, Pope John Paul II wrote: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church in Oceania is preparing for a new evangelization of peoples who today are hungering for Christ... A new evangelization is the first priority for the Church in Oceania (no. 18). I invite you to give time to prayer and to your spiritual formation during this last stage of the journey leading to the XXIII World Youth Day, so that in Sydney you will be able to renew the promises made at your Baptism and Confirmation. Together we shall invoke the Holy Spirit, confidently asking God for the gift of a new Pentecost for the Church and for humanity in the third millennium. May Mary, united in prayer with the Apostles in the Upper Room, accompany you throughout these months and obtain for all young Christians a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to set their hearts on fire. Remember: the Church has confidence in you! We Pastors, especially, pray that you may love and lead others to love Jesus more and more and that you may follow Him faithfully. With these sentiments I bless you all with deep affection.
VOLUME 13 ISSUE 31

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men