bukÁs-loÓb sa diyÓs open in spirit to...

Living Water– April 21, 2017 1

April 21, 2017

BUKÁS-LOÓB SA DIYÓS • OPEN IN SPIRIT TO GOD

www.bldworld.org www.bldtoronto.com

THEME

The glory of God shines through us when the

peace of Christ lives in our hearts.

WORD

Acts 2:42-47/Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24/ 1 Pt 1:3-9/Jn

20:19-31

ORDER

“Do not doubt, but believe” (John 20:27)

“As the Father has sent me, so I send

you” (John 20:21)

“Believe in him and rejoice” (1 Pt 1:8) DIRECTION

Give thanks, honor and praise for what the

Lord has done so that the peace of Christ

will prevail in our community.

Devote ourselves to teaching, braking of

bread, fellowship, and prayers so that we

may be equipped to witness to those we en-

counter day to day. REFLECTION It is the desire of most believers of our Lord Je-

sus Christ to see him face to face, to touch him

and feel his presence every day. We pride our-

selves to have the faith that can move moun-

tains, yet in moments of grief, desolation, death

and difficult circumstances we behave just like

the disciples of Jesus, and Thomas in particular.

We fail to see the trickles of blessings and relief

that pour in those moments, the not so obvious

miracles that are God’s answer to our unspoken

prayers and the glimmers of hope that assure us

that if we trust him, He will brings us through.

In a world that is hostile, unloving and filled

with uncertainty, it is but human that ...P2

2nd Sunday of Easter

www.bldworld.org www.bldtoronto.com

2 Living Water - January 15, 2016222

Living Water - April 21, 2017 BLD TORONTO MID-YEAR RETREAT

(Cont’d from P.1)

...the spirit of fear takes over our lives, our

thoughts, our longings, and our plans, even in

our work for the Lord. The fear of loosing our

jobs and not being able to provide for our own

personal needs and that of our family come

between our commitment to be open channels

of blessings to others. The fear of persecution

dampens our enthusiasm to go forward and

our drive to participate in the Lord’s work.

Feelings of unworthiness and the burden of

guilt to know that Christ took our place on the

cross to save us from sure death, keeps us from

opening the locked door of our hearts to re-

ceive the blessing of forgiveness, the lasting

peace and the joy that Christ’s death and resur-

rection brings. Feelings of loneliness and the

absence of love sometimes cause us to question

God’s presence and his faithfulness. Surely,

there is no cause for rejoicing for those who are

unable to go beyond their own Calvary and

step out from their entombment. The Acts of the Apostles, the responsorial

psalm, Peter and John, exhort us not to be de-

spondent nor be discouraged because we have

a good and trustworthy God who loves us so

much. We may never see him face to face in

this world but we are assured that He is alive!

He has not left us as promised. He died and

rose from the dead to release us from our spiri-

tual bondage to sin. Our problems may never

go away but as we learn to embrace our

crosses and be grateful that we share in

Christ’s suffering, Jesus will make his presence

known, be on our side as we walk through it.

And as we live and abide in Christ through

eyes of faith, as we focus on Him and do what

pleases Him, Christ’s peace will replace all

doubts and fear. Surely this calls for great re-

joicing, knowing that Jesus’ resurrection from

the dead assures us of a place in heaven and

that our heavenly inheritance awaits us. As a people of the Resurrection, it is not

enough to say that we have faith in the Risen

Christ. Our faith must be one that moves us

and others into action. Unbelievers find it dif-

ficult to see their need for a savior. If we, who

pride ourselves of being disciples of Christ, are

easily discouraged and unable to move for-

ward by tragedies, trials and great difficulties

that come our way, how much more those who

do not know Christ. The greatest witnesses of

the faith are those who are able to resurrect

from their negativity of this world. Just like

Thomas, they realize their weaknesses, their

sinfulness and limitations and live faithfully

with their doubts. They rely on the help of the

Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead to

rid them of their doubts and for the Spirit to

give life to anything that has died in them –

unfulfilled hopes and dreams, breakdown of

family relationships, painful memories, disap-

pointments and impossible circumstances.

They put their hope and trust in Christ even

when their circumstances do not change. They

continue to give praise and worship to God,

show brotherly love by helping others in what-

ever way they can, and joyfully serve in com-

munity. These are the people who reflect the

peace of Christ and the glory of the Risen

Christ in their lives. They are the people who

attract and bring people to Christ.

PROMISE “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” References: Life Application Bible (New International Version)


April 21 1st Reading …..Nito/Joni Cruz Psalm …………Tildeng Cortez 2nd Reading ….John/Veronica Idachaba April 28 1st Reading …Merlo/Ellen Benoya Psalm ………..Odette Maralit 2nd Reading....Ron/Alma Ferreros

April 2017 Lectors

Newly Anointed SE#20 Class Shepherds and 5-Point Committed Disciples

(L-R) Paul/Arlene Tan, Roger/Merly Perono, SE#20 Class Shepherds; Fr. Jublas Nolasco; 5-Pt Committed Disciples Nigel Delgra, Dolly Valencia, Lisa Vargas, Fe Llanes—April 7, 2017

Congratulations! As you continue to walk this path to discipleship, may you keep to heart the prayer of Pope Francis: “Lord, here I am, with my sins. Forgive me. Help me to walk. Change my heart.”


Living Water - April 21, 2017

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries https://biblehub.com/

BLD-Toronto Seven Last Words

A Call

to

Journey

With

Christ

Art/Precy Ortiz Noli/Jeanny Mercado

Belen Rueles Trinity Urbe

Nestor/Imelda Vilela John/Veronica Idachaba Vel/Rica Meriel

https://www.studylight.org/commentarieshttps://biblehub.com/commentaries


S t. John Paul II said that the Passion of the Lord is the sacred Christian mystery that brings to

all the faithful the special grace of joy in being united to the cross. Taken in this light, the

Seven last Words at BLD-Toronto must be seen as more than an evening of sharing and spiri-

tual healing. It is a response to a call to journey with Christ as joyful pilgrims celebrating the

most sacred of all the mysteries of our faith. On March 31, 5 married couples and 2 solo parents gave witness to how they bore the weight of their

crosses. But more than that, they celebrated their victory by boldly proclaiming their faith in a God of

hope – our God whose passion and resurrection continue to challenge us to love, forgive, and be

reconciled to each other. In an increasingly fractious and fearful world where we are tempted to retreat and put up barriers

around us, the unique stories of our grace-filled sharers have given us the inspiration to constantly

build bridges in our relationships, and pursue unity and reconciliation, instead of separation. And it is

through their profound witnessing that we, in turn, find the courage to give our own testimonies to the

joy of being united to the cross… and the promise of the new life it brings.



B LD-Toronto’s recently con-

cluded Seven Last Words is

another clear affirmation that

beneath the wings of every fer-

vent sharer blows the steady wind of a

good coach. For good coaches teach, re-

mind and inspire. They teach us how to

uncover our hidden gifts and help us un-

derstand that the very purpose of our lives

is to share those gifts with others. They

remind us that our community lives on

through an unbroken chain of witnesses

who are linked together in harmony and

love. And as they take on this unenviable

task of mentorship with total humility,

they inspire us to look beyond our own

human frailties, open the windows of our

hearts, and allow our spirits to take flight.

To the coaches of BLD-Toronto, our

heartfelt Thank You!

The Wind Beneath Our Wings!

L-R: Philip/Clarita Malolos; Pat/Rose Canlas; Olie/Menchu Ealdama;

Jun/Eden Mercado; Joey/Susan Linsao. Not in Photo: Tess Malolos


This year marks the 20th National March For Life in Ottawa and the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. This year's theme is "LIFE - we stand on guard for thee" Pro-lifers will gather on Parliament Hill to demand that our laws once again uphold the right to life which is inherent to every human being, as they once did, even 150 years ago. The March for Life is the largest annual demonstration on Parliament Hill, and a sign that ending abortion is the civil rights movement of our day. As Christians, we should be deeply concerned, for it is our moral obligation to oppose these injustices. Let us make the trip to Ottawa on Thursday, May 11, 2017 and together voice our opposition to these evils. Please join us — the 1st pickup will be at SFX, Missis-sauga at 6:00am. From there, the bus will proceed to OLA Church for the 2nd pickup at around 6:40am. The cost for the round-rip bus fare is $30.00/person.

Reserve your spot ASAP by emailing: Tito&DoraBacungan [email protected] or Fran&BabyPulumbarit [email protected] or calling YollyUranza (647-407-1423)

or Carmen Jimenez (647-877-8571) of the BLD Mission Ministry

LIFE - We stand on guard for thee!

From the Life in the Spirit Ministry LSS No.35 is scheduled on June 23–June 25, 2016. Invited participants are: Graduates of ME #41 Graduates of SPE #16 Graduates of SE #20 Previous graduates of ME, SPE and SE who have not taken the LSS yet Non-encountered Singles, Solo Parents and Couples are also welcome. Orientation is scheduled on April 28

th and May 12

th after the Praise and Worship and

May 5th after the mass at the Mark 10 room. Salubong will be on Friday, May 19, 2017. For registration and more information, you may visit the LSS#35 table at the basement hall before and after P&W or contact LSS #35 Coordinators, Ed and Cristy Samson. -



“Christ came into the world as the light of all people. Through the face of the

Son, we came to know the splendor of the Father, and through the working of the

Holy Spirit, we are transformed more and more into His image, so that His re-

demptive light may shine on us all.”

God has called 29 young people from BLD Toronto (16), BLD Cincinnati (7) and

BLD St. Catharines (6) to be blessed with a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit

through the Youth Life in the Spirit Seminar no. 18 held last March 24-25, 2017 at

the St. Martin Secondary School in Mississauga. The spirit-filled weekend was

officiated by Rev. Fr. Armand Galay who inspired the participants as he echoed

the Lord’s message to go forth and proclaim to everyone the Good News of Salva-

tion! Sharing their stories of transformation bearing witnesses to how the Lord

Jesus Christ touched their lives were Kariza Reyes, Meagan Membrere & Frances-

Bulan. The YLSS youth coordinators, Ginelle Feliciano and John Carlo Genilla,

together with the shepherds and co-shepherds were instrumental in paving the

way for a very meaningful 12-week journey. We thank the Lord for the amazing

workers in His vineyard who tirelessly devoted their time and resources in ensur-

ing the success of the YLSS weekend: the Youth Ministry Praise and working

team, the adult members, the BLD ministries and members who extended their

untiring support and generous love offerings in making this YLSS weekend a

worthy gift and offering to our Lord Jesus Christ who deserves all the glory and

praise. By: Ariel & Ethel Ang

YOUTH LSS#18


YOUTH LSS#18 A joyful journey into light.



What does Easter Joy look like? We chanced

upon it at YLSS# 18. Amidst the frenetic busy-

ness of the weekend, there was something re-

freshingly holy that broke through. And what gave it away

were the smiles, the hugs, the dancing, and even the clown-

ing around. Because beneath it all was a joy that was palpable

and persistent…a sacred joy that radiated on the faces 29

young LSS graduates who were filled with hope and promise.

It was like seeing lilies in early spring. Or feeling the newness

of a life transformed. Here is what Kabura Mwangi, one of the YLSS graduates

from St. Catharines, shared with the community: My experience at YLSS#18 showed my highest and lowest

points in my life so far. I got to meet so many wonderful peo-

ple who felt the same love that I feel for Christ. I learned

about God’s amazing love for us. His love that he holds for us

is greater than our sins, our shames and our fears. YLSS

helped me to strengthen my love for Christ. The people that I encountered at YLSS helped guide me to-

wards God. I was able to see God in a different perspective. I

learned that God sacrificed so much for me so that I may be

with him. Even though I felt that I did not deserve forgive-

ness or his love, I was able to see that God has a plan for me

and He has carved my name into his hand. I felt blind before coming to YLSS. I felt that I was alone and

that I was fighting a battle without him. During the baptism,

all that uncertainty about God left me, as if they were being

sucked out of me. I felt weak and helpless; and I was happy.

Feeling that way made me realize that God is my Father and

a father’s duty is to protect and care for his child. YLSS

proved to be the beginning of my faith journey; and I thank

God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it.

Easter Joy at YLSS# 18


From John Carlo Genilla: To God be the Glory! The weekend was

filled with many joyful moments, and

some tearful ones of course. Thank you

to Father Armand for his wonderful

talks. I hope that whatever the candi-

dates learned, they would take with

them through their spiritual journey. As

your coordinators, Ginelle and I would

like to thank those who gave their sup-

port, guidance, donations and most

importantly, prayers. Lastly, thank you

God for You have made all this possi-

ble! Certainly looking forward to future

Youth Ministry events. Fun Fact: During the YLSS weekend,

the community managed to break the

records when it comes to love offerings

– Thank you for all the support you

have poured out!

Easter Joy at YLSS# 18



A N N O U N C E M E N T S

Solo Parents Encounter No. 16 A Weekend Experience of God’s Healing Love

WHEN: April 28-30, 2017

WHERE: The Valley of the Mother of God (Mono, Orangeville, Ontario)

WHO: Single parents, widows, widowers, divorced, separated

For registration forms, please see any one of the Solo Tricord: Linda Canaria, Nilda Villa and Cora Montilla, or SPE #15 class shepherds Theo Ly & Sylvia Taton, or any

member of SPE #15 class at the registration table in OLA Hall before and after Praise & Worship every Friday.

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