by Rachel Ann Doreen Nadal

Each year, we Catholics devote the

month of October as the month of

the Holy Rosary. We traditionally

express our devotion through novena prayers, processions, and

recitations of the Holy Rosary.

Here at the Mother of Good Counsel

Parish, different religious

organizations led the congregation in praying the rosary every after

7pm masses including their prayer

petitions for the whole month of

October.

Praying the Rosary unites people to God and thus a way of honoring

and contemplating Mary as well.

Come to think of this, do we really

know the essence of praying the

Rosary?

Some people object that there is

much repetition in the rosary,

making it monotonous. But do we

know that the mysteries of the

rosary itself are expressions of

love? It is when Mary was chosen

to be the Mother of Christ, to join with Him in the work of man’s

salvation. It is the story of life,

preachings, sufferings, and

triumphant victory of Jesus Christ.

To bring light of the essence of the

Holy Rosary, Pope Benedict XVI

said when he prayed the Rosary with the faithful in an address at

the Basilica of St. Mary Major:

“Without a doubt, this is one of the

most eloquent signs of love that

the young generation nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary. In the

current world, so dispersive, this

prayer helps to put Christ at the

centre, as the Virgin did, who

meditated within all that was said

about her Son, and also what he

did and said. When reciting the

Rosary, the important and

meaningful moments of salvation

history are relived. The various steps of Christ's mission are

traced. With Mary the heart is

oriented toward the mystery of

Jesus.”

Shepherd’s Corner

by Fr. Boy Ty, OSA

Something New in 2013

MGCP Organiza-tion in Focus

The Power of YES! by Clarisse Jane Oriondo

"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "May it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her. (1Luke 1:38). "Yes", it is not just a yes, but a powerful three-letter word which could also correspond to hundreds of commitment and responsibility. How would you feel if an angel unexpectedly appeared to you saying you will become pregnant and give birth to a son knowing you are a virgin woman? Not just an ordinary son you'll bear, but the son of the Most High God. Would you hesitate, doubt or refuse? This is the story of Mary. Mary didn't hesitate to accept what the angel told her. It is not just a simple "yes." This yes means her commitment, obedience to God and her responsibility as a mother. God has plans for us before the time we were born for He is our creator.

God has plans for us before the time we were born for He is our creator. In other words, He's the one who invented us, and an inventor creates inventions that he knows he'll benefit with. So let us remember that we're created by God and FOR GOD. Why hesitate, doubt and refuse? But what would happen if Mary did refuse? But then because she's obedient to God, she never did. Let's have Mary within us. God wants our generosity, for what is ours is His. It is not really about being rich or poor, or just about those material things you could give but your "selfless love and sacrifice" that you could offer; and a "yes" to the challenges God has given us that could change the world. God is now challenging you... are you ready to say YES as Mary did?

Something New in 2013

Hooray to our new set of parish officers! As we say thank you for the services rendered by the previous Church leaders, we also give a warm welcome to the new people who, like Mary, have said their “Yes!” to serving God and His people in

Parish Pastoral Council Officers

President: Sis. Dimples Trinidad Secretary: Sis. Gina Agsalon - Social Communication: Sis. Rachel Nadal - Research Group: Bro. Clarion Oriondo Treasurer: Sis. Nanette De Leon

Worship: Sis. Cleoty Jose - Liturgical: Sis. Cleoty Jose - Para-Liturgical: Sis. Adoring Marcelo

Education: Sis. Rose Tianzon - Co-Chair: Sis. Adoracion Nadal

Service: Bro. Paeng Dionio - Co-Chair: Sis. Lolit Salazar

Temporalities: Bro. Dodo Lapasaran - Co-Chair: Bro. Danny Magbanua

Youth: Sis. Ma. Gracia Ganadillo

Services: Sis. Janine Trinidad

Theater Arts: Sis. Princess Galicia

Parish Finance Council Officers

President: Sis. Merla Simo Secretary: Sis. Len Dalmacio Treasurer: Sis. Dina Castillo - Crypta: Sis. Dina Castillo Auditor: Bro. Caloy Landagan Legal: Atty. Ed Rebato

They will be installed very aptly at the start of the liturgical year, December 2, during the 9am mass. God bless to all council officers! May God’s wisdom be upon all of you!

Parish Apostolic Council Officers

President: Bro. Lito Sales Secretary: Sis. Judith Magdaluyo

WESTY Chairs

by Gina Agsalon

A Marian Treat!

Mama Mary’s birth, Month of the Holy Rosary, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Feast of Mary, Mother of God. These are just some of the Marian festivities that we celebrated and about to celebrate this time of the year. We acknowledge the important role that Mary played in our God’s most significant saving act.

Thus, we dedicate this issue to her. Being a parish bearing her title, we salute all her wonderful qualities that are truly worth emulating. In line with this, we put our pen’s focus on an organization that

honors her: The Legion of Mary!

Inside this issue, we also pay tribute to the many breakthroughs our Church and nation made this season. We also welcome our new set of council officers that will be leading us in this liturgical year and the next.

May we, like Mary, truly take advantage of the many surprises and opportunities God gives us to respond yes to His call this season of Advent and beyond. With full trust and confidence, may we also surrender our all to Him as we say, “Your will be done!”

By Fr. Agustin Ty, OSA

Mary's Obedience in Faith The first covenant, "I will be your God" was broken again and again by the people's disobedience even though God remained ever faithful. In the Annunciation story, we hear God offers a new covenant to Mary. She becomes the representative of the whole Israel, the whole people of God . Mary is to be the new ark, the new means by which God is present to his people.

In describing how God Became man, St. John tells us that the Son lived (literally "pitched his tent") among us, so closely does God want to be to us. And it is Mary's consent which allows God to live among us as human.

In contrast to Israel's disobedience, God finds in Mary's "Yes" the response of perfect, obedient faith. Mary's yes to God is a complete and total giving of herself. It means an emptying of herself, of her plans and hopes, for the sake of a very uncertain, and , as Simeon foretold, painful future. It meant being prepared to take on the shame of being unmarried and pregnant. It meant being prepared to leave everything - home, family and country - in order to flee to save her child. Ultimately, it meant the pain of a mother watching her son die. To all this Mary says "Yes" - she agrees to enter this new covenant with God, because in the whole

history of her people, God has shown himself above all to be a faithful God, a God who never abandons those who put their trust in him.

In her response, her total giving of herself to God, Mary prefigures the total self-giving of Christ, who emptied himself and became obedient unto death, for the sake of our salvation.

Mary is the model and example to the Church of Christian faith and obedience. Her words, "let it be done to me" echo the prayer we pray everyday. "Thy will be done"

By her perfect obedience , her complete and unconditional giving of her whole life to God, the promise of God to be with his people is made real in a new and unimaginable way, in the birth of Christ, the God made-man. Because of Mary's yes, God can come to be with his people in a physical and tangible way. Through Mary, God comes to earth to be God-with-us for our redemption. We too are called to follow Mary's example of obedience. By living lives which say Yes to God, we too become bearers of Christ, we too allow God to be present in our world.

Mary's vocation is also ours. By being open to God, empty of our selfish preoccupations, the word spoken to Mary "The Lord is with you" can become a reality in our lives . God will be with us and through us he can also be with those we meet. Mary made God present in the world by becoming the mother of Christ. By the power of the same Holy Spirit which came upon her, we too can bring the saving love of God to our world.

Thus, the new covenant: "I will dwell among you...” Like Mary, let us bring Christ into the world.

God's first call for every person is to simply follow Him. We were created to be in relationship with God, and that is His greatest desire for us. As our relationship with God grows, He will continue to draw us deeper into this relationship, and call us to become more like Christ, to love Him more, and to love others through service. In all these things, we will experience God calling us to a particular vocation.

The Catholic Church recognises four main vocations: Priesthood, Religious Life, Marriage and Single Life. God calls everyone to follow Him. Here is a brief outline of the four vocations:

Priesthood: A Catholic priest is a male ordained minister of the Church. Because they give their lives in total service to the Church, priests embrace the gift of celibacy and commit to a life of prayer. They proclaim the Good News, teach the Catholic faith, minister the Sacraments, work to build up their local faith community and lead their faith community in worship. Most priests will minister in a parish setting, while others may serve as chaplains to universities, hospitals, prisons, the armed forces and other industries.

Editor-in-Chief: Sis. Gina Agsalon

Managing Editor: Sis. Rachel Ann Doreen Nadal

Contributors/Writers: Sis. Rose Tianzon Sis. Clarisse Oriondo

Layout & Design: Bro. Charles Oriondo

Proofreader: Sis. Malou Rebato

Photographers: Sis. Ma. Gracia Ganadillo Bro. Jim Darren Refran

Circulation Manager: Bro. Laurence Addison Dimaguila

Admin & Finance: Sis. Ma. Gracia Ganadillo

Sis. Shara Sanidad

Adviser: Rev. Fr. Agustin Ty, OSA

Send your comments, suggestions, feedback, story, photograph and artwork contributions to mgcp.socialcom@gmail.com.

Pls. visit our parish website at www.mgcparish.net.

by Gina Agsalon

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How well do you know St. Augustine?

William Navarez

“Makasalanan pero banal.”

Jude Villabroza

“All I know is that He was born at Tagaste on 13 November, 354. Tagaste, now Souk-Ahras, about 60 miles from Bona, formerly known as Hippo-Regius, was at that time a small free city of proconsular Numidia which had recently been converted from Donatism.”

Claude Gio Buño

“Dating basagulero.”

Carl Mendoza

“Anak ni Santa Monica.”

Gaborito Esmeria

“Pinakaastig na Santo.”

70 parishioners were asked what is their most preffered time to attend a Sunday mass. The following are the top 5 survey results:

Religious Life: A religious priest, brother or sister (nun) commits his or her life to sharing in the life and mission of their religious community. Religious priests, brothers and sisters embrace the call to poverty, chastity and obedience, and nurture their call through a life of celibacy, faith, prayer and service. Religious priests, brothers and sisters serve in areas such as education, health care, parish, youth ministry, aged care, spirituality, pastoral ministry, social work, amongst the poor and as a contemplative, and many will serve as missionaries in other cultures. Depending on the religious order, they may dress in 'normal' clothes or in a habit.

Marriage: A married person lives a vow of faithful sacrament of marriage.

Husbands and wives share a self-giving, love-giving and life-giving relationship with their spouse, and are committed to helping their spouse grow to human and Christian maturity. They seek to form a family home, and are together the first teachers of their children in Christian faith and values. Married people may serve in their parish community or in the Church in a number of different ways.

Single Life: A person called to single life comes to believe that remaining single is the true and right way to faithfully live his or her baptismal call. Single men and women embrace the gift of celibacy while living alone, with a family or with others who are single. They are able to devote time and energy in service of others, and may serve in their

parish community or in the Church in a number of different ways.

In each vocation, the person lives a life of faith and prayer to continually grow in relationship with God. The Church recognis-es that each vocation is equal in the sense that no vocation is better or less then any other. However, because God calls you to a particular vocation - wheth-er marriage, priesthood, reli-gious life or single life - that vocation is the best one for you, and the one that will 'fit' you best and make you the most happy.

Source:

http://srambivc.blogspot. com/2008/03/four-types-of-vocation-in-catholic.html

Thirteen-year-old Cris “Kesz” Valdez from Cavite City, 13 yrs old, accepted his Nobel Peace Prize last September 19 at Netherlands. He received 100,000 euro ($130,000) as a reward. He is the founder of “Championing Community Children,” an organization that gives flip-flops, toys and tooth-brushes to deprived children in his hometown.

Luis Cardinal Tagle has been installed last November 24, Saturday, by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican City. At 55, he is the second youngest in the college of Cardinals. The cardinals are the ones who elect the Catholic Church’s pope.

Filipino teenage martyr Pedro Calungsod was elevated to saint-hood when Pope Benedict XVI canonized him at the Vatican last October 21. He was murdered while serving and evangelizing in the island of Guam in 1672.

December 2 – Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36

December 9 – Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6

December 16 – Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

December 23 – Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

December 30 – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52

January 6 – Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

January 13 – Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

January 20 – Isaiah 62:1-5; 1Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12

January 27 – Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; 1Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Monday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Tuesday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Wednesday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Thursday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Friday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Saturday 6:00 AM 7:00 PM

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Sunday 6:00 AM 9:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM

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Friday 6:00 PM English

Saturday 6:00 PM English

Sunday 8:00 AM Filipino

Sunday 7:00 AM Filipino

Sunday 11:00 AM Filipino

Sunday 10:00 AM English

“The Son of God became man for our salvation... through Mary.”

- St. Louis Marie de Montfort

by Sis. Adoring Marcelo as told to Sis Rosemary V. Tianzon

The Legion of Mary “sanctifies” its members through prayer and work to advance the reign of “CHRIST.”

The Mary Queen of Charity Presidium was conceived on March 7, 1993 with six (6) founding members who attended the first organizational meeting presided by Sis France A. Cruz and which was approved by Rev. Fr. Dominador Besares, Jr. OSA in November 1992.

Their activities include home visitations where the legionaries reach out to sick people and families especially in Maligaya 5 & 6 to help them enhance their spirituality. Other activities include: counselling on the importance of sacraments; quarterly special masses for the sick and the elderly; and block rosary where Bible sharing is also done. Their apostolate also includes informal catechetical instructions in the church, homes, offices, markets, etc.

Last Sept. 8, Mother Mary’s birthday, there was a

general meeting of all members where Fr. Agustin Ty, OSA, MGCP parish priest, gave a talk.

To have Legion of Mary in different areas, the “mother Legion” gave birth to the Queen of Angels, Talang Maliwanag and Bountiful Love presidiums in Resurrection, Sto. Niño and St. Joseph chapels respectively.

Parishioners are encouraged to take part as auxiliary members who help in praying; adjutarians who hear mass everyday or as full-fledged members.

To be a part of their Marian organization, we may contact any officers or members of either in the main parish or in chapels. We may also submit our names and contact numbers to the parish office with a note indicating our desire to join the group.

*Sis. Adoring Marcelo is currently the president of Mary Queen of Charity Presidium

*Other source: Excerpts from the MGCP 1997 Annual Report