Carmelite Prayer focused on the closing of St. Teresa’s 5th Birth Centenary

Carmelite Prayer focused on the closing of St. Teresa’s 5th Birth Centenary

The sisters of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) of the Diocese of Mati marked the formal closing of the 5th Birth Centenary of their holy Mother Foundress, St. Teresa of Jesus/of Avila during her feast day on the 15th of October, 2015. This was preceded by a Triduum of Masses from October 12-14, at 5:30 PM at the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Tua-Tua, Matiao, Mati City.

On the 15th of October 2015, the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration at 5:30 PM was presided over by Bishop Emeritus Patricio H. Alo, DD. while the Apostolic Administrator Fr. Edito S. Bano delivered an inspiring homily which centered on the Teresian spirituality. He stressed the importance of prayer, citing the famous description of prayer by St. Teresa, as quoted: ‘PRAYER IS NOTHING ELSE THAN INTIMATE SHARING BETWEEN FRIENDS; IT MEANS TAKING TIME FREQUENTLY TO BE ALONE WITH HIM WHO WE KNOW LOVES US’. 

Concelebrating were Diocesan Chancellor/Oeconomus Fr. Pedrito P. Mapayo, and Fr. Randy Diamante, of the Society of Divine Vocations (SDV). A veneration of the relic of St. Teresa of Jesus followed after the Mass. Then the priests, religious sisters, guests and members of the ‘Friends of Carmel’ joined in the fellowship dinner. With St. Teresa, one can also recall the famous ‘Bookmark’ lines of the great Spanish Saint — SOLO DIOS BASTA! (English: ‘God Alone Suffices’, Cebuano: ‘Dios Lang Igo Na’).

Biblical Apostolate (BA) Update

Ang nagpadayon nga Bible Speech Choir sa matag parokya ang miabot na sa Vicariate level ug gitakda ang elimination by vicariates sa selebrasyon sa Bible Sunday sunod tuig sa Enero 10, 2016. Sumala ni BA diocesan coordinator Sr. Belen Suimit sa Living the Gospel Community (LGC), ang elimination himuon sa buntag, ug sa hapon ang symposium ug workshop. Ipahigayon usab ang Family Bible Encounter Contest by parish level sa St. Therese Gym sa Clergy Compound, Madang, Mati City. Dugang gipahibalo ni Sr. Belen nga gitugtan na sila ni Fr. Bernard M. Albao sa paghatag sa Basic Bible Seminars (BBS) 1, 2 and 3 sa mga parokya. Samtang karong Nobyembre 27-28, 2015 ang ilahang BA retreat nga himoon sa Rivier Retreat house sa dakbayan sa Davao, sa direksyon ni Fr. Edilberto “Loloy” R. Mahinay.  Sa laing bahin ang BA usab kauban ang mga lectors ug youth prison volunteers ang miduaw sa mga piniriso sa ilahang pagsaulog sa Prison awareness Sunday  niadtong Oktubre 25, 2015, ug gisaulog ang Santos nga Misa alas 11:00 AM, unya nanghatag sila ug mga sabon panglaba sa mga priso. Nasayran nga ginahimo sa BA ug Lectors ang ilahang apostolado sa mga piniriso matag ika-upat nga domingo sa bulan. (Sr. Marietta Alo, OND & Neela Duallo)