When a Loved One Leaves us April 29, 2008

Good News Reflection
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
April 29, 2008

Today’s Memorial: St. Catherine of Siena
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/CatherineSiena.htm

Today’s Readings:
Acts 16:22-34
Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8
John 16:5-11
http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042908.shtml
Audio:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/08_04_29.mp3

When a loved one leaves us

We can all identify with the disciples in today’s Gospel reading. Grief fills our hearts when loved ones leave us, whether through death or abandonment or simply by moving to a new town. But as it was with the disciples, so it is with us: With every ending there is a new beginning. With every departure there is a new gift, because God is generous and loving.

Sometimes we try desperately to cling to what is lost, but then we miss the wonderful new blessings that God wants to give us. The disciples felt that kind of despair when Jesus told them that he would soon leave them to join the Father. They thought only of their own loss. This is why Jesus said, “Not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’”

Did you know? April 22, 2008

Invite your family members and friends to the upcoming café CLP. It will be a time of music, talk and fellowship. Most of all it’s free admission and free food.

Moving forward, the full Christian Life Program (CLP) will take place every Tuesday night at 7 starting on May 6 to June 10 at the Blessed Trinity Parish rm.

For more details, please contact Gerry and Mishiel Paterno @ 904-236-0505.

GK 1MB Highway of Hope Update April 18, 2008

GK1mB Highway of Hope Halfway Mark

By Nathan Mari

 

As we approach the halfway mark of the “Highway of Hope”, we are filled with overwhelming sense of Hope. We’ve been to over forty two cities, and have covered over ten thousand miles which is like driving from New York to Melbourne. The tour itself can be quite challenging at times, and sometimes the tears that flow when we are asked to share, are reflective of the difficulties each one of us face on this journey. But it’s a journey towards HOPE, which is realized in every city we go too. But these small sacrifices are nothing compared to what the poor have to go through on a daily basis.We often think to ourselves, “why are we doing this?” Can’t we just send them a video and that will be enough? But I realize, more than ever, that GK is a lifelong journey. Its a journey that makes a call to every single Filipino which demands a response. Each response will be different, and this is simply the response we have chosen. I see the urgency of this work, as more important than even our own needs, dreams, plans, and hopes. -Than our own desires, and wants!

 

 

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To Love Enough April 9, 2008

My mother isn’t speaking to my father. She hasn’t spoken to him in five years, and for that, my father is truly grateful.

I was crying the last time she did speak to him. I saw the exchange though I could not hear the words. His whisperings, her whisperings.

The two of them silhouetted against the window light at the end of the long hall. My father leaning over my mother’s gurney, pressed forehead to forehead. The word “Surgery” on the doors behind them forming a caption for the picture they made. Hands clasped together as if believing they held each other’s hearts. As longingly as the first time they had reached for each other, as desperately as two lovers being forced apart.

Being forced to part on this day of life and death.

They had made the decision together, to do or die . . . to do and die. These two who had lived for and in each other’s dreams these past forty years.

My mother with a disease that was cutting the blood flow to her brain. It was deteriorating her life and it would take it in three years. Her life could be prolonged if the surgery was done now. Twelve brave hearts had gone before her but only three of them had walked away.

I watched their process of decision making, both prayerful in the face of death. My mother wanting to live, wanting to try. The churning and turning until there was peace.

How brave we knew she was; we three sisters gathered around her hospital bed feeling time pushing us toward her fate the next day. We were quick to smile, slow to leave, hoping our “Good nights” were not our good-byes. Our father was left to keep his prayerful, loving vigil. It was painful to leave him that night, too painful to think of him alone. But he reminded us that he would not be alone, at least for this night, he had his Love.

Dama de Noche – An Enchanted Evening April 1, 2008

Congratulations CFC Youth for the success of the Dama de Noche dinner-dance fundraising event on March 29, 2008 at the Holy Spirit gym.  The turnout was more impressive than it was originally anticipated because of the generous hearts and eager supporters who made it possible.   

With the overall charming oriental feel of the setup, the mood of the evening, true to its theme, was enchanting.  The audience was extremely enamored by the exceptional showcase of talent and skills.  Naturally, their dance instructors were particularly proud of the Dama de Noche dance team for their graceful execution of the Fascination Waltz.  The members had to learn with utmost discipline and refined style in a very short period of time.  As one contender of “Dancing with the Stars” professed, “ballroom dancing is the most challenging undertaking I’ve ever done.”  Afterwards, everyone was enthused to dance the night away. 

Kudos to all the youth who participated in all the performances!  Your dedication and hard work have paid off tremendously.  Paving the road towards the 14th CFC-Youth National Conference, a job well done to all the service team!  It is always inspiring to see those who don’t ever grow tired of serving God through the CFC-Youth ministry.  A lot of you who have worked behind the scene usually don’t get due credit but unbeknownst to you, a great legacy is being passed down to the next generation.  None of your sacrifices will go unnoticed because you are true witnesses of God’s love.