The Blessed Virgin Mary,
The Mother of God 

Solemnity

January 1st

drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock

Mary is the Mother of Jesus, who is true God and true man.

Mary, Mother of God - Catechism of the Catholic Church

495 Called in the Gospels "the Mother of Jesus," Mary is acclaimed by Elizabeth, at the prompting of the Spirit and even before the birth of her son, as "the mother of my Lord." In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly "Mother of God".

From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy
 
The Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God

115. On New Year's Day, the octave day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God. The divine and virginal motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular salvific event: for Our Lady it was the foretaste and cause of her extraordinary glory; for us it is a source of grace and salvation because "through her we have received the Author of life"(127).

The solemnity of the 1 January, an eminently Marian feast, presents an excellent opportunity for liturgical piety to encounter popular piety: the first celebrates this event in a manner proper to it; the second, when duly catechised, lends joy and happiness to the various expressions of praise offered to Our Lady on the birth of her divine Son, to deepen our understanding of many prayers, beginning with that which says: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners".

116. In the West, 1 January is an inaugural day marking the beginning of the civil year. The faithful are also involved in the celebrations for the beginning of the new year and exchange "new year" greetings. However, they should try to lend a Christian understanding to this custom making of these greetings an expression of popular piety. The faithful, naturally, realize that the "new year" is placed under the patronage of the Lord, and in exchanging new year greetings they implicitly and explicitly place the New Year under the Lord's dominion, since to him belongs all time (cf. Ap 1, 8; 22,13)(128).

A connection between this consciousness and the popular custom of singing the Veni Creator Spiritus can easily be made so that on 1 January the faithful can pray that the Spirit may direct their thoughts and actions, and those of the community during the course of the year(129).

117. New year greetings also include an expression of hope for a peaceful New Year. This has profound biblical, Christological and incarnational origins. The "quality of peace" has always been invoked throughout history by all men, and especially during violent and destructive times of war.

The Holy See shares the profound aspirations of man for peace. Since 1967, 1 January has been designated "world day for peace".

Popular piety has not been oblivious to this initiative of the Holy See. In the light of the new born Prince of Peace, it reserves this day for intense prayer for peace, education towards peace and those value inextricably linked with it, such as liberty, fraternal solidarity, the dignity of the human person, respect for nature, the right to work, the sacredness of human life, and the denunciation of injustices which trouble the conscience of man and threaten peace.

APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

   maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
   who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
   born of the virgin Mary,
   suffered under Pontius Pilate,
   was crucified, died, and was buried.
   He descended into hell.
   The third day he rose again from the dead.
   He ascended into heaven
   and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
   From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
   the holy Christian Church,
   the communion of saints,
   the forgiveness of sins,
   the resurrection of the body,
   and the life everlasting. Amen.

JESUS SAID,"I WAS IMPRISONED AND YOU VISITED ME."

2ND MINDANAO ASSEMBLY OF CHAPLAINS AND VOLUNTEERS IN PRISON SERVICE (VIPS)

                          

EPISCOPAL COMMISSION ON PRISON PASTORAL CARE

Vision-Mission

Vision:  Towards a Total Human Development of the Members of the Prison Community
Mission:  Formation of Community of Disciples that will promote and provide programs and opportunities to meet the unique needs of the prisoners and their families, ex-prisoners and their families, victims and their families, the correctional employees and the volunteers in prison service.

Current Major Thrusts:

• Promotion and Organization of Volunteers in Prison Service or Restorative Justice Advocates in various arch/dioceses to deliver the Integrated Pastoral Program for the Rehabilitation of the members of the Prison Society i.e. Worship, Formation, Advocacy/ Networking and Service Program
• Continuing Advocacy of Enlightened Legislations that promote and serve Christian values and attitudes towards the members of the prison community.
• Establishment of Linkages and Partnerships with groups, agencies and organizations involved in prison.
• Sustained Program for ECPPC Staff and Volunteers towards deepening of their commitments and understanding of the prison ministry to better deliver services needed by the members of the prison community.
• Special Projects in relation to the ECPPC regular program.
• Direct Services like para-legal and educational assistance of children of ex-prisoners and prisoners.

Volunteers in Prison Service (VIPS) and Restorative Justice Advocates: Promotion and Strengthening

 To deliver basic services to the members of the prison community (Integrated Prison Pastoral Care Program i.e. Formation, Worship, Service, Advocacy and Linkages, Temporalities), the ECPPC has made as its priority the organization of Volunteer in Prison Service (VIPS) units and Restorative Justice Advocates in the different dioceses and archdioceses. The commission does this by conducting Orientation Seminar that aims to provide the volunteers an understanding of the ministry. As of 2011 we have about 86 volunteer units.

The commission also:

•  Publish VIPS Update quarterly to establish communication and provide information among each unit.
• Follow-up the units through our pastoral program officer and national coordinator of VIPS.
• Conducts General Assembly of VIPS and Chaplains every three years and Regional Assembly before the General Assembly.

Advocacy, Networking Partnership and Linkages for Enlightened Legislation

A.  Linkages and Networking.  The CBCP-ECPPC is an active member of the following coalitions and organizations;

• Coalition Against Death Penalty (CADP). The coalition, which is a non-stock, non-profit organization, aims to abolish the death penalty. It is composed of 18 non-governmental organizations.  It meets once a month.  The ECPPC acts as the Secretariat of the coalition.
• Philippine Action for Youthful Offenders (PAYO).  The organization  aims to address concerns affecting children in conflict with the law. It meets once a month. The ECPPC also acts as the Secretariat.
• Integrated Correctional Association of the Philippines (ICAP).  It is a non-stock, non-profit organization whose goal is to seek reforms and changes in the correctional field.  It meets once a month.  The ECPPC is the office of the association.
• Pope John Paul II Foundation for Prisoners Welfare (FOPRIW).  It is a non-stock, non-profit religious organizations establish by ECPPC with the sole purpose of raising funds to finance the program of the ECPPC.  It holds office in the ECPPC.
• International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA).  It is an international organization of different denominational group involved in prison work.  It seeks to establish linkages among the prison workers and to support each other.  It holds conference every 5 years.  The office is in Ottawa, Canada.
• International Commission of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care (ICCPPC).  It is an international group of catholic chaplains that seek to institute reforms in the penal system and establish strong relationships among catholic prison workers.  It holds conference every 4 years. Its office is in Netherlands.
• Technical Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice of the National Police Commission.  This body is composed of the members of the 5 pillars of the criminal Justice system that meets quarterly to address concerns affecting the criminal justice system
• Sub- Committee on Executive Commitments of the Inter- agency to Monitor the Implementation of the Persons Deprive of Liberty Summit.

B. Advocacy.  The CBCP-ECPPC is advocating and lobbying for the following:

• Adoption and advancement of restorative interventions in our justice system
• Total Abolition of the Death Penalty
• Passage of the Pre-trial Release Program or Release on Recognizance Act
• Creation of the Department of Corrections

Special Projects

• Annual Prison Awareness Sunday Celebration every last Sunday of October.  The commission spearheads every last week of October to awaken the public on the plight of the members of the prison community.  This coincides with the celebration by the government of the National Correctional Consciousness Week.  Each VIPS unit prepares their activities. The highlight of the celebration is the granting of Gawad Paglilingkod Award to individuals and groups who have shown outstanding service in the prison ministry.
• Paralegal Training Seminars are given to volunteers who would provide paralegal assistance to inmates.
• Service Consciousness Seminars are conducted to the correctional employees to inculcate the value of service and to imbibe among them the gospel values
• Seminar Workshop on Restorative Justice-Justice That  Heals are held to promote and advance the adoption of restorative justice paradigm in addressing the problem of criminality.  It promotes the kind of justice  that heals the wounds caused by crime.

4.  Sustained Program for ECPPC Staff and Volunteers

The commission holds reflection seminars for the staff to deepen their commitment and understanding of the prison ministry to better deliver services needed to promote the interests of the prison society.

The following activities are held:

• Advent and Lenten Retreat
• Evaluation and Planning every 6 months
• Study and Reflection Day every first Friday
• Theological and Pastoral Updating
• Fellowship every summer and Christmas
• Staff Meeting and Faith sharing session once a month

Direct Services of the ECPPC

• Para-legal Assistance.  The commission gives para-legal assistance mostly to convicted prisoners by way of interceding for executive clemency and parole.
• Educational Assistance. The commission provides educational support to children of prisoners and ex-prisoners.  It comes in various forms such as tuition fee support, monthly allowance, and supplies assistance.  As of today there are 20 scholars
• Livelihood and Loan Assistance. The commission also provides livelihood support to prisoners and ex-prisoners on occasional basis.  A maximum amount of P10, 000 is allowed.
• Medical Assistance.  The commission also gives medical assistance to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families whenever the need arises.
• Other assistance. The commission also grants transportation assistance to release inmates, funeral assistance and counseling services.

2011 CBCP-ECPPC Bishops and Personnel

CBCP-ECPPC BISHOPS

Chairman   : Bishop Pedro D .Arigo

Vice Chair: Artemio Rillera

Treasurer: Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas

Members:

             Bishop  George B. Rimando

             Bishop Warlito Cajandig

CBCP-ECPPC STAFF

Exec. Secretary     :  Rodolfo S. Diamante

Accountant            : Angelito J.  Cariaso

VIPS Coordinator : Gerard Ian V. Bernabe

Pastoral Program Officer: Michael V. Bartolome

Cashier: Rolando C.  Arriola

Office Secretary;  Ester G. Alicante

Office Assistant:  Dolly L. Pangilinan

                                  

Consultants/Resource Persons

a) Auditor/Finance: Juliet B. Rafael

b) Publicity/Promotion :  John Nelson Tan

c)Volunteer Organization: Alfonso S. De Ocampo/ Gerard Ian Bernabe/ Lee Fresnosa

ANSWER IT VERY QUICK.SALAMAT!

Answers:

How fast can you guess these words?

1. F_ _K
2. PU_S_
3. S_X
4. P_N_S
5. BOO_S
6. _ _NDOM


Answers:

STARJED MUSIC MINISTRY last 01-30-10

SALAMAT LORD! SA MGA NAKAUBAN NA MGA TAWO SA MINISTRY. DIHA SA AMONG MGA KALAINAN, DIIN KAMI NAGKAHIUSA, SA AMONG MGA KAHUYANG DIIN KAMI NAHIMONG KUSGAN PINAAGI SA GRASYA UG PANABANG SA DIOS.

LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US!

CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US!  

                                                                                                         LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US!

MAMA MARY IS OUR LADY OF LORETO

Our Lady of Loreto, December 10

Hic Verbum caro factum est
"Here the Word was made Flesh"

This is the inscription found at the base of the altar in the Holy House of Loreto. The house where the Blessed Virgin Mary said yes to God and allowed the Son of Man to become alive within her. It was in that moment that the Holy Mother of God was born and eternal salvation became attainable for all of mankind.

The Litany of Loreto, which is said faithfully in this Holy House, was approved by Sixtus V in 1587.

"Its titles and invocations set before us Mary's exalted privileges, her holiness of life, her amiability and power, her motherly spirit and queenly majesty. The principle that has been followed in their interpretation is the one enunciated by the same Pius IX: "God enriched her so wonderfully from the treasury of His divinity, far beyond all angels and saints with the abundance of all heavenly gifts, that she . . .should show forth such fullness of innocence and holiness, than which a greater under God is unthinkable and which, beside God, no one can even conceive in thought." Hence, whatever virtue and holiness is found in angels and saints must be present in Mary in an immeasurably higher degree."
(Source: Our Lady's Titles, by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D.)

Visit Margaret for a beautiful devotion.

December 10 is the traditional feast of Our Lady of Loreto. Pray the Litany today with your family.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mother of Christ, pray for us.

Mother of divine grace, pray for us.

Mother most pure, pray for us.

Mother most chaste, pray for us.

Mother inviolate, pray for us.

Mother undefiled, pray for us.

Mother most amiable, pray for us.

Mother most admirable, pray for us.

Mother of good counsel, pray for us.

Mother of our Creator, pray for us.

Mother of our Savior, pray for us.

Virgin most prudent, pray for us.

Virgin most venerable, pray for us.

Virgin most renouned, pray for us.

Virgin most powerful, pray for us.

Virgin most merciful, pray for us.

Virgin most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of justice, pray for us.

Seat of wisdom, pray for us.

Cause of our joy, pray for us.

Spiritual vessel, pray for us.

Vessel of honor, pray for us.

Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.

Mystical rose, pray for us.

Tower of David, pray for us.

Tower of ivory, pray for us.

House of gold, pray for us.

Ark of the covenant, pray for us.

Gate of heaven, pray for us.

Morning star, pray for us.

Health of the sick, pray for us.

Refuge of sinners, pray for us.

Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.

Help of Christians, pray for us.

Queen of Angels, pray for us.

Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.

Queen of Prophets, pray for us.

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.

Queen of Confessors, pray for us.

Queen of Virgins, pray for us.

Queen of all Saints, pray for us.

Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.

Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us O Lord

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Chrsit our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR FAVORS

Merciful God, you have called Dionisia Talangpaz to manifest your grace of humility and fortitude in serving your church, under the mantle of Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel.Please grant this favor....(Please mention your favor to obtain through Mo. Dionisia) United with the loving supplication of your dear courageous and faithful Mother Dionisia, whose glory and joy in your kingdom, we ask you to reveal her holiness and grant her beatification, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray 1 Our father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory be...to grant our favor.