KEEPING EVERYTHING (RELATIVELY) SHORT AND SIMPLE

Brand new stuff, and others.

*****

BRAND NEW

Brand new month and here in the Philippines, there is a brand new President and Vice President.

Left:  President Rodrigo R. Duterte
Right:  Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo

*****

1 entry, 2 fellowships

May fellowship was conducted on 29 May; June fellowship on 26 June.

Highlights of the May fellowship

Gospel:  Luke 9:11b-17
              “You give them something to eat.”
Feast:     Solemnity of Corpus Christi

OIC:        Angelo Valencia
                Ministry Secretary II
Awards:   Perfect Attendance   
               Abigail de Asis

               Rolyn de Asis

               Francis Ignacio

               Outstanding Attendance
               Angelica Mesina - 90%
               Nimfa Cruz - 86%
               Francheska Marie Labrador - 86%
               Ma. Christina dela Cruz - 86%
               Mark Ericson Silvino - 86%
               Michael del Pilar - 81%

               Best Sectional Attendance
               Basses - 75.04%

Celebrators:    Angelica Mesina – birthday, 17 May
                      Jomer Bautista - birthday, 17 May
                      Marlon David – birthday, 24 May
                      Mark Ericson Silvino – graduation, 21 May

Highlights of the June fellowship
Gospel:   Luke 9:51-62
               “I will follow you, Lord; but first...”
Feast:     none

OIC:        Monica Mea Angeles
                Head of the Sopranos, Finance and Resources Officer II
Awards:   Perfect Attendance   
                Abigail de Asis
                Rolyn de Asis
       
                Outstanding Attendance
                Liezelyn Funtanares - 93%
                Stephanie Grace Villojan - 86%        
                Nimfa Cruz - 81%
       
                Best Sectional Attendance
                Basses - 75.40%

Celebrators:    Nimfa Cruz – birthday, 04 June
                      Gelli Ann Cenita – birthday, 15 June

*****

July birthday celebrators

 
Jamie Anne Gavino - 14 July, Thursday
Monica Mea Angeles - 18 July, Monday
Jon-jomar Ramos - 18 July, Monday

Hindi ka IMMORAL kahit hindi mo basahin ang post na ito.

I would like to take a break from the usual posting of the recently concluded fellowship that happened 2 Sundays ago to make way for something I believe to be pressing, urgent, important but all together annoying.

I have had the chance to talk to someone a few weeks ago who at the time was seriously contemplating on leaving KMM about something I found really strange.  Among various reasons, he mentioned of morality (or the lack of it) of some members in the choir. It kind of got me annoyed because:

1.  As a Catholic, I am aware that I belong to an imperfect Church, and that I am aware of the fact that I am also imperfect, thus, IMMORAL.

2.  The fact that I am IMMORAL precludes me from having the MORAL ASCENDANCY to make objective comments about the supposed morality of anyone else including that of myself.

3.  I am simply not in any position to judge someone’s morality based on what I see, what I hear, or even what I feel.  I also believed neither was he.

Personally, I find all those accusations as hearsay and not “worthy of belief.”  Unless of course someone has evidence that substantiates the accusations, in which case I am willing to change my mind, the best way to handle such situations is to be silent.  The burden of proof falls upon the accuser.  But that is of the legal sense and I am no lawyer.

Going back, as much as I want to engage this person, I simply told him the following points:

1.  Morality is a principle that determines if something is GOOD or BAD.   Oxford defines morality as “principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior).

2.  There may be many facets to morality, and certainly it includes one of sexual nature, but it is most definitely not limited to that facet alone.

3.  I believe that on the issue of determining if something or some action is right or wrong, there is at least one book to consult: the Holy Bible.

source:  http://cf.mp-cdn.net/13/9c/7c8c75f5d91fe4de5520b08e41ce-could-an-immoral-choice-be-seen-as-a-moral-choice-from-the-right-point-of-view.jpg

***DISCLAIMER***

Hindi layon ng mga sumusunod na lathalain na husgahan ang sinuman.  Bagkus, ito po ay pagpapakita lamang ng isang pamantayag batay lamang sa aking paniniwala, at hindi sumasalamin sa opisyal na pagtuturo ng Iglesia Catolica.

Exodus 20:2-17 is one of two parts in the Old Testament that discusses The Ten Commandments.  The translation is directly lifted from Catechism of the Catholic Church as published in the official website of the Holy See.

source: https://parishableitems.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/ten-commandments-sacred-heart-catholic-church-wauzeka-wi.jpg

The Ten Commandments

1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the LORD'S day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

It is safe to say that as a Catholic, this special list is somewhat a good way to start examining ourselves if we are moral or immoral.  Violate any one of those commandments and you are a certified…  Well, you know…

There are other lists of verses in the new testament relating to the determination of good or bad.  Feel free to consult them or our local priest.

Grow in Love and Fellowship

Fellowship started at exactly 2PM and was opened by praying the rosary.  The Prayer was led and opened by Abi de Asis and closed by Mimi Cruz.

This month’s fellowship was the second this year.  It was centred on the verse, “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” which was part of that Sunday’s Gospel by Saint John.

 The most striking Bible reflection this fellowship is from Assistant Ministry Head Honey Mapilisan who have said...”Sa mababaw na kahulugan, napakadaling magmahal... Pero kung hindi mo ako kayang intindihin, hindi mo ako kayang respetuhin, hindi mo ako kayang tanggapin, hindi mo ako kayang mahalin.”

Attendance awards and some prizes for February and March were given to the following:

February:

Cheska Labrador and Christina dela Cruz - for 80% show rate

RJ Atienza - for 90% show rate

Jerquel San Juan - for perfect attendance

The Basses - for 81% sectional attendance.

March

Jon Ramos, Francis Ignacio, Liezel Funtanares, Clarisse Dollente, Steph Villojan, Angelica Mesina, Jamie Gavino, Rolyn de Asis and Gelli Cenita - for 80% show rate

Cheska Labrador - for 90% show rate

Jerquel San Juan, Cedric de Asis, RJ Atienza, Christina dela Cruz, Abi de Asis and Mimi Cruz - for perfect attendance.

The Basses - 77.22% sectional attendance.

Special citations were also given to the following members for active participation in special sessions and projects conducted by the Ministry in the first quarter of this year:

Jolina Apolonio

Karen Buraga

Gelli Cenita

Mimi Cruz

Abi de Asis

Rolyn de Asis

Cheska Labrador

Angelica MEsina

Steph Villojan

Christina dela Cruz

Clarisse Dollente

Francis Ignacio

Mark Silvino

Cedric de Asis

Jerquel San Juan

RJ Atienza

Keep up the service, guys!

The last part of the fellowship was dedicated to Clarisse Dollente who, at this time of writing is in the United States.  It was KMM’s send off to her.  She has been in active membership since May 2015.  She joins her family in the US when she left last Tuesday, 26 April.

This is not “goodbye,” Clarisse.  This is just “farewell and see you soon.”  :)

KMM FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP

Last Sunday, we had our February Fellowship.  No, it was not centered on a ring to be destroyed in the flames of Mount Doom.  So, sorry to disappoint you.  LOL

The February Fellowship was conducted on 28 February 2016 which coincided with the celebration of members who have actively participated with most KMM endeavors.  Lorenz (of the Tenors) had his birthday on 10 February, Virgie (soprano) celebrated hers on the 12^th and, Sis. Belle’s (alto, Ministry Head)  was on the 21^st.

The fellowship started with a number of games, cluster versus cluster, after which a regular rehearsal was done.  Reading of the Gospel was conducted which was followed by reflections on the Word of God.  The final reflection was given by Founder, Head Servant and Choir Master Bro. Dhong Zamora.

Awards were given by Sis. Belle and Bro. Dhong to the members with outstanding attendance show rate for the month of January.  They were Jerquel (bass of cluster 2) with 81%, Jon (tenor of cluster 3) with 88%, Abi (soprano of cluster 6) also with 88%, and RJ (tenor of cluster 4) with 94%.  The Altos were the most present in the month of January having had 71% sectional attendance show rate of all its members.

Here are some photos.

 February celebrators:  (L-R:  Sis. Belle, Lorenz, Bro. Dhong, Virgie)

Jerquel with 81% January attendance

Jon with 88% January attendance

Abi with 88% January attendance

RJ with 94% January attendance

The Altos with 71% sectional attendance show rate
(L-R:  Clarisse, Gemma, Christina, Darlyn, Sis. Belle, Jocelyn with Bro. Dhong)

VIVA, STO. NIÑO!!!

On Sunday, 17 January 2016, we celebrate the feast of the holy child Jesus.

Ang ating pong mga awit sa linggong ito ay ang mga sumusunod:

Awit ng Pasasalamat
Bunying Sto. Niño
Ialay sa Sto. Niño
Niño Hesus

The first image of the Sto. Niño in the Philippines landed in Cebu in the year 1521.  Clothed in valuable textile, it bears the imperial regalia that includes a gold crown, globus cruciger and various sceptres.  It is enshrined in the Basilica Menor del Sto. Niño in Cebu City to this day.

Source:  Wikipedia.org

source:  suzannedcapleton.deviantart.com

A very awkward service

I have lived all my life in the Philippines and as we know it, Christmas season starts in September.  Ang hindi ko lang alam, ang Kapaskuhan (the season) ay hindi natatapos sa Epiphany, o yung tinatawag ding 3 Kings.  As per the Catholic liturgical calendar (and the impromptu sermon by the Head Servant and Choir Master haha), the season's official end coincides with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  This year, tumama ang kapistahang ito sa ika-10 ng Enero (kahapon).

I have to admit it felt very awkward to have sung "Joy to the World" for the entrance song and "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit" bilang pangwakas na awit, gayong sa isip ko, malaon nang tapos ang pamimigay ng mga regalo at pagtatago sa mga inaanak.  But then, that was what my church says and I will  abide.  And I did.  But really, it felt ridiculously awkward.  I think it was comparable to the awkwardness Miss Philippines felt when she was called as Miss Universe.  You know you are right but you are thinking about what other people are thinking.

source:  www.interaksyon.com

Anyway, today starts the ordinary time in the Church.  Christmas songs will be out of season until September.  :)