Holy Thursday 2012, April 5.

Reposting previous posts on Holy Thursday, with minimal changes.

Holy Thursday 2012, April 5.

Today at sunset of Holy Thursday, Lent ended and the Triduum began. The Triduum is the three days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday that commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

I only went to one Mass, a beautiful, solemn, touching Mass, rich in symbolism and meaning. It is held in the evening because Passover began at sundown. In the Philippines, the Visita Iglesia (Church visits) is practiced, where seven churches are visited. It is said that this practice probably originated in Rome where seven pilgrim churches are visited for penance.

Tonight's Holy Thursday Mass is a celebration of the Lord's Last Supper with His apostles. The beautiful songs sang by our Celebration Singers enhanced the solemnity of the service. Kather Kopacek sang through the Consecration.

The presentation of the 3 holy oils previously blessed by the Archbishop started the service: the Oil of Chrism (used in confirmation), Oil of the Sick, and Oil of Catechumen (used in baptism and ordination). Father blessed the oils with incense. The burning incense is said to be purifying and sanctifying.

The altar servers rang the bells continuously during the Gloria, as the bells will then be silent until the Easter Vigil. There is no Mass celebrated until Easter.

The washing of feet of 12 apostles was performed after the Homily. In John 13:1-17 Jesus instructs his apostles, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet." We are commanded to serve others humbly according to His example.

At Consecration, where Jesus at the Last Supper, changed bread and wine into His most holy Body and Blood, and offered them in sacrifice to all. The mystery of the Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, is the essence of our belief. The Last Supper was also when Jesus instituted Priesthood.

The Blessed Sacrament was blessed with incense, and the service concluded with a procession around our church. The Blessed Sacrament was brought to the altar of Repose (where the consecrated hosts are kept for Good Friday since Mass is not celebrated that day). A light shone from above, illuminating the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of Repose. The church's altar was later stripped bare. The holy water fonts were empty.

The Church was open till late for Adoration. By staying in prayer with the Lord, we joined others and the disciples who tried, but were unable to stay awake in Jesus’ hour of need.

We all left in silence, contemplative.

Guia, etc. Fitness Classes

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be..."
Robert Browning (1812-1889)

Yoga with Guia:
United Medical Park: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 noon.

Wheaton Franciscan Wellness Center: 8 a.m. Fridays.
Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.

Fusion Dance & Fitness:
Tuesdays, 5:30 pm.
Saturdays, 9:15 a.m. (no class March 31)

Zumba:
Landmark Commons: Wednesdays, 5:45 pm - 7 p.m.
YWCA: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m.

United Medical Park: Fridays, 5:30 p.m.

Saturdays, 1.5 - 2 hours, 2 pm.
April 7- Landmark Commons
April 21- Fusion Dance & Fitness
April 28- Landmark Commons.

Wheaton Franciscan, March 27, 3:45 p.m.

BodyWell: Wheaton Franciscan, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012

As we observed Ash Wednesday on February 22, I reread an old essay I wrote in "Guia, etc.", information gleaned from several sources. Reposting as I reflected on that day. A few things were changed.

Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs 40+ days before Easter.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of forty day liturgical period of prayer and fasting, just as Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before his public ministry, where he was unsuccessfully tempted by Satan.

The priest, minister or officiating lay person, marks the forehead of the participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper retains until it wears off, considered a sign of the faithful. The priest or minister says this as ashes are applied to the forehead,
"Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return."
—Genesis 3:19

I find these words very strong and meaningful, touches me, and try to live my life guided by this powerful message.

Ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is a sign of mourning and repentance to God. Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance. The ashes used are the previous year's burned Palm Sunday.

The day's gospel talked about inward prayers. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

For me, having the ashes smeared on my forehead is simply a reminder that the Lenten season has started, a time for prayers, reflection and service. I am reminded of my mortality; and what is important to me.

The Churches that observe Ash Wednesday are Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Baptist denominations.

In the Catholic Church, ashes, being sacramentals, may be given to anyone who wishes to receive them as opposed to Catholic sacraments, which are generally reserved for church members. I am thankful I made it to the Sacred Heart Church tonight. I was ill with the flu last year.

The Lenten season is here, a time of reflection, prayer, and service; contemplating the Lord's 40 days of prayer and fasting before He embarked on His life's work. Let us immerse in it.

Thanksgiving 2011, November 24

Our hearts replete with thankfulness. With gratitude for all blessings and mercies, not only today, but each day of our lives.

For this Thanksgiving and future Thanksgivings to come, a 13 minute video essay by Matt Zoller Seitzcalled “Feast." He selected “images of food—and the preparation of food” from movies old and new. How many can you identify?
Credits at end of the video.

http://www.movingimagesource.us/articles/feast-20091124

The Varsity Year by Sister

My younger sister Soki's post on her cross country HS senior runner son.

The Varsity Year

They did it! When all of New York's professional football teams bowed and lost to their rivals in the league one Fall weekend, our local cross country team stepped forward and scheduled a Recognition Night for our teenagers. It was a wonderful thing. It was a night when teachers, siblings and parents came to give sixteen happy seniors a standing ovation. These teenagers deserved it for not giving up on the running program facilitated by their coach, mentor, and adviser whom they call "Coach Raff". They ran together for four years! This last one, being the varsity year when schedules had to be tweaked, race courses diverted, summer and fall practices shortened caused by two hurricanes, rain, more rain, and snow. And yet, they were all there.

As a novice runner, we signed him up in 7th Grade for modified cross country under Coach White. She nurtured each of her runners under her wing. (The goal of the sport is to eventually be finishers of a 5K race, or 3.1 miles). Every year, he improved. He grew taller, stronger, and healthier. He never mentions his past accomplishments. He never mentions the disappointments either.

So here is where I come in. There were many mementos: NY Public High School Scholar-Athlete award, Varsity letter Certificate, "goldified" medals with inscriptions, apples, T-shirts, ice cream, and bragging rights for the Boys team as they finished first, second, third during various Mid-Hudson Athletic League (MHAL) races. (This is the local championships held at the end of a cross country season). Looking back, this also included a memorable experience as a freshman. He was lucky to be part of the cross country team that retired the "keg" for successfully winning the MHALs for four straight years under their winningest coach, “Coach Raff”. What an honor!

Still there is one award he cherishes more than any prized hardware which he keeps on his bookcase: The “Most Improved Runner" trophy he attained as a beginner, five years ago, exploring the road. If you talk to him now, he will tell you that apart from the sport requiring discipline, good work ethic, pacing, Tiger Balm, ice pack, and endurance, he soon figured out that to succeed, he had to motivate himself to work on his speed and mental toughness, so he can sprint and finish strong --with a good kick in the end! He gained a wider perspective too. That's what kept him going.

Contrary to any other sporting event where the arena is contained and one gets instant gratification as an athlete performs in front of a cheering crowd, this sport is run quietly when no one is looking. For signing up, showing up, and finishing a race is satisfaction unto itself. This is why it means a lot to him when coach congratulates and says quietly: "Thank you for sticking with the program, Anthony."

Warm regards,
~ S
11/15/2011

Thank you, maraming salamat po, dacal a salamat, mabbalo, muchas gracias, Dios ti ag-ngina.

Monday, August 1, 2011 at 10:44am

Dear Family and Friends,

I resisted joining Facebook or any other social network for the longest time because emails, e groups, and the blogs were enough to keep me busy and abreast of my community of family and friends. My brother Dodo got me going as he was planning early (just the way he is) for Mama's 85th and Papa's 84th birthday bash in Singapore last year. He said, you can limit this to family, so we can share photos and videos, etc.

I relented, and little did I know what was ahead once I joined FB! I found a lot (really!) of family, friends and classmates from long, long ago. (Yes, I am a baby boomer.) Friends of family, friends of friends, classmates of my siblings, a wide web of community from far and near. We are connected because we were once together.

Here is a song I cherish, I'd like to dedicate to you, as a thank you. This is by Florante, an original Pinoy music (OPM), Handog, Offering. With English translation. I see it meant for parents, mentors, helpful friends - aren't we all to one another?

Tatanda at lilipas din ako
Nguni't mayroong awiting
Iiwanan sa inyong ala-ala
Dahil, minsan, tayo'y nagkasama.

"I will grow old and will be gone. but there is a song I will leave for your memories, because there was a time we had been together."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dFAhYRhuU&feature=share

Thank you, maraming salamat po, dacal a salamat, mabbalo, muchas gracias, Dios ti ag-ngina. God bless you all.
Guia

The Grandeur of the Rockies, His Grandeur

Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 11:50pm

C. completed a week's bicycling up the Colorado Rockies with the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour. The 250 hard core bicyclists biked through Grand Junction to Hotchkiss, to Gunnison, to Buena Vista, to Glenwood Spings, to Hotchkiss, then back to Grand Junction. They climbed through several mountain passes: the scenic Grand Mesa (elevation 10,000-11,000 feet), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Forest, Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass on the Continental Divide (elevation 12,126 Feet). A day's ride and drive was typically about 80 miles.

The Continental Divide, the "Great Divide" of North America, is a high point that separates major watersheds and river systems. The southeastern side of the divide flows down to the Arkansas River, to the Mississippi River, and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. The northwest side would lead to the Gunnison River, the Colorado River and finally into the Pacific Ocean.

The weather was mild and pleasant; cold, especially in the mornings. One appreciated the cool mountain breezes after coming from a hot, humid summer and RAGBRAI in Iowa (elevation 1000-2000 feet).

Maia and I were C.'s support staff, his groupie, his sherpas, although we camped comfortably in hotels while some toughed it out with nature around the towns' high schools. We did a lot of reading, Zumba dancing, TV time, singing and dancing in the car with the long rides (particularly the 2 day trek from Iowa to Colorado), movies (Captain America and Rise of the Planet Apes), and preparing our sandwiches when not on the road. We appreciated City Market's deli and ice cream as we only had two restaurant meals while in CO (Mother's in Buena Vista, Ribs in Glenwood Springs).

Maia and I will not forget our trek of 25 miles through Gunnison National Forest, a narrow two lane gravel road climbing up to 10,00+ feet above sea level, where we were at the ravine side (!). I inadvertently followed the GPS' directions and not the bicyclists' route through paved, regularly traversed roads from Hotchkiss to Paonia, despite C's advice. I didn't listen and did not think through the route. I, the driver, not particularly fond of heights (discovering this through trips to Sta Fe Mountains in the Philippines, the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Empire State building, the St. Louis Arch, and paragliding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico), was the responsible adult (!). Maia was the able navigator, but I sensed a hint of anxiety. There were scant vehicles passing through, there were no homes because it is a national forest. We saw cattle and forest mice by the road, waiting to cross. I was grateful we were in the U.S. of A., and not through the mountains of South America; that afforded me a great sense of security. The vistas were grand and beautiful, though. C. called it an "adventure." I call it a "lesson" learned, to use one's brain and not totally rely on the computer.

The Rocky Mountains is composed of several ecosystems. The towering peaks and deep valleys are made of igneous (from fire) and metamorphic rock. The mountains were sculpted by glaciers of yore. The riparian (wetland) ecosystem have 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams with lush plant life. Forests of pine and grassy hillsides dominate the montane (mountain) ecosystem. As one gains elevation, the subalpine (below the alpine) ecosystem will have bent and gnarled bodies of spruce and fir trees, indicative of hard summers and harder winters near the mountain tops. The alpine tundra is the highest, as in the Independence Pass. This land is too harsh for trees and appears barren, but there is dense carpet of plants with areas of snow (even in the summer). There is a wide variety of fauna, but we only saw deer, cattle and mice, since we stayed on the roads.

We were "assaulted" with vistas and vistas of beautiful grand views of forests of pine, aspens, grassland, rocks, rivers and streams with each turn. It was truly grandeur, grandiose. The quiet and serenity afforded one to delve in prayer, reflection, meditation and gratitude. It is a beautiful place; it is a beautiful world. God is gracious; God is good.


Ref: National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm