‘With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those with property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles and they were distributed to each according to need. (Acts 4:33-35)
The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, (LAIKO) composed of all Church-based National Lay Organizations and Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils of the Laity in the country, express our unanimous support to the emerging phenomenon called, Community Pantries.
This movement, initiated by kindhearted individuals with the common objective of helping our countrymen who are most in need but with less capabilities, is unprecedented and unequalled during this crucial times of the pandemic.
People with lesser opportunities can somehow hope to survive even for a day, through the overflowing and collective generosity of community residents with much or less to share. Undoubtedly God is inspiring their hearts to, Give us this day our daily bread. (Mt 6:11)
We also give our recognition to everyone who boldly initiated actions in selfless service right from the start of this pandemic: anonymous individuals, movie and TV personalities, churches, groups, movements and private corporations. Moved by God’s love and generosity, they simply acted on what their faith dictates without expecting anything in return. From a single mustard seed it grew and now the fruits benefit everyone.
We encourage all our National Lay Organizations, Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils of the Laity to extend their unwavering support to these initiatives. Likewise, let us be alert & vigilant that these community undertakings be protected from forces who plan to divide and thwart whatever gains there is to be reaped.
Pope Francis meets a family during the 9th WMOF in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2018.
The 10th World Meeting of Families is scheduled for June 22 to 26, 2022 in Rome. The Diocese of Rome and the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life have jointly released the official prayer for the Church event.
By Robin Gomes
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 10th World Meeting of the Families (WMOF) is, “Family love: a vocation and a path to holiness”, which has been the inspiration of the official prayer for the ecclesial event.
Praying with family, parish, diocese
“Praying is a way to enter into the heart of the Amoris Laetitia Year and the preparation for the event in Rome,” explained Cardinal Joseph Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, in a statement to release the prayer. “Many families and communities,” he said, “have been waiting a long time to be able to set out on their way, at least spiritually, to Rome.” “Prayer will accompany them and help them to grasp the message of the gathering.”
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life announces the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly under the theme “I am with you always”.
First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly scheduled for 25 July
By Vatican News staff writer | April 20, 2021
The First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday 25 July, announced the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life in a press release on Tuesday.
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this inaugural commemoration is “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20). It expresses the closeness of the Lord and the Church to every older person, especially in these challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The theme, “I am with you always” is also “a promise of closeness and hope that young and old can mutually share”, notes the press release. Not only are grandchildren and youths invited to be present in the lives of older people, but older people and grandparents also have a mission of evangelization, proclamation and prayer, and of encouraging young people in their faith.
To further encourage the celebration of the World Day in local churches and associations, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life will offer pastoral tools from mid-June, which will be available on the website www.amorislaetitia.va
National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue City May 1, 2021, 10:00AM To be led by: H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D.
The following are the activities and updates undertaken by the Ad Hoc Committee in the preparation and celebration of the upcoming activity of the National Consecration of the Philippines to Saint Joseph on May 1, 2021.
I. NINE DAYS OF PREPARATORY CONSECRATION TO SAINT JOSEPH
The following are invited to share virtually their reflections on the last 9 Topics on the book of Fr. Calloway’s Consecration to St. Joseph – The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father:
Day 1: (Thursday – April 22, 2021) St. Joseph, Glory of Domestic Life by H.E. BRODERICK S. PABILLO Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila
Day 2: (Friday – April 23, 2021) St. Joseph, Guardian of Virgins by H.E. DENNIS C. VILLAROJO Bishop of the Diocese of Malolos
Day 3: (Saturday – April 24, 2021) St. Joseph, Pillar of Families by H.E. ALBERTO S. UY Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran
Day 4: (Sunday – April 25, 2021) St. Joseph, Comfort of the Afflicted by H.E. JOHN F. DU Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Palo
Day 5: (Monday – April 26, 2021) St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick by H.E. JULITO B. CORTES Bishop of the Diocese of Dumaguete
Day 6: (Tuesday – April 27, 2021) St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying by H.E. PRECIOSO D. CANTILLAS Bishop of the Diocese of Maasin
Day 7: (Wednesday – April 28, 2021) St. Joseph, Terror of Demons by H.E. PATRICK DANIEL Y. PARCON Bishop of the Diocese of Talibon
Day 8: (Thursday – April 29, 2021) St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church by H.E. ORLANDO B. CARDINAL QUEVEDO Archbishop-Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cotabato
Day 9: (Friday – April 30, 2021) He Made Him the Lord of His Household and Prince Over All His Possessions by H.E. MIDYPHIL B. BILLONES Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu
II. DAY OF THE NATIONAL CONSECRATION OF THE PHILIPPINES TO SAINT JOSEPH
The Holy Mass shall begin at 10:00 AM and will be presided by H.E. Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu. The Consecration Proper will commence after the Post Communion Prayer together with the presence of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes and Congresswoman Emmarie Dizon as co-consecrators. This will then be followed with the floral offering to Saint Joseph by the 32-Sharers from the Reflections made by the Layko Cebu Committee and a pair of a Father and Son who are pious devotees of Saint Joseph here in the National Shrine.
The Mass for the National Consecration of the Philippines will be cross posted to other media platforms who may request for cross posting and in coordination with Fr. Jonathan Rubin, CCTN and TV Maria and other Facebook Pages.
On May 1, the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) and other church people will join millions of working class in commemorating the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. As church people, we bear witness to the political, economic, and social significance of workers and we affirm our solidarity with them in their struggle for dignified labor.
As our contribution for the May 1 commemoration of the International Workers’ Day, CWS together with Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) are inviting you and your community to attend an ON-LINE FORUM on April 28, 2021 (Wednesday) from 9am-11:30am with the Theme:
“GIFTED in order to GIVE” St. Joseph as our Inspiration in Mission in Times of Threat and Peril
Part of the program is the discussion of the Catholic Social Teachings on Labor and testimonies from peasants and workers who are experiencing severe economic hardships amidst the pandemic and policies of the government.
For more information, please contact the CWS Secretariat thru email: churchfortheworkers@gmail.com or mobile number 0942.1986.383 (Tony), or 0925. 4889.770 (Noel).
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Sincerely,
In commemoration of May 1, 2021 International Workers’ Day An Invitation to an ONLINE FORUM
Theme: “GIFTED in order to Give” St. Joseph as our Inspiration in Mission in Times of Threat and Peril Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 9:00 AM- 11:30 AM
PROGRAM
9:00 am Opening Prayer Fr. Noel Gatchalian, SVD
9:05am Welcome Remarks/ Introduction
9:15am Introduction of the Speakers Moderator
9:20am Speaker 1: The Significant Contribution of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) to the Labor Movement Prof. Francis A. Gealogo, PhD. Department of History Ateneo de Manila University
9:50 am Speaker 2: “GIFTED in order to give”. St. Joseph as our inspiration in mission in times of threat and peril” Rev. Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC
10:20am Testimonies From Workers and Peasant Sector
10:50 am Open Forum Moderator
11:15 am Call to Action
11:25am Closing reflection
Moderator: Prof. Jerry D. Imbong of Visayas State University
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) together with the Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition, the Church Labor Conference and Kliusang Artikulo Trese, with support from the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA) will be organizing a two-day National Conference on COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on the 24th and 28th of April 2021 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm via Zoom. This activity is part of the Project, “Rebuilding Civic Space Intervention II: Capacity Building and Advocacy To Defend Women and Women Workers’ Rights Amidst COVID-19 Crisis”.
The Conference aims to:
Provide discussion of COVID-19 restrictions and the infringement of the ICCPR.
Identify sectoral impacts of COVID-19 restrictions to women workers in relation to ICCPR.
Gather initial inputs for developing policy recommendations for a rights-based and gender-responsive COVID-19 response.
In line with this, we would like to invite the Social Action and Labor Ministries of the Archdiocese of Manila and the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas to participate in the National Conference and to contribute in the discussions.
The FFW was born out of the social teachings of the Church. Thus, as workers’ groups in touch with the Church, this shall also serve as part of our contribution to the festivities around the Consecration of St. Joseph. The Opening Plenary will be on April 24, 2021 at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Closing Plenary on April 28, 2021, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. There will be nine (9) break-out groups starting on April 24 (1:30 PM to 4:00 PM) and on April 25 and 27, 2021. Kindly refer to program attached below for more details. Participants are encouraged to join the break out groups.
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in the Transportation Sector and Food Delivery Services – April 24, 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in the Service Sector of Hotel and Restaurant, Banking and Finance, Telecom, Food and Retail, Pharmaceutical Distribution – April 24, 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in the Education Sector – April 24, 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in the Public Sector – April 25, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Migrant Workers – April 25, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (PST)
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in Informal Work and Domestic Work – April 26, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in Agriculture – April 27, 1PM-4PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in Manufacturing and Economic Zones – April 27, 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and the Rights of Workers in Health Care – April 27, 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
There is no registration fee for the Conference. We will be providing internet and meal allowance for the participants. Participants should pre-register through this Zoom Registration Link: National Conference on COVID-19 Protocols and Legislations and ICCPR. We shall send the Registration links to the breakout groups once the participants have identified which one they would join.
For any questions, clarifications, and confirmation, your good office may contact the following: Julius (FFW/ Church Labor Conference) (09178553279|dabigdyul@gmail.com); or Anne (FFW) (09454634361 | annecolina2020@gmail.com.
In solidarity,
(SGD.) Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula National President, Federation of Free Workers Chairperson, Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition
(SGD.) Julius Cainglet Chairperson for Labor Church Labor Conference
Message for the Month of Ramadan and ‘Id Al-Fitr 1442 H. / 2021 A.D. Vatican City
Muslims gather inside the Great Mosque in Paris during a meeting with French Muslims authority to determine the start of the Ramadan in Paris (ANSA)
Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,
We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity.
During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity.
The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue.
As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his providence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent.
Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them.
Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect.
Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope.
We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters.
In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope. There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55).
We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair.
As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.
From the Vatican, 29 March 2021
Miguel Ángel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ President
