Our Christian Journey

Photo Credit: http://dailybibleplan.com

Believing and Accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior is no good unless we do the works He did and follow the examples He gave. Faith and Good works should go hand-in-hand together. As it is written: "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:26)."

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

Today, September 7, 2013, is the World Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in Syria, Middle East and the Whole World as declared by our Holy Father, Pope Francis.  

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus we come to you in our need 
Create in us an awareness of the massive forces 
and conflict that threaten our world today, especially in Syria 
and grant us a sense of urgency 

CBCP joins Pope Francis in a day of prayer for peace in Syria

MANILA, Sept. 3, 2013— The Catholic Church in the Philippines will join Pope Francis in a day of prayer and fasting on September 7 to end conflict in Syria.

Monsignor Joselito Asis, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said they are one with the pope in praying for an end to bloodshed and violence in the troubled nation.
“We call on the bishops to heed the call of Pope Francis and join in prayer for peace in Syria and the whole world,” Asis said.
 
The pontiff has earlier called for the world to unite and join him Saturday evening in St. Peter’s Square in praying for peace for Syria and other areas where there is conflict.

“May the cry for peace enter the hearts of everyone… I condemn with particular force the use of chemical weapons. I still have in my mind and heart the terrible images of the past days,” Pope Francis said.
He also called on the international community to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict in which 1,429 people already died, including 426 children, from the chemical weapon attacks on August 21.

In Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged all parish priests and shrine rectors of the archdiocese to celebrate the morning Mass on Saturday for the people of Syria.
He also encouraged the faithful to have a Holy Hour for peace after the Mass.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said same activities will be held in all parishes under his diocese.
“We are disseminating the Pope’s appeal for prayer, penance and fasting for peace in Syria. We have been communicating this appeal in our Masses,” he said.

In Iloilo, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo also issued a directive to all his priests to join the initiative. (CBCPNews)

http://cbcpnews.net/blog/2013/09/04/cbcp-joins-pope-francis-in-a-day-of-prayer-for-peace-in-syria/

Encountering the Lord in the Sacrament of Marriage

Looking at our wedding photos, I realized how great and generous the Lord is. Imagine, with the little budget we had and the short period to prepare, we were able to come up with a small, decent and solemn Church wedding.

I am a Catholic and firmly believe that a Marriage covenant blessed by God through His Church will be filled with so many blessings and graces. This is clearly stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1642), and I quote:

MODELS OF FAITH

August 10, 2013 - Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

 Gospel- John 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world

will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me.”