300 YRS OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA DEVOTION IN NAGA CITY PHILS

KINDLY CHECK YOUR NAME and INFO

(*) Confirmed to go

(+) Undecided

Last day of registration: July 9, 2010

1. Alfred Mancesca

2. Fedora (Indian)

3. Godielynn

4. Jane P

5. Josie F

6. Jovita S

7. Jun P

8. Kate R

9. Loremer P

10. Rochelle N

11. Romel G

12. Romy R

13. Ben Barrameda

14. Ed Gonzales

15. Joy G

16. Edlyn G

17. Elaine Joy G

18. Eduard Joseph G

19. Lito (+)

20. Daniel (+)

21. Jayson (+)

22.

Pilgrims and Riders from Manila etc

1. Rommel, Blaze 110cc, Alabang, 09228387519 (*)

2. Boy Lucas, XR 200/Eliminator, Cainta Rizal, 09052974425 (*)

3. Romy and Susan, Car, Cavite, 09272251561 (*)

4. Ron R, GSXR 750, Daet, Cam Sur, 09058577506 (*)

5. Cloyd B, XRM 110cc, Nabua, Cam Sur, 09182862994 (*)

6. Ed M, Scooter, Bulacan, 09176296172 (*)

7. Carlos G, XR 200, Tondo Manila, 09178638883 (*)

8. Naxz, ub, Milaor, Naga (Pls send me your name and number) (*)

9. Arcy, z200, Tondo Manila, 09177938489 (*)

10 Arvin B, Car, Pque, 09155328249 (*)

11. Rey B, Car, Laguna (+)

12. Celia, QC, 09174924556/4401105 (*)

13. Duke, QC, 750cc, 09277798590 (+)

14. Jun B, Yamaha Sniper, 09204404601 (*)

15. FLOY, Scooter, 09225307091 (+)

16. Norberto S, Nouvo, 09217665377 (*)

17. Geri C, Nouvo Airblade, 09173399520/09282711707 (*)

18. Cris C, Nouvo, 09292917288 (*)

19. Metal Master, Scooter (+)

20. Monching, Scooter, Lipa Bats, 0928765650 (+)

21. Chie DL Rosa, Laguna, 150cc, 09186397407 (*)

22. Jake Warren, Pandacan Manila, 09267545861 (*)

23. Jonott Cabuhat JR, Nouvo, Sta. Maria Bulacan, 09165426188 (*)

24.

Pilgrims and Riders from Albay etc (Sept 9-10 in Albay, Sept 10 to Naga)

1. Jeff B, Elminator 175, Bacacay Albay, rjeff21_80@yahoo.com, 09099652221 (*)

2. Sar and Mae, Sccoter, Bacacay, cpbanares@yahoo.com, 092286687466 (+)

3. Butch B, ub, Bacacay, 09295090791 (*)

4. Fr. Aaron, Albay, 09158710762 (+)

5. Fr. Totit, Tabaco (+)

6. Fr. Bert C, (*)

7. Anton R, Honda 125cc, Albay, antonio_ranera@yahoo.com, 09284410661 (*)

8. Reginald I, Nouvo Scooter, Naga City, rqinocencio@yahoo.com, 09189394183 (*)

9. GERALD M, MIO 110cc, Sagpon Daraga Albay, gmagcalen@yahoo.com, 09285206345 (*)

10. Job Salazar, CAR, Tiwi Albay, 09063340123 (*)

11.

Name/Contacts/Quantity/Size(s)/ SL=Short Sleeves LS=Long Sleeves

ALL (SL)
1. Jeff, 09099652221, 1pc, (L)
2. Arv, 09155328249, 1pc, (XL)
3. Edd, eddgonzales@yahoo.com, 1pc, (XL)
4. Fallado, MCpean, 1pc, (M)(XL)
5. Lito, Kuwait, 2pcs, (L)
6. Katrina/Romy, Kuwait, 1pc (XXL) (XL)
7. Chito, Kuwait, 1pc (L)
8. Jane, Kuwait, 1pc, (XXL)
9. Ninong Jun, Kuwait, 1pc, (XL)
10. Juvy, Kuwait, 1pc, (L)
11. Josie, Kuwait, 1pcs (XL)
12. Romel, Kuwait, 1pc, (L)

13. Ime, Laguna, 1pc, (XL)

14. Alfred M, Kuwait, 1pc, (XXL) LS

15. Jun Cabuhat, Bulacan, 1pc, (M)

16. Job Salazar, Tiwi, 1pc, (XL)
17.
Shirt cost: .500 fils (Kuwaiti Currency)
Printing: 2.500
Total Cost: 3 Kuwait Dinars: $10.2916: Php 479

KINDLY COMPLETE YOUR INFO VIA YOUR REPLY.

Thanks,

Among Ben

frbenkuwait@gmail.com

09287848444

VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA!

Pilgrimage to Naga City for the 300 Years Celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Devotion is scheduled on September 8 to 11, 2010.

According to a reliable source in Naga City that the GRAND EVENT of the 300 Yrs Celebration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia Devotion in Naga will be on SEPT 10, 2010.

I would like to inform all pilgrims and riders that our LONG RIDE TO BICOL will be on Sept 8-11, 2010.

Kindly take note the following changeable program:

DAY 01 (Wednesday

Sept 8 @ 4am -      Dep from Magallanes (Starbucks) to Petron in the South Super Hi-way

@ 4:30am-  Off to Lucena

@ 6:30am-  Exp arrvl in Lucena (Gas Stn) 10 min rest

-  Mtg with some bikers/pilgrims from Rizal, Cavite and Bats

@ 6:40am-  Dep to Calauag for breakfast and gas up

@ 8:30am-  Exp arrvl in Calauag

@ 9:30am-  Off to Sipocot

@ 11:30am- Exp arrvl in Sipocot Petron Stn (10 min rest)

@ 11:40am- Dep to Naga City (Gas up)

@ 12:30pm- Exp arrvl in Naga lunch then lunch in SM

@ 1:30pm-  Off to Villanueva’s Residence for rest / Foster families

@ 3:30pm-  Snacks/Basilica/Bishop’s Palace/City ride/CWC & Church visits etc

@ 5:00pm-  Back to our Shelter for the Birthday celebration

@ 6:00pm-  Mass at home (if given permission) with elderly couple

@ 7:00pm-  Dinner with the bday celebrator, family and relatives

@ 8:30pm-  City night ride/Bar hopping

@ 10pm-     Home/Rest for next ride

DAY 02 (Thursday)

Sept 9 @ 5am-        Rise-up/Bath/Bfast

@ 5:30am-    Dep to Cagsawa

@ 6:45am-    Exp arrvl in Cagsawa Ruins/Photo sessions/

-    Pinangat in Camalig/Daraga Albay (Gas up)

@ 7am-        Off to Anislag, Villahermosa, Putiao, Pilar Centro, to Donsol

@ 8:45am-    Exp arrvl in Donsol Sorsogon then snacks

-    Pilar Sorsogon then off to Legazpi City

@10:30am-   Exp Arrvl in Daraga Church (photo sessions)

-    Liñon Hill, Embarcadero

@ 12nn-       Gaisano Mall for lunch

@ 1:15pm-   Off to Sto. Domingo Beach Resort for rest

@ 3pm-        Dep to Mayon Rest House (R.H.)

@ 3:40pm-   Exp arrvl in Mayon R.H. / Picture-taking/rest

@ 4:30pm-   Off to Tabaco City Church

@ 5pm-       Dep to Bacacay Albay (Among Ben’s place)

-       Settling in a resort/fun/party with minimal contribution

-       Pitching tents

-       Meeting/scheduling of future rides/evaluation/Settle resort rental/

Instructions

-       Rest for the ride back to Naga City for the GRAND DAY EVENT of the

300 Years of Our Lady Peñafrancia Celebration

DAY 03 (Friday) GRAND DAY OF THE 300TH OLP CELEBRATION

Sept 10 @ 5am-       Rise-up/Light Bfast/Bath

@ 6am-       Off to Naga via Malilipot, Tabaco, Malinao, Tiwi

@ 6:45am-  Exp arrvl in Joroan Church (Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation)

-  Famous for pilgrims due to her continual intercessions

-  Short visit and prayer

@6:50 am – off to Naga via Sangay & Pili

@ 8:00am-  Exp arrvl in Naga then City Motorcade / Ocular ride going to the

Cathedral and Basilica *Final Instructions by Among Ben*

(Aside from what to pack and bring)

* All M/Vs will be kept safe at Villanueva’s residence or in the Major

Major Seminary. TBS with the Rector c/o Among Ben

* We go by walking towards the Basilica as pilgrims to make a

sacrifice

* Official shirts will be worn and banners will be flown

* All must assemble in the seminary near the Basilica and with a

safe place to keep our MVs (Rosters and contacts will be

given to the seminary guard to safe guard our MVs and things)

* Water/Bush hat/face towel/strong shoes can be of help during the

grand day event

* Bring some first aid ointment and meds

* Bring your rosary (Among will provide the OL of Peñafrancia prayer)

* We shall of course join the processions in a prayerful manner

*After the grand event procession and Mass we shall meet near the

Daughters of Mary Convent just at the back of the Basilica. In case

some might get lost, ask some priests, nuns, and seminarians.

* At the end of the pilgrimage and all we shall meet again in the

Seminary where we can get our MVs.

@ 9am-       Rest in our foster homes

@ 10am-     Early lunch with our foster families

@ 10:45am-Assembly in the Major Seminary

*Bring only what is needed in the pilgrimage (Rosary, prayer guide

guide)

@ 11am- Off to the Basilica/Cathedral depending on the crowd and start of the

processions. (Instructions will be given)

(FREE Jeepney Ride to the Starting Point of the Procession)

MAIN EVENT OF THE FEAST !

@ 7pm-     Exp end of the event    (Pilgrims under Among Ben:

-     Meeting in the Daughters of Mary Convent just behind the Basilica)

-     Dinner in the City

@ 8:30pm- BALIK SEMINARIO for our MVs

- If the road is clear we can go back to the City for documentations

and other pilgrimage/tour-related things

(FREE Jeepney Ride to the Starting Point of the Procession)

@ 10pm-   We go back to our foster homes for bonding before leaving the

next day / Rest

DAY 04 (Sat)

Sept 11 @ 6am- Rise-up/Bfast

@ 8am- Pilgrim Mass in the Basilica with Father Ben (TBS with the Rector)

- Priests were informed and they will give slot for our group

@ 9am- Short meeting before leaving Naga. Blessing for everyone. Interactions

@ 9:30am- Snacks/Early lunch in LCC/Rest for the long journey to Manila

- Gratitude to foster families

@ 2pm-  LONG RIDE from Naga to Manila

E N D  OF  P I L G R I M A G E  !               GOD BLESS EVERYONE !

Among Ben

bikersonephilippines.org

09287848444

frbenkuwait@gmail.com

BikersOne Philippines

Where LIFE is a journey….

* Conservative Estimated Budget throughout The Pilgrimage Duration Amounting to 5K – 8K Php

…and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. (NRSV)

PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI

Church of the Most Holy Trinity – Fátima
Wednesday, 12 May 2010

A Brief History

One of the many Catholic traditions is the Marian devotion. We, the Filipinos, especially the Bicolanos, have that extraordinary, exceptional, and devoted love for Mother Mary — the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, too. We believe that she will intercede for us and will lift our prayers up to God. Thus, there is strong belief and unshakable faith that our prayers are answered through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

She has been called many names in different regions of the Philippines. Some of them are the following: Nuestra Señora de Caridad to Ilocanos; Our Lady of Manaoag to the people of Pangasinan; Lady of Piat to Cagayanos; Nuestra Señora del Rosario de la Naval or Nuestra Señora de Antipolo to the Tagalogs and many others. Perhaps, one of her most notable names is Our Lady of Peñafrancia, more warmly called INA or Mother, to the Bicolanos. This intense devotion to Mother Mary by the Bicolanos can be traced back in Spain.

Near Salamanca, Spain, there is a village called San Martin de Castañar located at the foot of Peña de Francia hill. A man named Simon Vela and his companions found on May 19, 1434 an image of Mary, now fondly called Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Details of this event are still contained in an official document duly notarized and kept in the archives of the village.

Around 1700, the Covarruibias family of San Martin de Castañar migrated to the Philippines, and settled in Cavite. One of their sons was named Miguel who became sickly while studying in the University of Sto Tomas in Manila. Miguel was a great devotee of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. He found a painting of the image found by Simon Vela, and would place the painting on whatever part of his body that greatly pained him. This gave him relief from his suffering. “So many are the miracles that have happened that I cannot count them. All I could say is that I am the miracle of her miracles.”  Miguel said.

Miguel de Covarruibias came to Naga upon the invitation of Bishop Andres Gonzales (1685-1709) to join him in his diocese of Nueva Caceres. There, Miguel became an ordained diocesan priest and later on, the Vicar General of the Diocese.

A lot of miraculous events happened in Naga during this period. One of the most prominent story is about a dog killed, its neck slashed and its blood used to coat or paint the newly carved replica of the statue of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Spain made by a local artisan.  The dead dog was dumped into the river, but it swam alive once again, as witnessed by hundreds of people. Many other miracles that happened were attributed to Our Lady, and its news spread like wildfire. Thus, the devotees also increased in number. She became more popular not only to the natives, but also to the Chinese community. These were all documented in Father Miguel’s letters of 1710 and 1711. His letter to the Dominican Fathers of Salamanca, Spain in 1712 reported many miracles through the intercession of Our Lady. As the devotees grew in number, the devotion also spread outside the Diocese of Nueva Caceres, which before comprised not only the Bicol region, but also includes Tayabas (now Quezon), Marinduque, Laguna up to Palanan, Isabela along the Cordillera ranges.

Succeeding Bishops of Nueva Caceres also contributed in propagating this devotion. Bishop Isidro Arrival (1740-1751) built the initial stone church, later called “Sanctuaries de Peñafrancia”, on the banks of the Bicol River. Bishop Francisco Gainza (1862-1879) enlarged the sanctuary, wrote the history of Peñafrancia, and edited the Novena of Our Lady in Spanish, and in the Bicol dialect. Almost a century later, the English translation was done by Monseigneur Florencio Yllana in 1945.

Like the biblical “mustard seed” , the Peñafrancia devotion today is like a “giant tree”,  whose branches extend to other parts of the world like America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The love story between our Lady of Peñafrancia, whom we lovingly call “Ina”,  and us, her children, is never ending.

Today, we have Bicol and Tagalog novena translations. Devotees from all over the world are enjoying the fruits of this Marian devotion, and the aid of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. On her feast day, pilgrims gather once more at her shrine to pay her homage for favors received.

BIG CELEBRATION this SEPTEMBER 2010 IN NAGA CITY

TERCENTENARY EVENTS

“300 YEARS OF DEVOTION”

“GROWING IN HOLINESS UNDER THE MANTLE OF INA”

The Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a one-week affair that starts on the second Friday of September when the miraculous Ina is transferred from her shrine to the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. This procession is locally called traslacion where the miraculous images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and of the Divino Rostro journey to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City for a Novena and Holy Masses. This began in 1885 and ushers in the week long festivities in the locality. A nine-day novena and prayers are held in her honor. This event is considered as the biggest and most popular religious event in the Philippines.

The feast begins with the Virgin’s image (which is a copy of the Madonna in Spain) being brought to the Naga Cathedral, where millions of Bicolanos, devotees, and pilgrims are holding a novena. Showing to the whole Christian world their unshakable faith and loyalty to the Lady, their Divine Mother,  the people kneel on the ground and bow their heads, as the Virgin passes through downtown Naga atop a colorful pagoda, which also carries her various images and icons.

During the traslacion, which passes through the main streets of Naga, the miraculous Ina of the Bicolanos is borne on the rugged, muscular shoulders of barefooted voyadores, who form a human barricade to protect the Virgin from the unruly crowd.

Devotees adhere to the towering pagoda, mindless of the scorching sun, in an impressive display of faith. Novena and prayers for nine consecutive days are held. High ranking officials and other powerful people vie for the honor of sponsoring a certain night’s novena. Bicolanos also visit their relatives and friends for merriment, sharing food, drinks, and prayers. On the last day, the Virgin is returned to her shrine, crossing the Naga River.

The evening procession is flanked by thousands of devotees and pilgrims in boats carrying thousands of lit candles, while kneeling and bowing their heads in prayer. When the image reaches her destination, the followers joyfully shout “Viva la Virgin” (Long Live the Virgin!) to the heavens.

A multicolored pagoda carrying the images/icons of the Virgin of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro will pass through the Bicol River. The fluvial procession marks the return of the Virgin from the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to her home shrine at the Basilica.

Millions of Bicolanos will once again show to the whole Christian world their strong faith and loyalty to their Heavenly Mother. Again, we will hear the triumphant sounding shouts of VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO! VIVA!

See you in Naga City this September 2010: 300 Years Celebration!

* * *

Good Communications Build Community
“Why the Media Matters”

This is a pivotal moment in the life of our countries, as we stand on the verge of the General Election. So you will not be surprised if this is the focus on my brief talk this evening.

We have been much occupied in the last four weeks or so with the campaign. In it the media has played a major part with its continuous report and instant analysis. Indeed, while I personally have no clear view of the actual impact of the TV debates on the outcome of the election, they have certainly been a new and striking feature of these weeks.

One effect has been to bring the personalities of the three leaders into very sharp focus, and then to bring them face to face with questions from a general audience. Some may have preferred a different kind of questioning — one that pushed on into more detail in more of an in-depth interview format. But what we have been given has been fascinating and, I believe, quite instructive, at one level.

Rebuilding Trust

This interaction with the ‘general public’ is of course quite crucial, given that one of the issues we face as a society is that of the rebuilding of trust in our political institutions. I hope the debates may have helped to demonstrate that politicians are people, swayed this way and that by the same factors that sway us all. And when we come face to face with individuals, then we can gauge again the manner and extent of our trust of them. The political institutions as such can hardly gain our confidence unless the individuals within them do so.

The media, of course, play a crucial role in all of this. They unpack the Party Manifestos and explain policy to all in society. It was the media which brought to light the abuses of the parliamentary expenses system which has done so much to weaken trust. The media, of course, is not a monolith. While most of my comments, I suppose, have the news media in mind, we should not ignore the more reflective and creative sides of the media. The media is also very powerful in enabling us to see and get to know our politicians and, therefore, in the role of rebuilding trust.

In our document ‘Choosing the Common Good’, the bishops of England and Wales reflected on this task of rebuilding trust. But our focus was not simply on the question of trust in our political institutions. We also were aware of a more general erosion of trust — between individuals, between the citizen and the state, and in our institutions.

We said:

‘Trust has been severely eroded. However, if we go on down a path where we cannot believe anything good of anybody, we will ultimately create a world of individuals fighting for their own good at the expense of every other person. Society cannot change for the better without restoring trust…The challenge for society is to build up structures and institutions so that they command the same respect and trust as the individuals who represent them best. We know it can be done, but it requires a new sense of service of others at the heart of our institutions’.

Leadership

A new Parliament is clearly an opportunity to move in that direction. And in that movement the role of leaders is crucial. This is true for leaders in every type of institution, for leaders set the tone and help shape the culture of the institutions they lead, especially by the appeal they make to others: to hopes or to fears, to self-interest or wider service. This is, in itself, a moral choice. Indeed, Pope Benedict has said:

‘Development is impossible without upright men and women, without financiers and politicians whose consciences are finely attuned to the requirements of the common good.’ (C in V 71)

I would like to suggest that this applies to the media in a number of ways. Leadership in the media is, essentially, no different to leadership in other sectors. While each sector of enterprise has its own proper goal and ambitions — and its own ’stakeholders’ — the pathway of true development asks of every sector that it considers not only those goals and ambitions but also the requirements of the common good. The finance industry is a vivid and pertinent example. The goals and ambitions of some financial institutions were surely set too narrowly, on a time-scale that was too short term, on a set of criteria that were too self-centred. The result was a dramatic and catastrophic undermining of the common good, out of which the suffering will far outweigh the profit and those who suffer will, as always, be the most vulnerable and needy.

Perhaps there is an analogy here for leaders in the media sector to ponder. There is a duty incumbent on the media to have an eye for the common good. This will be readily recognised. Indeed it is well served when actual and hidden abuses, such as the expenses crisis, are brought to light. But difficult judgment have also to be made as to when a line is crossed — or if not crossed then at least blurred — between exposing the failures of some, on the one hand, and denigrating everyone associated with the institution on the other. The media, I would suggest, have a role and a responsibility in sustaining trust where that is justified and in portraying generosity and the spirit of service, even when it is to be found in an institution which is at the same time under suspicion.

Civic Society

In our document, the bishops go a little further. Indeed, one of its main contentions is that we have to be realistic in our appreciation of what political change, political action, political leadership on its own can achieve in bringing about the kind of society which we want.

You will recall that in our document we started by drawing attention to the well of generosity that so often is seen in our society, especially in times of crisis. We spoke of the energy, compassion and generosity towards people facing hardship and misfortune that so often emerges when needed. Our challenge was that of making these qualities a more consistent part of our social fabric. We said:

‘The difficulty is to make the virtues we discover in these moments part of the normal life of our society. Many will say this is impossible. They will say it is naïve to think society can change when it has invested so much in the pursuit of individual self-interest, often prizing personal choice ahead of duty to others. This is not true. Change is possible. But it cannot be left to politicians alone to bring it about. It needs all of us.’

We continued:

‘Have we allowed ourselves to be seduced by the myth that social problems are for the government to deal with? Politics are important but there are always limits to what any government can achieve. No government can solve every problem, nor make us more generous or responsive to need. The growth of regulations, targets and league tables, which are tools designed to make public services accountable, are no substitute for actions done as a free gift because the needs of a neighbour have to be met.’

There was, in my view, a good example of the role of wider society in bringing about change in the remarkable meeting that took place in Westminster Methodist Hall yesterday afternoon. It was a Citizens UK gathering at which the three leaders all spoke. It showed what commitment, enthusiasm and vision exists in our wider communities and how these qualities can be harnessed and enhanced by good community organising. In my view this was the most interesting moment of the election and far better television that the three formal debates.

Here people from local communities engaged directly, but in a structured and productive way, with the leaders about key political issues. The leaders were energised and, I believe, saw new possibilities for patterns of cooperation with civic society. The churches and other faith traditions were present, bringing their vision and energy to the process, but not claiming the driving seats which, quite rightly, were taken by people from the community themselves.

This meeting, too, was about the restoration of trust for it demonstrated the capacity for virtuous action, not driven by a narrow self-interest but genuinely by a wider good and by a search for the common good in practice.

In all of this too, I would suggest, the media have a part to play.

The tone of public discourse is, to a large extent, set by the media. Is that tone one which, while quite rightly holding the powerful to account, also encourages further reflection. An audience surely benefits from an invitation to listen further, and to both sides, to reflect and consider. The media, in all its forms, could encourage a more reflective approach which contributes to an environment in which communise can flourish.

I have always understood the axiom that good news does not sell newspapers. I have never had any opportunity to test it. But I also suspect that a diet of unremitting bad news has its long-term effects. It wearies us, even as it might spice our lives with initial entertainment. It corrodes our sense of the fundamental goodness of each other. It lowers our mutual esteem and breeds in us a cynicism and world-weariness that takes the edge of even the most generous and inspiring of actions.

If our project is that of building up the common good, and if the challenge is that of bringing to the fore the innate goodness of people in the service of each other, then what is the responsibility of the media in this regard?

The promotion of the generous offering of time, energy and possessions out of the spirit of good citizenship and genuine neighbourliness is needed if we are to have a society worth living in. Some speak of this as ’social capital’. It is surely the task of us all to find ways of building up this precious capital.

Financial Crisis

All of this, I believe, is going to become even more important in the months and years ahead. The most sombre notes sounded during the last few weeks are those which spell out the extent to which these countries are in a financial crisis. It has been said that none of the political parties have been making plain the nature and extent of the time of austerity we are about to enter. Servicing the national debt — simply paying the interest – is, at present, costing us more that the entire education budget. And that is to say nothing of levels of personal and household debt. This cannot continue. It may be Greece now but we are being warned that our turn in coming.

In times of austerity — as some are old enough to remember — it is precisely the qualities of social capital that are most needed. Here, too, we will all have our part to play, but it will require setting a new limit on the pursuit of our own particular goals and criteria of success. There is going to be a greater good which we may have to pursue or perish.

The media have enormous power. This we have seen and an acknowledgment of this lies beneath all that I am saying. This is a power to be used with increasing responsibility and sensitivity to the real, underlying needs of society. Reigning in the instinctive desire of the industry for conflict, for scandal, for exposure may be a challenge that lies ahead. If it does so then there is, as I have said, a particular responsibility on those in leadership in that industry. And my belief must be that those of you whose lives and attitudes are formed by the Christian faith — and other faiths too — might have a particular role to play.

It could be that one aspect of that role will be to mediate more sensitively the part played by religious faith in a complex and varied society such as ours. Could I illustrate what I mean in this way.

The Election

The other day I was asked what my response will be to the election result on Friday morning. On reflection I said that, first of all, I would wish to signal unambiguously the Church’s readiness to work with whoever is forming the Government. Then, secondly, I would stress the need for that Government to find ways of drawing all people into the common effort of facing the problems before us.

Now the first point is clear enough. Those who want a deeper theological reflection on the foundations, the rationale, for the central place of dialogue in the life of the Church please go to our recent teaching document ‘Meeting God in Friend and Stranger.’ (No reflection on the likely winners of the election intended!).

But the second point is equally fundamental. Our society is, I believe, going to have to get beyond the limits imposed by the old belief that self-interest is the only effective motivator. We are going to need each others’ good will in full measure. And the point is this: properly understood, properly approached, religious belief is one of the most powerful ways in which good will is deepened and unlocked in the people of this country. It has a crucial part to play. And the media can help in that, not least by addressing carefully and critically the ignorance of the true character of religious belief in this country today. Such ignorance can lead people to think uncritically that religious faith and practice is a problem. The evidence suggests otherwise, that it has a positive role to play not least in building up a stronger sense of social solidarity. Good communications build community.

May I conclude with words of Pope Benedict, the quotation with which we closed ‘Choosing the Common Good’:

The complexity and gravity of the present economic situation rightly cause us concern, but we must adopt a realistic attitude as we take up with confidence and hope the new responsibilities to which we are called by the prospect of a world in need of profound cultural renewal, a world that needs to rediscover fundamental values on which to build a better future. The current crisis obliges us to replan our journey, to set ourselves new rules and to discover new forms of commitment, to build on positive experiences and to reject negative ones. The crisis thus becomes an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future.’

In this we all have a part to play.

+Vincent Nichols
4 May 2010

The event was held at the CFA main office in Sta. Mesa, Manila last April 19-24, 2010 which carried the theme, “Communicating Peace: Celebrating Filipino Unity in Diversity.”

The camp featured workshops on art, music, dramatics, photography and slideshows.

Organizers said the participants has discovered their common roots as Filipino as they have appreciated their religious and cultural differences.

“Through the communication workshops, they found meaningful and creative expressions of their desire for unity and peace,” they added.

Some of those present were the Notre Dame-RVM College of Cotabato and the Ramon Avanceña High School and the Nazarene Catholic School which are both located in Quiapo.

The Young Moro Professionals Network also attended. (Kate Laceda)

Msgr. Gerry Santos, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) president, said that the volunteers will be detailed as poll watchers in all precincts across the country.

According to Santos, they were actually targeting at least 100,000 student volunteers, but only an estimate of 80,000 people officially signed up.

And since this is the country’s first ever nationwide automated polls, majority of the students from the CEAP’s 1,200 member schools, colleges, and universities are computer savvy.

“They are IT (information technology) savvy, they are IT literate and they can do some (computer) troubleshooting,” Santos said.

The group of Catholic educators with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

The CEAP was tasked to provide the “warm bodies” to be trained and transformed by the PPCRV into poll watchers.

The PPCRV, the Commission on Election’s official citizens’’ arm, earlier said they have about one million volunteer poll watchers.

The priest said they’ve been sending request for volunteer poll watchers, preferably 18-years old and above and who are IT savvy, since January to its member schools.

“It’s time for students to get involved. They should not cower,” he said.

When asked who would assume responsibility if any of the students get caught in a crossfire or endangered their safety, however, Santos admitted that they have not yet “discussed specifics.”

He added that the students, as well as their parents and schools, would have to discern if they would be deployed in “hot spots” or areas of concern.

“We should pray that no harm would come to our young volunteers,” he said.

And to somehow reach the targeted number of volunteers from CEAP, the priest said there are also many teaching and non-teaching personnel who have committed to volunteer their service.

Santos said because they come from Catholic schools, they are well oriented with the catechism of the Church so they can be trusted that they will perform well. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)