Veritatem facientes in caritate

Requiem High Mass at Epiphany Church in San Francisco

2011-11-07T00:33:00.000-08:00

A Requiem High Mass was celebrated at Epiphany Church, by Fr. William Young, a priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco last week. The deceased was the mother of one of our parishioners at St. Margaret Mary's. Our Requiem Choir also sang for the mass.

Requiem High Mass for All Souls Day (Nov. 2, 2011) at St. Margaret Mary's

2011-11-07T00:28:00.000-08:00

2011 High Mass for All Saints Day at St. Margaret Mary's

2011-11-07T00:23:00.000-08:00

Solemn High Mass and Outdoor Procession for the Feast of Christ the King

2011-10-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

We were blessed to have a Solemn High Mass (in the Extraordinary Form) for today's Feast of Christ the King, Patron of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest on which St. Margaret Mary's is an apostolate parish. As Canon Fragelli mentioned while giving the announcements before the sermon, we're thankful that Fr. Donald Morgan, Pastor of Five Wounds Portuguese National Church in San Jose, was able to serve as Deacon. I was also happy to see some of my brother knights who served as color guards for this special occasion. Mass was followed by an outdoor procession of the Blessed Sacrament, which really is a fitting way of honoring the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ!

An appeal for Assistance: Support the Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph

2011-10-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

(NOTE: THIS APPEAL IS SUSPENDED AS OF OCTOBER 28, 2011. AN UPDATE WILL BE POSTED ON OCTOBER 31, 2011)

AN APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE from my friends at the Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph, currently based at the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy (PLDM) in Quezon City, Philippines (where the above photo was taken), with the support of the President of the International Federation Una Voce, Mr. Leo Darroch.

In 2010, Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph (EDSSJ) became part of Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce (FIUV) the first to be founded and the most internationally prominent group of Roman Catholic laity who are strongly attached to, and promote, the Usus Antiquior of the Roman Rite, also known as "Tridentine Mass", "Traditional Latin Mass" or "Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite", within the canonical norms of the Roman Catholic Church. This made the EDSSJ the first-ever Filipino society to become part of this highly-esteemed organization, which enjoys high-level contacts with the Roman Curia and is known for its fidelity to the Holy See.

This year, for the first time in history, a delegation from the Philippines will go to Rome to attend the General Assembly of FIUV, which will be held on November 5 to 6 in Rome. The opening Mass will be offered in a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica by His Eminence, Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos (President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei and Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy) and those attending the General Assembly will also have the opportunity to meet His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke on November 5. In addition, it is the intention of the Philippine delegation to meet not just the other delegations from the member-associations of Una Voce, but also members of the Traditional Catholic community in Rome. These contacts are absolutely necessary given the difficult climate that continues to exist in parts of the Philippines regarding the Traditional Latin Mass.

However, to make this a reality, we still need to raise (as of the evening of October 26, 2011) some $ 2,800 (two thousand eight hundred US dollars) to finance the airfare (which will take up the lion's share of the costs), lodging, transportation and food of our delegation. The delegation will stay in Rome for 5-6 days to cover the conference on the 5th and 6th of November as well as meetings with Traditional Catholics in the days to follow.

We appeal to your generosity, dear readers, even as time runs short. Those wishing to donate may donate either via paypal (see the Una Voce Philippines blog), or by donating to the following bank accounts:

FOR THOSE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Account name: Carlos Antonio P. Palad

Bank name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Acropolis-Libis branch

Account number: 4339-0502-74

Kindly email caloyraj AT yahoo DOT com to inform Mr. Palad of the deposit.

FOR THOSE IN THE UNITED STATES

Account name: Richard Friend

Bank name: Wells Fargo, N.A., California

Account number: 3903416646

Routing number for wire transfer: 121000248

Routing number for direct deposits: 121042882

Please indicate that payment/deposit is for Una Voce - Philippines

As soon as the minimum amount reached is needed, we will inform our readers.

At this point in time, all gifts given to Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph (EDSSJ) will have to be free-will gifts, without tax deductibility. However, donors and their families will be remembered in the Masses and prayers of the EDSSJ, and we are confident that the Lord, Who will not be outdone in generosity, will bestow his blessings upon those who will donate for this necessary action.

Welcome again your Excellency! Farewell Canon Moreau! Welcome Canon Fragelli!

2011-09-15T00:32:00.000-07:00

This Sunday (September 18, 2011), St. Margaret Mary's will have the honor of welcoming once again, His Excellency Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (Diocese of Oakland) as he makes his 2nd canonical visitation to our parish (his first visit took place in 2009, see above photo). His Excellency will celebrate a Pontifical Solemn Mass at the Throne (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) at 12:30pm. Very timely since just yesterday, September 14, the Catholic Church not only celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, but also marked the 4th Year anniversary of the implementation of Pope Benedict's "Summorum Pontificum".

At the same time, we bid farewell to Canon Jean Marie Moreau, who for the past three years, has been the Episcopal Delegate for the Rite of 1962 in the Diocese of Oakland. Canon Moreau's new assignment will be at the St. Anthony's Oratory in New Jersey. We welcome our new Institute priest, Canon Henry Fragelli! Canon Fragellie comes to us from St. Mary's Oratory in Wausau, Wisconsin. After the Pontifical Solemn Mass, a special reception will take place at the churchyard of St. Margaret Mary's.

Canon Moreau & Canon Fragelli

during the Knights of Columbus farewell & welcome dinner

held last Sept. 14, 2011

Procession and prayer of Reparation for a blasphemous art exhibit

2011-08-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Fr. Jojo Zerrudo (Diocese of Cubao) and my friends at the Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph - Una Voce Philippines along with various Catholic groups, for spearheading a prayerful procession of reparation last August 14, 2011 for a blasphemous "art exhibit" that combined religious symbols with phallic objects that was displayed (now closed) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Before the procession started, the Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass) was celebrated by Fr. Zerrudo. It was truly remarkable that it had a huge turnout (police estimated more than 500 people were there). The schola from the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy in Cubao, Quezon City (PLDM) led the singing of the various litanies while the faithful were walking with beautiful images of our Lord and Blessed Mother at the CCP grounds. One of the more prominent ones was the statue of Our Lady of La Naval which was sent by the Father Prior of the Santo Domingo Convent. Truly, it was a fitting way to honor the feast of Our Lady's Assumption!

Also remarkable was the media coverage of not just one, not two, but three (3!) TV networks (ABS-CBN, ABC-5, GMA-7) and some radio stations (including the Archdiocese of Manila's Radio Veritas). There's also a write-up of the reparation procession on the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines news site.

I would like to acknowledge Dennis Raymond Maturan, Founding Chairman and President of Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph - Una Voce Philippines, for sharing the photos below on facebook.

Fr. Zerrudo being interviewed by the media.

The video below is provided courtesy of GMA-News 7:

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For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Photos and video of the 2011 Napa Pontifical Mass

2011-08-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

On July 31, 2011, a Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form was celebrated by his Excellency, Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone (Bishop of Oakland, CA) at the Estate Cave of the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, CA. It was part of a 3-day conference titled "Catholics in the Next America" that was organized by the Napa Institute. The organizers had the blessing of the local ordinary, Bishop Robert Vasa (Diocese of Santa Rosa), where the resort is based. The Pontifical Mass at the faldstool was made possible with the assistance from the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey. The Schola came from St. Margaret Mary's Church in Oakland, CA.

Preparations before the Pontifical Mass

This part of the Estate Cave is actually a wine cellar that was converted to a chapel for the purpose of the Pontifical Mass (notice the wine drums!). Although the resort has it's own chapel (see pictures down below) it would really be too small to be used.

I served as the Bugia bearer for this Pontifical Mass

The schola practicing

Canon William Avis (Rector of the Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas, MO) who served as MC1, with Bishop Cordileone.

The Bugia and Book bearers. The two surplices we used were originally made in the Philippines.

St. Margaret Mary's Schola Cantorum

A light moment with Bishop Cordileone during the breakfast buffet that followed.

Yours truly with Bishop Cordileone (the occasion was my very first time to serve at a Pontifical Mass in the EF!)

Mass Program

After the Pontifical Mass ended, I got a chance to walk around the beautiful resort:

The steps leading to the vineyard.

Felt like being in Tuscany, Italy than in Napa!

Entrace to the Estate Cave

Statue of Our Lady right at the center of the resort vineyard.

Awesome views!

I mentioned earlier that the Meritage Resort had it's own Chapel (Our Lady of the Grapes Chapel):

Notice the ad orientem altar.

Here's the sermon given by Bishop Cordileone. My apologies in advance for the poor audio (and some of the blurry video portions due to poor lighting).

Napa Pontifical TLM - July 31, 2011

2011-07-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form celebrated by

His Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (Diocese of Oakland)

July 31, Sunday (8AM)

Estate Cave

The Meritage Resort and Spa

875 Bordeaux Way (formerly Trefethen Way)

Napa, CA 94558

High Mass at San Francisco Solano Mission (Sonoma, CA)

2011-07-25T01:16:00.000-07:00

On July 24, 2011, Canon Moreau celebrated a High Mass at the Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, CA. The lay faithful from the the Institute apostolates of St. Margaret Mary's (Oakland, CA) and the Oratory of our Mother of Perpetual Help (Santa Clara, CA) were there. Mission San Francisco Solano was founded on July 4, 1823 (21st in order) by Padre Jose Altimira. The Mission is named for St. Francis Solano, missionary to the Peruvian Indians. This was a truly historical Mass as it was the first Tridentine Mass celebrated there in 130 years. After Mass, a delicious Fajita buffet was served at the Mission Courtyard.

More photos can be viewed here.

60 Hours Eucharistic Adoration for the Holy Father's 60th priestly ordination

2011-06-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

A fellow parishioner at St. Margaret Mary's forwarded me via email the following invitation:

Recently Bishop Cordileone received a letter from Rome by, Cardinal Piacenza, the Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy. In this letter, the Prefect makes known that June 29th will mark the 60th anniversary of the priestly ordination of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. He explains in this letter that, “this is an appropriate occasion to rally around the Supreme Pontiff, to demonstrate to him our gratitude, our affection,” and invites all diocesan ordinaries to offer sixty hours of Eucharistic Adoration in observance of this important anniversary.

Our bishop has responded in the most cordial manner. His desire is for the Diocese of Oakland to host 60 hours of continuous Eucharistic Adoration. It will begins on Wednesday, June 29th, and concludes Friday, July 1st, with Eucharistic Holy Hours from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM led by Bishop Cordileone. Adoration will rotate between the Cathedral of Christ the Light, and the two parishes within our diocese that offer Perpetual Adoration: St. Agnes in Concord, and Holy Spirit in Fremont. The hours of prayers from the Diocese of Oakland, along with those dioceses from around the world, will be offered as a Spiritual Bouquet to our Holy Father.

Relics of St. Toribio Romo (Mexican martyr) at the Christ the Light Cathedral

2011-06-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

The relics of St. Toribio Romo Gonzalez, a Mexican martyr who died during the Cristero War, is currently making rounds in the San Francisco Bay Area for the month of June and July. The first stop was at the Christ the Light Cathedral in Oakland, CA on June 11, 2011, where his Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, had offered Mass and blessed the faithful with the relic. The occasion also gave me and my family the chance to explore the Cathedral (I have been there on several occasions but never found the time to really look around) For further details and a schedule of the relic tour, check out The Catholic Voice online edition.

Some interesting sights as we explored the Cathedral vicinity:

3 New Priests ordained for the Diocese of San Jose, CA

2011-06-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday (June 4, 2011), the Diocese of San Jose was blessed to have 3 new priests that were ordained by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. The streaming video of the ordination can be viewed here, courtesy of the Diocese. Let us remember Fr. Angelo David, Fr. Steve Kim and Fr. Andrew Nguyen in our prayers!

Bishop McGrath chatting with the sisters of the Missionary of Charity.

Fr. Angelo David giving his first priestly blessing.

My turn to get the blessing!

Me and Fr. Angelo David. We're both product of the Salesian schools in the Philippines (he studied at Don Bosco Makati, I studied at Don Bosco Mandaluyong). He did introduce me to his brother, who also studied in DB Mandaluyong but who's ahead of me by four years.

Fr. Angelo David with his family. His brother told me that they flew all the way from New Zealand!

The newly ordained priests: Fr. Angelo David, Fr. Steve Kim and Fr. Andrew Nguyen.

The Cathedral entrance.

Another view of the Cathedral.

A small token to each of the newly ordained priests. More photos can be found here.

Bishop-Elect Thomas Daly's Episcopal Ordination (San Jose, CA)

2011-05-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Some photos captured from the Diocese of San Jose's video feed online (UStream) of Bishop-Elect Thomas Daly's Episcopal Ordination that took place today, May 25, 2011. Kudos to the Diocese for making this webstream available online. The number of viewers who watched online appears to have exceeded the number of people who were actually present at the Cathedral! Amazing how technology works! Let us keep the new Auxiliary Bishop Daly in our prayers!

Four new priests for the Diocese of Oakland, California!

2011-05-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

It has been quite sometime since I last posted on the blog (juggling family life and work hasn't been easy these couple of months, not to mention blogging!), but I wanted to just quickly mention about the four priests that were ordained two days ago (May 14, 2011) by his Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone at the Christ the Light Cathedral. It was unfortunate that due to a conflict with my schedule, I wasn't able to make it on their Ordination Mass. However, I'd like to request that you keep the new Fathers, Fr. Alexander Q. Castillo, Fr. Edilberto Castanas, Fr. Gerald Pedrera and Fr. Rafal Duda in your prayers.

Fr. Rafal Duda giving a blessing to my wife and son after his first mass at St. Margaret Mary's.

The front of the ordination card given to the faithful featuring the newly Blessed John Paul II!

The back of the ordination card given to the faithful after receiving a blessing from Fr. Duda.

Canon Talarico's visit to St. Margaret Mary's (March 18-20, 2011)

2011-03-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

From March 18 to 20, we had the opportunity to welcome Canon Matthew Talarico, Vice-Rector of the Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (Chicago, IL) at St. Margaret Mary's. On his first day, Canon Talarico gave a talk titled "Cultivating the Vineyard of your Soul with St. Francis De Sales" after the Stations of the Cross which was followed by a light dinner / reception at the Father Kozina Hall. On the 3rd day (Sunday) of his visit, we had a Solemn High Mass.

Canon Moreau leads the faithful at the Stations of the Cross (prior to the Lenten Conference)

Veneration of the Cross by the lay faithful

Canon Talarico giving his talk

After the Lenten Conference, Canon Talarico leads the faithful in singing "Christus Vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat"

Light dinner (fruits and soup)

Canon Talarico and yours truly

Solemn High Mass on Sunday (March 20, 2011)

Canon Moreau chanting the Gospel

Canon Talarico giving the Sunday sermon (can be viewed here)

Prayer request for a miraculous cure for baby Joseph

2011-03-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

From Fr. Z's WDTPRS: Urgent prayer request:

A personal favour. Could you please ask prayers for young Joseph. He is a 2 and a half year old boy of friends of mine … and is the 7th of 8 children. Yesterday afternoon it was discovered that Joe has Category 4 Cancer, the worst. Without a miracle, and barring a misdiagnosis, he may not have long to live. He and his mother are at this moment weaving their way back to the US for treatment.

Please ask all your readers to pray for this family, devotees of the older form of the Mass, who are suffering this ordeal and for Joseph’s cure if it be the Lord’s will.

[...]

The poor father has decided to go along with Mum and Dad and Joe and they are at present overnight in ___. Today Joe was sleeping while his Dad was crying along beside him. He awoke, he is 2 and a half, and asked his Dad why he was crying? ‘Don’t you see the two angels standing next to the bed. They are bewdiful’ He said.

They then left and told Joe they would be back, and he told this to his dad. He is 2 and a half, and his father had not recently spoken at all about angels! The prayers seem to be working, let’s keep them up.

They are seeking the intercession of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta for a miracle cure. Nice. I had thought about it and asked if his mother had thought of asking anyone in particular and she said Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta came to mind.

---

Let's not forget the other baby Joseph, Joseph Maraachli (in Canada), who has a terminal illness that will soon take his life. LifeSiteNews has an excellent article how this affects us all. For further updates please visit the Save the Baby Joseph Facebook page.

Important Petition: Please sign!

2011-02-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

Both Fr. Zuhlsdorf and Rorate has posted some news regarding the upcoming Instruction about Summorum Pontificum to be released soon. A petition to preserve the integrity of the motu propio is now online -- please sign and spread the word!

Urgent! FILIPINOS! UNITE FOR LIFE! Interfaith Rally against RH Bill

2011-02-12T02:08:00.000-08:00

I've been informed via Filipinos for Life of an upcoming interfaith rally against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the Philippines. LifeSiteNews also mentioned this (More details below:

The Interfaith Prayer Rally against RH Bill has changed its venue and date to February 13, Sunday, 4:00 PM onwards at PICC Grounds, Roxas Blvd. The Coalition of Family and Life are composed of Christians, Muslims and Catholics. We will march and pray together against the RH Bill. Listen to Pro-Life Congressmen, Senators, and other leaders as they speak out on why this anti-life bill should not be passed. Groups represented in this event include:

Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life

Human Life International

Pro-Life Philippines

ALFI

Ligaya ng Panginoon

CFC Global

Concerned Citizens Movement

Knights of Columbus

Catholic Women’s League

Serviam

Servants Comm.

Sangguniang Laiko

Sanctuario de San Jose

Diocese of Paranaque

Muslims for Life

Intercessors for the Philippine Evangelical groups

Ang Kapatiran Party

Buhay Party List

Phil. Solidarity

El Shaddai

CFM and counting!

Magsuot ng light blue armbands at magdala ng plakards at kandila sa rally. Tumawag sa pro-life office at 7337027 or text 09192337783. Makinig sa Radyo Veritas 846 para sa dagdag na detalye. Makibaka laban sa Batas RH!

FOR THOSE IN CEBU:

PRAYER RALLY IN CEBU

“CEBUANOS UNITE FOR LIFE PRAYER RALLY”

Feb. 11, 2011

Fuente 0smena Circle

1:30pm-5:30pm

Attention Cebuanos: March for Life called by Archbishop Jose Palma is, Friday 1:30-5:30 pm converging at Fuente Osmeña. Invited are pro-life politicians: Gov. Gwen Garcia, Cong. Pablo Garcia, Cong. Cutie del Mar, Mayor Mike Rama, Cong. Manny Paquiao.

Defenders of Life, it’s time to unite and protect our generation from the anti-life mentality that brings moral decay to our society.

We will have simultaneous Pro-Life activities this week.

February 10, Thursday, Healing Mass at Sto. Domingo Parish, 5pm-7pm

February 13, Sunday, Subic Marian Peace Regatta, 2pm-10pm, Subic Bay Boardwalk

February 13, Sunday, Interfaith Rally PICC Grounds, 4pm

February 24, 2011: Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV to give a talk for Defensores Fidei Foundation on February 24, 2011, 7-8 P.M., at Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City. Please spread the word. He will discuss how lay Catholics should respond to theological dissent, drawing upon the experience of lay American Catholics. Any questions, you may contact Carlos Antonio Palad at caloyraj AT yahoo DOT com.

External Solemnity of the Presentation of our Lord (Feb. 6, 2011)

2011-02-06T23:26:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrated the External Solemnity of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before mass started, Canon Moreau did the blessing of the candles which was followed by a short procession outside the church.

Before the Mass

Statue of Our Lady of Fatima (later to be carried in the procession)

Canon Moreau incensing the candles

Distribution of candles. The faithful can kiss the hands of the priest then the candle.

Procession outside the church

Flower girls accompanying our Blessed Mother

On the way back to the church

My son, Paul Benedict Marie, getting his first blessing of the throat after Mass (good timing, he had been coughing these past few days!). More photos of the procession can be found here.

Video: Blessing of the candles and procession outside the church

Video: Canon Moreau's Sermon

Mariana Mahal Baptism & Holy Mass in the OF (Presentation of our Lord)

2011-02-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

I was honored to be the godfather ('ninong') for Mariana Mahal Purificacion (daughter of my friend, Dennis Purificacion) and he couldn't have selected a better date than February 2 for the baptism. In the traditional pre-conciliar calendar, February 2 wasn't only the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ but also the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So I made a trip down to St. Catherine's in Vallejo, CA (this is the parish I used to go to when I was still residing in this city) to witness this special event.

One of the rare churches with the Blessed Sacrament in it's proper place: front and center!

Fr. Jess Soriano pouring the baptismal water.

Fr. Avram Brown consecrating Mariana Mahal

Elevation of the Host

The Purificacion Family

With the godfather

Mariana Mahal smiling in her sleep!

With Fr. Avram Brown (from the neighboring parish of St. Vincent's Ferrer, also in Vallejo)

St. Blaise Day (Feb 3, 2011)

2011-02-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

Canon Moreau blessing the candles to be used for the blessing of the throat

Lay faithful being blessed on the throat

Feast of St. Francis De Sales (Jan. 29, 2011) at St. Margaret Mary's

2011-02-06T02:10:00.000-08:00

Photos and video (Canon Moreau's sermon) taken from the Feast of St. Francis De Sales last January 29, 2011 at St. Margaret Mary's. St. Francis De Sales is the patron saint not only of the Institute, but also of the Diocese of Oakland.

Family photo!

More photos from the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast

2011-02-05T11:39:00.001-08:00

More photos from the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast, courtesy of Garvin (fellow parishioner at St. Margaret Mary's).

The rest of the photos can be viewed here.

2011 Walk for Life West Coast photos & videos

2011-01-23T01:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, we celebrated my son's first birthday and yesterday (Saturday, January 22, 2011) we took him to his very first Walk for Life (West Coast) held in Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, California, USA. It was a wonderful witness to life as we saw, young and old, gathered together every year here in this part of the country. While we weren't able to stay that long to join the thousands who walked from the Embarcadero to the Marina Green after a short program, I was able to take some photos and few video clips that I wanted to share with the blog readers.

What a crowd! There were more who later joined the Walk.

"Abortion is always the wrong choice" -- But of course!

Ah! Is that a biretta I see?

Couples for Christ. The charismatic group that originated in the Philippines have always turned in large numbers during this Walk for Life events. I had been an active member of the CFC Singles for Christ (a ministry for single adults) some years ago and I was glad to see some familiar faces. I haven't been involved with CFC or SFC for quite sometime now since I'm more preoccupied with the Traditional Latin Mass community of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Oakland, CA.

Dolores Meehan, co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast

Abby Johnson (former Planned Parenthood leader). Make sure you get your copy of her book "Unplanned". Portions of her sharing can be viewed at the bottom of this post.

David Bereit, National Campaign Director of the 40 Days for Life. The 40 Days for Life campaign was instrumental to Abby Johnson's dramatic turnaround from being pro-abortion to being pro-life!

Canon Jean Marie Moreau (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) waving the Vatican flag alongside the Institute banner before the walk started.

The Vatican flag being supported by some colorful balloons (a smart way of getting one's group easily identified if ever one is ever separated!

Family photo with Dolores Meehan (co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast and fellow parishioner at St. Margaret Mary's Church)

More photos of the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast can be viewed on my picasa web album.

Here are some videos:

Portions of David Bereit's (National Campaign Director of 40 Days for Life) introduction to the first speaker of the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast program, Abby Johnson (former Planned Parenthood leader).

Portions of Abby Johnson's (former Planned Parenthood leader) sharing during the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast at San Francisco, CA last January 22.

Portions of Mary Poirier's (Prayerbreaks Ministry) abortion testimony during the 2011 Walk for Life West Coast at San Francisco, CA last January 22.

Knights of Columbus Crab Feed at St. Margaret Mary's

2011-01-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, our Knights of Columbus Council (Cardinal Merry del Val Council 4840 of Oakland, CA) hosted a successful Crab Feed at St. Margaret Mary's Church. Proceeds from this event will go to a pro-life monument to be placed in the outdoor garden of St. Margaret Mary's. One special highlight of the Crab Feed was the raffle that took place while dessert was being served. Half of the money raised would go to the monument, while the other half was split into 3 cash prizes.

Raffle Prizes

Crab Feed ticket

Delicious pasta!

After the long wait, the crab was finally served (it was worth the wait though!)

Bro. Thomas Henriksson, Grand Knight

More photos can be found here.

Reminder: Rosary Crusade against RH Bill ending on Jan. 16

2011-01-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

Folks, just 2 more days before Jan. 16 (Feast of Sto. Nino) -- also the last day for gathering rosaries for the the Rosary Crusade against the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) in the Philippines. Rorate has posted an excellent write-up about it. As of Dec. 31, 2010, about 14,367 rosaries have been tabulated (we could use some more!). If you haven't done so yet, please email your rosary pledges to: OLVC123@gmail.com - Thanks!

New Weekly Traditional Mass in Paranaque (Philippines)

2011-01-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

Fr. Elijah celebrating the TLM in Bohol

Photo credit: Tridentine Mass Philippines Facebook page

Good news via Gerald (Prodeoetpatria blog): Father Elijah Pantorilla (OFM Conv) recently announced that the Traditional Latin Mass (now known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) is now celebrated daily at the St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe Seminary (Paranaque City). From Monday to Friday at 9:00am; Saturday and Sunday Sung Mass at 4:00pm.

UPDATE: Televised Traditional Latin Mass for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany (Philippines)

2011-01-06T23:22:00.000-08:00

** UPDATE (1/10/11) PLEASE SEE CORRECTED DATES BELOW **

Everyone is invited for a televised celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany to be held on January 22, 2011, Saturday, 8 PM. It would then be shown on R.P.N. Solar 9 the following day, January 23, 2011, at 8AM. Venue is at the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy (Madasalin corner Maamo Streets, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Philippines). (Photo taken from my last visit to PLDM on July 2009).

Update: FSSP Philippine Mission / TLM Conference Postponed

2010-12-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

I've been informed (by way of Dennis Maturan, Founding Chairman & President of Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph-Una Voce Philippines), that the upcoming FSSP Philippine Mission / TLM Conference featuring Fr. Marko Rehak (FSSP) on January has been postponed to a later date. Let's hope and pray that this conference pushes through successfully.

Fr. Marko Rehak, FSSP, giving his first blessing to his parents. He was ordained two years ago on the Feast of St. Cecilia (November 22, 2008) by the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn (Australia), the Most Reverend Mark Coleridge. Check out the blog Thomas Peregrinus for the wonderful photos of Fr. Rehak's ordination in the Extraordinary Form.

Breaking News: FSSP coming to Manila on January 2011!

2010-12-27T01:17:00.000-08:00

Please mark your calendars!

Philippine Tridentine Latin Mass Conference: Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao

January 10-17, 2011 (Tentative dates)

Speakers from the Priestly Fraternity Society of St. Peter (FSSP, Australia)

Organized by the Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph - Una Voce Philippines

Venue is still to be announced. Will be posting updates when they become available.

Vatican's Nativity scene to include elements of Filipino culture

2010-12-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

From Rome Reports:

Giuseppe Facchini, Bureau of Studies and Projects, Vatican:

"This gift from the Philippines attempts to bring the typical atmosphere of their country to the Eternal City. It displays a family of Filipino fishermen with a real canoe and baskets of fruit and fish."

Latin-Spanish 1962 Hand Missals to be available next year (2011)

2010-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

I've been informed today that next year (2011), the Latin-Spanish 1962 Hand Missal would be made available from Angelus Press (the publishing arm of SSPX). The Spanish Hand Missal is currently undergoing final proofreading (at least that's what the folks at Angelus Press were told two months ago by their contacts in South America, where the Spanish Missal will be coming from). They expect to have the missal available by Summer of 2011 at the earliest. Any further updates will be posted on this blog.

Guide on using the Traditional Latin Mass Missal

2010-12-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

The Monterey TLM blog recently posted series of guides (seven parts) on using the Missal of the Traditional Latin Mass. At the end of each post, there is a link to the next in the series. Click here for part 1.

The Age of Leaks...

2010-12-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

We seem to be living in the age of leaks. First there's the WikiLeaks. Now, the MissalLeaks??

The Mystery of the Leaked Missal

http://www.insidecatholic.com/feature/the-mystery-of-the-leaked-missal.html

Pope meets with the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines

2010-11-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

I guess nothing was discussed about Summorum Pontificum? (Ha!) From Rome Reports:

November 30, 2010. Benedict XVI met with the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines. During the meeting, the Pope emphasized the close relations the Vatican and the Philippines have always maintained.

The pope asked the Episcopal Conference of the Philippines to try and develop initiatives in favor of human life to increase respect from conception to natural death and in defense of the integrity of marriage and family.

Benedict XVI told the Philippine bishops that “thanks to the clear presentation of the Gospel, it has promoted an increasingly just social order in the country, because politics and the Church, each in its own field, serve the comprehensive development of human beings and society as a whole.”

The Philippines is a country with an area of 300,000 square kilometers, with a population of 93 million people, of which 89% are Christians.

Sri Lanka welcomes Cardinal Ranjith with Giant Galero

2010-11-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: White Monks Blog

Back to blogging and photos from recent events at St. Margaret Mary's

2010-11-11T13:19:00.000-08:00

First of all, many thanks to all the readers and friends who included my dad in your prayer intentions. Our family flew to the Philippines last month for his burial and it was edifying that he was given not just one, but two, Requiem Masses (one here in the US and one in the Philippines) in the Extraordinary Form. I'll post on a separate entry some reflections and photos. With all the stuff that's been going on, my blogging had to be limited to posting just announcements, but now things are slowly getting back to normal. In the meantime, I'd like to share with you some photos taken from recent events at St. Margaret Mary's.

External Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 17, 2010)

Mass was followed by a pancake breakfast fundraiser, organized by the Knights of Columbus:

Pilgrimage and High Mass at Angel Island, San Francisco (October 2, 2010)

Hiking towards the Military Chapel while praying the Rosary

More photos here and here.

Feast of Christ the King (October 31, 2010)

Canon Moreau with the Knights. More photos here.

All Soul's Day (November 2, 2010)

HLI Pro-Life Congress in Manila (Nov. 6 - 8)

2010-11-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I hope this pro-life congress is well attended (I'm sure my friend, The Pinoy Catholic, will also post this). From the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines:

HLI holds international pro-life congress

MANILA, Nov. 1, 2010—Human Life International (HLI) for Asia and Oceania is holding its 17th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life and Family, at the Dusit Hotel, Makati City on Nov. 6-8.

The congress will be preceded by a three-day international pro-life training for clergy, religious and lay leaders of Asia and Oceania on Nov. 3-5.

Ligaya Acosta, executive director of HLI-Asia/Oceania said that the congress is timely and urgent in the face of “massive attacks on the church and the much more aggressive push for the passage of the RH bill.”

“I pray that our clergy, religious and lay leaders will take this opportunity to know much more about the global agenda, and the many deceptions [and] subtle attacks against life and family,” she said.

Resource speakers during the pro-life training for clergy, religious and lay will be Dr. Brian Clowes, Dr. Ligaya Acosta, Atty. Jo Imbong, Fr. Francis Lucas, Fr. Melvin Castro and Archbishop Paciano Aniceto.

Dr. Brian Clowes is the director for research and training of Human Life International in its USA central office.

He will speak on two topics during the pre congress. On November 4, Clowes will talk on “How dissenters plan to remake the Catholic Church to their own image” and on November 3, he will speak on the topic, “Winning pro-life debate.”

Clowes will again speak on the congress proper. Other speakers include Raymond de Souza, an international Catholic apologist and program host of EWTN; and Dr. Rene Bullecer, Executive director of Human Life International, Philippines.

CBCP president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar will give an inspirational message to the participants during the congress while Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will deliver the keynote address.

The closing mass on November 8 will be presided by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

A press conference will be held on November 6 at 9-10:30 am.

Participants will be required to pay a registration fee of P2,500 for the pre-congress training while those attending the congress proper will pay a registration fee of P3,700. (CBCPNews)

Msgr Melencio De Vera, RIP

2010-10-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

From my friend and fellow-blogger, Gerald of Pro Deo et Patria:

I have received sad news that Msgr. Melencio De Vera has passed away yesterday, October 20, 2010. Msgr. De Vera was one of the few priests who celebrates the TLM from the beginning of the local movement up to the present despite his advanced age. Please pray for him. If it is possible, please do offer a requiem mass in the extraordinary form for him.

Thank you in advance,

Gerald Emmanuel S. Ceñir

Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph - Una Voce Philippines

Let us pray a De Profundis for this holy priest:

Ps. 129.

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: * Domine, exaudi vocem meam.

Fiant aures tuae intendentes: * in vocem deprecationis meae.

Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: * Domine, quis sustinebit?

Quia apud te propitiatio est: * propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbum ejus: * speravit anima mea in Domino.

A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: * speret Israel in Domino.

Quia apud Dominum misericordia: * et copiosa apud eum redemptio.

Et ipse redimet Israel: * ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

Requiem aeternam * dona eis, Domine.

Et lux perpetna luceat eis.

Requiescant in pace.

Amen.

V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam,

R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

Oremus.

Fidelium Deus omnium conditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut iudulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.

V. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

R. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

V. Requiescant in pace.

R. Amen.

English Version:

Ps., 129.

Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.

Let Thine ears be attentive: to the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities: O lord, who can abide it?

For with Thee there is mercy: and by reason of Thy law I have waited on Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath waited on His word : my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even unto night: let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him is plenteous redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel: from all his iniquities.

Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful; grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that by our devout supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.

R. Amen.

Exorcist: Documentary by Jay Taruc (GMA-7 News TV, Philippines)

2010-10-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to watch this documentary while handling the funeral arrangements of my dad in the Philippines last week. One of the two exorcists extensively interviewed for this TV documentary show, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, was also the priest who offered the Traditional Latin Requiem Mass on the day of my dad's burial (last October 10, 2010) at the Paz Funeraria in Manila Memorial Park, Sucat, Philippines. The parish where Fr. Zerrudo is assigned (Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City), offers the Traditional Latin Mass everyday (Mon-Sat, Low Mass: 8:30AM; Sunday: Missa Cantata: 2:00 PM). In fact, the last exorcism shown on the documentary happened on the same day when my dad was buried! It was quite a hectic day for Father Zerrudo! (who is also the official exorcist for the Diocese of Cubao). Anyway, be sure to check out his blog "Sense of the Sacred".

I-WITNESS “EXORCIST"

Documentary by Jay Taruc

(Oct. 11, 2010 Episode summary taken from GMA News TV, based in the Philippines)

Many have turned these scenes into iconic Hollywood images – a girl twisting her head in an impossible angle, speaking foreign languages and cursing at a priest who is performing an exorcism. Now, the real-life exorcists break their silence and reveal a world where they say unimaginable horrors are very real, and much stranger than fiction.

For the first time on Philippine television, the Office of Exorcism under the Archdiocese of Manila has opened its doors to a documentary team for an in-depth discussion of a subject that has long been kept behind closed doors. I-Witness has been allowed access to the official “exorcists" of the Church as well as confidential exorcism footage.

Father Jocis Syquia, head of the Office of the Exorcism, divulges what really goes on during the exorcism ritual conducted by a team of experts composed of priests, a lawyer, a doctor, and volunteers commissioned by the Archdiocese. The team is tasked to handle cases of demonic disturbances in persons, places or things.

The critically acclaimed film, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose," is based upon the tragic true story of Anneliese Michel who died after months of undergoing exorcism rituals. Anneliese’s story is controversial and raised questions about exorcism. After this incident, the Vatican revised their book of exorcism rituals and required that a doctor and lawyer be present whenever a ritual is to be performed.

Accordingly, before any exorcism ritual can occur, a psychiatric evaluation and a series of interviews have to be completed by the person, for the exorcist to determine if it is an authentic demonic attack.

Father Syquia and his fellow exorcist Father Jojo Zerrudo have been involved in numerous cases of demonic possession. They tell of moments when they had to grip onto their faith to continue what they were doing because the demon, they said, retaliated in unexpected ways. To these real-life exorcists, it is all part of a battle to bring the person back to a meaningful relationship with God.

Video compilation taken from the Pinoy Ako website. Since some portions of the video are in Tagalog, I have taken the liberty to translate them for the benefit of my non-Filipino friends below each video clip:

Part 1

Fr. Jocis Syquia (Director, Office of Exorcism, Archdiocese of Manila) explains that upon the arrival of the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines, they also began expelling demons that originated from the practice of pagan rituals among the natives.

All bishops are considered exorcists, since they have the fullness of the priesthood. While priests are allowed to exorcise, they need permission or delegation from their respective bishop.

Fr. Jojo Zerrudo started as an exorcist at his parish (Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy or PLDM). His sessions would usually start with a psychiatric evaluation, to make sure that the person has a spiritual malady and not a physical one. In each exorcism session, a doctor and lawyer are also present.

Part 2

Fr. Zerrudo explains that to prepare for an exorcism, the priest goes to confession and then afterwards offer mass for the person to be exorcised. He uses the book "The Roman Ritual" along with a variety of religious items such as a stole, Holy Water, the Cross of St. Benedict. Latin, being the official language of the Church has an important value: the person being exorcised won't understand it, but the devil or evil spirit can definitely understand it! [The devil hates latin! This was attested by Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the Chief Exorcist in Rome. This is why it's a good idea to be familiar with even just the basic prayers in latin]. Relics are also important. Relics are physical remains of a saint (such as hair or bone) that are kept for veneration. The highest relic is none other than the Relics of the True Cross of Christ.

In 1999, the Exorcism Rite was revised. However, most exorcists (including Fr. Zerrudo and Fr. Syquia) still prefer the 1614 Ritual -- which they say is more powerful than the revised rite. [Another exorcist, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, former president of Human Life International shares the same observation]. The presence of a doctor is important to see if the person is physically able to withstand the ritual, if not, the session would then be stopped. The presence of a lawyer helps to ensure that there are no legal liabilities.

What is seen on TV and movies are usually true: pains of the possessed, inverted cross appearing on the forehead, or the head being able to rotate 360 degrees, levitation, body and feet being twisted, etc. The influence of the new age is simply a revival of paganism. The majority of cases being brought to Fr. Zerrudo usually involve possessions stemming from occult practices (oija board, sorcery, witch craft, etc.). [So stay away from them!]

Part 3

A second case of exorcism is that of Mara, who comes from a devout Catholic family. Her case started on a Good Friday, after seeing what appears to be another teenager vanishing mysteriously. At 2AM, she felt her entire body ache. The pattern would usually repeat itself everyday, particularly before 12, 3, 6pm (Angelus). Being oppressed, she would then be found to be drooling, and her body would be bended by a mysterious force. Having consulted a 'spiritist' brought her temporary relief, but after a few months, she had would experience the same pains.

Once, while taking a shower, she would hear voices saying 'I am your God'. At this point, she got in touch with Fr. Syquia's Exorcism team. After evaluating her, an exorcism and blessing of her house was immediately done. Mara is convinced that she was allowed to undergo this experience so that her relationship with God would grow deeper.

Part 4

Fr. Zerrudo explains that one cannot be afraid when dealing with the devil, since this would indicate a lack of trust in God. Sister Leilani Macoy (FMA), a member of Fr. Syquia's Exorcism team, recounts one time where she was holding a plastic bag while the possessed was vomiting nails. Shortly after, while she was sleeping, she felt being choked. At first, she couldn't say her prayers (not even a Hail Mary), but afterwards, she felt ok. Even Fr. Syquia wasn't spared by the devil, as he recounts getting mysterious scratches. Fr. Syquia also mentions that a lot of those who get possessed are women and children (he thinks that they are more sensitive to the spiritual world).

In the 3rd case, another woman (Rowena) was brought to Fr. Zerrudo, after being diagnosed with depression. At first, Fr. Zerrudo thought that a deliverance prayer was all that she needed. However, all that changed when he started to rub on her ears the oil of catechumens. Her reaction changed dramatically. Rowena started howling and acted strangely. Immediately, Fr. Zerrudo made a quick decision to do a full-blown exorcism. He noticed that the evil spirit on her screamed at a certain latin phase. It took Fr. Zerrudo a total of 2 and 1/2 hours before the spirit left Rowena's body. [Fr. Zerrudo later recounted to me that Rowena was offered a glass of water (that actually was Holy Water) and she refused to drink it. When offered a glass of ordinary water, she was ok with it. It goes to show that the evil spirit can distinguish what is Holy Water and what is not! Too bad it wasn't shown in TV.]

For some people, they think that the Exorcism is about the devil. No! It's actually about the Lord and his love for us, this was asserted by Fr. Jojo Zerrudo. The show ends with an update on Mara, who is back to her normal life. The other woman, Rowena, was advised to see the doctor (to deal with the depression) and to come back for one more healing session.

My dad (Wilfredo Balza Sr.) passed away last Saturday (Sept. 25)

2010-09-28T02:31:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have learned, my dad, Wilfredo J. Balza Sr, passed away last Saturday at 10AM, after battling with lung cancer and cirhosis in the liver. He was fortunate to have been given the Last Rites (Sacrament of Extreme Unction) the night before he died. My apologies for the late posting as we have just finished the viewing and funeral arrangements. Please see the funeral schedule listed below:

Viewing / Vigil:

Sept. 29, 2010 (Wednesday)

1PM to 9PM

Skyview Memorial Lawn

200 Rollingwood Dr., Vallejo, CA 94591

(707) 644-7474

Traditional Latin Requiem Mass:

Sept. 30, 2010 (Thursday)

11:00AM - 12:00NN

St. Margaret Mary's Church

1219 Excelsior Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

(510) 482-0596

Lunch reception at Full Moon Seafood Restaurant:

2042 MacArthur Blvd

Oakland, CA 94602

(510) 530-1868

The remains of our dad will be brought back to the Philippines for burial

(viewing, Requiem Mass and Burial schedule to be announced at a later date).

In the meantime, please continue to keep him in your prayers!

---

For those new to the Traditional Latin Requiem Mass:

1) Latin-English Requiem Booklet Missals will be available and distributed before the Mass. This will enable you to follow along during Mass. Kindly return after use.

2) Out of respect for Our Lord and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, please dress in an appropriate manner.

3) Please turn off or silence your cellphone.

General norms for receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church:

Those who receive should:

1) Be baptized Catholics in full communion and in good standing with the Church

2) Be in a state of Sanctifying Grace (i.e. not conscious of any mortal sin).

3) Have fasted at least one hour before receiving the Blessed Sacrament.

In the Traditional Latin Mass, the communicant receives the Sacred Host on the TONGUE

(NOT ON THE HAND) while kneeling. The "Amen" is said by the priest (not by the

communicant).

Video: Preached Novena to St. Padre Pio (Day 1)

2010-09-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

Day 1 (Sept. 15, 2010) video of the preached novena to St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) given by Fr. Eric Forbes (OFM Cap). On the last day, Sept. 23, 2010, a first-class relic of St. Pio will be venerated.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

High Requiem Mass every month at St. Margaret Mary's Church

2010-09-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

As announced recently by Canon Jean Marie Moreau (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest), starting September 2010, a High Requiem Mass will be offered once a month at St. Margaret Mary's Church (Oakland, CA). Here are some photos taken from last Monday (Sept. 13, 2010):

Short video clip: Confiteor to Kyrie

A Preached Novena to St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

2010-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

A preached novena to St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) will be given by Fr. Eric Forbes (OFM Cap) starting today, Sept. 15, 2010 to Sept. 23, 2010 at St. Margaret Mary's Church, Oakland, CA. Listed below are the schedule and topics:

Sept. 15, 6PM Mass "Padre Pio and the Supernatural Life"

Sept. 16, 6PM Mass "Padre Pio as Spiritual Father"

Sept. 17, 6PM Mass "Padre Pio, Victim with Jesus"

Sept. 18, 10am Mass "Opposition and Obedience"

Sept. 19, 12:30pm Mass "Padre Pio in the Confessional"

Sept. 20, 6pm Mass "Padre Pio and the Angels"

Sept. 21, 6pm Mass "Padre Pio and the Poor Souls"

Sept.22, 6pm Mass "The Stigmata of Padre Pio"

Sept. 23, 6pm Mass "Padre Pio and Holy Mass"

Visiting relics of St. John Bosco at Sts. Peter and Paul's, San Francisco, CA

2010-09-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

Right after the anniversary reception last Sunday for Fr. Forbes, our family went straight to San Francisco to view the reliquary of St. John Bosco (displaying a likeness of the saint as well as a bone from his right arm) at Saints Peter and Paul Church. It was a really wonderful church.

The actual relic is on the right arm.

Altar

View from the outside. The Coit tower (a tourist landmark) can be seen from the distance.

The famous "Twin pillar" dream of St. John Bosco. Check out the story on this blog.

Mi familia!

The traditional pulpit.

More photos can be viewed here.

20th anniversary of Fr. Eric Forbes' ordination to the priesthood

2010-09-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday (Sept. 12, 2010), we celebrated Fr. Eric Forbes' (OFM, Cap) 20th anniversary to the priesthood with a Solemn High Mass followed by a wonderful reception at the Father Kozina Hall, St. Margaret Mary's Church. Fr. Forbes was ordained on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8, 1990) and was the only candidate ordained at the ceremony by Archbishop Anthony Apuron (OFM Cap) in the Cathedral-Basilica in Guam -- which prompted Canon Moreau to recall the anecdote of St. Jean Marie Vianney who was also the only priest ordained at the ceremony on which his bishop said "Yes, but for this one, it was well worth it!". We are indeed blessed to have Fr. Forbes around since he would often be the 'back-up' for Canon Moreau whenever he's away on a trip. But whenever Canon Moreau is here, the presence of Fr. Forbes make it also possible for us to have a Solemn High Mass, rather than just our regular "Missa Cantata" / High Mass.

Asperges

Incensing the altar

Sermon on Humility

Relics of St. John Bosco to visit San Francisco and LA (Sept. 11 to 19, 2010)

2010-09-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to learn that the relics of my school patron, St. John Bosco, is coming to the Bay Area. Just recently, we were fortunate to welcome the relics of another saint (St. Jean Marie Vianney). May the intercession of these two great saints encourage more priestly and religious vocations!

Taken from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish website:

As we prepare for the bicentennial of Don Bosco's birth in 2015, a relic of our founder is making its way through five continents. The reliquary, which displays a likeness of Don Bosco as well as a bone from his right arm will arrive at Saints Peter and Paul Church on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and leave on September 13. We will be celebrating days of festivities before and during Don Bosco's visit as we mark this truly once-in-a-lifetime event. Google "Facebook Don Bosco Relic" to go to the Facebook page which has lots of information about the visit.

Schedule of events

Saints Peter and Paul Parish

Salesians of Don Bosco

666 Filbert Street San Francisco, CA 94133

415-421-0809 (Google map) (Parking map)

Wednesday, September 8

6:00 PM Music in the Church.

6:15 Address of Gratitude by Mr. Al Baccari

7:00 Mass celebrated by Archbishop George Niederauer

Thursday, September 9

6:15 PM. Mr. Russ Gumina, Director of the Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club,

peaks on The Salesian Youth Movement.

6:30 Mass celebrated by Fr. John Itzaina, SDB, Pastor

7:30 Reception in the Auditorium

Friday, September 10

6:15 PM Short talk on the history of the Salesian Movement.

6:30 Mass

7:30 Reception in the Auditorium

Saturday, September 11

11:30 PM: Don Bosco arrives!

Sleep-over at the Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club. All-night veneration and prayer in the church (enter through Church Office). Honor guard of the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, and Knights of the Holy Sepulcher

Sunday, September 12

7:30 Mass "Don Bosco: Model of Service"

8:45 Mass "Don Bosco: Apostle to the Young"

10:15 Mass "Don Bosco: Missionary to the World" celebrated by

Bishop Emeritus Ignatius Wang

12:00 Mass "Don Bosco: Model of Holiness" followed by a Reception in the Auditorium.

5:00 Mass "Don Bosco: Faithful for the Kingdom," honoring our Salesian Jubilarians.

The following schedule comes from the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology:

Monday, September 13

9:00 AM School Mass.

10:00 AM. The Relics depart and will travel through the streets of San Francisco to Corpus Christi Church.

Tuesday, 14 September

San Francisco via East Bay (Richmond, Berkeley, DSPT from 12:15-2:15 pm) to Watsonville (Our Lady Help of Christians Church).

Wednesday, 15 September

Watsonville (Our Lady Help of Christians, St Francis) to Los Angeles (St Mary's Parish, Boyle Heights).

Thursday, 16 September

Los Angeles (St Mary's, Salesian High, St Bridget's) to Rosemead (Don Bosco Techn, St Joseph Youth Renewal Center).

Friday, 17 September

Rosemead to Bellflower (St John Bosco, St Dominic Savio Parish, remaining until 19 September).

19 September 2010

Transport by air to New Orleans.

Don Bosco's relics arrive first in San Francisco – historically the port of arrival of Don Bosco's sons in the United Sates – then gradually travel to Southern California, where the Salesian Family has the largest population in North America. Local committees will coordinate celebrations.

The relics of Don Bosco have been recomposed from the urn that have contained the saints remains since 1929 at Valdocco. The bones and tissues of the right hand and arm have been taken and recomposed to be included into two reliquaries, one of which is shaped as a statue of the saint and is being brought in pilgrimage to India; the other reliquary is a replica of the remains of the saint composed in the urn at Valdocco, and this is being brought to the rest of the world, including California.

This latter reliquary is made of fiberglass; the relics have been documented and sealed in box that has been placed within the image of Don Bosco in repose (they are placed in the chest of the sculpted body). This in turn is in an urn, which has been constructed for transport and for display. The total weight of the reliquary in the urn is 820 kg (1,808 lbs). The dimensions of the classical style urn on the cart are: length 253cm (99.61 inches); width 108.3cm (42.64 inches); height 132 cm (52 inches).

The reliquary urn of Don Bosco is being transported by truck that has been specially designed and built by Iveco for this purpose. Two Iveco trucks will arrive together: one for transport and one for escort as an emergency vehicle. Two drivers, specifically trained for this event, have charge of each truck.

Baby Chino's heart surgery appeal

2010-08-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

As a dad to a 7-month old healthy boy, I just can't help but feel the anguish of Cynch Nebrao, a friend of mine back in college. Please include baby Chino (suffering from severe mitral regurgitation with mild stenosis) in your prayers. If you are able to, please consider giving a donation as well through www.championsforchino.com -- thanks!

30 August 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

After serving for more than a decade as missionaries for Couples for Christ and after even going for long-term mission in Africa together, Clarke and Cynch Nebrao discover that their only 10-month old son Chino has severe mitral regurgitation with mild stenosis, Simply put, the Nebraos’ third child has a defective heart valve. The condition
affects only 2% of the world’s population and survival rate is only 5%. Open heart surgery to treat baby Chino’s condition, including hospitalization expenses and medications is going to cost around Php 2 million or USD 45, 000.

This is why, we, a group of Clarke and Cynch’s friends came together to talk about what could be done to help them during this trying time. Concretely, we would like to invite you to help raise a portion of the funds Chino needs to get a chance to live. We are writing this letter to ask for any amount you could spare for Chino’s cause. We need 2,000
generous souls to give, at least, Php 1,000 (USD 20) each. Also, your prayers and gestures of support to the Nebrao family would work wonders.

His doctors say that he needs to undergo surgery before he turns one; he turns one in October. This is why his cause is pretty urgent. We would appreciate it very much if you would help spread the word and take up Chino’s cause as your own and pray for his healing.

For more information about baby Chino’s condition and how you can help, please visit www.championsforchino.com. You can also donate via Paypal on the website. Follow baby Chino, as well, on Twitter

@champions4chino.

Love,
Champions for Chino

PRAYER FOR BABY CHINO
Let's start a chain of prayers around the world! It would be appreciated if we could pray at 3PM, 6PM and 9PM everyday for Chino and his healing.

Lord Jesus, we trust in Your great mercy and love for Chino. We lift him up to You, his mind, body and soul. We ask You, dear Jesus, to heal Chino. Let very cell in his body, his heart give You glory. Place Chino’s entire family and all who care for him under the mantle of Mother Mary’s protection and comfort. Let this experience be an experience of conversion and an affirmation of faith for many. Send us Your Holy Spirit in all that we do. Amen. One Our Father. One Hail Mary. One Glory Be.

Note: Copy & Paste this letter.. and Spread the Word!

Requesting prayers for my terminally-ill dad

2010-08-28T02:36:00.000-07:00

I didn't have a chance to update the blog these past few weeks due to a family emergency situation. These past weeks have been quite a trial for us. Our dad was diagnosed with an advanced stage of cirhosis in the liver a few weeks ago. Then just this week, the doctors also discovered a big mass of tumor near his lungs. It has begun spreading out, and the lung cancer is now considered to be on stage 3. Chemotherapy is definitely out of the question due to his cirhosis. While he was offered the option of radiation therapy, this would only be helpful as far as relieving some pain but it's not an over-all cure. Similar to the cirhosis diagnosis, the doctors think that he would only last up to six months. So it's really a matter of time before the cirhosis or the lung cancer gets him first.

Inspite of this bad news, please permit me to share a couple of good news. First, the doctors think that with therapy for a few days our dad can gain some strength to enable him to fly back to the Philippines where he wants to spend his remaining days. He was discharged yesterday and moved to a skilled nursing facility. If all goes well, and if the airline gives their approval, my mom and I will accompany him to the Philippines (though I'll only stay for a week

to make sure he gets settled in before I return to the US).

The more important good news is that, after years of praying for his conversion to the Catholic faith, (he was raised up as a Protestant ) he finally did it last August 19! A day before my patron saint's feastday (St. Bernard of Clairvaux). I was told that my dad almost converted to Catholicism before he married my mom, but the priest told him that it wasn't necessary. I must mention that aside from the rosary, one particular devotion which I completed last year was St. Bridget's 15 Prayers (This can be found on old prayerbooks, though the promises attached to this devotion might be in question, the prayers themselves are good meditative ones) which I often prayed in preparation before each daily mass. I've read anecdotal stories about the power of this devotion, so it seemed to be instrumental also for my dad's conversion.

As my dad's health began to fail, I felt the urgency for him to receive the Sacraments before it was too late. I knew that it was probably better for him to receive them now while still fully conscious and lucid. This time, he offered no resistance when we invited him to consider becoming a Catholic. We are grateful for Canon Jean Marie Moreau (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) for his time in hearing my dad's first confession and giving him a conditional baptism. Afterwards, he was confirmed and received Holy Communion for the first time as well! An added bonus was the Investiture of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The sacraments and scapular investiture were all done in the traditional latin rite (Extraordinary Form).

Please keep my dad (Wilfredo Balza Sr). and our family in your prayers and masses. Once again, we are thankful and appreciative for all the support given to us at this difficult time.

Canon Moreau preparing for the Rite of Baptism

Assisting Canon Moreau with the Baptism Rite

Dad's First Holy Communion

Investiture of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel's Brown Scapular

The Balza Family with Canon Moreau (seemed my dad looked a bit younger after the sacraments were given to him!)

New book arrives today "Dominus Est - It is the Lord!"

2010-08-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Finally got to figure out how to post on this blog via phone! As a test on how it looks like, I'll send this photo of this book from Bp. Athanasius Schneider that arrived today.

Feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney last August 8, 2010

2010-08-12T22:58:00.001-07:00

After the 12:30PM High Mass last Sunday, Canon Moreau invited the faithful to venerate a relic of St. Jean Marie Vianney.

Canon Moreau's Sermon

Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference

2010-08-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, a new book on Exorcism arrived, and I got a chance to skim the first few chapters. The Exorcism and the Church Militant was very well organized and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer really laid out very nicely the topics in a Question & Answer format. He even had Fr. John Corapi write a foreword for the book! An interesting section on the appendix titled "The New Rite of Exorcism: A Potent Weapon is Weakened" caught my eye. Here Father compares the 1614 exorcism ritual, "De exorcizandis obsessis a dae monio" ("On Exorcising Those Obsessed by a Demon") and the watered-down 1999 revision titled "De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam" ("On Exorcisms and Other Supplications"). Hmmm. The story sounded familiar. Anyway, compared with the other books on exorcism, I find that this is the the easiest to read.

I first encountered the name of Fr. Euteneuer in the pro-life movement, since he's the President of Human Life International. To my surprise, I found out later that he's also an exorcist! When I read an email from the Divine Mercy mailing list that Fr. Euteneuer would be visiting the Bay Area again (I missed the opportunity to see him give a talk at the East Bay Men's Conference at the Oakland Cathedral last May), I made a point to go the Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference at Holy Spirit Parish (Fremont, CA) last Saturday, August 7. He was joined by Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortion doctor who has since then converted to the Catholic faith and runs the Tepeyac Family Center based in Fairfax, VA.

Me and Dr. John Bruchalski. His conversion story was very moving. Also learned from him the need to pray for the doctors in the abortion industry which can really work wonders (him being an example!).

Me and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer. I mentioned to him a priest friend in the Philippines (who also is an exorcist). He said "Oh yes, the Philippines needs more exorcists!". Out of curiosity, I asked Fr. Euteneuer if he ever had a chance to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass (better known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite). He said, "No, but I'll need to learn that" (or something to that effect). At least he has shown interest and he knows he has to get himself trained somehow. When I mentioned to him that I go to St. Margaret Mary's where the Traditional Mass is being offered on a daily basis, he was impressed.

A nice autograph from Fr. Euteneuer.

The seats were full to capacity (though this photo was taken during the lunch break). There were lots of Filipinos! (I'd say definitely more than half of the conference goers!)

I visited the Perpetual Adoration Chapel afterwards. I learned from the conference that the Holy Spirit Parish is the 2nd in the Diocese of Oakland to have a 24-hour Adoration chapel (the first is the Divine Mercy Chapel at El Cerrito, CA).

Here's Fr. Euteneuer on EWTN's World Over Live discussing "Exorcism and the Church Militant".

Sermon on the Feast of the Transfiguration (Canon Jean Marie Moreau) on August 6, 2010

2010-08-08T02:03:00.000-07:00

Seminary Society (Oakland Apostolate) 2010 picnic

2010-08-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

The Seminary Society (Oakland Apostolate of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) had it's annual picnic at Croll's Garden Picnic Site, Crown Beach, Alameda, CA last July 31, 2010. Lots of food, drinks, games including a Soccer Match. The winning team won the very 1st Msgr. Wach Championship Cup Trophy!

More people showed up this year.

The cool trophy.

Soccer match team line-up.

Canon Jean Marie Moreau

Lots of food!

Burgers and hotdogs

Institute banner (a good way to see which group of people are occupying the picnic grounds; there were other groups from different picnic sites).

More photos here.

What's my line? Archbishop Fulton Sheen and other notable videos

2010-07-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Fellow parishioner (and blogger too) Don Roberts posted this on Facebook where Archbishop Fulton Sheen appeared on a game show "What's my line?", a weekly panel game show (originally aired in the US from 1950 to 1967 according to wikipedia):

Archbishop Fulton Sheen in his last Good Friday homily, recorded in 1979 at St Agnes Church, New York.

Here is a Traditional Latin Mass filmed on Easter Sunday in 1941 at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Chicago. The film presents the ceremonies of the Missa Solemnis or Solemn High Mass in full detail with narration by then-Mgr. Fulton J. Sheen.

On October 3, 1979 Archbishop Sheen had an audience with Pope John Paul II at which the Pope embraced Sheen and gave a perfect summary of his life and work: “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You have been a loyal son of the Church!” Archbishop Fulton John Sheen, a Son of Peoria, a Son of the Church, died on December 9, 1979 in his private chapel in his Manhattan apartment. In 2002, Bishop Daniel Jenky, CSC, of the Diocese of Peoria, IL officially opened the cause for Sheen’s beatification and canonization. (Source: Archbishop Fulton Sheen Cause for Canonization website).

1st TLM - Diocese of Pasig (Dioecesis Pasiginus)

2010-07-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Some photos and video taken from the 1st Mass (Low Mass) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (EF) at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Diocese of Pasig, Philippines) last July 7, 2010. Rev. Fr. Mark Sese, parochial vicar and vice-chancellor of the diocese was the celebrant. The Mass was held at the Baptism of our Lord Chapel, the Baptistery of the Cathedral.

Regular Masses in the Extraordinary Form will start this coming August, 2010. (Photo/Video Credit: Dioecesis Pasiginus - Usus Antiquor (TLM Pasig blog).

Consecration

Lay Faithful

Servers

Rev. Fr. Mark Sese

Highlights of the 1st Mass in the EF

Traditional Latin Low Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Pasig City, Philippines)

2010-07-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

I have recently been informed that a Traditional Latin Low Mass will be celebrated (for the 3rd Anniversary of the Summorum Pontificum) at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City (Philippines) on July 7, 2010 (4pm) at The Baptism of Our Lord Chapel. The celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Mark Sese, parochial vicar and vice chancellor of the Diocese of Pasig. Everyone is cordially invited! (Photo credit: Mark Bunag)

Fr. Victor Szczurek (Norbertine Father) visits St. Margaret Mary's

2010-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

In the absence of Canon Jean Marie Moreau (he is currently travelling in Europe -- please pray for him and his family, and for his safe return to Oakland on July 24), some priests from St. Michael's Abbey of the Norbertine Fathers (based in Orange County, CA) will be celebrating the weekly Sunday High Mass at St. Margaret Mary's. Yesterday, we welcomed Fr. Victor Szczurek (picture above). His sermon can be viewed at the Oakland Apostolate website (along with the rest of Canon Moreau's recent sermons).

Heart of St. John Vianney to visit the Diocese of Oakland

2010-07-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

From the Catholic Voice:

The heart of St. John Vianney, among the most renowned relics of the Catholic Church, will visit the Diocese of Oakland, July 16 – 18, as part of a global tour during the Year for Priests which was proclaimed last summer by Pope Benedict XVI to mark the 150th anniversary of the acclaimed saint known as the patron of parish priests.

Visitation schedule

The relic will arrive from the Diocese of Stockton on July 16 for the first of three stops in the diocese. St. John Vianney Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek, will host the relic with Vespers at 7 p.m., a talk on the life of St. John Vianney at 8 p.m., followed by veneration until midnight. At 8:30 a.m. the following morning (July 17) Mass will be celebrated in the presence of the relic.

Then the relic will be transferred to Holy Spirit Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd. in Fremont, where prayers will be offered at noon, confessions at 3:30 p.m., Mass in the presence of the heart at 5 p.m. and a talk about the relic at 6:30 p.m. with veneration until midnight.

The relic’s third stop will be at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St. in Oakland, on July 18. Mass will be celebrated in the presence of the relic at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Bishop Emeritus John Cummins will be the principal celebrant at the 10 a.m. liturgy. A talk on the priesthood is scheduled at 7 p.m., followed by veneration until midnight. The relic will depart for France, the homeland of the saint, on July 19.

Rosary for Priests: June 19, 2010 concluding the Year for Priests

2010-06-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

http://rosaryforpriests.org/

Please join us!
Rosary for Priests in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and more

Saturday, June 19, 2010
10:00 am to 10:30 am
concluding the Year for Priests

Plaza in front of Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
1111 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-6686

Or join us in prayer at the Cathedrals in Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento, same time, same day.
Let us encourage, thank, join in solidarity with, show our filial obedience to,and share our love with our beloved priests!

Diocese of Pasig: TLM Training & Workshop for Altar Servers (my hometown!)

2010-06-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pasig City, Philippines

Photo credit: Traversing the Orient Magazine

Saturday, June 19, 2010

1:30pm - 4:00pm

Diocese of Pasig - Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Plaza Rizal, Brgy. Malinao, Pasig City, Philippines

TLM PASIG June 19, 2010 ~ Low Mass Workshop:

• A comprehensive introduction to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass and its liturgical principles

• An overview of the 1962 Roman Missal and liturgical calendar

• A complete explanation and demonstration, with practical hands-on instruction, in the ceremony of Low Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal

• Tips and strategies for gaining proficiency in Latin

• An introduction to Sung Mass and Gregorian Chant

I am pleased to see this workshop to be held in my hometown diocese (Diocese of Pasig). Brings back happy memories of my childhood years. I remember those days where I had been serving as an altar boy at both my parish (Sta. Rosa de Lima) and in our Village Chapel. Our parish priest back then, Rev. Msgr. Rodolfo "Rudy" Gallardo, was a military chaplain prior to being assigned to the parish. At one point, I had been contemplating to enter the seminary life but Msgr. Gallardo encouraged me instead to consider entering after I'm done with high school and/or college. So I continued my high school studies at Don Bosco Mandaluyong and eventually finished my undergraduate degree at the University of the Philippines, before moving here in the US. By then, my vocation interest had already disappeared! Afterwards, I learned that Msgr. Gallardo was installed as the second rector of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in December 2003 and eventually retired on February 2005. I'm hoping and praying that with this workshop, the Traditional Latin Mass will be made available, not only in the cathedral itself, but throughout the diocese.

External Solemnity of Corpus Christi: 1st Holy Communion and Procession

2010-06-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

Sermon

Consecration

First Holy Communion

Vesting of the Scapular

Street Procession

Benediction

Slideshow of the remaining photos (click to view the complete photo album):

Photos & Video: Confirmation in the Traditional Rite (May 20, 2010)

2010-05-22T04:27:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures (and a video -- hopefully I can add more, if time permits) taken from the Confirmation Ceremony and Pontifical Low Mass in the Traditional Latin Rite (Extraordinary Form) at St. Margaret Mary's Church last Friday, May 20, 2010. It was a joyful occasion to welcome once again his Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (Diocese of Oakland, CA). Reception followed in the Father Kozina Hall.

Canon William Avis (Rector of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest's Apostolate, Old St. Patrick's Oratory at Kansas City, Missouri) giving instructions to the confirmandi, during the practice session before the Confirmation Ceremony.

Canon Avis addressing the confirmandi and their sponsors (I was a sponsor to one of them).

His Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone's arrival. He was welcomed by Canon Jean Marie Moreau and Fr. Stan Zak (Pastor of St. Margaret Mary's).

Procession towards the Church.

Bishop Cordileone blessing the faithful as he enters the church.

Bishop Cordileone is assisted by Canon Moreau while vesting.

Bishop Cordileone asking questions to the confirmandi (see video on the bottom of this entry).

Rite of confirmation.

The confirmandi (Boys were on the Epistle side, Girls on the Gospel side)

The bishop is being vested for the low mass.

Orate fratres...

Consecration

The confirmandi were able to kiss the bishop's ring, before being given Holy Communion.

The newly-confirmed with the bishop.

The newly confirmed with the bishop and the sponsors.

The assisting clergy and servers with Bishop Cordileone.

The clergy and seminarians with Bishop Cordileone.

Yummy food provided by the families and sponsors.

Veni Creator Spiritus Cake.

Guests and family members of the newly-confirmed.

His Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone.

This is me with Bishop Cordileone. I gave his Excellency a "Brick-by-Brick" mug as a simple token of appreciation for his coming to our parish. This cool mug is available at Fr. John Zuhlsdorf's (aka Father "Z") WDTPRS Cafe Press store.

Some of my Catechism classmates with Canon Avis.

Confirmation in the Traditional Rite (Extraordinary Form) and Pontifical Low Mass (May 20, 2010)

More pictures of the Confirmation Ceremony can be viewed on my picasa web album (can be accessed by clicking on the picture above).

Q&A with Bishop Cordileone. He remembers being asked by the bishop when he himself was confirmed.

Reminder: Confirmation and Low Pontifical Mass tomorrow (May 20, 2010)

2010-05-19T12:16:00.001-07:00

As mentioned on a previous posting, His Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (Diocese of Oakland, CA) will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Extraordinary Form at St. Margaret Mary's Church (1219 Excelsior Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610), tomorrow, May 20 (2010) at 6PM. This will be followed by a Low Pontifical Mass and a reception at the Father Kozina Hall. We will also welcome the presence of Canon William Avis, Rector of Old St. Patrick's Oratory in Kansas City. Please include in your prayers those who are being confirmed. The 29 candidates for confirmation are coming from the 3 Apostolates of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in the San Francisco Bay Area (St. Margaret Mary's Church, Oakland; Our Mother of Perpetual Help Oratory in Santa Clara, CA; and Five Wounds Portuguese National Church in San Jose, CA). Photo Credit: Angelus Press.

Some more pictures of Fr. Ian Mendoza's Ordination last May 14, 2010

2010-05-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

Some more pictures from the Ordination Mass last Friday (May 14, 2010).

His Excellency, Bishop Salvatore Cordileone

Canon Jean Marie Moreau

Fr. Stan Zak (Pastor, St. Margaret Mary's)

Consecration

Fr. Ian Mendoza with Bishop Cordileone

Fr. Ian Mendoza giving Canon Moreau his first blessing.

Video: Gloria to Gospel

The rest of the pictures are on my facebook photo album.

Preview: Pictures and Video of the Ordination of Ian Mendoza to the Order of the Priesthood

2010-05-15T00:46:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to witness, along with fellow parishioners of St. Margaret Mary's and Canon Jean Marie Moreau (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) the Ordination of Deacon (now Father) Ian Mendoza to the Order of the Priesthood by his Excellency Bishop Salvatore Cordileone yesterday, May 14 (2010) at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (OF). More pictures and videos to be added later.

Me and our newly-ordained priest, Fr. Ian Mendoza

Video preview: "...We choose Ian, our brother, for the Order of the Priesthood."

Filipino deacon to become the youngest priest in the Diocese of Oakland

2010-05-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogger Pinoy Catholic might be interested to hear about this: Tonight (7pm), His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Cordileone, will ordain to the priesthood Deacon Ian Mendoza, who is said to become the youngest priest (27 years old) in the Diocese of Oakland. The ordination (Ordinary Form) is to take place at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Deacon Mendoza was born in Bulacan, Philippines. He entered the University of Santo Thomas (One of the oldest universities in the Philippines, and also a pontifical university) then applied at the St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park (Palo Alto, CA). He has served in various parishes in the San Francisco Bay Area (eg. Holy Spirit in Fremont, St. Michael in Livermore). More information about him can be found on the online edition of the Catholic Voice. Kindly include him in your prayers.

Photo credit: The Catholic Voice

First Thursday Reminder: Year of the Priest Plenary Indulgence

2010-05-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Remember! Today is 1st Thursday! In this year dedicated to priests and prayer for priests, Holy Church has provided lay people with a special plenary indulgence on first Thursdays of each month.

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."

The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions designated by the Pope.

Solemn High Nuptial Latin Mass video clips

2010-05-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some selected video clips taken from the Solemn High Nuptial Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista:

Part 1: Bridal Entrance to Instruction before Marriage

Part 2: Rite of Marriage

Part 3: Homily

Solemn High Nuptial Latin Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista

2010-05-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken from the Solemn High Nuptial Latin Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista. Kristin Favero and Michael Konvolinka from the Oratory of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Santa Clara tied the knot in this Old Mission Church at San Juan Bautista, CA last April 24, 2010. More pictures can be viewed here. Pictures of the rest of the Mission to be posted later.

Solemn Pontifical High Mass in faldstool (Philippines)

2010-04-29T01:36:00.000-07:00

This good news was shared to me by a seminarian friend (Mark Bunag) in the Philippines who was the MC for the Pontifical High Mass in faldstool by his Excellency ANTONIO R. TOBIAS, Bishop of Novaliches. The Mass was held in Seven Joys of Mary Chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate on April 27, 2010 at 10:30 am. The Mass was attended by the whole community of sisters, third orders of the FI, friends, benefactors and neighborhoods.

Novena to St. Catherine of Siena

2010-04-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of novena to St. Catherine of Siena. Her feast day is April 30th (Although in the post-conciliar calendar, it is celebrated the day before, which is April 29).

"O admirable St. Catherine, thou who didst merit to make of thy whole life the noblest holocaust, constantly inspiring thyself to a most ardent love for Jesus, the Lamb without blemish, and for His beloved Spouse the Church, whose rights thou didst strenuously affirm and support in troubled times, obtain likewise for us, the grace not only to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, but also to remain unshakably faithful to the Church, in word, deed, in example, to see always, and to make others see, in the Holy Roman Catholic Church our anchor, as it were, in the storms of life, the beacon of light that points the way to the harbor of safety in the dark night of our times and men's souls. Obtain likewise the favors I request in this Novena (mention your intentions here) through thy powerful intercession. St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us."

A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, when this prayer has been recited daily for a month. (S.P. Ap., Dec. 12, 1940)

18 Million (and counting) Rosaries

2010-04-21T19:25:00.001-07:00

From DICI (Documentation Information Catholiques Internationales):

The General House of the Society of Saint Pius X [SSPX], in Menzingen, has lately been receiving from all over the world the results of the Rosary Crusade launched by its General Superior, Bishop Bernard Fellay. This crusade lasted from May 1, 2009, to March 25, 2010; its goal was to ask for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Supreme Pontiff and all the bishops of the Catholic world, in accordance with the message of Fatima in which Our Lady herself announced the final triumph of her Immaculate Heart.

To date we have only a provisional count, as all the results have not yet been tallied. However, DICI is delighted to announce to its readers, in this exclusive news report, that the goal of 12 million rosaries, which were to form a crown of 12 stars for Mary, Queen of Heaven, has been surpassed by far, since more than 18 million rosaries have already been reported. Among the districts that sent in their results, we should note the generosity of the United States (5,354,552), France (2,936,890), Africa (2,816,826) and Asia (2,583,204). Next come Canada (717,000), Germany (680,000), South America (536,480), Switzerland (411,000), Australia (402,000), Mexico (332,800), Great Britain (218,116), Italy (215,000), Ireland (136,190)….

Once a definitive count is obtained, this crown of rosaries recited around the world, over the course of nearly a year, will be presented to the Holy Father by Bishop Fellay. Profound thanks to all the Rosary crusaders for their admirable Marian fervor !

Father Alain Lorans