Pentecost and ‘Kaamatan’ Festival Celebrations

Pentecost Celebration always falls on a Sunday, fifty days after Easter Sunday (inclusive of Easter Sunday), and today is Pentecost Sunday, 31st May 2009 which also coincides with the final day of Kaamatan Festival Celebration in Sabah, Malaysia. It would appear that there are similarities between the two celebrations.

“Today we celebrate the great day of Pentecost when Christ filled the Church with the power of his spirit and sent it out into the world to bring his peace, joy and forgiveness to all mankind.”

The Gospel reading this morning is taken from the holy Gospel according to John 15:26-27; 16:12-15. Also read from HERE.

Jn15:26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Jn16:12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Read from HERE the holy Gospel discussion and HERE

“Pentecost Sunday, which marks the end of the Easter season in the Christian calendar, celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles as the climax of the Good News. On this day, all the benefits of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ rush into the Church through the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as “the Church’s birthday”.”

Pentecost is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.

Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the book of Acts, ushering in the beginning of the Church. 50 Days after Jesus' resurrection (and 10 days after Jesus' Ascension), the apostles were gathered together, probably confused and contemplating their future mission and purpose. On the day of Pentecost, a flame rested upon the shoulders of the apostles and they began to speak in tongues (languages), by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus Pentecost is a time for many Catholics and other Christians to celebrate two important realities: the Holy Spirit and the Church.

“Imagine having lived in slavery and suddenly set free.

Imagine being forced to express yourself without words and then given a voice.

Imagine having a haunted past and then it erased, while coupled with a people of royalty having power and respect.

Imagine being separated from the world and unexpectedly the world has been informed how valuable YOU are to the God of the Universe.”

If we can imagine transformation like this, we can know more closely how God’s people can get a glimpse of Pentecost and its place in the Faith Story.

Deep in the history of the Hebrew people, a place called Sinai stands as a mile marker 50 days beyond 450 years of enslavement to Egyptians pharaohs. There, God spoke to Moses on a high mountain shelf with promise, hope and direction - a renewed relationship with him far from merciless memory.

Exodus 19:5 - God told them, “…out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Legend has it that the people listened as God’s voice boomed from the cliffs while speaking to Moses. God spoke not only in Hebrew, but mysteriously his voice was split and transformed into 70 voices. Every nation was then heard and understood what God was saying.

Uniquely, Pentecost came about the time of the 1st harvest of grains. Therefore, in thanks, each year everyone everywhere, rich and poor, went to Jerusalem to give a portion of the harvest to the Lord. And because of their memories of Egypt and God speaking at Sinai, Pentecost became a time of great unity, of great compassion. The farmers would even leave the edges of their crops untouched so the poor could gather food and have enough to carry a portion of their own to Jerusalem to thank the Lord – fatherless, strangers, widows, servants - all were welcome to gather food in any field they chose.

Coincidently, today is also the last day of the month-long “Kaamatan Festival” which is held at Hongkod Koisaan Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia to give thanks to the rice spirit.

Appeasing is done in respect of Bambarayon, Deities, Divinities and Spirits, who may have been hurt by human wrongful, acts. Purification is performed in respect of human and spiritual needs for forgiveness followed by resolutions to make themselves worthy of the gifts of life from God. Restoration is necessary to ensure the health and well being of Bambarayon/Bambaazon, mankind and other spiritual beings. Re-union is realised in respect of human needs to be integrated in body, mind and spirit within the concept of the seven-in-one divinity in humanity, as well as re-union of Bambarayon/Bambaazon with human Sunduan/Sunduvan. Finally Thanksgiving is observed as befitting for all creations to express their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of life (through Huminodun) and all life supportive system on earth that their Creator lovingly and generously gave them.

To demonstrate the similarity of Pentecost and Harvest Festival, St. Paul had written to the Ephesians as follows:

“This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in the past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel.”

(Ephesians - 3: 3-6)

Traditionally, the Sundays between Pentecost and Advent have been designated "Sundays After Pentecost." However, this has been dropped in the West, although it continues in the East. The date of Pentecost is determined based on the date of Easter, and since Western churches calculate Easter differently than Orthodox Christians, usually Western and Eastern Christians celebrate Pentecost on different dates. Using the Western Easter calculation, the earliest possible date for Pentecost is May 10, and the latest possible date is June 13.

By mere coincidence, the Kaamatan Festival is also celebrated during the whole month of May, with the two-day main celebration culminating on 30^th and 31^st of May.

Pentecost and Kaamatan Festival celebrations appear to have something in common, that is, thanksgiving. In the context of Kaamatan Festival in Sabah, Malaysia, it is a celebration to give thanks to “Kinoingan” (God) for a bountiful harvest from the previous year. This statement was concurred by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ong in his homily 2 or 3 years ago at St. Simon’s Church, Likas. On the other hand, we thank God on the descent of the Holy Spirit to the 12 Apostles.

In the olden days, the indigenous peoples of Sabah (then North Borneo) used to celebrate the Kaamatan Festival by having Kaamatan Rites, a pagan ceremony performed by Bobolian or Bobohizan to give thanks and appease the spirit of Padi for another bountiful harvest for the following year.

The indigenous peoples were experiencing famine at one time in the olden days, and in order to overcome this famine, a young girl called Huminodun was ceremoniously sacrificed by cutting her body into pieces and were planted in the fields as though they were seeds and, amongst them grew padi, which became the main staple food of the indigenous peoples. The rice spirit (Huminodun's spirit) called “Bambarayon/Bambaazon” has since been revered ritualistically by the Bobohizans (Priestess) (PIX) in a thanksgiving ceremony which is now called Kaamatan Festival. Henceforth, Kaamatan Festival continued to be celebrated until today albeit in modernity and in a grand scale organized by KDCA.

Related Readings:

The Holy Spirit – God’s Gift.

Church History: Pentecost.

PENTECOST 2001

MarGeeMar

State-Level Kaamatan Festival 2009 Unduk Ngadau

Sunday, 31st May by Melvin Michael M The Pesta Kaamatan will culminate this Sunday, 31st of May, when all 41 of our Kadazan, Dusun and Murut Unduk Ngadau District Queens and beauties will gather for the 2009 State-Level Unduk Ngadau Beauty Pageant at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA Hall in Penampang. Although it looks easy from the outside, being an Unduk Ngadau District Queen is by no means an easy task, as it takes a lot of courage, bravery, hard work, concentration, time and dedication to be where they are and in the position they are in representing one's own district, and we should give them all the support that we can, by cheering them on and giving words of encouragement. One negative aspect that I would like to point out is that there seems to be this persisting negative trait from some part of the audience to look down on a contestant during the Q&A session, or worst even booing, whenever a contestant needed extra time to answer her question properly or got stuck or tongue twisted with her answers. It is hoped that this year, we can change and overcome this negative attitude of these minor section of the audience into a positive one by cheering, clapping and encouraging our contestant to answer her given question in her given time, properly and without major negative distractions. If we don't start now, bila lagi kita mau support para jelitawan Unduk Ngadau kita secara positif? After all, they are like our own sisters and daughters representing Sabah, so we should always try to help one another to do well. So, who will win the Unduk Ngadau 2009 title for this wonderful year of 2009? Will Miss Penampang, Miss Joanne Kimberly J. Majalap, will she be able to make the local crowd deliriously happy by retaining the Unduk Ngadau crown for Penampang ? Will it be someone we least expected? There are a number of true beauties who are favourites out there, and I'm sure some of you have one, two or even three amongst them! Will the newly crowned Miss Natural Beauty, Miss Flina Rutum from Tamparuli has a say in the final rounds? & what about Miss Beaufort, Miss Friendly, Affy Jackleyinda Entawin, will she be in the final rounds as well? What about Miss Kota Marudu, Miss Sandakan, Miss DBKK, Miss Tenom or Miss Ranau? So, who will be the newly crowned Unduk Ngadau Queen for 2009? The Unduk Ngadau begins at 1.00pm this Sunday. Let us all come and enjoy the Kaamatan celebration this Sunday, and enjoy the Unduk Ngadau eager with anticipation and full of excitement. Marilah datang beramai-ramai, kio! Aramaitii!

Some pictures taken at Hamin Penampang yesterday, 30th May 2009

Some of the KSS Supreme Council Members at Hamin Penampang

Datuk John Sikayun & Sylvester J. Disimon with the guests from MCA led by Datuk Paul KOng.

YB Datuk Edward Khoo, ADUN from Kepayan, being surrounded by Kadazan ladies in Sumazau.

Datuk Clarence B. Malakun entertaining his guests.

Douglas and Sahidin with Unduk Ngadau from Beaufort.

Sylvester took the opportunity to talk one of the Unduk Ngadau contestants (41 of them) when they visited Hamin Penampang.

The Unduk Ngadau from Pitas who Douglas fancies to win the title of State Level Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau 2009.

Will Susan Boyle crack under pressure?

LONDON (AP) — Britain and the YouTube-watching world is fretting over the pressure being piled on a Scottish songstress as her final test approaches.

Susan Boyle's big finale in a TV talent show contest won't come until Saturday. But the country is buzzing with concern over whether the 48-year-old church volunteer's nerves will rob her of the victory many feel she deserves.

“Britain's Got Talent,” the venue for Boyle's unlikely success, did nothing to dampen the hysteria, with one judge going on national television to say Boyle was so upset by the superheated media coverage she had packed her bags and threatened to quit.

But today her spokeswoman confirmed the final would go ahead as planned.

Boyle became a favorite to win the competition almost immediately after her first appearance, early last month. Her frumpy appearance drew looks of disbelief from the television audience, but her voice silenced the doubters — and turned her into an Internet star.

Her life story — she cared for her widowed mother for years and said she'd never been kissed — also helped win over the world's media.

READ MORE HERE

South Koreans pay respects to former leader

(CNN) — With their nation on high alert after threats from North Korea, grief-stricken South Koreans poured out onto the streets Friday to pay final respects to former leader Roh Moo-Hyun, who committed suicide last week.

The motorcade accompanying Roh’s body was on its way to the South Korean capital Seoul on Friday morning, making a five-and-a-half-hour journey from his home in the village of Bongha.

People wept openly as Roh made his last journey in a flower-draped hearse. The funeral is to take place later Friday.

Roh, who served between 2003 and 2008, jumped from a hill behind his house last Saturday, government officials said. His death came amid an investigation into a bribery scandal that had tarnished his reputation.

However, tens of thousands of people have visited memorial shrines for Roh, laying white chrysanthemums in a traditional show of grief and leaving cigarettes on the altars to remember a man who was reported to have taken up smoking during the investigation.

A guard of honor covers the coffin of deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun with a national flag at Roh's hometown Bonghwa village in Gimhae, about 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Seoul, May 29, 2009. The public funeral of Roh is to be held at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Friday.

A guard of honor carrying the picture of deceased former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun departs from Roh's hometown Bonghwa village in Gimhae for the public funeral to be held in Seoul, May 29, 2009. The public funeral of Roh is to be held at Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Friday.

The Chosun IIbo reported that nearly 1 million mourners have flocked into Bongha Village since the news of Roh Moo-hyun's death. But the town remains clean and orderly thanks to the hard work of volunteers, many of whom come from outside Bongha. Some light candles, some greet guests entering the village, guiding them to the right lines to stand in, and some pick up trash on the ground. Others prepare and serve food all day, all night. There are countless people who just drop by after school or give a hand for a few hours. And there are also groups of people from different organizations as some come to the town after their normal daily business. To show appreciation for the volunteers' hard work, former prime minister Han Myeong-sook made a visit to Bongha to offer thanks. Roh's body will be moved to Seoul, where the final funeral service will be held at Gyeongbok Palace on Friday.

The Contender moves to KL

SINGAPORE, May 29 — Singapore fans of kickboxing reality show The Contender Asia better brace themselves for a blow over where it is filming its second season.

The popular show which received funding from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for the first season filmed here has knocked out Singapore for its next round and opted for Malaysia instead.

Landing the first season filming had been seen as a coup for Singapore and raised the hope of the Republic being a launching pad for more projects with the show’s co-producer Mark Burnett, who created the hit reality show The Apprentice and produced the long-running Survivor.

But executive producer Riaz Mehta, chief executive and founder of Singapore-based media company Imagine OmniMedia, told Life!: “We were looking for options for the second season and we had a strong show of support from the Malaysian government.”

The Contender Asia is produced by Imagine OmniMedia in partnership with Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks SKG, the brainchild of media moguls Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

Asked if the move to Malaysia was over a question of money, Mehta said:

“Of course, all these end up being commercial decisions. We have to weigh multiple factors — money is one of the factors, not the only one.’

Filming begins in early July and the series is set to air on AXN on Oct 21. There will be 16 contenders from 12 countries — none from Singapore — slugging it out for a total prize that is likely to be at least US$250,000 (RM878,000).

READ MORE HERE

New blog for video reflections in Mandarin

Eternal Light is a new blog, originating from the Holy Land. It provides reflections in Mandarin Chinese.

Swine Influence Notice

A notice posted on the doors of a church

CATEGORY: Mail from priests — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 10:39 am

From a priest reader:

Making a visit at a church near my residence, my attention was drawn to a notice posted on the main inner doors, which I reproduce below. Since the greater the number of people involved in distributing Holy Communion, the greater the likelihood of spreading disease, it is reasonable to conclude that the employment of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will also cease until further notice: one wonders why this is not mentioned… SWINE INFLUENZE [sic] NOTICE While Swine Influenza is not yet a problem in Australia; 1. Holy Communion will be distributed only under ONE KIND until further notice. 2. Those people who currently Communion [sic] on the tongue could think about receiving on the hand. 3. This is to reduce the likelihood of spreading disease within our Community this winter.

A good question is raised: the usually unnecessary employment of many Ministers of Communion would increase the risk of spreading disease, right? On a side note, when I was distributing Communion at Sunday Masses last week, at a parish where very many people kneel at the rail and receive on the tongue (what a blessing), hundreds of Communions, there was precisely zero contact between my fingers and any tongue.  It was more reverent, there was far less risk of profanation, it was faster without being rushed.

Fr. Z is Moderator of the Catholic Online Forum and the ASK FATHER Question Box.

Baptised at 90 - World's Oldest

28-May-2009 -- ZENIT.org News Agency

World's Oldest Student Is Baptized at 90, Embraced Christianity After Learning to Read Bible

NAIROBI, Kenya, MAY 27, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The world-record-breaking oldest primary school student, a Kenyan great-grandfather, was baptized after he learned to read the Bible.

Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge, the Guinness World Record holder for being the oldest person to enter primary school at age 84, was baptized Sunday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kariobangi, east of Nairobi, Ecumenical News International reported Monday.

Now 90 years old, Maruge chose the baptismal name "Stephen" as he stated, "I commit my life to God, from now until the end."

"I decided to be baptized after reading the Bible," he explained.

In a wheelchair due to stomach cancer, the new Catholic added: "I read the Bible and came across the name Stephen. This is a name for those who have endured hardships like me."

Father Paulino Mondo, Holy Trinity pastor, affirmed that the schooling helped Maruge to read and understand the Bible, and pass all his catechism tests.

Maruge enrolled in school due to the government's introduction of free primary education in 2003. Two of his 30 grandchildren attend the same school.

He addressed the U.N. Millennium Development Summit in Sep. 2005 in New York on the importance of free primary education.

Maruge continued schooling despite being forced to a refugee camp due to post-election violence in 2008, and later relocation to a senior citizen retirement home.

The Kenyan's story will be told in a Hollywood-produced film, titled "The First Grader," which is currently being produced.

Harvest Festival Beauty Contestants 2009

See Individual Photographs HERE

There are 41 Beauty (Unduk Ngadau) Contestants taking part for this year's Kaamatan Festival Beauty Queen pageant which will be held on 31st May 2009 at Hongkod Koisaan as follows:

CINDY CELESTINE SIPILIS (TAWAU) GILDA J JOEPLIK (SANDAKAN) ELINNA MASUIN (LIKAS) DEIZI SEBASTIAN MOJINU (WP LABUAN) JOVENEA JIM LAJIM (KLANG VALLEY) HULLIWTA ELISER (TUNGKU) SARIMAH TANGKUNGON (PEGALUNGAN) EMILDA ALBERT (PAITAN) LYDIA BINIDIK (KEMABONG) SHERON OLGA FEDILIS (SOOK) DIANA NGOAI (MENUMBOK) JENIFFER DAVID (TELUPID) VICTORIA YAM PEI LING (KUNAK) EAROZIANA ELVY VENTURE (TONGOD) WANDA HENDRYANA PIUS (LAHAD DATU) JUKINI GAMIUS (SEMPORNA) JOANNE BERNADETTE JOHN (BELURAN) GLORIA LYNE BAMI (KINABATANGAN) ROUNNAH BAB ROBERT SYLVESTER (TENOM) AFFY JACKLEYINDA ENTAWIN (BEAUFORT) JOVETTA JOPRINE (KUALA PENYU) ROZYANAH MUTANG (SIPITANG) STELLA NAKARAN (RANAU) JACQUELINE JOSEPH (KENINGAU) EFAHRINA NICHOLAS (TAMBUNAN) WINEH DIWALANG (NABAWAN) RACHEL MARTINUS (INANAM) PEARL DIANNE PETRUS (DBKK) ELSIE R MARIUS (TANJUNG ARU) MAYLESTHELYN MATIUS (PUTATAN) JOANNE KIMBERLEY J MAJALAP (PENAMPANG) APPEY ROWENNA JANUIN (PAPAR) CECELIA RIYMANTE (MEMBAKUT) LAINE TINGGANGAU (KOTA MARUDU) ERRA QUENCY VICTOR (KOTA BELUD) FREDERICKA CAMILLA RICHARD DAUT (TUARAN) FLINA RUTUM (TAMPARULI) JACQUELINE MONALISA (BANGGI) LYNNESTHERWENNS MASUIN (KUDAT) CLARENCENA KADIUS (MATUNGGONG) EVILIN MATHIS (PITAS) Organising chairperson, Jornah Mozihim, said the event this year, the highlight of a month-long Pesta Kaamatan, would see several surprises. "The organising committee has invited 10 former Unduk Ngadaus to parade evening gowns from a Kuala Lumpur bridal shop," she said. Expressing delight with the 100 per cent representation of contestants, she said that during the "Sodop Unduk Ngadau" dinner at Hongkod Koisaan at 6pm on Thursday, Miss Malaysia-Universe Deborah Henry would be making a special appearance. Coming from a different background and ethnic group but with one aim - to win the title of State Unduk Ngadau - the 41 lasses would be given a tour of the State Museum on Saturday. They would also be required to attend a motivational and educational seminar and a grooming and make-up session. On Sunday, 15 finalists will be chosen after the first round and seven after the second round before the ultimate queen and runners-up are chosen. They would be grilled on their knowledge and ability to answer questions. The legendary Huminodun is said to possess good character, personality, beauty and values but is also knowledgeable. On other developments, Jornah said the table tickets for the Sodop Unduk Ngadau dinner at Hongkod Koisaan on Thursday is sold out. "However, we still have gallery tickets available at the entrance on that day," she said. All proceeds from the gallery tickets would be donated to the Sabah Thallaesemia Association". Adapted from Daily Express

A cup of tea wards off heart disease

Besides giving you a kick start in the morning, your favourite cup of tea has the potential to keep heart attacks at bay, a dietician 

A cup of tea ward off heart disease, boosts brain (Getty Images)

has claimed. 

What’s more, a daily cup of tea also boosts the brain, according to a major review of research into the potential health benefits of the beverage.  The survey, commissioned by the Tea Advisory Panel and published in the journal Nutrition and Food Science, revealed that four cups a day significantly cuts the risk of a heart attack, keeps hydration at a healthy, optimal level and even improves alertness and mood.  Clinical studies reveal that natural plant antioxidants found in tea - called polyphenols - have beneficial effects on many biochemical processes in the body.  This happens through a range of mechanisms, including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, reports The Daily Express.  The study, by dietician and Tea Advisory Panel member Dr Carrie Ruxton, found that drinking tea could reduce the risk of having a heart attack.  Ruxton said: “Tea is a national favourite but, as well as being a delicious and refreshing drink, it also has some good health benefits, thanks to its high flavonoid content. My research showed that there’s a very solid, and growing body of evidence that indicates tea can play a good role in helping to combat cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and strokes.  “We’re not sure of the exact mechanism, but it’s thought that tea flavonoids could be involved in controlling inflammation, reducing thrombosis (excess blood clotting), promoting blood vessel function and helping to limit furring-up of the arteries.  “There’s no doubt that the natural ingredients in tea offer good health benefits.  “My research shows that you don’t need to drink gallons of tea to get real improvements - just three or four cups a day are enough.” 

Reality bites

Korina Sanchez says ...

Many have said, with exasperation, that the worst invention of the modern age would be the cellphone camera. Along with this would be the whole range of video cameras and equipment, some more clandestine in design than others. Cellphone cameras have given the paparazzi an added arsenal in their quest for the ultimate taboo photograph of any kind of celebrity. It has been blamed for causing fights because of its nefarious use.

Just recently, a man in Brazil has been accused of filming more than 2,000 women in the bathroom, using his cellphone camera. How a woman, relieving herself, would be considered sensual and warrant an act of voyeurism from a man just escapes me. And yet, do we see any videos of men in toilets as well? It only goes to show which among the genders has evolved into a higher being.

Indeed, we have become even hungrier for everything voyeur. From illicit sex acts to acts of crime. And the existence of sites like YouTube have only fueled the fire. A chance to gain notoriety or fame, all for free! And the latest in this genre is the Kho-Halili sex video.

Much has already been said about Hayden Kho’s state of mind. What I will say is that there won’t be a need for these kind of videos if there are no voyeurs to sate.

Isn’t it a wonder that every famous celebrity with a sex video seems to get robbed of it, eventually finding its way to the information superhighway? From the Tommy Lee-Pamela Anderson tapes to Paris Hilton. From Vivian Velez to Katrina Halili. Reality videos being all the rage nowadays, this video has found its way into the very psyche of Filipino culture. Rubbernecks and peeping toms are rejoicing.

If anything, this video has highlighted the issues of crimes against women and the right to privacy. And I believe that Kho has violated both. To accept his current defense that he too is a victim and in need of psychiatric help would just add to the crimes already committed.

This whole affair was pre-meditated. And an “insane” person is definitely incapable of planning such an elaborate, scripted performance. Whatever legislation comes out of all this in the form of anti-voyeurism laws, I believe is a step in the right direction. Women should not take this kind of treatment anymore.

Linundus says ...

In Malaysia, there are Politicians and Celebrities who have already fallen victims of this worst invention of the modern age, that is, the cellphone camera. But "necessity is the mother of all inventions".

Go into the world and evangelize

The Sunday Gospel reading yesterday (24-05-09) was about the message of our Lord Jesus Christ as He Ascended into Heaven, as yesterday was the solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord. The Holy Gospel reading is according to Mark 16:15-20.

“[Jesus] said to [his disciples,] “Go into the whole world and proclaim to gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”

I happen to post my first Sunday Reading (inspired by Valeriano Avila, a layman himself in his weekly column) http://www.philstar.com and I hope, by God’s grace, I will be able to continue to keep posting similar articles in future as part of my re-evangelization effort.

I share the view of Valeriano when he said, “I am only a lay person and am not even schooled in Theology”.

He further added, [...] “this is what our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded those who wish to follow him… to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

Valeriano pointed out that amongst the columns that he writes, his Sunday column is the most difficult and time consuming for him simply because he needs to make sure that he does not stray away from the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

I feel it is timely for me to have started this Sunday Column since last week when, at the same time, “Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged all Catholics-- but especially young people-- to put modern means of communication to their best use in spreading the Gospel.” The Pope has even launched his own FaceBook. Read Here.

We must be reminded by St. Jerome who once said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” So if we want to know how to start evangelizing, then get a Catholic Scripture diary, which gives us the daily gospel reading for the whole year. Of course, we should have a Bible in our own house and if we can afford it, get the Catechism of the Catholic Church or its cheaper and shorter version, “The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,” which is very easy reading. I hope that this book is available at the Daughter's of St. Paul for sale.

As advised by my spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Michael Modoit (who is also my nephew), we have to be very careful in deciphering what the Lord says in the Scripture. It is therefore advisable to join a Bible Study class, or consult your Parish Priest, lest we are misled by our own interpretation. In one of the Bible studies that I have attended, we were made aware that Satan is always there to mislead us in interpreting the Word of the Lord.

For instance in yesterday's Sunday Gospel, our Lord Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Yet on May 6th Wednesday a couple of week ago, our Lord said this in John 12:44-50, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world.”

That is just a sample of what we might encounter. But when we are called to Evangelize, fear not for the Holy Spirit will guide us in the same way the Holy Martyrs were guided even up to this day.

St.Bernadette - They called Stupid.

St. Bernadette of Lourdes

The coffin of St. Bernadette in the  Church of Lourdes, France 

These are the pictures of St.Bernadette who died 122 years ago in Lourdes, France and was buried; her body was only discovered 30 years ago. After  church officials decided to examine it they discovered her body is still fresh until today and if you ever go to Lourdes, France you can see her in the church in Lourdes .. Her body isn’t decomposing because during her lifetime, the Mother of Jesus would always appear to her and give messages and advice to all mankind on the right way to live on this earth. Many miracles have occurred in this place of Lourdes and still do until today.

Scientists are baffled -- because this defies the laws of nature. Instead of a foul smell of a dead body, a fragrance of flowers can be experienced when the coffin is opened. Some say they have experienced this by just being near to the coffin. You can visit the Church of Lourdes, France yourself to verify the authenicity of this and see a living miracle of our times.

The close-up picture of St. Bernadette

The small teenager was exceptionally lovely, both in facial and spiritual characteristics. In fact, it was this mystical radiance of holiness and humility that converted the hearts of her townsmen. But more accurately, the many miracles - which were attributed to her prayerful petitions - softened those who, at first, so blatantly and even cruelly, doubted.

They watched her every move. Often when she made the Sign of the Cross at Mass, tears would run down the cheeks of the devout women. So convincing was her conduct, that her simple theology literally turned hardened hearts, which had long ceased Sacramental participation, back to the fold.

Stories of the village's "little saint" were whispered from mouth-to-mouth, and far too soon appeared in newspapers all across France. After irreverent journalists investigated, they eagerly reported that this French peasant was not only illiterate, uncultivated, and impertinent, but that she was having hallucinations! These unkind words did not offend the child. She probably couldn't understand them. But they outraged her followers, including the stern pastor, Abbe Peyramale. So disturbed was he over the negative reverberations, that he often found himself asking Our Lady and Lord to give him a sign that his little "puppet" was truly a saint, and not, as the media claimed, a fraud. He believed in the girl. But a sign from heaven would make life so much easier to live!

During Mass one Sunday, he saw an unusual light around the head of a young woman, a halo. It was so bright that he couldn't make out the features. Curiously and patiently, he stopped distributing communion, and watched as the woman returned to her pew. It was his "pet", his "angel". So moved was he that Our Lady and Lord would actually send him a miraculous sign, that He never again questioned the sanctity of this young parishioner.

To the accusations that the young woman was stupid, the priest would humbly explain that she was unable to attend school because of ill health which plagued her since childhood. At the age of eleven, she'd contracted cholera and never quite regained her strength. He added that she was the main support of her dear mother, helping to raise her family.

St. Bernadette died on April 16th, 1879 in the 36th Year of Her Age, and the 12th of Her Religious Profession at precisely at the same hour Jesus died, when she gave up her last breath.

Her final words were, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, poor sinner, poor sinner ..." The nurse, Sister Gabriel, closed the invalid's eyes. It was over.

READ MORE HERE by Dan Paulos