Bishop Mayugba Arrives from Rome

Casa Divin Maestro, Ariccia, Rome

ALD -- Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, DD arrived in Manila from Italy at exactly noon, Philippine time last June 22. He was a member of the Philippine delegation who attended the Extraordinary Plenary Assembly of the CATHOLIC BIBLICAL FEDERATION (CBF) at the Casa Divin Maestro of the Society of St. Paul (Divine Teacher Retreat House) in Ariccia, in central Rome, Italy last June 15-19, 2011.  The Philippine delegation consisted of three representatives: Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, DD, the ECBA Executive Chairman, Fr. Oscar A. Alunday, SVD, the executive secretary of ECBA, and Bishop Renato Mayugba, the vice chairman of ECBA.  According to Bishop Mayugba, there were 129 attendees, clergy and lay, who came from different countries. He explained that the assembly tackled the CBF Constitution in the light of the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation  "Verbum Domini" on the Word of God.

 

The living quarters of Bishop Mayuba and the other delegates was at the venue itself which was situated near the Lago Albano, overlooking the Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI. 


The Catholic Biblical Federation is a worldwide fellowship of 334 organizations which are engaged in the field of Bible translation, biblical science and biblical pastoral ministry. Their common goal is to support people and societies to find a life-relevant access to the Sacred Scripture, in respect for the diversity of the various cultures and hermeneutical methods.The Catholic Biblical Federation is present in 134 countries; its General Secretariat is located in St. Ottilien, Germany. 

Bayambang Priests Return

Bayambang --  St. Vincent Ferrer Parish is receiving the grace of  the return of her son-priests from Bayambang.  

Fr. Gerardo Reyes Frias, also known as Fr. Gerry, is from Malimpec, Bayambang. He is the son of Jose Frias, a farmer, and Trinidad Reyes, both Catholics. He is the second child of 7 children, but the eldest died in birth. He has 2 brothers and 4 sisters. He was born on October 12, 1930.

Fr. Gerry is now 80 years old and he does not remember now why he entered the seminary, but he said his mother used to bring him to church in Bautista to hear Mass. He was not a sacristan or altar server, but one day he presented himself to Fr. Leon Bitanga, the then parish priest of Basista, and told him that he would like to enter the seminary. 

He was accepted in the Mary Help of Christians in Binmaley and finished high school and one year in philosophy in 1952. Then he entered the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to continue his philosophical and theological formation. He graduated in 1958 and was ordained a priest on March 22 that same year. He became the first priest of Bayambang. Four of his classmates became priests: Msgr. Antonio Aldana, Fr. Benjamin Mones, Fr. Bienvenido Castillo, Fr.Jaime Neri.

Fr. Gerry was assigned to the following parishes:


Calasiao - as assistant priest in April to October (1958)
Binalonan - as assistant priest (1958-1959)
San Carlos - as assistant priest (1959-1965)
Aquilar - as parish priest (1965-1971)
Agno - as parish priest (1971 -1977)
Burgos - as parish priest (1977 -1981)

After Lingayen-Dagupan was divided into three dioceses, Fr. Gerry remained in the Diocese of Alaminos.

Salasa - as parish priest (1981 - 1986) where he celebrated his 25th sacredotal anniversary
Mabini - as parish priest (1986 - 1987)
Anda - as parish priest (1987 - 1994)
Alaminos - 1994 - 1995
Infanta - as parish priest 1995 - 1996 
Alaminos - 1997 until retirement in 2006

He celebrated his 50th sacredotal anniversary at the Resurrection Church in Chicago, Illinois in 2008. He has been living now in the Teachers' Village in Bayambang Poblacion Norte since 2007.

Now Fr. Gerry is a regular con-celebrant on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sometimes he takes the extra Masses.  He shares a happy breakfast with the other two balik-bayans: Fr. Rolando Salosagcol and Fr. Anthony Layog, from Bayambang. Fr. Primo gladly joins in like a son of Bayambang too.

Secularism and the New Missal Changes

Bayambang -- In his homily today, Fr. Anthony Layog, member of the Team Ministry with Fr. Primo Aquino and Fr. Rolando Salosagcol as moderator, lambasts secularism that has crept into the church and into the mind-set of the parish. Citing secularist tendencies in the liturgies in the Parish, Fr. Layog led the assembly to regard the changes in the Roman Missal as a wake-up call by Pope Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul II to go back to the basics: the basics of the Word of God.  

Follow this link for a snapshot of his homily for the afternoon Mass.

Follow the blog of the daily HOMILETIC SNAPSHOTS of the Parish Team Ministers.

SVF Prepares for New Missal

Bayambang-- The distraction of an LCD projector during the Eucharistic celebration is probably a small price to pay for the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer if this would prepare the faithful for the coming of the changes in the new Roman missal, at least for the time being. Being a 17th century fully functional Baroque church (or a semblance of it), the church must be preserved even in integrity and design during liturgy. 

 In the Philippines, some Parishes tolerate this useful device in exchange for greater participation. Fr. Layog, in charge of the music in the liturgy, also saw fit to gently invite the assembly to participate in the singing of the hymns, which badly need to be updated, through the use of the projected image. Other prayers can also be projected without the use of printed material which are often more expensive to produce, more prone to be lost, and more difficult to read (by the elderly Mass-goers). 

The main reason for the use of the projector is to prepare the people for the changes in Roman Missal to take effect on November this year. The new revised formula of the responses of the faithful during Mass is projected unto the screen, and this has already created quite a stir among the regular Mass-goers and a certain hesitation. Nevertheless, their attention captured, the people are ready to be catechized.

The use of the projector started last month and the feedback is positive so far, at least music-wise. The LCD projector replaced the responsorial psalm board which used to clutter the sanctuary. A new  choir to lead the singing has been assigned every morning and afternoon Masses throughout the week. Fr. Rolly Salosagcol remarked that he always woke up in the morning thinking that it was always Sunday because of the singing. But he immensely enjoyed the idea and innovation. Fr. Primo is inspired to deliver deeper reflections in his homilies. 

After one month of trial, the faithful are slowly gaining confidence with the responses and the singing. Fr. Layog added also some short inspirational videos before the Mass to dispose the Mass goers. Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.  

Ryan Cayabyab's New Mass in ALD

Manila -- Ryan Cayabyab, the foremost musician in the local scence, was commissioned by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD to compose the Proper of Mass in celebration of the Vision Mission of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan embodied in ICTHUS in 2014. Only a handful of musicians in the Archdiocese were given at this stage to study the repertoire and they would try to have their choirs sing it.

The repertoire includes the Confiteor, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, the Mysterium Fidei, the Agnus Dei, and the Pater Noster. These compositions are in 3/4 time signature although in different key signatures and tempos. They all bear the mark of simplicity, and yet very engaging, and the unique mark of Ryan Cayabyab. The lyrics are in English and in compliance with the recent liturgical changes made in the Roman Missal.

An additional copy of the composition entitled ICTHUS (CD included) was initially distributed among the clergy. This ICTHUS song may be the anthem of the Archdiocese.

   

Roman Missal Changes Blog

"With less than six months to go before the revised Roman Missal will be introduced the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, dioceses throughout the country (of the United States) are working to get the faithful ready for the changes." -- These are the opening words of the blog on the Changes in the Roman Missal.

In this blog, one finds many links to important webpages about the preparations of American Catholic Dioceses for the introduction of the new Roman Missal. It also tells updates on what parishes are doing to welcome the new changes.

In the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, the Archbishop Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD wrote several letters to the clergy, religious and the faithful explaining the changes in the Roman Missal and the celebration of the Mass. Fr. Eric Galivo supplements them with other liturgical updates on the parts of the Mass.

In St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Bayambang, the changes are more evidently presented to the  worshiping assembly in all the daily masses in the morning and afternoon through  a MSPowerpoint presentation of the new responses during the Mass. This method provides the celebrant an occasion to explain the changes.

Visit the sites below for info:

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - Frequently asked questions, resources for parishes and individuals and a countdown clock to Nov. 27, the day the new Roman Missal will be implemented.

Roman Missal FAQ's from The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University. 

Mass in Honor of the Holy Spirit

Bayambang -- To mark the opening of school year 2011-2012 of the St. Vincent Catholic School, Fr. Manuel Bravo, the school director, celebrated the mass for the Holy Spirit for the school community at the Parish church. With a little less than a thousand students this year, the school still hopes for quality education among the students. Fr. Bravo is busy at this time with the construction of new buildings to accommodate the expanding population, and also for the library and the office of the new assistant director to be appointed by the Archbishop. Fr. Anthony Layog is the new school chaplain to celebrate the weekly Wednesday Eucharist for the students.

Archbishop Soc Leads Pangasinan Awareness Campaign

Dagupan --  A choral competition based on Malinac Lay Labi was launched at the Sala del Obispo Cesar Ma. Guerrero at the Archbishop’s House today Monday June 13th. The occasion was spearheaded and hosted by the Archbishop himself. 

The story follows: 

On April 18, 2011, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Most Reverend Socrates B. Villegas, DD, met  a group of Pangasinan culture enthusiasts and expressed interest in their efforts to promote Pangasinan arts and culture, particularly among young Pangasinenses who are not exposed to the finer aspects of their own arts and culture. Believing in the merits of understanding one’s culture, he pushed the group to pursue a concrete plan of action to contribute to the already existing efforts to raise consciousness of Pangasinan culture among young Pangasinenses. He assured the group of the full support of the Archdiocese.

The Archbishop envisions a program of gradual expansion of awareness of Pangasinan arts and culture among the young Pangasinenses. And he intends to launch this campaign among the high school students of Dagupan City as pilot group.

He explicitly directed the group to organize a choral competition, and to have the participants perform the contest piece in a grand performance of 20,000 voices along one of the main thoroughfares in Dagupan City. The contest pieces is Malinac Lay Labi arranged by Mary Therese D. Pitogo, from the UP Conservatory of Music, she herself from Lingayen.

The group who met with Archbishop Soc Villegas is now trying to launch the project called “Sanengseng” which is a choral competition among high school students in Dagupan City area only as pilot group for later expansion efforts.

 Sanengseng. This is a Pangasinan word for “hissing sound” that carries with it sounds of local color. It is actually the proposed name for the culture enthusiasts who initiated the “Tambayo” cultural group based in the Pangasinan State University in the 80s. The group is determined to advocate for the continuous awareness of Pangasinan culture.

 Fr. Anthony composed a Pangasinan Doxology for the occasion. Link here for the midi file, lyrics and Finale 2006 .mus file.     

Family & Life Apostolate Speakers' Seminar

Bayambang -- The archdiocesan team of Family & Life Apostolate, headed by Fr. Winston Estrada, the Spiritual Director and Mrs. Chat Vidal, Coordinator, delivered a seminar for prospective speakers for Pre-Cana in the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. It is a two-day nonconsecutive session. The participants will join the ranks of regular speakers for the Pre-Cana. The seminar was conducted in the afternoon today at the ASAP conference room, first floor of the SVF convent. 

The Charismatics Celebrate Pentecost Vigil

Mangaldan -- The St. Thomas Catholic School is host to the annual Pentecost Vigil Celebration of the charismatic movement in the Archdiocese. The Vigil is a whole day affair with Most Reverend Renato P. Mayugba, DD as main celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The theme of the celebration this year is ONE IN SPIRIT. 

The Vigil today is from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The guest speakers are Miss Angelica Guevarra, a teacher from Manila, and Fr. Victor Z. Embuido. Fr. Genaro Herramia will be conducting the healing session. Fr. Arcadio Mejia,  Parish Priest of Mangaldan Parish, will also be present to welcome the participants.

Some 15 Parish-based charismatic communities will be attending the occasion plus other trans-parochial communities.  

Recollection for Parish Personnel

LFC -- Today, the personnel and office staff of parishes in ALD undergo a recollection administered by the Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate at the Lay Formation Center (LFC) in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City. The recollection is based on the Basic Bible Seminar (BBS) with the aim to discover the Word of God in their humble work. Most Reverend Renato P. Mayugba, DD and Fr. Mario Sanchez, the LFC Director, celebrated the Holy Mass at the closing of the affair. The recollection started at 8:00 AM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and ends at 4:30 PM. Other lay ministers who should have undergone the recollection are the parish youth ministers, the ushers and collectors, the parish sacristans.

ALD Launches PBS Bible Project

Dagupan City -- In light of the May They Be One Bible Campaign launched last September 2008, the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan will launch the First Phase of the Handwritten Unity Bible Project tomorrow, a joint project of CBCP and Philippines Bible society at the Santuario de San Juan Evangelista at 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN. This affair involves verse writers from all walks of life, from all sectors, and all faiths in their own hand-writing. A motorcade this morning starting from St. Therese Parish, through the streets of Dagupan City, and ended at St. John the Evangelist Parish, is hoped to raise the awareness of the occasion tomorrow.

Philippine Bible Society -- "The Handwritten Unity Bible Project was conceptualized as a fundraising project as well as to create awareness in promoting unity amongst the Filipino people in ushering transformation through fostering a love for God’s word. Leaders of the various religious communities will also be asked to contribute to the project as well as encourage their members from all over the country and abroad to write and lobby to complete the whole Bible in 2 years. Some of those who will be tapped for the project will be government officials and prominent personalities. The project targets to collect a minimum contribution of PhP50 for each written verse amounting to a minimum of PhP 3.565 million which will go to the May They Be One Bible Campaign."

"The project was promoted by Bp. Rene Mayugba last July 11, 2010 at the 101st Catholic Bishops’ Conference held at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center, UN Avenue, Manila."

"It is the prayer of PBS that both the MTBO Bible Campaign and the Handwritten Unity Bible Project will indeed be a success to bring more people into the knowledge of God’s Word and in turn into a living relationship with the God whose Word endures through the ages."

Workshop on Catechetical Songs

Bayambang--The new Pastoral Center at the back of the parish church was venue of a two-day workshop on catechetical songs starting today. This is a gearing-up project of the Parish Catechists in preparation for the opening of the catechetical apostolate in July. Bro. Rudy Fernandez and Bro. Ricky Go, catechists from St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Parish in Dagupan City, administered the session. The purpose of the project is to update the catechists and enhance their teaching skills with teaching aids such as new vibrant songs for their students to enjoy while they learn their catechism.