Steps Out Retreat 2012

Here's a forwarded invitation from our friends in Bagong Pagasa, a Christian support group for men struggling with same-sex attraction, for those who are desiring to "step out" of the gay lifestyle. You can visit their website at www.bagongpagasa.org for more details.


Greetings from Bagong Pag-asa!

We will be having a Steps Out Retreat on APRIL 5-8, 2012 for people who wish to have a breakthrough in their struggle with SSA (same-sex attraction). Retreat details are in the poster above. If you know of someone who may benefit from this retreat, please forward this invitation to them. For those interested to join, we encourage them to contact us through this email (info@bagongpagasa.org) so we could send them the application form and answer their queries.

For inquiries or other concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

God bless!



Bagong Pag-asa

Unit 10M, Burgundy Corporate Tower
252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City

Telefax: (+632) 886-4441

Mobile nos.: +63927-5788373 (Globe) & +63923-6191381 (Sun)

www.bagongpagasa.org

Weekly News (Fourth Week of February 2012)

1. Pontiff Notes Hopeful Element in 'To Dust You Shall Return'

Says Through That 'Dust,' God Became Unthinkably Near

ROME, FEB. 23, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says the somber Ash Wednesday declaration "You are dust and to dust you shall return" is not only an invitation to humility, but also an announcement of the path to salvation. [Read More]

2. International Speaker Urges Catholics to Understand Pro-Life Issues

MANILA, Feb. 22, 2012—Catholics should see to it that they translate their faith into concrete everyday actions instead of merely paying lip service and staying on the level of being a “Sunday Catholic,” an international speaker said during his recent visit to the Philippines. [Read More]

3. HHS Mandate's Purpose Is Sexual Liberation, Feminist Supporter Says

“The point of birth control is to have sex that’s recreational and non-procreative,” wrote Haag approvingly. “It’s to permit women to exercise their desires without the 'sword of Damocles' of unwanted pregnancy hanging gloomily over their heads.” [Read More]

4. Democrat Governor: Gov't Owes It to Children to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

(CNSNews.com) – Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said Friday that his decision to support a same-sex marriage bill, which cleared the state Senate and is expected to be signed into law, was made after considering the children of gay parents. [Read More]

5. Medical Records Reveal Diseases and Maladies Associated with ‘Gay’ Sex and Homosexual Behavior

Penile lesions, anal warts, anal tearing, epididymitis, gay-on-gay violence found in records [Read More]

6. I’m Committed to Abstinence, Virgin is Not a Dirty Word

I’ll just kick it off with the juicy stuff so you don’t have to wait around: I haven’t had sexual intercourse in almost four years. Now, this is not to say I haven’t done anything I wouldn’t do if Jesus were in the room. I am not perfect. But for the past three and a half years, in the ball park of my love life, there have been no home runs. [Read More]

7. Child Sex Change Ethical?

One Christian pediatrician is raising ethical concerns with parents allowing children who believe they were born the wrong gender to undergo hormone treatments, and later surgery to physically change their gender. [Read More]

8. Farewell, Frappuccinos

I dislike boycotts for a number of reasons, but am undertaking a personal one at present, since Starbuck's announced its support for gay "marriage." [Read More]

9. The SCIENTIFIC Basis For Defending All Human Life

Pro-lifers need to be more knowledgeable about what we are for and why we believe what we believe. [Read More]

10. Introduction to Almsgiving

Of the three marks of Lent — prayer, fasting and almsgiving — almsgiving is surely the most neglected. [Read More]

On Fasting & Abstinence

The Lenten Season is once again here in our midst ushered in by the imposition of ashes today. I don't know many people who look forward to Lent maybe except for those planning to take a long vacation on Holy Week and it's sad because Lent is a special season of grace. It is an invitation for all of us to take a good hard look on ourselves and examine our spiritual life which is not easy because we are confronted with the idea of giving up something. In short, Lent is a great opportunity for self-renewal, conversion, and deepening of one's faith. But how many Catholics nowadays take Lent seriously?

Take fasting and abstinence for example. Ash Wednesday like Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Catholics aged more than 14 are required to abstain from meat and those aged 18 to 59, (excluding the sick, infirm, pregnant/nursing mothers) are required to abstain and fast (that is, eat only one full meal and very little in between). But look around and you'll see fastfood stores and meat vendors in the market and grocery stores selling meat on that day. There was a time not long ago when Fridays especially Fridays of Lent were days of abstinence. I still vividly remember this when I was a kid because calendars back then had fish on Fridays stamped in red. Now, the days of abstinence and fasting are only imposed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

But on a deeper level, fasting and abstinence is much more than food deprivation. Fr. Lawrence Mick, writing for the American Catholic newsletter, comments:

"It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of hunger reminds us of our hunger for God. But fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God...fasting should be linked to our concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from the injustices of our economic and political structures, those who are in need for any reason. Fasting can help us realize the suffering that so many people in our world experience every day, and it should lead us to greater efforts to alleviate their suffering."

Lent is also a special time of prayer and performing good works, which hopefully we still do even after Lent is over. Let us take advantage of this season to also examine ourselves and our relationship with God and with one another, scrutinize our areas of weaknesses, and resolve to lead a more Christian way of life. If we cannot find time to do these things during Lent, I assure you we won't be able to find time for these at any other time of the year.

Visit also this link to find out how you can better prepare for Lent.

Ash Wednesday by the way is not a holy day of obligation, but it would be nice if we can go to Mass on that day as this fulfills the Gospel call to prayer during Lent.


"All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." - Ecclesiastes 3:20

Weekly News (Third Week of February 2012)

1. Wide Range of Religious Leaders Testify Against Contraception Mandate

Washington D.C., Feb 16, 2012 / 04:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds testified at a congressional hearing about the threat to religious freedom posed by a new federal contraception policy. [Read More]

2. Prelate Cites RH Bill's Redundancy, Anti-Women Points

MANILA, Feb. 16, 2012—Why pass a reproductive health (RH) bill when specific agencies are already tasked with addressing issues that the bill is supposedly concerned with? [Read More]

3. Political Leaders Protect Marriage and Children from Homosexual/Transsexual Demands

New York, February 17 (C-FAM) Resistance to the United States’ new foreign policy priority is emerging around the world for the same reasons it has been rejected within the U.S. Political leaders are holding the line against homosexual/transsexual demands when it comes to marriage and teaching children about homosexual/transsexual activity. [Read More]

4. CNA Columnist Begins Series on Living With Same-Sex Attraction

Denver, Colo., Feb 16, 2012 / 09:01 am (CNA).- In a new series of guest columns, CNA contributor Patrick Einheber will discuss his experience as a faithful Catholic with same-sex attraction. [Read More]

5. NJ Voters Left Out of 'Gay Marriage' Decision

The New Jersey Assembly has voted to approve same-gender "marriage," and the state Senate had already given its stamp of approval to the bill -- which Governor Chris Christie has promised to veto. But efforts for a referendum are already under way. [Read More]

6. Studies: Birth Control, Contraception Don’t Cut Abortions

Studies have shown that contraception increases sexual activity — i.e., that more contraception means more sex. [Read More]

7. Renegade Nun Presents ‘A Catholic Case for Same-Sex Marriage’

MOUNT RAINIER, MARYLAND, February 15, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – On Valentine’s Day, a priest and a nun penned an op-ed in The Washington Post entitled, “A Catholic Case for Same-Sex Marriage.” [Read More]

8. Documentary About Actress Turned Nun Nominated for Oscar

Hollywood, Calif., Feb 17, 2012 / 04:12 am (CNA).- Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., a former actress turned cloistered nun, will attend her first Academy Awards show since 1959 to show support for “God is the Bigger Elvis,” an Oscar-nominated documentary about her and her abbey. [Read More]

9. The Mayan Calendar 2012: End Timing Is Not Everything

The end of the world is once again high, or so claim interpreters of 8 so-called Mayan calendar. [Read More]

10. The Church as a Powerful Voice for Abuse Victims

A Psychologist Speaks on Prevention That Works

Part 1

A Psychologist Speaks on Screening Potential Seminarians

Part 2

Learning To Love PHC 2012

Forwarded invitation.

The Philippine Heart Center

in celebration of
The Heart Month and
37 years of Service to the
Filipino People

invites you to a
Family & Life Symposium on

Learning to Love

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

DAPA Hall

Philippine Heart Center

East Avenue, Quezon City

Programme

8:00-9:00

AM Registration

9:00-9:15

Welcome Ceremonies

Dr. OP Monzon / Ms. Jean Wong

AM Moderator: Ms. Emilia P. Olbes

HRD, Philippine Heart Center

9:15-10:00

Talk I

“Learning to Love - Yourself

Sr. Louise Elizabeth Byrne, VMDF

Verbum Dei Missionaries

10:00-10:15

Break

10:15-11:00

Talk II

“Learning to Love – Your Spouse

Dr. Edna Garayblas-Monzon

Department of Bioethics, University of Santo Tomas

11:00-11:20 Witnessing

Ernesto Joseph Gonzales III

Manila Tytana Colleges

(formerly Manila Doctors College)

11:20-12:00

Panel Discussion & Open Forum

Sr. Louie, Dr. Edna G. Monzon

Ernesto Joseph Gonzales III

12:00-1:15

Lunch

PM Moderator: Ms. Carmencita Lingan

Department Manager, Critical Care Areas

and Specialized Unit, PHC

1:15-2:00

Talk III

“Learning to Love – Your Children”

Orestes P. Monzon, MD

Division of Nuclear Medicine, Philippine Heart Center

2:00-2:15 Coffee Break

2:15-3:00

Talk IV

“Learning to Love – Others”

Fr. Rodolfo Dan Vicente Cancino, Jr

Camillian Community

3:00-3:30

Witnessing

Mr. & Ms. Lito and Edna Villaraza

Focolare Movement

3:30-4:15

Panel Discussion & Open Forum

Dr. Orestes P. Monzon

Fr. Dan Vicente Cancino, Jr.

Mr. & Ms. Lito and Edna Villaraza

4:15-4:30

Closing Ceremony

Dr. OP Monzon, Ms. Jeanie Wong

REGISTRATION FEE

Registration: PHP 800.00

Free admission to

PHC Employees

but important to register at HRD

For paid registrants:

Registration include Coffee, Tea and Certificate

(No lunch)

Interested parties may call or email:

Landline: 925.2401 Local 3815

Ms. Jean Wong

Email: jaw030761@yahoo.com

Seats are limited.

Please register today.

-oOo-

I N V I T E D S P E A K E R S

Sr. Louise Elizabeth Byrne, VMDF, louisevdmf@gmail.com, is a Consecrated Missionary with the Verbum Dei Missionary Community. She completed her theological studies at the Catholic Institute of Sydney in 2010, with a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), Bachelor of Theology, fulfilling the requirements for the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology. Before Verbum Dei, she worked as an Enrolled Nurse in both the public hospital system in Sydney, and in the Aged Care Services. Working in the health industry has enriched her work as a Missionary. She believes that having a holistic view of the person leads to healing both physically, emotionally and spiritually. She has been a missionary in Sydney, Australia for 10 years. She is presently assigned in Manila, with a ministry in giving spiritual retreats and recollections, facilitating prayer meetings and giving spiritual guidance.

-oOo-

Edna Garayblas Monzon, ednamonzon@yahoo.com, earned her medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas. She further pursued studies in the field of Heart Diseases at the Philippine Heart Center and at the Hopital Cardiovasculaire de Lyon in France; finished an intensive Post Graduate training in Bioethics at Baylor Medical College in Houston, Texas and Health Care Ethics at St. Louis University in Missouri. She is presently Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Bioethics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas. She takes the advocacy to spread the culture of life in Bioethics, Family Life. She has delivered talks against the RH Bill. She has four children.

-oOo-

Ernesto Joseph Gonzales III, ejgonzales@rocketmail.com, earned his Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He further pursued studies in Masters of Customs Administration, PMI and Law. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Philippine Law School. He was an HR practitioner in the field of Industrial Relations and Organizational Development, particularly in the field of Employee Discipline for KFC, Phils and DnD. He is presently the Student Discipline Coordinator of Manila Tytana Colleges a member of the Metrobank Group of Companies.

-oOo-

Orestes P. Monzon, MD, voices4life@gmail.com, is a physician graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, practicing in the field of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. He had fellowship at the University of Bonn, Germany. He writes, dabbles in photography, organizes conferences, art exhibits, book launching and other worthwhile hobbies. He edited a coffee table book on Philippine Radiology, “The Filipino as a Radiologist” and have published books on Family Life. He was the executive director of Human Life International Asia for 12 years and has done missionary work in Asia. He is presently Professor at the Departments of Radiology and Bioethics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas. He chairs the Department of Radiology at the UST Hospital and heads the Nuclear Medicine Division of the Philippine Heart Center.

-oOo-

Fr. Dan Vicente Cancino, Jr., dancan915@yahoo.com, belongs to the Camillian Community. He was a BS Medical Technologist and an MS in Public Health before entering the religious community. He finished his Bachelor and Masters Degree in Sacred Theology at Maryhill School of Theology. He is presently a member of the HIV and AIDS National Catholic Program Network Core Group of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines– NASSA and the program head of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care of the CBCP. He is the Formator at the Young Professionals Formation Center of Camillians in the Philippine province.

-oOo-

Mr. & Ms. Lito & Edna Villaraza, ecvillaraza@yahoo.com, Carlito and Edna Villaraza are the responsibles of the New Families of the Focolare Movement, whose charism is unity achieved by putting the Gospel message of love into everyday life. Both are graduates of the University of Santo Tomas. Carlito earned his post-graduate earthquake-structural engineering specialization in Japan and is working as a consultant both for the government as well as the private sector here and abroad. Edna is a nurse and has worked among the marginalized in the communities of Bukas Palad Social Center of the Focolare. They have been working at the service of the Church and society in the promotion of life and family for many years. Their two beautiful children also live and share this way of life.

-oOo-

"You give but little when you give of your material possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." - Kahlil Gibran

Weekly News (Second Week of February)

1. EWTN Sues US Government Over Contraception Mandate

Irondale, Ala., Feb 9, 2012 / 10:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Catholic media network EWTN sued the federal government Feb. 9, challenging the Obama administration's rule requiring many religious ministries to subsidize contraception and sterilization in their health plans. [Read More]

2. Church Group Asks Help For Earthquake Victims

ESCALANTE City, Feb. 9, 2012—The Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) in Negros-Panay region has launched an appeal for earthquake victims in Negros Oriental. [Read More]

3. RH Bill Deprives Filipinos of Constitution-Guaranteed Freedom — Lawyer

MANILA, Feb. 9, 2012—After repeated assurances by proponents of the reproductive health (RH) bill that the measure merely aims to advance freedom of choice, it is becoming increasingly obvious to more and more Filipinos that the bill prohibits a remarkable portion of the population from exercising freedom in different forms which are enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. [Read More]

4. California's First 'Gay Marriage' Ending

One Christian leader says the divorce of a California homosexual couple who made headlines for their landmark wedding shows that the "gay" movement's ultimate goal is to impose their agenda on Americans. [Read More]

5. Orthodox Bishops Join Opposition to ‘Unjust’ HHS Contraception Mandate

(CNSNews.com) – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops – comprising the 65 Orthodox Christian bishops of the United States, Canada, and Mexico – has thrown its weight behind the opposition to the Obama administration’s mandate that all insurance carriers provide sterilization and contraception free of charge, including FDA-approved contraceptives that induce abortions. [Read More]

6. French President Says ‘No’ to Homosexual ‘Marriage’ and Adoption, Euthanasia

February 9, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has been under pressure from socialist opponents to weaken his stance on human life and family issues, says he is not budging. [Read More]

7. Christopher West’s Comeback

After year away, controversial popularizer of Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body mounts defense [Read More]

8. Tagle: Clergy Sex Abuse In Asia a ‘Growing Concern’

THERE is a “growing concern” in the Church in Asia about the sexual abuse scandals that have plagued Catholic communities in the West in recent years, even if reported cases “are not so numerous yet as in other parts of the world,” said Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila yesterday. [Read More]

9. Secularism's Toll on Catholic Americans

Father Robert Barron on HHS mandate: 'I would hope that American Catholics would argue against the Obama administration move, not only because they are Catholics, but also because they are Americans.' [Read More]

10. Catholic Teaching on Contraception: For Married Couples Only?

Does the Catholic Church’s condemnation of contraception bind only on married couples or is it a universal moral norm? [Read More]

Overflow! Get God's Abundance God's Way

Hi guys! Brother Bo Sanchez is launching an exciting talk series on money entitled Overflow! Get God's Abundance God's Way starting February 12, 2012, Sunday, at the PICC (8 to 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.) There will also be a special extra talk on entrepreneurship. For more information on the schedule of this talk at other Feast venues, visit www.lightfam.com or call 725-9999.

Wake up to abundance at a Feast near you!


Quote:
Warren Buffett on earning - “Never depend on single income. Make investment to create a second source.”

Weekly News (First Week of February 2012)

1. Being Catholic Means 'Paying a Price,' Says Detroit Archbishop

Vatican City, Feb 3, 2012 / 08:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Being Catholic in 2012 involves “paying a price” for loving Jesus Christ and his Church, says Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit. [Read More]

2. Activities Upholding Sanctity of Life Mark Pro-Life Month Celebration

MANILA, Feb. 3, 2012—Pro-life Philippines Foundation is spearheading various activities in celebration of Pro-life month aimed at encouraging all Filipinos to embrace a “pro-life way of life” amidst attacks on the sanctity of family and life. [Read More]

3. Comprehensive Sex Ed Based on Debunked Studies by ‘Psychopath’ Scientist – Media Expert

MANILA, Jan. 31, 2012–The concept of comprehensive sex education, which has been carried out in many Western countries and is being proposed as part of the reproductive health (RH) bill — is based on the fraudulent claims of a psychopath scientist who, in turn, based his data on pedophiles and sex offenders in jail, divulged media forensics expert Judith Reisman, Ph.D. [Read More]

4. Lesbian Icon - Good for Business?

OneMillionMoms is challenging J.C. Penney's effort to reshape its identity. The retailer is pinning its hopes in part on an ad campaign that features a high-profile homosexual entertainer. [Read More]

5. Washington State Senate Approves Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Senate has passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, bringing the state a step closer to becoming the seventh to allow lesbian and gay couples to wed. But the threat of a ballot challenge looms. [Read More]

6. Komen May Continue to Fund Some Planned Parenthood Grants

Komen for the Cure has released a new statement responding to the massive national criticism they have received for cutting funding from the Planned Parenthood abortion business. [Read More]

7. Dear Kids: Sex Is Good

January 31, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - “Is sex a good or a bad thing?” I asked my stunned children recently. After the shock wore off, they were confident of the correct answer. [Read More]

8. Inside the Mind of Evil: Obama Administration's HHS Decision [Read More]

9. Does Morality Inhibit Freedom?

St. Thomas Aquinas gave primacy to the natural reason as formative in our free choices—the use of reason ordered to truth, and the will ordered to the good, uniting to make a choice. [Read More]

10. Demographic Free-Fall

Low Fertility and Economic Crisis

ROME, FEB. 3, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Sustainable development is the imperative of the 21st century and cannot be achieved without improving reproductive health: words expressed at a recent executive board meeting by UNFPA executive director Babatunde Osotimehin, according to a Feb. 1 press release. [Read More]

Pro-Life Activities 2012

Forwarded invitation


Feb 3-5: Heartbeat Pregnancy Support Services of Asia and the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Health Care in cooperation with Heartbeat International, Commission on Family and Life of Archdiocese of Manila, Serve Life Philippines, and CFC Global Mission Foundation present
"HEART to SERVE" 1st Regional Conference and Training

Venue: St. Michael Retreat House in Antipolo City. (kindly contact Tina S. Rodriguez, CFC Global for more info)

Feb. 5: PRO-LIFE SUNDAY

Eucharistic Celebration
Mass Celebrant: Bishop. Jesse Mercado, D.D
Venue: St. Andrews Cathedral, Quirino Ave. La Huerta, Paranaque City.
Time: 10:00 AM

Feb. 9: Mass for Healing (Blessed Margaret of Castello Movement)

Venue: Sto. Domingo Church, QC
Healing Priest: Rev. Fr. Efren Rivera, OP
Time: 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM

Feb. 25: Pro-Life March-Life Chain

Route: St. Paul Univ., QC, Gilmore, Hemady St., Stop in front of FPOP, Prayer Service at Christ the King Church.
Time: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM

Feb. 26: Culminating Activity

Eucharistic Celebration
Mass Celebrant: Bishop Gabriel Reyes, D.D.
Concelebrant: Msgr. Nestor Cerbo (Rector, Manila Cathedral)
Venue: Manila Cathedral
Time: 6:00 PM

MICHAEL VORIS TALK
(Realcatholictv.com, St. Michael’s Media, USA)

Feb. 13: Cebu

Feb. 15: Bacolod (JPII Conference)
Planta Hotel, Araneta St. Bacolod City , 6 – 8 PM

Feb. 16: Adamson University, Manila
Time: 10:30 AM- 12:00 Noon

Feb. 17: (CFC-FFL Members Assembly)
Christ the King Parish, Green Meadows, Quezon City, 7:00 PM

LUANA STOLTENBERG & KAY PAINTER TALK
(Operation Outcry International)

Feb. 23: Nurses for Life Presents
“Dealing with Abuse and Pregnancy Related-Trauma”
Venue: College of the Holy Spirit, Mendiola, Manila.
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

“Digma ng Buhay” Radio Program Interview
Hosted by Mr. Ansel Beluso
Radio Veritas 846, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

Feb.24: Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish,
80 Washington St. Merville Park Subd., Parañaque City
Time: 4:00PM-6:00 PM

Please organize activities to promote our pro-life mission. Defend and care for all human life such as prayer rallies, forums, contests and signature campaigns. For more information, contact Pro-life Phil office at 7337027 or 7349425 or text us at 09192337783 or email us at life@prolife.org.ph