Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Almagro

11/02/2025

𝓢𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮'𝓼 𝓦𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰

The story is told about two husbands conversing. The first one asked: "Honestly speaking, when you see a beautiful woman, what do you look at first, the face or the body?" The second one said: "Honestly speaking, when I see a beautiful woman, I look at my wife first, if she is looking at me."

A MOMENT WITH THE LORD
Lord, remind us that You know everything, see everything, and everyone. Amen.

A MOMENT WITH THE WORD
"O, Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You know everything I do." Psalm 139:1-3

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February 11 is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a beautiful reminder of our Mother who lovingly watches over us and sees all that we go through. Let us turn to her for wisdom and safety, for she is our guiding light to Jesus, our Lord. Our Lady of Lourdes, we ask for your gentle prayers and intercession. Amen.

09/02/2025

MOVE OVER
By Fr Jerry Orbos, SVD

The story is told about two really old friends who went out for a drive. Everything was fine except when the one driving beat a yellow light, then a red light, and they almost had an accident. The one on the passenger’s seat said: “Friend, slow down. Drive safely or we both will get killed!” Whereupon the one driving said: “Oh, am I the one who is driving?”
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In today’s Gospel (Luke 5:1-11) we hear how Peter obeyed Jesus who told him: “Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch.” From that moment on, Peter allowed Jesus to be the driver in his life. He let someone greater than himself to take over, and become a part of His vision and mission.
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Pride and selfishness make us feel or think that we are in control of everything in our lives. And so it happens that we rely on our own worldly wisdom, strength, resources, and connections, and we forget to rely on God. May we learn to move over, give the steering wheel to God, and let Him take us wherever He wants us to go.
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Let go, and let God. This is the mindset we must constantly have if we are to become true disciples of our Lord. When we can say that life is all about Him, and not about me, then, we are really journeying to God’s heart. Let our sincere motto be: God’s will, God’s way, God’s time!
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GOD’S WILL. “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the nets” (Luke 5:5). Peter obeyed what Jesus commanded him to do. We must surrender our agenda (to catch fish), to His agenda (to become fisher of men). “Thy will be done, Lord” is the constant prayer of a true disciple.
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GOD’S WAY. “Put out into deep water and lower your nets” (Luke 5:4). Peter, the fisherman, obeyed Jesus who knew nothing about fishing. He surrendered his knowledge and did it His way. All too often, we have so-called disciples whose song in life is: “I did it my way.” No sir, no Ma’am, let’s do it His way!
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GOD’S TIME. “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10). Prior to this statement of Jesus, Peter said: “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” His time for conversion had come, and he did not refuse it. From then on, he left everything, and followed Him. “When the time is ripe, I the Lord will make it happen.” (Isaiah 60:22)
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May we never forget that we, who are recipients of God’s blessings, forgiveness, and healing must learn to be grateful and not forget our payback time unto the Lord. We, who are recipients of His so many gifts in this life, must not forget the Giver of our gifts, and the Giver of our life.
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It is so inspiring to see our Filipino missionaries going to foreign missions, “going into the deep,” to be fishers of men and women to the Lord, leaving all that is dearest, braving deprivations, loneliness, and even persecutions, at the Lord’s command. We ask ourselves today: What have I done, what have I sacrificed for God in my lifetime?
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So inspiring to have met an Argentinian missionary who opted to stay and serve in our country, especially the poor and the underprivileged, in the person of Fr. Luciano Felloni. Mission accomplished dear “canzmate” at 51. I know him as a simple, humble, joyful, and personable priest, prayerful and so present to people far and wide through social media. Thank you for your service to the Filipino people whom you love, and who love you, too.
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We thank the Lord for six new priests ordained by Bishop Raul Dael, DD, (Diocese of Tandag) yesterday Feb. 8, 2025, at the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay, ready to “go into the deep” as Divine Word Missionaries: Fr. Eoin B. Hubilla, SVD (to Portugal); Fr. Ian Mar S. Limbag, SVD (to Philippine-South); Fr. Jonathan B. Florino, SVD (to Poland); Fr. Joseph Wu, SVD (to Philippine-Central); Fr. Jayvee C. Vagilidad, SVD (to Ecuador); Fr. Daniel Lee, SVD (to USA). Thank you, Lord for these young men, ready and willing to go wherever You send them, at your command.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, take the wheel; I’m moving over, please take over. Amen.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

03/02/2025

THROAT BLESSING OF ST. BLAISE

Through the intercession of St Blaise,
bishop and martyr,
may God deliver you
from ailments of the throat
and from every other evil.
In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

20/01/2025

15/12/2024

CHECKLIST FOR CHRISTMAS
By Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

Question: What did Adam say to Eve on the day before Christmas?
Answer: “It’s Christmas Eve.”
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It’s 10 days before Christmas. Today is Gaudete Sunday. As we light the third candle of the Advent wreath, we are all reminded to rejoice and to be joyful. “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the Great and Holy One of Israel!” (Isaiah 12)

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In today’s Gospel (Luke 3:10 -18) we are told that the source of true joy is that of being good: “Whoever has two cloaks should share it with a person who has none” (Luke 3:11). May we go beyond our comfort zones, and our holiday mode, and reach out to the last, the least, and the lost in our midst. “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins—to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others, to make music in the heart.” (The Work of Christmas, Howard Thurman)

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True joy also comes from being true and honest in our serving others. To those who collect taxes, John the Baptist’s teaching is very clear: “Stop collecting more than what is required.” (Luke 3:13)

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To those in the police or in the military, John the Baptist has this to say: “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” (Luke 3: 14)

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“What should we do?” Let us go back to our hearts, and make a personal checklist on what to do to truly prepare for Christmas.

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“Handa ka na ba? (Are you prepared?)” Many of us are focused on our external preparations for the Christmas season like decorations, gifts, parties, noche buena meal, etc. Let us be mindful that there are so many people around us who have little to prepare externally, or have nothing at all, because of poverty and deprivation.

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“Ganda ka na ba? (Are you beautiful?)” Christmas is not going to happen in the malls, or in the parties, and revelries. It has to happen in the heart. To have a beautiful heart, you take the road of reconciliation and forgiveness. A good confession, a good talk or reaching out to others, and a sharing of your time, talent, and treasures to the sick and the poor—these are things that really gladden and cleanse our hearts.

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“Tanda mo na ba? (Do you remember?)” Try to find the time to remember that Christmas is all about a God who loved us so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son … (John 3:16). Remember, too, that we are to respect and love each other, and that we have a mission in this world. Don’t forget that our final destination is Heaven, and that we carry nothing with us when we leave this world, except the love and goodness that we have shared.

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We honor St. John the Baptist who never stopped saying “One mightier than I is coming” (Luke 3:16; Mark 1:7-11). This was a man who knew how to fade away, and not steal the light from his Master. If only we all learned to be humble, obedient, and grateful to Someone greater than ourselves! Life is more peaceful and meaningful if we apply BTS—Believe, Trust, Surrender everything and everyone to our loving Father. Trust the Lord more, worry less. Focus on the Lord, not on the load.

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The Misa de Gallo and the Simbang Gabi is one good way of preparing Christmas. This involves sacrifice, diligence, and perseverance to prepare for the coming of our newborn King. Let us do it with joy, and with the heart.

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“Poor persons will never disappear from the earth. That’s why I’m giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11) Time to let go of our accumulated stuff that are just gathering dust, and to share our extra cash which can make so many people so very happy this Christmas. No? Perhaps next Christmas? For sure, next Christmas will come but, we are not sure if we will still be around. So, now na. Do not postpone your conversion, and do not postpone your loving and sharing.

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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us to prepare truly for your birthday. Amen

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

24/11/2024

Feast of Christ the King

WHO IS YOUR KING?
By Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

The story is told about a mouse who told the lion, the king of the jungle: “O, Lion King, I am about to get married. What advice can you give me?“ The Lion replied: “Mr. Mouse, just remember, that before I got married, I thought I was a king, now I know that I am just a mouse.”
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Today is the Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe. In today’s Gospel, (Jn. 18: 33-37) Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” It is a historical question. Jesus asks you and me today: “Who is your King? Am I your King?” Pause for a moment. What is your response to Him?
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Is there something or someone greater than yourself that you are living for? Are you serving, are you accountable to something or someone greater than yourself? Life takes on a new meaning when we realize that we are servants. We are not kings! We begin to really live when we stop feeling we are kings or queens. Let us bring back that “me-servant-feeling,” and stop that “me-king-feeling!”
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So obsessed with money, power, pleasures, and fame, we often forget to really know and serve our King, and we offer incense and adoration to our worldly kings and queens who are mortals like us, and cannot really help us in the end. Let us cast out our idols and false gods and kings, starting with our own selves.
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Feeling empty and unhappy? That is because, so in love with ourselves, we have forgotten our King; so unfocused, we have started to follow and serve our worldly kings. Keep focused on Christ, our Lord and King!
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As a little boy, I was often fascinated with a beautiful bird called a kingfisher, especially when I see it dive into the water to catch a fish. Older now, I realize that we all should be a “kingfisher,” that is, to be fishers for our King. May we bring people closer to God. May we continue to tell the world about our King who loves us without end.
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I have seen the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea. It is in the 38th parallel, about 4 kilometers wide, and 250 kilometers long that is uninhabited, closed, guarded, and not accessible, a “no-man’s land.” Is there an area in your life that is not accessible, and remains closed to Christ, your King?
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Sharing with you a beautiful prayer of Padre Pio: “Lord, I leave my past to Your mercy; my present to Your love; and my future to Your providence.” Today, let us surrender our past, present, and future to our King, and allow Him to have total access and claim to our lives, to our very souls.
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Many of us spend our whole lifetime vacillating between commitment and half-commitment. By the grace of God, let us pray today: “As for me and for my house; we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) In humility we pray today: The rest of my life, the best of my life, for You, my Lord and my King!
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What have I done for Christ, my King? What have I sacrificed for Christ, my King? What have I shared for Christ, my King? Let us continue to ask these questions now, so that we will know how to answer them when we finally come face to face with Him.
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Do you know that our King appreciates every little deed, sacrifice, and sharing we do for Him? But, let us not forget that He appreciates it more if we do it with the heart. It is our heart that He asks of us. His most Sacred Heart wants to connect with us “heart-to-heart.” The Lord asks us today: “Your lips are sweet, your deeds are plenty, but where is your heart?”
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Next Sunday is already the first Sunday of Advent. Christmas is near! Especially this time of the year, amidst the rush and the glitters, let us not forget that the best preparation and celebration has to happen in the heart.
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Inviting you for the 33rd Eucharistic Congress at the Pink Sisters’ Convent in Hemady St., Quezon City on November 30, Saturday. It starts at 7 a.m. with talks by Fr. Aris Martin, SVD; Fr. Dave Concepcion, and Bishop Pablito Tagura, SVD, D.D. who will also lead the Mass in the afternoon. Let us honor our Eucharistic King!
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, Jesus, You are my Lord and my King. Amen!

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

29/03/2024

"Nagasimba ug nagadayeg kami kanimo O Kristo...."

29/03/2024

Biyernes Santo - Seven Last Words of the Lord

08/03/2024

The Saint's Quotes on Lent…

23/02/2024

Believe. Trust. Surrender.

🅱 🆃 🆂

BTS is the name of a popular Korean boy band. But for us, Christians, "BTS" is the trusting attitude we have towards our good and loving God:
BELIEVE (that God loves you).
TRUST (that God will help you).
SURRENDER (to God's loving will and plan for you).

BELIEVE. TRUST. SURRENDER.

A MOMENT WITH THE LORD
Lord, help us to keep on believing, keep on trusting, and keep on surrendering everything and everyone unto You! Amen.

A MOMENT WITH THE WORD
"Your constant love, O Lord, held me up whenever I am anxious and worried. You comfort me, and make me glad." Psalm 94:18