Kerygma Magazine December 2016

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
No. 318
Vol. 27
DECEMBER 2016
there is power in
gratitude
the best gifts
are in our relationships
KERYGMA BARCODE.pdf
Pay It Forward:
From Gratitude
to Generosity
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discover how
generosity unlocks
miracles
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Gifts that Keep on Giving.
Let Gods Word inspire them every day of the year!
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The Boss
Do You Trust God?
believe you cannot live a sane life in this world without trust.
When you drive your car speeding at 60 kilometers an hour, what separates
you and the cars coming in the opposite direction also speeding at 60
kilometers an hour is this thin, white-painted (usually faded) line in the middle
of the road.
Have you ever thought, Hey, what if the driver of that oncoming car just broke up
with his girlfriend, or got fired from his job, or lost millions in the casino, and decides
to cross that thin, white-painted line in the middle of the road to ram my car and end it
all?
If you dont trust somehow, you wont be able to go anywhere. The only reason
you can drive or go anywhere is because you have this unspoken trust that the other
drivers are sane people and wont cross that thin, white-painted line in the middle of
the road.
Unless you trust, you cannot live a single day on this planet. Youll be paralyzed.
In the same way, a lot of people today are spiritually paralyzed. Why? Because they
dont trust God.
The only way to simplify your life is to have a deep trust in Gods love for you.
Heres what Jesus said, So my counsel is: Dont worry about things food, drink,
and clothes. For you already have life and a body and they are far more important
than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They dont worry about what to eat
they dont need to sow or reap or store up food for your heavenly Father feeds
them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a
single moment to your life?... So dont be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care
of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time (Matthew 6:25-27, 34).
Jesus talked about all our worries, not just worries about food and clothing.
Ive met a lot of multimillionaires who still worry about their food and clothing.
And Ive met a lot of poor people who do the same. Its not really what we do on
the outside. Its what we do on the inside that counts.
Perhaps youve come from a place of struggle today. Perhaps youre facing a
severe trial right now and you dont know what to do. God is telling you, Dont
be anxious about tomorrow. I will take care of your tomorrow.
God is saying, Im your chair. Sit down. Rest.
Today, Ive realized our greatest worry is about our worth. So many people today,
deep down in their hearts, feel worthless.
When family and friends reject you, do you feel worthless?
When you fail in your job or in school, do you feel worthless?
When you fail in your marriage, do you feel worthless?
When you fail your parents, do you feel worthless?
Right this moment, I invite you to come to God and declare your trust
in Him.
In His eyes, youre valuable, youre precious, youre worthy.
What He says about you is the final word on the subject.
Trust in Him. Trust in what He says about you.
I pray that during this season and in the coming days, you will live out
this beautiful truth: You are Gods beloved.
Merry Christmas!
May your dreams come true,
Kerygma DECEMBER 2016
Mailroom
Thanks, Kerygma! God bless your company. I hope that

everyone reads your magazine. It is a fantastic way to
grow in our spiritual life.
Every story in Kerygma inspires me and it

completes my everyday routine. I read it before I
start working. It reminds me of the importance of
life. Its another way of talking to God every day.
Andre Gere, via kerygmafamily.com

Leebic R. Rebias, via kerygmafamily.com
Kerygma shares life-changing content.

James L. Fadriga, via kerygmafamily.com
You always inspire people every issue. God bless

you all!
Kerygma has a lot to offer. It strengthens ones spiritual

values in so many ways. I love it and I wish I have it
every month.
Ronald Peaflor, via kerygmafamily.com
Teresita C. Bagarinao, via kerygmafamily.com
I am blessed by simply reading Kerygma magazine.

You are Jesus to me.
Efren, via kerygmafamily.com
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Just Breathe
By Rissa Singson Kawpeng
The Living Church

Its not brick and mortar that make up a house of God
Rissas outfit courtesy of Elite Garments/Freeway.
he lower church of Christ the King in

Greenmeadows Avenue was packed
with worshipers for the 7 a.m.
Saturday Mass last October 22. I was
late but was glad to find that, while
there were no more seats, I didnt miss
the Gospel. Bishop Raul Martirez was still
sprinkling the bare altar and the rest of the
chapel with holy water. It was the blessing
of the newly renamed Divine Mercy Chapel
after it had been renovated a couple of
months ago.
During the offertory, two lay ministers
came forward to wipe the altar dry. Two
women followed bearing tablecloths to
cover the altar. Another pair came in with
candles and then another two with flowers.
Our parish priest, Fr. Bong Tupino, came
to put a relic of the blood of St. John Paul II
under the altar. Then the bishop incensed it.
A tear dripped from my eye, followed
by many more. I felt like the communion of
saints, represented by Pope John Paul IIs
relic, joined in our celebration.
There was something about witnessing
the blessing of a chapel for the first time
that moved my spirit. I looked about the
packed chapel, appreciating that the
Church is alive and kicking.
Church, as Bishop Raul explained in his
homily, is not the building. We understand
that better if we look at the majestic
basilicas and churches in Europe that have
been decommissioned and are now being
used for other purposes. A skate park in
the Netherlands. A Frankenstein-themed
bar in Scotland. A circus school in the U.S. A
luxurious home in Australia.
The sad fact is that in Germany alone,

515 Catholic churches have closed in
the last decade. Thousands more have
shut down across Europe and the U.S.
Theyre closing for lack of worshipers. It
wasnt surprising since church attendance
has been dwindling for decades with
the congregation being mostly senior
citizens.
In our part of the world, thankfully,
that has not yet happened. But what a
wretched sight it was to see the rubble of
centuries-old churches in Bohol after the
quake in 2013. Aside from the historical
value lost by the destruction, it left many
faithful without places of worship.
But in the absence of these buildings
emerged the beautiful meaning of the
word church. The people
of God gathered in the
midst of the wreckage,
with the sky as their
canopy, to celebrate
regular Mass. Proof
positive that a church
exists for and
only because of a
community of
worshipers.
Bishop
Raul drove
home that
point
when he
told us
about
the
Basilica
of San Clemente, which is now on my

bucket list. Just a stones throw away from
the Roman Colosseum, the 12th century
church on the street level was found to
contain layers of hidden history. Beneath
the existing basilica are the remains
of a fourth century church, which was
converted from the home of a Roman
aristocrat where early Christians gathered.
Beneath that, the third level revealed a first
century pagan temple, and underneath it,
the ruins of a villa.
The basilica, as it stands today,
wouldnt have even survived the centuries
if there had been no believers to use and
maintain it.
The first church was a stable in
Bethlehem where men and angels
worshiped the Babe who is the King of
kings.
Church is you and me recreating that
scene again and again as we gather and
as we live out His teachings.
Building or no building, we keep the
Church alive.
Built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus
himself being the cornerstone, in
whom the whole structure, being
joined together, grows into a holy
temple in the Lord. In him you
also are being built together into
a dwelling place for God by the
Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22)
E-mail Rissa at justbreatherissa@gmail.com
or follow her on Facebook.
About Our Cover Model
OJO
racing our December issue is Spanish actor

Andreas Muoz. This year, Andreas played the
role of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the first Filipino
movie shown in Vatican titled Ignacio. Ignacio is
a full-length independent film produced by Jesuit
Communications (JesCom) Philippines.
Andreas admitted that prior to making
Ignacio, he didnt know much about the saint.
But as their shooting days progressed, he came to identify himself with
some of St. Ignatius qualities. He shared, I think we have similarities. I
love his optimistic point of view. Hes also quite stubborn and a little bit
of a perfectionist, I am quite like that. He wanted to do things correctly.
He had experiences too powerful that he wanted others to experience.
He wanted to share that with other people whom he considered his
family.
Andreas bagged the Best Actor award in the 2016 International Film
Festival Manhattan for his excellent portrayal as Ignacio de Loyola.
St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, a religious

congregation dedicated to live for the greater glory of God. Before he
followed God, Ignatius served as a soldier who loved martial arts and
duels. When he got severely injured while defending Pamplona from a
French attack, Ignatius stayed at home for many months to recover. It
was during that period when he read about the lives of the saints and
knew more about Jesus. He then gave up his military and prominent
living, and devoted his life to Christ.
St. Ignatius is known for his spritual exercises a set of prayers
and meditations to help people develop a deeper relationship with
God. He also wrote one of the most-loved prayers up to this day, the
Prayer for Generosity.

PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Lord, teach me to be generous,
to serve You as You deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do Your holy will.
Amen.
Source: www.jesuits.org
December 2016
The Bo Files
1 THE BOSS
Do You Trust God?
48 POINT OF CONTACT
Columns
3 Just Breathe
The Living Church
38 WEALTH & WISDOM
Curbing the Cost of
Christmas
39 Health & Home
Yoga Your Way Back to
Health
41 SEASONS
Laughter and Serenity
43 faith@Work
3 #MinistryLearnings
That Helped My Career
45 K PREACHER
The Best Gifts Are in Our
Relationships
Special Section
21 Introduction
Pay It Forward:
From Gratitude to
Generosity
24 Teaching
The Power of
Gratitude
28 Testimony
Desperation to
Restorarion
30 Teaching
How Generosity
Unlocks Miracles
34 Testimony
Give Some,
Receive More
Departments
2 Mailroom
6 DAILY PAUSE
8 New You
9 Real Stuff
10 KFAM INSIDER
The Giving List
13 Dear K
15 FEAST SNAPSHOTS Unwind In
Gods Presence:The Feast
Technopark Hotel
17 It Happened
From Janitor to Publisher:
The Pruned Vine That
Never Gave Up
37 K-techism
2017: The Parish
as a Communion of
Communities
47 ONE LAST STORY
Motherhood, Padre Pio, and
an Answered Prayer
founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA asst. managing editor MAYMAY R. SALVOSA
creative director MIKE CORTES asst. layout artist LEAH KIM RECTO graphics director REY DE GUZMAN staff writers MARJORIE DUTERTE, DINA PECAA, KRIZELLE
TALLADEN photographer DANIEL SORIANO columnists ELEANORE TEO, LELLA SANTIAGO, ARIEL DRIZ, BOGGS BURBOS production asst. ANGIE ESPUERTA
chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ president HERMIE R. MORELOS vice-president for corporate services WENG CEQUEA assistant vice-president
for production RISSA KAWPENG production manager TESS V. ATIENZA sales director JOSEPH MARTINEZ marketing manager KRISTINE MUTUC digital
operations KARREN RENZ SEA
Kerygma. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool for all nations, providing
Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also
committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc. 2016. No part of this
magazine may be reproduced without permission. Published monthly by Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located
at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190, 650-9733 and 881-3082 (Production Department). Fax: 727-5615. Email:
editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com
Daily Pause with Pope Francis
God did not send His Son into the

world to punish sinners, nor to
destroy the wicked. Rather, they
were invited to convert, so that
seeing the signs of Divine goodness,
they might rediscover their way
back.
The Lord teaches us not to be

afraid to follow Him, because the
hope that we place in Him will
never disappoint.
The Church is not a welfare,

cultural or political association but
a living body that walks and acts in
history. And this body has a head
Jesus who guides, feeds and
supports it.
Cultivating and caring for creation is

an instruction of God which He gave
not only at the beginning of history, but
has also given to each one of us; it is
part of His plan.
God has great tenderness, great love

for the small ones, for the weak, for
those rejected by society.
Have courage, therefore, have

courage! Let us not be robbed of the
joy of being the Lords disciples.
13
Conversion always consists of
discovering the Lords mercy. It is
infinite and inexhaustible: the Lords
mercy is immense!
19
Let yourself be gazed upon by the

Lord. Open your heart, feel His gaze
upon you, His mercy, and your heart
will be filled with joy, with the joy of
forgiveness, if you draw near to ask for
forgiveness.
25
Gods love is boundless: we can

discover ever new signs that show His
attention towards us and, above all, His
wish to reach us and to await us.
14
Let each one ask him or herself

today, Do I increase harmony in my
family, in my parish, in my community or
am I a gossip? Am I a cause of division or
embarrassment? Am I humble enough
to patiently stitch up, through sacrifice,
the open wounds in communion?
20
15
Merciful love is the only path, for
by it we are able to make known
the Fathers mercy that has no
end.
21
God knows our sins and He forgives

us. He always forgives us! He is so
good, our Father is so good.
Let us not allow ourselves to be

robbed of the hope of living this
life together with Him and with the
strength of His consolation.
26
27
Dear brothers and sisters, let us stay

united to Jesus, let us trust in Him,
let us orient our life according to His
Gospel, let us be nourished by daily
prayer, by listening to the Word of
God, by sharing in the sacraments.
This is fundamental! Only with

Christ can we bear the Gospel.
Without Him we can do nothing
He himself said so (cf. John 15:5).
4
Gods whole revelation is His
untiring love for humanity which
culminates in Jesus death on the
Cross.
10
Dear sick people, find comfort in
the Cross of the Lord Jesus, who
continues His work of redemption in
each persons life.
16
The Lords invitation is surprising:

He calls to follow Him, people who
are lowly and burdened by a difficult
life; He calls to follow Him, people
who have many needs, and He
promises them that in Him they will
find rest and relief.
22
A young heart that welcomes Christs

love becomes hope for others, it is an
immense force!
28
The university of mothers

is their heart! They learn
there how to bring up their
children.
Keeping our gaze fixed on the Son

of God allows us to understand
how far we still have to go; but at the
same time it instills us with the joy
of knowing that we are walking with
Him and we are never alone.
11
6
The Holy Spirit is the mover. This
is why prayer is important. It is the
soul of our commitment as men and
women of communion, of unity.
12
Jesus was a shepherd among the people,

among the poor. Jesus was not a prince.
It is bad for the Church when pastors
become princes, separated from the
people, far from the poorest: that is not the
spirit of Jesus.
We need God to free us from every

form of indifference, selfishness and
self-sufficiency.
What can I, a weak fragile sinner, do?

God says to you: do not be afraid of
holiness, do not be afraid to aim high,
to let yourself be loved and purified
by God, do not be afraid to let yourself
be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Live on mercy so as to be
instruments of mercy: live on
mercy and feel needful of Jesus
mercy, and when we feel in need of
forgiveness, of consolation, let us
learn to be merciful to others.
17
23
This is a point that I would like to

emphasize: if one separates the head
from the rest of the body, the whole
person cannot survive. It is like this in
the Church: we must stay ever more
deeply connected with Jesus.
29
It is important to
look beyond our own
boundaries, to feel that we
are Church, one family in
God!
30
31
18
24
Jesus is the Lamb that was sacrificed

for us, so that we can receive a new
life made up of forgiveness, love and
joy. These three words are beautiful:
forgiveness, love and joy.
This is the Churchs mission to be

Gods sacrament of mercy in every
place and time.
Jesus understands the poor and the
suffering because He himself was
poor and tried by pain.
New You
The
To-Dont
List
of the
Rich
To-dont list? Yes, thats right! Although to-do lists are important in
our lives, to-dont lists have been discovered to be as important
in attaining success. This is what Thomas C. Corley found out in
his five-year study on the daily habits of rich people.
A to-do list contains the things we need to accomplish to
have a happy and successful life. A to-dont list, on the other
hand, tallies the habits, time wasters, or things that hinder us
from attaining such life. Lets look at some items in a typical todont list and check if we follow what the rich and successful
dont do.

Dont be negative today.

Dont lose my temper today.
Dont ignore my family today.
Dont read negative news articles today.
Dont watch more than onehour of TV today.
Dont waste time today on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
Dont procrastinate today.
Corley discovered in his study that the rich are diligent both
in doing good habits and avoiding bad habits. He further advised
that to-dont lists can be much helpful for those with many bad
habits because these lists cause greater awareness that leads to
better solutions.
So, whats on your to-dont list today?
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/
Blink These
Eye Care
Mistakes
Away
Quick Health Tip
In the age of gadgets, unlimited Internet and beauty consciousness, we might

neglect taking care of our eyes. Here are some mistakes that we should avoid:
Staring at devices all day (and night). Blue light emitted by electronic
screens is believed to be as harmful as UV rays. Merely staring at anything for
hours can also cause eye strain and headaches.
Sleeping with contact lenses. A study revealed that those who wear
contacts for extended or overnight wear have a greater risk of developing
corneal ulcer than those who dont.
Putting eyeliner on your waterline. This might seem OK for makeup
artists but not for eye specialists. The germs in eyeliner particles may enter
the eye and cause infection. Its safer to use sharpened soft pencils to be
applied outside the eye only.
Relying on over-the-counter eye drops. The eye drops that we
buy in drugstores contain vasoconstrictors that shrink blood vessels
andtemporarily make our eyes appear less red. But they also contain other
chemicals that might worsen the condition. If your eyes are constantly red or
irritated, its best to see an ophthalmologist.
Wearing sunglasses only during summer. Whenever were out in the
sun at any time of the year, its best to wear our sunglasses to protect our
eyes from the UV rays, which can result in corneal burns, skin cancer on the
eyelids, and visible spots on the whites of the eyes.
Source: http://news.health.com/
8
Mangosteen fruit is a pear-shaped, sweet

and tangy tropical fruit that has a deep
reddish-purple colored rind when ripe.This
fruit contains xanthones, which act as
antioxidants and can boost the immune
system. It also has high levels of magnesium
that helps regulate blood pressure and
heart rate. The fiber that naturally exists in
mangosteen regulates the digestive system.
Mangosteen can also prevent inflammation
and acts as a natural antihistamine.
Source: http://www.benefitsofmangosteen.net
Mangosteen
Real Stuff
CBCP President Calls for Prayer,

Communion and Penance
In his pastoral message for the feast of Our Lady

of the Holy Rosary last October 7, 2016, Catholic
Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
president and Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop
Socrates Villegas expressed his shame over the current

state of the Philippines as heard and read in local and
international media.
I am sad that the cherished Filipino values maka-Diyos,
makatao and makabayan are slowly eroding to be replaced
by an open license for cuss words, orchestrated lies and
vulgarity never heard before, he further said, fearing that
the young generation would accept the twisted upsidedown values and would result to a bleak and gloomy
future for the country. I am horrified at the new things that
make my countrymen laugh, he added.
He also expressed his grief at the numerous killings
which has been reported since President Rodrigo Duterte
began his campaign against drugs. The well is running
dry and I can no longer give a word of condolence to the
bereaved families because I also need to be assured even
a bit that things will get better and not become worse even
more, Archbishop Villegas added.
Above all these, the CBCP presidents invitation was to do
three things inspired by the message of Our Lady of Fatima
whose apparition was also commemorated last October.
First is to pray the rosary daily; second, attend daily Mass
and receive Holy Communion for the healing of all Filipinos
all over the world; and finally, go to confession at least once a
month.
Let us fight the confusion and errors, let us resist the
attacks of evil by the power of the daily ROSARY, the gift of
daily HOLY COMMUNION and the humble PENANCE for
sins, Archbishop Villegas said, believing that these weapons
from Fatima would help restore our land.
Source: http://www.cbcpnews.com/
Saints-at-a-Glance
St. Fabiola
Feast Day: December 27
Fabiola came from a very rich family in Rome and lived a worldly life, divorced her first husband and
remarried. When she became a widow, she performed a public penance, and was accepted back to the
Church. She gave up all her wealth and devoted herself to charitable works, helping the poor and the
sick. She built the first Christian public hospital in the West and eventually opened a hospice for poor
pilgrims with St. Pammachius. She was also a great follower and friend of St. Jerome, who wrote about
her life after her death.
Sources:
http://www.catholic.org/
http://catholicism.org/
Kfam Insider
Kfam Insider
The GIVING
Single Men
THE
LIST
Before and After the Jeremiah Experience
Giving opens the way for receiving. Florence Scovel Shinn
WT
By Dina Marie Pecaa

he Singles Ministries of The Feast Bluewave Marikina (FBM) and The
hich do you like
better
to give
or joined
to receive?
Both,
Feast
Sta. Lucia
(FSL)
forces
in an outreach program to the
I hope. But lets
think
about
the
quote
above.
How
Jeremiah 33:6-7 Foundation in Pasig City on June 26, 2016, as part
do you think your
giving
will pave
the way
for (LG).
you Jeremiah is one of the mercy
of their
monthly
big light
group
to receive back?
We
have
been
taught
that
being
ministries of the Light of Jesus Family (LOJF), which serves and shelters
generous
means
giving
without
asking anything
child
victims
of sexual
abuse.
in return, right? But theRonald
truth is,Escorpiso,
the moment
decide
to give,
the we
ministry
head
who had been there several times
from
God
His
grace
to
be
generous,
His
By Krizelle R. Talladen we receive much more
before, thought of this outreach as an alternative
to the usual LG where the
provision
to share and
His
heart
to
love.
And
all
these
are
more
Photos by Krizelle R. Talladen
and
singles would sit down together and talk. He also wanted his fellow singles to
shoes,
gadgets
or money of
you
write in time with the children in Jeremiah.
Grace B. Madrian special than any clothes,
be blessed
with
the experience
spending
your wish list.
Fortunately, they didnt just feel blessed. They were inspired, especially the
The Mercy Ministries
of thewhy.
Light of Jesus Family (LOJF) are
men. Heres
always in need of generous hearts that give lovingly. Any kind of
help you can give will
a long way.
Thego
Worried
MenThis Christmas season (and
throughout the coming
year),
you
andand
yourinteract
family with
may the
wish
to children? Will they be
How will I approach
abused
give to the following:
traumatized if they see boys? Must we refrain from hugging them and putting our
arms on their shoulders?
10
These were the questions of some of the single men

before the outreach. Despite their hesitations as first timers,
they still confirmed to join. They wanted to have an open mind
and be aware of the condition of these abused children. Some
of them also said that they wanted to empathize with the kids
Grace
to Be
Born
Maternity
Home and
is a halfway
and learn
how
to deal
with someone
whoNursery
might have
the
house
for
unwed
mothers
seeking
shelter
and
a
second
same condition after that encounter.
chance at life and an orphanage a haven for the children
born
there.Expectations
Shattered
Some admitted that they were surprised when they arrived
Address:
53 Dr.
Sixto
Antonio
Kapasigan,
City
at Jeremiah.
They
didnt
think Ave.,
that itBrgy.
would
look like Pasig
a normal
Telephone
No.:
(+63)
02
501-0965;
(+63)
02
635-6056
house inside a village. They thought that it would look like
BDO:
Grace to
Be Born Inc.
as secluded
institution.
They were also surprised that one
Acct.
No.:
3970059687
of those who opened the gate was a happy young girl who
had a smile on her face and welcomed them warmly. This
Anawim
Lay Missions
Inc.
a homethat
for the
happy young
girl turnedFoundation,
out to be one
of ischildren
the
abandoned
elderly.
It
provides
physical
care
and
rehabilitation,
foundation was taking care of.
home
life,
medical
recreational
The
single
mencare,
alsospiritual
thoughtnourishment,
that the girls would
all be
activities
and
socialization,
social
service,
end-of-life
frowning, sad and aloof. But when all of them went ofcare,
the and
burial
services
to
its
indigent
inhabitants.
house and into the garage, they were smiling, respectful
and confident to introduce themselves. When the program
Address:
Sitio
Tanag,the
Barangay
and games
started,
childrenIsidro,
were Rodriguez,
all excited, Rizal
happy
Telephone
No.:
(+63)
02
710-5273
and energized. They even prepared several dance numbers,
BDO:
Anawim
Lay Missions
Foundation,
Inc.
including
folk and
modern dances,
for the
Singles Ministry.
Acct.
No.:
3978003647
Laughter and positive energy filled the small garage of the
house despite the gloomy and rainy weather outside.
He Cares Foundation Street Children Caring Center is a
center
that Realizations
takes care of street children, offering five programs
The Mens
that
cater
to
childrens
spirituality,
health,
life,
JayAr Esquillothe
from
FBM expressed
how
happyfamily,
he was
after
education,
and
livelihood.
Joe
Dean
Sola
and
his
wife
Ardis,of
the outreach. He shared how he appreciated the strength
full-time
LOJF at
layamissionaries,
started
HeJeremiah
Cares in 1997.
women. Even
young age, the
girls in
still chose to
be happy and share their dreams despite their past experience
Address:
of abuse.#9 Mines St., Project 6, Quezon City
Telephone
No.: said
(+63)that
02 928-8910;
(+63)
02 453-0100
He further
the outreach
served
as a reminder
BPI:
He
Cares
Foundation,
Inc.
for him and hopefully for the other men to value women. As
Acct.
1953093053
men, No.:
we should
be the one to protect women from all kinds of
abuses. We should always provide security for them, and most
Tahanan
ng Pagmamahal
wastheir
organized
in 2007.
It provides
of all, we should
always guard
heart, JayAr
added.
care,He
shelter
and
education
to
neglected
children
who
up
strongly suggested for more men to spend timeend
with
as
scavengers,
thieves
and
prostitutes.
these abused children so that they would be reminded on how
to be a gentleman and have a send of duty to protect women.
Address:
#45Patrick
Dr. Pilapil
Brgy. Sagat,
Pasig
City
1600
Roarke
Sun,St.,
another
member
from
FBM,
added
Telephone
No.:
(+63)
02
631-7188;
(+63)
02
788-8380
that this outreach reminded him to respect women and
BDO:
Tahanan
Home Inc.
children
more.ng
HePagmamahal
said, Men areChildrens
made physically
strong to
Acct
No.:
0430191022
protect women, not to hurt them. To raise them up and not to
step down on them.
Pag-asa
Pamilya
Scholarship
Foundation
gives
Carlong
Ambata,
who
attends both
FBM and FSL,
was
scholarships
to
various
poor
and
persevering
students.
Aside
reminded that chivalry must still be innate in men. He added
from
providing
financial
assistance,
the
foundation
organizes
that as a man, his strength must be used to protect women
motivational
forabuse
the scholars
encourage them to
and children, seminars
and not to
and hurttothem.
pursue their dreams.

Address: 60 Chicago St., Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Cubao, Quezon

City 1109
Telephone No.: (+63) 02 725-9999; (+63) 02 788-8380; (+63)
922-859-7035; (+63) 917-816-4700
BDO: Pag asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 3970059458
Shepherds Voice Radio and Television Foundation Inc.
(SVRTV) is the broadcast media arm of Bo Sanchez Ministries,
spreading the light of Jesus through TV, radio and the Internet.
SVRTV produces KerygmaTV, the weekly inspirational TV
show aired on local channel IBC13, cable channel ANC, and
on Kerygma.tv (SVRTVs Internet TV channel). SVRTV also
produces Internet TV shows: Preacher in Blue Jeans and FishTV.
Aside from these, the foundation also has an early morning
radio program Gabay sa Biblia sa Radyo, which airs over Radio
Veritas 846. SVRTV also produces the biggest inspirational
event in the country, Kerygma Conference, as well as the other
major events of the Light of Jesus Family.
Address: 60 Chicago St., Bgy. Pinagkaisahan, Cubao, Quezon
City 1109
Telephone No.: (+63) 02 416-7809
BDO: Shepherds Voice Radio and Television Foundation Inc.
Acct. No.: 0160506123
The Prison Ministry goes to the Correctional Institution for
Women every second Saturday of the month to minister to the
spiritual as well as some basic needs of the inmates.
Address: 60 Chicago St., Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Cubao, Quezon
City 1109
Telephone No.: (+632) 725-9999; Beth: (+63) 922-858-9782;
Miriam: (+63) 918-953-4911
Jeremiah 33:6-7 Foundation shelters sexually-abused young
women. The Jeremiah girls are given opportunities to study
and know God more through different formation activities
conducted by the volunteers.
Telephone no: 655-2989
BDO: Jeremiah 33:6-7 Foundation Inc.
Acct No.: 3970133240
For more information about the Mercy Ministries, go to www.
lightfam.com.
11
KERYGMA MISSION PARTNER 2016
SUBSCRIBE
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Marian pilgriMage
Mechanics:
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3. Promo Period is from March 1, 2016 to December 29, 2016.
4. See posters and print ads for details.
5. Deadline for submission of entries is on December 29, 2016, 5:00 p.m.
6. Raffle draw for the Kerygma Conference VIP Tickets is on October 14, 2016 4 p.m. and the raffle draw for the Marian
Pilgrimage is on January 12, 2017, 4 p.m.
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Or drop at the dropbox in 60 Chicago
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Dear K
MY son is jealous of hIS younger sister

I am a mother of three kids, the youngest
being the only rose. I am thankful because
both our sons, aged 15 and nine, love
their sister very much. However, I noticed
that our second child started to envy the
attention that we give to his sister who is
only two years old. Once, he even said
that although he cares for his sister, he
wished she wasnt born so he would still
be the baby in the house. Lately, he
resorts to doing naughty things to get our
attention. We are guilty of spoiling him a
lot when he was younger and now I think
we are reaping what we sow.
How should we deal with him?
Thanks and God bless!
Diane
E-mail your questions to editsvp@shepherdsvoice.

com.ph. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632)
726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus
Pastoral Care Center counselor. Pastoral counseling
by telephone is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face pastoral
counseling is by appointment. For correspondence
pastoral counseling, e-mail lojcounseling@yahoo.
com or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.
or Call (632) 725-999
Dear Mommy Diane,

I honor you for ensuring the welfare of each of your children. Your middle child
manifests attention-seeking behavior. It is good for you to be aware that this could
have been the result of giving him too much attention, to the point of being spoiled
in his younger years. Aside from giving too much attention to the little princess in
the house, check your patterns, words and actions. If everything you do is always in
favor of the baby girl (e.g. We cannot do that because baby Do not touch that, its
babys, etc.), your younger son is creating a need to be noticed. Raising two or more
kids is a great balancing act. One should not feel that he is less, at the expense of the
other.
Check your goals for your son. Is it to unspoil him? Is it to ease his unhealthy
attention-seeking behavior? Is it to give ample attention?
If it is to unspoil him, then do call his attention lovingly when misbehavior
occurs. Explain to him why it should not be done and why it is not acceptable. Agree
on set consequences if such are repeated. If your goal is to ease his unhealthy
attention-seeking behavior, then when you call out his mistakes, always make a
conscious effort to point out what he is doing right. Instead of highlighting the not-sogood things, note how he is helping out at home, playing well with his sister, and all.
The end goal is to give him appropriate love, affection, affirmation and attention.
You need to boost his self-esteem so he will feel capable and special, despite having
a new member in the family. Affirm his strengths, note his efforts, ask him to help out
at home, enhance the image of a big brother, look for what he is good at, and give
special time for him alone. All these will ensure that he is appreciated, he is special
and he is given due time. Guard against giving in to his whims and irrational demands
so as not to cultivate his sense of entitlement.
This is not something you can change overnight. Yet with patience, prayers and
positive parenting hacks, you can make it work. Praying all will be well for you and
your three kids.
One with you in motherhood,
Ichel A.
Michele S. Alignay is a registered psychologist and child and family life
specialist. She is a lecturer at Miriam College, speaker and resource
person. She is a mom of two growing kids. She wrote a book titled Family
Goals, available at www.kerygmabooks.com. Know more about Ichel at
www.michelealignay.com.
13
14
By Sarrah Cea
UNWIND
IN GODS PRESENCE
The Feast Technopark Hotel
Feast Snapshots
t the heart of the booming

industries and inviting
places in Santa Rosa,
Laguna, there resides
The Feast Technopark
headed by Jon Escoto, The Feast Laguna
District Builder. Just a quick drive from
the famous Nuvali and Tagaytay, you
can already experience the warmth and
magic of Gods love at The Feast.
New Home, Bigger Family
The Feast Technopark holds its weekly
Sunday Mass and worship service at the
Grand Platinum Hall of the Technopark
Hotel from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Everybody is welcome to join the
weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus
Family (LOJF) headed by Jon.
Originally held at the Southern
Luzon Hospital and Medical Center
for almost four years, the former Feast
Paseo community finally found a new
abode last December 6, 2015 at the
Technopark Hotel which is accessible
via Greenfield Exit in Santa Rosa,
Laguna.
With an average of 170 to 250
attendees of all ages, Feasters are
warmly greeted by the servants waiting
for them along the staircase and at the
entrance of the Grand Platinum Hall. The
Feast attendees are drawn closer to God
through the different ministries such as
the Warmth Ministry, Singles Ministry,
Media Ministry, Intercessory Ministry,
Music Ministry and Kids Ministry.
There are about 50 servants in Feast
Technopark. Awesome Kids, Youth,
Singles, Young Couples, Couples, Solo
Moms, Yeah-Men and the Wiser Women
Light Groups (LGs) are also continuously
growing in Christ.
Jons team includes Jeff Lorenzo
as the events head, Gener and Maville
Castillo as LG heads, Benj and Mon
Mendez as discipleship heads, Bhu and
Em Jocson as Feast Events heads and
Jemelyn Afable as the admin head.
The Feast Technopark family continues

to welcome new people with greater
excitement and warmth. Every now and
then, The Feast Technopark conducts
engaging activities for the Kids Ministry
and personalized retreats like The Force
last year and New, a four-series retreat.
Retreats and recollections for the youth,
singles and couples are also offered to
those who want to know God personally
along with hungry people who are seeking
more of Him in their lives.
Aside from enjoying Sunday gettogethers and devouring new food
discoveries with loved ones, what better
way is there to relax and relinquish your
worries than to spend it with God? Come
and calm your heart by breathing in Gods
free and overflowing love at The Feast
Technopark!
For more inquiries about The Feast
Technopark, visit their Facebook page or
contact Jay Mercado at 09231852592.
Growing in Faith
On its sixth month in their new home,
Join a Feast near you! Check out www.lightfam.

com for venues and schedules.
15
Youre Weird and You Know It.

So many people today dont like themselves.
Theyre ashamed of many parts of their life. And theyre actually very nasty to themselves.
They neglect their own needs. Theyre addicted to toxic stress every day (which is slow
suicide). They dont respect their limits, and they stay forever in poisonous relationships.
In this life-changing book, bestselling author and spiritual leader Bo Sanchez offers
the solution: Give yourself permission to be you. Embrace your past, your pains, your
personality, and your purpose. Through this book, youll learn to relax more, love yourself
more, and find your place in the world.
16
It Happened
Arnold (left) now enjoys his answered

prayer having his whole family
together in one home.
From Janitor to Publisher:
The Pruned Vine that

Never Gave Up
By Arnold Vargas as told to Krizelle R. Talladen
17
to na yung huling beses na maghuhukay

tayo ng basurahan (This will be the last
time that we will dig a garbage dump).
That was my promise to my elder
brother as we dug a nine-foot-deep,
two-meter-wide garbage dump. I was
then laid off from my dream job as a
janitor. It was already a dream job for
me because I didnt finish college. Since
our family had to survive and our
younger sister was in college, I had no
choice but to do whatever job I could.
I promised myself that I would never
give up.
The Dream Amidst Poverty

Life had been challenging for my family since I was a child.
My mother and father worked in Manila as a carpenter and
a housemaid, respectively. Our poor grandparents took care
of me and my siblings in our hometown in Gumaca, Quezon.
My parents rarely visited the province, but when they did, it
was just to bring food and groceries to us.
Once, when we really didnt have anything to eat, we
sold our pet dog. The stores stopped giving us goods because
of our long credit list.
At a young age, I couldnt help but compare our family to
others that stayed together. This inspired me to dream that
one day, my parents wouldnt have to work far and wed live
together under one roof.
Less School, More Work
To help my family, I worked as an ice buko (coconut) and ice
candy vendor during weekends when I was in elementary
school. Unlike other kids, I was busier selling than playing.
In high school, I cut classes a lot. Selling was more
interesting for me than going to school. During weekends, I
was a bus vendor selling eggs, peanuts, hopia, pili nuts, and
quail eggs to passengers. I also sold almost every kind of food
I knew: pandesal (soft bun) every morning, balut (boiled duck
egg) and chicharon (pork skin crackling) at night, corn, siopao
(meat bun), etc.
To survive school, Id ask some classmates to do
homework and quizzes for me in exchange for food. I hated
Algebra, the subject that I never passed. I loved recess time
above all.
After high school, I decided not to enter college anymore.
I strongly believed that I could be rich just by being a full-time
vendor. However, my parents strongly encouraged me to
finish my studies. I eventually went to a university in Cavite
as a working student. I spent two years shifting courses
from Theology to Automotive Technology to Nursing.
I finally quit studying because my salary could no longer
cover for my tuition.
Back to Full-time Work and Off to My Dream Job
I applied as a gardener in an institute in Cavite in 2000. My
work included weeding makahiya and cutting grass under
the scorching heat of the sun. Thats when I prayed to God
to help me become a janitor so I could work in the schools
covered areas. After one month, God answered my prayer. I
18
The fulfillment of Gods promise to Arnold stands

in this house-and-office-in-one located in Cavite.
became a janitor. I felt successful. I thought that was all I could

achieve.
My childhood dream for my family to stay together in one
house became more specific this time. I prayed to God to give
us even just a small house and lot near our church.
The Cutting and Pruning of the Vine
After four years of working in the institute, something
unexpected happened: I was laid off from work. I questioned
God and almost lost faith in Him. I complained, Janitor na nga
lang, tinanggal pa. (I was just a janitor and I was still laid off).
I gave up on my family dream. I thought it wouldnt happen
anymore because of the retrenchment. But I pressed on to
survive.
I offered gardening, car wash, and massage services to
anyone. I also ventured in selling personalized calendars. I
also tried applying as a janitor or waiter in Manila but I was
discouraged by the competition among college graduates.
When my younger sister needed support for her college
education, I accepted the job to dig a garbage dump. It was a
job intended for four people, but I worked on it alone so I could
get the full pay.
Digging was exhausting work. But every time I would stop
to rest, I would say to the pit, I will never give up. Whenever
my hands hurt and the blisters started to appear, I would stop
and say, I will never give up. I saw myself in the soil that I was
I was able to buy a house and lot for my family in Cavite. I

was surprised that it was also near our church. The dream that
I threw away when I lost my janitorial job has become a reality
when God directed me to the publishing industry.
Despite having our own house, something was still missing
I was still away from my family. So in 2010, I decided to quit my
job.
digging. I said to myself that I will never give up on life. That

has been my motto since then.
Eventually, when the dump was relatively deep, I asked
my older brother to help me. As we dug together, I promised
him that it would be the last time we would do that. We
eventually finished the big pit, got paid and sent the money
to our sister.
The Branch that Bears Fruit
After almost a year without a regular job, I received a call from a
friend, inviting me to apply in a publishing company in Quezon
City as an area sales manager. Despite being unqualified, I took
a chance. I wasnt hired for the obvious reason that I had no
credentials. Remembering my motto, I said, I will never give up.
For two weeks, I tried to convince the manager to try me
out. I was willing to work in exchange for food. Due to my
persistence, he hired me and assigned me in the Cavite area
to sell the companys textbooks.
Carrying a luggage of textbooks, I went to schools not just
to promote the books but also to share my life story. From
November to December 2005, I was shocked that I made
P500,000 in total sales.
In 2006, I was assigned to sell textbooks in Ilocos.
Although I faced difficulties there, I didnt give up. That year,
I generated P2 million in sales, and in 2007, P5 million. The
highest annual sales I made so far was P15 million.
The Truly Rich Vine

In 2012, I established Pisara Publishing just beside our house,
where some of my relatives started to work with me. With 25
agents nationwide, were able to generate huge sales as we
continued to establish relationships with our clients.
In early 2013, I began reading Bo Sanchezs books out of
curiosity and tried my best to apply the teachings in each one.
Bos books inspired me to join the Truly Rich Club, start saving,
invest in the stock market, and tithe as well. I encouraged my
relatives and employees to invest too. In addition, I also started
to attend The Feast Bay Area when Im not on business trips.
Because of Gods blessings, our finances continue to grow
and we now have a mini farm in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. We also
started a ministry of donating clothes to the poor every year in
Payatas and Dapdap Island.
Looking back, Ive experienced how John 15:1-2 manifested
in my life. It says, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine
grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear
fruit, and every one that does He prunes so that it bears more
fruit.
Truly, God has taken away the branches or dreams that
didnt bear fruit in me. And the pruning, though painful, led me
to where I bore even much fruit, not just for me but for others.
Now, my family and I are together in one house and we have a
business that continues to grow. I further dream that my family,
relatives, employees and I would retire as millionaires by Gods
grace.
This is not my story. Its the story of Jesus His love for us.
He wants the best for us. All we have to do is trust in Him, and
trust in His greatness in us.
Arnold smiles with Bo Sanchez at the Truly Rich Club

Platinum Wealth Circle meeting on September 17, 2016
19
YOU ALREADY
HAVE WHAT
YOU NEED TO
SUCCEED...
NOW WHAT?
Now
AvAilAble!
Success without living for something bigger than

your self is meaningless. Yet you cannot be significant
without becoming successful simply because you
cannot give what you do not have. But wherever you
are in life right now whether youve hit rock bottom
or longing for something more let this book be
your guide to a life of happy success and significance.
Success beyond Success teaches hard-earned lessons
from the school of hard knocks. Get out of debt,
darkness and despair by strengthening your lifes most
important Cs: competence, character and calling.
Turn your failures into stepping-stones and become
the best that you can be, so you can give the best of
yourself to the world.
This book will teach you valuable tips on how to
achieve and sustain personal success through Life
Exercises. Learn about the Law Harvest, the Law of
Probability and the Law of the Outliers. It will inspire
you to live a life of significance by getting to know
yourself and your purpose. Step out of darkness into a
better and brighter life fueled by your greatness.
20
Yes, a life of success beyond success is possible. It

starts here.
Special Section
Introduction
Pay It Forward:
From Gratitude to
Generosity
By Bo Sanchez
ast week, my wife and I picked

up my son, Bene, from Feast
Salcedo in Makati. The moment
he hopped into the car, even
before he greeted us, he said,
Im hungry. Can we eat?
21
My wife and I had just eaten.

But we still drove to a simple
restaurant to feed the hungry
monster in the backseat.
I loved the way my son smiled
when he held his favorite burrito in
his hand. I wanted to immortalize
that smile, so I took a photo:
If youre a parent, you know

this: When your child is happy,
youre happy, too.
22
Last
month, I brought
Francis to a science museum.
And he loved it. He enjoyed every
minute we were there. Even if his
legs went missing
Imagine if I brought him to the
science museum and all he did
was sulk. How would I feel? Not
very happy, believe me.
In the same way, I believe
when God gives you something,
and you enjoy it, God is happy too.
Hes a generous Father. Hes the
God of all the universe!
Are you happy with

Gods blessings?
Are you enjoying Gods
blessings?
Are you grateful for Gods
blessings?
When we acknowledge
the blessings that He pours on
us, we celebrate. We cherish
the moments. We enjoy His
graces. And if you want to
enjoy Gods blessings more,
Id like to give you a simple
tip: Instead of collecting things,
collect experiences. Specifically,
experiences of love. Because
material things disappear. But
love remains forever.
For example, I enjoy it when I
have money to have a simple date
with my wife. I enjoy it when I have
money to watch a movie with my
two boys and we laugh together. I
enjoy it when I have money to help
the poor.
Bottomline, I believe material
blessings will only have meaning if
you use them for love.
Generosity is in our blood. Love is
in our veins. This issue, lets uncover
the gem in gratitude and generosity.
Read on.
23
Special Section
The Power of
Gratitude
By Bo Sanchez
24
et me tell you a true story.

I know of a lady who is a
multi-millionaire. Shes
wealthy but completely
and absolutely poor.
If youre confused,
keep reading.
This wealthy woman
has five helpers, one
gardener and two drivers.
Maid no. 1 is my
personal assistant, she
explained to me one day.
I cant live without her.
She holds my cell phone.
She budgets for the house.
More importantly, she
gives me a foot massage
every night.Maid no. 2
cleans the house. Maid no.
3 does the laundry. Maid no. 4 cooks. And
Maid no. 5 is the assistant of Maid no. 1.
By chance, I met her one morning
and she blurted out, Brother Bo, I feel so
stressed! Life is so difficult. Why is God
doing this to me?
Why? What happened? I asked. I
imagined the worst.
One of my maids is taking a vacation,
she cried, and shes been away for a week
now. So instead of five maids, Im down to
four. Oh my gosh, I dont know what to do
anymore! My life is in such a mess.
Wow. Poor woman. I mean, having four
maids is such a tragedy, right? No human
being should ever go through such a trial. I
wanted to console her.
I wish I could say that I exaggerated the
story to make you laugh.
Sorry. This is a true story.
And her inability to appreciate what she
has makes her poor. It tortures her.
Im fully convinced that wealth isnt
money.
Wealth isnt the cars you drive or the
houses you own.
Wealth isnt your jewelry, the stocks,
bonds, or cash in your bank.
I now believe that wealth is an emotion.
Wealth is an inner feeling.
More precisely, wealth is an outlook, an
attitude, a belief.
And the most obvious measurement
of wealth is gratitude. I learned this lesson a

long time ago
Aling Dorings Point-Point
There was a time in my life when I had very
little money.
Most days, I couldnt afford to eat in
Jollibee.
So every day, I went to this tiny corner
store called Point-Point.
In Tagalog, turo-turo.
Instead of a chair, it had a rough
wooden bench.
Instead of a table, it had a linoleumcovered plywood.
Instead of air-conditioning, it had this
large sweaty lady named Aling Doring
who, with a native abanico in her hand,
fanned me and swatted the army of flies
around me. She also provided us great
entertainment telling us showbiz gossip
from Inday Badiday. (OK, now you know in
which century this took place.)
Point-Point sold me bottomless soup,
a cup of rice, a few strips of ampalaya and
three chunks of chicken pork adobo all
for P10 only. That was a long time ago, when
I was young and handsome. (Now, Im just
handsome.)
But every time I ate there, I felt so
happy. I felt like a king. I felt so rich!
Imagine, I could eat, while so many
people 30 percent of the world were
starving.
So I enjoyed the yummy food. I enjoyed
Aling Dorings banter. I enjoyed the jeepney
drivers who ate with me their smells, their
burps and their laughter. It was absolutely
lovely. And I always thanked God for
everything.
Today, I have a little bit more money.
Most of my business lunches are now done
in five-star hotels and restaurants. Ive been
upgraded.
But deep inside, nothing has changed. I
still feel like a king. I still feel rich.
Oh yes, compared to my billionaire
financial mentors, I own crumbs. But in my
heart, Im already a billionaire. (I hope you
are too.)
25
From looking at my own life and in the lives

of the people I help I realized there are three
degrees of gratitude:
1. Selective Gratitude
This is when youre thankful for big-ticket items

only.
You win the lotto.
You get a new car.
You finally pass the board exam after nine
tries.
Your daughter finally gets married at 52.
Your visa is approved after 16 denials.
Your adulterous and drunk husband finally
changes. Or dies. (Whichever comes first.)
Everyone starts with selective gratitude.
But sadly, this feeling of gratitude is rare.
Because big-ticket items are rare too.
And usually, it disappears rather quickly.
Selective gratitude is great.
But if you want to be really happy, you need
to graduate to a deeper form of gratitude.
2. Simple Gratitude
In simple gratitude, youre thankful even for the

small things in life. For the roof over your head,
for the leftover food on your table, for the semineurotic family around you. Stuff you take for
granted.
Remember this famous quote? I once was
sad for I had no shoes, until I met a man who had
no feet.
One day, my friend complained about his
decreasing hair. I told him to think positive: His
hair wasnt decreasing, it was his forehead that
was increasing. He didnt believe me and became
more depressed.
So I texted him this slightly edited version
of the line above: I once was sad for I had no hair
until I met a man who had no head.
I think that sobered him up. If you were to
choose between baldness and beheading, what
would you choose?
Today, he shines his head and calls himself
Bruce Willis. Powerful, isnt it?
But do you know that theres something even
more powerful than simple gratitude?
26
3. Sacred Gratitude
In sacred gratitude, youre thankful for life

itself.
Youre thankful that youre alive.
Youre thankful that you exist.
Youre thankful that you breathe!
Youre thankful for the adventure of
daily life, with all its ups and downs, highs
and lows, twists and turns.
This kind of gratitude doesnt depend
on situations anymore.
And theres a big difference between
knowing you need to be grateful, and
actually having every cell of your body
singing, Thank You, Lord!
This is sacred gratitude.
Its one of the sweetest things in the
world.
Nothing can touch you. Youre at peace.
When you have simple gratitude and
especially sacred gratitude you receive so
many blessings.
Why?
Because when you become grateful,
you also become a blessing magnet.
Remember this powerful truth: Your
wealth equals your gratitude. And your
gratitude equals your wealth.
Be grateful.
E-mail me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com.
27
Special Section
Testimonial
Desperation to Restoration
By Jo Ann Fauni as told to Lella Santiago

Photos by Vince Zarate
y husband, Raul, and I cried and prayed as our son,

John Paul, marched during his graduation. They
werent tears of joy but of desperation. At that moment,
we had just received an ultimatum. The owner of the
building where our spa business was located was
giving us till noon to decide whether to renew the lease
or not. If we opt to end the contract, we had one week to
pull out and get the place fixed. We had no more money
left for that none to continue the business, not even for food to put on our table.
Getting to that event was heartbreaking enough. John Paul and Monique, our
eldest, had no shoes for their graduation. Monique wore the shoes she used for
her elementary graduation. And John Paul just borrowed from our neighbor.
If there was a level below rock bottom, we were there. What a plunge I had
taken from being a manager in a big telecommunications company to this depth.
Road to Desperation
I worked in the corporate world for almost 15 years. My family and I lived a
comfortable life. After a marital spat, I was led to opt for the early retirement our
company offered. I felt I had to decrease for my husband to increase. Although I
prayed about it, I was unsure about my decision. All I knew was that Gods Word
is a lamp unto my feet. I couldnt see the end of the tunnel, only the next step, so
I asked for a sign, an impossible one to be included in the list that had already
been finalized.
The impossible was given when a second batch was approved. I was clueless
28
about what to do with the generous package our

company gave. When an opportunity to establish
a spa business fell on my lap, I thought it was a
blessing. The first two years were really good.
However, when we undertook renovations, our
money ran out. We had no fixed income so we
relied on whatever the spa made. Instead of the
income being utilized to sustain the business, it
was used for our familys needs. The operating
expenses also crippled us because we were
located in the heart of Makatis business district.
God gave me partners to save our business
but they were busy with their own jobs. Plans
to overhaul the business couldnt be fully
implemented. Fortunately, my husband and I
were on the same page not to blame each other.
We just decided to cut our losses and sell the spa.
Another blow came when the buyers plans didnt
pan out. To this day, the balance remains unpaid.
This took a toll on our personal finances because
we depended on it for our childrens tuition.
Added to that was the rocky time our
marriage went through in 2011. By 2015, I was in
depression mode. Like Job, I was harassed by the
enemy physically and psychologically: with boils
on my body and shattered self-worth. Friends
from The Feast Alabang referred me to several
companies for employment. For some reason,
after being well received and told I was senior
manager material, my applications were trashed.
I asked the Lord, Am I that stupid? Isnt there
anything I can do right?
Letting Go, Letting God
I dont know how we survived and were able to
send our children to school. We were stripped of
all material things: I had to let go of my jewelry,
nice apparel and even our car. We didnt even
know where to get money for our next meal.
Throughout those trials, I held on to my
faith in God and His Word. When I was still with
the large telecommunications company, I wrote
this quote in my office: God is faithful to His
promises. Sometimes He delays, but He never
ever forgets. Trust Him.
I know He is a faithful God. I asked the Lord
for a pinky promise (were that personal) that if
ever I lose my hold on Him, He would never let
me go even if Hes hanging on to the last single
strand of my hair.
My trust was not misplaced.
Continuously, the Lord sent

angels like my community sister and
best friend forever (BFF) Effie. God
used her at the 11th hour when the
lessor was pressuring us. Even if the
business eventually folded up, we
remained good friends and prayer
buddies.
Other angels came in the nick of
time. That reinforced what I always
tell my children: God has never
failed us.
Case in point: my daughter,
Monique, took the initiative to get
a sponsor who funded part of her
college tuition. I saw the good our
trials did to her: It ignited her burning
desire to finish school. Our youngest,
David, also had an angel his school.
Even if his tuition fee hadnt been
paid for a year, they still allowed him
to attend his classes.
One of our biggest blessings
is that the people we owe to
understand our situation.
Sometimes, angels would come
knocking on our door bringing food.
God used neighbors, relatives and
friends to minister to us. He made
us feel He was always with us as we
went through our trials. He even
replaced our car with a Dukha-ti (our
humorous take on Ducati because
it was an old motorcycle given
by Rauls friend). I appreciate the
motorbike because it gets us through
traffic and is environment-friendly.
I look
at the
positive side of life and
By Mike
Vias
make the most out of what we have. I
just enjoy whatever is given to us.
Gratitude, Optimism, Obedience

Just this year, a door opened for
me a home-based job teaching
English online. I was new at this
so I went through a baptism of fire.
Again, there was an angel: a coteacher who coached me through
my first class. My second student
was another blessing because his
excellent rating of my service led
to more bookings of my classes.
Because of that, I got promoted
twice in just one month, and
again a month and a half later. I
am now just one level away from
the top. These are what I call God
moments.
The job is a big challenge for
me because of the hours and the
needed energy, but through hard
work and Gods grace, I am doing
well. Overcoming my challenges
has restored my self-esteem. I see
this as the honing of my Adversity
Quotient (AQ). Gods love for us is
such that He disciplines us to make
us better.
When your AQ is tested, you
see the good behind everything.
You learn to value what you have,
to be unattached to material things.
I appreciate my relationships more:
how good Raul is with the kids, how
our family is stronger because of
our trials.
My focus now is to march
where the Lord leads. If this is the
path to restoration, I will follow and
remain grateful.
Jo Anns family remains united and grateful through their journey from
desperation to restoration.
Meeting Angels Along the Way

With the support of our elders at The Feast
where we serve, we overcame our marital
troubles. How true that the ministry saves the
minister.
29
Special Section
How
Generosity
Unlocks
God's Miracles
By Bo Sanchez
30
hrow a basketball up in the air.

What happens? It falls down.
Because of the Law of Gravity.
Thats what my science teacher
told me in grade school. She said,
You cant see it. You cant touch it.
But the Law of Gravity is there.
Now try this out at home.
Pick up any ball and say over
and over again, I dont believe in
gravity, I dont believe in gravity, I
dont believe in gravity! Say it with
feelings. Say it with deep conviction.
Shout it out while jumping up and
down.
Then throw the ball up in the air.
What happens?
It still falls.
The Law of Gravity works every
time, no exceptions.
It doesnt matter if you believe in this law or
not.
It doesnt matter if youre a good person or not.

It doesnt matter if youre close to God or not.
I repeat: The Law of Gravity works every time.
You Harvest What You Plant

Friends, theres another Law as universal as the
Law of Gravity. Its called the Law of Giving. The
Bible says, You will always harvest what you
plant (Galatians 6:7).
If I plant one mango seed and it becomes a
tree, that tree will give me 6,000 mango fruits in its
lifetime. So if I plant two mango seeds, Ill harvest
12,000 mangoes. The more I plant, the more I
harvest. Its that simple.
If I smile rarely, Ill receive smiles rarely too. If I
smile a lot, Ill receive lots of smiles too.
Thats why the Bible says, Give, and you will
receive. The amount you give will determine the
amount you get back (Luke 6:38).
What you give, you receive more.
Thats just how the universe works.
Now why am I explaining this to you?
31
Gods Blessings Are Waiting for You

Some people think that God is in heaven,
sitting on His throne, watching and waiting for
someone to give money in the love offering
basket. And when He sees someone giving, He
tosses him a blessing. Heres your reward! Good
work! He says.
I dont think thats how it works.
Instead, I believe God has already rigged
the spiritual universe with the Law of Giving, in
the same way that He has rigged the physical
universe with the Law of Gravity. (When you
toss a ball up in the air, God doesnt have to push
the ball down with His finger every time, right?)
Instead, the Law of Giving is written in every
atom of Gods creation.
So imagine a gigantic tank of blessings thats
filled to the brim waiting to be poured into
your life. And that tank has a faucet, waiting to
be opened.
And one of the ways of opening that faucet is
through giving.
My friend, start giving generously.
Something More Than Diamonds

One day, two proud jewelers were on the street,
debating who had the biggest, most beautiful
diamonds.
Ive got the biggest diamonds! shouted
one man. The other said, Well, Ive got the most
beautiful diamonds! Their voices were loud and
angry.
A third man approached them and smiled,
My name is Ibrahim Matta Zakariya Yunus
Al-Yasa Efraim Dawud bin Tariq bin Khalid AlFulan.
What? the two jewelers asked.
Just call me Ibrahim. If thats still too long for
you, you can call me Ib. Im also a jeweler. May I
tell you a story?
Before they could answer, Ibrahim
continued, One day, I was going to another city
to sell my diamonds. And I had to cross a large
dessert. But that day, a fierce sandstorm came
out of nowhere. It was the biggest and fiercest
sandstorm Ive ever experienced in my entire
life. And I got lost in the desert. After many days
of wandering, I was dying of starvation and
thirst.
Oh, no, said the jewelers, What did you
do? The two men had totally forgotten their
argument and were now totally mesmerized
32
by Ibrahims story. (Thats why one

of my crazy friends proposed that
when congressmen are fighting in
session, they can show telenovelas
during their breaks. He said there
would be less fights.)
I sat on the sand, giving up
all hope, Ib said, but mindlessly,
I went through my bags for the
hundredth time, looking for food. I
imagined that perhaps there were
breadcrumbs that fell at the bottom
of my bag and I could lick my
bag. Lo and behold, I saw a hidden
pocket I didnt see before. I opened it
and saw a black pouch! Oh, you can
imagine how excited I was. Perhaps
it was bread. Or nuts. Or dried fruit!
And so with trembling fingers, I
opened it.
Was it food? one jeweler asked.
Water perhaps? the other one
said.
Neither. With great dismay and
utter frustration, I saw that the pouch
was filled with nothing else but
diamonds. It was just diamonds!
Friend, there are some things more important

than money.
As I write this, there are many rich people who
are dying on their death beds, surrounded by their
millions, but their hearts are hungry for love and
they find none.
Dont get me wrong. Money is important. After
all, we need to feed our families.
But our souls real food is love.
So yes, earn money. You need it.
In fact, be an expert in how money works so
that you have passive income flowing into your life
so that you can focus on more important things.
Dont center your life on money.
Center your life on love.
Spend time with your family.
Invest in your friendships.
And give your life to God.
E-mail me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com.
33
Special Section
Testimonial
Tis the season to be jolly! And for some of us, Christmas is the season to be
generous, too. Some companies conduct outreach programs in orphanages,
civic group and organizations celebrate Christmas parties at home for the
aged, families and friends roam around to hand over Christmas packages to
street children. No doubt, selfless acts add beauty to the holidays.
But to our Kerygma staff, every day can be Christmas day. Every single day
is an opportunity to share what we have to other people. And it doesnt end
there. God proves again and again that everytime we give, we receive more.
We can give and love, because He loved us first.
Check out how generosity blessed the people behind Kerygma:
Generosity Never Fails
One of my goals this 2016 was to be faithful in giving tithes to the Lord. But
there was one Sunday when I was torn if I should give or not. I thought I had
to save some money for future use. Despite being torn, I still offered a portion
of my salary to God. I was confident that I would be able to survive with what
was left.
Tuesday came and I was challenged to shell out money because my
mother got sick. I wanted her to get well immediately so I didnt hesitate to pay
for what she needed. I also prayed very hard for Gods provision for me and
my family. He has rescued us so many times this year and I knew He wouldnt
fail us that time.
True enough, the next day, I received an advance payment for
a freelance project that I was working on. I was able to support my
mothers additional needs and give another set of tithes during the
weekends prayer meeting. After that week, I already received my
documents for regularization, which meant salary increase and
greater benefits! Praise God!
When we give out of love to the Lord and to others, God will
surely be there to rescue us and provide us with what we need and
more.
Give So
Receive
Kerygma Staffs Generosity

How Giving Bless Th
Krizelle R. Talladen
Give and You Will Receive
It was almost 12 noon in the office when my officemate requested, Ate, libre
mo naman ako ng lunch. (Sis, can you treat me to lunch?) It was a bold
request that I could choose to refuse. But because she was hungry and
I loved my workmate, I said yes. So, I bought an extra chicken meal
for her. Seeing her so grateful and satisfied made me happy inside.
Later that day, I thought of getting takeout dinner. Out of the
blue, a sandwich store crossed my mind, since a branch was along
my way home. I went in, ordered a chicken ham sandwich and
proceeded to the counter as it was being prepared. The waiter urged
me, Go large na, Maam. But because I was saving money, I said no to
an upgrade. She insisted, Are you sure, Maam? I politely declined again,
thinking of the extra cost.
As I was handing my money to her, she suddenly said, Congratulations,
Maam, your meal is free! I couldnt believe it! It so happened that the
restaurant was giving free meals to their 50th customer that day to celebrate
the companys 50th founding anniversary. Coincidence? I believe its divine
providence. It was Gods way of expressing His love and generosity to me, too.
Indeed, when you give, you will receive. And it will be one pleasant surprise!
Millionaires in Heaven
Marj Duterte
By Michael and Melchie Ortiz
34
Special Section
I
Testimonial
ome,
More
y Stories and
Them More
How God Cannot Be Outgiven

A wise friend taught me that generosity is to give until it no longer
hurts. Ive not reached that stage of agape giving so I continue to give,
no matter how imperfect my giving is.
My first job was as a copywriter in a small advertising agency.
I promised Mom that I will give my first paycheck to her. Sadly, my
wallet was stolen while I was on break. My boss, Milet, saw me crying in
frustration and told me everything will be OK.
The following day, Milet surprised me with a care package a basket
of my favorite chips and other snacks, a bottle of root beer and an envelope
(which I thought was a card from her). When I opened it, guess what was
inside? There were several P500 bills that amounted to my first pay. God is
truly good I had not even begun to give but He already gave to me.
Dina Pecaa
God of Surprises
Tears fell from my eyes after watching a weekend news program
that featured a young father who was comatose for no clear reason.
His wife and their three-year-old daughter wake him up every day,
fighting their own pain just to let him know that they are waiting for
him. Their daughter saves her allowance to help with their expenses.
It was both heartbreaking and inspiring to see how they remain
hopeful to God in spite of their challenges.
The following day, I deposited money in their bank account with the
little that I had. It was my father and sisters birth week, I had bills due, a house
to pay, and a tithe yet to give. After depositing and tithing, I wondered how I
could manage the entire week. My everyday prayer was, Lord, surprise me
today!
Come Friday, I prayed, Jesus, my money is enough only for lunch. I know
You dont want me to walk along the entire North Luzon Expressway to get
home. Surprise me, Lord.
And to my amazement, I found an envelope in my drawer with my
handwritten note: In case You want to surprise me soon. It contained paper
bills which were more than enough money for all my payables, my familys
birthday celebration, and expenses for the following week. God is really a God
of surprises!
Maymay R. Salvosa
There is indeed so much more to giving than just extending financial

support. It is the key that unlocks the door of unexpected miracles in our life.
It stretches our heart to love selflessly and unconditionally. It allows us to
cultivate a deeper faith in Gods provisions.
When we give, we dont just share a part of us we give our very self. We
let Gods relentless grace to fill the empty space within us. And since our God
is a God who cannot be outgiven, He will definitely make a way to bless us
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is
at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
So this season, receive the most wonderful gift given to us Jesus and
enjoy spreading His love to others. Happy giving!
35
Now
AvAilAble!
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unforgiveness and misery? This book will help you be happy again.
Learn effective tips to free you from the chains that are holding you back from living your best life.
Break free from the negative feelings and limiting beliefs that you may have unconsciously placed on
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These tips are tried and tested by people who were in your situation before. Through Coach Edwins
coaching techniques, they have moved forward and achieved their own breakthroughs. You can, too!
In this book you will:
Learn tips on how you can personally conquer your innermost fears and self-limiting thoughts.
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36
K-techism
s part of the fifth centenary celebration of Christianity in the

Philippines on March 16, 2021, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) declared a Nine-Year Era of New Evangelization
which started in 2013. Year 2016 focuses on the theme The Eucharist
and the Family that was highlighted during the 51st International
Eucharistic Congress in Cebu last January. Next year, the key theme will be, Year
2017: The Parish as a Communion of Communities. CBCP explains, Our focus will
be the building of a parish that is truly a faith community immersed in the lives of its
people.
Faith Community in the Church
In Christian usage, the word church designates the liturgical assembly, but also
the local community or the whole universal community of believers. These three
meanings are inseparable. The Church is the People that God gathers in the whole
world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a
Eucharistic, assembly. She draws Her life from the Word and the Body of Christ and
so Herself becomes Christs Body (CCC 752).
CBCP aims to establish more ways on how to integrate faith and mission in the
parishes and in the lives of the parishioners. By building Basic Ecclesial Communities
(BEC), CBCP wants to develop a sense of belongingness, fellowship and family within
the parishs area.
The one mediator, Christ, established and ever sustains here on earth his holy
Church, the community of faith, hope, and charity, as a visible organization through
which he communicates truth and grace to all men (CCC 771).
2017:
The Parish as a Communion

of Communities
By Maymay R. Salvosa
37
Wealth & Wisdom

Wealth & Wisdom
Curbing the Cost of Christmas
ave you ever had

that feeling? You
wake up on the
second day of a
new year and the
adrenaline rush from the
month-long festivities has
dulled into nothing but
a special memory. And
youre lying in bed with a
full belly and a full heart,
only to realize that you
have an empty wallet.
Its called the Holiday
By Eleanore L. Teo
Hangover. Also known as being
broke from overspending during
the season. Again. It happens every year. This is usually
the time we get up, grab a pen and start writing down our
first New Years resolution I will stop spending money.
Since the last way you would probably want to jumpstart a fresh year is with heavy regret, its best to prevent
excessive spending during the holidays. Its a step-bystep process that begins as soon as Jose Mari Chans
classics start humming in every mall in the country.
1.
Start early. Youll hear Christmas in Our Hearts

playing repeatedly as early as September. Thats
your cue. Dont hesitate, get into the spirit and plan
ahead. Use the next three months wisely.
2. Make a list. Jot down the people whom you would
like to give something special to for Christmas
from relatives to friends, colleagues, your physician
or even the staff who help you at home and around
the office. I have a rule of thumb that if theyre on
my list, I should respect them enough to know their
names. Theres nothing that touches me more than
receiving a package, whether big or small, with my
38
name correctly spelled on it.

3. Set a budget. This is possibly the most critical step to keeping
your finances in check for the Christmas season. You alone
would know how much you can afford for gift-giving so write
it down and stick to that limit. Being responsible with your
finances is a matter of strict discipline. Regardless of the
occasion, we should not risk losing track of our expenses.
4. Scan and prepare for sales. We have three months to take
note of sale periods (notably in November) and anticipate
them. Consider it an installment plan that you can pay in
manageable, staggered amounts. Theres nothing smarter
than buying gifts slowly at a time and being ready even before
the frantic December shopping rush hits. This allows you to
avoid the ridiculous traffic and prevents you from spending
on stuff in desperation which pulls you into the worst habit of
Christmas shoppers giving just for the sake of giving.
5. Remember that it really is the thought that counts.
Consider every present you give as a personal gesture
and know your effort is much more significant than the
amount you paid for it. The more expensive the gift does not
necessarily equate to more love for the recipient. The fun part
about shopping for family and friends is being aware of their
interests, favorite food or hobbies and finding treasures that
they will appreciate. If you have a special skill like baking or
crafting, put it to good use and share the fruits of your labor
with those you care about. Be surprised at how much money
you can save when you really think about what gifts will
matter to the people youre giving to.
At the end of the day, the least expensive but most meaningful
presents anyone can ask for are words. Whether words of
kindness, forgiveness, inspiration or gratitude packaged in a
phone call, a letter, a card, a text or a small gift tag they represent
the true meaning of Christmas spending: spending time to cherish
and honor our loved ones. They are the priceless blessings and
true gifts that money can never buy.
Elyo is currently the Director for Marketing and Operations at the Caylum Trading
Institute. E-mail Elyo at s_of_a@yahoo.com.
Health & Home
Yoga Your Way

Back to Health
By Marj Duterte
he minute I stepped off

from the throng of people
in the LRT, I looked at
my phone and it was
almost 9 oclock. I couldnt
believe that I was already tired. The
commute to the office was enough to
knock the wind out of me. My back
ached and I found it hard to breathe. I
knew something had to change.
Sometimes, its so tempting to
say, I dont have time for exercise.
When were busy, the easiest thing
to do is to let go of ourselves. We
skip meals or sleep late just to finish
a project. But when we dont love
ourselves enough to give it the
care it needs, we will find ourselves
exhausted and cranky, with no
energy or love left to give.
We can have many dreams, but
if our body will not function well,
we wont be able to achieve them.
Its true what the British statesman
Edward Stanley said, Those who do
not find time for exercise will have to
find time for illness.
Friends, lets make time for good
health.
I found my kind of exercise as
I enrolled in yoga class. The first
time I did the poses, I couldnt even
touch my feet. My body was stiff and
awkward. But our Vinyasa teacher,
Rianna, was patient and kind. She
taught me to go where my body
could go, to push myself just enough but not to the point of stabbing pain.
Knowing what my body was capable of at the moment and embracing it,
while letting go of unnecessary movements, was freeing to me. Yogas mindful
breathing also allowed me to be in the now, which is helpful as my thoughts
are too much in the future. Yoga helped me to savor the present moment.
At first, I couldnt carry my body for longer than a few seconds when we
did the planks, but slowly and surely, my arms got stronger and I could stay in
it longer. As I committed to attend the sessions regularly, I felt better overall.
I had more energy. I didnt feel tired anymore so early in the day and was still
alive and kicking late into the night. My joints gradually loosened up and I felt
relieved of my lower back pain.
I learned that bad posture could cause problems to the back, neck,
muscles and joints. When you slump, your body compensates by flattening
the normal curves in your lower back and neck. This causes pain and may
even lead to degenerative arthritis of the spine. Yoga helped my body get
aligned.
Yoga indeed has so many health benefits including increased flexibility,
tones and strengthens the muscle, improves respiration, balances
metabolism, enables weight loss, and makes the heart healthy.
It also helped me sleep better. The relaxation and breathing techniques
lessen chronic back pain, prevent osteoporosis, arthritis, headaches and even
the carpal tunnel syndrome. It makes you happy and calmer as it lowers the
stress hormone, cortisol.
If youre into marathon or triathlon, yoga also improves athletic
performance. As you build strength, you also balance it with flexibility,
unlike weight exercises in the gym that only strengthen your body without
flexibility. Best of all, yoga exercises facilitate harmony between the mind
and body.
Do you want to get back into your best health? Attend a yoga class or find
YouTube videos teaching yoga that will help you get started. I hope it does
you good as it did me.Wishing you good health so you can love more!
In the end, as we subject our bodies to the physical discipline of exercise,
may we also do so for our spirit. For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but
godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
E-mail Marj at marjorie.duterte@gmail.com.
39
40
Seasons
Laughter and Serenity
umakabilang buhay (passed on

to another life). Dearly departed,
beloved late husband or wife.
Sumakabilang bahay (passed on
to another house). Wish-ko-langdeparted, unfaithful cad or witch.
In solo parents gatherings or talks,
this is how speakers describe what
happened to our spouses or partners.
The play on words always elicits
amusement, but to those who have not
completely passed the grieving stage,
theres a slight catch in the throat that
comes with the laughter.
Grief naturally accompanies the loss
of the ones we thought wed spend the rest
of our lives with. We experience and deal
with grief in different ways. As for me, then
a widow with two toddlers, I didnt have
the luxury of wallowing in too much grief.
For two years, I thought it was all a
bad dream. And many years after that,
Id feel a hole in my heart whenever Id
bring my boys to places where wed see
complete families enjoying their time
together. Id sniffle at Christmas carnivals
because there were only three of us on
the choo-choo train. When Id hoist a son
up on my shoulders to watch a parade,
Id feel a heaviness in my chest, partly
caused by his weight and partly caused
by sadness that his dad is not around
to do this. Id get choked up in church
whenever I experienced the SplitLap Syndrome (I have to split my lap
because both boys insist on sitting on it
at the same time).
I dealt with my grief by focusing on my

childrens needs and keeping busy. My days were
filled with helping the boys with their school
assignments, with work and other activities so Id be
too tired at the end of the day to grieve over my loss.
And Im lucky Im not really the type who indulges
in crying fests. I cry occasionally when I have
reached the height of frustration with something or
somebody. But mostly, I only blubber when I hear
touching stories or when I watch sappy shows on
TV. Ive never really wept from loneliness because
I have a trick for beating lonely nights: I only climb
into bed when Im already tired and cross-eyed
from sleepiness.
All that grief and anger have to be dealt with.
By Lella Santiago
Solo parents have to go through the process of grieving.
We cannot deny these feelings, otherwise these will
fester and cause harm to our health, emotions and spirit. We can turn bitter which
will create difficulties in our relationship with our children and other people around
us.
Think of a pigsa (boil) that doesnt erupt. Imagine how painful that feels. If
we keep it there and someone grazes the skin ever so slightly, it would still be
excruciating. We cannot help but snap at the person who touched us. Now imagine
how it would feel once the pus is extracted. (Sorry to gross you out.) That would be a
great relief, right? There will be pain initially but the wound will eventually heal.
On that same principle, the solo parent should resolve to extract themself out of
the Grief and Anger Station to a state of healing. They have to decide to move. Only
then can they reach the Relief Peak of Laughter and Serenity.
This move is not purely for the solo parent. It is also for the children. The
analogy of the airplane oxygen mask fits this situation perfectly: The flight attendant
gives the adult instructions to get the mask and put it on himself first. This will
ensure the adult stays conscious so he can then put the mask on the child.
On that same token, solo parents must first be healed so they can assist their
children in their own grieving process. Healing does not happen overnight, but the
wounded survivor, once bandaged up, can already help them move on.
Excerpt from Lella Santiagos book, The Happy Solo Kit, available at www.kerygmabooks.com.
E-mail Lella at mirellasantiago@yahoo.com.
41
42
Faith @ Work
3 #MinistryLearnings that Helped My Career

Church of the Poor
his December, I will be celebrating my

28th year of commitment to Christ. Id like
to share my #insights in this enriching
experience:
#NegosyoNiAma (My Fathers Business)

If Gods business is my business, then my
business is Gods business!
These words from an elder never left me.
Its a paraphrase of Matthew 6:33: Seek ye
First the Kingdom of God and all these shall be
added unto you.
Early on in my career, I took a leave of
absence for five months to serve the Lord in
a community. People at home and at work
thought I had gone nuts. Our companys
country head even talked me out of my new
found conviction.
I put it all on the line for what I believed
God wanted me to do. My decision was a fruit of
prayer and discernment. I was at peace.
The first miracle was they allowed me
to take the leave. It was the first time in our
companys history to let somebody be away
that long! Truly when God calls, He clears the
way.
Even if in the eyes of people, I got left
behind the corporate life, the Lord took care of
the lost time. A few years after my leave, I was
promoted as engineering manager replacing
my boss who got transferred. The second
miracle.
The third miracle was an opportunity
to represent the Philippine facility with my
engineering team to win a gold medal for the
country in a global competition.
The Father takes care of His own. Alleluia!
#PangarapPower (Power of Vision)

In office lobbies, we would see elaborate signboards
or framed signs that say Vision-Mission. Being in
the training business, Ive had the opportunity to
help organizations formulate their own.
In 1988, I committed myself to Jesus. It was
also the first time I heard our community share
a vision for the country in the light of our faith in
Christ. Everything we did was to help bring to pass
our vision.
I started to put in more time for Bible study and
worship: three to four times a week. I committed
myself to a personal prayer and Bible reading (the By Ariel Driz
goal was five or more chapters a day!) because I
wanted to be part of that God-pursuing vision. I
split up with my girlfriend to serve the Lord in the prime of my youth. It was a
personal choice since I wanted to be part of Gods dream.
When the dream is strong, the facts dont count. This training served me well
in developing a strong work ethic and discipline. More than this, the Lord taught
me the value of commitment. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
#HuwagSumuko (Never Give Up)

The average billionaire goes broke three times before hitting it big. Self-help
books say: Dont Quit!, Grit, Think Positive! And after 28 years of walking
with Him, I learned all these experientially, more than any self-help book:
-Early in my career, I didnt have nice shoes. After jokingly praying about
this, I received seven pairs of imported shoes. Wow! That was quick!
-I got burnt-out in my high paying job. I always got home at 3 a.m. The culture
was toxic. I prayed for options. Shortly, the Lord answered my prayer.I received
three offers, and each one gave a higher salary with a higher position.
-My wife and I went through a financial crisis. We felt empty, abandoned
and rejected. It dragged on for years. Somehow, I knew that the Lord wanted to
work in me in us to trust Him no matter what. The Lord taught us how to be
strong, how to fight and how to figure things out. I learned that when God is in
your boat, you dont need to worry (Mark 4:35-41).
His presence is my only good.
E-mail Ariel at arielbdriz@gmail.com.
43
44
K Preacher
The Best Gifts Are in Our Relationships
re you deep-down
absolutely happy?
If you found that easy to
answer, Im guessing you have
great relationships! Thats right!
HAPPINESS = GREAT RELATIONSHIPS.
It covers your relationship with other
people, with yourself and with God.
Ive learned that God has no backup plan for happiness. Relationships
are the only way. Wow! I find that
very simplistic but hard to do, too.
That is why some people choose to
find happiness in other things like
career, material goods, even religious
activities. I guess they find those easier
to handle. Thats also why most people
are not happy because real, deepdown happiness can only be found in
relationships.
My relationships are far from
perfect. In fact, Ive only just started
working on some of them the past few
years.
My mother is closer to me than
ever before, and that is a miracle in
itself. We used to have a shouting
match whenever we talk to each
other. Now, I accompany my mom to
the mall, do her talk outlines, and drive
her to places without being irritated
(and my mom loves it so much!).
My wife is closer to me than ever before, too.

And thats hard to imagine considering what we
went through many years ago. Now, we have our
weekly dates that strengthen our bond. And guess
what? She also gives me gifts without any occasion.
She just bought me contact lenses, hair grower, and
an authentic perfume. I gave her uh, free hugs!
My kids I absolutely love embracing them
every day. And thats quite impossible coming from
me. I used to embrace 2x2 wooden sticks thrown
at me by my father, trying my best to escape from
my fathers beating. He used to spank me big time:
Thats why I thought it was technically impossible
for me to bring up kids who are sweet and loving.
By Boggs Burbos
But by Gods grace, look at my kids now. My
daughter gives us home-made postcards every day.
My little boy runs to me often just to get an embrace. Amazing!
I did miss out on my father because he died even before we patched things
up. But by Gods grace, I know we will restore our relationship in heaven.
We may long for perfect relationships, but thats never going to happen here
on earth. We may not have perfect relationships, but we can always perfect our
efforts. Ive learned that its the greatest of efforts that bring about the greatest of
relationships and they will give us awesome happiness.
The best gift that you can get this season is awesome happiness that comes
from awesome relationships, given to you by an awesome God. May your
Christmas be truly merry through Gods unending love and grace!
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in

love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
(Ephesians 4:2-3).
Boggs is the Feast Builder of Feast Dasmarias and Feast Bacoor.
E-mail him at boggsburbos@yahoo.com.
45
46
One Last Story
otherhood. It was
the one purpose
in my life I was so
sure of.
George and I
got married in April 2011. Because
much of our relationship was long
distance, we decided we would
wait a little while before having
children to make up for the times
we were apart.
It was on our second year
when we decided to start a family.
But just as fate was out of our
hands, the baby did not come at
the time we wanted. Frustration
started to build up every month.
Every indication that I was not
pregnant stirred up a fear that
started to haunt me. What if I never
have children? I would shiver at
the thought and every failed
attempt fed a yearning that was
inexplicable. It was like pain that
resided in the deepest part of
that which defined who I was.
Dinah enjoys the gift of a wonderful

family every single day thanks to
Padre Pios intercession.
motherhood, padre pio,

and an answered prayer
Padre Pio: My Newfound

By Dinah Chikiamco-Gabriel
Intercessor
In the midst of my questioning
It was a booklet of prayers to Padre Pio. The shiver of fear turned
God, I met Fr. Bob McConaghy, a priest who later on would be
into a shiver of hope. With three consecutive instances, I knew this
our spiritual mentor. I opened up to him about my situation, my
saint was calling me by name to pray to him. That night, I got on
questions and my fears. The one thing we told me was, Let God
my knees and prayed like no other.
surprise you.
I took a leap of faith determined, hopeful and with the faith
April 18, 2014 was Holy Thursday and I attended the
of a child. I asked boldly. This was my prayer: Padre, I pray and ask
yearly Holy Week retreat of Bo Sanchez at the Philippine
that I be pregnant by your feast day. Please pray for me. I uttered
International Convention Center. Because Fr. Bob was one of
this prayer one morning in April 2014.
the main speakers, I went to congratulate him backstage for the
wonderful talk. My life changed after that conversation.
Feast Day Gift
Dinah, do you pray to Padre Pio? he asked. Tell him, Padre,
I had happy and sad days after that day. But along with the boldness
you granted my friend Fr. Bob a miracle. I ask that you grant me
to ask came the boldness to praise God even if I didnt feel like
one too, he added. I was surprised at what he said because my
it. I said to myself that on the day He answers my prayer, I wanted
godmother, whom I hadnt seen or talked to in ages, had sent
to praise Him free of guilt. Guilt of getting angry at Him. Guilt of
me a package out of the blue. It contained the face of Padre Pio
throwing a tantrum. Guilt of not trusting. So, in the midst of being
carved out in cement. Her note said, Dinah, I want you to pray to
surrounded by pregnant friends and mothers who would talk about
Padre Pio specifically for your baby. This is from Rome when he
nothing but their children, I chose to praise Him despite the pain.
was canonized as a saint. Pray to him.
On the feast day of Padre Pio on September 23, 2014, I praised
Though it mystified me how two people directly told me to
God guilt-free as I held three positive pregnancy tests in my hand!
pray to this saint, I went home like it was an ordinary day. I went
Padre Pio has been real in my life since that day. He interceded
about my prayers as I did the previous days. Same time, same
for me and Im reminded of him every day that I see my little boy,
prayer and maybe with a Padre Pio, please pray for me at the
who I believe is his spiritual child. And I will be reminded of him for
end. That evening, I was looking at some pictures in Georges
the rest of my life every time I will look into the eyes of my other
phone when I stumbled across a picture of a prayer. It was a
children to come.
prayer for having a baby. I asked George why we werent praying
Thank you, Padre Pio, for keeping me close to your heart. You
it. His reply was, Oh! Randy gave me this booklet. Can you please
are and will forever be close to mine.
get it out of my bag? I pulled it out and couldnt believe my eyes.
47
Point of Contact
I Pray That You

Receive Your
Miracles In
Jesus Name!
I pray that God lift your trials,
heal your diseases, bless your problems
and direct you to the path He wants you
to take. I pray that God remove your fears
and give you the courage to surrender
your burdens to Him.
So place your hand over my hand,
and lets pray with trust, together with our
prayer team of intercessors praying for
you right now
This page is our Point of Contact, our
spiritual connection.
Say after me
In the Name of the Father, of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, I surrender to You my worries
and anxieties. I surrender to You my
needs, my problems, my trials. I place
them all in Your big hands. And I open
myself to all that You want to give to
me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to
Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your
miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for
the following miracles for my life...
I believe that You answer my prayer
in the best way possible! And I thank
You in advance for the perfect answers
to my prayers. I also ask for the special
intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this
in the Name of the Father, of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, Amen!
SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH:

Dearest God, we thank You for loving us first. Thank You for blessing us more than
we think You do. Thank You for teaching us how to love and give through Your
examples.
Open our hearts that we may become vessels of Your compassion to others. We
pray most especially for the oppressed, the victims of injustice, and the abandoned
children and elderly. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen
Praying for you,
48
E-mail your prayer requests to me

at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.
com or write to me at Shepherds
Voice Publications, #60 Chicago
St., Cubao, Quezon City,
Philippines 1109.

Kerygma Magazine December 2016

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