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4 RANDOM THOUGHTS Voices from yesterday and today , , , By Peachy Maramba ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC Patroness of Social Workers Co-Founder of the Daughters of Charity 1591 -1660 March 15 We don't usually think of saints as being born out of wedlock or being married, much less being a mother. But our saint Louise de Marillac just that. was She was born probably at Ferrieres - en-Brie near Meux, France on August 12 (some say August 15) 1591. She was said to be born out of wedlock to a military courtier who was a distinguished country gentleman of ancient lineage and a mother who died soon after her birth so that she was raised and educated by her widowed father. <strong>When</strong> he died when she was just fifteen years old she was devastated and in desperate social straits. Entrusted to an aunt who was a religious at Poisy she completed her education under the Dominican nuns there. At 16 she strongly desired to join the Poor Clares, Unfortunately her poor health would not allow it. So her prominent relatives arranged for her to marry Antoine Le Gras, a young court officials- secretary to Queen Marie de Medicis. On the advise of her confessor she married him in 1613. It was a happy marriage and she bore him a son, Michel, who unfortunately proved slow-witted and awkward. From time to time however she still experienced regrets for her dashed vocation. After devotedly nursing her husband through a debilitating illness that lasted for four years her husband died in 1625 leaving Louise a widow who was emotionally drained. Determined not to remarry Mademoiselle Le Gras as she was best known withdrew from public life and puzzled on how best to serve God. Her answer came in 1623 from her new spiritual director, Father Vincent de Paul. Monsieur Vincent, as he was popularly known, had organized a circle of aristocratic ladies to work in the slums of Paris among the sick and destitute. Louise readily joined them and devoted the rest of her life helping to direct them in their work of caring for the sick, the poor, and the neglected. Not only that she became his chief collaborator. To help fund their work Vincent invoked the assistance of the wealthy noblewomen of Paris. Banding them together as the Ladies of Charity, they worked to collect funds for and assist in his various charities. But when it became evident that the needs of the poor needed a more effective service other than that provided by these very well intentioned but parttime volunteers, Vincent and Louise formed the notion of a community of women completely committed to loving hands-on service to the poor. After recruitmg unpretentious country girls for this task Louise set up in her own home a training center for candidates willing to help full time in the work. She started a systematic training course and trained them herself. She became the center's directress and Monsieur Vincent the director. This was the real beginning of the Sisters (or Daughters as Vincent preferred) of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Thus was formed one of the 'greatest partnership in the history of religious life. Louise instructed them: "May you never take the attitude of merely getting the task done. You must show (the poor) affection; serving them from the heart - inquiring of them what they need; speaking to them gently and compassionately; procuring necessary help for them without being too bothersome or too eager." However Vincent did not propose setting up the community as a religious congregation. He clearly wrote that, "Your convent will be the house of the sick; your cell - a hired room; your chapel - the parish church; your cloister - the streets of the city or the wards of the hospital; your enclosure ~ obedience; your. grating - the fear of God; your veil - holy modesty." Nevertheless Rome saw fit to later recognize them as a religious congregation with the members annually renewing their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Such a recognition was unheard of. The idea of a congregation of women living outside of a convent and engaged in apostolic work in all parts of the world was certainly a novel one. The idea of the aim of the religious not so much for their own perfection but for the salvation and comfort of the neighbor was a radical one. The whole thing was a remarkable achievement. There was no written rule or constitution. Neither was official approval sought for the new Order. As for Louise she finally got her wish to become a nun. She took her vows in 1634 and her exemplary life, piety, devotion and hard work (turn to p.7)
March 10, 2013 5 (The Season of Lent. .. from p-l) forgive, they are forgiven." Strange, isn't it, how the weakest of Jesus' followers are told to carry the forgiveness they have received to the whole world? The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not about beating ourselves up. God is not about blame. God is about forgiveness and new life. Confession: A Sign of Maturity Approaching the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most mature things we do as human beings. We don't make excuses for our behavior, nor do we hide from it by playing games. We simply come to the Lord in the Sacrament, honestly present our sins and ask for forgiveness. God, through the ministry of the priest, says: "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Go in peace." Let me share something that may surprise you. I've been a priest now for 50 years. I've wondered in all those years how many confessions I have been privileged to hear. I can say, conservatively, about 20,000 confessions. But I can tell you honestly that I don't remember anything anyone ever told me. It's true! Why would I want to remember people's sins? I have my own sins to remember and that's enough. I and all priests (including the pope) go to confession. However, what I remember is raising my hands in absolution, "I forgive you," and reminding all who came all those years that God loved them with an infinite love. Some people, I think, floated out of the confessional with joy and relief in their hearts. Words could not describe that moment. This Lent, there will be ample opportunities with various parish penance services to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you approach Jesus this Lent, you know he will be waiting with open arms to embrace you. (contributed by Fr. Jesus Galindo OFM) Lenten Recollection with Fr. Dave Concepcion Fr. Dave Concepcion will be the Evangelization Ministry's third Lenten Recollection master. This is the second time that Fr. Dave will give the parish a recollection.lt will be held 9:30 - 11:30 AM, Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the Parish Conference Rooms. Fr. Dave previously spoke to parishioners last Advent 2012. Fr. Dave is the Dean of Seminarians and Vocation and Pastoral Director of the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary at the San Carlos complex in EDSA Guadalupe, Makati City. He is also the President and pilgrimage chaplain of Catholic Travel, Inc. The title of his Lenten talk is "Suffering Must Have a Reason." All parishioners, friends and family are invited to the recollection. The Lenten recollection series are organized by the Evangelization Ministry headed by Roberto R. Novenario, Jr. Attending these recollections will surely be a fruitful Lenten experience. Seminar on Mental Wellness in the Family By Chuchi Quevedo The Health Care Ministry, in cooperation with the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) and Stanford School of Medicine, ha:d a very wellattended seminar last Feb. 27 at the Dasmarinas Village Pavilion. It started at 8:30 am and lasted til 5pm. Dr. Christine Lagman was the first speaker for the day. She gave a short history of how people with mental disorders were perceived by society in the past and how they were treated then. The second and main speaker was Dr. Terence A. Ketter, from the Stanford School of Medicine, who talked about Understanding Bipolar Disorder in Teens and Adults. Another speaker, Dr. Deborah Bemardo, touched on sleep disorders and how they can be treated and avoided. Dr. John Reyes, an endocrinologist, next spoke on Nutrition and the different "Brain Foods." Meanwhile, Dr. Corona Luna discussed Therapy through the Arts, and finally the last speaker of the day was Dr. Joel Eleazar who spoke on Mood Swings in the Golden Years. These doctors can be contacted through the NGF at tel. nos. 8123335, 8930(215, or through cell phone no. 0917-8245020.
Page 1 and 2: J Good luck and God bless, Fr. Greg
Page 3: March 10, 2013 3 The ABCs of Cathol
Page 7 and 8: March 10. 2013 (St. Louise de Maril
Page 9 and 10: March 10,2013 9 AN INVITATION TO A
Page 11 and 12: March 10, 2013 11 (])itto's CPaetTa

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