About Aging Gracefully and Gratefully

Source

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email last Wednesday from a San Jose seminarian.  It was about  the forthcoming discussion series organized by  the Lay Institute for Formation and Empowerment (LIFE) at Ateneo Rockwell in  Makati and Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City starting July 5.

One of the topics is about "Aging Gracefully and Gratefully." That looks interesting to me-- not that I am about to become a senior citizen any moment now--  I know that in time, I too will get there.   Good for me to learn ahead.

The other topics  in the series are listed below.  Please take your pick and sign up.  And  please remember to share this with family and friends.

LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
LAY INSTITUTE for FORMATION and EMPOWERMENT (LIFE)

Invites you to
REKINDLING THE FAITH
CHRISTIANITY FOR GROWN-UPS
2011-2012 THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION SERIES

Six evenings of lectures per module
on various topics on the Catholic faith,
in two locations, Ateneo Rockwell (Tuesday evenings)
and Loyola School of Theology, ADMU, QC (Wed evenings)


THE ROCKWELL LECTURE SERIES
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 PM

Heaven’s Sake: Heaven at Stake
Original Sin, Final Judgment, Heaven and Hell:
What They Mean to Us Today
Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
July 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug 2 & 16, 2011

Aging Gracefully and Gratefully
Care for the Aging and the Aged
Msgr. Sabino Vengco
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4 & 11, 2011

Kapuso: Kapatid at Kapamilya
Finding Order in the Midst of Family Challenges
Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ
Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13, 2011

Who Is The Real Mary?
The Evolving Understanding of Mary
from the New Testament to the Present
Dr. Carmen Valdes
Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 2012


THE LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
LECTURE SERIES
Wednesdays 7-9 PM

Turning Points:
Yearning for Greater Meaning
After Life-Changing Events
Dr. Carmen Valdes
July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3 & 10, 2011

“I Will Sing Forever”
A Workshop on Writing Liturgical
Music for Non-Professional Musicians
Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 2011

Kapuso: Kapatid at Kapamilya
Finding Order in the Midst of Family Challenges
Fr. Ted Gonzales
Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7, 14, 2011

Urbi et Orbi:The Pope’s Message to Our World Today
An Introduction to the Theology of Pope Benedict
Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ &Fr. Victor de Jesus, SJ
Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1 & 8, 2012


FEES: P2,000/module or P400/session
NOTES:
Registration will be on the first class day of each module
Early registration will be accepted in Loyola School of Theology for both
Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell and LST, ADMU, QC
INQUIRIES: Grace Oconer
Telefax: 4265967
Cp: 09278431697
Email: marygraceoconer@gmail.com

May Flower Offerings To Our Lady

Last Sunday,  May 29, was the 45th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, Ramon and Nina Herce.   My family and I went to the 10:30 a.m.  mass at the Presentation of Child Jesus Parish in BF  Homes Paranaque.  The officiating priest was my high school classmate, Fr. Rolly R.  Agustin.

After communion,  Fr. Rolly  invited the assembly  to offer flowers at the foot of the statue of  our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Practically more than half of the mass goers came forward with flowers on hand.  It was quite a scene for me.  Not that it  was new;  I have seen flower offerings or "Alay"  countless of times before--even   as far back when I was as a young altar boy  decades ago. What struck me  was more of the fervor of  those who went to church prepared to make that flower offering.  They came in all ages.  I saw my father-in-law  queue up  with my mother -in-law, each  of them holding a red rose.    Together they approached the statue of our Lady while the choir sang "Stella Maris" in Pilipino (lyrics  by Fr. Junjun Borres, SJ and music by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ.)

To me, this  May tradition  is  a distinguishing character of our country.    I have  lived abroad--in Singapore and in the United States -- but I do not  remember  seeing  this practiced in the parishes where I went for Mass  in May or any summer month for that matter.

Today  is the last day of May.  The Presentation of Child Jesus  Parish in BF will hold the Grand "Alay"  (Flower Offering) starting at 4:30 p.m.  To me,  this event is  grand not only  because of the bunches after  bunches of flowers to be offered, but because of the  number of our  brothers and sisters who  demonstrate their  faithful devotion to  our Lady, our Mother and  Queen.