UNCLEAN SPIRITS ABOUND IN THE CHURCH – Father Joey Belcina

Minglanilla 1/29/12:  4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Relating what he has seen in the movie, ANGELI E DEMONI, Father Joey says that the Devil has been in and out in houses of worship and that it is not afraid of the Cross as believed.  He relates that the unclean spirit in Verse 24 of Mark 1 was in fact inside a Jewish Synagogue and shouting at Jesus it said:

24  What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have you come to destroy us?  I know who are you:  the Holy One of God. (NJB)

Father Joey says that the commotion was an indirect introduction of the Messiah which in this case was a confession only of Knowledge but not in Faith.  The unclean must have known Jesus long before the Angelic Revolt and it could be one of the Fallen Angels (angeli caduti) or a new recruit, a frequent visitor of the Synagogue who got agitated by the presence of Jesus. 

And how did Jesus disposed of the unclean?  He did so in this manner:  

25  But Jesus rebuked it saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!'

26  And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him.  (NJB)

Then Father Joey recalls a parallel incident in the gospel of Matthew in Chapter 16 (herewith detailed for emphasis):

13  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of man is?'”

14 And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'”

15 But you,' He said, 'who do you say I am?'”

16 Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'”   (NJB)

Father Joey emphasizes that although the event was an earlier case of indirect introduction of the Mesiah, it was by far of a different light.  The declaration of Simon Peter is one of Faith –  of the Knowledge revealed to him by the Father in Heaven.

Knowing Jesus, we accept Him by Faith and by accepting Him, we follow Him in Obedience that we may become One in Him as He is with the Father.  This is blessedness!

Father Joey ended his homily by enjoining everybody at the pew to be watchful of unclean spirits who are working very hard to snatch us from Jesus.

I believe he was also referring to those who continue to create divisiveness in the Parish; those who claim to be champions of truth but are becoming impertinent as if the world is ended today beyond the reach of understanding and love.

THE FULL GOSPEL OF ST. MARK

Chapter One (New Jerusalem Bible)

21 They went as far as Capernaum, and at once on the Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach.

22 And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.

23 And at once in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit, and he shouted,

24 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.'

25 But Jesus rebuked it saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!'

26 And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him.

27 The people were so astonished that they started asking one another what it all meant, saying, 'Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.'

28 And his reputation at once spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.

29 And at once on leaving the synagogue, he went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew.

DIALOGUE ON THE AIR: A COMMENTARY

Lloyd Suarez for Bobbytrap Nalzaro

Bro Rito, Francisco,Mario, Vic, other LMs and Leaders

Sakristan 1,2,3,4,5

Bro Sho, Gentleman from Calajo-an, a CFD,

Texters, Students, Others

Jan. 21 after 5pm–  I did listen to the above radio program which was broadcasted live from Minglanilla and participated in by personalities mentioned above.  The matter under discussion is still the Sacred Scandal of Our Town.

The case has not really moved forward since it was whispered to the ears of the Lay Ministers last Nov. 2011.   Just 2 weeks ago the LMs have initiated a signature campaign for the purpose to URGE-PUSH the Archbishop to replace the remaining members of the Team of Pastors which  solution, they say, would bring PAX AETERNA to Minglanilla.  To my knowledge this paper is now being challenged by another signature campaign initiated by parish-based organizations, LGU leaders, entrepreneurs, a legal counsel, concerned citizens, et.al. and yours truly is a signatory of the counter-campaign.  This is now the Battle of LMs and TM (lay ministers and team moderator).

In the deliberation, at least 2 of the speakers claimed that a palace-dialogue on the matter has been scheduled coming February to re-connect the loose ends.   The LMs are pressing for a limited attendance on this, not to include especially legal counsels and officers of the parish-based organizations.  Desired attendees will only be:

1.  The Lay Ministers who have tendered resignations

2.  The Sakristans who saw the dramatic interlude

3.  The 4 Priests whose past sins are now resurrected

4.  Those who were with the LMs when the case was presented before the archbishop

5.  Bishop’s staff

GMA radio may sneak in.

The LMs reiterated that they bore no grudges with the priests and that they all love them and that they are praying for them but that they have to GET OUT.   They are ready to take the next step F-N-WEN Bishop Palma won’t heed their demand of which Lloyd Suarez quickly stated mosulat mo ana sa Santo Papa.   A listener with me was quick to suggest other conventions like hunger strike, a picket line on Sundays, or a rally 3 times a week.   But am very pleased on the Christian manifestations of Bro Sho –  PAKIG-SINABUT – PAKIGHI-ULI.

It is WICKED to bring the  Church onto its knees so that moving them out into a new team or distributing the priests individually to other parishes at the Bishop's call is always the solution with grace.   For the pros and cons of the 2 signature campaigns and those who remain neutral or offered prayers instead,  I am proposing this table of demerits as a way to peace:

TABLE OF DEMERITS

Name of Priest	Initial Demerit On Assignment	Repetition of Offense or Commission of New Offense	Action taken in favor or against	Total Number of Demerits Todate	My Recommended Action
Father Oscar	1	0	1	2	Status Quo
Father Joey	1	0	1	2	Status Quo
Father Nanie	1	0	1	2	Status Quo
Father Ladie	1	1	1	3	For replacement
Father Jojo	1	0	2	3	For replacement

CAN THE CHAPELS DO THE SUGAT ?

It was unexpected and a shocking proposal followed by a wallop of discouragement.  But despite the disabling blow, the spirit of cooperation remained tucked with loyalty.   This is my observation of the first two meetings that I attended for the purpose of organizing the Committees of the Piyesta sa Minglanilla 2011, with the critical tasks relegated to the Officers and Members of the fifty-two chapel organizations of Minglanilla for the first time.   The man behind the scene is a determined minister!

I came in almost late and was hurriedly hoisted up into a bamboo platform at the SUGATAN where four-year-old ‘angels’ like me are stationed for the rite.   Looking up, I recognized the great AGILA at rest.  From where I was, I had this good view of the thousands that gathered to celebrate the traditional SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA.

If there has to be somebody to be given a certificate of award for a job well-done for the Fiesta 2011, this man is the Rev. Father Oscar Ornopia.  It was Father Oscar who provided the magic that awakened the officers and members of the 52-Chapel organizations of the Parish into accepting hook-line-sinker the challenge to manage the religious aspects of the town fiesta.

At 4 in the morning, the bells at the KAMPANARIO are tolled continuously and the carozas bearing the images of the Tres Marias and San Pedro are moved into the crowd with a ‘flying Angel’ leading the way from the PATIO to the SUGATAN, a distance of several yards..   Taking the position at Vito Road on the southwest is the caroza of the Delgra Family bearing the image of the Resurrected Christ, awaiting its beaming entry.

Father Oscar’s practical appeal ultimately erased the fears of the inexperienced officials.  He assured them that the fiesta can be celebrated even better using just the resources the Chapels can raise over a limited period of time.  His guidance overshadowed the unfulfilled promises, meager donations and budget cuts and made history that ‘loose change’ can make miracles too.  The success of the event has also shown that good ideas are not exclusive to the leaders but to the ranks and files as well. 

As the carozas of the Sorrowful Mother and the Resurrected Christ met at midcenter, just below the AGILA’s claws, the  MUSIKEROS of Barrio Tulay moved to play their piece bringing the AGILA to life,  becking ‘angels’ into its mighty wings, dropping them to its tail and claws, and into the four corners of the SUGATAN.   Then the ‘Angel of Sorrow and Joy’ makes the final descent closer to the caroza of the Sorrowful Mother to fetch its dark robe, revealing the majestic cape of joy and jubilation underneath it a peculiar scene that somehow never failed to alter Our Lady’s facial expressions from sorrow into  RADIANT JOY AND MAJESTY FIT FOR THE  QUEEN OF HEAVEN.   At this point, our mentor Noy Kyanong Bas would raise his hands to signal all ‘Angels’ to sing the Regina Caeli in one accord:

REGINA, caeli, laetare, alleluia:

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.     

After the OREMUS, the LUTHANG are fired making two thunderous roars announcing the tragic end of Judas Iscariote, burning an effigy of him hanged by a tree. 

Can the future experience the past?  Can the Chapels do the Sugat?  Can we once more relive the spirit of the SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA away from the KABANHAWAN?   Can we have the Sugat back even just for once, perhaps this year 2012 on the 24^th of December, at dawn at the same Plaza Maria after the ‘Midnight Mass?’   

I am optimistic that with Father Oscar on the lead and with the same degree of loyalty and cooperation among Chapel Officers and members, and  with support of the religious, the traditional SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA  can be relived – more spiritually than pompous – more Christian than Catholic.

ATONEMENT: Finally Father Jojo Deligero Spilled the Beans

It took sometime for Father Jojo to go public (Sunstar Sunday 1/15/12).   As moderator of the Team of Five, he holds the first key that would have given us guided information of the scandal that refuses to die.   Yes, he has some rules to obey and some of us may not have understood all his actions.  So we blame him of omissions.  We can forgive Father Jojo for this but sad to say, now, only if he forgives those who had done him harm.

Yes, we can say it would have been better for Father Jojo to settle the matter within the Convent’s walls with the involved parties in attendance and do a public apology sooner within the hallowed walls of the Church.  In this way, negative public opinions (from Day One to Jan. 19) could have been de-accelerated or corrected.  Thursday 1/19 was another fatal day where a kind of a signature campaign is floated to counter the petition (perhaps) already submitted.

Before proceeding further on, I hereby confess that everything I express here are personal convictions.   Also, I wish everyone to know that I am signing up for the retention of the Four Pastors including Father Jojo.  Father Ladie is no longer with us and is now under Bishop Palma’s care.

I am taking this side for I still believe that whatever further mistakes and misunderstandings between the complainants, witnesses, respondents and those caught in the crossfire that added fuel to the fire of inconsistencies and disappointments can still be amicably settled –  BUT PLEASE LET US SETTLE THIS NOW!

The crime is a vicious one and it is by now inviting more EVIL to Minglanilla, opening up more roads to perdition not anymore to the violator but to US PARISHIONERS and our PASTORS.

Let us not divide this Parish into who are good, who are evil; who are pro-Jojo who are not; who are ours and who are theirs.  We are a forgiving people, members of one community, and professing the same Faith.   We are our neighbors and our friends.  Let us stop the political game on line now.   Only one re-did a crime.  So why blame and club each other for another crime and more criminals?   Let us not INVITE SATAN to overburden us and our community. 

God is Mighty and Just and in time He will take HIS REVENGE – And as members of this community, we ought to FEAR THIS DAY for it will come to us together or to us in private and for extended days of difficulties and hardships.

REGINA CAELI

Russian Icon of the Queen of Heaven

Sixty years ago this year, I was already singing the Regina Caeli.  I don’t know what it was exactly but I do know why I was singing it with the other children.  At age 4, I was an ANGEL of the traditional SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA which is now cinematically blotted out by a bogus sword duel to the death between Archangels Lucifer and Gabriel in Easter.

But the Regina Caeli, our song of praise, in the tune as was taught to us by maestro-cantor Kianong Bas of Tulay stays fresh in my memory.  Although no longer complete as I sung it with the junior angels, it is still my marching song, a captivating melody that never failed to refresh my soul for the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven.

Who Wrote the Regina Caeli

(from Preces-Latinae.org)

“The author of Regina Caeli is unknown, but by virtue of its presence (or absence) in manuscripts, it had to have been composed sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries. One possible author in that time period is Pope Gregory V (+998). Its original use appears to have been in Rome where it was used as an Antiphon for Vespers at Easter. Today the Regina Caeli is used as hymn of joy during the Easter Season (Easter Sunday until Trinity Sunday) when it is used in place of the Angelus and prescribed to be recited at Compline.

This is one of four Marian antiphons, with following versicles and prayers, traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep. It is said throughout Eastertide. (That is, from Easter Day through Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter.  The Regina caeli is also said in place of the Angelus during Eastertide.”

The Legend of the Song

“Perhaps the most interesting legend surrounding the prayer has it being composed, in part, by St. Gregory the Great. The legend has it that in the year 596, during Easter time, a pestilence was ravaging Rome. St. Gregory the Great requested a procession be held to pray that the pestilence be stopped. On the appointed day of the procession he assembled with his clergy at dawn at the church of Ara Coeli. Holding in his hand the icon of our Lady that was said to have been painted by St. Luke, he and his clergy started out in procession to St. Peter's. As he passed the Castle of Hadrian, as it was called in those days, voices were heard from above singing the Regina Caeli. The astonished Pope, enraptured with the angelic singing, replied in a loud voice: "Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia!" At that moment an angel appeared in a glorious light, sheathed the sword of pestilence in its scabbard, and from that day the pestilence ceased. In honor of this miraculous event, the name of the castle was then changed to Sant' Angelo and the words of the angelic hymn were inscribed upon the roof of the Church of Ara Coeli.”

The Regina Caeli Prayer

(from ETWN.com)

V.  Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.             Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

R.  Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.   For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.

V.  Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.           Has risen, as he said, alleluia.

R.  Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.              Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V.  Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

R.  Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.    For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Father Jack Sapa, Very Briefly

Father Jack Sapa is walking tall since the issue on sexual misconduct hit  Minglanilla.  He goes around his assignments in the Parish like a lamb having to say nothing about the details of the case and the steps being taken by Team Moderator Father Jojo Deligero.

I have not much info about Father Jack except those that I gather from personal observation each time he offers mass in our Ward Chapel.

If Archbishop Palma decides to re-organize the Team of Pastors, I should want Father Jack to stay and continue his services to the community.  If I may have to make more choices, my next would be Father Oscar Ornopia then Father Joey Belcina.  But if His Excellency wants the Team changed, I could only pray that Father Jack will be made part of it, finally.

Father Jack is of a Napoleonic stature, not as robust as Romulo, not as popular as Mickey Rooney or our own Berting Labra.  To assign an animal to him, I would give Father Jack, the Jackal minus its quarrelsome trait.

A Jackal is an animal that is heavily persecuted by farmers and persecution is a daily bread of men in robes.  It is monogamous, social, resourceful and fearless.  Father Jack may have exercised these traits with reserve due to his position but he is married only to the Church. 

He is a few of those who show consistency to Church Regulations such as the wearing of appropriate dress for church goers and communicants.   He checks them out fatherly so to speak although I have yet to hear him say something about the compulsory wearing of veils and the superiority of receiving communion by the tongue.

His fiery speeches would never fail to illuminate one’s thoughts, even exposes one’s hidden craze.  He draws the attention of the church goers by trumpeting ideas using simple expressions.  He is perhaps the only cohen in Minglanilla that is inexpensive to keep which means he has but simple needs. 

Father Jack would always want to leave home after Mass in he Chapels not because he is acting indifferently but he has yet to prepare for his next duty and needed more relaxation and a good rest.  Of course there are other things I ought to know about him and this would probably happen when our agendas come together for a good cause or if someone true shares me the information.

Let us pray for our Priests.

NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST

Jan. 4, 2012 - Distributing pamphlets with the title NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST in Minglanilla these days is troublesome.  This otherwise silent and patient Parish of the Immaculate Heart has been experiencing giant airwaves one in December last year and just this morning courtesy of Commentator Bobbytrap Nalzaro.

Who said “Never Attack a Priest?”

The following is a document copied from AQ.org on the purported revelations of Jesus Christ to a certain Mutter Vogel, bearing similar messages of that pamphlet Never Attack A Priest which was handed to me by a good friend:

"One should NEVER attack a priest, even when he's in error, rather one should pray and do penance that I'll grant him My grace again.  He alone fully represents Me, even when he doesn't live after My example!" 
(page 29, Mutter Vogel's Worldwide Love, St. Grignion Publishing House, Altoting, South Germany (29. 6. 1929)). 

When a Priest falls we should extend him a helping hand THROUGH PRAYER AND NOT THROUGH ATTACKS! "   I myself will be his judge, NO ONE BUT I!" 
"Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over Me; child, never let a Priest be attacked, take up his defense. 
" (Feast of Christ the King 1937) 


"Child, Never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every Thursday, through the hands of My blessed Mother, Holy Communion (for Him) 
(18.6. 1939)&nsp; 


"Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a Priest, and speak no unkind word (about them) EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE!  Every Priest is My Vicar and My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it!   If you hear a judgment (against a Priest) pray a Hail Mary." (28. 6. 1939) 

"If you see a Priest who celebrates the Holy Mass unworthily then say nothing about him, rather tell it to Me alone!  I stand beside him on the altar!" "Oh pray much for My priests, that they'll love purity above all, that they'll celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with pure hands and heart. 
Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it is celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!" (28. 2. 1938) 

Relax and Be Informed.

The preceding is a private revelation with many inspirational messages. “When the Church approves private revelations, she declares only that there is nothing in them contrary to faith or good morals, and that they may be read without danger or even with profit; no obligation is thereby imposed on the faithful to believe them.” (from the New Advent Org.)

There is not much known about Mutter Vogel except that she lived in Germany, possibly a Nun, and that her ‘revelations’ have never been approved by the Church.  

A Devil’s Handiwork?

The devil is a master of illusion so we can expect something heretical in a hundred good things he says.  This is true to Mutter Vogel’s ‘revelation’ notably the part that says:  “Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it's celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!" 

The Church teaches that “from the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and His Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister.  Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them.”

So We Can Criticize a Priest After All!

“Never speaking against a priest is an ingrained part of Catholicism” but “never criticize cannot mean never admonish or correct”.   There is a good reason to keep our priests and bishops more accountable these days as we cannot allow more predators to live in our midst.

“The Church's tradition teaches that Catholics can, and sometimes must rebuke or criticize the clergy- whether they are a priest, bishop, or pope if they teach heresy, disregard the rubrics and texts of the Mass and other Sacraments, are known to be sinning, etc. This is true today, more than ever- with the sex abuse scandal, rampant liturgical abuse, and false teaching and preaching.”

Criticizing priests is not something new.  St. Paul rebuked St. Peter who was the head of the Apostles in public:

However, when Cephas came to Antioch, then I did oppose him to his face since he was manifestly in the wrong (Gal. 2:11 NJB).

Especially for Bobbytrap Nalzaro

Yes, we can criticize a priest when it means sharing the Truth and in Love (Eph. 4:15 NJB) with courtesy and respect and a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:16 NJB), sharing with him, not with someone else, unless refraining from sharing would cause scandal or harm.

 "One who does not abstain from vain, idle, or sinful discourses, and who approaches Holy Communion without repentance, is like a person who gathers a heap of stones at the threshold of his door to throw at his guest when he comes to visit him, or beats him cruelly on the head with a rod." (Part of the Revelations of Our Lord to St. Gertrude the Great)