OUR LADY OF VICTORIES CHURCH WEEKLY BULLETIN THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER April 17, 2005 ============================================================================================= CONTENTS ============================================================================================= ARTICLE 1. On Third Sunday after Easter: "Yet a little while..." ============================================================================================= OLVC SECTION Announcements for the week ============================================================================================= ARTICLE 1 ON THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER Yet a a little while THREE weeks have passed since the glorious feast of Easter. During this time holy Mother Church centered her affection and attention on the resurrection of the Savior. Each day during the first week we met Christ in one of those beautiful apparitions described in the Gospels. On Low Sunday, together with Thomas, we saw Him and touched His glorified wounds. Last Sunday we flocked round our Good Shepherd who at Easter called us back into His fold and now leads us into the verdant pastures of His holy mysteries. Up to this moment, therefore, the Church centered the attention of eye, ear, and mind on the risen Redeemer. Beginning this Sunday she divides her attention, directing her gaze likewise to the mystery of Redemption in its final phase—with reference to Christ and to ourselves. Today, therefore, for the first time is there mention of Christ’s ascension into heaven. Note how clearly it is put in the Gospel, “A little while and you shall not see Me… because I go to the Father.” These words, however, do not imply that the Church will be sad and mournful because her Spouse is leaving. No, the Joy of Easter does not diminish, rather it increases. Look at the very first words of the Mass: “Shout joyously to God, all the earth, alleluia; sing the glory of His Name, alleluia; render Him glorious praise, alleluia, alleluia.” These sentiments would not arise from a heavy heart, such as the apostles have in today’s Gospel. The Church is happy beholding her Savior ascending to heaven, because her own home is not on earth; heaven is her true home and she yearns to follow her Spouse as soon as possible. The Head leads, the members and the body follow. This brings us to the second point, what the future holds in store for us. When we were celebrating Easter, we felt as though we were in heaven. With Peter we could have exclaimed; “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us set up our tents here.” It seemed as if we had forgotten our earthly existence. But now in clear and forceful words the Church reminds us and the newly baptized that a Christian’s life is hard and difficult, a life filled with sufferings, struggle, and trial. We are still on pilgrimage to a heavenly home. Holy Mass (Jubilate). “Cross on earth, crown in heaven!” This proverb expresses well the spirit of today’s well coordinated Mass formulary. Joy, therefore, and the praise of God is the predominating mood, as indicated immediately by the Introit. Alleluia is its key word, not an extraneous appendage; this is easily seen if the wording is rearranged as follows; “All nations, shout joyously to God: Alleluia Sing this song to His Name: Alleluia. Honor Him with words of praise: Alleluia, alleluia.” The Oration reminds us of the days when we all were wandering in the darkness of sin; then at Easter God showed us the light of His truth, it is now our duty to remain on the path of righteousness. In baptism we received the name “Christ”-ian! This name, this nobility obliges us to lead a holy and worthy life. The Epistle, another message from St. Peter, describes the Christian as a “stranger and pilgrim” on earth. Because his fatherland is heaven, the world remains foreign to him; and for the same reason he refrains from worldly profit and pleasures. Living among the children of the world, he walks the path of righteousness. His actions are silent, eloquent sermons that frequently prove most powerful as incentives unto moral improvement. Gladly he obeys the government, an instrument of God. The apostle concludes with four brief rules for earth’s pilgrim: Be on good terms with everyone. Show special love toward members of the Church. Maintain a childlike reverence toward God. Honor the king. These words summarize the duties we have toward our fellow men. The Alleluia points out again how Christ is our model, “It was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead and thus enter into His glory.” That this holds for us too is shown in the Gospel. The “little while” of the Gospel harmonizes well with the “pilgrim” theme of the Epistle. The passage is taken from Jesus’ farewell sermon to the apostles at the Last Supper; here it is addressed to us as His farewell sermon before the ascension. As I hear these beautiful words the thought should come spontaneously; My Savior is leaving, these are His farewell words to me. Let us reflect somewhat at length on these words, and isolate their mystical import. Likewise in our lives there are two “whiles”, bringing the same experience to us as to the apostles. “A little while, and you shall not see Me”—this may well refer to our earthly sojourn during which our Lord is not present visibly. “You shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice.” Life on earth, for the most part holds but tears and toil with, many misfortunes for the children of God. They are regarded with contempt by “the wise of this world,” who pass their lives in a whirl of pleasure and boisterous gaiety. Now it is most consoling to realize that this earthly life will last only for “a little while” and then suddenly the second “while” when “you shall see Me again... and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you.” Yes, when we die the glorified Savior will suddenly stand before us; all suffering will be forgotten, for we will be standing on the threshold of everlasting joy. The words “a little while” have become a treasured phrase to Christian hearts; in loving repartee it passes back and forth between Savior and disciple, acting as a charm on souls longing for union with their Spouse. With a hymn of praise on our lips we approach the altar, and under the symbol of an Offertory gift we unite the sorrow of our “little while” with the Sacrifice of Christ. Echoing the Epistle, the Secret requests that the fruit of this Sacrifice “quiet our earthly desires and develop a love for heavenly things”; evidently the Church wants us to take very seriously St. Peter’s Epistle message. For the Communion we chant the “little while” passage from the Gospel, now adorned with Alleluias. The Eucharist is our viaticum during the “little while” of this earthly pilgrimage and likewise the pledge of heavenly reunion in the second “while” hereafter. “May the Eucharist be life-giving nourishment for the soul and a means of protection for the body” (Postc.).+ ============================================================================================= ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE WEEK NOVENA FOR THE CONCLAVE Today is the last day of the novena for the Conclave. Let us pray that the next elected Pope will be worthy of the office of Vicar of Our Lord. CONFERENCE ON PAPAL ELECTION AND THE END-TIMES On the occasion of the Conclave which is the election of the new pope, there will be a conference regarding Papal Election as well as the End-times. It will be held today after the Sung Mass (11:00 am) at OLVC School. It will be given by Fr. Soliman. MONTHLY REQUIEM MASS FOR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS Tuesday, April 19 at 6:30 pm Please submit names of your deceased relatives, friends and benefactors whom you wish to have included in this Mass. 2005 CRISTEROS’ SUMMER FORMATION CAMP FOR BOYS and YOUNG MEN ONLY! Deadline of submission of Application Forms: Today, April 17 Assembly Time before Departure: Sunday, April 24, 7:30 pm For ages: 12-30 yrs old Date: April 25-30, 2005 Venue: Legaspi, Albay Chaplain: Fr. Salvador More information may also be obtained from the Cristeros’ Bulletin Board at the church basement. SECOND COLLECTION FOR MISSION SCHOOL There will be a second collection in all the Masses next Sunday for the support of our mission school. NEW PRAESIDIIUM OF THE LEGION OF MARY The Legion of Mary would like to announce the opening of a new praesidium in our priory, “Auxilium Christianorum”, which has a Sunday meeting at 11:00 am. INT’L FATIMA PILGRIMAGE The deadline for the payment of reservation fee (US$200-non-refundable) is at the end of April, 2005. For more info, visit www.sspxasia.com. APOSTLES OF MARY’S FORMATION SESSIONS For men and women (15-30 yrs old) Dates: May 6-10, 2005 Venue: Bohol Followed by the Pilgrimage and Sportsfest. For inquiries, please speak with Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo or Fr. Soliman. BOHOL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE Deadline for Registration: Sat., April 30 Dates: May 12-14, 2005 Chaplain: Fr. Soliman TRIP OPTIONS A. Land Tour: for young men of the parish Departure date: May 8 Return date: May 20. Only 3 slots are available! Contact: Fr. Soliman. B. BY SEA & AIR: Information on departure dates, air fare and available airlines going to and from Bohol are now posted at the church veranda. HELP FOR OUR YOUTH PILGRIMS Solicitation letters to help our youth-pilgrims are available at the veranda. Any amount will surely help our youth make this year’s pilgrimage. God bless you. WOMEN’S RETREAT Date: May 23-28, 2005 Venue: Lobo, Batangas Fee: P2,500 (covers food/board & lodging) Retreat Sign up forms are now available at the entrance of the church. Submit them at the church office. =============================================================================================