1st Saturday of the Month

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

** **

This month marks the start of   me no longer receiving Kerygma Daily Bible Reflections through my email.

They have shifted to the mobile phone app version.

I feel so sad, because for more than 30 years I have been regularly receiving it in the comfort of my inbox.

The format is so beautiful!

It starts with a reflection from a layperson.

Then each reading for the day is preceded by a short introduction that lends a better context and understanding of the text.

Then it  is capped with the reflection by a priest.

Then of course, there are reflection questions in between and quotable quotes. So rich and so  complete

I am so sad that their app does not recognize north america mobile  numbers.

Oh how I wish something can still be done.

In the meantime, I got to try out other sources like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_JIZ5dZxeg&ab_channel=CatholicOnline

But, the last one does not give us the responsorial psalm, The following does...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHJKLILBImQ&ab_channel=WORDOFGOD

Perhaps, I will make my own reflection questions to ponder on.

Let me try:

The first reading is from the book of Leviticus. It  narrates about the Lord's precise timings for buying and selling after a jubilee year with instructions of how much to charge and buy a certain real estate property.

My question:   In my use of company hours, do I make myself most available for rendering of good use for the work or not?

In short, do I give my  best in the performance of my job while at work or not? Are there lulls beyond break time that gives me the chance to indulge in small talk or gossip?

The  responsorial psalm for today is: Psalm 67:3

Oh God, let all the nations praise You.

** ***

Reflection question for the gospel reading for today: Do you think a martyr's death is what you are being called for? Why or why not?

** ***

Why is it better to focus on the things we are grateful for rather than those that hurt  or pain us?

Attitude of gratitude over the victim mentality will help us heal faster and easier.

***

Let me count the ways I am so grateful for:

1. Movie time with  Ruel and the girls last night. Mari was testing her newly replaced mini projector.

2. Small project accomplished despite fits and starts for an MFC Family Day invite.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xTH6yaHIKbc

3. The 5th online Retreat Meeting with MI Loreto for the Consoling the Heart of Jesus by M. Gaitley

4. Despite the super back ache, I praise and thank God for the grace of  doing my 2nd part time work from 9am to 12 noon yesterday and my 3rd part time work from 130pm to 6pm.

I can barely walk, sit and lie down comfortably. Thank You Lord for this just the same!

***

 

End of the Month Musings

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of  Your Divine love. Send forth your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

** *** ***

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflections questions are:

Do you only cherish happy and good experiences? Have you tried finding the hand of God in sad, difficult, and challenging situations?

What small good deed can you do today to make God’s presence felt in the lives of others?

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-07-31

Not to be a biscuit, but a tea bag instead.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for this grace.

Please, always make me feel your consoling presence in my life.

You are my good shepherd.

Please guide me with your staff.

Thank you for this month of July.

Thank you for the half of the year 2025.

Thank you for your Divine Favor and Provisions.

Lord, I entrust to you everything.

I surrender to you everything.

May my consecration to your most Sacred Heart, bring you consolation as well.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary be my help.

Sa Pula o sa Asul?

Do I choose RED OR BLUE?

No, it is not a choice between U.S. political parties.

For me, the choice of colors reflect what they symbolize for me...the sacred and most precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ...and the blue mantle of Our Lady, His most Blessed Mother, my Queen.

p.s. Ruel , the girls and I just came from the nearby park to record a video showing Filipino old games, one of which is the Tumbang Preso. Making use of an old rusty can and slippers.

July 28,2025 Prayer, Hope and Joy

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of your Divine Love, send forth your Spirit Lord, and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

Mayo woke me up a few minutes past 4am CT.

She needed to go out and do her toilet business.

The sun was almost rising.

So, I went about preparing Ruel's food for the day:

Fried Rice with Turmeric.

Beef Dumplings plus leftover fish sisig.

Chopsuey.

Nutella Sandwich.

I was so eager to be on time for my 8am online appointment.

Ruel was still giving me a lot of last minute instructions, while I shooed him away.

Our family group chat in fb showed us photos of the girls and their cousin Kat and their Tita Imee and Tito Boyet starting their early morning journey from St. Albert to Jasper, Alberta.

The scenes photographed along the way was breathtaking.

Anyway...

I was able to listen to the Singing of  the Liturgy of the  Hours  by Paul Rose on loop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmqibfD8CaE&ab_channel=SingtheHours

There are more updates from the just recently concluded MFC Youth  Congress in Edmonton.

Again, the photos and videos make my heart so full of JOY and HOPE.

**

My 8 A.M. appointment ended at 10.

Soaking in prayer and deliverance at the start and end.

Thank you Lord Jesus thank you.

** **

My calendar for this week is super full.

I pray for the grace of  energy,wisdom and resilience to be able to do what needs to be done with a positive attitude and mindset.

** ***

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-07-28

Answers on Kerygma Bible Reflection questions for today:

What teaching about God’s Kingdom do you find difficult to understand? How are Jesus’ parables helpful to you?

Have you experienced the reign of God? If you did, how did it affect your life? If not, how are you finding it? 

Difficult teaching: leaving the 99 for the one lost sheep.

Parables are helpful to give us a picture as an aid to better understading like a mustard seed faith that can move mountains.

From a very small grain, to something great.

If I submit to God's authority and wisdom, and be in a state of  grace, cleansed from all sins, habitually, everything falls into it's rightful place.

God's hand is more visible and His will is easily manifested and followed.

God's reign is heaven on earth.

The opposite of  which is hell.

** ***

Spare us Oh Lord Jesus Christ by your most precious blood.

Mama Mary, please pray for us.

St. Joseph, help us.

** **

Photos from  Boyet/Imee Espinoza-Soriano.

With much gratitude...

WRCC MORE PHOTOS (July 18-20,2025)

 

MFC Western Region Couple's Congress July 19-20,2025

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in us the fire of your Divine love, send forth your Spirit Lord, and it shall be created, and it shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

The event finally had come!

Despite the challenges and obstacles, we were able to participate as one family. 

The messages of Hope  presented  was most meaningful and grace filled.

It was also an opportunity to reconnect with members who we met back in Doha, Qatar. Also, chance to meet online friends and new acquaintances.

Sharers and speakers were most inspiring.

First talk was given by our beloved Father Gerry Sembrano.

He was our Parish priest in St. Emile for 3 years.

My first chance encounter with him was in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, face to face in 2021,

Most unforgettable, because that signaled the beginning of the wiping off the cobwebs and darkness in my soul those most challenging days for me.

Romans 12;12  is God's message for me, for us especially when  we look back at how far we have come, and the journey s ahead.

Here are pictures of the pre/post and event:

July 4,2025

 Today is American Independence Day!

The Philippines once  upon a time commemorated this day as Phil-Am friendship day.

A few days ago, we observed Canada Day by eagerly awaiting  the fireworks at Assiniboine Downs.

But, nature almost stole the show.

It rained and there were a lot of thunder claps and lightning.

Awesome display of God's magnificent power writing the sky with amazing zig zag and snaking patterns of electric bolts.

Beautiful patterns of electricity and light.

Horse race was cancelled since they were all spooked.

But, youngest child was still satisfied seeing the wonderful horses of various breeds and colors.

We had the same visitor for the whole day BBQ as last year.

Getting to be a tradition now.

Praise God for this wonderful grace and gift.

** ***

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection has the following questions for me to reflect on:

You can be a saint, whatever your past or current circumstances may be. Do you embrace the call?

Are you single, married, or religious? Think of the many blessings God has given you in your life. Thank God because, surely, it will take you forever to count them all.

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-07-04

Prophet or Wolf

 

Am I a good person?

Am I kind?

Am I loving?

We all are in our own battles. At times, we make wrong choices in those we wage and pursue.

We lick the wounds of defeat and temporarily get fleeting comfort in hard fought small victories.

Over all, our characters are tested, shaped and broken over and over again.

We pick up the pieces and count the costs and check for the fruits that come out of it.

Some bitter and some sweet.

Just the other Friday night, in a badminton place, got in a conversation with our host and one of his friends about evangelistic communities in our midst.

Francis, the friend, claims that he does not like to join a particular organization because of too much politics among members. He asserts further that he can go about doing God’s will quietly in the background and beyond certain communities where the fruits are not visible among its leader’s lives.

I was dumbfounded and did not know how to react.

I just said, we all are imperfect individuals working with other imperfect personalities, trying to spread the gospel of Christ to an imperfect world. I even cited my two daughters who were beside me saying,  they are witness to my own hypocrisy many times…but still we are called to be in community because  as we  persevere, that is where we grow, hopefully into holiness and maturity.

With grit and resilience, let us continue striving to bear the right fruits in God’s perfect timing so we can encourage more people into repentance and faith with us.

 

 

Prepare the Way

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of YOUR DIVINE LOVE. Send us YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, and YOU shall renew the face  of the earth, starting with my mind, body, soul and heart.

Mama Mary, in your Immaculate Heart we find solace and comfort as you continue to lead us and point us to your son, Jesus and do as He tells us what to do...

** ***

Yesterday afternoon, as I entered Ruel's office downtown, he told me of Doha friends who are updating him of the volatile situation  on both sides of the straight of Hormuz. the thin body of water that separates Qatar from Iran.

Checking my FB chat, I note some friends with family in Qatar asking for prayers.

Prayers is the first and only thing we can hold on to...

That Our Great God, in His goodness will spare us from another World War.

As we going about doing our own LIVES, may we always remember that we are all fighting our own small battles...

One must not lose heart.

One must seek The Way, The Truth and The Life, only to be found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John, His cousin, prepared The Way to come and  painfully paid for it with his head.

Ending this reflection with some more questions from Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reflections:

How can God use you as a light bearer of the Church?

What part of the day do you come before the Lord and spend time with Him in silence? What do you hear Him say to you?

In the face of resistance, how strong and steadfast are you to what you know is God’s will for your life?

St. John the Baptist, pray for us.

St. Louie DeMonfort, pray for us.

St. Maximillian  Kolbe, pray for us.

St. Theresa of Calcutta, pray for us.

St. John Paul II, pray for us.

Love Your Enemies

 This afternoon, as I was waiting for my 2:30pm appointment, I watched two of my favorite youtube  channels trying to get an update about the 3 day war of Israel with Iran.

First was EWTN Nightly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfT7Ob2QH4&t=745s&ab_channel=EWTN

Next was Patrick Bet David, who is an Iranian born American businessman in Valuetainment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex85fdx3nPk&ab_channel=Valuetainment

He was talking about the side that wants to obliterate it's enemies. No compassion. No nothing. Total death and destruction.

Reading today's gospel reminds us to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to give your coat to the person that asks for it or needs it.

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-06-17

It is easier said than done...but, very possible if we seek God's help and strength.

Here are some of the  reflection questions we can ponder on.

Who are the people in your life that are so difficult to love? What is God saying to you about it?

Are you a cheerful giver, or do you give while being full of regret? Are you willing to change your attitude so that you might better reflect true gratitude to the Lord for His goodness to you?

My prayer: Lord Jesus, King of Peace, help us achieve this peace here on earth especially between and among warring factions like Iran and Israel, Ukraine and Russia. Mama Mary, pray for us.

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection In the Face of Death

 What do you do to give glory to the Lord?

What  can you share that would help edify someone? 

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-06-03

** ***

 

I would like to dedicate this blog to April and Ava.

5 days ago, Adi was taken away from you, Jeck and Dre.

When I saw your post, I had a knee jerk reaction right away.

No! This must be a mistake!

It can't be!

Lord, please, no!

I was about to post an announcement for our Dandelion Book Club, and that was the first FB post that greeted me.

I just came in the house after being outdoors for almost 2 hours washing the puke soiled doormats.

Mayo was throwing up the whole night and morning.

I was seriously thinking she was going to flat line on my watch.

I prayed and negotiated with God...saying Thy will be done...but, not yet please.

Do not take our Mayo away yet.

Then bam!!!!

This news...

April and family were our home school family friends back in Doha.

One of our last days was spent with them in an activity.

April was  pregnant with Adi and she was most hopeful and positive for our move.

Ava joined our book and movie club created for homeschooling families during the pandemic.

We are on our 4th year.

They also came to migrate to Canada last November.

Then this happens!

What a painful blow and challenge.

Baby Adi experienced difficulty breathing, they rushed her to the hospital  and she was not able to make it.

That quick.

That fast.

Today's layman refection is entitled  In The Face of Death.

Please, if you have the time and heart to share a little... their friend Trisha Soriano  has created a Go Fund Me  campaign.

Please support the Rosal family in laying to rest Jamie T. Rosal +. Fly free dear angel Adi.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/uh758w-jamie-adison-t-rosal?modal=share&source=fundraiser+sidebar

June 3,2025 The Personality of My Home 14 Years Later

 Hi!

Thank you for dropping by.

I hope and pray that all your plans and wishes will be blessed with favor and joy.

I just finished reading my blog of May 2011, The Personality of My Home.

My first born at that time was 8 and I was expecting for the 2nd one to arrive.

She was surely coming via Cesarean Section, it was just a matter of choosing a date at that time.

14 years later and here we are...

My laptop is on a round Ikea Black table.

On it's left is a small flower pot of yellow daisies ( not real) but surely looks so.

I see my Boston Fern in the left side corner of our home. 

While outside my window, I see the puffy round pink Hydrangea, a gift from the girls for Mother's Day.

Outside, the trees are lush with green leaves.

Early this morning, I saw a flock of Canada Geese flying in a straight line, not a V  formation, quacking loudly.

The front and back lawn are filled with Dandelions in white puffy balls...requiring the needed attention of the girls to mow.

My living area and dinning area wall is decorated  with this very cheap  folded paper fan bday round decors in various colors.

It amuses me no end. 

It somehow lifts me up and gives a feeling of buoyancy for some reason.

Bouncy paper balls?

I dunno.

Anyway, there is much to maintain but so many things to be grateful for instead .

Suffice it to say, the personality of my home is hopefully bringing good cheer and charm to all who enter it.

May God be praised for this gift.

 

Isidro Labrador

 Come Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Thy Divine love, please send forth your Spirit Oh Lord Jesus, and it shall be created, and You Oh Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity, shall renew the face of the earth starting with my thoughts, habits, decisions and words.

Mama Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us..

St. Joseph, terror of Demons, pray for us.

St, Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers , pray for us.

** ***

This morning, I woke up feeling so cool. I at once continued my task of last night which is 2/3rd done now.

Our great and wonderful God Almighty, Creator of all things, showed me beautiful golden rays from our kitchen window...and later on, the beautiful ball of fire...I love how, it showered and kissed everything with it's yellow hue.

Now, it is drizzling steadily with accompanying thunder and lightning in the distance.

Thank you Lord Jesus so the brush fires in the nearby places will be totally extinguished.

** **

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection by Lella M. Santiago is very similar to my current circumstances with my walk with our Lord.

I am indeed like a two year old throwing a tantrum since I am experiencing a dryness in my prayer life.

Though how much and many times He shows me His great love for me and His many many consolations...I still focus on the negatives of life.

While walking around the house while praying my 2nd rosary for the day, I saw wonderful sights from the windows, making me really feel so lovely of the green trees, the white blossoms of a distant neighbors tree, the soon to bloom lilacs in our front yard!!!

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord.

My dream last night is another reminder that if I can see it in my mind, I will surely see it in my hands since nothing is impossible if  our Lord wills it.

Thank you Lord.

*** 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

² The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. ³ For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.” (R) ²¹ “I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, ²² That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.” (R) ²⁵ “My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. ²⁷ He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’” (R)

** ***

John 13:18  jumped out to me!

The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.*

Betrayal, rudeness, rejections are normal fare for followers of Him, who was betrayed, insulted and rejected strongly.

Lord, I offer this instances and events to You, dispose them as you please, and may my words, actions and intentions give you back all the glory.

Mama Mary, please hold my hand as I walk with you and your Son Jesus Christ.

My Lord, my Savior and my leader.

** ***

Do you let Jesus take the lead in your personal relationship with Him? In what way?

How do you react when your prayers are not answered? Do you make your own golden calf instead of persisting in prayer?

In your current state of life, how are you being called to tell the story of Jesus?

*** 

I will be quoting Fr Eugene Fadul's reflection verbatim.

A Layperson among Spiritual Giants

A Facebook post emerged during the Feast of San Isidro Labrador: “Happy fiesta to half of the Philippines!” Indeed, the Feast of San Isidro Labrador is so famous in our country, and many parishes and chapels around the country have him as their patron saint. What made him so famous? This can easily be understood in our context because ours is an agricultural nation. We live from the fruits of the earth. Like many of the Filipinos, San Isidro was a farmer, and he used his humble status as a means to holiness. 

But we find many things in the life of this saint that teach us why he became famous. He was canonized on March 12, 1622, together with Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri—all considered spiritual giants. San Isidro is the only layperson in the group. This shows that the Church has recognized this humble saint. This affirms that humility is the key to sanctity, as these five saints have followed Christ.

Further, San Isidro’s wife—Beata Maria de la Cabeza—is also beatified by the Church. There are only a few saints whose family members are also raised to the altar. This teaches us that holiness is not personal, but something that can and must be shared with others. 

The life and virtues of San Isidro Labrador remind us that the Gospel must be proclaimed anytime and anywhere. Like Saint Paul who was ready to speak about Jesus to places and people he encountered, San Isidro proclaimed the Gospel through his faithfulness to his work. He made God first in his life. Through this, San Isidro teaches us the path to holiness. Everyone is called to tell the story of Jesus, whatever their status in life is. You can become a saint! 

Fr. Eugene Fadul

May Showers

 This morning, I woke up to a very cool breeze coming in from the open window. I heard thunder in the distance...then the most welcome rain showers.

Thank God!

These past few days were very challenging...very hot!

Mari announced last night that it could possibly snow this weekend?!

What?

***

Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of your faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Divine love, send forth your Spirit Lord and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

Today's gospel reading reflection question:

When was the last time you spent a few quiet moments with God? Friend, today, make time for God and let Him love you.

Do you want to be an apostle?

** ***

Yesterday, I watched an interview of a Wisconsin nun, perhaps in her 90s already talking about the new Pope as being her student in Theology and some other subjects as part of the young seminarian's formation in the 1970's.

One of the topics that was discussed was women priests. Her reply was kind of vague, but you could see she was very open to it with the counter question...what if a woman has the true calling in her heart to serve the Lord in that capacity, who are we to stop that?

Hmmm....

** ***

Yesterday, I also had a nice chat with two women. It was very nice!

One indeed has a need to connect and just talk about mundane stuff like a un-burdening, un-boxing, sharing ready to be refilled, refreshed and renewed!

May Our Lord Jesus Christ, through His most Holy Spirit, make His love for us be felt strongly today and always as I say, Lord Jesus, lead me, guide me, protect me and my family.

Mama Mary, pray for us.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of your faithful, please enkindle in us the FIRE OF YOUR DIVINE LOVE, please send forth your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth, starting with my mind, my heart, body and soul.

** ***

Summer is indeed here!

Temperatures seared and sizzled to the 33*!!!

Staying subterranean is much preferred. It is so cool in the basement, but my laundry towels do not dry as fast.

Yesterday, Ruel, Lilli and I did some yard work when it was much cooler around past 8pm.

Finally, my new plants are settled!

I was able to turn on  the almost- in- retirement- lawn mower several times.

Hope my youngest is able to see this good example of  determination.

But on hind sight, I did show her that good thing, but flipped side a few hours later, my impatience in signing up with a website to get my CE credits for my yearly renewal for my financial services license was stressing me out and I was not a very good patient mom!

Oh well, win some , lose some!

May the positive force be with me more next time.

** ***

Today is the feast of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the children in Portugal.

I was  so touched that last Sunday, after mass, we were able to join the procession.

It has been quite a while now that I have not participated in such an event.

Thank you Lord Jesus for this grace.

Ave Maria.

** ***

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reading and Reflection by  a lay person Joy Roa is giving me a reminder to take care of my physical health.

The reflection of Father Eugene Fadul is reminding me of offering up sufferings in service and in prayer for others.

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-05-13

** **

How do you handle the hard times in your life? Do they weaken you, or do they strengthen your faith? 

Do you strive to listen to and obey God’s Word and leading?

** ***

Sharing some photos of my very beautiful Mother's Day Weekend. Thank you to Ruel, Mari and Lilli and to my dear friend  Cely and her sister Manang Lilia, who is now also my dear sister.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being our Good Shepherd!

Alleluia! Alleluia!