Saturday, August 30, 2025

MARIA JUANA

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

** **

It is almost 9:24pm Central time now of TGIF August 29,2025

I am reminded that I just clocked almost 10,500 steps today.

I was planning to do some DIY Birthday Surprise Giant Card for a special 74 year old, but, my good friend came a calling.

We had a 2 hour chat. I was having a headache already prior to the start since I needed so much rest...but I  felt I needed to have that chat with her.

I know this powerful and strong lady since we were 13 years old.

She sent me a note during 3rd  year high school that I found weird.

We bonded more after college.

I love going to their place across the Osrox park.

So much has happened through all these years, but, she is one person I can be me. I can open my home to without fear of being ridiculed that my floor lacks sweeping, or my ref needs cleaning.

Oh yes, our friendship went through some tests...but we still choose to remain friends no matter what.

She is one inspiring friend.

 love how she has weathered the challenges that came her way and has emerged victorious each time. Her home is so nicely decorated. Her kitchen so practical and organized. Her garden, oh so inspiring.

For the past several years, she would make sure, she would greet me for my birthday by calling me and having a long chat with complete shedding of tears about this and that.

Tonight it almost happened but she stopped it.

I hope our plan/project  will be blessed by Our Lord Jesus Christ...

There are so many other things I want to honor this special friend for ...I told her in installment...for now, this will do.

Thank you for choosing to be in my life and thank you for inspiring me to achieve my goals... and to start believing in myself again.



Tuesday, August 26, 2025

End of Summer, Beginning of the BER Season

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

** **

Less than a month from now, summer 2025 will officially end.

Then, I will be 5 decades and 6 years.

4 years to senior years and yes, I am being called an Old Lady with much protestations on my part.

I see peers online and have to admit, the wear and tear of years do show already. Glaringly!

I tried looking down at my cp camera and was so horrified at the result.

This was after I saw a short clip of the Golden Girls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_dn82BWPqs&ab_channel=istara

Hilarious, but reality jarring!!!

So, yes, I make these false promises and resolutions to take an extra bit of care  for my morning and  nightly facial routine...which is almost non existent at this point.

A 66 year old Korean grandma swears by her regimen that makes her look sa youthful.

Anyway, as a tribute to this almost done year and the beautiful summer coming to a close, please allow me to share the St. James Summer Band Camp pieces,  my daughter was so fortunate to be part of last week.

They were under the wonderful wisdom and guidance of the so awe inspiring and very positive Cheryl Ferguson.

Her Tedx talk link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aljb6ZXBwV0&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

Ms. Ferguson, is just like my daughter's music teacher at Golden Gate for the past 2 years and 3 summer band camps and 2 Manitoba Honour Band experiences, Ms. Darrell Chrisp, exude awe inspiring positive inspiration.

I want to honor these amazing women.

Sharing with your the following clips of the concert entitled : From Score to Screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1tr1-tjSpU&ab_channel=GoingVananas

My Ana was in Snare Drums there for Gustav Holst Mars for Planets. A very challenging piece as admitted by most musicians. A lot of complicated notes and rests. Tech jargon I cant really comprehend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYVfC-Mjeyw&ab_channel=GoingVananas

Ana was doing Suspended Cymbals and the Triangle for this Jurassic Park by John Williams. Another favorite. I love how the shimmering splendid the cymbals make. So, ethereal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYLImqCHY_A&ab_channel=GoingVananas

She was in Bell in Colonel Bogey. A different arrangement to that of their Honour Band rendition.

youtube.com/watch?v=Kl_sWiMKsoQ

For Bonsai Tree she was on Vibraphone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktwi1rQybY0&ab_channel=GoingVananas

For that  piece which was actually played first, she was on Crash Cymbals .If I am not mistaken, that was used in Star Wars. Correction, Space  Odyssey (1968) Toy Story etc.

It kinda reminded me of Star Wars.


 My favorite of all, as was their last piece: Mission Impossible, she had a 5 second  solo part on Bonggo time stamp: 1:17 to 1:20


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg-CGscDh9s&ab_channel=GoingVananas

May Our Great God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be praised, now and always!







Friday, August 22, 2025

The Queenship of Mary The Mother of God

 It is almost 1pm and  I feel I need to go about my other tasks for the day.

Let me  pray first:

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

** *** ***

I am so thrilled to announce that by some fluke or I don't know much about how technology for it works, but I am still able to access the online Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection.

YEHEYY!!! YAHOO!!!

It does not get to my email inbox anymore, but I am able to get it through here:


https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-08-22


Praise God! Alleluia!

Today, I am reminded is the Queenship of Mary, the Mother of God!

I remember, during my early twenties and teen age years...or even during elementary days, I was so careful not to offend  people who had different religious views, like a classmate, who is an unapologetic protestant. She would frown at me if I am able to say things like:

Holy Cow!

Oh my God!

I had a difficult time answering their provocative questions like:

Why do you worship Mary? She is not  God!

It left me unsure of how to go about practicing my faith.

In short, I was ashamed to proclaim my beliefs.

Lately, believe it or not, when I am in the midst of people of different faiths, I am shy to make the sign of the cross.

But, there are times, I am able to overcome it.

I tell myself, me, making the sign of the cross, is my testimony of my faith and believe in the TRIUN GOD, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

I want to please God more than displeasing others...

Lately, my youngest daughter has been wearing her wooden cross proudly even to her  Summer Band Camp.

I  salute her for this boldness.

So, yes, I proclaim the most blessed Mother of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, as my Queen here on earth and in heaven.

No, she is not God, but she bore Jesus in her womb.

She is the new Eve.

She is the Ark of the Covenant.

The bearer of God's presence.

The spouse of the Holy Spirit.

If I seek her help and intercession, it will not lessen my regard and primary love for my God, the  God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses.

It will not diminish God's greatness.

She is like the moon that reflects the Son/Sun.

Her Magnificat is so profound and so deep, only God's presence and wisdom in her life can make her utter those strong and powerful proclamations:

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”


Luke 1:46-55

One book that helped me in my struggle to  be a bold soldier for the Blessed Mother Mary is  by Scott Hahn called Rome Sweet Home.

The author narrates how in his search for further knowledge and understanding of his  Baptist and Pentecostal faith, he found his way to the Catholic Church.

Yes, a Protestant conversion led me to appreciate the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church.

May God be Praised, now and always.

Ave Maria.


I am linking  Prof. Scott Hahn's latest FB post of a few hours ago.

https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ScottHahn/posts/pfbid0MVAkmutXxcsGvpoExkv6k9PwDTBRq1gJT5GqwmpN2ohcoqY9vgQPHgemBiMkjnJWl/



Saturday, August 2, 2025

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!


***



 

Friday, August 1, 2025

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.