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Sansu Garin A March of Lenten Activities

March falls on the special season of Lent when we again call to mind God's Gift of Salvation; and, prepare ourselves for the most important Christian events of the Holy Week and the glorious celebration of Easter. The Genesis Catholic Community made the most of the Lenten season as...

A time of God’s grace and mercy...

SPECIAL HEALING MASS officiated by Fr. Vic Robles (top left), spreading the devotion of the Divine Mercy (top right). Bro. Alvin giving his moving life testimony (below left) and people line-up for a pray-over healing from Fr. Vic (below right)

Our Community was so blessed to have a special healing mass on March 2, 2001, the first Friday of March. Fr. Vic Robles, a Filipino healing priest from the Divine Mercy Shrine in Marilao, Bulacan Philippines, celebrated the mass at the hall of Gereja Santa Maria. He spoke about the devotion to the Divine Mercy, which he has been inspired to promote and share to the Catholic faithful. Bro. Alvin Barcelona, the head of the music ministry of the River of Life Catholic Charismatic Community, also shared his remarkable life testimony on God’s healing grace and rendered beautiful songs during the mass. It was a wonderful night filled with God’s grace and mercy for all who were present. (For more information on the devotion to the Divine Mercy, see article entitled “THE DIVINE MERCY“ of this GNB issue.)

A time of reflection…

Bro. Alvin (third from left) joins some members of the Music Ministry for an afternoon of sharing his experiences during worship with a big crowd

Then on Sunday, several members of the Genesis Music Ministry met with Bro. Alvin, who shared his knowledge and experience on praising and worshipping God through singing. A Lenten retreat at the Canossa Retreat House in Bintaro followed on Monday March 5, 2001. Fr. Vic and Bro. Alvin once again graciously shared their time with the Community. The participants immensely benefited from the opportunity for reflection and spiritual nourishment because of the timely retreat.

A time of renewal and reconciliation with God…

Fr. Jojo giving a talk on the Sacrament of Confession

Another visiting Filipino priest made our Easter preparation special. Fr. Jojo San Juan of Don Bosco, who came for a brief visit from East Timor, gave us the teaching on Christian Doctrines on March 9, 2001. He shared his insights on Confession, an exceptional practice of humility and truth. Not only that. Fr. Jojo also gave everyone the chance to practice his teaching by hearing confessions before and after his talk. (See the article “A Talk on Confession” in this GNB issue.)

FIRST TIME - Bro. Dolreich teaching a very interesting topic: Loving Difficult People

Bro. Dolreich Fernandes of the Genesis Teaching Ministry delivered a challenging teaching on “How to Love Difficult People” on March 16, 2001. It was a well-timed teaching as we are all trying to be truly reconciled with the Lord on this season of Lent. Bro. Dolreich’s message is beautifully summarized in his closing prayer, “Lord…loving difficult people is nothing but carrying our cross, while we follow Your way…we seek Your grace to first change ourselves, for only when we are less difficult persons can we love difficult people”.

A time of giving…

The Genesis Works of Mercy Ministry also started the Community’s Lenten Drive for the Help for the Sampit Refugees during the middle of March. All are welcome to share material or financial blessings. The Works of Mercy Ministry is accepting donations until April 6, 2001, in time for the delivery to those in need on the following day, April 7, 2001.

A time of prayer…

On March 23, Bro. Pete, the Genesis head servant, led the Community in tracing Jesus’ way to the cross in Calvary. It was a truly touching time of prayer and reflection of what our Lord Jesus had to go through because of His great love for us sinners.

ANOTHER FIRST TIMER - Sis. Lani gives further details on the Feast of the Annunciation

A time of saying YES to God…

March 26, 2001 is the Feast of the Annunciation. Hence, our teaching topic on the last Friday of March was the Annunciation as written in the Gospel of St. Luke 1:26-38. Sis. Lani Samson of the Genesis Teaching Ministry, excellently expounded on the meaning and significance of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary. This season of Lent, let us give our unconditional “yes”, like Mary’s, to God’s call to conform our will to His will.