Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16)

Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.

St. Teresa of Avila (October 15) called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross (December 14) credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion, she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.

There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. The scapular reminds us of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

http://kabankalanmission.blogspot.com/

Negros Nine will Celebrate Silver Anniversary

On July 3, 2009 the Negros Nine will celebrate the 25th or Silver Anniversary of their release from the Negros Occ. Provincial Jail in Bacolod City.

To mark the occasion, the Kabankalan Diocesan Pastoral Office, the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation and the Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creaton Ministry will sponsor a gathering/Reunion of KK members from all the parishes of the Diocese of Kabankalan on the 2nd of July.

Each parish is invited to send a delegation of up to 20 KK members, especially those who were active during the Martial Law years. The celebration will take place in Kabankalan on Thursday July 2, from 9am to 2pm.

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick Buzon DD SDB, Bishop of Kabankalan. Preacher will be Msgr. Wilfredo Dejilla of San Carlos Diocese, formerly of Kabankalan parish.

At the gathering, there will be special presentation on the “Martyrs of the Kristianong Katilingban.” It is hoped, that when we have a complete list of those members of the KKs who were tortured, murdered and/or disappeared, a book and/or video will be published to commemorate their sacrifice for the Church and for all of us.

“In the traditional spirit of the KKs, we will ask delegations to be self provisioned. The sponsors will cover all the other expenses.

“This will be a occasion for celebrating, remembering and renewing our commitment to building up the strengthening of the KKs in the diocese and so proclaim the reign of God in our world.”

The legal team of the Negros Nine lead by Atty. Frank Cruz is being invited to attend as well as members of the media and friends and supporters from Bacolod.

The Negros Nine is not about a number of people but about a vision for our church for the future.*

Contact numbers:
Fr Brian Gore 09202002729
Mr. Lydio (Boy) Mangao 09295728046
Mr. Jerome Seballos 09092293497

http://www.negrosnine.com/news-jun2709

Feast of Saint John the Baptist

John the Baptist was the son of Zachary, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and Elizabeth, a kinswoman of Mary who visited her. He was probably born at Ain-Karim southwest of Jerusalem after the Angel Gabriel had told Zachary that his wife would bear a child even though she was an old woman. He lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea until about A.D. 27. When he was thirty, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan against the evils of the times and called men to penance and baptism "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". He attracted large crowds, and when Christ came to him, John recognized Him as the Messiah and baptized Him, saying, "It is I who need baptism from You". When Christ left to preach in Galilee, John continued preaching in the Jordan valley. Fearful of his great power with the people, Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Perea and Galilee, had him arrested and imprisoned at Machaerus Fortress on the Dead Sea when John denounced his adultrous and incestuous marriage with Herodias, wife of his half brother Philip. John was beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias, who asked for his head at the instigation of her mother. John inspired many of his followers to follow Christ when he designated Him "the Lamb of God," among them Andrew and John, who came to know Christ through John's preaching. John is presented in the New Testament as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the precursor of the Messiah. His feast day is June 24th and the feast for his beheading is August 29th.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=152

Pilgrimage to Saint Paul Parish

Regional Youth Day