Angelo Colada, Author at Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro

“The truth will set you free…”

Live free. Breathe smoothly. No amount of your face mask can ever suffocate God’s love you’ve asked.

Feel that inner joy of having to live in the abode of truthfulness. When you dwell in the truth of your mind, be freed from the malice of your thoughts. When you freed yourself from unforgiveness, no amount of anger and hatred can drown your desire for a better relationship. As you loosen the bond of your selfishness, be freed from greed that held you captive of being egoistic, as you will lead yourself to becoming altruistic. Never worry about what to come, but enjoy the present true moments of whatever you can do with your bare hands. When you become contented of every simple good acts you’ve done, true happiness will suffice your every need of joy which you wished could have had long begun.

Live in the truthfulness of your heart, and set yourself free from any hurt

The official website of the Archdiocese of Jaro has recently been nominated as Best Diocesan Website for the Catholic Social Media Awards 2020.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! The official website of the Archdiocese of Jaro has recently been nominated as Best Diocesan Website for the Catholic Social Media Awards 2020.

This is not possible without your continued support and collaboration for the spread of the Good News of Christ to others. Let us continue to share and spread the Gospel and the blessings we’ve received in the Archdiocese.

SUMMIT ON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity, we want to measure our growth in the Faith by using CHARITY as a YARDSTICK.

According to Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos in his book “THE CHURCH OF THE POOR”, “There are numerous ways to alleviate the poor from poverty. Foremost among them is for the Church of the Poor to provide a free or less cheap education. Thus, the best way to ‘teach a person how to fish’ is to provide scholarship to the poor.”

With this, the Archdiocese of Jaro together with the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center invite ALL Parish Pastoral Council President and Parish Social Action Ministry Chairperson to attend the SUMMIT ON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS on APRIL 17, 2021, 9AM-3PM at the PIUS XII PASTORAL CENTER.

Together, let us carve out a better future for the poor.

“You are my strength, oh God…”

When everything seems to fail, resort to prayer and you’ll gain back the strength to do what you will.

Never give in to frustration and despair. Failures are meant to build up your stamina of being consistent in your quest of achieving perfection. To back off is a sign of cowardice but to move on signifies your courage and determination. Reconnect yourself with God. He gives more the needed energy for you to stand again and to continue your journey towards fulfilling your dreams. He sees not how many times you fall but how you strive to push yourself up to attain what is possible when you trod the rugged road with him. Your trust in him is your prayer, and that prayer is the inner force that will lead you to every success you have always wanted in your life to attain.

Your strength can only become strong, only if it is strengthened by God alone.

Archdiocese of Jaro: Guidelines for Holy Week 2021

Archdiocese of Jaro, Commission on Liturgy releases guidelines for Holy Week 2021

“Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

The celebration of Easter Triduum is the highest liturgical celebration in which we as a community of the faithful gathers to celebrate the mystery of our salvation by commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This brings a hopeful anticipation for the pandemic to end and a renewed life and transformed society. We, then praise God, the Father almighty for His protection and guidance

After a year from the start of the pandemic, our ways of celebrating our worship are limited by existing guidelines and protocols set by our national and local government. However, today we are allowed to celebrate the liturgy with the presence of the faithful with the limited scale. This will modify our celebrations for the Holy Week and Easter Triduum this year.

Taking into consideration the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ recommendations for the Celebration of the Holy Week and Easter Triduum, and the Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the following instructions for the liturgical celebrations during this time of pandemic will help us find the balance between the worthy celebrations of the Paschal Triduum and our charitable response to stem the rapid transmission of the virus

In implementing the following guidelines, it is important to coordinate with our civil leaders and law enforcers to help us implement the basic protocols and to ensure the security and the order of the celebrations. Priests must be discerning in adapting and implementing the guidelines as well as in organizing activities and spiritual exercises for the Holy Week and Easter Triduum.

PALM SUNDAY

“The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem is to be celebrated within the sacred building.” (CDWD Decree, March 25, 2020)

In parish churches, the second form of the celebration is to be followed but in the modified way. The faithful must be in their places inside the church before the start of the celebration. The presider begins at the main door of the church. After the singing of an antiphon or appropriate chant, the priest and the people make a sign of the cross. Then, the priest greets the people and pray the Prayer of Blessing. He may sprinkle the palms with holy water while remaining in his place. It will be followed by the proclamation of the Gospel. A brief homily maybe given. After a short silence ,the entrance procession begins while the choir and the faithful sing the Hosanna.

The blessing of palms maybe celebrated in other scheduled masses in the parish in order to decongest the number of the faithful.

CHRISM MASS

Considering the present status in our local church, we retain the traditional schedule of the celebration of Chrism Mass, that is, on Holy Thursday. However, we limit the attendance for the priests, a few number of the lay faithful and liturgical ministers.

Holy oils will be distributed after the celebration

THE EVENING OF THE LAST SUPPER

The washing of the feet, which is already optional, maybe omitted. However, if the circumstances allow, the washing of the feet maybe done only to a less than twelve representatives of the community.

The usual procession with the Blessed Sacrament to a place of repose maybe be omitted and the Blessed Sacrament should be kept in the tabernacle, as usual. However, if the circumstances allow, the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to a place of repose maybe done with a limited number of ministers. There is no need of pall bearers. The minister who holds the cross and two candles lead the procession. To be followed by incense bearer and the priest holding the Blessed Sacrament. After the reposition, a select number of the faithful may remain for an hour of prayer and adoration. After which, the church will be closed.

After the celebration, in churches when there is no solemn transfer of the Blessed Sacrament, the Blessed Sacrament maybe processioned (in a vehicle) within the vicinity of the parish. The faithful are encouraged to set an altar outside their home with lighted candles in the route of the procession.

There will be no visita iglesia.

On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place without the presence of the people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.

GOOD FRIDAY

Reflections on the Seven Last Words of our Lord will be made available to the faithful through social media and radio.

Depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the priest, communal Way of the Cross maybe celebrated. However, basic health protocols must be observed.

During the celebration of the Passion of the Lord, special intention in the General Intercessions for the sick, the dead and for those who feel lost or dismayed will be sent to the parishes for mandated use.

For the adoration of the cross, only the celebrant kisses the cross. After which, all the faithful present kneel while the “Reproaches” or a suitable hymn is sung as a common gesture of adoration.

Depending on the discretion of the priest, after the celebration, wearing a red cope or a red stole over a surplice and cassock or alb, he rides a vehicle as he carries a Crucifix and goes to the nearby streets of the parish church or he may go around the usual route of the Good Friday procession carrying the Crucifix. The faithful in the area where the procession will pass are requested to set an altar outside their homes with lighted candles but they should be instructed not to go out but may only open their windows. Recorded songs proper for the Veneration of the Cross maybe played during the procession.

There will be no procession of pasos.

EASTER VIGIL

This maybe celebrated at 7 p.m. onwards depending on the curfew implemented by the LGU.

The Blessing of the Fire and Preparation of the Candle can be celebrated within the building of the church or at the entrance of the main door while the people are already in their places inside the church. The full rite must be followed.

The Baptismal liturgy can be done either to adults or children but must be limited in number.

The blessing of water and the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” are retained.

After the Mass, the blessing of seeds, things and vehicles maybe done. However, basic health protocols must be properly observed.

EASTER SUNDAY

The ‘encuentro’ is part of our liturgical tradition in the celebration of Easter Sunday. However, mindful of the present situation and in obedience to the order of the civil and health authorities, it is suggested to have the procession of the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Resurrected Christ. These images are placed in the vehicle to be processioned around the vicinity of the parish church or in the traditional route of the procession of ‘encuentro.’ A recorded Resplendor and Regina Caeli are played repeatedly during the procession. This can be done after the curfew set by the respective LGU.

For those who cannot attend the Holy Week and Easter Triduum celebrations in the church, the schedule of the on-line transmission should be made known to the faithful. It must be a live telematic broadcasting and not recorded.

Lastly, the new note from the Congregation will hopefully make help to be more docile in embracing the changes in our liturgical celebrations and discerning in its implementation. “We are aware that the decisions taken haven not always been easy for pastors or the lay faithful to accept. However, we know that they were taken with a view to ensuring that the sacred mysteries be celebrated in the most effective way possible for our communities, while respecting the common good and public health.”

“NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU…”

Avoid condemning someone based on what you’ve heard, for there’s more you’ve got to know first.

Never be in haste in condemning someone who had done nothing against you, but just because the crowd says so. Respect your own discretion and never be intimidated by the havoc of the majority’s heated emotion. Be calm and listen to your inner voice of compassion than the shouts of oppression. In the raging anger of the multitude, be cool with your wholesome attitude. In the midst of other’s beleaguered uncertainties, stand to be firm with your empathy rather than stay in complacency. Don’t just go with the tide, but row your boat to save the drowning victim to your side. Behind every false accusation is always a hypocritical pretension. God has never condemned you, so there’s no reason why would you condemn others too.

If you have to cast the first stone, know that you could be hit by what you have thrown.

Unveiling of the 500YOC Marker

The unveiling of the 500YOC Marker at the Icons of the 1st Mass at Saint Vincent Ferrer Seminary grounds last March 16, 2021. The icon or monument was donated by Doña Magdalena Jalandoni as a gift to the Archdiocese.

The celebration recalled the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet on Philippine shores on the daybreak of March 16, 1521, and with them came, too, the arrival of the Christian faith in our country.

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His Grace, Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, D.D., Archbishop of Jaro, opened the one-day archdiocesan exhibit at the Archbishop’s Residence in line with the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

His Grace, Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, D.D., opened the archdiocesan exhibit for 500YOC

His Grace, Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, D.D., Archbishop of Jaro, opened the one-day archdiocesan exhibit at the Archbishop’s Residence in line with the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

In a one-day privilege, clergy, religious and guests were able to visit the Archdiocesan Repository and Saint John Paul II memorabilia during his visit in Jaro 40 years ago. At the reception area of the Archbishop’s residence, a chronology of the milestones of the Archdiocese from 1521, and a compilation of pictures from the past and present events and edifices of the archdiocese and its pastoral work in Kenya were presented.

ABP LAZO VISITS SPOUSAL OF MARY AND JOSEPH PARISH, BRGY. BUNTATALA, JARO, ILOILO CITY

Abp. Lazo visits Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish, Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City

JARO, ILOILO CITY | The members of the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish headed by their Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Julito Marterior, together with OSJ, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Yabyabin, OSJ kag ni Bro. Arturo Jr. Canizo, OSJ warmly welcomed His Grace Most Rev. Jose Romeo Lazo DD as he visited Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro on March 20-21, 2021 which is part of his on-going Canonical and Pastoral Visit in the different Parishes in the Archdiocese of Jaro. On the first day of his visit, Abp Lazo had a meeting with the Tri-Council (Parish Pastoral, Apostolic and Finance ) in order to talk about concerns and strengthen the organizations plans and programs for the Parish.

In the afternoon, the Pastoral Visit team then proceeded to the Jubilee Gawad Kalinga Community where a dialogue with the community was held. Before he departs in the afternoon, a Holy Mass was celebrated. The Second Day of visit started with a prayer together with the Priests. After the morning Mass, Abp Lazo had a Dialogue with the members and officers of the LOMAS, MAMOS and the TRI-COUNCILS knowing that these organizations together with the Parish Administration play a vital role in parish and in the community that it serves

ARCHBISHOP LAZO GETS VACCINATED!

Last March 15, 2021, His Grace Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, D.D., Archbishop of Jaro, got himself vaccinated with the 1st dose of Astrazenica vaccine, as prescribed by physicians. This is one means of preparing himself for the successive pastoral activities he will be undertaking in the Archdiocese of Jaro.

As we can recall, Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP addressed the bishops of the Philippines regarding the vaccination program of the government and encouraged them to be vaccinated in order to give the faithful a lead to partake in this program against COVID-19. Furthermore, Archbishop Lazo recently addressed and urged the faithful in his circular letter to be discerning in participating to this vaccination program while thinking of the common good of all.

Congratulations, Your Grace! Thank you for leading us all. Praying for your good health!