Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Fellow Apostles

by Fr. Louie
10 Feb 2011

The sacrament of Baptism that we received did not only purified us from all sins, but also made us "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature," member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. (cf. CCC 1265 ) Such honor is so great for unworthy sinners like us. However, through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we unceasingly experience the love and mercy of God. Moreover, our souls are continually nourished by participating in the celebration of the the Holy Eucharist and the reception of other sacraments. Truly, God gives us all the necessary means to be with Him, to be for Him, if only we would submit ourselves to Him.

When Jesus Christ our Lord called the "apostles" to a new life and ministry, He did not choose the wealthy nor the powerful; but those who are poor and public sinners. He "sent them" to preach the Word of God. From the Greek word ἀπόστολος or apostolos, an "apostle" literally signifies "someone who is sent". 

As faithful catholics, we are the modern-day apostles. We are sent to different parts of the world to preach the Good News. Through the sacraments, we are strengthened. Through our faith, we endure. Through our very lives, we witness. 

The Apostles Filipino Catholic Community is not just a virtual community on Facebook but a truly existing and alive community in Rome recognized by Centro Filippino di Roma and made up mostly Overseas Filipino Workers. More or less, we are 130 in number. We gather every Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist. We have different committees that organize different events such as seminars, recollections, pilgrimages, and catechism classes among others.

On April 18, 2010, AFCC extended its presence to the worldwide web making it aworldwide community of modern-day apostles. We are committed to preach the Word through any means and one of them is the use of the internet which the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI himself mandated.

Here in Rome, the word "apostle" to refer to our community is more popular than its abbreviation AFCC. One time a lady asked me, "San kayo magmimisa, father". I answered "Sa parocchia di San Damaso" and she answered back, "Ah, sa apostles".

I am an apostle so much as you are an apostle by virtue of the sacrament of Baptism. Take note that I used the indefinite article "an" to refer to us because the definite article "the" as in "the apostles" always pertains to our patron saints:

Peter: Renamed by Jesus to Peter (meaning rock), his original name was Simon bar Jonah;[Mk 3:16] was a fisherman from the Bethsaida "of Galilee"[Jn 1:44], cf. Jn 12:21. Also known as Simon bar Jochanan (Aram.), Cephas (Aram.), and Simon Peter.

Andrew: The brother of Simon/Peter, a Bethsaida fisherman, and a former disciple of John the Baptist.

James, son of Zebedee: The brother of John.

John: The brother of James. Jesus named both of them Bo-aner'ges, which means "sons of thunder'.'"[Mk 3:17]

Philip: From the Bethsaida of Galilee[Jn 1:44]


Bartholomew, son of Talemai; usually identified with Nathanael, who is mentioned in Jn 1:45-51.

Matthew: The tax collector. The similarity between Mt 9:9-10, Mk 2:14-15 and Lu 5:27-29 may indicate that Matthew was also known as Levi.


Thomas: Judas Thomas Didymus - Aramaic T'oma' = twin, and Greek Didymos = twin. Doubting Thomas.

James, son of Alphaeus: Generally identified with "James the Less", and also identified by Roman Catholics with "James the Just".

Thaddeus: In some manuscripts of Matthew, the name "Lebbaeus" occurs in this place. Thaddeus is traditionally identified with Jude.

Simon the Zealot: Some have identified him with Simeon of Jerusalem.

Paul - the apostle to the Gentiles

Having faith in God and the the zeal to preach the Word through any means, in our own little way, we may now call one another "fellow apostles".

Monday, February 13, 2012

Nicki Minaj offends Roman Catholics during Grammy (2012) arrival

RESPECT MY FAITH: Nicki Minaj Offends Roman Catholics During Grammy 2012 Arrival

Nicki Minaj wears a red nun’s habit and walks the red carpet with “The Pope” at the 2012 Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on Sunday (February 12) in Los Angeles.

The 29-year-old rapper caused quite the scene in the Versace ensemble.



 ·  · Manage Translations ·  · 11 hours ago

  • 46 people like this.
  • 23 shares

    • Joefel Jof Sodusta AY NAMAN TLGA
      tsk tsk tsk...

      11 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Dan Sanchez trash.
      11 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Emilia Gomez Too much....
      11 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Michelle Craddock Evidently a liberal, obama lover trying to make a statement
      11 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Joey Lumbres Balba This is too much stupidity...
      11 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Rico Guido Badilla a very bad statement!!!
      11 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Frederick Norberte Hindi lahag ng Akala ninatin ay Tama ay Tama na sa Paningin ng Dios tandaan Mali sa Dios ang Pumatay pero ang mga Tao pilit ginagawang TAma ang Abortion isa rin yan sa Halimbawa huwag niyang Pahiyain ang Iglesia upang Hindi rin siya Mapahiya
      11 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Ryan Mariano i smell a stench of illuminati and freemasonry
      11 hours ago ·  ·  14

    • JP S. Mabanta pati performance nya sa Grammys nakaka-offend din sa mga Catholics
      11 hours ago ·  ·  5

    • Paolo Miguel Cobs Hmmm... Travesty upon the Vicar of Christ and Holy Religious Vocations. Anathema sit!
      11 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Barry Jaojoco Villanueva anathema
      11 hours ago ·  ·  2

    • Lynda Clavel Pasiolan unlike
      11 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Pedro Lorenzo Ruiz no need to anathemize someone who is not even Catholic. best way to treat her: don't listen to her songs.
      11 hours ago ·  ·  6

    • Pedro Lorenzo Ruiz if you call them songs. :)
      11 hours ago ·  ·  2

    • Nicole Joy Camacho tsk..tsk...para sakin wla sa hell talga si JP II, dahil hindi gagawa ang Diyos ng maraming Milagro sa intensyon ni Bl. JP II kung wla talaga sya sa langit, at nakita naman natin kung gaano kalaki ang sakrepisyong ibinigay ni JP II sa simbahan, at kailan man ay hindi nagkamali ang Santo Papa sa pagdedeklara ng mga Santo dahil si Hesus mismo ang nagsabi na gagabayan sila ng Spritu Santo.
      11 hours ago ·  ·  7

    • Jan Andrey Alonzo wag supportahan ang mga ganyan.
      10 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Patrick Dulfo Walang respeto ! ! gusto kong imbitahin sa Dojo gym itong atheist na ito . . tuturuan ko ng leksyon . . .
      10 hours ago ·  ·  2

    • Bryan Montilla gusto lang nila POPULARITY ginagamit pa ang Simbahan
      10 hours ago ·  ·  2

    • Angelo Noble anti to pramis
      10 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Angelo Noble look at the picture on the red dress lower part. satanic look like >.<
      10 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Hezekiah KJ Patoc ‎:( Masakit sa mata kung tingnan.
      10 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Jose Miguel Salvador she is evil,hiding under the cloak of religious freedom whose objective is to destroy the catholic church;satan trying to destroy long time ago !
      9 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Dernielyn Buraga Vizcarra Baka di lng nila alam ung word na ''RESPECT'' or maybe trying to catch the attention of people.
      9 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Erwin Mark Mata Why is there such a fury against religion now? Because religion is the one reliable force that stands in the way of the power of the strong over the weak. The one reliable force that forms the foundation of the concept of the rule of law.

      The one reliable force that restrains the hand of the man of power. In an age of powerworship, the Christian religion has become the principal obstacle to the desire of earthly utopians for absolute power. ~ Peter Hitchens

      9 hours ago ·  ·  6

    • Sumner Fuentes beautiful
      8 hours ago · 

    • Blessy Torio RESPECT :(
      8 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Don Corban learn how to respect our FAITH!
      8 hours ago · 

    • Pedro Lorenzo Ruiz remember the Carlos Celdran formula folks: If you want cheap publicity, ATTACH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Celdran started this in the Manila Cathedral drama.
      8 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Southall Fina I like her music any sound to stupid
      8 hours ago · 

    • Southall Fina I don't like her music
      8 hours ago · 

    • Gerald Malong AutoTune na music, tapos magiiskandalo pa ng ganyan. shame on her!
      7 hours ago · 

    • Jegy Sering hawig ni pope john paul II!!
      7 hours ago · 

    • Jegy Sering i personally dont see anything wrong with what minaj did... well BTW! KRISTYANO PO BA TALAGA KAYO?? if you find this cheap and demeaning better not give publicity on it...
      7 hours ago · 

    • Eidee Urbano ginagaya nya ata si lady gaga :)
      6 hours ago · 

    • Jiannejake Policarpio ‎,,i dont care the brand,, so disrespectful!
      6 hours ago · 

    • Rey Chris Quijano I hope there will also be "unlike" option.
      6 hours ago · 

    • Aldrin Ydeo Illuminati cguro,An evil can transform himself to an angel of light.Desecration!Boom,boom,boom!Super Evil!
      6 hours ago · 

    • Frederick Norberte ‎@ Jedy Sering Walang Mali ? Bro. Ayan po ang Mali o nasa pic. kahit Costume lng po hindi katagap tagap yan buti nalng hindi Costume ng mga Imam ng mga Muslim ang Sinoot ng Lalaki kung hindi hinahanting na yan. ibig ko po sabihin kung palagi po tayong ganyan na hindi mg React sa panloloko nila sa Santo Papa at sa mga KAparian at mga Madre pag dating ng Araw hihiha ang Fame nila o ung Pagrespeto sa kanila at yaon ang ayaw nating mang yari.... Bago sana sila mg Soot ng Kung ano ano gaya din ni Lady Gaga na "Gaga" naman talaga pati Rosario idinamay pa.
      5 hours ago · 

    • Timothy Fajarda ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) in short kulang s pansin
      5 hours ago ·  ·  3

    • Beybie Castillejos ano kaya mahihita nya sa kanyang ginawa.
      5 hours ago · 

    • Marvi Jan Nicolo Andes ipagdasal nlang po natin cla :))
      4 hours ago · 

    • Noel Felongco Is that outfit necessary?
      4 hours ago ·  ·  1

    • Edgardo C. Lozano Very unnecessary and no respect. Let us pray for these misguided people.
      3 hours ago · 

    • André J Bakhos Sr Why does anyone watch this dreck? Who REALLY cares about these people? They will have their judgement...
      2 hours ago · 

    • Miriam Merin Obviously gagawin nila lahat mapansin lang. And yes again nakuha nila atensyon ng lahat. Kudos for their sarcasm. But I'm not losing hope. As a Catholic it's better to pray for their souls and ask God to enlighten these people.
      2 hours ago ·  ·  2

    • Nyro Adriano It's interesting how they accuse the Catholic Church of being "offensive" or "bullying" when it teaches people about sin and that it does them harm but it is alright for them to really offend and bully the Church. We definitely have to condemn this act but we still have to pray for these people.
      about an hour ago ·