Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! I am still highly spirit-filled with meaningful celebrations / feasts for the month highlighted with the election of Pope Francis! Through EWTN, I followed the entire Conclave process: daily highlights with Coleen Campbell and Raymond Arroyo: from announcement to the Inaugural Mass; then news that our Fairview Shipping got approvals for NK-ISO and MLC certification - the only Pinas company with foreign seal, since other certifications were done by local firms; Sean’s birthday celebration, and the Triduum: Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Michelle P. called me earlier to help out in the Registration for our March 8 SAC Catholic Lunch Forum at the Red Lion – Woodlake Hotel since we were expecting over 350 participants. I knew our guest Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ; a popular EWTN speaker will be a big attraction. The topic was ‘Is Secularism Causing a new Dark Age? How does the Church Respond?’

Fr. Mitch discussed this: The new atheism, materialism and secularism erode morality in the culture leading to family breakdown, including a dramatic increase of children born out of wedlock (40% of children born). This is directly connected to crime (80% of people in prison and 62% of suicides were born out of wedlock). In this context, Fr. Pacwa narrated the history of what the Church did between the 5th and 11th century, especially focusing on Sts. Augustine, Benedict and Patrick, to convert people to Christ, set up Christian communities- as did the monks and nuns of that time to provide stability for society - and educate people on all fronts. He also reviewed Lumen Gentium and the Apostolate of the Laity to provide a framework for how we as Church respond to a call for New Evangelization in our time - in the marketplace and in all aspects of living.

Fr. Pacwa is a renowned Scripture scholar, lecturer, best-selling Catholic author, EWTN television and radio host, and Holy Land pilgrimage spiritual and tour guide. Ordained a Jesuit priest in 1976, he holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology, a Master of Divinity, as well as both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in the Old Testament. He is fluent in twelve languages and has a unique understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East, having spent extensive time in the Holy Land. He is privileged to be bi-ritual in that he also celebrates the Maronite Mass of the Eastern Catholic Church. He is best known for his appearances on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), where he currently hosts several radio and television programs. In 2000, Fr. Mitch established Ignatius Productions, a Catholic media production apostolate under the Society of Jesus whose mission is to teach the scriptures, educate Catholics about their Faith, and promote unity and understanding within the Mystical Body of Christ.

 

Other highlights for the month:

·      Sean and I are looking forward to our International Business IBU540 trip to Belgium and Germany on April 12 – 24; We leave SAC to San Diego to join the NU group, via Atlanta, fly to the cities of Brussels & Leuven (Belgium); then Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich (Germany); visit EEU Com, ABB, Daimler Benz, Siemens, Euro Central Bank, etc.

·      Books read include:  The Eucharist, a Bible study guide for Catholics, by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, I got with his autograph at our Lunch meeting; and Scripture Matters, reading the Bible from the heart of the Church, by Dr. Scott Hahn;

·      Movies watched: Jack the Giant Slayer, a British production based on the famous tale with a twist, featuring Ewan McGregor; and OZ, the Great and Powerful, starring James Franco and the 3 witches; remarkable how James has evolved from the villain in Spiderman to a bankable actor he is now, with a PhD - NYU degree; thus, my passionate advocacy for education!

·      Just completed Revelations in our Bible Study group, where we discussed events and truths revealed - not commands meant to scare us, but to raise our awareness of rewards and consequences for our actions / decisions, given that we have free WILL as children of God! We culminated our course with lunch at Rose’s home in Fair Oaks near St. Mel’s.

Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! In the middle of the Lenten season, I am focused on meaningful spiritual activities – mortification, readings, self-denials – aimed at closer relationship with God, especially on the current shake in the Petrine chair with Pope Benedict VVI’s renunciation and coming Conclave; we pray all for God’s Glory!!! Pope Benedict timed his announcement on the season of Lent to allow us to meditate, reflect and find meaning, according to the Paschal mysteries / triduum of our Faith. Ash Wednesday was celebrated with deeper reflection and piety. I was in tears as the Pope’s helicopter took off for Castelgandolfo. Much Thanks and God Bless, Pope Emeritus!!!

Sean surprised me with a yellow-green orchid flower plant on Valentine’s evening – so thoughtful and loving; in addition to the many greetings received during the day; Love was truly on the air!

I resumed my attendance to our SAC Catholic Lunch Forum at the Red Lion – Woodlake Hotel on Feb. 15, 2013, with Fr. Mark Richards as speaker. He is Canon Lawyer, Tribunal for Diocese of Sacramento, Chancellor, Pastor, and Vocation Director. He discussed the topic ‘Annulment: The Myth vs. The Reality’. While Marriage is indissoluble, there are exceptions, like incest (between relatives) and few cases, such as mixed Faith and others, undergoing the tedious process of Annulment, which usually last 10 months to 2 years. He presented several grounds for annulment like Fraud, gunpoint / forced / deceived marriage, simulated, 3^rd party situations. He went over the process: submission of 4-page info to the Tribunal, submit testimony in 3 weeks, review by expert / psychiatrist, decision by Judge (beyond reasonable doubt, moral certitude) Then it goes to the Appeals Court / 2^nd Instance. It undergoes Spot Checks; Then Case is concluded: Deed of Execution: Restrictions / Warnings. Fr. Mark advised that until the final Deed of Execution is released, parties should not set a Wedding Date for another party wedding!   

 

One exciting activity we did on President’s day week-end was shopping for Sean’s new car to replace his gas-guzzler Jeep. We started early on Saturday to Roseville automall. Earlier, I did my internet research on the most fuel-efficient (mi/gal) vehicles, so I narrowed down choices to at least 4 alternatives. The next criterion was the one who could give us the best price for our trade-in. Sean tried test-driving several models. Although we agreed to go for the basic features – aircon, automatic, anti-theft, Sean opted to get the highest end state-of-art Nissan SR with keyless operation featuring - touch screen GPS, CD/radio, sun-roof, spoiler trims, anti-theft, among others. Keyless means you just keep the key in your pocket, and you can open/close car doors, start/stop ignition, drive, and operate anything – so amazing! It has been 2 weeks running and Sean goes for an average 40mpg – true to its hype.   

Other highlights for the month:

·      Books read include:  Discernment: Acquiring the Heart of God, a tour de force of the spiritual life, by Marko Ivan Rupnik, S.J.; consistency in our relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in our thinking, feeling, willing, acting; and The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, by Dr. Scott Hahn;

·      Movies watched: Beautiful Creatures, featuring many British performers – a must see entertaining movie; and Safe Haven, a Nick Sparks love story, starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough;

·      Renewed my attendance to our Bible Study group where we are discussing Book of Revelation – events and truths revealed, not commands meant to scare us, but to raise our awareness of rewards and consequences for our actions/decisions, given that we have free WILL as children of God!

Attached are 3 photos with family and friends. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG