Dear Loved Ones,
Pleasant
Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! Everyone is finishing up summer activities and
preparing for the resumption of classes for kids, shopping for school
necessities and the fall wardrobe, making use of Sale offers!
I am always excited about
the month of August for the following reasons: celebration of Feasts of some of
my favorite Saints: Maximilian Colby on August 14, the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, and my childhood patron St. Augustine on the 28th
- when our Panglao town open homes to share food on table with ‘uniform
menu of dozen dishes, centered with lechon’; street dancing, and many more as
part of Big Fiesta. When in Pinas, I always go home Panglao for this feast.
This year, Sean and I join the Panglao society in Clifton, New Jersey for a
fiesta dinner gathering. Wherever you are, Panglao natives really celebrates
the feast of St. Augustine in some ways.
Sean and I leave for New
Jersey via DELTA air; then on Sep. 3, Sarah and I will join a group for a
pilgrimage to Italy: Milan, Magenta, Mesero, Turin, Venice, Padua, Florence,
Assisi, then 4 days in Rome/ The Vatican. As we embark on this journey, I share
this Traveler’s Prayer:
Good and Gracious God, on
the day of my Baptism, I began the journey of my life of Faith, to the joy of
your everlasting reign;
Help me to see all of life
as a journey to your heart; a heart filled with hope, joy, compassion, and
Peace;
In my travels, May I find
refreshment and renewal; the expanding of my mind and my spirit; That I may
find new expressions of your goodness; and new experiences of your continuing
Presence on Earth;
In my time of rest, May I
find your Peace, and through my quiet Prayer: Hear afresh your Word of Truth
that guides my Life’s journey;
When I return home, May I
be rededicated to the Mission You have given me: To build a family modeled on
Your own – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - United in Trust,
Openness and Care;
May each step of my
travels, whether easy or challenging, Bring me ever closer to you, my loving
Lord; walk with me now, And lead me to your glory
Until my journey is
complete and I can live, with You forever and ever. AMEN!
Other highlights for the
month:
·
On August 15, Sean and Claret mates (Roy Pineda from Leuven, Belgium; Abe King
Cada from SFO, CA, and Red Balanag of Concord, CA) had a reunion at home. I
enjoyed hosting them for 4 days, treating for lunch at FATS Asian Bistro in
Folsom, they had fun recalling their ‘hunger days at Snackbar’ with silog or
siomai paired with ‘extra rices’, LOL!
·
Instead of the 2nd Saturday Opus Dei Recollection, I spent
the day for other charitable works of Mercy, culminated with time at our
Eucharistic Adoration chapel, followed by the anticipated Mass;
·
On Aug. 17, Ms Joanne Wagner was so kind to drive us (Gloria Burgette,
Gayle Johnson and I) to Vallejo for the funeral Mass of Fr. George Snyder’s
grandmother Mary Snyder. Later, we joined a large group of Fil-Ams for the
reception. Fr. George’s family originated from Cavite, in Pinas.
·
I read the book Forming Intentional
Disciples by Sherry Weddell, and continued reviewing Catechism of the Catholic
Church on some topics/issues;
·
Movie watched: Scenic Route,
featuring Josh Duhamel whose wife Fergie (of Black-eyed Peas) just delivered
their first baby, a son named Axel.
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
