Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! We are now at the transition from the heat of summer to the cool days of fall, and busy finishing up our summer activities, such as picnics and lunch outs with friends; oh well time swifts by!

We have 2-months break on our Catholic Lunch Club to afford members out-of-town vacation and bonding with family and friends. In my case, time was spent in town since out-of-country trips had already been laid out for the year.

It’s the time of year when ‘job-rotation’ of priests/ministers happens to make the Church truly dynamic and responsive to the Holy Spirit. Our parish of St. Mel’s got new priests: Filipino Fr. Aldrin Basarte from Cagayan de Oro (we speak Cebuano) and newly-ordained Fr. Guillermo Ramirez. God is great, I am truly blessed! Months back Claude R. whispered to me about Filipino Fr. Aldrin (10 yrs pastor in a parish up north) will be Pastor, which would make me happy, then kababayan pa. The new priests started their tenure July 1. So good, we have a welcoming community. When Fr. Aldrin knew I was from Bohol, he confirmed that we have the highest vocation in Pinas, which made me bow.

Then during the World Youth Days in July with Pope Francis, EWTN allowed me to view Live telecasts from Rio de Janeiro. I watched all Masses, commentaries, events, like I was virtually on site – moved by God’s graces! Among Pope Francis’ message, to quote from Vatican II Lumen Gentium, “Eternal salvation is open to those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and His Church, but seek God with a sincere heart, and under the inspiration of grace, try in their lives to do His Will, made known to them by the dictates of their conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the aids necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet reached an explicit belief in God, but strive to lead a good life, under the influence of God’s grace.” In this year of Faith, let us do our part in the New Evangelization to bring Christ to others, even by our good example of love, kindness, and actions, that they see Christ in us!

Other highlights for the month:

·      On July 19, the Clubhouse in our Anatolia Homes community hosted an afternoon barbecue for residents. Thus, after my regular workouts of treadmill and cycling, I joined the neighbors feasting on chicken barbecue, beans, salad, muffins, drinks, popcorn from 5 – 8:30 pm.

·      In addition to the 2^nd Saturday Opus Dei Recollection with Fr. Turlock, we had our monthly Opus Day group Circle at home. I usually volunteer to host it during summer to welcome kids. I posted photos taken by Sean on FB – Deidre, Julie, Maru, Dianne, Carolina, Debbie, and kids. I prepared some lunch – pancit, hotdogs, cookies, fruits, chips, drinks – part of sharing!

·      Continued reading the Splendor of Truth by John Paul II; taking notes on Wisdom of the Catholic Church; reviewing Catechism of the Catholic Church on some topics/issues;

·      Movies watched:  RED2 (Retired, Extremely Dangerous (with Bruce Willis, J. Malcovich, Helen Mirren) ; The Wolverine2, starring Hugh Jackman and a bunch of super slim Japanese, movie was set mostly in Japan. Watching it brought back beautiful memories of our family visit to Japan in May 1995 courtesy of Takemura San family. Recalled: 2 rooms at the Yamato Grand Hotel where Gen. Macarthur stayed, bullet train rides – Yokohama, Tokyo, Narita; free shopping for Sarah and Sean, the sights, the culture; I thank GOD for their kindness, love and generosity; we are forever grateful!

 

     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

June 30, 2013

Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! I wish you had a Happy Memorial week-end. Let us pause to thank our heroes protecting our country and offer prayers for those who gave up lives for the cause, with hope for better years in the midst of scandal and tragedies besetting our nation.

On our Catholic Lunch Club on June 21 at the Red Lion Woodlake Hotel, our speaker was Paul O'Reilly, Ph.D., Vice President, Thomas Aquinas College , on the topic: The New Evangelization in an Atheistic Age. After introductions, he discussed the thesis of Richard Dawkins’  The God Delusion, which  had been described as “the most coherent and devastating indictment of religion” containing “lots of good, hard-hitting stuff about the imbecilities of religious fanatics and frauds of all stripes." Dr. Paul O’Reilly  exposed  fundamental errors about the relationship between science and faith portrayed in the stated book. He focused on the Fathers and Doctors of the Church – especially Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas who anticipated today's atheists' contentions and provided a resounding rebuttal. While largely unknown in the current debate, they provide powerful arguments against the new atheism. The learning from his presentation is an invaluable tool to engage in the New Evangelization in this Year of Faith.

Dr. O’Reilly, one of eight siblings, was born and raised in battle-torn Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Two of Paul’s uncles were murdered and their restaurant destroyed by a bomb blast. One of Paul’s brothers was abducted and his sister viciously attacked.  Concerned that her children would be drawn into a life of vengeance, Paul’s mother applied for and received refugee status for her family in Canada.  Seven months after the family immigrated to Canada, she was tragically killed in an automobile accident, orphaning Paul and his siblings. Heroically, an uncle and aunt, already the parents of four, adopted the eight devastated children. Paul enrolled at Thomas Aquinas College returning to teach there in 1989 after receiving his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Laval in Quebec. He also taught at the Pontifical Institute in Beaverton, Oregon, Saint Anselm College and Thomas More Institute.

I wanted to socialize with some Aquinas College alumni who attended the lunch but had to leave for a doctor’s appointment; my blood test results were okay. However, the insurance insist that doctors do their responsibilities of monitoring healthcare of patients, so there.

After attending anticipated Mass on June 8, at home while doing chores, I tuned on EWTN TV Mass from Alabama. The officiating priest welcomed co-celebrant ‘Fr. Victor from the Philippines’ and the camera focused on our Fr. Victor of Bohol. I immediately called Sean for validation. A week later, on June 15, Fr. Victor visited us at our Erato home. He was so happy to know that someone saw him on global TV, proof that I am a devoted watcher. While here, he played classics on our piano; he visits us every time he’s in the U.S. His Bohol seminarians are recipients of our monthly apostolate ever since.     

Other highlights for the month:

·      On June 14, our Opus Dei group had an early commemoration Mass to honor St. Josemaria Escriva (feast on June 26) at 6:30PM, followed by potluck gathering. I was assigned the collection and arrangement /preparation of the dinner venue – successful attendance of regular families; appreciation and thanks were elicited from attendees (including Percy’s group from Berkeley – AED Berkeley Fund)  for efforts – well-balanced menu.

·      Read the Splendor of Truth by John Paul II; completed Video on Catholicism by Fr. Robert Barron in our Tuesday BS Group; review Catechism of the Catholic Church on some topics/issues;

·      Movies watched:  Now You See Me, featuring ensemble cast Jessie Isenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, among others; Man of Steel - prequel to Superman, starring Henry Cavill, Rusell Crowe, Amy Adams, among others; World War Z, starring Brad Pitt – thriller, good movie!

     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! I wish you had a Happy Memorial week-end. Let us pause to thank our heroes protecting our country and offer prayers for those who gave up lives for the cause, with hope for better years in the midst of scandal and tragedies besetting our nation.

In addition to my Adoration chapel commitments on Friday mornings, I resumed attending my monthly Friday Catholic Lunch Club on May 17 at the Red Lion Woodlake Hotel with Mr. Ray Flynn as speaker. Mr. Flynn is former Mayor of Boston and Ambassador to the Vatican who developed close friendship with Pope John Paul II. During hi discussion, he took us behind the Scenes of the Recent Papal Election - the Cardinals gathered in Rome; the press speculated why it was taking so long to start the conclave to elect the new pope. But this was no ordinary election. For the first time in over 600 years a pope resigned, leaving the cardinals to convene a conclave while the former pope is still alive. This was new territory. Many Cardinals did not know each other well because Pope Benedict had appointed many new ones during his tenure. Getting to know each other, agreeing on Church priorities, and selecting the right man for the job created an intense, urgent, and yet thoughtful process of discernment, most of which was not part of the public arena. What actually went on? What are global implications?

As former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, he had a front row seat to the inner workings there. He focused on the personal stories behind the headlines and the implications for making thoughtful and values-based decisions, not only for the Vatican and the Catholic Church, but for all of us in our daily lives at a time when our culture is being attacked on many fronts. As three time mayor of Boston, All American college basketball player, professional basketball player, founder and president of Catholic Alliance and currently on the board of Conscience Cause, a non-profit, non-partisan, public policy advocacy organization of national leaders from various faiths united to secure and preserve our constitutional rights of conscience. Ambassador Flynn is uniquely qualified to share on a journey of discovery through his first hand stories of the inside workings of the Vatican, as well as his personal relationships with famous people such as John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela, Frank Sinatra, Ted Williams and many more.

Ambassador Flynn, whose Irish heritage enhanced his rich story telling ability, is also co-author of a novel, The Accidental Pope, a fascinating story set in 2005, following the death of Pope John Paul II. When I asked if he was attending JPII’s canonization this October, he said Yes and will even broadcast live from the Vatican; looking forward to this exciting spiritual event!

On Mother’s Day, Sean treated me to a movie at Palladio, then lunch at Blue Nami where they presented roses for every lady guest – so classy/sweet of them! Then we had seafood dinner at home of lobster, calamari, and clams. When Sean shared some with his officemates the next day, got ‘social naman ng Mommy mo!’ comment.

Other highlights for the month:

·      Videos ordered and viewed:  There Be dragons (also one for Karen), For Greater Glory, and The Way.

·      On May 11, Deidre (who provided her hybrid to carpool), Maru, Dianne and I were invited to an open house of the Opus Dei Chestnut Center at 89 Hillcrest Road, Berkeley where I currently give my monthly apostolate/donation. I met numerares Percy Sison, architect Mia Ricafort and her mother (who was a co-retreatee at Trumbull 3 years ago.) The Center has 5-levels with similar features as in all OD Centers – wonderful!

·      Read the Book of Catholic Wisdom by Msgr. Charles Dollen; and still on the Video Catholicism by Fr. R. Barron in our Tuesday BS Group;

·      Movies watched:  the hit Reload Iron Man3 starring Robert Downey Jr.; The Big Wedding a hodge-podge of characters featuring veteran and new stars – with no real plot at all, poor storyline; Star Trek into Darkness 3. Starring Ralph Fienes – action-packed thriller, and Fast and Furious6 – featuring car-racing all over London with twists and turns on the plot; amazing how the 2 women brawled all over the screen.

     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! Sean and I are glad to be back home sweet SAC after our 12-days journey to the heart of Europe – Belgium and Germany. We joined a group from National University International Business IBU 540 tour, where he is an MBA student while I am faculty.

We left SAC for San Diego on April 12 for our DELTA flight to Brussels via Atlanta, and returned back home to SAC evening of the 24^th, same route from Munich. Both ways, we stayed overnight at Holiday Inn San Diego for some respite. While I had stayed in Norway and went around Europe in 1982 for my Masters in Hydropower Development degree, much have changed with the advent of the Euro zone. Thanks GOD for the wonderful experiences, bonding with my son, meeting new friends, keeping pace with the young bloods – nice to know that I am physically fit and sound, surviving the long walks! Following are details of our amazing, educational, magical journey:

·      April 12, 2013: Met up for dinner at Coyote Café at Old Town, San Diego. Among them: Dr. Juan Espana, Dr. James Juarez, Marie, Maria, Tony, Cynthia;

·      April 13: Departure from San Diego to Brussels, Overnight flight:  San Diego - Atlanta  -  8:00am  3:04pm (DL  1662); Atlanta - Brussels - 5:35pm – 8:30 am (DL 80) Sunday (April 140)

·      April 14: Transfer to the Sleep well Youth Hostel;  welcome meeting with host Kate Horning, introduction to the program; lunch on own; 3:00 pm,  guided city walking tour of Brussels to get to know the most important sights: cathedral (Belgium is 95% Catholics) (2 hours);  6:00 pm welcome dinner  at  Chez Leon, delicious food;

·      April 15: Visit of the European Commission (Eco and Financial Affairs Council ), presentation by Mr. Jo Vandercapellen, Directorate- General Communication; strict Security checks, coffee / water;

Train to Leuven; meeting point: Grote City Hall; guided city tour of Leuven – site of world’s biggest University for Theology (300 buildings scattered around the city, identified by blue seal at door, and bagenhaus – village of holy women;  met up with Roy (Sean’s Claret HS mate) a PT Master’s scholar (top 1) who went back with us to Brussels for bonding;

·      April 16:  Visit to the National Bank of Belgium (Rue du Bois Sauvage 10, Brussels), visit to the Museum and Lecture about the ECB and the Euro – by Mr. Luc Lagae; afterwards back to hostel for the bus to Frankfurt (2 hours); checked-in at Frankfurt Hostel;

·      April 17:  Visit to the Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank (Central Bank of Germany); then to the German Stock Exchange (Visitors Centre, Borsenplatz 4, 60313 Frankfurt); then Lecture and Discussion : The European Central Bank – by Mr. Florian Walch at Saalbau Gallus. Walked and had dinner at the Chicago Steakhouse;

·      April 18:  Presentation of the FIAT/ Chrysler  Group Automobiles Germany AG (Hanauer Landstr. 176, 603140) and discussion by Mr Rainier Ohlenhard;  then presentation of the German Savings Bank and Giro Association in the times of the Euro crisis in Stuttgart ; 6pm: settling in at the Alex 30 Hostel in Stuttgart; 7:00p, Panel discussion at  Tricos Language School of DHBW Stuttgart, with Dr. Reinhard Loffler (CDU spokesperson and director at IBM);

·      April 19: After breakfast, left for Munich; guided city tour (walking) of Munich (2 hrs.,  meeting at Marienplatz),  including the Hofbräuhaus, the Octoberfest area, meadows, churches, Bavarian square (John Paul II), revolving statues, bells ringing.  Check in at the Euro Youth Hotel Munich, lunch at Italian Ristorante;  Visit to  Zooplus as an example of doing business in Germany and Europe;  7:00P -  Meeting Germans from the area (80469 Munchen);

·      April 20: Free time; went to visit the big churches near Marienplatz: St. Paul’s and the Cathedral; visited Museums, bought souvenirs, rested  and came back to attend the 5:30 P Mass at the Cathedral; went to Hofbrauhaus, dinner at a Japanese resto;  

·      April 21: 8:00A Visited Neuschwanstein Castle (2 hours bus), guided tour of the castle (30 minutes) – beautiful on top of mountain, built by flamboyant Ludwig II who died at 47 yrs, a bachelor he stayed in the castle for only a year;  I rode on a horse carriage up and down the mountain (@9Euros); lunch at the Muller Hotel. Had opportunity to enjoy the surroundings of the castle, lake, breathtaking, postcard pretty! Back to Munich by 6:30 P;

·      April 22: 9:00A - Presentation of SIEMENS (Kleiner Saal at CVJM e.v., 80363 Munchen) by Mr. Franko Riedel, Corp. Security; 3:00P – Visit to Linde Gas(85716 Unterschleilshem), presentation by Dr. Hupperich;

8:00P - Bavarian farewell dinner at the Hofbrauhaus(Platz 9, 80331 Munchen) near Marienplatz; where Hitler started his ascendancy by plotting against an enemy;

·      April 23: Early take away breakfast; departure by bus to Munich airport for our DELTA flight back to USA via Atlanta, then San Diego; met by cousin Mark D., checked-in for overnight stay at Holiday Inn;

·      April 24:  Back to US culture of disposable plastic plates, cups, utensils; took Southwest Air 7:00p flight back to SAC; met by Russel G. and glad to be sweet home at Erato Circle!  

Other highlights for the month:

·      Books read include:  7 Secrets of the Eucharist, by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, and A Catechiem for Adults , green-colored book by Rev. William Cogan;

·       Movie watched:  GI Joe: Retaliation, to give in to Sean’s choice and because it featured Channing Tatum – action-filled;          

·      Started with the class on Catholicism, Video  by Fr. Robert Barron, also featured on EWTN weekly; also the series by Fr. Maurice, compelling discussion on Faith Matters!

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