Dear Loved Ones,

            Pleasant Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! Thanks GOD for the wonderful spiritual journey my daughter Sarah and I had to Italy, together with a group of pilgrims from Oklahoma headed by Rev. Fr. Price Oswalt, through Adriatic Tours on Sept. 3 – 13, 2013!

Following are highlights of our pilgrimage:

Sept. 3(USA) – arrived Milan Sept. 4AM. We met our Italian Tour Guide Fulvio outside the baggage claim holding area. We introduced ourselves to the rest of the group of 15, led by Fr. Price; boarded our bus (driver Alessandro) for a tour of Milan; met the local guide for a visit to the magnificent Gothic Duomo; continued through the glass-domed Galleria Umberto, to the Storzesco castle, and the Gothic/Romanesque Milan Cathedral; saw the bodies of St. Charles Borromeo, nail of Christ, and red Ferrari;  I remember Milan is where St. Augustine studied and learned much from St. Ambrose in the 4^th century; Checked in at Hotel Des Entranger/ Art Hotel Navigli, Milan, (3 nights).

Sept. 5 – We left early for Magenta, birthplace of St. Gianna Molla (doctor, wife, and mother of 6); At her Shrine, her youngest  daughter  (1^st class relic of St. Gianna)  Gianna Emanuela Molla narrated her mother’s life. After lunch, we proceeded to Mesero where we visited her Clinic, her tomb and Sanctuary dedicated to her, where we celebrated our 1^st Mass officiated by Fr. Price; and went back to Milan hotel;

Sept. 6 – After breakfast, we left for Turin; visited the Turin Cathedral from its Renaissance inspired structure to the magnificent view from its steps. Down in the crypt was housed the Holy Shroud of Turin, claimed to be the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ exposed in 2010. Fr. Price celebrated Mass at the Turin Cathedral over Blessed Piere Giorgio Frassati's tomb, a handsome young man who died at 24, who did remarkable acts of charity for the youth; then back to Milan hotel;

Sept. 7 -   We left with our luggage for Venice , known as Europe’s most reomantic and unique destination; first, we visited the Church of St. Anthony de Padua where Fr. Price celebrated Mass, special intentions for the birthday of my daughter Sarah and Joe Elder; then, off to Venice, also an international shipping port with many tourist vessels; reminded me of our international shipping business hiring Filipino crew manning these vessels. We saw the golden dome of St. Mark’s, the trademark campanile, chaotic alleys and canals, barber –pole mooring posts. We found St. Mark’s Basilica a unique synthesis of byzantine, western European and Islamic influences, sparkling under gold mosaics, built to house the Saint’s remains. Our visit was capped by the exciting 40-min.Gondola ride winding along the very clean canals made memorable with stories by our flamboyant gondolier; Sarah and I shared the ride with Fr. Price and couple James and Joy; followed by shopping before proceeding to Hotel Biri, where Sarah and Joe blew birthday candles after dinner;

Sept. 8 – After breakfast we left with our luggage to drive for Florence, the art capital of the world and home to magnificent churches; We had Mass at the Cathedral (duomo), visited the Church of the Holy Cross, continuing to the Academy of Fine Arts containing treasures, including Michelangelo’s statue of David; I did my Italian jewelry shopping at the Gold market; we walked ‘500m’. (Fulvio’s estimate, actually 1.5 miles) to our hotel Palazzo Risolli;

Sept.9 – Likewise, with our luggage, we drove through the scenic Umbrian countryside to Assisi, where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order; we went uphill to visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels; then onward to the Church of St. Claire where we knelt before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis. Then we went up again to the Basilica of St. Francis where we had Mass. In our going up and down twice, we senior citizens availed of taxi ride to minimize stress! Then we checked in at Hotel Roseo;

 

Sept. 10 – Everyone was excited for Rome, our culminating destination! Upon arrival, we proceeded to the Vatican, scenic tour of the Coliseum, along the Tiber(Tevere) River, visited the Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John in Lateran, and Mass at church of  St. Peter in Chains. Then we checked in at Hotel Domus Mariae;

Sept. 11 – We woke up early for our Papal Audience, leaving before 7:00A for Vatican for the scheduled 10:00A – 12:00; to join Catholics from around the world excited to see Pope Francis; Sarah and I got good vantage view near the Altar; when Pope Francis came out, Sarah was so blessed to be allowed by Vatican Swiss guard to perch on top of a column to get amazing photos of the Pope (5). Filled with graces/excitement, we went on for shopping, then more shrine visits and Mass at St. Mary Major Basilica; Later after dinner, we took a ‘Rome by Night’ bus tour around the magnificent sites, like the Fountain of Trevi;

Sept. 12 – We had a guided tour with focus on ‘Christian Rome’; admiring the treasures of our Church – arts and traditions; starting with the Vatican Museum, then to the Sistine Chapel, then to St’ Peter’s Basilica; we also visited Lateran Basilica, seeing the Miraculous staircase and the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem and the relics of the Passion;  then to St’ Paul’s Basilica, which houses the remains of St. Paul’s under its Altar, where we also had Mass; At St. Paul’s my Catholic Faith was re-affirmed as the one true Church founded by Christ by the portraits of the succession of Popes to the Petrine Chair starting with Peter, then to Pope Francis – so conclusive evidence!

Sept. 13 – Early morning transfer to Rome airport for our flight back to USA. Arrivederci Italy!

Feedback on the trip: Two years ago, I took a Pilgrimage package on the Marian Apparition Shrines(Portugal, Spain, France) from Adriatic Tours and I liked it. To balance my time among my multi-located global family, having gone to Belgium and Germany with my son in April, I sent the Adriatic brochure to Sarah and she chose this Italy tour. Thus, I had to compare this trip with my 1^st experience. I gave my comments to Fulvio on the 1^st 2 days, but he was a bit condescending. On the 3^rd day, when Sarah was about to jump out the window due to incontinence, I got firm on my request for ‘technical stops’ since his bus did not have emergency; then I was glad that he responded positively to our needs for the rest of the trip.

Other highlights for the month:

·      My sojourn actually started on Aug. 31, when my son  Sean and I took the DELTA air flight out of SAC for Newark, NJ with lay-over in Minneapolis with its high-tech concourse of IPAD on each table to make your snacks order. So excited to reunite with Max and Sarah; then to dinner with the Dompor family in  Clifton who were setting up their place for the celebration of Fiesta of St. Augustine the following day. As expected, guests came for the event, started with a Mass by Fr. Jed Sumampong, sumptuous buffet, program/dancing and reunion with family and friends in the area.

·      On Sept. 20, I celebrated my birthday with Mass and Adoration, then dinner with Sean; he surprised me with flowers and gifts;

·      On Sept. 28, we were invited to dinner for the 80^th birthday of Don Davies, husband of Rose; held at their home with 80 guests; was surprised that Rose asked me to do the ‘Blessing of the Food’, and I gladly did it; I always find myself in this task, my share of ‘evangelization’, Thanks God!

·      Resumed my Bible Study class on St. Paul’s Galatians; then continued ‘Intentional Disciples’ and Cat. Of Catholic Church;

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! 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 28^{th -} 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 2^nd 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

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