Monthly Archives: May 2011
Latin Mass
(I got this picture from the internet, but this was the same place where we heard Mass this morning: Assumption Grotto in Detroit)
Last Sunday, I wrote about the musical Mass that we attended (here). This morning, friends from Real Catholic TV invited us to attend a Latin Mass. We stayed up late last night because we attended an all-American house party (complete with pizza, brownies, Coke, ping pong, Scene It, Apples for Apples and a lot of white people), and so almost missed Mass. Good thing it was nearby… I didn’t want to walk in late for Latin Mass. Well, for any Mass.
Entering the Church was already different. The smell of incense pervaded the whole place. And the singing was beautiful. Not Broadway singing, but nice Church singing.
Everything you hear about the Latin Mass happened. The priest facing the altar. Everything in Latin – except for the homily. Kneeling to receive communion (on the tongue, and not the hand). I accidentally put my hands on the “kneeler” at the front of the Church. You are supposed to put it under the cloth covering the “kneeler”. Good thing Tinay nudged me before the priest came over to me.
What a refreshing (as Chinka put it) change. From our on-stage singer priest the Sunday before. This was what I was looking for. Solemn. Serene. Focused. No nonsense. Just focusing on the SACRIFICE of the Mass.
Next time, though. I would bring a Missal to be able to follow better what is going on. Or maybe there can be an English Latin-type Mass. Maybe that’s a good step from the Mass we are used to towards the Latin Mass type. I think people would appreciate it.
Our faith and culture is being watered down with people attending Mass just because they have to. Not participating. And leaving right after communion (receiving it by hand, popping it in their mouth without even reflecting on what they are doing). Maybe there is some reason why there is a resurgence of these traditional Masses. People want to feel the awesomeness of it all. We want to see, feel, smell, taste, hear Jesus there PHYSICALLY with us. Because that what is the Eucharist is. Jesus, Son of God, PHYSICALLY THERE with us. And when you realize that (or re-realize it, because we know that in our heads), then it changes everything.
I love being Catholic. And I am fighting for Catholicism against everything that seeks to destroy it.
Massical
Last Sunday we had a treat. There’s no way for us to go to New York and watch a Broadway show, so it was brought to us. The priest at the Mass we went to practically sang the whole Mass. I can’t say I am overly conservative, and I would actually like to attend a Latin Mass – especially when it is sung… but this was different. It was more of Broadway than solemn. I kind of felt that he wanted to be more of a star, maybe he is a frustrated singer.
I half-expected dancers to come out and perform.
I guess I am getting more and more conservative. The Eucharist is important. It reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus did for us. And I know that people do not understand that nowadays – and even find the Mass boring and just something they have to do as an obligation… but there are different ways to change that.
I think explaining the Mass and the beauty of the sacrifice of the Mass will get people to be awed and inspired to attend. We don’t need to resort to other things that can distract us from focusing on what is truly important. Because then we get used to those things, and when we are faced with “the Mass”, then we will end up even more bored than usual. And that would be sad.
Fast 5
I liked the action. The car chases. It was like part of the Italian Job franchise actually. Or even Oceans 11. It was a nice touch to bring back most of the main characters from all Fast and the Furious movies. Even bringing some back from the dead for the movie.
Just don’t expect much from the dramatic scenes. Or even the “talking” scenes. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel are not character, dramatic actors. And the Brazilian policewoman was more focused on getting the right camera angle than showing any emotion.
But if you want fast cars, action and a lot of noise… watch it. Make sure there’s surround sound.
Hunger Games
I am currently reading book 3 of the Hunger Games trilogy. It’s an interesting story about sacrifice, love, death and fighting for what is right – but it is quite morbid as it involves teenagers killing each other. Much like the Japanese Battle Royale:
They both have teenagers stuck in an island. Both scripts have everyone kill each other until one is left standing. A lot of similarities.
I know I am going to get into a lot of trouble, but I am not particularly enthralled by this series. It’s a good read. Entertaining, even. And it will make a good movie. But I just want to finish the last book just to know the ending. But I won’t read it again.
Thor!
I watched Thor yesterday. I just have to watch all the Avenger movies before the big Avenger movie comes out. They’ve had hits like Iron Man and misses (twice!) like The Hulk. No wonder they won’t have a movie for the Wasp or Scarlet Witch. But I wonder which team of Avengers they will feature.
Anyway, the movie did not disappoint. I never liked the Thor comic books – I didn’t get the whole Mjolonir-hammer thing. I though having mutant powers was much cooler. And the Norse god-speak was off. But the movie was fun, fast paced and action packed!
I was surprised it was directed by Kenneth Branagh. That’s probably why it didn’t suck. There was probably some theater and stage influence in the movie. Good job.
The funny part was that when Thor comes out shirtless in one scene, the whole theater was so quiet. Like you could hear a pin drop. I need to go on a diet. How old is Chris Hemsworth? Do I still have a chance to get fit like that?
And that’s the downside of the movie, isn’t it? Thor was good, but everyone wants to be Chris Hemsworth.
14 years
14 years ago (yesterday), I came home past midnight and woke up my parents from their sleep. I told them I was going to be a missionary for Couples for Christ.
When God calls, we have to answer. I didn’t know anything about missionary work. I hardly knew anything about CFC (I wasn’t that active, nor was I that enthusiastic). But I heard God speak to me, to take that leap. And I did.
I have gone to so many places. Majority of the provinces of the Philippines. I have gotten bedridden sick, I have ridden suicidal buses, and also the weirdest local transportation. I have eaten a lot of exotic things (and knowing me, you know that is a feat). I have done amazing nature “sports” – bungee jumping, river rafting, mountain climbing, etc.
I have also gone all around the world. Doing more of the things I mentioned above. Eating shark in the Caribbean, getting stalled on a highway in South Africa, getting mugged at gunpoint in the USA, honeymooning / serving in Europe, sleeping on airport chairs in Qatar, sleeping on tables in Ghana… and so much more.
All because of my yes. And not thinking that me inexperience and lack of knowledge would stop me.
14 years later, I am married. I have 3 kids. And the call to spread His love to as many people around the world as fast as I can is as strong as it was when I first heard it – sometime past midnight on May 13 in Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills – while Here I Am, Lord played in the background. What can I say, when God calls, He makes it dramatic.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
FLiQ Media
I am blessed to have a job that I love, and that constantly challenges me to better myself. I am now using my addiction to the internet to learn more about media. And with FLiQ Media, now I can help out the community as well.
Why FLiQ? Simply: Family and Life Quad Media. But also, when you flick the light switch, you get light. Or that sudden EUREKA moment. And that’s what we want to do. To bring people to flick their heart-switches, in order to live in the light.
We are going to spend a couple of weeks with Real Catholic TV, and at the same time will be fixing up our new office (need help! If you want to help lay out, design, decorate our office, let me know!). And when we get back, it will be right smack in the middle of anniversary preparations.
Pray for us, and pray for what is coming for our community and our work 
Good job, Boston Rob
If you know me, then you know I have my favorite Reality Shows. Like Amazing Race (congratulations, Jen and Kisha!) and my MOST FAVORITE, Survivor. I have been watching it for 22 seasons now (11 years!). Since the first one in Borneo. I watched it on numerous TV channels, and now, since it is so hard to catch on TV, I watch it on YouTube. A few minutes after it airs in the US.
There are some seasons you just love, and there are some I just didn’t really follow as intently. This season is great!
Our Family
Any parent knows how hard it is to get a good picture with toddlers in it. So I am so happy we have one.
Des should have used the same dress design.
A day more important than your birthday
On your birthday, you become a member of the family of the world. On your baptismal day, you become a member of the family of God.
We should celebrate our baptismal days more than our birthdays
We love you, Franko!
