By CBCP News November 21, 2023 Cebu City The Archdiocese of Cebu is holding the Catholic Social Media Summit (CSMS) next week at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. The CSMS, scheduled for Dec. 2 to 3, will bring together digital communication experts, online influencers, and social communication ministry workers. Archbishop Jose Palma described this event as one that will “ultimately promote the mission of the Church in the dynamic world of social media.” “The summit aims to foster collaborative discussions where participants will have the opportunity to explore innovative strategies, learn from best practices, and exchange ideas on utilizing social media as an effective tool for evangelization,” Palma said. The archbishop is confident that the summit holds tremendous potential. “It aims to equip both individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media within the Catholic framework,” he said. “By supporting this event, we contribute to the positive impact of social media on society, amplifying the voice of the Church and propagating the message of love, compassion, and solidarity,” he added. Now on its 12th year, the CSMS is co-organized by YouthPinoy, an alliance of young Filipinos who are using social media and the internet to advance the New Evangelization, in collaboration with Areopagus Communications The organization’s growing significance was underscored in 2013 when Msgr. Paul Tighe, then secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, traveled to Manila to serve as the keynote speaker at the 2nd CSMS. YouthPinoy and Areopagus Communications are under the auspices of the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. The CSMS will be followed by the annual Catholic Social Media Awards (CSMA) in the evening of December 3. YouthPinoy earlier announced this year’s nominees for the CSMA, which seeks to honor Catholic communicators and encourage church media ministries through recognition and support. CSMA was first held in 2015 to encourage and instil a sense of responsibility among online communicators. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1st Reading – 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him. But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God. He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.” Eleazar spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness. When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: “The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.” This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R.  The Lord upholds me. O LORD, how many are my adversaries!Many rise up against me!Many are saying of

Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 [From the descendants of Alexander’s officers]there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome. He became king in the year one hundred and thirty seven of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying: “Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” The proposal was agreeable; some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles. Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing. Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, each abandoning his particular customs. All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five, the king erected the horrible abomination upon the altar of burnt offerings and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars. They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree. But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Indignation seizes me because of the wickedwho forsake your law. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,your law I have not forgotten. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Redeem me from the oppression of men,that I may keep your precepts. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. I am attacked by malicious persecutorswho are far from your law. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. Far from sinners is salvation,because they seek not your statutes. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands. I beheld the apostates with loathing,because they kept not to your promise. R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price. The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils. She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands. She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor. Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised. Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Blessed are you who fear the LORD,who walk in his ways!For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;blessed shall you be, and favored. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vinein the recesses of your home;Your children like olive plantsaround your table. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Behold, thus is the man blessedwho fears the LORD.The LORD bless you from Zion:may you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.   2nd Reading – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security, ” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.   Alleluia – John 15:4A, 5B R. Alleluia, alleluia.Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord.Whoever remains in me bears much fruit.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried

Pope Francis meets with pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Ozamis, Nov. 17, 2023. VATICAN MEDIA By CBCP News November 18, 2023 VATICAN— Pope Francis on Friday met with pilgrims from the southern Philippine archdiocese of Ozamis, encouraging them to spend their lives in the service of others. Led by Archbishop Martin Jomuad, the pilgrims composed of priests and laypeople are on a Marian pilgrimage in Europe as part of Ozamis’ golden jubilee celebration as a diocese. The pope expressed hope that other planned activities marking the occasion will help Catholics “deepen their awareness of their baptismal call to always live as faithful disciples of the Lord.” In this way, according to him, the archdiocese “will be able to contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom of justice, unity and peace”. “In this regard, it is my hope that your parishes and communities will be models in practicing the works of mercy and in being neighbours to all, especially families, young people, the sick, the elderly and the poor, with the charity that Jesus asks of us,” the pope said. “This includes, as well, being responsible stewards of creation, in the realization that our care for one another and for our common home are intimately bound together,” he said. The 86-year-old pontiff also encouraged the pilgrims “to journey together in fraternal solidarity, listening to one another and above all to the Holy Spirit who guides the entire Church in discerning new and creative paths for the proclamation of the Gospel”. In 1951, the Prelature of Ozamis was established out of Misamis Occidental, with Columban Fr. Patrick Cronin as its first apostolic administrator. In 1955, he was appointed its first prelate. Ozamis attained the status of a diocese on Feb. 17, 1971, with Bishop Jesus Varela serving as its first local ordinary. During this period, Cronin had already become the archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. On Jan. 24, 1983, Ozamis was further elevated to an archdiocese, with the dioceses of Dipolog, Iligan, Pagadian, and the Prelature of Marawi assigned as its suffragans. Despite plans for various activities lined up for the jubilee celebration in 2021, they were hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, presides over Mass for the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique at its cathedral, Nov. 15, 2023. SCREEN SHOT/DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE DE ANTIQUE VIDEO By Leonor Rosales November 17, 2023 San Jose de Buenavista, Antique The diocese serving the western part of Panay Island celebrated its 40 years of existence on Wednesday, November 15. The event was marked with a Mass presided over by papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown at the San Jose de Antique Cathedral. In his homily, he emphasized the vital role and contribution of all the clergy, the religious and laypeople in nurturing and strengthening the faith. “We’re celebrating people of faith who came before us. We’re celebrating their faith, their constancy, their fidelity because we are the inheritors. We are beneficiaries of these people who went before us,” Brown said. The nuncio asked the faithful to follow the footsteps of those who have gone ahead of us 441 years ago, 60 years ago, and 40 years ago- to walk in the footsteps of saints. The local Church was first established as a prelature in 1962, with Bishop Henricus Cornelio De Wit as its first prelate. On Nov. 15, 1982, Antique was elevated to a diocese, becoming a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Jaro. At present, the diocese, which is under the pastoral guidance of Bishop Marvyn Maceda, has 25 parishes. Wednesday’s celebrations also marked the diocese’s 60th anniversary as a local Church, the 35th anniversary of the 1987 Diocesan Synod, and 441 years of Christianity in Antique. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.  

Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 When a quiet silence surrounded all things, and when the course of the night was passing the middle of its journey, your almighty word from heaven leapt down from your royal throne, as a fierce warrior in the midst of the land of extermination, as a sharp sword carrying your unfeigned authority, and standing, filled all things with death, and, standing on the earth, reached all the way up to touch heaven. For every creature according to its kind was fashioned again as from the beginning, diligently serving your teachings, so that your children would be preserved unharmed. For a cloud overshadowed their camp, and where water was before, dry land appeared, and in the Red Sea, a way without hindrance, and out of the great deep, a level field sprung up, through which the whole nation passed, protected by your hand, seeing your miracles and wonders. For they consumed food like horses, and they leapt about like lambs, praising you, O Lord, who had freed them.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43 R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!or:R. Alleluia. Sing to him, sing his praise,proclaim all his wondrous deeds.Glory in his holy name;rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!or:R. Alleluia. Then he struck every first born throughout their land,the first fruits of all their manhood.And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,with not a weakling among their tribes. R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!or:R. Alleluia. For he remembered his holy wordto his servant Abraham.And he led forth his people with joy;with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – SEE 2 Thessalonians 2:14 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God has called us through the Gospel,to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Today's Readings Homilies Love Offering:

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious 1st Reading – Wisdom 13:1-9 But all men are vain, who are not under the knowledge of God, and who, from these good things that are seen, were not able to understand he who is, nor, by paying attention to the works, did they acknowledge he who was the artisan. Instead, they had considered either the fire, or the air, or the atmosphere, or the circle of stars, or the great sea, or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world. If they, being delighted by such sights, supposed them to be gods, let them know how great the Lord of them is in splendor. For he who created all things is the author of beauty. Or, if they wondered at their power and their effects, let them understand by these things, that he who created them is mightier than they are. For, by the greatness of the creation and its beauty, the creator of these will be able to be seen discernibly. Yet, up to this point, the complaint about this is lesser. For perhaps they made a mistake in this, while desiring and seeking to find God. And, indeed, having some familiarity with him through his works, they search, and they are persuaded, because the things that they are seeing are good. But, then again, neither can their debt be ignored. For, if they were able to know enough so that they could value the universe, how is it they did not easily discover the Lord of it?   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5AB R.  The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God,and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.Day pours out the word to day,and night to night imparts knowledge. R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. Not a word nor a discoursewhose voice is not heard;Through all the earth their voice resounds,and to the ends of the world, their message. R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.   Alleluia – Luke 21:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Stand erect and raise your headsbecause your redemption is at hand.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 17:26-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember

Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Wisdom 7:22B-8:1 In Wisdom is the spirit of understanding: holy, singular, manifold, subtle, perceptive, lively, chaste, reliable, gracious, loving, good, astute, who forbids nothing beneficial, humane, kind, steadfast, trustworthy, secure, having all virtue, watching for all things and grasping all things with a pure and most delicate understanding of spirit. For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity. For she is a breath of the virtue of God and a genuine emanation from the purity of the almighty God, and therefore nothing unclean can invade her. Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness. And though she is one, she can do all things; and, unchanging in herself, she renews all things, and throughout the nations she conveys herself to holy souls, establishing them as friends and prophets of God. For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom. For she is more spectacular than the sun, and above the array of all the stars; compared with the light, she is found to be before it. Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice. Thus, she reaches mightily from one end all the way to the other, and she orders all things sweetly.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175 R.  Your word is for ever, O Lord. Your word, O LORD, endures forever;it is firm as the heavens. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord. Through all generations your truth endures;you have established the earth, and it stands firm. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord. According to your ordinances they still stand firm:all things serve you. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord. The revelation of your words sheds light,giving understanding to the simple. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord. Let your countenance shine upon your servant,and teach me your statutes. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord. Let my soul live to praise you,and may your ordinances help me. R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.   Alleluia – John 15:5 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Then he said to his disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he

The three-day National Retreat for Priests end with priests renewing their ordination vows and receive a blessing at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City on Nov. 9, 2023. ROY LAGARDE By Roy Lagarde November 15, 2023 Manila, Philippines It’s true that priests are responsible for all souls in their parish but they need help too, especially in fulfilling their call to be holy, a renowned international retreat speaker said. Sr. Briege McKenna, who is known around the world for her ministry of healing, said that priesthood can be a daunting vocation so priests need support from both their congregation and each other. “We all need to be aware that we have to help priests live that holiness,” McKenna said. “And to love them, to pray for them, and to encourage them.” The Irish nun acknowledged the shame and frustration felt by priests who are dejected by challenges confronting them and their ministry. According to her, their discouragement often arises from recognizing their own sinfulness and unworthiness, threatening to overwhelm them. “You know there’s a tendency nowadays to criticize priests… to say they are boring, that they are the worst,” she said. The nun pointed out that vocations are God’s gifts to the Church when the faithful do their part. “Priests don’t grow in trees. So it’s your (laity) responsibility as well,” McKeena said. “The greatest greatest gift you can give to a priest is to really appreciate and to pray for them.” McKeena was the speaker at the recent National Retreat for Priests in Cebu City. She was accompanied by Fr. Escriva de Romani, a missionary priest from the Archdiocese of Madrid. More than 2,600 priests, along with approximately 30 bishops from across the country, participated in the retreat organized by the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Clergy and the Archdiocese of Cebu. Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu emphasized that the laity are just as essential to the mission of the church as the clergy.” “And as we journey together, you can help us in many ways,” Palma said. “So I think we should help each other become holy”. “I hope and pray that your friendship with us also leads you to holiness,” he also said. DONATE TO CBCP NEWS CBCPNews is a church-based news agency operated by the Media Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.  This apostolate aims at helping the work of the new evangelization through the news media.  This is non-commercial and non-profit.  That being the case, it totally depends on generosity of its readers and supporters. Should you wish to donate kindly press the donate button.  Thank you.