Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20 When the wedding feast was over, Tobit called his son Tobias and said to him, “My son, be sure to pay your travelling companion, and don’t forget to give him a bonus.” He then called Raphael and said to him, “Here is half of what you helped me bring back. You have earned it; have a safe journey home.” Then Raphael called the two men aside and said to them, “Praise God and tell everyone about the good things he has done for you, so that they too will honour him and sing his praises. Let everyone know what God has done. Never stop praising him. “It’s a good idea to keep a king’s secret, but what God does should be told everywhere, so that he may be praised and honoured. “If you do good, no harm will come to you. “It is better to pray sincerely and to please God by helping the poor than to be rich and dishonest. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold. Such generosity will save you from death and will wash away all your sins. Those who give to the poor will live full lives, but those who live a life of sin and wickedness are their own worst enemies. “I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you.I have already said to you, ‘A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.’ I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead. When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead, I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks. Now I must go back to him who sent me. Write down everything that has happened to you.”   Responsorial Psalm – Tobit 13:2, 6EFGH, 7, 8 R. (1b) Blessed be God, who lives for ever. He scourges and then has mercy;he casts down to the depths of the nether world,and he brings up from the great abyss.No one can escape his hand. R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever. So now consider what he has done for you,and praise him with full voice.Bless the Lord of righteousness,and exalt the King of ages. R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever. In the land of my exile I praise

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Tobit 11:5-17 Meanwhile, Anna sat looking down the road for her son. Suddenly she saw him coming and shouted out to Tobit, “Look! Our son is coming, and his friend is with him!” Before they reached Tobit, Raphael said to Tobias, “Your father will be able to see again. Just put the fish’s gall-bladder on his eyes like a plaster. The medicine will make the white film shrivel up so that you can peel it off, and your father will then regain his eyesight.” Then Anna ran up to her son, threw her arms around him, and said to him, “Now that I have seen you again, son, I am ready to die!” And she sobbed aloud. Tobit got up and stumbled out through the courtyard gate. Tobiah went up to him with the fish gall in his hand, and holding him firmly, blew into his eyes. “Courage, father,” he said. Next he smeared the medicine on his eyes, and it made them smart. Then, beginning at the corners of Tobit’s eyes, Tobiah used both hands to peel off the cataracts. When Tobit saw his son, he threw his arms around him and wept. He exclaimed, “I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!” Then he said: “Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be praised throughout all the ages, Because it was he who scourged me, and it is he who has had mercy on me. Behold, I now see my son Tobiah!” Then Tobit went back in, rejoicing and praising God with full voice for everything that had happened. Tobiah told his father that the Lord God had granted him a successful journey; that he had brought back the money; and that he had married Raguel’s daughter Sarah, who would arrive shortly, for she was approaching the gate of Nineveh. Tobit was excited and praised God as he went out to meet his son”s bride at the city gate. When the people of Nineveh saw Tobit walking along briskly, with no one leading him by the hand, they were amazed. Before them all Tobit proclaimed how God had mercifully restored sight to his eyes. When Tobit met Sarah, he greeted her, “Welcome, daughter! Praise God for bringing you to us, my daughter. May God bless your father, as well as you and my son Tobias. Welcome to your new home. May you always be blessed with good health and happiness. Come in, my daughter!” It was a day of great joy for all the Jews of Nineveh.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 146:1B-2, 6C-7, 8-9A, 9BC-10 R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia. Praise the LORD, O my soul;I will praise the LORD all my life;I will sing praise to my God while I live. R. Praise the Lord, my soul!or:R. Alleluia. The LORD keeps faith forever,secures justice for the oppressed,gives food

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1 BCDE, 9-17; 8:4-9A When the angel Raphael and Tobiah had entered Media and were getting close to Ecbatana, Raphael said to the boy, “Tobiah, my brother!” He replied: “Here I am!” He said: “Tonight we must stay with Raguel, who is a relative of yours. He has a daughter named Sarah.” So he brought him to the house of Raguel, whom they found seated by his courtyard gate. They greeted him first. He said to them, “Greetings to you too, brothers! Good health to you, and welcome!” And he brought them into his home. Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock and gave them a cordial reception. When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael, “Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry my kinswoman Sarah.” Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy: “Eat and drink and be merry tonight, for no man is more entitled to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother. Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you, because you are my closest relative. But I will explain the situation to you very frankly. I have given her in marriage to seven men, all of whom were kinsmen of ours, and all died on the very night they approached her. But now, son, eat and drink. I am sure the Lord will look after you both.” Tobiah answered, “I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me.” Raguel said to him: “I will do it. She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses. Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven! Take your kinswoman; from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved. She is yours today and ever after. And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace.” Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him. He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobiah with the words: “Take her according to the law. According to the decree written in the Book of Moses she is your wife. Take her and bring her back safely to your father. And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity.” Raguel then called Sarah’s mother and told her to bring a scroll, so that he might draw up a marriage contract stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife according to the decree of the Mosaic law. Her mother brought the scroll, and Raguel drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals. Afterward they began to eat and drink. Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said, “My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there.” She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told, and brought the girl there.

The Santuario De La Salle is a pilgrimage site for teachers, in homage of the patron saint of educators. SANTUARIO DE LA SALLE FACEBOOK PAGE By CBCP News June 7, 2023 Manila, Philippines The Santuario de La Salle, a pilgrimage site for educators in Laguna province, was declared Jury Winner in the Religious Buildings and Memorials category of the prestigious 2023 Architizer A+Awards. The winners were announced last week at the website of Architizer, the world’s leading online platform for architecture and building-products based in New York. Running for the 11th straight year, the A+Awards is considered the largest awards program in the world honoring the best architectures, spaces and innovations from across the globe. Built inside the De La Salle University’s campus in the city of Biñan, the Santuario de La Salle opened its doors to the pilgrims following its consecration in November 2022. The edifice is the world’s first sanctuary built in honor of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the De La Salle Brothers congregation. It also serves as a repository of the saint’s relics. This year’s edition of the annual A+Awards received over 5,000 entries from more 96 countries, with a special emphasis on recognizing architects and designers working at the forefront of sustainable design. The Santuario de La Salle was designed by Carlos Arnaiz Architects (CAZA), a Brooklyn-based architecture and design firm with offices in Manila; Bogotá, Colombia; and Lima, Peru. 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.  

Pope Francis at his general audience on June 7, 2023. SCREENSHOT FROM VATICAN NEWS VIDEO By Courtney Mares, Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency June 7, 2023 VATICAN— Pope Francis will undergo abdominal surgery under general anesthesia on Wednesday afternoon, the Vatican has confirmed. The operation was planned by the pope’s medical team in recent days after it became necessary due to a hernia that was causing recurrent, painful, and worsening symptoms, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. Bruni said that Pope Francis will have a laparotomy and abdominal wall reconstruction with prosthetic material in the early afternoon on June 7. The pope will be taken to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital immediately after his general audience in St. Peter’s Square and will recover in the hospital for several days post-surgery. The news of Pope Francis’ surgery comes one day after Italian media reported that he went to Gemelli hospital’s center for the elderly for a 40-minute visit on June 6. Pope Francis, 86, was hospitalized for four days in March for a lung infection and canceled all of his scheduled activities on May 26 due to a fever. Since early 2022 the pope has suffered from knee pain. He started to have difficulty standing and walking and has been using a cane and wheelchair for over a year. Pope Francis told the Italian bishops in May last year that he did not want to have his knee operated on because he did not want to recover from general anesthesia again following his July 2021 colon surgery. The pope has also dealt this year with a recurrence of diverticulitis, a painful inflammation of bulges in the large intestine, for which he was operated on in July 2021. Despite his recent medical challenges, the Vatican recently announced the pope’s intention to visit Mongolia Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Francis is also scheduled to be in Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day Aug. 2-6. The trip also includes a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. 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.  

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Tobit 3:1-11A, 16-17A I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I, Tobit, sighed and began to cry. Then, as I choked back my tears, I prayed: “You are righteous, O Lord! You are merciful in all you do, faithful in all your ways. You are the judge of this world. And now, O Lord, may you be mindful of me, and look with favor upon me. Punish me not for my sins, nor for my inadvertent offenses, nor for those of my ancestors. “We sinned against you, and disobeyed your commandments. So you handed us over to plundering, exile, and death, till you made us the talk and reproach of all the nations among whom you had dispersed us. “Yes, your judgments are many and true in dealing with me as my sins and those of my ancestors deserve. For we have not kept your commandments, nor have we trodden the paths of truth before you. “Now treat me as you please. Take my life away and free me from this world; let my body return to the earth. I would be better off dead. I am tormented by insults I don’t deserve, and weighed down with despair. Lord, give the command – bring all my troubles to an end, take me to my eternal rest. Don’t reject my prayer. I would rather die than live in misery and face such cruel insults.” That same day in the city of Ecbatana in Media, it happened that Sarah, the daughter of a man named Raguel, was insulted by one of her father’s servant women. Sarah had been married seven times, but the evil demon, Asmodeus, killed each husband before the marriage could be consummated. The servant woman said to Sarah, “You husband-killer! Look at you! You’ve already had seven husbands, but not one of them lived long enough to give you a son. Why should you take it out on us? Why don’t you go and join your dead husbands? I hope we never see a child of yours!” Sarah was so depressed that she burst into tears and went upstairs determined to hang herself. But when she thought it over, she said to herself, “No, I won’t do it! People would insult my father and say, ‘You had only one child, a daughter whom you loved dearly, but she hanged herself because she felt so miserable.’ Such grief would bring my grey-haired father to his grave, and I would be responsible. I won’t kill myself; I’ll just beg the Lord to let me die. Then I won’t have to listen to those insults any longer!” At that time, then, she spread out her hands, and facing the window, poured out her prayer: “Blessed are you, O Lord, merciful God, and blessed is your holy and honorable name. Blessed are you in all your works for ever!” As Tobit and Sarah were praying, God in heaven heard their prayers and sent his

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading – Tobit 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead, I, Tobit, went into my courtyard to sleep next to the courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. Sparrows were on the wall right above me, but I did not know it. Their warm droppings fell into my eyes, causing a white film to form on them. I went to one doctor after another, but the more they treated me with their medicines, the worse my eyes became, until finally I was completely blind. For four years I could see nothing. My relatives were deeply concerned about my condition, and Ahikar supported me for two years before he went to the land of Elam. After Ahikar left, my wife Anna had to go to work, so she took up weaving, like many other women. The people she worked for would pay her when she delivered the cloth. One spring day, she cut a finished piece of cloth from the loom and took it to the people who had ordered it. They paid her the full price and also gave her a goat. When Anna came home with the goat, it began to bleat. I called out, “Where did that goat come from? You stole it, didn”t you? Take it straight back to its owners. It”s not right to eat stolen food!” “No!” she replied. “It was given to me as a gift in addition to what I got for the cloth.” But I didn”t believe her, and I blushed for shame for what she had done. I ordered her to return the goat to its owners, but she had the last word. “Now I see what you are really like!” she shouted. “Where is all that concern of yours for others? What about all those good deeds you used to do?”   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 112:1-2, 7-8, 9 R. (see 7c) The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not feartill he looks down upon his foes. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Lavishly he gives to the poor;his generosity shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory. R. The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – SEE Ephesians 1:17-18 R. Alleluia, alleluia. May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christenlighten the eyes of our hearts,that we may know what is the hopethat belongs to his call. R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Mark 12:13-17 Some Pharisees and some members of Herod’s

Archbishop Martin Jumoad of the Archdiocese of Ozamis. PHOTO FROM DxDD FACEBOOK PAGE By CBCP News June 5, 2023 Ozamiz City A Catholic official has warned the public against a group asking donations for their supposed missionary work. Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamis clarified the group “Filipino Katolico Missionary” is not connected with the Catholic Church. “Do not be deceived because they do not belong to the Roman Catholic Church,” Jumoad said. In August 2022, the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte province had also issued a warning against a group bearing the same name. The archdiocese said the group was roaming around soliciting donations from Catholic parishioners. “While we respect their right to ask for donations, this, however, caused confusion among our faithful,” it 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.  

By CBCP News June 5, 2023 Manila, Philippines Liveloud, a Catholic worship concert, will return to the stage after three years of doing such events virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The concert is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. on June 12 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Organizers said they expect more than 6,000 people “to come together to lift and pour their heart’s prayer through singing”. “Liveloud is more than just a concert. It is a celebration in which everyone can participate, regardless of affiliation, community, or group,” said Keith Janohan, Liveloud Program Head. “Everyone is invited to be part of this celebration of faith and music.” This year’s concert theme is “Revere”, inspired by Romans 11:36, “For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.” “It is about people being reminded and encountering God’s goodness in their life, bringing a positive impact on lives through music, and declaring more of God’s glory,” Janohan said. Liveloud started in the Philippines in 2009 as a music ministry program of Couples for Christ that aims to spread God’s Word through music. Janohan said it was also born out of the desire to share the talents of the members to the global community. Liveloud has been doing praise concerts for the past 10 years and has evolved “into one of the biggest Catholic worship concerts worldwide”. “We believe that Liveloud is a perfect opportunity for this generation to appreciate Catholic Worship songs that would create a great impact in their lives,” he said. For more information, visit Liveloud’s Facebook page or the CFC website. 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 Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr 1st Reading – Tobit 1:3; 2:1A-8 All my life I, Tobit, have been honest and have tried to do what was right. I have often given money to help needy relatives and fellow-Jews who were deported with me to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. At the Harvest Festival, which is also called the Festival of Weeks, I sat down to a delicious meal. When I saw how much food there was on the table, I said to Tobias, “My son, go out and find some fellow-Jew who is living in poverty here in exile, someone who takes God’s commands seriously. Bring him back with you, so that he can share this festival meal with us. I won’t start eating until you come back.” So Tobias went out to look for such a person. But he quickly returned, shouting, “Father! Father!” “Yes, what is it?” I asked. “One of our people has just been murdered! Someone strangled him and threw his body into the market-place.” I jumped up and left the table without even touching my food. I removed the body from the street and carried it to a little shed, where I left it until sunset, when I could bury it. Then I returned home and washed, so as to purify myself. In deep sorrow I ate my dinner. I was reminded of what the prophet Amos had said to the people of Bethel: “Your festivals will be turned into funerals, and your glad songs will become cries of grief.” I began to weep. After sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried the man. My neighbours thought I was mad. “Haven’t you learnt anything?” they asked. “You have already been in danger once for burying the dead, and you would have been killed if you had not run away. But here you are doing the same thing all over again.”   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 112:1B-2, 3B-4, 5-6 R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Blessed the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commands.His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;the upright generation shall be blessed. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. His generosity shall endure forever.Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice;He shall never be moved;the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – SEE Revelation 1:5AB R. Alleluia, alleluia.Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead;you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Mark 12:1-12 Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables: “Once there was a man who planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a hole