Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter 1st Reading – ACTS 15:22-31 Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment: It has seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul: Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things. For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things: That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well. They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 57:8-9, 10-12 R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R. Alleluia. My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;I will sing and chant praise.Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!I will wake the dawn. R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R. Alleluia. I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,I will chant your praise among the nations.For your mercy towers to the heavens,and your faithfulness to the skies.Be exalted above the heavens, O God;above all the earth be your glory! R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 15:15B R. Alleluia, alleluia.I call you my friends, says the Lord,For I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 15:12-17 Jesus said to his disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants: for the servant knows not what his lord does. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit

Reelected Caritas Asia president Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario (extreme right) speaks during the Caritas Regional Assembly in Rome on May 10, 2023. CARITAS PHILIPPINES By CBCP News May 11, 2023 Rome, Italy Caritas Asia, one of seven regional offices of the Catholic Church’s humanitarian agency Caritas Internationals, reelected Bangladeshi Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario as its president. His reelection came Wednesday during the Caritas Regional Assembly in Rome, a day before the 22nd General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis. He will serve for a second and last term of another four years. D’Rozario was first elected into the post in 2019, making him the first lay person to fill the role, succeeding Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo. Caritas Asia, composed of 24 regional offices, is part of Caritas Internationalis, which coordinates more than 160 Catholic charities in about 200 countries and territories. D’Rozario, 66, served in Caritas Bangladesh for 29 years. He retired in 2016 after serving as the agency’s executive director for 11 years. Meanwhile, more than 400 delegates of the Caritas organizations worldwide are currently in Rome to vote for a new leadership. The positions to be filled, among others, include president, general secretary and treasurer. Pope Francis last year placed the Caritas Internationalis management under temporary administration to supposedly improve its management rules and procedures. Almost six months ago through a decree, he appointed Dr. Pier Francesco Pineli as temporary administrator of Caritas Internationalis. The decree also named Dr. Maria Amparo Alonso Escobar and Jesuit Fr. Manuel Morujão as support to Pinelli “for the personal and spiritual accompaniment of the employees”. Throughout the period, they were assisted by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, president emeritus of Caritas Internationalis, who was responsible for relations with the local Churches and Caritas’ network. 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.  

Catholic bishops during their 125th plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila on January 28, 2023. By CBCP News May 10, 2023 Manila, Philippines The Diocese of Kalibo in Aklan province will be hosting the plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) this coming July 8 to 10. Monsignor Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Secretary General, said it will be a period of prayer, sharing, reflections and deliberations concerning the Church and society. Slated to be held at the Marzon Hotel, the 126th CBCP plenary assembly will be preceded with the bishop’s annual retreat from July 4 to 6. Pantin said among the agenda of the meeting is the election of CBCP officers for the term December 2023 to November 2025. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan and Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig are currently on their first terms as president and vice president, respectively. CBCP officials have a two-year term in office, or a total of four to include a possible second term. Pantin said that other agenda items of the meeting are still to be decided by the CBCP Permanent Council in the coming weeks. Decisions ranging from election of CBCP officers to subject matters of pastoral statements and revision of liturgical books require either a simple majority, or a vote of two-thirds of the member bishops to be approved. Active bishops are eligible to vote on particular items. Retired bishops are welcome to attend the assemblies and participate in discussion, but they are not eligible to vote. The episcopal conference is currently composed of 88 active bishops. It also has 37 honorary members, who are retired or resigned bishops, and two diocesan priest administrators. The bishops also make use the gathering to meet with other prelates of their region to discuss items that are more specific to their individual dioceses. The plenary assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of the CBCP, meets twice a year, in January and July Between plenary assemblies, the deliberations and decisions of the conference are undertaken by its Permanent Council. 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 Fifth Week of Easter 1st Reading – Acts 15:1-6 And some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of the other side, should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem about this question. They therefore being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phenice, and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God had done with them. But there arose some of the sect of the Pharisees that believed, saying: They must be circumcised, and be commanded to observe the law of Moses. And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5 R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. I rejoiced because they said to me,“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”And now we have set footwithin your gates, O Jerusalem. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Jerusalem, built as a citywith compact unity.To it the tribes go up,the tribes of the LORD. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. According to the decree for Israel,to give thanks to the name of the LORD.In it are set up judgment seats,seats for the house of David. R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 15:4A, 5B R. Alleluia, alleluia.Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 15:1-8 Jesus said to his disciples: I AM the true vine; and my Father is the vine grower. Every branch in me, that bears not fruit, he will take away: and every one that bears fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If anyone abides not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burns. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. In this

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter 1st Reading – ACTS 14:19-28 Now there came there certain Jews from Antioch, and Iconium: and persuading the multitude, and stoning Paul, drew him out of the city, thinking him to be dead. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and entered into the city, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith: and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained to them priests in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed. And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia. And having spoken the word of the Lord in Perge, they went down into Attalia: And there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been delivered to the grace of God, unto the work which they accomplished. And when they came, and had assembled the church, they related what great things God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they abode no small time with the disciples.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 145:10-11, 12-13AB, 21 R. (see 12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,and let your faithful ones bless you.Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdomand speak of your might. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia. Making known to men your mightand the glorious splendor of your kingdom.Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,and your dominion endures through all generations. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia. May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – SEE Luke 24:46, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,and so enter into his glory.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 14:27-31A Jesus said to his disciples: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you: I go away, and I come unto you. If you loved me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I And now I have told you before it comes to pass: that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa delivers his homily during Mass at the 12th National Convention of the Knights of Columbus at a hotel in Manila on May 6, 2023. CBCP NEWS By CBCP News May 8, 2023 Manila, Philippines Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa is leading efforts to “strengthen” the Columbian Squires, a leadership and character development program for Catholic young men. The archbishop on Saturday gave a marching order to “organize all Catholic schools and youth ministries” in his archdiocese to recruit more members of the organization. The Columbian Squires is the official youth organization of the Knights of Columbus for young Catholic men between the ages 10 to 17, who are members of a unit called “circle”. “If we do that, vocations to the priesthood will no longer be a challenge,” said Garcera, who is also the K of C Luzon State Chaplain. The archbishop made the statement on the last day of the 12th K of C National Convention of the Knights of Columbus at a hotel in Manila. The first Columbian Squires circle was instituted in the U.S. in 1925. Knights of Columbus Supreme Director Emeritus Jose Reyes greets Papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown after the opening Mass for the 12th K of C National Convention at a hotel in Manila on May 5, 2023. CBCP NEWS In the Philippines, the organization was first established in Cebu and had since then spread out to other dioceses and parishes. However, in recent years, the Squires have been slowly “disappearing” not just in the country but throughout the world. The K of C Luzon North Jurisdiction, for instance, used to have more than 400 circles but it only has 34 active units at present. In the Luzon South Jurisdiction, active units are only at 10 out of its around 300 circles. In Mindanao, only less than 100 out of its more than 200 circles are active. “Our Columbian Squires have been under siege,” said K of C Supreme Director Emeritus Jose Reyes, who is also a retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. “I really hope that we could reactivate or revive our Squires,” he said. Squires’ activities are many, varying from spiritual to active service for the Church and community. 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.  

Sebastian Esai Eco Eviota (center) is among the 23 newly sworn-in members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. DANIEL IBÁÑEZ/CNA By CBCP News May 8, 2023 Manila, Philippines The Pontifical Swiss Guard on Saturday welcomed 23 new recruits, including a full-blooded Filipino. Davao City-born Sebastian Esai Eco Eviota and 22 others joined their ranks in an elaborate swearing-in ceremony at the Courtyard of Saint Damasus in the Vatican. The men were joined by their families and delegates of the Swiss Confederation and Swiss Bishops. The ceremony is held every May 6 to commemorate the heroic sacrifice of 147 Swiss Guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527. Prior to the ceremony, the new Swiss Guards celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a meeting with Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace. The pope urged the new recruits to make “good use of the time” of service at the Vatican to deepen and put into practice their Catholic faith. “Every situation, every meeting can represent an opportunity to put the Gospel of Christ into practice, to learn from him and to live fraternal love in his name and with his Spirit,” the pope said. “Your mission here in the Vatican is a path that the Lord has opened for you to live your Baptism and bear joyful witness to your faith in Christ,” he said. Born in 1998, the 24-year-old moved to Switzerland in 2009 together with her elder sister on a family reunion visa. His father, Diomedes, is from Surigao City while his mother Editha, who died in 2000, was from Agusan del Sur province’s Esperanza town. In Switzerland, Eviota joined the Youth for Christ, the youth ministry of the Couples for Christ (CFC). Eviota was a second lieutenant at the Swiss Army before he was admitted to the Swiss Guards in January 2022 to complete his basic training. While Eviota is the second Filipino to be included in the Swiss Guards after Swiss-Filipino Vincent Lüthi, whose mother is from Cebu, he is its first member of full Filipino origin. The Vatican approved an expansion of the size of the Pontifical Swiss Guards five years ago from 110 to 135 men. Despite the new recruits, it still remains the smallest army in the world. Founded by Pope Julius II in 1506, the Swiss Guard is a military body made up of Swiss citizens, whose main task is to protect the pope and his residence. Among their duties are also to accompany the pope on apostolic journeys and to protect the College of Cardinals during the vacant see. 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. 

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter 1st Reading – ACTS 14:5-18 And when there was an assault made by the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to use them contumeliously, and to stone Paul and Barnabas. They understanding it, fled to Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the whole country round about, and were there preaching the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. He heard Paul speaking. Who looking upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice: Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up, and walked. And when the multitudes had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian tongue, saying: The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men; And they called Barnabas, Jupiter: but Paul, Mercury; because he was chief speaker. The priest also of Jupiter that was before the city, bringing oxen and garlands before the gate, would have offered sacrifice with the people. Which, when the apostles Barnabas and Paul had heard, rending their clothes, they leaped out among the people, crying, And saying: Ye men, why do ye these things? We also are mortals, men like unto you, preaching to you to be converted from these vain things, to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And speaking these things, they scarce restrained the people from sacrificing to them.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 R. (1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia. Not to us, O LORD, not to usbut to your name give glorybecause of your mercy, because of your truth.Why should the pagans say,“Where is their God?” R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia. Our God is in heaven;whatever he wills, he does.Their idols are silver and gold,the handiwork of men. R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia. May you be blessed by the LORD,who made heaven and earth.Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,but the earth he has given to the children of men. R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 14:26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Holy Spirit will teach you everythingand remind you of all I told you.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 14:21-26 Jesus said to his disciples: He that has my commandments, and keeps them; he it is that loves me. And he that loves me, shall be loved of my Father: and I will love

Fifth Sunday of Easter 1st Reading – Acts 6:1-7 And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them. And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.or:R. Alleluia. Exult, you just, in the LORD;praise from the upright is fitting.Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.or:R. Alleluia. Upright is the word of the LORD,and all his works are trustworthy.He loves justice and right;of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.or:R. Alleluia. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,upon those who hope for his kindness,To deliver them from deathand preserve them in spite of famine. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.or:R. Alleluia.   2nd Reading – 1 Peter 2:4-9 Beloved: Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen and made honourable by God: and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him, shall not be confounded. To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner: And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter 1st Reading – ACTS 13:44-52 But the next sabbath day, the whole city almost came together, to hear the word of God. And the Jews seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy, and contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set thee to be the light of the Gentiles; that thou may be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth. And the Gentiles hearing it, were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting, believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country. But the Jews stirred up religious and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and cast them out of their coasts. But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4 R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.or:R. Alleluia. Sing to the LORD a new song,for he has done wondrous deeds;His right hand has won victory for him,his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.or:R. Alleluia. The LORD has made his salvation known:in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulnesstoward the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.or:R. Alleluia. All the ends of the earth have seenthe salvation by our God.Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 8:31B-32 R. Alleluia, alleluia.If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,and you will know the truth, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 14:7-14 Jesus said to his disciples: If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him. Philip said to him: Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus saith to him: Have I been so long a time with you; and have you not known me? Philip, he that sees me sees the Father also. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abides in me, he does