Thursday of the Third Week of Easter 1st Reading – Acts 8:26-40 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert. And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaiah the prophet. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip running there, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. And he said: Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied: And how can I, unless some man show me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so opens he not his mouth. In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth? And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom does the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him, Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what does hinder me from being baptized? And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia. Bless our God, you peoples,loudly sound his praise;He has given life to our souls,and has not let our feet slip. R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia. Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declarewhat he has done for me.When I appealed to him in words,praise was on the tip of my tongue. R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia. Blessed be God who refused me notmy prayer or his kindness! R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – John 6:51 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the living

Archbishop-elect Julius Tonel of Zamboanga. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DIOCESE OF IPIL By CBCP News April 26, 2023 Manila, Philippines Archbishop-elect Julius Tonel has vowed to listen to his flock as he forms vision for the southern Philippine archdiocese of Zamboanga. A day after his appointment, the prelate was still in “disbelief” with his new ministry but he said “the mission must go on”. The challenge, according to him, remains the same: how to bring the Gospel closer to the people in the best way possible. “So I will do a lot of listening,” Tonel said, adding that it’s the best way he can have as a base to serve the people. Taking a cue from the spirit of synodality, he said his ministry approach is to meet people where they are— in their life and in their discernment. “I have to work with all of these and everything that I will do has to be rooted in the Gospel,” he added. Pope Francis on April 25 appointed Tonel, until now the bishop of the Diocese of Ipil, as the new archbishop of Zamboanga. He will replace the late Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz, who served the post from May 2014 until his death from illness in December 2021. Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas has been overseeing the archdiocese as apostolic administrator. Addressing the clergy and the faithful on Tuesday evening, he asked them to pray for their new archbishop “as he begins his new ministry among us”. “May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen him as he leads us on the path of faith and spiritual growth,” Cuevas said. “And may God bless our new archbishop and our local Church of Zamboanga. May we continue to grow in faith, hope and love under his spiritual guidance,” he added. Tonel, who is turning 67 on Aug. 31, has been the bishop of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province since 2007. The archdiocese has yet to announce the date of Tonel’s canonical installation as Zamboanga archbishop. 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-elect Julius Tonel of Zamboanga. DIOCESE OF IPIL By CBCP News April 25, 2023 Manila, Philippines Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed Bishop Julius Tonel of Ipil as the new archbishop of Zamboanga. Tonel, 66, will succeed the late Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz, who died from an illness at the age of 74 on Dec. 10, 2021. Since then, the archdiocese has been under the care of Auxiliary Bishop Moises Cuevas of Zamboanga as apostolic administrator. Born on Aug. 31, 1956 in Davao City, he studied Philosophy at the San Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao (SFX-REMASE) and Theology at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in Manila. Tonel was ordained priest on April 12, 1980 for the Archdiocese of Davao, where he served as its Vicar General and Rector of SFX-REMASE. The archbishop-elect also holds a licentiate degree in Liturgical Theology from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Liturgy in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as prelate of then Prelature of Ipil on June 30, 2007. He was ordained to the episcopate on Aug. 20 of the same year. When the prelature was elevated to a diocese on May 1, 2010, Tonel became its first bishop. Zamboanga is one of country’s 16 archdioceses, and the first of the four in Mindanao including Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cotabato. In 1910, Zamboanga became a separate diocese from Cebu, becoming the mother diocese of the Catholic Church in southern Philippines. The archdiocese also has as its suffragans the Diocese of Ipil, the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo, and the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan. 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 April 25, 2023 Manila, Philippines A Catholic bishop said Tuesday that the Church is ready to work with the government to help Filipinos who will be repatriated from troubled Sudan. Bishop Ruperto Santos of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) said the Church is always open “to help and offer our resources to our Filipinos”. “Our Church extends our collaboration and assistance for their needs,” Santos, who is also the bishop-promoter of the Stella Maris-Philippines. “There are programs and plans in the dioceses to give hope, heal, and help our Filipinos that have been repatriated,” he added. The Department of Foreign Affairs said at least 156 Filipinos are ready to be repatriated due to the the ongoing violence in Sudan that has left hundreds of people dead. DFA Usec. Eduardo Jose de Vega said there could be up to 700 Filipinos in Sudan but only about 300 Filipinos have asked for repatriation. Bishop Santos also assured their prayers for the welfare of the OFWs in the battle-scarred African nation. “Through our chaplains, we are always praying and offering our Holy Masses for their safety, strength, and sound health,” he 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.  

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist 1st Reading – 1 Peter 5:5B-14 Beloved: Do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resists the proud, but to the humble he gives grace. Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation: Casting all your care upon him, for he has care of you. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand. The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you: and so does my son Mark. Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all of you, who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 R.  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?Who is like the LORD among the sons of God? R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.At your name they rejoice all the day,and through your justice they are exalted. R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – 1 Corinthians 1:23A-24B R. Alleluia, alleluia.We proclaim Christ crucified;he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – Mark 16:15-20 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believes not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sits

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos speaks at a peace forum at the Philippine Christian University in Manila on April 20, 2023. NCDG By CBCP News April 24, 2023 Manila, Philippines A Catholic bishop has called on the Marcos administration not to indulge in militarist tactics and red-tagging if only to advance genuine peace-building. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos said red-tagging and terrorist-labelling that are bereft of substantive grounds are “counter-productive” to attaining peace. “We urge for the Marcos Jr. administration to desist from militarist tactics, including unsubstantiated terrorist designation as a means to dehumanize revolutionaries and deny due process, human rights, and protection under international humanitarian law,” Alminaza said. The president, he said, must pursue the necessary steps to pursue the peace process between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army. “As Christians, we will continue the struggle for peace, genuine peace, where the root causes of social unrest are addressed and resolved,” Alminaza said. The bishop made the statement during the “No Justice, No Peace” forum at the Philippine Christian University in Manila on April 20. He then called on the peace advocates to keep speaking for the truth and not to allow red-taggers “to take up residence in our minds or cultivate a spirit of fear in our hearts”. The red-taggers, according to him, will do everything to scare them from their advocacy and struggle for what is right. “Truly, red-taggers desire to sow fear towards perpetuating a status quo of oppression, exploitation, and suffering in silence for the toiling poor,” said Alminaza, who himself was a victim of red-tagging. He rallied the advocates of human rights and justice to stand together “with courage and clear minds, and to continue to struggle for peace”. “Our best response to fear-sowing governance is to struggle together in solidarity for genuine peace,” 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.  

Monday of the Third Week of Easter 1st Reading – Acts 6:8-15 And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.. Then they instigated men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council. And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceases not to speak words against the holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us. And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 R. (1ab) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!or:R. Alleluia. Though princes meet and talk against me,your servant meditates on your statutes.Yes, your decrees are my delight;they are my counselors. R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!or:R. Alleluia. I declared my ways, and you answered me;teach me your statutes.Make me understand the way of your precepts,and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!or:R. Alleluia. Remove from me the way of falsehood,and favor me with your law.The way of truth I have chosen;I have set your ordinances before me. R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!or:R. Alleluia.   Alleluia – Matthew 4:4B R. Alleluia, alleluia.One does not live on bread alonebut on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 6:22-29 [After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was no other ship there but one, and that Jesus had not entered into the ship with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. But other ships came in from Tiberias; nigh unto the place where they had eaten the bread, the Lord giving thanks. When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they got into the ships, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them and said: Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles, but because you

Third Sunday of Easter 1st Reading – Acts 2:14, 22-33 But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him, in the midst of you, as you also know: This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain. Whom God has raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it. For David said concerning him: I foresaw the Lord before my face: because he is at my right hand, that I may not be moved. For this my heart has been glad, and any tongue has rejoiced: moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope. Because you will not leave my soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life: you shall make me full of joy with thy countenance. Ye men, brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David; that he died, and was buried; and his tomb is with us to this present day. Whereas therefore he was a prophet, and knew that God has sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne. Foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus has God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses. Being exalted therefore by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has poured forth this which you see and hear.   Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,you it is who hold fast my lot. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia. I bless the LORD who counsels me;even in the night my heart exhorts me.I set the LORD ever before me;with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,my body, too, abides in confidence;because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.or:R. Alleluia. You will show me the path to life,abounding joy in your presence,the delights at your right

The Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church in Malate, Manila. PHOTO FROM MALATE CHURCH By CBCP News April 22, 2023 Manila, Philippines The National Museum of the Philippines has declared the Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church complex in Manila’s Malate district as an “important cultural property”. The designation was formally conferred at a ceremony at the Malate Church compound on Saturday, April 22. Among those in attendance were Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, NMP Administrative Officer IV Mr. Roderick Manaloto and Fr. Leo Distor. The 435-year-old Baroque-style church houses the image of Our Lady of Remedies, which was brought over from Spain in 1624. The Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act, the National Museum Act of 1998, and the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, mandates the NMP to declare ICPs or National Cultural Treasures. ICPs may receive subsidies and other supporting measures from the government for its preservation and conservation. An ICP is defined as an establishment that has “exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines”. 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 Second Week 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.   Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.Christ is risen, who made all things;he has shown mercy on all people.R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel – John 6:16-21 And when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea. And when they had gone up into a ship, they went over the sea to Capernaum; and it was now dark, and Jesus had not come unto them. And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew. When they had rowed therefore about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking upon the sea, and drawing nigh to the ship, and they were afraid. But he said to them: It is I; be not afraid. They were willing therefore to take him into the ship; and presently the ship was at the land to which they were going. Today's Readings Homilies