apc

Association of Pauline Cooperators

This term refers to our benefactors. We consider them as our associates in the mission because whatever they give us, be it in cash, in kind or in forms of services, are helps to carry out our apostolate or for the maintenance of the apostle. Throughout the province, a Mass, an hour of adoration are offered to them every first Wednesday of the month. In 1988, the Paulines Mission Associates Office was put up and the work of straightening the records of the benefactors was begun. Birthday and wedding anniversary celebrators are mentioned before the daily Mass and included in the community's prayer.

APC Pasay unit elects new local officers:

Last November 12, 2006, the following newly elected officers made their oath to assume their responsibilities as Pauline lay apostles:

President : Florencia Bragado
Vice-President: Mabel Bonifacio
Secretary: Ma. Aurea Dimaculangan
Treasurer: Remedios Sempio
Auditor: Maximo Abela

The Pauline Cooperators are an integral member of the Pauline Family, founded by Blessed Alberione in Alba, Italy. They are lay apostles whose mission is to live and to give Jesus Master/Shepherd, Way, Truth and Life to the world in collaboration with the other members of the Pauline Family. Anybody who is interested to become a Pauline lay apostle may contact Sr. Vangie Canag, National Coordinator for the Daughters of St. Paul at tel. 831-6864 or cel# 09274347210.

Witnessing

God's Salesman
Salesmanship for God is a noble way of spreading His message.
Atty. Willy M. Navarra
APC Tacloban

My interesting Life Story

After completing secondary education I decided to work and be economically independent. Like any ordinary teenager who grew up in a barrio, an hour's walk from the town, I longed to see the lights of the city, and to enjoy the life of city folks. I imagined that they never stepped on mud, like I did during rainy days. So, I joined the exodus of young people to Manila in search for those glittering lights. But soon, I realized that the lights do not look bright to one with an empty stomach. Hence, I went with the multitude of job-seekers. I wanted an office work, but I was told that my high school education only qualified me to be a security guard. I did not like, to risk my life, so I did not take up the challenge.

I then tried the big restaurants and hotels, but to my dismay, no one wanted to hire a food server who looked famished and scrawny. Desperately, I decided to be a domestic helper, thinking that the regular meals in the homes of the rich, and the enjoyment of easy life when the masters are away, were sufficient reward for the menial job. But they were suspicious of hiring as houseboy one who could read the morning papers, the Readers' Digest, the Free Press and Kislap magazines, and who spoke intelligible English, so I did not become one.

The embarrassment of being a free boarder at my cousin's house was a daily strain. I could not look at him in the eye whenever he came home from work finding me idle. Consequently, I went out again to look for work and landed a job selling instant chocolate and orange drinks. My first customers were my relatives and friends. They were not many so I was forced to go selling from door to door, from one subdivision to another. Many who answered the doorbell looked at me with annoyance than with delight.

After I have worn out my last pair of shoes, walking around under all kinds of weather without much success, and without any hope of buying a new pair, I called it quits, and promised myself NEVER to engage in selling again. I also recovered my senses. I went home, pursued college education anf ultimately became a lawyer.

Salesmanship - a love affair

After working for a few years as a lawyer the Lord began calling me to be his salesman. My usual answer was "Not now." Then one day I just felt that He plucked me from my mundane preoccupation, and forced me to toe His line. And to make my detachment from the world easier, He brought me to the Pauline Bookstore to stimulate my seemingly insatiable appetite for reading and my itch ("kasabid" in the dialect) for selling. It is true that notwithstanding my unsuccessful stint as a salesman, there remained in me the inclination to sell. When I met the Daughters of St. Paul, my inclination to be a salesman was revived. At first I was distributing small religious objects as gifts. Later, as I frequented the Paulines Bookstore, I started distributing the printed Word of God.

Looking back, I realized that my first visit to the Paulines Bookstore was not an accident but an answer to a call, in pursuit of a love affair with the Lord. This love affair which started when I was young, and was nurtured by my mother's devotion to Jesus, to Mary, and to the Church blossomed. Sometimes, it was intense because of God's faithfulness, and at times lukewarm of my infidelity.

Intensified love affair

Today my love affair with God is again intense with the help of the Association of Pauline Cooperators (APC) which I joined last year. I often proclaim the old romantic chivalry idiom " I wear my heart on my sleeves." I show the Lord my love for Him by carrying with me religious books wherever I go: to the office, to the school where I teach, to seminars, to parties and other gatherings. I have the rare opportunity of convincing lawyers and legal practitioners to renew or revitalize their love for the Bible. I also experience the delight in watching my students read the Holy Scriptures that my class in Business law bought for the student lounge in our school.

Lately, while I was coming home, to Tacloban City from Catarman, Northern Samar, where I heard legal cases and had a book display after the hearing, the vehicle I took broke down. Riding with me was a lawyer, his wife and their child. While the tire was being fixed I offered them a book about family life and they happily bought it.

During the Christmas party at our office last year, an old friend, a lawyer who had been with our office before I joined it, and now is assigned in Southern Leyte, was present. I never thought him to be a devout Catholic since his wife belongs to another faith. But when he saw my books, he bought a copy of the "Daily Gospel" even before I offered it to him. And last week, after I heard cases in Borongan, Eastern Samar, I went out of my office to deliver to someone a copy of the "365 Days with the Lord." When another lawyer who attended the hearing, saw the book I was carrying, he also bought one for his wife.

Blessed Identity

Today, I am known both as a lawyer and as an itinerant peddler of religious books and articles. And if I were made to choose between the two, I would rather be a vendor for the Lord, not only because I enjoy it, but most of all because I find peace and happiness in spreading God's message to humanity. The Daughters of St. Paul have a prayer: "Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, make us saints." I revised it for myself and say: "Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, make me a saint for ambulant peddlers and sidewalk vendors."

"I HAVE FOUND THE TRUTH!"
Authentic truth can only be found in Jesus Christ
Marie Luga
APC Baguio

Sometime, in 1992, I was feeling a void within myself. Something was missing in my life. But I did not know what. My association with a then famous lady senator brought me to the Brahma Kumarish, a Hindu religious sect. They preach peace and brotherhood. I was fascinated. "Here," I thought,"I will find salvation."

I went for a one- month study at the sect's spiritual university in India where I was introduced to the Indial gods Brahma and Shiva. Indoctrination would begin at 5:30 a.m. and lasted the whole day. I applied myself seriously but my heart's radar was flashing amber. Danger? I felt my heart protesting so I was saying the Act of Contrition while doing the exercises. I also went to San Francisco at the Brahma Kumarish University. They told me the owner was the fifth richest man in the world.

After my studies I returned to the Philippines. Since I was good at baking, I was designated to head the Food Division of the New Kingdom. But by then, my mind was getting clearer: "No,no, this is not good." So, I walked out.

When I returned to the Catholic Church, I started again to live my faith religiously. Then something happened. On Easter Sunday 1994, I brought cakes to some religious groups as gift. I had finished my round but one cake remained and I did not know whom to give it. As I was circling the vicinity of the Pink Sisters, I remembered that there was a convent of nuns nearby. My steps brought me to the Daughters of St. Paul.

Towards the Truth

That started my friendship with Sr.Nives, the superior, and the other nuns in the community. Sr. Nives invited me to join the Association of Pauline Cooperators, one of the institutes of the Pauline Family founded by Fr. James Alberione. The members strive to live the Pauline spirituality, which consists of living the gospel in the spirit of St. Paul and in the climate of Mary, Queen of Apostles. They spread th Good News of Jesus Christ through the means of communication. In Baguio, the Sisters run a bookstore and visit families and schools.

As part of my formation, I was introduced into the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. This spirituality sanctifies the whole person and brings one into configuaration with Christ in imitation of St. Paul, who at the end of his life, could say: "I live now not I, it is Christ who lives in me" (Gal.2:20). I felt that I found what I was looking for and the void in my heart was filled with peace and joy.

The Pauline Apostolate

After two years I was inducted as an apostle. We, Pauline Cooperators in Baguio carry out our evangelizing ministry through book mission in the parishes. First Sundays find us at SM mall and third Sundays find us at SM mall and third Sundays at St. Vincent Parish. People know us already and they are happy to find good books outside the Church after Mass. Moreover, together with the Daughters of St. Paul, we also send God's message on air through radio program, Bagong Umaga and Lives of Saints.

One day, a lady with a sweet voice called up, inviting me to return to Brahma Kumarish. "No, thank you," I answered, "rather I am the one inviting you now. Because I have found the truth - Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life!"

Some time later, I got wind of the news that a Brahma Kumarish member tried to squeeze into the program of the high school boys of a Catholic university a week-long seminar on Brahma Kumarish under the guise of personality development. I lost no time to alert the priest-director.

I cannot thank the Lord enough for having led me to know him through the Pauline family where I am now very happy. That is why I am committed to the Pauline apostolate. I have a place in SM mall where I sell my cakes but during Sundays when I am supposed to do book mission, I choose to "sell" religious books for the love of Jesus.

A Personal Invitation from Blessed Alberione
The saints are ready to help us if we put our trust in them
Alice Sinaca, APC

Two years ago, I dreamed of a man who looked like a priest and a saint. He was smiling to me. The dream seemed meaningful but I wondered what it meant.

A week later, he appeared again in another dream. He was wearing a checkered yellowish-brown long-sleeved shirt. He was holding my hand as we were climbing a flight of stairs. About half-way to the top of the ladder, I suddenly saw a door open into space, where a blue cloud floated in the sky. He invited me to come, but I was afraid and hesitant.

When I woke up, I reflected about the meaning of the dream. Here was a man who was clearly a foreigner who kept on manifesting himself to me in a dream. I thought the dreams were significant, and I was amazed.

I was then busy at that time running my business and attending to the work of my husband. But I did not forget the promises I made to some friends in Mindanao. I decided to send them rosary , bracelets, so I went to the Paulines bookstore in Tacloban City.

As I entered the bookstore, I saw the picture of a man and recognized at once that he was the one I saw in my dreams. I approached one of the nuns tending the store and asked,"Who is this saint?" while pointing at the picture. She said, "He is our Founder, Blessed James Alberione." She told me about the religious communities, the institutes and the lay organization he founded. We exchanged pleasantries and towards the end of my visit, the nun invited me to join the Association of Pauline Cooperators.

I immedaitely accepted the invitation. Later I realized that I did not consult my husband before making the decision to join the association. I prayed to God that he would give his consent and thanks to Jesus the Divine Master, my husband consented.

A fierce Trial

Six months thereafter, a storm battered my life. Its ferocity affected me financially and emotionally, although it did not do me any spiritual harm. I went to Manila and stayed there for one and a half months, contemplating my life. I had no one to turn to except God but I was afraid. I planned to sell my property in Manila just to pay my obligations to my business creditors. But something unusual happened.

While I was pondering over my ill fate, I heard a small voice telling me "Draw your strength
from the Holy Eucharist." Obeying that voice I started to assist Mass every day. I presumed it was Blessed Alberione. I prayed to him and I said, "I would not let go of the hem of his clothes." And every time I saw his picture on my table I would tell him to intercede for me.

Then miracle of miracles! I received an unexpected call from a friend. She offered me her help which I readily accepted. She paid some of my debts and helped me to buy goods to open my store again. Now I ask myself, "Who in the world would help a friend under such a financial distress without being asked?" I am convinced that God intervened, and Blessed Alberione interceded.

I became a full-fledged Pauline Cooperator on January 25, 2005.

My Best Mountain Experience
Jesus is the hidden guest in the Eucharist
Esther D. Elopre
APC Naga

During our advent retreat last December , 2005, Sr. Vangie Canag, the National Coordinator of the Association of Pauline Cooperators, asked us to recall our mountain experience, which according to her is an encounter with the Lord.

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar for priests and lay leaders at the PICC in Manila. Looking back now, my going to Manila to attend a seminar was like climbing a mountain just to be able to make it because of so many constraints.

On the last day of the seminar, I arrived just on time for the moderator to announce that that morning we would be having a very special guest. We waited for the guest to be introduced . Shortly after he solemnly announced, "Brothers and sisters, let's welcome Jesus in the Eucharist." We all knelt as Fr. Roger Cortes came out with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He led the prayers for our adoration. At that moment, I felt so unworthy in His presence. I have attended holy hours before but this experience was different.

I couldn't understand what happened but I really cried my heart out begging Him to forgive my sins, thanking Him for the opportunity to be there that morning; thanking Him for the gift of life; His love for me and my family, etc. He seemed so close to me then that I could almost embrace Him. I had already my devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament before but this experience was "something out of this world." I felt I have touched the Lord. I thought I was the only one who cried but after the holy hour when we looked at one another we found out that all of us cried.

After the morning break, I sought out Fr. Cortes and asked him if he could come to Naga City and talk to us about the perpetual adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I wanted other people to have the same experiences as I had. He readily agreed provided our parish priest make the necessary invitation. Upon arriving in Naga City I shared my experience with our parish priest, Msgr. Johnny Celzo, who immedaitely made the invitation for Fr. Cortes to come. He came and not long after that we had our perpetual adoration chapel in the Parish of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

This happened a long time ago but in moments of dryness and difficulties, I always return to this mountain experience.