<![CDATA[Canadian Martyrs Prayer Community]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1 en-us Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:47:50 GMT <![CDATA[Happy Birthday, Pope Benedict!]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=15 April 16, 2008

This entry is pretty late, but better late than never....

I would like to wish Pope Benedict XVI a happy and blessed 81st birthday. May he continue his great work as a faithful servant of God, and may he have many more birthdays to come!

Also, may God guide and protect Pope Benedict during his trip to the United States.

(Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org)

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:47:50 GMT <![CDATA[Reminder to CMYPC Members]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=14 April 14, 2008

I just wanted to remind all CMYPC members that you need to have your sacrifice ready by April 26 (next prayer meeting). Reminder of the sacrifice guidelines:


  • You need to be willing to do the sacrifice for a month
  • The sacrifice cannot be harmful to yourself or others
  • Preferrably, choose a sacrifice that is personally challenging
  • Remember that we are offering this sacrifice up to God
  • E-mail your sacrifice descriptions to linnettemaeo@yahoo.ca

On Apr. 27, please be by the front door of the church after mass and wear last year's retreat t-shirt if you have one. A reminder also to Job and Migi that they're announcing this at church the week before. That's it for now. Check back frequently for retreat updates! Hope to see you all next next week!

In Christ,
Linnette

Author: Linnette Ocariza]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:42:38 GMT <![CDATA[Commemorating JPII]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=13 April 2, 2008

Three years ago, on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away, ending the 26-year papacy that made him one of the longest reigning popes of all time. Many individuals - Catholics and non-Catholics alike - were saddened by his passing. He was a charismatic, wise, and, most importantly, faithful pope who was able to preach Jesus' teachings not only through his words, but also through his actions.

Let us all pray for Pope John Paul II's dearly departed soul, and let us also continue to pray that his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, may always be guided by the Holy Spirit.

(Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org)

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:28:24 GMT <![CDATA[Happy Easter!]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=12 March 23, 2008

On behalf of the Canadian Martyrs Prayer Community, I would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter. As I mentioned in one of my previous blog entries, Easter is perhaps the most important feast in the Catholic Church, and in Christianity in general. St. Paul explains it best, with the following words taken from the Bible:

Well then, if Christ is preached as risen from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is empty and our belief comes to nothing. And we become false witnesses of God, attesting that He raised Christ, whereas He could not raise Him if indeed the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith gives you nothing, and you are still in sin. Also those who fall asleep in Christ are lost. If it is only for this life that we hope in Christ, we are the most unfortunate of all people. But no, Christ has been raised from the dead and He comes before all those who have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:11:11 GMT <![CDATA[Recommended Lent and Easter Movies]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=11 March 21, 2008

Being a big movie buff, I somehow felt obliged to compile a list of films that I recommend you watch during Lent and Easter. Most of the films listed below will probably be recognizable to the average film viewer, but I also added several hidden gems that might be of interest.

Films Based on Biblical Events:

  • The Ten Commandments (1956)
  • The Passion of the Christ (2004)
  • Jesus of Nazareth (1977) (TV miniseries)

Biographical Films/Films Based on True Events:

  • Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972) (St. Francis of Assisi)
  • A Man for All Seasons (1966) (St. Thomas More) (Best Picture Oscar winner)
  • Becket (1964) (St. Thomas Becket)
  • Dead Man Walking (1995) (Sister Helen Prejean) (Best Actress Oscar winner)
  • Boys Town (1938) (Father Flanagan) (Best Actor Oscar winner)

Fictional Movies with Christian Themes:

  • Millions (2005)
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:53:11 GMT <![CDATA[A Message for Good Friday]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=10 March 20, 2008

Easter, the time during which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, is almost here. But before His resurrection came His ultimate sacrifice, and it is in Good Friday that we keep the latter in remembrance.

Most of us probably started out believing the notion that the act of giving something up - in other words, sacrificing - for Lent equates with punishing ourselves for our past mistakes. Part of this is true - sacrifice helps us reconsider our actions from the past and, as a result, learn from these actions. However, instead of being an act of punishment, sacrifice is a gift that allows us to place our lives in better positions. In fact, Jesus' sacrifice accomplishes precisely this. In this case, the very people whose lives are elevated into better positions are us, as Jesus' death has saved us from our sins.

May we always keep our Saviour's sacrifice in our hearts, minds, and souls.

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:14:10 GMT <![CDATA[Archbishop from Iraq Abducted]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=9 March 2, 2008

Soon after three of his guards were killed, Archbishop Faraj Rahho of Iraq was kidnapped by gunmen last Friday after celebrating mass. Pope Benedict XVI released a statement soon thereafter, asking everyone to pray for Monsignor Rahho's quick release and safety, and for the souls of the three aides who were killed. The pope also asked that we pray for "...reason and humanity [to] prevail among the authors of the kidnapping."

Jesus once said "Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). The first step towards achieving peace is to ask God to help us attain it. Thus, in addition to the above statements by the Pope, let us also pray that turmoil in the Middle East may soon end.

Update (Mar. 13, 2008): I am sad to inform you that Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho has died today. His body has been recovered by Iraqi church officials. The cause of death is still unknown (it is quite possible that the archbishop died of natural causes). (SOURCE: www.catholicnews.com).

Let us all pray for the archbishop's dearly departed soul, and let us continue to pray for the cessation of violence in Iraq.

(Image courtesy of www.kaldu.org.)

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:56:30 GMT <![CDATA[A Lenten Message]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=7 February 7, 2008

As you know, the liturgical season of Lent started yesterday - Ash Wednesday. It seems rather ironic that we were just celebrating Jesus' birth about a month ago, yet now, we have begun to commemorate His passion.

We typically commemorate a person's death by recalling the life that he once lived. Since Jesus is fully human, we commemorate His death the same way. However, Jesus is also fully divine. It is His divinity - it is the very fact that He was, is, and will always be God - that allowed Him to save us from our sins. It is therefore insufficient to say that we commemorate His death merely in remembrance of the physical life that He lived , for we also commemorate His death in remembrance of His ultimate sacrifice, which shows the unconditional love that He has for each and every one of us.

Lent, of course, is the season that allows us to prepare for this commemoration. As we journey through this season of preparation, may we always remember God's unconditional love for us. Finally, may we always resist temptation, just as Jesus did in the desert, so that we may "turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel."

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.


]]> Fri, 08 Feb 2008 04:05:23 GMT <![CDATA[Welcome to the Official CMPC Blog]]> http://www.cmpcommunity.com/blog.html?cq=1&p=6 February 1, 2008

The official website of the Canadian Martyrs Prayer Community (www.cmpcommunity.com) has been around for four months, giving CMPC members and site visitors the most up-to-date information regarding prayer meetings and special events. The site has also provided - and still provides - visitors access to such features as pictures taken from the aforementioned events, "Lessons to Think About", and "The Millionaire Game: Catholic Edition".

As you might have noticed, these site features can more aptly be described as 'one-way', in that the site provides the perspective, and the visitors receive it. In an attempt to give visitors the chance to provide their own perspectives, we have decided to set up a weblog (more commonly known as a blog).

A visitor's manual has been created to help you get around this page more easily; this manual was especially created for those who are not already familiar with the blog format. In addition, guidelines have been written to ensure that the website remains a friendly, loving and, most importantly, faithful environment. Links to these guides can be found on the "Blog" menu located on the left side of the page.

May God bless you all. Happy posting!

Author: Frolin S. Ocariza, Jr.]]> Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:40:16 GMT