Nearly two dozen priests joined Apostolic Administrator, Father Romeo Convocar, center, at the Mass which opened the Liturgical Year and Advent and launched the archdiocese's Year of the Eucharistic Revival Dec. 3, 2023 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Hagatna. (Archdiocese of Agana photo by Victor E. Consaga III/Consaga Photo Services) | |
The Year of Eucharistic Revival | |
Archdiocese launches year devoted
to Holy Eucharist as Advent begins
By Tony C. Diaz
Umatuna Si Yu'os
Hundreds of Guam Catholics gathered to commence the Year of the Eucharistic Revival during 3 p.m. Mass on the First Sunday of Advent Dec. 3, 2023 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatña.
Archdiocese of Agaña Apostolic Administrator, Father Romeo D. Convocar celebrated the Mass alongside nearly two dozen priests. He thanked everyone in attendance for their gesture of Church unity as colorful banners of the different Catholic parishes and schools lined the walls of the Cathedral-Basilica. During a beautiful entrance procession, representatives from each of our parishes and schools walked down the aisle proudly bearing their site banners as the Cathedral-Basilica filled with the resounding voices of the Agaña Emmaus choir singing Chamorro hymns.
"To all of you, good afternoon!" Father Romy said at the start of his homily. "It is significant that we, the clergy, religious men and women, and you my dear people of God coming from our different parishes, Catholic schools, and members of the different religious organizations are gathered here for this opening Mass of the Eucharistic Revival for our archdiocese."
"Your presence speaks of how much you value the importance of the Holy Eucharist in our lives as individuals and as a church," he said.
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BIBA SANTA
MARIAN KAMALEN!
Welcome to the December, 2023 edition
of the Umatuna Si Yu'os e-newsletter
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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
and Feast of Santa Marian Kamalen
By Tony C. Diaz
Umatuna Si Yu'os
Each time the Feast of Santa Marian Kamalen comes around on December 8, Catherine Artero finds herself thinking of her late, beloved mother and the Catholic faith she imparted to the entire family.
Her mom, Felicita Salas Quichocho Quintanilla passed away just two years ago on January 10, 2021 but during her lifetime on Guam, the faithful Catholic wife, mother and grandmother was a strong model of faith to Catherine and the rest of the family.
“I was inspired by my late mother, Felicita Quichocho Quintanilla. She always prayed every night to Santa Marian Kamalen and I would always take here down here during December 8,” said Artero as she stood outside the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedra-Basilica in Hagatña recently.
“It just brings back so much memories from World II, the stories she had told,” said Artero, 63.
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Pope Francis emphasized the importance of vigilance at his Sunday Angelus, highlighting that this does not mean living in fear, but rather waiting in loving anticipation of Jesus' arrival.
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2023 CLERGY CONCERT
Priests, deacons to sing
their hearts out Dec. 13-14
Our priests have a confession to make… they love to sing!
For the third year in a row, Archdiocese of Agaña priests and deacons plan to sing their hearts out for a good cause in the 2023 Clergy Christmas Concert Dec. 13-14 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Tamuning.
The clergymen have been practicing for seven months – since June -- reports Father Joel de los Reyes, their sparkplug and conductor. Four talented laypersons join them.
The event never fails to delight parishioners and supporters. Except for the beloved CHamoru standard Dåndan i Panderetas, the song list is new. The clergy will sing songs they have not sung in the past, said Father Joel.
The concert is organized each year to raise funds to help their brother priests who are retired. Proceeds go to the Priests Retirement Fund. This year, a portion will also help our Catholic radio station, KOLG 90.9 FM which badly needs repair and refurbishing.
Doors open at 5 p.m. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. The price is $100 per person and tickets can be purchased only at San Vicente Catholic Church in Barrigada. Please call (671) 734-4573.
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Synod Journey with the Holy Spirit
In 2021, the Archdiocese of Agana joined the Universal Church in answering a call by Pope Francis to embark on a journey of reflection, humility, dialogue and prayer guided by the Holy Spirit.
The pope had announced a process of reflection on the local diocesan level leading up to a meeting of the 16th Synod of Bishops to take place in Rome in October of 2023.
Our “Diocesan Phase of a Synod on Communion, Participation and Mission” commenced on Dec. 7, 2021 with Mass celebrated by then Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
The Synod journey of the Church expanded from the local and regional spheres to the worldwide level from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29, 2023 as representatives from all regions of the Catholic Church gathered in Rome for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
Read the very important document, "A SYNODAL CHURCH IN MISSION Synthesis Report" and more below.
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MAGIS shines in Thanksgiving Concert for Dominican Catholic School
Longtime vocal group MAGIS delighted hundreds of appreciative island residents as its members lent their beautiful voices in support of Dominican Catholic School in the "Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare Thanksgiving Concert" Saturday, Nov. 18 at the school's Veritas Hall in Yigo.
It was MAGIS' second benefit concert in as many months. Saint Francis Catholic School hosted the group last Oct. 7 as a fundraising endeavor.
Last year on Dec. 16, MAGIS was part of "A Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Our Lady of the Waters Church, Mongmong.
Click to view video
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More Images of Dec. 3 Mass commencing Eucharistic Revival | Father Romeo Convocar, Archdiocese of Agana Apostolic Administrator presents the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Sacrament during the Liturgy of the Eucharist during the 3 p.m. Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, 2023. The archdiocese commenced the new Liturgical Year and the Year of the Eucharistic Revival. (Archdiocese of Agaña photo by Victor E. Consaga III/Consaga Photo Services.) | Father Paul Gofigan, Our Lady of Lourdes Pastor, gives the Body of Christ to Melanie Burke, a lector and extraordinary ministry for the Agana parish during the Dec. 3 Mass in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Hagatna. (Archdiocese of Agana photo by Victor E. Consaga III/Consaga Photo Services) | With his brother priests and deacons at the altar and hundreds of Catholic faithful in the pews, Apostolic Administrator, Father Romeo Convocar, center, leads the Liturgy of the Eucharist Dec. 3, 2023 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Hagatna. (Archdiocese of Agana photo by Victor E. Consaga III/Consaga Photo Services) | Saint Joseph parishioners Lynn and Joe Diego receive the Holy Eucharist from Archdiocese of Agana Apostolic Administrator, Father Romeo D. Convocar on the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, 2023. (Archdiocese of Agana photo by Victor E. Consaga III/Consaga Photo Services) |  |  |  |
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Eucharistic Revival Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you give us your flesh and blood for the life of the world, and you desire that all people come to the Supper of the Sacrifice of the Lamb. Renew in your Church the truth, beauty, and goodness contained in the Most Blessed Eucharist.
Jesus living in the Eucharist, come and live in us.
Jesus healing in the Eucharist, come and heal us.
Jesus sacrificing yourself in the Eucharist, come and suffer in us.
Jesus rising in the Eucharist, come and rise to new life in us.
Jesus loving in the Eucharist, come and love in us.
Lord Jesus Christ, through the paschal mystery of your death and resurrection made present in every Holy Mass, pour out your healing love on your Church and on our world. Grant that as we lift you up during this time of Eucharistic Revival, your Holy Spirit may draw all people to join us at this Banquet of Life. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Santa Marian Kamalen, Mother of the Eucharist,
Pray for us,
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The 2023 Clergy Christmas Concert Dec. 13-14
will benefit the Priests Retirement Fund & Catholic Radio, KOLG 90.9 FM
Tickets are $100 per person and available at San Vicente Catholic Church.
Please call (671) 734-4573
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196 Cuesta San Ramon Ste B, Hagåtña, GUAM 96910-4334
Tel: 671-562-0000
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