Tribute to Tita Gennie

Let me take a few moments to dedicate this space for some personal thoughts. Yesterday morning, I was greeted by the saddest text message from Tess and Rachel:

"Pls pray for Tita Gennie. She passed away today"

I can never place Tita Gennie's face on a lifeless body.
I can never see this world or imagine life without her. She has taught us to appreciate every person no matter what because in her eyes a person is always good and beautiful. She saw souls when we saw men.

She has been the mother we have rested upon when our hearts were heavy.
She has been a friend we leaned on when our knees were tired.
She has been the mentor who inspired us to be humble and simple while striving for greatness and perfection.

There is a lump in my throat that has been stuck in my chest every since I heard the news that our beloved Tita Gennie has left this world to lay rest in the bosom of her beloved Blessed mother.

But in the deepest recesses of my soul, I know that Tita Gennie is happy and happily looking at us.

She will always, like a gentle mother and firm leader, be watching from afar. Trusting that she has taught enough, proud that we will continue her dedication and love.

Do not stand there in my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond that glintz on the snow.
I am the sunlight on the rippened grains.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in the circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand there in my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.


I will not say goodbye for now... but thank you for everything.

Family Weekend in San Pablo, Laguna

From the north to the south ... next stop of the Family Weekend Actviity was at the picturesque town of San Pablo Laguna in the lovely parish of the Holy Family. Mommy Salonga, the ever active head of the FRC unit, gracefully arrange everything to perfection.

This time, we had the opportunity to bring Fr. Roque D'Costa, FRC's Executive Director, and Fr. Devadoss., who gamely shared valuable lessons on family prayer and the rosary.

The kids were given a chance to express their creativity as they interpreted FRC's battlecry: The family that prays together stays together.

A rosary-making activity was held for the moms who were present. With FRC's very own Rachel Bajamonde and Carlos Labiana, the group tediously threaded one bead after another and knotted them with delicate and patient hands. More importantly, they commited to do one rosary each a week and give them to FRC for distribution to communities and families.

The dads, not to be outdone provided the entertment for the activity. Their heart and passion swelled with their voices as they rendered church songs to love song much to everyone's delight.

The best part, however, was the agape... where family spirit, sharing and unity and good food flowed abudantly.

Family Weekend On Tour

In keeping the spirit of our founder alive and in support the Cause of his Beatification and Canonization, we launched series of weekend activities to promote his battle cry. Since there are enough organizations working for Metro Manila, all the activitiies will be held in the provinces and outskirts of the city.

This activity which we simply named, FRC Family Weekend aims to strengthen the spirituality of the family through art and hands on workshop, video / film showing of the Mysteries, catechesis on the rosary and sharing of insights and reflections among participants.

Our first stop was with the gracious parishoners of Muling Pagkabuhay, Lawa, Meycauyan. (unfortunately their community was one of the badly hit of typhoon Ondoy and yet the first fud raising the made was for the rehabilitatio of their chapels). That Saturday was really memorable. We captured three groups the entire day: the children in the morning for the On-the-Spot postes making, the catechists for the film showing and talk about the rosary and families in the afternoon for the Manifest Mysteries showing and living rosary.

We also took the opportunity to launch a campaign we are doing in support of the Vatican's declaration of the Year for Priests and the celebration of the Centenary of Fr. Peyton, FRC started a rosary campaign that enlists families to pray the rosary daily for priests and for the success of Fr. Peyton’s Beatification. The families who pledge to pray the rosary with these intentions are asked to sign to seal their commitment and are given Pledge Certificates to serve as a reminder of their promise.

Family Rosary's Prayer of Families

The family is the cradle of humanity because the home is where one learns the values of life. In the family, one's culture is shaped. In the family, one learns courage and finds strength to counter cultures that are anti-life and anti-God. May families remain strong and God-centered to face the challenges and temptations of the modern world.

Honor His Memory Continue His Mission

Perhaps the most recognizable contribution Servant of God Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC gave to this generation is the value of family prayer as summed up by his battlecry: The Family that Prays Together Stays Together; A World At Prayer is A World at Peace. This spells the core of the commemoration of the Centenary of his birthday this year.

Fr. Peyton's 100th birthday kicked-off 2009 with a Rosary Novena from January 1 - 9, with families from different parts of the world coming together to pray with the entire Family Rosary offices, HCFM and the Congregation of Holy Cross.

The FRC office in the Philippines culminated the Rosary Novena with a Holy Mass with Fr. Peyton's friends and supporters and the FRC Units. Bataan Bishop and FRC

advocate Most Rev. Soc Villegas led the Eucharistic Celebration. Joining the Bishop are Fr. Roque D' Costa, CSC, FRC's current Spiritual Director, Fr. Ronald Manabat and Fr. Sid Marinay.

Messages from HCFM President Fr. John Phalan, CSC and Family Rosary International Director Fr. Jim Phalen, CSC which stressed the urgency to bring back prayer in the home and understand the value of the rosary were read by Fr. Roque, CSC and Mrs. Gennie Jota, former Executive Director of FRC - Philippines.

A short video was shown to trace Fr. Peyton's life and mission and link it to the challenge to continue what he started back in the early 1940s.

A simple lunch shared by the FRC board members, staff and Units capped the event.

HCFM and FRC will hold other activities to strengthen family relations, deepen spirituality and prayer life of the family during the next months.

Fr. Peyton Centenary

2009 will be a momentous year for the Family Rosary Crusade as it commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of its founder Servant of God Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC on January 9, 2009.
The Holy Cross Family Minsitries (HCFM), the umbrella organization of FRC, aims this celebration to be an opportunity to strengthen family prayer and renew spirituality of the home. Family Rosary affiliate offices worldwide have been tasked to organize a rosary novena for families from January 1 - 9 next year. Fr. John Phalan, CSC and HCFM President emphasizes that “this kick-off activity supports Fr. Peyton’s most sacred insight, the goal toward which his whole fascinating life was directed, that is to encourage families to come together daily to pray the rosary, as he saw the many benefits of this simple practice”.
An intention has been designated for each decade and while a special prayer for the beatification of Fr. Peyton will be added at the end of each rosary novena.

FRC Philippines will hold a special concelebrated mass on January 10 at the Sta. Maria Gorretti Parish will be held to commemorate Fr. Peyton’s birth, to celebrate his life and works and renew the commitment to continue his mission.
The celebration is aimed to be a year-long event with various support activities underway.