CHAPLAINS CORNER

EDITORIAL

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila

Sto. Nio de Paz Greenbelt Chapel

FOR THE

BUSY
SOUL

VISION

Moderator Rev. Fr. Jun C. Sescon

To be a home of spiritual
communion and celebration with
God, self, family and the society.

Editor in Chief Dennis Mark R. dela Cruz

The Cardinals Message

Associate Editors
Heddie Micor
Net Oriondo
Lorie Sambile

Our Chaplains Corner

MISSION

Writers
Mario Ampil
Weng Beramende
Jorge San Juan
Marjory Sy

To evangelize the people of

Makati
and other communities and their
families
through meaningful and
sustained
celebration of the Sacraments,
preaching and proclamation
of the Word, committed and
creative ministries,
solid formation of the Catholic
faith,
prayer and healing experiences,
and
the pursuit of social justice and
outreach services.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Eucharistic Celebration
MONDAY to FRIDAY
7:15 AM 12:15 PM 5:45 PM 7:00 PM
SATURDAY
12:15 PM (Filipino Mass)
4:30 PM 6:00 PM (Sunday Anticipated
Masses)
SUNDAY
7:15 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12noon
3:00 PM 4:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM
Sacrament of Reconciliation
MONDAY to FRIDAY
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM / 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Holy Hour
Every first Friday of the month
after the 7:00PM Mass
Healing Session
Every first Sunday of the month
after the 12:00 noon Mass
Counseling
Monday to Saturday by Appointment

Send your comments, suggestions and feedback to greenleaf@

greenbeltchapel.org or story, photograph and artwork contributions
to greenbeltchapel.greenleaf@gmail.com. Unsolicited materials
will not be returned unless a sufficiently stamped self-addressed
envelope is provided.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila

Sto. Nio de Paz Greenbelt Chapel

Greenbelt Park, Ayala Center, 1228 Makati City, Philippines

(632) 729-8173 | (632) 729-8174
www.greenbeltchapel.org | administration@greenbeltchapel.org

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Inside this Issue

7 Editorial
8

Re-Aligned and Doubly Grateful

Transformation and Thanksgiving

12

A Transformation?

13

Out of the Box

Creatives

14

Listening to God

Richard C. Eusebio

16

Work in Progress

17

Transformed and Forever Grateful

Our Cover
The cover of the Souvenir Issue
of the Green Leaf dedicated to
the Sto.Nio puts together the
various physical changes that the
Greenbelt Chapel had undergone
during the past couple of years.
These improvements had in mind
the safety and convenience of the
ever growing number of mass goers
who had made the Chapel their
venue of spiritual transformation.
Greenbelt Chapel continues to be
a beacon of light to those who seek
a welcoming respite and refuge in
a busy world. With grateful hearts,
we thank the Lord for this grace
(Cover designed by Richard C.
Eusebio)

Love-A-Parish Program
Greenbelt Chapel is a spiritual home
where charity abounds and generosity
extends beyond its confines. Through
its Love-A-Parish Program (LAPP), the
Chapel provides financial support to
436 poor parishes all over the country and other
charitable institutions serving the poor like the
Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa, the Poor
Clares and Caritas Manila.
You may make an offering through our LAPP drop
boxes located at the Chapels entrances or bring
your donations at the Chapel office. Likewise,
your LAPP offering may be deposited at the LoveA-Parish Programs bank account with the Bank
of Philippine Islands, account number 0385318383.
We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for your
continued support. May our Good Lord bless your
generous hearts.

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MESSAGE

Greetings in the Lord to the Sto.Nino de Paz-Greenbelt Chapel
Community! I congratulate you on your fiesta and expansion/
improvement of the chapel premises. Truly, the love of God is at work in
you.

God never leaves His people alone. There is the spirit of communion among all of us that
ties Christians. We share in the same baptism, we profess the same faith, and we share in different
capacities, in different states of life, in the common calling to follow Jesus and to be missionaries
in our time, in our world. We are expected to embrace a life of service to God and the Christian
community. All of us must work together. And this life of service is directed to those whom God
loves: the lowly, the broken- hearted, the captives, the prisoners, those who mourn. These are the
people who need God, who cry out to God. These are the people who are in the heart of God in a
special way. You and I are sent by God to them. With the spirit of the Lord in us let us bring this
comforting and consoling love. Let every faithful who comes to Greenbelt Chapel experience this
divine comfort and consolation.

The work of reconciliation is Gods work accomplished in Jesus Christ. We are not the
reconcilers. We are servants of reconciliation. God is the one calling people to be reconciled. He
uses our voice, our hands, our feet, our celebrations, our activities and even our tears for people
not to be afraid to come to God. How many people are afraid to return to God? How many are
ashamed to return to God? How many have been discouraged to return to God? There are many. Let
us not add to them. Jesus did not die on the cross to alienate people, to drive them away from the
reconciling love of God. No! Jesus invites everyone.

Let this spirit of service and reconciliation animate your community at Greenbelt Chapel. At
the heart of the business district, bring the people closer to the mercy and peace of God. Let the
welcoming spirit of the chapel be your inspiration. And let the poor also experience the goodness
of God through you.

God bless you always!

+ LUIS ANTONIO CARDINAL G. TAGLE, D.D

Archbishop of Manila

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CHAPLAINS CORNER
Thankful and Transformed!
Sto. Nino de Paz-Greenbelt Chapel Community has grown for
the past 31 years. It has become a spiritual oasis for so many-the working people of Makati during weekdays and families from
all over the metropolis during weekends. And as the children
of the family increase, the house must also expand. Given the
limitations we have, we have to think of creative ways to expand
and accommodate more people.
Pope Francis wants everyone to feel welcome at church. Everyone
must belong and be part of the celebration and encounter with the
Lord. This is a tall order for us. Sometimes on Sundays, there are
more people outside than inside the chapel! We thank Ayala Land, Inc. for covering the pathway around
the chapel. Now the chapel is more accessible even during the rainy season. We have also expanded the
bridges. This means more people can be accommodated inside the chapel. Getting in and out of the
chapel also becomes safer and easier.
Without compromising the iconic dome of the chapel, we have adjusted the structure to prevent the
entry of rains and wind gusts. Before, even if you are inside the chapel, you can get wet when the winds
are strong. The floor also becomes wet, slippery and dangerous. Hopefully, these issues will become
things of the past.
The sanctuary was also modified to accommodate more. The lectern was remodeled and a new and
bigger tabernacle was placed out of the altar in conformity with liturgical norms. The majestic crucifix
was set higher for everyone to behold. We will also have new chairs for the presider and concelebrants
soon.
In the next months, the sacristy will be refurbished and we will construct a storeroom and chaplains
office. You have seen how some chapel fixtures and items were just placed at the bridges or under the
pews because we have no more space for storage. From the sacristy, there is now an access outside
towards the gardens in case of emergency.
A belfry will also be constructed to really symbolize Gods presence in this busy complex. A new and
modern bell (computer-operated) will be installed by Royal Bells Philippines, the local partner of Royal
Eijsbouts of The Netherlands. We were thinking of a carillon or chimes but this might be an issue for the
surrounding residents who might complain of hourly ringing of the bells.
To encourage and enhance the active participation of the liturgical assembly, we will replace the LCD
projectors with LED screens so that even during daytime, the prayers and songs may be read with ease.
Hopefully, we can set up something similar outside so that more people can follow the celebration inside
the chapel.
I would like to thank the many people who helped us (and will continue to help us) realize this dream.
Most of them are anonymous friends. They do not want their names brandished here on earth. It is
enough that the Lord knows their overflowing kindness. May your tribe increase!
Greenbelt chapel is growing! But more importantly, our faith community is growing! Thanks be to
God... Everything is grace!
With the transformation of Greenbelt Chapel, we pray for a further of transformation of the community.
There are better terms for that - CONVERSION, RENEWAL. And that is my prayer: As we see the changes
taking place in the house of God, in our place of worship, may we also be inspired and challenged to
change as well:
- like the expansion, may we also become more welcoming and merciful so that those who come to the
chapel may truly say they belong;
- like the bridges, through our prayers and witnessing, people may have better access to the Lord;
- like the sanctuary, our celebrations, service and lives may truly focus on Jesus Christ;
- like the bell, our presence and charity may sound far and wide the immense love of God;
- like the LED screens, our lives may show forth more clearly the presence of the Lord...
All the renovations and improvements in the chapel will make more sense if there is also a renovation
and improvement of hearts.
Transformation in the chapel and in our community - that is our constant prayer.
Transformation and Thanksgiving - that is our offering to the Lord this 2015!

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Thanksgiving.indd 4

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Change and Receive

Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples and said, I assure you unless
you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever becomes
lowly like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and whoever receives such a child in my
name receives me. (Matthew 18:2-5)
As children of God, our ultimate goal would be to go back to Him by entering His Heavenly
home. That is part of our inheritance that was promised to us in our baptism. Unlike earthly
treasures bequethed to us by our forefathers, our salvation comes at a price. For one, Jesus was
born in our midst not as a mighty ruler but as a lowly child to give us lessons on child like faith
and humility. He lived among us to spiritually prepare us for our heavenly inheritance. He died to
save us, a Lamb sacrificed for our sins. He resurrected from the dead to give us a foretaste of what
would be in store for us.
However, we also ought to do our part. Jesus, in the passage from the Scriptures above, provided
us directions on how to enter the Kingdom prepared for us. Allow me to direct your attention to
two words which forms the core of this message: Change and Receive. To enter the Kingdom, we
are called to spiritually transform, mend our ways, renew our lives and change to make ourselves
worthy of being called children of God. This we can do through childlike faith and humility. As a
child who clings to a father with hope and faith, believing that His warm embrace protects us and
provides for us, accepting that He strengthens us in our weaknesses and would never foresake us,
our transformation brings us to a new level of relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Change also presupposes that we have to receive, to accept the child that shows us what needs
to be transformed in our lives. Receiving is a call to action, a progressive way of going back to
the Father. Thus, we accept our shortcomings and receive the Lords mercy. We open ourselves
and receive Gods graces. As these thngs happen in our lives, we become grateful recepients and
joyfully praise and thank God by recognizing all of these wonders in our existence. It is with these
graces that our responsibility to serve God with all our being and love our fellowmen with all our
heart comes to fore.
The past year have seen a number of physical transformations at Greenbelt Chapel. We now
have wider bridges to accommodate more mass goers. Our tabernacle and the Crucified Christ
is now visible even from outside. Renovations are still ongoing aimed at providing better services
for our community. With this comes a renewed commitment to be a spiritual home filled with life
transforming moments, a beacon of light in the dark sea of life, a haven for weary souls seeking
for the Fathers Love and Mercy.
THE EDITOR IN CHIEF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to take this opportunity to thank those who made this Souvenir Issue come into fruition:
the writers who contributed articles, the layout artists who unselfishly gave their talents to complete
this issue, the greeters and supporters, some of them unnamed and refused to recognized, the various
ministries for their unwavering support and to the entire Greenbelt Chapel community for their prayers.
We may not be able to thank you personally but God knows your beautiful intentions. May He always
bless your generous hearts THE GREEN LEAF

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RE-ALIGNED and
DOUBLY GRATEFUL!!!
Love is patient; love is kind
and is not jealous; love does not
brag and is not arrogant, does not
act unbecomingly.(1 Cor. 13:4)
It was September 2011, thirteen
months after I first gazed upon Gods
biggest surprise for me. This is the
ultimate fulfillment of my existence I
was a Mother!!! Not all mature women
are mothers (and not all mothers are
mature! now thats a different story!).
Indeed I was blessed as I was in the
midst of couples struggling to attain
this feat that ironically was unexpected
for me. It is undeniable that there is
truth in the joy and fulfillment felt
upon laying eyes to your new born
for the first time. No other emotion
is comparable. And yet, thirteen
months later, I felt indifferent and cold.
I did not feel that I was a mother at all.
For how can one feel such gratification
when you are not with your son?
I was working in Makati thousands
of miles from where my son was. My
job required me to be a specialist of
something unique and evolving. To
some of my contemporaries, it was of
great interest and highly sought after.
Not to mention the potential financial

Thanksgiving.indd 6

bliss attainable on a monthly basis.

And yet one evening I found myself
pondering where I was in my life, asking
questions -- Am I where Im supposed
to be? Am I living the life that I planned
to have after I graduated, seven years
ago? Am I happy? Am I content?
Am I living fully or just existing?
Sadly, the answers that offered hope
and satisfaction eluded me. I can only
muster a weak yes hardly convincing
to anyone not even myself. In short,
I was lost and not an inch near to what
the ideal setting of this particular
chapter in my existence. And in those
moments, I felt my slow and short
heartbeats; I could hear my raspy
and uneasy breathing and my skin
acquainted with the cold breeze of the
night... I was standing on a balcony
overseeing a vast and busy world,
mindful only of its own existence. No
one else could hear my heartbeat, nor
hear my breath nor succumb to the chill
of the night breeze. The reality of being
alone emerged simultaneous to the
tears I could not bear to contain. There
was a void in me no human tool can
measure. Several nights were wasted
and mornings started with heavy

sighs, a long face and swollen eyes.

I dragged my feet across the pavements
intersecting
Dela
Rosa
Street,
continuing my aimless wandering until
I found comfort and friendship among
the fishes in a pond encompassed
by a dome shaped structure. These
aquatic creatures, varying from bright
orange hues to sparkling black, were
convinced they had no were else to
go. The sunbathing turtles and the
quacking of three feathery creatures,
made a welcome familiar to home. I
found a spot with in one of those
white seats arranged in a shape of a
coin. And across me was an image of a
lady in white made of wood. It was an
hour after midday and several people
made queues surrounding the altar.
My curiosity was ignited when a man,
gentle but firm, appeared in between
the queues anointing the people with
oil and speaking tongues. A theory
came to mind of some positive energy
expelled through the man enabling him
to remove the illness and the despair
amongst the believers. My thoughts
were, why stop and stare, when it was
free to be involved? And so, it was
my turn to receive the anointment.
Closing my eyes, and listening to
the heartened voice, my face became
wet with tears and I was struggling
with my breath. The instruction was
surrender everything to Him. He

4/22/2015 7:18:42 AM

loves you and He will always love you

no matter what. Let him heal you, let
Him love you. I was desperate. And in
desperation I begged for some miracle.
A miniscule of comfort is more than
enough Lord!! Please I beg of You!!
Suddenly, out of nowhere, an
immense energy flowed through my
chest pushing me off my balance. My
back touched 2 sets of hands, slowly
putting me down on the floor. My tears
poured out unceasingly. This time my
tears were not of despair or anger. This
time, my tears were rich with hope and
thanksgiving. That immense force was
not formed out of my imagination.
Rather, I was convinced that it was
the single-handed outpouring of
Gods mercy and love, which He never
ceases to give me daily, but which I
failed to acknowledge. I remember a
quote, The eyes can only see clearly
when it is washed by tears filled with
hungry faith and desperate hope.
At that moment, I realized there was
a much bigger, different and more
colorful world than the world I knew.
And God was at the top of the game.
And that He had everything under
watch. He was never asleep nor was
He afraid to fulfill his plans. And He
has a more detailed approach in our
lives, tailoring every moment to fit and
prosper the succeeding events, leading
to our fulfillment of His ultimate plans.

Thanksgiving.indd 7

I am now a servant of Greenbelt Chapel.

I am also a working parent struggling
with bills, work relationships, missed
opportunities, and broken promises.
My imperfections define me, but
my God, my Healer and my Father
has embraced me and has never left
my side. He runs the course of my
reasoning. When I stray, He pulls me
back by reminding me of the love He
embellished around me through my
son, my Family, my fellow Servants and
my real friends. Now I am aligned and
doubly grateful for the transformed
heart, that now beats for hope and
deep faith in His unceasing love and
mighty grace. (Weng Beramende)

Transformation
and Thanksgiving
We Filipinos like children and we dote
on them. We even like to dress them
up like dolls or even like celebrities.
Our fondness with children may be
the reason we find the Sto. Nio so
endering. The image of the Child Jesus
is so cute. And yes!many images are
dressed up like dolls. There is nothing
wrong with dressing up the Sto. Nio
and praying for almost everything we
need. It may be that we are recreate God
in our own image. After all, a child is
someone adults can easily control. We

tell a child to do a number of things and

the child will do our bidding. Thus,
we are try to physically transform
the Sto. Nio to our own likeness.
It should instead be the other
way around: Our devotion to the
Sto.Nio
should
transform
us
to be the faithful and obedient
disciples our Lord wants us to be.
Our recent celebration of the Feast
of the Sto. Nio should give us a
moment for reflection. Yes, there
was a time in the life of Jesus when
He was a chuld. All throughout His
childhood, Jesus placed His trust on
His Father through constant prayer.
A complete trust in the Father helped
to mold Jesus to be the obedient Son.
His ultimate act of obedience was
His Passion and death on the cross.
Jesus was always praising and
thanking His Father. He brought His
childlike trustfulness and thankful
spirit into adulthood. He always began
His day with a prayer of praise and
thanksgiving. Like Jesus, we can only be
transformed into the obedient disciple
by a trusting and thankful attitude.
Santo Nio, grant us the grace to have
the same spirit of trust and thankfulness
as You did with the Father. Open our
hearts and let Your Spirit transform us.
To God be the Glory! (Mario Ampil)

4/22/2015 7:18:45 AM

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