My usual Saturday starts with buying our groceries at The Landmark Supermarket. After paying for our purchases at the counter, left Edgar, the driver, to bring the groceries home while I proceed to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel to attend the Saturday Mass. Edgar will be back later to bring me home after the anticipated Mass.
Greenbelt Chapel
Since I am early for the rosary and the Mass, I prayed my two (2) devotions, namely: Chaplet of the Precious Blood, and 15 Prayers of St. Bridget.
The presider of the Mass is Fr. Alemar. He is often the confessor when I observe the Saturday devotion. Here is my takeaway from his homily.
There are three things to note about the parable of the fig tree, namely: (a) the orchard, (b) the gardener, and (c) the fertilizer.
The orchard is the Church, it can also be our family, where we are expected to bear fruit. If we are far away from the "orchard" or we have become homeless, isn't it about time to go back home--to the Church?
The gardener is the people around us who can help. It is hard to grow when we are alone--we need others. Although, we should not be too dependent on them that we have become "parasites". (The last sentence is my thoughts, not the priest's. LOL)
And the fertilizer are those given by the Church--the sacraments, the devotions, Bible sharing, Bible study, catechism. Use them, avail of them.
During the Mass, I noticed a father carrying his little daughter throughout the Mass. I wanted to help but he might not look kindly on it. At the end of the Mass, one of the parishioners gave him money. His face shows surprise but is grateful. This emboldened me to give. I also gave him a bottle of exorcism oil which I always carry for these occasions. That one action started for others to give. The little girl is so thin. I included him and his child in my Mass intention.
For lunch, I went to Fiery Style at Glorietta 4. Ordered my usual. I started this post (using my Chromebook) in case I forget my learning this morning.
Fiery Style
Next stop is at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf near the Glorietta Activity Center. Of course, I continued with my blogging. LOL.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Decided to buy a smaller tumbler which I can bring when I go to the mall (instead of always buying mineral or distilled water). Went to Aquaflask. This store gives free engraving. Availed of it. Bought an 18 oz black tumbler.
AquaFlask
Proceeded to Greenbelt Chapel for the anticipated Mass. Was able to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary before the Mass. Fr. Benny is the presider.
There are three (3) things to take note of in the Gospel. (Hmmm.... how come there are always three?)
"The blind man replied to him, 'Master, I want to see.'" Jesus already knows what Bartimaeus wants yet He still asked him what He wanted. God will not force His grace to us, we should ask for it as He wills.
"He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus." Are we excited when we will see Jesus? Some don't attend the Sunday Mass anymore. When God gives us graces, He wants us to build a relationship with Him.
"Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way." From all the miracles that was presented in the Gospels, this is the only time when a person who received God's grace followed Jesus. What do we do if we receive God's grace? Do we promise to do something for something we ask from God? Do we keep our promise?
For the Jews, when they ask for healing, it is both physical and spiritual.
Before proceeding home, went to Mercury Drug at The Landmark to buy my medicine.
I often attend the anticipated Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. I skipped last week because my niece used Edgar, the driver, to attend an event. Anyway, I attended a rosary procession last Sunday followed by the Mass.
Since the prayer leader is late, was able to finish my two devotions, that is, the Chaplet of the Precious Blood, and the (15) Prayers of St. Bridget. The latter is a one (1) year devotion which I started December 1 of 2023.
When the prayer leader arrived, we skipped the Divine Mercy Chaplet and proceeded to pray the Rosary.
The presider is Fr. Jerome. The message of the Gospel is about humility. The world aims for upward mobility while Jesus is for downward mobility. Humility is not the depreciation of oneself; but, the appreciation for others.
After, I went to The Landmark to buy candles which I will bring to the cemetery when I visit my dearly departed on November 1 where we celebrate All Saints Day. Will have them blessed.
Bought food-to-go at Fat Fook Kitchen where I bought fried chicken chop, and black pepper beef. Paid for my order and will pick it up later.
Went to Rustan's The Marketplace where I bought nut snacks. Picked-up my to-go order at Fat Fook Kitchen. Then, proceeded to Pet Express to buy Royal Canine's Urinary S/O for Theo.
Passed by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to buy Pure Double Chocolate coffee-free ice blended before proceeding home.
A late notice that our afternoon meeting will be face-to-face at our Ortigas office. Will leave our Makati office at 12 noon and have our lunch when we arrive our other office with a mall right between the two corporate towers.
Our lunch is at Caerus Specialty Coffee + Bistro. Decided that it will already be our birthday treat (we are two (2) October birthday celebrants). Each of us ordered the main dish we wanted plus ordered sizzling sisig, classic kare-kare, laing, and avocado cake to share. I ordered grilled pork liempo. The food is good! 👌
October 13 is the last apparition of the Our Lady at Fatima which started May 13, 1917. To celebrate this, one of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) of the Our Lady of Sorrow Parish arranged for the rosary procession. Decided to join this. The meet-up is at 2:30AM. The procession will start at 3AM. Mass will follow at 4:30AM.
Woke up at 1AM so that we will be leaving the condo around 1:30AM. Theo, the dog, was supposed to be with us; but since his "nanay" (my niece) is here, she can accompany Theo.
We are very early. The church is still closed. Good thing, McDonald's is near that we can drink hot chocolate or coffee while we wait for the procession to start.
Usually, the people who follow a float with the image of the Our Lady of Fatima are families who own said images. We chose to follow a pedicab float with only three (3) people, and the image simply lit.. Me and Lyn made up for the fourth and the fifth person.
I was expecting that there will be a sound system that would be used by the one who will lead the rosary as the procession progresses. There is none. One float has a sound system that repeatedly plays the Our Lady of Fatima song. I guess, praying of the rosary depends on the people following each float. With this, I started to pray the rosary. The woman, who I assume is one of the companions of the owner of the float we are following, prayed with me. 😉
That was a long route for the procession. Supposedly, the procession would end in time for the 4:30AM Mass. Instead, the Mass was moved to 5AM.
When we are near the church, we left the float we are following and went to church to seat ourselves for the Holy Mass. The priest who led the rosary procession is the presider of the Mass.
After, we went again to McDonald's to buy food-to-go for our breakfast.
BTW while we were still in the procession, my niece sent a message that she will be bringing Theo to the veterinary as an emergency. When we left them, Theo continuously cried. She was able to book a Grab with Pet to bring her and Theo to (and fro) Vets in Practice. She is satisfied with their service and the way the veterinarian explained Theo's case. Moving forward, we would be bringing Theo here.
We arrived home before 7AM (as my niece will have to leave around that time) to eat our to-go breakfast and for Theo to have people around.
Around 10AM, I left again to do some grocery shopping. Normally, I do my groceries every other Saturday. But since my other niece has an event to attend, she used Edgar, the driver, this Saturday.
After, I went to buy a flashlight at The Landmark's hardware for emergency. Since been thinking of having wanton soup, went to Mamak Kopitiam for lunch. Went to True Value and bought another (hybrid solar) flashlight that is rechargeable by USB or solar, or use an ordinary battery.
My cousin, Ate Ina, often sends over food as gift on my birthday. She orders the food from her nephew, Anthony. This year, I did not receive one. I thought I would not taste the food prepared by Anthony. 😔
Lo and behold, got the gift today. 👏 Thank you!
According to Anthony, there is a problem with the gas line that is why he is unable to send over the food last Wednesday.
As soon as I woke up, attended the 6AM online Mass at the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (should have awaken much earlier). It is a thanksgiving birthday Mass.
I would be attending the 12:15AM Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. When I arrived, the rosary (before the Mass) is already at the "Hail Holy Queen". Too bad.
Previously, I confessed and attended the Mass on my birthday. But since I observe the Saturday devotion, I confess monthly. Daily rosary and the Saturday devotion gives miracles to one's life.
Greenbelt Chapel
Would be having a late lunch after the Mass before proceeding home. Was thinking of the Malaysian restaurant at Glorietta.
Greenbelt
Greenbelt Walkway
Passed through the The Landmark on my way to Mamak Kopitiam at the Food Center of Glorietta 4. A short detour at BPI on the way.
Wanted to try something new today. Since I have been seeing people enjoying the BLK 513yoghurt, I will give it a try. It does taste good; but for me, it is not something I will regularly eat.
BLK 513
Left home again around 4PM to buy food at Emerald Garden Restaurant for a small handa for my birthday.
Truth be told, we have been missing Theo, my niece's Shih Tzu. When he feels like it, he goes to you either asking for food/ treat or for some petting. He has to be left at the clinic after bringing him last Saturday for a check-up.
We are just planning to bring a can of food for him; but, based on his status, he can already go home. The hematoma is almost gone and the wound of his operation has healed. His stitches has been removed.
I am observing the Saturday devotion. I would be going to the Sto. Niño de Paz Community Chapel (also known as Greenbelt Chapel) for the sacrament of reconciliation. This Chapel has a daily confession from 8AM to 6PM. I would also be attending the Saturday Mass to take the communion.
Here are guide questions (in Tagalog) as you examine your conscience in preparation for the confession.
After my confession and penance, I meditated on one of the mysteries of the rosary (for at least 15 minutes). Thank you to Regina Angelorum Press that helped me do my meditation. For today, it is the Crucifixion.
My takeaway for Saturday's homily by Fr. Paulo is when Job experienced the sufferings, he also asked God why. Job also came up with the answers to his questions. But we can learn from Job the following:
(W)ait -- patience (H)ope -- Hold On, Problem Ends; Hold On, Pain Ends (Y)ield
Also, pray the Act of Reparation for the first Saturdays of the month:
O Most Holy Virgin, and Our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your Immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of long you as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart. We therefore kneel before you to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause you, and to atone buy our prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which they return your love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn your eyes of mercy towards us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy Him forever in heaven. Amen.
Whether a Marian hymn was sung or not at the end of the Mass, I sing the Hail Mary or the Salve Regina.
I walked my way to The Landmark Food Center to post this in my blog (using my new Chromebook LOL) so I would not forget the learning I got from the Saturday Mass' homily.
Proceeded to Glorietta to have an ice-blended drink at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Have to finish my drink at least one (1) hour before the anticipated Mass I will be attending
Done, went back to Greenbelt Chapel for the Anticipated Mass.
The presider for the Anticipated Mass is Fr. Ronald. The Gospel talks about divorce. Which is fitting to what is happening in the Philippines where the divorce bill is being deliberated on. I pray that these legislators are enlightened that divorce is not the solution but an escape. It does not resolve the problem. In fact, it would create more problems. We really are in a spiritual warfare. The devil is bent on destroying the family... the domestic church.
Before proceeding home, went to Bistro Ravioli to buy food-to-go. Again, updating this blog using my Chromebook while waiting for my order. Sorry, I just can't resist stating it.
Segue.
Supposedly, today would just be a check-up for Theo to see his improvement after the surgery. He has to stay with the vet again for three (3) days for observation and medicine because he got hematoma. 😔
🙏 Thank You, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! 🙏
Today is my schedule for the Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS). Have to fast for eight (8) hours before the procedure--no food, no fluids.
The receptionist of the Endoscopy Unit is very accommodating. She was surprised at the amount supposedly to be covered by my HMO, which is PhP20,000.00. According to her, the EUS costs about PhP80,000.00. Boy, was I surprised. She said, she will try to reach out to my HMO to have it increased. (Thank you.) I said I am willing to cover the deficit, just in case, as long as the procedure pushes through.
The staff at Makati Medical Center are all nice and efficient. The nurse who assisted me gave her lozenges because my throat is still aching after the procedure, in spite of drinking warm water. My bill has been finalized that she cannot include the lozenges added to my bill; thus, she kindly gave me one of her stock. Praying for her safety and success on her next endeavor (it is her last day today).
And my billing? My HMO covered the EUS. And my doctor who is not covered by my HMO split her professional fee in half. Thank You so much for these miracles. 🙏
After paying my bill, I asked my niece to buy food (Mary Grace baked goods) for my "angels" in the Endoscopy Unit.
Result: Everything is normal (on the detected lesions in the duodenum during the endoscopy procedure). The problem with searching through the internet about causes of symptoms or illness, the Big C is always in the list. Thank You, God, for answering my prayers. 🙏
Since my niece have to pick-up an item at Greenbelt, we decided to also have our early dinner there. It has to be soft food, I think. So, we had our dinner at Din Tai Fung at Greenbelt 3.
🙏 Thank you for praying for me, Mama Mary, Saint Joseph, my guardian angel, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Martin de Porres, San Roque, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Jude, St. Padre Pio, Blessed Dina Belanger, Holy Souls in Purgatory and all saints!!! 🙏
Scheduled for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, the doctor who would be doing this specialized procedure is not covered by our company's HMO. I will have to pay the doctor's professional fee, the HMO will pay for the procedure and for the anesthesiologist.
Because of this, I will have to prepare the PhilHealth documents (which is usually being handled by the HMO). This has been ready a month ago.
I have to get the clearance from my cardiologist and my endocrinologist. Once I was able to obtain them, the doctor scheduled the procedure. I also have to consult with CAPE either face-to-face or via teleconsultation. If face-to-face, I can do it on the day itself; but, I have to be early at the hospital. Or do it days before via teleconsult. Did the latter. This way, I have to go directly to where the EUS procedure will be performed and will avoid worrying that I might be late.
Here's praying that my procedure is a success and a positive/ good result. 🙏
