2009 June Activity

1st Friday Novena Devotion

to

the Black Nazarene

Acevedo Residence
Lake Olympia Village, Missouri City




June 05, 2009

Brothers and sisters, it has been 6 months since we started this web blog as my small contribution to our noble cause of bringing our group out of its existence. I personally thank you for your appreciation and support.


I just like to share you a story I read from my e-mail and hope will also give some meaning to our lives!

"Scars in our Hearts"
(Anonymous author)

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.


In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind his shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam into the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming towards the shore. His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together.


In utter fear, she run out of the house towards the water, yelling to his son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a u-turn swim to his mother. It was too late! Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.


That begun an incredible tug-of-war between the two! The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happen to drive by, and heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the reptile. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.


The newspaper reporter who interviewed the little boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant and showed his legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms! I have great scars in my arms, too! I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go!"


Yes! That story of the little boy has a deeper parallelism in our lives. We have scars, too! No not from the alligator, but the scars of the painful past! Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.


But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go! In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you! You are a child of God! He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way! But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack!


That's when the tug-of-war begins ..... and if you have the scars of His love in your arms, ..... be very, very grateful! He did not, and will not, ever let you go!!!


God has blessed you, so you can be a blessing to others! You just never know where and when a person is in her/his life and what they are going through! Never judge a person scars, because you don't know how they got them.


Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them and that you love them too, enough to not let them go!


Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be a part of who you will become!


God Bless!

The Novena Prayer

Opening Song




The Holy Rosary & Prayer




Novena Praises & Songs





The Celebration of the Mass




Celebrant
(Rev. Fr. Carlito Rara)





Opening Hymn




The First Reading
(Host & Hermana Mayor Sis. Suzette Acevedo)

The Homily






Eucharistic Offering

The Body of Christ .....

.... and the Blood of Christ

The Holy Communion






Birthday Celebrants

for June

Celebrants with Fr. Carlito Rara





Celebrants!

Bro. Ray

Sis. Jona

Sis. Chabeng

Bro. Cyrus

Bro. Gene

Sis. Hannah

The Birthday Cake
(Compliments of Sis. Amy Llacar)





The Socials

Welcoming new friends & devotees!

Serving proud for the Lord!

Renewing acquiantances!

Fr. Carlito Rara & Deacon Danny Naranjo!

Welcoming Bro. Joe of Gawad Kalinga
for our Black Nazarene Village Project.

Welcoming old and young friends!

.... and so goes the affair after the Novena!

Greeting old friends .....

Sharing the partake ......

.... and posing pictures to the Black Nazarene!

REMINDER: Our next novena prayer will be on July 03, 2009 @ Bro. Sony Acevedo Residence. For other schedules please contact Bro. Roger or wait for further announcement from your e-mail.

Thank you for your devotion

and

untiring support!







Please support our "Black Nazarene Village
Project"!