By: Noli and Sam Manuel

as published in Couples for Christ’s Pearl Book – 30^th Anniversary Commemorative Book

(Featured sharing in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family)

When we got married in 2004, serving as a missionary couple was far from our minds.  We were contented to start our new life together as husband and wife in the Philippines.  We started by renting a small apartment, saving up for small investments and serving as a young couple in the community. We were contented to serve the Lord full time in Manila, not wanting to leave our comfort zones.

It wasn’t until a year after in 2005, when invitations to go out on long-term mission were offered to us by our elders.  But still our hearts were stubborn to God’s call. (more…)

MISSION – and that word fires up my senses. AFRICA – and taaadaaaa!! A dream turned into a reality.  It has always been my dream that someday I will be able to reach that continent with a purpose. I have spent every summer break of my college years doing volunteer works like various medical missions, a 10-day camp for special children, and so on. I have always been dreaming of being a missionary in Africa . (more…)

NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ENGLISH MISSAL TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS WEEKEND IN THE VICARIATES OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN ARABIA

On 25th November we enter into the season of Advent. The new liturgy will be introduced from the first Sunday of advent in the Vicariate of Northern Arabia and in the Vicariate of Southern Arabia.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, “The Vatican has formally approved a new English translation of the Roman Missal — a translation that will change some of the words with which Roman Catholics have worshiped throughout the English-speaking world for the past 40 years.

Among changes in the congregational responses to the priest at Mass, perhaps the most obvious will be “And with your spirit” as the people’s response to the celebrant’s “The Lord be with you” and “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” The current response to both those invitations is, “And also with you.”

Words in the Gloria, Creed and other significant parts of the Mass will also be changed

Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, also stated in his recent Pastoral Letter:

“Another opportunity to deepen again our familiarity with the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist will be the introduction of the new English translation of the Missal on the First Sunday of Advent this year… Most of the ordinary texts of the Holy Mass will have minor or major changes. I have already informed the priests during the last general meeting about the upcoming changes. Hopefully we shall be able to give some help by a period of introduction of the new translation. It will be important that we take the learning of the new texts as an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of the Mass liturgy and to deepen our spiritual knowledge of the texts we pray.”

To prepare for these changes, you may view the following instructional video on the new translation of the English Missal.