Year 34 No.

11 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time September 13, 2020

Cathechist’s Day (A) — Green

E rnest Hemingway tells

a story of a Spanish
father who wanted to be
FORGIVE and dangerous to our
character and well-being
as Christians. When we
reconciled with his runaway
son. The father put an and be hate someone, we’re
giving him/her power over
advertisement in the local
newspaper, “El Liberal.” The
ad read, “Paco, meet me at
Free our sleep and disturbing
our peace of mind is
disturbed. This resentment
the Hotel Montana at noon by can affect us physically,
on Tuesday. All is forgiven! Fr. Albert as has been documented
Love, Papa.” However, Paco in many medical journals.
Bernal, SSP
was such a common name Such action can shorten
in Spain that when the father one’s life considerably.
went to Hotel Montana the So when Jesus told Peter
next day at noon, 800 young to forgive seven times
men named Paco waited for seventy times, he was
their fathers! trying to keep Peter from
Hemingway’s story reminds hate not your neighbor; remember suffering the consequences that
us how desperate many of us the Most High’s covenant, and would arise from an unforgiving
are for forgiveness. And indeed, overlook faults.” We must learn heart. Jesus was trying to save
reconciliation is the core in our the love that Jesus has for us and Peter from not loving.
Christian belief. Forgiveness is thus make ourselves as offerings Forgiveness is not a one-time-
what our God is known for, “He and living sacrifices to the Lord. big-time pursuit. It is a continuous
is compassionate, merciful, love We must be forgiving the way our commitment. Forgiveness is an
and He forgives” (Ps 103). generous God forgives us. This ongoing process until hearts are
Forgiveness is the ID and characteristic indelibly marks us all put to rest. Pope Francis said,
signature of those people who as Christians. “God pardons us 77 times, but
try to follow Jesus. Of course, it Forgiveness also liberates the that is with the presumption that
is never easy to forgive. And it is one who is forgiven and heals we too forgive others.” Let us be
much harder to forgive when it’s the one who forgives at the same assured that the Lord justifies us
too close to home, when we deal time. St. Paul reminds us, “The by forgiving us, “not just once but
with the hurts and wrongs inflicted life and death of each of us have always,” but at the same time, let
on us by family members, friends, its influence on the other.” It is this action of God be a calling for
and co-workers whom we’re important to note that forgiveness us to forgive like God.
in daily contact with. Prophet has a double effect: on the other Let us heed the words of Jesus!
Sirac urges us in the first reading, and ourselves. Thus, withholding Forgive, seven times seventy
“Think of the commandments, forgiveness can be detrimental times!
PASTORAL CATECHESIS FOR THE YEAR OF ECUMENISM, INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE, AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Papal Visit to the Indigenous Peoples You, the indigenous peoples of this beautiful northern
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM region of Luzon, as well as the other Tribal Filipinos,
As the Philippine Church reflects on the theme for represent a rich diversity of cultures which have been
this year which includes giving attention to “indigenous handed down to you by your parents and grandparents,
people,” we should remember that during his first and which extend back through countless generations.”
Philippine visit, Pope John Paul II visited Baguio City The Pope continued: “May you always have a deep
on February 22, 1981. During the Mass he preached a appreciation of these cultural treasures which divine
homily which was particularly addressed to the local providence has destined you to inherit. Moreover,
indigenous tribes. We recall some of his insightful words. may these treasures which are your heritage always be
“In a special way I have looked forward to this respected by others; may your land and your worthy family
opportunity of meeting the people of the Mountain traditions and social structures be protected, preserved
Provinces, of meeting you who are members of the Isneg, and enriched.” This sacred duty remains a challenge today
Kalinga, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kankanay and Ibaloy tribes. for everyone in the Church and civil society!

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon
(Cf. Sir 36:18)
(Recited when there is no opening song.)
Give peace, O Lord, to those
who wait for you, that your
prophets be found true. Hear
the prayers of your servant,
and of your people Israel.
Greeting
(The sign of the cross is made here.)
P — The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All — And with your spirit.
Introduction
(These [or similar words] may be used
to address the assembly.)
P — In the Gospel, Jesus
declares that we, whose debts
God has forgiven, are expected
to be just as generous to others.
By forgiving one another, we
do what God does all the time
for us. May the Lord touch our
hearts hardened by hurt and
bitterness.
Penitential Act
P — Brethren (brothers and
sisters), let us acknowledge
our sins, and so prepare
ourselves to celebrate the
sacred mysteries. (Pause)
P — You were sent to heal
the contrite of heart: Lord,
have mercy.
All — Lord, have mercy.
P — You came to call sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
All — Christ, have mercy.
P — You are seated at the right
hand of the Father to intercede
for us: Lord, have mercy.
All — Lord, have mercy.
P — May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our
sins, and bring us to everlasting
life.
All — Amen.
Gloria
All — Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace to
people of good will. We praise
you, we bless you, we adore
you, we glorify you, we give
you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O
God, almighty Father. Lord
Jesus Christ, Only Begotten
Son, Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father, you take
away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us; you take
away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer; you are
seated at the right hand of
the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy
One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy
Spirit, in the glory of God the
Father. Amen.
Collect
P — Let us pray. (Pause)
Look upon us, O God,
Creator and ruler of all things,
and, that we may feel the
working of your mercy, grant
that we may serve you with all
our heart.
Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever.
All — Amen.
THE LITURGY
OF THE WORD
First Reading
(Sir 27:30–28:7) (Sit)
The wise man Sirach teaches
that an Israelite should forgive
his neighbor’s fault, so that God
would forgive him.
A reading from the Book of
Sirach
WRATH AND ANGER ARE
hateful things, yet the sinner
hugs them tight. The vengeful
w i l l s u f f e r t h e L O R D ’s
vengeance, for he remembers
their sins in detail. Forgive
your neighbor’s injustice; then
when you pray, your own sins
will be forgiven. Could anyone
nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the
LORD? Could anyone refuse
mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his
own sins? If one who is but
flesh cherishes wrath, who will
forgive his sins? Remember
your last days, set enmity
aside; remember death and
decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments,
hate not your neighbor;
remember the Most High’s
covenant, and overlook faults.
— The word of the Lord.
All — Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 103)
R — The Lord is kind and
merciful, slow to anger, and
rich in compassion.
Sr. M.C.A. Parco, FSP

G
 Em
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D7
         
  
The Lord is kind and mer ci ful, slow to
  Am
 D7 G
    
4
   
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an ger, and rich in com pas sion.
1. Bless the LORD, O my
soul;/ and all my being, bless
his holy name./ Bless the
LORD, O my soul,/ and forget
not all his benefits.(R)
2.He pardons all your
iniquities,/ heals all your ills./
He redeems your life from
destruction,/ crowns you with
kindness and compassion.(R)
3. He will not always chide,/
nor does he keep his wrath
forever./ Not according to our
sins does he deal with us,/ nor
does he requite us according
to our crimes. (R)
4. For as the heavens are high
above the earth,/ so surpassing
is his kindness toward those
who fear him./ As far as the
east is from the west,/ so far
has he put our transgressions
from us. (R)
Second Reading
(Rom 14:7–9)
Saint Paul reminds us of the
Lordship of Jesus. None of us
lives or dies as one’s own master.
We are servants of one and the
same Lord.
A reading from the Letter of
Saint Paul to the Romans
BROTHERS AND SISTERS:
None of us lives for oneself, and
no one dies for oneself. For if we
live, we live for the Lord, and if
we die, we die for the Lord; so
then, whether we live or die, we
are the Lord’s. For this is why
Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both
the dead and the living.
— The word of the Lord.
All — Thanks be to God.
Alleluia (Jn 13:34)
(Stand)
All — Alleluia, alleluia. I give
you a new commandment,
says the Lord; love one another
as I have loved you. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Gospel (Mt 18:21–35)
P — A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Matthew.
All — Glory to you, O Lord.
PETER APPROACHED JESUS
and asked him, “Lord, if
my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you,
not seven times but seventy-
seven times. That is why the
kingdom of heaven may be
likened to a king who decided
to settle accounts with his
servants. When he began
the accounting, a debtor was
brought before him who owed
him a huge amount. Since he
had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be
sold, along with his wife, his
children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt. At
that, the servant fell down,
did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I
will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the
master of that servant let him
go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left,
he found one of his fellow
servants who owed him a
much smaller amount. He
seized him and started to
choke him, demanding, ‘Pay
back what you owe.’ Falling
to his knees, his fellow servant
begged him, ‘Be patient with
me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused. Instead, he
had the fellow servant put
in prison until he paid back
the debt. Now when his
fellow servants saw what had
happened, they were deeply
disturbed, and went to their
master and reported the whole
affair. His master summoned
him and said to him, ‘You
wicked servant! I forgave you
your entire debt because you
begged me to. Should you not
have had pity on your fellow
servant, as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master
handed him over to the
torturers until he should pay
back the whole debt. So will
my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives
your brother from your heart.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
All — Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Christ.
Homily (Sit)
Profession of Faith (Stand)
All — I believe in one God,
the Father almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, of all things
visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Only Begotten Son
of God, born of the Father
before all ages. God from God,
Light from Light, true God
from true God, begotten, not
made, consubstantial with the
Father; through him all things
were made. For us men and for
our salvation he came down
from heaven,
(At the words that follow, up to
and including and became man,
all bow.)
and by the Holy Spirit was
incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
Fo r o u r s a k e h e wa s
crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was
buried, and rose again on the
third day in accordance with
the Scriptures. He ascended
into heaven and is seated at
the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the
dead and his kingdom will
have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father
and the Son, who with the
Father and the Son is adored
and glorified, who has spoken
through the prophets.
I b e l i e ve i n o n e , h o l y,
catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the
forgiveness of sins and I look
forward to the resurrection
of the dead and the life of the
world to come. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
P — Let us humbly pray to
the Father that having been
forgiven, we in turn must
forgive our brothers and sisters
from our hearts. Full of trust,
we pray:
R — Father, come to the help
of your people.
C — May the Church, holy
yet embracing sinners, always
pursue the path of penance and
renewal. We pray: (R)
C — May government and
military leaders seek first the
way of dialogue instead of
armed confrontation so that
our people may live and work
in an atmosphere of love and
peace. We pray: (R)
C — May the families of the
victims of extra-judicial killings,
kidnapping, terrorism, and
sexual abuse obtain strength
to rebuild their lives and find
people who can help them
trust in human goodness again.
We pray:(R)
C — May all catechists be
true witnesses to the Gospel
and ministers to the youth by
reflecting in their words and
actions God’s love and mercy.
We pray: (R)
C — May our departed brothers
and sisters be welcomed into
the Kingdom of eternal life.
We pray:(R)
C — Let us pray for the urgent
concerns of our community
and our personal intentions
(pause). We pray: (R)
P — Look upon our wounded
selves, Lord. Change our hearts
of stone to hearts filled with
love. Renew our afflicted spirit
with your peace, you who live
and reign for ever and ever.
All — Amen.
 THE LITURGY OF
THE EUCHARIST
Presentation of the Gifts
(Stand)
P — Pray, brethren…
All — May the Lord accept the
sacrifice at your hands for the
praise and glory of his name,
for our good, and the good of
all his holy Church.
Prayer over the Offerings
P — Look with favor on our
supplications, O Lord, and in
your kindness accept these,
your servants’ offerings, that
what each has offered to the
honor of your name may serve
the salvation of all.
Through Christ our Lord.
All — Amen.
Preface VII: Salvation through
the obedience of Christ
P — The Lord be with you.
All — And with your spirit.
P — Lift up your hearts.
All — We lift them up to the
Lord.
P — Let us give thanks to the
Lord our God.
All — It is right and just.
P — It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give
you thanks, Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God.
For you so loved the world
that in your mercy you sent
us the Redeemer, to live like
us in all things but sin, so that
you might love in us what you
loved in your Son, by whose
obedience we have been
restored to those gifts of yours
that, by sinning, we had lost in
disobedience.
And so, Lord, with all
the Angels and Saints, we,
too, give you thanks, as in
exultation we acclaim:
All — Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of hosts. Heaven and
earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
(Kneel)
Acclamation (Stand)
All — When we eat this
Bread and drink this Cup, we
proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
THE COMMUNION RITE
The Lord’s Prayer
All — Our Father…
P — Deliver us, Lord…
All — For the kingdom, the
power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Invitation to Peace
Invitation to Communion
(Kneel)
P — Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away
the sins of the world. Blessed
are those called to the supper
of the Lamb.
All — Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under
my roof, but only say the
word and my soul shall be
healed.
Communion Antiphon
(Cf. Ps 36 [35]: 8)
How precious is your mercy,
O God! The children of men
seek shelter in the shadow of
your wings.
Prayer after Communion
(Stand)
P — Let us pray. (Pause)
May the working of this
heavenly gift, O Lord, we
pray, take possession of our
minds and bodies, so that
its effects, and not our own
desires, may always prevail
in us.
Through Christ our Lord.
All — Amen.
THE CONCLUDING RITES
P — The Lord be with you.
All — And with your spirit.
Prayer over the People
P — Bow down for the blessing.
(Pause)
Turn your people to you
with all their heart, O Lord,
we pray, for you protect even
those who go astray, but when
they serve you with undivided
heart, you sustain them with
still greater care.
Through Christ our Lord.
All — Amen.
P — And may the blessing
of almighty God, the Father,
and the Son, (†) and the Holy
Spirit, come down on you and
remain with you for ever.
All — Amen.
Dismissal
P — Go forth, the Mass is ended.
All — Thanks be to God.
 Below is a traditional prayer
of spiritual communion that
many saints have prayed over
the years. It can be prayed if you
find yourself at Mass unable to
receive the Eucharist, or even
in the midst of your daily work,
lifting up your thoughts to God.
The ultimate goal of our
lives should be communion with
God and an act of spiritual
communion can help a person
draw closer to that goal.
Act of Spiritual
Communion
M y Jesus, I believe that
You are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament. I love
you above all things, and I
desire to receive You into
my soul. Since I cannot, at
this moment, receive you
sacramentally, come at least
spiritually into my heart. I
embrace You as if you were
already there and unite myself
wholly to you. Never permit
me to be separated from you.
Amen.
ESPIRITUWAL NA
PAKIKINABANG
A king Hesus, nananalig
akong ikaw ay nananahan
sa Pinakabanal na Sakramento.
Mahal kita nang higit sa lahat ng
bagay at nais kong tanggapin
ka sa aking kaluluwa. Subalit
sa sandaling ito ikaw ay hindi
ko matatanggap sa Banal na
Komunyon. Nawa’y tanggapin
kita nang espirituwal sa aking
pagnanais na ito at pumasok ka
sa aking puso. Niyayakap kita na
parang naririto ka na sa akin, at
pinagkakaisa ko ang aking sarili
sa iyo. Huwag mong hayaang
ako ay mawalay sa iyo. Amen.
ORATIO IMPERATA
FOR COVID-19
G od our Father, we come
to you in our need to ask
your protection against the
COVID-19 that has disturbed
and even claimed lives.
We pray that you guide the
people tasked to find cures
for this disease and to stem
its transmission. Protect the
medical experts that they
may minister to the sick with
competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted.
May they be restored to health
soon. Protect those who care
for them. Grant eternal rest to
those who have died. Give us
the grace in this trying time to
work for the good of all and to
help those in need. We implore
you to stop the spread of this
virus and to save us from our
fears. Grant all these through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
We fly to Your protection,
oh Holy Mother of God. Do
not despise our petition in
our necessities, but deliver
us always from all dangers, Oh
glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
Our Lady, health of the sick,
pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel,
pray for us.
St. Roch, pray for us.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us
St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
ORATIO IMPERATA
PARA SA COVID-19
M
akapangyarihan at
mapagmahal na Ama,
nagsusumamo kami sa iyo
upang hilingin ang iyong
patnubay laban sa COVID-19
na nagpapahirap sa marami
at kumikitil na ng mga
buhay. Gabayan mo ang
mga dalubhasang naatasan
na tumuklas ng mga lunas
at paraan upang ihinto ang
paglaganap nito. Patnubayan
mo ang mga lumilingap sa
maysakit upang ang kanilang
pagkalinga ay malakipan ng
husay at malasakit. Itinataas
namin ang mga nagdurusa.
Makamtan nawa nila ang
mabuting kalusugan. Lingapin
mo rin ang mga kumakalinga
sa kanila. Pagkamtin mo
ng kapayapaang walang
hanggan ang mga pumanaw
na. Pagkalooban mo kami
ng biyaya na magtulong-
tulong tungo sa ikabubuti ng
lahat. Pukawin mo sa amin
ang pagmamalasakit sa mga
nangangailangan. Hinihiling
namin ito sa pamamagitan ni
Hesukristo na nabubuhay at
naghaharing kasama mo at ng
Espiritu Santo, iisang Diyos,
magpasawalang hanggan.
Amen.
Dumudulog kami sa iyong
patnubay, Mahal na Ina ng
Diyos. Pakinggan mo ang
aming mga kahilingan sa
aming pangangailangan at
ipag-adya mo kami sa lahat
ng kasamaan, maluwalhati at
pinagpalang Birhen. Amen.
Mahal na Birhen,
mapagpagaling sa maysakit,
ipanalangin mo kami.
San Rafael Arkanghel,
ipanalangin mo kami.
San Roque,
ipanalangin mo kami.
San Lorenzo Ruiz,
ipanalangin mo kami.
San Pedro Calungsod,
ipanalangin mo kami.
BE A PRIEST OR
A BROTHER OF MASS
MEDIA
If you are a Grade 12
student, a college student,
or a young professional,
male, single, and interested
to become a priest or
a brother involved in
the apostolate of social
communication, we invite
you to journey with us.
Visit our websites:
ssp.ph or stpauls.ph