ABC STARS Inspires

( Mister George Nasr, farthest left ) Currently, parts of the nation are still suffering the destruction brought about by the Super Typhoon Gaemi, and that is just during storm season. Even on ordinary days, in June of this year 2024, the Head of the Maronites On Mission from Australia, Mister George Nasr, conducted a special charity endeavour. Tell me something more about this mission. How is it different from the regular charity work of the Maronites? Mr. Nasr, “The regular work I do with Maronites On Mission (MOM) usually targets and helps the masses. Larger groups of people whom benefit from large scale humanitarian aid. This mission was different, very specific, targeted to help individual needs of people.” When did you arrive in Naga and when was the mission accomplished? Mr. Nasr, “ I’ve been in the Philippines since June 17 through to June the 29th.” You mentioned that you and your three-member-team booked accommodations at a local hotel, this showed your dedication to help the...

  Where do old, tired, and broken writers go? Seriously, do we fizzle out and vanish into the thinnest mist and disappear forever. Well, Mr. Milton was old, blind even, however, he wrote one of the best two-part series in the history of poetry; Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. My dearly departed brother once told me to become a writer. Why? You will be immortalized. Just like Papa. I shrugged my shoulders and heaved a sigh of relief and resignation. It will not be easy but it will be worth it. Myriad thoughts and ideas rushed through my mind like blood through the synapses and veins forming neurons in the brain matter. How do I write? Where do I begin? Just like eating peanuts, echoed in my memory. He reminded me. Yes, feel the words. And, write them. When you become old, you become more real. More genuine. Authentic. You enjoy life. You become more relaxed. Like fine wine, it does get better with age. You know your priorities. It is not, most definitely, resting on your laurel...

  As a member of a devout Roman Catholic family, I grew up with many Lenten traditions. We would participate with the Roman Catholic Church in its rites and practices. Even at home my siblings and I followed solemn teachings. It started officially in the Liturgical calendar on Ash Wednesday. A cross of ash is marked on the person’s forehead. From dust and to dust we shall return. Fasting and abstinence are observed during Fridays. Only one full meal is allowed during the day. And, the faithful is instructed not to eat meat. I remember my mother would cook fried fish and cocido  to go with it. It was delicious and spiritually good for the soul. The main event is the Holy Week. Before it unfolds Palm Sunday is celebrated. We would go to mass with palm leaves from our mother’s beautiful garden. By the way, the palms are burnt into ash and are used during Ash Wednesday. Everything is part of the grand divine scheme. What is unusual about our family is instead of going to the p...

  The Maronites on Mission 2024 ​A friend of mine told me once, my friends are your friends. I have been reporting about their missions for three years now. Everything is basically the same from the mundane and ordinary to the monumental and spiritual.   ​So, I asked Mr. George Nasr what was different this time around. And he said, well you know their eyes are not the same. I implored what he meant, and suggested maybe it was a post-covid aftermath. No, he exclaimed it is something else.   ​Looking back the first time I did a story on their mission, I went along with them as an observer. The next ones were in-depth interviews. However, the last  and most recent one, I was able to have lunch with the twenty-member-team.   ​From my analysis, having seen the battlefield against poverty. Second, speaking with the so-called General. And third, breaking bread with the so-called soldiers of Christ, I became enlightened.   ​I suppose, Mr. Nasr was on to something. ...

  Are you in high spirits lately? If yes, you may skip this one. Life is difficult. That is even the first sentence of Mr. Peck’s book, The Road Less Traveled. In life, we experience ups and downs. A roller coaster ride indeed! ​ There are numerous songs written about it. Which one? When we are down and out. Remember the song with lyrics that goes… when you’re down and troubled. And you need some loving care. And nothing, nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me. And soon I will be there. To brighten up even your darkest night. ​ You just call out my name. Because like its title-- You’ve got a friend.  A friend of mine told me once, you know all the inspiring songs you hear. They are actually inspirations from God. So, you keep that in mind. And, the next time you listen to that song, feel in your heart that God is your Friend. ​ A quite inspiring, compelling poem written by Mr. Edgar A. Guest with the title, “ Don't Quit” goes… When things go wrong, as they som...

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection  by James Z. Carpio Here in Bicolandia, we call her Ina. In the history of the devotion of the pilgrims of Mama Mary, there were two occasions wherein she was disrespected. First, her image was stolen then, thankfully, recovered in a tomb in the local Catholic cemetery. Second, she was stripped off her Manto by so-called voyadores. Did you know that her image is clothed by nuns in the privacy of a locked room? Priests or any man for that matter are not allowed while our Blessed Virgin Mary is being prepared prior to her appearance to her devotees. Fragrant perfume is also sprayed on her image as part of the finishing touches. So, imagine the disappointment of the then Archbishop, +Leonardo Z. Legaspi upon seeing the naked image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. You could have probably heard a pin drop as he gave his ser...

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection By James Z. Carpio According to Father Mike, Generosity is the spiritual gift that is love put into action. There are many gifts that we already have and that we take for granted or much worse— we do not use. Why pray for super natural gifts when we have one that would be just as good or even better? He cites an example when one would ask for the power of healing. The kind of gift where one just lays one’s hands on the sick and there is a miracle of getting well. Father Mike illustrates the point when we are already given the gift of mobility. Why not visit your friend or family member at the hospital instead? For sure that would be greatly appreciated. Actions speak louder than words. Generosity is the fruition of hope, faith, and, love. In desperate times, we can help anyone according to the gift we already have. In ...

    Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection  By James Carpio Father Mike explains, expertly, that it is a possibility. I was born here without anything. When I die I cannot take with me anything. If I go to heaven will I see my family and friends there ? I do not know. They lived their own lives.  One thing for sure though, if I make it to heaven, God will be there. And that is enough for me. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God bless!

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio Is it not that the ending of the video of Father Mike heartwarming? We have mercenary hearts but are we not glad that Our Lord Jesus has a Merciful Heart? I am not enough. You are not enough. He is not enough. She is not enough. We are all not enough. Saint Peter was asked to walk on water. At first he could, however he faltered with his faith and began to sink and Our Good Shepherd clasped his hand and pulled him up. In suffering our faith is tested. In suffering the grace given to us helps us survive. Put simply, more and more sufferings mean so much more and more graces. A sufferer once asked the Divine Healer, my Lord why am I suffering? And, the Redeemer replied, My Grace is enough for you. Yes, Christian Life IS Impossible indeed. Yes, we are not enough. However, do not get discouraged. Because...

  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎..   Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio Personally, I would not want to go to confession over Zoom. Why? Because what if there is a technical glitch, or a hack, and the confession got recorded and got leaked. Think about it. I absolutely concur with Father Mike, we do not live online. We are not Artificial Intelligence. We live in the world. We are human. Jesus has Presence. Thus, all sacraments have to be administered with us being present. We can go to confession in person in our most convenient time. Today, this weekend, or as what Father Mike said, “…even right now!” Because God loves you. May you be inspired by the Holy Spirit and God bless!

Thank you to   Pia Toscano

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  Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio There were times that I stopped writing, most recently, because of the pandemic. I also took breaks when I am abroad. Nonetheless, I stayed the course. As I reflect now about the collaboration of Inspires with Ascension Press and Ascension Presents, I am glad that I continued.  The first collaboration went live in December 20th, 2016. Why did I think that the project is worthwhile? Well, when I was doing my research online for writing about Catholic Faith and inspiration, I stumbled upon Father Mike’s videos on YouTube. He wears a priest uniform in them. The same uniform worn by my older brother, the late Monsignor Bob, and another brother, Father Pablo. The videos helped me. And, in this beatnik age I believe that it would help others as well. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and God Bles...

  Full Credits to French Character Homes

  Ascension Press, a Catholic Media Company based in America, through Ascension Presents, released a feature on the Maronites. The regular show entitled Jackie and Bobby Angel discusses the life of the miracle monk of Lebanon, Saint Charbel Makhlouf, which premiered on July 22, 2022. Bobby, (Jackie was away), solely, tells the life story of the saint. He, himself is mistaken for a Maronite, and given communion in Arabic. He expressed how impressive St. Charbel is with the degree comparable to that of Saint Padre Pio  (Available on YouTube). We did an interview with George Nasr, team leader of Maronites on Mission, a few years ago. After watching Bobby Angel’s show it made us ask, “Whatever happened to the Maronites missionaries?” Little did we know that as early as Australia lifted travel restrictions, they were raring to go back to Balatas in The City of Naga. We received a request for another interview with Nasr yet again. This year he led a twenty-two-member-team.  Hon...