ABC STARS Inspires

  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...