Hope Does Not Disappoint

HOPE and HEALING:  Dealing with grief and caring for the bereaved

Last April 27, the “Hope & Healing” workshop at Saint Augustine was attended by 100+ faithful and clergy from fourteen parishes within the diocese. The workshop began with singing the “Pilgrims of Hope”  (official hymn for the 2025 Jubilee) led by Jennie and accompanied by Fr. Ray with his guitar. Jackie led the participants in doing the sign language as the song was sung, invoking the spirit of hope and healing. The workshop focused on recognizing that grief manifests uniquely across relationships, including though not limited to illness, career change, environmental losses and death. It also focused on learning practical tools and strategies to support oneself and others through grief, fostering emotional strength and resilience within a supportive community. Dr. Dawn Gross presented grief as a deep, invisible wound that requires time, patience, and self-compassion to heal, just like any physical injury; and as we go through the healing process, grief-like wounds can leave scars that remind us of the loss we experienced. During the guided writing exercise, Dr. Gross emphasized that through healing, we are made anew. The scar may still be there but we are able to move on. Dr. Analigaya Agoncillo emphasized that how we witness someone grieving depends on our own understanding of grief and our own past grieving experiences.  As a community, when we are on the receiving end, our challenge is saying “I see you. I see your wound.” We need to trust that when words fail, love does not. Grief can be seen as a deepest form of love that is vast and expanding. It holds all our sorrows, memories, and longing. Grieving in isolation may impede healing. Realizing no one should grieve alone, communities can offer hope and support by affirming they are not abandoned, they are still cared for, and they are still beloved. Hope in God reassures us that we are not alone. Dr. Agoncillo invited the participants to make their hope visible by writing their hope in the form of a word, a prayer, a wish, or a giant dream on a piece of paper and pinning it on the Hope Wall. She closed by saying, “May the hope we carry serves as a reminder that love endures and healing is possible. We need to believe that we are not alone, and our hope matters; and our God who holds the stars, holds us as well.”

Key takeaways from the afternoon session includes:

• Grief manifests in many ways and is not limited to the loss of a loved one; every life transition can bring its own form of grief.
• Healing from grief is a continuous journey, requiring self-compassion and understanding that the pain can be a sign of growth and recovery, not just loss.
• Grief is not something to "overcome" but to integrate into our lives, allowing us to heal, grow, and find meaning in the process.

We acknowledge the following individual contributors for making the workshop a success: Dr. Dawn Gross, Dr. Analigaya Agoncillo, Carina Cu, Fr. Ray Reyes, Jennie Malibiran, Jackie Crawford, Khay and Deo Acosta, Cleo & Greg Cruz, Meliza Moscardini, Patricia Abdelalim, Louis Consuegra, Amor Baldomero, Dondon Perez, Rey Mariano, Ren Luna, and Lily Arapeles.

Special thanks to our Post Acute Providers for providing community resources: ANX Hospice Care and Health Home Care, First Light Home Care, Bay Area Financial Center, St. Mark Medical Transport, and ETWN.



Photos from workshop: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eMtqRmcQcjFFD58y5

Watch the recorded Three Part Workshop Video: https://www.youtube.com/@StAugustineSSF/videos

JUNE

This month we will be journeying with the Youth, Journeying of Priests.

• Ecology, Youth Retreat
• Digital Evangelization
• Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev. Leandro "Pau" Calingasan on June 7, 2025.

"Habes Curam Animarum!" - "You have the care of souls." These powerful words, spoken by Father Jerome Magat during his homily at Father Leandro Calingasan's First Mass were echoed by Father Ray Reyes as joyfully welcomed our new priest:

"Habemus Sacerdotem!" - "We have a Priest!"

 It was truly a blessed and fitting occasion for Saint Augustine Parish to witness Father Leandro celebrate his First Thanksgiving Masss on Pentecost Sunday, the day after his priestly ordination. The Mass of Thanksgiving was concelebrated by priests from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and fellow clergy from across the United States. Father Leandro was joined by over a dozen altar servers as a seminarian at our parish - now united once again as co-workers in the Lord's vineyard.

Father Leandro's ordination is a timely and precious gift to Saint Augustine Parish as it commemorates its 55th anniversary.

The Praise and Glorify Choir and seminarian Kyle Laluces uplifted the celebration with sacred hymns in Tagalog and Latin, enriching the liturgy with cultural and spiritual depth. 

Photo credit to Noel Panelo

JULY

This month we will be journeying with the Young Adults and Journeying for Emergency Preparedness.

• Young Adult Ministry Retreat

ALPHA'S FINAL SESSION

July 1, 2025

Final Alpha Session dwelt upon the following questions that sparked honest and heartfelt conversations: (1) What is the Church? (2) What is your favorite part of the Mass? (3) Do you feel prepared to defend your faith to non-Catholic Christians or those who are non-religious or atheists? 

What Does Alpha Offer? At its core, Alpha responds to our deep, human desire for connection. In a world where we often seek relationships through technology and shared experiences, Alpha creates space for authentic dialogue in a welcoming, non-confrontational environment. It invites us to explore life, faith, and meaning together, no matter where we are on our spiritual journey. In the video presentation we watched, Cardinal Chito Tagle described Alpha as a "nonthreatening door" into the Church. He emphasized that the Church is not just an institution—it is a family. It is a place of belonging, where we are welcomed not by blood, but through the sacrament of Baptism. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn into a community where we can experience peace, security, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

Key Insights from Our Discussion During our small group sharing, a common sentiment emerged: many of us do not feel fully equipped to defend our faith, particularly when engaging with non-Catholic Christians or those who do not believe in God. This honest reflection highlights a need for ongoing formation and support in understanding and articulating our beliefs. Despite that, our love for the faith is evident. The most cherished part of the Mass, for many, is receiving Jesus in the Holy Communion. We are deeply moved by the Gospel and homilies that help bring God’s Word to life. Another valuable insight was the importance of hospitality. A warm, welcoming parish—marked by kind Hospitality Ministers and a non-judgmental community—was seen as one of the most powerful ways to evangelize and draw others into the faith.   

Looking Ahead while we’re saddened that this series of Alpha sessions has come to a close, we are grateful for the meaningful conversations and connections formed. We look forward with hope and anticipation to future sessions and new opportunities to grow together in faith.We are deeply moved by the Gospel and homilies that help bring God’s Word to life. Another valuable insight was the importance of hospitality. A warm, welcoming parish—marked by kind Hospitality Ministers and a non-judgmental community—was seen as one of the most powerful ways to evangelize and draw others into the faith. 

Looking Ahead while we’re saddened that this series of Alpha sessions has come to a close, we are grateful for the meaningful conversations and connections formed. We look forward with hope and anticipation to future sessions and new opportunities to grow together in faith.

 - Estelle Oloresisimo, SAC Communications Ministry

AUGUST