RE: Hiatus of the LOMBS Singers -- Effective 2 June 2013, Sunday

[C. G. Cadhit]

Good evening, Vincent.

Thank you for your support always. Our gratitude to you was never fully vocalized but we hope that our presence during the whole time we have sung at the BE expressed that. 

The people only hear us sing during the service but they never really see how we are during the week. We practice once or twice every week, Once a week we practice a minimum of 8 hours on top of the workload and the responsibilities at home and our groups. We also sing at our respective communities. We don't complain because our motives are clear -- we want to praise God and bring people closer to him.

You said that some use the term which they do not actually mean and we shouldn't be sensitive, and that the advice was meant to many other choirs. The sad thing Vincent is that the email was meant for us due to an incident at the LH last Monday, 27 June 2013. In that incident one of the people from LOM gestured to us disrespectfully and revealed that there was an issue with our singing as we make the priest wait. An issue which according to Tito Manny and Willy Credo have been complained about 3 times yet our attention was never called. (see email below).  

You tell us that we are praised all over the parish as the best. Yet we have been branded as "abusive" by our own PP. Isn't that ironic? Was there ever an instance Vincent that the PP approached us and complained about us or even to you? To be accused of something we are not is painful. To be accused of something we are not by someone we consider as our Father is even more painful. We also find it ironic that people always say that our PP is not a native English speaker. But he is multi-lingual. We have heard him speak English, Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish. His homilies have always been brilliant in all these languages. Sometimes we don't need to be good in English to know what is respectful and kind. 

Honestly, I think there should be no issue at all had Tito Manny and Willy talked to us when the issue was raised but no, they allowed it to blow up into this. For your info, the issue had been raise to the higher-ups at LOM -- sadly we feel that there is no resolution. What is hurting us the whole time until now is that there is no remorse on the part of the people involved; even to the extent that the other choirs have been included in the issue.

We are not letting the community suffer Vincent. Actually we are giving the community "grace" because we would rather not sing but praise God with a clean conscience in silence than sing at the BE with angry hearts and no grace at all. Isn't it that God wants us to offer him only the best? At this point in time, during the height of this issue, somehow we look for sanctuary from our communities. Yet we don't find it. That is why we are hurting. That is why we need to introspect and to heal ourselves. 

We have supported you in all your requests Vincent. This time sadly we need to recuperate ourselves.

I have also detailed the exchange of emails that transpired during the week to help you understand where we are coming from. I have also attached documents for your reference to help you understand why we are doing what they said was abusive attitude. We need your support and your understanding together with the whole BE community. Many thanks.

Best,

LOMBS Singers

--------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Suy Servidur <thepoor...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, May 27, 2013 at 9:33 PM
Subject: Celebrant waits for the Choir during communion
To: Sir Francis de Asis <kikos...@hotmail.com>
Cc: Jose Manuel <mrpog...@yahoo.com>

Dear Fr. Francis,

 

Hope this message finds you well. Lately it has been the practice of LOM/MBS choir to finish the communion song before they take communion.

 

I am under the impression that such practice is inappropriate. This is as well the comment of Fr John because he's been complaining about it. He called Tito Manny's attention 3 times now because of the same issue.

 

We need to get a clear-cut instruction from you whether the celebrant has to wait the choir and let them finish the communion before they take communion.

 

Getting your prompt advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

Willy

 

From: Suy Servidur <thepoor...@gmail.com>
To: liturgica...@yahoogroups.com 
Cc: Jose Manuel <mrpog...@yahoo.com>; Jun Sarmiento <jun.sa...@gmail.com>; Sir Francis de Asis <kikos...@hotmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 9:05 AM
Subject: [IMPORTANT] PPs Instruction Re: Choir Taking Communion

Greetings of peace!

 

Lately, one of our mass celebrants has called our attention about some of the parish choir groups who only take the communion after the communion song is over. As a result this keeps him waiting.

 

In light of this, our Parish Priest has sent us an explict instruction that has to be observed by all parish choir groups. Kindly refer to the email below.

 

Suy    

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Francis Central region <kikos...@hotmail.com>
To: José Manuel <mrpog...@yahoo.com>; Willy Credo <thepoor...@gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 1:04:55 AM
Subject: RE: Celebrant waits for the Choir during communion

 

By instruction of the BB, the choir should take communion after the congregation and should stop the song at that moment. Some choirs are not following this instruction and continue to sing even if they have received communion. it's not acceptable!

It is "not appropriate" at all that the minister, ordinary or extraordinary, has to wait for the choir to come for communion. We have to stop this abusive attitude, specially in the UK community, in USERA and in some CFC groups.

In my part, I am not waiting for the choir. If the choir's members are not coming on time, they will loose the chance to receive communion.

Usually, I am not speaking during the celebration but I advice the choir's leader after the EC. I will be more strict in the future. I am tired to repeat the same thing all time.

Thanks

F Fr


-- 
for Sunday readings & homilies visit:
http://thepoorservant.tripod.com

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: C. G. Cadhit <tobbie...@yahoo.com>
To: Sir Francis de Asis <kikos...@hotmail.com> 
Cc: Jose Manuel <mrpog...@yahoo.com>; Suy Servidur <thepoor...@gmail.com>; "lombss...@yahoogroups.com" <lombss...@yahoogroups.com>; Richard A. Cruz <richar...@gmail.com>; Madonna (Magnificat) Gutierrez <alfre...@hotmail.com>; Rodel Salvatierra <rgsalv...@yahoo.com>; Robie Gamboa <babyga...@yahoo.com>; Kieron Sacun <kier...@gmail.com>; Keith Pulongbarit <keith....@yahoo.com>; Estrella Ponio <nasaan...@yahoo.com>; Danilo Jarina <dan_j...@yahoo.com>; Lita Plazuela <litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph>; Ronald Pulongbarit <ron...@gmail.com>; Raquel Pulongbarit <boo...@yahoo.com>; Robie Gamboa <robieg...@yahoo.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [IMPORTANT] PPs Instruction Re: Choir Taking Communion

Dear Sir Francis,

I received the email below as sent by Willy. The email was sent after the incident that transpired last night at the LH.

For your reference, the LOMBS Singers (the choir assigned to sing last night) was the subject of an apparent "resistance" to receive communion a week ago. This "resistance" was never verbally and formally discussed with us. Honestly, the LOMBS Singers never had the intention of creating the impression of a resistance. 

After the email sent by BB dated June 25, 2013 (attached here), the practice shifted from giving the choir communion first before the congregation to receiving last after the congregation. Upon institution of the instruction from the BB, for a few or several months we receive communion after we have finished our song. You practiced this with us with no resistance and no problems. You never even mentioned to us that it was a problem. Usually you come to us and tell us if there was something wrong. Now you are saying it is an "abusive attitude in the UK Community". We are sorry you feel we are abusive. You could have told us.

The supposed "resistance" being raised as an issue to the group was never formally discussed with us. Surprisingly, it was an issue that was not even formally communicated within the LOM where it happened. Yet it was an issue. How do you think we felt when there were no instructions before the service and suddenly an individual approaches us with hand gestures and commanding voice as if dealing with slaves? My parents only had to look at me and I knew what to do because I was told what to do before an incident happened. 

Sadly last night, I don't know if they told you, it was disheartening that we were instructed like ducks in a pond to receive communion when the song was about to be finished in two lines. I personally did not receive communion because I was appalled by the way we were instructed. There should have been a preamble two weeks ago when a celebrant had an issue with us. There was none. There should have been a soft reminder last night prior to the service about the celebrant's issue but unfortunately, there were still no instructions. What we got was a hand gesture and an insulting stare as if reprimanding a child to eat his/her meals. We are civilized individuals. We are not animals. The least we ask is respect. 

By practice and from our experience with you, in the Embassies where we sing other than the UK, you have always made special arrangements for us to receive communion after the mass. We just followed that practice as no one brought this to our attention. We never felt it was abusive because you allowed it for us. We believed it was acceptable because it came from you. Now we are knowing you are tired of repeating yourself to remind us. Our apologies.

It is disheartening to exist in an environment where there are no rules, or if there are rules they are left to a few individuals who don't even take the time out to communicate -- educate the people. This makes the rules pop out like mushrooms when issues happen -- issues like last night. There are also too many bosses and we don't know whose authority we follow.

Thank you for your email. At least now we know. It didn't have to take an incident like last night to make this clear. As I said, we are civilized. All we needed to do was communicate properly.

Many thanks,

TLC

References:

1. Attached email from Francis dated 25 June 2013

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Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 15:34:58 +0800
From: litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph
Subject: PPs Instruction Re: Choir Taking Communion
To: kier...@gmail.com; keith....@yahoo.com; nasaan...@yahoo.com; dan_j...@yahoo.com; litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph; ron...@gmail.com; boo...@yahoo.com; robieg...@yahoo.com
CC: joep...@hotmail.com; jpla...@stc.com.sa

Dear Tito Manny and Willy, Last night I tried to start my process of healing.  Still I did not find my peace and even the process of healing have not started.  I have been unfairly accused by my PP  (whom I respect so much)  of an abusive attitude.  Before I could start the process of healing,  I should know exactly what I was accused of and its details.  Please help me move on,  by providing me a copy of the email which was sent to Kiko last Monday night or maybe early morning of Tuesday.  From this I would know the specifics of my abusive attitude and"resistant behavior".  I am not in anyway claiming that I am a saint neither  I am perfect. I have my imperfections and being accused of abusive attitude from my PP,  I need to know the details.  From then on I can  ask forgiveness from God,  from the people who were irked by my attitude,  and move on to forgiving myself.   I am in the Golden Years of my life.  I have always wanted to live peacefully with my family, neighbor,  colleagues  much more with the members of my "MBS Family". I beg you if you could just show me (provide me a copy with that email)  how I wronged the other people or my community so I can move peacefully in life.    You always mention to me that the accusation was for all the members of the choir in UK,  USERA and some CFC groups.  (I am specifically a member of the choir in BE which used to sing in the past few months - still I am guilty as per my PP)   I wish I could have not written this letter.  It shows how frustrated and disheartened I am with what I just have learned and experienced. Also,  I noticed there are no  efforts  of responses from the people whom letters were sent to and other people are still in denial that nothing happened that nite.  If the people who were responsible for these accusations are still in denial stage ----  I just cannot believe it.  Please share me your peace of mind,  heart and spirit by being truthful and sharing what you emailed to Kiko. It will only take you 2 seconds to click the forward email button. In God's love,  I beg you and I pray. Lita   --- On Tue, 5/28/13, Lita Plazuela <litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph> wrote: From: Lita Plazuela <litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph> Subject: PPs Instruction Re: Choir Taking Communion To: "boots raquel" <boo...@yahoo.com>, "ron p" <ron...@gmail.com>, "Gilbert Alipio" <gal...@intergraph.com.sa>, "Gilbert Alipio" <gibet...@gmail.com>, "madelein mendoza" <mayb...@yahoo.com>, "bobby mata" <roberto...@yahoo.com>, "Vicky Cainguitan" <quev...@yahoo.com>, "Manny D." <mrpog...@yahoo.com> Cc: "Cristobal Cadhit" <tobbie...@yahoo.com> Date: Tuesday, 28 May, 2013, 6:47 PM Para sa mga ka-MBS ko na wala na sa choir!Hindi ko alam kung maiintidihan ninyo ang aking kaperasong cut and paste email..Gusto ko lang malaman ninyo ang naging scenario ....sana hindi ninyo masamain- o minasama ang aming pagkanta.   Salamat. My reaction:  Kahit wala ako roon, I am hurt....I am old enough to know when I am with a group committing an abusive behavior. Actually I cried when I received Kiko's email... I felt the word abusive is not the proper word. The LOMBS specifically has been stained and destroyed by those people near Kiko!! I think Kiko  always had a wrong perception of our intentions to sing!!! Disheartening!!!I have always believe that we have to continuously pray for peace, understanding, unity within our community, in our society and the whole world...Kaya hindi ako nagtataka kung bakit subrang gulo ng mundo ngayon!! Simple instructions hindi naipaabot sa choir members - properly ng mga taong dapat magpaabot ng instructions na iyon- sa Bahay ng mahal na ina!  I joined the LOMBS singing on May 20, 2013 at LH,  the choir members completed 1 or 2 lines before taking the communion.  Anyway,  this was the abusive behavior being mentioned... After 20 May, there was not even a mention of this "abusive behavior" from anybody.  Until last night  - nangyari ang insedente sa bahay ni Maria.  Ang pinagtatakhan ko lang bakit ganoon ka humiliating ang naging reaction  ng commentator sa  mga  choir members?  (I stand corrected - not the commentator but the newly appointed activity coordinator (Mr. Conrad?)  of LOM.         Letter of Jing Salvatierra to the Cory Officers: Attention CORY OFFICERS, For everybody's info...i've been with the choir for not a very long time but i've seen them perform, not just for the other community but also in different embassies and nobody as in NOBODY HUMILIATED them like what happened last night. I'ts very frustrating because it happened in my own community, sa mismong bahay ng ating Ina. Patawad po sa lahat ng masasagasaan ko pero i'm just curious kung nasaan napunta ang tinatawag nating HUMILITY???...we've been teaching others and as a Legion of Mary, we should be practicing it. Pero last night and not just last night i guess, sad to say...I've never seen and feel it. Kung me pagkakamali man po ang choir, you should at least inform us beforehand, makikinig naman po sa inyo basta maayos lang po ang pagsasabi. Ika nga wala naman pong hindi mapag-uusapan sa maayos na paraan. Sabi nga po kung gusto nyong irespeto kayo bilang nakatataas na pinuno, you should also respect us as your member. Give and take ika nga. Yun lang po, sana ay maayos ito sapagkat sa totoo lang, kami po ang napahiya dahil kami po ang nag imbita sa kanila at isa pa kami din po ay kasama sa grupo ng choir. Maraming salamat po and God Bless everyone.

On Wed, May 29, 2013 at 12:36 PM, C. G. Cadhit <tobbie...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Willy and Tito Manny,

I have been praying for peace of mind and discernment since yesterday regarding this issue. After much prayer for a response from our PP to which we have not received any, my conscience has led me to request for a copy of the email sent to the PP possibly on the night of the incident. In fairness to the PP, we would like to know the context of the email sent to him that led him to react to the issue under the email "RE: Celebrant waits for the Choir during communion". Had the email been sent when the incident had already passed several days, we would not be hurt by the term "abusive attitude"  of the choir. But because the reply of the PP was received a few hours after the incident, I could not help but think we were the culprit. I feel, as I have discerned by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the PP should be the one to heal and pacify his flock. From this incident, we feel we are being pushed away from the fold.

If you may, we would like to know what either of you or whoever wrote to the PP. In any incident, it is always best to hear both sides and not be partial to anyone. Bring us wisdom and discernment. Give us peace. 

I also attached here a copy of the response of BB to singing during communion from Avona.Org. Also attached for your reference is a detail from the GIRM.

In Christ,

TLC

---

From: Francis Central region <kikos...@hotmail.com>; 
To: C. G. Cadhit <cglc...@gmail.com>; José Manuel <mrpog...@yahoo.com>; Willy Credo <thepoor...@yahoo.com>; Willy Credo <thepoor...@gmail.com>; 
Cc: lombss...@yahoogroups.com <lombss...@yahoogroups.com>; Richard A. Cruz <richar...@gmail.com>; Madonna (Magnificat) Gutierrez <alfre...@hotmail.com>; Rodel Salvatierra <rgsalv...@yahoo.com>; Robie Gamboa <babyga...@yahoo.com>; Kieron Sacun <kier...@gmail.com>; Keith Pulongbarit <keith....@yahoo.com>; nasaan...@yahoo.com <nasaan...@yahoo.com>; Dan Jarina <dan_j...@yahoo.com>; litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph <litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph>; ron...@gmail.com <ron...@gmail.com>; boo...@yahoo.com <boo...@yahoo.com>; Robie Gamboa <robieg...@yahoo.com>; 
Subject: RE: [IMPORTANT] PPs Instruction Re: Choir Taking Communion 
Sent: Wed, May 29, 2013 9:22:34 PM 

Dear Tobbie,  I am attending important meetings in my community and I didn't have the time to answer. My issue now is the possibility to come back in SA as my community wants me for other projects and ministries. Regarding our questions, I didn't have the complete details of what happened. I wanted jsut to remind the rules and when we have problem, we always come back to the general rules. For years, I was flexible. We have to be flexible in our situation. When we can, we have to respect the general rules of the Church. In this case, the BB has express his will and it's difficult to aply it always. it's easier in big congregations. I understand that you was hurted by what happened and by my rude answer. it's a lesson for everybody to be clear and to explain ourself better. For me, it's not a big issue and I find exagerated all reactions. To feel that I want to push you out is exagerated. Next week, thanks God, I will be bach and we will take time together.  Be in peace in your heart. Pacify your choir.  I will call you to have dinner with you. We need to speakand to find joy in our ministry. be blessed F Fr Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 11:37:19 -0700 From: tobbie...@yahoo.com Subject: Hiatus of the LOMBS Singers -- Effective 2 June 2013, Sunday To: vincent...@hotmail.com CC: tobbie...@yahoo.com; ron...@gmail.com; robieg...@yahoo.com; kier...@gmail.com; babyga...@yahoo.com; alfre...@hotmail.com;litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph; dan_j...@yahoo.com; richar...@gmail.com; keith....@yahoo.com; rgsalv...@yahoo.com; jpsalv...@yahoo.com;boo...@yahoo.com; lombss...@yahoogroups.com; ourlady...@googlegroups.com Dear Vincent, The peace of Christ be upon us. A recent incident involving the LOMBS Singers at a tea party last Monday, 27 May 2013, which led to us being branded as being one of the choirs having an abusive attitude in the UK Community has brought us to decide to take an indefinite hiatus as the choir at the BE commencing 2 June 2013, Sunday. We are taking the hiatus to allow ourselves spiritual introspection and healing. We believe that praising God should come from forgiving hearts and peaceful minds. At the moment, we feel unworthy to be servants of God at the Tea Party. We apologize should this decision cause some discomfort at the BE Tea Party. We just want to honor God to the best of our abilities. We need the time to breathe, exhale and heal. We would contact you when we feel we are ready to come back. Should we come back and we are no longer wanted at the BE, we fully understand. Thank you for all your support and all the opportunities you have provided us. God bless us all. Please pray for us. Best, LOMBS Singers Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Vincent Sequeira <vincent...@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Subject: RE: Hiatus of the LOMBS Singers -- Effective 2 June 2013, Sunday
To: "C. G. Cadhit" <cglc...@gmail.com>
Cc: "ron...@gmail.com" <ron...@gmail.com>, "robieg...@yahoo.com" <robieg...@yahoo.com>, "kier...@gmail.com" <kier...@gmail.com>, "babyga...@yahoo.com" <babyga...@yahoo.com>, "alfre...@hotmail.com" <alfre...@hotmail.com>, "litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph" <litzpl...@yahoo.com.ph>, "dan_j...@yahoo.com" <dan_j...@yahoo.com>, "richar...@gmail.com" <richar...@gmail.com>, "keith....@yahoo.com" <keith....@yahoo.com>, "rgsalv...@yahoo.com" <rgsalv...@yahoo.com>, "jpsalv...@yahoo.com" <jpsalv...@yahoo.com>, "boo...@yahoo.com" <boo...@yahoo.com>, "lombss...@yahoogroups.com" <lombss...@yahoogroups.com>, "ourlady...@googlegroups.com" <ourlady...@googlegroups.com>

Dear LOMBS Singers

The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

First of all let me tell you that the Choir at BE is praised all over the parish as the best.  You have admiration not only from the BE community but also from other communities.  Members of other communities at times visited our gatherings just to listen and see how you sing and then they did changes in the choir of their own communities.  You are appreciated and respected a lot as your singing gives a meaningful celebration.

At times some use the term which they do not actually mean especially when they are not native English speakers.  We shouldn't be so sensitive in that case.  The advice was meant to many other choirs too.

I sacrifice a lot to the community in my own way and capacity and I am proud that I am doing this as service to the Lord.  Many times I was humbled out with many utterances but never bothered because I was aware that Lord only knows what I am doing.  You all are serving the Lord with your service to the community.  My humble request to all of you is, do not let the community suffer by your sudden withdrawal.  The community need you and The Lord will bless you abundantly.

I am sure there is no need to introspect here but only a correction was needed.  Let us talk about it over a meeting.  But till then please continue to serve the community.  We have Adoration this Sunday and as you all know, this is a Universal Adoration.  Let us pray to strengthen our faith during the Adoration.  Let us not bring our dissent to the notice of the community who has great admiration for you all.  

I have a vision from the Lord that you will be there on Sunday.  See you all.  You may also call me on 0506284253.

God bless us all.

Vincent