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JULY 11
ST. BENEDICT

St. Benedict was born in 480. He was from a rich Italian family. His life was full of adventure and wonderful deeds. As a boy, he was sent to Rome to study in the public schools. When he was a young man, he became disgusted with the corrupt lifestyle of pagan Rome. Benedict left the city and went looking for a place where he could be alone with God. He found the right spot. It was a cave in the mountain of Subiaco. Benedict spent three years there alone. The devil often tempted him to go back to his rich home and easy life. However, Benedict overcame these temptations by prayer and penance. One day, the devil kept making him think of a beautiful lady he had once seen in Rome. The devil tried to make him go back to look for that lady. Benedict almost gave in to the temptation. Then he felt so sorry that he threw himself into a bush of long, sharp thorns. He rolled around in the thorns until he was covered with scratches. From then on, his life was calm. He did not feel powerful temptations like that again.

After three years, people started coming to Benedict. They wanted to learn how to become holy. He became the leader of some men who asked for his help. But when he tried to make them do penance, they grew angry. It is said that the men even tried to poison Benedict. He made the Sign of the Cross over the poisoned wine and the glass shattered to pieces.

Later, Benedict became the leader of many good monks. He started twelve monasteries. Then he went to Montecassino where he built his most well-known monastery. It was here that St. Benedict wrote the wonderful rules for the Benedictine order. He taught his monks to pray and work hard. He taught them especially to be humble always. Benedict and his monks greatly helped the people of their times. They taught them how to read and write, how to farm, and how to work at different trades. St. Benedict was able to do good because he prayed all the time. He died on March 21, 547.

In 1966, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him the patron of Europe. In 1980, Pope John Paul II added St. Cyril and St. Methodius as patrons of Europe along with St. Benedict.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Tuesday (7/11): "Never was anything like this seen in Israel"

Scripture: Matthew 9:32-38

32 As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him.33 And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Meditation: What help or hope can we give to someone who has chronic distress or an incurable disease of mind or body? Spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus was well acquainted with individuals who suffered intolerable affliction - whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. A "dumb demoniac" was brought to Jesus by his friends with the hope that Jesus would set him free. These neighbors, no doubt, took pity on this man who had a double impediment. He had not only lost his ability to speak, but was also greatly disturbed in mind and spirit. This was no doubt due to the influence of evil spirits who tormented him day and night with thoughts of despair and hopeless abandonment by God. Jesus immediately set him free from the demon who tormented him and restored his ability to speak at the same time. This double miracle brought wonder to the crowds who watched in amazement. "Nothing like this had ever been done before in the land of Israel!" Whenever people approached Jesus with expectant faith, he gave them freedom from the power of sin and from the forces of evil and darkness.

How could Jesus’ miracles cause both scorn and wonder at the same time from those who professed faith in God? Don’t we often encounter the same reaction today, even in ourselves! The crowds looked with awe at the wonderful works which Jesus did, but the religious leaders attributed this same work to the power of the devil. They disbelieved because they refused to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Their idea of religion was too narrow and closed to accept Jesus as the Anointed One sent by the Father. They were too set in their own ways to change and they were too proud to submit to Jesus. They held too rigidly to the observances of their ritual laws while neglecting the more important duties of love of God and love of neighbor. The people, as a result, were spiritually adrift and hungry for God. Jesus met their need and gave them new faith and hope in God’s saving help. Whenever the gospel is proclaimed God’s kingdom is made manifest and new life and freedom is given to those who respond with faith. The Lord grants freedom to all who turn to him with trust. Do you bring your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith that he can set you free? The Lord invites us to pray that the work of the gospel may spread throughout the world, so that all may find true joy and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Skin Graft

A married couple was in a terrible car accident where the woman's face was severely burned. The doctor told the husband that they could not graft any skin from her body because she was so slim.
So the husband offered to donate some of his own skin. However the only skin on his body that the doctor felt was suitable would have to come from his buttocks. Husband and the wife agreed that they would tell no one about where the skin came from and requested the doctor also honored their secret. After all, this was a very delicate matter. After the surgery was completed everyone was astounded at the woman's new beauty. She looked more beautiful than she ever had before. All her girlfriends and relatives just went on and on about her youthful beauty. One day she was alone with her husband and she was overcome with emotion at his sacrifice. She said,

"Dear, I just wanted to thank you for everything you did for me. There is no way I could ever repay you."

"My darling," he replied, "think nothing of it. I get all the thanks I need everytime I see your mother kiss your cheek."

In the Pre Computer Days

A computer was something on TV
From a science-fiction show of note
A window was something you hated to clean
And ram was the cousin of a goat
Meg was the name of my best friend
And gig was a job for the nights
Now they all mean different things
And that really mega bytes.

An application was for employment
A program was a TV show
A cursor used profanity
A keyboard was a piano.

Memory was something that you lost with age
A CD was a bank account
And if you had a 3-in. floppy
You hoped nobody found out.

Compress was something you did to the garbage
Not something you did to a file
And if you unzipped anything in public
You’d be in jail for a while.

Log on was adding wood to the fire
Hard drive was a long trip on the road
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a backup happened to your commode.

Cut you did with a pocket knife
Paste you did with glue
A web was a spider’s home
And a virus was the flu.

I guess I’ll stick to my pad and paper
And the memory in my head
I hear nobody’s been killed in a computer crash
But when it happens they wish they were dead

Punctuation Again!

A nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher.

The note read: "Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety."

Failing to observe the punctuation, he startled his audience by announcing:

"Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety."

Surigao Del Norte - Surfing Capital Of The Philippines

Brief Description
Surigao del Norte is a group of islands at the rim of the Asian continental shelf. It is one of the four provinces of the newly created Caraga Region 13.

The province is blessed with long stretches of white sand beaches, enchanting rock formations, mysterious caves, and vast mangrove forests. The strong waves in Siargao Island has made the province the Surfing Capital of the Philippines.

Once a quiet and pristine place, Surigao del Norte’s rural charm now caught the fancy of local and foreign tourists who frequent the province’s numerous islands. Over the years, Surigao del Norte has indeed become a shangri-la for visitors from all over the world, especially for surfers and body boarders.

Geography
Surigao del Norte is located at the northeastern part of Mindanao between 125º15’ to 126º15’ east longitude and 9º18’ to 10º30’ north latitude. It is bounded on the north and east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and on the west by the Surigao Strait. It is one of the four provinces of the Caraga Region.

Political Subdivisions
The province is composed of 27 municipalities, one city, and 435 barangays, and it is politically divided into two congressional districts. District I comprises the islands of Dinagat, Siargao, and Bucas Grande, which has 16 municipalities. District II includes Surigao City, the provincial capital, and 11 mainland municipalities.

Population
Per NSO Survey, the province’s total population is 481,416 with an annual average growth rate of 1.71%. Population density is 175 persons per square kilometer.

Language/Dialect
Surigaonon, Cebuano, Boholano, Tagalog, and English are the major dialects and languages spoken in the province.

Climate
The province falls under the type II climate characterized by no pronounced dry season but with a very pronounced maximum period from November to January. It has a total annual rainfall of 3,949.43 mm. Temperature ranges from a low of 21.1ºC to a high of 35ºC in June.

Industries
There are six mining companies operating in the province. Majority of the stakeholders are Filipinos. Manila Mining Corporation has the widest mining area, at 6,426 hectares, followed by Taganito Mining Company, at 4,966 hectares. Others include the Hinatuan Mining Corporation (1,230 ha.), Pacific Cement Company (1.063 ha.), Cagdianao Mining Corporation (697 ha.), and Krominco Inc. (729 ha.).

Surigao Del Sur - Nature Pride Of Caraga

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Surigao del Sur was created as the 56th independent Philippine province on June 19, 1960 by virtue of House Bill No. 3058 also known as Republic Act No. 2786 authored by Representative Reynaldo P. Honrado. It was formally created and inaugurated on September 18, 1960 at the capital town of Tandag, the seat of the Provincial Government. Its first appointed and elected Governor was the late Recaredo B. Castillo.

Geography
Surigao del Sur is naturally advantaged. It is located in the northeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately kilometers in length and 50 kilometers at its widest stretch.

It is bounded on the northwest by the province of Surigao del Norte; on the southeast by Davao Oriental; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; and on the west and southwest by the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The Diwata Mountain Range lines the northwestern boundaries of the province.

Political Subdivision
Municipalities are grouped into three clusters based on their common resource potentials, proximity, and accessibility to common trade and service centers: the Bibahilita, the Macasaltabayani, and Canmadcarlancortan.

Population
Surigao del Sur has a total population of 501,808 with one city, 309 barangays, two disticts, and 18 municipalities.

Language/Dialects
English, Filipino, Cebuano, Surigaonon: Kamayo, Cantilangnon, Tagon-on.

Climate
The province falls under the second type of climate in the Philippines, characterized by rainfall that is distributed throughout the year. Months with low level of rainfall are from July to October, with September as the driest month. Wet months are from November to June, with January as the wettest month.

INDUSTRIES
About 45 % of the total land area is developed to agriculture. Major crops are palay, corn, coconut, abaca, soybeans, coffee, and other high value crops.

The province has 148 sq.km. of wetland that can be developed. Fishponds are responsible for the continuous production of prawns, milkfish, and crabs both for consumption and exportation.

It is one of the few provinces that have the largest forest covers with 2111,067 has. The forest land is predominantly covered with dipterocarp type of forest while some areas are covered with mossy and mangroves types. Commercial woods species are Narra, red and white Lauan, Mayapis, Almon, Apitong, Yakal, Bagtikan, and Tanguile. Rattan and Bonbon also abound.

Surigao City - Land Of Peace

Brief Description
Surigao City is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, located at Northeastern Mindanao and serving as the gateway by land from the country’s largest island to the rest of the Philippines.

Surigao City is blessed with abundant natural scenic spots consisting of various arrays of beaches and island hopping destinations that can cater to different types of adventures, from swimming to snorkeling and scuba diving. Other natural attractions in the locality consist of mangrove forests, caves for spelunking, lagoons, waterfalls, rock and coral formations, and many more.

Another distinct advantage of Surigao City is its unmatched and untarnished socio-political stability. The city’s crime index measures less than one to two crimes reported per 100,000 population. It is very significant to note that the city is relatively free from the cudgels of organized crime syndicates and distinctly devoid of secessionists’ movements and clan violence commonly occurring in other areas of Central and Southern Mindanao.

In this dynamic and vibrant city at Northeastern Mindanao, expect only to find an excellent travel destination and potentially the next stop for doing business.

GEOGRAPHY
Surigao City is located in the northern tip of Mindanao. It is blessed with abundant mineral reserves, fisheries, and aquatic resources as well as tracts of fertile arable lands, which are the prime sources of its people’s livelihood. Its location along the coast offers a wide array of white sand or black pebbled beaches. It also boasts of beautiful islands.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
Surigao City is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte. It has 54 Barangays, 21 of which are in the islands and 33 in the mainland.

POPULATION
Surigao City’s population as of the year 2000 census was 118,534, growing at a rate of 2.56%.

LANGUAGE/DIALECTS
Surigaonon, Cebuano, Boholano, Tagalog, and English are the major languages and dialects spoken in the city.

CLIMATE
The prevailing climate in the city falls under climate type II with no definite dry season but with a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. Its average annual rainfall is 3,673.8 millimeters (144.72 inches) based on a 50-year average. There are 216 rainy days within the year in the area, making the city one of the “wettest” in the country. Its average temperature stands at a convenient 26.9 degrees centigrade with an average humidity of 85 percent (85%).

JULY 10
ST. FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS

Felicity was a noble Christian woman of Rome. She lived during the second century. After her husband's death, she served God by prayer and works of charity. Her good example led others to become Christians, too. This angered the pagan priests, who complained to Antoninus Pius, the emperor. They said Felicity was an enemy of the state because she was making the gods angry. So the emperor ordered Felicity arrested. Seven young men were arrested with her. It is believed that they were her sons. Like the mother of the Maccabees in the Old Testament, Felicity remained calm. The governor tried in vain to make her sacrifice to the gods. He ended with the words, "Unhappy woman, if you wish to die, die! But do not destroy your sons."

"My sons will live forever if, like me, they scorn the idols and die for their God," Felicity answered. This brave woman was forced to watch her sons being put to death. One was whipped, two were beaten with clubs, three beheaded and another drowned. Four months later, Felicity, too, was beheaded. Her strength came from her great hope that she would be with God and her sons in heaven.

St. Felicity, it could be said, was martyred eight different times. This is because she had to watch each of her sons die. Then she too gave up her life for Jesus.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Monday (7/10): "Take heart, your faith has made you well"

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26

18 While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Meditation: Do you take your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith and confidence in his help? People in desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his lost beloved daughter? Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp of death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life. In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach the Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?