WELCOME!

Welcome to the blog for FAMILYYA! This blog acts as an extension of FAMILYYA, giving access to our lessons and by connecting to a wider Filipino-American and Catholic audience. This blog will also inform you of special events that FAMILYYA will be hosting.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

From a Dream to a Calling: FAMILYYA at World Youth Day Rio 2013!

FAMILYYA Youth Coordinator and Chapel volunteer Jessica Abejar had just recently returned from her pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she performed during their four-day long Youth Festival. Jessica was recommended as a performer by Chapel moderator Rev. Dr. Joseph Marabe, and her piece "Mother" was selected by the Festival coordinators. Below, Jessica recounts her the details of her performance and the memories made along the path to following her dreams.
Jessica returns to the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz
with a miniature version of Christ the Redeemer,
a famous site in Rio de Janeiro.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

FAMILYYA at World Youth Day This July!

FAMILYYA is proud to announce that Youth Coordinator and Chapel volunteer Jessica Abejar has been selected to perform her piece "Mother" at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this July! Jessica applied for the festival with a glowing recommendation made by Chapel moderator Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Marabe.


“This is a real dream come true for me!” said Jessica. “Performing at World Youth Day has been something I have wanted to do for a long time.”

Photo by Gilda Abejar
Jessica is a gifted performer who has been dancing for over 15 years and has been performing liturgical dance for almost 9 years. Her 20-minute solo piece “Mother” is a meditation reflection that depicts the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She first conceptualized the piece in 2004 with her own mother’s help and guidance, and first performed the piece at her sister Joelle’s First Communion party. Since then Jessica has performed the piece in full and in part at the Philippine Consulate during the reception of the San Pedro Calungsod Mass in 2012, at the Sacred Dance Guild Festival in 2005, at the Santo NiƱo Fiesta for the Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau County in 2004 when she was named Hermanita, and for various parishes, groups, and events throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Photo by Gilda Abejar
In addition to “Mother,” Jessica has performed other liturgical dance pieces. Highlights include the Archdiocese of New York Bicentennial Celebration in Yonkers, NY; the 2005 Sacred Dance Guild Festival in New London, CT; the Our Lady of Antipolo Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC; the 25th Anniversary of the Canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, NY;  the Blessing of the Artists at St. Malachy’s Actors Chapel, New York, NY;  the 17th Anniversary of The Filipino Catholic at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island, Eastport, NY; the Pope John Paul II Memorial Mass at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School, Hicksville, NY; the Young Preachers Workshop at the Motherhouse for the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, NY; and at various other events for groups, youth ministries, religious education programs, ecumenical celebrations, and local parishes including the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, New York, NY, where she volunteers as a Youth Coordinator for the Family, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry - FAMILYYA. Ms. Abejar is also a gifted writer and dancer/choreographer in several styles of dance and has been writing and performing since she was a young child. Jessica hopes to continue to introduce audiences to an artistic expression of prayer and reflection as well as encourage others to realize their own God-given talents and how they can be used to glorify the goodness of God.



In order to perform in Brazil, Jessica will be raising funds for all her expenses by performing and hosting workshops for local parishes and group events. If you are interested in booking a performance or workshop by Jessica, you may contact Gilda via phone (212) 927-2370, or Jessica via e-mail spcyouth.nyc@gmail.com. For each performance, Jessica is happy to donate up to half of her proceeds to the presenting parish or group in addition to raising funds for her trip.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Santacruzan at Sunset: Invitation & Guidelines


Guidelines for participation can be found on the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz website here.
For more info, you may also call Linda at 347-224-2996 or Fr. Marabe at 347-884-0811.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Santacruzan at Sunset



Santacruzan at Sunset
Saturday, June 1 at 5:30PM
More info to follow!

Flier by Jessica Abejar

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

FAMILYYA at New York Catholic Youth Day!

Photos and article by Jessica Abejar


Members of FAMILYYA attended the first ever New York Catholic Youth Day on Saturday, April 6th! The event was intended to reach out to Catholic youth and young people throughout the archdiocese.

Over 1500 high school students, college students, youth ministers, catechists, seminarians, priests, and religious from Staten Island to Orange County and even Queens and North Carolina attended the event at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan even celebrated Mass at the overcrowded Hayes Auditorium.

Cardinal Dolan delivered his homily to an enthusiastic crowd, revealing to the many young Catholics in attendance that Jesus was present and that he remains with us as we celebrate the Sacraments and the Mass and when we are good friends to one another and serve the poor. Mass ended with Fr. Joe starting a chant similar to the one said at sports, honoring His Eminence. The Cardinal returned with his own chant, saying "Let's go eat!"

From contemporary music to rapping priests to a video clip of Zombies vs. Jesus Christ, the event left many Catholics young and old feeling uplifted and renewed in their faith. It was overall success and looks to be a yearly mainstay for the newly formed Office of Youth Ministry at the Archdiocese of New York.

The event was sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York's Office of Youth Ministry, headed by Fr. Joseph Espaillat and Cynthia Martinez and was hosted by MCs Michelle Gonzalez, Robert Gadomski, and Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V. Keynote speakers were Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR and Fr. Daniel O' Reilly with workshops led by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, Tim Hanley, Fr. Stephen Norton, and Richard Espinal. Entertainment included performances from the Fuego Ardiente Danza Ministry, Joan Sanchez & RP Band, and Rio Squad as well as Full Armor Band, who provided music during the Mass and Adoration.


Click the link for more photos from the event.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Feast Day of San Pedro Calungsod

Today, April 2nd is the Feast Day of San Pedro Calungsod! The 17-year-old martyr was recently canonized by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI last October with several other new saints. San Pedro Calungsod is the second Filipino saint and the first to hail from the Visayas!

The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz will be celebrating Mass in his honor followed by an Art Contest & Concert hosted by FAMILYYA on Sunday, April 28 @ 2:15PM!


Click the link to find out more details about the contest!