On September 29, 2017, faithful of the Sub-Parish in Balongating, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, celebrated their patronal feast of St. Michael, the Archangel. The main celebrant and homilist was Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the parish priest of St. Isidore, the Farmer Parish in Dumalinao, and was accompanied by SCJs from the Zamboanga del Sur area and from Cagayan de Oro. The Eucharist was clebrated in a local Visayan dialect. As usual the celebration was preceeded by nine-day novena, organized and sponsored by different chapels, members of the sub-parish.The celebration was followed by a cultural show, common meal, and raffle draw, where the main prize was a Honda motorcycle. The money gained in this way will be used for the construction of new formation house for the lay leaders, which the community needs very much.
Balongating is a part of the St. Isidore, the Farmer Parish in Dumalinao and was declared as a Sub-Parish in August 1991 by Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, DD.
Since February 2003, the parish in Dumalinao is being administered by the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ). The incumbent parish priest, Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, was preceeded by Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ.
Among SCJ priests in charge of Balongating were the following: Fr. Franciszek Pupkowski, Fr. Delio Ruiz, Fr. Arthur Guevara, Fr. Jigger Ganados, Fr. Marcial Aguirre and presently Fr. Robertus Sutopo.
As of now, the sub-parish is composed of 19 chapels in 4 zones. It has all ministries and mandated organizations accredited in the Diocese of Pagadian. So far, the SCJ pesence in that area inspired Deacon Roger Pausanos, SCJ, to enter the congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
On September 24, 2017, the parish community of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Quezon City, Diocese of Novaliches, celebrated two important events: 30th Foundation Anniversary and Feast of the Patron – San Lorenzo Ruiz, martyr and first Filipino saint. The parish was officially established on August 15, 1987. Since 2016, the parish is being served by the SCJ community.
From September 18 to 22, 2017, 29 members of the SCJ Philippines Region participated in the retreat conducted by the Director of the Centro Studi Dehoniani (CSD) in Rome, Fr. Stefan Tertünte, SCJ.
The retreat was held at the Don Bosco Batulao Retreat House, also known as Mary Help of Christians Center of Spirituality in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 20 km from Tagaytay City, the capital of retreat centers in the Philippines.
The participants, besides the spiritual nourishment, were able to enjoy the cool weather and hospitality of the staff of the retreat center.
Fr. Marty M. Macasaet, SDB, the Rector, in his welcome message said: Don Bosco’s original mission actually was a “business,” as it were. Certainly not just to run or operate a retreat house — although also that has nowadays become a veritable industry as well, not so much different from running a hotel or a restaurant (complete with competition!). It’s really no other than “soul-biz.” This is the noble, God-appointed ministry of the salvation of the souls — those of the young, primarily. For sure the retreat ministry goes a long way in this important endeavor. And so in this wonderful venture of ours, we all strive to collaborate and cooperate — with God, first and foremost, and with one another. We look forward to a fruitful and fertile undertaking. As Don Bosco’s great motto captures it, “Give me souls, take away the rest.” And of course we also have the motto of Don Bosco Batulao, “Do whatever He tells you.” That’s Mary, of course, instructing us her children, to be obedient and docile to the urgings of her Son Jesus Christ. May these sayings serve as our guide and inspiration in all that we do”.
SCJ Philippines Region 