16 | May | 2019 | SCJ Philippines Region

Second activity on May 16, 2019, as a part of bigger celebration of 30th anniversary of SCJ missionary presence in the Philippines, was the 20th Foundation Anniversary of Kasanag Daughters Foundation, Inc. (KDFI).

It started at 4:30 PM with the opening of the “Art Works Exhibit” of the “daughters”, followed by the Holy Eucharist, short program and supper. Fr. Horst Steppkes, SCJ, the Mission Procurator from Germany, cut the ribbon at the entrance to the exhibit room. Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, the superior of the SCJ Philippines Region was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass.

The program started at 6:00 PM with the introduction of the visitors by Fr. Lukas and Ms. Vivian Yecyec, the KDFI Operations Manager and was followed by short messages from Fr. Horst Steppkes from Germany and Fr. Zbigniew Chwaja, the Mission Procurator from Poland. Both entities are helping to run the foundation through financial assistance.

The main part of the program was an inspirational talk by Judge Evelyn G. Nery, who underlined the need of not being silent in the face of the sexual abuses, especially on the minors.

As usual, the celebration ended with a dinner during which the guests and visitors could watch the video presentation “KDFI through the Years.”

Up to the present more than 200 girls received help from the institution.

On May 16, 2019, two SCJ deacons, Rev. Joel J. Bolo and Rev. Ruel C. Paalisbo, were ordained priests. The ceremony of ordination was held at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro and was presided by the local archbishop Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D.

Fr. Joel C. Bolo, SCJ, comes from Ugyaban, a part of Dansolihon Chaplaincy served by the SCJs, while Fr. Ruel C. Paalisbo, SCJ from Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, where the SCJs were in charge of the parish from 1994 – 2003.

The ordination to the priesthood was a part of bigger celebration of 30 years of SCJ missionary presence in the Philippines. The ceremony was attended by Bishop of Pagadian, Most Rev. Ronald Lunas, D. D., all members of the SCJ Philippines Region, SCJs from: Germany (Fr. Horst Steppkes), Poland (Fr. Zbigniew Chwaja and Fr. Bogdan Kuta), Indonesia (Fr. Titus Purbosaputra and Fr. Vincent Sri Herimanto), Vietnam (Fr. Loc Nguyen and Fr. Luong Van Nguyen) India (Fr. Anthony Sundar Raj Mallavarapu), diocesan priests from Pagadian, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, lay volunteers from Poland, parents and family members of the Filipino SCJs, parishioners from Quezon City, Dumalinao, Kumalarang, Bagong Silang, Talisay, Tandang Kutyo, Dansolihon, Aluba, Margosatubig, Bacolod, family members and friends of the newly ordained priests and other guests.