On August 12, 2019, the formation community of Cagayan de Oro, together with the SCJs from nearby communities, members of the Dehonian Family and friends of the Congregation, celebrated 94th Death Anniversary of Fr. Leo Dehon, the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
The celebration was presided by the Regional Superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, scj.
As usual the celebration was concluded with a common meal.
Similar celebration was held in Dehon House in Manila.
On July 16, 2019, the SCJ Philippine Region held its regular meeting at the Holy Cross Parish (Parokya ng Banal na Krus) in Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal (Diocese of Antipolo).
On the following day on July 17, 2019, all SCJs gathered at San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Tierra Verde Homes I, Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, to celebrate in Manila Zone, the 30th Anniversary of SCJ Presence in the Philippines. The Thanksgiving Mass was presided by the outgoing bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches, Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, D.D., at the moment an apostolic administrator of the diocese.
Bp. Tobias was one of the two bishops, who together with Most Rev. Federico O. Escaler, S.J., D.D., of Prelature of Ipil, accepted the Priests of the Sacred Heart into his Diocese of Pagadian in 1989.
On July 1, 2016, Bp. Tobias entrusted to the Dehonians San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, where he also ordained many SCJ deacons and priests.
The SCJ Philippines Region is thanking Bp. Antonio for his friendship and fatherly care.
Each year on Sunday after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the formation community of Cagayan de Oro invites benefactors from the area for a special Thanksgiving Mass. In this way, the Priests of the Sacred Heart want to say “Thank you” to those who support them spiritually and financially. For benefactors it is always an opportunity to learn more about the spirituality and different projects of the Congregation.
This year, the celebration of Benefactors’ Day was held on June 30, 2019. It started with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, scj, who is also in charge of the Fundraising Office and Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, scj, the superior of the SCJ Philippine Region, Fr. Patro C. Gier Jr.,scj, a former missionary from Finland and Fr. Szymon Bendowski, scj, the assistant parish priest from Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Aluba.. At the end of the Mass, the benefactors could watch a short video presentation containing an information about one of the projects run by the Philippine Region Kasanag Daughters Foundation, Inc.
As usual, the celebration was culminated with a common meal. It was noticed that every year the number of benefactors participating in the Thanksgiving Mass is bigger and bigger.
Today, on June 28, 2019, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, three (3) SCJ Novices from the Philippines, Agustin M. Indangan Jr., Aldrin R. Ayaton, and Carl Ryan N. Opeña, made their commitment to God in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By the profession of three vows: Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, they declared their readiness and will to follow Jesus more closely. They were preparing for this moment for almost fourteen (14) months under the guidance of the Novice Master Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ and Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ, the “Socius.” Together, with eight (8) Vietnamese Novices, who made their First Profession of vows in Vietnam last May 31, 2019, they have had been learning about the Congregation, the Founder, vows and religious life.
The ceremony that was held on the 141 anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, took place at the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, and was attended by the SCJ confreres from the area of Pagadian, Cagayan de Oro, and Manila, family members and friends of the newly professed religious. The vows were accepted by the Regional Superior, Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ.
The newly professed will move to the Manila Community at the Dehon House, where they will study Theology and prepare themselves further for the ordination to the priesthood.
On the same day, in the afternoon, the SCJ area of Cagayan de Oro celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the patronal feast of the Congregation. The concelebrated Mass was presided by Fr. Ruel C. Paalisbo, SCJ, who offered this Holy Eucharist as a Thanksgiving Mass for the gift of his vocation and ordination. After the homily all SCJs renewed their act of oblation made 141 years ago by their founder Venerable Fr. Leo John Dehon.
On June 14, 2019, in the Sacred Heart Retreat House and Seminar Center, 132 B, Gonzales St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City, six SCJs on temporary vows: Bro Argol C. Chavez, Bro. Rene D. Adorable, Bro. Francis S.J. Atayza, Bro. Giovanni B. Bautista, Bro. Rackie M. Roxas and Bro. July P. Zambrano, renewed their vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ). The renewal was accepted by the superior of the Philippine Region, Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, and witnessed by the members of SCJ Zone of Manila.
SCJ Philippines Region 