On June 29, 2025, the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Cagayan de Oro gathered with over 100 benefactors to celebrate a special Thanksgiving Mass marking the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul and honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

This annual gathering, held each year on the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, expresses profound gratitude to those who generously support the congregation’s mission both spiritually and financially.

The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, who also leads the Fundraising Office. In his homily, Fr. Francis reflected on the Feast of Divine Love—the image of the Heart of Jesus opened in compassion for a wounded world. He shared that this feast is not only a celebration but a call to renewal and hope, especially in this Year of Hope, when many experience fear and uncertainty.

Drawing lessons from the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, he reminded the assembly that God transforms those who are willing. Just as Peter, who once denied Jesus, became the rock of the Church, and Paul, who persecuted Christians, became the Apostle to the nations, we too are called to conversion and mission.

Fr. Francis also emphasized the Sacred Heart’s invitation to live with compassion, justice, and reparation. He encouraged everyone to become apostles of love in their families, workplaces, and communities by offering daily work to God, bringing forgiveness, and choosing hope over despair.

After the Mass, participants watched a short video presentation about Fr. Leo John Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. This helped deepen understanding of his spirituality and inspired the community to prepare for the centennial of Fr. Dehon’s death in 2025—a time to renew commitment to building a “Church of the Heart.”

A communal lunch followed, fostering fellowship and strengthening the bonds between benefactors and the formation community. As one example of the fruits of such support, Fr. Francis mentioned that thanks to benefactors, young priests are formed, the poor are assisted, and parishes are renewed in faith and service.

It was a heartwarming and spiritually enriching occasion, witnessing once again that each year more benefactors join this shared journey of faith, compassion, and hope.