Category Church

Jul 14 2018

Start of the XXIV General Chapter in Rome

On Saturday, July 14, 2018, started the XXIV General Chapter of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, known also as Dehonians or SCJs. The Chapter is being held at the General Curia in Rome and is being attended by seventy-seven (77) delegates plus one (1) invited guest.

The purpose of this assembly is election of the new administration, review the State of the Congregation, and to discern what are the current needs and challenges lying ahead of the Congregation.

Normally, the General Chapter is held every six years. The XXIV General Chapter is an exception. It occurs only three years after the previous General Chapter at which Fr. Heiner Wilmer, SCJ, was elected the superior general. On April 6, 2018, Fr. Heiner was appointed as bishop of Hildesheim, Germany. That appointment led to the calling of a General Chapter three years earlier than initially planned. Also, because of this the General Conference in Manila, going to be held at the same time as the Chapter, was cancelled.

 

The Chapter will end on July 27, 2018 at noon time. Hopefully, by July 21, 2018, the Congregation will have a new administration.

The General Chapter was preceded by the local chapters held in every entity with the purpose of electing delegates for the General Chapter and discernment of the present situation and needs.

The Philippines is being represented by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the Regional Superior and Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the official delegate chosen by the members of the Philippine Region.

Opening Mass

Jun 29 2018

Ordination to the Diaconate 2018

On June 29, 2018, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two (2) members of the SCJ Philippine Region: Bro. Ruel Paalisbo, SCJ, and Bro. Joel Bolo, SCJ, who a day before made their perpetual profession of vows, were ordained deacons.

They were ordained by the Bishop of Pagadian Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Cabajar DD, CSsR, at the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Deacon Ruel comes from Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, Diocese of Iligan, while Deacon Joel from Ugyaban, Chaplaincy of Dansolihon, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Both places were marked with the SCJ presence and the two new deacons are the fruits of it.

The new deacons are assigned, respectively, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro City and San Isidro Labrador Parish in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

Jun 28 2018

First and Perpetual Profession of Vows

Today, on June 28, 2018, five (5) SCJ Novices from the Philippines, Rene D. Adorable, Francis S.J. Atayza, July P. Zambrano, Giovanni B. Bautista, and Rackie M. Roxas, 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 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 five (5) Vietnamese Novices, who made their First Profession of vows in Vietnam last May 31, 2018, they have had been learning about the Congregation, the Founder, vows and religious life.

During the same celebration, two SCJ brothers on temporary vows: Fra. Ruel Paalisbo, SCJ and Fra. Joel Bolo, SCJ, made their final profession of vows.

Both Professions of Vows, First and Perpetual, were accepted by the Regional Superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ.

The ceremony that was held on the 140 anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, took place at the St. Isidore Parish Church in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, and was attended by the SCJ confreres from different parts of the Philippines, family members and friends of the newly professed religious.

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.

As we thank God for this beautiful moment, we entrust the new SCJs to our prayers. May they grow in their vocation and become effective instruments of God’s Love to the world.

Jun 8 2018

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart

I have loved you from all eternity and will love you eternally if, on your side, you never cease to love me. I will never forget you. Deeply, carefully and lovingly have I written you in the wounds of my feet and hands. I have gone further. As though I were not satisfied with this, I have had my side pierced by a soldier’s spear to open wide for you the entrance to my Heart and to show you how great was the love which led me to die for you. (Henry Arnoldi +1487)

Jun 7 2018

Episcopal Ordination in Cagayan de Oro

On June 7, 2018, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro celebrated the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Raul Dael, SSJV. Fr. Raul is the third priest from the archdiocese, who became bishop. The other two are Bp. Jose A. Cabantan, DD, the Bishop of Malaybalay and Bp. Vilsom Basso, SCJ, who was assigned in the archdiocese when he was called to become a bishop in Brazil.

The new bishop, was on September 29, 2014, giving a spiritual input to the SCJs, who were starting their 1st Regional Assembly in Cagayan de Oro City. In his talk, Fr. Raul emphasized the mercy of God and the importance of being priests and religious after the Heart of Christ.

The main consecrators of Fr. Raul as bishop were: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, DD,  from the Archdiocese of Manila, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, archbishop of Cagayan de Oro and Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, DD, JCD,  bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, who is being replaced by the new bishop Raul.

The celebration was attended by 30 Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, hundreds of priests from different archdioceses and dioceses and many people. The celebration that lasted three hours was beautifully prepared. The new bishop and people of Cagayan de Oro and their guests enjoyed also a meal together and the very nice weather.