On May 17, 2016, the SCJ Philippine Region will celebrate the 27th Anniversary of SCJ presence in the Philippines. The video below, originally intended for the 25th Anniversary, summarizes main activities of the Philippine Mission since the arrival of first SCJ missionaries up to the present.
O LORD OF LIFE, we thank you that the day of resurrection has dawned upon us. In its clear light, help us now to step from whatever sign of darkness there may be in ourselves into the true light and life, which is now yours—and which you long to share freely and fully with us.
Come to us – tune our heart and mind to give abundant thanks and praise to God – that on every Sunday we may solemnly celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. Give us this day quiet peace and special gladness, that being protected day and night by your mercy, we may rejoice always in the gift of life given to us by our faithful Savior.
– Norman Shawchuck
On February 21, 2016, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur, celebrated its “diamond” foundation anniversary. Since the beginning, the parish was served by the Filipino Jesuits. In April 1982, the parish was inherited by the Columban Fathers, and in the end of November 1989 by the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ). In the beginning of the SCJ presence, the parish belonged to the Prelature of Ipil and later on was transferred to the Diocese of Pagadian. Since April 2003, up to now, the parish is being served by the diocesan clergy of Pagadian Diocese.
Among the SCJs who served in the parish were: Frs. Hans Sondermeijer, Francis Pupkowski, Eduardo Aguero, Jerry Sheehy, Giuseppe Pierantoni, Indra Pamungkas, Rino Venturin, Benedito Machado, Grzegorz Skowron, Robertus Sutopo, Janusz Burzawa and Bros. Wieslaw Bysiek and Yohanes Sismadi.
There are two SCJs coming from this parish: Fr. John Karl Cabaluna and Fr. Donald Longno.
The SCJ Philippine Region thanks all the Parishioners for their love and support and wishes all the best for the future.
Seventy nine years after the Philippines first hosted the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Manila, the 2016 IEC kicked off in Cebu on January 24, 2016, with thousands of Catholic devotees worldwide in attendance.
The IEC opened with a High Mass at the Plaza Independencia at 4 pm. The mass was celebrated by the legate from Pope Francis, His Eminence Charles Maung Cardinal Bo.
The eight-day religious congress is expected to draw 12, 000 participants from 55 countries across the globe.
The Philippines first hosted the IEC in Manila in 1937, the first time it was held in Asia.
Dubbed as “Olympics of the Soul,” this year’s theme is “Christ In You, Our Hope of Glory.”
Here is the full video of Charles Maung Cardinal Bo’s homily.
Day 2 – January 25, 2016
Day 3 – January 26, 2016
Day 4 – January 27, 2016
Day 5 – January 28, 2016
Day 6 – January 29, 2016
Day 7 – January 30, 2016
Day 8 – January 31, 2016
Closing Homily – January 31, 2016
Message of Pope Francis
SCJ Philippines Region 