Category SCJ Congregation

Mar 15 2016

Celebration of the Founder in Cagayan de Oro

March 14, 2016, marks the 173rd birth anniversary of Fr Leo Dehon, the Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart and also 4th anniversary of Canonical Erection of the Philippine Region. In commemoration of the SCJ  Founder, the Cagayan de Oro area composed of three communities (Sacred Heart Formation House, Aluba Parish and Dansolihon Chaplaincy), started the celebration  with a moment of reflection and an hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The points for reflection on the life of Fr. Dehon and his legacy, were facilitated by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ, Master of the Aspirants.

In the afternoon, members of the Dehonian Family, which also include the Dehonian Youth Missionaries and Lay Dehonians, employees and friends of the Priests of the Sacred Heart joined the concelebrated Thanksgiving Mass, presided by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ. Before the end of the Mass, the new members of the Dehonian Youth Missionaries made their act of dedication while the elders  renewed their commitment. As usual, the celebration was followed by a simple dinner.

Mar 5 2016

Meeting of Lay Dehonians in Vietnam

LD Vietnam participantsLast February 27, 2016, the representatives of Lay Dehonians’ movement from Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines met in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. One of the topics discussed during that meeting was the implementation of the Spiritual Path (Iter Formativo) in their respective countries. The participants shared their insights and difficulties in translating it into the Asian context, which is different from other continents. The Philippines was represented by Fr. Rechie Gier, SCJ and Atty Grace Escobia.

During the next meeting, which will be held in August this year in Indonesia, the participants will choose the Coordinator for Asia and discuss the preparations for the Dehonian Family Gathering in May 2017 in Rome.

Fr. Rechie Gier, SCJ, in the video below, shares his observations regarding that meeting.

Feb 23 2016

We remember and pray for you…

McGuire-PJ-300x420The news about the death of Fr. P.J. McGuire shocked many of the members of the SCJ Philippine Region. Fr. P.J. a member of the US SCJ Province and expert on the Dehonian Spirituality had visited the Philippines several times, especially in recent years to conduct seminars, retreats and English classes. He loved the Philippines and was loved by the SCJ students for his simplicity, friendship and sense of humor. Very organized and well prepared… always ready to share his knowledge and experience. In fact, he was planning to come to the Philippines in June to teach our students English as a second language… but God had other plans for him…

Fr. P.J., we thank you for everything… we remember you and we miss you… we pray for you…

 

Jan 4 2016

Start of the Annual Assembly 2016

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The Annual Assembly is one of the most important activities of the Philippine Region. It is normally held in the beginning of January in Cagayan de Oro City. This year the assembly started on January 4 and will end on January 8, 2016. The purpose of this gathering is to evaluate the activities of the Region and plan new ones. The theme of the Annual Assembly 2016 is “‘Servants of God’s Mercy’ (MV 17); Answering the call of the Founder ‘Go, let the World know the Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus'” and was inspired by the “Misericordiae Vultus”, the Bull of the Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy declared by Pope Francis and conclusions of the XXIII General Chapter in Rome “Merciful, in community, with the poor.” As usual it started with a short recollection conducted by Fr. Dariusz Drzewiecki, MIC, who helped the group to reflect on the theme of the “Year of Mercy” and was followed by the Community Reconciliation facilitated by Fr. Szymon Bendowski, SCJ, personal confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

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The whole afternoon of the first day was dedicated to personal sharing of all the participants who tried to answer the three following questions: What do you consider as most significant experience of the past year 2015? How can your experience of God’s mercy help to draw others closer to Christ? and What possible changes in your life do you hope to effect during this Year of Mercy? The activities of the first day were concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist presided by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the superior of the Philippine Region.

On the second day of the assembly the different committees and communities will report their activities of the year 2015.  Wednesday and Thursday will be the core of the activities.. It will consist of three workshops allowing the assembly to identify the “lights and shadows” and challenges lying ahead of the Philippine Region, and come out with concrete plan of action. The method that will be used during these workshops is: SEE, JUDGE and ACT.

The assembly is attended by thirty five participants (35), members of the Philippine Region and guests. Among the guests there are: Fr. Paulus Sugino, the General Councilor for Asia, Fr. Luca Zottoli, the General Treasurer from Rome and Fr. Thai Tran, the representative from the District of Vietnam.