On September 23, 2019, the formation community in Cagayan de Oro City has officially welcomed Fr. Sergio Matumoto, SCJ, as its new member. Fr. Sergio is a Brazilian. He arrived in the Philippines in 2011 as a scholastic. He studied Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University and was ordained priest in 2016 in Brazil. His first assignment was at the Holy Cross Parish (Parokya ng Banal na Krus) in Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal (Diocese of Antipolo) as an assistant parish priest. In 2018 he went to Rome to prepare himself to be a formator. In Cagayan de Oro he will be in charge of the Senior High and Pre-College students.

The welcome ceremony was joined with the birthday celebration of one seminarian Allen Fornis and Miss Norelyn T. Novabos, the secretary in the fundraising office.

From September 9 to 13, 2019, 34 members of the SCJ Philippines Region participated in the spiritual retreat conducted by Fr. Eugene Cañete, MJ.

The theme of the retreat was “Rejoice & Be Glad” – Celebrating 30 years of Missionary Presence in the Philippines, and was held at the Redemptorist Retreat House of the Holy Family in Lahug, Cebu.

Besides personal questions, the participants were invited by the facilitator to examine anew the challenges of their ministry in the changing reality in order to become the Heart of Jesus to the people to whom they are called to serve.

Fr. Eugene Cañete, MJ, has been founding member of the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ). From 1996 until 2001, he has been serving in Zambia, Africa, as a member of CICM Congregation. Presently is working as a professor at the St. Vincent School of Theology, Maryhill School of Theology, and ICLA, and is involved in Formation of Missionaries of Jesus in Antipolo City.

The community of San Roque Parish, Bagong Silang, in the Diocese of Novaliches, celebrated its 8th Parochial Fiesta on August 18, 2019. With them were friend priests from the Diocese particularly from Sto. Nino Vicariate and the nearby SCJ communities–Dehon House Scholasticate, San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish (Tandang Sora, QC), Banal na Krus Parish (Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal). The Holy Eucharistic celebration was presided by the outgoing bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, D.D. at 10:00 in the morning.

After the Thanksgiving Mass, the parish community gave a plaque of recognition and appreciation to the key persons who were of great help in the parish fiesta activities namely the Bishop himself Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, D.D. and the distinguished government leaders of the City. It was followed by a simple banquet prepared by and shared with the community.

Prior to this celebration were the Novena Masses offered for the Patron Saint and other activities. The community actively participated in the BEC Night, Search for Little Miss San Roque, Patronal Procession, and Street Dancing.

By: Bro. Julius Socorro, scj

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.