Category SCJ Philippine Region

Dec 24 2016

Christmas Greetings

nativityq2Celebrating the great mystery of our salvation, of God who out of His love became one of us. May the Light of the World shine in our lives and be reflected in our daily choices, decisions and actions.

Let us allow Jesus to be reborn in our hearts and lives, not only during Christmas, but every day, so that he may radiate the light of his presence from within us expressed in compassionate words and deeds, unconditional forgiveness, the spirit of humble service and overflowing generosity.

As a newborn Baby is a gift to the humanity, let’s be a gift to all our brothers and sisters, especially those who need it most: the poor, the sick, the oppressed…. those who are alone. For “You will find life by giving life, hope by giving hope, love by giving love” (Pope Francis).

Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. As we celebrate the feast of God-with-us, let us be a people who are with God.

We wish all a Blessed Christmas and Joyful New Year 2017!

Dec 22 2016

Blessing of the Grotto and Christmas Party at Kasanag

dsc_0714Kasanag Daughters Foundation has a new “Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The official inauguration of this prayer place, located at the corner of the compound, was held on December 20,2016, on the occasion of Christmas Party. It was blessed by Fr. Khoa Nguyen, SCJ, assisted by Fr. Joseph Butlig, SCJ, the coordinator of the program. As usual the celebration started with the Eucharist and ended with a meal. In-between there was a program prepared by the girls with the help of a lay missionary from Poland, Miss Karolina Mankiewicz. One of the main parts of the program was singing Christmas carols in different languages. The girls sang almost perfectly one of  the Polish Christmas carols “Przybieżeli do Betlejem Pasterze”, which means “The Shepherds came to Bethlehem.”

Nov 27 2016

SCJ Memorial Day in Cagayan de Oro

main_santi-dehoniani_plOn November 26, 2016, members of the three SCJ communities in Cagayan de Oro area, together with the Dehonian Youth, Lay Dehonians and friends, celebrated the SCJ Memorial Day. The celebration was held at the Sacred Heart Formation House and was presided by Fr. Niño Etulle, SCJ, from Aluba Parish, who on this day celebrated his third anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.

Nov 10 2016

Sending Off Ceremony in Cagayan de Oro

20161108_184319On November 11, 2016, Fr. Patro Gier, SCJ, will leave for his new assignment in Finland.  The main purpose of his joining the SCJ Finnish District will be  taking pastoral care of the numerous Filipino people living in Finland. He will follow in the footsteps of Fr. Jigger Ganados, SCJ, the first SCJ Filipino missionary to Finland who went there in December 2014.

The ceremony of sending off was held in Cagayan de Oro Formation House on November 8, 2016, during the Holy Eucharist, right after the SCJ meeting. The concelebrated Mass was presided by Fr. Patro. After the Holy Communion the Regional Superior, Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, gave him a special blessing and handed over the Missionary Cross, a symbol of being sent to proclaim the Good News.

Oct 24 2016

Feast of the Patron and Establishment of St. John Paul II Chaplaincy in Talisay

20161022_112453June 11, 2016 marks the official start of SCJ presence in the Diocese of Maasin. The local bishop, Most Rev. Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD, entrusted to the Congregation a part of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Hilongos, particularly St. Pope John Paul II Southern Mission Territory with its main chapel in barangay Talisay. The idea behind this agreement is twofold: on the side of the Diocese, it is to answer the spiritual needs of the faithful and develop this area into a future parish and on the side of the Congregation is to expand the SCJ presence into the Visayas Region.

 

On October 22, 2016, on the liturgical memorial of St. John Paul II, the Southern Mission Territory was elevated to the rank of Chaplaincy. The Bishop of Maasin in his “Decree of Establishment” declared the following: “Since the Faithful in the southern part of the Immaculate Conception Parish needs the constant presence of the Minister of the Catholic faith in response to the mission of the Church to foster the growth of the catholic faith, and to care for the spiritual desires of the Catholic Communities in the said area; and after having duly consulted the Diocesan Board of Consultors, with the full knowledge of the Presbyterium, I, Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD, Bishop of Maasin, hereby solemnly decree the canonical establishment of the Chaplaincy of St. John Paul II, with all the rights and privileges accrued to such an entity in accordance with the Code of Canon Law, and our Diocesan Statutes and Decrees.

The Jurisdiction of this Chaplaincy will be composed of the following barangays: Talisay, Kanghaas, Tabunok, Tuguipa, Hitudpan, Lunang, San Agustin, Bun-ot, Catandog I, Catandog II, Bantigue of the Municipality of Hilongos, Leyte… 

…Moreover, I designate Fathers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SCJ) to look after this new chaplaincy. I also designate the chapel of Talisay to be the official chapel of the Chaplaincy…”

The “Decree of Establishment” was read during the Holy Mass by the Chancellor of the Diocese Fr. Alexes Villarubin, JCL. The concelebrated Mass was presided by Msgr. Oscar A. Cadayona, the Vicar General from Maasin, while the homily on “Life and Legacy of St. John Paul II” was delivered by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the SCJ Philippine Regional Superior. Among the concelebrants were Msgr. Antonio M. Gaviola, PC, the Pastor – Moderator of Hilongos Parish, Fr. Conrado C. Saavedra, Jr.,, Fr. Joseph Butlig, SCJ, Fr. Elpidio Luza Jr., SCJ, Fr. Arthur Guevara, SCJ and Fr. Christopher Alburo, SCJ.