Category SCJ Philippine Region

May 24 2015

“Go forth and proclaim the joy of the Gospel”

 

Dehonian Youth Missionaries Summer Mission 2015

This is the theme that stimulates the Dehonian Youth Missionaries annual summer mission this year. In solidarity with the Year of the Poor and inspired by Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, fundamentally rooted in Jesus’ commissioning to his disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News” (Mk 16, 15),  40 young missionaries joyfully took the challenge to announce to the people of Dansolihon Chaplaincy, Cagayan de Oro City the joy of the Gospel they themselves experienced.

They started their mission with a formation seminar on May 13-16, 2105 at the Sacred Heart Formation House before they were sent forth to the mission areas of Dansolihon and Mambuaya on May 16-22, 2015.

The missionaries visited and blessed the Christian families in the areas. During house visitation, they prayed together with the family, shared about their Christian life, and bless the household. They also conducted activities in the main chapels like Taizé prayer with confession, Eucharistic celebration, animation and the popular Flores de Mayo for children. One of their aims was to organize the youth and children of the chaplaincy. In the afternoon, while the others resumed the house visitation and blessing, some members worked with children, youth, and adults by giving seminars and catechism. They facilitated themes on Christian leadership, community building and recollection.

The Lay Dehonians also participated by having an afternoon of feeding program for the children in Dansolihon. All had their share and enjoyed the food very much.

The participation of the communities made the missionaries even more enthusiastic to mingle with them. Besides, the community life being experienced by each group strengthened their bond. Amidst differences and several preferences, they became missionaries as well to each another. Their way of life, even for just a short time, became a proclamation of the Good News.

This mission activity was not merely an enhancement for the people of Dansolihon Chaplaincy but significantly for the moral and faith development of the Dehonian Youth. With the inspiration they learned from Fr. Dehon, they live out in their lives the Ecce Venio and Ecce Ancilla. The spirit of availability for God becomes even more enriched and actualized.

Being available to the invitation of God, striving to be prophets of love and servants of reconciliation in  their own youthful way, our Dehonian youth missionaries eagerly endure to “go forth and proclaim the joy of the Gospel!”

By: Fr. Patrick L. Gutib, SCJ

May 21 2015

First Days of the General Chapter

Sunday, May 17, 2015 marks the start of the XXIII General Chapter of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is the highest legislative body of the congregation held every six years. It started with the prayer and common supper during which the chapter participants shared the food and beverages from their respective countries. It was also the time of introduction of all the participants.  All together, there are 78 participants: 8 members representing the General Curia, 20 Provincial Superiors, 4 Regional Superiors and 46 elected delegates. The SCJ Philippine Region is being represented by Fr. Francis Pupkowski, the regional superior and Fr. Donald Longno.

On May 18, the first full day of the chapter, participants had a day of reflection led by Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorníu of Venezuela. The day ended with an opening: the opening mass celebrated by Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho.

Tuesday, May 19, was the first day of “business” for the General Chapter. The delegates, staff and invited guests were seated and the superior general, Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho,  gave his “State of the Congregation” report. The report, which was the summary of the last six years of activities of the General Administration and the whole Congregation, was accepted with applause.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015, began in small group discussions, reflecting on the general superior’s report.

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In the afternoon, it was time for finance. The general treasurer, Fr. Aquilino Mielgo,  gave his report; he was followed by the commission of financial experts who had done an external audit of the congregational finances.

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May 14 2015

Ordination to the Diaconate

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After the Final Profession of Vows, the two (2) members of the Philippine Region and one (1) member of the Vietnamese District: Bro. Ronald M. Basco, Bro. Sergio Shoiti Matumoto and Bro. Dinh Van Nguyen were ordained deacons. The celebration was held at the San Isidro Parish in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, which belongs to the Diocese of Pagadian. The three SCJs were ordained by the local bishop Most Rev. Emmanuel Cabajar DD, CSsR, on May 14, 2015, the day before the Patronal Feast of the Parish. St. Isidore, the farmer, is a very popular patron saint in the Philippines, especially in the rural areas of Mindanao. In fact, both parishes in Zamboanga del Sur served by the SCJs, Kumalarang and Dumalinao, have him as their patron saint.

May 13 2015

First and Final Profession of Vows

Today, on May 13, 2015, the following members of the Philippine Region and Vietnamese District: Ronald M. Basco (PHI), Sergio Shoiti Matumoto (PHI) and Dinh Van Nguyen (VIE) made their Final Profession of Vows: Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

During the same celebration three (3) Novices: Rene Boy Soccoro (PHI), Dinh Nguyen (VIE) and Son Nguyen (VIE) professed their first vows of Chastity, Poverty and Chastity.

The vows were accepted by Fr. Franciszek Pupkowski, superior of the Philippine Region. The ceremony was held at the church of St. Isidro Parish in Dumalinao and was witnessed by SCJs coming from different communities, religious sisters, families and friends of the professes.

May 12 2015

Priesthood and Religious Life Anniversaries

On June 13, 2015, Fr. Janusz Burzawa, scj will celebrate his 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood and on July 20, 2015, Fr. Robertus Sutopo, scj his 25th Anniversary of Religious Life.

Using the opportunity of being together for the monthly meeting, the profession of vows and ordination to the diaconate, the Philippine Region organized a simple celebration of Thanksgiving to God for the gift of their vocations. Fr. Janusz was the main celebrant and Fr. Robertus delivered the homily. The celebration took place in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban, Dumalinao on the Eve of the Final Vows of three (3) SCJs and First Vows of three (3) Novices on May 12, 2015.