Category SCJ Philippine Region

Feb 2 2015

Anniversary of Religious Profession

Today, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and XIX World Day of Consecrated Life, Fr. Aloisio Back, the Master of Postulants, celebrated his 42nd Anniversary of First Profession of Vows. During his homily, recalling this very important in his life moment, he thanked God for all the graces and blessings that he has received. He also explained briefly the meaning of the three religious vows: poverty, chastity and obedience and of community life. The message coming from the heart and based on the life experience was a great testimony to what the religious life is about,

Today also is the anniversary of First Profession of Most Rev. Vilsom Basso, the bishop of Marañhao in Brazil, and Fr. Jose Benedito de Moreas Machado, who at the present is serving the Christian Community in Toronto, Canada. As we congratulate the three of them, we support them and their apostolates with our prayers.

Feb 1 2015

PHILIPPINES – INDONESIA DEHONIAN FAMILY MEETING

Last January 31 to February 1, 2015, delegates from Indonesia came to the Philippines for a meeting to discuss the implementation of the Spiritual Path (Iter Formativo). The encounter took place in the Sacred Heart Formation House, Cagayan de Oro City.  With the blessing and support of Fr Andreas Madya and Fr Franciszek Pupkowski, respective Superiors of the Indonesian Province and Philippine Region, the group gathered to make a strategic plan of action regarding the development of the Dehonian Family in the Asian continent.  Grace Escobia, who is a member of the interim International Coordinating Group of the Dehonian Family whose area of responsibility is Asia, coordinated the encounter.

The gathering was participated by Fr. Agustinus Setyoaji, Fr. Anselmus Inharjanto, Fr. Aloysius Yudhistiro and Mr. Philippus Harijadi from Indonesia and Marian Cabarliza, Lovely Monique Nanol, Joan Palapar and Fr. Richie Gier from the Philippines.

The meeting started with the input about the Charter of Communion of the Dehonian Family.  This was followed by the sharing of the message regarding the international encounter in May 2014 in Rome.  Afterwards there was a presentation from the respective countries of the state of affairs in their distinct realities about the situation of the Dehonian Family, specifically, the laity and youth group. It was observed that both countries thus far have an active youth group while the laity is still a work in progress.  The presence of consecrated persons in Indonesia, specifically, the Compania Missionaria, was recognized and integrated in the planning.  Each entity of the Dehonian family was essentially encompassed including the Dehonian Youth.

In the morning of February 1, 2015, brainstorming and discussion ensued about the integral plan of action for the development of the laity and consecrated persons in the Asian continent vis-à-vis the implementation of the Iter Formativo in the context of the program outlined by the International Coordinating Group for 2015 to 2017.  The participants were able to devise a plan within the given period for the growth of the Dehonian Family in Indonesia and the Philippines. It was also decided, in the perspective of Sint Unum, to invite delegates from India and Vietnam as observers in the next continental coordinating group meeting for Asia tentatively scheduled in January 2016.

The encounter was concluded by a Eucharistic Celebration concelebrated by the Indonesian Dehonian fathers headed by Fr. Agustinus Setyoaji. A number of Lay Dehonians from Cagayan de Oro joined the mass.  The group was enriched by the beautiful sharing of experiences on how the Dehonian Spirituality is lived out in the respective countries, the exchange of ideas and resources for development and formation, as well as looking forward to another encounter in 2016 which is planned to be held in Vietnam.

What was most striking was the teaching on LoReSa as imparted by the Indonesian fathers… love, readiness and sacrifice. The witnessing of Ecce venio and Ecce ancilla. Indeed, as Dehonians we are called to love, to readiness (availability) and to sacrifice – that the Kingdom of the Heart of Christ may reign. Adveniat regnum tuum.

By: Atty Grace Escobia

Jan 21 2015

Sharing of Experiences

Fr. John Czyzynski, SCJ, a retired Novice Master from the U.S, Province is on his visit in the Philippines. The main purpose of his visit is to share his experience as a formator with the formators of the Philippine Region. The majority of the formators in the Philippines are young and lack of experience, but on the other hand very much willing to learn from their older brother.

The meeting with Fr. John took place in Cagayan de Oro City at the Sacred Heart Formation House from January 19 – 21, 2015 and was attended by eight formators representing all the stages of formation. Besides the sharing of personal experiences on both sides, there were many practical questions on how to do the formation in the time of constant changes in the world,and of mentality, how to deal with the issues of proper use of the internet, social networks, etc., that sometimes disturb the formation process.

The meeting was very much appreciated by the formators and gave them many insights that can be helpful in their work. Sometimes life experience is more valuable than series of lectures.

Jan 17 2015

Pope Francis in Tacloban City

On November 8th 2013, the six-metre high waves generated by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest storm ever recorded on earth, smashed into the homes and lives of thousands of people leaving behind death, destruction, tragedy and loss. The storm destroyed around 90 percent of the city of Tacloban in Leyte province, killing at least 6,000 people. More than 14.5 million people were affected in six regions and 44 provinces. About one million people remain homeless.

And it was here, at Ground Zero, that Pope Francis chose to come, in the driving wind and rain, despite last-minute warnings to call off the visit entirely. Not that the local survivors ever doubted he would come: protected only by flimsy yellow raincoats (umbrellas were forbidden for security reasons), many of them started lining up outside the Mass site as early as yesterday afternoon. As a simple gesture of solidarity, the Pope himself wore the same yellow raincoat for the rest of the time he was there.

But it was what he said (and left unsaid) that went straight to the hearts of those present. Once again, Pope Francis departed from his prepared homily – this time altogether – in order to speak “heart-to-heart”. And his message was simple: even amidst the greatest challenges and tragedies, “Jesus never lets us down… He walks with us in the most difficult moments of life”. Most touching, though, were the passages when the Pope admitted that he himself was without words: “So many of you have lost everything”, he said. “I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does. Some of you have lost part of your families.  All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart… Many of you have asked: why Lord?  And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds with his heart from the cross. I have no more words for you”.

The fact is, he didn’t need any. The testimony of his presence among them was more than enough.

The Mass was attended by about 200,000 people.

The Pope also had no more time. Shortly after Mass, he was told his plane, due to incoming Storm Mekkhala (Amang) would have to leave almost immediately because weather conditions over the area were intensifying and would soon make take off impossible. But Pope Francis was determined not to disappoint. He knew perfectly well that people had travelled hundreds of miles and waited hours in the rain to see him. So, skipping lunch, he did meet survivors and victim’s families in the Archbishop’s house and then went straight to the Cathedral where he stopped just long enough to explain why he had to leave in such a hurry, and to give his blessing.

Jan 10 2015

Little “Quiapo” in Dansolihon Chaplaincy

Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the most popular religious celebrations in the Philippines. Every January 9 thousands of people join the celebrations in Quiapo in Manila and in Cagayan de Oro City, where the replica of the original statue is. This year only around 5 million joined the procession of Black Nazarene in Manila and 120 thousand in Cagayan de Oro.

Black Nazarene is also the patron saint of the Chaplaincy in Dansolihon administered by the SCJs. The feast, which also is celebrated on January 9, was preceded with 9-day novena as a spiritual preparation for the main celebration. Each day, there was a special Novena Mass, celebrated by different priest, and procession with the little statue of Black Nazarene around the village of Dansolihon. The Masses due to increased attendance were held outside the chapel, which could not contain all the faithful.

The main celebration on January 9, 2015, due to the heavy rain, had to be celebrated inside the chapel. The main celebrant was the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Most  Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ,DD. The Archbishop was accompanied by a number of SCJs, who just finished their annual assembly. Maybe, the number of people attending the celebration was not as big as in Quiapo or even in Cagayan de Oro, but surely it was proportional. The celebration besides the rain was nice and well prepared. Viva Señor Jesus Nazareno!