On December 31, 2007, Fr. Aloisio Back, the Novice Master, celebrated his 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.
The Anniversary was marked by a special concelebrated Mass held at the Fr. Dehon Novitiate in Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. During his homily Fr. Aloisio recalled his way to the priesthood and thanked to God for all the graces he received during these past 25 years of which 16 he spent in the Philippines.
In the name of the District Fr. Janusz Burzawa, the first councilor, thanked to Fr. Aloisio for the work he is doing and for his dedication to the Church, the Congregation and the District.
The celebration was attended by representatives of all SCJ communities and by some friends.
Category SCJ Philippine Region
Search-in Seminar in Cagayan de Oro
Forty four young men searching for their way of life attended the “Search-in Seminar” in Cagayan de Oro City. The seminar was held from December 26 – 29, 2007, in the Sacred Heart Formation House in Aluba, and it was organized by the Vocation Promotion Team led by Fr. Indra Pamungkas, scj.
The participants came from different parts of Mindanao representing seven dioceses. Thirty five of the participants expressed their interest in the Congregation and wrote an application letter. Finally, after the interview conducted by members of the team, nineteen of them were approved as candidates.
Farewell to Fr. Eduardo Agüero
Fr. Eduardo Agüero, after more than 18 years of service, will return for good to his mother Province, to Argentina. The farewell party took place on November 19, 2007 in Cagayan de Oro, during the SCJ monthly meeting.
During the Eucharist, Fr. Eduardo – the main celebrant, explained the reasons for his returning home and recalled the most memorable moments during his stay in the Philippines. Fr. Janusz Burzawa, in the name of the SCJ District in the Philippines, thanked Fr. Ed for his work for the local Church and for the Congregation, and wished him all the best in his new assignment in Argentina.
New Missionary for the Philippine District
Fr. Jan Krzysciak,scj, a member of the Polish Province, is the newest asset of the Philippine District. He arrived in Manila last November 24, 2007.
Fr. Jan is 34 years old and was ordained as a priest in year 2002 in Stadniki, Poland. Before applying to join this mission he was assigned for four years in Belchatow, one of the biggest SCJ parishes in Poland. In year 2006, he went to the United States where he studied English until the end of September 2007. In the beginning of January 2008, Fr. Jan will start to study the local language (Cebuano) at the Maryknoll Institute of Language and Culture (MILC) in Davao City.
In the name of all members of the Philippine District we would like to welcome Fr. Jan and wish that soon the Philippines will become his second home.
Blessing of the New Novitiate and First Profession of Vows
On May 13, 2007, the SCJ District in the Philippines celebrated two very important events: blessing of the new novitiate and first profession of vows of five novices.
The ceremony started at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon with the Holy Eucharist presided by Most. Rev. Emmanuel Cabajar, CSsR, DD, the local Bishop of Pagadian. In the first part, the Bishop together with special guests blessed the chapel and other parts of the new novitiate, located in Barangay Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.
The new novitiate comprises of four separated buildings and the chapel in front, and it is placed on a hill overlooking the Sumadat Valley with its rice fields and mountains and sea in the background. The place is beautiful and quiet, conducive for reflection and prayer.
In the second part the following novices:
1. Joseph Butlig,
2. Niño Etulle,
3. Elpidio Luza,
4. Patrick Gutib, and
5. Jasper Naresma
professed their first vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Of Jesus.
The Vows were taken in the presence of Bishop of Pagadian, SCJ confreres from all communities, special guests: Fr. August Hulsmann – Provincial Superior from Germany, Fr. Ryszard Mis – Vice-Provincial from Poland, Fr. Amatus Sukadi – Provincial Treasurer from Indonesia and F. Augustinus Guntoro from India, priests and religious from the Diocese of Pagadian, Lay Dehonians, families of the newly professed SCJs and friends of the Congregation.
The Vows were accepted by the District Superior Fr. Rino Venturin, scj.
During the same celebration 12 other young SCJs on temporary vows renewed their commitment to God and to the Congregation.
The celebration turned to be very nice and well prepared.
SCJ Philippines Region 