Jun 9 2018

Celebrations in Manila and Cagayan de Oro

The Feast of the Sacred Heart, the patronal feast of the Priests of the Sacred Heart on June 8, 2018, was celebrated in all formation houses in the Philippines. Many friends of the Congregation, associates, and benefactors, had joined the celebration, especially in Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.

In Manila, during the Eucharist. presided by the Regional Superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, six scholastics: four Filipino and two Vietnamese, had renewed their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Also, all the SCJs attending this celebration renewed their commitment as religious.

A good number of benefactors from Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Makati City were able to attend this event and to meet personally Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ and Sr. Yolly C. Novabos, TMM, from the fundraising office in Cagayan de Oro City. The oldest participant of the celebration was 97 years old.

The benefactors and guests were given a chance to know more about the congregation and its works through the video presentation, entitled “With open heart and Mind”, that was played just after the Mass.

In Cagayan de Oro City, the Holy Eucharist was presided by Fr. Joseph C. Butlig, SCJ, a member of the community. As usual, besides friends of the Congregation, the celebration was attended by members of the Dehonian Family: Dehonian Youth and Lay Dehonians. After the Holy Communion, five new members of the Dehonian Youth made their commitment and the old members renewed their commitment as well. The commitments were accepted by Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ, the councilor of the Philippine Region, who ealier accepted six new Postulants: five Vietnamese and one Filipino.

In both events, the celebrations were very nice and attended by many people, and SCJs from the area, who were not only able to enjoy the celebration, but also the delicious food served afterwards.

Jun 8 2018

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart

I have loved you from all eternity and will love you eternally if, on your side, you never cease to love me. I will never forget you. Deeply, carefully and lovingly have I written you in the wounds of my feet and hands. I have gone further. As though I were not satisfied with this, I have had my side pierced by a soldier’s spear to open wide for you the entrance to my Heart and to show you how great was the love which led me to die for you. (Henry Arnoldi +1487)

Jun 7 2018

Episcopal Ordination in Cagayan de Oro

On June 7, 2018, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro celebrated the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Raul Dael, SSJV. Fr. Raul is the third priest from the archdiocese, who became bishop. The other two are Bp. Jose A. Cabantan, DD, the Bishop of Malaybalay and Bp. Vilsom Basso, SCJ, who was assigned in the archdiocese when he was called to become a bishop in Brazil.

The new bishop, was on September 29, 2014, giving a spiritual input to the SCJs, who were starting their 1st Regional Assembly in Cagayan de Oro City. In his talk, Fr. Raul emphasized the mercy of God and the importance of being priests and religious after the Heart of Christ.

The main consecrators of Fr. Raul as bishop were: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, DD,  from the Archdiocese of Manila, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, archbishop of Cagayan de Oro and Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, DD, JCD,  bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, who is being replaced by the new bishop Raul.

The celebration was attended by 30 Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, hundreds of priests from different archdioceses and dioceses and many people. The celebration that lasted three hours was beautifully prepared. The new bishop and people of Cagayan de Oro and their guests enjoyed also a meal together and the very nice weather.

Jun 6 2018

Final Vows Preparation in Indonesia

From June 3 – July 2, 2018, fifteen  young SCJs from Asian Zone, takes part in preparation for final vows in Indonesia. Seven participants are from India, six from Indonesia and two from the Philippines: Fra Victor Lingasa and Fra Julius Socorro. The preparation for final vows is organized each year in a different entity of Asia. The program includes the following topics:  Dehonian perspective of the Religious Vows,  Apostolic and Social dimension of the Dehonian Religious, and Affective maturity and Religious Life. As usual the activities will end with five day Spiritual Retreat.

Jun 6 2018

2nd Regional Assembly Chapter

27 SCJs, after final vows, took part in the 2nd Regional Assembly Chapter, held on June 5 – 6, 2018, at the Sacred Heart Formation House in Cagayan de Oro City. The participants were welcomed by Fr. Rico Lapinig, SCJ, and after that by the Regional Superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, who officially declared start of the Chapter. As usual, the first part was a spiritual preparation for the main activity. Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, led a reflection based on the theme “With open Heart and Mind to the urgent needs of the Church and the World”, which was followed by the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Sacrament of Reconciliation.

After the break, Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, delivered the “State of the Region Address” (SORA), summarizing the main activities and achievements, that had happened since the 1st Regional Chapter in 2014. Following this, Fr. Delio Ruiz, SCJ, the chairman of the Preparatory Commission, explained the goal and procedures of a workshop that was going to be held, in five groups, in the afternoon. The purpose of this was to come out with some concrete proposals for the next six years, based on the last and this year conclusions of the assemblies.

On the following day, June 6, 2018, the assembly discussed the proposed motions, coming from the working groups, and voted on it. The last activity of the Chapter was election of the delegate for the XXIV General Chapter in Rome and his substitute, who will accompany the Regional Superior in July 2018.

The 2nd Regional Assembly Chapter was well prepared and conducted in a very fraternal atmosphere.