Dec 2 2017

Dedication of the New Parish Church in Aluba

On December 2, 2017, the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro City, celebrated the dedication of its newly constructed church. The construction of the new parish church officialy started on February 28, 2015, and in less than three years has been completed. It looks impressive! All the details has been studied and implemented by the construction committee under the supervision of the parish priest Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ, who was the initiator of this project and also fundraiser. By the way, this is the third project that Fr. Burzawa is involved. In his past assignments he built a new church in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur and prepared complete plans for the new church in Dumalinao, also in Zamboanga del Sur, which now is in its final stage of completion.

The construction of the new church went in pair in building of the local Christian Community, which Fr. Burzawa considers as the most important. There is a number of pastoral initiatives introduced by him such as home visitations, special catechesis, pledges, retreats and recollections for all the faithful, and recently “Parade of Saints” replacing the pagan Halloween.

The ceremony of dedication was presided by Fr. Florencio Salvador, SSJV,  a former pastor of this parish and delegate of the archbishop Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ,DD, who was assisted by several diocesan priests from the vicariate and SCJs from the neighbor communities.

After the Eucharistic celebration and lunch together, the parish community celebrated its “Family Day”, which in the future will be held   on the first Saturday of December.

Nov 28 2017

Elevation to the Rank of Quasi-Parish and First Feast Celebration

On November 27, 2017, the Chaplaincy of St. Pope John Paul II in Talisay, Hilongos, Southern Leyte, was elevated the rank of Quasi-Parish, with a new name Miraculous Medal Parish.

According to the Canon Law:

A Parish is defined as a certain community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church, whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor (parochus) as its proper pastor under the authority of the diocesan bishop (Can. 515 §1). This canonical definition expresses the important elements of a parish as follows;
1. It is a community of the Christian faithful. The sacred church building does not constitute alone a parish but rather the Christian Faithful that has been called together to be nourished and to bear witness the Word of God in the community.
2. It is territorial in nature belonging to a particular church which is the diocese. Hence it does not act as an autonomous entity. It follows certain ecclesiastical boundaries in order to establish the competence of the pastor and to give convenience to the faithful.
3. It should have a proper pastor who is in charge of the pastoral care of the faithful. He should see to it that Christian faithful are well guided and nourished with the Joy of the Gospel through the pastoral and spiritual programs of the parish.
4. The pastor acts under the authority of the diocesan bishop. The pastor should always maintain his good relationship with his bishop. He should never make any decision nor action that are in contrary to the statutes and practices of the diocese especially in terms of legal matters.

Unless the law provides otherwise, a quasi-parish is equivalent to a parish; a Quasi-Parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful in a particular church, entrusted to a priest as its proper pastor but not yet erected as a parish because of particular circumstances (Can. 516 §1). The definition of the quasi-parish almost follows the same important elements as that of a parish, though it is not yet decreed as such for some pastoral reasons. It is temporary in nature for it may be a preparatory stage for a parish, if all the requirements and conditions prescribed by the diocesan bishop, through his prudent judgment, had been fulfilled.

The “Decree of Establishment”, signed by the Bishop of Maasin, Most Rev. Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD,   was read at the beginning of the Holy Eucharist 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. Among the concelebrants were Msgr. Antonio M. Gaviola, PC, the Pastor – Moderator of Hilongos Parish, Fr. Conrado C. Saavedra, Jr., Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, Fr. Joseph Butlig, SCJ, Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ, Fr. Arthur Guevara, SCJ and Fr. Christopher Alburo, SCJ.

Nov 25 2017

Remembering SCJ Martyrs in Cagayan de Oro

Each November 26 is a special day of remembrance of all SCJs who have died in the field as martyrs. Since November 26 this year falls on Sunday, the SCJ community in Cagayan de Oro celebrated the SCJ Memorial Day on November 25, 2017. The main celebrant and homilist was superior of the community Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ. The celebration was attended by the SCJs from the area of Cagayan de Oro, members of the Dehonian Family and friends. At the end of the Holy Mass took place a 10 minute presentation about the SCJ martyrs. As usual the celebration concluded with a common meal.

Nov 24 2017

Installation of New Lectors

On November 20, 2017, seven (7) SCJ scholastics were installed to the ministry of Lector. Three (3) of them belong to the SCJ Philippines Region and four (4) to the District of Vietnam.

The new lectors were installed during the Holy Eucharist by the Regional Superior Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, which was attended by SCJs from the Philippines Region and District of Vietnam. The ceremony took place between the meeting of formators of both entities and regular meeting of the Philippine Region.

Nov 2 2017

Prayers for the Dead on All Souls Day

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

 

RESPONSORY FOR THE DEAD  WITH PRAYERS FOR PERSONS, PARENTS AND ALL FAITHFUL DEPARTED

V. Do not remember my sins, O Lord.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, my God.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her/them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him/her/them.
R. When you come to judge the world by fire.

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father…

V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. From the gates of hell.
R. Deliver his/her soul, O Lord.
V. May he/she rest in peace.
R. Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

PRAYER FOR A PERSON:

Let us pray. Lord, welcome into your presence your son N. (daughter, N.), whom you have called from this life. Release him (her) from all his sins, bless him (her) with eternal light and peace, raise him (her) up to live forever with all your saints in the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord

PRAYER FOR PARENTS

Almighty God, you command us to honor father and mother. In your mercy forgive the sins of my (our) parents and let me (us) one day see them again in the radiance of eternal joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

 PRAYER FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

God, our maker and redeemer, in your mercy hear our prayer. Grant forgiveness and peace to our brothers (sisters) N. and N. who longed for your mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.