Dec 19 2013

Typhoon “Sendong” – Second Anniversary

On December 16, 2013,  was the second anniversary of typhoon Sendong (international code name Washi). The dawn of December 17, 2011 marks the unforgettable tragedy in Cagayan de Oro City. Typhoon and strong flash flood cussed terrible disaster in the city. Hundreds were swelled by the river or died in the flood in their own houses caught by surprised during the darkness of night. Many houses, chapels, cars and electrical posts were completely destroyed and taken by the flood to the sea. Thousands of people became homeless and were affected because of hunger lowliness and worries. Most of the families in the city lost at least one member in this tragedy. It was a terrible tragedy.

We know today that more than 1,200 people perished in the flood. Damage to property, infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at almost PHP 1 Billion. Almost 9,000 families were left homeless.

Yesterday night there were celebrations throughout the city to commemorate this tragedy and to remember those who died. Also in the Village of the Mother of Divine Mercy, home of 320 families, survivors of Sendong, there was a simple but meaningful gathering and prayer. After a mass, during which all members of the village were present, we sent 12 lanterns to the skies. It was very symbolic guest to remember more than 12 hundreds those who died. In silence we sent and watched the lights that flew straight up to the skies like our prayer to heaven.

I this meaningful celebration took part the newly elected president of the Village, president of the chapel and many guests from the city.

Mother of Divine Mercy Village in details:

At this moment there are 320 families living in the houses (30 m square each) in the village. There is a deep well and the families have easy access to the water, but the water is not provided to every house. They have to fetch the water outside situated in a few places in the village. There is installed electricity and drainage system in the entire area of the village. Yet there is no electricity in every house but it will be provided within a few weeks. In the center of the village there is a large cask, covered area, which is used for different activities and meetings. Every Sunday there is a mass celebrated there.

The future plan for the Village includes 280 additional houses. It would enlarge the Village to become a home for 600 families. It is the original plan. Beside the houses there is a plan to build a chapel, kindergarten, sport playground and a market. All of these will depend on the generosity of our sponsors and benefactors. We are very happy with the development of the project of the Mother of Divine Mercy Village and it’s fast growth. Thank you for all that in anyway helped and supported this important project. God bless you.

By: Fr. Andrew Sudol, scj

Dec 15 2013

Start of Novena de Gallo

SimbangGabiTomorrow, on December 16th, Filipino Catholics, not only in the Philippines but in many parts of the world as well, will start the novena in preparation for Christmas Day. As the term itself “novena” suggests, it is a nine-day celebration ending with Christmas Eve – hence, running from Dec. 16 up to Dec. 24. In most places, people attend a dawn Mass, which usually starts at 4:00 AM. This is traditionally called as “Misa de Gallo” (“Rooster’s Mass”). In some places, however, it is done in the evening and is thus called as “Simbang Gabi” (Evening or Night Mass).

Misa de Gallo traces its roots to Mexico when, in 1587, the pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas Mass outdoors because the church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening Mass.

Originally, it popularly came to be known as “Misa Aguinaldo”. De Aguinaldo means gift, which is peculiar to Christmas. That is why the faithful wake up early for nine days before Christmas to join in the celebration of the dawn Mass. The faithful make this their “Aguinaldo” to God for the great gift of Jesus. The practice can also be understood as the preparation of the faithful to receive from God the great gift or “Aguinaldo” of Christmas, which is Jesus, the savior of the world.

Why Misa de Gallo? Usually the rooster crows at the break of dawn. During the old times, farmers as well as fishermen used the roosters as their alarm clock. So upon the first crow of the rooster they wake up early to drop by the church before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest. Originally the Mass was celebrated for them. These nine dawn Masses are also considered as a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Catholic faithful. This refers to the Roman Catholic practice of performing nine days of private or public devotion to obtain special graces. In traditional Catholic belief, completing the novena is also supposed to mean that God might grant the devotee’s special wish or favor. When Pope Sixtus V decreed through a papal bull that these dawn masses be held annually in the Philippines, Misa de Gallo has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. Filipino Catholics would always bring this ingrained devotion and cultural faith-expression as one defining mark of their Catholic identity wherever they go, even if their sociological conditions and lifestyles have changed. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members and parishioners but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of Masses attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.

In the Philippines, the streets are lighted up with lanterns (the parol), signifying the star that led the wise men to Jesus:  Jesus is the only true Light of salvation for all of creation.  In the villages, streets, homes and chapels are decorated with fresh fruits, like bananas, and passersby may just freely pick them for food: all of creation participate in the abundant generosity and joyful hospitality of God.  The people are roused from sleep by the tolling of the church bells at 2:00 am, and a band may roam around the village streets to proclaim a new day of joy:  the Kingdom of God is at hand, and Mary, the Dawn of Salvation, has ushered it in.  Churches and chapels overflow with people, as whole families attend the Misa de Gallo: a new community is gathered around the Eucharist, an eschatological family-community centered on Jesus, Savior and Lord.    The festive mood goes back to the homes after the mass, as people partake of their breakfast delicacies with families, neighbors and friends until sunrise of the new day: for liturgy is a celebration of life, and a new way of living celebrated in festive meal points to the glorious meal in heaven.

Dec 14 2013

Typhoon victims find comfort in Christmas tradition

1386924017Thad Hinunangan lost his home, friends, and many of his neighbors to Super Typhoon Haiyan, but there will be no stopping him from anticipating the joy of Christmas during the “Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster)” on Monday.

“Attending will show the world that our faith is stronger than the storm, and proves that Warays are a tough bunch,” Hinunangan told ucanews.com.

Warays are native to the provinces of Samar and Leyte that were badly hit by Typhoon Haiyan on November 8.

The Misa de Gallo, which has become a Filipino tradition since the arrival of Spanish colonizers 400 years ago, is a novena of dawn Masses from December 16 to Christmas Eve.

The celebration is held as early as 3 am in several provinces. Pope Sixtus V ordered that the Mass be heard before sunrise because it was the harvest season in the Philippines, and farmers needed to be in the fields immediately after the celebration.

Filipinos believe that if one completes all nine days of the Misa de Gallo and makes a wish as part of the prayers, it will come true.

During the nine-day celebration Filipinos adorn their homes with star-shaped lanterns called “parol,” which were believed to help parishioners before electricity was invented, to make their way to church in the early morning.

After Mass, Filipino families share rice cakes, pastries, and other delicacies and drink hot chocolate.

Hinunangan said the disaster, and the fact that thousands of people have been left homeless and large parts of the city still in darkness, has made this year’s Misa de Gallo “more meaningful.”

“It is more fitting to celebrate Christmas during this time of crisis knowing that a savior was born to us to save us,” said Father Amadeo Alvero, spokesman of Palo archdiocese.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle described Misa de Gallo as “a great source of spiritual nourishment for our faithful.” He, however, urged priests in a recent circular to celebrate the Mass with “genuine pastoral care for the spiritual benefit of the faithful.”

Despite a curfew that ends at 5am in many parts of Samar and Leyte, Alvero said the Church will continue to hold the Misa de Gallo in parishes at 4am.

“The authorities will understand our schedules because this is a tradition,” the priest said.

Chief Superintendent Henry Losañes, the regional police chief, said he will discuss “security preparations” with Church leaders. “We will be adjusting the curfew so that churchgoers will be able to attend the Masses,” he said.

In Tacloban, Christmas lanterns and Christmas trees are being put up amid the ruins and around churches while soldiers, who have been involved in the cleanup around the province, play Christmas carols on a portable sound system.

“We’re trying to play Christmas songs to help lift their spirits,” said Brigadier General Jet Velarmino, head of Task Force Yolanda, which is helping in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Leyte province.

Tacloban city administrator John Tecson Lim said the authorities are planning a “meaningful” Christmas for the people. “What is important however is we must continue to hold on, to have hope and work together,” he said.

On Friday, the official death toll from Super Typhoon Haiyan passed the 6,000 mark, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The number of fatalities had reached 6,009, with 27,022 injured and 1,779 still missing.

In its latest report, the agency said Haiyan affected some 16 million people in 12,122 villages, displacing some 3.9 million individuals, 101,646 of them are still staying in 383 evacuation centers.

Joe Torres and Ronald Reyes, Tacloban City
Philippines
December 13, 2013

Typhoon victims find comfort in Christmas tradition.

Dec 13 2013

General Superior: Christmas Letter 2013

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Christmas Letter 2013

Jesus Christ is born in each of our separate realities

Christmas returns; returns with its light, returns announced by many little signs that are designed to enrich our provinces, regions, and entities. Returns to give direction, to astonish and to help us to be open to hope.

Jesus Christ was born bringing joy, present with the universal church during its important moments. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in a gesture of profound humility. This path has been continued by Pope Francis. The two popes, in different ways, have told us that without a constant relationship with God our mission becomes just a job. The risk of activism, of trusting too much in structures, is always lurking. The more that the mission calls us to go to the outer reaches of our existence the more the heart must be united to that of Christ, full of mercy and love. It is here that Jesus Christ is born.

He was born in the many, even historical, meetings we shared this year. From January 10-15, 19 Dehonian bishops met with the general administration of the congregation to reflect on how to live the Dehonian charism in episcopal ministry, and how the congregation can collaborate with the local church.

On April 8, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we began a meeting of the directors of our SCJ scholasticates.  This ran through April 13 at the General Curia in Rome. The meeting had multiple objectives: to study the new Ratio formationis Generalis; to identify commonalities in our initial formation programs: spirituality, charism, internationality, training in economic and social engagement; and moreover, to build a spirit of fraternity and collaboration among our formators in view of international collaboration in our scholasticates.

From June 17-20 the General Curia hosted the secretaries of our various entities. We stressed the fact that the secretaries are an important instrument in the service of mission and communion of the congregation. Our work is built around the important role secretaries have in the preparation of agendas for council meetings, and in regards to assemblies and chapters, not as a technical service, but as an expression of spirituality and mission which is expressed in the “Sint Unum” dear to the founder. The “Secretaries Handbook” was presented at the meeting, which is an invaluable tool for the secretaries’ work.

In Rio de Janeiro in June the World Youth Days brought together a great number of youth. In the days previous to the event our community in Brazil hosted many young people coming from our entities who came to be strengthened in the Dehonian spirit

In September we began the formators’ course. There are 14 confreres from 11 entities deepening their understanding of our spirituality in order to help young people discover and discern God’s call in their own lives.

To continue to give birth to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, from November 3-9 we had the meeting of the major superiors. The work of the gathering focused on developing guidelines for the preparation of the XXIII General Chapter that will be held from May 16 to June 6, 2015. The introduction to our work reminded us of the need for creativity, to be prophets that discern, poets that sing the word, and laborers building a new reality. In the first days of this month of December, from the 6th to the 8th, the Preparatory Committee of the XXIII General Chapter met in Rome. During this first gathering they set forward the path that the Congregation will walk in preparation of the Chapter, which will be convoked at the end of the year.

Christ was born when we faced challenges at the continental level. This year Africa held its Continental Conference. It strengthened the sense of belonging and gave new impetus to the desire to enhance the Dehonian presence through shared meetings and collaboration, sharing formational expertise at the entity level, finding concrete paths toward collaboration.

The leap to North America was not small, and concerns there are equally important. In particular, we focused on lifestyle issues, especially in regards to how we live the vow of poverty in the context of North America. How do we give value to religious life in that context, renew community life and provide opportunities for sharing with each other and welcoming confreres from other entities?

The Continental Conference in Latin America helped to raise awareness and sensitivity toward the various projects of the continent and discuss how to implement them in new ways. We reflected openly, identifying challenges, both in society and in the congregation. In addition, we discussed possibilities for promoting collaboration between the entities in structure, formation and mission.

Jesus Christ was born when we were thankful, remembering years of service and commitment because his kingdom comes. Remembrance for those who have experienced a piece of these stories is not without meaning, engaging the full attention and interest of mind and heart. The Province of Cameroon (CMR) celebrated 100 years of the Dehonian presence. The District of Austria-Croatia (ACR) recalled 100 years of SCJ presence in Vienna. South America celebrated 120 years of presence and 50 years as a Province in Brazil-Recife (BRE) and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the province of Argentina (ARG) with its dependent District of Uruguay (URU).

The list of thanks extends to our newest initiatives. On August 12, Vietnam (VIE) was established as a district; September 21, Ecuador (ECU) took on the configuration of a district. These are entities that are young and full of fresh, new energy for the future of the congregation.

Jesus Christ was born in new vocations. In the past year there were 41 novices, 52 first professions and 22 new priests. For all these we say our thanks to the Lord of history who never stops thinking about the good of his kingdom.

A fresh breeze has come to many of our entities through new administrations. The entire congregation gives thanks for the service that so many brothers carry out for many. Chile (CHI) and Madagascar (MAD) welcomed new administrations on January 1, 2013; Poland (POL) has had a new council since January 15; January 18 was the start of the new administration in Venezuela (VEN); in the summer, on July 15, we had new administrations in Indonesia (INA), in the Provinces of the United States (USA) and Germany (GER) on August 1. Vietnam (VIE) and Uruguay (URU) began new administrations on August 12, South Africa (RSA) on August 30, and Argentina (ARG) on November 1.

Jesus Christ was born amidst the unexpected. On February 1, the German Province realized, after almost 20 years, the dream of returning to Berlin. A few years ago the return to Berlin was not even imaginable, a trek into the heart of the most de-Christianized part of Germany. Also in Toronto, Canada, the presence of SCJs from other entities gave new visibility to internationality but also to a new life through mutual collaboration. In the meantime, the first steps were made to build an international community in London.

On May 6 the Holy See announced the appointment of Fr. Zolile Peter Mpambani as bishop of the small Diocese of Kokstad, near Durban, South Africa. It is a good sign for the Dehonian presence in that part of the world, an invitation to be in communion with the universal Church.

Solidarity has never been lacking in our congregation, but it becomes even more evident during extraordinary events where we see how the sense of justice and love for others becomes concrete. The typhoon in the Philippines developed a chain of solidarity in such a way that brings honor to our congregation, and says how great it is to work for the kingdom of God.

Christ Jesus was met by our 34 brothers who died this year. We entrust them all to his mercy and join in this remembrance Cardinal Stanislaw Nagy, SCJ, cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria della Scala. In the telegram of condolence to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow (Poland), Pope Francis recalled “with gratitude his fruitful collaboration, mutual respect and cordial friendship with Blessed John Paul II, as well as his intense ecumenical activity.”

During this time we reflect on the Lord who is born in all of these realities, and we affirm the true meaning of Christmas. We do not look at these events in isolation but with the language of our spirituality and the Good News that affects all of humanity. The birth of Jesus is the link, the embrace of justice and truth, a fruitful encounter between heaven and earth, filled with hope and the promise of peace and a full life.

We wish each one of you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year 2014 filled with blessings, trusting that the Spirit of the Lord will assist us in the Chapters of the different entities in preparation of the XXIII General Chapter in 2015.

Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho

Superior general

and his Counci

Nov 26 2013

Four new SCJ Priests of the Philippine Region: “Anointed to share in the priesthood of Christ”

November 26, 2013 is a milestone in the history of the Philippine Region. Significantly, aside from being the date when we commemorate the SCJ Memorial, on this day, four of our Filipino Brothers have been ordained priests, namely: Elpidio Luza, Niño Etulle, Joseph Butlig and Marlo Piloton. They are, as their aphorism during the ordination mass states, “Anointed to share in the priesthood of Christ.” They finished their initial formation in the Philippines.

The meaningful and solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided by Most Reverend Archbp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. The ordination took place in San Antonio de Padua Parish Church in Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City which is the home parish of Fr. Elpidio. The church was overflowed with religious from different congregations, family members, relatives and friends as well as guests of our other three neo-presbyters during the Holy Mass. They came from various parts of the Philippines.

Archbp. Ledesma, in his homily, shared about the importance of priesthood. Following Christ and being his witness is the ultimate and fundamental aim of priesthood. Bishop also reminded the three roles of priesthood: prophetic, priestly and royal. Each of it should be practice in the spirit of service to the people. Finally he expressed his gratitude to the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. He recalled his personal experience where he met SCJs missionaries in Prelature of Ipil for the first time. He mentioned remote parishes and missions where the SCJs work and projects they run. Also he thanked them for helping the victims of calamites in the Philippines including the recent one: Yolanda, and earlier: Sendong in Cagayan de Oro.

After the Mass, the reception and fraternal gathering followed at the Sacred Heart Formation House in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro. It is the seat of the Administration of the SCJ Philippine Region as well a formation center. This place is where the houses of Philosophy and Postulancy are located. More than 1000 guests took part in the dinner. Many of them stayed until evening and joined the celebration of the Memorial of the SCJ Martyrs. It was a beautiful and momentous feast day for all of us. Indeed, November 26, 2013 will be remembered as a distinct day in the history of the Philippine Region in which four new priests joined us in our Dehonian mission here.

We are grateful to the Lord for gift and vocation of the four new priests. They will join us in the mission of the Philippine Region. May they be always faithful to God and follow the charism of Fr. Dehon, our founder.

Vivat Cor Jesu!

Fr. Andrzej Sudol, SCJ