On May 1, 2009 the Philippine District celebrated the start of its new administration. The celebration was held in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lucoban, Dumalinao and was attended by members of the old and new administration, communities of Kumalarang and Dumalinao, Novitiate community, District Superior of India Fr. Kusmaryadi, and SCJ scholastics from Manila and India attending the preparation program for final vows.

After the Gospel, Fr. Francis Pupkowski, the outgoing District Secretary and Treasurer, read the letter of the General Superior addressed to the new superior Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado and his council, which was followed by the “Profession of Faith.”

In his homily, Fr. Bene thanked the members of the old administration for their service and dedication and shared his insights regarding his new responsibilities as a superior.

The celebration was held in very fraternal atmosphere.

New Administration:
Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado – superior
Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito – 1st councillor
Fr. Andrzej Sudol – 2nd councillor
Fr. Vincentius Sri Herimanto – 3rd councillor

Fr. Arthur Guevara – district treasurer & secretary

On March 20th, 2009 four SCJ students : Marcial Aguirre, Rechie Gier, Jigger Ganados, and Donald Longno graduated from the Maryhill School of Theology. As one of them, Rechie Gier, writes “It started with a Eucharistic celebration at 4pm. Our main celebrant was the bishop of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco. The Eucharistic celebration and graduation were held at CICM Provincial House at New Manila, Quezon City. Our graduation was attended and witnessed by our friends, relatives and confreres.

The name of our batch is Saklay. Saklay is the Tagalog term for cratches. We were all 31 in our batch. The theme of our graduation was quoted from (NRSV) Phil. 4:9 i.e. “keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Congratulations to all of them!

A heavy rain that began on January 11, 2009, Sunday morning, caused a flash flood that spread to at least 23 barangays in Cagayan de Oro and caused a power blackout. The water entered many houses causing a lot of damage of properties. Tens of thousands people were affected by this calamity.

Also, the water entered the three houses of Kasanag Daughters Foundation located near the Iponan river. It reached the level of 1.5 meters destroying almost all the utilities and appliances. The girls had to be transferred to the temporary shelter at “Magis” in Manresa Retreat Center. As of January 17, 2009, the houses are being cleaned from the mud and getting ready for the return of the girls.