Jul 20 2007

Fr. Giancarlo Bossi Released!

Finally, Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, PIME, after 40 days of captivity, was released. According to the news, the release took place on Thursday, July 19, 2007 around 9 p.m. in the town of Karomatan, Lanao Del Norte. He lost 15 pounds on a meager diet during his ordeal but was not threatened by the Muslim militants who kidnapped him. Bossi, 57, said he did not believe he would be freed until he was dumped Thursday night along a road where the police picked him up.

Thanks be to God for his mercy and to all the people of good will for their prayers!

Jun 10 2007

Kidnapping of Italian Missionary

Today, on June 10, 2007 around 9:30 in the morning an Italian Missionary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, PIME was kidnapped by unidentified yet group. The incident took place in the area of Bulawan village, where Fr. Giancarlo, the parish priest of Payao (Zamboanga Sibuguey – Prelature of Ipil), was going to say the Mass. According to the information obtained from undisclosed sources he was brought into area of Tungawan, the same place where another PIME Fr. Luciano Benedetti and Fr. Giuseppe Pierantoni, SCJ were kept.

Fr. Giancarlo Bossi belongs to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) founded on July 30, 1850 at Saronno (Milan) by Fr. Angelo Ramazzotti.

The first PIME missionaries arrived in the Philippines in 1968. After a brief period of working at a diocesan seminary, the missionaries found themselves immersed in pastoral work. First they were sent to the north of the country, to Santa Cruz, within the province of Laguna, and to Tondo, an area of shanty dwellers on the bay of Manila. Then they moved south, to the island of Mindanao, where in 1969 PIME assumed responsibility for the missionary of Siocon, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

In 1981 Fr. Giancarlo Bossi together with Fr. Fernando Milani joined the Prelature of Ipil, where they helped to organize the parishes of Kumalarang and Siay and founded three new parishes in Lakewood, Payao and Sampoli.

Fr. Giancarlo Bossi is not the first PIME victim of violence in Mindanao. One of his companions mentioned above, Fr. Luciano Benedetti was also kidnapped in the area of Sibucao, Zamboanga del Norte on September 8, 1998 and kept in captivity for 69 days, while two other companions were killed: Fr. Tulio Favali in Kidapawan on April 11, 1985 and Fr. Salvatore Carzedda on May 20, 1992 in Zamboanga City.

Let us unite together in our prayers asking for God’s protection for Fr. Giancarlo and his soon release.

May 16 2007

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.

Apr 5 2007

Easter Greetings from the District Superior

From Betrayal Reconciliation! + From Hatred Love! + From Death Life!

Dear Confreres and Friends,

In the name of all members of the Philippine District, I am happy to extend our warmest Easter Greetings to you and the entire SCJ community. This is the blessed time for us to renew our commitment to Reconciliation, to Love, to Life! Together with all the Dehonian Family, we are happy to be instruments of the Sacred Heart chosen and sent to enkindle in this beloved Country Christ’s passion for the Father and for Man, following the trail of Fr. Dehon
Please, be united with us in our thanksgiving for all God’s graces showered upon our District, keeping all of us happy safe and in good health. With God’s blessing we grow slowly but steadily: We just admitted 11 postulants to the noviciate on March 25th and 5 novices are about to have the profession of First Vows on May 13th
Through the generosity of our SCJ benefactors, our little family could finally complete its formation structures: last September 29th, 2006 we celebrated the blessing of the new Theologate in Manila and this coming May 13th 2007 we will bless the new noviciate in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. God is great indeed!
Have a blessed EASTER!

Fr. Rino Venturin scj.
District Superior

Mar 28 2007

Admission to the Novitiate

On March 25, 2007, a batch of 11 Postulants was admitted to the Novitiate. The ceremony took place at the chapel of the Holy Infant Seminary in Pagadian City and was presided by the District Superior Fr. Rino Venturin. It was also attended by members of the local community of Dumalinao who joined the concelebrated Mass.

The new Novices started their 14-month long Novitiate, the time of preparation to the religious life and first profession of vows which will take place in May 2008. At the moment there are 16 Novices including the old batch of 5 who will make their first vows on May 13, 2007.

On Monday, March 26, 2007 all the Novices moved to the new location in Upper Lucuban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. The official inauguration and blessing of the new Novitiate is also scheduled on May 13, 2007.