The celebration of the 100th death anniversary of Fr. Leo John Dehon at the Sacred Heart Formation House in Aluba began on the weekend of August 9–10, 2025 with friendly sports activities, including volleyball, basketball, and soccer. These were followed by indoor games such as chess, scrabble, and other activities that encouraged fellowship and joy among participants.
On March 14, 2025, the Sacred Heart Formation House in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro City, became the focal point for the 182nd birth anniversary celebration of Venerable Fr. Leo John Dehon, founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians). The event was graced by Fr. John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Aluba, who presided over the solemn Mass at 6:00 PM. The congregation included members of the SCJ Area of Cagayan de Oro, Lay Dehonians, Dehonian Youth, and friends, all gathered to honor the enduring legacy of Fr. Dehon.
On May 31, 2024, the first two Filipino SCJs, Fr. John Karl Cabaluna and Fr. Arthur Guevara, marked their Silver Jubilee of Religious Life.
Twenty-five years ago, on May 31, 1999, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they took their vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience, guiding them throughout their spiritual journey. Continue reading
St. Isidore, the Farmer is the patron saint of two SCJ parishes: Kumalarang and Dumalinao. This year, due to the pandemic coronavirus and GCQ (General Community Quarantine), the celebration of the parish feast was very simple. The main part which is the Holy Eucharist was held online. In Kumalarang the Holy Mass was presided by Fr. John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, the parish priest and in Dumalinao by Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ, the regional superior of the Philippine Region, who for the last two months is stranded in Zamboanga del Sur. The motorized procession with the statue of the saint was held either before or after the Mass. Even it was a rainy fiesta, the parishioners enjoyed their meal and time together. Continue reading
On May 19, 2019, the two newly ordained priests were saying their “Thanksgiving Masses”, Fr. Joel J. Bolo, SCJ in Dansolihon and Fr. Ruel C. Paalisbo, SCJ in Bacolod (Lanao del Norte).
The celebration in Dansolihon started at 8:00 AM and was attended by some SCJ priests from the formation community in Cagayan de Oro and parishioners from the Jesus Nazareno Chaplaincy. The homily was delivered by Fr. John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, the parish priest of Kumalarang, who once was in charge of the chaplaincy.
After the Mass, Fr. Joel gave his individual blessing to all who approached him and kissed his hands. The practice of kissing the hands of a newly ordained priest is a long-established custom in some countries. During ordination a new priest’s hands are anointed with chrism as a sign of consecration and of the change that has been effected in his soul. The custom of kissing his hands stems from a recognition of the fundamental change that has occurred and of the particular importance of the sign of the hands in priestly ministry. After ordination the priest uses his hands to hold the Eucharistic species during the consecration, to make the sign of the cross while absolving sins, to anoint the sick and dying, and on occasion to impart the sacrament of confirmation.
The celebration ended at the table which is a very essential element in the Philippine culture.
Similar celebration was held at Santo Niño Parish in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, the place of Fr. Ruel C. Paalisbo, SCJ.
SCJ Philippines Region 