First Profession of Vows in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban

Today, on May 31, 2020, the Solemnity of the Pentecost and the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one (1) SCJ Novice from the Philippines, Kevin Barranco, together with seven (7)  SCJ Novices from Vietnam made their commitment to God in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By the profession of three vows: Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, they declared their readiness and will to follow Jesus more closely. They were preparing for this moment for a little bit more than one year under the guidance of Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ, the Novice Master, Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ, the “Socius”, and Fr. Ronald M. Basco, SCJ. Continue reading

40th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood

Forty (40) years ago on February 21, 1979, Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ, member of the SCJ Philippine Region, was ordained priest. The ceremony of ordination took place in Metro, Lampung Tengah, Indonesia, his native place and was officiated by the Most Rev. Albert Hermelink Gentiaras, SCJ, Dutch, Bishop of Tanjungkarang. It should be noted that he was ordained as a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Lampung. However, knowing many SCJ priests, Fr. Yohanes had enough opportunities to learn about their charism and spirituality. Besides, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was embedded in him by his father, a great devotee of God’s Heart. These all helped him to decide entering the Congregation.

On July 20, 1980, Fr. Yohanes made his first profession of vows and in 1983 the final profession. His first assignment was as a Parish Priest in Trinity Parish in Belitang, South Sumatra, where he served for three (3) years. His next assignment from 1984 – 1988 was in Muara Bungo, Province of Jambi, Sumatra. In 1988, Fr. Yohanes was appointed to join the international mission in the Philippines and sent to the United States to study English.

On May 17, 1989, Fr. Yohanes arrived in the Philippines in a group of eight missionaries, where he stayed until the year 2003. During thirteen years of his stay in the Philippines he was assigned in parishes of Dimataling, Cagayan de Oro City, Bacolod and Kumalarang. Also for many years he was in-charge of vocations.

In Indonesia, Fr. Yohanes was assigned for two (2) years as a parish priest in Kotabumi, Lampung, where he also took care of the dormitory for boys, three (3) years in Jakarta and four (4) years in Pasangsurut, Diocese of Palembang.

In 2014 Fr. Yohanes returned to the Philippines and was assigned in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. Besides being the superior of the community and assistant to the Novice Master, Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ, he is taking care of the garden and his coffee plantation of which he is very proud of.

As mentioned above, Fr. Yohanes is a member of the first group, the very first missionary from Indonesia, the oldest member of the Philippine Region in age, ordination and first profession. He was born on June 6, 1950. Among his relatives there are four (4) priests: three (3) diocesan and one (1) SS.CC. Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and three (3) religious sisters.

The Thanksgiving Mass was held in the chapel of the SCJ Novitiate in Lower Lucoban and was attended by a number of SCJs, religious sisters and friends from the places of his assignment: Dimataling, Bacolod and Kumalarang.

In his, not very short homily, Fr. Yohanes shared about his vocation, way to the priesthood and experiences. The ceremony was very nice and solemn.

HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD!

Ordination Anniversary and Installation of New Superior

DSC02442The three day activities of the SCJ Philippine Region started  in the morning on June 27, 2016,with the meeting of the Region, and was followed by celebration of the 25th Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ and Installation of Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ as New Superior of the Novitiate Community in the afternoon. The celebration was held in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lower Lucoban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur.

After the homily, delivered by Fr. Yohanes, Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, the Regional superior, accepted his “Profession of Faith.” The concelebrated Mass was presided by Fr. Indra.

Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi, SCJ, belongs to the first group of missionaries that arrived 27 years ago in the Philippines. Among his different assignments were: Assistant and later Parish Priest in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur, Vocation Director, Assistant Parish Priest in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte and Parish Priest in Kumalarang. In 2004, Fr. Yohanes returned to his mother province in Indonesia where he spent 10 years working as a Vocation Director and doing pastoral work. In 2014, he rejoined the Philippine Mission and was assigned in the Novitiate Community where he assists Fr. Indra, the Novice Master and takes care of the property.

Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ, has been present in the Philippines for the last 23 years. Besides his pastoral assignments in Margosatubig and Bacolod, most of the time he spent working in the formation and being a Vocation Director. In 2015, he was assigned as a Novice Master.