Seventy one (71) participants from the SCJ parishes, all over the Philippines, members of the Dehonian Youth and Lay Dehonians, took part in the “First Dehonian Family Encounter”, that was held at the Sacred Heart Formation House in Aluba, Cagayan de Oro City.
The purpose of this meeting, which was a part of celebration of the 30th Anniversary of SCJ presence in the Philippines, was sharing of experiences, learning more about Father Dehon and fellowship among the different groups.
The meeting started on Friday, October 25, 2019, with the Holy Mass to the Sacred Heart of Jesus presided by Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ. On the following day, October 26, 2019, during the morning session Fr. Janusz deepened the theme: “Sharing the Dehonian Charism Serving the Gospel, and Living in the Community” by sharing about the life and works of Fr. Leo John Dehon, and as well his personal experiences as a missionary in the Philippines for the last 26 years.
In the afternoon, Ms. Elaine Gutang conducted the team building activities. The Eucharist was presided by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ, one of the main organizers of these activities. In the evening, all participants took part in a special program prepared and presented by each group.
On Sunday, October 27, 2019, all the participants attended the Holy Eucharist at the Immaculate Conception Parish, across the street, presided by the regional superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito, SCJ. The lunch was followed by the closing activities, namely evaluation and planning. At 3:00 PM the meeting was over and all could return to their respective places. The biggest group came from San Isidro Labrador Parish in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. Some of the groups were accompanied by their priests.
Hopefully, this was not one time activity, but it will continue in the future.
In celebration of its annual summer youth mission, the Dehonian Youth Missionaries blissfully accepted the challenge to share the good news to the people of Sitio Man-ai, Tignapoloan under the Chaplaincy of Jesus Nazareno in Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro City. In unity with the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons, this year’s theme of the mission is: “Renewed Young Dehonians for the New Evangelization”.
On May 26, 2018, the Lay Dehonians from Cagayan de Oro City, held their Outreach Program in sitio Man-ai, barangay Tignapoloan, Dansolihon Chaplaincy. The main activity was feeding of the children, who in the remote area have not always enough nutritious food. Besides the lunch prepared by Lay Dehonians, games and other catechetical activities, the children could enjoy donuts, donated partially by Dunkin Donuts Corporation. The Lay Dehonians accompanied by Fr. Khoa Nguyen, SCJ, their spiritual adviser, joined the Dehonian Youth Missionaries, who have been doing their mission there since May 19, 2018.
Last February 27, 2016, the representatives of Lay Dehonians’ movement from Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines met in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. One of the topics discussed during that meeting was the implementation of the Spiritual Path (Iter Formativo) in their respective countries. The participants shared their insights and difficulties in translating it into the Asian context, which is different from other continents. The Philippines was represented by Fr. Rechie Gier, SCJ and Atty Grace Escobia.
SCJ Philippines Region 