TACLOBAN COMMUNITY:

The community and parish were spared from the onslaught of typhoon Ruby.  And as an act of solidarity with the most stricken province, Samar, the parish is doing all it can to bring aid for the Diocese of Borongan, Samar. The Province and some communities have already responded and sent some help. Fr. Muriel left last December 23 with some parish leaders to distribute relief goods to the affected families.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO COMMUNITY:

The Nuestra Seňora Virgen del Rosario Parish in Cagayan de Oro is excited that something it has long dreamed of may be realized and hopefully within just a few years.  An opportunity has opened up to purchase the lot adjacent to the parish.  If the parish is able to buy this lot, then it can start the structural expansion to accommodate the needs of the people for a Formation and a Social Apostolate Center where they are given spiritual and human values formation and livelihood trainings.  The owner of the lot preferred the church buys the lot.  Thus the parish is seeking financial assistance.  The parish has to raise 10 million pesos which will cover the cost of the lot, the renovation and/or addition of new structures.  A fund-raising strategy it has come up with is to look for 1,000 persons who will sponsor a square-lot for 10,000 pesos.

The monstrance shaped ceiling of the Church in R.E.R. is almost complete. When it is done, not only will it add beauty to the church but it will also be a constant reminder to the people of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

SAN LEONARDO COMMUNITY:

The parish pastoral center building of Saint John Mary Vianney Parish in San Leonardo was blessed by Bishop Ronnie last December 23. The bishop presided over the celebration of the mass at 4:00 pm then proceeded with the blessing of the edifice. The construction of the building was solely shouldered by a benefactor.

 

EYMARD FORMATION CENTER:

Last December 14, Bro Peter Tong Duy Thin and Bro. Joseph Mary Le Tran Minh Dang were installed to the instituted ministry of acolyte in a mass presided over by the provincial. The date coincided with the Family Day at EFC, thus family members of the scholastics were present to grace the occasion.

DAVAO COMMUNITY:

Mr. Erwin Vidallon was asked by the community to discontinue his formation. We pray for him as he faces new challenges in his life.  In view of this, we now have only two Postulants remaining.

The installation of Fr. Hermie Garcia as the next Parish Priest of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish is scheduled for January 26, 2015.

 

MAPANDAN COMMUNITY:

Most Rev. Socrates Villegas celebrated Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Parish on December 21.  Fr. Kit, the incoming pastor, and the Provincial took this opportunity to meet him.

Fr. P.J. made an appeal to Sta. Cruz Parish church goers last December 14 for any amount they can contribute towards the building of a bigger church for Mapandan Parish.  He hopes he can also be accommodated in the other SSS parishes to make the same appeal.

 

VOCATION PROMOTION:

The 2015 Calendars which bear the Vocation campaign material of the Congregation have already been distributed to the different communities. Please encourage your parishioners to buy; better yet, to buy and give them away as gifts to as many people as possible.

Souvenirs for the visit of Pope Francis with the vocation campaign material were also printed. If you have already received them, please distribute them for free.

 

WE PRAY FOR:

For the repose of the soul of MARIO C. ENCARNACION, SR., the uncle of Br. Noman who stood as his father.

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Merry Christmas

and

A Happy New Year

 

Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS