EYMARD’S 204th BIRTHDAY AND BAPTISM:
Today, February 4, we celebrate the 204th Birthday anniversary and tomorrow the 204th Baptism anniversary of our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard. Fr. Eymard, whom Blessed Pope John XXIII called the Modern Apostle of the Eucharist during the former’s canonization on 9 December 1962, needs to be promoted so that the Eucharistic life he had espoused will be more appreciated and concretely lived. Let us advocate his life centered on the Eucharist; let us foster his teachings on this great sacrament; and let us all be proud to be sons of this humble servant of God. This means taking pride and being zealous of the Eucharistic charism we have inherited from him; we have to be active in Eucharistic evangelizing and with our adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
“The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but Heaven itself.”
– Eymard
WORD OF GOD – LAMP FOR OUR STEPS:
We just recently celebrated Bible Week and participated in various ways according to our capacities towards its promotion. However, as mandated by the recent Provincial Chapter, we need to really emphasize the Word of God. This simply means that as we try to put forward our Eucharistic evangelization, the study of the Scriptures should not be left behind. The communities with Basic Bible Study certainly serve as inspiration for others to pursue a Bible study too. However, it is hoped that the Bible study will not get stuck with the Basics of the Word of God, but rather advance into a more in-depth study of the Scriptures. Able lay partners should be tapped.
PROVINCIALATE – ‘BAHAY NI EYMARD’:
Though they are no longer active in their ministry, but still our elderly religious continue to be active in their prayer for the world, the church, the congregation, etc. Bros. John, Henry and Rudy take turns in praying before the Blessed Sacrament at the Bahay ni Eymard.
PROVINCIALATE – SAN VICENTE FERRER QUASI-PARISH:
Fr. Arnel, Bro. Reno and a number of parishioners started the day on February 1, 2015 with the 5:30 a.m. exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. On this day the Sacramentinos officially took over the administration of the quasi-parish.
A day before, the former parish priest, Fr. Reynaldo Reyes, turned over to Fr. Arnel the canonical books, important documents and financial records including the parish passbook.
SAN LEONARDO – ST. JOHN MARIE VIANNEY PARISH:
There is a period of transition prior to the installation of a new parish priest in San Leonardo. Last January 22, at the mass presided over by the Provincial and witnessed by a representative of the Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Sofronio Bancud, SSS, DD, a ceremony took place to mark the transition from Fr. Froilan, the previous parish administrator, to Fr. Grogee, who will be installed as parish priest of St. John Marie Vianney Parish on March 4.
DAVAO – OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH:
The new pastor, Fr. Hermie, met with the SSS sisters in Davao to engage them in a more ACTIVE promotion of the SSS charism in order to bring more people to CONTEMPLATION before the Blessed Sacrament.
STA. CRUZ COMMUNITY:
Amidst their busy schedule the religious at Sta. Cruz are being helped to remain faithful in their adoration before the Blessed Sacrament as a priority apostolate by the structure they have put up. A schedule is being prepared by the community members to see to it that there will be daily priest-adorers in the church while the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.
TACLOBAN – OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH:
“We should help the victims.” This has been the overriding thought after the devastation caused by typhoon Yolanda. But aside from this noble intention, Fr. Muriel, the then Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tigbao, thought of the possibility of the recipients of help will also be of help to others¾that the recipients of grace will themselves be a channel of grace for others. Thus, the livelihood program of the parish was born with a budget of 3 million pesos. Parishioners may avail of a 5000 pesos loan payable in 10 months at 500 pesos/month. To date more than a thousand parishioners are benefiting from this livelihood program.
TABACO – HOLY FAMILY PARISH:
The parish is celebrating its 16th Foundation Anniversary today. The Parish Church being renovated has now reached the stage of preparation for roofing.
BLESSED SACRAMENT NOVITIATE COMMUNITY:
Br. Kevin Silva Tan (2nd year novice) has decided not to continue his formation. He left the Novitiate February 3. Please keep him in your prayers.
BISHOPS’ APPRECIATION:
So far I have been to three installations of our brothers recommended and appointed to the office of parish priests – Frs. Kenny, Hermie and Adrian. The Local Ordinaries where they have been assigned, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD, Archbishop Romulo Valles, DD, and Archbishop John Du, DD, personally expressed their appreciation of our presence and work in their respective archdioceses. The following are the practical things they very much like with our presence aside from sharing our Eucharistic charism: (1) our pastors are able to really insert themselves into the life and activities of the archdiocese; (2) they are regular attendees (coming on time and staying until the end) together with the rest of the members of the community of the Presbyterium; and (3) they support and promote the direction of the archdiocese (at times even making some initiatives. I assured the archbishops that we will continue to support and be active in achieving the archdiocesan plans while carrying on with our mission to share our Eucharistic charism. Even with this warm appreciation, we should still not relax but be more active in inflaming these archdioceses with our Eucharistic fire. Thank you brothers!
WELCOME BACK BROTHERS!
Fr. Bobit arrived in the country after Christmas and went back to Hawaii last January 26. Though with struggles but Fr. Bobit is in good shape and determined to continue his Eucharistic works in Hawaii.
Fr. Rene arrived in the Philippines in the evening of February 1. He visited our mission station in Taguig yesterday and tomorrow I will accompany him to Mapandan. He will then spend the rest of his vacation in his home province Leyte and then leave for Ireland early March.
NEED FOR PRAYERS:
- For peace in our country and for the fallen police commandos and Muslim fighters during the Mamasapano clash.
- For the repose of the soul of Eonn Francis – the first baby of Nino (son of Ed and Hermie Chan of Ciudad Real) and Elsa (Chavez Farm, SJDM City)
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS