ON THE LENTEN MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS:
Pope Francis, in his message for Lent 2015, wants us to guard against becoming indifferent to the suffering of 
others. This Lent which he calls “a favorable time for letting Christ serve us so that we in turn may become more like him”; “a favorable time for showing … concern for others by small yet concrete signs of our belonging to the one human family [the Church],” he proposes ways we can fight indifference in the Church, in our parishes and communities, and within ourselves.
The Holy Father reminded us that we are part of the Body of Christ and thus, we are responsible for each other; that we should bear witness to Christ in our parishes and communities especially in our dealings with the poor and the needy; that we should turn to the Word of God, the sacraments, prayer, and do good works for the renewal of our spirit. Pope Francis also said that the call to conversion springs from the realization that we need others and we are dependent on God.
Speaking of prayer, Pope Francis invites all dioceses to observe the 24 Hours for the Lord initiative on March 13 and 14 as a sign of communion with the Church on earth and in heaven.
CAGAYAN DE ORO COMMUNITY:
Appreciative Inquiry: This approach for engaging people or groups of people is gaining ground in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Our very own Fr. Joel introduced it there and is helping in facilitating it. The different vicariates in the archdiocese are undergoing this process. They are in turn expected to introduce this approach to the different church organizations and in dealing with Basic Ecclesial Communities.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an approach that looks at things whether it is problem-solving, organizational strategizing, improving oneself, etc. in a positive way. “Appreciative” from the word “appreciation” means valuing or recognizing the good qualities of someone or something, while Inquiry means “exploring, discovering, seeking to better understand”. Thus, the questions asked in this process are meant to strengthen, apprehend, anticipate, and heighten potentialities instead of negating and criticizing, which could lead to more problems and confusion. From an issue that has been defined or identified, one can proceed to AI, which has four stages, namely, Discover (gathering as much information as possible about what works); Dream (envisioning what we would like the future to be); Design (determining what could be done to obtain the envisioned future); and Deliver (encouraging and empowering people to put their ideas into action thus giving them a sense of ownership). In short, AI works by bringing people together, getting them to express their ideas, appreciating and valuing each one, and tapping into their potentials and thus “changes never thought possible are suddenly and democratically mobilized.”
DAVAO COMMUNITY / OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH:
The parish of Assumption held its Annual Parish General Assembly last February 15. The Provincial attended the said assembly to present to the parish leaders the direction our Province will be pursuing for the next four years in as much as they are also our collaborators.
Four new kneelers are now available for the adorers (priests, religious and lay) of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. Our own SSS religious, the SSS sisters, are seen very faithful in their adoration. And this did not escape the notice of the parishioners who are very quick to comment that they are very happy and inspired to see the priests and religious giving them good example on the importance of prayer.
SAN LEONARDO COMMUNITY / SAINT JOHN MARIE VIANNEY PARISH:
To further promote our Eucharistic charism, the San Leonardo community decided on the following: (1) To celebrate additional mass that will be followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour of animated adoration every 5:00 p.m., of Tuesday alternately in the 6 Barangay chapels under the parish. (2) To hold a regular 2nd Tuesday Eucharistic recollection in the parish church from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
More and more people are also joining the community in their Morning Prayer that necessitated for more booklets to be made available.
STA. CRUZ PARISH / COMMUNITY:
The parish celebrated in advance the Chinese New Year during the 6:15 p.m. Eucharist last February 16. Msgr. Bong Lo was the mass presider and homilist. The Parish of Sta. Cruz was founded by the Jesuits primarily for the Chinese residents, thus this annual pre-celebration of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year of the parish is not only to cater to still a good number of Chinese residents and volunteers but also in recognition of its important roots.
The community will hold its monthly recollection on February 23 (Monday) at the ‘Bahay ni Eymard’, Provincialate.
EYMARD FORMATION CENTER:
With the presence of four Vietnamese scholastics and two Vietnamese deacons, the Lunar New Year was celebrated by the community beginning with a mass followed by simple agape and funfair.
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tết Nguyên Đán (Feast of the First Morning of the First Day), or just Tết. Not only does it mark the start of a new year, it also celebrates the arrival of spring, which usually falls between the months of January and February.
Congratulations to our fourth year scholastics, Brs. Israel C. Cruz, Jonelito M. Sison and Ronel M. Fulo, for passing their Comprehensive Examinations and their Ad Audiendas Confessiones (On Hearing Confessions). They are studying at the San Carlos Seminary Graduate School of Theology.
P.O.L.A. COMMUNITY:
The community of POLA which includes those staying at the Provincialate and those who are now stationed at the San Vicente Ferrer Quasi-Parish will stage a community recollection at the Blessed Sacrament Sisters on February 26. Fr. Rey Capili will be the speaker on the topic “The Future of Religious Life”.
FILIPINO S.S.S. RELIGIOUS ABROAD – FR. LITO HITOSIS:
Upon the request of the Province of St. Ann, Fr. Lito went back to his healing ministry in the hospital he was previously assigned. Though actively engaged in the healing ministry, he is still pursuing his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He is currently in his 4th Unit in Cleveland Clinic (Main Campus). He hopes to be a ‘Certified Chaplain’ and be a member of the Association of Certified Pastoral Chaplains in the future.
Fr. Lito is asking the Province to pray for his father, Johnny ‘Juan’ Hitosis, who was recently rushed to the Kidney Institute because of kidney complication due to diabetes.
MODULES FOR THE AGGREGATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Fr. Poli, who left last January 17 for Hawaii, is busy doing the different modules for the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Actually he has already emailed the Provincial some of his work. Soon these modules will be reproduced and distributed to the different local communities especially the local superiors. I admonish each one to promote the aggregation and the members be given regular formation.
Aggregates among other things are stones that are used to make buildings, edifices etc. They may be small in size but if gathered together they can accomplish a very tall project. Let us gather the aggregates of the Eucharist to help usher in the House of God – His Eucharistic Kingdom.
UPCOMING PAROCHIAL INSTALLATIONS:
- March 1 (4:00 p.m.) – Fr. Kit’s installation as parish priest of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Mapandan, Pangasinan (Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan).
- March 4 (5:00 p.m.) – Fr. Grogee’s installation as parish priest of Saint John Marie Vianney Parish in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija (Diocese of Cabanatuan).
- March 10 (6:00 p.m.) – Fr. Arnel’s installation as parish priest of San Vicente Ferrer Quasi-Parish in Taguig (Diocese of Pasig).
- March 22 (6:00 p.m.) – Fr. Rudsend’s installation as parish priest of Sta. Cruz Parish, Manila (Archdiocese of Manila).
After consultation with the community, the Parish Pastoral Council and some parishioners, the Provincial with the deliberative voice of his Council recommends someone to the Bishop who appoints the Pastor [P.S. 41.03.03].
VISIT OF FR. JUSTIN:
Fr. Justin, the religious-in-charge of communications at the Generalate spent his month-long vacation here in the Philippines. He arrived last January 19 and went back to Rome on February 20.
To be more effective on his task, Fr. Justin studied Pastoral Communication and even Latin language. Thanks for the visit padre!
THANK YOU AND HAPPY MINISTERING:
Since our lineup is now almost stable, allow me and the members of the Provincial Council to express our cordial appreciation and gratitude for the gift of selves you have rendered in your previous assignments.
May the good Lord continue to inspire and guide you all as you labor in his vineyard for the Church and the Congregation in your new ministries. Rest assured of our prayers for you all.
PRAYERS NEEDED FOR:
- Victor Zinkuratire, SSS
In the last few weeks, Fr. Victor has been feeling unwell. His sodium level is elevated and he also suffers from electrolytes deficiency which leaves him feeling weak. Tests also showed that his liver is enlarged and covered with many cysts-many of them very large, but at least no tumors or cancer cells were found.
Fr. Victor is asking for our prayers. According to him, “it’s very frustrating not being able to actively participate in the activities of the community in the parish, apart from hearing some Confessions and doing my best to animate the community. My consolation is that I have time for more personal prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament in our chapel daily, when I can pray on behalf of my brothers and the Province and Congregation, and of course the Church. I am beginning to understand and appreciate the meaning of the apostolate of prayer better than before.”
Despite his illness, Fr. Victor is committed to finishing a course outline for “An Introduction to the Old Testament” to be included in the courses the Association for Religious in Uganda (ARU) will be offering to young women religious as part of their ongoing formation.
- Felicitation Ramos (mother of Fr. Choy R.) – For healing
- Tolome and Fausta Buyser (parents of Fr. Vic B.) – For healing
- Jose and Salvacion Castaňeda (parents of Fr. Choi C.) – For healing
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS