SSS Annual Retreat – Another Unique Experience Of God
The members of the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption, both religious and seminarians, took an almost weeklong break to devote time with the Lord and to spend time in silence with one another. The venue was the Saint Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City.
This year’s POLA Retreat was another unique retreat for the Province, not simply because of the venue, the God-sent retreat master or the various topics for reflection. It was unique primarily because of God’s unlimited distinct ways of engaging us and touching our lives.
This year’s annual retreat was framed on the occasion of the celebration by the Universal Church of the Jubilee of Mercy and by the Philippine Church of the year of the Eucharist and the Family – a celebration of God’s manifold blessings and the church mission of renewal.
On this year’s annual retreat, Bishop Antonieto Cabajog of Surigao diocese was the invited speaker. And for the updating, Fr. Rolando dela Rosa, OP and Fr. Mike Garcia, SSS were the resource persons speaking on Stewardship and Marriage respectively.
At this year’s annual retreat, we were practically complete (at least those who are assigned here in the Philippines, with the exception of Bro. John and Bro. Henry, who are sick).
As we return to God, He welcomes us anew with his merciful love. In turn, we welcome God by kneeling down for mercy towards our brothers, by kneeling down in silent adoration and by kneeling down for love and service.
Thanks be to God for these days of prayer and reflection, especially His gift of silence.
25th Priestly Ordination Anniversaries
The members of the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption and the people associated with us, especially our mission partners, witnessed the 25th Presbyteral Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Sammy Loterte, Fr. Frankie delos Reyes and Fr. Alfred Yap. This was held on April 9, 2016 at Sta. Cruz Church, where all the three jubillarians have served.
Fr. Sammy and Fr. Frankie were ordained on April 20, 1991 by Bishop Julio Labayen. Fr. Alfred was ordained on December 15 of the same year by Jaime Cardinal Sin. The three decided to have a common celebration since they belong to the same batch and at the same time have chosen a date near the end of the annual retreat so that majority of the SSS will be in attendance.
Fr. Sammy and Fr. Frankie are assigned in Hawaii as parish priests of St. Joseph Parish (Hilo) and Mary, Star of the Sea (Honolulu) respectively, while Fr. Alfred rightfully belongs to the SSS Australian Province and is assigned in Sydney.
SSS Religious Brothers’ Annual Gathering
The Perpetually Professed Brothers of POLA came together again, just a day after the retreat, on April 10, 2016, at the Provincialate to continue their bonding and reflection, especially on how to put flesh on and effectively communicate the Eucharistic mission of the congregation.
The Mass became the center of their gathering, which was presided by Fr. Rey Capili. In his homily, Fr. Rey preached about three stages in the spiritual journey that was applied to Fr. Eymard and which can also be applied to the journey in the religious life of the brothers. He then presented to the brothers the Ways of Seeing God in the Eucharistic Mystery inspired by Fr. Eymard according to the book of Fr. Guitton. He mentioned and dwelt on the following ways: Through a living faith in the most blessed sacrament, believing in the eucharist, faith that leads to love, love that allows us to be tranformed and believing even during the dark night.
Afterwards, Fr. Provincial admonished the group by sharing on the inter-changeability of the words Eucharist, Love and Feeding. The Provincial also animated and encouraged the group to give suggestions, especially the means the Brothers can contribute in the direction of the Province.
POLA Theological Reflection Team
In order to provide our religious with materials for the eucharistic animation in their areas of assignments, the POLA Theological Reflection Team, headed by Fr. Mike Garcia, gathered for a second time at POLA to continue to deliberate on the project of producing materials for promoting the Eucharistic charism, mission and spirituality of the Congregation.
Aside from the SSS religious, the meeting, which was held on April 11 at the Provincialate, was attended by two lay persons, Mr. Dante Chua and Mr. Butch Samanta.
Talking With Bishops
On April 12 (Tuesday), some of the members of the POLA Provincial Council, together with Fr. Mike Garcia, made a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Laoag, the Most Rev. Renato Mayugba, who had extended an invitation to the Province to start a foundation in his diocese. Since the Province is on its way of reorganizing some local communities, the 
Council had to turn down the invitation of the bishop. Other possible scenarios were explored because the bishop is really eager to welcome the congregation in his diocese not only to administer one of its parishes but also to make an impact with its Eucharistic charism on the entire diocese, both the laity and the clergy.
On April 16 (Saturday), Fr. Provincial flew to Cagayan de Oro. He and the members of the CDO community met with the Bishop of Cagayan de Oro, the Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, S.J., to discuss the proposed standardization of finances in the archdiocese. The community prior to the meeting came up with some proposals, but it was made clear to the bishop that we do not expect special treatment or an exemption. Bishop Ledesma promised that he would discuss the proposals of the community with his team of consultants.
Liturgical Updating – Proper To All SSS
To make more meaningful our being presiders in liturgical celebrations, it is but necessary for presiders to go and take advantage of the offers of liturgical updating. Moreover, being given a break and turning it to an opportunity to wind down from the previous assignment and prepare for the next assignment is the aim of updating. Such is the case of Fr. Joel Lasutaz and it is recommended to those needing updating.
Fr. Joel will go to Malaybalay for three weeks, from April 18 to May 6, for the Summer Liturgy Program by the Blessed Paul VI Institute of Liturgy (PIL). He will be attending the following modular courses: Eucharist (General Instruction on the Roman Missal); Eucharist (Special Questions); Sacrament of Holy Orders; Rite of Penance; Pastoral Care for the Sick; Inculturation – Misa ng Bayang Pilipino; Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest; Liturgy and Mother Earth.
During these days of liturgical updating, Fr. Provincial asked Fr. Joel to draw up detailed instructions for the different liturgical celebrations as supplement to the work of Fr. Poli Ty regarding liturgical guidelines for the Province.
Bro. John Bourque – Patiently Waiting
It has been more than seven months since Bro. John was discharged from the Capitol Medical Hospital. Currently, he is being helped by oxygen to breathe and by liquefied food and water through a feeding tube (NGT) so that the food will not go to his lungs, which will surely cause pneumonia.
There is not much struggle observed except when things are not properly done, for example, the insertion of the NGT tube through his nose. If not for some painful interventions, Bro. John is at rest waiting patiently for God’s time of taking him to heaven.
With nurses around it is not difficult to attend to him. The financial demand is equally manageable. However, though seeming unproductive but he gives inspiration to the members to continue to trust in the Lord even to bear our sickness, aches and pains and offer them up to the Lord.
Prayer
- For the repose of the soul of Fr. Zaldy’s father, Bermeo Norba
- For the repose of the soul of Fr. Froilan’s mother, Aludia Briones
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS [APRIL 18, 2016]