POLA’s ANNUAL UPDATING & RETREAT

The second week of Easter is always set aside for the annual updating and retreat of all the SSS Religious of POLA except for those who cannot come for very valid reason(s). This year, it took place on April 23 to 29 at the Saint Scholastica’s Center for Spirituality. In order to be relevant to the current focus of the Philippine Church in preparation for the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, the theme of the retreat was, “The Parish: Communion of Communities”.

The updating was given by Fr. Mark Honesto del Rosario, SSS, who discussed the following: characteristics and different types of personality disorders and effective strategies for dealing with difficult individuals; importance of the formation of a healthy sexual identity as an integral part of the sexuality of clergy, religious and candidates for initial formation; common issues in identifying and dealing with various addictions and how one goes about facilitating an intervention when someone is in need of treatment; necessity of good self-care, healthy boundaries, and resilience; and prayer as the bloodstream of SSS religious.

Bishop Renato Mayugba from the Diocese of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, was the Retreat Master. He was great! He gave two conferences every day and, in each conference, he tackled the very core of communion – communion in the Word of God, communion in the Eucharist, communion in the Priesthood/Ministry, communion in the Religious community, etc. Each input was punctuated by personal sharing and other relevant stories that complemented and heightened the practical side and application of the topic.

NEW NOVICE MASTER

Fr. Vergel Dalangin was confirmed and appointed by the Superior General and his Council as POLA’s new Novice Master. Fr. Vergel was presented to the General Council after he emerged as the choice of the majority during the consultation of the permanent members of the Amplified Provincial Council.

Fr. Vergel came back last year after his four years of missionary work in the native place of St. Eymard, in La Mure, France. He then took basic and advanced courses in Formation at the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies and at Emmaus Center. He also attended, seminars, symposia and talks in other formation schools and institutes like at the Institute of Consecrated Life in Asia. He will be assisted by the equally able formator, Fr. Ronel Fulo, Jr.

We pray that they will be able to accompany well the Novices entrusted to them so that they will really be able to break from the former patterns of living and be initiated into the life of an authentic SSS.

NEWLY PROFESSED

After completing the period of novitiate, Br. Jessie Agoncillo took his First Profession of Religious Vows of Chastity in the celebate state, evangelical Poverty and Obedience. This was accomplished before Fr. Provincial and witnessed by the People of God on May 1 (Solemnity of Saint Joseph the Worker), at the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. The Mass was presided by Fr. Provincial, and Fr. Mark Honesto del Rosario, the then Novice Master, gave the homily.

Br. Jessie started his novitiate life alone, thus the assembly congratulated him for surpassing the challenges and finishing this particular stage of his initial formation. However, it was pointed out that he was not actually alone because the Lord was with him in every step of the way. And because of this, he was assured that the same Lord who called him and journeyed with him will be his sure companion as he begins another chapter in his journey to religious life and, later, to the priesthood.

SOLE SSS YET AT THE TOP

Though the only SSS yet Br. Alde Bureros topped the 2017 Graduating Class of San Carlos Graduate School of Theology. He also received a summa cum laude distinction or a flat 1.0 mark for his thesis writing.

Br. Alde’s thesis looks into the beginnings of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the works of its founder, St. Peter Julian Eymard, whose entire life was centered on the Eucharist. He then discusses how this Eucharistic spirituality of the Sacramentinos guides them in their administration of the parishes entrusted to their care to become good stewards of the graces received.

ONGOING FORMATION FOR THE BROTHERS

From May 2 to 13, some of the Perpetually Professed Brothers worked toward obtaining a Certificate in Catechetical Leadership and Supervision, which is being offered by the De La Salle University (DLSU). Since our Brothers are involved in Catechism, this program will surely help them update their knowledge in theology and religious studies. Also to develop their teaching and facilitating skills in order to be attuned to the demands of catechetical instructions.

The following are the brothers who responded to this call: Brs. Reynaldo Acabado, Reno Intong, Oligario Manansala and Jonjon Vidal. This relatively new adventure for the Brothers is still part of their ongoing formation.

 

ST. JUDE PARISH’s HANDOVER TO THE SSS

On Sunday, May 7, 2017, the Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag, Most Rev. Renato Mayugba, DD, formally handover the administrative and pastoral care of the Parish of Saint Jude to the Sacramentinos, Province of Our Lady of the Assumption. On the same day, the bishop installed Fr. Mark Honesto del Rosario as its first SSS parish priest and welcomed his companions to this newest POLA Mission Station: Fr. Eduardo Paglinawan, Jr. and Br. Noman Anwar Nasser. The whole ceremony was held in the presence of the people of God of St. Jude Parish especially the members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Also present were some of the SSS religious especially the Provincial and some members of his Council.

The occasion was supposed to be simply a handover and the installation of parish priest, but then immediately became full of challenges when the bishop spoke of his very concrete vision for the Parish, i.e., to become a Shrine of the Most Holy Eucharist in the Diocese, especially as being required by Pope Benedict XVI, who ordained him to the Episcopate. There is also his very particular plan for the parish to be the center for Eucharistic evangelization in the diocese, especially for the youth and the liturgical ministers. In fact, the newly arrived team is now rushing to prepare a diocesan activity for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ next month.

Let us continue to pray for our brothers and concretely help them in their preparation for the Corpus Christi celebration this coming June 18.

 

EUCHARISTIC APOSTOLATES: UPDATES

Dates and Activities

•  May 5 and 6 – K-LITES at Sta. Cruz Parish
• May 8 to 11 – Conference with the SSS Scholastics (Giving an overview and awareness of the SSS Eucharistic Apostolate)
• June 6 to 15 – In Davao – Evaluation of K-LITES, Animation of EYM and LITES, Start of the First Formation Module of ABS, Conference with the Postulants
• July 2017 – Start of the First Formation Module of ABS at San Leonardo; Conference with the Novices
• August 2017 – Feast of St. Peter Julian Eymard, Graduation and Oath of Promise of the Aggregates of Tacloban

BSVC & SSS-YOUTH VOCATION CONVENTION

As part of the celebration of the 60th Foundation of POLA, the members of the Blessed Sacrament Vocation Club, SSS Seminarians and SSS Parish Youth will be gathering for a National Vocation Convention on May 12, 13 and 14, 2017, at the Provincial House, Quezon City. This gathering aims to pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and consecrated life, to promote vocations to young people especially the youth from the parishes being administered by the Sacramentinos, and to establish more chapters of the Blessed Sacrament Vocation Club.

 

HOW TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Courtesy of Fr. Joel Lasutaz, SSS

Part 3: Avoiding Unhealthy Habits

1. Avoid yo-yo dieting. Once you’ve lost weight thanks to your improved lifestyle, then work hard to maintain your weight instead of cycling up and down the scale.
2. Stay away from fad diets. Avoid liquid diets, diet pills and other diet supplements unless you are under the supervision of a physician. In general, if a diet plan or product does any of the following, it’s probably a fad:
   1. a. Promises extremely quick weight loss (more than 1-2 pounds per week)
   2. b. Promises to help you lose weight without changing your habits
   3. c. Requires you to spend a lot of money
   4. d. Restricts your food choices and doesn’t encourage balanced nutrition
3. Know what you weigh. Being overweight and being underweight are not healthy states of being. Consult your doctor or a reputable weight chart that shows ideal weights for your age and body type. D A P 5
4. Avoid smoking and alcohol intake. Smoking is associated with a variety of health risks, including heart or liver disease and many cancers. Alcohol is also associated with health risks, including liver disease, cancer, heart disease, alcohol poisoning, and depression.
5. Exercise in moderation. Working out too long, too often or with too much intensity can increase your risk for injury. Make sure to build in some rest periods between your workouts.
6. Don’t skimp on sleep. Studies have shown that those who sleep less tend to weigh more. Adults should aim for between 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
7. Children and teens need even more sleep. Young children may need between 10-14 hours of sleep, schoolage children between 9-11, and teenagers between 8-10.
8. Don’t skip sunscreen. Sun exposure creates many health risks, including cancer. Whenever you’re outdoors, wear protective clothing and a broadspectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Live-a-Healthy-Lifestyle Image source: https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/89/3e/fe/893efe0ac111 3ff6fb3ae28c36268759.jpg

 

PRAYERS

1. For the success of the Provincial Chapter of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in the Philippines, from May 15 to 18.
2. For the success of the 35th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, from June 4 to 24.

 

A Prayer for Missionaries

Lord of the harvest, protect your workers.

Shield them from: danger, disease, deceit, delusion, divisions, diversions, denial, and demonic oppression.

Keep them hopeful in times of disappointment and discouragement – those unavoidable realities that build character and faith.

Give them determination to glorify you, whatever the cost. Amen.