In the Midst of My Brothers

Five days it was and the most beautiful part of the experience is us, having come together. From November 12 to 16, 2018, the gathering of the young religious of the Province took place in Davao with our local community there generously welcoming us all. As it is where the seed, should I say, of our journey in the Congregation (as postulants) has been planted, it has really been a great opportunity to once again reminisce good memories that has brought us to where we are now. Also, in meeting friends who have been continuously supporting us much especially with their prayers.Highlighting the event is a day and a half session that we had with Sr. Edith Bula, SSS which helped us look back as to how far have we been doing especially in the different ministries and assignments given to us in view of our Founder’s, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, example of ‘Gift of Self’.To start with, Sr. Edith made us write on the board how each of us understood it (Gif tof Self). And here are the thoughts and ideas that came out: (exactly as how each brotherhas written)

• walang ititira sa sarili
• charity to say ‘yes’ kahit gusto ‘no’
• gift & challenge
• nothing by me, nothing for me, nothingfrom me
• presence
• an act of ‘THANKSGVING’ TO LIVE WITHIN THE CALL OF THE MOMENT
• act of self-OBLATION
• AVAILABILITY
• IS A BROTHER TO ALL
• STEWARDSHIP
• completely FREE giving
• total trust in God’s grace
• GOD & OTHERS

Going through all of them and upon hearing the different stories that everyone shared, it is clear that the desire to be able to follow in the footsteps of our Founder is very much alive in the hearts of the young ones in the Congregation. Moreover, knowing that there are still a lot of things needed to be learned, repeating the meditation exercises, every now and then, which Sister gave, in her simple way of journeying with us, would for sure be a big help in doing frequent assessment of our own personal journeys. It is on: asking ourselves where is Jesus or what is He telling in every event we encounter along the way; what role does Mary play in our yearning to get close to her Son and our Lord; and how things would be if it be given a chance that we can have a seat and converse about it with St. Peter Julian Eymard. Of course, recreation/outing during occasion like this will always be a part too. Though it was just a short visit that we had, having been able to see the man-made and natural beauties of Secdea and Hagimit Falls respectively was an added fun worth the travel.Again our heartfelt and daghang pasasalamat to Frs. Randy, Hermie, Ronel, Edgard and our brother postulants (for the accommodation and the sumptuous meals). Likewise, to the community staff, and to the families (Cascabel and LITES) and all friends who always never fail to make every visit of our religious in Davao be a memorable one. God bless us all! [Fr. Andres Malawis, SSS]

To be pressured is to be assured.

Last November 17 during the 5:45 PM anticipated mass, the parish culminated the year-long celebration of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.During the mass, the clergy and religious coming from the different BEC’s of the parish where invited and was recognized. 2 were from the diocesan clergy, 1 religious priest, 6 religious sisters, 1 consecrated woman and 1 temporary professed religious. Fr. Hermie sent verbal invitations in order for them to be present on the culmination.

As the youngest of those who were recognized, I was tasked to give a brief and concise vocation story on how the parish nurtured my vocation. I just gave 3 things: the youth ministry, the Sacramentino priests and religious and the parish community.

The Youth Ministry. For quite a longtime, I served the youth ministry for more than 5 years and it is there that I realized that there are only few priests as I observed in the different youth gatherings that I attended. I thought they were many but not.There are only few priests and only few are responding to the invitation. Maybe because we thought that the life of a priest is boring,unhappy and the like but this thinking of mine was changed when I was in the seminary. The life of a priest is worth living and there are so much fun. It is in the youth ministry that I gave attention that maybe I am being called by God. Sacramentino Priests and Religious.It is them that I conclude that indeed to be apriest or religious is truly satisfying because of their laughs and smiles. The first SSS priest who invited me or introduced me to their way of life was Fr. Roel. Fr. Roel was very patient and hands-on to us during the times that we have our discernment. As years passed by, I met many religious of the congregation wherein I said to myself that one day I will be like them and because of that I was ready and prepared then to leave everything even though it is painful and yet I need to do it for me to really follow the One who called me. The SSS religious further helped me with their love for the Eucharist.At the age of 17, I am attending the mass daily. With their love for the Eucharist, I was able to imbibe it and really want to respond to the hungers of the human family with the riches of God’s love manifested in the Eucharist.The Parish community. The parish community nurtured my vocation in one way or another. They helped me especially with their prayers – not just a simple prayer but they always remember me whenever they attend the Eucharist and with their adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.A simple tap from them, a kiss of peace,the assurance of their prayers and friendship made me realize that I am not alone in this journey because they are always therefor me. But on the other hand, somewhat pressured because no one from Assumption Parish became a Sacramentino Priest or Religious. For the Sisters, they have 3. For us men, many have tried but eventually left the congregation. On our way here, Fr. Rey asked me a question at the airport. He is asking if I am decided to continue my formation with the Congregation and my answer was straight to the point and was with no hesitation and I said, yes. After that, it made me think that it was the 3rd time already that he asked me the same question and I recall the incident of Peter being with Jesus asked for three times. This Gospel story was the Gospel day before I entered the congregation. I know to be pressured is a grace, to be pressured there is wisdom to really try my best, to give my all, to always go back to the very reason why I responded to the invitation of the Lord to be a Sacramentino religious. And to be pressured is to be assured that every time I have my vacation, there will be an Assumption Parish community waiting for me. Our families – they are part of this parish community. They are the ones who needs to be recognized and appreciated because they offered us to God and supported us to where we are now.As a way of closing, I asked them to really pray for us priests, religious, consecrated persons and seminarians to persevere in our chosen vocation. To remember us always not just to be good but to be holy. Our vocation is an occasion to really serve the Lord with all our heart, to really give our best for the service of the Kingdom.(Br. Jay Marlo Huran o, SSS)

Newly Installed Acolytes

On the occasion of the 56th Canonization Anniversary of St. Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the Congregation of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption celebrated it on December 9, 2018 at Eymard Formation Center. This coincided with the Family Day of EFC community and the Installation to the Ministry of Acolyte of Br. Jay Marlo P. Huran o, SSS, Br. Jessie B. Argoncillo, SSS and Sem. Rainer L. An onuevo in compliance with Canon 1035. It states that, “Before anyone is promoted to the permanent or transitional diaconate, he is required to have received the ministries of lector and acolyte and to have exercised them for a suitable period of time.” Furthermore, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal No. 98 states that, “The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the Priest and the Deacon. It is his place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister. In the ministry of the altar, the acolyte has his own functions, which he must carry out in person.”Placing themselves humbly and happily to be servants of God, the three men were installed to the Ministry of Acolyte by Reverend Father Roel Dela L. Cruz, SSS, Provincial Superior, who presided over the Holy Eucharist, the supreme act of worship. Fr. Reynaldo R. Capili, SSS gave the homily. One of the striking insights and challenge which Fr. Rey shared was “The Eucharist should not be seen as something compulsory, a schedule. One should celebrate the Mass for the love of God in the Eucharist.” To have a foretaste of the coming Christmas, the EFC Community caroled everyone with joy. The gathering continued in the other table meal with the families and friends of the scholastics, truly, a day of sharing and celebrating togetherness. Likewise, EFC declared an open-house for the visitors to see the Christmas decorations and experience the joy and welcome of the birth of Jesus Christ.In gratitude for your unfading presence and support to the Eymard Formation Center Community, we wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 2019![Br. Jessie Argoncillo, SSS]

Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament

On the Canonization Anniversary of St. Peter Julian Eymard, 21 new members of the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament pronounced their Promise of Belonging. They have been along-time mission and prayer partners of the Congregation coming from the groups of Apostles of the Eucharist and Lord’s Way Marriage Encounter Community.The newly graduates are: Norma P. Argao, Salvador C. Argao, Ricardo B. Balagot, Cleofe C. Balagot, Justina DB. Buenviaje, Mateo R. Buenviaje, Evelyn C. Catbagan, Cyrus T. Galang, Gladys M. Galang, Hasmin C. Gatdula, Roque S. Gatdula, Lilia P. Mandap, Carmen C. Malonzo, Carmelita D C. Pausanos, Nestor L. Pausanos, Concepcion R. Rendoque, Lydia D. Salosa, Fortunato A. Salosa,Eduardo O. Uy, Rosalia E. Uy, and Mario R. Varela. Their promise was received by the Very Rev.Fr. Roel L. dela Cruz, SSS during the Eucharistic celebration held at the Chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Eymard Formation Center. [Fr. Jonelito Sison, SSS]