EASTER IN THE YEAR OF THE POOR AND CONSECRATED LIFE:
The aims of the Year of Consecrated Life as specified by Pope Francis – “to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope” – demand CHANGED LIVES.
At the same time, there is the admonishment of the Philippine bishops to us in this Year of the Poor, to “step back and look into the eyes of the King,” and when Jesus looks back, when His gaze, filled with love, brings confusion, shame and repentance within us, then consider it an urgent appeal to CHANGE LIVES!
CHANGED LIVES! This is also the message of the Resurrection of Christ. We can look to the apostles should we need further validation of this message. We could imagine them as drawing strength from Christ when he was still alive. But when Christ died, they turned into cowed men and had to lock themselves in a room. Then Jesus resurrected from the dead, and the apostles were transformed into men who went to the four corners of the world to proclaim the Good News. Changed Lives!
The power of the resurrected Christ is felt even today by people of every race and nationality, of people of different social and educational backgrounds. With faith we look to Him to change our lives just like what he did to the apostles more than two thousand years ago.
HAPPY EASTER HAPPY EASTER HAPPY EASTER HAPPY EASTER
“YOU HAVE MANY GOOD RELIGIOUS”:
While discussing ways to equip our formators in the Province with Sister Maria Fe Magbanua, SSS, Provincial Superior of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, at the dinner reception for the newly perpetually professed Bro. Anthony ‘Tonny’ Akena, the good sister spontaneously retorted, “You have many good religious.”
I was very happy to hear such very beautiful statement though how I wished she had said ‘all’ instead of ’many’. Nevertheless, the statement moved me to reflection. Quite recently I was asked to come up with a list of apostolates that the different religious of the Province are engaged in, and when I finished and looked at what I had written down, it struck me that the work being done could only be described as overloaded and overwhelming. In my animation which I reflected in ‘Provincial Update’, I witnessed the different local communities prioritizing prayer, struggling to be faithful to it, and inspiring co-religious and others towards it. Though blessed with differences in opinions, temperaments and ‘likes and dislikes’, our religious are in communion because the members put Christ first. These are the things we need to emphasize and celebrate and these are the things that will empower us to face our weaknesses. Continue being good, bros!
EQUIPPING OUR FORMATORS WITH BISHOP RONNIE:
Not many are gifted to handle formation and not many desire to be involved in formation work. But this is still our priority. It is obvious that without it we will cease to be a congregation. Thus, we thank those who have said ‘yes’ to such ministry and, on the part of the Council, ‘we will do our best to equip you, brothers’.
In this regard, a Formation Workshop for SSS Formators was set up:
April 21-24, 2015 – SSS Formation Structures (Fr. Rey C. w/ Bp. Ronnie B. on the 24th)
May 11-15, 2015 – Issues and Problems in Formation Ministry with Canonical Provisions / Resolutions (Fr. Mike G.)
May 25-29, 2015 – Behavioral and Spiritual Dimensions of Formation (Sr. Maria Fe Magbanua, SSS)
Moreover, our formators will continue to attend seminars, modular courses, and most especially, they will be open to listen to you if you have some suggestions. These relatively young formators are willing to learn from those who had served in formation, especially those who had been in it for quite a while.
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE YEAR OF THE POOR:
On March 20, a team led by Fr. Joel Lasutaz, SSS, went to Sitio Camagong and Kamingawan, Brgy. Patag, Opol, Misamis Oriental, to share food and to distribute rice to a gathering of about 109 families. Games for children gave the program some fun. Those who came ate their fill of the food that was prepared and received 2 kilos of rice and a few noodle packs and canned goods.
The ‘poor’ can also be those whose spiritual wellbeing still needs some nourishment. Fr. Rudsend Paragas, aside from the free breakfast in his parish, is engaged in catechism for his parish employees. Here he is feeding the poverty of the spirit of his co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord. How I wish this catechism for our employees will be seen or duplicated in every Sacramentino community.
CHURCH RENOVATION (TABACO):
Last March 19, 2015, was the one year anniversary of the Holy Family Parish Renovation Project. To date 60% of the work mostly of the exterior portions and foundations has already been accomplished. The steel trusses and steel beams are now 95% finished. Right after the Holy Week, the focus of work will be the roof, and after that, the interior portion, particularly the Sanctuary and Altar.
The Adoration Chapel which was initially not included is now being renovated also and is now 70% complete. Prayers and financial help are needed.
MATERIALS AT THE SERVICE OF ANIMATION:
The Council has prepared the following materials below as part of its efforts of animating the Province:
- Hardbound – Rule of Life, General Statutes and Provincial Statutes
- Hardbound – Acts of the 7th POLA Provincial Chapter
- Community Files: Provincial Reflection, Minutes of the Council Meetings and Provincial Update 1-6
- Modules: Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament and 51st International Eucharistic Congress
I hope that you will provide in your community a separate shelf for Congregational and Provincial documents for easy access.
THE GRADUATES! (E.F.C.):
Four of our scholastics graduated this school year 2014-15. Br. Arthur John Abalos finished his religious studies at the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS) while Brs. Israel Cruz, Jonelito Sison and Ronel Fulo finished their theological studies at the San Carlos Graduate School of Theology.
- RONEL’S THESIS SYNOPSIS: MARY’S FIAT – A LIFE-LONG OBEDIENCE:
“Religious in their vow of obedience ought to look at the obedience of Christ, the perfect example of obedience, a total submission of will to the Father it even caused Him death. Yet there is another kind of obedience in the Scriptures that made “eternal life” possible. It is the obedience of Mary at the event of the Annunciation. In this study, the researcher focused on finding close relation between the Fiat of Mary and the vow of obedience practiced by the religious in the Church. Nevertheless, it does not only discuss Mary’s Fiat, rather, the study grounded itself in the whole event of the Annunciation to where one could find the Fiat of Mary. It aims to make an exegetical exposition of the whole Annunciation event and find the essential elements that caused Mary to utter her Fiat.
One of the most important findings of this study is the true meaning of Fiat Mary uttered to the angel. Mary uttered Fiat with a “joyous desire.” It is not just a joyful feeling; rather it is a joyous desire to say “yes” in mind, heart and Spirit. This is the kind of obedience that the religious must practice today, away from any constraining order, but a full submission of one’s will in a joyful manner. Just like children would do. For a successful project within a community is always a result of a joyful collaboration of people doing and desiring the will of God.”
STA. CRUZ CHAPLAINCY, BRGY. STA. CRUZ, PLACER, SURIGAO DEL NORTE, DIOCESE OF SURIGAO
Sta. Cruz Chaplaincy (Quasi-Parish) is located at Brgy Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte. Placer is a 4th class municipality, has a 61.29 sq. km area, and a population of 24,600 (2010 Census) with 7,000 registered voters.
Ecclesiastically, it belongs to the Diocese of Surigao with Most Rev. Antonieto Cabajog, DD, as the Local Ordinary. The Chaplaincy Church is located along Maharlika Highway (having two lanes with possibility of widening). It is some few meters from the Provincial Hospital, and behind the hospital is a Military Camp. The means of transportation are tricycles and multi-cabs.
The area of the Church’s property is almost 5,000 sq. meters. The Church is about 500 sq. meters with 800 sitting capacity (and can accommodate 200 more). The presbytery (convento) is a one-story building with a floor area of 200 sq. meters; it has 3 rooms and a sala.
All sacraments are celebrated. Records are kept in the Chaplaincy. Mass is in Cebuano, with one daily Mass in the morning. For Sunday Mass schedule, one is celebrated in the Center and one in each five chapels. There are 3 – 5 Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) per chapel and each BEC has 10 – 15 families.
In 2002 it was only a Barangay Chapel; in 2005 it was elevated into a Chaplaincy (Quasi-Parish).
MISSION STATEMENT – REKINDLING THE PASSION (Series 2):
We continue our reflection on passion for kind words or words that promote life which is inspired by the 
first aim for this Year of Consecrated Life as stated by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter. This buildup on passion for kind words is in line with the admonition given by St. Paul to the Ephesians, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” [4:29].
I would like to focus on the latter part of the verse, “what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This should obviously pertain not just to what comes from our lips, but also what comes from our pens and keyboards.
We are mere human beings, we are sinners. How often we hear this. It is not, however, a cause for shame. Who better to understand our tendency to sin than God? But we have free will, and we can refuse to listen to things, whether true or untrue, that are hurtful or harmful to another; take a second to pause and think before speaking. Let us remember that our mouths reflect what is in our hearts
Let us pray to God for wisdom and ask him to search our hearts, to work His ways in them and leave them changed for His glory. Yes, changed lives make us more welcoming, and those around us will feel more comfortable to be with us, to hang out with us, for they will know that they will not be judged for their failures, mistakes or inadequacies.
PRAYERS FOR:
- For openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the attendees at the meeting in Rome – “Session of Formation and the Amplified General Council 2015,” April 13 – 29.
- For my visits to Fr. Vergel in La Mure, France, and to our community in Uganda (May 1 – 18).
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS