Corona Virus Priest?

You said a “Corona Virus Priest”? Well, it is something that merits a thought as being ordained in the midst of the storms suggests. In the Traditional African Society, time is not determined by hours, months or years, but by events. Consequently, each event is related to another event that takes a wider sphere. Thus, a child’s birth can be linked to the marriage of a king or chief. Among my tribesmen for example, the month of November is called Museenene precisely because it is during this month that get grasshoppers (Nseenene), a delicacy for us the Baganda. It is in this sense that my sacerdotal ordination can be linked to this global fact of the Covid-19 crisis.

However, one may wonder how does it feel to be ordained during such a crisis? What are the implications to the one ordained? I submit that there is a feeling of fear, as many people die day and night because of this pandemic. There is a feeling of missing the family members and friends back home who would have been witnesses to this great event, for Christmas comes but once a year! Indeed, even many of my brothers in the congregation cannot attend. And yet, the words of the Lord to one of those who wanted to follow him keep on sounding to my ears: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62). Indeed, I have a feeling that the Lord is calling me to focus on the mission rather than the “farewells!”

But there is still a great joy! That in the midst of this crisis, the call of the Lord remains strong and persistent; a great source of happiness. I began this long journey when I joined a minor seminary in 2005. For six years, I enjoyed the atmosphere of Bukalasa Minor Seminary, the oldest of all seminaries and even all schools South of Sahara. Being a centennial Seminary, its tradition is thrown on whoever enters its walls and failure to do so imply a direct passport outside its gates. Out of 101 small seminarians that joined that year of 2005, sixteen of us are now priests; two are deacons while two are still seminarians. You can understand the Matthew adage “many are called but few are chosen” is a reality! Importantly, all of us were never the best!

Once the minor seminary studies (high school) were finished; I joined the Blessed Sacrament Congregation in 2011. Four of us were accepted that year and we had a journey of three years before us to complete the postulancy program and the philosophical studies. Unfortunately, by the end of the first semester of the first year, I could see myself standing alone! I remember the late Fr. Steve Kanyike, SSS, asking me “Do you also want to go?” To put everything in a nutshell, I too felt like leaving. However, the power of the Lord is stronger than us, as Jeremiah would express it: “You seduced me, Lord, and I let myself be seduced; you were too strong for me, and you prevailed” (Jr 20:7). On finishing the postulancy, I was admitted to the novitiate in Senegal. I arrived in Senegal in November 2014 and the semi-arid climate hotness could not spare me! But soon I got used while struggling at the same time to learn French. Time in the novitiate proved to be very short that on 8th September 2016 I made my first profession and then proceeded to the scholasticate in the D.R. Congo and studied theology at the “Université Catholique du Congo’’. Soon after finishing theology I was invited to the Philippines for the Program for the preparation of perpetual vows. In my mind, I thought it would be about three to five months and then return to Uganda. However, after my perpetual profession and deaconate ordination in December last year (2019) I was sent to the community of Davao. And while there the pandemic began!

With the outbreak of the pandemic things had to change. My voyage to Uganda which had been programmed in May had to be cancelled. The ordinations, thought to take place on the first of August in Masaka, had to be reprogrammed. It is, thus, in the midst of uncertainties of Covid-19 that I am ordained here in the Philippines. Looking back at that long journey that has taken fifteen years, I feel grateful to the Lord who guided me all along even when I felt like losing direction.

The temptation of not continuing has been very strong, but the love of God persisted. Being a priest today, makes me feel the incomparable love of God that overshadows those who seek him even in the most difficult situations. Consequently, I believe that the only way I can try to reciprocate this love to Him, however imperfect would be by hearing, listening to and discerning His voice every day. I have always quoted a friend who used to say that the Lord calls us frogs to transform us into fish. Indeed, seeing myself an ordained priest today makes me look back and see how much of the “frog-ness” has been in me! Every vocation has a mission determined by the circumstances. I have a strong feeling that answering to the sufferings caused about by this international health crisis is part of my cross. Thus, being ordained in the midst of these torrents, I deem it an invitation to show the Eucharistic love to those suffering: to be there for those who have lost the loved ones, business, jobs, those who go without food, the homeless, in sum all those whose lives are worn to shreds due to the pandemic as well as other circumstances. That is why I chose Saint Matthew’s final judgment phrase as the dictum of my priesthood: “FOR WHEN I WAS HUNGRY YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT” (Mt. 25:35). However, I can only achieve this by fixing my eyes to the Cross, I surrender all to Him who attracts all to this immortal tree, the source of our salvation and not boasting around in what I have achieved but boasting in the cross as the Apostle of the Gentiles notes: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). This implies that I have, like John the Baptist, to recognize that I am not the Messiah but just a finger pointing to the Crucified.

Our beloved founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, had troubling experiences that many times he had to burn the bridges behind him. Being ordained today is certainly another opportunity to burn bridges behind me while embracing this new moment of my life. His mission was much determined by the hungers, particularly the religious ignorance of the 18th Century France. Following his example, deeply rooted in the project of the congregation, I want to respond to the hungers of humanity today; first and foremost, by being part of the solution and never part of the problem. May our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph her spouse and St Peter Julian Eymard the Apostle of the Eucharist help me to be a true Eucharistic priest.

A LIFE-LONG NEED – It is in the Christian life that the continuing growth of the human person attains its true dimensions, ROL #46. Our ROL #47 recognizes too that, it is the Lord who calls laborers to his harvest. Certainly, the harvest is great but the laborers are few, therefore, a need to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his vineyard is a sine qua non. Our rule continued, “In our prayer and in all our pastoral activities we will be concerned to arouse the faithful, especially the youth, to take up their personal responsibility of service to the Gospel in the Church.”

Our congregation works in coordination with the diocese to foster vocations to ministries and religious life. We have two dioceses in mind, which we collaborated with, the Diocese of Masaka in Uganda and the Archdiocese of Manila here in the Philippines.

Both supplied laborers to the vineyard where the Mystery of the Eucharist is ideally lived and its meaning made known so that Christ’s reign may come and the glory of God be revealed to the world. See, one is a product of the Diocesan Minor Seminary, and the other is a young professional, who already earning in the advertising field and yet open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, “heed the call, despite of his advanced age, and stood to be counted as one of the Lord’s.”

Gratefulness is in the young man’s heart, who valued well what he learned from the minor seminary. He entered the SSS Aspirancy and Postulancy Program in Jinja, Uganda. And out of six who joined, he alone remained and continued in the Noviciat Interafricain “Le Cenacle” in Senegal, and in Scolasticat Interafricain “Emmaus” Kinshasa (DRC) for his Theology. Now here in the country, he joined in the Program of Preparation for Perpetual Profession (P4) together with Fr. Throy M. Fuentebella, SSS. Subsequently, he was ordained Deacon last December 14, 2019 by the laying on of hands of His Excellency, Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS, DD, Ordinary of the Diocese of Cabanatuan. He experienced to exercise his diaconal ministry in our community-parish in Davao City. Due to pandemic of COVID-19, the council decided for him to be ordained here as priest.

On the other hand, the young professional started with his other 9 co-postulants in 2009. Out of 10, five reached the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate in Bulacan, then, only three of them made their First Profession of Religious Vows. With some circumstantial delays in the formation, one becomes a Religious Brother, assigned now as Religious In-Charge in the Community of Panal, and the other is a Religious Priest in-Charge of the Provincial Development Office (PDO).

Whereas, this young professional, together with Br. Ian Michael C. Abad, SSS, undertook the P4 under the tutelage of Fr. Sebastian A. Luistro, SSS. He is accepted for his Perpetual Profession on the Feast of Pope St. Pius X, August 21, 2020 before his brothers in the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Roel L. dela Cruz, SSS. Then, on the following day, Feast of the Queenship of Blessed Virgin Mary, they are counted among the jewels of Our Lady as Deacon and Priest.

His Excellency, Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, ordained these young seminarian and young professional as Priest and Deacon respectively. Therefore, it is, then, my joy to hail here this double grace – now Fr. Emmanuel Kigwanye, SSS, son of Joseph Lubwama and Vincencias Nabuuma of Mannya Parish, Diocese of Masaka, born on December 25, 1990; and now Rev. Alvin Pancho Manaois, SSS born on March 25, 1976, son of Avelino Manaois and Yolida Pancho. Though Rev. Alvin was born in Manila yet he grew up in Alaminos, Pangasinan. Fr. Kigwanye has talent in composing songs, while Rev. Manaois is very good in making pasta, cards, and tarpaulin. Both of them hear the mystery of the call and responded well with their gift of selves – a double grace indeed.

GENERAL COUNCIL IS GRANTED APPROVAL TO HOLD GENERAL/PROVINCIAL/ REGIONAL
MEETINGS VIA ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE

The Amplified General Council (AGC) is a very important instrument in the work of animation and evaluation of the life of the Congregation. It is also a way to plan for the Congregation’s next actions for the future of the Eymardian Family. This year’s AGC was officially convoked by Father General and was set to gather the Provincial Superiors supposedly on May 4-22, 2020 at the Generalate in Rome. But as the whole world is stricken over by Covid-19 pandemic, international and even local flights are not allowed since the heath crisis is increasingly spreading across the nations. Hence the hold of AGC is postponed indefinitely while the threats of the infection remain distressing.

The General Council understands the many limitations this worldwide crisis gives. However, recognizing now what electronic communications have achieved so far in the area of meeting people virtually, the General Superior sought permission and approval from the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in order to hold meetings via internet. On July 31, 2020, Father General received the authorization from the said Congregation to hold meetings of the General, Provincial and Regional Councils by the internet means and to make the necessary decisions for the proper exercise of the mission.

Definitely the AGC is planned to be rescheduled sometime next year. In the meantime, the General Council organized a preparatory set of meetings arranged according to continent in view to planning for the definite schedule of AGC meeting. For now, the General Council had finished the virtual/zoom meetings in the following order of Continents: Africa, Latin America, Europe, North America and AsiaOceania as well as to other Provincials who failed to join video meetings by geographic continent.

In the recently concluded zoom conference for Asia-Oceania where Philippine Province is a member, the Provincials recognized the pandemic as a global crisis full of uncertainty about when will it end. For now, nothing assures how soon all testing of vaccine/cure can be declared successful and safe for global healing. Consequently, travel restrictions from respective countries & governments are seriously taken into great considerations as preventive measure against spread of this health crisis. Therefore, the following deliberations were raised as possible suggestions to carry out the AGC:

1. The possibility of physical meeting next year, between the months of May and June 2021. The physical presence is desired since it will be an opportunity for many new provincials to gather and get-to-know one another. Schedule for this will be determined sooner when worldwide is declared Covid-19 free and no more travel restrictions from countries and governments.
2. If physical meeting next year will still not be permissible, then virtual/video or online conference remains the only option.
3. If physical meeting next year will be impossible, there is this suggestion that holding the AGC meeting by virtual conference would be done in creative ways, like: small group gathering in one place or geographic conferences. It would give a chance to prolong time of assembly meeting.
4. A practical suggestion is that it is necessary to set up a definite time or fix date to hold the AGC whether it will be done in physical or virtual way, so that the CGA’s members may be able to arrange for possible movement and benefit for administrative works.

With those suggestions and given limitations in making decisions to organize the AGC, whether to do it online or physically; and with the recent approval of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to hold meetings via internet/video conference, the AGC meetings must definitely be done not beyond June 2021.

THE MAN FROM RHODE ISLAND: A SACRAMENTINO!

(Three Scores of Eucharistic Witnessing)

“Initially, I desired to travel to New York. Later, make God’s love in the Eucharist known.” This is the answer of that man from Rhode Island, USA to the question, “What inspired you to become a Sacramentino?”

REV. FR. CONRAD RUEST GOULET, S.S.S. celebrates his 60th Sacerdotal Anniversary (August 31, 1960 – August 31, 2020). Indeed, we are celebrating with much gratitude to God for His unwavering faithfulness and love to this Priest despite his infidelities and imperfections. Oh, what a milestone! What a shiny graceful moment! What a respite amidst pandemic.

Way back in 1947, the desire of this Sacramentino, 15 years old then, was fulfilled when he entered the Eymard Preparatory Seminary at the hill of Suffern, Rockland Country, New York. The seminary, built in September 1904 by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, caters to the young boys who give evidence of vocation to the religious life, while pursuing a course of secular study. Our jubilarian completed his college degree course there in 1952. He then entered the Blessed Sacrament Novitiate at Barre, Massachusetts for his two-year intense training to become a Sacramentino (1952-1954). Eventually, he professed his religious vows of poverty, obedience and chastity in the celibate state on September 8, 1954. He continued his theological formation, preparing for ordination leading to the priesthood, at St. Joseph Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio until 1960. This year 2020, is also the 66th year of his ‘GIFT OF SELF’ in Religious Life.

Fr. Conrad is from Rhode Island, U.S.A., about 194.4 miles driving distance to New York. The son of Thomas Goulet and Germaine Ruest. Our jubilarian is born on December 29, 1932. He has many siblings, like the late George Goulet (Warren, RI) and Roger Goulet (Jamestown, RI) and a sister who recently died (May 2018) in Providence, RI, Mrs. Jeannine Goulet McNiff.

He is now 87 years old as he remembers that sacred moment of laying on of hands by the Bishop who ordained him Priest, at the age of 27. CHEERS! REV. FR. CONRAD RUEST GOULET, S.S.S. Some of his acquaintances find him, here in the Philippines, a person who is a “Living reflection of St. Peter Julian Eymard,” whose clear-cut homilies have cut the hearts of most, if not all church-goers; a “Sacramentino by heart,” who is very friendly, appreciative, approachable and prayerful; who exudes joy as he greets you, “Good morning, Sunshine!”

His early ministerial endeavors find him teaching at the same seminary he started his formation with, the Eymard Preparatory Seminary from 1961-1970, practicing at the same time, the healing ministry at the hospital near St. Jean’s, New York from 1961-1969. Then, the Eucharistic mission bid him to come to the Pearl of the Orient Seas in Southeast Asia, the Philippines; the missionary gift of the Province of Saint Ann to the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption, in a way, a mother’s gift to her daughter. As a 10-year old Priest then, he was given the task of an Associate Priest in Sta. Cruz Church, Manila (1970- 1974) as well as in Assumption Church, Davao City (1974-1980). After Davao, he returned to Sta. Cruz Parish, Church of Our Lady of the Pillar as its 73rd Parish Priest (1980-1989): the last American who held the parochial helm. Then, back to Davao as 11th Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish (1990-1999). He also shared his leadership prowess as Local Superior of the Community of Davao (1974-1980) and the Community of Panal, Tabaco, Albay (1999-2003). He was once, the Director of the Students (Scholasticate, 1974-1977), and one of his scholastics then is the Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, S.S.S., D.D., now Bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

Moreover, when Our Lady of the Assumption Region (OLAR) was elevated into the Province of Our Lady of the Assumption (POLA) in 1993, Fr. Conrad, as Consultor, was among those elected to compose the 1st Provincial Team with Fr. Honorio P. Vasquez (of good memory) as Provincial Superior, Fr. Armando S. Tipones, as Vicar Provincial, Fr. Francisco C. delos Reyes as Provincial Treasurer, and two more Consultors, Fr. Jesus M. Malit and Fr. Mark Honesto U. del Rosario.

When in Davao, he actively participated in the 1st Archdiocesan Ecumenical Week of Prayer called “Koinonia Davao” in 1995. Aside from these leadership roles, Fr. Conrad was a confessor, a spiritual director, and shared his ability to translate French to English the many works of the Congregation, among others is the biographical book “Pierre Julien Eymard (Apôtre de l’Eucharistie)” by Fr. Andre Guitton, SSS, and 9 out of the 17 volumes of “Oeuvres Completes – Pierre Julien Eymard.” He writes, “A burning love for Eymard pushes me to make this available to the English-speaking world.”

Truly indeed, our jubilarian is God’s gift to all of us. REV. FR. CONRAD RUEST GOULET, S.S.S. Dios Mabalos! (Fr. Reynaldo R. Capili, SSS)

15 August 2020
Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

LETTER OF CONVOCATION FOR THE 2020 AMPLIFIED PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING

My dear Brother Sacramentinos,

Peace be with you!

We are still at the peak of the world-crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I know our communities and parishes are at a hard time coping with all these overwhelming uncertainties affecting our life, our mission and our vocation as religious. However, there is consolation in faith. We need to recognize the same presence of the Lord we adore in the Eucharist as present in these trying turns of events. “It is the Lord” (Jn. 21:7) who is with us and assuring us to “fear not” (Is. 41:10) for nothing is about us in this Eucharistic mission, but the glory of God alone whom we hope to partake through our love and service for the Church.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, let us move forward to fulfill with fidelity our task to gather into discussion for discernment and evaluation about the situation/condition of our life and mission as Sacramentinos. Hence, as the Provincial Statutes 88.01.01 and 88.01.02 dictate the hold of Amplified Provincial Council, I OFFICIALLY CONVOKE THROUGH THIS LETTER, THE AMPLIFIED PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING which will be held on October 20-24, 2020. Since it is impossible for the APC delegates to congregate at the Provincial House due to strict protocol on social distancing, the preparation of the mechanics for a “conference via zoom” is underway. Details of this will follow sooner when zoom application is completed.

In the meantime, the APC 2020 is aimed at revisiting the content of the 2018-2022 POLA Vision and Mission Statement, using the following guide questions to serve as basis for individual community/parish reporting:

1. As a local community/parish, what have we offered/done in particular as a concrete endeavor in view of realizing our vision to make the Eucharist a “blazing fire, wellspring of joy, elixir of healing, bedrock of perseverance amidst the trials and challenges facing the Mother Church and our turbulent world.”? (cf. POLA Vision/Mission 2020)
2. What are the difficulties you encountered in realizing this vision?
3. What needs to be done as regards to the difficulties encountered in realizing this vision? (at least in the context of the local community/parish) 12

For advance documentation of the individual community/parish reports, please send them through this email: dumbox07@gmail.com on or before October 7, 2020. All delegates will receive a copy of the individual community/parish reports a week before the APC Meeting in order to organize comments and reactions from the participants.

May the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Assumption continue to intercede for us and for the Province as we celebrate our 63rd Foundation Anniversary. May St. Peter Julian Eymard be our constant guide through the years ahead.

Additional Feature:

Our SSS Tacloban Community held the 9-day Novenas Mass in honor of St. Peter Julian Eymard whose feast day falls on August 2. REV. FR. MELCHOR CASTAÑEDA, SSS took also this opportune time specially the last three days of the Novena (July 30, 31 and August 1) to gather the members of the Aggregation of Blessed Sacrament in time for the renewal of their promise. Since there are three clusters of them in the Blessed Sacrament Parish, the Aggregates came also in three groups for the said event. The current clusters were arranged as to proximity of Barangay and named after Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph and St. Peter Julian Eymard. 

The members came earlier of the scheduled time for the Novena Prayer in honor of St. Peter Julian Eymard. This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass where they pronounced their renewal after the homily. The inspirational message from the Provincial Superior was also read in their vernacular. The renewal of the promise was initiated by Fr. Choi, SSS two years ago in order to remind the members of their commitment as spiritually affiliated to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Out of the 100 members, 70 came while the rest failed to attend because most of them are already in their senior years, some are sick while others moved residences due to the pandemic and one died already. Each day ended with the simple fellowship, of course, with due diligence and care had observed the health protocols. 

Our warmest greetings and congratulations to all! And thanks to the Tacloban SSS Community headed by Fr. Choi, SSS for constantly animating, assisting and keeping in touch with our Eucharistic collaborators!