ipaul no.17 - saint paul scholasticate newsletter

7/30/2019 iPaul no.17 - Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

1/16

Yea r 7 No. 17 Ch r is tm as 20 12

Q u i s n o s s e p a r a b i t a c a r it a t e Ch r is t i ? A n g la d iu s ?

Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter


2/16

No. 3 iP a u l 2 No . 17 iP a u l 2

On 26th March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, two Barnabite deaconsreceived the Sacred Ordination to the Priesthood.

The Lord of the harvest blessesthe Barnabites in the Philippines!

(Br. Roy Tabil, CRSP)

counterpart congregation of sisters of theBarnabitestheAngelicSistersofSt.PaulandtheLittleWorkersoftheSacredHeartwereallpresent.ThecelebrationwasalsoattendedbytheVeryRev.Fr.RobertMariaKosek, theprovincial superiorofthe Barnabite North American province. A goodnumberofpriests from thediocesesof Imus andCagayan de Oro and other congregations alsocame. A number of Fr. Johns friends fromIndonesia, priests and sisters, in particular, alsotook part in the celebration. Selected Barnabitescholastics headed by Br. Mark Anthony Pondocassisted in the liturgical celebration while theSomascan brothers led the people in the singingwiththeirelegantandamazingvoices. (nextpage)

Litany of the Saints: invoking the intercession

of the holy ones in heaven.

The 26th of March, the Solemnity of theAnnunciation was another joyful day for theBarnabiteCongregationinthePhilippines.FortheLord of the harvest had once again blessed theCongregation with two new priests namelyReverend Father Pat Mandin Maria Golis andYohanesBesiMariaKoten.Atexactlyhalfpastnineinthemorning,theritesofPresbyteralOrdinationwas held within the Holy Mass presided by the

AuxiliaryBishop

of

Manila,

Most

Reverend

BroderickPabillo, intheparishchurchofOurLadyofLourdes,TagaytayCity.

The families, relatives, friends andbenefactors of the newly ordained priests werepresent at the onceinalifetime occasion.Numerous religious, mostly sisters, from variouscongregations also came to witness the event. Itwasalso likea reunionof theZaccarian family forthe majority of the Fathers of the PhilippineBarnabite Delegation, the Barnabite novices, the

collegeseminarians

of

St.

Anthony

Mary

Zaccaria

Seminary in Marikina, the lay affiliates and the Imposition of hands on Rev. Pat.


3/16

No . 17 iP a u l 3

After the twohour Mass, everyoneproceeded to the Saint Paul Scholasticate for asumptuous lunch. Although the weather was notgoodanditwasdrizzly,theaffairwasendedwithasmile in everyones faces especially the newlyordainedpriestsandtheirfamilies.

At six oclock in the evening of the sameday, thenewlyordainedpriestsoffered their firstthanksgiving Mass in the seminary chapel of theSacredHeartofJesus.TheHolyMasswaspresided

overby

Fr.

Pat

while

Fr.

John

delivered

the

homily.

The Fathers of St. Paul Scholasticate (SPS) alsoconcelebrated.Thefamilies,friendsandthefriendsof the SPS community in Tagaytay also attended.The Barnabite brothers provided the music whilethe altar boys of the seminary assisted. The newpriests both thanked all those who accompaniedthem throughout their formation years and whomade the occasion possible. After the Mass, asimple supper was shared in the seminaryrefectory.

Bishop Pabillo ordains Rev. John.

Fr.PatMandinGolishails from theCityofGingoog,provinceofMisamisOriental,Mindanao,

southern

Philippines.

Patgols

as

his

confreres

fondly callhim, is the third in the four childrenofAbsalon Golis and Encarnacion Mandin. He wasbornonMay1st 1982.HeenteredtheSt.AnthonyMary Zaccaria Seminary in Marikina in 2000 andearned his Baccalaureate in Philosophy at St.Camillus College Seminary in 2005. After thecanonical year of the novitiate, he made his firstprofession of Vows and moved to St. PaulScholasticate for further religious formation. Heenrolled at the Divine Word Seminary where heearned his degree in Theology in 2010. On 8thDecember2010,hemadehisSolemnProfessionofVowsandon2ndApril2011,hewasordainedtothediaconate.Heservedasdeaconforoneyearintheparish of the Immaculate Conception in Naic,Cavite.

Fr.YohanesBesiKotenwasbornonMarch15, 1979.He is fromHurit,Flores Island, Indonesia.HisconfrereslovinglycallhimJohnix.Fr.Kotenisthe first Indonesian priest of the BarnabiteCongregation. Thus, he is also the pride of theBarnabitePhilippineDelegation.Johnixistheninthin

the

brood

of

fourteen

children

of

Bernardus

Bera

KotenandMariaLepangWeruin.He isoneof thesix Indonesians who came in the Philippines andentered SaintAnthonyMary Zaccaria Seminary intheyear2002.Butbeingapersonofstrongwillandperseverance,hewasabletofinishhisformation.

(Turntonextpage)

The new priests with the Bishop:

(from lef) Fr. Pat, Bishop Pabillo and Fr. John


4/16


Group picture with the Bishop

Fr. John obtained his Associate inPhilosophyatSt.CamillusCollegeSeminaryin2005.Hemadehis firstprofessionofVows in 2006andwasassigned toSt.PaulScholasticate communityfor his religious formation. After four years, heearnedhisdegree inTheologyat theDivineWordSeminary.TogetherwithFr.Pat,Fr.JohnmadehisSolemn Profession of Vows in 2010 and wasordaineddeaconon2ndApril2011.Hewasassignedtoserveasdeacon in theparishesofOurLadyofthe Assumption (Maragondon, Cavite) and St.Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Barangay Silangan, SanMateo, Rizal while staying with the FatherscommunityofSt.AnthonyMaryZaccariaSeminary,Marikina. He also served in the novitiate, givingsomelecturestothepastnovices.

The religious community of Saint PaulScholasticate is very much grateful for this greatevent.Thecommunity isalsothankfulforallthosewhomadethecelebrationpossible,wonderfulandmemorable

especially

to

the

Hospitaler

Sisters

of

Mercywhoaccommodatedthefamiliesandfriendsofthenewpriests.Specialthanks isalsoextendedto Fr. Jeffrey Agustin, OFMCap., parish priest ofOurLadyofLourdesParish,formakingthechurchavailable for the occasion. Also to the SomascanBrothers who helped made the celebration sosolemnwiththeirsongsandvoices.

Atpresent,Fr.Pat isassignedasassistantpriest of the newly erected quasiparish of St.Dominic Ybanez de Erquicia, in Barangay Sapang,Bayambang, Pangasinan.While Fr. John hasbeenassisting since JuneasViceRectorofSt.AnthonyMaryZaccariaSeminary.Hehasalsobeentakingupsome courses on religious formation at theInstitute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) inpreparation for his future ministry in his homecountry.

Tothenewlyordainedpriests,youarethevisiblesignsofGodsgoodness;becauseofyouwecan still hope amidst darkness. May you remainfaithful

to

God

and

his

people.


5/16


Last October 11, Pope Benedict XVI openedthe Year of Faith and is due to close on thecelebration of Christ the King in November 2014. Thesaid holy year coincides with two important occasions:first, the 20th anniversary of the Church documentCatechism of the Catholic Churchwhich contains the richbody of doctrines of our Faith; and second, the 50 th

anniversary of the Second Vatican Council in Romethat lasted for three years (1962-1965). To inauguratethe Holy Year, the Pope issued the Apostolic LetterPorta Fide (The Door of Faith). The main concern andthe highlight of this celebration is the invitation to arenewal of the Faith of the Church, rooted in JesusChrist and transmitted by the Apostles. The Pope

writes that this Year of Faith is "a summons to anauthentic and renewed conversion to the Lord" (PF6).

The holy Year of Faith is not only meant tocelebrate the two aforementioned anniversaries but asthe Pope says, there is a need of it. He adds that we

cannot accept that the salt should become tasteless orthe light be kept hidden (Mt.5:13-16). This is true.There is really a need for the Church to renew,reinvigorate her faith and set it again on fire.Unfortunately, it is noticeable nowadays that our faithhas become lukewarm or even cold; it has becomeinexpressive. We lack courage in witnessing to the

Truth and a personal commitment in the Church. It isnoteworthy that the Christian faith is not a private but apublic one. It must be expressed like a lamp that isplaced in the lamp stand to shine for others. It mustbe like that of a salt that gives taste to the world.

The profession of faith in lips implies publicact of testimony and commitment (PF 10). Therefore,it has to be lived and be communicated in love throughour courageous witnessing to Christ the Lord despitethe challenges that we face in todays world and ourcommitment to it by embracing the demands offollowing Christ.

Why is faith important? Faith is important forChristians because it is the key that opens the door ofsalvation. It can do a lot of things for us. Faith cantransform us to live a life that is pleasing to God. Itmakes us strong to stand firm amidst the storms of life

and tribulations for as St. Augustine affirms Faithstrengthens us. It gives us hope to make impossible

Br. Rey Carmelo Ausejo, CRSP

things happen. It gives us light when we are indarkness. And it grows as we live and share it to others.

The New Testament narrates the works and

events in the lives of particular people of faith. Mary'sgreat faith in God enabled her to fulfill her mission asthe mother of Jesus Christ: the subject and object ofour faith. In the synoptic Gospels, miracles happened inpeoples lives because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus challenged his disciples that if they had faith thesize of a mustard seed, impossible things can happen: itcan move mountains.

In faith, the first Christian communities wereformed. The Apostles and the disciples were able tocarry out their mission boldly despite the persecutionsbecause of their faith in Jesus Christ. Faith impelled

them to proclaim the Good News and continue thesaving mission of the Lord. In faith, many Saintscommitted themselves to service and even tomartyrdom: willing to lay down their lives for the faith.Men and women consecrated themselves, leavingeverything for Christ. Finally, many others confessedthe beauty of following in Christ, embracing his life,

wherever they were called to: be it in their professionaljobs, in their personal charism and ministries (PF 13).

This is how faith was expressed at that time:faith lived publicly and communicated in love.Unfortunately, this expression of faith is gradually

fading today. Many prefer to keep their faith on theirown by not owning it, especially when facing thedemands of the world. We remain silenced rather thangetting ourselves involved in the demands of Godsinvitation. Christians, being the light of the world, hasbecome weak: no longer shining brightly. The salt ofthe earth has become tasteless.

In this Year of Faith, the whole Church andevery Christian are both challenged to set again the lightof faith on fire through personal renewal. How? Bycommitting oneself in witnessing to Christ to the world,radiating the Word of God by words and deeds rooted

in faith and love.

Byfaith,wetoolive:bythelivingrecognition

oftheLordJesus,presentinourlivesandinourhistory.

PopeBenedictXVIPortaFidei,13


6/16


Fr. Michael Sandalo, CRSP

A supertyphoon named Pablo recently hit the

southermost part of the Philippines and again placed the

entire nation on its knees begging for international aid.

Words are not enough to describe the excruciating

situation of the people. An entire town was leveled,

without any tree, house or building left standing. Almost a

thousand people perished and hundreds were gone

missing. Thousands of families lost not only their loved

ones but even their houses and livelihood. The disaster hit

these people a few weeks before Christmas. A question

must be in their minds: May Krismas pa ba kung

naghihirap ang buhay? Is it still Christmas when life is

suffering? Is there sense to celebrate Christmas in this situation of uncertainty for tomorrow and intense grief? It is

indeed unimaginable how our fellow Filipinos in Davao would celebrate the Saviors birth amidst the lost and pain.

In one prestigious beauty contest, the Filipina contestant fell from the stage because she accidentally

stepped on her long gown. Yet despite the bad fall, she stood up with head held high, kept her poise and smiled at

the whole audience that applauded her dignified posture. After the show, she was asked about her thoughts when

she fell. She smilingly answered saying, Well, the show must go on! Nothing should hinder my goal to get the

crown.

Christmas is like a show that must go on despite a bad situation. It should be celebrated in whatever

situation because it is the day of the Lord! It is the birth of the loving God who became man and nothing should

hinder us to celebrate such a holy day. Jesus birth is a day of hope. It reminds us that the God is ever with us,suffering and crying with ushe is the Emmanuel, the God who will never abandon us. Amidst the sufferings of

life, we have to remind ourselves of this reality. The more we are burdened by lifes difficulties, the greater should

we celebrate and experience Gods presence in our lives.

Christmas is the Lords day. It is not about Santa Clause or Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer. It is not

about expensive gifts, huge and overly decorated Christmas trees, our sumptuous noche buena feast and even the

glittering lights of our homes. Christmas is a celebration for the God who wants to be born not anymore in a cold

and dark manger but in every persons heart, in every familys home and in the center of every human relationship.

He wants our hearts and lives.

There is still Christmas in Davao, in the shaties of Metro Manila and in every person who suffers in the

hospital, in the jails, in orphanages. Nothing can hinder the spirit of the celebration because it is Jesus who we

celebrate! And when we celebrate God we are renewed and strengthened to face life. Christmas reminds us that

there is hope in lifes darkest hours because Jesus is the promised One who will dispel darkness in our lives. Itreminds us of God the Fathers lovein giving his own Son and so we too are called to give and share our love to

the unloved and uncared for not just during Christmas but the whole year through. Christmas strengthens our faith

because it is the fulfillment of God the Fathers promise for a Redeemer for humanitys sake. Hence, it is a holy

day that encourages us to trust, believe and surrender our selves to God, believing in his faithfulness to his

promise. And this is Gods promise to us: He will never let us down. We may feel down and out in this difficult

time of crisis, but God will never allow us to fall because he is our EmmanuelGod with us! So we need to

celebrate Christmas in order to be strengthened and renewed in this trying moments of our lives.

May Krismas pa ba kung naghihirap ang buhay? Opo, may Krismas pa rin kahit naghihirap ang buhay

sapagkat ang diwa ng Krismas ay ang pagkalinga ng Diyos sa taong aba at hamak sa pamamagitan ni Hesus.

Let us celebrate Christmas despite lifes sufferings. Let Jesus be the source of our joy for the season, of our

strength for a new year and of our perseverance to face life.


7/16

No. 3 iP a u l 7No . 17 iP a u l 7

Mission in Faith

Fifty years after the Second Vatican

Council, the Church opened the Year of Faith on 11

October 2012. In living the spirit of the council, the

Pope invites each Christian to respond to the

demands of faith in contemporary times. It is to

find in the person of Jesus Christ the meaning of

life. And that being a Christian demands

responsibility to proclaim and witness the Gospel.

With these, each Christian is invited to do mission

in faith.

In his homily for the opening of the year of

faith, the Pope urged each of us to communicate

Christ to individuals and all people. Today the

Gospel finds itself in competition with other voices

in the world. Contemporary man is drowned and

lost in these voices. In order to successfully deliverthe message of Christ, we need to stand over and

above the voices of the time. The need for new

evangelization demands new methodology, new

orientation, and even newer innovation for the

faithful of today. Hence, this is the mission in faith.

In the call for new evangelization, we need

to put emphasis on mission. To see mission as the

foremost activity of the Church is to understand

mission as rooted in the life of the Trinity. In his

homily, the Pope affirms this mission that subsists

in the mission of the Church. In the earthly life ofChrist, his mission is to reveal to the world that

there is a loving God, we call Father. The Father

and the Son sends the Holy Spirit to guide and

energize the church in her mission. Hence, our faith

is rooted in the Trinitarian mission. To proclaim the

year of faith is to proclaim the mission of the

Trinity.

The need for renewal of Christian fervor is

the fulcrum of the year of faith and the call for new

evangelization. This aspiration is the charism of the

Clerics Regular of St. Paul. The Holy Founder, St.Anthony Mary Zaccaria is five hundred years ahead

of the present time. During the time of reformation,

there is a great need to renew the fervor of the

faithful. Battling against the attacks of the

reformers, the congregation endeavored to proclaim

the fight against lukewarmness. In contemporary

times, we find this lukewarmness ever present.

Thus, in the spirit of the year of faith and in

memorial of the great charism of the Barnabite

founder, we are invited and equally challenged to

proclaim the Gospel.

All people search for the ultimate meaning

in life. The Pope is very strong on this point. In

contemporary times, the seeming Godlessness of

contemporary man betrays a deeper thirst for the

Divine. The world is compared to a desert whereman journeys as a pilgrim. In this modern desert

man finds signs of barrenness and death. And yet,

the more negativity man sees the more the question

of the value of human life is more pressing.

Contemporary man thirsts for God. Only the oasis

of faith satisfies this thirst. As Christians, we have

greater responsibility to bring man to this oasis.

Hence, to bring contemporary man to the oasis of

faith is the new mission of each of us whose lives are

touched by the hand of God. We travel in this

desert with the Gospel, faith in the Church, the

Council documents and the Catechism of theCatholic Church as compass and light for our

missionary journey.

Mary is the model of faith in Mission. The

Pope ends his homily with the invitation to entrust

our mission to the Virgin Mary. She is the model of

both faith and mission. In her, the Mission par

excellence incarnated with her faithful and full

acceptance of her mission to be the Mother of our

Lord. In our daily lives, may we imitate the faith-

filled affirmation of the Blessed Virgin. May we also

say: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with

me according to your word(Luke 1:38).

Contemporary man thirsts for

God. Only the oasis of faith

satisfies this thirst. As Christians,

we have greater responsibility

to bring man to this oasis.


8/16


I am the handmaid of the Lord,be it done unto me according to your word.Last May 13, ten scholastics renewed their

religious commitment through the renewal of Vowscelebrated within the Holy Mass presided by Fr.

Jimmy George Anastacio, member of the delegationcouncil of the Barnabite Philippine Delegation. Fr.Michael Sandalo and Fr. Cirilo Coniendo alsoconcelebrated. Those who renewed their Vows forthe fourth time were scholastics Albino Vecina andIsagani Gabisan. While the following scholasticsrenewed the Vows for the third time: Benedict

Insigne, Cunan Adaro, Gerard Sala, Mark AnthonyPondoc, Rey Carmelo Ausejo, John Paul Osip, AlvinLibay and Alfredo Dolog, Jr.

Last May 31, as the Church celebrated theFeast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, theClerics Regular of St. Paul added color to thiscelebration. The Barnabites in the Philippines wasgraced with two especial events: firstly, the firstprofession of Vows and acceptance to the communityof two Indian novices, Br. Sinoj Maria Thomas ofKasaragod, Kerala, India and Br. Lenish Maria Bennyof Bangalore, India; and secondly, scholastics Roland

Danigoy, Roy Tabil, Darwayne Jay Alfaro, Roxie Roflo,Julimar Pulvera, Ar-john Ignalig and Raphael Laotocojoined with the Blessed Mother in professing theirfaith and self-dedication to God as they renewedtheir religious Vows of Poverty, Chastity andObedience. The First Profession and the renewal of

Vows was solemnly accepted by Very Rev. Fr.Francisco Da Silva, then assistant Superior General.The celebration of faith and manifestation of Godslove for His Church was held in the chapel of St.Anthony Mary Zaccaria Seminary in Marikina City.The said occasion was attended by the friends of the

Indian novices, religious sisters and the lay affiliates

of the Congregation. Also present were the majorityof the Filipino Barnabite Fathers, the members of thereligious communities of St. Paul Scholasticate andSt. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Seminary. After thecelebration, a simple lunch was offered whereeveryone enjoyed the food and each others companyat table.

Three days after the profession, the newlyprofessed Barnabites flew to India for their much-deserved vacation. They are, at present, assigned to

Rome for their religious formation and theologicalstudies. (Brs. Raphael Laotoco and Mark Pondoc)

Seven scholastics renew their religious Vows

on May 31 in Marikina.


9/16


Recollections and retreats are importantoccasions in preparation for the priestly life. For thisreason, the Barnabite professed Brothers, had theirannual retreat and a series of monthly recollections.

These occasions, indeed, help mold their spiritual life.This is also a chance to examine oneself and savorthe good things received and also pray for the thingsone finds difficult to accept.

On May 2125 the Brothers had the annualretreat at St. Charles Borromeo Retreat House. Inthis spiritual activity, Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, OP wasthe guest speaker/facilitator. For five days, he dealt

with love as a mission and its role in ones priestlyvocation. Love, according to the speaker helps areligious/seminarian to reach to others. That is why,love is the fount and at the same time the goal of

mission.Also, for the monthly recollections two

speakers both from the Society of the Divine Word(SVD) were invited. Last August 24, Fr. WilfredoSaniel, SVD reminded the Barnabite scholastics onceagain of the importance of their vocation stories. A

vocation story is not just a simple story but it is astory of God in ones life. He added that God calledus because He has faith in each of us. And in every

vocation story we must look at where faith, hope andlove happen.

On September 29, Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD

stressed on religious life and its relevance in the

world of competition. In todays situation, he asked,What quality of life, as a religious, we have? Headded that our life is a theology; a life with God.Thus, we must have a vision so that our life will notbe wasted.

Last December 8th, the Solemnity of theImmaculate Conception, the professed brothers had a

whole-day Advent recollection facilitated by Fr.Marciano Andres from the Congregation of theOblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Fr. Mars dealt

with the Advent season and related it to the Vow ofChastity. He also reminded the Brothers on theChurchs mission of evangelization. After themorning talks, the afternoon was dedicated toconfession and personal reflection. The recollectionconcluded with the celebration of the Holy Masspresided by the facilitator himself.

For the formation year 20122013, theBarnabite Brothers are assigned to five apostolateareas: in four parishes of the Diocese of Imus and ina private institution for handicapped and abandoned

children. The third and fourth year brothers areassigned to do apostolate in the parishes while thosein the second year are assigned in the ChosenChildren Village (CCV) in Silang, Cavite. The parishapostolate was organized in close coordination withthe parish priests of the concerned parishes and theapostolate chairman of the diocese.

The Brothers serve in the parishes of St.Gregory the Great (Indang), Immaculate Conception(Naic), Nuestra Seora de Guia (Magallanes) and OurLady of the Assumption (Maragondon). Theseparishes are all in the province of Cavite. In these

apostolate areas, the Brothers hone their abilities toorganize communities for their future priestlyministry. Some are entrusted with a particularcommunity as if they become little pastors of the

village. While some stay in the parish church andassist in youth formation. Because of the multipletasks, the Brothers stay overnight in their respectivecommunities or parishes.

The apostolate in Chosen Children Villagealso forms the Brothers humility in service byproviding care to the sick children. They do theirapostolate for the whole day on Saturdays. (Br.

Gerard Sala, CRSP)

Dominican Father Quirico Pedregosa with

the Barnabite scholastics in a week-long retreat.


10/16

No. 3 iP a u l 10 No . 17 iP a u l 10

The community outing last May 27-30 mustbe one of the most unforgettable activity of theBarnabite theological seminary of St. PaulScholasticate. For it was not only meant for leisureand pleasure but it also involved an educational andcultural formation of the scholastics.

In the morning of May 27, the scholasticstogether with their rector Fr. Michael Sandalo andFr. Pat Golis hit the road en route to the province ofBataan, central Luzon. After almost six hours oftravel, they arrived in Balanga City and proceeded to

the convent of the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy. Thesisters offered them accommodation in their simple

yet beautiful religious house.Very early in the next day, the Barnabites

headed to Mariveles, Bataan where they took amotorized boat going to Corregidor Island. A touristguide welcomed them on their arrival andaccompanied them in the tour. It was an opportunityfor them to see the historic island where thousandsof Filipino and American soldiers died during theSecond World War. The Barnabites were amazed tosee the relics of the warthe old barracks of the

soldiers, the cannons and mortars, the armory andsome personal belongings of particular persons, thebuildings once used by the Americans, the tombs ofthe soldiers and the monuments set up by the

Japanese, Americans and by the Philippinegovernment to recognize the bravery of theirsoldiers. The tourist guide also explained thesignificance of the places. Moreover, the scholastics

also had the opportunity to enter through theMalinta tunnel which was the seat of the Philippinegovernment during the first months of the Second

World War. The scholastics also watched apresentation on the events of the said war.

After lunch, the Barnabites traveled back tothe mainland and headed to Pilar, Bataan where theNational Shrine of Valor was located. The said shrine

was built at the summit of Mt. Samata huge cross

made of steel and concrete and standingapproximately 300 feet high from its base. Again, it

was another surprise for the scholastics. To reach theMemorial Cross, they had to climb the stairs withmore than a hundred steps. They saw the beautiful

wall frescoes and stone carvings depicting thegallantry of the soldiers and the events that occurredduring the war. They took the lift going to the

viewing gallery at the cross arms and there theywere amazed to see the scenic Manila bay andBataan.

The following day, the Barnabites proceeded

to a beach resort in Morong town, also in Bataan.They stayed there for two days and one nightenjoying the sand, the sea and the sun and, ofcourse, each others company. It was anotheropportunity to strengthen camaraderie andcommunity life.

The scholastics headed back home toTagaytay on May 30. The community outing was,indeed, not only an experience of leisure and fun, butan opportunity to learn history and culture. Specialthanks and gratitude is expressed to the HospitalerSisters in Bataan for opening their convent for the

Barnabites. (Br. Roy Tabil, CRSP)The Barnabites visiting the Shrine of Valor,Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan

The Barnabites learning Philippine history!Visit to Corregidor Island


11/16

No. 3 iP a u l 11No . 17 iP a u l 11

For this year, we are blessed with a brotherwho became a deacon, Br. Rosauro Valmores ofBalingasag, Misamis Oriental. The solemn celebration

was held on June 23, 2012 at the parish of St.Anthony Ma. Zaccaria in Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal.It was presided by Most Reverend Francisco De Leon,

the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo. Thecelebration was also concelebrated by the FilipinoBarnabite Fathers, two SVD priests, and theordinadis classmates namely, Fr. John Mark Velosoand Fr. Reniel Nachima. Also, Fr. Medz Valmores, adiocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Cagayn de Oroand an uncle of the ordinandi, Fr. Celso Bagabaldo,from St. John the Baptist the Precursor and Fr. Glenn

Villanueva, another diocesan priest from Balingasaglikewise concelebrated. Moreover, the Barnabitecollege seminarians, the professed brothers of St.Paul Scholasticate, the Barnabite novices, benefactors,affiliates of Marikina and Tagaytay, Mr. and Mrs. Roa,sisters from different congregations, the parents, andthe relatives and friends of the ordinandi were allpresent in the celebration. The scholastics ofTagaytay provided the songs and the seminarians ofMarikina community were the servers. After thecelebration, reception followed in St. Anthony Ma.Zaccaria Seminary where all shared in a simplebanquet. The whole affair was full of joy andmemorable especially for the ordinandi and people

who attended the celebration. (Br. Roxie Roflo,CRSP)

The year 2011-2012 was the Jubilee year of theDiocese of Imus. As such, pilgrim Churches weredesignated within the diocese where the faithful cangain the plenary indulgence. The Barnabitescholastics, together with their Father Rector, tookthis opportunity to visit the said pilgrim churches insolidarity with the spirit of the Jubilee year. Thus onthe 3rd day of November, the scholastics startedtheir pilgrimage with a prayer in the Sacred HeartChapel of the seminary community.

The Barnabites visited seven out of ninepilgrim churches. First, was the St. Gregory theGreat Parish in Indang. The parish priest, Fr. AgustinBaas welcomed the pilgrims and led them to amoment of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Thesecond was the Diocesan Shrine-Parish of theImmaculate Conception, Naic. The Barnabites werealso warmly welcomed by the parish priest Fr.

Virgilio Mendoza. After some moments of prayerbefore the Blessed Sacrament and the Jubilee Cross,Fr. Vir invited the Barnabites to the parish rectoryfor some snacks.

Before midday, the Barnabites proceeded tothe third pilgrim church, the Church of the HolyCross in Tanza where together they said the Middayprayers. After some moments of silence, they droveto the fourth pilgrim church in Kawit dedicated toSt. Mary Magdalene. Coincidentally, several pilgrimsfrom another parish and some sisters were also in

O God, come to my assistance ...

Praying together the Midday prayer in theChurch of the Holy Cross, Tanza.

The new deacon: Rev. Rosauro Valmores with

Bishop De Leon (right) and Fr. Papa (left)


12/16

No. 3 iP a u l 12 No . 17 iP a u l 12

The Fathers together!

From left: Fr. Jesus Allado, Fr. Cirilo Coniendo,

Fr. Frank Papa and Fr. Francisco Da Silva;

and Fr. Michael? Hes behind the camera!

the same church. The Barnabites also had the chanceto venerate the miraculous image of the Child Jesusbrought by the pilgrims from Ternate town. Afterthe prayers, the scholastics together with their rectorhad their lunch in a restaurant.

After lunch, the journey continued. Thepilgrims headed to the fifth pilgrim church in BacoorCity dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.Noteworthy in this church are the beautiful paintingsof the seven archangels placed on the walls and thelife-size statue of the patron saint. The sixth was theCathedral Parish of Imus dedicated to Our Lady ofthe Pillar. There the Barnabite scholastics joined anumber of pilgrims in praying the Creed, the LordsPrayer and other prayers to gain the indulgence. Thelast and the seventh church that was visited was theone dedicated to Our Lady of the Candles in Silang.All these seven churches were indeed the oldest andthe most beautiful churches of the diocese.

The pilgrimage was done in the spirit ofprayer and personal reflection in each churches witha blessing given by the parish priest present. Thecommunity considered this activity as a journey offaith in harmony with the spirit of the jubilee year ofthe Diocese. Everyone received Gods gracethestrengthening of faith and the grace of the

indulgence.As we live as religious, we persevere toincrease our faith. For we are all in this journey, inthe boat of St. Peter. In this journey of faith we areheading towards our goal: the shore of salvation,

where we will be with God. Then our pilgrimage willbe complete! (Br. Julimar Pulvera, CRSP)

Fr. Silva and Fr. Papa with the Barnabitecommunity in a visit to Ed and Alma Roa, lay affiliates.

The newly elected superior general of theBarnabites came to St. Paul Scholasticate for a five-

day canonical visit. The Most Rev. Francisco ChagasSantos da Silva was elected during the 136th GeneralChapter held last July 9-25 at the Barnabite instituteIstituto Collegio Denza in Naples, Italy. Fr. Da Silva isthe first superior general from Brazil, indeed, a veryhistorical milestone in the life of the BarnabiteOrder. Long-time superior in the Philippines, the

Very Rev. Fr. Frank Papa was also elected as one ofthe assistants superior general. He had also beennominated by Fr. Da Silva as Vicar General of theOrder and superior of the religious community ofthe Fathers in Curia Generalizia, Rome.

Fr. Da Silva and Fr. Papa arrived onDecember 3rd and both stayed at St. PaulScholasticate. Father General had a meeting with theFathers community of the scholasticate on December5th. The said meeting was presided by the superiorFr. Michael Sandalo. Some issues pertinent to theadministration of the religious house and in theformation of the scholastics were dealt withthroughout the meeting. In the evening of the sameday, Fr. Da Silva met with the fifteen professedscholastics together with their Father Master, Fr.Sandalo. Father General encouraged the brothers to

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No. 3 iP a u l 13 No . 17 iP a u l 13

The newly elected Consulta Generalizia of the BarnabiteOrder: (from left) Fr. Filippo Lovison, Fr. Paolo Rippa,

Fr. Francisco Da Silva, Fr. Frank Papa

and Fr. Fabien Muvunyi (photo credit: Fr. Robert Kosek)

Solemn Profession of Final Vows on August 18, 1989in Bragana and was ordained to the Priesthood onMarch 19, 1990 in Me do Rio, Brazil. He handled

various responsibilities in the Barnabite NorthBrazilian Province such as seminary formator,provincial counselor and then provincial superiorbefore being elected as one of the assistants SuperiorGeneral during the General Chapter of 2006 inRome. Throughout his six-year stint as assistant tothen superior general Fr. Giovanni Villa, he held

various positions such as formator of the candidatesfor Solemn Profession, superior of the religiouscommunity of the Curia Generalizia, and director ofthe Oratorio del Sacro Cuoreto name a few.

Fr. Da Silva participated in the 136th GeneralChapter whose other members elected him the 76thSuperior General and successor of the Holy FounderSt. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. It was, indeed, ahistorical event in the life of the Congregationbecause the first non-European Barnabite was electedto the post. Working with Fr. Da Silva are four otherFathers elected as Assistants namely Fr. Frank Papa(Italian-American), Fr. Paolo Rippa (Italian-Chilean),Fr. Filippo Lovison (Italian) and Fr. Fabien Muvunyi(Congo). They shall serve the Congregation for six

years.

The election of Fr. Frank Papa as assistantsuperior general was also a milestone for the FilipinoBarnabites. Having worked in the Philippines fortwenty years, the Filipino Barnabites were very proudthat he had been entrusted with the responsibility ofserving the whole Congregation.

To Fr. Da Silva and his Consulta, God blessyou!

Fr. Da Silva with His EminenceLuis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila

be of service to the Church and to the Congregationby being ready and available for the missions ad

gentes. He reminded them of the importance ofopenness, of ones self-giving and commitment to thespirit and charism of the the Founder. The brothers,in turn, asked Father General some questions asregard the missions and their formation.

Fr. Da Silva and Fr. Papa, together with thescholasticate community, also paid a visit to Ed andAlma Roa, lay affiliates of the Congregation based inTagaytay. The couple prepared a sumptuous dinnerfor the Fathers and the Brothers. As a tradition, theBrothers serenaded the Roa couple with Christmassongs. It was an evening of fun and camaraderie.

On December 7, Father General and Fr.Frank left the scholasticate for the canonical visit inthe Barnabite communities of St. Anthony MaryZaccaria (Marikina) and St. Anthony Mary ZaccariaParish (Silangan, San Mateo). And on December 10,

the members of the Barnabite Philippine Delegationassembled together to meet with Fr. Da Silva. thesaid meeting was held at St. Anthony ZaccariaSeminary.

Father General and Fr. Papa left for Rome onDecember 14 after two weeks of canonical visit, thefirst under the new administration.

Most Reverend Fr. Francisco Chagas SantosDa Silva was born on November 24, 1960 in Irituia,Par, Northern Brazil. He entered the Barnabiteseminary and made his first profession of Vows onFebruary 18, 1982 in Bragana, Brazil. He obtained his

baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the PontificalUrbanian University in Rome, Italy. He made the


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No. 3 iP a u l 14 No . 17 iP a u l 14

The newly instituted acolytes with Father General

From left: Fr. Silva, Darwayne Alfaro, Roland Danigoy,

Roy Tabil and Fr. Papa.

The Barnabite Brothers, for the secondtime, had been sent to various pastoralcommunities of the Diocese of Imus for the nine-day Christmas novena. The parish priests of therespective parishes of Naic, Magallanes, Indangand Maragondon, entrusted to the care of theBrothers far-flung communities in order toorganize various activities for the Christmas. TheBrothers left last December 15 and are expectedto be back to the seminary on Christmas eve.

While the Brothers in the second yearwere sent to Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanaowhere a newly erected pastoral center wasentrusted to the Barnabites some months ago.This was in response to the request made to Fr.Joselito Ortega, Delegate superior, by theArchbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Most Rev.Antonio Ledesma, for seminarians to helporganize the said community for the Christmastime. The Brothers stay with Fr. Arvin Dagalea,the Barnabite priest-in-charge of the pastoral

center.The Christmas apostolate is another

means for the Brothers to be trained in pastoralwork. It is truly an opportunity to prepare themfor their future priestly ministry.

Institution to the Ministry of Acolyte:

Br. Roland Danigoy receives the chaliceand paten from Fr. Silva.

Three Brothers in the second year ofTheology were instituted to the Ministry ofAcolyte last December 6th. The superior

general, Fr. Francisco Chagas Santos Da Silvapresided over at the Eucharistic celebrationand the rite of institution held in theseminary chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.Fr. Frank Papa delivered the homily. All theFathers and the professed Brothers werelikewise present to witness the event. Thenew acolytes include Br. Roland Danigoy, Br.Darwayne Jay Alfaro and Br. Roy Tabil.

During the rite of institution, Father

General handed over to the new acolytes thechalice and paten, the symbols of theirministry. They new acolytes will exercise theirministry for a period of time until they reachthe Ordination. They were given the tasks ofassisting the priest at liturgical celebrationsand of bringing Communion to the sick. Todate, the St. Paul Scholasticate now hasseventeen instituted acolytes.

The Acolytate is a step forward to the

Priesthood. God bless the new acolytes!


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No . 17 iP a u l 15

Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?

SAINT PAUL SCHOLASTICATE COMMUNITY

Formation Year 2012-2013

(First row, from left to right) Raphael Laotoco, Roxie Roflo, Benedict Insigne, Julimar Pulvera, ReyCarmelo Ausejo, and John Paul Osip; (second row, from left to right) Fr. Jesus Allado (Vicar/Vice

Rector), Cunan Adaro, Alfredo Dolog, Jr., Superior General Most Rev. Fr. Francisco ChagasSantos Da Silva, Darwayne Jay Alfaro, Roland Danigoy, Roy Tabil, Gerard Sala, Very Rev. Fr.Frank Papa, Fr. Cirilo Coniendo (Chancellor/Treasurer), Ar-John Ignalig, Alvin Libay and MarkAnthony Pondoc (not in the picture: Fr. Michael Sandalo, Superior/Rector)


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No. 3 iP a u l 16

iiPaulPaulSaint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

THE CLERICS REGULAROF SAINT PAUL

BARNABITES Saint Paul Scholasticate

Purok 163, San Jose

Tagaytay City, Cavite, the Philippines

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32,4120 Tagaytay City, PhilippinesTel. & Fax: +63 46 413-2837

Email: [email protected]

Director: Fr. Michael Sandalo, CRSPEditor-in-Chief: Br. Darwayne JayAlfaro, CRSPAssociate Editor: Br. Rey CarmeloAusejo, CRSP

Staff Writers: Br. Gerard Sala, Br. JohnPaul Osip, Br. Raphael Laotoco, Br.Julimar Pulvera, Br. Roxie Roflo, Br. RoyTabil, Br. Mark Anthony Pondoc

Typeset in the Philippines by theSaint Paul Scholasticate, December 2013

Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?

An gladius?

No . 17 iP a u l 16

October 2012 November 2013

Pope Benedict XVI

(Porta Fidei, 6)

ipaul no.17 - saint paul scholasticate newsletter

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