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Feature News |
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Bulletins |
as of January 20,2009 |
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Bishop Teodoro Buhain, DD ordains Brs.
Alvin & Francis
as deacons |
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January 13,
9:00 a.m. | Tagaytay City |
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It was on a sunny Tuesday morning, January 13, when Bishop
Teodoro Buhain, DD ordained Brs. Alvin Erni,
OFMCap.
and Francis Mesina,
OFMCap.
as deacons. Even as the nippy Tagaytay winds blew, friars
and friends gathered at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at
9am to witness the simple but meaningful rite concelebrated
by thirty-seven priests and a Conventual Franciscan deacon.
From places as far as Pampanga and Batangas, friends
and family of the ordinandi joined the brothers celebrate
the gift of vocation given to Brs. Alvin and Francis.
Acolytes from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in
Quezon City served at the solemn Mass guided by Br. Alfredo
Micua,
OFMCap.
who served as the master of ceremonies.
The many concelebrating priests filled the foyer of the
big church where they vested and exchanged joyful
pleasantries. Notably present among them was Fr. Baltazar
Obico, OFM, Provincial Minister of the Luzon Province of the
Franciscan-Regulars. Priests of the Mission Society of the
Philippines and Conventual Franciscans were also there.
Shortly after 9am, Br. Rubencito Bartolo,
OFMCap.
introduced the rite then the choir of the San Jose
Manggagawa Parish of GMA, Cavite sang a regal entrance hymn
that cued the start of the liturgy.
In his homily, Bishop Buhain exhorted the ordinandi to
keep in mind the many sacrifices they have offered in the
pursuit of their vocation. He also reminded the ordinandi
that the role they would embrace as deacons is one of
service. “Kayo ay ‘utusan.’ (You are 'lowly
servants')” he said, “Sila ang boss. (The people of
God are the bosses)” They must, therefore, live now as a
clear and eminent sign of God’s presence among people, as
agents to spread and strengthen their faith, and as
instruments of God’s charity.
As the Eucharistic celebration drew to a close, the
newly-ordained deacons expressed words of gratitude. Br.
Francis acknowledged the presence of his relatives who hired
a bus to bring them to Tagaytay City from Pampanga. He said
that he was glad the simplicity of the liturgy had
highlighted the meanigfulness of the event. Br. Alvin, for
his part, shared a touching story from his younger years. He
said that this experience of his father’s unconditional love
and acceptance had made him deeply appreciate God’s gift of
vocation.
After their emotional and inspiring words, Br. Cesar
Acuin, OFMCap.,
Provincial Minister, stood to announce where the two deacons
would henceforth be assigned. He said that he hoped their
service as deacons may lead them to grow true to the
Capuchin
tradition as “Capuchino, Misyonero, Santo.
(Capuchin, Missionary, Saintly)” To the applause of those
present, Br. Cesar said that Br. Alvin would be sent to
serve the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Titay,
Zamboanga-Sibugay while Br. Francis will serve the Our Lady
of the Assumption Parish in Caburan, Davao del Sur.
The Mass was followed by a merry agape at the
hall beneath the church. It was filled with chatter and
laughter as religious sisters, benefactors, friars, family
and other friends milled around tables and met old
acquaintances. Among the many brothers present were the
postulants, the postnovices from Tagaytay, Lipa and Manila,
and three aspirants. It was still cool despite being 1pm
when people started to leave but with thankful smiles for
God’s good work. |
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Br.
Larry goes to Nuing mission |
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January 13,
9:00 a.m. | Bahay Capuchino |
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On
January 19, Br. Hilario Kapitbahay,
OFMCap. will be flying
to General Santos City on his way to the Mission Station of
Sto. Niño in Nuing, Davao del Sur. He will replace Br. Leny
Escalada,
OFMCap. who is now at
the Our Lady of Lourdes Friary in Gen. Santos recuperating
from a medical operation.
Br. Leny was admitted into the St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Hospital last January 6 where he underwent surgery for a
burst appendix. He was discharged six days later and advised
to rest for the next three months. Br. Leny has been
assigned at the Nuing mission station for the last six
months.
Br. Larry was last assigned in Mindanao in 2004, also
at the General Santos friary. Previously, he has been to the
Papua New Guinea mission in 1997 for almost two years. He is
known among younger friars to speak fondly about his
colorful experiences in the missions and has often expressed
his desire and willingness to return.
After his Mindanao assignment, Br. Larry was assigned
to the St. Lawrence of Brindisi House of Studies in Tagaytay
City where he stayed for two more years. Since the beginning
of this triennium, he has been serving as Local Economo of
Bahay Capuchino in Quezon City. |
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Br.
Erning undergoes eye surgery |
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January
9,
9:00 a.m. | National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Fraternity, Quezon City |
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Br.
Ernesto Lagasca,
OFMCap. was admitted
into St. Luke’s Medical Center last January 8 in preparation
for an urgent eye surgery the next morning. The retina of
his right eye had been partially torn and needed immediate
treatment.
He first experienced flashes of light and a progressive
partial blindness in his right eye while he has in Guibang,
Isabela days previously. During his stay there with the
Sisters of St. Clare, he helped them drill into a concrete
wall. Dr. Carlos Alberto, his surgeon, suspects that it was
when his retina tore. It seems that Br. Erning’s morning
sit-ups worsened his condition since upper body stress
increases pressure in the eyes. He did not immediately seek
medical attention as he initially thought it was not a
serious condition.
He went to St. Luke’s for an eye check-up after
returning to his Quezon City fraternity. Diagnosing the
advanced damage to his eye, Dr. Alberto recommended
immediate treatment and surgery. He was prepared for surgery
before 9 a.m. last Friday and his operation lasted until 1
p.m.
Although unconscious during actual surgery, Br. Erning
recounted experiencing excruciating pain during the laser
treatment that followed. It was done with him awake and
sitting upright. He was released after lunch yesterday,
January 12. During his five-day confinement, friars, nuns
from the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SFIC)
and the Franciscan Immaculatine Sisters (FIS), and concerned
parishioners visited him. |
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Brothers colorfully celebrate
Christmas |
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December 30,
9:00 a.m. | National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon
City |
The
brothers in the Province gathered to celebrate the joy of
Christmas season together last December 29 at the National
Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. They came in colorful
costumes and bright, smiling faces.
The second floor of the Parish Center was filled with
laughter and thrilled conversations before the beginning of
the Eucharist which was presided by the Provincial Minister,
Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap., at 9am. Before delivering his
reflection on the readings, he invited brothers to share.
Br. Alexander Tanangco,
OFMCap., currently assigned at the
Secretariat of the General Curia shared his experiences
there. Brs. Chito Bartolo,
OFMCap. and Jesse Tejero,
OFMCap., two of the December birthday
celebrants, also came to share their experience of
Christmas. They were followed by Br. Herman Mayong,
OFMCap., one of
the Indonesian friars staying at the Sta. Teresita
Fraternity, and by Br. Joseph, a second-year postulant. The
brothers exchanged gifts during the Kiss of Peace.
After the Mass the brothers walked in procession
towards the Seraphic Hall in nearby Lourdes School-Quezon
City. Many brothers came in bright red, green, and blue,
mostly in colorful Hawaiian shirts. The Indonesian friars
came in full Sarawak regalia while their brothers in the
fraternity donned bright batik and tropical shirts
and colorfully embroidered kufi hats. The Novitiate
fraternity performed an interpretative dance, choreographed
by Br. Wilson Atienza,
OFMCap., to an original composition of
Br. Ron Ojeda,
OFMCap., the Novice Director.
Br. Ron sonorously sung as he played the guitar while the
two novices and Br. Wilson were creatively dressed as the
three Magi bearing gifts for our Infant Lord.
The friars from Lourdes Tagaytay came in a traditional
Filipino costume complete with a salakot featuring
red, twinkling stars. They won best costume and best
performance with their simple but meaningful message in line
with the celebration’s theme, “Celebrating our Filipino
Capuchin Vocation: Fraternity.”
The brothers also sang karaoke, played bingo and parlor
games, and took lunch in a festive atmosphere. It is notable
that Brs. Rudy Senilla,
OFMCap.
and Gabriel Guevarra,
OFMCap.
attended this joyous event. Shortly past 1pm, the program
came to its close and the brothers went back to their own
fraternities after happy, fraternal celebration of
Christmas. |
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Postnovices experience urban Greccio |
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December 7,
9:00 a.m. | Sta. Teresita Fraternity, Quezon
City |
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The postnovices gathered at the
Sta. Teresita Parish last December 1-6 for their annual
Greccio Experience. For the first time since the creation of
this postnovitiate Advent gathering, it is held in an urban
setting.
The Greccio Experience seeks to recapture for the
postnovices the essential experience of St. Francis of
Assisi in the small town of Greccio, Italy on Christmas Eve
of 1223. Challenged with translating the original rural
context of Greccio into the fast-paced metropolitan
environment of Quezon City, the postnovices had to go beyond
the literal as they sought to grasp and share the
fundamental Franciscan values in St. Francis’ unique
understanding of the Humility of the Incarnation.
On the first day of the experience, Br. Alberto Poblete,
OFMCap. facilitated the topic “The
Spirit of Advent.” He deftly discussed the interior and
exterior challenges of both the liturgical season and of
this Greccio Experience, summing up by reflecting on Chapter
III of St. Bonaventure’s Legenda minor.
After Compline, Br. Chito Bartolo, OFMCap. introduced his topic for the second day: “The Contemplation
of the Humanity of Jesus in the Franciscan Tradition.” In
his session after breakfast, he shared his reflections about
the meaning and significance of the Incarnation of our Lord
in a concrete and experiential manner. Fraternal sharing in
the afternoon lasted well into the evening and was capped by
celebrating the Eucharist.
The third day was facilitated by Br. Rally Gonzaga,
OFMCap.,
parish priest of Sta. Teresita Parish.
After stressing the enduring immediacy and necessity of
preaching the Gospel, he revealed that part of his reason
for inviting the postnovices to hold the Greccio Experience
in the parish was because he saw that one of the concrete
needs of the parish was “re-evangelization.”
He then shared some basic social and pastoral facts about
the Parish and soon proceeded to send them off by two’s into
the less-affluent quarters of the Parish. The postnovices
had rich experiences as they met the local church from a
grassroots perspective, as evidenced by their lengthy
sharing during the evening Eucharist.
Coming all the way from the Baguio novitiate, Br. Wilson
Atienza,
OFMCap. traveled
over 200km south to join the postnovices on the fourth day
of the Experience and to facilitate the topic “The Virgin
Mary in the Mystery of the Incarnation.” In reflecting on
the role of Mary in the Incarnation and in the Church, Br.
Wilson led the postnovices towards reevaluating their
attitude towards the Blessed Virgin Mother and rediscovering
the role of Mary in their own vocation stories.
By afternoon of that day, the postnovices had already begun
to prepare for the climax of the Experience: the Greccio
Mass the next day. Sandra Branzuela, a parishioner of the
Sta. Teresita Parish, had agreed to play Mary and Br. Jose
Raul “Jojo” Rico was to play Joseph. But when she greeted
the brothers during dinner after practicing the
Magnificat, everybody agreed Br. Jojo looked too senior
even for the tall twelve-year old girl. So Br. Paul Perlado,
OFMCap. was then
given the role of Joseph.
Br. Roberto San Diego,
OFMCap. met the
brothers for a short while in the morning of December 5. He
spoke about the actual place of Greccio, its nature,
buildings and art. He also showed the brothers the famous
painting of the Virgin Mary nursing the Lord. He celebrated
the Greccio Mass at 3pm and, although only about twenty-five
people came, it was a meaningful liturgy followed by a
joyous agape of sandwiches and juice held at the Parish
Hall. After all the guests have left, the street children
were invited and they also had their fill of the agape.
After dinner that evening, the postnovices evaluated their
experience. They commended the local fraternity for their
kind and generous hospitality. Good words were for Br. Mario
Mortalla,
OFMCap., the
local economo who often visited them during mealtime,
and for Brs. Rally Gozaga and Jose Luis Arrieta,
OFMCap., the
Guardian, for their support.
After cleaning up and saying their goodbyes to the local
fraternity, the postnovices visited the Provincial Minister,
Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap., at
nearby Bahay Capuchino. He thanked them for taking the time
to visit and exhorted them to always seek the will of God
and the wisdom behind the postnovitiate experiences. After
taking lunch there, the postnovices went back to their own
fraternities.
This year’s unique Greccio Experience was attended by Brs.
Dennis Jose,
OFMCap.,
Francis Atienza,
OFMCap.,
Christian Feliciano,
OFMCap.,
Jeffrey Torres,
OFMCap.,
Paul Perlado,
OFMCap.,
Rowell Bonao,
OFMCap.,
Joemar Lorca,
OFMCap.,
Jose Eduardo Mayo,
OFMCap.,
Renante Sasi,
OFMCap.
and Marlon Magdusa,
OFMCap.,
and by Br. Jose Raul Rico, a brother in the re-entry
program. Postnovitiate directors Brs. Chito Bartolo,
OFMCap.
and Flavio Lacson,
OFMCap.
accompanied them. |
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Brothers welcome back Bim |
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November 5,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
After over a year of regency and six months in the
novitiate, the Province once more welcomes Br. Raynario
Lorente,
OFMCap. into the
Order. He professed the Capuchin life last November 4 and
Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap., as
Provincial Minister, received his profession. Brs. Ron Ojeda,
OFMCap. and
Eligio Landingin,
OFMCap. served as
witnesses.
Friars gathered at the oratory of the Padre Pio
Fraternity in Lipa to welcome Br. Bim’s reentry into the
Order which was held after lunch. The other post-novices of
Lipa, Manila, and Pulo were all there. Also present were Br.
Ronald Allan Samson,
OFMCap., a
post-novice from General Santos City, Br. Vincent Paul
Bitong, a novice, and Br. Jose Raul Rico, another brother on
the reentry program with whom Br. Bim has lived at the
novitiate. Brs. Mateo Goldaraz,
OFMCap., Chito
Bartolo,
OFMCap., Flavio
Lacson,
OFMCap., Wilson
Atienza,
OFMCap. and Nonie
Ortega,
OFMCap. also
witnessed the event.
Br. Cesar announced that Br. Bim will be
going to either Caburan or the Nuing mission station. As of
this writing, Br. Bim is assigned to be with Br. Leny
Escalada,
OFMCap.
and Br. Ferdinand Caparas,
OFMCap.
in the Capuchin mission station in Nuing, Davao del Sur. |
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Brothers remember departed friars |
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November
5,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
On an overcast morning last November 4, Capuchin brothers
and sisters gathered at the Capuchin cemetery in Lipa City
to remember and pay their respects to the departed friars
and nuns. The Eucharist was presided by the Provincial
Minister, Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap., and the Provincial Secretary,
Br. Eugene Lopez,
OFMCap., was homilist.
Local Capuchin tradition holds that a deacon or the
most newly ordained friar would deliver the homily on the
solemn event of the Parangal sa mga Yumaong Kapatid.
But before Br. Eugene delivered his homily, Br. Cesar
invited those present to come and share their thoughts or
reflections during the day. Mother Celina Correa, CCS,
abbess of the adjoining Capuchin Poor Clare Monastery,
thanked the brothers present and assured them of the
constant prayers of their contemplative sisters.
Br. Albert Poblete,
OFMCap. followed
and recounted a recent experience he had while driving with
his siblings to Quezon province in order to visit the tomb
of their mother. After they prayed the rosary, one of his
sisters invoked the intercession of their mother during the
Litany of the Saints. He shared with those present that
although Holy Mother Church has not declared the departed as
saints, the living can sometimes intuitively sense if their
departed loved ones have entered the promised eternal
banquet. Thus, the living can also ask the assistance of
their prayers in our earthly pilgrimage.
Br. Eugene then shared a beautiful story about a young
boy who brought an empty plastic egg to school. The students
were supposed to place things inside that they thought
symbolized new life. But this boy did not put anything
inside his plastic egg. According to the boy, his empty
plastic egg symbolized the empty tomb of Christ. Br. Eugene
drove home the point that our hope and faith assures us that
although we may not see our brothers and sisters on earth
anymore, they live in glory with the Father in heaven.
Also according to local tradition, Br. Manuel
Remirez,
OFMCap. would read the list of
departed brothers and sisters. Since he is still on vacation
in Spain, Br. Mateo Goldaraz,
OFMCap. took his
place. Apo (as Br. Mateo is fondly called) inserted notable
information or anecdotes about those friars whose names he
read. This gave the litany of names a moving sense of
relevance and reverence. Apo also commented on some errors
in the list especially the omission of Sr. Veronica Marquez,
CCS, the only Capuchin nun buried in the cemetery.
As the mass drew to a close, Br. Cesar
incensed the tombs of the brothers. After the Eucharistic
celebration, the brothers proceeded to the CRC Refectory for
a meatless lunch and hearty conversations. |
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Six
Postnovices renew their Profession of Life |
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October 20,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
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For a Capuchin friar, it is not only the
three vows of poverty, obedience and chastity to which he
commits himself during his profession of life. When he
kneels before his Minister, or every time he renews his
profession, he commits to live out the Gospel in fraternity,
minority, and prayer and contemplation.
This fundamental reality was given emphasis
by Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap.
last October 19 at the oratory of the Padre Pio Fraternity
at the Capuchin Retreat Center, Lipa City. As Provincial
Minister, it was his first time to receive the profession of
the brothers. They were Brs. Jesse Tejero,
OFMCap.,
Renante Sasi,
OFMCap.,
Jairus Patrick Pascual,
OFMCap.,
Jose Eduardo Mayo,
OFMCap.,
and Dennis Jose,
OFMCap.
Before their renewal, the
junior friars gathered for a period of silence, recollection
and Eucharistic Adoration facilitated by Br. Chito Bartolo,
OFMCap., Director
of Postulants and of PN-3s. Afterwards, the brothers
prepared themselves eagerly for renewing their commitment to
God through living as Capuchins.
The Rite of Renewal was
celebrated within that Sunday’s solemn Vespers. Brs. Roberto
San Diego,
OFMCap.
and Baltazar Benito,
OFMCap.
served as official witnesses of the renewal. Also
present were Brs. Allan Donasco,
OFMCap.,
Wilson Atienza,
OFMCap. and the
first-year post-novices who served as acolyte, lector and
musicians.
The fraternity was
beautifully prepared and decorated for the special event.
The young friars of the Padre Pio Fraternity cooked a hearty
buffet for dinner that was marked by merry laughter and
conversation. Br. Edgardo Dumaual,
OFMCap.
joined later that evening.
Br. Rosauro Gonzales,
OFMCap.,
the sixth professandus who is currently assigned in General
Santos City, renewed his profession there before Br. Eliseo
Galicano,
OFMCap.
who received it in the name of the Provincial Minister. |
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St. Francis Church-Mandaluyong
City hosts Inter-Franciscan Transitus |
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October 4,
9:00 a.m. | National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon
City |
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The
Franciscan family in the Philippines gathered at the St.
Francis Church in Mandaluyong last October 3 to commemorate
the Transitus of St. Francis. It was organized by the
Franciscan Institute of Asia assisted by the
Inter-Franciscan Juniors' Association.
The church was full and there was a happy, fraternal
atmosphere. The Transitus this year was performed by the
students of Lourdes School of Mandaluyong where Br. Edmundo
Tiamson,
OFMCap.
serves as Rector and Br. Alberto Poblete,
OFMCap.
is Campus Minister. Despite some initial technical
difficulties, they were still able to express the deep power
and impact of that final part of the Saint's life. The
Transitus was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration presided
by Bishop Joseph Nacua,
OFMCap
concelebrated by Ministers of the First Order. A potluck
agape followed where everybody shared the food they
brought. Meanwhile, the juniors entertained them with song
and dance numbers. |
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Brothers gather for festive AKAP |
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October 7,
9:00 a.m. | Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary Fraternity, Lipa
City |
AKAP 2008 was held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary in
Lipa last October 6, 2008 with the theme “Celebrating the
Gift of our Filipino Vocation.”
It was a joyful gathering that echoed a typical barrio
fiesta. As they arrived, the brothers were offered free
taho and were given shirts according to their team
colors: green, yellow, blue or tangerine. Wearing their
bright shirts, they began the day with the Misa ng Sam-bayanang
Pilipino, an inculturated Eucharistic liturgy, presided
by the Provincial Minister, Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap.,
at the Seminary Chapel. It was only the second time this
particular liturgy was held for AKAP since 2003.
Before preaching his visionary homily, Br. Cesar
invited the brothers to share their inspirations and Brs.
Junnie Pamaong, Patrick Pascual,
OFMCap.,
Eugene Lopez,
OFMCap.,
Serving Bustamante,
OFMCap.,
and Paul Mercado,
OFMCap.
delivered wonderful testimonies about unity in diversity.
After delicious snacks of kakanin, classic local
ice cream, and buko juice served in the buko
itself, the brothers were grouped according to the decade
when they entered the seminary. Each group had a torch
bearer and Br. Nick de Guzman,
OFMCap.,
being the eldest Filipino friar present, passed the fire
along all the torches. This Parade of Generations then made
its way around the compound until, in the style of the
Olympics, Br. Nick and Postulant Br. Joseph (being the
youngest postulant) lit the Torch of Generations erected
outside near the Chapel.
The PN-1s and Postulants then presented a
Cheering Performance at the basketball court and the
brothers were then grouped by their team colors. Outdoor
games followed, beginning with the banana eating contest
where Br. Dennis Jose,
OFMCap.
of the Green Team chomped First Place. Blue Team snatched
the coconut relay race that followed and Green Team’s Novice
Br. Vincent Paul Bitong,
OFMCap.
the habulan ng baboy contest when he threw his whole
weight and all the strength of his arms around the pig as it
turned a corner. No one reached the prize hanging atop what
looked like a 25-foot palosebo
and so Green Team won the activity for having climbed the
highest among the participants.
Then as if to cue for lunch, it began to rain but the
spirit of the brothers was not doused as they quickly
gathered around the long table prepared along the middle of
the covered walk where they ate with their hands at a
communal banquet of lechon, dinuguan,
inihaw na tilapia, fruits and drinks.
The joyful tempo of the day did not let up with a
Videoke Singing Contest hosted by Br. Peter Eugenio,
OFMCap.
at the Social Hall. Each team initially had four contestants
that were eventually narrowed down to one after three sets
of songs. Oddly, but to the delight of all the audience, the
better one sang, the lower the score seemed to be! Finally,
singing “Impossible Dream” without actually knowing
the song, Postulant Br. Michael Flores won the contest for
the Blue Team.
Franciscan Joy, hosted by Br. Wilson Atienza,
OFMCap.,
starred the thematic presentations of the Fraternities based
on the decade assigned to them. The Seminary Fraternity
presented a grand number from the 2000’s but the Novitiate
Fraternity took the bag for their imagination and
originality: after a solemn action-song, they re-entered the
Hall in Ilocano tribal g-strings while playing indigenous
instruments. Then once on-stage, they broke into the “Papaya”
dance to the delight of everyone.
Br. Mateo Goldaraz,
OFMCap.
led the Vespers prayed in Filipino and a fireworks display
greeted the brothers as they exited the building for another
delicious banquet. After the day’s many events, Blue Team
emerged over-all winner. Br. Cesar commended Br. Chito
Bartolo,
OFMCap.
and the members of the Commission on Organizing Provincial
Activities for a successful AKAP 2008. In turn, Br. Chito
thanked all the brothers especially those of the Lipa
Fraternities.
Also there that day were Brs. Larry
Kapitbahay,
OFMCap.,
Ting Raymundo,
OFMCap.,
Monching Atanacio,
OFMCap.,
Rolly Briones,
OFMCap.,
Ed Tiamson,
OFMCap.,
Tony Ala,
OFMCap.,
Jess Gueco,
OFMCap.,
Albert Poblete,
OFMCap.,
Toti Padama,
OFMCap.,
Ichabod Baraan,
OFMCap.,
Mario Mortalla,
OFMCap.,
William Bustamante,
OFMCap.,
Allan Donasco,
OFMCap.,
Fred Micua,
OFMCap.,
Boying Peralta,
OFMCap.,
Nonie Ortega,
OFMCap.,
Jeff Agustin,
OFMCap.,
Willy Atienza,
OFMCap.,
Cesar Gutierrez,
OFMCap.,
Flavio Lacson,
OFMCap.,
Bal Benito,
OFMCap.,
Alvin Erni,
OFMCap.,
Ron Ojeda,
OFMCap.,
and the PNs from Lipa, Pulo, Tagaytay and Manila. |
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Bishop Nacua ordains Brs. Eugene and
Ricric as priests |
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September
28,
9:00 a.m. | National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon
City |
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Brs. Eugenio Juanilo Lopez,
OFMCap. and Ricardo Rara,
OFMCap. were
ordained priests last September 27 at the National Shrine of
Our Lady Lourdes by His Excellency Joseph Nacua, Bishop of
Ilagan, Isabela.
The solemn event, attended by many family,
friends, and religious men and women, began at 9:30am with
the entrance procession of some twenty concelebrating
priests. The twins Br. Wilson Atienza,
OFMCap.
and Br. Wilfredo Atienza,
OFMCap.
proclaimed the Scripture Readings and a member of the GMA
choir sang the Responsorial Psalm. Br. Emerito Moreno,
OFMCap.
played the organ for the choir and Br. Cesar Gutierrez,
OFMCap.
led the praying the Litany of the Saints.
Just before the celebration ended, Br. Ricric thanked
his family and the brothers in a moving and emotional
message. Afterwards, Br. Eugene also recognized the presence
and the role of family and friends in his journey of
responding faithfully to his vocation.
After the Mass, everyone proceeded to the LSQC High
School covered court for buffet lunch. The brothers’
visitors came from as far as Baguio City and the Visayas. It
was a fraternal gathering of people who, in one way or the
other, have been instrumental in helping the two new
brother-priests achieve God’s will for them. |
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Capuchins of Lipa honor Padre Pio with three feast-day
Masses |
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September
24,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
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For the first time,
the Capuchin Retreat Center and the Padre Pio Fraternity in
Lipa celebrated three masses to commemorate the feast of
their patron, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina last September 23.
It was also the first time
that feast day masses were held indoors at the CRC’s
Brindisi Hall instead of the usual outdoor makeshift stage.
The Hall can accommodate 300 persons and is larger than
CRC’s San Damiano Chapel, the venue of the monthly novena
Masses. Anticipation of rainy weather was also a strong
reason against an outdoor celebration.
Br. Roberto San Diego,
OFMCap.,
the new CRC Director, welcomed the special day by presiding
over the Eucharistic celebration at 7:00 in the morning.
Despite the time, a good number of devotees filled the
seating capacity of the Hall.
The rainy weather did not
prevent devotees from coming to honor St. Pio and much more
than was expected came for the two afternoon Masses. Many
had to stay outside the Hall but they were still able to
actively participate in the liturgy thanks to a live feed
screen provided by CRC’s in-house photographers.
After the
traditional Rosary procession, the second mass of the day
was held at 4:00pm and was presided by the Most Reverend
Ramon C. Arguelles, DD, Archbishop of Lipa. Capuchin
and guest priests concelebrated. The final mass of that
solemn day was later presided at 5:30pm by Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap.,
Provincial Minister, with Capuchin priests also
concelebrating.
A beautiful fireworks display delighted the
devotees that evening. This year’s celebration was evidently
a memorable one. |
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Lipa City Padre Pio
Chapel inaugurated |
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September
18,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
Last September 17, Feast of the
Stigmatization of Saint Francis and the fourth day of the
novena for Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, this newest addition to
CRC-Lipa was
inaugurated and
blessed by the Rev. Fr. Ermilindo di Capua,
OFMCap.,
Assistant Editor of “The Voice of Padre Pio.” A guest
priest from San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, he also presided
that day’s Novena-Mass that had immediately preceded the
Chapel’s blessing.
It took only few weeks of
work to transform a non-functioning building which was
initially meant to be a coffee shop. Renovations were
completed in time for the Novena-Masses scheduled for
September 14-22. The sacred place was realized through the
grace of God and the kind efforts of the Rodriguez family of
the Philippine Center for Saint
Pio of Pietrelcina, benefactors and friends, and through Br.
Roberto San Diego,
OFMCap..
Since then, the new Chapel has been
fruitfully used for small recollection groups, Eucharistic
celebrations, retreat activities, candle lighting for prayer
petitions and other CRC functions. It is also open to all
who seek quiet, solace and comfort in the loving presence of
God and His faithful servant, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. |
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Brs. Mike and Joel sent to mission in
Spain |
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September
16,
9:00 a.m. | Bahay Capuchino, Quezon City |
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The brothers gathered at Bahay Capuchino last September 15
evening for the Mission Send-off for Brs. Mike Perdigon,
OFMCap. and Joel de
Jesus,
OFMCap. They were to
leave for Spain on September 17 to serve the brothers there.
During the sharing after the proclamation of the Word,
Br. Mateo Goldaraz,
OFMCap. exclaimed that
it is a great miracle of God that the brothers are going to
be sent to Spain. He remembered that, once, Spain was
sending missionaries to the Philippines but, now, it is the
Philippines that is sending two humble brothers to Spain. He
said that, indeed, the wisdom of God is beyond that of men.
Br. Jose Luis Arrieta,
OFMCap., another
Spanish friar, shared his fraternal advice to the brothers:
he exhorted them to be like sheep in the many trials and
difficulties they will surely face. And, like any of God’s
flock, he advised them to bleat to Mary in such times.
Br. Eugene Lopez,
OFMCap.,
who himself was sent on the same “medical” mission to Spain
several years earlier, shared
his thoughts: remembering his
initial struggles, he said that one enduring realization
from his experience was the lesson that God has loved him
precisely so that he can love others in the same way.
Br. Cesar Acuin,
OFMCap., Provincial
Minister and presider of the Send-off, shared that the
“appointed time” had come for the two. He recounted the many
moments of difficulty the two had to face before getting
their visas, but all suddenly turned out well in the end.
Br. Cesar also reassured them of the Province’s support.
The night was capped with a celebratory dinner because
that day was also Br. Mike’s birthday.
Present also that evening were Brs. Boying Peralta,
OFMCap.,
Nanding Landingin,
OFMCap.,
Chito Bartolo,
OFMCap.,
Nick Abella,
OFMCap.,
Ting Raymundo,
OFMCap.,
Allan Donasco,
OFMCap.,
Nick de Guzman,
OFMCap.,
Flavio Lacson,
OFMCap.,
Rolly Briones,
OFMCap.,
Toti Padama,
OFMCap.,
Kiko Armario,
OFMCap.,
Fred Micua,
OFMCap.,
Bal Benito,
OFMCap.,
Nonie Ortega,
OFMCap.,
Patrick Pascual,
OFMCap.,
Toto Sasi,
OFMCap.,
two Conventual friars and Mr. Anselmo Lacea with his young
son. |
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Lipa Capuchins hold
Medical Mission |
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September
8,
9:00 a.m. | Padre Pio Fraternity, Lipa
City |
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The observance of
the feast day of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina will not be
complete without conducting the annual medical mission for
the sick brothers and sisters in Lipa. This year’s
charitable endeavour was held last September 7, Sunday, a
week before the start of the Novena-Masses in honor of the
Saint.
It was a grace-filled
event where many residents from the nearby barangays
benefited from free medical and dental services and
medicines. This was made possible through the generosity of
doctors and nurses who offered their services for free, as
well as of other benefactors and friends who provided the
medicines. There were also many other people who, in one way
or another, shared their time and energies for the love of
God and others in the same spirit of the good saint they
dearly love.
The Medical Mission began with a Eucharistic
celebration presided by this year’s Medical Mission head,
Br. Roberto San Diego,
OFMCap.
An arroz caldo feeding service for all the patients
was also provided early in the morning by the Post-novices
of the Padre Pio Fraternity. |
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view video
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Brothers, we need your help to maintain this page. |
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In the spirit of fraternal charity, please keep the
Information Office updated with events in your local
fraternities or activities you where the brothers participated.
What may seem to be small and insignificant to some may be a
source of great joy or consolation to another, especially to our
brothers in the missions. And so, for the love of God, let us
together contribute small sacrifices of time and effort so that
we may help build a Provincial fraternity unbound by distance. |
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