March-June 2010 - Adorno Fathers

March 2010-June 2010
Issue No. 3
LOVING
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ADORNO FATHERS FORMATION HOUSE
Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Vinzons, Camarines Norte, Philippines 4603
http//philippines.adorfathers.org
In this Issue
Love: The Foundation
of Community Building
Rector’s Message
ALL,
LIVING
ONE!
Festive Feast and Solemn
Blessing of the Grotto
New Fisher’s of Men Caught
Novices’ Corner
Featuring Seminarians’
Reflections on Summer
Apostolate
Literary
March—June 2010
2
3
Love: The Foundation of
Community Building
Seminary is a place of a multi-cultured society
since the residents of this place especially the seminarians,
come from different places like Bicol, Makati, Glan. Sarangani, Surigao and even Mexico. Each resident brings with
him his own cultural identity and traditions resulting to the
emergence of seminarians‘ different attitudes and values
that affects either positively or negatively i.e., unity or division of the community. Without discernment, the different
values and attitudes of seminarians would probably lead to
misunderstandings and factions because as the saying goes,
―birds of the same feathers flock together.‖ It could happen
that Bicolano seminarians would live together with their
fellow Bicolanos and the same also with the Tagalogs,
Visayans etc. In this case, we can see that communal living
is no longer possible. However, it is a very important element in building a functional and united community. But,
how come it happened that the Adorno Fathers Seminary
community developed a strong relationship with each other
and living together in peace and harmony despite of being a
multi-cultural society?
For a religious community, living in fraternal communion is one of the most important things to achieve.
Through fraternal communion, everything becomes easy to
manage, such as problems, activities etc. Last June 09,
2010, the Adorno Fathers had its first retreat as they enter a
new school year with its theme ―Loving All: Living One‖
for the purpose of building a strong and united community.
This thrust challenged them to love everyone in the community through fraternal or brotherly love that could result to a
healthy communal living. By God‘s grace, the three-day
retreat was a success: ―Loving All: Living One‖ became a unifying factor in the community. It helped each member to transcend
the barrier created by cultural differences, values and idealisms.
Technically, it was love that bound them all and crushed everything that hinders them from reaching their goal that is unity.
Pope Benedict XVI himself, in his Encyclical ―Deus Caritas
Est‖ (God is Love), explained the importance of love by saying,
―Love embraces the whole of existence in each of its dimensions
[e.g., culture, tradition, and time].‖ And he added, ―love conquers all...‖
It is truly the power of love that will make us all united
despite of the differences that we have. As a multi-cultural society, the Adorno Fathers Community in Vinzons had proven that
it is possible to live together in harmony and peace. As Christians we too are bound to love as Jesus himself commanded us,
―Love one another as I have loved you,‖ so we could be one and
united as children of God. We are to love not in an exclusive
way but in an inclusive way of loving, ie., we are to love all. It is
true that people have the tendency to love only those persons
who are closely related to them like their family, relatives,
friends, or special someone and ignore those that have no significance in their lives. However, it is equally possible to love everyone but its reward is far greater than that of loving exclusively.
Therefore, as Christians and true disciples of Jesus, let
us continually love everyone. It is what the world is asking of us
to have a united community and to make this world a better
place to live. Psalm 133 tells us ―How good it is, how pleasant,
where people dwell as one... There the Lord has lavished forever
more.‖
For Comments/Suggestions, write a Letter to the Editor at
[email protected]
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor-in-Chief: Vinson T. Salvaloza
Associate Editor: Rufino C. Madridejos, Jr.
Advisers: Rev. Fr. Jason S. Caganap, CRM
Rev. Fr. Liam Reza Panganiban, CRM
Rev. Fr. Melvin I. Avilla, CRM
Managing Editor & Lay-out Artist:
Emiliano G. Gutierrez, Jr.
Nicole Joy Camacho
Cartoonist: Erick S. Estrella
Photojournalist: Rafael H. Padron
News and Literary Writers:
Kevin C. Daborbor, Anthony B. Gallego,
Arjay S. Cecilio, Eugene Aboga, Herodion Gapas, Roger Lanoy
Editorial Assistants: Bro. Mardy Aguilar, Bro. Christopher Maigue,
Bro. Dominic San Jose
Contributors: Adorno Fathers Seminarians
March—June 2010
4
THE SURVIVORS ADMITTED
TO NOVITIATE
Dear Friends,
Greetings of Peace! Summer is gone! The heat that we experienced this past summer was truly a challenge for all of us.
Though this summer has gone too fast, it brought some good memories and remembrance for the community of the Adorno Fathers. Our
Second to Fourth year seminarians experienced their first summer
apostolate in different areas in the provinces of Cavite and Camarines
Norte. Some of them were sent to remote barangays in Cavite while
others spent their summer at De la Salle Medical Center in Cavite as
they were exposed to the clinical pastoral education. It proved to be
both a memorable and faith growing experience for our seminarians
who took part in this summer apostolate program. You will read in
this newsletter their experiences from this apostolate.
The School Year 2010-2011 has begun. I would like to welcome our seven new seminarians who are mostly from Camarines
Norte.
The Feast of our Founder, St. Francis Caracciolo, was also a
beautiful celebration on June 4, 2010. Our friend, Most Rev. Camilo
Gregorio, D.D., Bishop-Prelate of Batanes graced us on this occasion
of the Feast of our Founder. This day was also significant because the
solemn blessing of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes took place
after the Eucharistic Celebration. I would like to personally thank
Bishop Gregorio for graciously coming out for the feast and for his
continuous support to the Adorno Fathers. A heartfelt thanksgiving
also to Tita Alice Magana of Paracale, C.N. who donated the grotto
of Our Lady of Lourdes. What a beautiful way to start the school
year!
Recently, we also had our retreats. I gave a retreat to our
novices and postulants at the Canossa Retreat Center in Tagaytay
City while Fr. Melvin gave the retreat to the rest of the community
here in the seminary. The prayers and reflections of the seminarians
created a community thrust/mission for the school year 2010-2011.
They agreed to focus for this year on the phrase LOVING ALL, LIVING ONE! This theme will guide us in our spiritual journey this year.
T
Sem. Arjay Cecilio
he three seminarians, namely Dominic Bryan San Jose,
Christopher Maigue and Mardy Aguilar were admitted into
the Novitiate program of the Clerics Regular Minor last
July 3, 2010 in the presence of the Father General, Raffaele
Mandolesi, CRM with the other three Adorno priests in
Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
The rite of the admittance took place within the
evening prayer after Fr. Liam read some articles from the
Constitutions and Fr. Jason read the Gospel. Father General
explained the meaning and objectives of the Novitiate Program in Italian while Fr. Jason interpreted and translated the
message into English. Father General emphasized the Novitiate Program ―not as a year of rest between philosophical
and theological studies but rather the stage of purifying
one‘s motivation and engraving in the heart the charism and
the life of the Order.‖ The rite became more solemn and
momentous as the music ministry of Fr. Melvin was incorporated.
These three young men came from different
batches, thus called the survivors. Both Brothers Dominic
and Christopher came from the same parish in the province
of Camarines Norte while brother Mardy came from Legazpi City.
At the same occasion, two other seminarians –
Jason Bautista and Vinson Salvaloza – were admitted into
the Postulancy Program, which is the program before the
Novitiate.
The Community is so proud of them. May they continue
their commitment to the Lord. Let us pray for them without ceasing. GOD BLESS YOU BROTHERS and CONGRATULATIONS!
I would also like to mention that our Superior General, Rev.
Fr. Rafaele Mandolesi, CRM, came to visit us on July 1, 2010. It was
indeed a memorable experience for our seminarians to meet the successor of our Founder—St. Francis Caracciolo. He was accompanied
by Rev. Fr. Liam Panganiban, CRM who will be spending some time
with us.
My stay for almost a year has been a great experience for me
as a formator. I thank you for all your prayers and support. Please
know that you are always included in my daily prayers. God bless
you all!
Sincerely in His Eucharistic Love,
Rev. Fr. Jason S. Caganap,CRM
Rector/Superior
The three seminarians (from left Mardy, Christopher and Dominic) before
the Fr. General together with Fr. Jason and Fr. Liam as they were being
prayed over during their admittance to the Novitiate Program.
5
Festive Feast and Solemn Blessing of the
Grotto Held
Bro. Domz
The Adorno Fathers community in Vinzons, Camarines
Norte joyfully celebrated the feast of one of the founders of the
Order of the Clerics Regular Minor—St. Francis Caracciolo— and
solemnly blessed the newly constructed grotto of Our Lady of
Lourdes last June 4, 2010.
The concelebrated mass, which was presided by the Most
Rev. Camilo Gregorio, Bishop-Prelate of Batanes and with the
number of concelebrating priests from the Diocese of Daet, began
at nine o‘clock in the morning. Despite of the sudden power interruption after reading the Gospel, the Bishop managed to share a
very good and timely homily about the serious works of the
Adorno Fathers, in which he focused on the ―Conversion for Renewal with Mary‖ (CRM). He also mentioned the two important
legacies of St. Francis Caracciolo with Venerable Augustine
Adorno and Fr. Fabrizio Caracciolo – the Devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament and the Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He used
the acronym ―CRM‖ [the name of the Order] to briefly convey the
essential meaning and specific apostolate of the Adorno Fathers‘
existence in a particular community.
After the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Gregorio with
the concelebrating priests, benefactors, friends and visitors including the families of our seminarians gathered before the new grotto
of Our Lady of Lourdes for a solemn blessing. This new grotto in
Bishop Camilo
Gregorio blesses
the recently constructed grotto of
Our Lady of
Lourdes in the
Adorno Fathers
Seminary.
the Adorno Fathers Seminary came into reality through the efforts
of our Rector, Rev. Fr. Jason Caganap, CRM and Tita Alice Magana
of Paracale, Camarines Norte who was recognized and thanked during the Mass for being the main sponsor.
Our seminarians, who not only prepared the decorations,
the festive atmosphere of the seminary, the program and the liturgy,
the preparation and serving of the succulent lunch, also prepared
some funny and captivating games for the children present in the
feast. The prizes of the games did not matter but the fun, the laughter and the realization of being a part of the community of Christ‘s
believers did.
Our visitors, the young and the old alike were not only
spiritually nourished by the Eucharistic celebration but also pleased
with and grateful for the grace of sainthood of our beloved St. Francis Caracciolo who through his intercessions before our Lord Jesus
Christ brings us countless blessings.
New Fishers of Men Caught
Sem. Emiliano G. Gutierrez Jr.
“Come Follow Me „Jesus said, and I will make you Fishers of Men.” (Mark 1:17)
As we celebrate the Year of the Clergy, the seminary of the Adorno Fathers in the Philippines welcomed the seven seminarians last May
24, 2010. Before they were admitted they had undergone series of interviews, entrance examinations and search-in-days under the guidance of the
Vocation Director, Rev. Fr. Melvin I. Avilla, CRM.
The new batch was welcomed by the senior seminarians or commonly known as their ―kuyas‖. Members of the Vocation Committee
made them comfortable as they were given a tour in the seminary facilities.
A welcome party/program was also prepared for them. The new seminarians showed their talents in singing and dancing during the
Search for Mr. Adorno 2010. Ralf Gilbert Rafael was unanimously chosen as Mr. Adorno 2010.
Some of these new candidates will be attending philosophical classes at Holy Trinity College Seminary as part of their academic formation. The others will undergo pre-collegiate formation in our seminary in Vinzons.
As we recall Pope Benedict XVI‘s words to seminarians at the World Youth Day celebration in Sydney, Australia, he said ―You are a
sign of hope and renewal for God's people; and yours will be the task of building up the Lord's house in the coming generation.‖ These seven
seminarians are signs of God‘s abiding presence to us and we are looking forward for their future ministry as fishers of men.
These are our new seminarians who came from the different parts of the Philippines.
Michael George Mercado
Xyril Umerez
May 23, 1994
St. Peter the Apostle Parish
Vinzons, Camarines Norte
August 23, 1991
Parish of Most Holy Rosary
Panganiban, Camarines Norte
Everhisto Cavite
April 2, 1991
St John of the Cross Parish
Rizal, Makati City
Ralf Gilbert Rafael
November 5, 1992
St. Nicholas de Tolentino
Colasi, Mercedes, Camarines Norte
Hardy Aguilar
July 10, 1987
St. Joseph the Husband of Mary
Legaspi City
Nicole Joy Camacho
July 26, 1993
Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer
San Vicente, Camarines Norte
Cris Cubinar
January 29, 1986
St. Francis Asissi
Talisay, Camarines Norte
March—June 2010
6
SEMINARIANS SENT and Christopher, were sent to Nuestra
FOR THE MISSION Señora de Guia at Magallanes, Cavite,
Sem. Kevin Daborbor
M
arch 12, 2010, Friday, the
local superior of the
Adorno Fathers, Rev. Fr. Jason S.
Caganap, held a meeting exclusively
for the higher years in formation, to
assign them in different places for
their first ever summer apostolate.
The aim of this apostolate is to
expose, introduce and make known
the Order of the Clerics Regular
Minor (Adorno Fathers) in different
parts of the country and for the
seminarians to have a learning experience in the place where they
would be assigned for one month.
The summer apostolate
started on March 18, 2010 immediately after the community retreat at
Mt. Banahaw and ended on April 18,
2010. Seminarians coming from urban
places were assigned in rural areas
while the other seminarians were sent
in the cities. This would help the
seminarians to live in a place where
they were not used to live and to
help them also to deal with people
of different culture. The tasks of the
seminarians would depend on the
parish priest or personnel they would
be entrusted to. The apostolate sites
were: Dasmarinas, Cavite; Magallanes,
Cavite; Mercedes and Labo, both
located in Camarines Norte.
Nine seminarians were sent
for this apostolate namely: Kevin
Daborbor, Anthony Gallego, Rufino
Madridejos, Jr., Jayson Bautista, Vinson Salvaloza, Mardy Aguilar, Arjay
Louis de Jesus, Leonides Clenuar and
Christopher Maigue. The rector sent
Anthony, Jayson and Mardy at De la
Salle Medical Center in Dasmarinas,
Cavite, under the guidance of Rev. Fr.
Manny Villas, chaplain; Rufino, Vinson
under the supervision of Rev. Fr.
Alain Manalo; Kevin was assigned at
St. Nicholas in Brgy. Colasi, Mercedes,
Camarines Norte, under the direction
of the parish priest Rev. Fr. Neil Leo
Sureta; and lastly Leonides and Arjay
at St. Didachus of Alcala in Bagong
Silang, Labo, Camarines Norte, under
the supervision of the parish priest
Rev. Fr. Rogelio Orpiada.
Since it was the first time
for the seminarians to be assigned in
different places with different cultures, traditions, and life-style, Fr.
Jason instructed them of what they
were supposed to do. He gave his
seminarians a piece of advice that
would help them in their apostolate.
He said that they must reflect the
charism of the Order: “Eucharistic
Adoration” to the people. Through
this apostolate, they were able to
experience living in a place where
they could learn and reflect on the
ministry that they are following. Fr.
Jason was very excited to know the
outcome of the seminarians’ apostolate. “Pray!” is the last word that he
said to the seminarians during their
meeting.
Apostolate is one of the
aspects in the seminary formation. It
enables the seminarians to know how
to deal with other people and to
face more challenges in life that
might be helpful in shaping their
lives in the seminary as followers of
Christ. They proved it already in their
first ever summer apostolate and
taught them to develop and mold
themselves and their vocation as
imitators of Christ; and consequently,
to show in their lives the examples
of the Founders who dedicated their
lives in the service of the poor, the
sick and the sinners.
(photo on page 14)
The Community Climbed to the Holy Place
for Spiritual Exercises
B
Sem. Eugene S. Aboga
efore the closing of the school year, in March 2010, the
community of the Adorno Fathers conducted their threeday spiritual exercises at Mt. Banahaw located along the
boundary of Laguna and Quezon provinces. The mountain
and its environ were considered to be sacred by its inhabitants for its
―holy sites‖ and the ―holy water‖ coming forth from its local springs.
The holy sites are composed of unique, natural features such as
rocks, caves and springs.
The priest and seminarians, captivated and revitalized by its
natural beauty, were relieved in their long hours of journey when
they reached the foot of the huge mountain late in the morning. In
few hours, after being given instructions and directions by the Divine
Endeavor Organization (DEO), who would also be their guide, they
started their mountain creeping in very careful and prayerful steps.
The difficulty of climbing up the oddly shaped caves and crawling
down through the narrow passages was overcome through the cheering of the community. The few stops and rests enabled the entire
community to gasp with awe and appreciate the grandeur of God‘s
creation. The hunger, thirst and fatigue did not dampen their spirits
for love and prayers animated them not to miss this exciting journey.
The next day, Rev. Fr. Jason Caganap with the seminarians
and the DEO members celebrated Holy Mass, in which Fr. Jason
gave an inspiring homily – the spiritualization of their yesterday‘s
journey and the optimistic response to the present and coming challenges.
There were also seminars on utilizing the medicinal plants,
fasting and abstinence and strengthening one‘s faith in God. Part of
the spiritual exercises of the seminarians was the fraternal sharing of
their individual experiences, realizations and response to the challenges of vocation.
This spiritual exercise renewed the zeal of the seminarians,
invigorated their spiritual life and strengthened their vocation. As
they packed their things to go home, their bags were not only loaded
with clothes, prayer books and souvenirs but also filled with joy,
wisdom and inspirations they benefitted from the sacred creation of
God.
Mt. Banahaw is now a part of the Adorno‘s spiritual experiences. Spending time in this place is indeed a realization of man‘s
deeper hunger for God whose creations reveal His Beauty, Power,
Glory and Majesty.
In the middle of their mountain trekking, the seminarians took refuge
at the foot of the crosses on the top of the so-called Mt. Calvary in Mt.
Banahaw during their spiritual exercises.
7
Anniversary of the Sanctuary Commemorated
F
Sem. Anthony B. Gallego
illed with gratitude and appreciation, the Adorno Fathers
community in Vinzons commemorated the first anniversary
of the dedication of the Sanctuary of Jesus the Risen Lord
last March 10, 2010. Rev. Fr. Jason Caganap, CRM with
Rev. Fr. Melvin Avilla, CRM presided the celebration of the Holy
Mass, which was preceded by the novena to the Mother of Perpetual
Help.
The celebration began in the late afternoon. Some friends
of the Adornos and the regular church-goers in our chapel attended
the celebration, which was followed by the petite merienda prepared
by the seminarians: pancit, siopao and juice.
The celebration was simple but marked with solemnity and
thanksgiving. The rector expressed his gratitude to the Triune God
for allowing His house to be built here; and hope and encouragement for the inside and outside community to make the edifice (the
Sanctuary of Jesus the Risen Lord) a house of prayer and a place
where everyone could encounter Jesus Christ our Lord in the communal celebration of the Holy Mass and personal visit to the Most
Blessed Sacrament.
The chapel, with its prayerful atmosphere, is now open for
the community of believers who want to commune with the Lord in
prayer, meditation, recollection, retreat and other spiritual exercises.
HTCS HELD ITS 10TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES!
L
Sem. Rufino C. Madridejos Jr.
ast March 13, 2010, the Holy Trinity College Seminary introduced its 10th batch of graduates and at
the same time, gave recognition to some outstanding seminarians. There were 13 individuals
who received their diploma as proof of their accomplishment
in Classical Liberal Arts major in Philosophy, minor in Religious Education. Three of them were seminarians belonging
to the Adorno Fathers community namely: Mardy Aguilar
from the province of Albay, Leonides Clenuar from the island
of Bohol and Arjay Louis De Jesus from the province of Bulacan.
Within the ceremony, some of the Adorno seminarians were recognized for their outstanding academic performance. From the class of first year philosophy, Arjay Cecilio
received the third honors and Erick Estrella as the first honors.
From the second year philosophy, Kevin Daborbor received
his medal as second honors and cum laude in oral comprehensive examination and Rufino Madridejos received the third
honors for second year philosophy.
After the ceremony, all seminarians together with
their families, relatives, friends and benefactors enjoyed the
lunch prepared by the seminarians with a short program held
in the Adorno Function Hall.
RIGHT: The seminarians and priests of
the Adorno Fathers in Vinzons for the
School Year 2010-2011 before the new
grotto of Our Lady Of Lourdes during
the visit of Father General Raffaele
Mandolesi, CRM.
Sitting with the Father General are
Fr. Melvin Avila, CRM
Fr. Jason Caganap, CRM and
Fr. Liam Reza Panganiban, CRM
LEFT: The Editorial Board of the CALLE
CASA . From left Herodion Gapas, Eugene
Aboga, Nicole Joy Camacho, Rufino C. Madridejos, Jr., Bro. Christopher L. Maigue, Rev. Fr.
Jason S. Caganap, Kevin C. Daborbor, Bro.
Dominic San Jose, Roger Lanoy, Emiliano G.
Gutierrez, Jr., Erick S. Estrella, Rafael H.
Padron, Anthony B. Gallego, Bro. Mardy
J.Aguilar,Arjay S. Cecilio,
Vinson T. Salvaloza
and Rev. Fr. Liam Reza Panganiban.
March—June 2010
Bro. Chris M.
The Survivors Met
N
ag-testing na Natestingan (disguising
but caught!). “I want to try the life in
the seminary!‖ I said to myself five
years ago. It was only a feeling of curiosity that did drive me to enter the
seminary. All I wanted was to satisfy my curiosity by being a seminarian for few months or a year perhaps. I
wanted to wear a seminarian‘s shoes: rising early in the
morning, praying more than four times a day, working
with enthusiasm, studying for a purpose, playing different
games and many more.
Days, weeks, months and years passed…―why am
I still here?‖ I ask myself now. Well, to tell you honestly,
my experiences taught me that God cannot be cheated. It
seems that God is telling me now, ―yan kasi pa-testingtesting ka pa, ayan tuloy natestingan Kita!‖ (See, you‘re
caught in act!). And I could see in my imagination how
God was gladly laughing while saying those words.
Hmmm…God is good! He turned my intention
into a better one. He has planted a genuine vocation in me.
A vocation that has been touching the lives of many people
I met inside and outside the seminary. There were unpredictable people, a motherly and fatherly affectionate ones,
the others were very sweet and kind, and still others were
slightly indifferent causing me a little trouble and making
me impatient and sometimes cry. I could easily surrender
as I was caught in these situations, but God‘s goodness has
been preserving me and any way, those people were God‘s
instrument to further my steps towards maturity. There are
so many struggles in the life of a seminarian like me, thus,
we ardently pray for God‘s grace so that we may seek the
truth, do the good and choose and love what is beautiful in
His eyes.
Sometimes, I intensely miss my family, but here I
am, living with our community as a one big and happy
family. Is it not satisfying to have this family? Not only
that, God gave us so many friends and generous people
around us. They remind us that God is always in our midst,
whatever we do and wherever we go.
―It is not you who chose me; it is I (the Lord) who
chose you.‖ Words spoken by Bro. Jayson Bautista, a pos-
8
tulant, during our five-day retreat in Tagaytay last June 711, 2010. It reminds me that I am not here in the seminary
because I just wanted to try the life here. I am not here because my parents and my benefactors wanted me to become a priest. I am here because the Lord has chosen me.
It is not an accident that we are here in the seminary. We
are here because God is really calling us in this journey.
God, in calling us in this vocation, has a great plan for us.
The Survivors Met. There are three survivors who
came from the different batches of the Adorno Fathers here
in Bicol; Bro. Dominic Bryan San Jose (batch 3), out of 7
seminarians; Bro. Christopher Maigue (batch 4), out of 4
seminarians; and Bro. Mardy Aguilar (batch 5), out of 11
seminarians. Different personalities, different attitudes and
different level of maturity…but chosen to be one. We are
chosen to live as one batch as we enter the Novitiate Program this year. Some people say that Novitiate is a very
difficult stage of formation. It might be true and for this
reason we ask you to include us in your daily prayers. I
believe that as long as we are doing good and right things,
there is no reason to be afraid of. Nothing is impossible
when we pray because the grace of God is working in us. I
have overcome a lot of problems for the past 5 years…ito
pa kaya na one year lang! We can do it with the help of
God! We pray that as we continue our formation as novices, we may always be united and humble before the Lord
so that the presence of God may be manifested through us
for the Greater Glory of the Risen Christ!
The New Novices Bro. Mardy Aguilar,
Bro. Christopher Maigue and Bro. Dominic San Jose
exchange hugs with the Fr. General, Fr. Jason and Fr. Liam after their
admittance to the Novitiate Program.
9
LOVING ALL, LIVING ONE
Sem. Arjay Cecilio
―Love one another just as I have loved you…. Everyone
will know that you are My disciple if you love one another.‖ (John 13: 34 - 35)
This is the new commandment of God: the one given by
Jesus to His disciples during the last supper in the upper room.
Inspired by this, the seminary created a thrust for the whole year:
"loving all, living one." This thrust was created in order for the
seminarians to have a goal for the whole year—a goal pointing
towards the unity of everyone in the seminary expressed in love
for each other as brothers and not simply as members of the
community. We call it fraternal love.
It is very important for the community to have fraternal
unity and love. Fraternal love will enable us to accept other‘s
personality and understand why people behave differently from
one another. Fraternal love allows us to be willing to grow
alongside other people. This can be manifested through constructive criticisms given in a respectful and civil manner.
Healthy confrontations, another expression of fraternal love,
should be exercised instead of an aggressive or even silent treat-
Imitating Christ’s Simplicity
through the Ordinary Folks
Sem. Vinson Salvaloza
One of the most exciting things for a
seminarian to experience is the Pastoral Exposure. It is a period in formation in which a
seminarian is exposed to different places outside the seminary and to spend time living,
dealing and mingling with people while applying the things he learned in the seminary. This
aims to prepare and mold the seminarians for
their future ministry as shepherds of Jesus‘
flock.
Along with few seminarians, I was
given an apostolate in a place far from the comfort of the seminary. Others were sent to the far
-flung areas of Bicol and some, to the mountainous district of Cavite where I, together with
my fellow brother seminarians, Chris and
Rufino were assigned. The apostolate started
on the 18th of March until the 18th of April,
2010.
At first, I couldn‘t explain how I felt
when I learned that I would be assigned in
Magallanes. It was an apostolate unlike any
other. I was very curious about it, especially
about the community, the environment and the
way of life that the people in Magallanes might
have. Honestly, I became more curious about
Magallanes when some people who were once
assigned and lived there, said that Magallanes
is the ―Dulo ng walang hanggan...‖ (end of
eternity). These are the words that they used to
say –words that made me think about the possi-
ment. One‘s emotional presence is also a very important element in community living. It gives us an assurance that we are
not alone.
A listening heart and an approachable personality are
also signs of fraternal love. Friendship, as an expression of fraternal love, should not be exclusive. Otherwise, it would be
highly possible to isolate a person and keep him outside the exclusive circle of friends—we call it favoritism. If we only love
someone because he is kind, generous, helpful etc., then our love
is partial. There can only be a partial unity if unconditional love
is not observed. Fraternal unity can only be achieved when
someone allows himself to accept the good and the bad in a person and at the same time allowing himself to be emptied by God
so that we could give rooms for others.
No matter how deep our spirituality is, if we do not
have unconditional love for everyone it means nothing. St. Paul
says in his letter to the Corinthians, ―If I have faith great enough
to remove mountains but have no love, I would be nothing."
Everything we do should be done with love—this is how we
grow. Our heart should be a large room reserved only for Love.
―Love overcomes anger and forgets offenses…Love
excuses everything, believes all things, Hopes all things… and
endures all things… Love will never end.‖ (1 COR 13:5-8)
bility of quitting. I was really discouraged by
what they said about the place where I was
assigned to live for a month. But, because it
was the decision of our rector, I could not resist
it—I could only obey. I just considered it as a
challenge and told myself that ‗when I get to
Magallanes, I will try to find out the truth about
it being the dulo ng walang hanggan.‘
When we arrived in Magallanes, after
a two-hour trip from Kawit, Cavite where we
stayed before going to the area of apostolate, I
somehow noticed that it was really the ―Dulo
ng Walang hanggan....‖ They were quite right.
There was no traffic, no irritating noise of jeepneys, cars and busses, and no air and water
pollution. There, instead, was the breathtaking
view of a green and healthy environment, an
abundance of fresh local produce such as vegetables and fruits especially mango, a refreshing
breeze and crystal clear waters flowing down
the creeks and rivers. In short, Magallanes was
different from a totally industrialized and modern town or city like Manila, Dasmarinas, or
Tagaytay. But no matter how remote it was or
how much it lacked in terms of modern facilities and technology, it offers a different experience of beauty–one that is rooted in the simplicity of life.
One thing I could not forget in that
place, aside from the things I have already
mentioned, is the community of people there.
The food they eat, the clothes they wear, their
way of life, and everything else is uncomplicated. They are simple people, yet their simplicity magnifies their faith as Christians. All
of us are called to a life of simplicity as Chris-
tians. Jesus even told us to leave everything
behind. He is the Son of God and a great King
but he wore a servant‘s robe and held a shepherd‘s staff. He chose to be born in a manger
and lived the simplest way of life with his
earthly family. In one way or another, the simplicity of life in Magallanes reflected the simplicity of Christ. I saw this especially from the
people of Kay Apas (small village in Magallanes). It may have been the remotest place in
the world or as others said, dulo ng walang
hanggan, but the people there possessed Jesus
in their hearts.
I no longer call that place ―end of
eternity‖ but the ―dulo ng walang hanggang
pagbabago tungo kay Kristo‖ (end of eternal
change towards Christ). Simplicity continuously renews and invigorates their lives as
Christians towards an uncomplicated love of
God. Finally, the simplicity of life of the people of Magallanes inspires and challenges me
to be simple–a life that I am trying to live with
for the benefit of my future as a priest and for
the sake of the people with whom I will be
administering someday.
Vinson
with
some of
the villagers in
their
farewell
picnic
10
March—June 2010
Representing Christ as a “Pastoral physical weaknesses in order for us to be truly present
in ourselves, i.e., consciousness.
Care Giver”
As a “Pastoral Care Giver”, I was, even in a
Sem. Jayson Bautista
very small way, representing Christ. In being a such, I
ast summer, I was sent by our Rector Fr. faced the obligation of being true to Him whom I repJason Caganap, CRM to De La Salle Uni- resented.
versity Medical Center (DLSUMC) for our
I found my experiences at DLSUMC to be
summer apostolate with hopes of imitating exceptionally rewarding. This was due to the fact that
the examples left by our founders Saint Francis Carac- majority of patients I dealt with were welcoming and
ciolo, Ven. Augustine Adorno, and Fabrizio Caracciolo encouraging. It gave me hope to be with these people
who dedicated their lives in the service to the poor, the who were holding on to their faith even in their most
sick and the sinners. This, I was able to do through painful and sorrowful moments. Here, I remembered the
visitation of the patients and their families. In doing so, old woman and her sister who were receptive of me
however, the main challenge I faced was the one that even though that old woman was then about to die. It
dealt with my own life—my selfishness, timidity, lazi- encouraged me to talk to the persons with great trust in
ness, sleepiness, and my pride. I needed to transcend the providence of God and it humbled me to listen to
my very self as the Lord transcended the reality of the patients who were asking me to pray that God
L
“Supsupin”
Bro. Chris M.
is a small yet sweet
“Supsupin” mango
of Brgy. Tua, Magallanes, Cavite. It is now my favorite fruit because it is really delicious more than my exfavorite. I used to eat more than 14 pieces of supsupin everyday when I was in Brgy. Tua. Hmm!
What a delicious and yummy memory!
I was assigned together with brothers
Vinson and Rufino in the Parish of Nuestra
Señora De Guia, Magallanes, Cavite for one
month apostolate (March 18- April 18 2010). Fr.
Alain, the parish priest, welcomed us in his simple
parish. He entrusted us to the care of Bro. Rodel, a
Theology student, for the whole month. Bro.
Rodel taught us some lessons about the basic
Liturgy and its importance. After he taught us
how to celebrate the Bible Service, he decided
with the permission of Fr. Alain to send us in three
different Chapels and there began our real apostolate!
I was sent in the Chapel of St. Joseph
the Worker in Brgy. Tua. There, I met Mami Auring, Mami Vida and Nanay Natty who welcomed
and received me in their home. I began my apostolate by giving Catechesis to the children and
teaching them some animation songs. I shared
about my life in the seminary and told them some
jokes to make them animated and lively during
our Bible services.
Time passed by very quickly. One, two,
three and four weeks passed…the end of our apostolate was coming! Then, I had to say goodbye. It
was very hard to say goodbye to the people who
welcomed and received me just like their own
son. They cried when they saw me leaving their
place. Oh how sad!
This, however, was a good reminder for
all of us that when we serve the Lord, He takes
may forgive their sins. I was overwhelmed by the trust
that those people placed in me.
The one month apostolate would be useless
if I failed to relate it to the fundamental element of the
charism of our Order, the Eucharist, as stated in our
Constitutions: it is from the Eucharist that all our actions should begin and it is to the Eucharist that all our
actions are to return. In simply being with the patients
and their families, it was my hope that I had been a
Eucharist (the presence of Christ) to and for them. I
have seen the necessity to learn how to break and share
myself with those in need in order to be Christ to them.
I hope that what I experienced and learned
at DLSUMC would be useful for my future ministries.
care of us! (Siya na ang bahala sa atin pag naglilingkod tayo sa Kanya!) We are not actually leaving our own family behind when we serve Him.
Instead, He gives us more families. That is the way
the Lord shows His love for us.
Back to supsupin…my apostolate was
centered on this sweet little mango because I
used to eat this when I walked together with
three little kids; Jacky, Virgil, and Jovy in some
places in Brgy. Tua. They were my companions
wherever I went and whatever I did. This sweet
little mango represented the people of Magallanes especially of Brgy. Tua. They were sweet
just like its taste and lovable just like the way it
looked.
But more than this, supsupin represents
our vocation. It might be small but it is sweet and
good, and if we pray to God, He will make our
vocation stronger so that wherever we go, we can
inspire the people we will meet.
Halo-halo. Oh! I almost forget! I also
used to eat halo-halo dessert when I was in Magallanes. Because of this halo-halo, we created a
good bonding with the three theology students;
Bro. Rodel, Bro. Alvin, and Bro. Rey. Halo-halo
reminds me also of the people of Magallanes,
especially of Fr. Alain who is deeply committed
in his chosen vocation. Halo-halo represents Bro.
Paul, Raymond, and all the staff in the parish; the
people of Tua: Mami Auring, Mami Vida, Nanay
Natty, Tita Jo, Tita Sally; and the three little kids:
Jacky, Virgil and Jovy; and it also reminds me of
Joy, Emily, Roseann, kay Kapatan, kay SKChairwoman and to all the people of Pamitinan,
Kay Apas and Lubo-lubo. They gave taste and
color during my apostolate with them. I have
learned many things (halo-halo) from them. So it
is right to give them thanks and may the Lord
bless and keep all of them and their family always!
Bro. Chris and some of the people of Tua in
front of the small Chapel of St. Joseph at the
end of Bro. Chris‘ one month apostolate.
LEARNING FROM
EXPERIENCE
Sem. Anthony Gallego B.
A
postolate is a very important part
of our formation as seminarians to
become better priests in the future. It
helps us to mold ourselves little by little
into the image of the Good Shepherd
and to cultivate both the external and
internal aspect of my personality in order for us to grow and bear fruit. It also
helped us to develop the confidence that
we need to win over tepidity, to conquer
laziness and selfishness, and to rid ourselves of pride. Pastoral exposure also
helped us to develop a stronger faith and
hope and a greater love for God and for
all. My one-month pastoral exposure at
De La Salle University Medical Center
under the guidance and supervision of
Father Manny Villas was one of the
most fruitful yet challenging experiences in my life. Preparing to become a
good servant of God, Ii was particularly
important and essential to me. This experience enlivened the
Learning / 11
11
Mission Accomplished!
Learning / 10
zeal in my heart to continue my seminary formation with a
greater fervor and dedication. Moreover, it was good that I
was given an assignment far away from home to test my
willingness to step outside my own comfort zone and meet
other people. It also created strong ties between us seminarians assigned in the hospital and between the patients who
were happy and glad to meet us in the midst of their physical, emotional and spiritual struggles. This experience allowed me to have a profound relationship with our benevolent God–the Father who sacrificed his Son and the Son who
suffered and died for our salvation. As a temporary pastoral
caregiver, I tried my very best to represent Christ before His
suffering brothers and sisters.
This experience of administering the sick and their
families when they felt helpless, hopeless, restless and even
abandoned, gave me valuable insights and brought me to a
better understanding of myself and my role in the society—
the mystical body of Christ. It also led me to see the weaknesses and strength that I possess. I saw the need to develop
and nourish myself so that I could apply everything I learned
both from the formal academe and from the school of life
called human experience. This would allow me to deal with
people having crises or problems.
My experiences in the hospital—caring for the sick
and their relatives—did change me, the way I look at the
suffering patients and their families. I became more sensitive
to them and could be easily moved with compassion for
them. Instead of doing nothing, I could now offer prayer for
them –the least thing I could do. It also became a driving
force that empowers me to persevere in my seminary formation. One example left by our great founders is their love for
the sick. As a seminarian aspiring to become an Adorno, I
wanted to build my life upon the virtues of the founders who
imitated Christ—the foundation of our lives.
This reflection would be meaningless if I failed to
connect it to the fundamental element of our charism–the
Eucharist. On the one hand, the Eucharist is a sacrifice. On
the other hand, it is also a thanksgiving. The sacrifice of
every suffering patient will always be connected to the suffering of Christ. While the gratifying flow of love from people around them, their families, friends and even pastoral
caregivers are sure manifestations of God‘s triumphant presence.
I prayed that even for a short period of time, I become a living Eucharist to the patients and their families. It
is also my prayer that they may unite their suffering with the
suffering of Christ. And may these experiences serve as constant reminders of the mission God bestowed upon us. May
God bless the sick and all those who give them love and
care.
...administering the sick...when they felt
helpless, hopeless, restless and abandoned
gave me valuable insights and brought me to
a better understanding of myself and my role
in the society–the Mystical Body of Christ.
Sem. Kevin Daborbor
M
arch 18, 2010 was the day I was so waiting for, the day that could change
my point of view and could give me a joyful experience. It would be the
start of new experiences and adventures that might help me know myself better
and change my life. That day was the start of our summer apostolate. Rock and
roll!
This was the moment of truth. I was so excited and yet nervous in my
first assignment as an Adorno seminarian. I was sent by my superior at the Parish of San Nicholas de Tolentino in Brgy. Colasi, Mercedes, Camarines Norte.
At first, I was afraid to go there but with the encouragement of some
seminarians especially Erick and Anthony who were both from that place (they
gave me some tips and pieces of advice) my disposition changed. I always asked
them how I was supposed to behave and act in that place. I got some ideas about
the things that I should do in Colasi since it was my first time to deal with other
people–people who are culturally different from where I came from
As days passed by, I was getting more and more excited about my
summer apostolate in Colasi because I was the only one from the Adorno Fathers who will be assigned there. I was prepared for my mission to that mountainous place. They said that the sea and the rivers are near the parish. I found it
enjoying and exciting.
Join me in my adventure…
March 18, 2010 at 12:03pm, I, along with two other seminarians and
seventeen other passengers left for Colasi in a ―six-wheeler truck-jeep‖ (as I
called it). Just the travel itself was enough to bore you down and the hot summer
day would force your eyes to sleep. The roads were rough, rocky (just like they
said), hilly, with fallen branches almost all over. We even had to cross several
bridgeless rivers to get there. The way to Colasi was like the way of the cross:
full of sacrifices and sufferings. The road was just one of the many sacrifices
that the people who live there have to bear. It was supposed to be a short journey
but because of the difficult roads it took us almost two hours without stop to get
there sitting helplessly in that six-wheeler truck-jeep. ―You just have to get used
to it,‖ one passenger told me.
Yes! Finally! At 1:43pm, we arrived and took my first step on the soil
of Colasi. Excited and anxious, that was how I felt; excited because everything
around me was new and anxious about the mission that the priest had for me. I
felt calm the moment I arrived at the church with lush, green trees surrounding
the small church and rectory. The air was fresh unlike the one in the place where
I grew up. The river was clean, the ocean was blue, and the mountains were
green. That‘s Colasi!
Villages within the territory of San Nicholas Parish were really far.
You would need a car or a motorcycle if you wanted to reach your destination
fast. I thought that it was a crazy thing to do because the roads were very rocky,
long and winding. You would have to cross several mountains to reach your
destination. I actually felt safer walking than riding a car or worst, motorcycle
Mission / 13
Seminarian Kevin
(right) accompanied by Eric (left,
a local from Colasi) in front of
the Church as
they arrive at the
parish of St.
Nicholas de
Tolentino for the
apostolate.
12
March—June 2010
Here I am
Sem. Rufino C. Madridejos Jr.
J
ourney… a simple word but has a lot of meaning. It is life’s work of art that brings color and
structure in every living condition. We may say
that life is a journey of every individual toward
one’s goal, a constant journey towards a new
beginning and a journey towards everlasting joy.
Our lives as seminarians, though we
travel different roads will always lead us toward a
common goal i.e., to become God’s holy servants
and His people. Striving to become holy, humble,
poor in spirit but rich in God’s goodness and
chaste are not easy to achieve. As we make them
as our priorities, life becomes full of challenges
and battles. We may not be soldiers holding weapons but we are God’s knights armored with God’s
grace and love. One might say that our journey
here in the seminary is long and winding; but it is a
journey of not only acquiring virtues, knowledge
and wisdom but also a journey of sharing what we
have acquired.
Part of this journey is the apostolate–
an aspect of seminary formation that provides
firsthand experience for the seminarians of what
and how it is to be a missionary.
Last summer, we were blessed to have
our mission. Unlike the usual parish apostolate
where we served as lectors or altar servers, in
this mission we were told that we would be en-
trusted a small chapel to take care and shepherd
the people of the entire village–it was like a small
parish! We would be in-charge of pastoral planning, BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community), Bible sharing, giving Holy Communion and of course living
with the flock we would be tending to. Hearing
those multiple tasks, I was about to ask my formator if he could change my assignment when I
heard Dan Schutte’s song “Here I am, Lord.” This
song changed my disposition about the apostolate
and it made me understand what it meant to be a
seminarian, that is, a little servant of Christ. God
through the song based on the book of the prophet
Isaiah, challenged me to do what He wanted me to
do and say what he wanted me to say–Here I am,
Lord, Aqui estoy Señor, Narito ako Panginoon . He
wanted me to put my trust and faith in His will like
a son to his father. When I said yes for this mission, Jesus reminded me of His Mother to be my
guide and inspiration since the parish where the
other two seminarians and I were assigned was
dedicated to the maternal love and care of Nuestra Señora De Guia (Our Lady of the Way) with
Rev. Fr. Alain Manalo as the parish priest.
When I arrived to my assignment–my
little parish, a small village in Magallanes, Cavite
with a newly built chapel dedicated to St. Joseph–I
began to do the plans we have set up before. I
stayed at different homes not to be their guest but
a part of their family and later I became part of
their little community, which has various traditions and customs. There were little difficulties
CARING THE SICK LIKE OUR HOLY FOUNDERS
I
Bro. Mardy Aguilar
was filled with excitement and joy from the very first day
of my apostolate. I was not thinking about what would happen in my first visitation of the sick in De La Salle University Medical Center where I was assigned by Fr. Jason Caganap. Since it was my first time to be entrusted with a little mission, you could imagine how I was obsessed of this apostolate
since the day we were informed. Different thoughts were crossing my mind as we travel from Bicol to Cavite. Different faces of
new people in the new place were playing in my mind considering that my personality was quite introvert. However, I did not
want my mind to be preoccupied with worries since we were told
in our formation that one of the favorite interests of our founders
was visiting and caring for the sick. And for us to come out of
our shell, we should take the first steps – that was exposing ourselves in places where we could exercise the particular charism
of the Adorno Fathers.
As we were approaching Cavite, the other seminarians
in our car were making fun of me – I did not know, maybe I was
really funny. Despite of these fun and laughter, scenes of being
with the sick in the hospital were flashing in my mind from time
but with the grace of God I managed to overcome
them. Towards the end of my apostolate, I realized
the value of saying yes to God and being available
to His service because my presence in this community, which became my newly found friends and
families, brought hope, joy, renewal of faith, peace
and God’s love to the villagers. It was really a
satisfying experience.
At the end of every journey, another
one will come. There are journeys that bring us
bad and good memories, the others bring us lessons, strength, wisdom and even bring us deeper
meaning of life. But whatever they bring us, they
are designed by God to bring us closer to Him.
With great hope and faith in God, I am trying to
surrender my whole life to Him as I embark to the
journey of religious life and remain faithful to my
response to God–Here I am, Lord.
Rufino and his foster families at their picnic
as expression of their gratitude to him
before his departure.
to time, aware that in few hours we would be in Cavite. Finally I
gave in, I started entertaining those scenes and worries began to
consume me. Fear, rejections, temptations, weaknesses, hopelessness and problems with the patients were few things I worried
about. I prayed a lot to God and asked for His guidance hoping
that these things would not happen to me.
But it seemed God took pleasure in seeing me depressed. He did allow certain things to happen. Rejection from
patients was one of the things that made my apostolate a burden
and pushed me to be miserable – yet memorable and edifying. I
once asked a patient to join me in a short prayer, letting him
know that I was a seminarian, but he did not want to pray with
me. Twice I was rejected by this patient (a non-Catholic) without
even knowing why. He told me to leave his room at once and
never come back again. "Look for another patient!" he said. That
encounter almost brought me down and the feeling was really
unexplainable. I left his room asking myself why it happened and
I did not visit him again with due respect to his request.
There are things and circumstances in life that we try to
avoid. However, God, in His wisdom, allows them to happen to
make us strong and to teach us how to confront problems and
difficulties that we may encounter along the way.
Caring / 14
13
Mission / 11
because the bumpy roads would tire you down easily–it could even lead
you to an accident. Right away, I had to take that long walk like one
joining the Olympics: forty-five- minute walk, an hour of boat ride followed by another couple of hours to cross the mountains and slippery
roads. That was how to get to the villages.
―Kapag naasayn ka dito, totoong pari ka dahil talagang sakripisyo,‖ (If you were assigned here, you would be a true priest because
of undeniable sacrifices) the parish priest in Colasi told me. ―Hard life!‖
he added.
I was sweating heavily when I arrived at one of the villages
but it did not matter anymore when I saw the people with their warm
and welcoming smiles and when they offered us genuine hospitality–
gestures that led me to appreciate an austere lifestyle more than that of a
celebrity. I felt like being in a different but a beautiful world.
You would see a long line of students on their walk to a far
away school. It was physically exhausting but no amount of exhaustion
could dampen the spirit and zeal of a student who truly wanted to learn.
Life in Colasi was both simple and hard: simple, because they were free
from the corruption of extravagance and grandeur; hard, because people
had to endure backbreaking responsibilities such as farming and fishing
without access to modern equipments. There were also underprivileged
families in the area with kids who could not go to school but would
rather work to help the family. There wass no hospital in Colasi. You
would need to take a two-hour trip to get to the nearest hospital, provided that you would not miss the only trip going to downtown.
I live in Makati where the government provides essential services and privileges for free especially to the old and the indigent. I
have access to modern conveniences and pleasures. It is a beautiful and
lovable city and I would never trade it for anything big or great. However, when I entered the seminary in Bicol, it provided me with a different kind of environment, a different kind of breeze and a different kind
of music. It revived my soul to breathe the freshness of air and it calmed
my spirit listening to the sound of the trees and the song of the chirping
birds. I love nature, I love the environment. This is what I was looking
for.
In a village like Colasi, you would find majestic trees; clear
My Parish Experience
Sem. Herodion L. Gapas
T
he time I spent in my parish, the
Parish of Sta. Catalina de Alexandria, Glan, Sarangani Province
for almost two months, were full of unforgettable
memories which helped me to realize how much I
needed to develop and strive to improve myself
emotionally, academically, spiritually, and in the
apostolate. These four aspects or areas of formation are interrelated and relevant to each other.
Moreover, they too are useful, helpful and applicable especially to seminarians. In the Parish, there
were three assigned priests; Rev. Fr. Romeo A.
Subaldo, Parish Priest; Rev. Fr. Cristito Joloro,
Parish Vicar 1; and Rev. Fr. Eugenio Porras Jr.,
Parish Vicar II. They take turns in the parochial
pastoral responsibilities and concerns such as the
celebration of the Mass and going to the small
villages to administer the sacraments and discuss
other pastoral concerns. Indeed, this routine was
religiously observed every Sunday Masses and
feasts of the saints.
As for myself, I was assigned to serve
at daily Masses in the parish. Sometimes, I also
flowing rivers and blue, open sea. I was searching for peace, peace that I
found and experienced in Colasi. Being in Colasi helped me realize that
peace and contentment can be found in the simplicity of life. People in
Colasi were friendly, caring, thoughtful and most especially, loving. I
felt these things from the day I arrived until the day I left.
I met a lot of new friends in Colasi: young and old. It was
easy for me to befriend them because they were easy to talk to and they
were glad to meet new people especially priests and seminarians. However, they also wanted to see you hanging out and having fun with them.
I spent the first week observing and trying to adapt to the culture, routines, values, lifestyle and language. It was very difficult for me to adjust considering that I grew up in a very different environment. But it
did not stop me from trying my best to live with them and live like
them. Sometimes I felt like a stranger having a difficulty to relate with
the people because I do not speak their dialect and they do not speak
mine. But we both tried our best to communicate to each other.
I learned so many things from that place that I never learned
from the place where I grew up, such us interpersonal relationships,
appreciate simple things, be resourceful, appreciate the value of hard
work and many more. I was happy to experience living in a place where
there are people who hold on to God‘s providence. I found peace in that
place and realize through reflection the goodness of the Almighty. I did
hope that even in a simple way, I was able to manifest Christ to the
people as our founders did. I also wish that they learned something from
me.
I believe we should learn to love and appreciate our neighbors
and take extra effort to step outside our own comfort zone to reach out
to strangers. From them, we can learn and with them, we will grow.
True priesthood can be measured by one‘s dedication and willingness to
endure all the sacrifices and hurdles of Christian mission without losing
one‘s zeal and love for people and for God.
Our former superior said in his homily, ―We try to live simply
so that others might simply live.‖ It served as a constant reminder for
me to live in an austere and simple life. Living in Colasi for a month is
one of my unforgettable experiences as a seminarian because it changed
me and turned me into a better person. I tried to bring Christ to Colasi
but Colasi brought Christ to me.
―Do not do great things, but do small things with great love.‖
had to assist the priest assigned to celebrate
Mass in the distant settlement. We had to wake
up early in the morning to get to the villages on
time where it took us about two hours to get there.
These experiences made me realize that priesthood is not really an easy life in the sense that it
calls us to live in the sacrifice of Christ and willingly dedicate ourselves totally to our obligation
and mission. A priest also needs to equip himself
with courage, strength, hope and faith to be ready
to accept and face all the difficulties, tribulations
and trials, which could hinder him from reaching
his salvific goal. It is safe to say that to become a
priest, one needs to be flexible especially when
dealing with different kinds of people. It is good if
one could adapt to the cultures and environment
of a particular community so that people may feel
that they are important to them.
Besides serving at liturgical celebrations and going to the villages, I also helped the
youth ministry in their programs and activities. I
was given another opportunity to assist my Ate
(Big Sisters) and Kuya (Big Brothers) during the
youth retreat in the parish called Parish Renewal
Experience or PREX. I was particularly happy
about it because there were twenty five survivors
who patiently spent three days and two nights in
the retreat. I was glad that in my own simple
ways, I was able to share my time and talent to
them. Congratulations to all of them!
Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the hand of Most Rev. Dimualdo Gutierrez,
bishop of the Diocese of Marbel was the most
memorable and the best experience I had during
summer vacation.
As a seminarian, I consider those
memorable experiences as blessings because
they motivate me to persevere more in the kind of
life that I chose. I am very thankful to our Superior/Rector Fr. Jason Caganap C.R.M. for giving
us an opportunity to visit our families, relatives,
friends, and those people who are close to us.
Lastly, I am grateful to the priests assigned in our
parish who guided me, helped me and received
me as part of their beautiful community for almost
two months. I learned a lot from them through
examples—their efforts, dedication and sacrifices
in spreading the Word of God. They did encourage me to follow their footsteps—the footsteps of
Jesus Christ.
Thank you very much!
14
March—June 2010
Coming Home!
Sem.Roger Lanoy
If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your
cross each day, and follow me! For if you choose to save your life, you will
lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What does it profit
you to gain the whole world if you destroy or damage yourself?
This scriptural passage from Luke 9:23-25 is like water that makes
the seed of my vocation grow. Repeating this in my mind from time to time
enables me to overcome the little difficulties in my seminary life, avoid temptations, focus on my motivation, detach from the world and concentrate on following Jesus. These words of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit give
me courage to conquer myself and be unshaken against the storms brought
by the devil.
With those words in my heart and with the grace and mercy of God,
I was able to persevere for another year in the seminary. And finally, at the
end of the year, our long awaited time – the home visit!
We seminarians of the Adorno Fathers were given an opportunity to
visit our families at least once a month, during semestral break, Christmas,
New Year and summer. Unfortunately, not all seminarians were privileged
with this opportunity for some of us have come from remote islands of the
Philippines such as Mindanao. Thus, these underprivileged, and I was one of
them, preferred to stay in the seminary during the times of home visit. Hence
you could imagine when the end of the school year was approaching how
excited we were to see our parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, friends and
the whole home town. We could not almost sleep the day before our flight
home and we could not eat well… we were really excited!
Late March, I traveled back home in General Santos full of joy,
hope, insights and inspiration. Along the journey I reminded myself of the very
word of Fr. Jason Caganap, be seminarians even though you are not in the
formation house and continue praying as if you are in the seminary because
you are still part of the Adorno Community. Thinking his words, I found myself
comparing my life before and after I joined the Adorno Fathers. In the seminary I enjoy the grace of being directed as I submit my will to my formators.
But before this, I was like a sheep without a shepherd – going wherever I want
and doing whatever I like.
Then, when my feet landed on the ground of my biological birth, I
was fervent to live out the life style of the community where I was born spiritually.
I reported to our parish and helped my parish priest for everything I
could do. I assisted at Masses during Holy Week, gave a series of instructions
to the altar servers and offered my time to accompany our parish priest to a
Renewal Mass for all the priests of our Diocese where Herodion Gapas [other
Adorno Seminarian] and I were blessed to be with. I also gave catechesis to
my sisters and nieces, and I taught them, this time with my mother, how to
meditate on and pray the rosary in English.
In our simple works and effort to share the Lord’s words and live His
deeds, we are finding our life, and by so doing, we are losing and denying our
life of selfishness, meanness, immaturity and pride. Then we are now on our
way to following Jesus; and taking up our responsibilities daily with faith, hope
and love is our simplest way of taking up our own cross and later sharing into
His glory.
...when my feet landed on the ground of my biologi-
cal birth, I was fervent to live out the life style of
the community where I was born spiritually.
The seminarians after being commissioned to do an apostolic mission by Fr. Jason . (First row, from L-R) Bro. Chris,
John Bert, Rufino and Kevin. (Second row, from L-R) Bro.
Mardy, Anthony, Jayson and Vinson.
Caring / 12
That experience is now imprinted in my mind. But,
instead of dwelling in my own disappointment, my reflection pointed me towards the crisis that each patient has been
going through: the physical, emotional and spiritual struggles.
All of us are created by God with limitations and
weaknesses. Sometimes people become impatient especially
in the occasion of little sufferings, they fail to recognize that
our body is always prone to human sickness and suffering.
We complain, we ask unreasonable questions, we blame
others and sometimes God, we always seek comfort, we
avoid little suffering and we hate little sacrifices that may
bring us wisdom and spiritual growth. I myself ask those
questions, I ask God many whys and many hows and more
often than not failing to acknowledge His grace and failing
to incorporate my struggles and suffering into Christ‘s own
suffering. Sometimes, it is I who is more sick than those
people I visited in the hospital for few and very obvious
reasons. Sometimes, I need other people especially the sick
to let me know how sick I am, and let me know how I
should be treated and healed. Sometimes we need frustration, rejection and failure to feel how much we need God.
And finally we sometimes need humiliating works so that
the Spirit of Christ may touch our spirit just like what our
holy founders did when they came out of their shell of comfort in order to see the other face of Jesus in the faces of
sick people.
15
One does not live on
Bread alone!
Sem. Rafael Padron
―One does not live on bread
alone…‖ This is a phrase that we often
hear or read about. But, do we really try to
internalize its meaning and act on it?
Often, our prayer life and our
relationship with God become very poor.
There seems to be a greater attachment to
what we want as human beings, things that
perhaps make us happy or give us pleasure
but only momentarily. Momentary pleasures do not last. Therefore, we tend to get
that feeling back by doing exactly the
same thing over and over again or by replacing it with other temporal things to
keep that momentary happiness within. It
becomes a habitual cycle. We need to put
aside that dead-end relationship with tem-
A Piece of Me...
Sem. Erick Estrella
I
f I could tell you all the things that had happened to me and all the things I had done, I
think you would say I am no longer worthy to
stay here in the seminary.
Even before we had our summer vacation I was already told to write something about it
for the newsletter. I wanted to have something
good to write so I planned the things that I would
do for the summer and the place where I would
have them done. At first I thought everything was
OK and that all my plans would all be too easy.
But I was wrong! My focus clung on something
else and that is why all my plans ended up nowhere. As days passed by, the sadness that I felt
was also increasing. During that time I was
ashamed and disappointed about myself because
first and foremost, it was I who made my plan but
I was not able to accomplish it. Secondly, I promised my formators that I would be productive in
the seminary and not waste my time but I failed.
That was not the only problem I had.
My friends and I planned to spend the half of our
summer vacation at the seminary, the other
would be at home. But, one day before summer
approached, after we finished our work we did
something bad. Our formators upon learning
about it gave us a sanction—that means we were
not allowed to have our home visit, use computers and even use our surrendered cellphone
for the whole summer vacation. What a frustration! Actually those restrictions were our punishments, things that I thought at first to be so easy.
Yes, the last two things were not that difficult, but
the last one made me depressed. During that
time I really wanted to go home, because even
poral things and make room for the only
One who can give us true and never ending
happiness. It might be a very slow process,
but definitely a sure one.
As the school year comes to an
end, our superior brought us to this place
known as Mount Banahaw for our annual
retreat. Our retreat revolved around DEO
(D…… E……. O…….) spirituality and
way of life. Our spiritual journey began by
climbing the forested mountain for almost
four hours. On our way up, we were holding the hand of Mary, the mother of God
as we pray the Holy Rosary as our leader
instructed us to do so. We arrived at the
retreat center of the DEO community tired
and hungry so we ate our meals and took a
rest. Before we went to bed, Tito George
Balagtas, a DEO community member,
gave us some guidelines and instructions
for the retreat. We were instructed to remain silent, avoid running, avoid using
any electronic devices, and that we were
going to begin with our fasting, having
only one cup of coffee in the morning,
chocolate at midday and coffee in the evening.
After three days of sacrifices, we
were ready to go back home with a new
experience and with a better understanding
of what Jesus meant by that phrase, ―One
does not live on bread alone, but on every
word that comes from the mouth of God.‖
After three prayerful days of abstaining
from food, technology and noise, I realized
that I would not die from abstaining from
my wants. Instead, my spiritual life was
strengthened during those three days and
made me realize that I need to keep myself
from ―wanting‖ but to strengthen my relationship with God, spend more time in
prayer, and nourish my spirit to bring us to
the true happiness.
before we received our punishments, my mind
was already set on something. The fact that I
could only think about home and not be there
made me cry. I really wanted to go home but I
could not… so sad! I felt like my freedom was
taken away from me. Each day became an emotional torture; so difficult and so painful until one
day, by God’s grace and mercy, the pain was
taken away.
In the middle of our suffering from our
punishment, I said to myself "It was too much."
But, when I looked back on the things we did and
reflected on them, I realized that our punishments were not enough. I figured that things
became difficult for me because I became proud
of myself and thought that I was a righteous one.
I did not accept my failure wholeheartedly; one
reason why the punishments became too heavy
for me. At first I blamed someone, but then I
realized that it was God who tried to pull me from
the tower of pride that I built for myself to realize
that I was becoming proud- something that could
turn me into a wicked or sinful man.
I was truly hesitant to write this article
because I had a bad vacation, one that I could
never be proud of. I was afraid of what people
might think about me, but I still wrote it, not
because I was obliged but because I wanted to
share to you my little learning experience.
“Do not do great things, but do little
things with great love.” This quotation used to
hang at the door of Fr. Ted’s room. After I reflected on the things that happened to me, that,
line came into my mind. It reminded me that
simple and small things could become great when
you do it with great love. Meaning to say, no
matter how big and great the thing is, if we did
not do it with great love, it would just be a thing;
worthless and insignificant. I planned a lot but
nothing happened. Yes, it was my fault and
maybe it was because all my plans did not come
from my heart and I did not offer it to God. St.
Therese of The Child Jesus is my favorite saint.
She is known for her little ways. For her, every
little thing you do, if you do it with love and if you
offer it to God, it would be enough to live the
fullest of life and acquire eternal life. I wish that
even for just a little bit, we become like her—a
people dependent on God and always doing
things with great love.
Sometimes in our life, we fail because
we think that we can only find true happiness in
worldly things. Sometimes we need someone or
something to open our eyes to see that the happiness we get from worldly things is only temporary. I can say that even if we oftentimes fail, we
still have nothing to worry about if only our heart
is always ready to learn and to let God in. We
know that God is loving and merciful. He never
leaves us in times of trouble or when we fail or
fall. He always gives us His helping hand so we
could rise again and His light during the dark
nights of our life. What I want to say now is that
we must not lose hope or easily give up when we
did something wrong. There is always hope because there is always God and He is always with
us. In this life we will experience many failures or
fall many times, but it does not matter. What
matters most is that we rise up again every time
we fall and that we do not quit every time we fail.
“every little thing you do, if you do it
with love and if you offer it to God,
it would be enough to live the fullest
of life and acquire eternal life”
16
March—June 2010
“Nagbago na Ako”
„‟‟ISANG MUNTING BUTO AT ANG KAPATID KO‟‟
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, hindi ako marunong
magmahal,
Ngayon, nagmamahal at patuloy na magmamahal.
Sem. Jaycee Martinez
Sem. Mark Levy Parale
Habang ako
ay nagiisa matahimik kong pinagmamasdan ang munti kong kapatid. Masayang-masaya siya habang nagtatampisaw sa isang maliit na
palanggana. Walang kahit kunti mang kalungkutan na mabakas sa
kanyang munting kaanyuan kundi puro kaligayahan ang naglalaro
sa kanyang murang larawan. ―Napaka-palad niya!‖ Ang naibulong
ko sa aking sarili, dahil hindi pa niya alintana ang kaguluhang
nangyayari dito sa mundo napaka inosenti niya. Sa hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon naibaling ko ang aking paningin sa dakong
kaliwa ng aking kinatatayuan. Napansin ko ang isang munting
buto ng sitaw na tumutubo pa lamang. Napaisip ako ng malalim at
sa aking pag-iisip naihalintulad ko ang isang muting buto sa kapatid ko. Kapwa sila inosenti. Napakaraming tanong ang naglaro
sa isip ko. Paano kaya kong ang isang bata ay mabuhay ng
walang magulang, o tagapaggabay? Sa oras na lumaki siya
magiging mabuting tao kaya siya? Tulad din ng isang halaman
kung itoy lumaking walang tagapag-alaga. Ito ay hindi magiging
isang magandang halaman. Ito ay hindi magbubunga ng mabuti
kaylan man dahil hindi naging maayos ang kanyang paglaki. Ang
isang bata kapag nabubuhay sa ilalim ng maayos na pamilya,
minamahal ng magulang at mga kapatid; sa kanyang paglaki ito
ay kanyang madadala. Ang kanyang ibubunga ay mabuti. Tulad
din ng isang halaman kapag ito ay naalagaan, nadiligan, at nalagyan ng sapat na pataba, sa oras na ito’y mag bunga masagana
ang kanyang ani, ligaya rin sa nag-tanim. Napangiti ako at napabuntung hininga, napakasarap isipin. Hindi ko na napansin ang
mabilis na paglipas ng oras, hapon na at marami pa akong gagawin.
Tunay na Kaibigan
Sem. Roger Lanoy
Ang kailangan ko’y alam Mo na;
Alam Mo na dahil kaibigan kita.
Lahat ng panalangin at problema’y
sa Iyo nasabi ko na,
Ito’y alay ng puso kong lumuluha.
Sana’y dinggin Mo’t ako’y magiging masaya.
Kaya ako’y lumapit sa Iyo dahil tunay ka;
Tunay na kaibigan at maasahan,
Laging malalapitan kapag
ako’y nangangailangan.
Sana kaibigan ko hindi magbabago ang
ating pinagsamahan,
hanggang ako ay pumanaw sa mundong
kinagisnan.
Ikaw lamang ang tanging gabay sa buhay,
Kahit anong pagsubok nalalampasan ko
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, hindi ako marunong
manalangin,
Ngayon, nakaluhod at labi ay
humihiling.
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, mahina at mahiyaing
tao,
Ngayon, malakas ang loob sa
pagharap sa tao.
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, tamad akong mag-aral,
Ngayon, nagsusunog na ng
kilay.
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, iyakin akong tao,
Ngayon, ngiti na ang alay ko.
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, may yabang at hindi
marunong magpatawad,
Ngayon natutong magpatawad
at humingi ng tawad.
Nagbago na ako;
Noon, ako ‘yong taong iniisip
lang ang sarili,
Ngayon, iniisip na ang bawat
katabi.
Nagbago ako dahil na rin sa
tulong n’yo;
Pamilya, pari, kasama sa dormitoryo,
Sa problema’t paggabay may
malalapitan ako,
Sa pagmamahalan, d’yan tayo
mas panalo.
Ang saya’t sarap magbago;
Hindi lang sa salita,
Mas higit sa paggawa,
Di tulad noon, ngayon nagbago na ako!
Nand‟yan Ka!!!
Sem.Orlando Mendez
Pag ako‟y nabibigatan, nand‟yan Ka
Para pagaanin ang aking pasanin.
dahil sa tulong Mo tunay na kaibigan.
Ako’y umaasa na habang buhay
nand’yan Ka,
Sa tuwing kailangan kita at nakikita
Mong ako’y lumuluha.
Ikaw ang sagot sa lahat ng aking dasal,
Hindi bigo ang sa aki’y
ipinakita Mong pagmamahal.
Nais kong isigaw na ang
kaibigan ko’y Ikaw,
Ikaw si Hesus ang tunay kong kaibigan.
Ang dapat papurihan magpakailanman.
Ang pangalan Mo’y naisigaw ko na,
At ang buong mundo’y
punong-puno ng saya
dahil Ika’y nakilala sa puso ng bawat isa,
At hiling nama’y manatili Ka sa puso nila,
Upang kapayapaan ay maghari na,
Upang Ika’y tularan
at isigaw Kang tunay na kaibigan.
Kung ang landas ko‟y bako-bako, nand‟yan Ka
Para patagin ang aking mga landasin.
Kung ang puso ko ay nasasaktan, nand‟yan Ka
Para punasan ang aking mga luha.
Kung ako ay natatakot, nand‟yan Ka
Para tanggalin ang aking takot at pangamba.
Kung ako ay nag-iisa, nand‟yan Ka
At handang damayan ako t‟wina.
Kung ako ay may sakit , nand‟yan Ka
Para palakasin muli‟t katawan ko‟y sumigla.
Diyos ko, sabihin Mo sa akin
Kung ano ang dapat kong gawin,
Para makabayad ako sa kabutihan Mo sa‟kin.
Ang sagot Mo, “Maniwala ka lang sa Akin,
At sa piling Ko, sana‟y nand‟yan ka rin!”
17
Likas na Kayamanan
Kalakbay si Kristo
Sem. Kevin Daborbor
Sem. Orlando Mendez
Bundok, dagat, ilog at palayan,
Kalikasan sa ating bayan,
Tila kaygandang pagmasdan,
Ang mga bagay na gawa ng Maykapal.
Ang paglalakbay na kaagapay si Kristo
ay pagsunod sa kanyang mga yapak
at pagtuklas sa kanyang pag-ibig
sa liwanag man o sa dilim ng buhay.
Bundok na matataas sa paningin,
Sayaw ng mga dahon ay nakakaaliw,
Kaygandang pagmasdana ang punong luntian.
Huni ng ibon kay sarap pakinggan.
Dagat na malawak ay kaylinis.
Ulap sa langit ay kayninipis.
Alon sa dalampasigan ay humahampas.
Ibon sa kalangitan ay pumapagaspas.
Tubig sa ilog ay kay linaw.
Tubig nito‘y pumapawi ng aking uhaw.
Agos ng tubig kaysarap pakinggan.
At ang mga bato‘y kaygandang tingnan.
Sadyang kaydakila ng Maykapal,
Sapagkat nilikha Niya ang sangkinapal.
O kay ganda ng ating kapaligiran;
Sana ito ay ating alagaan.
Lumipas ang mga panahon,
At ang kalikasan ay unti-unting binabaon.
Saan na napunta ang ating yaman?
Nalanta ang lahat tulad ng isang halaman.
Puno sa ating mga bundok,
Unti-unting tinutupok.
Huni ng mga ibon ay nawala.
Mga hayop ngayo‘y nagwawala.
Kay dumi na rin ng ating karagatan.
Mga korales patuloy na naglalagasan.
Dagat na dati ay malinis,
Tirahan na ng mga ipis.
Ilog ay ginawang basurahan.
Kalat ay sa ilog ang tapunan.
Tubig noon ay maaaring inumin,
Ngunit ngayon ay maaari ng kumitil.
Ano na ang nangyari sa ating kapaligiran?
Sinira na ba ng taumbayan?
Huwag sana itong mangyari,
Upang hindi tayo magsisi.
Bundok, dagat, ilog at palayan
Kalikasan sa ating bayan
Tila kay pangit nang pagmasdan
Dahil sa kagagawan ng taumbayan.
Bundok, dagat, ilog, at palayan,
Kalikasan sa ating bayan,
Buhayin nati‘t pakaingatan.
Ito‘y likas nating yaman.
Ang tinig ni Hesus laging naririnig
Pumapawi ng takot kapag naliligalig
Haplos N‟ya sa „ting puso‟y payapa ang pintig
Sa tuwa at dusa sa Kanya nakasandig.
Handog N‟ya ay lakas, Pag-asa at halakhak
Ginagamot ang diwa‟t binubuo pagkatao.
Sinusupil ang bisyo, ang yapak ay winawasto
Itinuturo ang langit sa kalakbay si Kristo.
―KAIBIGAN
KITA‖
Sem. Anthony B. Gallego
Kaibigan ko nasaan ka na?
Ako ba’y naalala mo pa?
Diba’t alam mong kailangan kita,
Lalo sa oras na ako’y nag-iisa.
Kaibigan ko pakinggan mo naman ako!
Kahit ngayon lang sa mga oras na ito;
Wala na talaga akong malalapitan na kagaya mo,
Alam ko namang nandyan ka upang pakinggan ako.
Kaibigan ko hanap kita tuwi-tuwina;
Sana naman damayan mo ako sa aking nadarama,
Ibig ko lang na makapiling ka,
Kahit sa mga sandaling nakaligtaan na.
Kaibigan ko pinahihirapan mo ba ako?
Wala naman akong nagawang mali sa iyo,
Na maging dahilan upang saktan mo ako,
Ganito ba talaga kahirap ang pag-sunod sa mga yapak mo.
Kaibigan ko nakikinig ka ba?
Matagal na akong nananawagan sa iyo;
Siguro nga nagsawa kana,
Sa paulit-ulit na pagbigkas ng mga labi ko.
Kaibigan ko mahal kita!
Dito sa puso ko namumukod tangi ka;
Inaasam-asam na makapiling ka,
Kahit saglit, kaibigan kita.
18
March—June 2010
“Is God Real?”
Sem. Xyril Umerez
God is real
though I have never seen Him.
He is here
listening to his children.
For the blessing
I know I feel,
From people like you
who make him real.
All people come and gone,
just like every day.
On their faces I see
that time passes away.
He is the light
in darkness.
He makes the day
so bright.
I’m glad to meet
new friends
Who’ll stay
with me until the end.
I know there are more
people like you.
God is real!
WE NEED IS LOVE
Sem Roger Lanoy
I am a friend to all, my care is boundless.
I build spirit of love in the heart of godless.
SIX TRUTHS ABOUT
SEMINARIANS:
1. √ MABAIT
2. √ MADASALIN
3. √ MABANGO AT MALINIS
4. √ NAGMUMUKHANG GWAPO
5. √ HINDI MAKAPAG-ISA SA CR
PAG GABI
6. √ TAKOT SA MULTO
> ―Kung gusto ninyong sumikat, magpakagat kayo sa aso!‖- Bro. Rufi
>―Kalimutan na natin ang ating mga nakalipas, mag-move on na tayo, ‗wag na
natin itong
balikan!‖-seminaristang maraming utang.
>―Eat more, pray more.‖- seminaristang nagpapakabanal.
>Eat doesn‘t matter!‖- seminaristang problemado
>―Eat more and more and more!‖- seminaristang sobrang takaw
>―Eat no more! No more na!‖- seminaristang masama ang loob dahil
naubusan ng pagkain nung matakaw!
Prefect: (during informal conversation) Give a Symbol of Your Talent...
INITIATIVE
Sem 1: Ball!
Rector: Ang mga seminarista namin may
Prefect: Hmm, you‘re a varsity.
Sem 2: Paper and Pen!
initiative!
Sem 3: Guitar and beat box!
Bisita: Wow! Dat‟s good! May pagkukusa!
Sem 4: Mouse of computer!
Rector: „Di rin!
Sem 5: Scissor or razor!
Bisita: Bakit!
Sem 6: Paint brush!
Rector: Kasi may pagkukusang kumuha ng Sem 7: Kneeler!
sabon sa laundry, manood ng TV, matulog Sem 8: Bed!
Sem 9: Spoon and fork!
at... kumuha ng pagkain sa ref!
Sem 10: Plate!
I am a refuge and protection of the helpless.
I talk in the silence and your heart‟s stillness.
You can surely find me anytime you want;
You‟ll know yourself and deepest part,
You‟ll appreciate why I live in your heart,
Then for the rest of your life you will be glad!
I drive you to believe, hope and forgive,
Heal those you‟ve hurt, and wipe out your guilt.
You can only do it if you ask my help,
And in the life of love you‟ll really live!
However feeble such prayers may be,
God values them highly.
St. Teresa of Avila
Tita Alice Magana, the main sponsor of the Grotto and the Clergy. From Left, Fr.
Melvin Gamelo, Fr. Augusto Jesus Angeles, Bishop Camilo Gregorio, Fr. Jason Caganap, Fr. Arjay Abanto, Fr. Julito Heraldo, Fr. Ito Ibasco and Fr. Don Wenn Villa.
19
NEW COINED WORDS in the
Adorno Fathers Seminary. You
might hear the following words
if you happen to visit our community.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
KEVINATE—to destroy or break
something
MARDICATE—to turn black
MARDIZE—to pity one‘s self
MARDICOUS—persistent and funny
JAYCITY—a hyper-active person,
industrious and has initiative
ELMEROUS—responsible person
with good sense of humor
BERNADIZE—to steal something
Word of Thanks to the People who
were involved during the apostolate of
our seminarians
Kevin:
Mamay (for prayers and support)
Rev. Fr. Neil Leo Sureta (Parish Priest of
San Nicholas de Tolentino – Colasi,
Mercedes)
Parish Staffs
Bro. Erwin (theologian)
Sis. Jelly Hernandez (Sisters of Our Lady
of Mount Calvary)
Parishioners
Junjun and Herald
Sacristan, choir, youth
Apostoles and Lay Ministers
Kuya Egay (pianist)
BenGilbert, Nazareth and Mary Joy
(jeeps) for transportation
Anthony, Jayson and Bro. Mardy:
Rev. Fr. Manny Villas (Chaplain of De La
Salle University Medical Center)
Rev. Fr. Danny Tiong (Parish Priest of
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Parish – Dasmariñas, Cavite)
Rev. Fr. Andy Alvarez (Parish Vicar)
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MAIGABLE—slim
BAMBOSITY—finesse in singing
JONVEROX—angelic voice
NICHOLODGE—a person who has a
big legs
HARDYMIC—a prayerful person
BAUTISATE—to play musical instrument
VINSUATE—to play excitedly
EVERATE–to eat more than usual
ROGERSE—to criticize
EUGENATE—to dance
CECILATE—to study
TEODORICK—to sing
CRISHATE—to cut or trim hair or plant
HERODIC— a sports lover
XYFUL—thin, innocent and frail
Ate Girl, Tita Angie, Kuya Jay, Bro. Gabo
and all the staffs of the parish
Kuya Abe, Kuya Rogie, Kuya Sherjoe and
the Youth Ministry
Nurses, Doctors, Nuns and Workers of
DLSUMC
Rufino, Vinson and Bro. Chris;
Rev. Fr. Alain Manalo (Parish Priest of
Nuestra Señora de Guia Parish –
Magallanes, Cavite)
Bros. Rodel, Alvin, and Rey (Theologians
from the Diocese of Imus)
Nanay Henia, Ate Luvy, Emon, Simon,
Chito and all the staff of the parish
Bro. Paul and other Teachers from
Mother of Life
Argie and the Youth Ministry of the parish
Choirs and Catechists
Lectors, Commentators and parishioners
Faculty and Staff of De Guia Academy
Ate Vikki (Chapel Coordinator of St. Josephs‟ Chapel at Sitio Pamitinan)
Nanay Onie Glorioso and Family
Ate Shiela and her Family
Ate Grace, Ate Cely and their Family
Children of the Sitio especially those attending my catechism class
Youth of the Sitio especially Eloisa, Kate
We ask our friends to support the House of Formation of the Adorno Fathers
in the Philippines with their
prayers and if possible,
even financially. Please consider:
* Donation toward the comprehensive support fund for all seminarians
(any amount)
* Sponsoring of the education of a
seminarian at Holy Trinity College
Seminary ($500 per year)
* Support the publication of CALLE
CASA
* Board and Lodging of a seminarian
($550 per year/$1.50 a day)
23. ERICKTHUS—very creative
24. SHORLANDIC—a person who has
no average height
25. CAGNAC—jolly and easy go lucky
26. RUFFISH—comical face
27. RAPHAELIC—addicted to prayer
28. MELVINUITY—the state of having
so much fun
29. EMELLOUS—attractive to the inbetween-person
30. DOMICABLE—friendly and loving
31. VINSOBLE—an intelligent person
32. ANTHONATE—to turn red or blush
33. RALFUL—sleepy person, heavy-eyed
or drowsy
34. GEORGISH—a person who is in poor
health, ill, sick, unwell, or ailing
* An offering to have Masses said by
the priest at the seminary (specify
Mass Intention)
* Donation toward the poor of Camarines Norte
● MAKE checks payable to the
Adorno Fathers-CRM and mail to:
and Janna
All the faithful people of Sitio Pamitinan,
Barangay Tua, Magallanes Cavite
Nanay Nida and her family
Nanay Maring and her family
Ate Bebe and her family
Ate Remy and her family
Naynay levy and her family
Tatay Sopring, Nanay Deli and their
family
Ate Joselyn and her family
To the Youth ministry of Brgy. Kay Apas,
most especially those who attended
the “Bible study”
And to all the parishioners of Kay Apas
especially those
families who participated in the “Bible
Sharing Activity”
Bro. Doms
Rev. Fr. Rogelio Orpiada (Parish of
St. Didachus of Alcala-Bagong Silang
1, Labo, Cams. Norte)
The Adorno Fathers Community is deeply
grateful for your cooperation in helping
our seminarians during their remarkable
and fruitful apostolate in your place.
(In the USA)
(In the Philippines)
Adorno Fathers Philippines
c/o Rev. Fr. Nony Villaluz,
CRM
St. Joseph Parish
40 Spring Street, Lodi, New
Jersey
07644 USA
Adorno Fathers Formation
House
Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Vinzons,
Camarines Norte
4603 Philippines
Email: [email protected]
CP No. +639173510261
For Bank Transfer:
Wachovia Checking Acct. #
2000039564065
For Bank Transfer:
Bank of the Philippine Island
Peso Checking Acct. #
3451-0049-12
“Those who hope in the Lord will not be disappointed.”
BE AN ADORNO FATHER OR BROTHER!
FOR MORE INFORMATION WRITE OR CALL THE VOCATION
DIRECTOR REV. FR. JASON CAGANAP, CRM
CP# 09391638896/09287108291/09173510261
(Psalm 25:3)
The Order of the Clerics Regular Minor
Adorno Fathers Formation House
Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Vinzons, Camarines Norte
Philippines 4603