Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

The Canonical Visit of Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior to the St. Lawrence, the Deacon Parish community in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, that lasted from March 4 until 7, 2016, was highlighted by encounters with the Fr. Sylvestre Robiñol and Fr. Menard Cadeliña, both as a group and even personally. Fr. Herman took the opportunity to visit the chapel in the municipality of Dumalneg, the establishment of which as a parish of its own is the primary reason the presence in that area was accepted by the Rogationists. The chapel in San Isidro was also visited.

We would like to congratulate our dear Bro. Marcelino Lavente, RCJ for successfully completing and passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers. May this achievement enrich the wisdom you already have in educating and forming young people according to the lived examples of our founder, St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia.

Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ just completed the week-long Canonical Visit to the Community of the Sideia Mission Center in Papua New Guinea. He was accompanied by Bro. Christian Allan De Sagun, the secretary of the St. Matthew Province to document the entire visitation. The mission community is composed of Fr. Ronaldo Victoria, RCJ, Fr. Giulio Belarmino, RCJ and Fr. Carlo Balaguer, RCJ who went back to the Philippines after six months of missionary experience. The mission in Sideia, Island includes a Parish, Health Center, Schools of different levels among many others. Fr. Carmelo Capizzi, RCJ, one of those working in the Central Missionary Office in Rome, Italy joined the trip to meet with Fr. Victoria in order to complete the report on a project funded by the Conference of the Italian Bishops. Let us pray for our missionaries in that land, that they may feel our oneness with them in the Rogate, despite the distance that isolates them from us.

November 15, 2015, the Bishop of Gumaca, Most Rev. Vic Ocampo, DD, graced with his presence the Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Joel Ricafranca, RCJ at the Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish in Sumagonsong, Mulanay, Quezon. Confreres, family and friends filled the humble church to witness and participate in his first Eucharistic celebration in his native place.

Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ, the Superior of the St. Matthew Province, presided over the Holy Eucharist in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her Birthday. In that same liturgy, He Installed to the Ministry of Lectors 8 religious brothers and another 9, to the Ministry of the Acolytes. Witnessed by parents, confreres, relatives and friends, in this concelebrated rite, Bro. Mark Robin Destura, RCJ, made perpetual profession of the evangelical vows. Let us pray for these generous young men, that their self-offering be fruitful by God's grace.

During the Eucharistic Celebration, the Provincial Superior, Fr. Herman Abcede received the Renewal of the Religious Vows of Bro. Joseph Phan Hoang Nguyen and Bro. Joseph Nguyen Truong Thinh at the Oasis of Prayer on May 27, 2015. Simultaneously, in the Missionary Station of Vietnam, Fr. Dante Quidayan was delegated to receive the Renewal of the Vows of Bro. Vincent Tran Xuan Diep, Bro. John Baptist Nguyen Thanh Huy, Bro. John Baptist Phan Thanh Vuong and Bro. Peter Hoang Van Dong.

We thank God for continuously blessing His vineyard with laborers according to His heart. On May 31, 2015, fourteen (14) postulants (Jerold Abadingo, Afridus Agustinus, Philip Alensolurin, Jeword Cris Cirujales, Alvin Jasper Cruz, Damianus Doe, Edjieson Hachaso, Sylvester Kenedy, Andrew Noquiao, Queenan Louie Noquiao, Jeffrey Salvador, Peter Trung Viet Thien, Joachim Nguyen Tien Thanh and Eugene Valiente) were entrusted to the care of the Novice Master, Fr. Cesare Bettoni, RCJ, who gladly accepted them, and twelve (12) novices (Emanuel Yarsi Burung, John Dela Cruz, Jeffrey Angelo Evangelio, Kim Seong Nam, Frederikus Yorius Ndawi, Arthur James Paciente, Yoseph Emmanuel Rua, Paulo Sambile, Juncel Subong, Jeffren Tugbo, Joseph Henry Varquez, Lloyd Villahermosa) made their First Profession of the Vows before Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the Chapel of the St. Anthony's Boys Village in Silang, Cavite.

At the Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies in Sucat, Paranaque City, on June 1, 2015, Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ, received the Renewal of the Religious Vows of 31 Brothers (Bro. John Francis Aberion, Bro. Jose Roque Arreza, Bro. Jobert Belgica, Bro. Edward Capeña, Bro. Jorge Casaberde, Bro. Francis Ferruci Cayao, Bro. Zander Conson, Bro. Paul Tran Duc Chinh, Bro. Joseph Nguyen Hung Cuong, Bro. Joseph Phung Minh Dang, Bro. Ferdinand Escullar, Bro. Ryan Alvin Espanto, Bro. Chris Melvic Floralde, Bro. Val Vincent Frias, Bro. Giovanni Gamaya, Bro. Ignatius Carmelo Gannaban, Bro. Jose Gasta, Bro. Alex Henon, Bro. Lorgin Hernaez, Bro. Tom June Lancin, Bro. Jonrey Lauron, Bro. Marcelino Lavente, Bro. Paul John Mapacpac, Bro. Patrick Ian Marcelo, Bro. Rence Fradel Nazarrea, Bro. Al John Provido, Bro. Aernest Relatorres, Bro. Nino Rosal, Bro. Dominic Phung Ngoc Si, Bro. Ferdinandus Heldi Tanga and Bro. Espiredion Verano Jr.) and the Perpetual Profession of 4 others (Bro. Jorem Bellen, Bro.  Harvey Caño Cestina, Bro.Tristan Angelo Palado and Bro. Francisco Gringo Tagabi).

All the Communities of the Province were one in the celebrations, particularly the St. Hannibal Formation Center in Cebu, where Fr. Orville Cajigal, the Councilor for Charity and Mission, represented the Provincial Superior to accept the Renewal of Vows of Bro. Andru Iroy, Bro. Reggie Akiatan and Bro. Bryan Tutas. At the Saint Anthony’s Boys Village in Davao, Fr. Ronald Masilang was delegated to receive the Religious Vows of Bro. Clenton Oplas and Bro. Petrus Marianus. Bro. Carl Angelo Balaan renewed his Vows before Fr. Marcelino Diaz, II at the St. Hannibal Mary Discernment Center. In our Missionary Station in Indonesia, Fr. Breynard Peji accepted the Renewal of Vows of Bro. Marselinus Koka.

What a wonderful way of honoring St. Hannibal on his feast day? God is glorified by the generous self-offering of this young men, responding to His call. Send more, O Lord!

In the Eucharistic liturgy in the St. Hannibal Rogate Center in Merville Park, Paranaque, on June 2, 2015, Fr. Giulio Belarmino and Fr. Carlo Balaguer, were commissioned to work in the Rogationist mission in Papua New Guinea. Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior, with Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, the Councilor for Charity and Mission of the St. Matthew Province led the ritual, where they gave each his missionary cross - the sign of Christ's love and of our faith. The two missioners were tasked primarily to preach Christ crucified, who is the power and wisdom of God. With Frs. Giulio and Carlo, we remember in our prayers all our missionaries. May God be glorified through your generosity, courage and sacrifices!

Last May 13-20 Fr. Herman Abcede, Provincial Superior, and Fr. Rene Ramirez went to Melbourne Australia to commence the Rogationist presence within the ecclesiastical territory of the archdiocese of Melbourne. While in Melbourne the FDZ Sisters accomodated them in their Student's House in Church St., Richmond, Victoria, Australia. For two time  Fr. Herman Abcede and Fr. Renato Arvin Ramirez met His Grace, Archbishop Denis Hart D.D., to discuss and to agree of the conditions surrounding the intention of the St. Matthew Province.

The good Archbishop entrusted to the Rogationists the Pastoral care of the “partnered” Parishes of Braybrook/Maidstone – Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maidstone (including St. John’s Church, West Footscray), and Christ the King, Braybrook. All these three churches, which care for about 1509 Catholic households, are within a 10km radius from the city center. The Office of the combined parishes is located at the presbytery on 46 Ballarat Road, Maidstone.

The parishioners of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Maidstone are from a wide range of ethnic background, including Vietnamese, Filipinos and Italians, who organize novena prayers for Our Lady and an annual Italian Feast of the Holy Family. The faithful of the Christ the King are also from a wide range of ethnic background, including Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, Maltese, Romanian, Italian, Croatian, Eritrean and Australian, who organize an annual multi-cultural feast.

Fr. Rene remained in Melbourne to further study other matters related to the mission. Eventually when the visas will be ready they will commence in the end of the 3rd quarter of the year.

Praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity!

The STQP, India joyfully celebrated the perpetual Profession of seven religious students, Bro. Dino Pulickathadathil, Bro. Doney Palakuzhayil, Bro. Deepu Plathottathil, Bro. Robin Arackaparambil, Bro. Romal Kaniyamparambil, Bro. Jiby Edathiparamban, Bro. Stany Odanadan. The con-celebrated Holy Eucharist was presided over by the Major Superior, Fr. Shajan Pazhayil. Fr. Hormis Mynatty, the spiritual father and professor of the brothers delivered the homily, Fr. Davis Varayilan, cmi, the rector of Samanvaya theological college Bhopal, Fr. Vito A. Lipari and Fr. George Thumpenirappel, the representative of the parish priests were the con-celebrants on the altar. Rogationists priests and religious men and women from different congregations and near by communities participated in the celebration. Relatives, benefactors and friends of the brothers and community graced the celebration with their prayerful presence. After the Eucharistic celebration everybody enjoyed the table fellowship and congratulated the brothers for their definitive commitment.

Most Rev. Ruperto Santos, D.D., Bishop of Balanga, Bataan, presided over the Holy Mass for the Community of the Indigenous People (Aetas) in Matalangao, Parang, Bataan, on May 9, 2015. That same day, the Bishop and Fr. Herman Abcede blessed the newly constructed multi-purpose hall.

Fr. John Youn, who heads the apostolate for this community related to the guests and benefactors how the project of building such a structure came about. The hall which is fully furnished with a multi-functional classroom, computer room, library, clinic, bedroom and toilet, was built to facilitate the apostolate with the Aetas. May this work for the indigenous members of this locality flourish according to God's design!