Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

On August 8, 2013 Thursday, the Father Di Francia Center of Studies Community sends off their two confreres with a prayerful wishes and a bagful of smiles. To highlight the activity at 6 o’clock in the evening, a solemn Mass was offered begging the Lord of the Harvest to guide and protect the new missionaries: Bro.Tom June Lancin RCJ and Bro. Jorem Bellen RCJ to Papua New Guinea. Fr. Herman Abcede, provincial, presided over the holy Eucharist together with Frs. Elmer, Ranny, John, and Bong. They invoked the Holy Spirit for the grace of perseverance and total dedication. In his homily, Fr. Herman shared his own unrealized dream and desire to be a missionary; a reason for calling himself a missionary at home. Taking a short moment to give some details of his own story, he then went directly to the point by inviting Bro. Tom June and bro. Jorem to proclaim and announce the very same Jesus that they encountered in their prayer and reflection. He challenged them to be strong in their commitment and to keep the flame of simplicity forever burning. Going a bit deeper, he read the “would be” message of Pope Francis to the missionaries in this forthcoming World Mission Sunday. He gave particular stressed on being rooted on the faith in Christ and to generously offer their undivided heart to him. Wrapping up his message, he recalled his all-time favorite story of the “Chicken and the Baboy”.

Immediately after his homily, a short rite of blessings was prayed over to the missionaries; with eyes casted on the ground the missionaries then approached the celebrant to receive the crucifix. After the Solemn mass a short and simple program followed. Presentations from the postulants, religious students and from the missionaries themselves were showcased while the hungry crowds were all busy sharing the food prepared by the community. Series of messages were then expressed by confreres and formators alike. They assured Tom and Jorem of their constant prayers and wished them all the best for their mission. Putting the program to its end, the community one heartedly offered a song entitled The Mission. Finally, with joy in his heart the Provincial extended his hands asked the Lord for His grace and parted his final blessings.

The Philippine Quasi Province, in line with the desire of the Geral Assembly 2012 and with the coming International Education Congress 2014 in Rome, held the first convocation of the Rogationists’ Educational Leaders, tagged as Rogationist Educator’s Forum 2013, on August 29-30, 2013, at the Rogationist College Paranaque, in Grencourt, San Dionisio, Sucat, Paranaque City.

It was an opportunity for all the Rogationist Educational Leaders of the various Educational Institutions in the Philippine Quasi Province to come together and discuss matters related to the need for systematization and organization of the various principles to be considered in our Rogationist Schools. The Forum was inspired by the general thrust «GOING ONE… GROWING GLOBAL» and with the focus on the «ASSOCIATION OR SYSTEM, A ROGATIONIST EDUCATIONAL HIGHWAY».

The Forum commenced with the invocation animated by Fr. Rodolfo Patiag, Jr. Then Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior, welcomed everybody to the Forum and presented the relevance of the initiative in response to the desire of the PQP General Assembly of 2012 and the program of the General Government. Taking some indications coming from the “Guide for the International Congress on Education 2014” (ICE 2014), he presented the constant idea that is coming out regarding the “ultimate goal of the difrancian pedagogy which is, to construct the person’s identity” by helping the young discover and develop his/her individual potentials up to the achievement of his/her full self-realization, according to the plan of God in the present time, as well as in the future” (ICE 2014 p. 13). Fr. Herman further quoted the ICE 2014 affirmation saying that “the great novelty of St. Hannibal Mary lies in looking at man as a “vocation”, as a being called into existence so that he could ever more reveal himself, by his growth and identification, as God's project to be brought to completion and hence, be a good laborer of the harvest” (Ibid).

Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, the Councilor in charge for the sector of Charity and Mission in the PQP, presented the rationale of the Forum. He came out with the specific objectives of the event and the eventual creation of the Directory on Educational Apostolate that will be applicable to the Philippine Quasi Province.

Fr. Danny Montaña, one of the main organizers and the facilitator of the event, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Cynthia Arcadio, Consultant of the Phoenix Publications. Dr. Arcadio presented an overview of the 21st Century Educational Trends. Her talk focused on the overview of the present and even of the future of Education and the kind of clients educational institutions should consider.

In the afternoon Fr. Teodolfo Baria Jr., the Superintendent of the Region IV and Director of the Diocesan Schools of the Diocese of San Pablo shared the lights and shadows of a Unified School System implemented in their context. This talk somehow provided the participants of the various ramifications of the making a system in the schools.

Later on Fr. Dexter Prudenciano presented to the assembly the result of the survey done regarding the 7S of the RCJ schools.  Then the first day ended with the consideration of the various data that came out from the survey.

The second day (August 30, 2013) was filled with a free discussion regarding the Identity, Character and Direction of the Rogationist’ Educational System (at PQP).  After a long sharing and debate the assembly came out a working suggestion that will be considered in the PQP Educational Institutions. The following ideas came out as working concepts for the PQP Schools.

Identity:

The Rogationist Catholic Educational Community is dedicated to the love of God and neighbour especially the children and the poor (Luke 10:28) driven by the Rogate, the charism (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2) of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia.

Character:

(Prayer and Charity)

Direction:

iPray, iPractice, iPromote

Shared Vision:

We envision ourselves to be an Association of the Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities in the Philippine Quasi Province by 2018 with a unified program in the areas of:

1. A. Management / Administration / Leadership / Finance;
   

2. B. Curriculum and Instruction;
   

3. C. Faculty and Staff Development; and
   

4. D. Community Extension Services.
   

Mission:

Rooted in the Rogate, the Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities (AREC) commits itself to the accompaniment of the member schools to:

• Form its members toward Love of God and neighbour, patriotism, integrity, and excellence;
  

• Promote a culture of vocation and good workers who, like St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, will be espousing the cause of the poor especially the children;
  

• Offer a balanced and technically-oriented curriculum, as well as excellent instruction, learning environment and facilities; and prepare well-rounded graduates who are agents of social growth and transformation.
  

Follow up activity: 1ST CONGRESS OF ARCEC (Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities), to be held in the Rogationist College Silang, Cavite, on February 13-16, 2014. This will be participated by all the Administrators, faculty and Staff of all the PQP Schools and Seminaries.)

In the afternoon Fr. Gabriel Flores, the President and Rector of the Rogationist College-Silang, Cavite, presented a comprehensive view of the Rogationist Educational Institutions’ preparedness for the K to 12 with the Rogationist College Silang serving as model. After such a dynamic presentation, a lively interaction and open forum followed.

The Forum ended with gratitude to God and to the people who worked hard for the success of the event.

The Philippine Quasi Province, in line with the desire of the General Assembly 2012 and with the coming International Education Congress 2014 in Rome, held the first convocation of the Rogationist’ Educational Leaders, tagged as Rogationist’ Educator’s Forum 2013, on August 29-30, 2013, at the Rogationist College Paranaque, in Grencourt, San Dionisio, Sucat, Paranaque City.

It was a an opportunity for all the Rogationist Educational Leaders of the various Educational Institutions in the Philippine Quasi Province to come together and discuss matters related to the need for systematization and organization of the various principles to be considered in our Rogationist Schools. The Forum was done inspired by the general thrust «GROWING ONE… GOING GLOBAL» and with the focus on the «ASSOCIATION OR SYSTEM, A ROGATIONIST EDUCATIONAL HIGHWAY».

The Forum commenced with the invocation animated by Fr. Rodolfo Patiag, Jr. Then Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior, welcomed everybody to the Forum and presented the relevance of the initiative in response to the desire of the PQP General Assembly of 2012 and the program of the General Government. Taking some indications coming from the “Guide for the International Congress on Education 2014” (ICE 2014), he presented the constant idea that is coming out regarding the “ultimate goal of the difrancian pedagogy which is, to construct the person’s identity” by helping the young discover and develop his individual potentials up to the achievement of his full self-realization, according to the plan of God in the present time, as well as in the future”(ICE 2014 p. 13). Fr. Herman further quoted the ICE 2014 affirmation saying that “the great novelty of St. Hannibal Mary lies in looking at man as a “vocation”, as a being called into existence so that he could ever more reveal himself, by his growth and identification, as God's project to be brought to completion and hence, be a good labourer of the harvest”(Ibid).

Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, the Councilor in charge for the sector of Charity and Mission in the PQP, presented the rationale of the Forum. He came out with the specific objectives of the event and the eventual creation of the Directory on Educational Apostolate that will be applicable to the Philippine Quasi Province.

Fr. Danny Montaña, one of the main organizers and the facilitator of the event, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Cynthia Arcadio, Consultant of the Phoenix Publications. Dr. Arcadio presented an overview of the 21st Century Educational Trends. Her talk focused on the overview of the present and even of the future of Education and the kind of clients educational institutions should consider.

In the afternoon Fr. Teodolfo Baria Jr., the Superintendent of the Region IV and Director of the Diocesan Schools of the Diocese of San Pablo shared the lights and shadows of a Unified School System implemented in their context. This talk somehow provided the participants of the various ramifications of the making a system in the schools.

Later on Fr. Dexter Prudenciano presented to the assembly the result of the survey done regarding the 7S of the RCJ schools.  Then the first day ended with the consideration of the various data that came out from the survey.

The second day (August 30, 2013) was filled with a free discussion regarding the Identity, Character and Direction of the Rogationist’ Educational System (at PQP).  After a long sharing and debate the assembly came out a working suggestion that will be considered in the PQP Educational Institutions. The following ideas came out as working concepts for the PQP Schools.

Identity:

The Rogationist Catholic Educational Community is dedicated to the love of God and neighbour especially the children and the poor (Luke 10:28) driven by the Rogate, the charism (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2) of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia.

Character:

ORA ET CARITAS (Prayer and charity)

Direction:

iPray, iPractice, iPromote

Shared Vision:

We envision ourselves to be an Association of the Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities in the Philippine Quasi Province by 2018 with a unified program in the areas of:

1. Management / Administration / Leadership / Finance;

2. Curriculum and Instruction;

3. Faculty and Staff Development; and

4. Community Extension Services.

Mission:

Rooted in the Rogate, the Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities (AREC) commits itself to the accompaniment of the member schools to:

• Form its members toward Love of God and neighbour, patriotism, integrity, and excellence;

• Promote a culture of vocation and good workers who, like St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, will be espousing the cause of the poor especially the children;

• Offer a balanced and technically-oriented curriculum, as well as excellent instruction, learning environment and facilities; and prepare well-rounded graduates who are agents of social growth and transformation.

Follow up activity: 1ST CONGRESS OF ARCEC (Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities), to be held in the Rogationist College Silang, Cavite, on February 13-16, 2014. This will be participated by all the Administrators, faculty and Staff of all the PQP Schools and Seminaries.)

In the afternoon Fr. Gabriel Flores, the President and Rector of the Rogationist College-Silang, Cavite, presented a comprehensive view of the Rogationist Educational Institutions’ preparedness for the K to 12 with the Rogationist College Silang serving as model. After such a dynamic presentation, a lively interaction and open forum followed.

The Forum ended with gratitude to God and to the people who worked hard for the success of the event.

La comunita' rogazionista in Seoul celebra i 10 anni della sua presenza in Corea. In questa occasione ha organizzato una Messa di ringraziamento con benefattori e amici, e un pellegrinaggio nei luoghi dei santi martiri coreani nel giorno 30 giugno 2013

As the universal Church celebrated the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the diocese of Maumere, Flores, Indonesia took advantage of this gracious and momentous occasion through a month-long series of vocation animations. The group of vocation promoters of various religious congregations in Maumere, headed by a Rogationist priest, organized the vocation month with the aim of fostering awareness among the people on the necessity of praying for Vocations.  Almost 30 religious congregations of male and female working in the Diocese of Maumere responded to the call of making the people conscious about the importance of prayer in obtaining good workers in the Church. Among the vocational activities was the over-night lived-in (Saturday to Sunday) among those Christian communities that were seldom visited or never been visited by the religious. On the first two Sundays of the month of April, religious men and women, seminarians and aspirants spent time with the people animating and giving them catechesis on the importance of prayer for Vocations, as well as encouraging them to be generous in sending their children to seminary or convents. Meanwhile, the Rogationist seminary prepared the schema of the Eucharistic Adoration for the Triduum of the WDPV that were celebrated in every religious community. On the day of the 50th WDPV, all the religious communities were busy in animating the children in their own parishes.  The vocation month was concluded with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Bishop Gerulfus Pareira, SVD, Bishop of Maumere, concelebrated by religious and diocesan priests and attended by many religious congregations last 29 of April.

“Dipanggil Menjadi Suatu Tanda Harapan Bagi Dunia” (Called to Become Signs of Hope for the World).  This was the theme of this year’s Graduation Ceremony of the Formation Institute of St. Hannibal (FISH), a Formation Institute entrusted by the Diocese to the Rogationists in order to facilitate and organize Religious Studies for the Aspirants and Postulants of the different Religious Congregations present in the Diocese of  Maumere. Those who participated in this year’s formation courses grew in number and reached to almost 150 young aspirants, postulants and seminarians from 16 Religious Congregations. The Most Rev. Gerulfus Kherubim Pareira, SVD, Bishop of Maumere, presided over the celebration of the Holy Mass together with the priests-concelebrants from different male Religious Congregations who are enrolled in FISH. Fr. Breynard Peji, RCJ, as coordinator of FISH, gave an inspiring talk to the graduates. Those who finished the course received the Certificates of Completion. After the celebration of the Holy Mass, a simple agape was shared by everybody. 

“FAITH INCREASED, HOPE STRENGTHENED”, this is how we described our experience when our bishop in Dalat Diocese celebrated a solemn mass for the Rogationist Vietnam Mission Station (RVMS).  It was even more meaningful because he celebrated the mass on the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, our Rogationist Feast day par-excellence. With the permission of our beloved Bishop, this special occasion was also marked with the launching of the Family Rogate Vietnam, Dalat Diocese Chapter. Seven families of our seminarians formally took the promise as new members of the Family Rogate ( Hoi Gia Dinh Rogate).  The first members are the parents of the Rogationist’s seminarians from Bao Loc and Don Duong, Lam Dong Province. Both places belong to the Diocese of Dalat.

The celebration was simple and as much as possible kept it in secret and private. The good bishop allowed us to use the bishop’s house for the celebration and only a few guests were invited including some priests, religious men and women, benefactors and friends.   It was a risk to organize that celebration but we felt safe and secure in the bishop’s house assuring us that we are in God’s hand.

It was only a half day celebration. It started with the solemn adoration for vocation presided over by Fr. Alfonso Heredia, Responsible of the Mission.  The reflection which Fr. Alfonso prepared for the Eucharistic Adoration emphasized the Meaning of Vocation, the Role of the Rogate in the Church and the Conviction, Joy, Sacrifice, and the Desire of St. Hannibal in living, propagating and proclaiming the Rogate.

After the solemn Eucharistic Adoration for Vocation, the Bishop presided over the solemn mass. In his homily, the Bishop spoke boldly about the importance of the charism of the  Rogate in the Church, especially in the his local diocese, at the same time, he also appreciated  the initiation of the group of family that is committed to pray daily for vocations in the Church.

Here is the summary of the Bishop’s homily.

-          He gave the introduction about the World Day of Prayer for Vocations which was started in 1964 and in 1971 the date was officially fixed on the Good Sherpherd Sunday as the  WDPV.

-          Then he spoke about the Rogationists, the charism of the Rogate, a command from the mouth of Jesus. The necessity of obeying the Word of Jesus, to pray for Vocations, especially for the Priesthood and religious vocations.

-          Touching on the crisis of vocations in many countries of the world, he underlined that in the developed countries, there is the experience of the lost of spiritual life, the lost of the sense of God, and  the lost of faith because of the culture of consumerism, and nobody wants to follow Christ because many young people have lost their faith, they don’t see Christ. He said that Vocation needs FAITH - and so there is the need of more pastors to bring back and animate the faith.

-          He also underlined the connection of FAITH-à VOCATIONàBLESSING (HOPE) and explained it through the story of the faith of Abraham. Abraham’s faith led him to answer yes to God full of hope and because of that yes (vocation) he received abundant blessings.

-             Finally, he mentioned the important role of the family in Vocations. “No family, no vocation”. And focused his attention on the Family ROG which started as a small group of family, wishing that it will later expand as a big group. And the most challenging words he said for us Rogationists, Daughters of Divine Zeal and the FAM ROG is that “we are vocation for all the Vocations.”

Thanks to our beloved bishop in the Diocese of Dalat who is a real shepherd and who is always available for the people. Thanks to our parents who generously responded to the call of witnessing the Rogate. Thanks to our friends and benefactors who always assure us of their support, protection and guidance. Thanks to the different congregations for their fraternal support and blessings, thanks to our students and aspirants both Rogationists and the Daughters of Divine Zeal, because of their generosity and availability to say yes to the call of God, the Rogate becomes ever more active, dynamic and triumphant.

With all these people and experiences, the RMSV is continuously casting its net into the DEEP. We are assured and convinced that we walk in the Direction of God following the Examples of Christ of the Rogate through St. Hannibal. This leads us to a more and a deeper Encounter with the Heart of Jesus, with the Heart of St. Hannibal and with the heart of the Avignone, the poor.  Whatever is the Plan of God for our mission here in Vietnam, we will joyfully obey and we hope and pray  that  it will be brought into completion.

Indeed, it is in our experience of being in the DEEP that our FAITH is increased and our HOPE is strengthened.

“Vocations: Signs of Hope Founded in Faith” - In anticipation of the forthcoming “Good Shepherd Sunday”, the Family of the Rogate, together with priests, families, youth and religious congregations, organized and celebrated a day for the Jubilee Year of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations last Saturday, April 20, 2013 at St. Anthony’s Boys Village-Rogationist College, Silang, Cavite, with the theme: “Vocations: Signs of Hope Founded in Faith”.

With almost 2,000 participants who attended the celebration, the event was marked with animations, catechesis, Holy Mass and Adorations, group sharing and cultural presentations which showcased the 50 years of the Church’s mandate in inviting everyone around the world to pray and work for holy vocations. Fr. Miguel De Silva’s Rogate Family Song became the official song and animation for the celebration which was performed by the Rogationist seminarians and postulants.

Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of the Diocese of Pasig gave a catechesis on vocations. He emphasized Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI’s message on the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations which centered on hope. “To have hope”, he said, “is happiness, offering, peace and Eucharist”. Without these, it would be impossible to appreciate the gift of vocations which the Lord himself initiated among whom He chooses – the call to single-blessedness, married life and priestly and religious life.

Together with concelebrating priests, Bishop Mylo presided the Holy Mass. In his homily, he emphasized that to pray for vocations is not only to pray for others but also to pray for one’s vocation too. The usual liturgical celebration followed, and then towards the end of the Holy Mass, a prayer composed by Blessed John Paul II was said. The Choir of St. Hannibal Empowerment Center animated the songs in the Holy Mass.

After the lunch, Breakthrough Circles took place. On that part, 50 groups were distributed into different areas in the school campus to have their group dynamics. The group dynamics featured various youth groups who performed various role-play of different Biblical personages note-worthy of their vocation story. This became the focus of the group sharing, which later on became the material of their resolutions through “tongues of fire” made into a collage onto a bigger “tongue of fire” then put into the “Galilee Wall”. Prayers of commitment were composed in the official poster of the event which was offered in the concluding “Tribute to Our Lady of Vocations”. All casts of the role-play concluded the dynamics with a prayer-dance of the song “Many Gifts, One Spirit”.

Eucharistic Adoration was presided by Fr. Herman Abcede, RCJ, Provincial Superior of the Rogationists in the Philippines. In his sharing, Fr. Herman gave his own version of as response to Bishop Mylo’s catechesis: “H - Hear the heartbeat of Christ, O - Observe the overflowing harvest, P - Pray passionately for the harvest, and E - Encounter the Lord with Enthusiasm”. Intercessory prayers were said before the final blessing.

Cultural presentations featured performances from St. Anthony’s Boys Village-Rogationist Academy from Davao, songs from Accapella Manila, an interpretative dance from the community of St. Hannibal Empowerment Center, and a Marian song from the selected religious brothers from the community of Father Di Francia Center of Studies. The brothers too carried the statue of Our Lady of Vocations towards the center platform accompanied by the prayer-dance of the youth of SHEC.

As soon as the statue of the Blessed Mother was placed, prayers and salutations were said, and then representatives from each group came to offer the commitment prayers. The celebration ended with the theme song “Rogate Family Song”. By:  Post. John Francis C. Aberion

Sabato, 10 novembre 2012, alle ore 16.00, nella cappella del Father Di Francia Center of Studies  di Parañaque City, Filippine, riceveranno il sacro ordine del Diaconato gli studenti religiosi Bro. Menard Vidad Cadeliña, Bro. Santos Sendon Solitario, Bro. Ronie Durens Gumagay e Bro. Charleston Amoin Tumulak, per l’imposizione delle mani di Sua Ecc.za Rev.ma Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Vescovo Ausiliare di Manila. A tutti felicissimi auguri.