Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

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!

On May 2, 2015 the St. Matthew Province, through the Oasis of Prayer and Saint Anthony’s Boys Village, held the Magnificat Concert, a fundraising activity for the benefit of the project (Seminary) in Indonesia mission. This is one of the many initiatives of the Province within the Rogationist Mission Day celebration of the Congregation. The Concert consisted of the performances of the Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, Magdalene Band, UST Wind Orchestra and UST Symphony Orchestra. It was a wonderful event for everybody. Friends, Benefactors and enthusiasts came to grace the said event.

Grace-filled pilgrimage

Celebrating the

10 years of missionary presence

of the ROGATIONISts in MAUMERE

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

08 NOVEMBER 2014

Seminary Camping

The seminarians will gather together in the football field of Seminari Rogationis – Wailiti for a half day celebration starting with the group games and animation prepared by the community that aimed at team-building and camaraderie among the seminarians. There will also be moments of prayer and thanksgiving for the gift of vocation, for the gift of charism, for the gift of community life. The Evening will be capped with sharings and Cultural presentations coming from the seminarians – highlighting the richness of the cultures and traditions of Flores.

13 NOVEMBER

“I Love My Children”

The whole Seminary Community will gather the children attending our Sunday Apostolate in the different chapels and parishes of Seminary Apostolate for an afternoon of Rogate Children’s Gathering in Wetekara, one of the chapels of Habi where the Rogationists first inserted themselves in a Parish community. The community tied itself with the Animators of SEKAMI – parish catechists for children, to mobilize, animate, catechize, and look after the children. The children are also asked present some songs and dances for entertainment. Gifts and prices were also prepared for the children.  

14 NOVEMBER

FOCUS ON VOCATION

The seminary will conduct a whole day seminar inviting all the students of the Formation Institute of St. Hannibal (FISH), both the Aspirants and the Postulants and the Superiors and Formators of the different Religious Congregations here in Maumere. There will be two seminars: Young People of Today – answering the Call of God to be Workers in his Vineyard, facilitated by Fr. Henry Ramos, RCJ, with the aspirants and postulants as the audience; Mission and Formation: Consecrated Persons Actively Involving Themselves in the Mission of Christ, facilitated by Fr. Jessie Martirizar, RCJ, for the Professed Religious, Superiors and Formators of the different Religious Congregations enrolled in FISH. An agape concludes gathering.

In the afternoon, there will be the Blessing of the corner stone in the Rogationist Seminary in Ribang. Fr. Jessie Martirizar, as representative of the Superior General, will bless with cornerstone together with Fr. Henry Ramos and priests of the Rogationist Community in Maumere. This Seminary under the “Progetto Maumere” of the whole Congregation of the Rogationist will be the seedbed of Vocation here in Maumere as it will the place where the future “workers in the Lord’s vineyard” will be formed and educated.

15 NOVEMBER

YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ROGATE ERGO

The seminary will hold a youth camp inviting the youth groups coming from the different nearby parishes where the Rogationists are helping for the Sunday Liturgy. A Young Diocesar Priest will be invited to give an inspiration-vocation talk to the youth and will lead them to faith-experience-witnessing and thanksgiving through the Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Afterwhich, there will be cultural presentations, testimonies and sharings from the different youth group.

In the evening, the parishioners will also share their moments of prayer and adoration as they take their turn in adoring and thanking Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, in a Community Adoration for Vocation

16 NOVEMBER

A DAY OF THANKSGIVING

Mass for the commemoration of the 10th Year Anniversary of the Rogationists’ Presence in Maumere. The First Missionaries: Fr. Jessie Martirizar and Henry Ramos, together with the Bishop fof Maumere, Msgr. Gerulfus Kherubim Pareira, SVD will officiate the Celebration of the Holy Mass, together will some invited priests in the Diocese of Mauemre. Church and Government leaders, Religious Congregations, Former Rogationists, family, friends and benefactors of the Rogationists and people who were became part of the journey of the Rogationists here in Maumere will also be invited to take part in the celebrations. After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, there will be a procession carrying the Statue of St. Hannibal from the Chapel going to the Seminary, accompanied by all the faithful. Feast of food, friendship and cultural presentations await the guests and visitors of the said celebration. In the afternoon, there will be the community “Barrio Fiesta” – games involving the local people of Wailiti and Kota Baru where the Rogationists are residents. A moment of silence and prayer will end the celebration with the Sky Lanterns sending the prayers of praise, thanksgiving and petitions of the Community to the skies.