Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

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.

At around 4:00 in the afternoon, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chapel of St. Hannibal in FDZ Convent was filled with the majestic voices of the Rogationist Seminary Choir as they accompany Bro. Henrikus Gualbertus who will be professing his Perpetual Vows to the Congregaton of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, through the hands of Fr. Breynard Peji, RCJ as the delegate of the Provincial Superior Fr. Herman Abcede. The Presiding Prelate is the Vicar of the Diocese, Fr. Wilhelmus Djulei Conterius, SVD. Some invited priests, in particular the Parish Priests where the Rogationists are present, were also present during Holy Mass. With the theme, “Let it be done to me according to your word”, Fr. Wilhelmus Djulei, in his homily, invited Bro. Henry and all the faithful, to look on the readiness and the faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary in answering the call of the Lord to become the Mother of the Saviour, that amidst the confusion and troubles that life is offering, the total trust and fidelity of Mary that God will never abandon his faithful people, becomes for us the model on how to become true followers of Christ in the modern times.

After the Holy Mass, there was a simple dinner and program offered for Bro. Henry. Family, friends, classmates, neighbors and ex-Rogationists were also present and greeted Fr. Henry. As tradition here in Maumere, a community dance closed the celebrations.

Il passaggio del tifone Rammasun (Glenda) ha creato ingenti danni nell’isola di Luzon (Filippine), dove si trovano alcune nostre Comunità. In particolare la Provincia di cavite è stata affetta dal passaggio del tifone. Si contano già decine e decine di morti e centinaia di migliaia di sfollati, case distrutte e alberi sradicati. Le nostre Case di Manila e Pasay non avuto grossi danni, invece la Chiesa ed alcuni edifici del nostro Centro di spiritualità “Oasi di preghiera”, di Silang, Cavite sono stati letteralmente sventrati e distrutti. Siamo vicini alla popolazione e ai Confratelli delle Filippine ed esprimiamo tutta la nostra solidarietà.

Il campo profughi di Qaraqosh, nel nord dell’Iraq, dove i nostri confratelli svolgono il loro apostolato, dal giorno 1 all’11 di aprile ha vissuto momenti intensi di solidarietà nella piccola clinica della missione. Siamo grati a P. Mario Buonanno e alla nostra comunità di Tarragona che dalla Spagna ha preso a cuore questa missione e che, oltre a procurarci finanziamenti consistenti per le nostre attività umanitarie, ora ha reso possibile per alcuni giorni la presenza del Dott. Jesus Albiol per curare i bambini e coloro che sono accorsi numerosi  dai dintorni. L’amico dentista, che in varie occasioni aveva svolto un simile servizio nelle nostre missioni delle Filippine, è stato accompagnato dal P. Carmelo Capizzi, responsabile dell’Ufficio Missionario Centrale di Roma, e nei dieci giorni della sua permanenza ha praticato centinaia di estrazioni, otturazioni e cura di varie infezioni, lavorando a volte fino a 9 ore al giorno. Tutti hanno potuto apprezzare non solo l’abilità professionale del Dott. Albiol, ma soprattutto il suo tratto contraddistinto da sensibilità umana, da attenzione e simpatia in mezzo ai più piccoli che in mille modi gli hanno dimostrato stima e affetto. Un senso di profonda gratitudine anche al gruppo di giovani volontari francesi che lo scorso anno avevano acquistato tutte le attrezzature dell’infermeria, lasciandole al campo profughi come ricordo del loro servizio.