iPaul no.14 - Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

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Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter Year 6 No. 14 Easter 2011

Q u i s n o s s e p a r a b i t a c a r i t a t e Ch r is t i ? A n g la d iu s ?

Easter, from the Old English Eostre , Paskha in

Greek, and Pasakh (Passover) in Hebrew, is the

central feast in the Christian liturgical year (CCC 638).

It is the “Feast of feasts,” “Solemnity among

solemnities” and for St. Athanasius “The Great

Sunday”(CCC 1169). This marks the culmination not

only of Holy Week but the whole year in the Church

calendar. On this day, the Resurrection of Jesus

Christ is celebrated. It is believed that Christ rose

from the dead on the third day after he died on the

cross on Good Friday. Thus, Easter Sunday is the

main reason why Christians keep Sunday as the

primary day of religious observance. Moreover,

Easter is considered the most important celebration

in the Church year for such is the foundation of the

Christian faith.

The commemoration of Christ’s Paschal

Mystery (passion, death and resurrection) during

Lenten and Easter season is a reminder to those who

dedicate themselves in the service of God’s Kingdom

that the kind of life they are entering is also a life of Christ’s Paschal Mystery (passion, death, and

resurrection). Their term of services and the people

whom they are going to serve will come to pass

(passion). While doing the mission, they will

encounter struggles (death). Their works will not be

in vain for God will reward them after all

(resurrection). In addition, it is a paschal mystery for

they are to serve God’s flock with much passion.

They are to die to themselves for others. They are to

serve joyously for God’s glory. Thus, ministerial life is

also

a

life

of

Christ’s

Paschal

Mystery.

HAPPY EASTER!

The Lord is risen! Alleluia!

HAPPY EASTER!MALIGAYANG PASKO NG PAGKABUHAY!

BUONA PASQUA!FELICES PASCUAS!

JOYEUSES PAQUES!



No. 3 i Paul 2 No. 14 i Paul 2

Three new priests and two new deacons:God’s answer to His people in prayer

(Bro. Julimar Pulvera, CRSP)

(From left to right) Rev. Pat Golis, Fr. Thomas Tabada, Fr. Clyd Autentico, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Fr. Jonathan Ramoso and Rev. Yohanes Koten

The Clerics Regular of Saint Paul in thePhilippines has been blessed with three newlyordained priests and two deacons.

On the second day of April at 3:30 in theafternoon, three Barnabite deacons Clyd SumayoAutentico, Jonathan Galope Ramoso and ThomasFederick Salvador Tabada received the sacredOrdination to the Priesthood and two perpetualprofessed brothers Pat Mandin Golis and YohanesBesi Koten were ordained to the Diaconate. Therites of Ordination were held at St. Joseph Chapel of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph(also known as the Caburlotto Sisters) in BarangayBuho, Amadeo, Cavite. The solemn Mass and theOrdination ceremonies were presided by Most Rev.

Luis Antonio Tagle, Bishop of Imus.

The families, relatives, friends andbenefactors of the ordinandi were all present. Mostof them came from their home provinces in the

Visayas and Mindanao. A good number of religiousfrom different congregations were also present. TheZaccarian family in the Philippines was also inattendance: the fathers in the communities of St.Anthony Mary Zaccaria Seminary (Marikina), St.Anthony Mary Zaccaria Parish (Silangan, San Mateo,Rizal), the Barnabite lay affiliates, the Angelic Sistersof St. Paul and the Sisters Little Workers of theSacred Heart—all from Marikina City.

The Filipino Barnabite fathers alsoconcelebrated at the two-hour Mass. The celebrationwas also graced by the presence of Very Rev. Fr.

Francisco Chagas Da Silva, one of the four assistants



No. 14 i Paul 3 of the superior general Fr. Giovanni Villa. Priestsfrom other religious congregations alsoconcelebrated including diocesan priests Fr. AlainManalo, parish priest of Our Lady of the Way Parishin Magallanes, Cavite and Fr. Vhon Arellano, parishpriest of St. Joseph Parish in Kaytitinga, Alfonso,Cavite. The confreres Jonathan and Clyd had servedin the said parishes for some months before theirOrdination.

The Barnabite professed brothers assisted atthe Mass with Bro. Glenn Gaabucayan as master of ceremonies. The angelic voices of the youth choir of Kaytitinga added to the beauty and solemnity of thecelebration. Bro. Rey Carmelo Ausejo, a Barnabite

professed brother, sang the Litany of the Saints. Thepsalm was sung by duets Flordeliza Afable, a memberof the Kaytitingga Choir and Barnabite scholasticBro. Julimar Pulvera. Fr. Jimmy Anastacio, superior of the Marikina community, proclaimed the Gospel. Thebishop’s inspiring homily was centered on the gospelmessage in which the Lord asked the disciples “topray for the Lord of the harvests to send morelaborers in His vineyard.” The bishop stressed thatthe answer to this prayer was the five newlyordained ministers who have committed themselvestotally to God as His laborers.

Before the Mass concluded, Mr. Eduardo andMrs. Alma Roa, long-time friends of St. PaulScholasticate community, were officially enrolled aslay affiliates of the Barnabite Order. The couplebecame the first affiliates of the Barnabite Fathers inTagaytay. After the celebration of the Mass, thetraditional kissing of the hands of the newly ordainedfollowed. Everyone queued to kiss the hands of thenew priests and received their blessing: first, thebishop and the priests followed by the scholastics;

then the families of the ordinand and finally, all thepeople present. The assembly proceeded to theschool gymnasium of the Caburlotto Sisters forsupper. The bishop also stayed and spent some timefor a chat with the fathers. The affair concluded witha smile in everyone’s faces especially our new priestsand new deacons.

Prior to this big event, the Barnabitebrothers, the fathers and the seminary personnel of St. Paul Scholasticate community were very busy inmaking preparations. They had their general cleaning

in and outside the house. The Merciful Sisters werealso busy in accommodating the visitors: the families,relatives, and friends of the newly ordainedconfreres. Some of the brothers were also busy intouring the visitors to beautiful places in Tagaytay.Thanks to their generosity and service.

The following day, April 3rd, Sunday at 9:00o’clock in the morning, the three newly ordainedpriests offered the thanksgiving Mass in the chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of St. Paul Scholasticate. Itwas well-attended by their relatives and friends andpeople who usually come for Sunday Mass in theseminary chapel. Fathers Francisco Da Silva, MichaelSandalo and Arvin Dagalea also concelebrated.Newly ordained deacons Pat and Yohanes alsoassisted. The former proclaimed the Gospel whilethe latter assisted in preparing the altar. Fr. Jonathandelivered the homily. Before the conclusion of theMass, Fr. Thomas, in behalf of his newly ordainedconfreres, expressed his thanks for all the personswho made the occasion possible. After the Mass, theassembly lined up for the kissing of the hands of thenewly ordained. Then snacks were served as

everyone enjoyed taking pictures with the priestsand the scholastics. Deacons Pat and Yohanes beforereceiving the book of Gospels

Bishop Tagle kisses the hands of the new priests.




Fr. Thomas is the youngest son of AvelinoTabada and Enriquita Salvador. He was born onOctober 19, 1983 in Cebu City but his family is nowbased in Poblacion, Trinidad, Bohol Province. Fr.

Jonathan is from Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental,Mindanao Island. Born on the 25 th of June 1983, he isthe second son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeanito Ramoso. Fr.Clyd hails from Talibon, Bohol. He is the sixth childof Mr. and Mrs. Ernesto Autentico. The three youngpriests have concluded their four-year theologicalstudies at the Divine Word School of Theology.They finished their studies in Philosophy at St.Camillus College Seminary, Marikina City. They madetheir first profession of Vows on May 13, 2006 andtheir Solemn Profession on the 8 th of December2009. Last March 26, they all received their academicdegrees in Theology at the Divine Word School of Theology, Tagaytay.

Rev. Pat hails from Gingoog City, MisamisOriental. Born on May 1 st 1982, he is the third son inthe family of four children of Absalon Golis andEncarnacion Mandin. Rev. Yohanes Koten (fondlycalled “John” by his confreres) was born on March15, 1979. He comes from Hurit, Flores Island,Indonesia. He is the ninth in the brood of fourteen

(14) children of Bernardus Bera Koten and MariaLepang Weruin. He is the first Indonesian in theBarnabite Order. Despite the distance and hisseemingly lonesome journey in the seminary, he wasable to pursue his dream of becoming a “soldier of Christ” in the sacred ministry. He was one of the sixpioneer Indonesians who entered St. Anthony MaryZaccaria Seminary, Marikina in the year 2002. Johnand Pat did their Solemn Profession last 8 th of December 2010. Both finished their theologicalstudies at the Divine Word School of Theology andPhilosophy at St. Camillus College Seminary inMarikina City.

The community of St. Paul Scholasticate isvery grateful for all those who had made theoccasion a memorable one. It also is very thankful tothe Caburlotto Sisters for accomodating theoccasion in their beautiful church and spaciousschool gymnasium.

To the newly ordained ministers, you are ananswer to the prayer of God’s people! Everyone islooking forward for the ordination to the Priesthoodof Deacons Pat and Yohanes.

To all of you Congratulations!




Listen to what their hearts tell:

Thoughts and Reflections from the newPriests and Deacons

A P riest for Forever

Rev. Fr. Jonathan Galope Ramoso,CRSP

“You are a priest forever,according to the order of

Melchizedek”(Heb.7:17)

I remember one time when one of my friendsasked me if we had a “bloodline” of priests, Ireluctantly answered “I’ll check my family tree.” Afterinquiring, I found out that there was never a priest inmy kin. My friends and neighbors in the province usedto tell me that there was no priest in our family especially in the Ramoso side! At this, I am fully convinced that priesthood is not about a “bloodline”or like a heirloom as the people in the Old Testament usually believed. But priestly life is a gift from God“through the power of an indestructible life” (Heb. 7:16).

To be a religious and a priest is not about having a “bloodline” or a “priestly” family but torespond to the joyful invitation of Jesus Christ to be his“soldier,” to follow him unreservedly and to be a “fisher of men”. Reflecting on the letter to theHebrews, I was enlightened by what it says that JesusChrist is a priest though not belonging to a “Levitic” orpriestly family. Jesus Christ is the High Priest whooffered His very own self as a sacrificial Lamb for the

redemption of all sinners. As I received the sacred Ordination to thepriesthood, I am so grateful to God for such great gift

which He has given me. To be a priest and a shepherdof God’s flock is an awe-inspiring gift though it corresponds a great responsibility.

The indelible mark of my priestly consecration is truly forever. Wherever I go and do my apostolic mission and activity that the Congregation

will ask me, I have to bear in mind that I am a priest and this will be forever. Undeniably, the Lord is calling me: to talk as a true priest, act as a true priest, and have

a heart like Jesus the Eternal High Priest. I am now a priest in the line of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4).

The Ordination to thePriesthood, according to many whocould have experienced thiscelebration, is an exciting and joyfulmoment to the person who will beordained. It is true because this was

what I exactly felt during ourOrdination. I could not imagineand believe that after the long

period of struggle in the seminary, I would reach thisstage of life. I have experienced a lot of difficulties inmy personal, community and academic life but I havesurvived and have overcome all those trials in my life. Ibelieve that it is the Lord who always guides me in the

way and gives me the grace that sustains me to fight many hardships and trials in my vocation. Also,through the prayers of the people who prayed for mealways. Thank you. God bless us all . (Rev. Fr. Clyd

Autentico, CRSP) MINISTRY OF SERVICE

Rev. Deacon Yohanes Koten,CRSP

Following Christ radically needs sacrifice. I should leaveeverything, deny myself, take up thecross and bear it patiently untilCalvary. It is so hard. But with

God’s help and grace, I believe I can do it. In my life

journey as a religious I will encounter “ups” and“downs” like that of Jesus while carrying the cross toCalvary. When such occasion happens, I will do my best because these experiences will lead me to theglory of being with Jesus. I believe that these “ups” and“downs” will tell me that life is not about waiting forthe storms to pass. It is rather an opportunity to learn,to grow, and to become mature. When it is rainy,people usually exclaim that the weather is bad. But to a person who is docile and has a creative and positivemind, he looks at it as a blessing. So he dances underthe rainfall and savors its beauty.

(see next page)



No. 3 i Paul 6 No. 14 i Paul 6 Following Christ radically entails giving one’s

heart for others. It is about taking risks and making life worth living. This is the way of being a deacon. As a deacon, I am a servant of God and His people. For meDEACON means D edication, Enabling, A vailability,Commitment, O bedience, and N ameless.

Firstly, those meanings show me that as a servant, I will dedicate myself tirelessly in the service of God and others. I will try my best to enable people seehow good God is in His Words and the Sacramentsespecially the Holy Eucharist. Hopefully, through my

words and actions, they will acknowledge the presenceof God and say, “It is great to be a Catholic, a followerof Jesus and a child of God!”

Secondly, I will avail myself for those who arein need even if they will ask me to dance in the rainand to sing without knowing all the lyrics and meaning of a song. I will commit myself to my responsibilities toGod and others by giving my heart in the service of others’ well being. As a servant, I will show obedience to my master, God and to those whom I am going serve without counting the cost. Finally, a deacon hasno name. This means that whatever works andachievements I do, they are to be acknowledged asGod’s not mine. It is because my service is for Hisgreater glory alone and for the benefit of His people. I

do not do it for my own glorification. I am just a servant who will do what the Master will ask me to do.Furthermore, deacon literally means a

ministry of service. This service has to be done with JOY. JOY for me stands for – Jesus first; O thers next; Y ou-the servant last. It means that my service is first and foremost for Jesus Christ. This will lead me toserve others with His love. In serving others, I serve

Jesus: “What you do to the least of my brethren youdo it also to Me.”

Serving Jesus in others is my joy as a servant. Ican do this because of Jesus. Moreover, I can do this

for I am strengthened by the virtues of faith, hope,love, humility, compassion, truthfulness andprayerfulness. These virtues make me serve God andHis people with my undivided heart. I am happy toserve my brothers and sisters.

May God bring to fulfillment what I havestarted.

Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?

REFLECTION Rev. Deacon Pat Golis, CRSP

As I try to reflect on what I am going to write and share as a contribution to the iPaul it suddenly pop up to my mind my experiences in the seminary andin the parish where I have beenassigned. For a long period of

time, I have always been dreaming to become a servant of God. Before I entered the seminary, my first ambition in life was to become a lawyer. I wanted tohelp the victims of injustices in our society. In our clan,no one has dared to become a lawyer. Instead, we haverelatives who are priests. Helping and saving theoppressed was a kind of service that I had in mind

which I would like to offer to God. But as my journey in life went on, I eventually realized that such kind of service was not my vocation. I asked God some signs if that would be the kind of life He intended for me but no signs were given. But He gave me signs which mademe believe that I am called to the priestly life.

God manifests himself to me in different ways.He seems to tell me personally these words, “My child,come to me and be one of my followers.” Yet, many

times I have declined this invitation because of my unworthiness. I am a sinful man. I have lots of shortcomings which, for me, are not proper for oneaspiring to become a priest. But in the recesses of my soul, I can still feel and hear His whisper calling me tofollow Him. Sometimes I asked, “Why is it I, Lord?There are lots of people who are more prayerful,righteous, competent, commited in doing Your works,and much worthy than I am. Why me?” I was oncelost, and stumbled many times in my seminary life. Iam not a good model to others which I think a priest should be. Oftentimes, I felt guilty every time I was

asked to share my reflection on the gospel of the day in the pulpit for what I say is contrary to what I do. Ifind it easy to speak about the gospel message but difficult to apply it in my daily life. But what can I do?I really have to deliver my reflection as part of my formation and also in preparation for my futureministry as a proclaimer of the Word of God. I know and am sure that there will be more challenging tasksthat await me along the way and this is just thebeginning. Hence, preparation is indeed necessary

while I am still in the priestly formation.I am not yet a priest but while assigned in a

parish, I can already feel the difficulty if one is not



No. 3 i Paul 7 No. 14 i Paul 7 I am not saying that one must be a “black

sheep” before becoming a priest. What I am stressing here is the importance of transparency and honesty.These two values are very important but sometimesthey are hampered by fear. One is afraid to be kickedout from the seminary and so once he gets ordained tothe priesthood, he starts to reveal his true self. That is

why, a good formator is not only strict but a good and welcoming father as well. One who understands and isready to help his “children”, the seminarians. Just like

Jesus in the parable of the prodigal son, he teaches usthat God welcomes those who want to renew their livesand return to Him. He neither judges nor rejects them.Instead he gives them a second chance.

My eleven years of staying in the seminary have been truly blessed by God. I find it hard tobelieve that I am now ordained as a deacon. Without God’s grace, I cannot be what I am this time. I am very thankful to Him for this blessing. In every trials anddifficulties, He has strengthened me. I know and amsure that there will be tons of them in the future and Imust prepare for it while I am still in the priestly formation. Being a soldier of Christ, I have to bealways prepared and I should not be afraid of thestorms of life. Rather I will welcome them believing that God is there to still the storms. Moreover, it is

through them that I will be able to know myself better.For me, to experience a great crisis in life is very important because it makes life meaningful. As VictorFrankl puts it, “it is in suffering that one finds meaning in life.” In its theological sense, it is in suffering that one participates in the Paschal Mystery of Christ.

The Priestly vocation is a life-time learning.Every day should be a learning experience. If one doesnot open himself to learning from experience and isnot docile in whatever he learns, he becomes stagnant and will not become effective in his ministry. Tocommit mistake is not something to be afraid of but a

moment to learn new things and be able to share it with others. An old adage that says, “Experience is a great teacher” affirms the same thought. Indeed, my experiences with God teach me a lot. They shape meand re-shape me. I call it, “my conversion.”Conversion takes time. Hence, I also need to bepatient with myself hoping that God will be with meand will always be ready to lay his hands when I am introuble.

May I truly become a minister of Christ in words and deeds.

ready to embrace this kind of life. In the parish, thereare many things to do, time for socializations andtemptations that if one does not hold firm in hischosen vocation and in God, he might get lost along the way. Working in the parish is different from staying in the seminary. In the seminary, all that we do andour activities are all structured. There is a specificschedule to follow and one knows what to do. It isdifferent in the parish. I have to apply what I havelearnt during my seminary formation years. Thefathers believe that I am already mature in actions,

words and thoughts. They have already done theirpart. By this time, it is my turn to do mine. Being

young I have struggles in life but I offer them to Godfor without Him I can do nothing. Human as I am,alone and unaided I cannot do anything without Him.

As He says, “Apart from me, you could do nothing.”Iknow He is the only One who can help and guide meto the right path.

I have learnt a lot in my seminary formation years and all these are very important to my future

ministry. During my solitary moments, I spend hoursrecalling the past—how I entered the seminary, how God revealed himself to me and captivated my heart tofollow Him. With all the mistakes I did in the past Icannot but smile and say, “Oh! How crazy I was!” Ieven experienced crying in front of my superior asking him for forgiveness because of the foolishness I did.From those experiences, I realized that vocation isindeed a mystery. Those whom I thought wouldbecome priests because of their good character that makes them worthy of such vocation were the ones

who left the seminary and got married. But those

whom I thought otherwise were the ones got ordained.Oh how mysterious God is!

“The Priestly vocation is a life-time learning.

Every day should be a learning experience. If one does not open

himself to learning from experience and is not docile in

whatever he learns, he becomes stagnant

and will not become effective in his ministry.”




THE SOURCE OF OUR JOY:Philippians 4:4-13(Fr. Michael Francis Mancusi, CRSP)

The entire body of Christ has had their faith journey strengthened by the hymns of Charles Wesley. They have been a source of joy and solace and assurance. However, most of you know little of the suffering, adversity and difficult circumstances he knew and experienced in life. Charles Wesley had a source of joy no circumstance could alter. Charles Wesley was raised in a very large family. Hismother gave birth to nineteen children. Only ten of them lived. You can imagine living in a poorparish rectory with all those persons. His older brother, John, was the more outspoken and famous Wesley. Charles was a bachelor for the first 39 years of his life. At the age of 39, he fell deeply in love with a beautiful young lady named Sally, who was only 20 years old. He pleaded with the girl's fatherto be allowed to marry her despite the age difference. The father finally consented. He was so proud of her. Everywhere they went, he delighted in introducing her as his bride. He was pleased to be seeneverywhere with her. After they were married five years, Sally contracted smallpox. This was beforethe era of modern medicine. She was covered with smallpox from the crown of her head to the bottomof her feet. She hung between life and death for three weeks. Slowly, she recovered from this almostfatal illness. However, the scars of the illness remained. She was disfigured for the rest of herlife. People who did not know them personally thought Charles Wesley had married a much older woman. Charles and Sally had eight children. However, five of them died before their first birthday. Three children survived, Samuel, Sarah, and Charles, Jr. However, not one of those threechildren in Charles Wesley's lifetime confessed Jesus Christ as Lord. Only after his death did they accept Christ as their Savior. Yet, he wrote songs of such hope, joy, praise, and adoration. What was thesource of his joy? His source was Christ! It camefrom a source and reservoir far greater than his ownstrength. His joy was consistent despite difficultmoments in his journey of faith.

I want to share three insights on how wemaintain the joy of our salvation as well. FIRST,PAUL KEPT HIS FOCUS ON GOD - AND NOT HISCIRCUMSTANCES. The book of Philippians is theJoy book and the Joy manual of the Word of God. It was written by the apostle Paul from a prison cell,not from a plush, hotel suite. In this splendid book,Paul urges the believers at Philippi twice to rejoicein the Lord. In a deep, dark prison cell this lettershines with a radiance which the darkness of themoment cannot overcome. In Philippians 4:4 herepeats the words twice in one sentence by writing"Rejoice, again I say rejoice." Reis is a prefix whichmeans to go back to the original. The word rejoicecommands us to go back to God's original joy increation when the morning stars sang with glory atthe action of God's work. We are to go back to ourday of redemption and salvation. The joy of theChristian is not a passing quality based on ouremotions but on what God has done for us. St. Paul the Apostle, Patron of the Barnabites(painting by El Greco)



No. 3 i Paul 9 No. 14 i Paul 9 Occasionally, a person will share with me"Father, I don't feel saved." Your salvation inChrist is not based on your feelings or emotions - but on an action and agreement between theFather and the Son - sealed by the Holy Spirit. That is why we keep our eyes fixed onJesus.

SECONDLY, PAUL HAS A SOURCE OFJOY GREATER THAN THE SOURCE OF HISDESPAIR. Paul testifies that the power of joy canhelp transfigure the totality of the humanexperience in our journey of faith. Paul is alwaystalking about joy. "Rejoice in the Lord, again Isay, rejoice." In the few letters that Paul wrote inthe New Testament, there are twenty-four references to joy. And there are eighteen references or usesof the word "rejoice." Forty-two times, then, Paul mentions joy. That constitutes a focus andfixation. Paul says over and over again that the result of seeing what God has done for us in JesusChrist is joy. So rejoice. If your life is filled with joy, he says, it'll show. The Apostle Paul does notdiscount the reasons for defeat and despair. Remember, he has been bitten by snakes, ridiculed in thepublic arenas of government, shipwrecked, and had written letters to help Christians and churches tokeep from self- destructing by fighting among themselves.

There is no way for Paul to deny that life does have disappointments, bruises, anddespair. However, Paul wants us to know that these emotions do not necessarily have the last word. Paul further writes in another letter that the suffering of the present moment will not compareto the glory that is yet to be revealed to us. The text really means to let God's great joy in Jesus Christcontinue to flow through and not let the 'pipeline of life' get clogged with despair, disappointment, and

desperation. Continue to open your life to the healing depth of God's victory over sin, evil, and deathin the Christ event. All of this implies however, that we are continuing to cultivate a living, breathing, vital relationship with God. It is not some vague commitment made years ago that has witheredaway. We are not serving God in an 'advisory capacity.' We are straining forward to win the high prizein Christ Jesus allowed. Paul continues to explain that we are to live out of that joy and because of it.

Joy is the echo of God's l ife within us according to Blessed Columba Marmion. If we haveconfessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, then God has the ability to grant it to us. God'scheck of love will never come back stamped "Insufficient Funds." Remember, the joy of the Lord is my strength. Not the joy of the world. But the joy of our Lord. The Psalmist declares, "Weeping may tarry for the night - but joy always comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:6) Darkness always gives way tolight for the believer. Crucifixions always give way to the resurrecting power of God. God has this longhistory of taking our most trying moments and transforming them into moments of growth and

trust. He delights in transforming moments that Satan meant for our harm - and using them asmoments for our benefit and blessing. The devil might try to shut you off from a sense of joy - but notfrom the joy of the Lord. God is interested in all of you gathered here today being people who are fullof joy. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her king.

LASTLY, JOY IS THE MOST INFALLIBLE PROOF OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD. I do notknow where our ideas and concepts of a joyless religion come from. It is certainly not found in the Oldor New Testaments. In the Old Testament record we find that the Hebrew people are celebrating withmusic, dancing, eating, drinking, and joy- filled festivals. It even declares that David danced with joy before the Lord. From the New Testament we find that our Lord's ministry is filled with a sense of joy. The people flocked to hear Him because of his joy-filled messages. The children loved Him - andchildren don't like killjoys. He even prevented a Jewish wedding from being ruined when the supply of wine ran out. When He told what many consider the greatest story ever shared of the parable of the

Prodigal Son - what happens at the end of this marvelous story? Would you believe a celebration of Joy? (turn to next page)

“… let God's great joy in

Jesus Christ continue to flowthrough and not let the 'pipeline of

life' get clogged with despair,disappointment and desperation.

Continue to open your lifeto the healing depthof God's victory …”




Thoughts & ViewsBr. John Paul P. Osip, CRSP

I love the story told of the young boy whoeach day entered one of the great museums inEurope. He would always stop and look at one of the famous paintings of the Lord Jesus Christhanging in the museum. This pattern continuedfrom weeks into months. The guards becamesuspicious of his activities. The guards finally cornered him one day and asked why he cameeach day to the museum to see this picture. Thelittle boy replied, "I just look at Jesus - and Jesuslooks at me - and that makes all the difference inthe world."

How right the little boy was. In John20:20 we read the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. They were not glad when they saw themselves - but when they saw the Lord. Thereal miracle of life is not that you and I loveJesus - but that Jesus loves us and looks forus. That is the source of our joy. “Rejoice in theLord always, again I say, rejoice.” The joy of theLord is my strength. HAPPY EASTER!

Lent: the Season to DeepenOne’s Love for God

Today, several subjective meanings are

attached to the season of Lent. For some, it is

understood as the time to repent for one’s sins.

Others consider it as a period for fasting not only

from food but also from one’s vices. Still others view

Lent as a period of silence, a break from one’s

“noisy” lifestyle. For some, it means a long vacation,

a perfect time to go out ‐ of ‐ town with friends and/or

with the whole family. Like them, I also have my own

view of the said season. For me, Lent is a grace ‐ filled

opportunity to deepen our love for God.

The season of Lent is a time of preparation to

commemorate Christ’s passion and death and to

celebrate Easter, Christ’s resurrection. Such can also

be considered a commemoration of Christ’s love for

His Father and for humanity. His obedience to the

Father’s will to embrace our human nature, to

undergo suffering and to die on the cross for our

salvation is the greatest expression of His love for the

Father and for us all. In the gospel of Matthew 26:36 ‐

46, we see Jesus who is in great fear because His

“hour” was about to come. What sustained Him,

what gave him courage in that situation was His love

for the Father. It was this love that enabled Him to

pray, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it,

your will be done.” Moreover, His passion and death

express His love for humanity. In the gospel of John

15:12 ‐ 13, Jesus called his disciples as His friends and

at the same time He told them that: “No one has

greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s

friends.” We, like the disciples, are also considered

by Jesus as His friends. His love for us lifted our

status from mere creatures to friends of God. Not

only that, He even laid down His life by dying on the

cross for our salvation.

“...do your best to rejoice in the Lord.

Happy are those who rejoice

in mind and hearts!

And may God grant you

to taste once and for all this inner joy.”

‐ St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Sermon V




g{x cÉxàËá fÑtvxBEING FOR OTHERS

Deacon is a ministry of serviceEmbodied with prayer and charityAvailability and full dedicationCommitment and an undivided heartOught to be being for othersNothing else I can do

I t is my callingService for God in his people

A calling for and with others

Minister of God’s loveI n proclaiming the GospelNurturing the faith of God’s peopleI n my words and actionsShowing God’s unending goodnessT o the end of the worldRoaring the merciful love of GodYelling his powerful deeds

On the immensity of loveFly high my spirit of service

Sending only the message of loveEntering into action of serviceRendering my whole lifeVictory of being servantI n the vineyard of GodConsecrated for God’s KingdomEndless service for his people

(Rev. John Koten, CRSP)

This commemoration of Jesus’ love for the

Father and for us entails a call, i.e., a gift and an

invitation. As a gift, Lenten season is a grace ‐ filled

moment given for us to deepen our love for God. As

an invitation, we are called to respond to that gift

through prayer, fasting and alms ‐ giving. First, prayer

is indicative of our love for God. In human

relationships, the frequency of one’s time spent to

the other shows one’s love to that other. Also,

constant communication is the key for a stronger and

deeper relationship. This is also true in our

relationship with God. The frequency of our time

spent in prayer indicates how deep our love for God

is. Furthermore, prayer, being our communication

with God, will strengthen and deepen our

relationship with Him. So Lenten season is an

invitation to communicate with God constantly

through prayer for it will deepen and strengthen our

love for Him.

Second, fasting helps us to deepen our love

for God. Oftentimes, we are attracted and pre ‐

occupied with a lot of things: food, hobby, etc.

Instead of focusing on God, our attention is on other

things. In this sense, our love for God is divided. We

consider God as one of all other things that we love.

The practice of fasting will enable us to re ‐ channel

our attention to God. Thus during Lent, we are

invited to fast, not only from food but also from

those that lead us away from God so that we may be

able to love God undividedly.

Lastly, alms ‐ giving is the expression of our

love for God. We cannot claim that we love God

without loving our neighbor. We express our love for

God by loving our neighbor. As St. Anthony Zaccaria

said, “Let us rush like madmen not only to God, but

also to our neighbor, for he is the one who receives

what we cannot give to God” (Letter II). St. John in

his first Letter says, “Anyone who claims that he/she

loves God without loving his/her neighbors is a liar.

For how can one love God who cannot be seen if one

cannot love those who can be seen?”

As a conclusion, all of us are called to live a

Christ ‐ like life. Such kind of life is a life of love. In our

observance of Lent, may our commemoration of Jesus Christ’s passion and death be a means to

deepen our love for God.



No. 14 i Paul 12

“Dialogue with Other Religions onthe Sacredness of the Earth”

By Bro. John Paul P. Osip, CRSP

( Editor’s note: This article was written as a reaction paper/theological reflection on the symposium entitled “The Earth is Sacred” held last February 24 at the DWST Aula Magna with DWST Theology professor Fr.

Edgar Javier, SVD, SThD as resource speaker. The author was one of the three chosen student reactors.)

Introduction

Today, men and women of different nationalities, cultures and religions are becoming more sensitive onenvironmental issues. The negative consequences that we experience from the degraded and desecrated earthtrigger and heighten people’s “environmental sensitivity.” In fact, different sectors of the society are now takinga step to save the Earth. Our Church and other religions too are making a move to protect and restore the earth’svalue. At Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI asserted: “The different phenomena of environmental degradation andnatural calamities… remind us of the urgency of the respect owed to nature, recovering and appreciating, ineveryday life, a correct relation with the environment.”

This response is about the sacredness of the earth in the perspective of Christianity and other religions.This presentation is based on Benedict XVI’s call in his encyclical letter Caritatis in Veritate for a renewedsolidarity in the protection of the environment and the safeguarding of the resources and climate.

The Earth’s Sacredness

What is the Earth’s value? Our speaker answered this question by emphasizing the sacredness of theearth. He pointed out that the Earth is the embodiment of God’s sacred artistry. In other words, the beauty of God, the Creator, is reflected by the beauty of creation. This is wonderfully expressed by John Paul II, in his“Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics ,” when he stated: “The Almighty God envisioned a world of beauty and harmony, and He created it, making every part an expression of His freedom, wisdom and love.”

Other religions also share similar view with us Christians. They also acknowledge the Earth as sacred.The Hindus, as what our speaker has stated, consider the earth as “God’s Body.” The created is identical with theCreator. As Patrick Burke says, “whenever a Hindu looks, the devout Hindu sees God.” The natural world is inreality a part of the divine existence. The Muslims also have the similar view of the earth. In their Qur’an , it issaid that “wherever you turn, there is the face of God” ( Surah 2:109). This teaching strongly implies that God ispresent in every bit and piece of creation. This is another way of saying: the Earth is sacred.

Humanity and the Earth: Interconnected and Interdependent

Our speaker also emphasized man’s relationship with the Earth. He highlighted the idea that therelationship between humanity and the Earth is described as interconnectedness and interdependence. For usChristians and for the Jews, this interconnectedness and interdependence are contained in our understanding of the term “stewardship.” We are connected to the Earth. We are the earth’s “care-takers.” There isinterdependence. We depend on the Earth for our survival and the Earth depends on us as its steward.

Other religions also speak about humanity’s interconnectedness and interdependence on the Earth. ForMuslims, humanity is part of the Earth, the elements of which are complementary to one another in an integratedwhole. Hindus, moreover, look at the world not outside of their human existence, but an extension of their well-being. Buddhists, also, have this principle of “ pratityasamutpada ” or “the-together-rising-up-of things,” thatmeans, nothing exists in and of itself but only as a “context of relations.” In other words, humanity’s existence isseen and understood in relation to the existence of the Earth. Taoists and Confucians also express the same view



No. 14 i Paul 13 with regard to man’s relationship towards the Earth. Both emphasize the necessity of harmony, with others andwith nature. The Taoists emphasize the spontaneity of life by living closely and with respect to nature.Confucians also stress the need and importance for human action and society to be in harmony with nature’srhythm.

Earth’s Degradation and Desecration

The Earth’s value and our relationship with the Earth are often unrecognized. Our aim for progress hasreduced the earth to a mere raw material to be exploited and manipulated. This attitude towards the Earth,according to our speaker, shows an underlying mentality that we are superior than and separated from the naturalworld. The over-emphasis on our humanity disrupts the balance and harmony between man and nature. Ourclaims that we are detached from nature and the wrong understanding of God’s command, “to have dominionover the earth” (Gen. 1:28) are the causes of such imbalance. According to John Paul II, this is “our betrayal of God’s mandate: to be stewards called to collaborate with God in watching over creation in holiness and

wisdom.” Buddhists affirm this in their claim that humanity’s forgetfulness of their oneness with nature is thevery source of ecological destruction.Another reason which our speaker brought out is the high regard for technological advances at the

expense of desecrating the Earth. John Paul II acknowledges the same cause when he stated: “ecologicalproblems are brought about by an economic and technological progress which does not recognize and take intoaccount its limits.” Taoism and Confucianism also point the same reason for the earth’s destruction. For theTaoists, ecological destruction is present because of our engagement in political, economic and “scientific”affairs that take away our closeness from nature. Confucianism also affirms this reason by its claim that nature’simbalance is due to human activities that are not attuned to the deeper rhythms of nature. Both imply that humanactivities that are not in harmony to nature are the causes of ecological degradation and destruction.

The Need for a New and Unified Vision and a New World View

With the aforementioned reality regarding theEarth, we are challenged to develop a new vision andworldview. Our speaker expressed the need for “a newvision of life that must be founded on the conviction thathumans are embedded in nature and nature is embeddedin human beings.” In other words, there is a need to look at ourselves not apart from the Earth but as part of theEarth and the Earth as part of us. Moreover, our speakeralso talked about the need for this vision in this age of science and technology to acknowledge that God is incontrol of the Earth. In the same vein, John Paul IIasserted that this new vision will only be possiblethrough “an act of repentance on our part and a renewedattempt to view ourselves, one another, and the worldaround us within the perspective of the divine design forcreation.”

Lastly, in the context of religious diversity, thisvision and worldview presented by our speaker—a visionand worldview that emphasize the integrity of creation—are possible if all religions, including Christianity, willwork together and learn from each other. All religionshave a global responsibility. To save the Earth is everyreligion’s responsibility. Küng argues that an ethic of responsibility is needed today—a responsibility for the Earth.

“...there is a need to look at ourselvesnot apart from the Earth but

as part of the Earth and the Earth as part of us.”



No. 14 i Paul 14 Conclusion

All of us, whether Jew or Christian, Muslim or Hindu, Buddhist or Taoist or Confucian, belong to thesame humanity. We share common concerns. We share common views. We share the same responsibility. Asone family, let us work together to promote and preserve the Earth’s dignity – the Earth’s sacredness. AsBenedict XVI says, “the human race is a single family working together in true communion, not simply as agroup of subjects who happen to live side by side.”

Endnotes

1See Benedict XVI, On Development that Respects the Environment (26 August 2009) http:// www.zenit.org/article-26693?l=english , (accessed February 9, 2011).

2See Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter on Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth Caritatis inVeritate (29 June 2009), no. 50.

3John Paul II, Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics (10 June 2002). http://www.vatican.va/ holy father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2002/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20020610_venice-declaration_en.html ,(accessed on February 10, 2011).

4See T. Patrick Burke, Major Religions: An Introduction with Texts (Oxford: Blackwell, 1996), 15.5See Basmal Elshayyal, A Muslim Perspective on Care of the Earth (29 December 2008), 1. http://

www.afan.uk.net/book/topic-material/muslim-perspective-care-earth , (accessed on February 10, 2011).6See Mary Evelyn Tucker and John A. Grim, eds. Worldviews and Ecology: Religion, Philosophy and

the Environment (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books 1997), 116.7Ibid., 125.8Ibid., 154.9Ibid., 152.10John Paul II, Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics. 11See Amaranatho, A Buddhist Perspective on Care of the Earth (29 December 2008), 1. http://

www.afan .uk.net/book/topic-material/buddhist-perspective-care-earth , (accessed on February 10, 2011).12John Paul II, Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics. 13See Tucker and Grim, eds., Worldviews and Ecology , 154.14Ibid., 152.15John Paul II, Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics. 16See Hans Küng, Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic (New York: Crossroad, 1991),

29 – 30, cited by Edgar Javier in Ecumenism: The Quest for Reconciled Diversities (Lectures, Divine WordSchool of Theology, Tagaytay City, 2011), 90.

17Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate , no. 53.

http://www.zenit.org/article-26693?l=english


http://www.vatican.va/holy%20father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2002/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20020610_venice-declaration_en.html


http://www.afan.uk.net/book/topic-material/muslim-perspective-care-earth
















No. 14 i Paul 15

I SeeBro. Rey Carmelo Ausejo, CRSP

Little Way Counts …

When our apostolate began in Bahay Kalinga ni San Jose Home for the Aged in Carasuchi, Indang,Cavite, I never saw its value and importance at firstinstance. It seemed that the kind of apostolate theredid not make sense at all. I found it unhelpful to mypreparation for the priesthood. It did not satisfy myexpectations. I presumed that I would take good careof the abandoned elderly in my assigned apostolatearea. I assumed that I would attend to their personalnecessities like the way I did eight years ago inLuwalhati ng Maynila Home for the Aged in Marikina,Metro Manila. At that time, we assisted the elders indoing their personal necessities like their personalhygiene, listening to their stories and animationactivities to make them smile. When I was assigned inBahay Kalinga , I thought I would do the same.However, that expectation turned out quite differently.

My apostolate is quite unique by this time. Myconfreres and I do not attend much on the personalnecessities or personal hygiene of the elderly. Rather,we attend more to the needs of the apostolate area.The apostolate area needs volunteers who can dobasic household chores: cleaning the quarters of theelderly and the surroundings, gathering firewood andwhatever things needed to be done in the area. Atfirst, I never found its usefulness to my future ministry.I did not see such kind of activities catering to myneeds in my years of preparation for the priesthood.But God made me realize that this apostolate, which Iconsidered as nonsense and a mere waste of time,mattered much in His eyes and in the eyes of theelderly. If lolos and lolas (grandparents) couldexpress their gratitude for having volunteers assistingthem, persons who supplement the needs in the areaby their humble and simple service, they would surelydo so. Their warmth and welcoming smile seem to tellus, “We are very glad, brothers, to have you with us!”A lola told me many times, “Uy! Minsan nga lang kayo pumupunta dito, mag-aabsent pa!” (You just comehere once in a while yet you take absences). Thisstatement of lola caught my attention. She seemed totell us how she wished and longed to have us always.They are really in need to have someone spendingtime with them, attend to their needs, and make them

feel important. If there would be no volunteers, whatwill become of these abandoned elderly? Would notChrist tell and urge us to take care of them? “Anyonewho does works of charity to the least of my brethrenhe/she does it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

A person or a certain situation can only beunderstood if one puts himself or herself in the shoesof that person or in that same situation. Rightly so,one cannot feel and understand the needs of theseelderly people and of the area if he/she does nothappen to be there. A very painful experience of minein my apostolate was when I heard some of thestories of the lolas. I cannot imagine how theirchildren abandoned them and let them work for theirown survival. Oh poor lolas and lolo! They weredeserted by their own children whom they have raisedup and loved much. Should not these grown upchildren have taken their parents into their homes totake care of them as a sign of gratitude? Why can’tthey visit their elderly parents? How fortunate are theaged who stay with their children for they really feelloved by their own biological family. No wonder whythese abandoned elderly will be happy to see peoplespending time with them and care for them. From thedeepest recesses of their hearts, you can see howglad they are if someone, though not related to them,would visit and make them feel loved and valued.

“Can you be a part of God’s hands so that

He may reach out to these peoplewho are very dear to Him through you?”



No. 14 i Paul 16 Whenever I am in my apostolate area, I

cannot but feel the need to love the lolo and lolas . Isay silently, “if I were rich, I would take them home ordo something more than I used to do for them. I willprovide everything that they need. If I only have thegift of healing, I would heal them of their infirmities!”However, I have to face the reality that I am only whatI am. I am just one of the small pieces of God’s art, aperson who has nothing but has everything, God. Iam just a person whom God wants to be aninstrument of His love for these people, a person whocan only do in my own little way to extend the handsof God and His love for them. Would this be God’sinvitation to us all to take care of His brethrenespecially those in need? Can you be a part of God’shands so that He may reach out to these people whoare very dear to Him through you? Is it not good that,at least, before they take their final rest they wouldexperience being loved and cared of?

God has a reason why He made me like this,a poor creature. Had I been born rich my experiencewould have been different and I would not have suchan awe-inspiring experience with the lolo and lolas. Ithank God for this. Indeed, it has been a blessing anda great opportunity He has given me. Such is anopportunity to love and to serve, to learn and to grow,and most of all, to experience God in the midst ofthese abandoned lolo and lolas.

All that I do in my apostolate is just adiminutive work. I consider them little. But I amconvinced that they all matter to God and to theelderly. All works, little though they are, when doneout of charity are the greatest among all other works.What matters to God is the love that one puts in thatwork. Truly, our “little ways” in doing things if done outof love counts the most in His eyes. He does notexpect much from us for He knows very well that wecannot give much.

Can you do your “little way” for theseabandoned elderly? Make a try and experience Godin these lolo and lolas.

NEWS, EVENT S

AT IBA PA …

Birthday of Fr. Frank Papa

The first day of January is one of thebiggest celebrations people usually celebrate. It marks the beginning of the new year of the civilcalendar. People make noise in any forms.Different foods are served at tables.

Last New Year’s eve, the Barnabitecommunity celebrated not only the New Year’sDay but also the 70 th birthday of Fr. Frank Papa,superior of St. Paul Scholasticate community. That special moment was so memorable for thecommunity. The brothers prepared a short program for the birthday celebrant. Different kinds of games were played. There were gift‐giving, videoke challenge and the brothersrendered him songs and dance by year level. Thefathers and the professed brothers all enjoyed theparty especially the birthday celebrant. Fr. Frank is already in his 70’s yet still strong and very

passionate to do his missionary work as aBarnabite. Happy birthday “Tatay” Fr. Frank! Wewish you more good health and blessings!

… and his new assignment …

Last March 2 nd , Fr. Frank Papa left thePhilippines for the United States. Father General inRome asked him to go to the Barnabite parish inSan Diego, California in the Barnabite NorthAmerican Province. He will stay there for threemonths to assist Fr. Joseph Tabigue who had beenworking alone in the parish since January. WhenFather General gave Fr. Frank his new assignment,he wholeheartedly and willingly accepted it.Indeed, he has been to many places for missionsake. In fact, he has been in the Philippines foralmost 22 years. His remarkable words are “mybaggage is always ready.” This means that Fr.Frank is always willing to go anywhere andanytime, as best as he could whatever God wantshim to do. We wish you all the best Fr. Frank for

your

new

assignment!

(Bro.

Raphael

Laotoco)

“It is the task of a truly magnanimous person to want to serve without reward and to

fight without provisions or stipend.”

-St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria,

Constitutions XII, 182



No. 3 i Paul 17 No. 14 i Paul 17 Italian Bishop visits

St. Paul Scholasticate community

Last 13 th of January, the St. PaulScholasticate community in Tagaytay was blessedto have His Excellency Most Reverend GianfrancoTodisco, Bishop of the Diocese of Melfi‐RapollaVenosa, in Italy. Together with him were twoItalian priests namely, Fr. Carlo Donisotti, amissionary in Mozambique in Africa and Fr. Felice,the parish priest of Annunziata Rionero, Potenza,Italy. Bishop Gianfranco and the fathers came tothe Philippines to attend the 25 th anniversary

foundation of the Merciful Sisters in thePhilippines and the Perpetual Profession of foursisters. Their convent is just a block away from theseminary building.

Bishop Gianfranco presided at the 6:00 pmcelebration of the Vespers and Holy Eucharist together with the two aforementioned priests, Fr.Frank Papa and the fathers of St. PaulScholasticate. The celebration was also attendedby the Mother Superior general of the MercifulSisters, some members of the general council andthe sisters of the Tagaytay community of the samecongregation. In his homily, Bishop Gianfranco,with a fatherly tone, encouraged the brothers andthe religious to persevere in their chosen vocation.

After the Mass, the Scholasticatecommunity, together with the guests shared at table the fruits and blessings of the Lord. Filipinoand Italian food and desserts were served whichadded to the sweetness of having a bishop fromItaly visiting the Barnabite community. The bishopand the guests enjoyed savoring the good taste of Filipino cuisine. Philippine fruits were served at

table that truly pleased the guests. After supper,Bishop Todisco also spent some time for a chat with the brothers. He spoke perfect English.

Bishop Todisco was particularly impressedby the abundance of priestly and religiousvocations in the Philippines. It was, indeed, ablessing and a memorable event to have a goodbishop to celebrate Mass and share some light moments with the brothers of St. PaulScholasticate community. (Br. Mark Anthony

Pondoc)

Bishop Gianfranco Todisco (extreme left)shares some light moments with the scholastics.

Fr. Michael attends Formators’ Meeting

Fr. Michael Sandalo, rector of St. PaulScholasticate, was in Rome last February 11‐21 totake part in the formators’ meeting. The saidgathering of all the seminary formators of theBarnabite Congregation happens every two yearsas part of aggiornamento (updating). They alsodealt with issues that concern the formation of young Barnabite seminarians and professedscholastics. The aforementioned meeting was heldon February 13‐15 in the Curia Generalizia of theBarnabites in Rome. Fr. Jimmy George Anastacio,the novice master of St. Alexander Sauli Novitiatein Marikina also joined.

The first day of the meeting was devoted toopen discussions on the problems and proposalsthat affect the Barnabite formation program. BothFrs. Michael and Jimmy presented a report on thecurrent status of the formation program in thethree Barnabite formation houses in the

Philippines. In the next two days, three speakers—one a Comboni missionary and two Claretianfathers—gave a talk on religious life, priestlyformation and the importance of psychology in theformation of priests and religious. These sessionsgave a boost to the fathers to work hard toimproving the program for future priests andBarnabites.

After the meetings, Frs. Michael and Jimmyspent some days visiting the religiouscommunities in Cremona and Naples (IstitutoBianchi) where they met their former formators:Fr. Aldo Rizzi (Cremona) and Fr. Giovanni Scalese.



No. 14 i Paul 18

Community days of Recollection

The professed brothers of St. PaulScholasticate community spent some days of silence and reflection. Last 25‐26 of February thecommunity had a recollection in the seminary. Therecollection facilitator was Monsignor GerrySantos, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Manila, professor of Theology and supervisor of parochial schools association in the Archdiocese of Manila. He is one of the favorite professors of thebrothers in Divine Word School of Theology.Confessions were held at 9:00 o’clock in themorning. The first session started at 11:30 a.m.and the second session was at 2:30 in theafternoon. Monsignor Santos talked about thecelibate life of priests. He explained welltheologically the meaning of celibacy and how it islived. This, in turn, made the brothers reflect wellon the subject matter in relation to their chosen

vocation. The said activity was concluded with thecelebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by therecollection master himself.

The community Lenten recollection took place on 27‐28 March. It was held at the La SalleteRetreat House in Silang, Cavite. The facilitator wasFr. Dominic Lim, a member of the Order of FriarsMinor‐Conventuals. His talk centered on the HolyEucharist in relation to the religious vocation. Hemade a profound theological and biblicaldiscussion on the subject matter. He pointed out how important the Holy Eucharist is in the lives of Christians particularly the religious and priests.

The two‐day recollection began in the evening of March 27 with a solemn exposition andbenediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The next morning, the facilitator gave two sessions. Thefirst started at 8:30 in the morning followed by athirty‐minute break then the second session. At 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, two priests madethemselves available for the confession: thefacilitator himself and Fr. Cesare Bertoni, RCJ. Thecelebration of the Holy Eucharist followed as theculmination and concluding part of the activities.(Br. Roxie Roflo)

Fr. Michael Mancusi in the hospital

Barnabite Fr. Michael Francis Mancusi hasbeen in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City,Metro Manila due to stroke. In the morning of March 6, he was rushed to Tagaytay City MedicalHospital and was given first aid by the resident doctor and nurses. Then he was moved to De LaSalle University Medical Center in Dasmarinas,Cavite and was immediately admitted to theintesive care unit (ICU). After almost two weeks,Fr. Joselito Ortega decided to transfer Fr. Mancusito St. Luke’s Medical Center. The state‐of‐the‐art facilities and the expert doctors and nurses of thesaid hospital paved the way for Fr. Mancusi’s fast recovery. Physical therapists have been attendinghim as well. Fr. Mancusi’s sister and a nephewfrom the US also came to check at his situation.They left after ten days. Since Fr. Mancusi’shospitalization, the brothers took turns in going tothe hospital to look after him.

A pose with Msgr. Gerry Santos (in blue polo)

Superior General of the Barnabites Most Rev. Fr. GiovanniVilla, the General Council, the provincial superiors and

the formators of the Barnabite formation houses



No. 3 i Paul 19 No. 14 i Paul 19 Fr. Silva visits the Barnabite Confreres

in the Philippines

Very Rev. Fr. Francisco Chagas Da Silva,one of the four assistants superior general, cameto the Philippines for a fourteen‐day visit and torepresent the superior general Fr. Giovanni Villafor the Ordinations. Fr. Silva arrived last March 31and stayed at St. Paul Scholasticate. He was thefirst Brazilian Barnabite to visit the Philippines.

During his stay, he had the chance to visit the city of Tagaytay and trekked Taal volcano withFr. Arvin Dagalea and the confreres. He also visitedthe Barnabite communities of Marikina and

Silangan. The fathers also toured him toIntramuros, the Manila cathedral and San AgustinChurch. After his week‐long stay in Tagaytay, hemoved to St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Seminary inMarikina. The fathers of the said communitytoured him to various places of interest inMarikina, introduced him to the Angelic Sisters,the Sisters of the Little Workers of the SacredHeart and to the lay affiliates. Moreover, togetherwith Fr. Jimmy Anastacio and his novices, Frs.Cirilo Coniendo, Arvin Dagalea and ThomasTabada, Fr. Francisco went to Baguio City for atwo‐day excursion. The city is considered as “thesummer capital of the Philippines” because of itscool and relaxing climate and surroundings.

Before Fr. Francisco left the Scholastice onApril 4, the brothers organized the “communitynight”. Through the initiative of Br. Roxie Roflo,the brothers enjoyed the parlor games and songpresentations. Food and drinks were also served.

Fr. Francisco da Silva (2nd from left), assistant superior general of the Barnabite Order poses with the scholastics.

The brothers also serenaded Fr. Francisco withEnglish and Filipino songs. They all sang“Pagkakaibigan” (Friendship), a song adaptation of John 13. Fr. Francisco expressed his gratitude forthe brothers’ hospitality and kindness, encouragedthem in their vocation and invited them to Brazilfor pastoral experience in the Barnabite shrine of Our Lady of Belem. Despite his limited English, hetried to express himself and talked with thebrothers.

Fr. Francisco conveyed to the new priestsand deacons Fr. Villa’s message. He recognized theCongregation’s joy in having three new priests andtwo new deacons: “la nostra famiglia religiosa

eleva la sua lode di ringraziamento a Dio per il dono

ricevuto. Dono che vediamo nei vostri volti” (Ourreligious family raises its praise of thanksgiving toGod for the gift received. A gift that we see andcontemplate in your faces). He reminded the

newly ordained of their new titles: padre (father),sacerdote (priest), diaconi (deacons )—”per il nostro Dio, per la sua Chiesa” (for our God and forHis Church). He wished the new ministers all thebest for their ministry.

Fr. Francisco left the Philippines on April12. On his departure, he received a Tshirt with theprinted image of the Founder. It was a shirt especially made for St. Paul Scholasticate.

To Fr. Francisco, grazie caro padre! We

hope your first visit would not be the last.

Fr. Francisco (third from left) poses with Fr. Joselito, Bishop Tagle and Fr. Vhon Arellano.



No. 14 i Paul 20 Barnabite scholastics graduate

with “flying colors”

The Divine Word School of Theology(DWST) in Tagaytay, where the Barnabiteprofessed brothers take their theological studies,culminated the school year 2010‐2011 with theCommencement Exercises or graduation rites last 26 th of March. On that special day, fourteen (14)Barnabite scholastics received the academic titlesnamely the two‐year Philippine government recognized degree Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) major inTheology and the four‐year Ecclesiastical studiesin Theology.

The celebration started at 8:30 in themorning with a solemn baccalaureate Masspresided by His Excellency Most Reverend JoelBaylon, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Legazpitogether with the rectors, priest‐professors andformators of the different communities andreligious houses. After the celebration of the HolyEucharist, the graduation ceremony followed. Theguest speaker was the former ambassador of thePhilippines to the Holy See Honorable Henrietta T.De Villa, who is at present the president of theMother Butler Guild. The graduation was held inthe seminary chapel of DWST. The ceremony wasquite long that it ended at around 2:00 o’clock inthe afternoon. The whole community of St. PaulScholasticate was present. Unfortunately, not allthe families of the Barnabite graduates attendedthough some had their relatives and immediatefamily members present particularly thoseresiding near Tagaytay.

The “cream of the crop” of the Barnabites and DWST

The Barnabite brothers who obtained thedegree A.B. in Theology include Cunan Adaro, ReyCarmelo Ausejo, Alfredo Dolog, Jr., Benedict Insigne, Glenn Gaabucayan, Alvin Libay, Mark Anthony Pondoc, Gerard Sala and John Paul Osip.Aside from their academic degrees, the samescholastics were also honored by the DWST fortheir excellent academic performance. Four of

them graduated as Magna cum laude : CunanAdaro, Rey Carmelo Ausejo, Glenn Gaabucayan andJohn Paul Osip. Three were honored as Cum laude :Alvin Libay, Mark Anthony Pondoc and GerardSala. Moreover, the three deacons Clyd Autentico,Jonathan Ramoso and Thomas Federick Tabada,who all finished the four‐year Ecclesiasticalprogram, also received their A.B. Theology degree.Their hard‐work and academic excellence werealso recognized: Deacon Jonathan was honored asCum laude while Thomas Tabada distinguishedhimself with two awards as a magna cum laude inA.B. Theology and a cum laude graduate inEcclesiastical studies. Scholastic Yohanes Kotenalso received his degree in Ecclesiastical studies aswell as Bro. Pat Golis who opted not to attend thegraduation rites due to his advanced commitment in the parish.

After the graduation, the whole communitycelebrated with a sumptuous lunch in theseminary refectory. After lunch, Sr. Daisy Maciado,the superior of the community of the HospitalerSisters in Tagaytay and a good friend of the

community, invited the brothers and the fathersfor a celebration at Starbucks coffee shop.

Fr. Michael Sandalo (left) assists in placing the hood on Scholastic John Koten.



No. 14 i Paul 21

The fathers and the brothers, Sr. Daisy and herpostulants all enjoyed the whole afternooncelebrating the success of the Barnabite graduates.

The occasion had been, indeed, a blessingto the community as the scholastics received theiracademic degrees and distinguished themselvesfor their academic excellence. Their labor had not been in vain for by the sweat of their brows, theharvest was abundant. Keep up the good work forthe glory of God! The community of St. Paul

Scholasticate is very proud of you! (Br. Gerard

Sala)

First Affiliates in Tagaytay

The Barnabites in the Philippines havenew lay collaborators in the persons of Mr.Eduardo and Mrs. Alma Roa. They were officiallyadmitted as affiliate members of the Congregationduring the Ordination rites last April 2nd. Thecouple has been good friends of the St. PaulScholasticate community since its foundation in itspresent site in 2005. Because of this, they havebecome especially connected to the BarnabiteFathers. Now as affiliate members, they havebecome united with the Order in a special bond of friendship and share in its spiritual benefits.

Mrs. Alma Roa has always beenparticularly involved in the activities of Tahanan

Mapag aruga ni Padre Semeria, the pre‐schoolattached to St. Paul Scholasticate. While Mr.Eduardo Roa has been teaching English grammar

and composition to the First year scholastics. Mrs.Roa has also taught English oral communication

Celebrating the day’s triumph!

Eduardo and Alma Roa, the first affiliates

of the Barnabite Congregation in Tagaytay

skills to the same seminarians. Most of all, bothhave always encouraged and provided moral andspiritual support to the confreres in their vocationand in the pastoral activities of the fathers of St.Paul Scholasticate community.

On the day of their inclusion as Affiliatemembers, the couple was called to the altar andthe Delegate superior of the Barnabites in thePhilippines, Fr. Joselito Ortega, read the officialdecree of affiliation from Rome. Fr. Francisco DaSilva, assistant superior general of the Barnabites,gave them the tokens: an image of Our Mother of Divine Providence and a medallion with theinscription of the Holy Founder. The laminated

certificate of affiliation was also given to them. It was, indeed, a surprise for them to be honored andrecognized for their generosity and collaborationthrough the years of the Barnabite presence in theDiocese of Imus.

Mr. and Mrs. Roa have two grown‐upchildren, both already married and professionals.The Roa residence is just in front of St. PaulScholaticate building. For this reason, the couplehas always been present in the Masses and otherspiritual activities of the community.

At present, the Barnabites in thePhilippines have six (6) affiliate members all basedin Marikina City. With the addition of Mr. and Mrs.Roa, the Filipino affiliates now reach eight (8) innumber. Congratulations to sir Ed and ma’am

Alma!



No. 3 i Paul 22 No. 14 i Paul 22 Barnabites in Indonesia

for “exploratory visit”

By the urging of the General Council inRome, Fr. Joselito Ortega, delegate superior of theFilipino Barnabites, Fr. Michael Sandalo, rector of St. Paul Scholasticate and Rev. Yohanes Koten left last April 6 for a weeklong “exploratory visit” inIndonesia. The said visit was intended to see andand evaluate the possibility of establishing theBarnabite presence in Indonesia.

The fathers arrived in Maumere, FloresIsland after a 12‐hour flight. Their travel was soexhausting and long because they left Manila at 9pm of April 6th and arrived in Jakarta at 12midnight. Then they had to wait for a flight toKupang at 6 am and took another plane toMaumere at 10 am. They were accomodated by theSisters of Our Lady of the Angels whose convent was half a kilometer away from the Maumeredomestic airport. The mother superior Sr. MaCecilia Tano, SdA and the postulants attended totheir needs. The Angelic sisters Lilia Domingo andVilma Tado accompanied them in their travels andmeetings with the bishops. Both sisters spoke

fluent Bahasa, the official language of Indonesia.The fathers intended to know the present situation of the dioceses of Larantuka, Maumereand Ende—all in Flores Island. The island is said tobe home to 1.6 million Indonesians, the majorityare Catholics. The fathers inquired about theapostolate of the religious in the said dioceses,

(from left) Rev. Yohanes, Bishop Kherubim Pareira, SVD

(Bishop of Maumere), Fr. Joselito and Fr. Michael duringthe meeting at the Maumere Bishop’s residence, April 10.

(From left) Angelic Sr. Lilia, Rev. Yohanes, Bishop Franciskus Kopong Kung (Bishop of Larantuka),Fr. Joselito and Fr. Michael

the socio‐economic situation of the faithful, theparishes and the clergy, vocations and the possiblefuture ministry the Congregation could offer to thefaithful.

Accompanied by Sr. Vilma, the fathersstarted their mission on April 8. From Maumere,they travelled to Larantuka to meet the VicarGeneral of the Diocese of Larantuka, Fr. RomoGabriel in the Bishop’s residence. Fr. Gabrielshared with the fathers his personal insights onthe current situation of Larantuka diocese. Thefollowing day, April 9, the fathers headed to Ende,east of Flores Island. They met the Archbishop of Ende, Most Rev. Vincentius Sensi Potokota in thearchbishop’s palace in Ndoma. The said bishopexpressed his openness to accept the Barnabites inhis diocese. He explained that the diocese needsschool administrators because most educationalinstitutions are either mismanaged or lack schoolheads. At the end of the meeting, he happily

exclaimed “I shall expect good news from you!”which appeared to be a statement of highexpectations. He also invited the fathers for lunch.

In the morning of April 10, the fathers hadan audience with the Bishop of Maumere, Most Rev. Kherubim Pareira, SVD. Though alreadyadvanced in his age, he spoke with muchenthusiasm and vigor. He and Fr. Joselito talkedabout the health care ministry of many religious inhis diocese. He also expressed his willingness toreceive the Barnabites in his diocese. After themeeting, the fathers decided to visit the school of Theology and Philosophy of the Society of the



No. 3 i Paul 23

iiPaulPaul Saint Paul Scholasticate Newsletter

THE C LERICS R EGULAR OF SAINT PAUL — BARNABITES —

Saint Paul Scholasticate Purok 163, San Jose

Tagaytay City, Cavite, the Philippines

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 32,4120 Tagaytay City, PhilippinesTel. & Fax: +63 46 413-2837Email: [email protected]

Director: Fr. Michael Sandalo, CRSPEditor-in-Chief: Br. Rey Carmelo A.Ausejo, CRSPAssociate Editor: Br. Mark AnthonyPondoc, CRSP

Staff Writers: Rev. Jonathan G. Ramoso,Rev. Thomas Federick S. Tabada, Br.Gerard Sala, Br. John Paul Osip, Br.Raphael Laotoco, Br. Julimar Pulvera, Br.Cunan AdaroContributors: Fr. Michael FrancisMancusi, Fr. Clyd Autentico, Rev. JohnKoten, Rev. Pat Golis

Typeset in the Philippines by theSaint Paul Scholasticate , April 2011

Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi?

No. 14 i Paul 23

(From left) Sr. Lilia, Rev. Yohanes, Fr. Joselito, Archbishop Vincentius, and Fr. Michael

Divine Word in Ledalero, the town next toMaumere. They met Fr. Andreas Mua, SVD, a goodfriend of the Angelic Sisters and Rev. Yohanes. Heshared with the fathers his experiences of helpingreligious institutes establish themselves in Flores.He also offered his availability to assist theBarnabites.

The afternoon of the same day wasdedicated for a meeting with the Bishop of Larantuka, Most Rev. Franciskus Kopong Kung. Hedecided to meet the fathers in the convent of the

Angelic Sisters in Maumere. Like the other twobishops, he would likewise be happy to have theBarnabites in his diocese. He also offered to ordainRev. Yohanes, who belonged to his diocese, to thepriesthood if it would take place in Indonesia.

As they went from one place to another,the fathers were all amazed by the breathtakingbeauty of the virgin forests and blue sea of FloresIsland. They had the chance to visit KelimutuNational Park and trekked Mt. Kelimutu which isfamous for its three craters with different colors.Moreover, they also met one of the sisters of Rev.Yohanes and stopped at her house for snacks.

On April 11, the fathers left Maumere andflew to Denpasar, Bali. They stayed at the newlyconstructed transient house of the Sisters of MaryImmaculate. They had the chance to tour aroundBali. They flew to Manila via Jakarta at midnight of April 12. Rev. Yohanes went back to his family’shouse in Larantuka for vacation.

The fathers’ encounter with the LocalOrdinaries had been very positive. With theblessing of Divine Providence, Indonesia could

become the next mission of the Barnabites.

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