Fr. Arthur Guevara, SCJ, called by his friends Fr. Tong, is a self-made musician. Recently, together with the Frontline Creations band, Fr. Tong recorded a CD with his songs, which was oficially launched during a special concert on May 9, 2009 in Kumalarang. "Pagdayeg, Himaya!", placed recently on YouTube, is one of the Cebuano songs from that CD composed by Fr. Tong and it means "Praise, Glory!". To see the video trailer of this song please click the following link Pagdayeg, Himaya! or watch below.
May 17, 1989 is the official date of arrival of first SCJ missionaries in the Philippines. The original group was composed of 8 priests coming from 5 different provinces: Argentinean, Indonesian, Polish, German and British-Irish. After six-month course of language and culture in Davao City, the members of the first group were assigned in 3 parishes: in Kumalarang and Margosatubig in the Prelature of Ipil and in Dimataling in Diocese of Pagadian.
Soon, the mission was joined by other members coming in different batches; total 14 priests and 2 brothers. At the same time 7 members returned to their mother provinces. Fr. Hans Sondermeijer of the first group died in Indonesia.
At the moment in the Philippines there are only 2 members left from the original group: Fr. Rino Venturin and Fr. Francis Pupkowski.
Today, we are 51 religious living and working in 5 communities. 25 are Filipino, 9 Vietnamese, 7 Indonesians, 4 Polish, 3 Brazilian, 1 Argentinean, 1 Italian and 1 British.
On May 14, 2009 - Dn. Rico Lapinig was ordained priest. The celebration took place in his home parish in Kumalarang and was presided by the Bishop of Prelature of Ipil, Most Rev. Julius S. Tonel, DD. The ordination was joined together with the celebration of the Parish Feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer and was attended by many lay people from different places, priests and religious.
Fr. Rico Lapinig is the third Filipino SCJ ordained priest and belongs to the very first group of candidates who joined the Congregation.
On May 13, 2007 seven Novices: Salvador A. Palomares, Joseph D. Muego, Christopher C. Alburo, Dominic Vu Van Phu, Joachim Tran Dinh Ngoc, Ronald M. Basco, Jose Patro C. Gier Jr., professed the vows od Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
The ceremony took place at the Parish Church of St. Isidore the Farmer in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. The vows were taken in the presence of the members of SCJ Philippine District, quest priests and religious, members of families and friends of the newly professed SCJs and the Congregation. Among special guests attending the celebration of first profession were former members of the district attending 20th Anniversary of the District: Fr. Jeremiah Sheehy, Fr. Juan Domingo Griffone, Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi and Bro. Wieslaw Bysiek. Also, there were present seven young SCJs from India attending preparation before perpetual vows, Fr. P.J. McGuire from the US Province and Bro. Yohanes Sukarman from Indonesia.
The vows were accepted by the District Superior Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado.
During the same celebration another 21 SCJs on temporary vows renewed their commitment to God and to the Congregation.
Kasanag Daughters Foundation, Inc. - 10th Anniversary
Kasanag Daughters Foundation (KDF) is an institution providing shelter to the sexually abused girls.
The aim of this social program, started in 1999 by one of our priests - Fr. Eduardo Aguero, is to offer to the victims of sexual abuse the possibility of the healing process and help them to find the way back to the society.
Today, the Kasanag Foundation is a home to 31 girls, providing them with the professional assistance of psychologists, scholarships and other needed skills and services. The age of the daughters is between 11 and 21 years. All of them go to school: 8 to college, 9 to High School and 14 to the Elementary.
The celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Kasanag took place on May 10, 2009. It started with the Holy Mass, presided by Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, SJDD. Among the concelebrating priests were: Fr. Eduaro Aguero, the founder of Kasanag; Fr. Rino Venturin, the project coordinator; Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado, the new superior of the Philippine District; Fr. Jerry Sheehy from Vietnam; Fr. Yohanes Sono Pribadi from Indonesia; and Fr. Vilsom Basso from Cagayan de Oro community. The celebration was also attended by Fr. Juan Domingo Griffone from Argentina, and two SCJ brothers, Bro. Yohanes Sukarman from Indonesia and Bro. Wieslaw Bysiek working in Republic of Moldova.
The second part was the presentation featuring the history and vision and mission of Kasanag performed beautifully by the daughters and members of staff. Also, during this part Fr. Rino and Fr. Ed shared their memories and hopes redarding the foundation. Finally, the "Plaques of Appreciation" were distributed: one for SCJ German Province. one for Fr. Eduardo and for Fr. Rino.
On May 1, 2009 the Philippine District celebrated the start of its new administration. The celebration was held in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Lucoban, Dumalinao and was attended by members of old and new administration, communities of Kumalarang and Dumalinao, Novitiate community, District Superior of India Fr. Kusmaryadi, and SCJ scholastics from Manila and India attending the preparation program for final vows.
After the Gospel, Fr. Francis Pupkowski, the outgoing District Secretary and Treasurer, read the letter of the General Superior addressed to the new superior Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado and his council, which was followed by the "Profession of Faith."
In his homily, Fr. Bene thanked the members of the old administration for their service and dedication and shared his insights regarding his new responsibilities as a superior.
The celebration was held in very fraternal atmosphere.
New Administration: Fr. Jose Benedito de Moraes Machado - superior Fr. Lukas Hadi Siswo Sasmito - 1st councillor Fr. Andrzej Sudol - 2nd councillor Fr. Vincentius Sri Herimanto - 3rd councillor
Fr. Arthur Guevara - district treasurer & secretary
Graduation of SCJ Students at Maryhill School of Theology
On March 20th, 2009 four SCJ students : (from the left)Marcial Aguirre, Rechie Gier, Jigger Ganados, and Donald Longno graduated from the Maryhill School of Theology. As one of them, Rechie Gier, writes "It started with a Eucharistic celebration at 4pm. Our main celebrant was the bishop of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco. The Eucharistic celebration and graduation were held at CICM Provencial House at New Manila, Quezon City. Our graduation was attended and witnessed by our friends, relatives and confreres.
The name of our batch is Saklay. Saklay is the Tagalog term for cratches. We were all 31 in our batch. The theme of our graduation was quoted from (NRSV) Phil. 4:9 i.e. "keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you."
Celebration of Fr. Dehon's Birth Anniversary in Cagayan de Oro
Th celebration of 166 th Anniversary of Fr. Dehon's Birth, on March 14th 2009 in Cagayan de Oro, was marked by three main events: sport fest, admission of 5 aspirants to the Postulancy Program and oath taking of new members of the Dehonian Youth. It was a whole day activity which started in the morning with the basketball competition and parlor games and ended up with the Holy Eucharist presided by the District Superior, Fr. Rino Venturin.
On January 12-13, 2009, the SCJ Philippine District held its annual assembly. This year the assembly took place in the Novitiate Fr. Dehon in Locuban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur and was attended by 19 SCJs.
The first day was dedicated to the personal sharing in the morning and formation related issues in the afternoon.
The second day of the assembly was divided into three major parts: financial matters, pastoral and social activities of the district and important issues to be decided. Among the topics tackled in the third part were: future Retreat Center in Dumalinao, new pastoral area in Manila, different issues from the District Chapter and District Agenda 2009. The assembly was shorter than usual due to the District Chapter which was held last October 2008.
