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DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF BISHOP OLWELL- JAN 30

Bishop Olwell was the first Passionist bishop in the Philippines.

Born Charles Bertram Olwell on November 4, 1898 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of James and Ellen Evans Olwell. He professed his Passionist vows on September 15, 1916. He was ordained on February 4, 1923 at St. Vincent's Abbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania by Bishop Hugh Boyle of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He accepted the challenge to become a missionary in Hunan, China and on August 25, 1923 he and four other Passionist missionaries arrived in Shanghai.

From 1923 until the Communist takeover, he managed an orphanage, served as parish priest, and held administrative positions in the Yuanling Diocese as vicar delegate, procurator to raise money, and Passionist superior, serving also as vicar general of the Yuanling Diocese under Bishop O'Gara.

With the Communist takeover of Hunan in 1949, he was put under house arrest. In 1951 a public trial declared him "subversive." When he was expelled, he returned to the United States to regain his strength, served briefly as a parish priest, and then again accepted the call to be a missionary.

In 1958 he arrived in the Philippines at the Cotabato Passionist mission and set about applying the missionary skills learned in China. On April 25, 1961, he was consecrated the first prelate ordinary of the Marbel Diocese. This was a large administrative and pastoral challenge. Travel was over rough and mountainous terrain close to typhoon friendly seas. He had the added challenge of taking what he learned as a veteran missionary and instituting it anew along the lines of the new theological and pastoral opportunities fostered during the Second Vatican Council.

In 1969 Olwell submitted his resignation to Pope Paul. After consecrating his Passionist successor, Bishop Reginald Arliss, in 1970, Olwell returned to the United States. He died on January 30, 1972.

- taken from PASSIONIST HISTORICAL ARCHIVES

Posted by: mableela Date: 01/29/2009
COMMUNITY MEETING

The Southern Passionist Communities had their meeting today at St. Gabriel's Seminary in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Philippines. As usual, the said meeting began with a eucharistic celebration(remembering Fr. Pol Plaza, CP on his 25th year of priestly ministry), with Fr. Edward Loberiano, CP as the main presider and homilist. Later, he was also the facilitator of the meeting.

In his homily, Fr. Edward was expounding the concept of "doing God's will," quoting aptly and fittingly some passages from the first reading as well as from the gospel. For him, doing God's will is greater than so many, many things that one does. It is even greater than the blood relationship that binds Jesus and Mary. To do the will of God is our topmost task.

A short break followed after the mass, and then the meeting. Different agenda were taken up. When everything was clarified,settled and decided upon, the group continued with their usual review of the past province legislations, in view of the forthcoming Provincial Chapter this coming May. The meeting ended at about 2:30 P.M.

Posted by: mableela Date: 01/27/2009
"HERE I AM LORD, I COME TO DO YOUR WILL..."

Time flies; and, indeed, it flies quite fast. "Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the days," as one popular song says. Thus, it seems only yesterday when Fr. Apolinario "Pol" A. Plaza, CP was ordained priest in his home parish of Imaculada Concepcion, in the municipality of Baclayon, Bohol. Since then, he has been to many assignments as shown by the following CURRICULUM VITAE:

Birthday - July 23, 1956
First Profession–May 15,1978 Final Vows-May 15,1982
Ordained Priest-January 27, 1984

ASSIGNMENTS: Asst. Parish Priest, Glan, Sarangani Province 1984-1985 Parish Priest, Glan, Sarangani Province – 1985-1986 Parish Priest, Calumpang, Gen. Santos City – 1986-1988 Asst. Parish Priest, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City - 1988 Further Studies, SAIDI, Antipolo City – 1988-1990 Novice Master, Lagao, Gen. Santos City – 1990-1996 Parish Priest, OLPGV, Gen. Santos City – 1996-1997 Superior, Passionists in the Philippines – 1997-2005 Parish Priest, Calumpang, Gen. Santos City - 2005-2008 Superior, House of Martha, Bethany, Jerusalem - 2008

THE PASSIONISTS IN BETHANY CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN A EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION AND AGAPE IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE SILVER JUBILEE OF PRIESTHOOD OF FR. APOLINARIO PLAZA, CP ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009 AT 5:00 PM YOUR PRESENCE IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

Posted by: mableela Date: 01/25/2009
CMIP RETREAT, EVALUATION & PLANNING

CMIP workers and priests had their retreat, whole year evaluation and planning last Jan 5-7, 2009 @ Blessed Pio Campedelli House of Prayer Kinilis, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Departure was afternoon of January 4 and although Fr. Nonoy and company made a few wrong turns on their way to the retreat house, they were still able to reach the location.

The 3-day activity started evening of January 4, 2009 with a dinner enjoyed by all workers and priests and an orientation of what’s going to happen afterwards. Everyone felt it was yet another extension of the holiday vacation. On the 1st day, a series of light & funny talks regarding commitments to the missionary service were given to the workers. They commented afterwards, they’ve felt re-energized after hearing the talks. Indeed, it was invigorating to know how valuable the commitments each worker and priest was extending to the mission despite difficulties. On the 3rd & 4th day, activities of the previous years were evaluated and plans/activities were being lined-up for the whole year of 2009. .

Mission workers and priests were able to enjoy the 3-day event. There were moments of hearty laughs from everybody, soothing music from guitar & flute instruments filled the air, meaningful masses were celebrated and the most important part, mission workers were revived to continue serving the Catholic Mission to the Indigenous People. Our warmest regards to Frs. Nonoy P, Vic and William for all the efforts! more pics...
Posted by: chariz Date: 01/09/2009
HOLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION

These are the members of the Holy Childhood Association, Holy Cross Parish, Calumpang, General Santos City organized by Fr. Apolinario A. Plaza, C.P. in 2004. Some were trained as lectors and they served during the third mass on Sundays. Last December 22, 2008, they held a Christmas party with the poor children, where each HCA member brought a poor child to be fed and given a gift. They had a program with Fr. Manny Gellez, C.P., PMS Diocesan Director, giving the inspirational talk and everybody had fun in the parlor games such as: Message Relay, The Boat is Sinking, Hep, Hep, Hurray! and Animal Sounds. Everyone went home happy and with a gift from fairy godmother, Ate Esmie Devilles.

Posted by: Ate Esmie Date: 12/22/2008