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JOURNAL PART IX APRIL 27 - MAY 27, 2009

JOURNAL PART IX

APRIL 27 – MAY 27, 2009

Marhaba kaman (Hello again). Welcome back to my journal. This time this is a little break from the Holy Land and instead I shared some happenings on my short vacation in General Santos City and Bohol.

(Baclayon Church; where I was ordained twenty five years ago.)

THE INTERLUDE

From April 27- May 27, 2009, I had the privilege of having a vacation to the Philippines. It was a special moment of grace, a very beautiful interlude with the Passionists, family and friends. The pictures would speak for themselves. Sit down, relax and join my joy and gratitude to the Lord.

(The Plaza Clan in their Excursion to Sagbayan Peak in Bohol, one of the Chocolate Hills.)

May 1, 2009, Friday. I attended the investiture of our three new novices in the small chapel in the Novitiate in Lagao, General Santos City. Fr. Edwin Flor was the main celebrant and Fr. Nazario Benitez was the designated Novice Master. May 2, 2009, Saturday. I attended the first profession of vows of five new Passionists, and the perpetual profession of vows of Bro. Juvanni Abad, CP, at Our Lady Of Sorrows Hall in Lagao, General Santos City. Fr. Edwin Flor was the main celebrant and many Filipino Passionists joined the celebration.

(Fr. Lai Xuelong, CP, Bro.Gilbert Ytac, CP, Bro. Froilan Sumodio, CP, Bro. Arlan Los Banos, CP, Bro. James Neri,CP, Fr.Juvanni Abad, CP)

May 11, 2009, Monday. I attended the ordination of Fr. Christopher Akiatan, CP, Fr. Mark Reagan Tobias, CP, Fr. Rey Carvyn Ondap, CP, and Fr. Stanley Baldon, CP. at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, General Santos City. Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD, the Ordinary of Marbel was ordaining prelate. It was attended by almost 50 priests.

(The Bishop of Marbel, Most Reverend Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD flanked by the newly ordained priests and concelebrants at Our Lady Of Peace and Good Voyage Parish .)

May 11-14, 2009, Monday to Friday. I attended the third Provincial Chapter of the Philippine Province (Province of the Passion) which elected Fr. Lito Villarente as the Provincial and Fr. Louie Fuentespina, Fr. Antonio Saligan, Fr. Nazario Benitez, and Fr. Vicente Gabut as the Consultors. The Superior General, Most Reverend Ottaviano D’Egidio presided over the Chapter and the Consultor General, Fr. Clemente Barron facilitated the proceedings. We finalized our Manual that would be our guide for the coming years.

(The Province of the Passion posing at the chapel in Holy Cross Spiritual Center, Calumpang, General Santos City with the General and the General Consultor.)

May 15, 2009, Friday. At 4:30 pm, I celebrated my Silver Jubilee as a priest at Holy Cross Parish, Calumpang, General Santos City. All the Passionists who attended the Chapter joined me in the celebration. Reception was at Arnevel’s and a beautiful program spearheaded by the HCA of HCP, under Ms. Esmie Devilles. I thanked the Lord in a special way who gave their time, talent, and treasure for the success of the wonderful occasion. In lieu of material gifts, I asked for cash gifts and the results helped some poor farmers in Balite acquired carabaos and capitals for their small business.