THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...
JOURNAL PART IX
APRIL 27 - MAY 27, 2009
JOURNAL PART IX
APRIL 27 – MAY 27, 2009
(Some of my classmates at Immaculata High School, Baclayon, Bohol)
N1: Fr. Pol was introduced to the Church and to the priesthood while he was still in High School. He was an altar server then and was a daily churchgoer and communicant. Later, he was assigned as a reader by Fr. Romeo Dompor, a ministry not common at that time. This introduced him to the Word of God in a very intimate way. At one time, while doing the Readings on an evening Mass, he had an extraordinary experience of the Risen Lord as if appearing in person. He seemed to be transported in another place and time with the Lord Jesus. From then on his faith in Jesus was unshakable and he had this very strong urge to share this faith to others.
(Fr. Rogie Castellano, CP rendering a religious song accompanied by Bro. Juvanni Abad, CP.)
N2: Since then, he volunteered as a catechist, choosing the far away barrios in their town. In the morning he would go to Dasitam and in the afternoon he would go to Campatoc. His involvement in catechetics introduced him to the diocese of Tagbilaran whose catechetical director then was Msr. Pelagio Dompor. This expanded his world view from the town of Baclayon to the whole Province especially the church of Bohol.
(The Holy Childhood Association OF Holy Cross Parish)
N1: God’s plan for Fr. Pol was to go far behind the boundaries of Bohol. While studying in Divine Word University, he attended a retreat conducted by a Passionist priest named Fr. Raymond Pulvino. This awakened up some longings in his heart. He wanted to be a religious, and a missionary. A few months later, another Passionist, Fr. James Schiffer made a vocation campaign on the school. After the semester, Fr. James visited his parents and literally called Pol fresh from the boat catching fish to follow him to the Passionist seminary.
(The New Provincial, Fr. Lito Villarente (center) and his Council, Fr. Louei Fuentespina, Fr.Nazario Benitez, Fr. Vicente Gabut )
N2: On June 1975, he entered the seminary in Marbel accompanied by Bitoy Wapano and Jed Sumampong. He finished his Philosophy at Notre Dame of Marbel University, Cum Laude in 1977. He was admitted to the Novitiate in Lagao on April of that year together with Fr. Jed Sumampong and Fr. Sammy Oracion with Fr. Nick Gill as the Novice Master. After one year, he professed as Passionist and proceeded to Loyola Heights for his Theological Studies. On January 27, 1984, he was ordained a priest in Baclayon, Bohol at the hands of Bishop Onessimo Gordoncillo, D.D.
(Bro Jovanni Abad,CP making his Perpetual Vows)
N1: In his twenty five years as a priest Fr. Pol had worked in the various ministries of the Passionists in the Philippines. He was assigned in the parishes of Glan, Sarangani Province in the years 1984-86, Holy Cross, Calumpang in the years 1986-88 and then again in 2005-2008, Sto. Nino, Caloocan City in 1988, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in the years 1996-97 and Immaculate Conception, Alion, Bataan in 2004.
(A group of Sisters rendering an action song)
N2: Fr. Pol was also assigned in the formation. After taking a preparatory course at SAIDI in Antipolo, he was assigned as Novice Master in Lagao in the years 1990-96. Many of the young Passsionists today in the Philippines were his former novices starting with Fr. Lito Villarente, his Provincial and ending with Fr. Edward Loberiano. Fr. Pol also helped the Passionists sisters in their formation by giving them modules in Human Development.
(HCA from Catapang Heights, Calumpang: Ma. Fe, Mary Anne, In-in, Mary Grace, Donna)
N1: Fr. Pol had held positions of authority within the Province. He was a Superior for eight years and a Consultor for twelve years. As a Superior, he had attended General Synods and Chapter as well as Regional Assemblies, allowing him to travel to many places in the world. One of his accomplishments was the formation and strengthening of the lay partnership program such as the Confraternity of the Passion, the Community of Passionist Partners, and the Passionist Youth.
(Confraternity of the Passion doing a dance number)
N2: As Superior, Fr. Pol also involved himself with the mission to the Indigenous People. He was a Director to the Assumption Mission for one year and was able to visit the various Bilaan communities all over the mountains of Cotabato. He continued his involvement with them by visiting some communities especially on special occasions such as fiestas and graduations.
(The Cebuano Choir of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage rendering “Sakayanon”)
N1: As of the moment, Fr. Pol is the Superior of the Bethany House in Israel since August 22, 2008. His companions are Fr. Gianni Sgreva, an Italian, Fr. Roberto Martinez, a Spanish, and Fr. Sebastian Walak, a Polish. Despite the obvious communication problem and cultural differences, Fr. Pol saw it as an opportunity to know more of the Holy Land, of the other languages and culture and above all to deepen his spiritual life. He had first-hand experience of religious diversity that made inter faith dialogue and ecumenism a day to day reality.
(A scene of the ordination of four new Passionist priests at OLPGV Parish)
N2: After 25 years as a priest, what’s next for Fr. Pol? For the meantime, he sees himself as working in Israel with the Filipino migrants in coordination with the Filipino Chaplaincy. He also sees himself involved in the Church’s thrust of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, working and praying for peace and reconciliation. He is inviting all to “Come and See the Holy Land” and to join him in praying for peace in the world, esp. in Israel.
(Staff of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage rendering a Cha Cha number.)
(Christian Castillo, Ivy Balitaan, and Carol Velarde at HCP before the Thanksgiving Mass)
(The Go Sisters, Pepen, Pilsie, Ging, before the Thanksgiving Mass)
(Some CPP members, Elsie, Aida, and Rachel during the reception at Arnevel)
(Holy Cross Parish Staff during the reception at Arnevel’s)
(From General Santos City, to my right is Ching Penpena,to my left is Baby Pamintuan)
(Linda Go, Ces Pimentel, Anabel Edullantes, AG, Deisy, Miss Duran, Fr. Rogie, Fr. Lai)
(A pose at Sagbayan peak, Bohol)
(Another pose at Sagbayan Peak)
(Final Blessing from our ancestor, the tarsier of Loboc Sanctuary)
LIST OF DONORS OF THE SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
1. Miss Amparo Pamintuan
2. Mrs. Leonore de la Cerna
3. Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Sia
4. Dra. Tess Catapang
5. Mrs. Prima Chua
6. Mrs. Minda Falgui
7. Mrs. Baby Rodriguez
8. Mrs. Conching Lim
9. Marist Brothers
10. Mr. and Mrs. Doming Tan
11. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Damalerio
12. Mr. and Mrs. Pelagio Hungayo
13. Confraternity of the Passion
14. Mrs. Nelly Mirabueno
15. Miss Alice Kho and Family
16. Dr. and Mrs. Ernesto Salazar
17. Miss Ching Penpena
18. Mr. and Mrs. Timoray Ang
19. Mrs. Nora Francisco
20. Miss Miramar Muesco
21. Mrs. Anita Buesco
22. Mr. and Mrs. Tony Yaphockun
23. Miss Ging Gonzales
24. Mr .and Mrs. Larry Callos
25. Mr. and Mrs. Doming Congson
26. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Durano
27. Mrs. Loreto Sevilla
28. Mr. and Mrs. Lando Ilmeng
29. Mr. and Mrs. Nito Cimafranca
30. Mr. and Mrs. Eudes Ramo
32. Mr. and Mrs. Jacinto Realista
33. Mr. and Mrs. Delfin Parco
36. Mrs. Gardenia Uy
37. Marapao Family
39. Anonymous Donors
40. Baclayon Donors
41. OLPGV Parish
42. Mayor and Mrs. Pedro Acharon
43. Mr. and Mrs. Virgilio Lorenzo
44. Mr. and Mrs. Joel Santos
45. Holy Cross Parish
46. Miss Esmie Devilles
47. Passionist Community
48. Ching Penpena (Cow sale)
49. Plaza Clan
50.Mr. and Mrs. Danny Chua
Thank you very much to all who in one way or another had contributed to the success and meaningfulness of the occasions. If for some reasons, I may have omitted your name in the list of donors, I am sorry for the mistake. Please let me know and I will do the necessary corrections. The Lord certainly knows your generosity and he alone knows how to compensate accordingly. Thank you very much once again. God bless you all. Ana hawa intu. I love you all.