Towards

Nonviolence and
Just Peace
Vol. 6 No. 3

lamdagcdo@live.com | ascacdo@gmail.com

September 1-30, 2016

see on page 2

Jubilee of Mercy for Drug Responders and Collaborators Gilusad

Msgr. Florencio Salvador Jr., SLD, SSJV

Sr. Teresita C. Espina, FSP

Sa
Agosto 22, 2016,
gilusad ang Jubilee of Mercy
for Drug Responders
and
Collaborators sa Arkidiyosesis
sa Cagayan de Oro. Sumala sa
Sulat Pastoral sa Droga ug sa
Kamadagayaon sa Kinabuhi ni
Arsobispo Antonio J. Ledesma,
SJ,DD, niadtong
Agosto 4,
2016, nga kabahin kini sa tubag
sa hagit ni Papa Francisco atol
sa Extraordinario nga Tuig
sa Kaluoy. Kini nga Jubilee
of Mercy mao usab
ang
paglusad sa community based
intervention programs aron
pagtubag sa krisis sa droga.
Gisugdan kini diha sa usa

Fr. Raul Dael, SSJV

Mabulokong
gisaulog
ang kapistahan ni Seor
San Agustin diha sa Santos
nga misa nga gipangunahan
ni Arsobispo Antonio J.
Ledesma, SJ, DD sa Agosto
28, 2016 uban sa kaparian
sa Arkidiyosesis sa Cagayan
de Oro. Ang naghatag sa
homiliya mao si Fr. Raul Dael,
SSJV.
Diha sa iyang homiliya,
miingon si Fr. Dael nga
ang
pagkamapaubsanon
(humility)
mao
ang
pinakamahinungdanon
nga alagad sa kalibutan.
Ang mapaubsanon adunay

ka recollection sa Mt. Carmel

nga gikan sa alas 9:00 hangtod
sa 12:00 sa udto. Usa sa
mamumulong, si Fr. Raul Dael,
SSJV, nagpaambit mahitungod
sa addiction sa droga; ngano
nga magbalik-balik ug gamit sa
druga ang usa ka tawo. Si Msgr.
Salvador nagpaambit usab nga
ang Simbahan adunay gihimo
nga lakang aron matabangan
ang mga hingtungdan niini
pinaagi sa pagmugna ug
Coalition for a Drug Free
Society uban sa slogan; Tsada
kung Walay Droga.
Sa ala-una hangtod alas
kwatro sa hapon,
adunay
penitential
service
ug
pangompisal didto sa gym sa
St. Marys Academy ug aduna
usab counseling sessions nga
gipahigayon sa mga counselors
ug kamadrehan sa AWRACO.
Pagkahuman,
adunay
prosisyon ngadto sa Katedral
sa San Agustin, agi sa Jubilee
Door of Mercy ug gisundan
kini sa kasaulogan sa Santos
nga Misa.
Ang Misa gipangunahan
ni Msgr. Perseus Cabunoc,
VG, SSJV uban sa kaparian sa

Arkidiyosesis ug ang homilist

mao si Msgr. Florencio
Salvador, Jr, SLD, SSJV. Diha
sa iyang paambit, gipunting
niya nga diha sa prosesyon,
gikan sa Carmen padulong sa
Cathedral, agi sa Jubilee Door
of Mercy, gisunod ang pamaagi
ni Jesukristo ang maayong
Magbalantay, nga
nagpasan sa iyang abaga sa tawo

dedikasyon, makahibalo sa
iyang kakulangon, mopakaon
ug nakaila sa mga kabos,
matod ni Sirac. Sa sulat sa
taga Hebreo, si Jesus mihalad
sa iyang kaugalingon sa krus,
ug mipakita sa gugmang
mapaubsanon sa usa ka
Dios. Diha sa ebanghelyo,
gipahinumduman
ang
katawhan nga kong dapiton
sa kombira, dili mopili
sa
pinasidunggan
nga
lingkuranan kay basin naay
moabot nga mas labaw pa
kay kanila, kay matod ni
Jesus ang magpataas sa
iyang kaugalingon ipaubos
ug ang magpaubos sa iyang
kaugalingon, ipataas.
Ang pulong humility,
gikan sa Latin nga humus,
nga nagkahulugan ug yuta.
Ang tawo nga mapaubsanon
naglakaw sa yuta,
wala
maglupad
sa kahanginan.
Dinhi usab gikan ang pulong
human (tawo). Sa ato pa

kon attached kita sa atong

humanity, the more humble
we are, matod ni Fr. Dael.
Nag-ingon siya nga ang
pagkamapaubsanon, naghatag
ug lawom nga kahulugan
sa identity sa
matag-usa:
isip binuhat sa Dios ug ang
Dios mao ang magbubuhat

On August 20, 2016,

the General Assembly of
the Association of Women
Religious of the Archdiocese
of Cagayan de Oro (AWRACO)
was held at San Lorenzo Ruiz
Community Center (formerly
Kung Hua School Pastoral
Center), Taytay, El Salvador
City with Most Rev. Antonio J.
Ledesma, as guest speaker.

Archbishop
Ledesma
talked about Amoris Laetitia:
Seedbed of Vocation. Amoris
Laetitia, the Joy of Love, is
a
Post-Synodal
Apostolic
Exhortation of Pope Francis
following the 2014 and 2015
synods on the family. It was
signed on March 19, 2016 and
released on April 8, 2016.
Amoris Laetitia talks

nga nakasala.
Nasaksihan
sa tanan
nga dili shame
walk
kondili
solidarity
march ang nahitabo, diin
ang mga kaparian, pamilya,
kaigsoonan, ug ahensya sa
gobyerno nagkahiusa niining
katilingbanong
panglantaw
nga aduna kita Ginoo sa kalooy,
ug gusto kitang mamahimong
katawhan sa kalooy sa Dios,

matod ni Msgr. Salvador. Diha

sa ginatawag nga shame
walk, ang mga nasakpan
nagdala ug karatola nga gibitay
sa ilang liog ug moparada diha
sa publiko.
Ang panig-ingnan
sa
pagpailob sa lawom nga pagampo, sa lawom nga pagtoo ug
walay puas nga pagpailob ni

Continue p.3

Solidarity Walk gikan sa Mt. Carmel paingon sa San Agustin Cathedral

Gisaulog ang Kapistahan ni Seor San Agustin

ug gitawag ang tanan isip
magsasangyaw sa Dios.
Ang
tinuod
nga
mapaubsanon
mao
ang
pagdawat sa kalipay nga
nagagikan
sa Ginoo. Ang
kalipay dili magagikan sa mga
gamit sa kalibutan, mga butang
ug bahandi. Nag-ingon siya

nga adunay kapin kon kulang

nga 4000 nga nalambigit sa
droga ug nagsurrender ug
mga responders. Sumala sa
Sulat Pastoral ni Arsobispo
Antonio J. Ledesma luyo sa
mga kasakit sa kasingkasing
mao ang kahamili sa usa ka

Continue p.3

Abp. Ledesma atol sa Kapistahan ni Sr. San Agustin

AWRACO Holds General Assembly

Abp. Ledesma talked on Amoris Laetitia

about the familys vocation

and mission of love. It speaks
about the familys strengths
and gifts. Pope Paul VI said
that every family, despite its
weaknesses, can become a
light in the darkness of the
world. The Holy Family of
Nazareth teaches everyone
the meaning of family life, its
loving communion, its simple

beauty and sacred character.

However the family is
facing big challenges which
include lack of adequate
health care, street children,
migration, human trafficking,
alcoholism,
drug
use,
gambling, domestic violence,
sexual abuse, etc
The Apostolic Exhortation

Continue p.3

LAMDAG

September 1-30, 2016

Archbishops Page

Towards Nonviolence and Just Peace

Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ
Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro

Lately,
the
Philippines under a new
Administration seems
to be entering a new
phase in its quest for a
just and lasting peace.
On the one hand, the
recently concluded first
round of negotiations
between the GRP and
NDFP panels in Oslo
in August has brought
about
an
indefinite
ceasefire and hopeful
prospects for reaching a
peace agreement in the
near future. On the other hand, the deadly bombing of
a crowded night market in Davao on September 2 has
raised the specter of more terroristic acts in other parts
of the country.
It is in this light that the gathering of Catholic
peace advocates in Rome last April 11-13, 2016, can
provide a broader context for the Philippine situation.
The conference on Nonviolence and Just Peace was
sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace and Pax Christi International. It brought together
lay people, members of religious congregations,
theologians, priests and bishops to share peace-building
efforts in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle
East and Oceania. (I was invited to share some of our
peace-building efforts in Mindanao. Ms. Loreta Castro
and Jasmin Galace of the Miriam College Peace Center
also shared their ongoing activities in peace education).
The final statement of the conference issued An
Appeal to the Catholic Church to re-commit to the
centrality of Gospel nonviolence. It first cited concrete
experiences of people engaged in work for peace e.g.,
negotiations with armed groups in Uganda, Colombia,
South Sudan; advocacy for retaining the peace clause in
the Japanese Constitution; accompaniment in Palestine;
peace education efforts in the Philippines, etc. Looking
at our world today, the conference statement pointed
out:
We live in a time of tremendous suffering, widespread
trauma and fear linked to militarization, economic
injustice, climate change, and a myriad of other specific
forms of violence. In this context of normalized and
systemic violence, those of us who stand in the Christian
tradition are called to recognize the centrality of active
nonviolence to the vision and message of Jesus; to the
life and practice of the Catholic Church; and to our long
term vocation of healing and reconciling both people
and the planet.
Looking at the example of Jesus, the conference
statement continues:
In his own times, rife with structural violence,
Jesus proclaimed a new, nonviolent order rooted in the

unconditional love of God. Jesus called his disciples to

love their enemies (Mt. 5:44), which includes respecting
the image of God in all persons; to offer no violent
resistance to one who does evil (Mt. 5:39); to become
peacemakers; to forgive and repent; and to be abundantly
merciful (Matthew 5-7).
Looking towards the future, the conference
participants reflected on recent pronouncements of the
Popes:
We need a new framework that is consistent with
Gospel nonviolence. A different path is clearly unfolding
in recent Catholic social teaching. Pope John XXIII wrote
that war is not a suitable way to restore rights; Pope
Paul VI linked peace and development, and told the UN
no more war; Pope John Paul II said that war belongs
to the tragic past, to history; Pope Benedict XVI said
that loving the enemy is the nucleus of the Christian
revolution; and Pope Francis said the true strength of
the Christian is the power of truth and love, which leads
to the renunciation of all violence. Faith and violence
are incompatible. He has also urged the abolition of
war.
In its concluding section, the conference statement
focused on its key resolution:
We propose that the Catholic Church develop and
consider shifting to a Just Peace approach based on
Gospel nonviolence. A Just Peace approach offers a
vision and an ethic to build peace as well as to prevent,
defuse, and to heal the damage of violent conflict. This
ethic includes a commitment to human dignity and
thriving relationships, with specific criteria, virtues, and
practices to guide our actions. We recognize that peace
requires justice and justice requires peacemaking.
Among the concrete actions that could be taken,
the conference listed the following:
continue developing Catholic social teaching
on nonviolence. In particular, we call on Pope
Francis to share with the world an encyclical on
nonviolence and Just Peace;
integrate Gospel nonviolence explicitly into the
life, including the sacramental life, and work of
the Church through dioceses, parishes, agencies,
schools, universities, seminaries, religious orders,
voluntary associations, and others;
promote nonviolent practices and strategies (e.g.,
nonviolent resistance, restorative justice, trauma
healing, unarmed civilian protection, conflict
transformation, and peacebuilding strategies);
initiate a global conversation on nonviolence
within the Church, with people of other faiths,
and with the larger world to respond to the
monumental crises of our time with the vision
and strategies of nonviolence and Just Peace;
Hopefully, this broader framework of the Catholic
tradition can shed some light for our responses to
incidents of un-peace as well as current peace efforts in
Mindanao and the rest of the country.

Archdiocesan News

LAMDAG

September 1-30, 2016

Migrants Hold Conference for Sons and Daughters of OFWs

Sr. Pearl Balbastro, DC

The Catholic Bishops Conference of

the Philippines - Episcopal Commission
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and
Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI), in
cooperation with the Archdiocesan
Commission on Migrants and ItinerantsCagayan de Oro (ACMI-CDO), held a
Mindanao sub-regional conference
for Sons and Daughters of OFWs
Formation Program (SDOFP) on August
1-3, 2016, at the Patrick Cronin Hall of
St. Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de
Oro City. About 40 administrators and
guidance counselors/ representatives
from 19 schools (public, private:
sectarian, non-sectarian), four dioceses
and parish migrants ministry units
of CDO attended the conference with
the Theme: Building Solidarity for the
Development of SDO.
The Conference aimed to validate
the relevance of the program in school,
update and inform the SDO formators
on the present issue of migration and
its impact on the family, review the
existing SDO practices and mechanisms,
share experiences and best practices
on
SDO
implementation,
build
strong partnership and cooperation,
systematize and energize all the existing
initiatives through structures formation.
The participating schools were:
St. Marys Academy of Tagoloan, St.
Marys Academy of Jasaan, Lourdes
College, St. John de Baptist High School
of Lagonglong, St. Ritas College of

Msgr. Legitimas, SSJV and Sr. Pearl Balbastro with Migrants Staff.

Balingasag, St. Michaels College of

Iligan City, Xavier University-Ateneo
de Cagayan, Sacred Heart of Jesus
Montessori School, Misamis Oriental
General Comprehensive High School,
Agusan National High School, Liceo de
Cagayan University, Bukidnon National
High School, San Isidro College of
Bukidnon, Xavier Academy of Initao,
St. Joseph Academy of El Salvador,
Capitol University, Mindanao University
of Science and Technology, Surigao

Diocesan School System and Diocese of

Malaybalay/BUACS.
The Conference included inputs
on: Migrants Situationer and its Social
Impact, by Ms. Ma. Ediza Pumarada, ECMI
Officer for Mindanao; and Instructional
Guidelines for SDOFP by Edmundo
Ruga, Project Officer of the SDOFP. The
SDOFP is an advocacy program of ECMI
in line with its mission of strengthening
migrant family affairs. One of its tools
is mainstreaming migrants issues and

concerns at the school level. In between

the two inputs, the Conference went into
sharing-validation and presentation of
best practices of schools, considering
that this is the third gathering on the
SDOFP in the Archdiocese.
The SDOFP capped its program
with the Gawad Anak Award, a national
search for the Ten Outstanding SDO
Student Achievers (TOSDOSA) Awards
or Gawad Anak OFW.

Fr. Macky Ceballos, SSJV

from the elementary level, and 12

individual qualifiers plus two group
event qualifiers of the high school
level from SJA will advance to the
Regional Schools Press Conference to
be held in Malaybalay City in October,
2016.
This is the second consecutive
year that SJA has outsmarted other
schools in the City Division to grab
the overall championship.
Molugan National High School in
Molugan, El Salvador City bagged the
second place, while Cogon National
High School, Cogon, El Salvador City
got the third place in the overall
ranking.

St. Joseph Academy bags anew DSPC 2016 overall champ

The champion, St. Joseph Academy students

St. Joseph Academy of El

Salvador (SJA) emerged again this
year as the overall champion in the
recently concluded Division Schools
Press Conference of the Division of El
Salvador City held on August 4, 2016
at Molugan Central School, Molugan,
El Salvador City.
In the elementary level, Filipino
category, SJA finished third place, but
got the first place in the elementary
level, English category. Meanwhile,
SJA topped in the secondary level for
both English and Filipino categories.
A total of six individual qualifiers
and one group event qualifier

Jubilee of Mercy for Drug Responders and Collaborators Gilusad - from p.1
Sta. Monica sa iyang lampingasan nga
anak nga si San Agustin, mao usab ang
ipadangat sa mga drug responders.
Kung wala kining pag-unong ni Sta.
Monica, wala kitay San Agustin karon.
Matod pa sa Arsobispo nga
nindot sabton ang maanindot nga
larawan ni Papa Francisco nga gigamit
alang sa parokya ug sa katilingban, nga
islands of mercy ug field hospitals

ug kini haom sa kahimtang sa Pilipinas

nga gilibutan sa halapad nga dagat sa
katalagman sa droga. Ang katilingban sa
pagtoo angay mahimong dalangpanan
niining atong kaigsoonan, nga gitawag
ug field hospitals. Ang mga Simbahan
o kapilya ug tanang pasilidad sa mga
parokya bukas alang kanila.
Miingon si Msgr. Salvador nga
ang mensahe alang sa mga drug

responders ug recoverers gikan kang

San Agustin mao kini: there is no saint
without a past, no sinner without a
future. Dili pa ulahi ng tanan, mamalik
kitang tanan sa atong manluluwas ug
tugutan nato siya nga mopadayag pagusab sa dignidad ug katahom sa atong
pagkatawo balik sa katahom isip mga
anak sa Dios, matod niya.

malungtaron nga kalipay. Giawhag ang

katawhan nga dili maghusga niining
mga tawhana, nga dili sila dautan
kay luyo sa ilang gibuhat,
adunay
gugma ug kalooy sa usa ka Dios nga
sa kanunay nagmalahutayon. Dinhi
sa Arkidiyosesis sa Cagayan de Oro
ug sa Northern Mindanao, namugna
ang Coalition for a Drug Free Society
nga gipanguluhan sa halangdon nga
Arsobispo ug gitambayayongan siya sa
nagkalainlaing ahensya sa gobierno, sa
LGU, sa mga igsoong Muslim, ug sa

ubang mga sector.

Sa Agosto 22, 2016, gilusad sa
Arkidiyosesis ang Jubilee of Mercy for
Drug Responders and Collaborators.
Mapaubsanong natong gamiton ang
atong dedication, aron mahatagan
nato ug maayong panglantaw ang 70
thousand responders. Kon aduna kay
kaila, igsoon, pamilya, silingan nga
naggamit sa ginadiling droga, ato silang
tabangan, awhag ni Fr. Dael. Si San
Agustin nag-abli sa iyang kasingkasing
sa Ginoo ug pinaagi sa pag-ampo sa

iyang mama nga si Monica nakahukom

siya sa paghalad sa iyang kinabuhi sa
Ginoo.
Pagkahuman sa misa, ang mga
katawhan madasigong nagsud-ong
sa fluvial procession nga gikan sa
Macabalan ug Cala-cala ngadto sa
Cathedral. Pagkahuman malipayong
sila nga nag-ambit sa salosalo sa Fiesta
sa Nayon sa tennis court. (Bag-ong
Lamdag News)

Gisaulog ang Kapistahan ni Seor San Agustin - from p.1

AWRACO Holds General Assembly from p.1

encourages married couples, families,
and pastoral ministers to accompany
and care for others who are in need
of Gods mercy and healing. It is
an inspirational aid for those who
accompany couples.
Amoris Laetitia is a valuable
guide for all those engaged in ministry
to those discerning and preparing for
marriage, and to married couples and
families at all stages. Catholic leaders
would do well to study Amoris Laetitia
in its entirety, being attentive to how
the Holy Fathers insights may enrich
and enliven a particular ministry. Pope
Francis himself has urged a patient and
careful reading of the document, with
the hope that, in reading this text,
all will feel called to love and cherish
family life (Bag-ong Lamdag News)

Features

LAMDAG
September 1-30, 2016

AMAZING POLAND
A life-changing and faith-strengthening journey

My Amazing Adventure at World

Youth Day 2016
Charity Cooney

Fr. Rico Lapinig, SCJ (second from left holding Philippine Flag)
By Fr. Rico O. Lapinig, SCJ

What good have I done, O Lord,

that you have blessed me so much?
These were the words that came to mind
upon learning from our SCJ Philippine
Regional Superior of the decision of
the council: I am one of the priests
together with some Dehonian Youth
as delegates to the World Youth Day
in Poland. I interpreted it as Gods will.
However, I knew that there is a mission
that accompanies it. I must carry out
this mission after the World Youth Day
events. Writing this reflection is part
of that mission. I hope that through
this reflection, the readers may have
a glimpse of our faith-experiences in
Poland.
Grabe ka dato ang Poland ba kay
bisan sa gawas sa airport naay aircon
tungod kay bugnaw kaayo. Funny but
true, because these were the words
of one of the youth at the airport of
Poland upon our arrival. It is summer
time in Poland in July. The sun is bright
but for us Filipinos, the weather was
so cold. From the airport, Fr. Andrew
Sudol, SCJ, with his sister and brother-

in-law, brought us to the center of

Warsaw for sight-seeing. Then, we went
to the SCJ Provincial house in order
to take our lunch. The first thing that
struck me in Poland is the cleanliness
and discipline. The grounds and
surroundings of the different places we
visited are so clean. This cleanliness
shows that Poles love discipline.
Incorporated in the obedience to the
traffic rules is the care and concern of
every person. Drivers really stop their
cars if somebody would cross the road
especially in places where there are no
traffic lights.
The sun is still up at 9 oclock PM
in Poland during summer. I remember
these words from one of our Polish SCJ
priests assigned here in the Philippines.
I really didnt believe him when he said
that to me. Oh boy, I really experienced
that on our second day. My companion
priest and I went to bed at six PM even
though the sun was still so bright. At
nine PM I woke up in order to go to the
comfort room but I noticed that it was
still bright. When I looked at my watch,
it was already nine PM. Di ba amazing?
to be continued

I was one out of 1.5 million people

who joined the World Youth Day 2016
in Krakow, and had an amazing twoweek-adventure throughout Poland. I
was part of the group called the FCCY
(Filipino-Chinese Catholic Youth), a
Catholic organization in the Philippines.
There were 19 of us representing our
organization in the country. The first
week was spent in Warsaw where we
attended Days in the Diocese. Days in the
Diocese is a program before WYD where
we encounter a particular diocese. We
stayed in the Diocese of Stara Iwiczna,
and were distributed to different foster
families with whom we stayed for five
days. Another group from Zambia also
stayed in the same diocese. Friendly,
energetic and with such amazing voices,
they were so fun to be with.
The entire week was spent going to
different activities, concerts, tours and
celebrations. We had a sport day where
all of us and our foster families played
badminton, soccer, volleyball, table
tennis, basketball, board games and etc.
It was quite intimidating because the
Zambia group and also the Polish people
from our Diocese were such amazing
players. On the last day in the Diocese,
we had a big picnic where people
brought food and there was singing
and dancing and playing games. It was
simply amazing.
The following day we left for
Krakow, the venue for the main event. As
we said our goodbyes, there was much
crying and hugging because we were
leaving our foster families with whom we
had become so attached to. It was hard
to leave them and everybody wanted to
stay behind and have an extended trip.
When we arrived in Krakow, we
saw fellow pilgrims who were walking,
shouting and chanting, holding their flags
and singing with pride as they showed
their country of origin. Everybody was so
excited to become part of the experience.
We collected our kits and we took off to
experience WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016. We
attended talks, catechesis, and festivals
and got to see the concentration camps in

September

Birthday Celebrants
Fr. Cesar Ramantin, SSJV
September 3

Fr. William Salva, SSJV

September 5
Fr. Daniel D. Coronel, SSJV
September 7
Fr. Renerio Sabuga, SSJV
September 9

Fr. Nemesio Pacaa, SSJV

Fr. Nicolas Basadre, SSJV
September 10

Fr. Francis Ramon Burlat, SSJV

September 16
Fr. Casibjorn Guy Quiacao
September 25

Auschwitz. For the entire trip, it seemed

we walked about 10 to 15 kilometers
almost every day! We also had to ride
buses or trams that were packed and
suffocating. The sacrifices we made just
to be with the Pope was phenomenal and
the obstacles we faced were all worth it
once we saw him.
The last night was an overnight vigil
where the Pope said: Gods will is our
happiness, blessed are the merciful for
they know peace. It was the words of
Pope Francis on this night that struck me
the most. I learned that through patience
and prayer you can attain happiness. The
answer to our prayers may be slow, but it
will be delivered to us at the right time
and at the right moment. May we seek
God throughout all the moments in our
life and realize that He alone can satisfy
our deepest longings.
This two-week trip to WYD Poland
2016 was so phenomenal, fun, amazing
and inspiring that I had no regrets when
I returned to CDO, Philippines and went
back to school. Nothing could replace
the time and graces that I experienced
in Poland. I am already missing the
presence of Pilgrims as I roam around
my hometown. If it is Gods will, I would
like to experience everything again in
2019 for the next WYD which will be held
in Panama.

Charity Cooney (right) with a friend

News

LAMDAG
September 1-30, 2016

Commissioning of Retreat in Daily Life Guides

Dr. Benie Sy

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ

blessed and commissioned the guides
for this years Retreat in Daily Life (RDL)
at the Archbishop chapel, Cagayan de
Oro City, on August 21, 2016. There
were 37 retreatants mostly coming
from the Department of Educations
secondary school principals, teachers,
and those handling classes on value
formation.
A project of the Archdiocese of
Cagayan de Oro Campus Ministry
Association (ACCMA), RDL is in its
18th and 19th annotation. It will start
on September 10 and will conclude
on December, 2016 and March 2017,
respectively. Following the Spiritual
Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola,
RDL is for lay people who do not have
time, because of workload and other
commitments, to attend the 8-day or
30-day retreat. In this manner, the
retreatants will meet their guides once
a week for an hour and at the end of the
session, they are given prayer points,

scripture readings and assignments to

pray, study, reflect and meditate on.
As part of the commissioning rite,
the archbishop assisted by Mr. Mike
Acenas, guides coordinator, shared the
Gospel reading from John 21:15-19. He
said: Jesus asks of Simon Peter three
times. Simon, son of John, do you love
me more than these? And three times,
Simon Peter responds, Yes, Lord, you
know that I love you. And three times
also, Christ answers, Feed my lambs.
Jesus continued, Amen, amen, I say
to you, when you were younger, you
used to dress yourself and go where
you wanted; but when you grow old,
you will stretch out your hands, and
someone else will dress you and lead
you where you do not want to go.
Just like Simon Peter, the RDL
guides have an important task. They
have to feed the retreatants with
the great love to God and the joy in
service, in spite of their uncertainties
and difficulties. In this Jubilee Year of
Mercy, the RDL is also a means to reach

Abp. Ledesma with new guides of Retreat in daily life

out, evangelize and form teachers

and leaders in the different schools
and parishes. The archbishop also
acknowledged the volunteer lay guides
in this important ministry and was
pleased with the growing number of
retreatants every year.
He then blessed the crucifix

and invested these on the following

guides: Sr. Clare, Sr. Enca, Nina, Rose,
Emma, Dondi, Mia, Sr Lucero, Fr
George, Nancy, Lilia, June Merriam, Feb,
Gaspar, Benie, Aldrich, Mary & Mike.
The commissioning concluded with a
simple fellowship at the archbishops
house. AMDG.

The climax of the feast of St.

John Vianney was the Eucharistic
celebration presided by Fr. Enerio
Tacastacas, with the concelebrating
priests of the Archdiocese, held at
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Camaman-an
Hill, on August 10, 2016.
Msgr. Perseus Cabunoc, the
homilist, pointed out that St. John
Marie Vianney was a man of prayer
and love. As a parish priest of Ars,
France, he transformed his people
into a fervent and loving community
through his preaching, dedication
and life of witness. He showed his
great love for his flock through

prayer, fasting, mortification and

sacrifice, usually spending 14 hours
of the day hearing confessions. He
constantly reminded them to focus
on the greatest treasure who is Jesus
himself. Msgr. Cabunoc challenged
the assembly to imitate St. John
Vianneys commitment to and vision
for his community.
After the mass, the priests,
religious men and women, guests and
friends joyfully shared the sumptuous
meal at St. Patricks House, Seminary
Hill, Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro
City. (Bag-ong Lamdag News)

Culminating Mass on the Feast of St. John Vianney

Oro Clergy

24th Annual Assembly of the ACSP in Mindanao

As one proud nation, the
Philippines is considered the 5th
largest Christian community in the
world and is expected to place 4th in
2050, according to the Pew Research
Center report of 2016. This year, as
Filipinos persevere to become good
disciples of Christ, the Association of
Catholic Shrines and Pilgrimages of the
Philippines (ACSP) held its 24th Annual
Assembly in Mindanao on August 2226, 2016.
The ACSP is a ministry of the
CBCP Episcopal Commission for the
Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant
People that envisions to make a
community committed to the pastoral
care of shrines and pilgrimages.
This year, the annual assembly was
successfully concluded in Mindanao.
The pilgrims were joyfully welcomed
upon their arrival on the 22nd of
August 2016 at Laguindingan Airport. A
Eucharistic celebration at St. Augustine
Metropolitan Cathedral was celebrated
for the delegates presided by Most
Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D., the

Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.

The pilgrims visited the shrines

and listened to the following talks:
Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine
Mercy in El Salvador City
Talk I. History of ACSP
Talk II. Pilgrimages are a Form of
Evangelization
Talk III. Popular Religiosity:
Devotion to the Divine Mercy
Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black
Nazarene
Talk IV: Shrines: House of Gods
Mercy, a Wellspring for Gods Mercy
for the Poor, Suffering and the Needy
Talk VI: Why Celebrate the Jubilee of
Shrines

In the afternoon, the pilgrims

transferred to Santuario Eucaristico
Sacred Heart Parish where Msgr. Peter
Caonero, former ACSP President, gave
a talk about the Meaning and Theology
of Shrines. It was followed by the

Delegates to 24th Annual Assembly of the ACSP in Mindanao

Holy Hour with Vespers and Solemn

Benediction, and in preparation for the
Concelebrated Eucharist. Confession
was also ministered to the pilgrims.
The last day of pilgrimage was held
in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The pilgrims
went to the Benedictines Monastery
of the Transfiguration where a
concelebrated Eucharist was said. After

which the delegation also visited the

Carmelite Monastery and concluded
with dinner and socials in High Ridge
Restaurant in Hillside, Macasandig.
The next day, a concluding mass was
celebrated in the Archdiocesan Shrine
of the Black Nazarene presided by Fr.
Joselin Gonda, current ACSP President.
(Santuario Eucaristico)

Features

LAMDAG
September 1-30, 2016

TIBAK
LUCAS 5:33-39
TIBAK (TInuod BAKak). Unsa ba gyud? Ang tigulang kay miagig pagkabatanon. Ambot lang kon ang batan-on muabot ba ug pagkatigulang.Tinuod? Apan
adunay mga batan-on nga mura na pod ug mga tigulang. Bakak? Ang pagkatigulang
ug pagkabatan-on kay anaa daw sa edad? tawag? dagway? panghunahuna? lihok?
kinataw-an? kinan-anan? lawas? tingog? batasan? hilig? abilidad? baho?......TIBAK?
Ang edad daw sa tigulang kay 60 pataas. Sakop siya sa Senior Citizen (SC).
Tinuod? Ang edad sa batan-on kay 59 paubos. Sakop siya sa Kabataang Barangay
(KB). Bakak? Ang uban kay dili modawat nga sila tigulang na sa edad 60 pataas.
Tinuod? Dili man daw sa edad basihanan ang katigulangon. Anaa daw sa
kasingkasing. Kon young at heart daw ka dili ka pa tigulang. Bakak? Kon ang imong
heart daw moundang na sa paghigugma mao nang tigulang na daw ka.Tinuod? Kon
mukilig pa kuno imong heart sa dihang makakita ka ug gwapo o gwapa dili pa daw
ka tigulang.Tinuod? Unsa diay nang young at heart? Mao ba kanang ma-in-love ka pa
sa batan-on nga sexy ug pula-pula lang ang ngabil? O young at heart kay kon unsay
uso mao poy imo? Kon uso ang facebook ug instagram mao poy imo. Kon uso ang
gimikan mao poy imo. Kon uso ang hair color mao poy imo. Kon uso ang shabu mao
poy imo. Pak! Pak! Ganern!.Pak! Pak! Pak! Ganern! Ganern! Kon uso ang patay mao
poy imo? Patay! Sabay-sabay lang gud sa panahon ug uso kay lage daw binatan-ong
kasingkasing. Bakak? Ang edad lugar anaa sa heart? Tinuod?
Ang tawag sa tigulang kang Manong, Manang, Nanay, Tatay, Lola, Lolo, Iyo, Iya,
Senyor, Senyora, Hermana, Hermano, Manoy, Manay, Lang, Hoy, Tigulz. Ang tawag
sa batan-on kay Ms, Mr, Dong, Day, Ondo, Gwapa, Gwapo, Bay, Parts, Hello, Hi, Bata,
Bagets. Patawag na lang daw ka sa imong first name aron dili ka mahalatang tigulang
ka na o batan-on ka pa. Unsa pud nga ngalan? Pwede Ambrocio? Perfecto? Concordia?
Agapita? Ambrocio Jr? Perfecto Jr? Concordia Jr? Agapita Jr? Dili na ba mahalata kon
Tigulz o Bagets ka? Bakak? Ang dagway daw ni Iya ug Iyo kay murag nawong. Bakak?
Nawong-nawongon ka kay kunot ka nag dagway murag ampalaya ug ang uban mura
gyud og durian.Tinuod? Mao nang ang uban ipainat ang dagway aron mahamis ug
ang uban patapakan mura ug aspalto aron magmukhang BABY. Si Inday mura ug
gapas ang aping kay humok kini, hamis kini , mapula-pula kini ug murag gikamatis
na kini.Tinuod? Dawbi kon kinaraan gani imong panghunahuna pastilan tigulang
ka na daw. Maayo gani kang moestoryag gubat panahon sa hapon ay tigulang ka na.
Gipangulitawhan ka gani ni Mampor ay perting tigulanga. Wala gani klaro imong
estorya,
gataboktabok gani imong
panghunahuna,
grabe kaayo ka
mag-imagine
ug
way
puas
nga
pagpanguyab ay ay ay
bagets pa. Bakak?
Maayo pa gani imong
memory of course
pagkabatan-on
ba
gyud nimo Bay.Wala
na gani ka kadumdom
sa imong nalimtan
padulong kana sa
p a gka a n g o - a n g o
ay sus klaro na
na.Tinuod?
Ang
tigulang daw kay
maalamon.
Ang
batan-on daw kay
kinahanglan alamalamon. Bakak? Ang
imong lihok gani
hinay murag gadagan nga bakol kana tigulang na gyud ka ug kon paspas mura ug
galutaw sa hangin ayna batan-on pa gyud ka kay mahilig ka man maglupad-lupad.
Apan kon takarag gani aw mura ug tigulang o mura ug batan-on. Tinuod? Si Senyor
kay humok na ug bukog. Si Bata balibali lang ang bukog. Dali ra gani ka muondang
pagkatawa agoy tigulang na gyud ka kay hangos na man. Mao ang uban pahiyom na
lang bisan wa nay ngipon basta naay pay lagos. Buhakhak nga katawa ug galuhaluha
nang mata sa kinatawa nan batan-on ka pa Ms. Bakak? Gamay na lang siya ug kaon
ug pili na sa pagkaon kay lagi tigulang na ug daghan na ug sakit gabation. Si Ondo
walay pili, kaonon tanan, tilawan tanan kay lami lage tanan. Alang kang Lolo ug
Lola lawas luya na, panuhot daghan na ug panghaplas sige-sige na.Tinuod? Matud
sa Intsik, si Gwapa daw kay amoy melon. Si Hermana kay melon amoy. Bakak? Puti
nang buhok o pipila na lang ang buhok o wala na gyuy buhok kay lage tigulz na.
Bongol-bongol pa o bongol na gyud si Manoy. Pinakurog-kurog lang ang tingog ni
Tatay ug Nanay. Unya hait pud kaayo ang tingog ni Paparts. Bakak? Dali na siyang
masuko ug perming pangasaba kay tigulang na kuno o kaha basing sawi lang daw.
Kay ang tawo kunong masuk-anon kay kulang sa pagmamahal.Tinuod? O tigulang na
gyud? Laagan daw ka kon batan-on ka pa. Gapuyo lang daw ka ug balay kon tigulang
na.Tinuod? Abtik daw ka kon bata-bata pa ug daghan gustong buhaton apan walay
masugdan. Grabing abilidad nga ikabuga kay binag-o lagi, batan-on gud. Bakak? Ang
tigulang pud ipanghinambog gyud ang kinaraan kay wala na daw kini karon nga
panahon. Sa ato pa, batan-on ug tigulang iyahay lang og pasikat kay lage daw lahilahi
nga panahon ang ginabasihan.Tinuod? Sayang daw mamatay kon batan-on ka pa.
Bakak? OK na daw mamatay kon tigulang ka na.Tinuod? Tigulang kana ba o batanon pa? Oy gahunahuna pa siya! HEHEHEHEH!
Nakapamalandong ko nga anaa ra sa tawo kon kinsa gayud siya:Tigulang
ba? Batan-on ba? Anaa ra kaniya kon unsa nga kinabuhi ang iyang ginapuy-an.
Tinigulang ba? Binatan-on ba? Basta ako ganahan ko sa TIBAK. TIgulang BAtanon Kombinasyon. Kanang halong pagkatigulang ug pagkabatan-on ba (TIBAK).
Lovers of Old ug Lovers of Young(TIBAK).Pwede kang tigulang ug pwede pud kang
batan-on (TIBAK). Pwede bag-o ug pwede daan (TIBAK). Pwede bag-ong luto ug
pwede pud bahaw (TIBAK). Happy ka kauban ang mga tigulang ug happy pud ka
kauban ang mga batan-on.Ang batan-on nanginahanglan sa tigulang. Ang tigulang
nanginahanglan sa batan-on.Tinuod? Kon sa panahon mahatagag bili sa batan-on
ang mga tigulang ug mahatagag bili sa mga tigulang ang mga batan-on.WOW! What
a perfect combination (TIBAK). Grasya sa Dios ang pagkabatan-on. Mas grasya
sa Dios ang pagkatigulang. Apan mas mas mas talagsaon pa gyud nga grasya ang
pagkasayod nga anaa kay Dios nga mahigugmaon kaayo nga maoy basihanan nato
sa usa ka malipayon ug makahuluganon nga kinabuhi sa tanang edad ug panahon
o mapatigulang o mapabatan-on man. Ang simbahan usa ka kombinasyon sa mga
tigulang ug mga batan-on. Ang Dios kanunay batan-on bisan sa dugay nang panahon.
Sabay Siya sa tanang matang sa tawo mabata man o matigulang man.Walay pili ang
Dios mao nang mas maayong halohalo na lang ta (TIBAK). TIBAK ka kon pwede ka
sa tanan. Pwede kang magpakabata ug pwede pud kang magpakatigulang. In our
hearts, there must be wisdom of old age and the idealism of the youth. Bakak?
Tigulang ka ba? Batan-on ka ba? O TIBAK ka ba?

SAKSAK-SINAGOL
NI PEPOYE
KARONG SEPTYEMBRE OTSO
ADLAW SA INAHAN SA GINOO
SIYA ATONG PASALAMATAN
KAY PINAAGI KANIYA MIABOT ANG KALUWASAN.
mahal kaayo sa atong Ginoong Jesukristo
mao nga sa Langit gipasaka amigo
busa ato siyang tahuron
dili yaga-yagaan ug tamayon.
ANG KANUNAY NIYANG PAGPAKITA
ARON KITA MOBIYA NA SA SALA
MAGHIGUGMAAY NA ANG TANAN
KALIPAY SA DIOS SA KAGAHUMAN.
kon tinuod ka nga binunyagan
nagsunod ka sa Kristohanong pagtulun-an
ang sugo ang kinabuhi ayaw kutlo-a
kay wala kay katungod higala.
NGANONG GUSTO KANG MAMATAY ANG MGA DAUTAN
IKAW MAN UNTA BINUNYAGAN
ANG GINOONG JESUS NAG-INGON
TUNGOD SA PAGKABANHAW NABUNTOG ANG KAMATAYON.
kon siya karon namatay
walay problema kay sa sunod siya maglipay
nga kuno ang singgit panimalos kinahanglan
husto lamang kon wala nay kabanhawan.
APAN ADUNAY IKADUHANG KINABUHI
MAONG SA PANIMALOS KANIMO NAGDILI
DUGANG PA IGSOON
ANG PANIMALOS IYA LANG SA DIOS NGA LANGITNON.
kay siya man ang tag-iya sa kinabuhi
gipahulaman samtang kita karon pa buhi.
NGANONG GUSTO KITA ANG MGA DAUTAN PATYON
KAY SA PAGKABANHAW IGNORANTI KITA IGSOON
NGA UNTA KON ADUNAY KATAPUSAN
ADUNA MAN USAY KABANHAWAN.
ug kining ikaduhang kinabuhi
usa ka gasa nga hamili
timaan sa hustisya
ang mga nag-antos ra unya magmaya.
KLARO MAN UNTA KAAYO
ANG PULONG SA ATONG GINOO
NGA DILI ANG MGA MATARONG ANG IYANG GIANHIAN
KON DILI ANG MGA NAWALA UG LAMPINGASAN.
kay kon ang mga matarung mamatay
mouban man kaniya sa hingpit nga kalipay
apan kon mamatay ang mga tawong dautan
sa yawa man sila makauban.
ANG GUSTO SA GINOO
ANG YAWA SA KALAG WALAY PAHAT AMIGO
NGA MENTRAS WALA PA MOABOT ANG KAMATAYON
ANG KINABUHI NA BAG-OHON.
busa kon ang Simbahan supak sa pagpatay sa mga tawong dautan
kay nagsunod lang siya sa kang Kristong pagtulun-an
dili siya gusto may kalag nga ma-impyerno
kay kasubo ug kasakit kana sa Ginoo.
KAY ANG PINAKADAKONG KALIPAY SA DIOS SA KAGAHUMAN
KON SA DAUTAN ANG PAGPAKASALA IYA NANG BIYAAN
KAMO USANG MGA TIKASAN UG MALIMBONGON
ANG PAGKA-KORAP INYO NANG UNDANGON.
ayaw tuguti sa impierno
kamo niini mahiadto.
atong likayan ang garbo
kay kontra kaayo kini ni Kristo.
OKTOBRE NA SA SUNOD BULAN
ANG PAGROSARYO ATONG PAKUSGAN
MAG-AMPO KITA ALANG SA PAMILYA
UG ANG KALINAW SA YUTA MAGHARI NA.
hinumduman ang mga masakiton
nga sa kaayohan sa balatian makaangkon
i-ampo usab ang mga pangulo
nga sila mapaubsanon magkinabuhi diha sa Ebanghelyo.

Do you have something to announce?

LAMDAG

will be more than happy to print greetings and announcements at reasonable rates.
Soft copies are especially welcome.
To find out more, call the Social Communication Apostolate

Call for Articles

We invite parishioners, ministries, clergy and religious to submit news stories. Just send
us the details, and well give you proper credit for your article.
Email your submissions, along with your name, phone number,
and parish/congregation to ascacdo@gmail.com

Bag-ong LAMDAG
Editorial Consultant

Managing Editor

Teresita Espina, FSP

Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD

Writers
Fr. Rufino Cabatingan, SSJV
Fr. Fermin Tan Jr., SSJV
Fr. Macky Ceballos, SSJV
Fr. Rico Lapinig, SCJ
Sr. Pearl Balbastro, DC
Lay-out and Graphic Design

Banny E. Briones

Dr. Benie Sy
Charity Cooney
Che Reyes
Bebing Guinitaran
Maristela Camaddo
Marketing & Circulation
Association of Pauline Cooperators

Grace Fernan

Bag-ong Lamdag is a newsletter published monthly by the Social Communications Apostolate of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, whose aim is to link the various parishes, ministries, and apostolates
within this archdiocese. For inquiries and feedback, send us an email at ascacdo@gmail.com. You may visit
us online and leave a comment at lamdagcdo.blogspot.com.

Find us on Facebook: Search for Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro

Archdiocesan News

LAMDAG

September 1-30, 2016

63 ka Magtiayon Midawat sa Sakramento sa Kasal

Che Reyes

Niadtong
Hulyo
23,
2016,
malipayong nidawat sa sakramento
sa Kaminyoon ang 63 ka parisan nga
magtiayon nga gipahigayon didto sa
Our Lady of Snow Parish, El Salvador.
Ang mass wedding gipasiugdahan sa
Franciscan Hermits of the Holy Family
sa Ulaliman, kansang apostolado mao
ang paggiya sa katawhan sa pagbalik
sa Dios pinaagi sa pagdawat sa mga
sakramento.
Nakadawat usab sa sakramento sa
kumpisal, pagkalawat, pagkumpirma,
ug bunyag ang 35 ka tawo nga nakabig
balik sa pagtoong Katoliko lakip na ang
ilang mga anak. Gihatagan usab sila ug
katesismo matag Sabado ug rosaryo sa
Diosnong Kalooy.
Sa Agosto 14, 2016, gisaulog ang

Family Day ug gitambongan kini sa

mga bag-ong magtiayon nga gihimo
sa Divine Mercy Shrine. Gisugdan kini
sa santos nga misa pinangunahan ni
Arsobispo Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD.
Ang mga magtiayon mapasalamaton
kaayo kang Fr. Butch Zayas, ang kura
paroko, kang Fr. Val ug kang Fr. Marius
sa kalampusan sa maong okasyon.
Nahimo kining tulo ka adlaw nga
selebrasyon sa pagdawat nila sa lima
ka sakramento: ang bunyag, kumpirma,
kasal, kumpisal ug pagkalawat. Adunay
85 nga nabunyagan sa Katolikong
Simbahan, 35 ang
nabunyagan
balik sa Katolikong pagtuo, 100 nga
nakunpirmahan ug 63 ka paresan nga
nakasal.
Ang matag pamilya adunay prayer
monitoring card kada adlaw. Silang
tanan giawhag sa pag-ampo sa Santos

Inmates Complete Bible Course

63 ka parisan nga magtiayon sa simbahan Our Lady of Snow

nga rosaryo matag adlaw, pag-ampo

sa Diosnong kalooy, pagsimba sa
matag Domingo ug pag-awhag kanila
sa pagkumpisal bisan kausa sa kada

tulo ka bulan. Pinaagi sa monitoring

card ang matag magtiayon matabangan
kon kini adunay problema sa ilang
espirituwal nga relasyon.

Schedule of Entrance Examinations

of San Jose de Mindanao Seminary
Phase 1 IQ PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

Opol to Lugait

Venue: Initao Parish September 3 (Saturday)
@ 9am to 12nn

Cagayan de Oro

Venue: San Jose de Mindanao Seminary - September 3

(Saturday) @ 9am to 12nn
Inmates holding their certificates after Bible study
Bebing Guinitaran

The first graduation of the Bible

Formation Program was held on July 1,
2016 for the 31 inmates of the Misamis
Oriental Provincial Jail who completed
a four-month Bible formation on
apologetics. Called Lay Bible Course,
this formation took a total of 16 weekly
sessions from March 11, 2016.
The graduation ceremony started
with a short program after which the
graduating inmates were awarded
certificates of participation. They were
also given religious books which can
help further augment their knowledge
of the Lord Jesus.
Beaming with joy, the participating

inmates shared how grateful they were

for such an opportunity. It marked
a milestone in their lives as Gods
great Mercy for them was revealed.
This second chance to know the Lord
more and to increase their faith in the
Almighty God was beyond expectation.
Faith is tremendously important
because without it, we cannot please
God. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as
the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things unseen. But how
does one increase ones faith in Him?
The Bible teaches that it is by hearing
and living the Word of God. Thus, the
activity was a real opportunity for ones
faith to increase.

Tagoloan to Binuangan

Venue: Jasaan Parish September 10 (Saturday)
@ 9am to 12nn

Sugbongcogon to Magsaysay

Venue: Gingoog Parish September 17 (Saturday)
@ 9am to 12nn

Camiguin Island

Venue: Mambajao Parish September 24 (Saturday)
@ 9am to 12nn

All Districts

Venue: San Jose de Mindanao Seminary October 1

(Saturday) @ 9am to 12nn

Notes:
The host parishes & seminary will prepare simple snacks/lunch for the
applicants and the venue as well
The result of the phase 1 exam will be released in October. All applicants
will receive letters from the seminary through their parish priest
Qualification: Grade 10, College level & College Graduate
No requirements yet

PHASE 2 INTERVIEW

(For Phase 1 passers only)

Venue: San Jose de Mindanao Seminary November 19 (Saturday) @ 9am to 12nn

PHASE 3 XAVIER UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS

(For Phase 2 passers only)
Venue: Xavier University Date: T.B.A

Second National Media Convention by CBCP-ECSC

Maristela Camaddo

The
2nd CBCP-ECSC National
Media Convention was held at Angels
Hills Retreat and Formation Center,
Tagaytay City from August 22 to 24,
2016. Convened by the CBCP-Episcopal
Commission on Social Communication,
all the dioceses and archdioceses in
the country sent their representatives.
Resource persons were Most Rev. Mylo
Hubert Vergara, D.D., chairman of CBCPECSC, Fr. Anton Pascual of Radio Veritas,
Fr. Roy de Bellen of TV Maria, Mr. Edwin
Lopez of EWTN Philippines and the very
dynamic speaker, Sean Patrick Lovett,
Director of Vatican Radios English
Programming.
The CBCP-ECSM adopted Pope
Francis message for the 50th World
Communications Day as theme of the
convention:
Communication
and
Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter. The Popes
message opens with: The Holy Year of
Mercy invites all of us to reflect on the
relationship between communication
and mercy. The Church, in union with
Christ, the living incarnation of the

Father of Mercies, is called to practice

mercy as the distinctive trait of all that
she is and does. What we say and how
we say it, our every word and gesture,
ought to express Gods compassion,
tenderness and forgiveness for all. Love,
by its nature, is communication; it leads
to openness and sharing. If our hearts
and actions are inspired by charity, by
divine love, then our communication
will be touched by Gods own power.
This is precisely the content of the
different topics and workshops of the
Convention: How can the Philippine
Church, through the modern means of
communication, bring Gods message of
love, mercy and compassion to a world
full of conflict, hatred and confusion?
Bishop Vergara, in his opening
talk, discussed three important points,
namely: Our Identity, Possibility and
Creativity (who we are, what we can
do and how we can do it) as we carry
out our ministry as communicators.
Mr. Lovett reminded the delegates that
they are prophets and their duty is to
be prophetic voices. There are endless
possibilities. They need to make choices

Sean Patrick Lovett with ACDO delegates during the 2ND National Media Convention

from the possibilities presented before

them. They need courage to bring into
fruition the choices they make. They
need courage to step out of their comfort
zones and think out of the box; to do the
unexpected that stimulates emotional
intelligence.
But they also need to be creative
in presenting solutions to problems.

Since God is the source of all creativity,

they need to turn to him for guidance in
seeking for solutions to problems and
conflicts. They need the source of all
creativity, God Himself, to combat the
culture of hate with the culture of love.
This is the foundation on which they
should work as Church communicators.

SJVTS celebrates 26th Alumni Homecoming

Michael Yu

St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

celebrated its 26th Alumni homecoming with a
theme Viannista dream: Becoming servants of
Gods mercy through the Eucharist held last August
22-24, 2016 here in the seminary.
At least 176 alumni participated in the event
coming from different dioceses in Mindanao
and Bohol. The 26th Alumni homecoming was
sponsored by the 2010 Salag batch along with the
3rd batch of 1992. The sponsoring batches also paid
tribute to the 1991 second batch of SJTVS alumni
who celebrated their 25th Anniversary.
In the opening mass, Salag batch alumnus
Rev. Frank Vendor of the Diocese of Malaybalay
was the main celebrant. Rev. Fr. Titing Estillore of
the Diocese of Tandag was the homilist. After the
mass, alumni priests in procession went outside the
chapel going to the side of Administration building
where a Risen Lord statue is located and names of

deceased alumni priests and formators of SJVTS

were engraved in marble tablets. A solemn rite of
blessing for the deceased immediately followed.
During the program in first night of alumni
homecoming, Sinanglay Band showcased their
talents by singing their compositions in Cebuano
and other folk songs. Malaybalay City Band also
entertained the alumni priests with their songs. The
evening program was culminated by recording artist
and acoustic singer, Noel Cabangon, who graced
the first night of the Alumni homecoming with a
mini-concert. He sang his famous compositions
such as Kanlungan, and other popular songs from
different song compositions such as Kahit maputi
na ang buhok ko; Pag-ibig; Tuwing umuulan
and many others.
A talk was held on the second day of the
Alumni homecoming. Bishop Dennis Villarojo,
Auxillary Bishop of Cebu. He shared his reflections
and insights in relation for this years theme. Bishop

Bishop Dennis Villarojo, Auxillary bishop of Cebu

Villarojo shared by giving practical reminders that

the Viannista priests should do in order to dispense
mercy through the Eucharist: celebrating it well,
being on time, celebrating it worthily, to make it
available daily. He also added that priests should
make the Sacrament of reconciliation as accessible
as possible. Lastly, he also challenged the priests
to have a preferential option for the weakest. A
Eucharistic celebration was held after the talk.
Bishop Villarojo was the main celebrant along with
Bishop Jose Cabantan, Bishop of the diocese of
Malaybalay and alumni priests as concelebrants.
Sports and social night were held in the
afternoon and evening respectively. During the
social night, 4th Infantry Division Band led the
whole night of music and fellowship with their
songs. The 1992 Second batch SJVTS Alummni were
given tribute by sponsoring batches during the
program

Fr. Norlan Julia, SJ with Salag Batch

The Association of Women Religious of the Archdiocese

of Cagayan de Oro (AWRACO)
joins

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D.

in thanking God for the 20th Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. May he continue to shepherd Gods
people with mercy and compassion. Our warm and heartfelt congratulations and best wishes!