In the evening of the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 8, 2023), the Superior of the Father Di Francia Center of Studies, Rev. Fr. Ronaldo Paulino, RCJ, presided over the installation of the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte of the Religious Brothers, which was inserted during the solemn vespers and Eucharistic Adoration. In his short exhortation, Fr. Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to the Lord of the Harvest for the gift of service to the two religious brothers (Bro. Rodel Coriño, RCJ and Bro. Wilibrodus Ronaldus Jebatu, RCJ) who will proclaim the Word of God and to the eight brothers (Bro. Jed Dorol, RCJ, Bro. Luke Antonie Quijano, RCJ, Bro. Reigne Feil Nazarrea, RCJ, Bro. John the Baptist Hoang Tam, RCJ, Bro. Augustine Nguyen Du Nhien, RCJ, Bro. Peter Nguyen Ho Thinh, RCJ, Bro., Francis Xavier Nguyen Quoc Trung, RCJ and Bro. Gervas Setu, RCJ) who will assist at the Table of the Lord. He also highlighted the importance of going through the ministries as a preparation for ordination to the priesthood. Reading the sacred scriptures as lectors and assisting the priest in the celebration of the Holy Mass will help them to become more aware of the later proclamation of the holy gospel and officiate the Eucharistic Liturgy as a priest. Towards the end, he admonished all the Religious about the danger of serving only the liturgical celebrations on the altar and becoming hesitant to go out, to understand, to guide, and to help the brothers and sisters on the peripheries. He challenged everyone to go outside the four walls of the community and encounter the poor so that they may see the “other Face of Christ”.
After the solemn Liturgy, a simple fellowship followed, during which the religious brothers showed their different talents to make the celebrations more joyful.
A similar celebration was held last September 27, 2023 at the chapel of the Good Shepherd House in Binh Duong (Phu Cuong), Vietnam, presided over by Fr. King Cena, RCJ, the Delegate ad personam, instituting to the Ministry of Lector, Bro. Louis Do Duc Hanh, RCJ and Bro. James Dinh Viet Tung, RCJ.
May these men be true to their newly appointed ministries and live the life of a true servant, following the footsteps of the Lord, “who came not to be served, but to serve”.
Send, O Lord, holy apostles into Your Church!
