Provincia San Matteo (Filippina)

1st day- February 13, 2014

In the afternoon, the participants began arriving from their respective origins for their registration and accommodation. At exactly 5:00 PM, Fr. Wilfredo Cruz led the opening prayer for the entire event asking for the special grace of success of the entire congress.

Fr. Danny Montana, the main emcee during the congress, gave a general orientation briefing everybody regarding some details and concerns for the better facilitation of the whole event. He then introduced Fr. Gabby Flores, the Superior and Rector of SABV RC Cavite, for the Welcome address. Fr. Gabby shared about the intrinsic relation of the Education system and social transformation. He then mentioned the importance of reflecting the place of Rogationist Education and its role on the whole Philippine Educational reality. In line with this, he mentioned three things to consider: (1) To see, understand, and appreciate our identity (2) To look at our internal and external territories; (3) To take on or engage the challenges of our territories.

Fr. Danny then introduced Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the speaker for the recollection.

TALK: “Fr. Hannibal Mary di Francia’s Pedagogy and New Educational Challenges: Identity, Relevance, Perspectives”

In his talk, Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the General Councillor for Mission, emphasized the challenge of forming disciples and missionaries of the Rogate as the main goal of Rogationist Education. To realize this goal he highlighted some very important considerations:

1. The value of the challenge as something that is a kind of life’s way of making sure that we truly desire the things we achieve, but above all, it brings about newness, richness, and fullness of life.

2. He spoke of the Recollection as a kind of “home-button” that will enable everyone to return to the beginning and go back to the source.

3. He proposed the Gospel Passage of the Rogate (Mt 9-35-38/Lk 10:2) as the inspirational text of the recollection and stating that it is in this passage that we can identify the origin, the source from where the Rogate is born, that is, from the compassion of Christ. He further explained that this going back to the source has 4 dynamisms: Starting again from Christ of the Rogate; Starting again from Fr. Hannibal, which leads back also to Avignone; “Going one, growing global”; and Compassion of the Christ of the Rogate. These 4 dynamisms are expressed into 4 keywords: SEE, FEEL, PRAY, SEND. From these 4 keywords are the challenges that confront the Rogationist Educator: Seeing with Faith: Recognizing the signs of times; Seeing with Love: Identifying a new anthropology; Seeing with Hope: The Rogationist Educator way of looking at man as God’s project. He emphasized also the importance of being disciples as Pray-ers  for good laborers themselves and the value of being sent as becoming good missionaries themselves.

The first day concluded with a welcome dinner at the Oasis of Prayer.

2nd Day Morning Session- February 14, 2014

The day began with the morning prayers followed by the Holy Mass presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, Bishop of Imus, and was concelebrated by the Rogationists priests. In his homily, Bishop Rey highlighted the three important tasks of a Rogationist Educator: to educate with love and compassion; to educate for the sake of the Gospel; and to educate to promote vocations in the Holy Church.

After the Holy Mass, a formal opening of the congress was held with the opening salvo and cultural presentation and the acknowledgement of all the participants with their head of schools.

Fr. Jessie Martirizar, the General Councillor for Missions of the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, imparted the message of the Superior General to the assembly.

Fr. Herman Abcede, Provincial Superior of the Rogationist Philippine Quasi-Province, welcomed the participants for the morning session. Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, Councilor for Missions and Charity of PQP gave the rationale and overview of the whole Rogationist Educators Congress.

Fr. Carlos Guzman, RCJ, Vice-Superior (SABV Cavite) introduced the keynote Speaker, BRO. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, FSC, Secretary of the Department of Education, who expounded on the given topic: “REVOLUTIONIZING THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATION: TOWARDS ASEAN INTEGRATION – EFA 2015 AND GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS” (Challenging the Private Educational Partners to Grow Global)

Bro. Armin began his speech emphasizing the reality of Education as something that touches on many aspects of life and that Education has to do with 2 things: Giving our students roots (founding story; to keep them anchored in their identity and context) and wings (global demands; to see the realities outside). He further extended the challenge in integrating Rogationist perspective in the education of Filipinos. He presented that the K to 12 curriculum prepared by the Department of Education as the minimum for Philippine education. He concluded the talk with a challenge posed to the Rogationist of confronting the 3 objects of education, in partnership with DeptEd, that are not fully addressed by society: 3 million out of school youth (are you ready to partner with DeptEd in addressing this; Indigenous and Poor  Communities; and 200 thousand street children

The morning session ended with presentation of the plaque of appreciation to the keynote speaker.

2nd Day Afternoon Session Session- February 14, 2014

A song number from a student of RC-S was rendered to the assembly before the formal start of the session. Ms. Helen M. Mapa, Principal (RCP)introduced the guest speaker for the first talk of the afternoon session.

The Speaker, Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, AFSC shared her knowledge and expertise in forming School System of Association. The title of her talk was: “Going One: Towards an Association of Schools – Challenges and Commitments.” According to her, the talk will deal much  about the challenges, Commitments and Benefits of being an Association of Schools and the Important qualities of an Association: Mission-vision, policies, expectations..

After the talk, Fr. Herman and Fr. Dexter presented the plaque of appreciation to her. Then, immediately after that, MrsDarleen Gener, English Instructor of RC Cavite, introduced the second keynote speaker of the afternoon session. The second keynote speaker of the afternoon was, Dr. Catherine Q. Castaneda, Director for CHED, NCR. She expounded on the given topic:  “CASCADING EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY EXTENSION PROGRAMS – CHOICES AND SUSTAINABILITY”

On Novemeber 9, 2013 at Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies chapel, about 4:00 in the afternoon six religious students were ordained to the Order of Deacon by His Excellency, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, D.D. of the Archdiocese of Dagupan-Lingayen.  Those six religious who were ordained are the following: Bro. Carlo Balaguer, Bro. Rg cagbabanua, Bro. Latina Tommy, Bro. Antonio Noccelado, Bro. Rogie Quinga, and Bro. kristian Taok. The Archbishop Socrates Villegas emphasized to the deacons the importance of prayer, sacrifice and love .  The bishop stressed the importance of Prayer, of Sacrifice and of Love in their diaconal life.

On October 28-29, 2013 the Meeting of the Formation Teams of the Philippine Quasi Province was held at Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies.  This meeting was organized by the Committee on religious life and formation in line with the desire of the General Assembly of 2012 and the changing environment as well as the conditions of the present time. The meeting had an overall theme “Religious and priestly Formation: Current Issues and Perspectives”. This had been participated by the rectors, prefect of disciples, prefect of studies, vocation promoters, spiritual directors, and the 4^th year theology students of the Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies.

Fr. Herman Abcede, provincial Superior, stressed the following objectives of the meeting as specified by the committee namely: (1) to provide the Rogationist Formators some updates on current formation issues and offer to them some perspectives on how to respond to these issues effectively;  (2) to understand and to consider the impact of the K to 12 Curriculum in the Seminaries in view of making the necessary adjustments for a better Rogationist formation program; and (3) to review and update the Directory of Formation.

Fr. Rodolfo Patiag Jr., served as the host of the meeting and elaborated the rationale behind this meeting and the schedule of activities.

On the first day Fr. Jose Quilongquilong SJ (President of the Loyola School of Theology)  shared something on the present perspectives of formation. Fr. Ariel Tecson, director of the Postulancy and chairman of the committee on Permanent Formation, presented the possible program of permanent formation tagged as GAMOT for the various level of priestly life. Ms. Eva Galvey of the Emmaus Centre shared something on the Spiritual Direction and the basic requirements for the ministry of spiritual direction. After every conference some sort of open forum was organized to clarify some concepts and to share some related experiences.

On the second day Fr. Francis Escano and Fr. Viktor Aurellana (both dean of studies in our Seminaries) presented their study on the impact of the K to 12 curriculum, designed by the government, in our seminaries. Fr. Cesare Bettoni (Novice Master) on the other hand shared on the Directory of Formation and its concerns and perspectives. In the afternoon there was a sharing of experiences and concerns on the part of the formators. The meeting concluded with the message of the provincial superior and the Marian songs and prayer.

A shower of blessings! Two grace-filled events happened in the Philippine Quasi Province. A back to back ordinations in just two consecutive saturdays. On October 19 and 26, 2013 Fr. Santos Solitario and Fr. Ronie Gumagay were ordained to the order of priesthood respectively. The double events were extraordinary due to the immensity of the gifts, the participation of the people and the solemnity of the liturgy.

FR. SANTOS SOLITARIO was ordained last October 19, 2013 in the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Tangkong, Batayan, Cebu. The event started at 9:30 in the morning with His Excellency Most Rev. Emilio Bataclan, the auxiliary bishop of Cebu, as the ordaining prelate. The event was such an extraordinary one for the “ordinandus” and for the parishioners of the parish. The immense Church (under construction) of the parish which has the capacity of more than 2000 people was filled with so much people counting more or less 3000 individuals. The liturgy was solemn and had been done under the great care by the religious of the Fr. Di Francia Center of Studies. More than 20 priests, coming from various communities of the province and from various parishes nearby, attended and concelebrated.  After the rites of ordination, a bountiful lunch was offered to everybody. It was amazing to see everybody filled with joy and grateful for the gift of priesthood.  At 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon Fr. Santos had his first thanksgiving mass. Several priests who participated in the ordination were again present in the said first mass. Fr. King Cena was tasked to give the homily during the mass. His homily centered on the need to pray for vocations and the need to pray for the newly ordained priest, Fr. Santos Solitario. Before the mass ended, Fr. Santos had his chance to thank everybody for the prayers, assistance and for the presence on this wonderful occasion in his life, the ordination to the priesthood. Again, after the said mass, a dinner was served for everybody. While having dinner a program was offered in honor of the new priest. Dances, songs, speeches, trivias, and cultural presentations were the contents of the program. The singing rendition of the parish priest added color to the program and the thank you speech of Fr. Santos Solitario highlighted the said activity. Fr. Solitario was inspired by the passage from the letter of Paul to the Corinthians saying “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (1 Cor 12:9)

FR. RONIE GUMAGAY, another rogationist religious, was ordained a week after, on October 26, 2013 in the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Oslob, Cebu. The ordination happened in the afternoon with His Excellence Most Rev. Julito Cortes DD, bishop elect of Dumaguete, as the ordaining prelate.  Several priests from the Rogationist communities, from other congregations and from the diocese came to concelebrate. Just as the ordination of Fr. Santos was such a successful event even this ordination of Fr. Ronie was equally a great success. In the homily, Most Rev. Julito Cortes DD considered the importance of the gift of priesthood. Fr. Herman Abcede, Provincial of the Philippine Quasi Province gave to the parents of Fr. Ronie the Papal blessing and to the parish priest the statue of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia. After the ordination a bountiful dinner was prepared for everybody in the town plaza. A wonderful program was also organized to entertain the people. In the following morning at 8:00 the Thanksgiving Mass was offered by the new priest in the same parish Church. Fr. Eric Raveza gave an inspiring homily to highlight the gift of priesthood. The event was participated by the people and some friends and benefactors. Fr. Ronie expressed his conviction that connection with Christ as he quoted the verse from St. John: “I am the vine you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

On August 8, 2013 Thursday, the Father Di Francia Center of Studies Community sends off their two confreres with a prayerful wishes and a bagful of smiles. To highlight the activity at 6 o’clock in the evening, a solemn Mass was offered begging the Lord of the Harvest to guide and protect the new missionaries: Bro.Tom June Lancin RCJ and Bro. Jorem Bellen RCJ to Papua New Guinea. Fr. Herman Abcede, provincial, presided over the holy Eucharist together with Frs. Elmer, Ranny, John, and Bong. They invoked the Holy Spirit for the grace of perseverance and total dedication. In his homily, Fr. Herman shared his own unrealized dream and desire to be a missionary; a reason for calling himself a missionary at home. Taking a short moment to give some details of his own story, he then went directly to the point by inviting Bro. Tom June and bro. Jorem to proclaim and announce the very same Jesus that they encountered in their prayer and reflection. He challenged them to be strong in their commitment and to keep the flame of simplicity forever burning. Going a bit deeper, he read the “would be” message of Pope Francis to the missionaries in this forthcoming World Mission Sunday. He gave particular stressed on being rooted on the faith in Christ and to generously offer their undivided heart to him. Wrapping up his message, he recalled his all-time favorite story of the “Chicken and the Baboy”.

Immediately after his homily, a short rite of blessings was prayed over to the missionaries; with eyes casted on the ground the missionaries then approached the celebrant to receive the crucifix. After the Solemn mass a short and simple program followed. Presentations from the postulants, religious students and from the missionaries themselves were showcased while the hungry crowds were all busy sharing the food prepared by the community. Series of messages were then expressed by confreres and formators alike. They assured Tom and Jorem of their constant prayers and wished them all the best for their mission. Putting the program to its end, the community one heartedly offered a song entitled The Mission. Finally, with joy in his heart the Provincial extended his hands asked the Lord for His grace and parted his final blessings.

The Philippine Quasi Province, in line with the desire of the Geral Assembly 2012 and with the coming International Education Congress 2014 in Rome, held the first convocation of the Rogationists’ Educational Leaders, tagged as Rogationist Educator’s Forum 2013, on August 29-30, 2013, at the Rogationist College Paranaque, in Grencourt, San Dionisio, Sucat, Paranaque City.

It was an opportunity for all the Rogationist Educational Leaders of the various Educational Institutions in the Philippine Quasi Province to come together and discuss matters related to the need for systematization and organization of the various principles to be considered in our Rogationist Schools. The Forum was inspired by the general thrust «GOING ONE… GROWING GLOBAL» and with the focus on the «ASSOCIATION OR SYSTEM, A ROGATIONIST EDUCATIONAL HIGHWAY».

The Forum commenced with the invocation animated by Fr. Rodolfo Patiag, Jr. Then Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior, welcomed everybody to the Forum and presented the relevance of the initiative in response to the desire of the PQP General Assembly of 2012 and the program of the General Government. Taking some indications coming from the “Guide for the International Congress on Education 2014” (ICE 2014), he presented the constant idea that is coming out regarding the “ultimate goal of the difrancian pedagogy which is, to construct the person’s identity” by helping the young discover and develop his/her individual potentials up to the achievement of his/her full self-realization, according to the plan of God in the present time, as well as in the future” (ICE 2014 p. 13). Fr. Herman further quoted the ICE 2014 affirmation saying that “the great novelty of St. Hannibal Mary lies in looking at man as a “vocation”, as a being called into existence so that he could ever more reveal himself, by his growth and identification, as God's project to be brought to completion and hence, be a good laborer of the harvest” (Ibid).

Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, the Councilor in charge for the sector of Charity and Mission in the PQP, presented the rationale of the Forum. He came out with the specific objectives of the event and the eventual creation of the Directory on Educational Apostolate that will be applicable to the Philippine Quasi Province.

Fr. Danny Montaña, one of the main organizers and the facilitator of the event, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Cynthia Arcadio, Consultant of the Phoenix Publications. Dr. Arcadio presented an overview of the 21st Century Educational Trends. Her talk focused on the overview of the present and even of the future of Education and the kind of clients educational institutions should consider.

In the afternoon Fr. Teodolfo Baria Jr., the Superintendent of the Region IV and Director of the Diocesan Schools of the Diocese of San Pablo shared the lights and shadows of a Unified School System implemented in their context. This talk somehow provided the participants of the various ramifications of the making a system in the schools.

Later on Fr. Dexter Prudenciano presented to the assembly the result of the survey done regarding the 7S of the RCJ schools.  Then the first day ended with the consideration of the various data that came out from the survey.

The second day (August 30, 2013) was filled with a free discussion regarding the Identity, Character and Direction of the Rogationist’ Educational System (at PQP).  After a long sharing and debate the assembly came out a working suggestion that will be considered in the PQP Educational Institutions. The following ideas came out as working concepts for the PQP Schools.

Identity:

The Rogationist Catholic Educational Community is dedicated to the love of God and neighbour especially the children and the poor (Luke 10:28) driven by the Rogate, the charism (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2) of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia.

Character:

(Prayer and Charity)

Direction:

iPray, iPractice, iPromote

Shared Vision:

We envision ourselves to be an Association of the Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities in the Philippine Quasi Province by 2018 with a unified program in the areas of:

1. A. Management / Administration / Leadership / Finance;
   

2. B. Curriculum and Instruction;
   

3. C. Faculty and Staff Development; and
   

4. D. Community Extension Services.
   

Mission:

Rooted in the Rogate, the Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities (AREC) commits itself to the accompaniment of the member schools to:

• Form its members toward Love of God and neighbour, patriotism, integrity, and excellence;
  

• Promote a culture of vocation and good workers who, like St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, will be espousing the cause of the poor especially the children;
  

• Offer a balanced and technically-oriented curriculum, as well as excellent instruction, learning environment and facilities; and prepare well-rounded graduates who are agents of social growth and transformation.
  

Follow up activity: 1ST CONGRESS OF ARCEC (Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities), to be held in the Rogationist College Silang, Cavite, on February 13-16, 2014. This will be participated by all the Administrators, faculty and Staff of all the PQP Schools and Seminaries.)

In the afternoon Fr. Gabriel Flores, the President and Rector of the Rogationist College-Silang, Cavite, presented a comprehensive view of the Rogationist Educational Institutions’ preparedness for the K to 12 with the Rogationist College Silang serving as model. After such a dynamic presentation, a lively interaction and open forum followed.

The Forum ended with gratitude to God and to the people who worked hard for the success of the event.

The Philippine Quasi Province, in line with the desire of the General Assembly 2012 and with the coming International Education Congress 2014 in Rome, held the first convocation of the Rogationist’ Educational Leaders, tagged as Rogationist’ Educator’s Forum 2013, on August 29-30, 2013, at the Rogationist College Paranaque, in Grencourt, San Dionisio, Sucat, Paranaque City.

It was a an opportunity for all the Rogationist Educational Leaders of the various Educational Institutions in the Philippine Quasi Province to come together and discuss matters related to the need for systematization and organization of the various principles to be considered in our Rogationist Schools. The Forum was done inspired by the general thrust «GROWING ONE… GOING GLOBAL» and with the focus on the «ASSOCIATION OR SYSTEM, A ROGATIONIST EDUCATIONAL HIGHWAY».

The Forum commenced with the invocation animated by Fr. Rodolfo Patiag, Jr. Then Fr. Herman Abcede, the Provincial Superior, welcomed everybody to the Forum and presented the relevance of the initiative in response to the desire of the PQP General Assembly of 2012 and the program of the General Government. Taking some indications coming from the “Guide for the International Congress on Education 2014” (ICE 2014), he presented the constant idea that is coming out regarding the “ultimate goal of the difrancian pedagogy which is, to construct the person’s identity” by helping the young discover and develop his individual potentials up to the achievement of his full self-realization, according to the plan of God in the present time, as well as in the future”(ICE 2014 p. 13). Fr. Herman further quoted the ICE 2014 affirmation saying that “the great novelty of St. Hannibal Mary lies in looking at man as a “vocation”, as a being called into existence so that he could ever more reveal himself, by his growth and identification, as God's project to be brought to completion and hence, be a good labourer of the harvest”(Ibid).

Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, the Councilor in charge for the sector of Charity and Mission in the PQP, presented the rationale of the Forum. He came out with the specific objectives of the event and the eventual creation of the Directory on Educational Apostolate that will be applicable to the Philippine Quasi Province.

Fr. Danny Montaña, one of the main organizers and the facilitator of the event, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Cynthia Arcadio, Consultant of the Phoenix Publications. Dr. Arcadio presented an overview of the 21st Century Educational Trends. Her talk focused on the overview of the present and even of the future of Education and the kind of clients educational institutions should consider.

In the afternoon Fr. Teodolfo Baria Jr., the Superintendent of the Region IV and Director of the Diocesan Schools of the Diocese of San Pablo shared the lights and shadows of a Unified School System implemented in their context. This talk somehow provided the participants of the various ramifications of the making a system in the schools.

Later on Fr. Dexter Prudenciano presented to the assembly the result of the survey done regarding the 7S of the RCJ schools.  Then the first day ended with the consideration of the various data that came out from the survey.

The second day (August 30, 2013) was filled with a free discussion regarding the Identity, Character and Direction of the Rogationist’ Educational System (at PQP).  After a long sharing and debate the assembly came out a working suggestion that will be considered in the PQP Educational Institutions. The following ideas came out as working concepts for the PQP Schools.

Identity:

The Rogationist Catholic Educational Community is dedicated to the love of God and neighbour especially the children and the poor (Luke 10:28) driven by the Rogate, the charism (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2) of St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia.

Character:

ORA ET CARITAS (Prayer and charity)

Direction:

iPray, iPractice, iPromote

Shared Vision:

We envision ourselves to be an Association of the Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities in the Philippine Quasi Province by 2018 with a unified program in the areas of:

1. Management / Administration / Leadership / Finance;

2. Curriculum and Instruction;

3. Faculty and Staff Development; and

4. Community Extension Services.

Mission:

Rooted in the Rogate, the Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities (AREC) commits itself to the accompaniment of the member schools to:

• Form its members toward Love of God and neighbour, patriotism, integrity, and excellence;

• Promote a culture of vocation and good workers who, like St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia, will be espousing the cause of the poor especially the children;

• Offer a balanced and technically-oriented curriculum, as well as excellent instruction, learning environment and facilities; and prepare well-rounded graduates who are agents of social growth and transformation.

Follow up activity: 1ST CONGRESS OF ARCEC (Association of Rogationist Catholic Educational Communities), to be held in the Rogationist College Silang, Cavite, on February 13-16, 2014. This will be participated by all the Administrators, faculty and Staff of all the PQP Schools and Seminaries.)

In the afternoon Fr. Gabriel Flores, the President and Rector of the Rogationist College-Silang, Cavite, presented a comprehensive view of the Rogationist Educational Institutions’ preparedness for the K to 12 with the Rogationist College Silang serving as model. After such a dynamic presentation, a lively interaction and open forum followed.

The Forum ended with gratitude to God and to the people who worked hard for the success of the event.

La comunita' rogazionista in Seoul celebra i 10 anni della sua presenza in Corea. In questa occasione ha organizzato una Messa di ringraziamento con benefattori e amici, e un pellegrinaggio nei luoghi dei santi martiri coreani nel giorno 30 giugno 2013

As the universal Church celebrated the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the diocese of Maumere, Flores, Indonesia took advantage of this gracious and momentous occasion through a month-long series of vocation animations. The group of vocation promoters of various religious congregations in Maumere, headed by a Rogationist priest, organized the vocation month with the aim of fostering awareness among the people on the necessity of praying for Vocations.  Almost 30 religious congregations of male and female working in the Diocese of Maumere responded to the call of making the people conscious about the importance of prayer in obtaining good workers in the Church. Among the vocational activities was the over-night lived-in (Saturday to Sunday) among those Christian communities that were seldom visited or never been visited by the religious. On the first two Sundays of the month of April, religious men and women, seminarians and aspirants spent time with the people animating and giving them catechesis on the importance of prayer for Vocations, as well as encouraging them to be generous in sending their children to seminary or convents. Meanwhile, the Rogationist seminary prepared the schema of the Eucharistic Adoration for the Triduum of the WDPV that were celebrated in every religious community. On the day of the 50th WDPV, all the religious communities were busy in animating the children in their own parishes.  The vocation month was concluded with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Bishop Gerulfus Pareira, SVD, Bishop of Maumere, concelebrated by religious and diocesan priests and attended by many religious congregations last 29 of April.