Available online @ www.camilliansphil.org
Symphony By Fr. Charly T. Ricafort, MI
ew academic year, renewal of vows, first or perpetual profession, ordination… commitment. Commitment is tested in our day-to-day tasks as we dwell on the Divine Call disclosing freshly as a renewed love. A visual aid of commitment is a jubilarian celebrating perpetual profession or wedding vow in one and the same call to holiness. This long journey of commitment involves obscurities: Quit? Routine? Confronted with other's weaknesses? Confused? Rise and fall? Some persons draw commitment as if it is a straight line, ending up being frustrated and fragmented. A ring is a clue of commitment. As a whole, commitment is
a circle of love curving our course as we follow the Lead like a child ready to receive new revelations regardless of wrong moves to wonder at the radiance of the unfolding and enfolding Ring. The Order of the Ministers of the Infirm contains fulfillments and failures of committed Camillians who have abided to the Call even if fun fades into forbearance and focus to sustain compassion that secures care and comfort to the sick, especially the underprivileged. In Information Age with lots of internet data waiting to be read, the trick is to know which articles to read, which directions to choose. Commitment relieves us from the wasteland of non-essentials in life. A chosen vow is a focus aid carrying us to our authentic self, our true home, our real joy. Despite our defects, we make a stand on this one home, one joy, one quilt of commitment stitching colorful designs: wellness, integral salvation, new social order, liberation, Kingdom of God, life-giving blessings, common good… Commitment to the people we are serving is character building that shapes us into the lifestyle of Jesus: discipline, patience, passion, prayer, solidarity, sacrifice, silence, endurance, focus, and flexibility. Commitment is a flow of focus and flexibility. We focus on our own instrument as we remain flexible to the Conductor. Be filled with the knowledge of God's will so that we may lead lives worthy of the Lord as we bear fruit in every good work (Col 1:10). Commitment entails a humble learning, one step at a time, on what the Guide has to offer for our integration into a masterpiece. Enjoy the symphony.
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As religious, we should always aspire to radically commit ourselves to Jesus who selflessly gives Himself to others with compassion and love especially to the sinners, the poor, and the sick
Provincial’s Corner
By Fr. Rolando J. Fernandez, MI
Signify
he pronouncement of the formula of profession of vows by a novice or a scholastic signifies the reality of religious commitment. But what is religious commitment? For me, religious commitment is all about putting oneself at the disposal of the one who calls us—God, of course, with our fiat similar to that of Mary who said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Lk 1:38).” Thus, when we do God’s will, His enabling power becomes a reality in us. The ordinary things that we do are done in an extraordinary way. As religious we are expected to commit our whole life in fidelity to God’s will. And this should be our constant prayer: that we may be able to live out God’s will in whatever undertaking or task entrusted to us; that in everything we do they may manifest in us God’s goodness, love, forgiveness, etc. In fact, as religious community, we are being formed in the image God. A God totally revealed in Jesus, who taught us in words and in deeds how to live life for others, in obedience to the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. As religious, we should always aspire to radically commit ourselves to Jesus who selflessly gives Himself to others with compassion and love especially to the sinners, the poor, and the sick. And, we take Jesus as our model in His commitment in doing the Father’s will. His commitment to do the will of the Father was undaunting though it meant sacrificing His own life. Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done (Lk 22:42).” Furthermore, we, religious with religious commitment, should always signify the intentional integration of religious reflection and action, belief and practice. There should be no dichotomy on what we believe in and what we are doing. But consistency on what we are preaching and the kind of life we are living. It is in this way that we can convince people that we are religious with religious commitment. May the Lord, in our efforts to signify religious life imbued with religious commitment, always inspire us to live and participate faithfully in doing His will.
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shepherd’s care
team taiwan
Fr. Antonio Didoné, MI, bedridden but in good spirit, was honored during the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua last June 13, 2011. By Fr. Giuseppe Didoné, MI
feeling level
CPE opens curtain for 3rd quarter As the school year starts, the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at the St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center also opens the curtain for its third quarter running from June 20 to August 26, 2011. Eighteen courageous and spirited individuals are now taking the step towards deeper self-introspection and discovery. They are composed of a priest from the prelature of Infanta, twelve seminarians (9 from San Jose Seminary, 2 from the Eucharistic Healers of Mary, and 1 from the Congregation of the Passion of Christ), three religious sisters (2 from the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters and 1 from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary), and two lay people where one is a Columban lay missionary.
The CPE will enable them to confront the challenges of ministering to the sick as they simultaneously journey towards discovering more their true selves by revisiting and processing their pasts—colored with hurts and joys—which contributed in the formation of the persons that they are now. Divided into three groups, the students are learning the essentials of chaplaincy work by visiting the sick at the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and National Kidney and Transplant Institute. At the end of the course, they are expected to become caring wounded healers: healers who are ready to love more and serve more amidst their own woundedness.
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By Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI
Mark 10:45
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For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve
in focus
-owned
By Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI
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ou are owned by the people.” This was one of the strong reminders given by the Diocese of Imus, Cavite’s bishop, Most Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, DD, to the four new Camillian deacons: Revs. Mushtaq Anjum, MI, Rodolfo “Dan” V. Cancino Jr., MI, Ignasius “Ignas” Sibar, MI, and Roderick “Eric” R. Tampis, MI, when he ordained them to the Sacred Order of Deacons last June 11, 2011 at the jam-packed St. Camillus de Lellis and St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. In the presence of their families, relatives, friends, benefactors, and the Camillian religious community, Revs. Mushtaq, Dan, Ignas, and Eric declared before the people their determination to fulfill the tasks connected to the diaconal office. While it is true that the ordination compelled them to assist the bishop and the priests in serving the people, Bp. Tagle was clear in saying that deacons are not personal assistants of the priests. “You belong to the people, not to the priests!” he sternly warned the four, stirring a burst of laughter from the people, and pleasant smiles from the concelebrating priests.
mission possible
MI For we are
ssionaries By Fr. Charly T. Ricafort, MI
At the start of the year 2011, a series of short Mission Talks was integrated in the Eucharistic Celebrations held in formation communities. In the Scholasticate community in Quezon City, the following religious shared their mission stories: Fr. Diosdado “Dado” C. Haber, MI (Australia), on January 25, 2011; Fr. Agustin “Jojo” R. Orosa Jr., MI (USA), on February 3, 2011; Fr. Aristelo “Aris” D. Miranda, MI (Italy), on March 1, 2011; and Bro. Luca Perletti, MI (Italy), on March 2, 2011. Fr. Dado gave another sharing at St. Camillus College Seminary in Marikina City on January 26, 2011. During his talk, Bro. Luca announced new mission openings including the new Camillian community in Indonesia. He also emphasized
the importance of collaboration between/among provinces in doing mission both as service and growth of new vocations. For Fr. Dado’s part, he said that Australia’s secular and ecumenical context served him a great challenge. With this reality, he stressed on the real need for formation communities to sustain their formands’ openness and well-rounded readiness to new mission challenges. The Camillian presence in the US is undergoing a transition period due to factors including scarcity of vocations and economic crisis of society, as told by Fr. Jojo. He noticed, however, that the trend now has shifted into: Developing countries becoming missionaries to Developed countries. Fr. Aris, on the other hand, was sent to Rome for Pastoral Theology and to specialize in the Social Doctrine of the Church. His missionary life there has been enriched by his involvement in the Camillian Task Force in Rome (CTF-Central) and in the Commission on Justice and Solidarity in the World of Health (CJSWH) in Asian Region. MISSION FORUM A Theological Symposium in St. Camillus College Seminary was held on June 29, 2011 with the theme: "Mission Today in the Manner of Jesus". Fr. Charly T. Ricafort, MI, provided the context of the symposium by linking it to the general program of the Secretariat on Mission. Fr. Edward Luc Mees, MJ, a Doctor of Missiology from the Netherlands and a Professor at Maryhill School of Theology (MST), Institute of
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MISSION TALKS
Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS), and East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) was the forum speaker. Fr. Edward challenged the audience on the implications of the mission today: through proclamation and prophecy; through dialogue with people of other faith traditions and world views; by fostering the inculturation of the gospel everywhere; by responding to the cry of the poor through advocacy in solidarity with their struggle for justice and equality; by taking care of the sick, the wounded, the helpless, the differently-abled; by responding to the cry of the earth—deeply wounded by the effects of human greed and runaway technology— with our struggle for the wholeness of creation; by promoting reconciliation that restores the life and dignity of the tethrausmenoi, the bottom-billion of brokenhearted victims of violence, exclusion and globalization; and by taking steps towards common, ecumenical witness of all Christians, for mission to Asia cannot be credible if we continue presenting a divided Christ. RENEWAL COURSE During the incoming Camillian Renewal Course on September 26-October 9, 2011, a take on mission will be included through the talks: The Challenges of Mission Today by Fr. Edward Luc Mees, MJ, and Testimony of a Camillian Missionary in Asia by Fr. Giovanni Rizzi, MI. With this, we hope for more animated young Camillians witnessing our two-fold spirituality: To see Jesus in the sick and to be Jesus for the sick. Likewise, let’s all be reminded always that "In this presence of Christ in the sick and in those who serve them in his name, we find the source of our spirituality (Camillian Constitution #13).” For we are MIssionaries!
Roaming Rome
efore leaving the country last April 29, 2011, Fr. Boy S. Guinit, MI, availed a roaming service for his mobile phone so that he can communicate and connect with his confreres, community, and family while he was out of the country for a month-long Camillian On-going Formation Program in Rome. At the Leonardo da Vinci Aeroporto Internationale in Fiumicino, he met some of his fellow Camillians from India and Tanzania who were also joining the program. Bro. Luca Perletti, MI, fetched them and brought them to Villa Primavera (the event’s venue) which is a haven of the Sisters of the Congregazione Ancelle dell’Incarnazione. Already there were Fr. Babychan Pazhanilath, MI, Fr. Paolo Guarese, MI, Fr. Aristelo D. Miranda, MI, and the rest of the participants. The Camillian On-going Formation Program officially started on May 2, 2011. Fr. Renato Salvatore, MI, Superior General, gave the introductory and welcome remarks. Conferences and workshops occupied the succeeding days. Resource speakers were professors specializing in psychology and human development from the Gregorian Pontifical University, Lateran, and Camillianum. They talked on the challenges and difficulties of consecrated life today, Camillian spirituality, pastoral care of the sick, and other related topics. Sundays relieved and comforted them from the hectic and busy program. On May 1, 2011, they attended the beatification of the Blessed Pope John Paul II. They went for a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Holy Father Camillus in Bucchianico on May 8, 2011. They also visited the place of San Francesco di Assisi, the Piazza della Maddalena, Ospedale di Santo Spirito in Saxia, the conversion site of St. Camillus in Valle di Infirno in San Giovanni Rotondo, the Camillianum, the Rebuschini House—where Fr. Boy met Fr. Anselmo Zambotti, MI, Fr. Alfons Oles, MI, and other confreres, and the Museo Vaticano. After the said program, Fr. Boy visited his missionary confreres (who were once assigned in the Philippines) in the north of Italy: Fr. Mario Didoné, MI, in Padova; Fr. Alberto Roman, MI, in Verona; Bro. Angelino Aldegheri, MI, in Milano; and some of the confreres in the LombardoVenetian Province. He stayed in the Generalate in Rome for a while before his flight back to Manila. Roaming Rome, for Fr. Boy, was not just about visiting and discovering places of history. It was a re-discovery, encounter, and appreciation of the roots and foundation of his Camillian religious vocation. Ciao!
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To keep the Camillian missionary zeal alive, the PH Province’s Secretariat on Mission conducted two pursuits. First was the giving of testimonies by Camillian missionaries abroad to enlighten the Province’s formands on the concrete realities of Camillian mission. Conducting a theological forum on the solid theological foundation of mission as the basis of unity of the Camillian missionary efforts was the second
“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”
Freedom and Heroes By Elaine L. Olarte
Assisted by their caregivers, the residents of Camillus MedHaven gathered at the grounds in the morning of June 12, 2011. Along with the staff, they all together sang “Lupang Hinirang”, the Philippine National Anthem, as the Philippine flag was hoisted. It was Philippine Independence Day celebration here, folks! The proud Pinoys then proceeded to the dining hall after the flag ceremony for the Eucharist presided over by the institution’s chaplain, Fr. Freddie B. Penoliar, MI. Filipino heroes and the inspiration they gave to the Filipinos to fight for freedom were depicted in a film shown to the residents in the afternoon. And speaking of heroes, the fatherresidents of Camillus Medhaven were honored during the Father’s Day celebration last June 19, 2011. Since it was also Rizal Day (that’s Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal), a short program was prepared for them with the theme “My Father,
My Hero”. The “daddies” were happy as they watched pictures of themselves in a video presentation made for them by the staff. It was also heart-warming to see some of the residents’ families and relatives visiting them on that special day. It was a triply special day, in fact, since it was the Holy Trinity Sunday. Thus prior to the program, everyone participated first in the Eucharist with Fr. Freddie as presider. Meanwhile, sixty children under the Camillus MedHaven’s Community-based Rehabilitation Program had one of the best days of their life in a small yet heroic event last June 11, 2011. They received school supplies from the Kiwanis Club of Rizal Jewels through its School Brigade 2 outreach project. Led by PD Gov. Jess M. Navarro, the activity was concluded with a simple banquet prepared for everyone. See, folks, MedHaven is a bastion of love of country, family, neighbors, and God. And that’s the Filipino pride!
milestones
June BIRTHDAYS 13, 1938 - Fr. Thomas Welu 13, 1984 - Sch. Dab Anthony Obong 14, 1934 - Bro. Giovanni Petrin 14, 1968 - Sch. Eliseo Navarro 17, 1980 - Rev. Roderick Tampis 26, 1979 - Fr. Cyrelus Suparman Andi 27, 1976 - Fr. Rodel Enriquez PERPETUAL PROFESSION 25, 2006 - Fr. Michael Gimena PRESBYTERATE ORDINATIONS 01, 1972 - Fr. Giulio Ghezzi 19, 1976 - Fr. Amelio Troietto 21, 1970 - Fr. Felice Chech 22, 1952 - Fr. Giovanni Rizzi 22, 1958 - Fr. Antonio Didoné 22, 1964 - Fr. Alberto Roman 23, 1964 - Fr. Giuseppe Didoné 23, 1968 - Fr. Luigi Galvani 23, 1963 - Fr. Gian Carlo Michelini 23, 1963 - Fr. Celestino Rizzi
July BIRTHDAYS 01, 1949 - Fr. Matteo Kao 05, 1986 - Sch. Bon Arimbuyutan 07, 1935 - Fr. Gian Carlo Michelini 11, 1985 - Sch. Seo Jung Ju 23, 1981 - Fr. Marven Ruyeras 24, 1941 - Fr. Luigi Galvani 25, 1971 - Fr. Domingo Barawid 25, 1956 - Fr. Jaime Roa PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS 03, 2004 - Fr. Rodel Enriquez 11, 1998 - Fr. Tex Rico Buntol 11, 1998 - Fr. Robert Chua Jr. 14, 1984 - Fr. Rolando Fernandez 18, 1967 - Fr. Thomas Welu PRESBYTERATE ORDINATIONS 14, 1990 - Fr. Renato Sales 22, 1967 - Fr. Thomas Welu
PUBLISHER St. Camillus Provincialate 18 Nicanor Reyes St., Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City, Philippines
EDITORIAL STAFF Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI Ms. Veronica Villegas Mr. Hubert Castro Telephone: +63 (2) 929-6213/926-3506/ 920-7621 Fax: +63 (2) 929-6215 E-mail: provhousephi@gmail.com Website: www.camilliansphil.org
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haven on earth