La Madonnetta
The Official Newsletter of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate-Philippines Volume IV | No. 2 December 2011-March 2012
Reflect... Discern... Decide.
From the Moderator's Desk Peace! I would like first to congratulate Postulants Carl, Reinier and David for the occasion of their graduation, and to their parents, who work hard for them. And I would like to thank all the seminarians for your cooperation for a successful academic year, 2011-2012. After the graduation is Holy Week and then vacation. Holy Week is the best time for us, seminarians and religious to appreciate God’s calling to us. God is calling us to reflect, discern and decide. Vacation is not just a time for recreation, bonding with family and friends. It is also a time to reflect in our vocation, to go back to the basic question, “Why am I a seminarian?” I hope that in your vacation, may that vocation in you sleep not, rest not, but rather sharpen it yourselves in Christ! Continue the fire burning within us! Congratulations once again and have a meaningful holy week and a joyful vacation!
Bro. John Michael Arquero, SHMI Brother Prefect/Moderator of La Madonnetta
What’s Inside? St. Joseph Chapel’s Anniversary 2 MIP-Salawag and Better Living Feast day 2 Seminary Christmas Party 3 Family Day 2011 3 Fr. Paolo’s Sacerdotal Anniversary 3 Short News 4 and 5 Maritas Christmas Sharing 6 Maritas Summer Outing 6 A Simbang Gabi Experience 6 The Graduates 7 Dream Believe Survive! 8 AYLC 2012 10 A Vocation to be an Alter Christus 10 Pictures A.Y. 2011-2012 11
About the Issue The theme for this issue is: REFLECT... DISCERN... DECIDE. Since Holy Week is fast approaching, there is a need for each seminarian to do those acts. The cover speaks of where and with whom we should do the acts of reflecting, discerning and deciding.
La Madonnetta The Official Newsletter of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Philippines EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief SEM. FRANCIS DOMINIC VERGARA Associate Editors SEM. ALVIN QUE SEM. RAY YLVES GAGA-A Writers POST. REINIER JUAN POST. CARL ANDREW JURIDICO SEM. JOHN LOUISSE RESPICIO SEM. NEAL ALLEN LAURENTE Contributors NOV. ELMERSON SIVILLA, JR NOV. ULYSSES RUBIA Cartoonist SEM. CHRISTOFFER DENZELL AQUINO Adviser/Moderator BRO. JOHN MICHAEL ARQUERO FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONGREGATION contact (02) 828-9509
In Time “Time is the measure of change.” This sentence is like a LSS (last song syndrome) for those who just took the subject Cosmology or Philosophy of Nature. Time is very important, especially to us seminarians. Every minute is considered in making a schedule. Thus a proverb would tell us: “Time is Gold.” The father rector taught us not to take time just materially, like gold, but rather, take it as a voice of God, because every sound of the bell, there God speaks, calling us to wake up, study, play, work, clean, to sleep (“10:15-lights off!”) and most of all pray. Time is not ours. We are just pilgrims in this wonderful world. We are not for here. We are for a timeless state of being, either in hell or heaven. Graduation is a time, a time to rejoice. It is also a crossroad for seminarians, either to continue or to take another path, another paradigm of life. Indeed it is a time for discernment. Vacation is a time for us to recreate after heavy exams; but not just, it is also a given for us to reflect on our vocations. Lenten season is a specific time in the liturgical year. This time is the proper time, to recollect, to ponder, to reflect, to discern and to appreciate the love of God; because at the end of this season is God’s good news of hope—the resurrection of Christ. The real time is now, is always. We must do our best to respond in every need. It is time for us to reflect, discern and decide, not tomorrow, but now. Let us answer this question: “What am I doing here? Am I really for this? Did I really respond to God’s call?” As we answer these questions, from there, we can decide. But decision is not a onetime reflection, it is in continual process, as long as we have and we are in time, we are in constant answering. We can only stop longing for an answer when we realize that “Time is up!” And we sometimes regret at the last moment and realize, “I could have done better.” La Madonnetta
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A Celebration of Joy and Thanksgiving for our 1st Year Anniversary and Fiesta (Pastoral Station of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary) Nov. Ulysses Rubia
On the Anniversary. With great joy and happiness, the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate celebrated our first year anniversary of stay in the Pastoral Station in honor of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary, in Payas, Pangasinan. It came as a great surprise when His Excellency Socrates Villegas, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan said that he will be the one to preside the Eucharistic celebration. Everybody was amazed because nobody expected that the archbishop himself would say so, taking into consideration his hectic schedule. Everybody was excited and we helped one another to prepare everything for the said celebration. The Eucharistic celebration started at seven in the moring, and was concelebrated by Fr. Alan Ybañez, Fr. Dick Eslopor, and Fr. Paolo Pirlo, while the novices and the postulants served. The good archbishop emphasized in his homily that the life of man is full of mystery. First the mystery of sufferings; second, the mystery of life, and lastly, the mystery
of love, which everybody feels, acquires and yet we do not know why we feel it. He said that this mystery of love is rooted in God who gave his only Son to redeem his people from the slavery of sin. He concluded that these three are inherent in man. Our mind is so little to understand fully this big “mystery in man.” On the Feast. The faithful of the pastoral station celebrated the feast in honor of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. The celebration was anticipated on March 18, 2012, Sunday, so that everybody can join, especially the students and the fathers, who otherwise could not attend due to farm works. The celebration started at three in the afternoon with a great procession from the main chapel going to Carosucan passing through the irrigation site towards Cablong until the Payas Elementary School then back to the chapel. A lot of people joined the procession notwithstanding the heat of the sun. We prayed the rosary and sang Marian hymns. After the procession, the Eucharistic celebration followed. The main celebrant was Fr. Allan concelebrated by Fr. Eric Gonzales. Before the final blessing, Fr. Allan expressed his gratitude to the generous people who worked and helped for the success of the fiesta. After the mass, food were served. After dinner, Nov. Elmerson animated some games. The fiesta celebration was a great experience, and the feast of Saint Joseph will certainly remain our hearts and will be a treasure of our lives. Mabuhay si San Jose!
Archbishop Tagle Celebrates with the Faithful of Salawag Sem. Neal Allen Laurente
MIP (Better Living) at its 1st Anniversary Sem. Alvin H. Que
The Mary Immaculate Parish (Better Living, Paranaque) celebrated its first year anniversary last December 08, 2011. This parish is under the pastoral care of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate (SHMI). The celebration started with a procession of the images of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a Holy Mass. It was presided by Rev. Fr. Eric P. Gonzales, SHMI, the parish priest of MIP (Better Living), together with the other priests of SHMI namely: Rev. Fr. John Paulo Bautista, SHMI and Rev. Fr. Paolo Pirlo, SHMI. The event was then concluded by a fellowship that was held at the Frasinettti Hall.
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Everyone was gathered at the Mary Immaculate Parish of Salawag last December 8, 2011 to celebrate the feast day of their patroness. The celebration was started with a procession, with “karakol”. And then was followed by the solemn mass, presided by the Archbishop of Manila and former bishop of Imus, His Excellency Luis Antonio Tagle, DD, he was also the homilist that time. The mass was concelebrated by Fr. Jay Agno, the Parish Priest, Fr. Lito Barbers, Fr. Jennil Tonel, Fr. Dick Eslopor, Fr. Allan Ybañez and other visiting priests. The religious of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate did their renewal of vows during the mass. After the solemn mass, dinner was served and there was a short program. Though the heaven cried in pouring its blessings to the people of Salawag, the people accepting the blessings were smiling on their way home.
La Madonnetta
Christmas Party 2011
Before leaving for the Christmas break, the seminarians did the traditional Christmas fellowship at the seminary’s refectory last December 18, 2011. The party was a fabulous one. Menus were being prepared by the three groups which were composed by seminarians according to their region: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, it was a contest in preparing regional food specialty, and the Mindanao region won. It was a pajama party, which was won by Sem. Clent Rey Abian, and there was also a contest of face painting, which was won by Sem. Marlon Bag-ao, who patronized the Philippine colors. There were of course the traditional exchange gifts. The gifts were being wrapped with newspapers which was also a contest: Seminarians Jules Bernard Fernando and Francis Jude Anthony Estaris tied on the said contest; they made snowman and angel respectively. There was also an awarding ceremony. Gumborza award which was awarded to Seminarians Christopher Baniaga, John Ross Arevalo and Marlon Bag-ao, the Francisco Baltazar award was given to the Editor-in-chief of La Madonnetta, Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara, the Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo award was given to Post. Reinier Juan, the Director’s Cut Award was given to Post. David Pereira, the Apolinario Mabini was awarded to Sem. Alvin Que, the Best Mayor was Neo Navarro and the Best Room of the year was Room 121. After the dinner and the awarding of ceremonies, the Tombola followed. After the game, there was a mini disco among the seminarians.
A Day for Family Bonding
One of the most awaited activities in the seminary is the Family Day, because this is the only time where the family, friends, benefactors and even the professors of the seminarians bond together. December 10 was the family day for the year 2011, it was a big celebration. The day was filled with joy and laughter. Before the mass, the visitors enjoyed the openhouse of the seminary and the coffee shop set by the seminarians at the gazebo. At 11 o’clock, all the people, including the parishioners, gathered together under the roof of the seminary court to join in the thanksgiving mass. Fr. John Paulo Bautista, SHMI, was the one presiding the mass, while Fr. Paolo Pirlo, SHMI gave a lively homily on the Immaculate Conception. The mass became more alive as the seminarians sang the hymns, plus the sound of the bandorias of the Rondalla of the MIP-Betterliving. The mass was followed by a lunch. The lunch did not start right away, because the guest of honor did not arrive yet. As soon as Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, the Papal nuncio to the Philippines, arrived, the lunch started immediately after the nuncio blessed the food. Parlor games were also prepared by the seminarians to entertain the visitors. The day was indeed great day, after the event, the seminarians went anywhere in Manila with their parents, friends and benefactors for an extended bonding.
Fr. Paolo @ 20
Father Paolo Pirlo, SHMI, one of the pioneer religious in the Philippines celebrated his 20th Sacerdotal Anniversary last December 7, 2011. The seminarians together with some of the parishioners of MIP-Better living greeted the father rector with songs at around 5:00 in the morning that day at his office’s door. At 7:00 am special breakfast was prepared by Titas Gaye, Chona and company. In the evening, after the mass at MIP-Better living, there was a simple surprise dinner at the Frassinetti Hall prepared by the same people.
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Bp. Bacani speaks to the Religious of Parañaque
MARIOLOGY CLASSES @ SHMI As Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Seminarians, we need to have an intense knowledge on Mary. Trough the initiative of the Father Rector, Fr. Paolo Pirlo, who has a degree on Mariology, he conducts classes to us. The topics are “Mary in the Bible,” “Dogmas on Mary,” and “Marian Apparitions.” The series of classes will end on March 23, 2012 with an examination, and the recognition day, where there would be the giving of certificates, will be on March 24.
SHMI’s Flour Festival Part of the holistic formation of a seminarian is to know how to do household chores. One of this is cooking, baking. This coming March 21, the seminarians will be divided into three groups which will compete in the so called baking contest. Seminarians Christopher Baniaga, Rafael Guzman and Francis Jude Anthony Estaris will lead each group. The event is called, “Flour Festival.”
Limasawa: Here We Come!
Every year the seminarians of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate have this so called Philippine-tour, this is every after graduation, before summer vacation. This year’s tour will be on Limasawa, passing through southern part of Luzon. When the seminarians will reach the place, they will reenact the first Mass on Philippine soil. The group will leave with the blue angel bus on March 26 around three in the morning. And be back on April 1.
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A Military Chaplain gave a Lenten Recollection to the Seminarians Last March 17, 2012, Fr. Chris, the director of liturgy of the Military Diocese of the Philippines gave the SHMI Seminarians a Lenten recollection reflecting on the community aspect of formation. He also reflected on Pope Benedict’s Lenten Message. After the recollection, there followed the confession and then holy mass, which was presided by him.
SHMI Summer Sports Festival Summer is on the air. The SHMI seminary opened its Summer Sports Festival 2012 last March 19, 2012. There were three groups which will compete on Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer. The groups’ names are: Amici, Donatello, and Sbarro, which were led by Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara, Sem. Jerome Berja and Sem. Aldwin Ceciclio respectively. The Sports fest will last from March 19-22.
“The Berlin Wall”
The wall which separates the new purchased land, adjacent to the seminary vicinity was completely put down last March 21, 2012. The dilapidation was headed by the rector and the seminarians. Finally, we can see the vast land, extension, a soccer field to be.
SHMI Seminarians Join Religious Days
Last February 2 and 6, 2012, the seminarians participated on the religious days of the diocese of Parañaque at Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish in BF Homes which was presided by Bishop Jesse Mercado, DD, and of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Multinational Village, which was presided by Rev. Fr. Ulrich Gacayan, RCJ, respectively. On both occasions, the seminarians served during the mass.
La Madonnetta
Once again, the different religious communities in the Diocese of Parañaque, including the seminarians of the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, gathered at the Saint Paul Chapel at La Huerta, Parañaque City, last February 26, 2012 for the Lenten recollection. Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD, Bishop Emeritus of Nocaliches was the recollection master. He reflected on “The Temptations of Jesus” and the on the lenten message of the pope which lasted for two hours. After the two-hour talk, the good bishop presided the holy mass, and was concelebrated by some priests. The SHMI seminarians were the servers during the mass. After the recollection and the mass, a challenge was instill to the religious, that is, “to give attention [importance] to our brothers and sisters.”
Vacante!
A day after the summer outing of the Maritas Apostolate, March 4, 2012, the President, Post. Carl Andrew Juridico, delivered his semestral report and words of gratitude after lunch. After delivering his speech, the moderator, Bro. John Michael Arquero, SHMI, declared the presidency as vacant. The election for the presidency was moved on June 2012, due to the numbers of voters.
Viva Pit Señor!
Last January 15, 2012, as part of the seminary tradition, the freshmen seminarians of SHMI dance the “Sinulog” in honor of the Sto. Niño. The Seminarians performed before the mass to introduce to the faithful the said feast. The seminarians danced during the 11 o’clock mass at the seminary court and at the MIP-Betterlivng during the 4:30 and 7:00pm masses.
Maskara envades Sunday School
Last February 19, 2012, Sunday, the Sunday school of Mary Immaculate Parish-Betterliving had a Maskara Festival. The Catechists together with the Commission on Youth and with the seminarians of the SHMI joined force in the said activity. A short parade around the parish was made, and upon passing on every house, the Sunday schoolers knocked on the doors of each parishioner asking for the dried-old palm, to be burnt and be used on Ash Wednesday. Then mass followed and the installation of the new servant-leaders of the Sunday school. Snacks followed sponsored by the Universal Robina Corporation, Ms. Rho Cepeda and Ms. Chen Natividad
REMINDERS!!!
MARCH 28 Fr. Dick’s Birthday 26 Annual Philippine Tour (to Limasawa) APRIL 1-7 Holy Week 8 Easter Sunday 9-11 Search-in in Ilolo 16-20 Serch-in Manila 16 Fr. Eric’s Birthday MAY 1 Solemnity of Saint Joseph 8 Fr. Paolo’s Birthday
14 Bro. JM’s Renewal of Vows 20 Fr. Jay’s Bithday 20 Novices to be must be back for the retreat 21-25 Annual Retreat of the Religious 26 Seminarians must be back for the Academic Year 2012-2013 31First Religious Profession of the Novices, Entrance to Novitiate of the Postulants
La Madonnetta
Triple Birthday Bash
The SHMI Seminarians together with the parishioners of MIP-Betterliving celebrated a triple birthday party last February 19, 2012, at the seminary’s court. The celebrators were Fr. John Paulo Bautista (turned 31-Feb. 19), Bro. JM Arquero (turned 25-February 12) and Tita Rho Cepeda (February 15).
SHMI Goes Marxism
The junior seminarians of SHMI together with Fr. John Paulo Bautista joined the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philosophy Department, in paying tribute to Prof. Amable Tuibeo, founder of the department. The tribute was a Marx Festival 2012, with the theme “Pros and Cons of the 21st Century”. The conference lasted for two days, March 6 and 7, at their Bulwagang Balagtas. The professor of the juniors, Mr. Michael Roland Hernandez (Ph.D. Cand.) also participated as a speaker.
SHMI holds RSC-Manila’s Friendship Game
The Rogationist Seminary College-Manila celebrated their Thomas Aquinas Week. Within the celebration was a Friendship game among the students. The said activity was held at the SHMI Seminary last January 26, 2012.
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Maritas under the Summer Sun
IYM One with Maritas on Christmas Sharing
Simbang Gabi Experience in the Pastoral Station Nov. Elmerson Sevilla Jr.
With the initiative of the parish priest of Mary Immaculate Parish of Salawag (MIP), Fr. Jay Agno, SHMI, the Immaculate Youth Ministry (IYM) participated the Grand Maritas Christmas Sharing 2011 last December 18, 2011 at the SHMI Seminary. The activity was started with a paraliturgy which was led by Bro. John Michael Arquero, Moderator of the apostolate, he also gave his reflection on Christmas. Different games were prepared by the Seminarians and the IYM. The kids and youths catechumens were facilitated by the IYM, and assisted by some seminarians, while the parents were facilitated by the seminarians. At lunch break, the seminarians and some of the IYM members jammed with the beat of the drums and with the plucks of the guitars as other sung with the beat of the music and entertained the catechumens who were taking their lunch. Throughout the day, there were gifts being raffled for the catechumens. At the afternoon, the most awaited “Inay ng Pasko” was started, where the mothers showed off showcase of talents. After the pageant, certificates of appreciation were given to the people who made the Christmas sharing possible: MIP –Salawag for helping the apostolate financially; IYM for helping the apostolate on the day of the event; Universal Robina Corporation for the untiring support to the apostolate; and Ms. Rho Cepeda for her untiring help. Snacks and other goods were given to the catechumens before going home. “Hindi ganon ka importante and material na bagay tulad nito brad, and mas importante ay ang mga presensya ng mga taong nagbibigay halaga sa amin tulad n’yo,” a catechumen said after the event.
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March 3, 2012 marked the Maritas Summer Outing 2012. The day started at four in the morning. The 400++ catechumens were assembled in the seminary, and around 6 in the morning, together with the SHMI seminarians and Fr. John Paulo Bautista, five Transville buses brought them to the beaches of Matabungkay, Batangas, at Kandahar Beach Resort. They arrived there at around eight thirty in the morning. After settling everything, the place—cottages, tables, and so on, together with the seminarians, the catechumens, especially the kids enjoyed swimming under the summer sun. The catechumens enjoyed a lot, since it is an opportunity to be there, at least once a year. Maritas summer Outing is not that easy for the seminarians, since it demands a lot of effort to prepare, contact, double check, and so on, it needs a big amount to bring all the 400++ catechumens to the beach, as far as Matabungkay, Batangas. And yet, still, the seminarians were happy and contented seeing the catechumens happy while others were eating and others are swimming with the pricking breeze of the air.
The Maritas Apostolate would like to thank the following Major Sponsors:
UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATION and
BABY VILLANUEVA
Blk. 8, lot 32, Isabella de Rosis St., Multinational Village Parañaque Contact (0918) 915-8124 /(0922) 844-3289 828-4158/ 828-4974
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Simbang gabi is one of the oldest but marvelous traditions of the Catholic Church in our country. Every Filipino Catholic considered it as a grand preparation which entails little and great sacrifices before the commemoration of the birth of the loving redeemer of humankind—Jesus Christ— on December 25. In the early morning of December 15, 2011 the community of the novitiate together with Fr. Lito took our way straight to Payas, Pangasinan to have our simbang gabi together with the faithful of the whole pastoral station, compose of 5 barangays. Since, there were three chapels but with only 2 priest the simbang gabi was scheduled in such a way that one will have it anticipated. Fr. Lito helped Fr. Alan in celebrating masses from 15 to 21. After Fr. Lito, Fr. Dick came and stayed from 21 to 25 while Fr. Erick visited us and celebrated a mass on the 23rd. A great number of faithful attended the simbang gabi in three different chapels. Before the Simbang Gabi officially started we decorated the Chapel of Payas with kuya Eddie as our head. What came out was be a simple yet beautiful decoration which was greatly appreciated by the people. Though we were tired and sleepy we were able to conduct Christmas serenades in different houses of the different barangays with the ever loving couple Ate Noriza and Kuya Eddie, Lola Sintay, Tita Erlyn, Ate Janet, Tita Salud, Ate Mimi, Ate Madz, Tito Francis and P. Dick. We sometimes arrived late at night but with a big smile on our faces and joyful hearts. Some people were very surprised seeing for the first time the seminarians and priests together with the laity singing Christmas carols. On the eve of Christmas we had our simple Noche Buena with the close collaborators of the Pastoral Station. Our presence there during the whole period of the Simbang Gabi until Christmas gave joy and hope to everyone. From them we have learned also to love more the pastoral works being entrusted to us by our Lord. Lastly, my experience in the Pastoral Station gave a wonderful value for the nurturance of my vocation.
The Graduates Post. Reinier Agbayani Juan
Archdiocese of Tuguegarao
Reinier Juan was born on August 11, 1992. He finished his high school at St. Joseph College at Baggao, Cagayan. He is noted as the “Dancing King” of the seminary, because of his graceful moves when he hears the beat of the drums. He likes to laugh out loud, yet he is serious when it is time for seriousness. One of his accomplishments is when he became the president of the Maritas Apostolate. He defended his thesis with the title: “The Concept of Suffering in Dostoevsky’s Novel ‘Crime and Punishment’”
Post. Carl Andrew Failago Juridico Diocese of Marbel
Carl Juridico, more known as “Mordong” was born on May 1, 1992. He graduated high school at Poblacion Polomolok National High School, in Polomolok, South Cotabato. He is noted of being fragile, yet very meticulous on things. He is the MVP in soccer. He became the Maritas President for the second semester. He defended his thesis with the title: “Paul W. Taylor and Bonaventure on environmental Ethics”
Post. David John Dumaliang Pereira
Diocese of Ilagan
David Pereira was born on January 9, 1992. He finished his high school at the School of St. Joseph the Worker at Echague, Isabela. He is good in driving, he is also very energetic. He is noted of eating well. He loves to watch movie, especially after the Night Prayer on Saturdays. He defended his thesis with the title: “Nicollo Machiavelli’s Concept of Virtu as a Means in Resolving Corruption in the Philippine Government”
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Dream... Believe...Survive! We all started dreaming, most of us believed, but a few of us survived. Seminary life is not a matter of quantity but quality. Eight of us started the journey but along the way we struggle, we fight, we brawl, we grapple, we battle but only three of us strived and survived. It goes with the saying that many are called yet few are chosen. There are ups and downs every single year and as time goes by, we started to decrease
Post. Reinier Juan in number. We struggle yet we surpass all this challenges. Many of us started to ask questions and some already gave up. Still many dreamt of achieving our own goal; the apex of reaching Christ, but as the journey stands, temptations and trials arise. The seminary is very different from the life outside and we are being molded in accordance to our capacity and fundamental nature as seminarians. In the years past, we committed ourselves to the Lord and yet another chapter will end in our life but this does not mean that it is merely the end but rather a new beginning. Carl, David and I had survived another phase of life. We surpass the trials with our faith because in unity we stand together and for four years we are in each other’s back. Now, the dreaming and believing never stops on the three of us but we will try to survive. Life is full of mystery and together we will keep on reaching our goal no matter what. We
are always together in sadness and happiness. It is clear to us that in following Christ do not mean to have an easy life, but to accept all the sufferings for a better purpose. Life is a learning process. We may fall down but we need to stand up. Never lose heart to these difficulties, keep the journey with such faith and perseverance. Never stop dreaming high, believing in yourself, and survive all the challenges.
Messages to the Graduates Dear Graduating Class of 2012: I wish to greet you and your proud parents on the occasion of your Commencement Rites. You are now entering a new phase in your life; the foundations have already been placed. I hope that your 4-year stay in the seminary has helped you clarify your decisions in life. I wish to pass on to you the need of character. We need people imbibed with a story sense of character – people who can distinguish what is right and wrong and can live up to the ideals of Christian education. This is what will set you apart. I hope that you will all become that the best individuals you can be-be it to the service of the Church or for your own families. My good wishes and congratulations! -Prof. Rafael Dolor Philosophy Professor
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I am conveying my best wishes and prayers to the graduating batch 2012 of RSC, especially to David, Reinier, and Carl. The fruits of the four years of hard work, dedication and commitment you have spent in the seminary will now be measured so that you may proceed to the next chapter of your lives more prepared. I hope and pray that in whatever field you may find yourselves in, you may always be good and holy workers for the Glory of God!
Congratulations!
-Mrs. Thess Perez RSC-Manila Collaborator
La Madonnetta
Kuyas Carl, Reinier and David: Congratulations! I just want to share with you a song: “A path is set for a chosen few, a destiny to lead, [the church]… is where we make our dreams. It’s time for us to make a stand, we can make it hand in hand, it’s time for us to answer [with intense conviction] to the call. We are the chosen few, called to lead the [church], we can fight injustice, [evil and immoralities] once we realize the Truth. We need to reawaken … [our] passion, [as soon to be alter Christus, because,] we are called to serve … and lead [His church.] … From the darkness we [may] see the light, a vision of hope [and share it to the people of God].” (AYLC Theme Song) Congratulations! Let’s stand on the Rock! Be firm in faith and answer with no hesitation God’s call for us to serve and lead His people. -Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara 3rd Year Seminarian
Winning Hearts and Minds: A Seminarian’s AYLC Experience Sem. Francis Dominic Vergara
Leading is not just about commanding, leading is serving as well. I was really passionate in involving myself to organizations. This passion, I thought, will be hindered by the seminary. The Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) is one of the famous, prestigious and biggest gatherings of young leaders in the Philippines. Every student leader aspires to be one of the fortunate chosen few among the Filipino students. AYLC chooses the bests among the bests of its applicants from different universities, colleges and institutions nationwide. But I was wrong! I am one of the 800++ student who hoped to participate in AYLC 2012. I made it to top 179 for the panel interview, the last sieve. And Oh My! I did it! I was chosen. I am one of the 81 participants who was given the chance to take part of the said congress. The congress was last February 6-10. As I arrived at the meeting place, at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati, at first I was timid, of course, because many are from big universities who have strong personalities (honestly, I felt too small that time), but I took courage as the minute hand of my Timex watch was clicking, I felt the belongingness. I said: “We have the same aim, that is, to be deformed with our ideologies and be formed with new ideas.” The 80 of us (because one did not make it to the congress) came with the same advocacy in different forms. We were so excited when the buses were taking us to the venue of the congress—San Miguel Corporation-Training Center in Alfonso Cavite (over looking Taal Volcano). When we reached the place, we were amazed by the warm welcome. Upon entering our respective rooms, wow amazing! The yellow jackets (that’s why we are called Tweety birds) and all those stuffs filled our spirit, and I told my roommates: “Indeed, we are part of this!” The framework of the congress was given by Mr. Mossesgeld (or Tatay Monch), it was all about servant-leadership (the framework inspires my thesis proposal, I hope, I can give justice to it). We were grouped into nine. In my group was Lucy (from West Negros Univ.), Josh (from Angeles Foundation Univ.), Leiand (from the Philippine Military Academy), Chard (San Beda College), Norby (Mindanao Sate University-Marawe), Jay-R (Central Philippine University), and me (Rogatinist Seminary College-Manila). Each one of us solicited some advices on how to be more effective in terms of leading. The advices of
course were of different perspectives, that of a PMAyer, of a Seminarian, of an intellectual, that of a politician and so on. I also learned a lot from the different speakers: Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, Kara David, Noel Cabangon, Mayor Linda Gonzales, Mr. Bernie Liu, Carmencita Abella, Ret. Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, Tina Monzon-Palma, Christine dela Cruz, Jay Neil Ancheta, Roselle Ambubuyog and Gang Badoy-Capati. Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and the Family were of course present throughout the congress, they let us feel of our importance as young leaders, future leaders of the Philippines, of the World. Different executives of different Ayala companies were also there to support us with our endeavor. A thousand-word essay is not enough to express my AYLC experience. I need to create new words, to that extent, to exactly share my experience. My AYLC challenge does not end with the challenging outdoor activities. My challenge continues as long as I am still within the time of this planet. I won networks, there are 79 of them. Each one of us came from different dimensions, have different philosophies, but through that congress, we were tied up into one aim: to win hearts and minds and change paradigms.
A Vocation to be an alter Christus Sem. Christoffer Denzell Aquino Many people in this fast-changing world tend to forget to stop and listen to what God is telling them each day on what they will do with their lives. We all know that “Vocation” comes from the Latin verb “vocare,” meaning “to call,” but what we are responding into is not just an ordinary call, but a call to be an alter Christus, another Christ. Christ instructed his disciples: “If anyone wishes to come after me, take up your cross and follow me.” To respond to the call of being an alter Christus, like Jesus, we should strive to follow the footsteps of Christ. Now, what are the footsteps of Christ? Jesus first, humbled himself; He was born on a manger, became a carpenter like his Foster Father Joseph, and accepted his fate in the cross. We should strive to become humble, not for the sake of glorification, but it is a sign that we know there is still someone greater than us, who is God. Second, he was loving and forgiving. It is easy to love a person who cares for us, but it is hard to love a person who hates us,
La Madonnetta
thus Jesus said: “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you.” We gain nothing by loving a person we already love, but we can gain more if we love a person who we really hate, for loving a person whom we hate is diminishing hate itself, and it is from it where love abounds all the more. Third and lastly, a trait we must posses is to be a Good Shepherd. In our Maritas apostolate, we are trained to be Good Shepherds, who tends his flock with care and searches for lost sheeps and brings it home to the church on our shoulders. It is better, according to Jesus, to leave 100 sheeps behind to find one lost sheep, for everything, whether good and bad, is equal in the eyes of God. These qualifications of becoming an alter Christus seems hard to reach with our human capabilities, but if we let Jesus mold our hearts in the likeness of his heart, by using different persons around us, we are sure to be a true follower of Christ, a new generation of alter Christus.
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SHMI A.Y. 2011-2012
be ONE of us... be a SEMINARIAN... be a SONS OF HOLY MARY IMMACULATE!