Pastoral exposure on counseling promotes conversations with UST Angelicum learners

Student-brothers’ catechesis for shrine workers continues

In an effort to deepen the Catholic faith and equip the shrine workers with basic knowledge of the seven sacraments, the student-brothers have continued the monthly catechetical series for the second semester of pastoral formation year 2022-2023. The brothers who conducted the catechesis from January to June 2023 were Br. Nico Paolo P. Moron, OP; Br. Marc Adrian H. de la Peńa, OP; Br. Laurence Ryan V. Mata, OP; Br. Michael Angelo D. Dela Rosa, OP; and Br. Ian Joeffrey G. Melendres, OP. BR. GEOFREY RODERIC EVAN KABA, OP

Responding to the increasing demand of counselors due to the rise of mental health concerns, three student-brothers, Br. Nico Paolo Moron, OP, Br. Eugene Dominic Aboy, OP, and Br. Robertus Silveriano Raditya Dearbantolo, OP, participated in two weeks of enrichment program on counseling at UST Angelicum College, Quezon City.

The hands-on exposure on counseling began on April 13, 2023 with a quick briefing given by Ms. Wednesdee-Perpetual A. Acasio, the Head of the UST Angelicum’s Guidance Counseling and Testing Department.

Ms. Ma. Lourdes S.J. Orbeta, the department’s psychometrician, guided the participants on how to facilitate the entrance exams of learners who wish to be admitted at the Angelicum beside Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City.

Aside from assisting younger children to identify objects, respond to basic questions, and color different things, the brothers also helped in the checking of the entrance examinations of aspiring high school students.

The following weeks, mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the brothers engaged in online or onsite routine interviews with the gradeschool learners depending on their availability.

During the routine interviews assisted by Ms. Joyce Anne E. Rivera and Ms. Aubien C. Castro, the brothers shared time with the students to talk about their personal concerns either in school or at home.

The topics of the conversation ranged from the learner’s situation with their families, their strengths and weaknesses in different subjects, along with their fa- vorite hobbies and their group of friends.

At the end of each interview which lasted for around 10 to 20 minutes, the brothers are expected to submit a short profile about the student whom they interviewed to the respective guidance counselor.

Considering the aftermath of the enrichment program, the participants experienced a very humanizing opportunity for they were able to share in the lives of other people even if only momentarily.

Being able to talk to students and practice what they learned during the summer pastoral exposures, the brothers not only improved their communication skills, but also deepened their preaching by being more in touch with the actual concerns of the flock. BR.

R&R features teardrop of St. Dominic in its new logo

In updating its manual of operations and procedures, the Retreat and Recollection (R&R) Committee decided to update its logo to align it with the committee’s vision and mission.

Fr. Lopez reflects on God’s love and mercy for Lent

As an annual activity and preparation for the Lenten Season, the Dominican Studentate Pastoral Board (DSPB), in cooperation with the different apostolic groups of the Dominican Studentate and the Santo Domingo Parish, organized Lakbay Buhay Lenten Recollection 2023 with the theme, “Ikaw Panginoon ay mapagpatawad at sagana sa kagandahang-loob”, on March 25, 2023 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila, Santo Domingo Church Quezon City.

The activity commenced with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 6 o’clock in the evening. This was ensued by the recollection proper at 7 o’clock. Rev. Fr. Allan V. Lopez, OP, the Parish Priest of the San Lorenzo Ruiz and

Companion Martyrs Parish in Navotas, was the recollection speaker. In his talk, Fr. Lopez shared the four faces of poverty, which include physical or economic poverty, cultural poverty, lack of relationships, and mental and spiritual poverty. He cited the corporal works of mercy and the necessity to be immersed (“pagbabad”) with our underprivileged brethren so that we may know their needs. He challenged the attendees to take a course of action, to give their words and mercy to let those in need feel the mercy of God through them. He also invited everyone to pray for them. In this modern time, while embracing the spirit of synodality, those who felt neglected and excluded should also be invited again to journey with them in faith and to give them the opportunity to participate. Finally, he urged the attendees to be missionaries in this modern time by letting those in the peripheries feel the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Fr. Mhandy S. Malijan, OP, the Parish Priest of Santo Domingo Parish, delivered the words of thanks and gave the final blessing. The recollection ended with simple agape shared by the attendees at the Church corridor.

The recollection was well attended by the Dominican fathers and student-brothers, members of the different apostolic groups and of various church organization of Santo Domingo Parish, and the lay faithful. The event was also live streamed via the La Naval de Manila Official Facebook page. BR. JONAS P.

The new logo of R&R employs the Dominican shield with superimposed initials of the committee imitating a military coat of arms. In the Dominican Studentate, the student-brothers are trained to hone their preaching skills to effectively share the Truth Incarnate. The teardrop, which is the focal point of the shield, is reminiscent of what the Chronicle of the Origin of the Order, compiled by Bl. Jordan of Saxony narrates about the Holy Father Dominic as often spending whole nights in the church at prayer, watering the steps of the altar with abundance of tears, and begging for the grace to gain some of unhappy souls to Christ.

The pursuit of the student brothers for personal sanctification through the ministry goes hand in hand with charity and compassion upon those who are deprived of the liberating joy of the Gospel. This desire is symbolized by the dog with the lit torch and whose front legs are lifted signifying movement, as the student-brothers pursue mission to geographical and existential peripheries to bring the light of the Gospel.

UST Angelicum College’s REAP sites welcome student-brothers

Five Dominican student-brothers were blessed to have their pastoral enrichment program on urban poor and care of creation with UST Angelicum College’s Re-Entry Education Agenda for the Poor (REAP) Program. This program commits itself to offering the same Angelicum quality education system to the less fortunate and marginalized members of society.

Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Peter Simon dL. Ramos, OP, the current REAP Coordinator, they visited three REAP sites, namely; Laura Vicuña Foundation in Cubao; Save Our School Foundation Incorporation in Baguio; and Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Bulacan. They were able to meet volunteer teachers, students, and graduates of the program.

The student-brother’s visit to the REAP sites helped them realize the importance of education which fosters Christian and human growth geared towards alleviating