Priests of the Sacred Heart

Visit of the World Youth Day Cross and the Icon of Our Lady

The SCJ Seminarians, Dehonian Youth and Youth from Dansolihon Chaplaincy took part in the Vigil of the World Youth Day Cross and the Icon of Our Lady Visit. It is a part of preparation for the World Youth Day 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

The event took place in Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City on March 3-4, 2007 and was organized by the Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate. Among the main activities of the whole event were the following: Pilgrim Walk, Special Catechesis, Sacrament of Reconcilliation, Taize Prayer, Veneration of the Cross and Icon of Our Lady, and the Holy Mass presided by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD.

The Vigil was attended by more than 5 thousand young people from the whole Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City.

Dansolihon - Creation of Chaplaincy and Sacrament of Confirmation

The Pastoral Area in Dansolihon, Lumbia Parish, known also as Zone IV, became a Chaplaincy. It was officialy declared by the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, Bp. Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD during the Holy Mass, at 7:30 am on February 25, 2007, held in Dansolihon.

This declaration gives more pastoral freedom and possiblilities to the SCJ community taking care of this area. At the moment Fr. John Karl Cabaluna from the SCJ Community of Cagayan de Oro is the official Chaplain, assigned by the SCJ District and confirmed by the Archbishop. The Chaplaincy consists of 25 chapels.

During that ceremony also more than 200 young people and adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation Rites were also held in Vicmar, one of the chapels, where more than 100 people received the Sacrament.

The Ceremony was attended by fellow SCJs and the Parish Priest of Lumbia Parish.

Vacations together in Dapitan City

It is already a custom in the Philippine District to spend some days of vacations together. This year the group chose Dapitan City, a beautiful place in Zamboanga del Norte. The vacactions took place from January 29 - February 5, 2007.

Besides the natural beauty of the place, like nice and clean beaches, many different tourist attractions, Dapitan City is significant historically as being the place where the national hero, Jose Rizal was exiled by the Spaniards. That's why it is very often called "shrine city" or "cradle of history and jewel of nature."

Unlike last year, the weather was very good, which made the time together even more pleasant and enjoyable.

The Prayer and Philippine Anthem

District Assembly 2007

From January 8 to 12, 2007, the SCJ Philippine District held its Annual Assembly. As in the previous years it was held in the SCJ headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City. It started with a half day of recollection, guided by Fr. Andrzej Sudol, and was followed by the personal sharing of all members of the District.

The second day was dedicated entirely to the main theme of the Assembly, which was �Life in the Community�. The theme was prepared by a special committee and further elaborated in each community. The results of this, containing concrete observations and proposals, were shared and discussed by the whole forum. Thanks to this, the group was able to see the different needs and to prepare an initial plan of action, which will be studied and approved for implementation by the District Council.

During the next three days took place reporting, evaluation and planning of different activities and involvement of the District. It started with the Vocation Promotion and went further through the formation process, financial matters, and other areas of concerns of the District such as different projects, wages and benefits of the SCJ workers, Lay Dehonians, etc.
For the first time, the Assembly was attended by members of the District including Fr.Andreas Madya � the General Councilor from Rome and the two new comers, Fr. Vilsom Basso from Brazil and Fr. Yohanes Wua Waleng from Indonesia, who just arrived in the Philippines; all together 21 participants.
The Assembly was well prepared and conducted in very friendly and fraternal atmosphere.

Pearl of the Orient No. 9

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The Christmas Message 2006 of Fr. General

Please click here to read The Christmas Message 2006 of Fr. General

Typhoon "Durian" hits the Philippines

The typhoon "Durian" which hit the central Philippines last November 30 and December 1, 2006, may have killed up to 400 people after heavy rains and winds sent tonnes of mud and boulders the size of cars crashing onto villages. The most affected provinces were Albay and Camarines Sur.

Durian, locally called "Reming" was the fourth "super typhoon" to hit the Philippines in as many months. In late September, Typhoon Xangsane left 230 people dead and missing in and around Manila. Typhoon Cimaron killed 19 people and injured 58 others last month, and earlier this month, Chebi sliced through the central Luzon region, killing one.

About 20 typhoons and tropical storms hit the Philippines each year.

Visit of the Archbishop in the Seminary

On November 30, 2006, the Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, DD, SJ paid a short visit to the Sacred Heart Formation House in Cagayan de Oro City.

Besides his busy schedule, the Archbishop was able to find a time to visit the SCJ community and to have a supper together. The visit was friendly and very promising regarding the pastoral involvement of SCJs in the diocese. For the seminarians it gave an opportunity to know better their bishop.