Mati Diocese Launches Vocation Month

Mati Diocese Launches Vocation Month

The 1st Sunday of October, Oct. 4, marked the official start of Vocation Month for the diocese of Mati. Sixteen different congregations of men and women were present at the 6:00 PM Mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral presided over by Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Patricio H. Alo, D.D. with Apostolic Administrator Fr. Edito S. Baño, while diocesan Vocation Director Fr. Philip C. Dimalanta delivered the homily covering the theme “Vocation to Consecration witnessing to the Poverty of Christ” in line with this year’s celebration of the Year of the Poor and the Consecrated Life. He also thanked all the congregations, priests, and seminarians present, while each congregation representative was given a few minutes to introduce and share about their religious order. Activities had been planned for the whole month‘s promotion of vocation for the priesthood and the consecrated/religious life. The diocesan Vocation Prayer was recited and will be read daily for the month of October. In line with vocation, the MIC sisters earlier held a vocation camp in September as also appears in this issue.

The MIC Vocation Camp

The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (M.I.C.) held the first MIC Vocation Camp on September 18–19 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in the city of Mati, Davao Oriental. It was organized by Sr. Florita L. Galido, MIC with the theme Life’s Direction. Fifteen (15) young women responded to the invitation. Ms. Melvic Habana, president of the Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA) of Mati led the opening prayer. Sr. Milagros N. Gomez, MIC and Sr. Felisa C. Salac, MIC welcomed the participants and thanked them for their presence. The participants were oriented on Vocation in general and Vocation in particular (Priestly, Religious, Single Blessedness and the Married Life). Sr. Florita spoke on the priestly and religious life. Ms. Nida Delagua, a teacher of the Mati National Comprehensive High School shared about single blessedness and Mrs. Linda Mahumot, talked on married life. After listening to the beautiful experiences of the three speakers, the participants were formed into three small groups to share their insights on the topics given.

In the second part, Sr. Florita presented the life of Delia Tetreault, the foundress of the MIC followed by another group sharing. After the midnight snack, the participants listened to the sharing of Ms. Juvie Panchito on her vocation journey, Novice Chance on life as a beginner in the religious life and Sr. Lydia Cabornay, MIC on her experiences in the mission. As in any camping, the bonfire kept the participants warm as they presented their song, drama, dance to express their feelings and learnings from the activities. Culminating the event was the early morning mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral at 5:30 in the morning. (Ms. Juvie G. Panchito)

City Schools Division of Mati vs. Drugs

Laraw gihapon sa City Schools Division of Mati nga palig-onon ang “Barkada Kontra Droga” nga programa. Aminado ang Division sa pagpanguna ni Schools Division Supr. Reynaldo Guillena nga kalakip gayod sa mga nahisukamod sa ginadiling droga ang mga estudyante, hinungdan nga gitutukan na usab nila kini. Gipasabot sa Division nga nahilom lamang kini ug karon ilaha kining ibalik ug palig-onon agig tubag sa problema sa ginadiling droga. Ang Barkada Kontra Droga ang gi-conceptualize usab sa Dangerous Drugs Board sa kauluhan.