‘Family is seedbed of vocation’

“Gihimo namo ni alang sa among ginikanan isip balos sa ilang sakripisyo. Gihatag namo ang tanan nga among talento ug effort kay ilaha man pud ginahatag ang tanan sa amoa,” said Rupert Tanutan, a seminarian from The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Calinan at the Parents’ Day 2017 celebration last September 3 in St. Francis Xavier College Seminary of Davao.

Themed “Pamilya: Simbolo sa Kahiusahan sa Kristohanong Katilingban,” it was hosted by the 3rd year seminarians, while the 4th year and the 12 graders seminarian assisted and served as working committees.

Said event started with a Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia rector of the seminary, concelebrated by the seminary formators namely Rev. Fr. Urbano PArdillo, Rev. Fr. Allan Rodriguez, Rev. Fr. Dioscoro Saniel, and Msgr. Nelson Lucas.

Fr. Angelia emphasized the important role of the parents in the life and the journey of the seminarians.

He said “family is the seed bed of vocation. It is in the family that vocation especially to the priesthood began to sprout and grow through active participation in the GKK.”

Centered on the parents’ day theme, and on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Parish as Communion of Communities,” sharing of seminarians with their parents followed.

The socio-cultural presentation took place in the afternoon.

“It is really my fervent joy to present through dancing and singing in front of the crowd especially with the presence of my mother,” seminarian Gerald Carl Lozada said.

The third-year seminarians showcased talents in singing, dancing, and acting. “I want that she will be proud of me and I was also able to show to the visitors that the seminarians are gifted and blessed with different skills and talents,” Lozada added.

The ‘open house’ allowed parents and visitors roomed around the seminary campus, including the dormitory.

A mother of seminarian, Timir Lozada, 52 years old said, “malipayon ko nga akong anak niabot ug third year ug nakakita nila nga nagdrama drama sa mga anak nga dili mutuman, dundon ang uso nga usahay dili husto.”

The Parents’ Day is an annual thanksgiving offering of seminarians towards their parents. It happens every 1st week and 3rd week of September of each year. (Danny Boy Lazaga, Seminarian | Photos by John Tomales and Francis Joseph Taboada)