Renewed with the Fire of God’s Love

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, 2016, the Association of Religious in the Diocese of Mati (ARDM) culminated the Year of Consecrated Life at the Chapel of the Carmelite Monastery. It started with the blessing of candles for the Candlemas feast outside the chapel, then the priests and religious men and women proceeded to the chapel to celebrate the 5:00 PM Solemn Eucharistic Sacrifice led by Bishop Emeritus Patricio H. Alo, DD, with Fr. Rey Jude Albarando, SDB, homilist, and other priests concelebrating. In attendance were all congregational members of ARDM excluding the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), as follows, namely for the female order: Carmelite Missionaries (CM), Catechists of St. Joseph (CSJ), Discalced Nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (OCD), Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines (OP), Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (MIC), Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing (OSB), Order of St. Ursula (OSU), Sisters Ministers of the Infirm (SMI), and Teresian Daughters of Mary (TDM). The four male congregations are: the Order of Regular Clerics of the Ministers of the Infirm (MI), Order of St. Augustine (OSA), Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and Society of Divine Vocation (SDV).

In his homily, Fr. Rey Jude, SDB, reiterated the striking message of Pope Francis addressed to the religious: ‘For a Religious, to progress is to lower oneself in service.’ It was indeed an invitation for all religious to tread the road of humility following the example of Jesus who humbled himself until death. After the homily, all the consecrated men and women made their renewal of vows. Bishop Pat said a prayer for all the religious and entrusted them to God,” that He who had begun this good work, may bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.” There was a general feeling of renewal, of being revitalized and fired with the love of God.

After the Eucharistic Celebration, a simple dinner was served, after which the General Assembly followed, including the Election of the New Set of Officers, as follows: President – Fr. Randy G. Diamante, SDV; Vice-President – Sr. Eva Marie G. Tabugoc, CSJ; Secretary – Sr. Teresita P. Azares, OSU; Asst.Secretary – Fray Julius D. Tubid, OSA; Treasurer – Fr. Roderick R. Tampis, MI; Auditor – Sr. Florita L. Galido, MIC; Press Relations Officer – Sr. Mary Lynn G. Alfeche, CM; Business Manager – Sr. Ma. Marilyn M. Cayapos, TDM. The newly elected officers then lined up at the front of the hall to receive Bishop Pat’s blessing, while everybody joined in silent prayer.

Samahang Pabahay Project for homeless beneficiaries – The Couples for Christ (CFC) Ancop Global Foundation Inc. recently facilitated the construction of new houses in Barangay Dahican, Mati City, for 69 job order employees of the Provincial Capitol in coordination with the Provincial Government (PG) and the Banco de Oro (BDO) Foundation. The CFC provided the social preparation of the beneficiaries for the so-called ‘Samahang Pabahay’ Project while the PG took care of the resettlement site and land development. Designed as a typhoon-resilient community, the one-hectare settlement consists of 38 duplex houses plus one single-detached unit, plus a multi-purpose hall and a chapel to be placed there, among other amenities, including provision of sustaining community development programs on livelihood, education and health.

“This settlement will be more than just an infrastructure project as it is intended to become a community where recipients are going to build their dreams and happily raise their families,” said CFC Ancop President Jaime M. Ilagan. Ancop Foundation which spearheaded the implementation of the project hopes that the beneficiaries would not only take care of their new houses but will ‘also help spread the kindness and generosity to others’. Meanwhile, BDO Davao-Tagum Branch Head and Senior Assistant Vice President German Penales, said that this housing resettlement project is in line with BDO Foundation’s advocacy which is to respond to the needs of the marginalized sector, while he also thanked the bank clients and stakeholders who donated for their cause.