ARDM Celebrates 25th Founding Anniversary via Vocation Jam

Still very keen on keeping their respective missions alive, the Association of the Religious in the Diocese of Mati celebrated its 25th Founding Anniversary determined to ignite more the passion for the religious vocation, and the appeal to the youngsters to heed to the call, of urging the indifferent ones to just even take the call.

Fr. Rene Ricardo from the Regional Major Seminary, and the guest speaker for the founding anniversary and vocation month culmination, shared a beautiful insight from “Novo Millennio Ineunte”, an apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II addressed to the bishops, clergy, and the lay faithful.

He emphasized important points.

“The purpose of celebrating anniversaries is to be grateful for the outpour of blessings. Let us live the present with enthusiasm, and anticipate the future with confidence, after all, God is with us, and will always be with us,” he explained.

In his homily, Bp. Abel Apigo reiterated his gladness with the increase of the participants to the Vocation Jamboree, from 200 participants last year to 600 this year.

“I am so happy to see all of you here. You might have some other things to do, but you opted to be here, listen, and share. As such, you were called and chosen to be here,” he said.

The vocation jammers were divided into groups, poured out their life and faith experiences, and reflect on where these can lead them.

Bp. Abel Apigo also thanked the ARDM, the religious men and women, for their huge contribution in keeping the vocation ministry alive in the diocese.

The ARDM was established in 1994, and is under the helm of Fr. Antonio Nombrefia, OSA.

Participating in the celebration were San Isidro Labrador Parish Banaybanay, San Salvador del Mundo Parish Caraga, San Ignacio De Loyola Parish Sigaboy, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Don Bosco, San Isidro Labrador Parsih Batobato, Birhen De Guia Parish Dawan, San Vicente Ferrer Parish Lupon, Sto. Rosario Parish Calapagan, St. James Parish Cateel, Pilgrims from San Ignacio De Loyola Parish Manay, St. Therese of Child Jesus Diocesan Seminarian, Colegio San Agustin, Society of Divine Vocation Seminarians, Davao Oriental Regional Science High School, Mati School of Arts and Trades, Mati National Comprehensive High School, Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (IHMA), Youth for Christ, Maryknoll School of Manay, Inc., Badas National High School, St. Mary’s Academy Caraga.

ARDM is feeling more invigorated as it journeys with the youth in mission, beloved, gifted and empowered. (Neela Duallo | Diocese of Mati)