REMASE Pastoral Day 2015: To Love and To Serve After the Heart of the Good Shepherd

‘Fiesta sa Nayon’ captured the whole celebration of the Pastoral Day 2015 of the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao (REMASE). This event, which happened last Sunday, March 1, 2015 marks the calendar of our seminary as a big and a joyful gathering of priests, seminarians, and people coming from different areas of exposures and apostolates of the seminarians: Hospitals, Companies, Establishments, GKKs, Jail, Missionary of Charity, Rehabilitation Centers, Parishes, and Muslim communities. The purpose of this gathering is to express the seminary’s gratitude and to evaluate the pastoral program of the seminary.

The day started with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration which was presided over by the alumnus bishop of REMASE who is currently the local ordinary of the diocese of Iligan, the Most Rev. Elenito Galido, DD. Bishop Galido, who traveled more than ten hours all the way from Iligan City, inspired and strengthened the assembly with his homily based on the theme, “Sama sa Akong Kasingkasing” (Jeremiah 3:15) He asked the congregation to pray as the song ‘Your Heart Today’ encourages: “Lord, grant me courage; Lord, grant me strength; Grant me compassion that I may be your heart today.” Bishop Galido ended his homily with the powerful message of the song.

After the Mass, the seminarians, who were in ‘camisa de chino‘, guided the visitors to the gym adorned by simple ‘Nipa Huts.’ These ‘Nipa Huts’ which were prepared, designed and decorated by each year level served as ‘Kakanin Stations’ for the people to have ‘merienda.’ The people did not only enjoy the ‘simple merienda‘ served by the seminarians, they must also have enjoyed the utter simplicity and uniqueness of the food stations: ‘Kotsinta ni Pedro‘ of the Theology-One seminarians; ‘Biko ni Juan‘ of the Theology-Two seminarians; ‘Kiko’s Best‘ of the Theology-Three seminarians; and ‘Suman ni Tomas‘ of the Theology-Four seminarians. The ambiance brought about a kind of delight that was truly Filipino. It was something ready to be unleashed in everyone’s heart. When everyone was already finished of the ‘merienda time.’ the people were divided into three groups: adults, youth, and kids. Each of the group went to an assigned area where they were to be given the opportunity to listen to special talks by chosen speakers and enjoy the company of one another.

After the short talk, everyone went back to the gym and proceeded to the food station assigned to them. Together with the priests and seminarians, our visitors shared food, conversations, and laughters, while being entertained by presentations from some communities. That moment created a noise of joy and sharing. It was in itself a depiction of people sharing love during ‘Fiesta sa Nayon‘ through foods, jokes, conversations, music, songs, and dances. After a little while, old and young ones conquered the floor with the ‘Cha-cha Dance’ motivated by the ‘Lolas’ who presented on stage.

The Socio-Cultural Ministry of REMASE, under the supervision of Msgr. Abel C. Apigo, our good rector and Fr. Marbendear Morallas, our pastoral director, signaled the start of the program proper showcasing the talents of the seminarians in acting, singing, dancing, and playing of instruments. The seminarians portrayed the ‘BUHAY GKK’ flavored with our own traditional dances, depicting the common poor Filipino livelihood; the way of courting, depicting the traditional manner which is ‘Harana’ with ‘Balak’; regional songs, showing the sense of unity in diversity. It was wonderful and interesting to hear the Ilonggo’s ‘Bal-an mo lang Tani’, Antique’s ‘Ma-uli na ako sa Antique’, Surigao’s ‘Surigaonon’, Zamboanga’s ‘Chavacano’ and Cebu’s ‘Mitulo na’. It was the part one. The part two was another series of presentations coming from the GKK, centers, and parish communities. At the last part of the program was the finale. Though short, it was a grand parade of some Philippine Festivals: ‘Moriones festival’ of Theology One, ‘Pahiyas’ of Theology Two, and ‘Sinulog’ of Theology Three.

Though the celebration was captured by ‘Fiesta sa Nayon’; the very heart of that day was no one else but OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST- THE GOOD SHEPHERD whom, according to Bishop Galido, we are to pattern our act of loving and serving. It was a long day but a joyful, strengthening, and enriching one. (Sem. Bernie Edayan)