Webmaster:Mâ Bleelá
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HIGH-TECH ELECTION! The election this morning, July 20, 2010, for the fourth Provincial consultor was something of a record. For the first time in the province (and possibly in the entire congregation), the members elected a consultor without them gathering together in one place. The usual, regular election is done during a provincial council. But because one consultor resigned from his position barely a year after he was elected, the Province has to elect a new one to fill in the vacancy. Considering the huge financial expense if all of them will gather together just to elect a consultor, it was decided then to try to use modern technology to achieve the goal. And so the Passionists in the South were asked to gather together in Calumpang, General Santos City, while the Passionists in the North were simultaneously gathered also in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. With the aid of Skype technology, they were able to connect to each other – audio visually – through the internet and thus proceeded to elect a new consultor. Amazing! And congratulations goes to Rev. Fr. Manny Gellez, CP for becoming the first recipient of “hi-tech” election. DEO GRATIAS! BLESSING OF THE NEWLY-RENOVATED PBS The simple but meaningful affair, last July 20, 2010, began with a 6:30 AM Eucharistic celebration, aptly presided by Fr. Evan Esmade, CP himself, who is the current director of the Passionist Benefactors Society. Assisting him in the mass was the superior of the house and the same time parish priest of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Fr. Ramon Ramos, CP. Right after the mass, Fr. Ramon invited all the churchgoers to proceed to the newly redesigned Passionist Benefactors Society’s office (which is located just across the street), to join the Passionists in inaugurating it. Many Passionist priests, including the Provincial, Fr. Lito Villarente, CP, were there for the blessing. In a brief comment before the final prayer, Fr. Evan commented that it was a dream come true for him and for the community. Expressing his thanks to all the people present who have been so supportive in his works, Fr. Evan wished that this newly renovated office would provide a more comfortable ambiance for all those who come and visit it and would be able to help the people in their spiritual needs. DEO GRATIAS! SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS! Time flies! Indeed, it seemed only yesterday when these two fine men were ordained priests at the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Sun Valley, Parañaque. PASSIONIST ASIAN/PACIFIC CONFIGURATION (PASPAC) 
The PASPAC Novitiate is now in full swing at St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate in Glen Osmond, Australia. The novices are Peter (extreme left, back row) and then (front row L-R) Thomas, Matthew, Joseph, Vincent and Peter (extreme right). The six young novices- three from Vietnam and three from China- are now vested with the Passionist habit. Prior to their coming to Australia, the six had spent six months in the Philippines, taking up basic English. To take care of their formation are Fr. Willy Estraza, CP (director of Novices) from the Philippines (who is expected to arrive sometime after Easter 2010) and Fr. Tommy, CP (second from left, back row) from India as assistant director. In the meantime, while Fr. Willy is still away, Bro. Larry Finn, CP (extreme right, back row) serves as the acting director.
THE GRADUATES... CONGRATULATIONS!!! We congratulate our fourth year theology students Raner Lucila, Jeffty Mendez, CP and Jovanni Abad, CP for passing the two most important requirements prior to graduation, namely, AD AUDS and COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS. The former (which is the practicum for the sacrament of reconciliation) was done towards the end of 2009 while the latter (which covers all the subjects taken from day one) was just held a couple of weeks ago. Raner is a diocesan seminarian from the Diocese of Sorsogon but who has been staying with the Passionists for the past two years while finishing his theology at Loyola School of Theology. The other two are Passionists who are now about to wind up their studies, too and pretty soon will begin a full blown ministry. DEO GRATIAS! The northern Philippine Passionist communities of priests, brothers, sisters and seminarians, together with their lay collaborators – confraternity of the passion, Passionist youth, parish staffs, and house employees – have come together to celebrate the titular feast of the Passionist Congregation. Done every Friday before Ash Wednesday, this annual gathering has always been looked forward to as a wonderful moment of oneness among the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionist Congregation. The said affair began with a Eucharistic celebration (in Phase 8A Chapel in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City), presided by no less than the Provincial, Very Rev. Lito Villarente, CP, with Fr. Deo Sustiguer as the inspiring and inspired homilist. Soon after the mass, a sumptuous meal for the more than three hundred participants followed. Then when everybody had their fill, funny and lively parlor games and presentations from each participating team came next. It was truly entertaining to see both the young and the old sharing their talents and abilities to the enjoyment of all present. Down in Mindanao, the southern Philippine Passionist communities, together with their lay collaborators, have their joyous gathering too at St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate, in Lagao, General Santos City. Joined by a busload of students and teachers from Notre Dame of Surala, the Passionist priests, brothers and sisters and lay associates started the day with Stations of the Cross, followed by a holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Louie Fuentespina, one of the Provincial consultors. And then, as usual, “human sa misa, lamesa” (literally, it means, after the mass (misa) follows right away the table (lamesa) which obviously refers to the banquet. Delicious food was all over the place, too! After lunch, the ever jolly Fr. Mar Varquez animated the group with the assistance of the Passionist youth. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to ballgames.
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