FAREWELL, FR. ANGEL ANTONIO, S.J.!

Dear Friends and Alumni:

It is with deep sorrow and utter shock that we announce to you the passing away of our beloved Seminary Confessor and Spiritual Father, FR. ANGEL S. ANTONIO, S.J. at 12:55 pm today at Maria Reyna Hospital in CDOC. The accident that he had two days ago, apparently missing a step or two at the Admin entrace as he was heading for mass and hitting his head on the pavement, proved too much for him. We still cannot believe he is no longer with us, but we are slowly trying to accept it as part of God's overall plan for him. He is now waked in the Seminary Chapel with wake masses celebrated every night (starting tonight) at 8:00. We cannot announce details of funeral yet, so please standby for further notices.

Fr. Angel was an "angel" in every way to all who have known him. Everyone will remember his utter simplicity, availability, love for life, obedience, fatherliness and humility. In this Year of Priests, perhaps it has deigned God to take Him back to Himself to let people see an example of a holy, simple, and dedicated priest like St. John Vianney, both of whose hearts were configured to that of the Good Shepherd. Farewell, Fr. Tony (as we fondly called him)! We will miss your smile and your laughter, your gentle and consoling presence. Pray for us, too! May you rest in the loving arms of the Blessed Trinity who is to be praised forever and ever. Amen.

SJVTS PASTORAL DAY 2010

To celebrate the whole year's Pastoral Formation Program, the annual Pastoral Day was held today, 21 February. It began with the traditional Misa ng Bayan with Fr. Rector (RRR), presiding it for the last time in Vianney. This was followed by a sharing among groups based on the points presented by Fr. Rector in his homily. Then there was agape at lunch, followed by a funfilled program ending with the SJVTS Community offering a song to the apostolate companions with candle giving at the end. Then there was the traditional Open House during which the visitors were received in the buildings and were served snacks that the seminarians prepared. The theme for this year's celebration is: "Beinte Singko ka Tuig nga Nag-alagad; sa Duha ka Kasingkasing Nagpasalamat; Usa ka Parianong Banay Nagkahigugmaay".

PRESBYTERAL ORDINATION OF JC ANAS - TAGUM

On 12 February 2010, Rev. Julius Cesar Anas was raised to the order of the Presbyterate in Tagum City. Fr. Rector, Fr. Joey Rapadas, Ate V., and Regan attended the affair. A number of alumni, mostly his classmates, were also present. Five other deacons were ordained with him including one Comboni missionary. Dinner reception was held at the pastoral center in his home parish in Carmen, Davao del Norte. Fr. Joey Rapadas remained till the 14th for JC's thanksgiving mass to give the homily on "how tennis changed JC's life"! Joke!

Thanksgiving Mass of Two Verbum Dei Alumni 13 Feb

Two of our alumni from the Verbum Dei missionaries - Noel Campos (the Valedictorian) and Michael Cheong - came back to offer their mass of thanksgiving on 13 February 2010. About a hundred of their friends and companions in their prayer groups attended the affair. Both gave very moving reflections on their journey to the priesthood. After the mass, lunch was shared at the covered court, topped with some dance number and testimonies or messages from their former formators and friends.

VIANNEY'S FIRST BISHOP ON HER SILVER JUBILEE!

It was, I think, the prayer of so many Vianney alumni: to see one of them raised to the rank of EPISKOPOS ("overseer"), shepherd of God's people. And how timely is God's answer to that prayer! On her Silver Jubilee, SJVTS rejoices with the whole Church in the naming of Msgr. Jose Cabantan (Firstfruits) as Bishop-Elect of Malaybalay. Everyone is so delighted with Fr. Joe's being chosen. After all, everyone knows how "episcopabile" he is. Actually, there were already signs that this was coming among which was his being made Vicar-General for Ad Extra Ministries of the Archdiocese of CDO and his winning the Red Car Raffle in August at the Alumni Homecoming. So, as the Abba song goes, "The winner takes it all!" Congratulations Fr. Joe! All the more reason the alumni representatives should come for the formal launching of the Silver Jubilee on 16 March 2010 since Bishop-Elect Joe has agreed to preside over the Eucharistic celebration on that day at 5:30 pm.