KAKATHA NEWS 2014: First Hagonoeño Seminary Rector presides over Ash Wednesday Mass

KAKATHA NEWS EVENTS 2014

Dated: March 5, 2014

Msgr. Fernando Garcia Gutierrez, H.P. (Sto. Niño) was the first Rector of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) and assured its establishment when it was founded in 1983. In this celebration of the Ash Wednesday mass in the seminary, he has come back to the seminary after 20 years. (Photo courtesy: Sem. John Albert V. Absalon, for Educational Affairs Committee - Graduate School of Theology, Immaculate Conception Major Seminary)

GUIGUINTO, BULACAN - During his 6-month vacation in the country, Rev. Msgr. Fernando Garcia Gutierrez, H.P. (Sto. Niño) was invited by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel I. Cruz, the fifth Rector of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS), the seminary of the Diocese of Malolos in Guiguinto, Bulacan. Msgr. Gutierrez celebrated a mass during Ash Wednesday last March 5 at the Immaculate Conception Theologate Chapel with the whole ICMAS community. As the first Rector of ICMAS, Msgr. Fer had the leading role in providing formation for the seminarians present during the initial stages of the seminary. During his narrations, he mentioned a great deal of the hard work made for the establishment of the Institute of Formation in 1983, followed by the College Department the following year and the Graduate School of Theology in 1987. During all these times, Fr. Cruz mentioned how important Msgr. Gutierrez's role was for the firm establishment of these departments of the seminary.

    During his homily, Msgr. Gutierrez reminded the seminarians and the community of the value of sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom of God. He said that there was a need for us to be "covered in ashes ourselves" for which shall feel how itchy it would be and by then allow us to understand the value of patience, suffering and endurance amidst the temptations of the world. Further, he also mentioned the value of obedience and respect shown by the experience he had as a formator in the seminary. He told the community that his dream was for the institution to truly form priest who are ready to serve and love the people as they have vowed to love Christ. By coming to the seminary after 20 years, he felt that his life has come into a "full circle" as he has returned to this place, which for him he considered as the "crowning glory of his priestly ministry."

   During his thanksgiving message for Msgr. Gutierrez, Fr. Cruz said that this was not only a significant event for him but for the seminary as well. This was because, by his return, the life of the seminary has also come to a full circle as it remembers the years of the seminary's existence and the legacy that has been put up in order to continue forming priests for the Diocese of Malolos and other neighboring areas. He said he would not forget how much Msgr. Gutierrez has given himself for the formation of seminarians. He remembered how obedient he became, especially to the Most Rev. Cirilo R. Almario, Jr., D.D., then Bishop of Malolos and founder of ICMAS. His dedication and perseverance for the establishment of the seminary is not to be forgotten, he said.

Msgr. Gutierrez together with seminarians of the town of Hagonoy, Bulacan, his beloved home town, taken after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. (Photo Courtesy: Sem. John Albert V. Absalon, for Educational Affairs Committee - Graduate School of Theology, Immaculate Conception Major Seminary)

   Msgr. Gutierrez plans to continue coming back to the seminary during his annual 6-month vacation. He has been invited to continue giving talks on pastoral management that shall help the seminarians of today to be enriched in skills for the priestly ministry. KAKATHA News Admin.

KAKATHA NEWS 2014: Hagonoeño inaugurated new Multi-purpose House in Hagonoy

KAKATHA NEWS EVENTS 2014

Dated: March 1, 2014

Msgr. Vengco together with Sem. Kendrick Ivan B. Panganiban of the Catholic Hagonoeño
Social Communications Group at the front of the Casita de San Jose, his prime project
for the benefit of the catechists and the homeless in his home barrio of San Jose, Hagonoy,
Bulacan. 

HAGONOY, BULACAN - Last March 1, Saturday, Rev. Msgr. Sabino Azurin Vengco, Jr., H.P. (San Jose), KAKATHA General Consultant came to his home barrio of San Jose in Hagonoy for the opening of a new three-storey building which he has named as Casita de San Jose (Little House of St. Joseph). This house, brought out of the initiative of Msgr. Vengco for the formation of catechists and lay people in the National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne, ordered for the construction of the building since late 2013. Financed by his personal funds, Msgr. Vengco said that we wanted for this edifice to be "a sign and inspiration for the initiative of priests, especially those from Hagonoy to contribute from their own pockets for the good of the faithful in our town."

Msgr. Vengco with a happy smile while delivering his homily during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at Casita de San Jose.

   With several beneficiaries and guests present, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated at the ground floor of the casita at 10 in the morning presided over by Msgr. Vengco. During his homily, he reiterated the need for volunteerism among the faithful, especially to priests who should offer themselves for the love of the Church. After the mass, Msgr. Vengco together with the congregation inaugurated the new house where they ventured from below towards the rooftop deck. When they returned to the lobby, Msgr. Vengco presided over the prayer to Blessed Virgin Mary followed by advanced birthday greetings for his 72nd year come March 9.

Msgr. Vengco presided over the veneration for the Blessed Mother with the singing of the Salve Regina 

   As the building is now fully operational, it shall house tenants whenever needed for low-cost payment, especially to those who do not have a permanent home. This also has facilities for talks and meetings for different church-mandated organizations such as the catechists among others. Mr. Jose Paulo V. Espinosa, a former seminarian and Msgr. Vengco's nephew shall administer to the needs of the casita. According to him, it is in the spirit of Msgr. Vengco's dream to help the less fortunate, that despite the immensity of the work, this initiative is an apostolate to be done and continued.

   Following a legacy of inspiration from previous Hagonoeño priests, Msgr. Vengco has given what he has for the good of the faithful. With this, he has joined priest like Rev. Msgr. Jose Bernabe Aguinaldo, P.A. (San Pascual), the first Rector of the National Shrine of St. Anne, who donated all his possessions for the creation of the Msgr. Jose B. Aguinaldo Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of the catechists and seminarians of Hagonoy and Rev. Fr. Tirso Tiongson Tomacruz (San Sebastian) who also created a trust fund for the education of future priests from Hagonoy. Truly, this has been a sign of good faith that the contributions of Hagonoeño priests continue to benefit the faithful of the town of Hagonoy. KAKATHA News Admin.

KAKATHA NEWS 2014: KAKATHA members gathered for special assembly at Quezon City

KAKATHA NEWS EVENTS 2014

Dated: February 18, 2014

   QUEZON CITY - Last February 18, the Kapatiran ng Kapariang Taga-Hagonoy, Inc. (KAKATHA) scheduled its special general assembly at Dad's-Saisaki-Kamayan in West Ave., Quezon City. The event was headed by Rev. Fr. Anacleto Clemente Ignacio (Sto. Niño), the current Acting President of KAKATHA together with the officers of the brotherhood. Rev. Msgr. Ranilo Santos Trillana, P.C. (Sta. Monica), President-on-leave was able to come despite his ailment for which he is currently under the process of recovery. Among the other members who attended were: Rev. Msgr. Sabino Azurin Vengco, Jr., H.P. (San Jose), KAKATHA General Consultant; Rev. Fr. Vicente Burayag Lina, Jr. (Sto. Niño), KAKATHA Consultant, Rev. Fr. Rolando Reyes Atienza, (Sagrada Familia) KAKATHA Secretary, Rev. Fr. Virgilio Mangahas Cruz (San Jose), KAKATHA Treasurer and Rev. Fr. Marcelino Nicolas Tiongson, C.R.S. (Sto. Niño). Also among those who attended were the pastors of the National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne in Hagonoy where the Libingang Bantayog of KAKATHA is seated, Rev. Msgr. Luciano C. Balagtas, P.C. and Rev. Fr. John Michael G. dela Cruz, Parish Priest and Rector and Parochial Vicar respectively.

Rev. Fr. Marcelino Nicolas Tiongson (Sto. Niño) of the Clerks Regular of Somasca has been re-appointed by the KAKATHA General Council as Coordinator for the Religious.

   During the discussion, the points of the agenda prepared by the Office of the Secretary were taken up like the creation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the brotherhood and the National Shrine of St. Anne for the renovation of the Libingang Bantayag. Among the renovations mentioned were the additional slot at the left of the memorial to be occupied as an extension as well as the addition of a second floor which will serve as a museum for both the priests of Hagonoy and the precious treasures presently stored at the shrine's antiques room at the right side of the sanctuary. Also included are the indictment of officers wherein the four priest-officers shall formally perform there duties with an irregular term based on the stability of the group during their term. A third topic was the election of representatives for priest-brothers outside the Diocese of Malolos and among the religious. It was here that Fr. Tiongson was once again re-appointed by the officers as Coordinator for the Religious. Lastly, the fourth topic on the care for the elderly and sick priests was also tackled and it is to be referred to the Eucharistic Heart Foundation, Inc. under Msgr. Trillana.

   In order to re-stress the necessity for the unity of the brotherhood, the officers have planned to set meetings to the various groups of the brotherhood before re-convoking another assembly. On March, Fr. Ignacio has planned to call all the KAKATHA members in the Diocese of Malolos for a special meeting on the monthly priests' recollection come March of this year. After this, the Office of the Secretary shall conduct calls to priests from other dioceses and congregations to assure their cooperation on the different projects laid for the brotherhood in its efforts to achieve continuity. KAKATHA New Admin

KAKATHA NEWS 2014: UST's Hagonoeño Rector gives philosophical symposium in Diocesan Seminary

KAKATHA NEWS EVENTS 2014

Dated: February 2, 2014

Administrator's Note: This work was contributed by Sem. Justine Cedric C. Espinosa, one of the Hagonoeño seminarians currently being formed at the Philosophy Department of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

Rev. Fr. Herminio Victoria Dagohoy, O.P., M.A., Ph.D. (Sta. Elena), the Rector Magnificus of the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila gave a symposium on Philosophy and the New Evangelization at the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary (ICMAS) in Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan. He is joined by (from Left) Rev. Fr. Emmanuel I. Cruz, S.Th.D., Rector of ICMAS, Rev. Fr. Jose Adriand Emmanuel L. Layug, M.A. (Theo.), M.A. (Philo), Dean of Studies of the Philosophy Department of ICMAS and Sem. Jan Brian S. Samson, Chairman of the Educational Affairs Committee of the Philosophy Department. (Photo
Courtesy: Sem. Angelo Paulo O. Chico, Immaculate Conception Major Seminary)

“The joy of The gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 1)

Fr. Dagohoy during his symposium
entitled, "The Role of Philosophy
in the New Evangelization" given
last February 1, 2014 at the
Immaculate Conception Major
Seminary in Bulacan. (Photo
Courtesy: Sem. Angelo Paulo
O. Chico, Immaculate Conception
Major Seminary)

   Pope Francis' prologue in his new Apostolic Exhortation gave us a concrete and clear picture of the real meaning of the New Evangelization. The immensity of the challenges to the Church in this exhortation really callas for the participation, not only of the ordained ministers of the Church, but also for the lay people who are much more in terms of number.

   This is why the seminary has envisioned of seeing the light of the New Evangelization by means of this academic year's annual celebration of SEGULLAH. SEGULLAH (meaning “Apple of God's Eye) is a lecture series aimed at educating seminarians and lay people alike towards various topics on both the fields of philosophy and theology. This year, on the February 1, 2014, the College Department had this morning lecture on philosophy with a theme that fitted to this vision: “Philosophy and the New Evangelization.” It was a joy to find out that the speaker for that morning lecture was Rev. Fr. Herminio Victoria Dagohoy, O.P., M.A., Ph.D., a native of Sta. Elena, Hagonoy, Bulacan and is the incumbent Rector Magnificus of the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Fr. Dagohoy's topic was “The Role of Philosophy in the New Evangelization.” He started his lecture by giving the importance of relation between philosophy and theology. He said that according to John Caputo, a philosopher in our time, the important word in phrase fides et ratio or faith and reason is the word “and”. This is because it expresses the deep relationship between the two words – Philosophy AND Theology.

   He also focused his lecture on how to be an effective evangelizer in today's post-modern and technological society. He gave us three elements to reflect on. First was Religious Language. He gave the Black Nazarene devotion as an example. He said, “May language yung mga deboto, kapag sinabing otso, alam na nila yung gagawin sa lubid kaya kapag hindi ka deboto at sumama ka sa prusisyon, hindi mo sila maiintindihan.” (The devotees have a language [of their own], wherein if they say otso, they already know what to do with the rope, so if you are not a devotee and you joined them, you will not be able to understand them.) He said that to be a good evangelizer we must know the language of the people. Second, was Social Imagination, which was our goal to put into a reality in society. He even said, “Iyang New Evangelization, magiging utopic idea iyan. Magiging dalawa ang mundo mo.” (New Evangelization would become like a utopic idea. There will be two worlds [for you to be in.]) Third, he said that the last element is the knowledge accumulated by Visitng Sacred Places. He said that “Places where faith is vibrant and alive are those places with a rich narrative of faith experience.” He followed this stating that, “Ang seminaryo ay nagiging importanteng lugar sa inyo dahil sa mga 'memorable stories' ninyo dito.” (The seminary becomes an important place for you because of the memorable stories you had here.) What he wanted to tell us was that we were to preach to the people of how we experienced God in the different places, especially those that are sacred.

   In the end, Fr. Dagohoy finally answered the question, “Can philosophy be a means to share the faith?” He said,” Frankly, no, but considerately, yes... No, because human reason cannot attain the divine reality of God, but considerately yes because we can attract people because of our reasonable faith.” KAKATHA News Admin.