Manila Archbishop-elect Tagle and Cardinal Rosales lead Cavite diocese jubilee celebrations

The Diocese of Imus will have 121 priests with the ordination of five deacons on Dec. 6, 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar in Imus, Cavite.  This was announced by Cavite Bishop and Manila Archbishop-elect Luis Antonio Tagle during his homily on Nov. 25 opening the jubilee year of the diocese. Attended by 22 bishops, 200 priests and presided by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the Eucharistic celebration gathered a thousand people inside and 600 guests that included former Ambassador to the Vatican Tita de Villa. Papal Nuncio Giussepe Pinto concelebrated.

The ordinandi are Glenn de la Peña, Joseph Mayola, Ryan Serafin Sasis, Mark Anthony Reyes, and Eric Orcullo.  The Diocese of Imus has 64 parishes, 83 religious congregations with 89 male religious and 639 women religious. Among them are the Daughters of St. Dominic in Tagaytay who are holding a Thanksgiving Mass on Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. with Tagle as main celebrant.

No Jubilee without Jesus

“There is no Jubilee without Jesus,” Archbishop Tagle said. “We have to be renewed in Jesus. We will be in one faith during this Jubilee.  Jesus is the Jubilee.  He is our Jubilee today and forever. We are truly children of God: free from poverty, free from sin.”

Archbishop Tagle said, “I can feel that the late Bishop Artemio Casas (first Bishop of Imus) is here with us. His spirit continues to dwell here in this cathedral.”   Teary-eyed, Tagle recalled the bishops of the diocese of who have contributed to its growth: the late Bishop Felix Perez whose nieces and nephews were present during the Jubilee Mass, and Bishop Emeritus Manuel Sobreviñas who officiated the Concelebrated Mass honoring Our Lady of Soledad de Porta Vaga on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. in San Roque Church.

Order of Malta chapel blessed

The chapel of the Order of Malta Philippines along R. Hidalgo in Quiapo was blessed last Oct. 7, feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Cardinal Rosales, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, was main celebrant with the magistral chaplains of the order, namely: Msgr.  Esteban Lo and Fr. Genaro Diwa. The other priests were Fr. Baltazar Obico, superior of the Franciscan Order;  Fr. Andrew Litigo, OFM Cap,  parish priest of Our Lady of the Abandoned; and Fr. Boyd Sulpico, OP.

The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Philermo whose icon was supposed to have been painted by St. John in Ephesus.  The Hospitallier Knights found the icon in the fortress island of Rhodes in the Central Mediterranean where they retreated when they fled  the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Donated altar

The altar which belonged to Doña Macaria Madrigal de Leon was donated by her children Mary de Leon and Joe Vincent de Leon. Doña Macaria was a Dame of Magistral Grace of the Order of Malta.  Also on the altar is a statue of Blessed Fra Gerard, founder of the Order of Malta in Jerusalem in the llth century.

Dr. Leopoldo Lazatin was invested as Knight of Magistral Grace during the event.  Present were the “dames” and “knights” of the order.

Sacerdotal anniversaries

A number of priests are marking their sacerdotal anniversaries in December.

Healing priest Fr. Diwane Cacao will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his ordination on Dec. 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sancti Dei Healing Center in Lopez Village, Los Baños.

Fr. Bridge Casas will celebrate his ninth anniversary on Dec. 21 at the San Carlos Borromeo Parish in Mahatao, Batanes.

Fr. Boyet Concepcion, parish priest of Bustos, Bulacan is inviting friends and parishioners to his 25th anniversary Mass on Dec. 10, l0 a.m.

Joyful Mysteries for Algeria

After praying the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for the intentions of the Philippines today, let us pray  the Joyful Mysteries tomorrow for Algeria  for the repeal of the Ordinance of 2006 that regulates the exercise of religions other than Islam; for the withdrawal of the order to close down churches in Bejala province; for earnest efforts to address the housing shortfall; for people of goodwill to act with justice and mercy towards all; and  for every believer in Christ to follow Him faithfully.

Christmas wishes of children

Trust Bert Torrijos, the indefatigable president and general manager of Jade Vine Restaurant & Executive Inn, to get into the matter of Christmas.  “Christmas is all about making children happy,” he said. “And so it was that the board of Jade Vine put up a bare Christmas tree at the lobby last Nov. 15 when children aged l2 and below who have an accompanying guest receipt of P300 are given a paper Christmas tree leaf where they can write their wishes.

Judges including journalist Jullie Yap Daza will consider creativity and sincerity.  Deadline of hanging wishes on the tree is Dec. 22.  Prizes are P3,000 (first prize); P2,000 (second prize); and gift certificates (third).  Winners will be announced on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m.  For info on gift vouchers, food to go and baked delights, call 524-860l to 05.

Christmas carols

The Chorus Angelicus headed by Francis Halili of Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Sta. Ana will hold a fundraising concert on Dec. 18, 7 p.m., at the Don Bosco Technical College Auditorium.

Titled “One Voice, One Harmony: A Night of Serenades and Carols,” the concert intends to raise funds for the continuous  spiritual formation of members. For tickets, text 09l6-545-l605 or call 564-4203.

Kannawidan Christmas reunion

Ilocanos belonging to the Kannawidan Foundation will gather at a Christmas reunion on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at the North Greenhills Country Club.  President is Lita Marcos-Roque.

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