The group of ‘midlifers’ however, met at Yampoy beach house in Lapulapu, Cebu on Oct 5-8, 2009. It was attended by 8 confreres. It was also a time for them to relax and just to enjoy each other’s presence.

The transition group (s), the biggest group among the on-going formation goupings, had their sharing in Intosan Resort, Brgy. Tabok, Danao city on Oct 19 – 21. The transition group actually is divided into two. Transition A is for those who are 6-10 years in the ministry, while Transition B is for those who are in 11-15 years. In the Transition A there were 14 who attended the meeting and 8 in the Transition B.

The yearly gathering of the groups is one of the most enjoyable gatherings among confreres. It is the time when batch mates meet and share what is going on in one’s journey of faith and life in the ministry. They share the ups and downs, joys and struggles in the different fields of ministry as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. No wonder it’s one of the yearly gatherings that confreres look forward to.

Fr. Ric Guieb Penaranda, MSC passed away at the Visayas Community Medical Center, Cebu City in the early morning of October 26, 2009 where he was confined due to complicated condition of his health. Fr. Ric was born on April 3, 1967 in Surigao City, Surigao. His father Senen C. Peñaranda (deceased) who was a local judge and his mother Gloria Guieb were both active in church activities. Fr. Ric was the 5th of the seven children (5 boys and 2 girls). He had his primary education at the San Nicolas College / Surigao City Pilot School and finished High School at San Nicolas College in 1983. He obtained a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology at San Nicolas College, Surigao City in 1988. Fr. Ric joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in May, 1988 as a postulant and professed his temporary vows on June 2, 1990 after undergoing the Novitiate. He had his perpetual profession on June 2, 1994 and had his Diaconate on September 17, 1994 at Sta. Quiteria Parish, Kalookan City. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 5, 1995 by the late Bp. Carlos van den Ouwelant, MSC, DD at Virgen de la Regla Parish, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

After his ordination, he was assigned in Holy Redeemer Parish, Butuan City as parochial vicar. In August 1996 until April 1997 he worked as co-pastor at Bilang-Bilang Parish, Surigao City. He became parish priest of Tubod Parish, Surigao del Norte in April 1997 until January 2002. He took a sabbatical year and stayed at the provincialate in January 2002 to March 2003 while visiting also his family and friends in Surigao. After the sabbatical year he worked as parish priest of Poro Parish, Camotes Islands, Cebu. In May 2008 he was the parochial vicar of Virgen dela Regla Parish, Cebu City until his death.

Fr. Ric will be fondly remembered because of his straightforward and candid ways. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Fr Rudy Abao, MSC was all smiles as he celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his Religious Profession of Vows as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart (MSC) on 14 April 2009 at the Sta. Quiteria Parish in Caloocan City.

The day-long celebration began with a feeding program at 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning at the Parish church. A Mass was celebrated at 6:00 in the evening, with Fr Abao himself as the main presider. His MSC confreres as well priests and bishops from other congregations and dioceses concelebrated with Fr Abao. Fr Tito Maratas, the MSC Provincial Superior, delivered the homily.

After the homily, Fr Abao renewed his religious Vows of Obedience, Chastity and Poverty.

In his thanksgiving speech, Fr Abao thanked God for the grace of perseverance. He said that there is nothing permament in this life except change and the observance of the religious Vows.

After the Mass, the guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Sta. Quiteria Elementary School Covered Court. Among the distinguished guests present was Hon. Teofisto Guingona, Jr., the 13th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The MSC College Formation Center felt blessed and honored for developing its College Aspirants in the quest for Academic Discipline. During the Honors’ Day, three of the MSC Collegians were recognized by the College for achieving academic excellence in the field of Philosophy. These were:

• Estrada, Ritchie Y. 4th year (Rank 25; Gen.Ave.: 1.67)

• Morga, James Briann P. 4th year (Rank 11; Gen.Ave.: 1.49)

• Dacalos, Michael Angelo 2nd year (Rank 7; Gen.Ave.: 1.45)

Fr. Bernard Corpuz, MSC, the Collegiate’s Director, encouraged all the MSC Collegians to persevere in their studies and take their studies seriously so that in the next release of the Dean’s Listers more MSC Collegians will be recognized.

At present there are 39 MSC Collegians in Banawa. There are 36 students taking their bachelor’s degree at the University of San Carlos in the fields of Engineering, Education, Psychology, Political Science, and Philosophy.

There are 2 collegians studying at the University of San Jose-Recoletos taking up AB-Mass Communication and BS-Electrical Engineering. One collegian is taking up his AB-Music at the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation.

Meanwhile, the College also recognized Michael Angelo A. Dacalos, a second year collegian, for winning the Goethe-Institut-sponsored Essay writing contest “Why Learn German?”, which was participated by students from UP-Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of San Carlos.

As a prize, Michael is entitled to a 4-week scholarship grant at any Goethe-Institut in Germany for an intensive language course. This includes: the tuition, airfare, accommodation, and allowance.

The 4-week course will be held on May 04-30, 2009. These are the places where the scholars may avail their grant: Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Schwäbisch Hall.

The essays are available at the Goethe-Institut website.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco presided over the solemn Mass. Thirteen MSC priests, including Fr Tito Maratas Jr. (Provincial Superior of the MSC Philippine Province), concelebrated with the Bishop. Also present were the other members of the Chevalier Family – the MSC Sisters and the Chevalier Lay Associates.

Sr Marjorie Genada, DOLSH

A PASSION FOR CHILDREN
Sr Marjorie Genada, DOLSH, is from Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental. She is the youngest and the only girl from a brood of three. She earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education from Binalbagan Catholic College in Negros Occidental. She joined the DOLSH community in May 1999 and had her First Profession in 2003. Right after profession, she was assigned to teach in Cordova Academy in Cebu for three years. She was also appointed Campus Minister, Guidance Counselor and Religion Coordinator in the same school. From 2006 to 2007 she did her Theological Studies at the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS) in Quezon City. Because of her passion for children, she was sent back to Cebu to pioneer the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Integrated School (OLSHIS), the pre-school of the DOLSH Philippine Region. She was also given the opportunity to work in an orphanage in the African continent. She served at the Holy Family Care Center in Limpopo Province in South Africa from August to October 2008.

Sr Lea Galvan, DOLSH

ALL AROUND TEACHER
Sr Lea Galvan, DOLSH, is the second of four children. She is a native of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. In 1996, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Saint Mary’s University in Nueva Vizcaya. She taught for four years at the San Sebastian School in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija before entering the DOLSH congregation in 2000. She made her First Profession three years later. He first missionary assignment was in Cebu where, together with Sr Marjorie, she taught at Cordova Academy. After a year, she was sent to teach Chemistry and General Science for two years at Chevalier School in Angeles City. After completing her Theological Studies at IFRS, she was assigned as Principal of the Elementary Department in San Sebastian School in Nueva Ecija. Like Sr Marjorie, Sr Lea also had the opportunity to be assigned in Africa. She taught at St. Brendan’s Catholic Secondary School in the Limpopo Province in South Africa.

CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT
In his homily, Bishop Ongtioco challenged Srs Marjorie and Lea to “continue to bear fruit by loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. He wants you to actualize your potentials to the maximum.”

The Bishop also urged the two sisters to “be humble, have a listening heart at all times, be appreciative of what the Lord gives you each day. Be patient and persevering in all your endeavors.”

They sang, danced and played games with the little ones and staged a short drama for them.

The MSC college formands also sponsored the weekly Feeding Program for the kids in the community on that day. In order for the collegians to raise the PHP 2,000.00 needed to feed the kids, they saved money from their weekly food budget.

Formand Michael Dacalos said that the Christmas party in the Soong community was “really joyous and successful surpassing the expectation of the collegians.” To show their appreciation to the MSC collegians, the children presented a dance number for them.

Fourth-year MSC collegians visit the Soong dumpsite community every Saturday for their weekly apostolate.

The MSC college formands distributing food to the kids.

The MSC college formands dancing the "Newspaper Dance" with kids.

To express their gratitude, the kids danced for the MSC college formands.