TOP Mass

This morning, at 6:30am, I celebrated the Third Order of Preachers (TOP) Mass with members of the Confraternity of Diocesan Priests and Seminarians, UST Central Seminary Chapter at the Oratory. After the homily, as the Director of the Confraternity I presided over the rite of admission of one postulant, the vestition of a new novice and the simple/temporary profession of six members of the same confraternity.

It was rather a joyous celebration at the same time exhilarating on my part and Fr. Boy Luanzon, OP, who concelebrated with me, to see these young diocesan seminarians enjoying themselves wearing the religious habit (complete with black cape and cappuce) of our holy and venerable Founder, St. Dominic de Guzman. The other members of the confraternity were also present and witnessed the ceremony.

Before giving the final blessing, Fray Emmanuel Quintos OP (Tuguegarao), the incumbent prior of the confraternity, was effusive in his words of gratitude to everyone for the fraternal support and camaraderie extended to him as prior, and in a most special way to the Director, Fr. Boy, and the members of the council. He also informed the assembly that the date for the election of the new Prior (and perhaps other officials) will be announced soonest. After the Mass, we proceeded to the Seminary refectory for breakfast (fraternal agape).

I hope and pray that each member of the Confraternity will grow more and more in the love of the Lord as they move on in their seminary formation following the footsteps of St. Dominic whose life, ideals and mission they have embraced wholeheartedly in the service of the whole people of God. God bless them...

Bowling encounter

We just came from a bowling tournament at Robinson's Place Ermita, I mean, the four of us - Frs. Ernie, Ching, Boy and myself. Fr. Boy and I lost all three games and the two of us divided the charges since at the start of the third round, it was decided that the group who wins that "deciding" game will not pay. Afterwards we ate lunch at Max's restaurant and enjoyed the food at our hearts' content. After that we returned to UST for a well-deserved rest from the activities.

It was quite an enjoyable day for us as we continually exchanged "bromas" with lots of fun and laughter- haha, even doing it in spanish! And I thank God wholeheartedly for this wonderful day in the company of my brothers.

God thank you... and to my brother-priests, God bless you.

Sins vs Problems

As a priest who occasionally administer the sacrament of reconciliation to our parishioners according to an assigned schedule, I have observed that whenever people come to me to confess their sins, many would bring in their (personal and communal) problems instead of asking forgiveness for their sins. I could see that what they need is, at least, some counsel or advice that could help them resolve present or lingering difficulties. Of course, there are instances where sins are tied with problems and it could be probable that such problems could be the cause why the person commits the sin.

Nonetheless, when the confessee starts to pour out his/her problems in the confessional box, I politely tell them that the proper forum for the resolution of problems is counselling (sessions) and not the sacrament of reconciliation. Subsequently I request them to see a priest-counsellor with whom they could talk to, but before this, I ask them if they have sins to confess. In most cases, they decline and say "no" which means they're just there in need of someone who can help them.

Sins forgiven are proper of sacramental confession in the same way that problems to be resolved are proper of guidance and counselling.

UST Engineering Week 2005

Last tuesday, we started our Engineering Week 2005 celebration. Before we embarked on a joyous and colorful motorcade at the Campus, our first activity was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the UST Sports Complex. I was very happy to see a lot of faculty members and students attending the Mass; moreover, we almost ran out of consecrated hosts during the Holy Communion. Dean Marilyn Mabini was also very happy since the Mass was well attended though a few faculty members did not quite make it because of the morning traffic. Before the final blessing, I as the Regent of the Faculty and Mass celebrant blessed the new image of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the Patron of the Faculty. Unfortunately after the Mass, we were not able to announce the accompaniment of the image to the Engineering lobby since the sound system was accidentally cut when someone, without anyone realizing it, stepped on the cable connections perhaps during the communion. But there were still a number of faculty members and students who accompanied the transfer of the image.

When everyone arrived after the motorcade, each department showed their cheering prowess since according to the organizers, there was a price to be given for the best cheering crowd. The cheering was really fun and colorful with all participants in their respective costumes - strutting and shouting about. After sometime the faculty officials together with the honored guest who gave the keynote speech at the Engineering Conference Hall, Dr. Norberto Viera, the first filipino president and managing director of Texas Instruments, Phils., Inc., cut the ribbon which formally opened the activities with much applause.

After the keynote speech, Dr. Viera and the officials of the Faculty proceeded to take a sumptuous lunch at the adjoining room. The faculty members and non-academic personnel took their lunch at the Physics lab while the students had their lunchbreak supposedly at the ground floor lobby.

The department exhibits which filled the ground and second floors of the building were opened during the whole afternoon, and everyone was busy hopping from one exhibit to another.

The other activities scheduled throughout the whole week up to saturday among which were as follows - treasure hunting, games (both indoor and outdoor), quiz show, a beauty pageant, alternative classes like personality development, MS Excel Programming, martial arts - seminars and conferences, job fairs, musicial presentations like a band concert/contest and the much awaited faculty variety show, engineering party, recognition day for faculty personnel and students, and of course the annual Engineering Alumni Association Homecoming as the culminating event with a Mass on Saturday.

The whole week promises to be a very hectic one with a variety of activities; it is my hope that everyone will enjoy and gain so much from our celebration.

To the UST Faculty of Engineering, congratulations and good luck!
To all engineering alumni homecoming participants, welcome home!

February 1st-friday Mass 2005

This afternoon, I celebrated the first friday mass at the Engineering Building in UST. I was expecting only a handful of students and faculty members to join in since there was no announcement made yesterday. In fact, I was not even sure of celebrating the Holy Eucharist there. At the start of the Mass, I realized I was wrong. Not only were all the members of the One Voice choir present, the pews that were placed in the middle of the quadrangle filled up by both professors and students sitting side by side, I also looked up the building and there were many students and faculty personnel filling up the fascades of the second floor. I thought that moment was a wonderful rare occasion where everyone is in his rightful place, - the members of the Pax Romana preparing the altar and all the things I needed for the mass including assigning a lector, commentator and reader for the Prayers for the Faithful - everything went just perfect - the sound system, the singing of the choir, etc. Engr. Jun Jongko, one of two eucharistic ministers of the faculty also came and assisted me in giving holy communion.

Likewise as we were about to start, the Dean who was present and sitting at the front row showed her apprehension saying the sky was getting a little overcast and it might rain. I reassured her that that will not happen. It surprised me afterwards about why in the world did I give her that assurance? Well, at that moment I just felt confident that God will not permit rain to ruin our Mass celebration. And indeed we were able to finish the Mass without rain.

Thank you Lord for the good day you have given us, and for giving us the Eucharist as a sign of your great love for all of us!