UPDATE ON THE FRATERNITY FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST

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1. Three brothers have expressed their desire to study Philosophy and Theology in Mindanao. The brothers are: Br. Jose Raul Rico,OFMCap., Br. Francisco Atienza,OFMCap and Br. Paul Vincent Perlado, OFMCap. The brothers wish to study in the Theological College of the Redemptorists where the brothers of the TOR are presently studying. The OFMs are planning to send their brothers there next year to study theology. They wanted to do it this year but they could not find a place to stay at present. According to the TOR brothers, the school only requires of college graduates 15 to 20 units in Philosophy. Another even mentioned that as long as they have the basic subjects of Philosophy, the brothers can already take theology. Many religious congregations prefer the Redemptorist theology college over REMASE. It is an international school and many foreigners are presently enrolled in it. It could be an alternative also for brothers from China and Malaysia. I am also considering to continue my studies in Philosophy and Theology there and join the brothers if they would be permitted to study there.

2. Last July 21, 2011, the brothers showed their support to Br. Renante Sasi,OFMCap by attending in full force the Pinning Ceremony in Br. Renante´s Nursing course. Brs. Larry and Nanding were the only ones admitted inside the Marco Polo Hotel while the PN2s and PN4s waited outside. They had Franciscan joy later in the evening.

3. By July 22, 2011, the brothers of Padre Pio Fraternity were again complete and it allowed us to start with some classes.

4. We already finished discussing the 6th and 7th CPO; Chap 3 of the Constitution – The Brothers´ Life of Prayer; and Chapter 8 of the Constitution – The Government of our Fraternity.

5. The brothers have completed and submitted their reflections on the 6th and 7th CPOs and on their respective experiences in Nuing (Franz), Caburan (Jeamboy and Paul), the Medical Mission (Dennis and Jeff) and the IP Ministry course (Jojo).

6. The brothers started celebrating the Liturgy of the Word which is scheduled every Thursday evening. They are very religious with the community prayers, devotional prayers, rosary and with the meditations. They are very enthusiastic with house chores and ground works. Fraternity life is light and joyful.

7. We cleaned a portion of our friary alongside the creek where non-biodegradable garbage was previously thrown. After cleaning the dump, the brothers created a small compost pit and we created a makeshift incinerator (a cyclone wire propped up by stones) where we burn non-biodegradable products. So far we are able to segregate and properly dispose the garbage since we made the changes.

8. The brothers also modified their marketing. We now ask the packaging clerk to use boxes instead of plastics in packing the goods we bought. We now also buy products in big containers (e.g. cooking oil in large cans instead in small plastic containers) and stock them for longer use thereby lessening the number of non-biodegradable or non-recyclable containers we acquire. The recyclable products are being collected in one place to be later sold in junk shops.

9. We plan to create a vegetable garden soon with plans for crop rotation. We have the seeds already.

10. Brs. Jeamboy and Paul had remedial classes in shelter building since they were in Caburan during the class. The PN4 brothers also watched some slides about water purification and basic fire building techniques.

11. We also harvested the coconuts for the month of August and the brothers took the task of gathering the coconuts which lessened the expense of harvesting them. They are now removing the coconut meat themselves.

12. Last August 6 to 8, 2011 the PN4 brothers and I joined Fr. Larry on a trip to GenSan. We celebrated mass at the Poor Clares in Polomolok and also conducted a Vocation Search-in at Baluan on Sunday. In the evening we went to the beach for a much needed break.

13. We had two occasions of gathering with and interacting with the TORs, Capuchinas, SFIC and SFOs – August 2: Portiuncula and August 11: St. Clare. Further inter-franciscan gatherings are being planned for September 17, September 23, October 3 and October 4. Although the brothers will not be able to join the peace Rally on Oct 17,2011, we are assisting them in the preparation.

14. Brother Jeamboy went to Caburan last August 10 to assist in the Parish preparation for the fiesta on August 15. He will return to Davao on the 16th.

15. The brothers will go to Caburan on the 13th to the 16th to attend the fiesta. We will go there together with the GenSan Fraternity and Fr. Francis Mesina,OFMCap.

16. The medical mission in Caburan was postponed for a later date due to the fiesta preparations and activities but we were able to secure a schedule with Fr. Ricardo Rara, OFMCap to conduct medical missions at Kiapo and Bulawin from August 19 to 25.

17. We are planning to attend the Installation of Fr. Francis Mesina,OFMCap. at Titay on the 28th of August.

18. The brothers have a very hectic schedule but so far, all are in good health and in high spirits.

jmdjofmcap
Guardian

UPDATE ON PADRE PIO FRATERNITY – DAVAO FOR THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY 2011

As a whole, the fraternity is in good morale. The brothers have generally settled well in their new environment. All are in good health and good spirits.

Br. Hilario Kapitbahay, OFMCap is actively performing his role as vocation animator of Davao. His regular weekly schedule is to celebrated masses and stay in the Fraternity from Sundays to Tuesdays. On Wednesdays to Saturdays he roams around Mindanao doing Vocation Promotion. He is presently working in the Marbel area. He plans to make a vocation search-in at Baluan on August 6-7, 2011 and also on August 20-21, 2011. The brothers will be assisting him in this endeavor.

Br. Renante Sasi, OFMCap is doing well in his Nursing course and has just finished attending their pinning/capping ceremonies which was held at Marco Polo Hotel last July 21, 2011. The brothers came in full force but only Br. Hilario Kapitbahay, OFMCap and Br. Eligio Landingin, OFMCap where permitted to enter the auditorium since each candidate for pinning/capping were allotted only two tickets. After the ceremony, the brothers celebrated Franciscan Joy at Sotokil Eat All You Can. 

The PN4 brothers are also happy and appear contented up to this time.

Activities that transpired from June to July 2011:

June 14 – Arrival of the PN4s at Davao. We had our First Local Chapter with them in the evening (horarium, chores, assigned responsibilities)

June 16 – Brs. Jose Eduardo Mayo and Paul Perlado left for Caburan to assist in the recollection of the Catechists and to help in the computer modernization of the Parish.

June 17 – I gave a lecture on the basic principles of survival with some Franciscan overtones

June 18 – Each brother was encouraged to look for their personal `quiet spot´ in the friary

June 19 – Birthday of Br. Jose Raul Rico. We had an evening dinner at `Sutokil´ ( eat all you can)

June 20 – Practicum on Shelter building. Overnight stay in the shelters was postponed due to a strong thunder storm.

June 21 – I went on a trip to Manila with Fr. Larry to attend the first PCF meeting.

June 22 – While I was in Luzon, the brothers sorted out the medicines and equipments for the Medical Mission.

June 25 – I returned to Davao and gave the brothers a lecture on the taking of vital signs and other basic medical procedures.

June 27 – Fr. Larry left for General Santos (Marbel) to do some `vocation fishing´.

June 28 – Br. Francisco Atienza accompanied Fr. Ricardo Rara to Nuing. We started buying our supplies for the Medical Mission.

June 28 to 30 – Preparation for the medical mission. The PN4s and I contented ourselves with the use of the Multicab in going to Parish church for mass. On June 30 the brake system of the Multicab had to be fixed so we hiked our way to church. We just considered the hike as a preparation for the medical mission. Fr. Larry later noted the unreliability of the L-300 in long travels, he did not specify the problem but he felt a little unsure of his safety while travelling in it on long distances. The tires of the L-300 also needed to be replaced.

July 2 to 7 – Three-day Medical Mission in Alpidas, Buguis and Kabalisan. Each day we tried to combine Prayer and Apostolate. We had an opportunity to burn some calories when we hiked our way to Kabalisan in full medical and camping gears.

July 9 – Delayed celebration of Br. Dennis Jose´s birthday at Forest Hill Resort. He spent his birthday in Kabalisan during the Medical Mission (June 5). We also celebrated there the birthday of Ate Ailyn, one of our staff in Davao.

July 10 – Br. Raul Rico attended the IP Ministry Course at the Benedictine Retreat House, Ulas together with Br. Eligio Landingin and the PN2s. This will serve as their substitute `Introduction to apostolate with the indigenous people of Mindanao´ since the IRD Program of the OFMs will not be held this year due to financial constraints.

July 12 – I left for Luzon to have a 1 week vacation. Gave the PN4s assignment to reflect on CPOs 6 and 7. They are to submit reflection papers on the said CPOs on July 23. I plan to discuss the CPOs with them on that date and also start on giving them inputs on Prayer (vocal, meditative and contemplative). Fr. Larry accepted the role of giving the PN4s lecture on the sacraments and scriptures. Br. Renante Sasi will be giving the PN4s lectures on basic health care. I have likewise asked the brothers to make reflection papers on their experiences in Caburan (Jeamboy and Paul), Nuing (Franz), IP Ministry Course (Jojo) and Medical Mission (Dennis and Jeff).

Brs. Jose Eduardo Mayo and Paul Perlado are expected to return to the friary of Davao on July 19 together with Fr. Danilo dela Peña and Br. Rolando Datu. Br. Francisco Atienza will be returning to Davao on the same date together with Fr. Ricardo Rara. Br. Jose Raul Rico will return to the friary on July 21 together with Br. Eligio Landingin and the PN2s. I am scheduled to return to the friary on July 22. I scheduled the return on this date in order to attend the Pinning of Br. Renante Sasi in Nursing which was at first scheduled on the evening of the same day. However, in was re-scheduled at the last minute on July 21.

July 22, 2011 – I returned from Luzon and the brothers picked me up in the airport. The fraternity is again complete.

July 23, 2011 – all the PN4  brothers have submitted their reflections and we discussed CPO 6 in the PM. I also showed them some videos on purifying water and fire building, skills that they need to have when they go to the mission areas. We are planning to have another Medical Mission at Caburan before or after August 15, 2011, the feast of the Assumption. We will also assist Br. Danilo dela Peña on the fiesta celebration of Caburan on the same date.  

jmdjofmcap
Guardian