Our New Manila Archbishop Chito G. Tagle Can Definitely Sing

Source

Thanks to my friend and college classmate Fr. Edu Gariguez for sharing this link showing newly-installed Manila Archbishop Chito G. Tagle singing-- at performance level-- during  the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral Choir's (the Diocesan Choir of Imus, Cavite) first major concert  held  on  December 12,  2009 at  Philamlife Auditorium, Manila.



When I was in San Jose Seminary circa 80s, Archbishop Tagle was our choirmaster. He and his batch mates would sing during seminary events. One of their favorite pieces was "Here and Now" by Jose Mari Chan,   who  recorded the song with  Pol Enriquez and Cynthia Patag.



It goes without saying that Archbishop Tagle  was already comfortable on stage  even before he got ordained.

When a Priest falls ill during Mass

Interior of St. Benedict Chapel. Source

This evening, my family and I went to the Chapel of St. Benedict in Alabang Hills for the 6:30 pm  Sunday mass.   Fr. Dunstan  B. Candol, OSB was the celebrant and everything seemed  all right until after the  second reading, when the  commentator announced that Fr. Olegario  Z. Cammeleran, OSB was  going to continue the celebration as Fr. Dunstan was not feeling well.

A few moments after the commentator made the announcement, I saw Fr. Dunstan being rushed  by  lay ministers out of the church.   He needed immediate medical attention.

Fr. Olegario carried on with the rest of the celebration and asked the congregation for prayers for the recovery of Fr. Dunstan.

When a priest falls ill   during mass, to me it  signals  a number of things.

Priests, both diocesan and religious, need our collective  understanding-- they too get literally sick and tired.  Their  daily schedule could be exhausting-- they wake up early, say their  prayers, celebrate mass and then they go about with their respective duties-- teaching,  officiating the  sacraments, counseling, administering and so on-- until they retire at night after saying their evening prayers.  They also  need rest and recreation--   let us not tire our priests unnecessarily.

We need more priests,  our current crop  will  eventually age and retire-- just like former Manila Archbishop  Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales DD,  who was recently succeeded by Archbishop  Chito B. Tagle DD, STD.  And the formation of priests is a long  and tedious process fraught with sacrifices.  Young seminarians are separated from their families to undergo rigorous spiritual,  academic and social  formation.  They study for numerous  years--  similar to the way  doctors go through medical  school and their specializations.   And this process  entails out-of-pocket  expenses as well.  In this regard,   it is upon us lay members  to  help   seminarians who may need financial assistance.

One  formation house I know that is in dire financial situation is San Jose Seminary in Quezon City.

Tonight, my family and I will include in our prayers  Fr. Dunstan  and all other members of the clergy who are infirmed.


POST SCRIPT. As of October 17, 2011:

Souce: Facebook

Fr. Dunstan B. Candol, OSB passed away at 8:20 pm last night due to cardiac arrest. 

His remains will lie in state at St. Benedict Chapel in Alabang starting tomorrow Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the Holy Mass offered at 11 a.m. On Thursday, his remains will be brought to San Beda Mendiola.

When I  posted in my blog about Fr. Dunstan's falling ill during the 6:30 pm mass yesterday at Saint Benedict Chapel -- I was not aware that his medical condition was that  gravely serious. It was only at 11 pm last night that I received a message from a close friend about Fr. Dunstan's passing away.

We will miss Fr. Dunstan. Please join us in prayer for the eternal repose of his soul.

About Aging Gracefully and Gratefully

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I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email last Wednesday from a San Jose seminarian.  It was about  the forthcoming discussion series organized by  the Lay Institute for Formation and Empowerment (LIFE) at Ateneo Rockwell in  Makati and Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City starting July 5.

One of the topics is about "Aging Gracefully and Gratefully." That looks interesting to me-- not that I am about to become a senior citizen any moment now--  I know that in time, I too will get there.   Good for me to learn ahead.

The other topics  in the series are listed below.  Please take your pick and sign up.  And  please remember to share this with family and friends.

LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
LAY INSTITUTE for FORMATION and EMPOWERMENT (LIFE)

Invites you to
REKINDLING THE FAITH
CHRISTIANITY FOR GROWN-UPS
2011-2012 THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION SERIES

Six evenings of lectures per module
on various topics on the Catholic faith,
in two locations, Ateneo Rockwell (Tuesday evenings)
and Loyola School of Theology, ADMU, QC (Wed evenings)


THE ROCKWELL LECTURE SERIES
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 PM

Heaven’s Sake: Heaven at Stake
Original Sin, Final Judgment, Heaven and Hell:
What They Mean to Us Today
Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
July 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug 2 & 16, 2011

Aging Gracefully and Gratefully
Care for the Aging and the Aged
Msgr. Sabino Vengco
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4 & 11, 2011

Kapuso: Kapatid at Kapamilya
Finding Order in the Midst of Family Challenges
Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ
Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13, 2011

Who Is The Real Mary?
The Evolving Understanding of Mary
from the New Testament to the Present
Dr. Carmen Valdes
Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 2012


THE LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
LECTURE SERIES
Wednesdays 7-9 PM

Turning Points:
Yearning for Greater Meaning
After Life-Changing Events
Dr. Carmen Valdes
July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3 & 10, 2011

“I Will Sing Forever”
A Workshop on Writing Liturgical
Music for Non-Professional Musicians
Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 2011

Kapuso: Kapatid at Kapamilya
Finding Order in the Midst of Family Challenges
Fr. Ted Gonzales
Nov. 9, 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7, 14, 2011

Urbi et Orbi:The Pope’s Message to Our World Today
An Introduction to the Theology of Pope Benedict
Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ &Fr. Victor de Jesus, SJ
Jan 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1 & 8, 2012


FEES: P2,000/module or P400/session
NOTES:
Registration will be on the first class day of each module
Early registration will be accepted in Loyola School of Theology for both
Ateneo Professional Schools, Rockwell and LST, ADMU, QC
INQUIRIES: Grace Oconer
Telefax: 4265967
Cp: 09278431697
Email: marygraceoconer@gmail.com

A Seminary Named After St. Joseph the Worker

Shortly after I posted in my blog   about Bishop Chito G. Tagle, DD, STD,   I remembered  that  today is Labor Day.

San Jose Seminary in Quezon City.  Source

The patron saint of workers  is St. Joseph-- carpenter,  head of the Holy Family and the guardian of the Redeemer. His  feast days are  March 19 (as patron of the Catholic Church)  and   May 1 (as patron of workers).

In Manila, one of the major seminaries is  San Jose-- named after St. Joseph the Worker.  Situated within the campus of Ateneo de Manila, it is the alma mater of several archbishops, bishops-- like  Bishop Chito G. Tagle-- and  priests  from all around the  Philippines.

The current  rector of San Jose Seminary is Fr Silvino "Jun-jun" L.  Borres, S.J.  Recently  he issued a an urgent message. He is appealing to generous individuals to support the seminary, which is now facing financial difficulties.

Please read the message below then share with  those whom you believe can help.  If you wish to donate or make a pledge, you may  reach Fr. Borres, S.J.,  at (632)  426-6091  or via  email:  sjs@admu.edu.ph or visit  http://sanjoseseminary.org/

"Dominus Est": Motto of Bishop Chito G. Tagle, DD, STD

NOTE:  On October 13, 2011--the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima-- the Vatican announced the appointment of Bishop Chito G. Tagle, DD, STD as the new Archbishop of Manila.  

Below is my blog post on May 1, 2011-- the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker, in whose honor San Jose Seminary, the alma mater of now Archbishop Tagle,  was named after. 

Source

The  gospel last Friday  was   from  John 21: 1-14,  about Jesus appearing after His resurrection to the seven disciples.

One line that struck me was  So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

“It is the Lord”  is “Dominus est” in Latin.   This is the motto of Bishop Chito Tagle, DD, STD  (Doctor of Divinity,   Doctor of Sacred Theology)  -- which  I learned  from a  talk he  himself gave recently.

Last Holy Saturday, I had the privilege to listen to Bishop Tagle at St. John Bosco Parish in Makati City. Bishop Tagle  was invited to share his thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI's  book   "Jesus of Nazareth:  Holy Week.” 

That was the first time in years  that I saw Bishop Tagle in person again—though I would occasionally catch him on TV.  He has his  own program, “The Word Exposed” on  Studio 23, ANC and NBN 4.

I first met Bishop Tagle in 1980 when he was about to be ordained priest.  I was then a  first year AB- Pre-Divinity student at San Jose Seminary, which is  situated inside the campus of Ateneo de Manila.

Individually Guided Holy Week Retreat-- April 20 to 24, 2011

The Center for Ignatian Spirituality Philippines (CIS), is  inviting  men and women to  devote 4 days and 4 nights, that is, from dusk of Holy Wednesday to midday of Easter,  to an individually guided retreat-- either at the Sacred Heart  Novitiate in Novaliches or at San Jose Seminary  inside Ateneo de Manila.

From the CIS brochure, this  retreat is...

• based on St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises;

• for those who  long for for a deep encounter with God, and who desire to pray in unity with whole Church as it commemorates the Lord's passion, death and resurrection; 

• a good opportunity to reflect on the past year, to savor concrete life events and to notice the  unique way by which God invites individuals to share in His Paschal Mystery; 
  

• distinct from the usual preached type or retreat, each retreatant is provided a guide whom he/she meets each day to share fruits of prayer according to the prayer  matter suggested.

Program cost is Ph 4,500 inclusive of materials,  board and lodging (spartan room accommodations: no air conditioning units and private bathrooms) .    A non-refundable reservation fee of Ph 1,350 is required upon submission of registration form (please download the form from the CIS website.)

Deadline for registration is on March 20, 2011.

For more information, please contact the Center of Ignatian Spirituality (CIS) Philippines.

www.cisphil.org
email:   cisphil@gmail.com
Tels. :   426-4250/51
Fax  :    426-4250

My Dad's 80th Birthday

Tomorrow, Dec 23 my dad turns 80. That is certainly a lot of years.   So I asked myself, what do I give someone who practically has  everything? I know that I am speaking (and writing it)  out aloud,  but my dad does not  read blogs-- or gets online at all-- at least not yet.  He still moves and looks much younger than his age so he can still learn to be "digital."

When I think of a father,  I think of course of my own  dad,  then the images of St. Joseph and God the Father come to mind.

I happen to have bought  two  statues  of St. Joseph at San Jose Seminary recently.  So tomorrow,  during the lunch party at his favorite restaurant (Original Savory) , we will hand over this statue with our names (my siblings and mine) written at its base.   With it goes our sincerest prayers and  wishes of greater health,  happiness and more years to come.