Buhay Tahanan Year 44 Volume 1 - Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos by Bryan Creatives Multimedia

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pat na dekada at kalahati na ng Katarungan, Kababaan, at Payak na Pamumuhay ang isinasabuhay ng Tahanan, at sa tagal ng panahong naglalakabay nang sama-sama ang bawat komunidad, walang ni isang saglit sa mga panahong ito na hindi naipadama ng Mabuting Pastol ang Kanyang presensya sa bawat isa. “Panginoon, kanino pa po kami pupunta?” (Juan 6:28). Sa mga katagang ito ni San Pedro natin mainam na umpisahang tanungin ang ating mga sarili bago tayo sumuong sa landas na nais nating tahakin. Sa bawat paglalakbay, nararapat na mayroon tayong patutunguhan upang hindi tayo malihis. Ngunit minsan, kapag tayo ay naglalakbay, nalilimutan natin na mayroon pang higit na mas mahalaga kaysa sa ruta na nais nating daanan o destinasyon na inaasam nating marating, at ito ay walang iba kundi ang “kalakbay.” Sa Tahanan, laging itinatatak sa isipan nang

bawat isa na ang paghuhubog ay hindi laging nakatuon sa paroroonan kundi sa proseso sa pagtahak nito, sapagkat sa proseso kumikilos ang Panginoon upang tayo ay yayaing magbukas, mag-alay, magbigay ng sarili, mabiyak, at mabuo muli. Sa proseso, na mismong bahagi ng ating buhay, tayo ay nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makinig sa tinig ng Diyos na minsa ay sa mga hindi inaasahang pagkakataon nating nakakadaupang-puso. Ito ang karunungan sa napakaraming pagtatasa (evaluation), pagpoproseso (processing), pagtutuwid (feedbacking), at plenaryo (plenary) sa Tahanan. Sa patuloy na pagyakap natin sa prosesong ito habang tayo ay patungo sa iisang landas ay mayroon tayong dakilang Kalakbay, na kahit madalas mang naiisip nating tayo ay nag-iisa sa kabila ng mga tao sa ating paligid, ay may isang kaagapay na kailanman ay hindi nawala – ang Diyos. Ang Presensya ng Diyos sa ating buhaypaglalakbay bilang komunidad na

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B U H AY T A H A N A N EDITOR’S NOTE nagkakaisa sa iisang mithiin ang tema ng sirkulasyon ng Buhay Tahanan sa taong ito. Alam natin na kahit sa kasaysayan ng Buhay Tahanan noong ito ay sinisimulan, ay naging tapat ang lathalain sa kanyang misyon upang maging buhày na daluyan ng komunikasyon, pagkakaisa, at komunyon ng bawat K a-Tahanan. Naisasalin nito ang mensahe ng Mabuting Pastol hindi lamang sa mga naisulat at naipahayag na mga salita, kundi pati sa malalim na pagkilala at pasasalamat sa mga biyayang ibinahagi Niya sa kasaysayan at tradisyon ng Tahanan. Ika nga sa wikang Ingles, “Buhay Tahanan is a vehicle of story, a reminder of embedded tradition, and a bearer of unforgotten history.” Sa panahon ngayon kung saan tayo ay tila nawawalan ng pag-asa buhat ng mga diinaasahang pangyayari sa ating lipunan o simbahan tulad ng pagkalat ng virus (Covid-19) na kumitil at nagpahirap sa maraming tao, o di kaya ay sa nagkakagulong sitwasyon dala ng paparating na Halalan 2022, o sa mga nakadidismayang mga bagay tulad ng malawakang pagkalat ng kasinungalingan (fake news) lalong lalo na sa social media, korapsyon at katiwalian, siraan ng magkabilang panig, kawalang-katarungan, pagiging makasarili, pagkawatak-watak, kahirapan, kahalayan, at ibang pang uri ng kaguluhan na tumatambad sa ating harapan, lagi nawa nating tandaan na kailanman ay hindi nawala ang Diyos sa ating piling. Ito ang sagot sa kabila nang walang katapusang tanong kung nasaan ba ang Diyos sa kabila ng mga pangyayaring nagaganap sa ating buhay. Ito ang biyaya sa dinami-raming kabuktutang ating nakikita at nararanasan. Ito ang dinagmamaliw na Presensya ng Diyos. Sa pamamagitan ng temang ito na siya ring hinango mula sa “community thrust” ng taong 2021-2022, ating sariwain ang mga kaganapan sa Tahanan nang may natatanging pagsasapuso na ang lahat nang ito ay nagmula sa Kanya at muli nating ihahandog

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sa Kanya nang may buong kalayaan, kalooban, kaisipan, paggugunita, kalooban, at konkretong presensya. Sa tulong na rin at gabay ni San Jose, na pinararangalan sa ika150 anibersaryo ng kanyang proklamasyon bilang patron ng pandaigdigang Simbahan, pagpanibaguhin natin sa presensya ng bawat isa ang katotohanan, katarungan, tunay na kalaayan, at pagmamahalan, nang sa gayon, habang ang simbahang Kristiyano ay patuloy na gumugunita sa kanyang ika-500 taon sa bansa (lokal) at sumasailalim sa Synod on Synodality, sa pangunguna ng minamahal na Santo Papa Francisco (pandaigdigan), maging mabunga ang ating paglalakbay nang samasama. Sa pakikinig, pakikipagkomunyon, pakikilahok, at pagmimisyon ay mapapagindapat nating mapalitaw ang kabutihang dala ng Diyos sa ating pag-iiral. Nagpapasalamat ang mga bumubuo ng ministri ng Buhay-Tahanan kasama ang buong komunidad ng TMP (2021-2022) sa lahat nang mga indibidwal at grupo na nagbuhos ng kani-kanilang mga talento, nagsumikap na makapagbahagi ng artikulo, mensahe, at iba pang mga akda, nagpahayag ng kanilang mga malikhaing diwa, at nagpadama ng presensya ng Diyos kahit sa mga simpleng pamamaraang ito. Kung ang Kanyang presensya ang magpapatunay na mayroong pag-asa sa kabila ng mga hirap na ating binabatá, ang hamon sa atin ay kung papaano natin ito madarama at maipadarama ngayon sa bawat isa. Ang kasagutan ay napakasimple lamang – walang iba kundi sa pagmamahal, dahil sa pagmamahal Siya nananahan at nararanasan. Sa pagmamahal naghahari ang Kanyang presensya. Ito ang katotohanang hindi mababali ninuman: sa pagmamahal at pag-iibigan, totoong naroon ang Diyos. “Ubi caritas et amor, Deus tibi est.”

EDITORIAL BITS

Where is

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God?

By Vincent Climacosa

On ordinary days, I experience God’s presence in the kind people that I meet in the streets, in the time spent with friends enjoying a simple conversation, in my community when we share a common goal, and especially in my family when we pray together. I also feel Him in the beauty of creation that sustains my life and leaves me in awe and wonder of the creative Designer. There are days, however, when I can feel God’s presence even more strongly. On those days, no gadget or digital application can cheer me up, and no human being can comfort me in my pain and struggles. On those days, no words can articulate what I am going through, and tears are the only expressions of my heart. And it is on those days that I profoundly feel Him in the quiet silence of my heart. I hear His Assuring Words, and I touch Him in the Holy Eucharist. In the Eucharist, I find a love that is ever waiting, present, and giving of God’s entire being. My lonely and tired heart becomes filled with companionship, peace, comfort, and renewed vigor to face life. In God I feel the warmth of the embrace of someone who not only witnesses my victories but also carries me when I am at my weakest. I gain the strength to stand up in those moments when I am pulled down by regrets, worries, and personal limitations. I am renewed to love even more. And that is what encapsulates God’s presence to me, and in me: Love.

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ng Community thrust sa Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ay isinisilang sa konteksto ng panalangin. Ito ay isang thrust na kung saan kinikilatis ang nakaraan, kasalukuyan at pagpapaubaya sa hinaharap. Hindi maaaring sabihin ninoman na ang isang thrust ay maganda o natatangi sa ibang community thrust dahil sa pagiging katangi tangi ng bawat taon na dumaraan. Ang Taon ng Kaisahan ay isa sa mga ito, baggamat kaya nating tuklasin ang oras at petsa ng pagkasilang nito (sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin sa record ng minutes ng plenary) hindi natin matutukoy kung kailan ito nagtatapos. Ang salitang “KAISAHAN” ay maraming maaaring patungkulang salita tulad ng: pagkakaisa, o ng pagiging isa, pero sa isang ikot ay maaari rin itong madugtungan ng salitang mapagkaisahan, pinagkaisahan, isahan, at tulad ng maaari nating idugtong dito ay isang maganda o pangit na kaugnay. Ang malinaw na nasaksihan ko sa taong ito ay ang kaisahang nagpapakitang tunay na magkaugnay ang langit at lupa. Magkaugnay sa mithiing maglakbay ng sama sama bilang isang komunidad sa pagdarasal, pag-aaral, pakikipamayan, at pagkilos sa loob at labas ng Tahanan. Ipinakita sa atin sa taong ito na lahat tayo ay may kaisahan sa bawat unos na ating kinakaharap mula sa pagputok ng Taal, sa pagkalat na nakapipinsalang COVID-19. Lalong higit ay ang kaisahan sa biyaya, sa pagtanggap at pamamahagi ng mga relief goods, sa pagsasama sama sa gitna

ng panganib upang makapagbigay tulong sa mas higit na nasalanta dala ng pagputok ng bulkan. Sa karanasang kaharapin ang hirap ng Pandemya sa ating mga kanya kanyang Tahanan, ang pagyakap sa unang sabak ng online class ng ikalawang semestre. Ang Kaisahan sa pananalangin ng buong sangkatauhan, ang kaisahan sa pananatili sa bahay, pag-iingat sa kalusugan at pangangatawan, at lalong higit ay ang Kaisahan sa Diyos na siyang mananatili, hindi lilipas at dahilan ng ating pag-iral kung kaya nasasabi nating nariyan. Bagamat natapos ang Taong ito ng Kaisahan na hindi magkakasama ang komunidad sa iisang Tahanan dito sa Tagaytay, pinalalim naman ng taong ito ang panawagan sa bawat isa na maging kaisa ang buong mundo, ang buong sangkatauhan kabahagi ng mas malaking Tahananang ating inaasahang maging, Tahanan ng Diyos sa sangkalupaan. Kung kaya’t sa huli, ang pasasalamat pa rin sa Panginoon, sa Taon ng Kaisahan ang bukang bibig ng ating Tahanan!

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Finding God in the Pandemic (Whole Year Community Reflection: 2020-2021) By: Mat Jason Latorre

here is God in the midst of suffering? This is an existential question that has been raised given the time we live in, and it leads me to pause and reflect on the presence of God. The pandemic has come as a shock to us, and within a short time, it has thoroughly reshaped our attitudes and behavior. Life seems to go on as normal, and yet it is not normal at all. Should I take the jeepney? Can I safely go out for a walk? Should I visit my neighbor or my friend? That cough--could it contain the virus? What of the children’s education? What if I lose my job? Are we going to have a recession? How long will this last? Will we ever get back to normalcy again? Sometimes, the fear is as contagious as the virus itself, sowing confusion and disturbance in the community. In many ways, we have long believed that we are in control of our lives, that we have a cure for every disease, that we can eliminate all the dangers that threaten our sense of security. We have built solid walls to protect us from harm. Now those walls have been broken. We are no longer secure, something in our world is out of our control, and many don’t know where to go or what to do. These are all reminders that we are never in total control of our lives, that we can never eliminate every misfortune or heal every illness. My calling is to be of pastoral presence during the pandemic. While the whole world is struggling to understand what is going on and trying to find God amidst the pandemic, I am finding ways and means to be of pastoral presence during these uncertain times. What is God telling us through the pandemic? He might be whispering to us to

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listen to others or speak a heartening word of encouragement, to offer food or necessities to those who are lacking, or to share our blessings with those who are struggling. A video call or phone call can be very comforting to those who are isolated, encouraging them to communicate if they need anything. Even in times of social distancing, it is possible to safely reach out in mercy and love. God calls me to be a blessing and, most importantly, to provide hope to those who are hopeless. A professor in Pastoral Theology once told us about being companions in the pastoral ministry. The Church must build our world not based on competition, power, control, and accumulation of wealth, but rather by tenderness, compassion, solidarity, and the sharing of resources. In other words, the Church needs to pay more attention to the genuine witnessing of God’s kingdom. God is always present with us in the midst of our mess. Without doubt, His hand is manifested during this pandemic: we are learning to be a Church in innovative and new ways. The crisis has opened doors for us to anticipate what He will do this new year. Humankind needs to pause and reflect, to see and experience God’s presence. With this in mind, I am resolved to sincerely follow my calling of being a non-anxious pastoral presence, whether in a pandemic or not.

Ang Biyaya ng

“PRESENSYA NG DIYOS” (Midyear Community Reflection: 2021-2022) By: Ashpaul Castillo

“Gifted to Give.” This is the theme of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines. This year, the community of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol is gifted by God with the community thrust, “PRESENSYA NG DIYOS.” The current global health crisis brought by COVID-19 made us see the essentials. Gadgets barely sufficed to keep us busy and sane. Orders for everyone to stay home for a prolonged period, however, made us realize the value of relationships once again. Unfortunately, during this time, public celebration of masses was also prohibited together with the public observance of other religious activities. Parishes reached out to the faithful through online platforms, celebrating feasts not with the traditional karakol or processions, but with motorcades that tried to reach even the farthest areas within--and sometimes outside--the parish jurisdiction, so the people would feel that there was still reason to celebrate. Stories have been told how some, even for a brief moment, felt a mysterious presence when the Blessed Sacrament or the image of their patron saint passed in front of their houses. It was a presence that gave them hope, and assured them that their suffering would soon end. It was not the presence of the virus; it was not just anybody’s presence. During that brief moment, what they felt was the presence of God. Presensya ng Diyos is a gift we rarely notice. It is a gift that we often fail to see in each one of us and in every situation. Amid the darkness, the light shines brightly. Darkness will not conquer it. In the midst of these crises, God is present. Look with the eyes of faith and a discerning heart, then see that “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.” (Gerald Manley Hopkins)

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BaliTahanan Community News

Komunidad B ng Tahanan, Hindi Napigil ng Bulkang Taal

andang hapon ng araw ng Linggo, ika-12 ng Enero 2020, ang Bulkang Taal sa Batangas ay sumabog, kung saan ang rehiyon ng CALABARZON maging ang Kalakhang Maynila at iba pang mga probinsya ay kasama sa itinaas na alert level 3 dahil sa pag-aalburoto nito, paglindol, at pagkalat ng mga abo mula sa mismong sentrong krayter ng bulkan. Kasama sa mga naapektuhan ng pagsabog ay ang Komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, na noong araw na iyon ay abala sa pakikipamayan sa iba’t ibang lugar at komunidad sa parokya ng San Rafael sa may Ginhawa, Tagaytay. Sa mga oras rin na iyon ay hindi mabilang na turista at pamilya ang nakasaksi sa hagupit ng kalamidad.

ni Michael Laurence Paglinawan

Kinabukasan ay inumpisahan agad ng mga seminarista ang paglilinis ng paligid ng seminaryo na puno ng putik at makakapal na abo. Inilunsad din ang mga relief operations kung saan naging sentro ng mga donasyon ang Tahanan sa loob ng tatlong linggo. Bagamat kakabukas pa lamang ng bagong semestre sa taong iyon, ipinagpatuloy ng komunidad ng Tahanan ang paghuhubog ng mga seminarista sa paraan ng pagtulong sa mga residenteng apektado ng nasabing kalamidad.

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TMP Community cleaning-up Ashes that covered the roof after the Taal Volcano Eruption.

Unveiling ng Emblem ng “Presensya ng Diyos,” pinasinayaan; mga Lugar sa Tahanan binasbasan ni Vince Caramillo

ilang panawagan sa paghuhubog at sa hamon ng lipunan at simbahan sa kasalukuyang panahon, ang Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ay nagbalangkas ng community thrust at itinalaga ang taong 2021-2022 bilang taon ng “Presensya ng Diyos.” Kaugnay dito ay ang malikhaing paggawa ng emblem o sagisag na sumasalamin sa malalim na pagbuo ng nasabing thrust.

Ginanap ang unveiling ng emblem noong ika-30 ng Setyembre 2021 sa kapilya ng seminaryo na pinasinayaan sa pamamagitan ng pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa sa pangunguna ni Rdo. Padre Percival Sapin kasama si Rdo. Padre Serafin Parcon. Ang nasabing emblem ay produkto ng sining ng komite sa arts na binubuo nina Arthur Santo Domingo, Harvey Luistro, at Roger Barcelona. Ipinakita nila ito sa harap ng komunidad at ipinaliwanag ang bawat simbolo na nakapaloob sa sagisag na ito. Pagkatapos ng misa ay kaagad namang sinundan ito nang pagbabasbas ng bawat sulok ng Tahanan sa pamamagitan ng pag-iinsenso ng mga silid tulugan, hapagkainan, gymnasium, silid aklatan, computer room, sala, grotto, at iba pang bahagi ng Tahanan. Ang nasabing aktibidad ay masasabing napakahalaga sa taong ito ng paghuhubog sapagkat bukod sa nabasbasan ang buong Tahanan ay nabiyayaan din ang komunidad ng nasabing thrust na magsisilbing gabay at inspirasyon na mag-uudyok sa bawat miyembro na pag-ibayuhin ang kanilang tungkulin na pagsunod kay Hesus. Actual Photo during the Unveiling of the Community Thrust Emblem in front of TMP Community last September 30, 2021.

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Tahanan Responds to Covid-19 Pandemic with Faith and Prayer ni Vincent B. Climacosa

ven as the community of the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol joyfully celebrated the ordination of Rev. Fr. Ansley Falame last May 14, 2020, there was also growing distress over news circulating that a certain virus (Novel CoronaVirus – 19) had entered the Philippines. This instilled fear in many Filipinos, particularly in the NCR. The night after the celebration at Tahanan, the community found itself listening in shock as President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the nation concerning the Global Pandemic. He said that over 12 million people living in Metro Manila would not be allowed to travel in and out of the country’s economic and political center from midnight of March 15 until April 14 as the region was placed under community quarantine. With more and more parts of the nation being placed under quarantine, the Tahanan community under the guidance of Fr. Michael Reuben Cron opted to let the seminarians and personnel go home to their

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respective provinces. Initially, it was only meant to be a three-week break. With each passing day, however, the number of Covid-19 infected patients grew, causing fear and alarm to everyone, especially at NCR and other neighboring provinces. The seminarians were only able to come back to the seminary in January 2021. The situation remains difficult for the country in terms of health care and the economy, but the Filipino people endure, holding on to their faith in God. In solidarity with the nation, the seminarians of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol continue to pray and nurture that faith through online platforms in response to the “new normal” brought about by the pandemic.

A Transmission of Grace by Faisal Rey Borja In the surge of COVID-19, the Lord remains faithful to His promise to provide pastors that will take care of His flock. Tahanan is ever grateful for the graces received in these trying times. The abiding love and presence of Jesus assured the community that He will make sure that His presence will be felt through the men He sent on a mission to extend the care and love that people today are longing for. Let us get to know these men who courageously and generously responded to this call to mission. Rev. Fr. King Eleazer V. Penaranda was born on January 6, 1985 in Silang, Cavite. He was ordained to the diaconate on November 4, 2019, at the Holy Spirit Chapel, SVD Seminary, Tagaytay through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D. He received the grace of ordination to the priesthood on February 24, 2020, at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nues. Sra. de Candelaria, Silang. He is presently assigned at the parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Amadeo, Cavite as its Parochial Vicar. Rev. Fr. Romel C. Lagata was born on April 9, 1988 in Sorsogon City. He was ordained to the diaconate on November 4, 2019, at the Holy Spirit Chapel, SVD Seminary, Tagaytay through the laying on of hands

by Most Reverend Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D. He received the grace of ordination to the priesthood on March 2, 2020, at St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Kawit, Cavite. Currently, he is serving as the Parochial Vicar of the Diocesan Shrine and CathedralParish of Our Lady of the Pillar, Imus City. Rev. Fr. Ansley D. Falame was born on January 20, 1992 in Bislig, Surigao Del Sur. He received the grace of ordination to the diaconate on November 4, 2019, at the Holy Spirit Chapel, SVD Seminary, Tagaytay through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D. On March 12, 2021, he received the sacred order to the priesthood at St. Mary Euphrasia Parish, Brgy. Sta. Cruz I, DBB- E, Dasmarinas City. He is now the Parochial Vicar of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nues. Sra. de Candelaria, Silang. Rev. Fr. Wilson B. Bejo Jr. was born on May 4, 1984 in Tabaco City, Albay. He received the grace of ordination to the diaconate on December 16, 2019, at St. John Nepomucene Parish, Bonga, Bacacay, Albay through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Joel Baylon, D.D. On December 10, 2021, he received the sacred order to the priesthood at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish, Legazpi City. He is now the Parochial Vicar of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Bacacay, Albay.

Rev. Fr. Gerald Stephen A. Tuazon was born on November 14, 1982 in Tacloban City. He received the grace of ordination to the diaconate on November 14, 2020 at the Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral-Parish of the Our Lady of Assumption-Ang Mahal nga Patrona sa Maasin, Maasin City through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Precioso Cantillas, SDB, D.D. On May 24, 2021, he received the sacred order to the priesthood. He is now serving as the Parochial Vicar of the Mary Mediatrix of All Grace Parish, Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte of the Diocese of Maasin. Rev. Fr. Aaron C. Llasos was born on November 18, 1987 in Daraga, Albay. He received the grace of ordination to the diaconate on December 10, 2020, at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish, Legazpi City, through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Joel Baylon, D.D. At the same parish, he was ordained as a priest on December 8, 2020. He is now the Parochial Vicar of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Bigaa, Legazpi City. Rev. Fr. Agapito Lagrada was born on February 22, 1988 in Lucbuan, Magsaysay, Palawan. He received the grace of ordination to the diaconate on September 24, 2021 at St. Joseph Cathedral Parish, Taytay, Palawan through the laying on of hands by Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, D.D. He is now assigned at San Isidro Mission Station, Caruray, San Vicente, Palawan.

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Tatlong Makabuluhang Araw ng Setyembre at Oktubre, 2021 ni Arthur Santo Domingo

ka-10 ng Setyembre, 2021 Pormal na binuksan ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ang Buwan ng Paglikha sa pamamagitan ng Pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa sa pangunguna ni Rdo. Pad. Percival Sapin. Matutunghayan sa panahong ito ang mga matitingkad na gawain na may kinalaman sa kalikasan tulad ng patuloy na pagpapayabong ng sariling taniman ng mga gulay (organic gardening) sa loob ng seminaryo. Ang natural na pamamaraan ng pagpapalaki ng halaman ay pinananatili at iniiwasan ang paggamit ng mga synthetic fertilizer. Iniiwasan din ang pagsunog ng anumang uri ng mga basura para mai-recycle at ipagbili pa ang mga ito. Sa pamamagitan ng pagdalo sa mga webinar, aktibo ring nakikipag-ugnayan ang mga seminarista sa mga propesyonal na indibidwal upang payabungin pa ang kanilang kaalaman sa natural farming. Ika-4 ng Oktubre, 2021 Isa sa mga pinahahalagahan ng Tahanan ay ang buhay, kaya naman noong kapistahan ni San Francisco ng Assisi, binasbasan ang mga alagang hayop ng seminaryo--aso, pusa, isda, ibon, at mga kambing. Si San Francisco ay isa sa mga santong labis na nagpahalaga sa kalikasan dahil ito ay biyaya ng Diyos. Ika-10 ng Oktubre, 2021 Sa araw na ito nagwakas ang Buwan ng Paglikha na ipinangunahan ni Rdo. Padre Percival Sapin. Gayunpaman, patuloy pa ring isinasabuhay ng komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ang kanilang natutunan sa pamamagitan ng mga gawaing may kaugnayan sa kalikasan.

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Personnel’s Day Celebrated Twice in 2021 by Jobert Martin Gatmaitan A most important and unique activity at Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol is our celebration of Personnel’s Day. A yearly event, Personnel’s Day aims to acknowledge the contribution of our Kamanggagawa — Susan de

Guzman, Jenny Ambion, Charlie Bacos, Silvestre and Natividad Paguapo, Lydia “Ga” Mondragon, and Fely Tabilisima as our cooks, laundry personnel, helper, and gardeners—to our formation and life as future priests. Through their total giving of themselves in the service of the community, they set examples for us to learn from and imitate. Personnel’s Day is traditionally observed on July 29 (the Feast of St. Martha), but the pandemic caused the 2020 celebrations to be postponed and then finally held on May 1 (Labor Day and

Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker) of the following year, 2021. And because Tahanan’s new rector, Rev. Fr. Percival Sapin, deemed it fitting to restore the traditional date of the observance of the Kamanggagawa’s special day, 2021 saw Personnel’s Day celebrated again on July 29. Personnel’s Day(s) 2021 were truly memorable days. One gesture of observance required the Tahanan personnel to rest for the whole day while the seminarians took over cooking diverse dishes and performed the work of the people they were honoring. A song-and-dance presentation prepared by the SY Brothers was the culminating event of the celebrations. One special highlight of Personnel’s Day 2021 was a sharing of experiences by Tahanan’s beloved Kamangagawa. The most memorable recollection came from Tahanan’s oldest personnel, Silvestre Paguapo known to the community as Tatay Bes. Since the seminary’s beginning in 1971, Tatay Bes was already serving as gardener, helper, and maintenance personnel. He talked about his life and how he gave himself wholeheartedly to Tahanan. Even today Tatay Bes continues to give of himself-a reminder of God’s own untiring generosity to us all. As we continue to respond to His call, God prompts us, with our Kamanggagawa setting the example, to also offer our gift of self. personnel. He talked about his life and how he gave himself wholeheartedly to Tahanan. Even today Tatay Bes continues to give of himself--a reminder of God’s own untiring generosity to us all. As we continue to respond to His call, God prompts us, with our Kamanggagawa setting the example, to also offer our gift of self.

Actual Photo taken during the Personnel’s Day with the TMP Seminarians and TMP Staff.

Simpler 45th Foundation and Benefactor’s Day Celebrations Held in 2020 by Harvey Luistro The first and second days of December are usually some of the busiest days for Tahanan. December 1 is Foundation Day,

and December 2, Benefactor’s Day. The year 2020, however, was different. Because of Covid-19, the customary yearly celebrations were absent. The many lockdowns (from Enhanced Community Quarantine to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) imposed to control the growing number of Covid-19 infections and transmissions limited our movements. We could no longer go out to the places we used to frequent. This was the “new normal.” Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol also imposed its own granular lockdown. Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of visitors was strictly limited unless there were really important or urgent concerns. In the first semester of Formation Year 20202021 (August 2020-December 2020), the seminarians of the main community of Tahanan were instructed to stay in their respective homes for online classes and home formation with the guidance of the seminary formators.

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Because of the local and national restrictions on travel and physical contact, 2020 saw Tahanan commemorating 45th Foundation Day and Benefactor’s Day with a simple Eucharistic Celebration on December 1 officiated by then-Rector Rev. Fr. Michael R. Cron and attended by seminary personnel and Spirituality Year 2020-2021 seminarians. The event was a tribute to Tahanan’s founder, the beloved Most Rev. Felix Paz Perez, D.D., and an expression of gratitude as well to the benefactors who continue to support the seminary even in these trying times.

Installation to the Ministry of Lectorate and Acolytate by Arthur Santo Domingo The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life which involves the proclamation of the Word and the Sacrament. These two essential parts of the Eucharist allow everyone the opportunity to serve God through the Ministries of Lectorate and Acolytate – vital roles in

the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This is particularly significant for the candidates for the priesthood. The formation year of Presensya ng Diyos was truly filled with grace for the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol and for the Church. Last November 17, 2021, Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista presided over the Installation to the Ministry of Lectorate and Acolytate. Installed to the Ministry of Lectorate were two Second Year Theology seminarians - Anthony Bagayas and Arthur Santo Domingo. Installed to the Ministry of Acolyte were five Third Year Theology seminarians - Roger Barcelona, Faisal Rey Borja, Christan Joshua Escarcha, Earl Gabriel Tan, and Michael Laurence Paglinawan, as well as two Fourth Year Theology seminarians - Ashpaul Castillo and Ross Erwin Layugan. A recollection was held prior to the rite. In that recollection, Bishop Emeritus Pedro Arigo pointed out to the candidates that their Installation to the Ministry of Lectorate and Acolytate is the sign that they are steps closer to the Altar and later on will be the one to preside over the Holy Mass. During his homily, Rev. Reynaldo reminded the candidates to be serious in their seminary formation (the way professionals such as doctors take seriously their studies to become experts in their field) and always uphold the mission and identity of Christ so they can become proficient pastors in the future. Truly, God continuously

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pours out His grace on the Church by letting His people partake in this important mission.

Tahanan Celebrates Marian Feasts: Pilar, Soledad and Peñafrancia by Michael Laurence Paglinawan The presence of a mother is essential in the vocation journey of every seminarian. A mother gives light in moments of darkness when frailties emerge. That light is of immense help to one who is responding to God’s call. And that light comes from the Mother of us all, Mary.

special significance and encourages devotion to her as mother. Last October 3 (2021), in celebration of her feast, the community began the 9-day novena. On October 12, a Eurcharistic Celebration was held, presided by Fr. Percival Sapin and concelebrated with Fr. Raffy Parcon. The celebration coincided with the unveiling of Tahanan’s Community Thrust of “Presensya ng Diyos.” November is the month of the Patroness of the Province of Cavite, the Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga. The community celebrates her feast as an expression of gratitude for her unfailing guidance and support every formation year. The seminary chapel is named after the Soledad. To celebrate her feast, last November 9 (2021), the community began the nine days of novenas and masses. Guest celebrants were Fr. George Morales, Fr. Randel Marero, and Bishop Pedro Arigo. On November 1517, a webinar was held on the subject of the Soledad with Fr Virgilio Mendoza giving a detailed history of the growth of the devotion to the Soledad. A Eucharistic Celebration was then held on

Every year, the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol celebrates the feast of each of three particular titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Lady of the Pillar; Our Lady of Solitude (Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga); and Our Lady of Peñafrancia. These titles not only serve a historico-cultural purpose; they also represent the richness of each devotion. Every September, the community commemorates the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. The Peñafrancia is the acknowledged patroness of the Bicol Region and a source of strength for our Bikolano seminarians, but devotion to her is traced back to a Spaniard named Miguel de Cubarrubias, whose family lived in Cavite. Hence the Peñafrancia in Tahanan reflects the brotherhood between Kabitenyo and Bikolano seminarians. Last September (2021), as a simple but meaningful gesture of its devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the community held a triduum, culminating in a Votive Mass presided by Fr. Percival Sapin. In the month of October, Tahanan celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. Because Our Lady of the Pillar is the patroness of the Diocese of Imus, the seminary recognizes her (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

November 18, with Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista D.D presiding together with seminary and guest priests. For Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, celebrating the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her three different titles is a manifestation of the community’s rich devotion to her and a commemoration of her deep significance to its members: Our Lady of Peñafrancia as the inspiration for unity; Our Lady of the Pillar as source of strength; and the Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga as comforting presence in moments of frailty, suffering, and sadness. Completely and irrevocably, the Blessed Mother is entwined in the history, culture, and faith of the community.

Penitential Walk, idinaos ng komuninad ng Tahanan ni Emerson Maala Nakansela ang nakatakda nang “Penitential Walk” o Lakad ng Pagsisi noong Agosto 14, 2021 kasabay sa araw ng kapistahan ni San Juan Maria Vianney bilang tugon sa pagpapatatag ng pananampalataya na mawakasan na ang Pandemyang dulot ng sakit na Covid-19 at sa lalo pang lumalalang pagtaas ng kaso nito kabilang na ang lalawigan ng Cavite. Gayunpaman, hindi naging hadlang ang Pandemya sa Komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol upang hindi makiisa sa nasabing gawain. Bagkus, isinigawa ito ng may kagalakan at pananampalataya ng mga seminarista at mga tagapaghubog. Naisagawa ang Lakad ng Pagsisisi noong araw din ng Kapistahan ni San Juan Maria Vianney. Sinimulan ang naturang gawain sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Misa na ginanap

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sa Pahingahang Pastol sa pangunguna ni Rev. Fr. Percival Sapin, rektor ng Tahanan. Sinundan ito ng Panitential Walk paikot sa loob ng bakuran ng Tahanan bitbit ang Krus na nagpapaalala sa hirap na tinamo ni Hesus na sinabayan ng mga panalangin ng bawat seminarista para sambayanan. Naipakita sa naturang gawain ang patuloy na pakikilakbay ng Simbahan at pakikiisa nito sa sambayanan. Maliban sa layuning pakikiisa sa sambayanan sa paglutas ng Covid-19 kalakip din nito ang pag-asa at pagsamong maghilom ang sambayanan at matapos ang kahirapang nararanasan sa tulong at awa ng Presensya ng Diyos.

Blessings Seminary Bakeshop nasa Tahanan na! ni Emmanuel Germino

ormal nang binuksan at pinasinayahan ang Blessings Seminary Bakeshop – Tagaytay Branch, sa Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol noong ika-16 ng Hulyo, 2021 sa ikalawang araw ng ginanap na Bread Bazaar sa seminaryo. Ang pagbabasbas ay pinangunahan ni Reb. P. Raffy S. Parcon, Spirituality Year Director ng Tahanan, at dinaluhan ni Reb. P. Percy Sapin, Rektor, at ilang pari ng Diyosesis ng Imus na sina Reb. P. Alain Manalo, Reb. P. Jun Duroy, at ni Reb. P. Randy De Jesus, ang tagapamahala ng Seminary Bakeshop. Matagal nang pinangarap ng mga namamahala sa Blessings Seminary

Bakeshop, sa panunguna ni Reb. P. Randy de Jesus ang pagkakaroon ng sangay ng bakeshop sa upland Cavite, upang mas ilapit ang mga produkto nito sa mga taong gustong sumuporta dito. Ang pagbubukas ng maliit na tindahan sa Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ay pagsisimula ng mas malaking pangarap na magkaroon ito ng kapihan at sariling produksyon ng mga tinapay. Pansamantalang nagmumula pa rin sa Blessings Seminary Bakeshop Main Branch sa Imus City, Cavite ang mga tinapay na ipinagbibili dito.

Divine Word SeminaryTagaytay Opens SY 2021-22 With Virtual Celebration of the Holy Mass by Vince Caramillo

he Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay formally commenced its 202122 school year with a Holy Spirit Mass in their Holy Spirit Chapel. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Philip Valakodiyil Joseph, MSFS. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Mass was attended virtually by the different houses of formation. Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol was represented by fifteen seminarians who, although encountering technical difficulties with the online platform, nevertheless remained focused and present in the celebration along with the other formation houses.

Ang Blessings Seminary Bakeshop ay sumusuporta sa mga pangangailangan ng dalawang seminaryo ng Diyosesis ng Imus - ang Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary, at ang Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol. Isa rin sa hangarin ng Seminary Bakeshop ay ang makatulong sa mga layko upang mabigyan sila ng pangkabuhayan at maging bahagi ng pakikipamayan ng mga seminarista at ang mga kamanggagawa nito.

In his homily, Fr. Philip emphasized the importance of studying and its implications to the Church as a whole. Seminarians have a duty to study not just for themselves but also for the faithful and the Church, for it is their moral obligation to proclaim the gospel both intellectually and pastorally. Seminarians are to achieve this by being diligent in their studies, said Fr. Philip.

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Usapan sa Kapihan, Naging Makabuluhan ni Ross Erwin Layugan

agkaroon ng dalawang Kapihan ang komunidad ng Tahanan sa unang semestre ng taong ito. Ginanap ang unang kapihan noong Setyembre 16 sa pangunguna ng Community Committee na may temang “Now Hiring” bilang pagtingin sa mga paghahanda at makinarya ng iba’t ibang personalidad para sa darating na Halalan 2022. “Now Hiring” tulad ng paghahanap ng isang Human Resource sa kwalipikadong maglilingkod sa pamahalaan. Ganito rin ang naging layunin ng ginanap na Kapihan. Nakapaloob sa gawain ang panonood ng dokumentaryo at pagbabasa ng sipi tungkol sa mga inaasahang tatakbo sa Halalan 2022. Pagkatapos nito, nagbahaginan sa maliliit ng grupo ang mga miyembro ng komunidad at naging matingkad dito ang pangangailangan ng Simbahan na makisangkot sa paggabay sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. Ang bawat grupo ay naglatag ng kanilang pananaw tungkol sa nararapat na kwalipikasyon at katangiang taglay ng isang lider na ihahalal sa darating na Mayo 2022. Samantala, noong Oktubre 21 naman ay ginanap ang ikalawang Kapihan sa Tahanan na kung saan nagkaroon ng masaya at malamang talakayan kasama si Rdo. P. Lordencio “Ding” Honrada. Naging makabuluhan ang gabi para sa komunidad dahil sa mga naibahagi ni P. Honrada tungkol sa paghahanda para sa pagdiriwang ng Panahon ng Adbyento at Pasko ng Pagsilang. Ibinahagi niya rin sa komunidad ang ilang mga bagay tungkol sa liturhikong kalendaryo ng Simbahan. Naging angkop ang temang napagusapan bilang paghahanda sa nalalapit na Adbyento at Kapaskuhan.

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OLP hosted this year’s Christmas Acquaintance by Glenn Ramesis Piad

earing in mind that seminarians are not in this world just for themselves but are always within the world and community, the communities of Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (OLPS) and Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (TMP) shared a day filled with brotherhood and love last December 13, 2021 in an acquaintance party held to celebrate in advance the birth of Jesus Christ. Hosted by OLPS, the TMP seminarians, together with Rev. Fr. Perci Sapin, rector, Rev. Fr. Raffy Parcon, spiritual director, and all the personnel, went to Buhay na Tubig, Imus City, Cavite to co-facilitate and participate in the said gathering. The event commenced with friendly matches of basketball and volleyball. In both games, the TMP community emerged as winner, getting three favorable sets in volleyball and a three-point lead in basketball against OLPS players. Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D., bishop of Imus, played with the TMP team in basketball, making the game remarkably intensifying. Afterwards, both communities joined together in a Holy Eucharist held at OLPS chapel presided by Bishop Evangelista with Rev. Fr. Antonio Laureta, OLPS rector, Rev. Fr. Randy de Jesus, OLPS spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Michael de la Cruz, OLPS spiritual director, Fr. Sapin, and Fr. Parcon. In his homily for the seminarians, Bishop Evangelista said: “Sa buhay ninyo bilang seminarista, dapat ay may direksyon kayo: isang direksyon na nagbibigay sa inyo ng dahilan kung bakit nais ninyong magpatuloy. At ito ay dapat magmula sa inyo at hindi sa kung sinuman, sapagkat kayo ang tinawag, kayo ang tumutugon, at kayo ang magsasabuhay sa panawagan ng Diyos na ito sa inyong buhay.”

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist, was followed by the main event: a sumptuous dinner and a program hosted by Earl Tan and Elijah Vidallon. There were various presentations, intermission numbers, games, and raffles. The gathering was concluded with a final blessing from Bishop Evangelista.

Sinalubong bilang mga Bagong Ka-Tahanan ni Anthony Bagayas

Dumaan sa isang uri ng hamon ang Pananagutan Class (T1) upang tayain ang kakayahan sa pagsunod at pagtitiwala sa komunidad sa Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos na dinaluhan ng limang seminarista mula sa Diocese ng Imus noong Setyembre 1319,2021. Sinimulan ang palatuntunan sa paglalahad ng nilalaman ng sulat na natanggap ng mga seminarista na naglalahad ng daloy ng gawain kasabay ng pag-asam ng pamunuan na ibibigay nila ang kanilang sarili para rito.

Iba’t ibang hamon ang kanilang susuungin tulad ng paglilinis sa mga lugar na itinakda sa kanila, ang pagsusuot ng pormal na damit sa mga pagkakataong hinihingi ito, ang pagsasaulo ng vision ng Tahanan maging ang paggamit ng tradisyunal na po at opo. Samantala, agad na ipinakita ng mga seminarista ang kahandaan sa anumang pagsubok na ibibigay sa kanila, maging nang subukin ang kanilang mga talento at kakayahan ay kanila itong pinaunlakan na nagbunsod upang makatanggap sila ng mga gantimpala. Matapos ang ilang araw na palatuntunan, sa huli, nakuha nina Sem. Emerson. Maala, Sem. Glenn Ramesis Piad, Sem. Harvey Luistro, Sem. Jobert Martin Gatmaitan, at Sem. Vince Caramillo ang basbas sa pamamagitan ng paglalagda sa mga puting t-shirts na kanilang suot-suot na ipinagkaloob ng ibang miyembro ng komunidad, at kamanggagawa kasama ang dalawang tagapaghubog na sila Rdo. Padre Perci Sapin at si Rdo. Padre Raffy Parcon. Kabilang rin sa dumalo ay si Rdo. Padre George Morales at ang kanyang mga kasamahan galing pa sa Pahingahan Community. Sa pagwawakas ng programa, ay binibinyagan ng komunidad ang limang seminarista sa ngalan ng Kababaan, Katarungan, at Payak na Pamumuhay na kailangan nilang isabuhay .

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A Celebration of Anniversaries at Tahanan by Roger Barcelona The priestly ordination is like marriage. The person marries into the Church, just as Christ takes the Church as his bride. The Church is made up of religious communities, brother priests, seminarians, family members, friends, community representatives, sometimes even government representatives, and the parish community. And in communities, anniversaries are always a reason for celebration. The anniversary of a priestly ordination is always celebrated with feelings of gratitude to the Lord: thankfulness for the opportunity to serve, for being called to serve, and appreciation for being called to enter greatly and closely into communion with Christ, the High Priest. Being a priest enables one to guide people on the path to salvation by offering them the sacraments, teaching them about the Church, and shepherding them with love and with courage as the Good Shepherd did. Thus, jubilee anniversaries for priests are not just a time to express gratitude, but also an

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opportunity for them to look back on their amazing journey with God over the years—a journey that began with accepting a call to the priesthood. Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (House of the Good Shepherd) usually celebrates recognition for the Jubilarians during the Alumni Homecoming in the month of February. But due to the Taal Volcano eruption last year, the 47th Alumni Homecoming was cancelled. Nonetheless, the community of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol is grateful to give recognition to the Jubilarians. The Jubilarians who will receive recognition are the following batches: • 40 years –Batch 1979 -1980 – CONSISTENCY (Rev. Fr. Terencio Mateo “Tito” Ayo (SOLT), Rev. Fr. Francisco “Enching” J. Vistan (MALOLOS), Rev. Fr. Lutgardo “Lou” Evangelista (+) (INFANTA) • 25 Years - Batch 1994-1995 – SAKRIPISYO (Rev. Fr. Bernie “Bong” B. Alejo (IMUS) , Peter Peñalba (IMUS) • 20 Years - Batch 1999-2000 – PAYAK NA PAMUMUHAY (Rev. Fr. Alex T. Abia (AV TAYTAY) , Fr. Benito “Troy” D. de Castro (IMUS), Rev. Fr. Eugene S. Elivera (AV PUERTO PRINCESSA), Rev. Fr. Antonio “Jun” P. Perez (IMUS), Jr., Rev. Fr. Vernon Paul S. Zulueta (SORSOGON), Rev. (Fr.) Segundo S. Lumabi, Rev. (Fr.) Michael A. Pacag)

• 10 Years - Batch 2009 -2010 – PANANATILI (Rev. Fr. Paul Anthony A. Aguilar (ARMIDALE, AUSTRALIA), Rev. Fr. Glenn C. de la Peña (IMUS), Rev. Fr. Roel J. Llave (ARMIDALE, AUSTRALIA), Fr. Mayolene Joseph G. Mayola (IMUS), Rev. Fr. Eric M. Orcullo (IMUS), Rev. Fr. Ryan Serafin P. Sasis (IMUS), Rev. Fr. Arnold I. Tan (SURIGAO). Forty years is a long time, and reflecting on these four decades brings memories of the many pastoral perspectives in which our 40year Jubilarians have served on campus at SVD, in parishes from their respective dioceses, the occasional weddings, some family funerals, thousands of homilies over the years, and all those “priestly moments” in which the presence of God’s grace was felt beyond their own capability and wisdom. In all of these perspectives, it is true that they have received more than they have given. These days they have therefore been mindful of the blessing of their vocation, and the gift of the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol within the Church, that has been given them in this priestly ministry. It is a vocation and life that they recommend to young men thinking about serving the Church in the decades to come. Our 40-year Jubilarians’ experiences through their priestly ministry show how great the Lord

is. Their stories about--and passion for--their priestly vocation motivate and inspire us. They were led with the merciful hand of God whose love has brought them to where they are today. We pray that the Lord give them more years of service so they can continue touching lives in all corners of the world. The Community of Tahanan is grateful to the Lord for giving us this precious opportunity to convey our wishes to them as they mark the 40th Anniversary of the Priesthood. May God bless them. The Tahanan Community also congratulates the Jubilarians celebrating their 25th, 20th, and 10th anniversaries in the priestly ministry. As Ka-Tahanan, we rejoice as they celebrate and remember their calling to the ministry. May the good Lord give them strength, wisdom, and knowledge to continue serving Him for many more years to come. Truly, anniversaries are special days to remember and reflect on what the Lord has done. As our Jubilarians recall the day they joined the priesthood to serve the Lord, we pray that they be kept in perfect peace, filled with wisdom and knowledge to serve Him with diligence in the years to come. Happy anniversary Ka-Tahanan!

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Tahanan celebrates 46th Founding by Glenn Ramesis Piad

ahanan ng Mabuting Pastol celebrated its 46th Foundation Day last December 01, 2021, commemorating the community’s humble beginnings in 1975 and its evolution through the years. Tahanan’s long story of struggle against oppression and injustice defined its guiding values of poverty, humility, and justice. In their Foundation Day activities, the seminarians revisited the past to further understand the roots of the community they chose to join. The celebration began with a symbolic community fun-run at five in the morning to creatively remember the “Exodus,” the historical transfer from SVD Postulancy House to Tahanan compound (since the first community stayed at SVD while the house was still in its construction phase). The fun-run was followed by a paraliturgy composed of creative lauds, blessing of the significant places inside the Tahanan building, and burning of envelopes with the names of the faithful departed to also ritualize the closing of the month of our beloved dead (November). Tahanan’s rector, Rev. Fr. Percival Sapin, gave an inspiring virtual recollection for the benefactors who supported the seminary through the years. Closing the simple commemoration was a celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Rev. Fr. Agustin Baas, a Tahanan alumni and current parish priest of Immaculate Concepcion in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. A fellowship dinner followed. “Ang Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ay nabuo sa pagmamalasakit, at saksi tayo dito dahil sa una pa lamang, ang naging dahilan kung bakit ito naitatag ay dahil sa mga taong tunay na inuna ang kapakanan ng iba kaysa sarili,” Fr. Baas attested.

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“Presensya ng Diyos” Cup 2021 ignites camaraderie, unity by Jobert Martin Gatmaitan

ahanan ng Mabuting Pastol’s recreation ministry spearheaded a sports fest last October 30 (2021) named after the year’s community thrust. The main goal of the Presensya ng Diyos Cup 2021 was for every member of the community to experience God’s loving presence in each other through the different sports activities held throughout the day. The community was divided into two teams: the Green Team led by Fr. Raffy Parcon, and the Blue team led by Fr. Percival Sapin. The event began with the lighting of the Presensya ng Diyos Unity Flame to remind everyone of the burning love of Christ that enables us to be united in everything. The lighting of the flame was followed by an opening prayer and the oath

of sportsmanship. The highlight of the morning event was the Zumba Competition. The Zumba competition featured the creativity and joyfulness of each team in their dancing. The morning event also featured different board game tournaments – chess, Games of the Generals, and Scrabble – where the participants of both teams displayed their wit and expertise. The Green Team excelled in chess, Scrabble, and Games of the Generals. Chess in particular was played for almost two hours. The volleyball and basketball games were held in the afternoon and evening and the two teams battled toe-to-toe in both events, displaying their talents and skills in both ballgames. Basketball was a very tight game. The Blue team had an advantage early in the game. But midway through, the Greens inched closer. The last quarter was a thriller. The scores were close and the game was intense. The Greens reclaimed the lead with eight seconds remaining in the game, but a member of the Blue sprinted to the other side of the court and scored a basket as the final buzzer sounded. The Blue team won the basketball game by only one point. A notable highlight of the ballgames was the fact that all community members – including Tahanan personnel – were part of the teams. The Presensiya ng Diyos Cup 2021 concluded with an awarding ceremony, with the Blue Team declared as overall champion. Truly it was a day of the presence of God

among us. In that whole-day event, the entire community of the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol encountered God in each other. Through unity, camaraderie, and personal experience of each one, we experienced the presence of God within us. It was a grace-filled moment for the entire community. We all look forward to similar events in the future as we continue to love and serve the Lord in everything that we do.

Your Saint Sounds Familiar ni Joseph Ma. Angelo Suico Isinagawa ng buong komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol ang Parade of Saints noong Nobyembre 1, 2021, Dakilang Kapistahan ng Lahat ng mga Banal. Nasaksihan dito ang iba’t ibang karakter tulad ng mga Apostol, Santo Papa, tagapagtatag ng iba’t ibang kongregasyon, at mga banal na lalake at babae na may malaking ambag sa pagsasabuhay at pagpapalaganap ng pananampalatayang Kristiyano. Nagsimula ang gawaing ito sa isang panalangin na pinangunahan ng ating mga kapatid sa lupong Espiritual sa Pahingahan ng Pastol (Casa del Clero), nagkaroon ng isang maikling prusisyon patungo sa Nuestra Señora De La Soledad de Porta Vaga Chapel at nagtapos sa isang Banal na Misa na pinangunahan ng rektor ng seminaryo, Rdo. P.

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Percival L. Sapin. Kitang-kita ang saya at pananabik sa bawat kalahok na nagpamalas ng kani-kanilang oras, panahon, at diskarte. Nailabas ng bawat isa ang kanilang pagiging malikhain kaya naging mataas ang kumpiyansa sa sarili ng bawat isa habang nagpuprusisyon, ipinakilala rin ang bawat Santo gayun din ang kanilang mga naiambag bago magsimula ang Banal na Misa.

Tahanan at Kapatiran: Ika-45 Anibersaryo ng Tahanan by Roger Barcelona

Sa panahong hindi tiyak, sa pagkakataong hindi makaindak, sa mga araw na marami ang umiiyak, salamat sa Mabuting Pastol, kawan Niya’y muling nagalak. Sa kasalukuyang krisis na hinaharap ng mundo dala ng pandemya, hindi nito napigil ang espiritu ng pagiging isang pamilya na pagbuklurin ang mga anak ng Tahanan upang ipagdiwang ang ika-45 taon ng Pagkakatatag ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol at ang taunang Alumni Homecoming. Subalit ngayon ito ay sa isang hindi pangkaraniwang pagkakataon. Nagkaroon

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ng pagdiriwang ngunit ito ay ginanap sa kanya kanyang diyosesis. Nagtipon ang mga Ka-Tahanan mula sa Sorsogon para ipagdiwang ang araw ng pagkakatatag ng TMP sa parokya ni San Jose sa bayan ng Barcelona, sa mainit na pagtanggap ng kura paroko at Ka-Tahanan na si Fr. Vernon Zulueta noong ika-24 ng Nobyembre 2020. Sa pagdiriwang ng banal na Misa lahat ay puno ng pasasalamat sa biyayang tinanggap; biyaya ng kapatiran at isang Tahanan. Gayundin para naman sa pagdiriwang ng alumni homecoming sila ay nag sama-sama sa Iraya Resort, Casiguran sa pangunguna nina Fr. Joel Bilan, Jr. at Fr. Edu Fulay noong ika-16 ng Pebrero 2021. Samantala, sa Diyosesis naman ng Legazpi na idinaos sa Harong kan Ama (Bishop’s Residence) ay nagkaroon ng misa sa pangunguna ni Obispo Joel Baylon noong ika-1 ng Disyembre, 2020. Ang mga taga Puerto Princesa at Taytay, Palawan naman ay nagtipon noong ika-1 ng Pebrero sa Sakura Hotel sa Puerto Princesa . Nagkaroon sila ng pagkakataon na makasama virtually ang dating rektor ng Tahanan na si Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Ang mga Ka-Tahanan naman mula sa diyosesis ng Imus ay nagdiwang sa mismong seminaryo noong ika-9 ng Pebrero 2021 at kasabay nito ang pagbabasbas at pagpapasinaya ng bagong bulwagan sa loob ng tahanan, na tinawag na “Pastulan” na siya ring naging lugar para sa nasabing pagdiriwang.

Hindi maiwawaglit sa puso ng bawat dumaan sa Tahanan ang okasyon upang balikan at sariwain ang mga naging karanasan at makulay na pamumuhay sa loob ng paghuhubog sa seminaryo. Kung kaya’t sa kabila ng mga limitasyong dala ng pandemya naipakita pa rin ng mga anak ng Tahanan ang halaga ng pagtanaw at pagsariwa sa mga naiambag ng Tahanan sa kanilang pagkatao at paghuhubog bilang isang pastol ni Hesus. Masasabing ang mga pagdiriwang na ito ay sumasalamin lamang sa naging malalim na

bahagi ng bawat isa upang mabuo ang ugnayan sa loob o labas man ng gusali ng Tahanan. Ang okasyong ito ay patotoo na hindi maiaalis sa puso ng bawat Ka-Tahanan na ang selebrasyon ay hindi natatapos sa loob bagkus, ito ay maaaring maganap kahit nasa labas man ng seminaryo sapagkat naiukit na ng panahon at karanasan ang halaga ng Tahanan sa pagbuo ng isang pamilya. Tanda rin ito ng pasasalamat sa Poong Maykapal na nagkaloob ng isang Tahanan upang kupkupin at hubugin ang mga seminarista tungo sa minimithing katarungan, kababaang- loob at payak na pamumuhay.

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Cardinal Tagle Blesses Pahingahan ng Pastol ni Christan Joshua Escarcha

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After years of service and commitment, where do priests go? Given the fact that priests do not have families--no wife or children--and perhaps no home to call their own, do retired priests have anywhere to go when they retire from administrative duties and full-time assignments? Yes, they do. In the Casa Del Clero (Clergy House) called Pahingahan ng Pastol, the elderly priests in the Diocese of Imus have a place to call “Home.” In August 2020, the construction of Pahingahan ng Pastol began. Located beside Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol in Brgy. Mag-Asawang Ilat, Tagaytay City, the retirement house is fruit of the aspiration of the late Bishop Felix Perez, the second assigned Bishop in the Diocese of Imus and founder of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol. With twenty-three rooms, a chapel, a library, and a lounge, Pahingahan ng Pastol is more than just a shelter. It serves as a haven where senior priests can spend time in solitude and prayers. It is also a place of work and often the scene of evening meetings and gatherings of the clergy. On August 20, 2021, Pahingahan ng Pastol was blessed. Present were Most Rev. Fr. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, Bishop of Imus, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, who presided over the blessing. The Cardinal reminded the priests and other people present that ultimately it is not the building or the Pahingahan that gives us rest, but Jesus. Jesus, said the Cardinal, is our true Pahingahan. The event also gave Cardinal Tagle the opportunity to once again visit Tahanan and meet the present community in the year of Presensya ng Diyos. Once himself the father of Tahanan, Cardinal Tagle’s short visit delighted and inspired the community. Despite the tragedy caused by the Taal Volcano eruption, and the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, the blessing of the diocese’s first retirement home for priests and the visit of Cardinal Antonio Tagle will serve as the starting point for the year, inspiring us to love and care for all who are suffering in these crisis-filled times.

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More Graces: Four from Tahanan Graduate in 2019, 2020 by Anthony Bagayas The Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol community recently celebrated another manifestation of God’s unending grace, the graduation of three of its seminarians in 2019 and 2020 from the Divine Word School of Theology. The graduates of the four-year course of Ecclesiastical Theology are: Seminarian Agapito Abrea Lagrada, from the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel (Rev. Fr. Raymond Alfredo Camacho Jr., parish priest) under the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay (Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., bishop). Bro. Agapito is the son of Mr. Jorge and Mrs. Aurora Lagrada. He graduated in 2019. Seminarian Mario Benjami Botial, from the Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation (Rev. Fr.Nestor Benavidez, parish priest) of the Diocese of Sorsogon (Most Rev.

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Jose Alan V. Dialogo, D.D., bishop). Bro. Mario is the son of Mrs. Rouena Botial. He graduated in 2020. Seminarian Rickxander Paglicawan, from the Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Rev. Fr. Troy de Castro, parish priest) of the Diocese of Imus (Most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., bishop). Bro. Rickxander is the son of Mrs. Ma. Theresa and Mr. Rick Paglicawan. He graduated in 2020. Seminarian Rhoadio Rabuya, from Mother of Mercy Parish, Barobo, Surigao del Sur of the Diocese of Tandag (Most Rev. Raul B. Dael). Bro. Rhoadio is the son of Mr. Romulo R. Rabuya (+), and Mrs. Loreta C. Rabuya. He graduated in 2019. Having received their formation at the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, Brothers Agapito, Mario, and Rickxander are the fruits of its vision of “forming good and holy priests, living out the image and spirituality of Christ, the Mabuting Pastol, and becoming authentic witnesses of and in loving service of the Kingdom of God.”

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Mga Haligi ng Tahanan ni Faisal Rey Borja

Hindi maikakaila ang katotohanan na sa loob ng pamilya, ang papel na ginagampanan ng ama ay hindi kayang tumbasan ng anumang halaga. Pagod at mga sakripisyo kapalit ng ginhawa para sa pamilya. Handang mamuhunan ng lakas at pangarap mabigyan lang na maayos na pamumuhay ang mga anak. Salamat sa Mabuting Pastol, pinagkalooban niya ang kanyang Tahanan ng mga amang naging haligi nito sa pagtatatag ng isang sambayanang handang maglingkod. At patuloy pa ring biniyayaan ng mga katuwang Niya sa paghubog sa mga magiging haligi ng Tahanan para sa kalakhang simbahan. ANONG PINANGHUHUGUTAN MO? SAAN KA NANGGAGALING? Yan ang tanong na maririnig mo kung makakausap mo si Fr. Randel Marero. Sa kabila ng mga malulutong na tawa ay ang isang tahimik at malumanay na kalooban ng isang ama. Misteryoso kung aakalain dahil tahimik at hindi palakibo. Subalit sa kabila nito ay isang taong handang makinig sa mga kwento mo. Susubukin ka at pagsasabihan pero laging ipapaalala sayo kung anong pinanggagalingan mo at bakit mo dapat gagawin iyan. Hindi ka huhusgahan, bagkus tutulungan kang tanggapin at yakapin ang sarili mo at ganoon din sa iyong kapwa. Sa isang tasang turmeric at bawat pahina ng dyaryo, kumpleto na ang araw nya. Sa homilya nyang may pinanghuhugutan siguradong may kurot pag ikaw ay tinamaan. Pero kung minsan ma’y sumablay at makagalitan, wag mag alala hindi ka niya pababayaan. Paraan lamang yon upang ikaw ay tulungan. ANONG SCHEDULE NYO BRADER? Isang tanong na madalas negatibo ang pakahulugan dahil minsan may kasunod na gawain. Pero sa kabila ng tanong na ito ang isang aral na naiukit sa aming mga seminarista:

na sa dami man ng takdang-gawain ay dapat hindi maiwaglit na ito ay parating konektado sa gampanin ng isang pastol. Hindi hiwalay ang bawat aspeto ng paghuhubog sa bawat isa. Kung kaya’t hindi dapat “i-compartmentalize” ang buhay seminaryo. Yan ang parating paalala ni Padre Michael Cron. Madalas man siyang makitang seryoso at tahimik sa isang tabi, pero kaugnay nito ang makulay at napakayamang karunungan na kanyang ibinabahagi sa bawat isa sa amin sa tahanan. Hindi niya man kami makita kapag siya ay nag hohomiliya, mga aral at hamon amin namang baon sa tuwi-tuwina. Brusko at makisig na pangangatawan hindi dapat maging hadlang upang sya’y pasukin dahil sa likod nito ay isang pusong malambot at mapang unawa. Isang amang handang gawin ang lahat ng makakaya maibigay lang sa mga anak at tahanan ang mga pangangailangan. Sa aming mga naging ama Padre Randel at Padre Myk, maraming salamat po sa mga panahong inyong inilagi dito sa Tahanan, sa inyong paghahandog ng sarili para sa sambayanan lalo’t higit sa mga seminaristang inyong nakalakbay. Umasa kayo na laging paalala sa amin ang inyong mga pangaral. Sa bago ninyong tahanan nawa laging manariwa mga turo at halimbawa ng Mabuting Pastol. At may Tahanang naghihintay dito sa Tagaytay na

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Pahingahan ng Pastol: Haven of Peace and Solitude from the articles in Casa del Clero Newsletter |Volume 1 Issue 1| 2021

noon rin ay sa inyo’y kumalinga. Bago pa man tumuloy ng Tahanan pagmamalasakit sa seminaryo ay talaga namang hindi maikakaila. Ang mga seminaristang sa iyo na destino masasayang karanasan ang baong kwento. Kaya’t nang malaman naming ikaw ang bagong amang makakasama ganoon na lamang kami ka-saya. Ngayong ikaw ay narito na, sana hindi ka nagsisisi na sa araw-araw hindi na tinapay lang ang iyong almusal. Magsimula ka nang masanay kanin at ulam ay sapat na. Padre Percival Sapin, sa patuloy nating pagtuklas sa bawat isa, hangad namin na sana maging kasing kulay at kasing lagkit ng sapin-sapin ang ating pagsasama. Sa basketball ikaw ay hindi aatras, hamon sa amin standard ay mas itaas. Mga kwento mo sa amin ay paalala kung paano dapat ang mga turo ni Kristo ay isabuhay, “Over and Above!” Padre Raffy Parcon, tahimik ka’t seryoso pero alam naming ika’y metikuloso. Kaya sana sa ating pakikilakbay sa bawat isa, patuloy sana nating maging lakas mga karansan sa Tahanan. Katulad ng basketball, laro man ay hindi laging panalo, alam naming sa laban ng buhay kami’y sasamahan mo; manalo man o matalo.

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It was in August 2020 when the construction of Casa del Clero (House of Clergy) began. It is a building being constructed beside Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol located at Brgy. Mag-Asawang llat, in Tagaytay City. The retirement house, also called “Pahingahan ng Pastol,” is one of the aspirations of the late Bishop Felix Perez, the second bishop of Imus. According to Father Michael Cron, Construction Manager of the Pahingahan ng Pastol or Casa del Clero and former Rector for Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, Pahingahan ng Pastol is a place where our retired priests can take a rest after spending their entire lives in tirelessly serving the Church and the people. Architect Jimmy Patalud, the architect assigned with the design of the building, described the interior and exterior of the retirement house, saying, “Ako po ‘yung itinalaga ni Bishop Rey na gumuhit nitong bahay-pari dito sa Tagaytay. Kung titignan po ‘yung exterior design n’ya, ang concept na ginawa namin ay mukha talaga s’yang bahay. Hindi s’ya mukhang isang gusali na matigas ‘yung dating.” Architect Jimmy stated that he got his inspiration for design of the building from what Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, the bishop of Imus said, “Paano ang mga pari pagkatapos ng kanilang serbisyo?”

With twenty-three rooms, a chapel, a library, and a lounge, “Pahingahan ng Pastol” is more than just a shelter, it is a place where our priests can call “home.” The retirement home serves as a haven for our senior priests as it is a place where they can spend time for solitude and prayer. For a servant of God who has dedicated his life in the ministry and for a man of humility who wishes to live independently and still continue being a priest even after long years of selfless service, Casa Del Clero is a sanctuary where retired priests of the diocese can stay and spend the remaining years of their lives in prayer, meditation, and relaxation. According to Rev. Fr. Conrad Amon, Priest Coordinator of Ministri sa Buhay Pagpapari, the mission of the Diocese of Imus is to support diocesan priests in their retirement, in gratitude for their years of service to the Church. For after their service and commitment to which they have dedicated their entire lives in a meaningful way, it is in Pahingahan ng Pastol, or Casa Del Clero—whichever name we may call this “home”—that they can find a haven of solitude in their retirement. Indeed, retirement does not make a priest less of being a ‘living icon’ of Jesus. Fr. Cron said that a retired priest can still continue being a priest in Pahingahan ng Pastol where someday, he can say “l am home”. “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Diyos sapagkat ang ating retirement house o Casa Del Clero o Pahingahan ng Pastol ay naitayo na, ngunit hindi natatapos sa pagtatayo ng gusali ang ating proyekto. Ito ay isang retirement house; may mga pari na makaraan ang ilang taon ng kanilang paglilingkod sa ating simbahan ang lalagi dito. Kailangan natin ng pondo para matulungan ang mga pari na dito’y titira, at matugunan ang mga pangangailangan para sa operation ng ating retirement house,” Father Alain Manalo, the Fund Raising Committee Chair emphasized.

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SAINT JOSEPH: With a Heart of Faith by Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

We are living in a time of turmoil and uncertainty. We are being confronted with situations that challenge our mere existence, our morality, and spirituality. Amidst the noise and hustle of the confusing world arises the silence of a humble worker. Joseph passes through the Gospel without us hearing hearing him utter so much as a single word. With scarce detail, we can only know a little

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about him. Saint Joseph is one of the “faceless” men and women – those who may not ever be distinguished from the anonymous crowd – blended into the inconspicuous generality of men. But the simple narrative of this silent carpenter can be an account that is far from being insignificant where we, as a Church, can not only relate our long-drawn-out sojourn but also, to see the revelation of the Divine act. What a blessed coincidence then, and probably a divine providence, that during this challenging part of our history, the local Church in the Philippines celebrates the Quincentennial anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippine archipelago. And yet with the proclamation of the Year of Saint Joseph, we are given a role model whose heart is worthy of emulation. During the celebration of the advent of faith in the lives of the Filipinos, we are called to draw our attention to the humble workshop of Nazareth – to an intimate portrait of the life and virtues of Saint Joseph. In this way, the whole Christian people not only will turn to Saint Joseph with greater fervor and invoke his patronage with trust but also will always keep before their eyes his humble, mature way of serving and “of taking part” in the plan of salvation. The Jubilee of our faith and patronage of Saint Joseph leads us to a deeper reflection of our journey as a Church. A Heart in Communion By His gracious will, God gathers us together as diverse people of one faith, through the covenant that He offers to his people. The communion we share finds its deepest roots in the love and unity of the Trinity. It is Christ who reconciles us to the Father and unites us with each other in the Holy Spirit. Together, we are inspired by listening to the Word of God, through the living Tradition of the Church, and grounded in the sensus fidei that we share. We all have a role to play in discerning and living out God’s call for his people. The very life of Saint Joseph is a constant communion with the will of God and in the service of others. The greatness of Saint Joseph is that, setting aside his own will, he accepted God’s invitation to become the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. In this way, he perfectly placed his heart, in the words of Saint

John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation”. The heart is the core of our being. Saint Joseph, by placing himself in the communion with God’s providential plan, paved the example of making God’s will our will – to love what God loves. As Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, in one of his interviews with the Vatican Media, points out that all baptized men and women can benefit from the example of St. Joseph. Like Saint Joseph, every baptized person must be attentive to God’s voice and leading especially in the confusing moments of life. All the baptized will have to trust in God in pursuing God’s project even when things are not always clear. Through communing with God, like Saint Joseph, we become good stewards, guardians, and custodians of the people that God entrusts to us. Participating Love We listen to the voice we love and this love leads us to a deep and free partaking with the beloved. Communion allows us to listen. Listening leads us to participation – our involvement in God’s creative work of weaving the tapestry of our human family. Participation is a call for the involvement of all who belong to the People of God – laity, consecrated and ordained – to engage in the exercise of deep and respectful listening to one another. This listening creates space for us to hear the Holy Spirit together and guides our aspirations for the Church of the Third Millennium. Participation is based on the fact that all the faithful are qualified and are called to serve one another through the gifts they have each received from the Holy Spirit. Saint Joseph, upon hearing the kindling of the Spirit in his life as told in his dreams, immediately participated in God’s creative work by pouring out his gifts for the interests of the Redeemer. Saint Joseph shows us how to and leads us to walk in faith. In every moment of his life, as recounted by the Evangelists, Saint Joseph declared his fiat, like those of Mary during the Annunciation and Jesus in his agony at Gethesemane. Out of love and moved by love, he immediately participated in the work of God. He trod perilous paths with Mary and Jesus, guided by the direction of God through the angel. It is participation – a “walking” done out of love and out of care. Missionary Witnessing

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“Gifted to Give” is the central theme of the quincentennial celebration of the local Church in the Philippines. Jesus, the gift we have received, is meant to be shared as our gift to the world. The Christian faith has arrived in the Philippines through the enduring journey and apostolic zeal of the missionaries who have gone to many distant places to preach the Gospel. Five hundred years later, the call of mission demands us to bear witness. The Church exists to evangelize. We can never be centered on ourselves. Our mission is to witness the love of God amid the whole human family.

in the crossroads of life, we become less and less “faceless” men and women and are slowly transformed to become faces of God, with the heart of the custodian of the Redeemer, witnessing to the Faith.

In Christian Tradition, man is often described as a pilgrim, a wayfarer, homo viator. Saint Joseph is a silent pilgrim – ever moving to where God told him to go. He is a man of action, obeying God’s will for him in the ordinary duties of daily life. He faithfully and tenderly loved, protected, and provided for the Child Jesus and the Virgin Mary. He fled to Egypt to save the child from Herod’s wrath. He kept the Sabbath and went to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Passover. He did the ordinary things of ordinary everyday life with extraordinary love.

Guide us as we walk together, Teach us to love the way you do.

As God entrusted the little and humble beginnings of the Church to the watchful care of Saint Joseph, we must entrust our journey as one human family to the protection of the silent worker of Nazareth. As we come to the realization of our vocation as Christians, let us ask the intercession of Saint Joseph:

Like Saint Joseph, who bore witness to the Divine plan manifested in the events of his life, we are called to become Christ’s witnesses to the world through our own lives – to bear witness to the Gospel – especially in these trying times with those who live on the spiritual, social, economic, political, geographical, and existential peripheries of our world. With the Heart of Faith. Filipinos, through their silent witnessing in the ordinariness of life, are known for their phenomenal and outstanding faith. All of us, men and women alike, can relate and draw strength from the heart of Saint Joseph to follow and give witness to the Gospel. As the Holy Father Francis, in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, points out that each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. The celebration of faith becomes more meaningful with the perfect imitation of Saint Joseph whose heart resides with Jesus. If we would place our hearts next to the Divine will and walk with one another

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THE

CONTEMPLATIVE SIDE OF TAHANAN by Ross Erwin Layugan

“We will be true to you and for your flock will care.” This part of the Prayer to Mabuting Pastol sang or prayed by the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol community everyday reminds us of the very mission of Tahanan: to be true to the Mabuting Pastol and care for his flock. This was the commitment of the first seminary community which is carried on until the present. Even amidst the pandemic, the Tahanan community cannot separate themselves in responding to the needs and signs of the times. For this reason, the Tahanan evolves from active to contemplative responses in fulfilling its mission to and for the Church. Due to various restrictions laid upon in our society, the apostolate of the community as one of the pillars of formation was also affected. The old-normal experience of having parish and community assignments is temporarily prohibited for the benefit of safety and health security of all. However, this restriction did not hinder the Tahanan community from doing more amidst the very critical situation. As inspired by the experience of the previous community, the present community came up with a common discernment to do some extraordinary ways of fulfilling an apostolate for the people. The Daily Eucharistic Adoration (Holy Hour) adds more depth to the community’s commitment to care for the flock entrusted by the Good Shepherd. Since the current situation brought fear and uncertainties to many people, prayers for the people are a way of strengthening and giving them hope. While churches were ordered closed or observed limited access for the people, people continued to search, knock and ask for God. Numerous people sent daily messages and asking the seminary community to pray for them. Aside from their personal prayers, people are at ease when they know others are praying for them. Indeed, prayer is a form of relationship. It is a form of connection to the One above us: God. Prayer is a way of humbling oneself before the supreme Being who created and unceasingly guides us in (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

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our everyday journey in life. In the experience of Tahanan community, the daily prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharistic Adoration) also builds a relationship with one another and most especially to the people who are not physically present and living afar. This situation led us to a reality: that we need to separate and distance ourselves from another as part of the health protocols. But through prayer before Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, we are more connected to each other. It is sad that we are missing out on the opportunity and experience to be with the people like the old-normal system. It feels so different that we are only bound on the corners of the seminary and cannot do active apostolate in parishes and communities. Nevertheless, the kind of shift that the Tahanan is now embracing matters and a very significant contribution to Jesus’ mission, i.e., the building of the reign of God and proclamation of the Good news in all the ends of the earth. The contemplative side of the Tahanan Community relentlessly reflects and mirrors the Presensya ng Diyos amid this life-threatening situation in our society.

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THE DIOCESE OF IMUS @ 60 by Rev. Fr. Virgilio Saenz-Mendoza

The Diocese of Imus celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of its creation on 2021. This is a story of God’s people whose faith and life journey covers sixty years led by five bishops who gave directions and whose leadership shaped the diocese. Here are some of the highlights: 1961 1961 was also a year that the entire Roman Catholic Church was at a threshold of changes and renewal, for four years earlier, in 1958, Pope John XXIII called for a Second Vatican Council not long after his election to the Papacy. It was also a year of excitement here in the Philippines, and specifically in the province of Cavite, when on November 25, Pope John XXIII through the Apostolic Constitution “Christi Fidelium” separated the entire civil Province of Cavite from the Archdiocese of Manila creating a new diocese with its seat in Imus. 1962 On 11 October 1962, Pope John XXIII formally convened the Second Vatican Council. Six months earlier, on April 26, the Diocese of Imus was canonically erected and inaugurated on April 26, with Nuestra Señora del Pilar as its titular and the Most Rev. Artemio G. Casas, D.D. as its first (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

bishop. At the time of its erection, the diocese had a total of Catholic population of 324,955. There were twenty-three parishes grouped into four vicariates and administered by twenty-eight priests both diocesan and religious. There was one parochial school and three congregational schools. There were eleven seminarians studying in the archdiocesan seminary of Manila. There were few church organizations like the Apostolado de la Oracion, Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, the Catholic Women’s League, Holy Name Society and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. According to Fr. Romeo Ner, the former Vicar General, there were no talks of Vision or Mission statements of the diocese. Bishop Casas’ main concern was the diocese’s organization and consolidation of its structure in order to fulfill its functions and tasks. The main focus was to ensure that there be a smooth continuity of various pastoral duties and responsibilities which Cavite used to receive from Manila. The Diocesan Curia was organized to assist the bishop in efficiently governing the diocese. Circular and pastoral letters were sent to parishes to clarify the policies of the diocese. 1963 In 1963, the First Diocesan Convention of the Catholic Action was held in Silang with the clergy, the religious and the lay leaders in attendance. This was to discuss how the Church can be more effective in serving the people. 1969 Six years later, on May 27, Bishop Casas was succeeded by Most Rev. Felix P. Perez, D.D. who was ordained bishop of Imus on May 27. Bishop Perez was known for his liberal and progressive ideas, a man of vision and action, deeply committed to justice and truth. At the start of his administration, he fought for the rights and welfare of his new diocese and for the clergy against the PhilTrust and the Archdiocese of Manila. He sought to implement the decree of the Second Vatican Council by demoralizing the administration of the diocese through the establishment of the Senate of Priests and for formulation of a constitution for the diocese. 1970 In 1970, Bishop Perez established a minor seminary - Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary. It was also this year that he gathered the clergy of Cavite and brought them to Angono, Rizal to formulate

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a pastoral plan for the integration of different Diocesan Commissions namely - liturgy, social action formation and temporalities. 1978 In 1978 the pastoral plan began. The clergy of Cavite underwent training on management. The Southeast Asian Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI) gave the objectives for their training. And one part of their training, was an exposure to the resettlements and depressed areas within the diocese. In addition, to the management training, seminars on concretization and social analysis were conducted by the Asian Social Institute (ASI). To enhance the spiritual life of the clergy, monthly recollections and annual retreats were held. And on temporal matters, priests in poor parishes were given monthly subsidies and mass stipends. In response to the socio-economic needs of the people, livelihood programs and cooperative of all types were created in many parishes. The diocese, led by the bishop, also intervened in the different agricultural and labor disputes in favor of the poor and the less fortunate. Lay participation in the church’s ministry was promoted. Formation on lay ministries, catechetical programs, family life apostolate, youth programs, and biblical apostolate were given much attention. The political consciousness of the laity was heightened through participation in Vote Care and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). 1987 On April 26, 1987, the Diocese of Imus celebrated its Silver Jubilee with the theme: “Paunlarin ang Maka-Diyos, Makatao at Makabayang Tipanan ng Diyos at ng Sambayanang Kabitenyo.” Tipanan, a sort of leadership training program and faith formation was organized. Speakers bureau was created to give seminars to the different vicariates to be echoed in the parishes. Bishop Perez envisioned to hold a Diocesan Synod that will further clarify the decrees of the Second Vatican Council and how the church can respond more relevantly to the changing times and needs

of the church of Cavite. However, he was advised by the foremost canonist Archbishop Oscar Cruz to wait until the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines was finished. He also dreamt of building a Casa del Clero for this retired and sickly priests. 1992 Unfortunately, the bishop passed away on February 29, 1992 leaving his plans to the next bishop. 1993 On April 3, 1993 the Most Rev. Manuel C. Sobreviñas was installed as the third Bishop of Imus. He immediately reconstituted the structure of the diocese separating the Presbyteral Council from the Board of Consultors. On October 18-20, 1993, the Imus Clergy held an assembly at the Divine Word Seminary to discuss the implementation of the decrees of the recently concluded Plenary Council of the Philippines. 1994 In 1994, the Diocesan Youth Program took its definitive form.

1995

On September 25-27, 1995, the clergy once again held a pastoral conference at Canossa House of Spirituality. With the help of the facilitations from Asian Social Institute (ASI), the clergy analyzed the socioeconomic, political and cultural situation which has greatly changed the face of Cavite. The rapid industrialization and migration of people from other provinces greatly affected the lives of the Cavite population. After much discussions, the clergy came up with the diocesan vision statements. “Bagong Cavite; Isang Maunlad, Maginhawa at Malayang Sambayanang Kristiyano na Makakalikasan, Makakapwa, Makabayan at MakaDiyos” On August 1-15, the Second Provincial Council of Manila was held. The diocese sent priests and lay leaders as representatives of the Diocese of Imus. Its main focus was the ministries of the church. 1997

Although there were some difficulties, the first general re-shuffle of the Clergy of Imus was held on July 14, 1997. The priests of the Diocese were summoned to the Imus Cathedral to take possession of their new parish assignments. After the celebration of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines and the Second Provincial Council of Manila, the bishop and the clergy deemed that it was an appropriate time to hold not a synod but a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. 1998 On March 5, 1998, the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Consultation had its first meeting, after which a series of meetings were held. On July 20-21, a consultation seminar among the clergy was held. After the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly (DPA) Commission was established, a Pre-Diocesan Pastoral Assembly Consultation Seminar were held in the parish level. 1999 And on February 22-27, the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly was held at the Development Academy of the Philippines attended by the clergy, the religious and the lay leaders of all the parishes of Cavite. Many resolutions came about in all the aspects of the church life and the people. Thus the church became more relevant and responsive. 2001 On October 2001, a weekly Diocesan Pastoral Planning was held in La Salette Retreat House. Once again, the clergy, the religious and the lay leaders met. The session and workshops were facilitated by the people from SAIDI. The result was presented for a series of consultation by parishes, vicariates, sectors, commissions and other church groups. 2001 was also the year that Bishop Sobreviñas reached his retirement age and was succeeded by the first Caviteño Bishop of Imus, Most. Rev. Luis Antonio G. Tagle. On December 12, 2001, Bishop Tagle was consecrated and installed as the first Caviteño Bishop of Imus. 2002 On May 2002, the participants to the Diocesan Pastoral Planning was once again convened in Imus to synthesize the results of various consultation. A pre-final draft was prepared to be presented to the lay religious and clergy of the diocese.

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It was on June 21, 2002, during the last consultation, that the documents were approved and were turned over to the drafting committee for the final draft. On October 15, 2002, Bishop Tagle presented the final draft of limiting the scope to a Diocesan Pastoral Priorities for Evangelization (DPPE). There were five apostolic and twenty-two ministries. Preparations were made so that the Diocesan Pastoral Priorities for Evangelization (DPPE) will be brought down to the parishes. Speakers for each vicariate were organized and the planning committee came up with a Saturday seminar workshop called Pahayag. All parishes were mandated to hold the Pahayag to disseminate the idea of the DPPE. After each seminar workshop, participants were asked to undergo discernment of charisma so that by the end of the seminar they will be able to choose a ministry where they can get involved. However, the seminar schedule was too heavy for the participants that eventually, these were simplified so that more people can participate. 2009 2009 is memorable for two major events that were scheduled in the diocese, namely, the 5th Asian Youth Day, which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Commission on Youth asked the Diocese of Imus to host, the diocese’s Golden Jubilee. The 5th Asian Youth Day was to be one of the biggest affairs of the diocese, that Bishop Tagle immediately mobilized the clergy and the laity, to prepare for the event. Fr. Michael Cron was tasked to oversee the preparations for the YAsia Fiesta. The Diocese hosted more than 2,000 youths from different Asian countries from November 2127, 2009. The center of the activities was at the Rogationist College in Silang, while the delegates where distributed to the different convents in Tagaytay City. Once again the faithful of the church of Cavite proved that no matter how enormous the responsibilities, activities, and the expenses are, when people work together, the result is a tremendous success. After the 5th Asian Youth Day, the diocese started the preparation for its Golden Jubilee celebration, while attending to the ongoing formation of the different ministries. A three-year preparation was organized for its Golden Jubilee. The theme chosen was “Tena’t

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Magkarakol”. Karakol was a religious tradition that is uniquely Caviteño. It became an acronym for “Kahapong Kay Yaman, Radikal na Pagsunod Kay Hesus” and “Kolektibong Pagkilos ng Sambayanan.” “Tena’t Magkarakol” became the theme of the Pahayag II series of seminars where looking back at the rich history of Cavite church, the faithful are challenged to follow Jesus in a radical way and to work together in communion as a community of disciples. 2012 On the eve that the Golden Jubilee Door was to be opened, the different vicariates grouped together as districts and held a vigil and penitential rite in their assigned areas. Before midnight they gathered in Imus for the opening of the Golden Jubilee Door which signified the start of the yearlong celebration. It was also during this time that

the parish council was reconstituted. A steering committee was formed to serve as the umbrella for the different clusters of chapel communities, religious organization and ministries. This would be the set up for the parish vicarial and diocesan level. Many activities were held under the supervision of the diocesan administrators. At the time of the Golden Jubilee, there were five ecclesiastical districts headed by vicarial generals, ten vicariates, forty-eight parishes, nine quasi-parishes and six pastoral centers. The total Catholic population was around 2, 339, 555. There were one hundred five priests, diocesan and religious, serving the diocese. There were nineteen parochial schools, twenty-five congregational schools, twenty-one religious houses for men and sixty-two religious houses for women and twelve seminaries.

The Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona of Nueva Caceres, also a Caviteño, lead the closing of the Golden Jubilee Celebration. Bishop Tagle had already been elevated to the Cardinalate before the end of the diocese’s Golden Jubilee. As a post script to the Golden Jubilee, on December 3, 2012, the Diocese of Imus welcomed the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila for the Canonical Coronation of the titular of the diocese, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar. 2013 On June 5, 2013, Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D., was installed as the fifth Bishop of Imus and took charge of the diocese. Wanting to get to know his people, he immediately made pastoral visits to parishes. He once again reconstituted the district and vicariates of the diocese. With his pastoral visits, he asked the parish priests to prepare a profile of their parish and a systematic inventory of the parishes’ properties. Bishop Evangelista had instructions from Rome and the CBCP to implement the DPPE, which he was very keen in doing. 2021 In the eight years of Bishop Rey’s tenure, the population of Cavite has increased to almost four million with the majority belonging to the Catholic faith. Today there are around eighty-nine parishes and quasi parishes, thirty-one of which were established by the present bishop. There are now around one hundred and forty-four priests serving the diocese both diocesan and religious. He has ordained thirty-one diocesan priests. At present there exists seventy-two religious houses for women and twenty-seven for men. The Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary’s seminary building, academic building, gymnasium, renovation of the seminary chapel and seminary bakeshop, and perimeter fence, as well as the Casa del Clero (a long-time dream of Bishop Perez) that was constructed on the grounds of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, were some of the physical improvements made under Bishop Evangelista’s tenure. The final resting place for departed priests is now under the altar of the Divine Mercy Parish in Silang. For the past sixty years, the diocese has gone far in spiritual and temporal ministry under the charge of the six bishops dedicated to the life of the people and their church.

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Tara na’t Kilalanin ang Komunidad ng

“Presensya ng Diyos” (2021-2022) by Earl Gabriel Tan Ang Presensya ay sumasalamin sa katotohanang mayroong nariyan, at tunay na nararapat lamang itong kilalanin, ipagmalaki, at higit sa lahat ay ipagpasalamat. Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay patu-patuloy na nagkakaroon ng mukha at kaganapan sa pamamagitan ng mga bumubuo sa Tahanan. Hindi maaaring hindi magbago ang mukha ng Tahanan, sapagkat ang panahon, ang mga tao, ang mga kaganapan, at mga hamong kinakaharap ay patuloy na nagbabago. Gayun pa man, nananatili pa rin itong isang Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol. Ngayon, halina at kilalanin ang bumubuo sa komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol sa Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos.

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Ashpaul Angosta Castillo (Diyosesis ng Imus) Sino si Ash Paul? Ang coordinator ng unang semestre. Huwag kang mabibigla kung siya ay tahimik lamang, sa kanyang pagtahimik ay may ka-ugat na lalim sa kanyang kalooban. Matalas ang kanyang pandinig, tulad nang sa isang musikero, dahil hindi ka nagkakamali hindi lang plauta ang kaya niyang tugtugin, isama mo na rin ang piano, at ang malabass niyang tinig sa pag-awit. Sa basketball magandang siya ang makakampi pagsagupa mo ay di uubra sa matayog niyang tindig! Handang magpaalala sa aming lahat, may pagka-kritikal oo, pero sa inyong usapan, may magagandang kaalaman at mayroon rin namang mga kalokohan. ‘’Savor. Mula sa mga karanasan at biyayang natanggap ay bumubukal pa ang higit na marami at mas malalim pang mga biyaya. Kailangan lamang balikan, muling tignan at tagpuin muli ang Diyos sa mga nagdaang pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanya.”

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Ross Erwin Ambonan Layugan (Diyosesis ng Imus) Sino nga ba si Ross? Aba, naka anim na taon na siya sa Tahanan, malakas ang tinig pero hindi galit, sadyang sa kanila, doon sa Batas may kalakasan ang tinig. Handa siyang tumulong kapag ika’y may kailangan, abutin man kayo kinaumagahan. Sa pagsayaw kayang kaya, sa pag-awit may laban rin. Hindi siya mag-aatubiling sabihin ang kanyang nasa isip, ito man ay sa kwentuhan, tawanan, o mga bagay na makatutulong sa iyo o sa komunidad. Madalas siyang sumasama sa mga SY sa umaga at mahuli sa mga hugasin upang tulungan ang mga personnel sa pagliligpit at paglilinis. At sa mga birthday-an, siyang magyayakag, tara na at mag mañanita! ‘’Biyaya. Ang lahat ng naranasan at patuloy na nararanasan ay Biyaya mula sa Diyos. Sa paglingon sa kahapon ay mga nagdaang taon, maraming nangyari na kapwa malungkot at masaya, subalit ang lahat n gito ay Biyaya. Ang bawat karanasan ay nagturo, humubog, nagpapaala-ala, nakasakit, yumanig, sumubok, at nakatulong sa aking

pagkatao upang kahit papaano ay higit pang dalisayin ang pagnanais at pagtugon sa buhay na tinatahak, ang pagpapari. Ang mga biyayang aking natanggap at patuoy na natatanggap ang nag-uudyok upang higit pang linangin at gamiting sa pagdama at pagpapadama ng presensya ng Diyos sa aking paglalakbay kasama ang aking kapwa.”

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Faisal Rey Abuedo Borja (Diyosesis ng Sorsogon) Heneral Borja! Alright! Tahimik at handang kumilos nang lihim para sa komunidad. May katangiang maibabahagi, at katatagang magsalita sa oras ng pagtutuwid. Vape na lang ngayon, hindi na Red in Black, makikita mong, kayang maging healthy ang buhay dahil mahal niya ang simbahan. Tahimik, oo pero sa biruan o tawanan, humanda ka, may baon siya. Pambihira! Oo pambihira talaga ang kaya niyang maiambag kapag siya na ang magpapasinaya ng panibagong Community Thrust ng susunod na komunidad. Alright! ‘’Pakikinig. Ang Pastol ay nagsalita Ang lingkod ay tatalima. Pakikinig sa Kanya ang nais tuwina upang madama kalinga at presensya. Sa mga tao tenga at puso ay ibukas Kasunod ay paglilingkod na wagas Dahil sa pakikinig lamang makakakuha Pag-ibig at pag-asa na ipinunla.

Roger Belen Barcelona (Diyosesis ng Sorsogon) Picture dito, picture doon, si Roger yan. Ang tagadocu ngayong taon at puwede ding coordinator o incoming spiritual chairman. Maraming practical na bagay na alam.Huwag ka, at sa pera, hindi mo siya puwedeng gulangan. Mahusay ang kapatid naming ito, at huwag ka, may angking boses din siya sa pagkanta. Sa huli aking ihahabol, siya ang nanalong coordinator upang matulungan ang bawat isa maging siya na mahubog sa panibagong taon. ‘’Humility. Pagpapakumbaba ang bigay ng Maykapal Pagka’t alam niya ito sa aki’y gagabay Panalangin sa Kanya maipadama at maibigay Ang Presensya ng Diyos kahit kanino man Isa rin iyong haligi sa aming Tahanan Pagka’t alam ng Mabuting Pastol Dito ako ay mas titibay.”

Vincent Bilo Climacosa (Diyosesis ng Legazpi) Tahimik rin lamang ang kapatid nating ito. Sa paglikha ng Obra, tugtog ng violin o gitara, malimutan man niyang sumama sa practice kaya niyang ihabol ang linya basta huwag lamang sa pagkanta! Busy siya pero handang magbigay ng sarili sa kaayusan, kailangan mong tulong sa pag-account? Sanay siya at tutulong siya basta’t kaya. Sabi nga niya (mula ang linya galing sa iba), “You can give without Loving but you cannot Love without giving.” “Habag. Natuto tayong umunawa sapagkat may unang umunawa! Natuto tayong magpakumbaba sapagkat may unang nagpakumbaba! At higit sa lahat, natuto tayong mahabag sapagkat una tayong kinahabagan! Kinahabagan sa pamamagitan ng Presensya ng Diyos na siyang si Hesus na nakabayubay sa Krus!”

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Kailangan mo ng Driver? Si Mike ang nandiyan, kayang magkumpuni ng sasakyan. Sa ngayon isa na lamang siya sa dalawang nagpapausok ng Marlboro sa Tahanan. Self study ang ginawa niyang pagtipa ng tiklado sa musika. Kailangan ng merienda? Siya rin ang sa kusina nangunguna. Nagtatawag siya ng kasama kahit wala namang nakikita. Ano iyon? Hiwaga? Hindi, pang-asar lamang iyon kapag lumingon ka. Pero may lalim siyang makikita sa bunga ng pagdarasal sa Diyos tuwina. Patrona niya ay Inmaculada: Viva la Virgen laging sigaw niya!

Christan Joshua Degracia Escarcha (Diyosesis ng Sorsogon)

‘’Paghuhubog ayon sa halimbawa ng Mabuting Pastol na nagbibigay ng sarili na walang hinihinging kapalit. Pagpapaubaya kay Hesus sa pang-araw-araw na walang katiyakan. Ang Kanyang Presensya ay nagbibigay-lakas at patuloy na nag-aanyaya na magpaubaya sa kanyang mithiin.”

Kung sa kaperahan ang usapan, hindi si Earl, kundi si Choji ang lalapitan. Ang procurator ng taon, higit sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan. Handa siyang mag practice ng Salita ng Diyos, isang Linggo ang Banal na Pagdiriwang, ang kanyang lambing at mga biro ang magsasabing talagang siya ang Bunso ng Boronyog class sa Tahanan. ‘’Ang walang kupas na Presensya ng Dyos sa bawat taon, araw, at minuto dito sa loob ng Tahanan ay naging pasasalamat sa mapagmahal at mapag-unawang Ama, ang Mabuting Pastol na siyang gumagabay sa bawat hamon at pagsubok sa iba’t-ibang aspeto ng paghuhubog. Naging sandigan sa panahon na madilim at nawalan ng pag-asa ang Presensya ng Diyos ang totoong walang hanggang pasasalamat sa kanya magpasawalang-hanggan.”

Earl Gabriel Salazar Tan (Diyosesis ng Imus) Ang magiliw naming kapatid na si Earl na tubong Silang, Kabite, ay mahusay pagdating sa pag-awit ng iba’t ibang genre ng awitin tulad ng classical, pop, at mga himig pang-liturhiya, pagtugtog ng piano, pag-oorganize ng mga events, pagbabasa ng mga spiritual books, at Ecclesial documents, panonood ng Netflix, pakikipag-usap sa mga kapamilya’t kaibigan, atbp. Siya ay ikalawa sa apat na magkakapatid at hindi maikakaila ang kanyang talino’t talento pagdating sa larangang akademiko at pagbabahagi ng mga pagninilay niya sa Facebook at iba’t ibang platforms ng Social Media. Sa kanya, kabanalan ay posible; saan man, kailanman, at maging ano man ang iyong ginagawa basta buhusan mo ng kahusayan para sa Diyos at madla.

Michael Laurence Catimon Paglinawan (Diyosesis ng Imus)

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‘’Pagkakaibang-pinagkaiba (holy indifference). Naising hindi ang kabutihan ni kasamaan.

Naising hindi ang kabuluhan ni ang kagalakan. Sa buhay dito sa Tahanan, ang naisin ay ang Kanyang kalooban, hindi ito, hindi iyan, kundi ang Pagkakaibang-pinagkaiba siya lamang ang may alam.’’

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Arthur Sigue Santo Domingo (Diyosesis ng Imus)

Anthony Manligues Bagayas (Diyosesis ng Butuan) Isa sa aakalain mong tahimik na miyembro ng komunidad pero sa kung gaano kataas siyang tumalon sa volleyball at basketball na parang may spring ang kanyang mga paa ay ganoon din niya naabot ang ating mga personnel o kamanggagawa. May yaman at kabutihang maibabahagi ang kaisa-isang anak ng Mindanao sa ngayon, si Yash Bagayas hindi lamang sa Tiktok, higit sa lahat sa kanyang paraan ay may naibabahaging malaki mapa sa kalinisan o sa ugnayan. Sa tahimik niyang pagkilos, kanya lamang sasambitin: “para ito sa komunidad, kuya.” “Pagtitiwala. I was lost and broken. My life was dragged down. Yes, it was totally pain. I have nothing left, except Trust; Because I still believed! In Him, alone!

Ispiritwal? Arts? Saan pa ba? Nag kakasabay sabay na mga ganap kung minsa’y di na tukoy kung saan pupunta. Pero sa gitna nito’y mayroon siyang katayuang may tatag at kapakumbabaan. Hindi perpekto, tulad ng isang obra, ngunit sa katahimikan, pagsisikap at tiyaga ay may mararating ang mga gawa. Bagama’t dalawang tao’y sa labas siya’y hinubog, ang pagpapanday ngayon ng Tahanan ay makapagsasabing sa gitna ng mga gawain at aralin, ang pagguhit at pag-aaral muli ng plawta’y marinig ng tinig sa kanyang hiram na silid dito sa Tahanan. ‘’Balik. Ang salitang balik ay nangangahulugan sa akin ng napakaraming karanasan. Una na dito ang balik na maaari kong gawin bilang pagtugon sa napakaraming kabutihan na ginawa sa akin ng Diyos. Balik, dahil dinadala ako nito sa pagpapasalamat na ang Presensya ng Diyos na nanatili habang ako’y hinuhubog. Balik, dahil ang lahat na meron ako ngayon ay siya ring ibabalik sa Kanya.”

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He was there for me in my darkest time. He was there for me in my darkest night. Am still searching for an answer; Hoping, that I might see a glimpse of light. Yes, I was granted yet vague, blurred! Was contented, yes! Yet still hoping for something clearer. He was there for me in my darkest hours. He was there for me in my darkest night.”

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Vince Peñalba Caramillo (Diyosesis ng Imus) Kamusta ka na? {di na tayo nag kikita , miss na kita sobra.} Hindi lilipas isang araw na ito’y maririnig mo sa kanya. May punto ng Mendez, dahil taga doon talaga siya. Malakas na tawa, mahinahong pagtatanong, on-the-go kapag ika’y may kailangan, si Vin yan wala ng iba. Mabuting kapatid, mahinahong kaibigan. Huwag ibibigay ang mikropono sa Community Night, marami siyang awit, mag tanong na lamang sa kanya. ‘’Pinadama ang Presensya sa Pagtulong. Ang aking “core grace” na Help o Tulong ay palaging nagpapaalala sa akin na may Diyos akong kasama sa paglalakbay. Sa napakaraming karanasan ng kabiguan at mga trahedya, ang Diyos ay hindi nagsawang ipadama ang kanyang Presensya sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pagtulong sa amin.

Harvey Fetalvero Luistro (Diyosesis ng Imus) Tahimik kung tutuusin, ngunit isa siya sa may mga mayamang karanasan sa buhay, isa na rin sa mga nakatatanda sa edad ngunit mapagkumbaba, sinusuong ang hamon ng paghuhubog dahil sa malalim ng Tinig ng Diyos sa kanyang kaibuturan. Kung minsa’y may panghihina na nararanasan pero kita mo ang pagnanasang maitawid ang bawat araw dito sa Tahanan. Kalakbay sa usapa’t kwentuhan. Isa siya sa mga minister ng buhay. Ang Mabuting Pastol, kinikilala niyang matapat na sandigan. ‘’Tahanan ng Pag-asa. Sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na kinaharap dala ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon, umuwi ako sa aking Tahanan na puno ng Pag-asa.”

Jobert Martin Sibuera Gatmaitan (Diyosesis ng Imus) Naabutan mo ba ang himagsikan? O doon sa Council of Trent o Nicea anong tunay na kaganapan? Yan ang biruan sa “to the elders among you, I on fellow elder ,” ang sports guru ng Tahanan. Bagamat nakatatanda sa pinakabata at matatanda ng komunidad, sa kanya nga daw iyong mababanaag ang welcoming atmosphere ng isang tunay na tinawag. Three point-shooter, na walang mintis at ang kahinaan ay ang spaghetti sa hapag kainan. ‘’To be the presence of God to others is to live out and imitate the qualities of the Good Shepherd in my daily life. Qualities such as mabuti, mapagmahal, at tapat.”

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Emerson Cajayon Maala (Diyosesis ng Imus) Your editor, my editor, our editor. Ang always on the go sa pagbibigay ng sarili, ang isa sa mga anak ng Baclaran tuwing araw ng miyerkules sa

Tahanan. Malakas niyang tinig sa pag-usal ng dasal at awit ! Minsa’y nalaglag kanyang dasalan , napaidlip na pala dahil sa maraming gawaing inabot na ng hamog upang maisakatuparang maganda ang mga gawain. Handang makinig, handa kang samahan, tutulungan ka niya kahit sa pag order ng Shopee at Lazada pero para sa profile account niya, mga bagay na iyan : hanggang Add to cart ka na lang muna. ‘’Parang isang apoy na nagbibigay liwanag, na nagmumula sa Presensya ng Diyos. isang apoy na nag-aalab, puno ng init ng pag-ibig. Alab ng pagmamahal sa Diyos bilang tugon din sa pagpapadama ng Kanyang walang hanggang presensya.”

I firmly believe that it is only in God, through God, and in God, we find healing. After all, it is the act of loving that allows us to feel loved. It’s when we love that we know joy, that even if we see the pain of other, but as long as we see the twinkle of hope in their eyes no matter how tired we are or how unloved we feel ourselves, we feel the best nuance of love. The best way to feel love is to give love. Ako ay tao rin. Nadudurog. Nasasaktan. Pero alam kong patuloy man akong madudurog, ako’y mabubuo’t mabubuo pa rin. At kahit sa di matapos-tapos na proseso ng pagkabuo’t pagkadurog, ako’y magiging Eukaristiya sa kapwa ko. Maglilingkod, mag-aalay. Iyan ang panata ko.”

PASTORAL YEAR

Glenn Ramesis Malasaga Piad (Diyosesis ng Imus) Oo may talino, may kakisigan sa pangangatawan, may sanlibong mga pangungusap kayang sambitin sa kanyang pagsasalita. Mga bagay na lumilipas matingkad sa kanya. Pero higit sa mga ito, ang pagiging nariyan, Peace Maker ng ugnayan, ang pagluhog ng may katuturan, ang kapakumbabaan , ang pagdamay sa panahong ikay nangangailangan mga bagay na mananatili, mamamalagi’t, di mawawala sa kapatid naming ito’y iyong mararanasan. Ay hahabol pa pala RNB sa Liturgy, bawal ang istrikto! Dahil yun minsa’y maririnig mo sa kanya. ‘’Even if I am incomplete, God loves me completely. I may be lost but God never stops searching for me. I may be imperfect, but He loves me perfectly and, in my weakest, ugliest, worst, and lowest, I have nothing to boast but only His power, grace and mercy that continually sustain me. My strengths are God’s gifts to me, but my weaknesses are my gifts to him, and I know that as I journey along the way, striving to become a ‘bridge’ of people to God,

Mat Jason Naag Latorre (Diyosesis ng Legazpi) Sino nga ba si Brother? “Bawat pagising natin panibagong pag-asa buhay pinagpala malungkot man o masaya, gabay ng Mabuting Pastol pawi mga problema may lakas at tibay tagumpay sa tuwina. Laging kang magdasal at kausapin Siya dahil siguradong di ka pababayaan Niya, Makipag-usap ng taimtim halika na di man Siya makita tayo’y mahal Niya. Kung nagtitiyaga tayo sa gitna ng mga pagsubok, napapatunayan natin sa ating sarili at sa iba na tunay ang ating pananampalataya, lumalakas ang ating pandama sa presensya Niya at narararanasan natin ang kagalakang nagmumula sa Kanya.

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Dito Naman Tayo sa S.Y. (Spirituality Year) 2021-2022 by: Danmer Jude Torres Mga kamanlalakbay, halina’t kilalanin ang bawat isa sa amin. Matagal tagal rin ang aming ilalagi dito kaya hayaan ninyo po kaming magkwento tungkol sa aming buhay, karanasan, at sarili. Kami po ang mga kabataan na tumugon sa paanyaya ng Diyos upang makibahagi sa kanya at sa kapwa Niyang nilikha. Hindi po kami yung madalas ninyong makita sa telebisyon sadyang mukha at kutis artistahin lamang. Kami nga po pala ang S.Y. 2021-2022.

presentasyon alam n’yo na ang tatawagin, siya ang pambato namin. ‘’Ako’y tila isang paso na bagaman maingat na hinubog ng Diyos, na siyang Dakilang Manghuhulma, ay likas na mahina at marupok, kung kaya’t madaling mabitak at mabasag. Ang aking karanasan sa S.Y. ay nagpalalim ng aking pagkaunawa sa aking mga pagkabasag at mga bitak, ngunit nagpatingkad ng tahimik na pagkilos ng Diyos kung papaanong unti-unti niyang pinupulot ang aking bawat piraso at nililikhang muli sa isang bago at mas magandang obra.’’

Sa aming palagay hindi tumitigil ang paghahanap ng ating layunin sa buhay sa paghahanap ng kahulugan. Gayunpaman, naniniwala kami na tinawag tayong lahat ng Diyos upang gawin ang ilang bagay sa ilang partikular na panahon sa ating buhay. Kasama na doon ang pakikipagkapwa at pagiging pagasa ng iba. Ang mga panahong ito sa ating buhay ay tumutulong sa atin upang mapaunlad at matutunan kung ano ang nais ng Diyos na ipakita at sundin natin. O s’ya huwag na nating patagalin pa…

Si Joseph Ma. Angelo Abadiano Suico (Diyosesis ng Imus) ang pinakakwela sa grupo. Kilala siya bilang “Jam.” Siya ay nag-iisang anak. Magaan siyang kasama, kasundo ng marami. Sa bibitawan niyang biro tiyak matutuwa ka. Kakikitaan mo rin siya ng kasipagan sa bawat gawain at gampanin na iniatas sa kanya.

Si Emmanuel Patriarca Germino (Diyosesis ng Imus) ang panganay sa kanyang pamilya at pinakamatanda sa kanila. Mahilig magbutingting at gumawa ng mga obra gamit ang mga bagay na di na mapapakinabangan. Kuya siyang maituturing at kakikitaan ng pagiging responsable. Kilala siya bilang ‘’Emman’’. Mahilig siyang gumawa ng tula. Biniyayaan ng pagkamakata at naengganyo sa pagtanghal ng Spoken Word Poetry. Kaya pag mayroong mga B u h a y Ta h a n a n 74

“Dinala ako ng aking karanasan ng Spirituality Year sa mas malalim na pagtingin at paghuhubog sa aking sarili. Gayundin, ang aking ugnayan sa Diyos at sa aking kapwa bilang paghahanda sa mas malaking hamon, paglilingkod, at pagbibigay ng sarili ng sambayanan ng Diyos”

“Tahanan na. Tahán na. Marahang humimlay at dumantay sa puso ng Mabuting Pastol na nakakakita, nagmamahal at tumatawag. Táhan na. Malayang ilapat ng puso upang magkaisang diwa ang kalooban ng Tumatawag at tinatawag.”

Si John Rhey Enares Espinoza (Diyosesis ng Imus) ang talentado at mahilig sa musika. May angking galing sa pagtugtog ng instrumento. Kilala siya bilang ‘’John’’ May pagka-istrikto pero malambot rin ang puso, malakas ang kanyang personalidad. Tanungin mo siya at tiyak di siya mauubusan ng sasabihin. Kakikitaan mo siya ng kawilihan sa lahat ng bagay. Isa rin sa mga maituturing na Kuya dahil sa mga concerns sa kapwa. “Bunot. Gapas. Bungkal. Ihanda ang pusong tataniman.”

Si Danmer Jude Gerpacio Torres (Diyosesis ng Imus) ang pinakamabait, mahilig umawit, at masayahin. Medyo matipid magsalita at tahimik dahil sa kaunting pagkamahiyain. Tinatawag siyang ‘’Danmer’’ o ‘’Jude’’ madalas rin siyang tawaging ‘’Sir’’ dahil isa siyang guro bilang propesyon na nakapagturo sa pribadong paaralan bago pumasok sa seminaryo. Maasahan siya sa mga bagay-bagay at magalang sa mga nakakasalamuha. ‘’This S.Y. experience allows me to appreciate things in my life. God brought me far greater than I could ever imagine, someone who challenges me, grows alongside me. He brought me to least expected. For He taught me to trust, to listen, to love openly and not worry that much. For the way I have learned that everything does fall according to His plan, and when I let go and let Him. I do really find peace. ‘’ Hindi ko alam kung saan kami dadalhin ng aming mga kwento. Hindi ko alam kung palagi ba naming mararamdaman ang mga kahangahangang bagay na ito sa aming buhay. Sa totoo lang kapag iniisip ko ang mga bagay na ito tila tumitigil ako ng panandali at inaalala na tanging sa Diyos lamang ang aming pagtitiwala.

Si Carlo Alexis Malaluan (Diyosesis ng Imus) kilala bilang ‘’Caloy’’. Mahilig siya sa sining, kung may ipapa lay-out, drawing, o ipapapinta, siya ang tawagin ninyo. To the rescue siya lagi at maalalahanin sa kasama. Tawagin ninyo at tutulong siya. Sa dami niyang kakilala maituturing siyang isang palakaibigang tao.

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Ngayon ay Dadako Naman Tayo sa mga Kamanggagawa Namin sa Tahanan (2021-2022) by Glenn Ramesis Piad Hindi maikakaila ang papel ng mga minamahal naming kamanggagawa sa paghuhubog dito sa Tahanan. Bukod sa mga kaagapay namin sa aming paglalakbay, sila ay tumayong mga magulang at kapatid na rin namin habang kami ay malayo sa aming mga kinalakhang tahanan. Kaya sa lahat ng mga gawain namin, biyahe, buhay-espiritwal, paglalaro ng isports, pagsasalu-salo sa hapagkainan, ay hindi sila hiwalay sa amin. Kung tutuusin ay bihasa na rin sila sa pagrorosaryo at sa pakikinig sa Salita ng Diyos. May patuloy silang ‘formation program’ kada buwan at kabalikat namin sila sa aming misyon dito sa Tahanan. Ngayon ay subukan nating kilalalin ang mga “bayaning” naglilingkod, umaakay, dumadamay, at gumagabay sa bawat seminarista at tagapaghubog ng Tahanan. Hindi mabubuo ang pamilya ng Taon ng “Presensya ng Diyos” kung wala sila, kaya tara na at ating sulyapan kung sino nga ba sila…

Si Silvestre Palsaen Paguapo o mas kilala sa alyas na “Kabes,” “Tatay,” o “Bestre” ay ipinanganak noong ika-20 ng Hunyo 1955 sa Kibungan, Benguet. Isa siya sa mga pinakamatagal dito sa Tahanan sapagkat dumating siya noong ika-29 ng Hulyo 1976 kung saan ang kasalukuyang rektor noon ay si Msgr. Chito Bernardo pa. Binata pa noon si Kabes kaya’t kung tatanungin niyo siya tungkol sa mayamang kasaysayan ng Tahanan, isa siya sa makapagbibigay sa inyo ng sagot na inyong hinahanap buhat ng kanyang apatnapu’t limang taon niya rito. Si Kabes ay may angking husay at talento sa paghahardin, pagkukumpuni, pagtutubero, pag-aalaga ng mga

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hayop, pamamalengke, pagre-recycle ng mga kagamitan mula sa mga ‘scraps,’ pagmamasahe, pakikipagkwentuhan, at paglalaro ng isports gaya ng basketball, volleyball, table tennis, at chess kasama namin. Siya ay napakalambing na ama sa tatlo niyang anak at napakabuting asawa sa kanyang Misis. ‘’Kung wala ang Tahanan nasaan na kaya ako? Nang ako’y dumating sa Tahanan, hindi ako marunong magsalita ng Tagalog pero buti na lang ay may isang seminaristang mabait na nagturo sa aking magbasa at magsulat. Dito rin ako natutong magsimba at magdasal. Binago ng Tahanan ang buhay ko nang ako’y nagkapamilya, nakilala ang Misis ko dito at nagkaroon ng tatlong anak at dalawang apo. Marami rin akong nakasalamuha dito sa Tahanan: mga benefactors, iba’t ibang pari na dumaan dito, at mga pamilya ng mga seminaristang naging bahagi ng Tahanan.” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Huwag kayong makalimot sa Tahanan at lagi ninyong baunin ang lahat ng natutunan ninyo lalong-lalo na kapag kayo ay nasa parokya na.”

Si Natalia Boongaling Paguapo o si “Misis,” “Naty,” “Chanda” ay isang Batangueña na ipinanganak naman noong ika-1 ng Disyembre 1947. Nag-umpisa siyang magtrabaho sa Maryridge (RGS) ngunit dahil naiimbitahan siya palagi tuwing may okasyon sa Tahanan dahil malapit ang Tahanan sa mga taga-Maryridge, hindi na siya pinakawalan ni Msgr. Bernardo. Kung kaya’t napalipat siya sa Tahanan noong ika-30 ng Mayo 1977 at nakilala si Kabes. Napakamasayahin ni Misis bukod sa pagiging eksperto sa pagbi-bake ng tinapay, cakes, atbp. Siya rin ay mahusay sa pagluluto ng ulam, paglalaba ng table napkins, paggagayat ng mga gulay at iba pa. Kasama si Kabes, nandito siya naninirahan dahil mayroon silang sariling bahay na nasa area ng lupain ng

Tahanan. ‘’Sa Tahanan ako natutong magluto. Nakatulong din ito sa aspetong pinansyal lalo na sa aking pamilya at mga magulang. Dito na rin ako natutuong magdasal ng Tagalog at higit sa lahat, dito ko nakilala si Bestre, ang aking malambing na asawa.” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Maging masipag sa inyong pag-aaral.”

sa lahat ng mga biyayang aking natatanggap. Binago ng Tahanan ang aking buhay dahil sa pamamagitan ng pagiging kamanggagawa dito, nagkaroon ako ng tiwala sa sarili, nakatulong ako sa aking pamilya lalo na sa aspetong pinansyal, at naisakatuparan ko ang pangarap kong magkaroon ng Dream House para sa aking sarili.” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Tahimik kayong gumawa at taimtim na manalangin, sumunod sa Kanya kung iyon ang Nais niya para sa inyong buhay..”

Si Susan Demayacyac De Guzman o ang tinatawag na si “Ate/T’ya Susan,” “Chuchi,” o “Susie” ay tubong San Agustin, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro na isinilang noong ika-24 ng Mayo 1964. Nagsimula siya sa Tahanan noong ika-3 ng Hunyo 1991 kaya kung ating mapapansin, napakarami na ring karanasan ni Ate Susan dito sa Tahanan sa loob ng tatlumpung taon niya dito sa Tahanan. Si Ate Susan ay tahimik noon pero dahil sa pakikisalamuha sa iba’t ibang mga pari’t seminarista ay natuto siyang magsalita at maging mapagbiro. Pagdating sa paglilinis nang masinop sa mga kitchenwares at lababo sa Tahanan, pagsasaing, paglalagay ng mainit na tubig sa jug, paghahanda ng mga pampunas sa mga pinggan, paghahain ng pagkain, pagtitinda ng suka, pagaalaga ng mga aso, at pagsasaayos ng mga kagamitan sa Tahanan, walang masabi ang mga seminarista sa angking galing ni Ate Susan. Stay-in dito si Ate Susan kaya’t sa kanya ipinagkakatiwala noon pa man ang mga importanteng bagay patungkol sa Tahanan tulad ng seguridad, mga pasilidad sa Tahanan, sistema ng solar, tangke ng tubig, atbp. Napakamapag-asikaso at mapagalaga ni Ate Susan. “Salamat sa Tahanan dahil dito ay natuto akong makisalamuha sa iba’t ibang uri ng tao. Napalalim ng Tahanan ang aking buong-pusong pananampalataya at pasasalamat sa Diyos

Si Lydia Amboy Mondragon o si alyas “Ga,” “Ate Gagay” ay ipinanganak sa Bancuro, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro noong ika-27 ng Marso 1963. Dito na naging senior si Ate Gagay mula noong nag-umpisa pa lamang siyang dumating sa Tahanan noong Enero 1980 upang maging kaagapay nila Kabes at Misis sa kanilang mga maliliit na anak lalo na ng isinilang ang una nilang anak na si Katerina. Labing siyam na taon si Ate Ga kina Kabes at Misis habang tuwing may pangangailangan o okasyon ay tumutulong siya sa paglalaba at pagsasaaayos sa kusina. Pagkaraan ay opisyal na siyang naging bahagi ng mga personnel na stay-in sa Tahanan. Siya ay eksperto sa paglalaba at pag-uukit ng letra sa kahoy na krus. Masayahin at mabait si Ate Gagay na tila’y isa mo na rin siyang tunay na ina. “Ang pagrorosaryo ang isa sa mga natutunan ko dito sa Tahanan. Noong nag-uumpisa kaming lahat ay wala akong ginawa kundi makipagtawanan kina Father dahil nabubulol ako at nahihirapan. Ngunit ngayon ay sanay na ako sa pagdarasal nito. Sa Tahanan naging mabunga ang aking mga karanasan sa buhay at lagi akong napapasaya ng mga kasama naming seminarista dito.”

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Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Sumunod kayo sa mga patakaran ng Rektor, iba pang mga paring katuwang, kasama, at mga kaibigan. Sila ay mga kapwa daan natin kay Kristo. Ito ang kaluluwa ng ating bokasyon – ang makita si Hesus at pagsilbihan ang lahat ng uri ng tao.

Si Jenelyn dela Cruz Ambion

Si Ofelia Luis Tabilisima o si “T’ya/Ate Fely” ay nagmula naman sa probinsya ng Nueva Vizcaya. Siya ay isinilang noong ika-30 ng Setyembre 1956. Kasalukuyang naninirahan siya sa Francisco, Tagaytay City kung kaya’t hindi siya natatagalan sa pagko -commute tuwing siya ay papasok para maglaba dito sa Tahanan. Mahilig din sa aso si Ate Fely at mayroon siyang isang anak na lalaki. Nag-umpisa siya sa Tahanan noong Nobyembre 1990 nang si Fr. Sharkey Brown pa ang Rektor kaya’t tatlumpu’t isang taon na rin siya dito. Katulad ni Ate Ga, siya ay eksperto sa paglalaba. Si Ate Fely ay isang simpleng nanay na may nag-uumapaw na pagmamalasakit sa mga seminarista. “Ang natutunan ko sa Tahanan ay maging mapagkumbaba at mapag-unawa sa aking kapwa. Dito ay nattuo rin akong mabuhay nang simple. Ang Tahanan ay maaking biyaya sa akin hindi lang sa aspetong pinansyal, kundi ay pati na rin sa espiritwal. Lalong lumalim ang aking pananalig sa ating Panginoon. Dahil din sa Tahanan ay nakakarating ako sa kung saansaan, parang isang pamilya dito, magkaka-isa, paminsan-minsa’y may sagutan at hindi naman maiiwasan iyon.” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Isabuhay ninyo ang mga natutunan ninyo sa Tahanan at maging huwaran kayo sa lahat kung magiging pari man kayo o hindi.”

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naman, o kilala sa tawag na “Ate Jenny” ay ang aming cook dito sa Tahanan. Siya ay tubong Bacolod at ipinanganak doon noong ika-4 ng Hunyo 1967. Dumating siya dito sa Tahanan noon 2013 kung kaya’t mag-sisiyam na taon na rin siya dito sa Tahanan. Galing siya sa Pobeda Retreat House dahil nandoon ang kanyang panganay na babae na isang madre doon. Tatlo ang kanyang anak, dalawang babae at isang lalaki at sa tuwing pumapasok siya sa Tahanan, hatid-sundo siya palagi ng kanyang Mister na si Kuya Rico. Si Ate Jenny at isang napakaresponsableng ina hindi lang sa kanyang pamilya kundi pati na rin sa amin dito sa Tahanan. Lahat na ata ng uri ng lutong ulam ay alam niya at sa tuwing siya ay nagluluto, namamalengke, naghahain, damang dama namin ang kanyang pagkalinga. “Dito sa Tahanan, natutunan kong makisama nang ayos at matiwasay sa kapwa kong manggagawa, mga seminarista, at mga pari. Mas pinahalagahan ko at minahal ang aking tungkulin dito bilang isang “cook” ng Tahanan. Mas napalago rin ng Tahanan ang aking pananampalataya at relasyon sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng aming pagrorosaryo” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Salamat sa pagtanggap niyo sa akin bilang isang ina at kapamilya. Nawa ay makatapos kayong lahat at mapaglingkuran ninyo nang tapat at nang may buong pagmamahal ang mga taong ipagkakatiwala sa inyo ng Diyos.”

Si Charlie Valdez Bacos o mas pamilyar kaming tawaging “Kuya Charlie,” ay nagmula sa Patutung Malaki South, Tagaytay City. Ipinanganak siya noong ika-28 ng Setyembre 1983 at nagsimula siyang maging kamanggagawa namin dito sa Tahanan noong ika-28 ng Hulyo 2019. Bagong bago man si Kuya Charlie ay tila’y napakalalim na ng pakikialakbay niya sa mga seminarista dahil sa kanyang hindi kumukupas na masayahing awra at kagila-gilalas na kabaitang taglay. Siya ay isang huwarang ama na napakasipag na kumakayod para sa kanyang dalawang maliliit na chikiting kasama ng kanyang minamahal na misis. Maaga umuwi si Kuya Charlie at maaga rin siya palagi kung pumasok. Siya ay bihasa sa paghahardin, pagtatanim ng mga fruit-bearing trees, halamang ornamental., pagdidilig nito, pagla-landscape, pag grasscut, pagwewelding, pagkukumpuni, pagtulong sa paghahanda ng mga iluluto ni Ate Jenny, paglalaro kasama namin sa basketball, volleyball, table tennis, atbp. “Isang malaking bagay ang masasabi kong natutunan ko dito sa Tahanan – iyon ang mapalapit sa ating Panginoon. Naging responsibleng manggagawa ako dito at tinuruan din ako ng Tahanan maging butihing ama na iniisip ang kapakanan palagi ng pamilya.” Mensahe sa mga Seminarista: “Ipagpatuloy niyo lang ang inyong kabaitan sa mga kamanggagawa at sa iba pang mga tao.”

Bilang Pang-huli, Narito ang mga Ama Naming Tagapaghubog sa Tahanan (2021-2022) by Glenn Ramesis Piad Siyempre, hindi matatapos ang pagpapakilala sa lahat ng mga kasapi ng komunidad ng Taon ng “Presensya ng Diyos” kung wala ang mga ama namin dito sa Tahanan. Sila ay hindi lamang basta mga pari na iniluklok sa paglilingkod na ito upang bigyan kami ng mga alituntuning dapat sundin sa aming araw-araw na pamumuhay. Sa halip, sila ay aming mga dakilang gabay at kalakbay na itinuturing naming kaibigan, kapatid, o di kaya’y mga tunay na rin naming mga ama na palaging nariyan upang kami ay akayin patungo kay Hesus, ang Mabuting Pastol. Kasama namin sila sa pagbuo at pamumuhay ng aming Tipanan at nang may buong pagpapakumbaba, kaya nilang sabihin na sila rin ay patuloy na hinuhubog dito sa Tahanan kasama naming lahat. Sa aming “best” and “worst,” nariyan sila palagi at panata nilang hindi kami pababayaang maligaw ng landas.

1968 sa Maynila. Siya ay nakapagtapos ng Civil Engineering bago siya nagpasya na tumugon sa panawagan ng pagpapari. Siya’y minsang nadestino sa iba’t ibang bayan ng Kabite tulad ng Silang, Tanza, Bacoor, Kawit, Dasmariñas, atbp. bago siya naatasang maging Rektor namin dito sa Tahanan noong ika-15 ng Hunyo 2021. Likas kay Fr. Perci ang magiging masayahin, palabiro, mapagmasid, maunawain, mahusay magbigay ng malaman at masiglang pagninilay sa Salita ng Diyos, mapagpasensya, at mapagbigay. Malapit siya hindi lamang sa mga seminarista ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (TMP) at Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (OLPS) kundi ay pati na rin sa mga paring hinuhubog mula sa iba’t ibang seminary buhat ng pagiging Direktor Pangkabanalan niya sa kanila. Kahit siya’y may angking husay na sa maraming bagay gaya ng paglalaro ng volleyball, pag-awit, pamimisikleta, marami pa rin siyang gustong matutunan upang siya’y lumago at makapagbigay pa lalo ng sarili. Madaling i-approach si Fr. Perci kung kaya’t hindi nagiging mahirap sa aming magbukas ng sarili at magpatulong sa kanya sa aspeto ng paghuhubog. ‘’Pagpapakabuti. Ang pagiging mabuti ay taglay natin. Bumabanaag sa nakaaakit na PRESENSYA ng Lumikha. Sa TAHANAN ako’y ibinalik upang buhay at paglilingkod ay dalisayin muli. Masaya kong yayakapin kahit may kahirapan.” Pangalawa naman ay si

Rev. Fr. Serafin Sarmiento Parcon, Jr.

Si Rev. Fr. Percival Legazpi Sapin o mas tanyag sa pangalang “Father Perci o Fr. Ipe,” ay isinilang noong ika-13 ng Nobyembre (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

o mas kinagigiliwang tawaging “Father Raffy” o “Father Raf,” na ipinanganak noong ika-16 ng Hulyo 1979 sa Quezon City. Si Father Raffy ay naglingkod sa iba’t ibang parokya ng Bacoor, General Trias, atbp. bago siya maging bahagi ng mga tagapaghubog sa Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (OLPS) sa Imus, Cavite bilang Direktor Pangkabanalan ng mga seminaristang nasa baitang ng pag-aaral ng Pilosopiya noong 2017. Pagkaraan ng ilang taon ay napili siya bilang Direktor Espiritwal ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, at sa ngayon ay siya ang tagapaghubog namin at ng mga seminaristang nasa Spirituality Year (SY) program. Batikan si Fr. Raffy sa paglalaro ng basketball, pag-aalaga ng mga hayop tulad ng isda’t ibon, pagmamaneho ng sasakyan. Kung magbigay siya ng mga recollection sa amin ay tila’y nangungusap si Hesus sa aming mga puso’t isipan. Lagi niyang bilin sa amin na siya’y palaging nariyan upang kami ay samahan at gabayan sa oras ng kasaganaan at pangangailangan, sa oras ng hirap at ginhawa, sa oras ng pagsubok at kagalakan. ‘’GRATUS or ‘being grateful’ comes from the humble attitude of receiving. My experience of God’s loving presence in Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol and other communities brought me not only to be thankful but to respond with humility to serve God and my neighbor. Salamat at isang matinding ‘shoutout’ sa Presensya ng Diyos.”

Pagninilay Tahanan

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We were initially filled with uncertainty, and had questioned ourselves, “Can we pass these 30 days of intensive Spiritual exercises?” Afterwards, we met our spiritual director, a Jesuit priest, Fr. Danny Gozar, S.J., who is an expert in guiding retreatants especially in discussing the methods of Ignatian spiritual exercises. He guided us in tracing our attachments or hindrances in our daily gospel contemplation. In the first week of the retreat, I experienced boredom because of a constant daily routine of prayer periods, adoration, conference, spiritual direction and eucharistic celebrations. In the second week when we started to enter the prayer period in which we reflected on the life of Jesus, I felt a feeling of awe and was determined to continue the retreat. I realized that is the power of prayer, the power to sustain the person in the midst of temptation. The prayer periods also helped me to recognize Jesus – from the start of his life in the story of the infancy narrative, playing with the child Jesus, and entering into the story of the call of the first disciples, sermon of the mount, to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Encounters really happen in prayer and although we didn’t have a beatific vision to see God, prayer is a glimpse to know God more. One of my favorite prayer periods was when I contemplated on the Gospel of Matthew (14:22-34), which was when Jesus walked on water and his disciples mistook Him for a ghost.

30 Days intensive Encounter with Jesus by Michael Laurence Paglinawan

One of the dimensions in seminary formation is spiritual life. It is molded through seminary structures like daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic adoration, recollections and spiritual directions. Being future pastors we must conform ourselves to Christ in human, and most especially, in spiritual formation. Part of our formation here in Tahanan is the 30-day retreat: the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This occasion is the culmination of our special formation program in Pastoral Year, the year after our second year in theological studies, in order to bring our pastoral experiences to prayer. Although it is not required for our ordination, I still decided to take this opportunity for my spiritual growth, and this 30-day retreat is the most unique experience of all spiritual structures I’ve been through. On April 8, 2021, together with my classmate Earl Tan, we went back to Tahanan in order to dispose of ourselves in silence and meditation before we started the main exercises. During the preparation, our then rector asked us, “Do you want to continue with the retreat?”. I asked our rector in return, “In these times that we are in the pandemic, an unusual situation, can I really enter into a prayerful state?” Fr. Mike replied, “You do not really know when you can really enter into a prayerful state but what is important is you try your best to communicate with God.” We started our retreat on April 12, 2021, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novitiate, in Novaliches, Quezon City.

First, upon entering the story I was riding on the boat together with the disciples. I was afraid of the strong winds and waves that were crashing onto the boat. I didn’t understand why I was afraid of the waves and strong wind because I grew up in a coastal area and I had many experiences riding on boats. A part of the prayer period is repeating the above meditation in order to understand what it is that disturbed us about that part of the gospel story. So, I again contemplated it.It was then that the prayer revealed to me my biggest fear in life, and that is to lose my loved ones, especially “nanay” who, days before my retreat, became ill. I finally understood that the images of the strong waves and wind represented all my anxieties in life. Experiencing anxiety leads us to isolation, and that makes it difficult for us to recognize God as our companion in our times of distress. We just tend to focus on our problems and try to fix these ourselves, forgetting God’s presence beside us. In our mind He becomes just an imagination of ours, a ghost. As I was nearing the end of my contemplation, I realized that Jesus truly never leaves me in my times of anxiety. I learned that all things may pass but only God remains. In the last week of our 30-day retreat, as we concluded our spiritual exercises, our spiritual director inspired us with a message: “As you go back to your daily routine, continue to pray and be awed by God’s unconditional love.” Prayer leads us to understand the things that confuse us. Honestly, my intention in attending this retreat was for spiritual growth but in the end it opened my consciousness that I’m weak and imperfect. It made me realize that the longer I live, the more I will realize that suffering and pain is inevitable. Hence when these moments come, I know I cannot get through them without the help of God.

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It’s been a year and six months since the onset of the pandemic. Unexpectedly I tested positive for the COVID-19 virus a day before our “balikan” in Tahanan for the First Semester of the Formation Year 2021-2022. Prior to the test, I was already experiencing flulike symptoms including fever, body pains, cough, colds, loss of smell and slight difficulty in breathing for three days and I was on self-isolation at home. Because of that, I was advised to get tested to ensure not just for my own safety but also my family and the Tahanan Community. Imagine if I came back in Tahanan without knowing that I am COVID-19 positive, I would have risked the health and well being of all the members of the community. The symptoms I felt, which included the sudden drop of oxygen saturation in my blood made me realize the gravity of the condition I was in. With this realization, I stopped fighting, resisting and denying the situation. I took the prescribed medications and did home remedies to relieve and cure the symptoms. During my quarantine at home, I felt not just the physical effects of the illness but also psychological ones, such as anxiety and stress, because I feared that my family will also get infected. Thank God, they didn’t. I had sleepless nights thinking how will I able to surpass this situation. I prayed so hard everyday that after completing my quarantine of fourteen days, I will be free of COVID-19. I prayed too, that everything will be okay in God’s mercy by surrendering to His will, for even if we were fully vaccinated, no one can be spared from COVID-19 transmission unless we keep ourselves protected by following the safety protocols.

Experience of Being a COVID-19 Survivor: Rising Above COVID-19 by Harvey Luistro

“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.” -Pope Francis We were all caught unprepared when the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, hit the world since the first quarter of 2020. All of a sudden, the world seemed to stop and all of us were affected even until now. The series of lockdowns were imposed either on local or regional level as well as the implementation of health protocols to contain and prevent the transmission of the said virus. Despite government efforts, it seems that COVID-19 is here to stay due to the ineffective, problematic and slow progress in doing the measures to combat this pandemic. The health care system is already experiencing fatigue and distress, likely to collapse if not well managed, while the economy also suffers deep recession amid this pandemic. Sadly, the worst effect of COVID-19 is that many people endured pain and distress due to the loss of their loved ones associated with this health threat. Others are still feeling anxious and depressed due to prolonged lockdowns and sudden loss of job or source of income. As many experts say, it will take years before we can go back to the pre-pandemic situation but for now, we are on what we call the “new normal”.

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I was also overwhelmed with the support I got from my family who were there for me attending to all my needs as well as my relatives and friends who virtually checked on me. The Tahanan Community started their formation while I was still quarantined. Despite my situation, a part of me felt that I was already in Tahanan, for they updated me on their activities, particularly during the Retreat, that I also attended virtually. I also got to experience the spiritual exercises. After completing the required quarantine days and was free from all the symptoms, I was looking forward to the day for the confirmatory swab test to check whether I am still positive or already negative for the virus. At last, my test came back negative. The feeling was inexplicable. I was finally free of the virus and free of the symptoms. Deep inside I was crying with joy and my heart was full of gratitude to God that finally I will be able to go back to Tahanan and continue my seminary formation. With God’s mercy, I was healed of the COVID-19 virus and got back to Tahanan. There are still challenges like the post-COVID symptoms but because of God’s mercy and love, there is always hope that I will be able to surpass them. After all, my core grace is “pag-asa” (hope) and I am claiming it. Jesus, the Mabuting Pastol who called me to follow His path, will heal me physically, psychologically and spiritually. We cannot deny that this virus really exists and it is here to stay. But, with our collective efforts and proper measures, we will defeat this evil virus. Nothing is impossible with God because He is far greater than any virus or pandemic. With the wound and scars left by this current crisis, together we can heal each other as one.

“Healing and Loving” by Vincent Climacosa

“Eventually, you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is. The journey may take many lifetimes, but you will complete it. It is impossible not to complete it. It is not a question of if but of when. Every situation you create serves this purpose. Every experience you encounter serves this purpose.” Gary Zukav A new chapter in my life unfolded as I embarked on a journey towards my Pastoral Year experience which at first, seemed uncertain as to what would happen especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. There were so many questions yet so little answers that filled me in. During the first part of my Pastoral Year exposure, I thought that the pandemic itself would be the greatest challenge at hand to which I would really struggle, especially when it comes to the unending series of quarantines that followed. However, the succeeding situations proved me wrong. I have never imagined being on bended knees begging the Lord to grant me a heart that was ready to accept the things which I have no control over. The first of those situations would be the demise of my grandfather Msgr. Juan Binlayo, whom I have been taking care of for the past three years everytime I come home for our vacation. I would always make it a point to make him feel loved even though it was hard to nurse an old person. I saw in his eyes a priest who loved God and remained faithful to his priesthood despite the many challenges of old age up to the very last. He may be that priest who can no longer celebrate mass, but his faith in the Lord who called him remained strong. The second situation would be the day before the 40th day of the death of my grandfather, where my Uncle (Joel) was run over dead by a truck driven by an 18-yearold boy. It was a grave situation that brought a traumatizing shock to me. It was a glimpse of a moment where I could not even react or respond properly. On top of it, my phone rang continuously and as I answered it, asking me: “Is this Mr. Vincent? Kinuha po naming number mo sa phone ng pasyente namin na dinala dito, relative mo po ba ito? Pwede po ba pumunta tayo kayo ngayon dito sa hospital? Naakisidente po kamag-anak ninyo and dead on arrival. Pakikuha po ang bangkay para maprocess na din ang medicolegal.” I was at a loss for words! No words can describe my inner disposition after that. Again, I felt so helpless. The only thing which I knew I could do was to take the remains of my uncle ensuring that it was in good hands until the funeral mass. An expression of love on my end bursted out, asking God, “Why? Why did you allow our family to experience another death of a loved one? What do you want to show me?” These were the questions that found no response from God.

always so sure yet the hour remains so obscure. The series of deaths in my life changed me and molded the person I am today. No words can express the pain in my heart, but I am certain that two things are clear in God’s plan – love and grace. The Lord invites us to love, as Christ loved us because nothing is permanent in this world and we will only know the value of a person when that person is gone. That is why we must strive each day to love the person whom we are with in spite of the situation because love is a choice. To love is a disposition. Piliin natin umibig araw-araw. Finally, everything is grace, no matter what, there will always be the grace of God, grace that gives healing. I felt that in those wounds inflicted by anguish, I can grow and be a source of healing for others. I am a wounded healer in a world filled with death and sufferings.

Finally, my Aunt (Adela) succumbed to Colon Cancer on the day right before the funeral mass of my Uncle. After three years of battling cancer she passed away silently in peace. I thought, those series of deaths would never end. With these losses, I asked God, “Are there no ends to these chains of death from those dear to me?” Tears could no longer fall from my eyes. My heart felt numb as those people whom I loved the most passed away. In an instant, they were gone! But this is the hard reality of life, death is (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

Karanasan ng Tagumpay dahil sa Pastol na Gumagabay by Ross Erwin Layugan

Ang bawat yugto ng paghuhubog bilang isang tinawag sa buhay pagpapari ay isang napakalaking biyaya mula sa Diyos na siyang tumatawag. Totoo na hindi biro at ‘di madali ang bawat paghakbang sa taon ng paghuhubog subalit hindi rin maitatanggi ang saya at nakapapanabik na mga karanasan. Bawat taon ay tiyak na may bagong karanasan na babaunin bilang alaala at aral na makatutulong sa buhay pagkatao at paglilingkod. Ang taon ng aking pakikipamayan sa buhay pastoral (Pastoral Year) ay maihahalintulad ko sa isang masarap na inuming panghimagas. Ang paghahanda at pagtitimpla sa inumin na ito ay di tiyakan, maaring tumamis o maaring maasim o maari ring walang lasa, subalit dahil ang Diyos ang siyang sumusukat at nagtitimpla, sa bandang huli may naghahalo man na asim, pait, at tamis ay nakapapawi pa rin ng uhaw. Ang aking mga karanasan sa iba’t ibang institusyon at komunidad ay bahagi ng mga sangkap na bumubuo sa inumin ng buhay paglalakbay sa Pastoral Year. Pagtitiwala. Sa pagsisimula pa lamang ng aking pagkilatis at pagninilay sa kung anong ministeryo ang aking pakikipamayan sa Pastoral Year ay ito na ang aking naging baon. Ang pakikipamayan ko sa mga batang lansangan ng Maynila na pinangangasiwaan ng Childhope Asia Philippines ay wala sa orihinal na plano subalit bunga na rin ng sitwasyon ay dito ako dinala ng Diyos. Ang ilang buwan na pagtuklas sa buhay paglilingkod ng mga social workers at volunteers ng institusyon, at higit sa lahat ang buhay ng mga batang lansangan ng Maynila ay nakamamanghang kwento ng buhay at pananampalataya. Ang mga araw na aking pagsama, pakikipaglaro, pakikipagkwentuhan, at pagkilos sa opisina o sa kalye ay karanasan na nagbalik sa akin sa kapayakan at pagiging totoo. Ang walang kasiguraduhan sa aking pananatili at pagtahan sa Lungsod ng Maynila, isang ‘di gaanong pamilyar na lugar sa akin, ay naghatid sa akin upang higit na ipaubaya sa Diyos ang lahat. Ang Banal na Misa ang siyang naging takbuhan ko sa isang buhay na walang estruktura sa labas ng mga sulok ng seminaryo. Mabuti ang Pastol sapagkat inilalagay niya ang kanyang tupa sa isang kawan na makakatugon sa kanyang pangangailangan at mapagkakatiwalaan. Pag-asa. Ang biyaya at pamantayan na ito ang aking bitbit sa pagtahak ko sa panibagong mukha ng pakikipamayan. Ang mahigit tatlong buwang pakikipamayan ko sa Lung Center of the Philippines bilang bahagi na rin ng aking Clinical Pastoral Exposure (CPE) ay isang karanasan ng pag-asa. Ang aspektong ito ng aking Pastoral ay nagkaroon ng malaking bahagi sa aking personal na pagkilatis at paghuhubog lalong higit sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa aking pagkatao at pakikitungo sa kapwa. Gayundin, ito ay isang paraan ng paghahatid ng pag-asa lalo sa mga taong nasa banig ng karamdaman. Ang simpleng pagdalaw, pangangamusta, at pananalangin sa kanila ay naghahatid ng katatagan ng loob sa mga pasyente at sa kanilang pamilya anuman ang kanilang antas, estado, kasarian, paniniwala at relihiyon sa buhay. Sa bawat araw paglagi at pagdalaw ko sa mga pasyente, isa sa mgakatotohan na aking napagtanto ay ang kanilang silid ay hindi pulpito o altar bagkus isang lugar ng reyalidad ng buhay. Ang bawat pagdalaw ay hindi laging humihingi ng mga pangangaral

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bagkus ng mga tainga na handang makinig at pusong handang dumamay. Ang buhay sa loob ng ospital ay sumasalamin sa buhay natin, sa buhay ko- may sákit, dusa, hapdi at maging kamatayan, subalit ang mga ito ang higit na nagpapakita sa kung ano at sino ako at tayo. Mabuti ang Pastol sapagkat dumadalaw at dumaramay siya sa mga taong umaasa sa kanya. Pananalig. Sa ganitong diwa ko maibubuod ang aking karansan sa mga katutubo, Muslim at Kristiyano sa Mindanao. Malayo sa aking hinuha na ako ay mapapadpad sa malayong lugar sa siyudad ng Zamboanga kasama ang mga taga-Silsilah Dialogue Movement, isang tanyag na institusyon na kumikilos upang ipalaganap ang kapayapaan at ugnayan partikular sa mga Muslim, katutubo, at Kristiyano. Ang magtungo sa isang lugar na malayo sa aking nakasanayan at kinalakihan ay tunay na humamon sa akin. Ang naging bawat araw ko lalo sa panahon ng pandemya na malayo sa sariling bayan at pamilya ay karanasan na wala akong ibang kinapitan kundi ang manalig sa Diyos na hindi ako pababayaan. Gayun pa man, bunga na rin ng pananalig sa pastol na nagsugo sa akin sa lugar na hindi maipagkakaila ang kabutihan at kagandahang loob ng mga tao, hinubog ako sa napakahalagang aspekto ng pakikipag-ugnayan. Ang pakiki-ugnay o diyalogo sa Diyos, kapwa, sarili at sangnilikha ay isang malalim na paraan ng pagtatamo ng kapayapaan - kapayapaang di lamang tumutukoy sa kawalan ng dahas o awayan bagkus ng kapanatagan ng kalooban. Ang mga araw ng aking pagkatuto at pagtuklas kasama ang mga layko na nagtatalaga ng sarili sa paglilingkod ay isang makabuluhang karanasan sa Diyos na aking baon sa pagbabalikat at pagpapatuloy ng buhay paghuhubog. Tunay na Mabuti ang Pastol sapagkat hindi niya binibitawan ang mga tupang nanalig at kumakapit sa kanyang grasya, awa, at habag. Ang buhay paglalakbay sa aking Pastoral Year ay karanasan ng tagumpay. Ito ay malaking bahagi na tumatak sa aking pagkatao at disposisyon sa tinatahak na buhay pagpapari. Ang iba’t ibang mukha na aking nakasalamuha ay konkreto at buhay na mukha ng Mabuting Pastol na nagpakita sa akin kung gaano pa rin kasaya ang magbigay ng sarili at maglingkod sa kabila ng mga pangamba, hapdi, at kawalang katiyakan. Hindi man naging biro ang pinagdaanan subalit dahil sa patuloy na pagtitiwala, pag-asa, at pananalig sa Mabuting Pastol na gumagabay at umaalalay, ang lahat ay nalagpasan at napagtagumpayan.

Tinig ng Pastol, Pagpapadama ng Presensya ng Diyos by Emerson Maala

Bahagi na ng aming buhay paghuhubog sa seminaryo ang larangan ng buhay pakikipamayan. Dito nabubuo sa amin ang buhay paglilingkod at pag-aalay ng sarili para sa mga tao at sa simbahan. Kalimitan, mga parokya at komunidad ang aming pinupuntuhan at pinakikipamayanan. Dito ay nagkakaroon kami ng malalim na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga tao, matuto sa kanilang buhay, at gayundin naman ang maakay sila sa Diyos at sa simbahan. Sa pagtama ng pandemyang dulot ng Covid-19, isa sa mga naapektuhan nito ang buhay pananampalataya ng mga tao. Naging limitado ang mga pagkilos dahil na rin sa pangamba sa sakit. Marami rin ang nagtatanong kung nasaan ang Diyos sa mga pagkakataon na ito at tila ba’y nawawalan din ng pag-asa. Bagama’t naapektuhan din ang aming paghuhubog kung saan naging limitado ang aming mga paggawa, hindi naging hadlang ang pandemya para sa aming mga seminarista ng Tahanan upang makapagbigay ng sarili. Hindi nawala sa aspekto ng aming paghuhubog ang buhay pakikipamayan. Bilang tugon din sa panawagan ng Diyos ng paglilingkod sa kasalukuyang panahon at sa malikhaing kaisipan ng komunidad, isa sa mga nabuong konsepto sa amin ng pakikipamayan ang “Online Apostolate and Accompaniment” na tinawag na Tinig ng Pastol. Sa lawak at ingay ng mundo, kasabay ng pagharap ng bawat isa sa pandemya, marami ang naghahanap din ng isang tinig na kakaiba sa ibinibigay nito at tinig ng sarili. Isang tinig na makakapagdulot ng kapayapaan ng kalooban ng bawat isa at makakapaghatid ng pag-asa. Ito ang tinig na nagmumula sa isang pag-ibig ng Mabuting Pastol at ito ay walang iba kundi ang tinig ni Hesus. Sabi nga sa ebanghelyo ni San Juan 10:14, “Ako ang mabuting pastol. Kilala ko ang aking mga tupa at kilala ako ng aking mga tupa” Kilala ng tupa ang tinig ng Pastol. Tayo ang mga tupa at si Hesus ang Mabuting Pastol. Mas nadarama natin ang presensya ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang tinig.

pangyayari, isang biyaya pa ring maituturing ang naging gawain. Naging positibo ang pagtanggap ng mga tao sa social media at naibahagi rin ito ng mga nakapanood sa iba. Sa ganitong paraan, kahit papaano ay naririnig nila ang isang awit at himig mula sa mga hinuhubog din na Pastol. Bukod dito, naging bahagi din ang komunidad sa Lectio Divina Gospel Sharing ng Silsilah Dialogue Movement kung saan ay aktibong nakibahagi ang bawat isa sa amin. Galak sa mga puso ang aming nararamdaman dahil kahit sa ganitong paraan ay masasabi pa rin na isa itong biyaya, isang biyaya ng paghahandog ng sarili. Nakakatuwang isipin dahil naging malawak ang bahagi ng aming pinakikipamayanan. Hindi lamang ito sa isang lokal na simbahang kinabibilangan namin kundi umabot pa ito hanggang Zamboanga. Nagpapahiwatig ito na ang Tinig ng Pastol ay kayang abutin kahit ang mga nasa malalayong lugar maipadama lamang ang presensya ng Diyos. Sa kabuuan, ipinakita sa akin ng Diyos na walang pinipiling sitwasyon ang pagiging isang pastol - pastol na handang umibig kahit na siya rin ay nasusugatan. Bagama’t limitado ang aming mga pagkilos, binigyan pa rin kami ng karunungan upang makaisip ng paraan na sa kabila ng ganitong mga sitwasyon ay makapagbahagi at makapagbigay pa rin kami ng aming mga sarili. “We just need to be flexible” at ito rin ang hinihingi ng sitwasyon at paghuhubog. Kailangan lang naming tumugon, dahil may nais makinig at higit sa lahat upang marinig ang Tinig ng Pastol na magpapadanas sa kanila ng presensya ng Diyos.

The Wrath of Taal: A Test of Faith by Earl Gabriel Tan

January 12, 2020 was just a quiet, typical Sunday in Tagaytay just like any other Sunday in the past… until we learned of the Taal Volcano’s eruption later in the afternoon as we left our apostolate area in Barangay Guinhawa. What usually takes only 20 minutes, turned into a two-hour grueling travel time from MendezCrossing to Olivarez.

Bilang hinuhubog, isang tungkulin ko rin bilang seminarista ang maging instrumento ng pagbabahagi ng tinig ng What we earlier heard from the news, we later experienced Mabuting Pastol. Sa isang di inaasahang konkretong kafirst-hand as the ashes rose and continued to hover ranasan, ang unang naibahagi ng komunidad sa Facebook page ng Tahanoverhead. Darkness started to envelop the sky and it an ng Mabuting became more difficult and almost impossible to travel. Pastol ay isang People began to panic, fearing for their lives and the lives awit ng Tahof their loved ones who were at home. anan, ang Ina ng Paglaya, na nilikha ni Rev. At 6 in the evening, public utility vehicles were jam-packed Fr. Nonilon and hundreds of passengers were stranded, including us. Tibayan. NagWe decided to walk from Olivares to Tahanan, despite the simula ito sa ashfall for we know it could only get worse from there. Fr. isang inisiyatMyk and Fr. Randel were both waiting at the refectory, as ibo ng pagsasama-sama at our group was the first one to arrive. pagtugtog para sa Mahal na It was the darkest night I have ever seen, and the ground Birheng Maria beneath us felt like it was going to crumble as the sa kanyang aftershocks shook the ground after every few minutes. It kaarawan, hanggang sa was not just fear but the terror we felt among ourselves, an naging isa ng intense feeling of fright over something that could happen gawain bilang that we are unsure of. bahagi ng apostolate sa I was kneeling in the chapel, praying and pleading like pamamagitan ng pagkuha I’ve never had in my entire life, when I was called by our ng video at coordinator for a meeting with the rest of the community. pag-edit nito. I remember the mumbling, telling us we should evacuate Bagama’t hindi to Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary, since they learned that planado ang (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2 85

our neighboring seminaries and religious houses already started to do so. Surprisingly, at the end of our meeting, an immediate evacuation was not part of the plan of our Fr. Rector. Just like the calm and prudent shepherd that he was, and ought to be, his response in a private chat was “Mamaya sigurong madaling araw dapat ay magluto tayo ng mami dahil malamang maraming evacuees mula Batangas.” (At dawn, I think we should cook enough noodle soup since there would definitely be a lot of evacuees from Batangas). As the night progressed, sleep was the last thing on our mind. The very next day was the start of a new and strange routine for all of us : breakfast, cleaning the roof and the surroundings, management of the relief operations at our seminary gymnasium followed by the distribution of these goods to different evacuation sites and parishes, and an evening mass to conclude the day. “Sa paglapit ng panganib, tumatakas ang upahan, ngunit ang tunay na Pastol, mananatili hanggang kamatayan.”, these words from a song have echoed all throughout the whole ordeal. Ang Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, lived by its name and became a true and safe place of refuge and hope. And we, as members of this community, became little shepherds and with the guidance of our Chief Shepherd, extended our aid and reached out to the rest of the victims. In this unexpected turn of events, our Theology was tested. The cura pastoralis was challenged. We stayed, despite the reality that we too were affected and very much afraid with nothing to rely on but each other and most importantly, our unwavering faith in God that allowed us to be of true service to humanity. As our daily prayer after the partaking of the Eucharist goes, “When savage wolves snatch your sheep, let not our feet take flight. May we defend your flock bright days and weary nights.”

Despite our fear and the choices that we had, I am grateful that we all stayed until the last of the relief was sent. It was courageous, yes, just like our Blessed Mother to the mission of the Good Shepherd. May this experience be a wake up call, a beginning, a never ending emptying of self for others and whenever we are needed, may our feet never take flight no matter what.

Isang Paglalakbay by Jobert Martin Gatmaitan

Isa sa pinakamakahulugan at hindi ko makakalimutang karanasan sa aking paglalakbay bilang isang nagpapari ay ang aking naging karanasan noong “Spirituality Year” namin noong nakaraang taon. Sa tuwing ipinalalarawan sa akin ang naging karanasang iyon, isang kataga lang ang aking laging sinasabi, “grateful.” Bakit? “Grateful” sa Diyos sa lahat ng karanasang ito na nakatutulong sa akin ngayon upang higit na makita ang kabutihan Niya at makilala pa ang aking sarili. Ang “Spirituality year” para sa akin ay isang paglalakbay patungo sa pagkilala sa Diyos, sa sarili, at sa kapwa. Ito ay isang bahagi ng aming paghubog sa seminaryo kung saan kami ay dumadaan sa mga ilang proseso at mga “modular classes.” Nagkaroon kami ng “family immersion” kung saan mas nakita ko ang kahalagahan ng isang pamilya sa paglago ng isang tao. Sa pamilya una tayong hinubog at ang ating mga magulang ang una nating mga naging taga-hubog. Nandiyan din ang aming klase sa “human sexuality” kung saan mas nakita namin ang kaugnayan ng aming sekswalidad sa aming mga pagkatao at marami pang iba. Pangalawa, sa patuloy na pagtuklas sa aking sarili ay tinutulak ako nito sa mas malalim na paglalakbay sa buhay at iyon ang pagkilala sa Diyos. Bahagi ng aking pagkatao ang katotohanan na, “Ako ay anak ng Diyos na Kanyang nilikha ayon sa Kanyang wangis.” Sa pamamagitan ng katotohanang ito, mas lumalawak ang aking pagtingin hindi lang sa aking sarili kundi pati na rin sa buhay. Mas binuksan din ng aking karanasan sa “Spirituality Year” ang aking mga mata upang mas makita ang kilos ng Diyos sa aking buhay. Sa aking pagbabalik - tanaw ng aking mga naging karanasan, dito ko mas nakita kung gaano kabuti at kung gaano nanatiling tapat ang Diyos sa akin. Sa pamamagitan ng pag- alaalang ito ng mga naging karanasan ko, mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon, ay mas nakita ko ang pagkakaugnay-ugnay ng lahat ng ito sa aking patuloy na pagtuklas ng aking misyon sa buhay. Sa aming paglalakbay bilang “Pananagutan batch ” sa “Spirituality Year” na ito, ipinakita din nito sa amin ang aming pagiging tao. Ipinakita at ipinarinig din sa akin ang bawat kwento ng aking mga kasama sa klase. Dito ko napagtanto na lahat tayo ay may mga istorya ng saya, lungkot,

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pagkalugmok, at mga kwento ng pagbangon. Dito ibinukas sa akin ng Diyos ang halaga ng bawat tao. Sa huli, ang lahat ng aking mga natuklasan, “realizations,” at mga hamon ay maituturing kong mga surpresa ng Diyos sa akin na gusto Niyang makita at maranasan ko. Ito, para sa akin, ay pagpapakita pa rin ng Diyos ng Kanyang pagmamahal at katapatan. Itong karanasang ito sa “Spirituality Year” ay tanda ng patuloy na pakikipagkaibigan ng Diyos, isang pagkakaibigang alam kong hindi lang hanggang dito sa mundong ito bagkus isang pagkakaibigan walang hanggan. Ito ay isang paglalakbay hanggang langit.

In Blue Jeans and a Pair of Nike’s:

An “Influencer for God,” A Eucharistic Miracle by John Enares Espinoza

On the 10th of October 2020, Carlo Acutis, was raised to the altars as “Blessed.” He is a 15-year-old young programmer known for creating a website documenting and promoting Eucharistic miracles. He was born on May 3, 1991 to Andrea Acutis and Antonio Salzano. Carlo died on October 12, 2006 due to M3 acute leukemia. He was buried, at his request, in Assisi because of his devotion to Saint Francis. His life may be brief, however, it is a life well lived. In this internet age, he never desired fame for himself, instead, he dedicated his life in making God known even in the digital continent. He became an “Influencer for God” – this generation’s Eucharistic Miracle. Blessed Carlo was blessed with the gift of faith and special love for God at a young age. After he made his First Communion, he started going to Mass every day, dedicated an hour before the Blessed Sacrament daily, and went to confession regularly. Carlo have a deep fervor for the Eucharist calling it his “highway to heaven.” He would sacrifice playing videogames to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. His witness of Eucharistic Faith led to conversion of others and “influenced” other people to go to Mass and receive Communion daily. Because of his immense love for Jesus in the Eucharist, Carlo went to visit and document Eucharistic miracles making it accessible on the internet so that people across continents could share in his amazement. He also shared the Catholic faith and taught catechism inspiring young people to choose to strive for holiness. Blessed Carlo believed that “the more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like Jesus.” His ardent love for the Eucharist resulted to a vibrant charity towards others. He courageously defended his bullied classmates, thoughtfully accompanied kids who were victims of domestic problems and divorce, patiently rescued friends addicted to substances and pornography, and compassionately helped the elderly. Young Carlo generously cared for the homeless using his allowance to buy sleeping bags and clothes for them. He was an “influencer for God” through his radical renunciation of worldly things that resulted to his charity towards the needy. Together with Jesus, Carlo Acutis became food for the broken world. The young Blessed “[lived] the Holy Communion as a constant dialogue with Jesus.” His encounters with the Eucharistic Lord deepened his love for Him. Carlo’s profound devotion to the Eucharist transformed him to the image of Christ whom he receives. More than being an

“influencer” of sanctity, he is a testimony of a Eucharistic miracle. A miracle more than the physical change of bread to flesh and wine to blood – his becoming an authentic witness of Jesus. Carlo lived the mystery of the Eucharist – blessed, broken, and shared. He was blessed with an extraordinary love for Jesus in the Holy Sacrament. He was broken with his sufferings and sacrifices. Ultimately, he shared and offered himself to God, to the Church, and to the needs of the world. Blessed Carlo Acutis did more than just an online catalogue of Eucharistic Miracles – with the grace of God, he became one. Blessed Carlo once said, “We face the sun we become tan… but when we place ourselves in front of the Eucharistic Jesus we become saints.” This is true for him and so for us. Here in Tahanan, where we celebrate Holy Mass daily and meet Jesus in Holy Hour regularly, there is a danger of over-familiarity and turning this Divine experience to a monotonous routine. Carlo’s life invites us to a renewal of disposition in each Eucharistic encounter, to sought Jesus hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, and to live the mystery of the Eucharist every single day.

Eucharistic Spirituality is not just all about participating in the Mass and having a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. It is also about a deeper communion with God and communion with our brothers and sisters. In the Eucharist we receive Jesus and we become WHO we eat. We are changed gradually according to our faith in WHO we receive. Each communion that we receive, we become one with God and more attuned to the concerns of our brethren. Since we receive Christ, we became Christ, and we love like Christ. We conform to the self-giving love of Jesus. In the Eucharist, we see a love that fosters our configuration to Christ and strengthens us in our vocation. Each of us is called, like Blessed Carlo Acutis, to be bread broken for the life of the world. Eucharistic Miracle happens every day at Mass. The (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2 87

very presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is in itself a great miracle. As for the extraordinary, the greatest Eucharistic miracle is not the sacred bread turning into real flesh or the blessed cup overflowing with real blood before our eyes. It is our conversion and transformation to the likeness of Christ whom we receive in the Eucharist. We become witnesses to the Eucharistic Miracle that happens every day when we are conformed to the life of our Eucharistic Lord. Blessed Carlo Acutis teaches us that in faithfully receiving Christ in Holy Communion, our life becomes a sacrament and our witnessing becomes a miracle. May we, like Carlo, become “Influencers for God,” our generation’s Eucharistic Miracle.

Tagpuan: A Community Pilgrimage by Anthony Bagayas The Community of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol agreed to have a pilgrimage – to listen, to dialogue, to walk, to be with, and to journey with the people of God. The pilgrimage was done during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, November 1-2, 2021. It was composed of all the seminarians (five from Spirituality Year, five from theology one, two from theology two, six from theology three, and two from theology four), six personnel, and two formators. In other words, the whole community of Tahanan joined the pilgrimage. The following are the Churches that we visited around Cavite: St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Bacoor); Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral (Imus); Nues. Sra. de Candelaria Shrine (Silang); St. Gregory the Great Parish (Indang); Assumption of Our Lady (Maragondon); Sto. Nino de Ternate Parish (Ternate); Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Naic); Shrine of St. Augustine (Tanza); and, St. Mary Magdalene Parish (Kawit). In connection with the upcoming “Synod on Synodality” in 2023, we tried to integrate its theme, “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission” into our pilgrimage by journeying and moving forward together as one community. The journey entails listening to one another, understanding each one’s capabilities and shortcomings, accepting each one’s weaknesses, and the most important thing is, seeing God’s presence in everyone. These are, perhaps, the closest thing to do to have a good, harmonious, and peaceful journey towards the kingdom of God. In the journey, it is inevitable to encounter such different communities, different people, and different parishes. Thus, it happened. Part of our journey is to be with them; to listen to them, to be part of their journey, and to be present with them. We realized that on one hand, each one has different roads, desires, and visions, and on the other hand, they have confusions, doubts, and questions. People are individually unique, and this requires understanding, listening, and acceptance to acquire unity. One example perhaps is the present community of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, we came from different dioceses and parishes yet we journey together and live as one community. We move forward together and yet we are individually unique, but united in Christ. One of the reasons why we had the pilgrimage is to celebrate and savor the 500th Year of Christianity and the 60th Anniversary of the Diocese of Imus. The anniversary of the Diocese of Imus celebrated its 60th anniversary at Imus Cathedral on November 25, 2021, a Thursday. It was presided over by Most. Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista

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D.D., the fifth bishop of Imus. In his homily, he said, “May we continue to thank God every day and to care for our neighbors, and may we journey together towards the life of holiness.” He added, “It is a great challenge for us to grow closer to God as his people but the God who bestows us our diocese is the God who always takes care of us even in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let us have faith in the Lord.” The community of Tahanan was blessed enough to have such a pilgrimage. To experience, not only of seeing new churches, of encountering new people, and for some, of getting to know the priests, but also to experience and see God in the faces of people, in nature, and in the community within the Diocese of Imus. It was a privilege and it was memorable. The pilgrimage we had was fun yet full of encounters. For some, it was an encounter with God while for others it was a religious experience. Personally, it was a religious experience and also an encounter with God. Realizing that changes were happening inside of me every time I entered the Porta Sancta in every parish. The ambiance was different and I can truly feel that something touches my body and heart. And that was the reason why I felt comforted, and the burden I feel inside and the baggage I carry all the time gradually faded. I encounter God not only in the sanctuary which you can see when you enter the Porta Sancta, or in the images inside the church. I encounter God more in the faces of the people and in their communities. I also believe, the church, by faith it is a holy place, a sanctuary where God is present. This is also the place that we are looking for - a place where we can rest; where we can pray for our intentions and offer our weaknesses and shortcomings. It is a place where we can express our gratitude. And, our body. By faith, is it holy and is the temple of the Holy Spirit: “Do you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (Corinthians 6:19-20). I did not expect that everyone in the community would be very happy with our presence. Their smiles and happy faces remind me that God is truly present to each and every one. Everyone on the journey has baggage – the cause of all burdens. And God is always there for us to help us carry our burdens – to lessen and to make our yoke easy. I was one of them and I could tell that everyone experienced the same thing I did. Our rector, Rev. Fr. Percival Sapin said to us seminarians after our pilgrimage, “We are looking for the Presence of God, yet every time we arrived in the parishes people were very happy to see us. I believe we are not only looking for the Presence of God in the faces of the people for us, but we are also bringing the image and presence of God to them.” Finally, our pilgrimage was of great significance for us, seminarians, for our formation here in Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol. And the Synod on Synodality of Pope Francis, as he said, “enables the entire People of God [us] to work forward together, listening to the Holy Spirit and to the Word of God, to participate in the mission of the Church in the communion that Christ establishes between us… Ultimately, this path of walking together is the most effective way of manifesting and putting into practice the nature of the Church as the pilgrim and missionary People of God.”

Leadership Beyond Extra Miles A Theological-Pastoral Analysis on Christian Servant-Leadership by Glenn Ramesis Piad It was not just the break-up of the Beatles, the fashionable bell-bottom vogue and sideburns, the rise of rock-and-roll music, the rise of the young Michael Jackson that made the 1970s a remarkably tumultuous era to the minds of many. It was known as the “Me Decade” a term coined by Tom Wolfe, a famous novelist who noticed the growing spirit of atomized individualism among Americans in contrast to the ’60s ideology of communitarianism. It was also an era when social unrest escalated in various countries because of socialist and communist ideals thereby giving rise to dictators who took control over Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Iraq, Cambodia, and Philippines. It was a historic decade in our country characterized by a long dark chapter of tyrannical rule of Ferdinand Marcos when he imposed Martial Law leading Filipinos to suffer from an iron fist and nationwide hunger and the plunging of the country into billions of dollars in debt. The so-called “Golden Age” of peace and prosperity for Juan de la Cruz turned topsy-turvy, making that point in Philippine history a horrible period marred by cruelty, curtailment of basic civil rights, and massive robbery by those in position. Lualhati Bautista’s novel Dekada ’70 captures the spirit of the Martial Law years, albeit fictionally. Around the same period, Robert Greenleaf popularized the term “servant leadership” in his essay “The Servant as Leader”. He captured the idea that servanthood is inherently attached to leadership. This was a revolutionary view when compared to the then prevailing paradigm of leadership which was coercion and control. The same battle cry of Greenleaf is also what many Filipinos shout nowadays, especially with the upcoming 2022 national and local elections. Exasperated by the pandemic, people no longer want another six years of uncertainty and dismay brought by the current feudal, parochial, and tribal administration. We must not waste our right to vote given the incompetent governance, the undermining of public interest, and the unabated violation of human rights by this administration. The poor become poorer, and at their expense, the rich become richer. We thirst for a leadership that seeks first the welfare of the people whom they serve, prioritize the well-being of the community rather than their own image, and choose

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the nation’s collective growth over personal gain. Filipinos can only achieve this when true leaders are elected. This will have a rippling effect– from the ministers down to the masses. History will show fine exemplars of servant-leaders in the secular and religious spheres: Lincoln, Churchill, Mandela, Lombardi, Margaret Thatcher, Luther King, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, etc. But the greatest model of total servitude that is without equal is no other than Jesus Christ, the consummate servant-leader who suffered and died out of his love for us. He can be the best teacher on how we can live and be a man for others since he “did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10: 45). Jesus destroyed the divorce between two opposing phrases, viz., “being a servant (diakonos in Greek)” and “being a leader (commander)” when he, who was worthy of being worshiped as the King of kings, the Ultimate leader, or the Divine Messiah, came to us as a lowly child, a son of a Maiden and a Carpenter, a man who met a miserable death as a criminal naked on the cross. He shaped a culture of leadership by placing servanthood (doulos) at the heart of it, and at the center of this servanthood, love was always his motivation. Looking at the theological framework of Jesus’s timeless and universal example of leadership, one can see that first and

foremost, the way he demonstrated his leadership perspectives and practices came from a faith experience. He knew that he was the one sent by the Father, and he had that faith conviction that the will of the Father is made clear to him, and so he operated with that, revealing that being God means coming down from His throne and giving Himself to serve. By his faith that pushed him to love completely until the end, he changed people’s typical notions on power, authority, and status. Now, to help us recover the notion of servanthood attached to leadership and reform ourselves towards a Christocentric model of service, it is good to see the values that shaped Jesus unique style of kingship as testified to us by the Gospels, the Letters of St. Paul and embellished from two renowned authors who reflected on the timeless wisdom of servant leadership, viz., Gene Wilkes, Rick Sessoms, and Collin Buckland: First, true servant-leaders serve a mission and lead by serving those on mission with him. Jesus became a leader when he freely and totally placed himself at the service of the mission revealed to him by the Father. He maintained a perspective of the reason why he came to earth throughout his ministry in his life, i.e., to experience death and resurrection (in the Event) for us to achieve eternal salvation. For a servant leader, mission is everything, either from God or from someone in authority. As Wilkes says, “leadership begins when a God-revealed mission captures a person.” Before a mission, there is no call to lead, but when a leader sees what that mission looks like and propels his vision of

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that mission to others, leadership becomes genuine service. Moreover, Jesus was in an intimate relationship not only with his Father but also with his followers. Relationship is intrinsic to leadership, since when relationships are open and strong between leaders and their followers, such leaders lead most effectively. We are always servants of someone, of a particular group, or of a certain cause. It is not “you” but “you and me” or “we.” Jesus was always the servant, not the master. When Jesus inspired Simon Peter to leave his nets and fish men, Jesus first entered his world, met his need, and invited him to follow him. A servant-leader invests time and resources to lead people through a relationship with those who are with him. Second, servant-leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them. Leadership is not something you pursue. It is something others give to you. Jesus did not just teach humility but lived it to the fullest, and the quintessential example of his deep humility is when he, who is in the form of God, made himself nothing, took the form of a slave, became human like us, and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:6-8). He freely emptied himself of his privileges and rights as the Son of God to fulfill his mission. And he did it freely and lovingly. The narrative of Incarnation, depicting the downward mobility of the Son of God who from the very beginning did not honor himself

but simply followed God’s will, is the “most countercultural chapter in the Bible” according to Bill Hybels. A Filipino saying goes, “Nasa kutson ka na nga, bumaba ka pa sa lapag.” But that was what Jesus chose – he first emptied himself and then waited hopingly for God to exalt him. It is a leadership of powerlessness and humility, not of power and control (Nouwen). Third, servant-leaders know how to listen and discern. A genuine servant listens to the word of his Master. Jesus, as a missioner, sought to do the will of God, and he did it by a careful discernment through listening. He knew that this is the work of his Father primarily, and so he did not boast and say that it was his mission. He just fulfilled his calling and did not seek anything more. The direction of his active search was focused on the direction of the One who sent him. Therefore, since he was a man who had ears for his Master, then it was not difficult for him to proactively listen to his followers and to speak effectively to the needs of those who are in weary. He valued diversity wholeheartedly and he provided an atmosphere of trust and dialogue. A servant leader knows how to put himself in the shoes of others in a spirit of deep humility. The Lord Jesus experienced suffering, temptations, struggles and anguish, proving that he was not a deity who is far beyond human approach. But rather, he confirms to us that he is a brother, a true brother whom we can plead on our behalf and make intercessions for us to the Father since he understands us very well. In addition to that, a true servant convinces rather than commands. He or she makes followers want to do something for a greater good when he

speaks, listens, and ministers in ways that persuade them. Jesus knew he could not use deep theological principles and techniques, so he developed the practice of teaching a principle using parables in language and examples that people were able to understand. And he was able to do this because he put himself in the situation of his followers. Fourth, servant-leaders are not after titles nor positions. Jesus did not invest His life in others to possess a title of honor nor build a successful organization. Rather, he invested His life in others so that they could grow to the best of their abilities. Servant leaders are willing to give up their personal privileges to find greatness in service to others. When James and John wanted seats of honor in his right and left, and the other ten disciples became furious since they were also misguided with their notion of leadership, Jesus told them that whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be number one shall be slave to all (Matthew 20:26-27). In a world of servant leadership defined by Jesus, greatness is not measured in terms of numbers or sizes of achievements and positions held. True greatness is measured in being a true servant, being willing to be the least first, the slave of all. Paradoxical it may seem, we should not be feared when we follow Jesus, because for him, unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it cannot bear fruit. Unless we give, we can never receive. Unless we die, we can never be born again to eternal life. And unless we become servants of love, we can never be great leaders. Fifth, servant-leaders risk themselves in serving others, trusting fully in God who controls their lives. Jesus, in being a servant of a mission entrusted to him, disregarded his image and reputation to fulfill God’s will in his life. He gave his whole self and even if he got into trouble for eating with sinners, mingling with the sick, allowing people with leprosy to touch him, letting a woman known as a public sinner to wash his feet with her tears, etc., he did not bother to be controlled by what other people may say about him, because he knew that what he did was what the Father wanted for him: to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). However, Jesus did not enter these controversies just to be adventurous. He did not perform miracles to grab attention, but the risk that he took came from his discernment of the will of God, that the least, lost, and last may experience the mercy and love of God. When he washed the feet of his disciples, he took a risk. But the apex of all the risks he did out of service, was when he bore and died on the cross. Jesus did not just go an extra mile, but he went beyond miles out of love. He died serving us. He suffered for us. From the beginning until the end of his mission, he engaged man, pouring his heart to us even if he knew he was God to put himself down to connect with man. Therefore, if we trust Jesus and understand the risk that he took to pay a price for us, we, too, can take big risks. Since servantleaders are called by God to a divine mission, they know that God will provide them resources to complete that mission. Unmindful of the risks which include their shortcomings, misgivings, and frailties, they wrestle and hold on to God who has invested so much for them, who has risked everything for them. Sixth, servant-leaders leave head tables and pick up towels and wash basins. Jesus was said to be the King who led with a towel, basically because even if it was not his job to do that according to his cultural rank as a teacher, he left the table, wrapped a towel around his waist, filled a basin with water, began to wash the filthy feet of the disciples, and dried them up with the same towel. Here is a King whose symbol of power is a towel with basins. By the washing of the feet, Jesus radically destroyed human ideas of royalty and privilege in terms of leadership. He may be their Lord and Master, but in heart, he is the lowest of slaves, a God on his knees. By his example, he teaches us to wash other feet so that in turn, others may wash another’s feet too. It is a series of cyclic washing, of an unbroken chain of self-giving. Finally, servant-leaders engage with others and share their responsibility and authority with them to meet a greater need. When Jesus called the twelve apostles and summoned them to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19),

he showed us how he worked toward communion and how he multiplied his leadership by empowering them to lead. He planned for the long term when taught, trained, and developed them well because he knew that he shared a mission with them. He created a “can do” attitude, encouraged the apostles to go outside their comfort zones by delegating responsibility and believing that everyone would fulfill their roles. Genuine servant leaders know how to involve others and tap others’ wisdom, gifts, and callings for the vision to endure and the mission to flourish. This is part of humility in servant leadership, that a leader knows how to collaborate with and accompany his auxiliaries. A servant leader is also patient when his or her followers fail, just as when Jesus guided the apostles patiently to imbue in their hearts courage and enthusiasm. Jesus Christ’s example of leadership is essential to every Christian or non-Christian organization, but his way of leadership – usually placed as an objective to mission-vision statements, often romanticized, but seldom understood – is frequently corrupted by man’s shallowness and conceitedness. Because of this, today’s leaders are often recognized more for their ranks, power, positions, and control rather than for their character (the “topdown” traditional leadership approach). We need leaders who can truly connect with, engage, and empower the people around them. We must reform the way we understand (theory) and live (praxis) leadership. Therefore, going back to God’s wisdom will always be the abundant source for a better future. Let us usher a crusade which aims to win the world for Christ. In whatever leadership role we assume and in every mission we partake, let us remember the ultimate servant-leader who chose a towel and basin, not a scepter and title, to define greatness. He was a leader who went beyond what was expected for one sole reason: Love.

Spirituality and Mental Health in Time of Pandemic: A Pastoral Reflection by Ashpaul Castillo

COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on people’s lives. Many, if not all, were not prepared for this kind of situation. This pandemic and the quarantine measure imposed disrupted the everyday life of the people. Coping with the situation becomes a challenge when it comes to mental health. Mental Health The World Health Organization defines mental health as, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” They also emphasize that preserving and restoring mental health is crucial individually and throughout different communities and societies the world over. The current pandemic forced people to adopt a different way of living. Public health measures like social distancing are vital to stop COVID-19 from spreading, but they can make us feel alone and lonely and cause tension and worry. Many have faced various pandemic-related repercussions, including university closures and loss of income, which may have contributed to their poor mental health. Modes of instruction in academic institutions adopted the online platforms. Health problem related to stress with this kind of setup is present among educators and students alike. Spirituality George Lane, SJ defines spirituality as a “way to holiness.” Of course, we can find different kinds of spirituality in different religions and belief systems. Christian Spirituality seeks

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holiness by living a life patterned after Jesus Christ and his teachings. There are varied forms of spirituality that can be found in Christianity coming from the traditions of many religious communities such as Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, and Benedictines. However, the word spirituality could mean differently in different peoples and cultures. Some factors are, however, common. One of those is about spirituality being a means to search for ones’ purpose. It is intrinsic for man to find his or her purpose, the meaning of life. That is why we search for meaning for whatever experience we may have. We want to make sense of the world around us. In a non-religious perspective, spirituality is considered as “the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.” According to one author, Mario Beauregard, “spirituality means any experience that is thought to bring the experiencer into contact with the divine.” While spirituality may incorporate elements of religion, it is generally a broader concept. Religion and spirituality are not the same thing, nor are they entirely distinct from one another. In this time of the pandemic, it was noticeable that the religiosity of some people has shown. In social media, religion-related posts occupied the top spot on the users’ most posted or shared category. Attendees of online worship services and Masses are relatively high compared to those physically attending the Mass before the pandemic. When the church opened with a limited allowed capacity, people started to go back to their churches to pray even when it had already reached the allowed capacity. Here, we can say that part of the coping mechanism of many people is to strengthen their spirituality by going back to their religious practices. While spirituality is connected to religion, it has its distinction. Religion is institutional, while spirituality, as stated above, is more personal. It focuses on the personal relationship of someone to a higher and transcendent being. Pastoral Response While the church is also struggling to cope with the pandemic, she should never fail to minister pastorally to the flock. Given the situation stated, the church should discern how to respond to the community effectively. Problems arise, but

the reality that spirituality could help people improve their mental health is unquestionable. The least that the church can do is to listen. A listening attitude could draw people closer to the church. Through this, the church will find people who could journey together with them each day. To have a companion would not remove problems, but certainly, it will make the situation lighter. Usually, spirituality is lived in the context of a community. Spiritual activities such as prayer sessions and worship service are done with the community, although they can be individual. This particular community could be a support group for each other developing friendship and trust. The church must develop within the culture of accompaniment for mental health cannot be overcome alone. That is why different groups dedicated to this kind of apostolate usually offer a hotline service where someone can listen. However, listening, while vital, is not enough; people should walk together, accompanying each other. Looking at the situation, an ecclesial community living together and accompanying each other could make not only our minds healthy but our relationship with God and with one another deeper. For, “We need a church capable of walking at people’s side, of doing more than simply listening to them; a church that accompanies them on their journey.” (Pope Francis, WYD2013) Nevertheless, we know that it is not an easy task to fulfill. Given the limitations of our capacity, the challenges the pandemic has brought, and even the openness of each person we encounter make it more difficult. However, it does not mean that it is impossible. One simple act could make a difference. Start small. Beginning with our own family, where we can develop this culture of accompaniment. A simple chat with a relative working abroad could be a real encounter which might lead to journeying together. A small talk with a sibling after school or with a parent after a tiring day of work could open a deeper path of journeying as a family. We put our faith in God, who journeys with us. Jesus is with us as we take each step one by one as we journey back to the Father, where all spirituality points as its end. References: Cornah, Deborah. The Impact of Spirituality on Mental Health. London: The Mental Health Foundation, 2006. Francis. “Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Occasion of XXVII World Youth Day”, Accessed October 10, 2021, Vatican.va University of Minnesota. “What is Spirituality?” Accessed October 1, 2021, https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/whatspirituality

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Journeying Together: A Theological Reflection on the Synod on Synodality by Earl Gabriel Tan Synod. What is a Synod? “It is a meeting of bishops of an ecclesiastical province or patriarchate (or even from the whole world) to discuss the doctrinal and pastoral needs of the church. It is an “ancient and venerable word in the Tradition of the Church, whose meaning draws on the deepest themes of revelation [...] it indicates the path along which the people of God walk together.” Last October 2021, Pope Francis presided at St. Peter’s the Opening of the Synod on Synodality and bishops from all over the world also commenced the opening of the Synod in their respective ecclesiastical territories. The Synod on Synodality has a tri-dimensional theme: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Communion has its roots in the love and unity of the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. This union between God and humanity was reconciled by Jesus through the passion of the cross and is fortified by the Holy Spirit. Participation calls for our involvement as a people of God, the ordained, the consecrated, and the laity. Mission recognizes that the Church exists to evangelize as it continues the mission and work of Christ through the Holy Spirit according to the plan of God.

With this current synodal process, the “objective of the current Synod is to listen to the entire people of God, to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church.” As we listen to God’s voice in Word and in the Sacraments, we are also asked now more than ever to listen to one another. To recognize the sensus fidelium, as it is also a locus theologicus. Where will all these lead us? We do not know. Given the dialogue happening from the local to the universal level of the Church, we see her rich diversity, and yet we will also see the concerns of people in our modern age. Where are we going and what must be done? We shall listen and be open for we are in a never-ending search of the signs of our times. We are listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost and also filled the entire household of Cornelius. The Holy Spirit, who is “the Lord, the giver of Life who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified”, the one who descended and remains in this Church, built upon the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. We shall discern where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church. It is like the experience of Peter stepping out of the boat, where he did not look at the great waves and storms but only on Jesus. As the blind Bartemeus sought Jesus: “Domine ut videam, (Lord that I may see).” The Church asks the same prayer at this very moment: may she see. May her eyes be opened to the realities of contemporary times. The Vatican does not intend to pile up the documents submitted by the conferences of bishops on a regional level. The Church is asking bishops to know well and personally its local churches, for every parish to know well its parishioners as “this journey together will call on us to renew our mentalities and our ecclesial structures in order to live out God’s call for the Church amid the present signs of the times.” This is the Syndod’s aim. We shall start by listening, by journeying together as we walk hand in hand. And our prayer remains, like the two disciples on the road: “Stay with us Lord, for evening draws near, and the day is far spent.”

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ANO ANG PRESENSYA NG DIYOS PARA SA IYO? “Pag payapa ang puso ko. Alam mo ‘yung kapayapaan na tanging sa Diyos mo lamang matatagpuan.” Mr. John Lerry Martinez, Instructor, Cavite State University-Indang

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay nadadama ko sa tuwing payapa ang aking puso. Alam ko na sa kabila ng mga pagsubok sa aking buhay ang Diyos ay palaging nananatili sa aking tabi. Ms. Junellie Ann Lorete, Pharmacist

“Ang Diyos ay palaging nandyan. Sa tuwing humaharap ako sa mga pagsubok sa buhay, alam ko hindi ko kakayaning mag-isang kaya’t humihingi ako ng tulong at paggabay sa Diyos. Totoo na ang Diyos ay gumagawa ng paraan upang maging magaan muli ang ating buhay. At nagpapasalamat ako sa karanasang iyon.” Ms. Pamela Joy Rebamba, Process Consultant

“Ang Diyos ay buhay sa ating puso at diwa. Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay hindi lamang yaong karaniwang nararamdaman ng ating limang (5) pangunahing pandama sapagkat kahit wala ang lahat ng mga pandamang ito ay alam ko na may Diyos pa ring palaging nariyan para sa akin at para sa lahat ng umiiral sa mundo” Ms. Aileene Aure, Lector

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos para sakin ay ang pagpapadama ng kabutihan ng iba’t-ibang tao sakin.” Ms. Alexis R. Alcantara, Instructor, Cavite State University-Indang

“Araw-araw nararamdaman ko ang Presensya ng Diyos sa aking buhay. Mas lalo kong nadadama ang Kanyang Presensya sa tuwing may pagkain kami sa hapag, napapaligiran ako ng mga mabubuting tao, nagkakaroon ako ng magandang takbo ng buhay at malusog ang aking pamilya. Gumagaan ang aking kalooban sa tuwing nararanasan ko ang Kanyang Presensya.” Ms. Charlene Joy Ramos, Financial Consultant

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay ang aking inaasam na gabay sa araw-araw.” Mr. Raymon Carlo Orsal, Pastor and Instructor

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos para sa akin ay ang paggabay Niya sa amin sa araw-araw at hindi Niya kami pinababayaan kahit may mga pagsubok na dinaranas.” Mr. Ryan Ilano Cruseus, Businessman.

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“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay ang pagpapadama ng presensya ng aking pamilya sa akin. Dahil sa aking pamilya nadadama ko ang wagas na pagmamahal at pagpapala ng Diyos sa akin. Hindi man perpekto ang aking pamilya naniniwala ako na sa presensya at pagmamahal ng Diyos mananatili kaming iisa sa pananampalataya sa Kanya.” Jeline Mikaela I. Casambros, Human resource

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay nangangahulugan ng palaging pagdamay, paggabay at pag-agapay ng Diyos sa lahat ng aking tungo sa tama at mabuti – mga ginagawa, iniisip, pinagdedesisyunan, Malaki man ito o maliit, masaya man o malungkot, magaan o mabigat man.” Mr. Bryan Esguerra, DICES Program Officer for Curriculum and Instruction.

“He is always there for me to guide me and my family. He is there to hold me and I keep holding on Him so that I may not lose my faith on Him” Lourdes Brown a retired registered nurse and a mother of three

“Natitiyak ko ang Presensya Diyos sa kabila ng mga pagsubok, kahirapan at kabiguan. Sa Kanyang Presensya nagkakaroon ako ng kapayapaan sa aking kalooban at nakakapagpasaya ako ng Tama at may kapakumbabaan ayon SA Kaniyàng kalooban.” Fr. Isagani Nestor Avinante, Ka-Tahanan at Kura paroko ng St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Trece Martires City

“God is always at our side, guiding us, enlightening us, blessing us, loving us.” Fr. Roque Reyes, Priest of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei.

“God’s Presence is when you remain peaceful amidst persecution and struggles in life.” Bro. Jusfer John Albert OfmCap.

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos para sa akin ang siyang nagbibigay ng kapanatagan sa aking puso sa gitna ng kaguluhan.” Marjorie Bernardo mother of two and financial advisor

“I feel God’s presence in the daily crosses and crossroads I embrace and tread and in the tears and smiles of the people I encounter everyday. Ang presensya Niya ramdam ko sa bawat pagsubok at problema; sa ngiti ng iba; at higit sa lahat sa pagtatawid at pagtutuwid sa buhay araw-araw.” Kuya Lloyd, Capaseño

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“Ikaw! Ikaw ang Presensya ng Diyos!” Fr. Mark Anthony Reyes, Kura paroko ng Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Molino, Bacoor Cavite

“Ang Kanyang kasiyahang damang-dama kapag ginagamit natin ang ating mga abilidad na nanggaling din naman sa Kanya.” Mia Wright, English professor, cartoonist, and proofreader

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos para sa akin ay ang Kanyang pagkilos sa aking kasaysayan, sa aking buong buhay. Hindi sya PHYSICALLY PRESENT ngunit alam kong kumikilos sya actively. . .The Presence of God gives us that confidence and peace of mind in everything we do and decide upon.” Fr. Erwin Tom Esquejo, SHMI, kura-paroko ng Mary Immaculate Parish-Salawag

“Although we believe that God is omnipresent, I consider Him to be a personal God whom I can relate with and a God who sustains me.” Fr. Gilbert L. Reyes, Ka-Tahanan at Kura Paroko ng Our Lady Queen Of Peace Parish, Salinas.

“Assurance... Mercy... Dahilan upang bumangon... at piliin lagi ang Mabuti...” Rev. Fr. Rander Morero, Diocese of Imus

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay tunay, kapanipaniwala at buhay kung ang Mabuting Balita na ating itinuro sa kapwa ay siyang ating ginagawa. Rev. Fr. Romeo Garcia, Diocese of Butuan

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“It is the great manifestation of His immense love for me. His Presence has brought us to be united, as it was written “if there are two or three gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.” If we put Jesus in our midst, even at the most critical discussions or or of making decisions, with His presence we would arrive into a united decision aiming to that prayer of Jesus, ‘may they all be one” Miss Donna Segovia, DWST Dean’s Registrar

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay nasa puso ng bawat isa na handang tumanggap ng Kanyang kalooban at Pagmamahal. Ito ay bunga ng malalim na ugnayan natin sa Kanya bilang ating Mabuting Pastol.” Rev. Fr. Aaron Llasos, Diocese of Legazpi

“God’s presence is the most desired and greatest GIFT. It draws us deeply into the free, gentle, and total love of Jesus, ‘the MABUTING PASTOL.’” Rev. Fr. Raffy Parcon, from the Diocese of Imus

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay nagpapahayag na ang Diyos ay malapit sa atin. Siya’y kasama ng kanyang bayan at ang sangnilikha ay bakas ng kanyang pag-iral. Upang maranasan ang kanyang presensya sa ating buhay, kinakailangan buksan ang ating puso at isipan sa kanyang mapanlikha at mapagpalayang pagkilos.” Rev. Fr. King Eleazer V. Peñaranda, Diocese of Imus

“Ang presensya ng Diyos ay kung minsan’y nangagambala, minsan naman ay banayad; ngunit laging nagaanyayang lalong ibigin Siya at paglingkuran ang bayan niya.” Rev. Fr. Ansley Falame, Diocese of Imus

“……makita lamang ito sa pamamagitan ng totoong pagpapahalaga sa sarili at sa kapwa niya tao.” Ate Susan de Guzman and Ate Jenny Ambion

“……bilang mag-asawa, ito ay nagpapatibay sa amimg relasyon, at nagpapatibay sa paglilingkod dito sa komunidad ng Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol.” Mr. and Mrs. Silvestre and Naty Paguapo

“Ang Presensya ng Diyos ay sa piling ng mga taong niyakap mong paglingkuran.”

Rev. Agapito Abrea Lagrada, Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

“…...ito ay nagbibigay lakas sa panahon ng pagsubok.” Mrs. Fely Tabilisima

“Ang PRESENSYA NG DIYOS ay nasa lahat liban sa kasalanan. Sa hangin na aking nalalanghap, sa galaw ng mga bisig, sa kislot ng kalikasan. Higit sa lahat SIYA ay nasa lYO...sa buti at ganda mong taglay.” Rev. Fr. Perci Sapin Rector from the Diocese of Imus

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We, the community of “Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos” here in Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, wish to express our deepest gratitude and sincerest appreciation to all the people who made the publication of this 44th edition of Buhay Tahanan possible. Without your gracious support, we would not have been able to produce this timeless masterpiece which operates as a vehicle of communication for us to convey theological and pastoral reflections, literary expressions, and information to all persons connected to Tahanan in one way or another. We thank all the contributors (TMP seminarians, ex-seminarians, and Tahanan priests), proofreaders, layout artists, and those who supported our solicitation letters and fund-raising projects such as the votive and advent candles which we offered to different families and parishes to finance the printing and other costs of this newsletter. Special thanksgiving and recognition are given to: (as of February 17, 2022) LYDIA ADLAUAN with her family (Sally, Keenen, Kester, Rudy, Lourdes and Eduardo) PRIESTS and RELIGIOUS of the Diocese of Imus (Fr. Efren, Fr. Louie, Fr. Virgilio, Fr. Boyet, Fr. Glenn, Fr. Windylle, Fr. Tom, Fr. Noris, Fr. Mar, Fr. Bengie, Fr. Marty, Igue, Fr. Them, Fr. Lino, Fr. Olie, Bp. Rey, Fr. Omer, Fr. Ronel, Fr. Rommel) ALUMNI of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol and other INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES scan the Buhay Tahanan QR code at the back cover to see the updated sponsors list You are truly a concrete reflection of “Presensya ng Diyos” in every time, talent, and treasure you share with us through Buhay Tahanan. You are always part of our prayers. You are a gift to us, a genuine authentic witness of and loving service to the kingdom of God. “Ubi caritas et amor, Deus tibi est.” - The EDITOR

For Professional Proofreading, Editing, Copywriting, kindly contact Ms. Mia Wright at

mia.wright.jamaica@gmail.com

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We now have Tagaytay Branch here at TAHANAN NG MABUTING PASTOL! Come, visit us! The proceeds of your bread purchases will go to Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary (OLPS) and Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (TMP).

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Mga Bago sa Tahanan ni Earl Gabriel Tan

Taon ng Kaisahan, May panibagong refectory sa Spirituality Year Cottage. Taon ng Kaisahan, Nailipat na sa tabi ng S.Y. cottage ang covered parking space, kasama ang ilang alagang ibon. Taon ng Kaisahan, Sa tapat po ng Refectory ng Main Building ay mayroon na pong Felix Nook, sa pag-alala po kay Bishop Perez, at ang mga upuang nakalagay doon ay pagmamay-ari pa noon ni Obispo Perez. Taon ng Kaisahan, may bago na po tayong generator, sa tabi nito ay ang bagong lagayan ng sports equipment at sa ilalim nito ay ang lagayan ng iba’t-iba pang kagamitan ng Tahanan. Taon ng Kaisahan, nagkaroon po tayo ng imahen ng nakaupong Mabuting Pastol sa harapan ng Tahanan, bato na Birhen del Pilar bago bumaba ng SY Cottage, at Mahal na Birhen sa may Lumad Drive. Taon ng Kaisahan, nakapagpakabit po tayo ng Solar Panel para po sa mga ilaw natin sa gabi sa loob at labas ng Tahanan, nakakabit din po ito para sa kuryente ng computer room at ng laundry area para sa washing machine at plantsahan nina Ate Ga at Tiya Fely. Taon ng Kaisahan, kasama na po natin sa Tahanan ang isa sa mga bagong personnel para sa kaayusan si Kuya Charlie. Taon ng Kaisahan, ang dating lagayan ng bigas at ilang kasangkapan sa pagkain ay iniliagay na po natin sa mga stainless steel na cabinet at sa likod ng stockroom naman para sa mga bigay. Ang dating silid na nabanggit ay ginawa na pong conference room. Mayroon na pong drive-way palikod ng SY Cottage Ikinabit po natin ang mga Krus na bakal sa palibot ng Tahanan para sa Stations of the Cross. May bago pong tayong area sa makababa ng bagong gawang driveway, para sa mga recollection, meeting at gathering sa Tahanan. Ito ang Yasia Fiesta. Ipina encarna, dinamitan sa tulong ni Fr. Marcy Convento, at ng magandang bahay ang Birhen ng Manaoag sa taas ng Tahanan. Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos, sa pamamaalam nina Fr. Myk Cron bilang Rector at Fr. Randel Marero bilang Spiritual Director, nagbabalik hindi na bilang mga seminarista kundi bilang bagong Rector si Fr. Percy Sapin at Fr. Raffy Parcon bilang Spiritual Director. Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos, Natapos na pong ipagawa sa tabi ng Tahanan ang Casa del Clero: Pahingahan ng Pastol na siyang retirement home ng ating mga pari ngayong taon. Taon ng Presensya ng Diyos, Mayroon na pong tindahan ng Blessing’s Seminary Bakeshop sa Tahanan. (Ta o n n g “ Pre s e n s ya n g D i yo s ” ) 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2

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