inFINity April 2023

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A Step Closer to Faith

MostCatholicsreceiveBaptismasinfantsand theirfirstHolyCommunionandConfirmation aschildren Butinsomespecialcases,others receivethesesacramentsinadulthood

IreneMontero,23yearsold,isamongthose whowerebaptizedandgiventheirfirstHoly Communion,confirmedbyArchbishop FrancescoPanfilo,SDB,DD,duringtheEaster VigilMassheldattheNationalShrineofMary HelpofChristiansParishonApril8th.

ThesacramentsofBaptism,thefirstHoly Communion,andconfirmationarespecial eventsinCatholics’lives ButtoIreneitiseven morespecialbecauseshe,asanadult,felta strongdesiretoseekandreceivethese sacraments.

“Iexpecttohaveadeeperrelationshipwiththe Lord.”Irenesaysnowthatsheisabaptized Catholic.

Evenbeforeherbaptism,Irenesaysshe regularlyattendsSundayMasswithherfamily Now,shecanfullypartakeintheHolyEucharist

“Ihavealwayswantedtoreceivethese sacraments.Finally,Imusteredthecourageto prepareandreceivethem,”Irenesays.

Shenarrateshowtheexperienceis extraordinaryforher.Shesaysthepreparatory catechismseminarswerealsovery memorable.

“ItcontainsthefundamentalsofourCatholic faith,”sheshares.Sheaddsthat"receivingthe sacramentsofBaptism,firstHolyCommunion, andConfirmationarestepsthatwouldbring herclosertoRisenLord."

Above.ArchbishopPanfilobaptizesoneofthefive catechumenslastApril8.TheRCIAcelebrationsare spreadthroughouttheyear.Fr.CrisMagbitang, parishpriestlookson.PhotobyMs.MaloudelRosario

NSMHCP Welcomes 5 new Catholics

DBCanlubang&PampangaTalkwithsome schoolsforPublic-PrivatePartnership

Developingpartnershipsandlinkagesis oneofthestrategiesrecommendedby UNESCO’sSustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDG)2030.

DonBoscoCanlubangandDonBosco Pampangainitiatedaconversationon public–privatepartnershipwiththe CommunityCollegeofMabalacat,

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isamonthlypublicationproducedby theCommissiononSocialCommunication ofthePhilippines--NorthProvince(FIN)

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Urdaneta,NationalUniversity–Clark,JoseC. FelicianoCollegeFoundation–Mabalacat, TESDATechnicalTrainingInstitute-Bataan, andtheUniTVETtopursueworkforce developmentinRegion3andRegion4-Aand inputstoEDCOM2ontheTechnicalVocational EducationandTrainingintheTrifocalized EducationSystemofthecountry

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VIA LUCIS: An Easter Pilgrimage in Bataan

April21,2023--TheAspirants,Prenovices,and FormationGuidesoftheDonBosco

AspirantateandPrenovitiateCommunity traveledtovariousheritagechurchesofthe

DioceseofBalanga,Bataan,fortheirEaster Pilgrimage Thecommunityofferedprayers andcontemplatedontheEasterjourneyof thediscipleswiththeRisenLord,alsoknown astheViaLucisortheWayofLight

Rev.Fr.JakeAdrianLopez,SDB,therectorof thecommunity,whocelebratedhisninth presbyteralordinationanniversary,blessed thepilgrimsintheDiocesanShrineofMary HelpofChristiansbeforethecommunitywent ontheirjourney.

Sevenchurchesbecamepartoftheitinerary

Thecommunitystartedtheirprayersinthe NationalShrineofSt JohnPaulIIinHermosa

Bataan,theChurchthatwelcomedpilgrims andmigrantsattheforefrontoftheprovince

PopeSt JohnPaulII’sbloodrelicwasalso exposedforpublicvenerationinthesidealtar dedicatedtotheirpatron

Afterward,thecommunityvisitedthenearby ParishofSt.PeterofVerona,aDominicanfriar andmartyrwhosestoneChurchinHermosawas completedin1756.ItisaheritageBaroque Churchwheretheage-oldimageofthepatron isstillenshrinedandvenerated.

Afamouspilgrimagesitefollowed:theMinor BasilicaandShrineofOurLadyoftheMostHoly RosaryofOrani.

Thecommunitywaswelcomedbyaparishstaff whoexplainedthemiraclesandoriginofthe veneratedimageofOurLadyoftheRosaryof Orani,whomthedevoteesfondlycallthe“La VirgenMilagrosa”(TheMiraculousVirgin)dueto themanyfavorsgrantedthroughthepeople’s prayerbeforethesacredimage.Afterthe prayers,thecommunitywasledtothe“Museoni Maria”wherethehistoryofthedevotionwas presented,andthevariousregaliaofvestments ofthecenturies-oldimagearepreserved.

ByPrenoviceMathewEspino

Subsequently,thecommunitywas welcomedtotheParishofSt CatherineofSiena,SamalBatan.This churchwasdestroyedmultipletimes duetotheDutchInvasionandthe FilipinoRevolution,butitalwaysfound itselfrebuiltbythefriarsandthe faithful.Interestingly,inthischurch, thecatechistwhogaveashort welcomespeechencouragedthe formandstopersevereintheir vocationbyconstantlypraying,likeSt Catherine,theirpatronsaint.

ItwasintheoldestparishinBataan wherethecommunitycelebratedthe HolyEucharist,theParishofSt. DominicdeGuzman,thefounderof theOrderofPreacherswhoministered totheprovinceandthefirstto evangelizethenatives

Thischurchusedtobethesiteof TomasPinpin’sprintingpressanda witnesstothebloodybattlebetween theDutchinvadersandtheSpanish andKapampanganforces.

Afterlunch,thecommunityproceeded totheCathedralParishandDiocesan ShrineofSt.Joseph,theseatofthe DioceseofBalanga.

Finally,thepilgrimagesconcludedin theParishofOurLadyofthePilar, locatedinthetownnamedaftertheir Patroness.TheimageofOurLadyof thePilarsurvivedthefirebroughtby therevolutionariesin1898 Inthis parish,thepilgrimsreceivethe blessinggivenby Fr.Jake,rectorof theCommunity,beforetheirreturnto theircommunity.

ByMr.RyanGonzales

April1,2023|TARLACCITY--Forza!toour SalesianeducatorsandLayMissionPartners astheannualfriendlycompetitionreturned aftertwoyearsofhiatusduetothepandemic.

Thisexcitingevent,heldatDonBosco TechnicalInstituteinTarlacCityonApril1, 2023,broughttogethereducatorsfromacross thePhilippineNorthProvince(FIN)foradayof funandfriendlycompetition.

Butit'snotallaboutthecompetition.The event'smaingoalistoencouragefitnessand healthylivingamongeducatorswhileallowing themtobondandmakenewfriendsoutside thecampus.Andwitharelaxedandfriendly atmosphere,it'snowondereveryonehada blast!

Wecongratulatethosewhoemerged victoriousinthecompetition.Jobwelldone toototheorganizers,DonBoscoAthletic Association,andthehostsofthesportsfest, DBTarlac,headedbytheRector,Fr.JerryT. Santos,SDB,andtheSportsCoordinator,Mr. JimGamboa,andMr.VenerMedrano.Wayto go,dearSalesianEducators!

Winnersofthedifferentevents:

TableTennis

Champion-Makati

2ndplace-Tarlac

3rdplace-Tondo

Chess Champion-Tarlac

2ndplaceCanlubang

Darts Champion-Tarlac

2ndplace-Makati

3rdplace-Mandaluyong

Volleyball Champion-Makati

2ndplace-Mandaluyong

3rdplace-Tarlac

Futsal Champion-Canlubang

2ndplace-Mandaluyong

3rdplace-Tarlac

Basketball Champion-Canlubang

2ndplace-Makati

3rdplace-Pampanga

Badminton Champion-Makati

2ndplace-Pampanga

3rdplace-Mandaluyong

DBTI-Makati holds fire drill

ByGavinNavarro(TheBosconianJournal)

TheJuniorHighSchooldepartmentofDon BoscoTechnicalInstitute-Makati,together withthewholeschoolcommunity,conducted itsannualfiredrilltodayduringthestudents’ secondperiodofclasses.

Duringthefiredrill,thestudentswere instructedtocalmlymobilizeinanorderly mannertothefootballfieldwiththeir respectivesubjectteachers.

Duetothetwo-year-longpandemic,the institutionhasbeenunabletoholdfiredrills foritsstudents,facultymembers,andstaff. “I'mgladthatithappenedagain.

Wereallyneededtohavethisfiredrillforany eventuality.Becauseofthepandemic,we’re againstartingfromtheverybeginning.

"Magandanaparatingmayganitosothat thestudentscanstayawareandprepared,” saidMr.JohnValeria,PrefectofStudent Decorum.

Mr.Valeriaalsospokeaboutthepossibilityof anearthquakedrill,saying,“Saearthquake drill,it’sadifferentscenario,buthopefully, withthisfiredrillthatwe’vedonewearealso preparedforthat.”

“Morethananythingelse,thisisa celebrationofGod’sfidelity.”Fr.Renato MolinabeganthecelebrationoftheHoly EucharistatmidmorningofApril26,50 yearssincehemadehisfirstprofession,in theveryplacewherehemadethis importantstepinlifetogetherwithseven batchmates Todate,sixhaveremained Salesians:Fr.RenatoMolina,Fr.Rene Lagaya,Fr.RenatoDeGuzman,Fr.Philip Lazatin,Fr.LarryTan,andFr.GeorgeAtok.

Fr.Molina(assignedinDonBosco Canlubang)andFr.Lagaya(DonBosco Batulao)celebratedtheirgoldenjubileeat theDiocesanShrineofMaryHelpof ChristiansinCanlubang.Fr.DeGuzman andFr.TancelebratedinDonBosco Mabalacat,wheretheyarepresently assigned Fr Lazatinisamissionaryin Kenya,andFr.AtokbelongstotheSalesian ProvinceoftheUSA-Eastandisassigned inCanada.

TheceremoniesinCanlubangweresimple butsolemn.Fr.Molinapresidedoverthe Massandgavethehomily.Hespoke abouthispersonalmottothatcouldwell beappliedtotheirwholegroup:“Invasis fictilibus,”from2Cor4:7 “Weholda treasureinearthenvessels.”

Thet professio witnessingthesolemnrecitationofthe formula AftertheCommunion,Fr Lagaya sharedsomeexperiencesoftheirnovitiate group.Presentwerethethreecommunitiesof Canlubang theCollegecommunitywhereFr. Molinabelongs,theAspirantateand PrenovitiateCommunity,andthePostnovitiate Community.Alsopresenttogracetheevent werefamilyandfriendsofFr.Lagaya,Salesian Sisters,OblateHospitallerFranciscanSisters, laymissionpartners,andyoungpeopleofDon BoscoCollege.

Intheafternoon,Fr.Molinapresidedoverthe MassoftheEducativePastoralCommunityof DonBoscoCollege.InthesameMass,Br. RomnickTabaquerorenewedhistemporary profession.

Fr.JoelCamaya,SDB

ArticleandScreengrabfromtheSenateFBPage

Senator Cayetano: Consider Don Bosco TECH-VOC Model

Sen.PiaCayetanourgeseducation officialsandotherconcernedagencies toconsiderthetechnical-vocational (Tech-Voc)programofDonBosco

TechnicalCollegeasoneofthemodels forenhancingthecompetitivenessand employabilityofseniorhighschool graduatesundertheKto12Program

Cayetano,duringthepublichearingofthe CommitteeonBasicEducationonSenate BillNo.2022orthe“BatangMagalingAct” Tuesday,April25,2023,saiditwouldbe interestingtoobservetheDonBosco Model,consideringthatitisthepioneerin Tech-Voceducationandtraininginthe country

Cayetanoevenexpressedwillingnessto arrangeavisittoaDonBoscoTraining CenterformembersoftheSecond CongressionalCommissiononEducation (EDCOM2).

Serbisyo ni Juan, Serbisyong Bosconian

ByMr.LemTeodoro

Volunteersfromgrades6and11makea differenceinparticipatinginSerbisyoni Juan,SerbisyongBosconian.

Theyhavetheopportunitytobepartofthe FittoFeetProgramatAgusElementary School,whichaimstospreadcomfortto youngchildrenbygivingthemslippersto use.Asidefromslipperdonations,volunteer studentsalsoorganizedsomefunand engaginggamesforthechildrenofSitio Agus,SanJose,Tarlac.

Theylearnedhowtobethankfulforboth littleandbigthingsthroughoutthisactivity. Someofthevolunteersasked,"Pwedepo bangmag-outreachnalangaraw-araw?" sincetheyaremotivatedtoassistothers whoareinneed

Thevolunteersalsohavethechancetotry forthefirsttimekapengbinusa,orwhatwe callricecoffee.Despitetheunfavorable weatherconditions,thevolunteers'tenacity anddedicationmakethisprogram effective.

DB Makati Bosconian Journalists Club Visit DB Press

ByMr.NikkoJohnA.Patiño

LastApril20,2023,theYoungJournalists ClubmembersandBosconianGazette stafferswereinvitedforabooktourvisitand talkattheDonBoscoPressInc.-aCatholic educationalpublishingandprinting organization Invitedstudentsgatheredat theMagoneDomeaccompaniedbythe Clubanimators,Mr.NikkoJohnPatino,Ms. LoisLaineLua,andtheEditor-in-ChiefofThe BosconianGazette,Mrs.CecileSumanqui.

TheywerewelcomedbyMs.ChristineDe Guzman,ManagingEditor,andMs.Ma. CristinaDacillo,ProofreaderofDonBosco Press.

Studentswereorientedaboutthe publicationandtheprocessofpublishing booksandthedigitalillustrationofimages

Furthermore,studentshadtheopportunity tohaveatouroftheprocessofprintingand editingmodules

Duringthetalk,studentswereencouraged tocontinuehoningtheirskillsinwritingto landajobdestinationinarelatedfieldsuch asnewswriting,broadcasting,orabook publishingcompany.

Attheendoftheactivity,JournalistsClub membersandGazettestaffersextended theirsincerestappreciationforDonBosco Press’welcomingpresence.Mrs.Cecile Sumanquialsoexpressedhergratitudeon behalfoftheDonBoscoMakatiElementary Departmentforthisonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity

ByMr.RyanGonzales

TheDonBoscoEducationalCentersinthe PhilippineNorthProvince(FIN)helda communicationsandmarketingworkshop lastApril13-14,2023,atGardenvilleHotel, GreenValleyVillage,BaguioCity Different focalpersonsandkeyleadersofDonBosco Bacolor,DonBoscoCanlubang,DonBosco Mabalacat,DonBoscoMakati,andDon BoscoTarlacattendedtheworkshop.

TheFINProvincialSuperior,Fr GerryMartin, wasalsopresenttogetherwithsome membersoftheProvincialCouncil,Fr. JaysonDavid,andSocialCommunication DelegateFr.DonnieDuchinDuya.

Anexpertinthefieldfacilitatedthe workshop,DBECMarketingConsultantMs MelissaRamos,whereshediscussedthe proposedbrandidentityandbrand positioningstatementofDonBosco

Thesecondsessiongavetimeforbreakout activitieswheretheparticipantscraftedthe brandDNAforparentsandlearners.

Ms MelissaalsopresentedtheMarketing Mixstrategy,andanotherbreakoutsession tookplacewhereparticipantsdrewthe customerjourneymapofourclientele Beforepartingways,sheorientedthe participantsindevelopingthe communicationplan

Theworkshopisjustthebeginningofour marketingjourneyasthenextstepswere laidoutliketheformationofacoregroup onmarketing,finalizationofthecommon brandDNA,operationalizationofthebrand positioningstatementandmarketingmix

Alsointhepipelineistheformationofthe DBECMarketingCentralOffice

Fromtoday’sGospel,welearnthatanyone whois“bornfromabove”allowstheSpiritto leadhislife.Everythinghedoesisbased solelyonthewillofGod Evenifweareall baptized,confirmed,orordained,weareall basicallyselfish;wewouldratherdoour ownwillratherthanGod’swill.

Thisiswhywetrulyneedtobebornofthe Spirit,whichmeanstobelievethattheSon ofManwasliftedupanddiedonthecross, butherosefromthedead.Tobelieveinthis truthistoacknowledgethatChristisour everything.It’sour“nambawan. ”

Unfortunately,sometimes,weraiseupother godsinourlives,likeourselves,money, success,affection,etc,andweworship theseidolsinsteadofChrist,preferringour projectsinliferatherthanChrist’s

TheGospeloftodayisaninvitationforusto allowtheHolySpirittoworkwithinuswith Hisowngifts,ratherthanwithourhuman giftsandtalents,alwaystodoGod’swill ratherthanourownwill.

InthelettertotheGalatians,St.Paullists ninefruitsoftheHolySpirit:“love,joy,peace, patience,kindness,generosity,faithfulness, gentleness,self-control’(Gal.5:22).

IamnotheretotrytocanonizeFr.Valeriano Barbero;likeeverybodyelse,hewasnot perfect,hehadhisdefects,andhecould jokeaboutthem ButIcansaythathewas, amongotherthings,agoodman,agood priest,amanofprayer,andahappy Salesian.

IhaveknownhimsinceIwasabrotherand heayoungpriestandwehavebeenfriends eversince,butwebecamelikebrothers–notsimplyconfreres–whenwestayed togetherforfouryearsinPortMoresbyand, lateron,fortwoyearsinRabaul.Ihave knownhimenoughtoconfidentlysaythat theninegiftsoftheHolySpirit,mentioned bySt.Paul,werevisibleinFr.Valandthathe alwaystriedtodoGod’swill,nomatterthe cost.

HewasappointedProvincialEconomer whenhewasayoungpriest;forsure,he wastheyoungestProvincialEconomerof thisSalesianProvince,apositionheheldfor about20years Wewereallsurprisedwhen, in1980,heacceptedtogotoPapuaNew Guinea,togetherwithFr.RolandoFernandez andBr.JosephKramar,tostarttheworkat Araimiri.HewasamissionaryinPNGfor40 years.Jokinglyheusedtotellme:“Youhave beenaprovincialandarenowaBishop,but IamaPioneerandaFounder”

PhotobyMs Malou delRosario

Duringhismissionarylife,Fr.Valhaspracticed whatPopeFranciswouldwritedecadeslater: "missionisatonceapassionforChristanda passionforhispeople!”(EG,268) Fr Valhad thatpassion!

Hewasamaninlove,andhisloveswerethree: ChristJesus,MaryHelpofChristians,andSt. JohnBoscoandeverythingthatDonBosco stoodfor.

Heexpressedthesethreeloves,especiallyhis lovefortheRisenLordandMaryHelpof Christians,inallthechurcheshebuilt.Inallhis churches,atthecenter,inthebackground, thereisthecross,andoverit,theRisenChrist ButallhischurcheswerededicatedtoMary HelpofChristians AndthisShrinewashisfirst church.Isitcoincidentalthathediedduring theOctaveofEaster?Bytheway,thedayhe diedwasalsothefeastofSt.Valerian,amartyr.

Whatlegacydoesheleavetoallthosewho knewhim,workedwithhim,admiredhim,and lovedhim?

Yet,hewas,firstofall,apriest,aSalesian priest,andhewasproudofit.Henever missedhispracticesofpiety Hisdeep reflectionsandhomiliesshowedthathe wasamanofconstantprayer.

Thefirstreadingoftoday’sMasstoldusthat “thecompanyofthosewhobelievedwere ofoneheartandsoul,andnoonesaidthat anyofthethingshepossessedwashisown, buttheyhadeverythingincommon.”

Fr.Val,toerectthosebuildings,handled millionsofdollars,butIcantestify-andI believethatthosepresentherewhohave beeninPapuaNewGuineawillagreewith me-thathewasdetachedfrommoney andmaterialthings.Hewasverymuch awarethatwhathewashandlingwasnot hisown,thatitdidnotbelongtohim.He wassimplyacaretaker,astewardputin chargeofcertainpreciousitemsofwhich hegavedetailedaccounts.Hewaspoor andveryfrugalinhislifestyle.

Thelastdaysofhislifehavebeentrying anddifficult,buthewaspreparedto encountertheRisenLord,whomusthave welcomedhimwiththesewords:“Come, youthatareblessedbymyFather!Come andpossessthekingdomwhichwas preparedforyousincethecreationofthe worldbecauseIwashungryandyoufed me,thirstyandyougavemeadrink;Iwasa stranger,andyoureceivedmeinyour homes,naked,andyouclothedme;Iwas sick,andyoutookcareofme,inprisonand youvisitedme”(Mt25:34b-36).

Asmentioned,hewasaPioneerandaFounder, andhewasalsoaBuilder,andhebuilt throughouthislife:churches,classrooms,staff houses,dormitories,retreathouses,etc

DearFr.Val,you“havefoughtagoodfight, rantheracetothefinish,andhavekeptthe faith”(2Tim4:7).Andnowyouhavereceived yourprize:tobewithMaryHelpofChristians andSt.JohnBoscointhegloryoftheRisen LordandofAngelsandSaints.

Mayyoursoulrestinpeace!

FIN-FIS Joint Practical Trainees Seminar

ByCl.PauloCalderon,SDB

ThepracticaltraineesofFIN&FIS

Provinceshadtheirannualjointseminar fromApril10-15,2023.ItwasheldatBaguio andSagada Thereweresixpractical traineesfromFINandthreefromFIS.They werejoinedbyFr RustyDizon,SDB,the practicaltraineeinchargeofFIN,Fr.Andy Mendoza,SDB,thepracticaltraineein chargeofFIS,andAttyClarissaIdris Banaybanay,whowasoneofthe speakers

Thefirstthreedayswerededicatedto FormativeSeminarsatourSalesianHouse inBaguio.Fr.RustyDizon,sharedabout GamingandEvangelizationwhileAtty. ClarissaIdrisBanaybanaypresented somelegalcomplicationsandcivillaws aboutyouthaccompaniment.Bothtopics wereformative,interesting,andtimely On theirthirdnightinBaguio,Fr.GerryMartin, SDB,ourprovincialsuperior,joinedthe practicaltraineesfordinner,rosaryand gavetheGoodNightTalk.

Thepracticaltraineeswerealsogiven timetovisitfamoustouristspotsin Baguio,suchastheBotanicalGarden, thePinkSister’sConvent,andBurnham Park,wheretheFISPracticalTrainees gottowearNativeIgorotdresses

Therewasalsoplentyoftimefor informalsharingandmuch-needed rest.

Thelastpartoftheseminarwas dedicatedtoenrichment,nature encounter,andlittleethniccultural immersionatSagada,Mountain Province.

Thepracticaltraineestraveledfive hoursfromBaguiotoSagada,stopping overthehighestpointofthePhilippine HighwaySystematAttok,Benguet.On thefirstdayatSagada,thepractical traineeswentforspelunkingat SumaguingCave,wheretheyeven sang‘HaecDies’

ThefollowingdaytheyvisitedEco Valley,theHangingCoffins,St.Marythe VirginEpiscopalChurch,Sagada PotteryCenter,theShireatSagada, andSagadaWeavingCenter

TheyheadedbacktoBaguioonthe samedayandfinallyreturnedtotheir respectivesettingsonSaturday.

ThejointFIN-FISSeminarwastrulya timeforformationandstudyand,at thesametime,forpracticaltraineesto catchupwitheachotherandreflecton theirexperiences Specialthankstothe communitiesofDonBoscoTechnical InstituteTarlacandDonBosco AcademyMabalacatwhohostedtheir lunchonthefirstandlastdayofthe seminar.

FIN-FISPracticalTraineesattheSumaguing CaveinSagada.Contributedphoto