Sacs update volume 15 no 3

We have new solemnly professed friars!

M

ay 11, 2015 was a day to remember for SACS community. Six simply professed friars had successfully finished their initial formation program and now ready for their solemn profession. Friars and nuns from different Augustinian communities, other religious, relatives, and friends witnessed the solemn profession of Fray Edmar Abello Escobar, OSA – Minglanilla, Cebu Fray Genesis Pacaldo Labana, OSA – Lilo-an, Cebu Fray Robert Lee Demate Lingo,OSA – Cebu City, Cebu Fray Arvin Cerdeña Salceda, OSA – Ligao City, Albay

Fr. Gary McCloskey OSA Speaks

L

ast February 13, 2015, Rev. Fr. Gary McCloskey OSA of the Villanova Province visited the San Agustin Center of Studies to give a talk on “St. Augustine’s Pedagogy and Reflection Circle” at St. Thomas of Villanova MultiPurpose Hall. STVI students and professors, and friars of the Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Hall attended the talk.

Fr. McCloskey claimed that studies on Augustine still attracted many scholars and writers. Such attraction showed that Augustine is still relevant and interesting even today. In the talk proper, He enumerated four stages of Augustine’s introspection typified by corresponding works of Augustine.

First are the Dialogues/Sermons which reflect Augustine’s lived FR. GARY [PAGE 2]

Fray Mark Anthony Compacio Tampos, OSA – Carcar City, Cebu Fray Julius de los Santos Tubid, OSA – Sagay City, Negros Occidental The Eucharistic celebration started at 9: 00 a.m. at the St. Augustine Chapel. Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, Prior Provincial of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu – Philippines presided the Eucharistic celebration. He welcomed the new members to the growing Filipino Augustinian Friars.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the Provincial Secretary, Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA, announced the WE HAVE [PAGE 2]

The new solemnly professed with Fr. Berdon, OSA and other members of the province.

Simply professed friars receive their Masters and Licentiate degrees

T

his year, a number of simply professed friars graduated with various degrees from different schools. Most of them graduated with Masters and Licentiate degrees.

The POIMEN Class of the CICM Maryhill School of Theology (CICM-MST) had its

4th Commencement Exercises last March 12, 2015 at Christ the King Church, in E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. The activity started with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Loreto Vermundo Miranda, CICM, President of CICM-MST. The theme of the celebration was “I came that you may have life, and

MASTER AND LICENTIATE [PAGE 5]

Commencement Exercises and Culmination of SACS at 30 Last March 20, 2015, the San Agustin Center of Studies had its culmination of the yearlong celebration of its 30th founding anniversary. The celebration happened with the commencement exercises of the St. Thomas of Villanova Institute which COMMENCEMENT [PAGE 4]

Professorium Section

EDITORIAL

Feature

SNTH attends the JSF’s big day

Reassessing Community Life

Commencement Exercises and Culmination of SACS @ 30

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sacsupdate vol. 15, no. 3 January to May 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS [from page 1]

NEWSBITS

“WE HAVE NEW” assignments of the newly solemnly professed friars. Fray Escobar joined the community of Sta. Ana Parish, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Fray Labana was sent to the community of Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish, Talisay City, Cebu. Fray Lingo’s first assignment was the community of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Socorro Island, Surigao del Norte. Fray Salceda was assigned to St. Augustine of Hippo Quasi Parish community, Saguday, Quirino. Fray Tampos returned to the community of Sto. Niño Spirituality Center, Consolacion, Cebu, and Fray Tubid joined the community of Colegio San Agustin – Mati community, Mati, Davao Oriental. They reported last June 1, 2015

“Fr. Gary”

Two Korean simply professed friars stay at SACS

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wo simply professed friars from the Delegation of Korea joined the SNTH simply professed friars for their exposure.

Fray Sung Ho, Lee, OSA, and Fray Seung Min, Hong, OSA, spent the whole month of January together with their fellow Augustinians. Fray Chang Ho Kim, OSA acted as their formator as they stay in SACS. The two Korean brothers experienced for a short period the life of the Filipino Augustinians and were glad for the experience. They returned to Korea with smiles as friendship between brothers from different countries was strengthened.

The new solemnly professed friar renders a song of thanksgiving.

SNTH simply professed friars renew their vows

from page 1

Fr. Gary Mccloskey, OSA

experience. Second is the Soliloquies, the meditation of Augustine on his lived experience. Thirdly, the Retractationes which Fr. McCloskey translates as Reconsiderations transcend meditation towards reflection. Lastly, the Confessions which corresponds to Augustine’s return to lived experience which is the first stage of his reflection circle. Here, he puts the insights from reflection into shared visions and plans. From this vantage point, Augustine relates the different stages of his life and admonishes his readers

SNTH attends the JSF’s big day Junior – Senior Forum culminated its 2014 -2015 activities at La Consolacion College – Mendiola last February 15, 2015.

Religious men and women from different congregation gathered for the JSF’s 2015 Big Day with the theme, “Pag-aalab: the Poor at the Heart of Consecrated Life.” The whole event started at around 2:00 in the afternoon with a talk given by the Provincial Superior of the Order of Preachers, Fr. Gerald Francisco Timoner III, OP. In his talk, he clarified the often misunderstood vow of consecrated religious, the vow of poverty. He emphasized the

to avoid the pitfalls that he fell into.

This book tells us that Augustine is a developmental thinker, which means that his thought underwent many changes and development as he matured as reflected in his writings.

Fr. Gary McCloskey OSA is the Prior of the Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Pa, USA. He is also the Executive Director of the Augustinian Way of Life Center and Director of the Augustinian Friends. These groups are interested in Augustine’s spirituality and Augustinian values.

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simply professed friars renewed their religious vows last May 2, 2015. They declared again their desire to follow Christ more closely and wished to continue their quest for God through the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The prior of SACS community Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA, gladly accepted the renewal of the profession of the simply professed friars. Fr. Delariarte, in his homily, talked of the great love of Jesus Christ. It is the same love that religious ought to extend to the people. This event happened during the Saturday morning Eucharistic celebration at the STVH chapel.

Professorium Section

difference between poverty as a way of life, the one lived by the religious, and poverty, as deprivation, the evil that havocs the country. The essence of evangelical poverty is sharing.

“As religious who professed the vow of poverty,” Fr. Timoner, OP, continued, “we have a responsibility towards our brothers and sisters. Let our vow of poverty, that is sharing of goods, emanates from our way of life and inspire the people.” The speaker added that poverty is not actually caused by the lack of goods. Poverty exists because the goods were not JSF’S BIG DAY [PAGE 3]

Simlply Professed Friars sing a song of vocation

sacsupdate vol. 15, no. 3 January to May 2015

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SNTH shares the common goods during STVH holds bible quiz bee 2015 Collegium Section the 4th SACS Medical-Dental Mission Professorium Section

Last February 27, 2015, the Saint Thomas of Villanova Hall held a Bible Quiz Bee at the St. Thomas of Villanova Multi-purpose Hall. The coverage of the said event was the books of Baruch, Job, Revelation, the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Luke. The host invited prominent judges to oversee the event. They were Fray Rodel Magin, OSA, Fray Cyril Jeth Tagalog, OSA and Rev. Fr. Jose Francisco Teves, OSA. The college seminarians were

divided into four groups which were named Team Francis, Team Benedict XVI, Team John Paul II and Team John XXIII. The event started at around nine o’clock in the evening and ended at around half past ten.

The winning team was Team Francis.

The said event aimed to foster camaraderie and bonding between college seminarians and to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Sacred Scripture.

“JSF’S BIG DAY” [from page 2]

Fray Peter and Fray Christian distribute the medicine

The simply professed friars had been preparing for months for the 4th SACS medical-dental mission. This year’s Medical-Dental Mission took care of 400 patients last February 28, 2015. Grandparents, parents, and kids flocked at St. Augustine Chapel to avail the free medical and dental consultations, and free medicine and vitamins.

28 medical doctors from

UST Hospital and Quezon City Medical Center, 17 dentists, eight pharmacists, five registered nurses, and 18 volunteer students from UST, and brothers and sisters from ISA group responded the call. The SNTH simply professed friars were glad for the help they extended.

The event would have not been possible without the support of our sponsors and volunteers.

properly shared.

After the inspiring talk of the speaker, the highlight of the event started. This year’s JSF executive staff decided to have a concert and dinner for a cause. Performers from different religious communities sung and danced for JSF beneficiaries. A simple dinner closed the night.

JSF executive staff takes oath

16 young ones join SACS community Collegium Section

The doors of SACS were opened for the arrival of 16 young brothers. The First year aspirants for the formation year 2015 – 2016 reported to their Master, Fr. Pacifico Nohara, OSA last May 1, 2015. They courageously responded to their vocation and now ready for intensive preparatory classes at Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute. The rest of the brothers from the Saint Thomas of Villanova arrived on the first week of June.

Alcaria

Amoncio

Barangan

Bayon-on

Cataluña

Durmiendo

Espinido

Galupo

Morales, Arne

Morales, Nomer

Nepangue

Nuñez

Pomoy

Rodriguez

Solatorio

Magin

First year aspirants of F.Y. 2015 -2016: Jeremy Jonas R. Alcaria – Mabini, Compostela Valley Vilcir John A. Amoncio – Pilar, Bohol Kevin P. Barangan – Pilar, Sorsogon Ronel M. Bayon-on – Bantayan, Cebu Marc M. Cataluña – Iloilo City, Iloilo Miguelle P. Durmiendo – Calbayog City, Samar Shierwin S. Espenido – Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte Jhover S. Galupo – Taguig City, Metro Manila Arne Josephus L. Morales – Carmen, Cebu Nomer I. Morales Jr. – Mati, Davao Oriental King V. Nepangue – Bantayan, Cebu John Romel D. Nuñez – Danao City, Cebu Csn S. Pomoy – Burgos Surigao del Norte Paolo Dominic A. Rodriguez – Davao City, Davao del Norte Harvey Kent S. Solatorio – Consolacion, Cebu Kristofer Carlo E. Sta. Ana – Gubat, Sorsogon

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“COMMENCEMENT” [FROM PAGE 1]

conferred the Degree Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy to 15 college seminarians. The double celebration started at around 4:00 PM with a Eucharistic celebration.

Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani Jr., DD, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches, presided the Mass.

He stressed in his homily the restless journey that every person undertook towards the heart of God. He also congratulated the graduates and bid them luck on their restless journey. Rev. Fr. Eusebio Berdon, OSA, Prior Provincial of

St. Thomas of Villanova Institute 16th Villanovans University of San Agustin Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Feat THE GRA 201

The 16th VIllanovans Graduates the Province of Sto. Niño de CebuPhilippines and Rev. Fr. Jose Rene C. Delariarte, OSA, Director of STVI concelebrated with the bishop.

Present also was the Vicar of the Vicariate of the Orient of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Rev. Fr. Peter Casiño, OSA. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the graduation rites followed. For the first time, the Institute produced graduates from the Vicariate of the Orient of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Among the graduates, seven were from

the Vicariate and eight from the Province of Sto. Niño de CebuPhilippines. The conferring official was Very Reverend Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, the Prior Provincial of the Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu-Philippines. Together with Fr. Berdon were the honorary guests, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University of San Agustin, Rev Fr. Rommel Par, OSA, PhD and Mrs. Regina Aileen May V. Vergara, PhD, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of San Agustin.

The Director of the Institute, Fr. Delariarte, OSA, announced the recipients Academic Awards, Errol O. Barroquilo for the third, Josef Ismael S. Laude for the second, and Yurii C. Ramos for the first.

Yurii Ramos also received of the Best Thesis Award, Distinction in Philosophy Award and the Prior Provincial’s Award for Academic Excellence.

COMMENCEMENT [PAGE 7]

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS We are gathered here today for two main reasons. First, we are here to close the yearlong celebration of the 30th canonical foundation anniversary of San Agustin Center of Studies; and second, to witness, after finishing the first phase of their scholastic formation, the conferral of the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts, Major in philosophy to fifteen students.

This day marks another milestone in our history as a community of brothers and friends in the name of St. Augustine. May this day be a tribute to our pioneering Augustinian forefathers who defied this once familiar terrain and built a center of studies here in the heart of

Post. Yurii Coronel Ramos

Quezon City! Today, we look back to celebrate our history, to revalidate our identity as Filipino Augustinians following the footsteps of St. Augustine. Thirty years have passed; SACS continues to be a center of academic excellence and a storehouse of the rich Augustinian tradition handed down to us across generations. But let us not be enamored by the past and let not our achievements imprison us in a stupor of pride. More imperative than the past, is the future that lies ahead. We must never rest on our success, for past success is boring, while the future, though uncertain, is vivid and exciting.

Today, my brother postulants, our hard-

won efforts and battered perseverance will be rewarded and recognized. Our intellectual achievements, symbolized by these medals and diplomas, confirm our pursuit for excellence, our passion for wisdom, and our unquenchable thirst for the truth. As Augustinians, we must never stop learning, never be satisfied with what we know, never stop by the woods in a snowy evening.

Some of us might think that now we are finally graduates, we have reached the end of our journey. That is not true, for we have only just began in a never ending process of learning. Some of us might be tempted to stop by the woods in that snowy evening, to take comfort in

what we already have rather than dare to go the extra mile. But our philosophical enterprise is a dialectical process where the buck never stops. Like Saint Augustine, we must make philosophy a life-long profession. Like Saint Augustine, we must never rest on our success.

Like Saint Augustine, we must keep the flame of our restless hearts ablaze, eager to gain wisdom and deeper understanding of realities.

Some of us might be tempted to leave the seminary, afraid to defy popular convention and cliché expectations. But let me remind you that success in any vocation, whether religious or not, is paid by an immense sum of failures and

ture ADUATES 15

Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Hall Simply Professed Graduates Masters and Licentiate Degrees

05

Magin

Kasilag

Tampos

“MASTERS AND LICENTIATE”

The POIMEN Class of the CICM Maryhill School of Theology

have it abundantly, I am the Good Shepherd.” The celebration was joyful especially to the Order of Saint Augustine – Province of Santo Nino de Cebu since there were five Augustinians who commenced their theological discourse in

the MST, namely: Fray Peter S. Cantones Jr., OSA; Fray Peter John C. Cardos, OSA; Fray Christian E. Funtanares, OSA; Fray Cyril Jeth Tagalog, OSA; and Fray Melitito Pocholo C. Visda Jr., OSA. Some simply professed friars

enrolled to other schools also graduated this year. Fray Rodel Magin, OSA, officially received his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) with a field of concentration in Biblical Theology, last March 18, 2015 during the graduation rites

at Loyola School of Theology. On 18th of May, Fray Ian Geoffrey Kasilag, OSA and Fray Mark Anthony Tampos, OSA, graduated and received their Master of Arts in Theology (MATh) at Recoletos School of Theology.

sufferings. So for those who are resolved to finally leave the seminary, think again, for it is not what we do. Do not be afraid to take risks. And keep in mind that there is no real success without failure.

Still some of us might have already been resolved to take the path of least resistance, to surrender one’s passions and religious vocation to conventional wisdom in exchange of immediate financial gain. I hope that if some of us will leave, it will not be for such superficial reasons. I know that our vocation is not easy. We are pressured by our modern capitalist society to join the commercial rat race. That has enticed some of the brightest and most talented among us.

It is a shame that some of us,

after years of philosophical training, give up on the important task to uphold the truth just because we are pressured by society which today is swaying towards the direction of technocratic materialism.

We philosophy majors are not a popular bunch.

Outside the seminary walls, AB Philosophy majors are sometimes looked down upon as high-flown out-ofthe-world thinkers. The fact that philosophical wisdom guarantees no commercial success has led many people to denigrate philosophy.

In today’s fast-paced hitech world, philosophical inquiry and religious profession are disparaged and so seem outdated. We are enslaved by the modern

materialist illusion where capital has become the measure of human dignity.

Nowadays, it is fashionable to forsake religious vocation to get low-end yet profitable jobs. Many have stopped by the woods, fooled by outward appearances, and lured by worldly success.

Those who have chosen to stop and rest may appear well-off in whatever tangible success they may have, but we all know how fast worldly success fades, how easily money come and go.

To forsake wisdom and truth for temporal success is to live in fear, uncertainty, and doubt in a society which has begun to lose its meaning.

This is in view of the basic human need for wisdom and understanding, the

lasting indelible marks of our humanity that can rescue us from the modernist crisis we are in today. As we turn our backs from the past and face the future, let us be steadfast in our chosen vocation to be Augustinians wherever we may be.

To the whole SACS community, let us not be disillusioned by the moral and spiritual crisis of the times.

And let not our achievements of the past thirty years imprison us in our comfort zones. Rather, let us draw inspiration and motivation from them to guide us to the future that remains uncertain.

To my brother postulants, my fellow graduates, let us never cease to achieve

[FROM PAGE 1]

VALEDICTORY [PAGE 8]

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OPINION

sacsupdate vol. 15, no. 3 January to May 2015

EDITORIAL:Reassessing Community Life

Socrates says that he knows but one thing, ignorance.

Socrates is a Greek philosopher known throughout the ages as one of the most important key figures not only in the history of philosophy but also in the history of knowledge and of mankind. Because of his unmitigated desire to know the truth and to place it above all things, he was castigated by the leaders of his society who thrived in their political success by honoring ignorance. Socrates displayed great courage in his pursuit of truth that led to his own death. We now remember Socrates for his wisdom that recognizing ignorance is a step towards knowledge.

Our holy father Augustine is also known for his undying search for the truth, that unlike Socrates, he found in Sacred Scriptures. The Confessions of Saint Augustine contains his reflections and recollections from the beginning to the end of his pursuit of the truth.

More often than not, this has been our source for spiritual ruminations as Augustinians.

We derive from this spiritual mystical treatise the wisdom of Augustine, and thus we preserve what our forefathers had labeled the Augustinian tradition. However, the word ‘confessions’ eludes us. Can we, as Augustinians, truly say that we fully understand this one word that is so important

in our spirituality and which highlights the Augustinian value of humility in the face of utter ignorance?

In the Cassiciacum dialogues, Augustine explains how we must go about in our quest to know the truth, an innate mechanism present in all men. Here, Augustine discourses with his friends and lays the foundation of our spirituality—community life.

Some religious or clergy might be tempted to dismiss Augustine’s view of community life as something that is given already, as something that needs no further explanation. However, there is ingenuity in Augustine that he inserted in his rule. According to him, members of the community must live in pursuit of truth since truth, for Augustine, is attained in a community. Augustine goes even further to explain this in terms of the doctrine of the Trinity. The Holy Trinity is a community of three persons in mystical union, a union that is the source of all Christian truth.

The dynamic nature of this union is also the source of the mystery in Christian revelation, a mystery that goes beyond rational explanation. Nonetheless, we know for certain that God who is truth is a community and cannot exist otherwise. The community in the Trinity provides us a point for reflection crucial in the preservation and development of our spirituality, that is the human quest to know himself and to

attain wisdom is primordially rooted in a community.

Now, as religious, we ought to adhere to what truly makes us Augustinians. Otherwise, everything that we do and everything that our forefathers have built would come tumbling down. We must keep a constant watch on our way of life to check whether it remains faithful to the tradition while keeping up with the time.

Our tradition can only be genuinely Augustinian if it is rooted in our spirituality.

Moreover, what fuels our spirituality is the theology that lies behind it. So we must carefully assess whether our practices today conform faithfully to the theology and philosophy of Saint Augustine. Community life is not simply living under one roof in mutual understanding and harmony. That is only the surface. Underneath it is a very complex set of operations that can only function properly if we understand completely its theology. Thus Augustine always asserts the importance of study, prayer, and contemplation while living in a community. That is what makes us truly Augustinians.

In our journey towards the truth, we work together not only to perform the apostolate of the community. We must also guide, support, encourage, and lead each other in study, prayer, and contemplation which nowadays appear as solitary activities. No!

We must study together, pray together, and contemplate God together in the Eucharist.

Augustine’s exposition of the quest for the truth in the Confessions is an accumulative assimilation on both knowledge and wisdom as man progresses in his journey towards the truth. Behind this is a humble recognition of man’s very limited intellect, an intellect whose lack can only be filled by God’s grace which we can receive in large amounts in study, prayer, and contemplation. The relevance of these three to an individual and to our community pierces the very core of the existence of the Augustinians. We exist in order to contemplate God’s divinity, his being with which we participate.

Above our apostolate and other activities in the community, we must focus on these three, which for Augustine were the most important.

Thus our efforts, energies, and time must be dedicated to the primordial act of man, that is, the search for the truth, which is the underlying principle behind all our efforts to live under one roof, in oneness of mind and heart. Imitating the example set by Socrates and accentuated by Augustine, we must courageously pursue the truth and be true Augustinians.

Opinion

Asp. Ronnel Ian Garcia

Man’s Desire for Perfection Things in this world are not as perfect as we want them to be.

In fact, nothing is perfect. What can we do? We were born in it and got used to it. Why change it? It is already there and it seems alright. Why strive for perfection if one can never be perfect? There is no really perfect gift. It eventually loses its value. There are no perfect clothes; they get out of fad. There is no perfect car; they eventually break down. No perfect anything,

it all eventually becomes nothing.

All of these things that we have now, sooner than expected, will eventually lose its value and beauty. All that we have spent for and tirelessly worked for in our lives gets blown away into dusts and ashes. All material things are imperfect.

Now, the question is why do people still strive to become better despite this fact? Why do we aim to be better than what

we are now when the better we become the lesser the time we will have for ourselves? Everything is a paradox. What we have, we take for granted. What we do not have, we greatly long for. So why, again, do we strive to be better? We all want to become perfect husbands, perfect wives, perfect children, perfect lovers, perfect students, perfect teachers, and perfect persons. Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!

What’s with it? I wonder why we

live up every day with this kind of life and mindset. Even I am guilty of striving to become better than what I am now. Is it man’s nature to be in search of greatness? Or is it all greediness?

I could not answer anything but only inquire because my capabilities are inapt for such questions in life. And more probably, we each have our own answers to such questions. So why tire ourselves in answering MAN’S DESIRE [PAGE 7]

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OPINION

“MAN’S DESIRE”

“COMMENCEMENT”

[from page 6]

[from page 4]

if one’s answer would always be incomplete for another? The reason may be is that our own natural inkling to ask questions, to know, and to improve himself and his life. But can we become successful people even if we do not have the answers these questions? There are evidently a great number of people who know nothing of philosophical theories and arguments and even have no inclination to do anything philosophical but have a successful life. They live without worrying these questions. So, again, Why? In the Christian framework, man’s desire to be perfect lies in the nature of the one who has created him. God is perfect. He is the fullness of all things. He is Actuality Himself and He needs nothing to make him perfect.

Because of this, we, human beings, as His creation, long to become perfect like Him. We may ask: why cannot we be perfect in this earth? Looking at it in the

ontological point of view, a created entity could not really be perfect.

Otherwise it would have to create itself. Simply put, because we are created, perfection is out of the question. But we are not denied of it. Speaking in the Catholic perspective, our life here is merely temporal. We will soon die and there, on the other side of death’s door, a perfect life, a life with God himself. In that state of life there will be no disappointments, no heartbreaks, no sickness, no problems, no worries, no failures, no negatives, no evil. Everything else is beautiful. Thus, in this life, we are encouraged and, somehow, obliged to live a life of moral goodness in spite of the evils that exist alongside it so that in the next life, the life of perfections, we will be ready for the blessings we will receive. In that next life, we will be worthy to receive the gift of perfection, of everlasting life and happiness with God.

The graduates were: Post. James O. Alibong Jr., – Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Post. Mark Anthony B. Artiaga – Sto. Domingo, Albay Post. Cedric Errol O. Barroquillo – Lucban, Quezon Post. Angel Carlo M. Bernales – Mabini, Bohol Post. John Agustin B. Bigcas – Panay, Capiz Post. Genesis S. Carpio – Bulakan, Bulacan Post. John Paul L. Copo – San Miguel, Bulacan Post. Van G. Empasis – Labangon, Cebu City Post. Nico Jame F. Fabrero – Pola, Oriental Mindoro Post. Regie Gilbero – Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte Post. Ruzzel James A. Lanes – San Pedro City, Laguna Post.

Post. Josef Ismael S. Laude – Talisay City, Cebu Post. Yurii C. Ramos – Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Post. Regie S. Sanchez – Mabini, Bohol Post. Alejandro E. Ventura III – Talisay City, Cebu After the Commencement Exercises, a simple dinner and a short program was held at the St. Thomas of Villanova Multipurpose Hall. During the program, a tribute to the previous priors, directors and members of SACS and STVI was presented through a video presentation. Fr. Berdon gave a message and a short background of San Agustin Center of Studies.

Part of the program was the formal closing of the yearlong celebration by the veiling of the official logo of SACS@30. It was veiled by Fr. Jose Rene C. Delariarte, OSA, the Prior of the House and Fr. Eusebio B. Berdon, OSA, the Prior Provincial.

Before the end of the program, the revised edition of Melodies of a Restless Heart, a compilation of songs composed by Rev. Fr. Nicolas Echeveria, OSA was officially released.

CPE Program ends with joy Professorium Section

Six Simply-Professed Friars had finished their Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) last March 12, 2015 at Lung Center of the Philippines under the supervision of Sr. Remedios Nobleza, RSM. The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) aimed to introduce various pastoral skills in ministering to the sick while experiencing

and developing in the students genuine, caring pastoral and personal relationships. This has now become a part of the Pastoral Year Program for the candidates for Solemn Profession in the Province. The program is under the care of St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Centre.

The six Augustinian Friars were Fray Edmar Escobar, Fray

Genesis Labana, Fray Robert Lee Lingo, Fray Arvin Salceda, Fray Mark Anthony Tampos, and Fray Julius Tubid. Together with them were Bro. Victor Andeza II from the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity, Rev. Jeff Chonwa Sirengo of the Sons of St. Anne and Fr. Cirilo Mayugba from the Diocese of Urdaneta. The program started last January 3, 2015 and ended

with a Eucharistic Celebration and a simple graduation rite last March 12, 2015 with the presence of the chaplain of Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Rev. Fr. Jayson Labrador, MI. Rev. Fr. Nelson Zerda, OSA, the Master of the Professed, was also present during the graduation day.

Three simply professed friars defend their theses and translation Professorium Section

The friars of Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Hall (SNTH) were happy for the successful theses defense of Fray Ian Geoffrey D. Kasilag, OSA, and Fray Melitito Pocholo Visda Jr., OSA. Fray Kasilag successfully defended his thesis entitled “Gozos to the Santo Niño: Its Theology and Spirituality” last January 12, 2015 at the Recoletos School of

Theology (RST). Last March 10, 2015, Fray Visda Jr., defended his thesis, “Sharing of Goods with the Poor in the Life and Writings of Saint Augustine.”

Another simply professed friar, Fray Mark Anthony C. Tampos, OSA received his Master of Art in Theology as he successfully defended his Cebuano Translation of the

“Letter of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II to all the Priests of the Church on the occasion of Holy Thursday 1988: Mary in the Life of the Priest: ‘Behold, your Mother’” last April 17, 2015, at RST. These three friars fulfilled the partial requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Theology.

Fray Kasilag, OSA defends his thesis

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sacsupdate vol. 15, no. 3 January to May 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS

Simply professed friars prepares for exposure The formation year 2014-2015 ended with challenges and excitement. The simply professed friars received their exposure assignments with faces full of excitement. The pastoral exposure of the fourth year simply professed friars started on the 2nd week of June. They will stay for six months in their various assigned communities. The exposure of the 1st and 2nd years started last June 1, 2015. For 40 days the 2nd year simply professed friars will experience the life in the parish while the 1st years will have also their BEC exposure for 40 days.

FIRST YEAR: BEC OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH, SOCORRO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE Fray Christopher Rey R. Bajamonde, OSA Fray Mark Louie J. Cañete, OSA

Post. Yurii Ramos giving his valedictory speech

STA. ANA PARISH, SIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE Fray Eduardo B. Fortuna, Jr., OSA Fray Randy A. Arca, OSA SECOND YEAR: PARISH SANTO NIÑO PARISH, BIÑAN, LAGUNA Fray Jubanie Rey F. Baller, OSA ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO QUASI PARISH, SAGUDAY, QUIRINO Fray Fredie C. Billones, OSA STO. NINO DE CEBU PARISH, TALISAY CITY, CEBU Fray Mark N. Domasian, OSA Fray Jaime Silvestre C. Parmisano, OSA OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL PARISH, SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA Fray Richard Bryan O. Mijares, OSA SAN JOSE PARISH, PLAZA LIBERTAD, ILOILO CITY Fray Christian Jhon G. Paspe, OSA FOURTH YEAR: PASTORAL EXPOSURE

The Graduates singing their graduation song “VALEDICTORY” [from page 4]

wisdom, gain knowledge, and acquire deeper understanding.

Let us emulate Saint Augustine who never “really” rested his whole life, but rather, dedicated all his energies in supplying the intellectual and spiritual needs of his time. In the presence of our parents, we remember, Saint Monica, the mother of Augustine whose tears have moved a restless heart to finally find rest in divine

truth and wisdom. Let us keep our hearts restless for knowledge and wisdom with the same intensity that led Saint Monica to tears.

My dear brothers, never rest on success, never rest on your greatness, for while the woods may be lovely, dark, and deep, we all have promises to keep, and miles to go before we sleep.

Thank you.

COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN – BACOLOD, BACOLOD CITY

Fray Reo G. Cabahug, OSA UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN, ILOILO CITY Fray Peter S. Cantones, Jr., OSA Fray Rodel D. Magin, OSA Fray Cyril Jeth Tagalog, OSA ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH, GUBAT, SORSOGON Fray Peter John C. Cardos, OSA SAN JOSE PARISH, PLAZA LIBERTAD, ILOILO CITY Fray Christian E. Funtanares, OSA STO. NINO SPIRITUALITY CENTER, CONSOLACION, CEBU Fray Ian Geoffrey D. Kasilag, OSA MONASTERIO DE GUADALUPE, GUADALUPE VIEJO, MAKATI CITY Fray Wendell Allan A. Marinay, OSA COLEGIO SAN AGUSTIN – BIÑAN, BIÑAN, LAGUNA Fray John Ion C. Miranda, OSA OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH, SOCORRO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE Fray Melitito Pocholo C. Visda Jr., OSA

EDITORIAL STAFF Fray Jaime Silvestre Parmisano, OSA Editor-in-Chief Fray Richard Bryan Mijares, OSA (Professorium) Asp.Ronel Ian Garcia (Collegium) Associate Editors Fray Rodel Magin OSA Managing/Circulation Manager

Fray Toffee Bajamonde, OSA Lay-out Artist SACS Mass Media Staff Photographers Mrs. Carmen Nietes Editorial Consultant Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA Moderators

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