JOLOGS Class returns to ICST
I will thank you forever because of what you have done. In the presence
of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good. (Psalm 52:9)
The JOLOGS Class (Journeying with the love of God’s Son) Batch 2005,
returned to ICST for a thanksgiving mass on August 13, 2007. There was
a friendship and exhibition game between the Jologs and the 4th year in
the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ayusan Sur, Vigan City.
The concelebrated mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Sherwin Aquino, a
parochial vicar of St. William Parish, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. Rev. Fr.
Johnny Valdez, a parish priest of St. Joseph Parish, Diadi, Nueva Viscaya
shared his homily focusing on gratitude to God and the administration as
the main objective of their visit. After the Holy Eucharist, the whole
community gathered for a dinner in the main dining hall of the seminary
for a simple program for the Jologs Class. In the program every one of
them shared his faith-experiences and reflections as a 2-year old priest.
Behind their words were not just series of past experiences but strong
inspiration and challenge that pierce the hearts of all. Indeed, there
is more beyond the celebrations because unity and brotherhood are realized.
More power to your ministry Reverend Fathers!
Formation communities go on educational/ pilgrimage tours
The coming of typhoon “Egay” was also the departure of the Pangasinan
and Ilocandia Formation Communities for their Educational Tour and Pilgrimage.
The Pangasinan Formation Community went straight to San Carlos Seminary
and spent the night there. They visited the tomb of the late Jaime
Cardinal Sin at the crypt at the Manila Cathedral. They also experienced
the Augustinian architecture, arts and lifestyle because they were able
to explore the exhibit at the San Agustin Museum within the compound of
Intramuros. Fr. Raymond de Guzman became their tour guide in exploring
Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan. There were a great number of learnings
and insights they acquired during the tour. Camaraderie was strengthened.
Lessons only educational tour can offer were learned.
The Ilocandia also had theirs. It is a kind of Pilgrimage tracing
and learning from the life and ministry of the late Archbishop of Lipa,
Alfredo Verzosa, the first Ilocano bishop. The Archbishop Ernesto
Salgado gave his blessings as the group visited him and the tomb of Alfredo
Verzosa at Vigan Cathedral. The group arrived at Lipa and went straight
to the church where the miraculous shower of petals happened. The
group journeyed from there to the St. Francis De Sales Seminary and to
the convent founded by the said archbishop to attend a silver jubilee of
one of the nuns. The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Evangelista
of Boac. The nuns of the Missionary Catechist of the Sacred Heart
were very happy that Ilocandia seminarians are tracing the life of Bishop
Verzosa. The nuns gave their stories with regard to Verzosa’s life.
Archbishop Arguelles, the present archbishop of Lipa also expressed his
thoughts on the life, ministry and examples of Verzosa. Bishop Quizon
who was a young priest during the time of Verzosa also gave his thoughts.
He claimed that Verzosa was very humble and obedient and really was a good
and compassionate shepherd to his flock. Tracing the life and ministry
of Verzosa really ignited the vocation of these seminarians as they continued
to follow the path towards priesthood.
Fr. Jocson talks during Rector’s Conference
Fr. Jocson Ogaya, Director of the Our Lady of Piat Formation Community
gave an hour’s worth of talk on leadership to the big community of ICST
on August 20. For him, he believes that leadership is an influence.
He supported his contention by enumerating and explaining some principles
that are needed in influencing people. In line with this, he presented
tips on how to manage ourselves because we need to start within ourselves
so that we can lead people. According to him, if we don’t manage
ourselves, why should anyone else. There are nine tips on self-management
– manage your emotion, manage your time, manage your priorities, manage
your energy, manage your thinking, manage your words and manage your personal
life. These things are based on the book written by John Maxwell.
He explained the 360 Degrees Leadership that is, the kind of leadership
that points downward that is relating towards subordinates; horizontal,
that is, relating towards equals, and upwards that is, relating to the
superiors. Fr. Jocson used this kind of model in his parish before he came
to the seminary. He continues to carry on the model as he journeys
with the formation community, as a director, a formator, and a friend.
Lectio Divina
The CDP (Commitment to Daily Prayer) is very essential in the life of
each seminarian. With this, a seminarian has the chance to develop
a very personal commitment to prayer, time for reflection and meditation.
Last month, Fr. John and Fr. Marlon introduced alternatives for the CDP
- the Consciousness Examen. In addition, Bro. Avel Verney Zaragoza
shared his knowledge and learnings with regard to Lectio Divina.
It is another tool that enhances spiritual life through the CDP.
He shared his experiences during his summer vacation with Abbot Rabang
because the Nueva Segovia Seminarians spent their summer break in Alangan.
He encouraged his fellow seminarians to read and use the Sacred Scriptures
as their material in Lectio Divina and for their meditation.
ICST community plants 250 mahogany seedlings
The ICST community through the Let’s GLOW Project committed themselves
once again to take part in slowing down the effects of Global Warming.
Truly committed to this, the faculty and the personnel also joined the
seminarians in responding to the care of our Mother Nature as they planted
250 Mahogany seedlings at the ICST Mahogany Garden on August 24. Bro. Marlon
Urmaza, the chairman of this committee gave some lectures on how to plant
and most especially on the sustenance of the seedlings. Each one
has to plant two seedlings and has to take care of these seedlings until
one leaves the seminary. Fr. Berlynden led the para-liturgy and blessed
the seedlings and the grounds. Finally, after the seedings were planted,
the heavens cooperated because she poured down rains to water the newly
planted seedlings.
Ilocandia community welcomes their new brothers
The
Ilocandia Formation Community and priests from different formation communities
celebrated their regional party on August 24. Themed “Langen-langen,” which
means “socialization,” the celebration was also intended to welcome their
first year brothers as a sign of accepting them as new members of their
community. The event commenced with an evening prayer at the ICST chapel.
Afterwards, the first year and the fourth year proceeded to the oratory
for the surprise activity. The first year experienced the ambiance of genuine
love when their fourth year brothers shared their inspirational message
followed by the lighting of candles symbolizing that their first year brothers
are not alone in journeying towards their chosen vocation. In the program,
the seminarians had a great time sharing their presence, showcasing their
talents and, more so, deepening their brotherhood as one regional community
who answers God’s call to the priestly vocation. The celebration was concluded
with a singing of the Marian hymn followed by the final blessing. It is
indeed one of the most memorable activities in the seminary for it gave
the seminarians the chance to unwind, to have a good break and most of
all to show their camaraderie and brotherhood to one another. Agbiag ti
Ilocandia Formation Community!
The
world we are living in is about to be destroyed because of Global Warming.
Aware of the alarming condition of our Mother Nature, the ICST Executive
Committee (The General Beadle, Vice-General, Secretary General, PRO and
the regional coordinators) held a meeting to organize a project on how
to lessen the effect of this Global Warming. They came up with the
project Let’s GLOW (Guard and Love Our World). The whole ICST community,
together with the representatives from St. Benedict Institute gathered
in the Aula for the Launching of this Project on August 1-5. This
project is composed of four commissions – The Information Drive, The Waste
Segregation, The Tree Planting and The Conservation. As part of the
launching, we watched the documentary film An Inconvenient Truth by
Al Gore. The Information Drive committee targeted the regular Sunday church
goers. Bro. Erwin Echalas discussed Global Warming, its causes and
its effects. In addition, he also presented some tips on how to lessen
the threats of global warming. He challenged the people to take part,
to take care of Mother Nature and to do something after having been informed.