KAPATIRAN
2011
Qué
haremos a Dios? (What shall we do for God?) Such was the theme reflected
upon during the Kapatiran 2011, the annual gathering of theology seminarians
all over the country, organized by the Diocesan Seminarians’ Network of
the Philippines, Inc. (SemNet).
The annual
affair held at the San Jose Seminary in Ateneo de Manila University on
February 5 was attended by a delegation from the ICST comprising of 24
seminarians from the Seniors and Juniors, and 4 formators. The seminarians
attended various group workshops that include. Social Networking, Cooking
and Spirituality, Political Involvement and Disaster Management, Choral
Conducting, Dealing with Psycho-Sexual Issues in the Ministry, Media for
Evangelization, Cinema and Spirituality, Pinoy Laughter Yoga, Film Writing,
Personal Stewardship and Good Governance, Art Workshop, Modern Art Appreciation,
Public Speaking, Creative Thinking, Wellness and Health, Fundraising, and
Photo Composition and Basic Camera Operation.
The whole day
event was highlighted by the presence of popular personalities like Ms.
Heidi Mendoza, the former government auditor and corruption whistleblower;
Ms. Biel Aquino-Dy, sister of President Benigno Aquino III; Ms. Pia Arcangel,
a GMA news anchor; and showbiz personality Ms. Rica Peralejo.
Delegates from
21 different member-seminaries went home challenged by the theme, especially
in the crucial issue of active social involvement.
Community
Outing
“All work and
no play makes Jack a dull boy.” On February 10-11, after weeks of intense
preparation for the Inniliw 2011, the whole ICST community was treated
to a community outing at the Katib Beach Resort in San Juan, Ilocos Sur.
The fellowship formally began with a dinner in the evening of the 10th,
during which representatives from each class, as well as the formators,
shared their experiences and insights on the just concluded alumni homecoming.
The following day, the four formation communities, including their respective
formators and assigned personnel-members, battled it out in the different
parlor games at the beach. The whole affair culminated with a celebration
of the Mass, presided over by Fr. Clarence Carta, formation director of
the Ilocandia Community.
KNOW Editors
Attend Luzon-wide Press Con
Sems. Laverne
C. Tarubal and Louie Christian Ruelos, Chief and Associate Editors
respectively of the Know attended the Luzon-wide Higher Education Press
Conference at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City from February 2-5,
2011. Said conference was in line with the Commission on Higher Education
program of instilling the values and principles of journalism in young
writers in the higher education institutions. In its 10th year, the press
con had for its theme “Campus Journalism: Forging an Identity in a Multi-Cultural
Philippines.”
The 3rd Issue
of the Know Magazine with the theme: “Value Life!” which earned awards
for its contents during the 11th Regional Press Conference held earlier
in Vigan City competed in the Baguio Presscon. Chief Editor Tarubal
who had garnered the top award in photojournalism during the regional press
tilt won 2nd place in the Luzon-wide competition in the same category.
Sems. Louie
and Laverne represented ICST in the event participated in by more than
700 college and graduate students from 130 institutions in Luzon and graced
by the participation of respected names in the field of journalism.
ICST Participates
in PCP II 20th Anniversary
How is the
Church of the Poor after 20 years?
From the 13th
to the 15th of January this year, ICST participated in the nationwide commemorative
conference on the second plenary council of the Philippines held at Adamson
University. Representing the regional seminary were Sems. Danille Chad
Pecson, Laverne Tarubal, Andres Nuesca, Jr. and Coshie Chris Duppa-as accompanied
by Rev. Fr. Raymund de Guzman.
The Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines is a very important landmark in the
history of the Philippine Local Church. Convened in 1991, the plenary allowed
the Church to become more responsive and relevant to the changing times
and context. The long and tedious process of sharing and dialogue
among many bishops, priests, and the lay gave way to important statements
and pronouncements enshrined in the decrees that define the Philippine
Local Church as a community of disciples of Jesus Christ, called to be
the Church of the Poor and commissioned to proclaim the Reign of God through
internal evangelization.
The nationwide
gathering of theological schools and ecclesial lay movements commemorating
the 20th Anniversary of PCP II reflected how the council directed the life
of the Philippine Local Church; how it concretely approximated the vision
of renewing Herself; how she responded to the challenge of being a Church
of the Poor; how she is becoming a Filipino church that is pastorally oriented
and focused in Christ towards evangelization.
In relation
to PCP II, conferences on Sacred Scriptures, Christology, Ecclesiology,
and Spirituality were the highlights of the said event. These were given
by Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi, O.P., the President of the Council in 1991,
Bishops Pablo Virgilio David and Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr., Fr. Daniel Franklin
Pilario, CM, Ms. Agnes M. Brazal, Ph.D., SThD., and Sr. Leticia Andrea
Garcia, DC. Presentation of research works on PCP II was done through simultaneous
sessions. These papers, prepared by the different theological schools,
focused on the pastoral realities of PCP II considering the socio-political
context of the country.
The St. Vincent
School of Theology organized the nationwide conference because of the
Vincentians’ special pastoral focus on the poor. About 700 participants
from different theological institutions, lay movements, and dioceses attended
the nationwide conference.
Sanga, Ubbog
Classes Installed as Lectors, Acolytes
“Serve one
another with whatever gift each of you received!”
With this
thematic imperative, the first year theologians (Sanga Class) and the second
year theologians (Ubbog Class) were installed lectors and acolytes last
February 21, 2011 at the ICST Chapel. The installation rite was done within
the celebration of the Mass presided over by the installing prelate Most
Rev. Joseph A. Nacua, OFM-Cap, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan.
In his homily,
Bishop Nacua emphasized the significance of service. “We are heralds of
the Great King,” the bishop said, “And so we have to be faithful to our
commitment so that in the end God would say to us, ‘Welcome my good and
faithful servants!’”
The ICST Rector
Rev. Fr. Nick A. Vaquilar made the presentation of the candidates for lectors
and acolytes. The Ministries of Lectors and Acolytes are orders canonically
required for seminarians before being ordained to the Order of Presbyters.
UBBOG Class
Off to Sinait for Pastoral Management Course
The second
year theologians, formally named as Ubbog class, had their Pastoral Management
Course last February 25-March 1, 2011 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Under Rev.
Msgr. Albert Rabe, St. Nicholas of Tolentino parish priest, the course
was facilitated together the Parish Animation Team (PAT) and (Mangiwanwan
Programa Pastoral) MAPPA, the pastoral program leaders.
The course
emphasized three important elements in parish management. Inspired by the
Basic Ecclesial Community principles, pastoral management in Sinait goes
with the process of social analysis in the perspective of faith, designing
a pastoral program and setting up a pastoral system. Towards the realization
of the Kingdom Mission, the three pastoral processes are necessary for
a realistic, scientific and a systematic pastoral management.
The seminarians
experienced an actual exposure of pastoral management in Sinait. Being
immersed with basic ecclesial communities and with the families, in which
they were housed during the five-day course, the seminarians learned that
parish management is not a sole responsibility but a communal task which
functions at the basic units of the society, the family.
The second
year class also learned making a survey of the social realities and a pastoral
program that would make communities and individuals share their social
concerns. The pastoral system was introduced by the different heads of
committees necessary in managing the parish which includes financial, liturgical,
catechetical, and other parochial works.
The seminarians
also witnessed how meetings are thoroughly conducted by the parishioners
of Sinait. At the last day of the course, they joined the meeting of St.
Mark Vicariate which is composed of parishes known with BEC Program implementation.
The said meeting was graced by Nueva Segovia Archbishop, Most. Rev. Ernesto
A. Salgado, D.D.
