Archbishop blesses new chapels and dining halls
The Most Rev. Ernesto A. Salgado took time out to be with his seminarians
for the blessing of their new formation community chapels and dining halls
on July 13, 2007. The Archbishop presided over the liturgy assisted by
our formators in the seminary. He blessed first the new chapel of the Our
Lady of Piat Formation Community then their dining hall and then the new
chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Formation Community. He was very
happy with the new paradigm of the seminary. He assured the community
of his support to ICST's programs. After the blessing, he joined the KAPIHAN
celebration.
Kapihan 1 invites MAD-DAGAT TERA!
Mad-dagat
tera! (Itawes for “you are welcome”) started the series of Kapihan
gatherings this school year on July 13, 2007. Sponsored by the Our Lady
of Piat (Cagayan Valley) Formation Community, it welcomed the new school
year and at the same time gave the community and visitors a taste of the
Cagayan Valley way of celebration. The first Kapihan had Pancit Cabagan
Cooking Contest, which the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Montanosa) Formation
Community won. The contest and the sharing of pancit and other delicacies
form the Cagayan Valley were meant to welcome the community and to give
them a taste of the culture of the region.
The same celebration witnessed the launching of the 365 Friends of ICST,
a project of the ICST Fund to encourage people to help the Seminary by
donating rice. Before the celebration, the new chapels for the different
formation communities were blessed by His Excellency Ernesto Salgado D.D.,
Archbishop of Nueva Segovia.
Fr. Marlon turns 35
Rev.
Fr. Marlon Belmonte, the Spiritual Director of the Nuestra Señora
de Caridad Formation Community, celebrated his 35th year on July 14, 2007.
In his homily, he expressed his gratitude to the Lord for the gift of life
and also to the people who have become part of his life and journey. He
stressed the importance and value of humility as expressed in his simple
lifestyle and his spirituality. Fr. Marlon hails from Sto. Domingo and
finished his theological Studies at San Jose Seminary, Manila.
The Ilocandia seminarians paid him tribute by rendering a mañanita.
The seminarians of Nueva Segovia also serenaded him and gave him their
simple gift as a sign of their appreciation and admiration and trust for
his presence and example. Some seminarians also expressed their gratitude
to Fr. Marlon for his prayers and companionship and most especially his
brotherhood.
Fr. John holds first Rector’s Conference
Rev. Fr. John Habawel, seminary rector, gave his first conference to
the seminarians on July 16, 2007. He articulated what transpired during
their meeting with the Northern Luzon Bishops. The Northern Luzon Bishops
are very happy with what is happening now in the seminary, most especially
with the smooth flow of the paradigm shift. They also agreed to have
a regular meeting in the ICST once a year, every second Tuesday of November.
Sideline to the meeting was a visit to the seminary and thus an inspiration
to the seminarians. They appreciated the Commitment to Daily Prayer (CDP)
being practiced in the seminary. They also reiterated the “no cellular
phone policy” stance.While community life will be affected, the use of
cellular phone while in the formation hits the fundamental values of chastity,
obedience and poverty. Fr. John also reported on the development of ICST's
application for Commission on Higher Education (CHED) permission to confer
masters’ degrees to graduates. He said that the process is still on-going
and he hopes that the CHED will grant our request.
Seminarians try out for ICST varsity
On July 18, 2007, Fr. John Habawel, Fr. Nick Vaquilar and Fr. Ramelo
Somera scheduled a basketball try-out for the school’s varsity team. The
try-out was divided into three phases where around 30 seminarians tried
their luck. Through the three phases of the try-out, the aspirants showcased
their talents and abilities. They were screened through their performances
and above all else, their sense of teamwork. The try-out fostered camaraderie
among the seminarians as they came to appreciate the each other's talents.
After the rigorous and back-breaking challenges, the formators selected
14 seminarians who will compose the ICST Basketball Varsity Team.
Four (4) are from the fourth year class – Erwin Echalas who is the Team
Captain, Mark Anthony Ventura, the assistant captain ball, Thaddeus Foronda
and Ernesto Gonzales Jr. Six (6) are sophomores – Avel Verney Zaragoza,
Hubert Doria, Bernard Paguio, Rosmel Cairel, Roland Gavina and Raymond
Songyap. Four (4) are freshmen – David Mark Taverner, Rowell Vincent Esguerra,
Domie Jake Cawas and Sendo Miguel. The formators will be the team’s managers
and Jessie Tolentino will be the head coach with Xavier Valbuena and Arnold
Valdez as his assistants. Now they are ready to face any opponent
not only for the sake of winning but to foster brotherhood and sportsmanship.
Montañosa formation community leads bible service
The Montañosa Formation Community sponsored a bible service for
the whole ICST community on July 19, 2007. The formation community chose
integrity of creation as the theme of the said bible service in response
to the very alarming problem on global warming. The Montañosa community
led the other three regional communities into a deeper reflection on the
role of the human person as a co-creator with God.
The love offerings given by the four regional communities (Montañosa
formation community included) will be used in the seminary for the ICST
project against global warming. In return, each regional formation
community received a Jethropa tree to plant. This symbolizes the
communal ownership of the reality of global warming and becoming part of
its solution. Moreover, this is in support of the expanding national
campaign of jethropa tree planting. Jethropa tree, locally known in the
province of Ilocos as “tawwa-tawwa,” has been proven an effective carbon
dioxide absorbent. Furthermore, it is said that it could be used as bio-fuel.
Hence, it is one way of addressing the problem on global warming.
Formation communities hold recollections
Each
of the formation communities held their respective recollections on July
20-21, 2007. The Montañosa Formation Community held their
recollection at the SBI compound facilitated by Fr. Jeffrey Habado, a resident
Spiritual Director of San Pablo Major Seminary. Pangasinan seminarians
had their recollection in Pug-os, Cabugao with Fr. Ulysis as their recollection
master. The CAVISA group had it at the Benedictine Convent in Pantay
Fatima with Fr. Jocson. The Ilocandia stayed in the seminary with
Fr. Marlon as their recollection master. After strengthening one’s faith
and commitment to follow Christ, they also had the chance of strengthening
their camaraderie, friendship and brotherhood. Their formators were
with them in their recollection and other activities.
T4 seminarians train in participatory action research
The
whole fourth year class had the chance to listen to a lecture and undergo
a training on Participatory Action Research on July 21-22, 2007. The resource
speaker was Miss Arlene Natocyad from the Asian Social Institute (ASI).
She started the lecture by discussing the conventional understanding and
interpretation of research. She then went on to present to the group
different characteristics and processes of research. She discussed the
process of doing a research and presented the sources of knowledge. She
also taught the group the skills needed in conducting interviews, tips
and reminders on conducting interviews, the process of making the necessary
and appropriate questions for the interview, gathering and collecting of
data, interpreting and analyzing data, validating data and disseminating
and utilizing them. The training is useful for the group not only academically
but more so in their pastoral and ministerial endeavor. This will
be of great help in their apostolate in Sinait, Ilocos Sur under the guidance
and supervision of Fr. Albert Rabe.
Executive committee tackles global warming
The
members of the Executive Committee held a meeting for the second time on
July 24, 2007 to discuss issues concerning global warming. The meeting,
which sought to address the issue on global warming, was presided by the
Student Council President. They came up with the Project Title –
ICST GREEN PROJECT: Our response to the Global Warming! For this,
they drew up their plans and proposals on how to implement the project.
The committee decided to launch it on August 1, 2007 at the ICST Aula Magna
with the presentation of the Awareness Survey they made and with Al Gore's
documentary film entitled INCONVENIENT TRUTH. Other activities were
discussed in the implementation of the said project, like an information
drive to include: a seminar on global warming, information to Sunday Mass
goers about the issue enjoining them to participate, reaching out to other
schools, and posting articles/materials concerning the issue. Waste segregation
was identified as another possible activity. This would include recycling
of things like plastic, instead of burning them, and digging a compost
pit. A tree-planting activity was also considered. The Executive Committee
is composed of the General Beadle, the Vice-General Beadle, the Secretary
General, the Treasurer, the PRO and the four Regional Coordinators.
Rev. Fr. Floro Bautista talks on liturgical music
Rev.
Fr. Floro Bautista, a well known composer of Ilocano liturgical and religious
songs shared to the seminary community his life story as a musician and
insights on composing songs especially for the liturgy, on July 25, 2007
at the community chapel. He summarized the seminar on three points. First,
one must have a certain love or liking for music. Others have this as a
gift but this could be learned. Here it follows that one must know how
to play at least one musical instrument. It is a plus factor if one knows
how to read and write with notes. Second, one’s prayer life could help
in composing songs. Fr. Floro shared that a song composed from one’s prayer
could come out as a good song. It then becomes one good ingredient in composing
liturgical songs since they are intended for the liturgy, our worship to
the Lord. Fr. Floro stressed as well the purity of one’s intention in composing
liturgical songs. It should not be for profit or money. Motivation could
dictate as well the quality of one’s songs. Moreover, one must have the
confidence. This is connected to one’s interest for music. He used the
Tagalog expression “lakas-loob” to further this point. It takes confidence
to compose songs. Fr. Floro also shared a principle he learned from Fr.
Hontiveros, a Jesuit who was a pioneer in Tagalog Liturgical Music: the
simpler the better. Lastly, one must be grounded in one’s culture. Culture
greatly helps and influences one’s composition. This element is very important
if one wishes to compose inculturated liturgical songs. Every culture has
its own peculiarity that includes music. Fr. Floro connected this to the
power of language grounded in one’s culture. He ended his talk by sharing
a song he recently composed for the new bishop of Abra.
Dr. Clarita Adora shares tips on social graces
Human formation is an important aspect on the growth of every individual
most especially seminarians who will be priests and models of people.
It is for this reason that the seminary Fathers, particularly Fr. Ramelo
Somera, who is in charge of Human Formation of seminarians invited a speaker
in the person of Dra. Clarita Adora, who gave us a seminar on Social Graces
on July 27, 2007. She talked about improving personality and human relation.
The seminar was a great learning experience for the seminarians on developing
their personality and also their relationship with God, neighbors and self.
Indeed, the seminar helped seminarians become more aware of how they deal
with people in their everyday life.
Freshmen go through Basic Bible Seminar
The
freshmen underwent a Basic Bible Seminar on July 27-29, 2007. The
seminar aimed to deepen their knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures. Their
minds and hearts were nourished because the Word of God penetrated their
whole being. Fr. Dominador Ramos, SVD, Fr. Berlynden Dao-anis, Sem.
June Ragonjan, Sem. Rene Caligue and other seminarians helped facilitate
the seminar. Fr. Doms pointed out that the Bible contains the Word of God,
which helps us in attaining the salvation promised by Christ to us. Moreover,
he mentioned that the Bible is the core of our faith in relation to the
Holy Trinity.
Fr.
Berlyn stressed the dual relation between the call of God to us and our
proper response to Him. Brother June explained that the Bible is like a
library, which consists of many books. Some are narrative, some are
poetic and some are laws prescribed for the people to follow. Brother
Jessie, on the other hand, centered his talk on the important role of the
Bible in community building, as the group underwent bible sharing; that
sharing the Word of God builds up community and sustains and strengthens
it as well. Brother Arnold spoke about Lectio Divina. He highlighted the
four (4) ways of doing Lectio Divina namely, lectio (reading of the text),
meditation (the Word of God in our life, dialogue between the text and
the person), oratio (our response to the Word of God in prayer by lifting
our hearts to God), and actio (our response to the Word of God in action
by our concrete plan of action). Brother Rene explained the nature
of Bible Sharing by describing the process. He also mentioned essential
tips on how to do Bible Sharing effectively.
“It
is God’s grace that keeps me going…” quipped Rev. Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD
in his homily during the celebration of his 37th Religious Profession on
July 4, 2007. The celebration started with a mass which he presided and
concelebrated by the seminary formators. Supper followed as a continuation
of the celebration. There was also a short program wherein each formation
community gave a presentation as a tribute to him. The program ended
with his inspirational message addressed to the seminarians.
About
a month after the Student Council Elections, the whole community gathered
together for their First General Assembly held at the community dining
hall on July 6, 2007. The event opened with a prayer led by the head liturgist.
The general beadle, Sem. Leo Nedic, started the assembly with a lesson
that can be learned from the geese: the geese fly together in a “V” formation
which shows the lesson of team work. This was followed presentation by
commission heads, formation heads, class beadles of all their programs
and project proposals. After the presentation, there was an open forum,
where the seminarians' suggestions, comments, and clarifications were heard.
Clapping hands meant the seminarians approved the plans and project proposals
of the heads of their respective committees. The result of the deliberations
of the seminary fathers was also presented. The assembly lasted for two
and a half hours and concluded with simple snacks.