OLMCS Grades 12 and 10 Seminarians Embark on Reflective Retreat in Tagaytay
Tagaytay, Philippines - The seminarians of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary (OLMCS) from Grades 12 and 10 are currently participating in a four-day retreat in the serene city of Tagaytay, scheduled from May 13 to 16. This retreat is designed to provide the seminarians with a valuable opportunity to reflect on their experiences and growth during their years of formation at the seminary. Additionally, it serves as a time for them to discern God's plan for their futures.
Facilitating the retreat is Fr. Bryan Cabrera, an esteemed alumnus of OLMCS and the current parish priest of St. Roche Parish in Panaon, Unisan, Quezon. Fr. Cabrera brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the seminary, which enriches the retreat experience for the seminarians.
Under the thoughtful guidance of OLMCS's head spiritual director, Fr. Dennis Moreno, the retreat is structured to encourage introspection, spiritual growth, and community bonding. The tranquil environment of Tagaytay provides an ideal backdrop for the seminarians to engage in prayer, meditation, and discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of their vocational journey.
This retreat is a significant part of the seminarians' spiritual formation, offering them a chance to pause and consider the profound experiences that have shaped their path thus far. As they look back on their time at the seminary, they also look forward, contemplating the next steps in their spiritual and personal development.
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“Unified Call to Action: Seminary Leads Environmental Crusade to Protect Mt. Banahaw from Over-Quarrying”
On May 2, 2024, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary (OLMCS) joined a diverse group of individuals in a call to protect Mt. Banahaw from over-quarrying. The initiative began with a mass at St. Francis Church and included about 26 priests, 2 pastors, nuns, seminarians, students, and concerned citizens. The event gained momentum with the presence of environmental advocate Fr. Robert Reyes. After the mass, the attendees marched to the offices of the Mayor of Sariaya and the Sangguniang Bayan ng Sariaya, demanding a halt to quarrying activities at the base of Mt. Banahaw due to concerns over potential ecological disasters. The group then proceeded to the primary quarry site, where speeches were delivered calling for immediate action to protect Mt. Banahaw. The event concluded with a prayer and blessing led by Fr. Vic Aller, emphasizing the spiritual and moral importance of the campaign.
“THE LAST DANCE”
Pebrero 7-9 2024, isinagawa ang pagsasama-sama ng mga seminarista mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansang Pilipinas. Ang “ISANG ANGKAN PARA KAY KRISTO” o mas kilala sa tawag na “SANGKAN”. Ito ay pinaghahandaan namin ng mahabang panahon sapagkat sa mga nagdaang panahon, halos taon-taon kami ay nakakapag-uwi ng karangalan. Kilala ang Seminaryo Menor ng Mahal na Birhen ng Monte Carmelo pagdating sa larangan ng palakasan. Sabi nga ng mga dating seminarista, ito ay isa sa mga mahuhusay na manlalaro pagdating ng Sangkan. Pero bakit nga ba ginawa ang Sangkan? Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin nito para sa mga seminarista? Una sa lahat, ito ay hindi isang larong pagkumptensiya, bagkus mas pinapahalagahan nito ang kapatiran at ang pagsasama-sama ng mga seminarista. Ang Sangkan din ay nakakatulong upang mas palalimin pa ang pormasyon at paghuhubog sa kanila, hindi lamang sa larangan ng isports, ngunit pati na rin sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay espiritwal. Hindi nga natin maitatanggi na isang biyaya ang muling pagkakaroon ng ganitong uri ng gawain; biyaya hindi lamang para sa ikabubuti ng mga seminarista gayun din sa mga kasangkot ng nasabing pangyayari.
Sa tulong at awa ng Diyos, tinanggap ng St. John Paul II Minor Seminary, Diocesis ng Antipolo ang Sangkan bilang host, na halos tatlong taon natigil dahil sa COVID-19. Sa pasimula ay nagdiwang ng banal na misa sa Katedral ng Antipolo, na pinangunahan ng Obispo ng Antipolo, walang iba kundi si Lub. Kgg. Ruperto Santos. Sinundan ito ng motorcade. Pagkatapos nito, nagsimula na ang kompetisyon ng indoor sports ganap na ika-1 ng hapon, ngunit nabigo ang ilang manlalaro sa unang laban. Nakakamit ng puwesto sa mga palaro ay ang sa darts, na nagwagi ng first-runner up. Ang pangalawang araw ay pinasimulan sa pamamagitan ng banal na misa na pinangunahan ni Lub. Kgg. Francisco De Leon, Obispo Emeritus ng Antipolo. Ang ikalawang araw ng sangkan ay inilaan para sa outdoor games na basketball at volleyball. Ang nilahukan ng ating seminaryo ay volleyball. Nagkaroon ng matinding tapatan sa pagitan ng Oblates of Saint Joseph Seminary at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary. Sa gitna ng matinding tapatan sinabi sa amin ni Coach Mario: “Just keep on playing, do your patterns, focus sa laro.” Kaya naman, sa kabutihang palad, nakamit ng Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary ang pagiging kampeon sa larangan ng volleyball. Kinagabihan ay isinagawa naman ang Pagtatanghal Kultural. Ito ay ang pagpapakita ng kultura sa iba’t ibang panig ng ating bansa. Ipinakita rito ang pagsayaw, pagkanta at pagsadula ng mga iba’t ibang kultura. Dito rin nagkakilakilala ang bawat seminarista mula sa iba’t ibang seminaryo. Pebrero 9, ito ang huling araw ng Sangkan. sa ganap ng ika-7 ng umaga ay isinagawa ang banal na misa sa pangunguna ni Lub. Kgg. Socrates Villegas, Arsobispo ng Lingayen-Dagupan. Nang matapos ito ay isinagawa naman ang paggagawad ng mga karangalan. Iginawad sa Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary ang unang puwesto sa darts at kampyon sa volleyball.
Sa pagwawakas, napagtanto naming na napakagandang balikan ang bawat pangyayari, pagkakaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan, ganoon din ang bagong karanasan sa mga seminarista maging sa mga guro at kaparian.
April 3, 2024 was a blessed day...
Fr Boy Opalalic, flying to manila from his california parish for a very brief visit asked to meet some of us.. to break bread and to talk about our intended foundation for our beloved OLMCS.. In the meeting, he reiterated his utmost desire and support in all forms as we endeavor to make it a reality.. And he was just happy to meet us, his brothers... And we are happy to meet and see fr boy again...
Kuya Rene Bala, taking a day off from his APOStolic works at home, made sure we meet atnthe appointed time and place. And he was in his usual playful Bullet, amusing us with his pilyo anecdotes about olmcs contemporaries during his time.. Syempre, pulutan ang mga usual suspects na wala sa meeting... And we are all having a good long laugh...
Kuya Ferdie De Gala, our foundation Chair, ever the most generous among us, owned up being our gracious host for the night, treating us to a sumptuous dinner, befitting VIPs.. He also shared valuable inputs, assuring us that our labor of love will come to fruition very soon... And REAL SOON, the foundation arises...
Kuya Bebot and kuya Job Victoria, out on a 3hr visa, had to brave the wed afternoon edsa traffic, leaving alabang 3pm to get to cubao.. They came in a little late, but i am very sure they came home much much later...napalo malamang si kuya bebot.. Ewan ko lang si kuya job kung napalo hehe...
And then there was fr rector, Edwin Panergo.. Readily excited upon hearing about the meeting, he left 11am olmcs, boarding a bus to cubao.. He did not want to bring a car, being not very familiar with the metro manila roads.. He called that he was already at cubao bus terminal 415pm, well ahead of everybidy.. I told him mamasyal muna sa mall as i was just to leave my ofc in taguig.. The next time i called to check on his whereabouts, another person answered , telling me he had the phone after his passenger left it at his taxi.. Fr edwin never made it to the meeting.. The next day, he told me that after 2hrs of going around, trying and hoping to bump into someone he knows and looking at restaurants, he decided to board a bus going back to sariaya.. He did not know we were meeting at gloriamaris.. As fr edwin was talking to me on the phone, he was calm, albeit apologetic, that he had us all worried..i just wonder now how dedicated and caring fr edwin was in trying to do what he thought must be done.. He was going out of his way to see us, opting to ignore the inconvenience of public transport and of unfamiliarity with the destination... Just to be with us, brothers...
And yet still, there was the taxi driver.. The moment he realized the phone was left at his taxi, he was hoping somebody would call to find it.. He was hoping he would return it to the owner.. I did make the call and he was relieved.. I told him i will call again, and that the phone belongs to a priest.. He was all the more moved to give it back.. I was not able to call again that night after the meeting.. I simply forgot to call.. The next morning, thursday, i called him..he told me he was frantically waiting for the call. He even asked his wife to charge the fone and wait for any call, as he retired and rested for the night.. After a brief talk, the taxi driver, kuya REYNANTE ROSADA, of FFK TRANSPORT, showed up in my office to hand over the phone.. I thank him for being kind and honest.. I told him im sure fr edwin will be praying for him and his family.. And kuya Renante left, also happy...
Thank you, fathers and brothers.. My April 3, 2024 was a grace-filled and blessed day indeed...
KUYA PEPE ANACION…
2 APR 2024
…with God's blessings, i realized we have also to make sacrifices, be patient and always turn to Him for guidance and protection. I hope my BC brothers could avail also of these blessings.
As early as 4 Am daily, pila sa PGH ang haba na. That is why , tuwing sked ko, we leave Cavite at 2 am. kasi kay cut - off sa pila.
I will have 8 sessions every third week. After the 4th session, radiation will be done. After the 8th session, they will operate on it, if deemed necessary. This sked is called protocol applied to stage 4 colorectal cancer. Why PGH? Almost everything there is free even most medications. Chemo, radiation, operation. I was blessed to pass the screening and given the blue card which entitles the recipient to all the benefits. Initially, i started consultations with St Dominic Medical Center here in Cavite, then Perpetual Help in Las Pinas. Upon inquiry, Chemo per session will cost almost seventy thousand excluding medicines. It is standard amount in all private hospitals. Radiation cost Fifty thousand and operation almost 200t. Brother, i was shocked by this cost. So, i inquired and a good Samaritan, a cancer survivor tipped me about PGH...the rest is an on-going great blessing from God prompted by the unceasing prayers and support from my family, friends, our BC family and everyone. God indeed is so good! Ang baon ko lang tuwing pupunta sa PGH ay pagkain at mahabang Patience dahil umaapaw literally ang pasyente haggang sa labas...I will send you photos and videos.
Just in case, anyone from the BC Community is interested in availing of this benefit from the government, as Brother Obet mentioned in our chat, generally one needs a recommendation from a politician or someone up there as a form of guaranty. i n my case, however, i just prepared all pertinent papers and documents then during the long pila informed the guard i am submitting my credentials to apply for the blue card. With God's help, i was allowed inside and underwent all the necessary procedures. It took me several days before my blue card was released. Now , PGH takes care of every medical need. Of course, i have to buy on my own some medicines for pain, vomiting, lbm, etc..effects of chemo.
16 March 2024 Work Immersion in Various Parishes
During this immersive experience, Father Raul Macaraig, the school principal, and Roselly Enal, a teacher in the seminary, visited each parish. They expressed their gratitude and appreciation by presenting certificates to the parish authorities and seminarians. This acknowledgment recognizes their valuable contributions and unwavering commitment during the work immersion.
Notably, this program not only fulfills a requirement mandated by the Department of Education but also exemplifies the collaborative efforts between educational institutions and religious communities. It plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of leaders and advocates who are dedicated to faith and service.
8 BAGONG DIYAKONO NG DIOCESIS NG LUCENA
-Sem. Andrew Kim Geluz
Inordenahan ni Lub. Kgg. Mel Rey M. Uy, D.D., Obispo ng Lucena ang mga bagong diyakono nitong Marso 11, 2024 (Lunes) sa Katedral ni San Fernando sa Lucena City. Sinaksihan ito ng mga pari, relihiyoso at relihiyosa, mga mananampalataya, at maging mga kamag-anak ng mga inordenahan.
Walong bagong diyakono ang inordenahan noong araw na iyon, at tatlo sa mga ito ay nagmula sa Seminaryo Menor ng Mahal na Birhen ng Monte Carmelo. Sina Rdo. Rommel Camonias, Rdo. Rey Bernard Oabel, at Rdo. Archibald Silva. Silang tatlo ay nagtapos sa taong paghuhubog 2013-2014 sa pangunguna ng kanilang rektor noon na si Rdo. Mons. Eugenio Antonio Viray.
Sa homiliya na ibinigay ni Bishop Mel, hinamon niya ang mga inordenahan na maging matatag sa kanilang mga pangakong binitawan, panghawakan ito magpakailanman at ipadama ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa kanyang sambayanan. “Ang Ama, ang ating Panginoong Hesukristo, ang Espiritu Santo, sa pag-ibig na ito tayo ay matututong maglingkod. Kahit walang utos, tayo ay maglilingkod. Kahit walang benepisyo, tayo ay maglilingkod. Bakit? Dahil ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ito yung tumutulak sa atin upang maglingkod” Sa pag-oordena, sila ay nangako na hindi mag-aasawa at ang pangako nila sa kasunuran sa obispo. Sa pasasalamat ni Rdo. Jay Jaluage, isa sa mga bagong ordena, nag-iwan siya ng isang tula patungkol sa kanilang naging buhay mula simula nang kanilang paglalakbay bilang isang seminarista hanggang sa maabot nila ang pagka-diyakono. Binigyang kahulugan din niya na ang araw na iyon ay panibagong yugto sa kanilang buhay. Humihingi din sila ng panalangin para sa kanilang bokasyon upang maipagpatuloy pa nila ito at marami pang tumugon sa panawagan ng Diyos.
Matapos ang ordenasyon, makikita ang ngiti at galak sa kanilang mga labi maging ang kanilang pamilya, bayan ng Diyos maging mga relihiyoso at relihiyosa. Isang pagpapatunay na ang ating misyon sa mundong ito ay ang pagtulong para sa iba. Sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod, maipapakita at maipadarama natin ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa ating kapwa. Nawa’y maging tanda tayo sa iba ng pagpapala, pagmamahal, at pagkalinga ng Diyos sa ating kapwa.
Synod on Synodality: Synodal Consultation Held at OLMCS
In response to the call of Pope Francis for greater participation and dialogue within the Catholic Church, a Synodal Consultation was convened at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary (OLMCS) on March 10, 2024. The event brought together Priest-Formators and 36 seminarians to discuss and reflect on the theme of servant leadership, poverty, mission, and listening.
Lenten Activities in the Seminary: Reflective and Prayerful Observances
Recollection and Confession for Parents of Seminarians (March 17, 2024): As part of the Lenten observance, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary organized a special recollection and confession session for the parents of seminarians. This reflective opportunity allowed parents to engage in prayerful introspection and receive the sacrament of reconciliation, fostering spiritual renewal and growth during the Lenten season.
Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) for OLMCS Family (March 20, 2024): On March 20, 2024, the OLMCS community came together for a solemn Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, procession. Participants included Priest-Formators, representatives of parents of seminarians, teachers, non-teaching personnel, and seminarians. This prayerful journey allowed participants to meditate on the passion and suffering of Jesus Christ, deepening their understanding of the sacrificial love demonstrated on the cross.
These Lenten activities provided meaningful opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth, guiding the OLMCS community in their journey of faith during the Lenten season.
Synod on Synodality: Synodal Consultation Held at OLMCS
In response to the call of Pope Francis for greater participation and dialogue within the Catholic Church, a Synodal Consultation was convened at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary (OLMCS) on March 10, 2024. The event brought together Priest-Formators and 36 seminarians to discuss and reflect on the theme of servant leadership, poverty, mission, and listening.
During the consultation, participants engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing insights and experiences related to the key themes. The importance of servant leadership, grounded in humility and service, emerged as a central theme, reflecting the model exemplified by Jesus Christ himself.
Furthermore, discussions revolved around the significance of embracing poverty as a means of solidarity with the marginalized and as a pathway to deeper spiritual growth. Missionary zeal and the call to evangelize were also highlighted as essential aspects of the Church's mission in the modern world.
Additionally, the importance of active listening and dialogue within the Church community was emphasized, recognizing the diverse voices and perspectives that contribute to the richness of the Church's life and mission.
The outcomes of this consultation will be compiled and forwarded to the Diocesan Synodal Secretariat, which will synthesize the insights gathered. Ultimately, these findings will be transmitted to Manila and then to Rome, contributing to the ongoing Synod on Synodality initiated by Pope Francis.
CARMELIAN VINCULUM CARITATIS
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CARMELIAN VINCULUM CARITATIS 🕆
The Synod on Synodality is a three-year process of listening and dialogue beginning with a solemn opening in Rome on October 9 and 10, 2021 with each individual diocese and church celebrating the following week on October 17. The synodal process will conclude in 2024.