SCJ Philippine District

Congratulations! Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a longtime guardian of catholic doctrine, was elected the new pope Tuesday evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. Ratzinger, the first German pope in centuries, served John Paul II since 1981 as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Because of the death of the Holy Father John Paul II, the beatification of our founder Fr. Leo Dehon has been postponed. We will share the new date as soon as it is available.

On-going projects
At the moment all the five SCJ communities are involved in different constructions and renovations:

1. The Novitiate Community in Pagadian City is finishing the renovation of the facilities and accommodation of the Novices.




2. The Community of Dumalinao, after finishing of the renovation of the convent, started the renovation of the parish church.




3. The Community of Kumalarang is busy with the new ceiling of the parish church and building a new convent.




4. The Community of Cagayan de Oro continues the construction of the Formation House in Dansolihon, in the part of Lumbia Parish entrusted to the SCJs.


5. The Manila Community is finalizing the plans and arrangements of the new building for the theology students.

Hopefully, there will be no lack of energy and resources to finish all these projects.

Transfer of the SCJ Novitiate
On March 18, 2005, the SCJ Novitiate in Manila was officially transferred to Pagadian City. The new temporary Novitiate is located at the compound of the Holy Infant Seminary (Diocese of Pagadian) where the SCJ District rents two of the existing buildings. The new place is very nice and suitable.

Welcome Fr. Alex
Fr. Alexander Miskat Sim Lagajaya, another SCJ from Indonesia is taking his sabbatical in the Philippines. According to the information received, he arrived in Manila in the beginning of March 2005 and will stay in the Philippines until May 28, 2005. His plan is to come down to Mindanao and visit all the communities. Welcome and have a nice time!

Graduation of Fr. Agus Setyoaji
On March 5, 2005, Fr. Agustinus Setyoaji, a member of the Indonesian Province, defended his thesis in Liturgy. The official graduation will take place on April 16, 2005. After that his plan is to visit once again all the SCJ communities in Mindanao and then on May 28, 2005 to return to his Mother Province. On our side: Congratulations and thanks for being with us!

New Assistant Parish Priest in Kumalarang
Fr. Laurentius Suwanto, after finishing his language studies in Cebuano in Davao City, was assigned as an Assistant Parish Priest in Kumalarang. Fr. Suwanto will replace Fr. Andrzej Sudol, who on May 16, 2005 will move to the formation community in Cagayan de Oro City. His assignment took effect on March 1, 2005.

Today, the SCJ District in the Philippines started its annual assembly. During four days the members of the District will evaluate their activities and plan new ones. The assembly is attended by the General Councillor Fr. Andreas Madya Srijanto, scj and is going to finish on January 14, 2005.

On December 29, 2004, the General Curia in Rome received information regarding the beatification of Fr. Leo John Dehon. The Founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart will be proclaimed "Blessed" by the Holy Father John Paul II on April 24, 2005. It will take place during the Eucharistic Celebration at the Saint Peter Square in Rome.

According to the letter of the General Superior, Fr. Josè Ornelas Carvalho, this is a very important momemt for the whole SCJ Congregation and the entire Dehonian Family. The time left before the beatification should be for all the members a time of spiritual preparation and reflection.

The Vocation Director together with his team is organizing a Vocation Search-in. It will take place from December 27 - 30, 2004 at the Formation House in Cagayan de Oro City. The seminar is intended for graduating students from College and High School. For more information please contact Fr. Indra Pamungkas, SCJ at indralaurent@yahoo.com or via text message (0920) 6032436.