Three New Deacons

In a simple and very solemn celebration of the Eucharist marking the end the Year of the Priests, Bishop Rudy Beltran ordained three new deacons for Bontoc-Lagawe in the morning of 19 June 2010 at the Sta. Rita Cathedral, Bontoc, Mountain Province. They are Jeason A. Cabacab, Ferdinand M. Fullatao, and Harry James Gawongna.
Present in the celebration are the priests of Bontoc-Lagawe; Fr. Gerard Borja, CM, rector of De Paul House of Formation, who presented Deacons Ferdie and Harry to the Bishop in the Ordination Rite; Fr. Manuel Flores, Jr., spiritual director of Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City; who in turn presented Deacon Jeason. There were also the parents of the ordinands, lay people of Talubin, Bontoc from where Rev. Ferdie hails, lay people of Mayoyao, Ifugao from where Rev. Harry hails, and lay people of Bauko from where Rev. Jeason hails.
In his homily, Bishop Rudy explained the deacon as primarily a servant of people. He also echoed the call of Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Rosales of Manila to conversion of the priests. He said that the holiness of priests must outshine the holiness of the lay people.
After the Mass, there was a program showcasing the dances of the different groups present in the occasion. A simple lunch was also served to everyone present. Bro. Russel Habungan, our seminarian regent staying in Bontoc, served as commentator in the mass and emcee of the program.
After this event, Rev. Harry would go back to Saint Vincent School of Theology to finish his studies. Rev. Ferdie would be wrapping up his thesis and some final requirements also at SVST and sooner would be given an assignment. Rev. Jeason had been in Bauko assisting the parish priest, Fr. Armand Quindo, who was currently on vacation.
This latest ordination brings the number of our deacons to five. Deacon Ricardo Amiling is presently assigned to Butigue, Paracelis. He was absent in the ordination because of illness. Deacon Ricardo Samonte is now taking care of Sabangan Catholic Mission.

Saint Peter's Seminary opens new Academic Year

On 03 June 2010, four seminarian-orientees are accepted to Saint Peter's Seminary. They are James C. Aquino of Paracelis, Bayani Cabanilla Jr. of Sagada, Emy Castillo of Barlig and Melchor Suwaken of Bontoc.
Fr. Tugs de Guzman, rector of Saint Peter's, accepted them. This year, Bro. Frederick Galwagaw of Natonin, a returning seminarian from Natonin, is also joining the seminary as Prefect.
The new curriculum of seminary formation is introduced this year. In this new curriculum, the whole Academic Year is divided into three trimesters in order to guide more closely the academic improvement of the seminarians. Now the seminarians will be given grades at the end of every trimester. Subjects in the seminary curriculum include English grammar, Speech Class, Latin, Catechism, Intoduction to Philosophy, Basics of Liturgy, Introduction to the Bible, Sociology, Mathematics and an elective class.
Joining the faculty this year are Bishop Rudy Beltran, Fr. Tugs de Guzman, Fr. Bento Tamang, Fr. Ed Abano, Regina Agumdang, Stephanie Filog, Marcial Barrios, and the Catechetical Team composed of Baltazar Robles, Sharon Tamiking, and Magda Bagyan.