Youth Camp in Aguinaldo

This year's Youth Camp was held in Aguinaldo, Ifugao on April 28 to May 3, 2010. Amidst the outpouring of rain, the Camp was attended by some 319 delegates all over Bontoc-Lagawe without the youth of Tinoc, Hungduan, Alfonso-Lista and Kayan.
With the theme "Sharing the Word, Living the Eucharist," Fr. Caster Gonsadan, the new Youth Director spearheaded this occasion. The main speakers talked about the theme, Fr. Teody Saluba, SVD, former parish priest of Aguinaldo on the Word, and Fr. Ed Abano of Sagada Catholic Mission on the Eucharist.
Almost everyone went home with a plan of echoing to their respective mission stations the fruit of this week long gathering.

Bishop Claver Undergoes Surgery

At 4:11pm of 04 May 2010, a text message from Fr. Junjun Borres, SJ, the new Rector of San Jose Seminary confirms the completion of the surgery of Bishop Cisco Claver, SJ at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital. Aside from the triple bypass done on his heart, the mitral vein is also operated on. "He is looking okay," the surgeon says after the surgery

Bishop Rudy and the priests of Bontoc-Lagawe are happy with the news.

It will be recalled that some two weeks ago, Bishop Claver has been rushed to the Cardinal Santos Hospital after having fallen in his room. After some initial check-up, his doctors has advised that he needed to undergo heart operation. After explaining to him the chances of undergoing triple bypass, Bishop Cisco decided to go for it.

Fr. Martin Jaeggi writes from Europe

As you may know by now, Fr. Martin Jaeggi is on a 6-month sabbatical from January to June 30, 2010. We expect him to be back in the first week of July.
Here is an e-mail (unedited) he has sent Fr. Tugs de Guzman, who is also the Vicariate Director for Media and Communications, on April 17, 2010, during the spread of the ashfall in Europe caused by a previous eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano on April 13:

Dear Tugs,
sitting in the train to Munich I return to long neglected duties: to answer some mail...
Funny: whereas practically all European airports are closed the railways are overfilled. So this morning I was told that I will have to stand from Zürich to Munich - some 4 hours. All the seats booked already. As I came to Zürich the wagon I entered was nearly empty...
I will attend a Bibliodrama with my old 'guru' Rudi Pöhl SVD.

Time is flying indeed! I guess Maurice Galasa will have left for Zambia already. Do you have an e-mail of his? He gave it to me but I lost it...
the clergy recollection July 12-16 is entered in my agenda. Do you know already where it will take place?

The week from April 26 I intend to travel to Barletta, in the south of Italy, to see OSB sisters from Vigan. Passing Rome I hope to meet Marcs, of course. Any news about Saps taking up his studies in Europe? Any news about William? What are his (or Bishop Rudi's) plans (with him)?
And what about St. Peter's seminary, your old / your new crew?
How is Teng-ab without Fr. Bong? And how is Manny's health? - many questions...
Take it easy - as much as you can - and enjoy life as much as I do!!!
Greetings to Bp. Rudy and everybody!

Martin

Natonin has Another Clergy

In the morning of 20 March 2010, Rev. Ricardo M. Amiling Jr. was ordained deacon at the San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel. Presided by Bishop Bernardino Cortez, D.D., the occasion saw five other deacons, including two Vietnamese, all from San Carlos, ordained.
Rev. Rick is the second son of Natonin to be ordained this year. On 05 March 2010, Fr. Denden Iddoba was ordained the first priest of Natonin in their hometown.
Present in the event at San Carlos were Frs. Bento Tamang, Vocations Director; Denden Iddoba of Bontoc Catholic Mission; Tugs de Guzman, Chancellor of Bontoc-Lagawe; and Bro. Vincent Pinaching of San Jose Seminary, also a son of Natonin. The family of Rev. Rick was also present.
In the Catholic Church, the term "clergy" is used to refer to those who are ordained ministers. Deacons, priests, and bishops are technically part of the clergy.

First Priest of Natonin

In a show of love and support from the whole Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, the Catholic Mission Station of Natonin has witnessed the very first ordination to the priesthood of a true son, Fr. Den Christian Balaso Iddoba on 05 March 2010.
Thousands of people including the clergy of BonLag gathered under the town's covered court to celebrate this big event. No less than our own Bishop Rudy Beltran led the Eucharistic celebration. Noteworthy was the presence of Bishop Carlito Cenzon, CICM of the Diocese of Baguio whose early assignment as a young priest included Natonin.
Two of Natonin's sons who were also expecting to follow Fr. Denden's steps were present in the occasion, Bro. Rick Amiling Jr. from San Carlos Seminary, and Bro. Vincent Pinaching from San Jose Seminary, both from Manila.
After the occasion, Fr. Tugs de Guzman, Chancellor of Bontoc-Lagawe, announced the new assignment of Fr. Denden. He would be the official assistant mission rector of Bontoc Catholic Mission. The ordination to the Diaconate of another Natonin son, Rick Amiling Jr. was also announced. Bro. Rick would be ordained deacon on 20 March 2010 at the San Carlos Seminary Main Chapel.
Among the happiest in this special event was Fr. Pablo Lumiwan, Mission rector of Natonin Catholic Mission, who had been on the frontline preparing for this historical event.