Seven

Challenges for
the Church in
Mindanao

see on page 2
Volume 10 Number 6 lamdagcdo@live.com | ascacdo@gmail.com March 1-31, 2018

Pope appoints new bishop of Tandag

Pope Francis has named a
Cagayan de Oro priest as the third
Bishop of Tandag in Surigao de Sur
province. Fr. Raul Dael, who comes
from Jasaan in Misamis Oriental,
was appointed by the pope as the
successor of 77-year-old Bishop
Nereo Odchimar. Odchimar, who is
retiring having passed the age limit
of 75, has served the diocese for
almost 17 years and was a former
president of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines. Upon
his appointment, the bishop-elect
has been serving as the Vicar for the
Clergy of the Archdiocese of Cagayan
de Oro.
Dael was born on October
Fr. Raul Dael 10, 1966. After completing his
Philosophy course at Xavier
University in Cagayan de Oro City,
he studied Theology at St. John
Vianney Seminary of Theology in
the same city. At 27, he was ordained
a priest for the archdiocese in 1993
and began his ministry as Parochial
Vicar of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Two years later, he was reassigned
as Parochial Administrator to two
parishes simultaneously namely;
St Peter the Apostle parish in
Sugbongcogon and Our Lady of
Lourdes parish in Binuangan,
Misamis Oriental.
In 2000, he obtained a
Licentiate in Theology at the Loyola
School of Theology of the Ateneo
de Manila University and served as
a professor and director of spiritual
and pastoral formation at St. John
Vianney Seminary of Theology. From
2003, 2009, he studied spirituality at
the Pontifical Gregorian University in
Rome.
On his return to the Philippines
after his Rome studies, he became
professor of Pastoral Theology at
the same seminary. Dael’s episcopal
ordination will be on June 7 at St.
Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro
City and installation will be on June
14, at Cathedral of St. Nicholas de
Tolentino in Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
In the meantime, Bishop Odchimar
will continue as head of the diocese
on an interim capacity. (Roy Lagarde,
CBCP News)

Bag-ong Pari nga Columban Giordinahan

Si Rev. Erl Dylan J. Tabaco,
usa ka sakop sa Missionary
Society of St. Columban
(MSSC) giordinahan sa
pagkapari sa Pebrero 17,
2018, ni Arsobispo Antonio
J. Ledesma, SJ, DD. Miduyog
usab sa maong kasaulogan si
Fr. Paul Glynn, MSSC, Regional
Director, ug ang ubang
kaparian sa Arkidiyosesis sa
Cagayan de Oro.
Diha sa iyang homiliya,
gipunting sa arsobispo ang
tulo ka mensahe ni Kristo
kang Pedro isip pangulo
sa mga apostol. Una, ang
paghigugma niya sa Ginoo ug
ang iyang pagpaambit niini
sa kristohanong katilingban.
Mao kini ang pinakaunang
basihanan sa tawag sa
usa ka pari sa pagsilbi sa
Kristohanong katilingban.
“Kon walay gugma sa
Ginoo, walay kahulugan ang sa Dios nga makapalig-on ug Tabaco sa presensya sa tanan
ordinasyon, walay kahulugan makapadasig sa Kristohanong atol sa iyang ordinasyon ug
ang pagpili kaniya sa pagsilbi katilingban. Diha sa pagsaulog kanila nga kabahin sa iyang
sa simbahan,” matod niya. sa mga sakramento sa panaw isip pari, ngadto sa
Ikaduha, ang pag-atiman Santos nga misa, bunyag, ug iyang ginikanan, pamilya,
sa mga nati nga karnero. pagpakig-uli, nagtimaan kini paryente, sa mga kateskista,
Kini ang misyon sa usa ka sa presensya ug pagkuyog mga batan-on, Columban
pari. Karong tuiga gisaulog sa Ginoo kanatong tanan. family, Fr. Jun Cadenas, mga
ang Tuig sa mga Pari ug sa Ang pari mao ang mag- kaparian, ug kang Arsobispo
mga anaa sa Konsagradong umol, mogiya, maglamdag ug Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ,DD.
Kinabuhi. (Year of Clergy magbantay sa panon sa Ginoo. (Bag-ong Lamdag News)
and Consecrated Persons). Mapasalamaton si Fr. Fr. Erl Daylan Tabaco
Usa kini ka pahinumdom sa
katilingban nga ang papel
sa pari mao ang pagsaksi sa
presensya sa Ginoo sa atong
taliwala.
Ikatulo, ang pagsunod
kang Kristo. Mao usab kini
ang mensahe sa tanang
Kristiano nga mosunod kang
Kristo padulong sa iyang
Amahan sa langit. Ang pari
gihatagan og dakong papel
diha sa pagpaambit sa Pulong
Abp. Ledesma uban sa mga kaparian

People are happy with our ‘yes’ to God - Dael

by Fr. Max V. Ceballos, SSJV
Addressing before the
delegates of the 42nd Diocesan
Clergy of Mindanao (DCM) on
March 6-8, 2018, bishop-elect
Raul B. Dael of the Archdiocese
of Cagayan de Oro shared his
insights on the theme of the
convention at Hotel Oazis,
Butuan City on the second day of
the annual confab.
“People are happy when we
say ‘yes’ to God, but they are hurt
when we say ‘no’ to them,” said
Fr. Dael.
Dwelling on the theme,
“Renewed Servant-Leaders of the
New Evangelization,” the bishop-
elect said our obedience to the
will of God can make our people
WALK FOR PEACE Some members of the clergy of the Archdiocese of celebrate with joy. He reminded,
Cagayan de Oro queue themselves to the assembly area for the Procession however, our refusal to truly
of Peace around the city after the celebration of the opening Mass at the serve them as it should be can
cathedral of St. Joseph, Butuan City. Photo by Fr. Ruel Buhisan turn them sad and unhappy.
Meanwhile, Fr. Dael
recalled how he became silent
and dumbfounded when the
information reached him that
he was appointed by Pope
Francis as the next bishop for
the Diocese of Tandag.
“Now I understand why
St. Joseph is so silent. He was
amazed by the wondrous things
God has revealed to him,” he
said.
The opening day of the
three-day convention brought
the delegates to the Opening
Eucharistic Celebration at the
St. Joseph Cathedral of Butuan.
Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma,
SJ, DD of the Archdiocese of
Cagayan de Oro who is also
the Apostolic Administrator of
the host diocese was joined by
bishop-elect of the Diocese of
Mati, Msgr. Abel Apigo and Fr.
Dael as main concelebrants.
The final day has led the
Mindanao clergy to the Closing
Eucharist in memoriam of the
75th birthday and the 50th
presbyteral anniversary of
the late Most. Rev. Juan de
Dios Pueblos of the Diocese
of Butuan. Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) President, Most.
Rev. Romulo G. Valles, DD,
Archbishop of Davao presided
the concluding Mass.
This year’s conference
of diocesan clergy, which has
gathered 558 participants
including bishops, priests and
deacons in Mindanao, was the
most participated convention
so far with the Diocese of
Tagum topping the list with
highest number of attendees
(56) after the host diocese with
its 90 delegates.
2
LAMDAG
March 1-31, 2018
Seven Challenges for the Church in Mindanao
Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ
(Presented at the Mindanao seminary formators’ meeting, Butuan City, March 5, 2018)
During
this Year of
the Clergy and
Consecrated
Persons, and
with the recent
issuance of the
new Ratio on
the ongoing
formation of
priests and
seminarians,
it would be
good for us to
reflect on seven
challenges for
the Church in
Mindanao.
Vatican II
(1962-65) has
brought the universal Church into the post-modern
world with its landmark decrees. The Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines in 1991 and the National
Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal in 2001
convened by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines adapted the guidelines of Vatican II for our
pastoral situation in the Philippines. It is in this light
that we can examine seven social issues confronting the
Church in the Philippines.
I. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION
“Corruption is the greatest shame and problem of
our country,” stated a CBCP letter in 2009 signed by its
President, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo. It went on to
say that “our government has not eradicated it, because
it is involved in corruption itself.” Indeed corruption
has been defined as “the abuse and misuse of public or
private office to unlawfully enrich oneself and those
close to him...”. For many observers, corruption in the
country has become endemic, massive,systemic and
rampant in our politics. Its latest manifestation is the
spread of political dynasties--e.g., involving 80 percent
of our legislators according to a recent study.
For the Church, corruption is not only an economic
or social problem, but more so a moral problem. Pope
Francis himself has strongly condemned its practice:
“Corruption is a process of death more evil than sin,
an evil that, instead of being forgiven, must be cured.”
Lately in January 2018, the bishops issued a pastoral
letter on Charter Change. Four moral principles were
articulated for the guidance and discernment of the
faithful: Human Dignity and Human Rights, Integrity
and Truth, Participation and Solidarity, and the
Common Good.
The government’s war on drugs has called the
nation’s attention to the widespread trafficking of
drugs at all levels of society. Many dioceses have
exerted efforts to provide an alternative to extra-
judicial killings by providing rehabilitation programs
for drug users. In the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro we
have formed a multi-sectoral Coalition for a Drug Free
Society. Several parishes have also worked closely with
local government units as in Claveria to provide rehab
programs for drug responders.
Elections have been crucial tests for either
corruption practices or good governance principles to
prevail. In 2010, the CBCP encouraged Catholic voters to
form circles of discernment, to support candidates that
are qualified and public service minded, and to engage
in principled partisan politics. Departing from the
traditional non-partisan stand of the church in previous
elections, the bishops stressed the distinctive role and
responsibility of the Catholic laity to be engaged in
partisan politics, guided by moral principles. “Politics,
though often denigrated,” remarks Pope Francis,
“remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms
of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good”
(Evangelii Gaudium, 205).
II. CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
Catholic bishops have issued two pastoral letters
on the environmental issue in the country: “What
is Happening of Our Beautiful Land” in 1988, and
“Upholding the Sanctity of Life” in 2008. In 2015,
the papal encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” has amplified the
continuing challenge of Climate Change for the world
community.
The Philippines itself has experienced many of
these threats to our environment: irresponsible mining,
illegal logging, unplanned housing, global warming
and extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and
severe flooding. These extreme weather conditions
have caused much human suffering and physical
destruction in places like Ormoc 1991, Infanta 2004,
Southern Leyte 2006, Iloilo 2008, Marikina and Central
Luzon 2009, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan 2011, Southern
Mindanao 2012, Tacloban and the Visayas 2013,
Zamboanga Peninsula 2017, and Surigao 2018.
The full consequences of Climate Change may not
yet be fully comprehended by many of us, such as the
threat of rising sea levels for an archipelago. There
Archbishop’s Page
is need for multi-geohazard maps and disaster risk
reduction programs in localities. Adaptation, mitigation,
and anticipation are proactive measures that have to
be adopted by local communities, likewise, alternative
energy sources have to be explored, such as hydro,
geothermal, solar, wind, and wave mechanisms.
Citing his model saint, Pope Francis points out,
“Like St. Francis of Assisi, all of us, as Christians, are called
to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we
live, and all its peoples” (EG, 216). In Laudato Si’, he adds,
“Care for nature is part of a lifestyle which includes the
capacity for living together and communion” (no. 228).
III. RURAL POVERTY AND AGRARIAN REFORM
The CBCP convened its first National Rural Congress
in 1967, followed by the second National Congress forty
years later in 2007-08 to highlight the continuing call for
Social Justice and Agrarian Reform in the country’s rural
areas. The second congress took place at various stages:
50 diocesan and 13 subregional consultations; five
regional conferences; and a national summit in Manila.
Five basic sectors participated in the consultations:
(1) Small Farmers and Landless Workers -- with their call
for comprehensive and genuine agrarian reform along
with land tenure improvement and support services;
(2) Fisherfolk -- asking for the implementation of the
Fisheries Code, access to municipal waters, and measures
against the pollution of waters; (3) Indigenous People
-- clamoring for the implementation of the Indigenous
People’s Rights Act and the strengthening of the National
Commission on Indigenous People; (4) Rural Women
-- advocating for women’s rights and welfare as well as
basic social services, including family planning, etc.; and
(5) Rural Youth -- asking for moral, spiritual and values
formation, educational opportunities, and technical-
vocational training.
In the consultations between basic sector
representatives and bishops with other church leaders,
the Church’s response became clearer: to continue to
provide venues for dialogue with basic sectors; to form
Basic Ecclesial Communities; to be in solidarity as Church
of the Poor; and to work for integral evangelization. This
follows the direction pointed out by Pope Francis: “Today
we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of
exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills” (EG, 53).
IV. URBAN POVERTY AND HOUSING
More than half of the country’s population now live
in urban areas. The basic need for housing is stressed
in a CBCP statement in 2007: “Adequate and humane
dwelling is a basic right. Their inadequacy breeds other
problems such as immoralities in the home, the abuse of
children, the lack of education...unhygienic conditions...
joblessness...malnutrition of children, and criminality.”
Specific concerns arise: mass housing for the poor; a stop
to “uncaring evictions and demolitions”; and provision of
employment and livelihood. Government agencies have
also welcomed the initiatives of privately-sponsored
housing projects.
In Cagayan de Oro, Typhoon Sendong in December
2011 highlighted the city’s need to respond quickly to
the housing needs of internally displaced persons whose
houses were swept away or damaged by the river surge.
Various types of shelter were tried out -- from temporary
evacuation centers in schools or covered courts to canvas
tents to semi-permanent amakan houses to concrete
housing units with a floor space of 20-22 square meters.
The fact that many of the houses of the poor were
already dangerously situated along the riverside was a
graphic picture of their marginalization in society. “Until
exclusion and inequality in society and between peoples
is reversed,” observes Pope Francis, “it will be impossible
to eliminate violence” (EG, 59).
V. POPULATION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Perhaps no other public issue in the past decade
has mobilized so much advocacy efforts by church
groups as the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress. The
consolidated bill was passed by both houses of Congress
and became a law in December 2012. But during the
period of public discussions, the church’s stand was often
vocal and negative: No! To population control; No! to
coercive measures such as mandatory RH education; No!
to inclusion of contraceptives and abortifacients deemed
immoral. The Church’s stand was for Responsible
Parenthood; for the sacredness of human life from the
moment of conception; for freedom of conscience; and for
Natural Family Planning.
In Cagayan de Oro, we took the challenge of NFP
promotion seriously and in a systematic way. Four pastoral
guidelines or core values were identified: (1) We are
pro-life as our first principle; (2) We are for Responsible
Parenthood as our goal; (3) We are for Natural Family
Planning as the means; and (4) We are for helping couples
make an informed and morally responsible choice. These
pastoral guidelines developed from the three felt needs
that our family life workers encountered among couples:
(1) They want to plan their families in terms of family
size and spacing of births; (2) They prefer natural family
planning, provided they are given adequate information
on fertility awareness and NFP methods; and (3) They
want to choose among NFP methods, to suit their own
circumstances and preference.
We also learned from national demographic surveys
that the lowest quintile of families want on the average
3.3 children but end up with an actual fertility rate of 5.2,
resulting in 1.9 or two unwanted pregnancies. Likewise
the second lowest quintile want 2.9 children but actually
have 4.2 children, resulting in 1.3 unwanted pregnancies.
The unwanted pregnancies may be the major reason for
abortions among low-income households.
Thus, our program which has been shared with
several other dioceses has been called an “All-NFP”
Program, with four connotations: (1) we include all
modern NFP methods; (2) we reach out to all chapel
communities and households; (3) we promote NFP all
the way, i.e., without back-up contraceptives; and (4) we
involve all family-oriented organizations to promote NFP
as their right and responsibility. We have also accessed
government funding for NFP training seminars, since the
law also prescribes government to set aside resources for
NFP promotion. Indeed, we are told by DOH and PopCom
officials themselves that if the budget for NFP is not
utilized in their area, it will go for more contraceptives
promotion.
As we go to the market place of NFP promotion, we
are reminded of Pope Francis’ preference for a bruised
church: “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and
dirty because it has been out on the street, rather than a
Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from
clinging to its own security” (EG, 49).
VI. PEACE-BUILDING AND RECONCILIATION
The image of ground zero Marawi in 2017 brings
to the fore the urgent task of peace-building, especially
among adherents of Christianity and Islam, both religions
of peace. Christian bishops and Muslim ulama have been
engaged in dialogue meetings since 1996. However, these
inter-religious dialogues need to go down to the grassroots
among day-to-day residents. In a Konsult Mindanao
project in 2009-10 sponsored by the Bishops-Ulama
Conference, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, and Lumad
communities were consulted about their perspectives
on peace-building. Six factors were identified, namely:
Sincerity, Security, Sensitivity, Solidarity, Spirituality,
Sustainability. In general, the religious leaders were also
supportive of the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro
Basic Law that would create an authentic autonomous
government in Mindanao.
On another front, church leaders have also been
advocating for the resumption of peace talks between
the Government of the Philippines and the National
Democratic Front of the Philippines. The presence and
activities of the New People’s Army have been felt in
various parts of Mindanao. Despite the breakdown of
peace talks, efforts are being undertaken to continue the
discussions on respect for human rights and international
humanitarian law, and also on socio-economic reforms.
From past experience, church leaders can adopt
several roles in peace-building: as Convenor for dialogue;
as Mediator in the peace process; as Lead Group for civil
society concerns such as election watch; as Development
Agent, e.g., in social action projects; and as Advocate on
moral/social issues. Church leaders also have a prime
role to promote and develop a Culture of Peace that
includes six dimensions: Personal and Family Integrity;
Human Rights and Social Justice; Poverty Eradication;
Intercultural Understanding and Solidarity; Disarmament
and Cessation of Hostilities; and Environmental
Conservation.
Again in pushing for the New Evangelization,
Pope Francis simply states, “Interreligious dialogue is a
necessary condition for peace in the world” (EG, 250).
VII. CHURCH RENEWAL
The last challenge for the Church in Mindanao
should perhaps have been the first--its own renewal.
PCP II offered a framework for church renewal involving
the agents of renewal, i.e., clergy and religious, family,
and youth. Three dimensions were emphasized,
corresponding to the threefold role of Christ as Prophet
(Christian Life, particularly through Catechesis); Priest
(Religious Concerns in Worship); and Servant-King
(Social Concerns through the Social Apostolate).
In a ten-year review of the church’s life and
ministries since PCP II, the NPCCR in 2001 identified
nine priorities: Integral Faith Formation; Participatory
Communities; Participation of the Poor; Empowerment
of the Laity; Family as Focal Point; Journeying with the
Youth; Renewal of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons;
Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue; and Mission
Animation. These nine priorities have also been the
themes for the nine-year novena proposed by the bishops
in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the coming of
Christianity to the Philippines in 2021.
Above all, personal renewal remains as a challenge
and invitation for each of us as witnesses of the Gospel
and instruments of God’s mercy. “Jesus wants us to touch
human misery, to touch the suffering flesh of others,”
Pope Francis states (EG, 270). On the other hand, Pope
Benedict XVI also reminds us that “the Gospel is the
greatest force for change in the world, but it is not utopia,
nor ideology.”
 Archdiocesan News LAMDAG
3
March 1-31, 2018

ECFL-CBCP Mindanao Regional Assembly Conducted

Lolit T. Bacarrisas
The Episcopal
Commission on Family and Life
(ECFL) of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) conducted Mindanao
Regional Assembly on February
9-11, 2018 with the theme:
“Renewed Servant – Leaders
for the New Evangelization” at
the Megrande Ocean Resort,
Bago Aplaya, Talomo District,
Davao City.
The keynote speaker, Most
Reverend Gilbert A. Garcera,
Chairman of the Episcopal
Commission on Family and
Life (ECFL) at the same time
the Archbishop of Lipa, talked
and deepened about the
theme. He said in order to
become renewed servants for
the new evangelization, it is
important to look forward with
gratitude and joy to the 500th
anniversary of the coming
of Christianity on March 16,
2021.
He emphasized that the
journey of renewing the Church
started at the II Plenary Council
(PCP II) of the Philippines last
January 20 – February 17, 1991
with the Church’s vision to be
a community of disciples, a
Church of the poor, committed
to the mission of renewed
integral evangelization toward
the building up of a new
civilization of life and love.
To realize this vision, Bishop
Garcera said that the Church
embarked on a nine-year
spiritual journey that started
last 2013 and will culminate
in 2021. This journey then is a
journey with the Holy Spirit on
the new evangelization to help
prepare Catholics for a great
Jubilee.
He emphasized further
that this 9-year journey
would serve as the pastoral
priority that could bring Fr. Garry and CFLA representatives
clearer understanding of new
Diverse Culture of Mindanao. damage of disasters; existing to live a life in holiness.
evangelization. According to
He said it is very important for laws and Congressional Bills to Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer,
him, evangelization indicated
us to know our cultures and destroy the family etc. MD the Director of Human Life
proclamation, transmission
its history. Christianity in the Fr. Orlando Angelia, FLA Philippines talked on the “New
and witnessing of the Gospel.
Philippines is in a form of a Director-Archdiocese of Davao Danger of Ideology: Rebellion
On the second day,
culture. Spreading Christianity shared on the “Family: Seedbed Against the Order of Creation”
Brother Carlito Gaspar, CSsR
brought colonization and of Vocation, Called to Holiness.” and Dr. Eleanor de Borja
the Dean of St. Alphonsus
colonization becomes He emphasized four points Palabyab, a Pro-Life Advocate
Theological and Mission
evangelization. 1) that family is founded on from the Archdiocese of Davao,
Institute (SATMI), talked on
Bishop Garcera also marriage which is the vocation shared on “The Beauty of
the Topic: Understanding the
shared his insights on “ to love. It is the teaching Natural Family Planning”

Mahitungod sa Gasa Balik Sa Dios The Philippine

Responding to the Current
Church of St. John Paul II that the
fundamental vocation of every
The assembly
attended by four hundred
was

Rev. Fr. Roy G. Barros
GBSD Coordinator, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
nga mga grasya gikan kaniya.
Ikaduha, ang mahitungod
sa pagkamapasalamaton.
Daghan baya kita nadawat
nga grasya gikan sa uban ug
sa Dios, apan kulang kita sa
pagpasalamat. Sa GBSD ang
pinakanindot nga gasa nga
atong ipasalamat sa Dios mao
ang atong presensya, ang atong
kinabuhi, dili ang kwarta. Maayo
ug nindot man ang kwarta nga
maoy atong ihatag o ihalad,
apan wala kini kahulugan kun
wala nato mahalad o mahatag
pag-una ang atong kinabuhi
Ang Gasa Balik sa ug presensya. Diha sa atong
Threats and Challenges to the
Natural Family Planning.” He
emphasized that presently the
Filipino Families are facing a
lot of threats and challenges
just like individualism;
unwillingness to accept
responsibilities of raising
children; hesitancy to welcome
new life; no time for the family
and too busy; internet mis-use;
poverty, migration; broken
marriages; the scope and
human being is to love. “Love is
therefore the fundamental and
innate vocation of every human
being”. 2) The family also is a
communion of persons based
on love and life. 3) Family as
the seedbed of vocation. He
reminded that parents are
stewards of their child. The
family is the place where God
continually sows this seed in
the heart of every children.
Every family therefore is called
fifty one (451) FLA delegates
coming from the different
sub-regions of Mindanao;
CABUSTAM, DADITAMA,
DOPIM, ZAMBASULI and
KIDMACO. There were twelve
(12) delegates who have
attended from the Family
and Life Apostolate of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
including two (2) delegates
from the Natural Family
Planning Program.

Sr. Pedrosa facilitates Lenten recollection

Dios (GBSD) dalan sa
pagkamanggihatagon,
pagkamapasalamaton ug sa
pagkabalaan natong tanan.
Una, ang mahitungod sa
pagkamanggihatagon.
tawo moingon nga wala sila’y
Ang
ikahatag kay wala’y ilaha. Apan
sa pagkatinuod , wala’y ilaha
kay wala sila nanghatag. Adunay
ginaingon, “Only by giving that
we can receive.” Ug tinuod
gayud kini. Kun ang tanang
Katoliko o ang tanang mga tawo
kabalo gayod maghatag sa mga
grasya nga nadawat nila gikan
sa Dios,manghinobra pa gayud
ang ilang mga panalangin nga
madawat.
Pila man diay ang atong
ihatag? Ang balaang kasulatan
nagtudlo nga maghatag kita
sa ikanapulo nga bahin sa
atong abot. Apan kadaghanan
kanato dili matinud-anon niini.
Kasagaran moingon “ Daghan
man gud akong mga anak
gipaskwela, dako among gasto.”
“Gamay sa akong sweldo/
kita”, “Daghan balayronon nga
utang”. Mga igsoon, kon dili
ta makahatag kay nag-ingon
kita nga kulang pa gani igasto,
maghatag ta nga kanang bunga
sa atong paghigugma, dili ten
percent kondili love percent.
Mao nga ang GBSD nagdasig
kanato sa pagkamanggihatagon
kay sukdanan kini sa atong
paghigugma sa Dios ug
pagdawat sa daghan pa gyud
pagsimba matag-adlaw o
matag-Domingo ang atong
kinabuhi, ug dili ang sobre,
maoy mahimong buhing halad
sa atong pagpasalamat ug
pagsimba sa Dios.
Ug ang katapusan, ang
mahitungod sa pagkabalaan.
Diha sa atong pagpasalamat
gumikan sa atong
pagkamanggihaton mamahimo
kitang balaan. Daghan ang mga
panahon nga lisod puy-an ang
kinabuhi sa pagkabalahan…
Ngano? Tungod kay daghan pud
ang mga panahon nga dili kita
gapasalamat ug gapanghatag.
Unsa ba ang anaa kanato nga
dili gikan sa Dios? Ang tanan
ra ba gayud nga atua gikan ug
grasya lamang sa Dios. Sa GBSD,
gidapit ang tanan sa kinabuhi sa
pagkabalaan.
Mga igsoon, magduolan na
ug duha katuig diin ang atong
mahal nga obispo, Most. Rev.
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ.D.D.,
nagdasig ug nagdapit nga ang
programa sa GBSD (modified
tithing) maimplementar sa
tanang parokya, chaplaincies,
ug sub-parishes, dili lang alang
sa tumong nga puhon nga
mawala na ang arancel (nga
bayad sa sakramento), apan
sa tinguha nga mapuy-an sa
tanang magtotoo ang kinabuhi
sa pagkamanggihatagon,
pagkamapasalamaton, ug sa
pagkabalaan.
Gilda Pates
with Inmates
Sr. Velly Pedrosa, UMSH
conducted Lenten recollection
to more than 200 inmates
at the City jail on February
23, 2018. She shared on the
unconditional love of God to
everyone. As God who cannot
be outdone in generosity, He
always forgives a sinner if he
is sorry for what he has done.
Sr. Pedrosa emphasized
that God is a God of “second
chance. ” He loves and forgives
without limits. She challenged
them to continue doing good
and remain firm in their faith.
They received the sacrament
of reconciliation and prepared
themselves for the greatest
feast of the Church, the Sr. Pedrosa and the inmates of city jail
resurrection of the Lord. They
The Prison Ministry
were happy for the occasion VIPS Coordinator in Lumbia
and reminded once again that through its coordinator, for the Lenten recollection
they are beloved children of Gilda Pates was grateful to with the inmates.
Sr. Pedrosa and Gagang Egao,
God.
 4
LAMDAG
March 1-31, 2018
An almost “siqui” again yet
secure Siquijor
by Fr. Max V. Ceballos, SSJV
It was about four o’ clock in
the afternoon on the first day of
January, 2108 when suddenly the
phone of Fr. Macky rang. “Hello,
Father! Will the retreat push through
as scheduled?” queried Sr. Elena
Soldevillo of the Carmelite Sisters
of Joy. “Nothing has been changed,
Sister. Everything will go on as
planned,” was the reassuring reply
of our school Director, Fr. Max V.
Ceballos to her.
Sr. Soldevillo’s call revealed
her concern over the much-awaited
retreat of the faculty and staff of St.
Joseph Academy of El Salvador.
Her concern was also the concern
of everyone else because TS
Agaton then was already entering
north-eastern part of Mindanao, the
first typhoon to visit the country in
the year.
Why the worry? Well, there
was enough reason to be worried
on the part of Sr. Elena. She has
been asked to facilitate the retreat
cum outing of the teachers. She
must have prepared her materials
for the spiritual journey of the
teachers. Doubly worried were the
retreatants, not only on the threat
of the typhoon, but also on the
possibility that the retreat in Siquijor
might not be realized again.
It can be recalled that the
plan to have the annual retreat of
teachers in the Island of Fire was
first hatched in 2015. The plan
was already underway when less
support, like financial capability,
was already evident. Because of the
botched plan in Siquijor, one of the
former teachers crafted a satirical
moniker. It immediately spread
like wild fire among the circles of
teachers. To the propagator of the
joke, the Siquijor plan has become
a story of “siki”.
Siki for SIQUI-jor? Well, it
is a street language. It can be
understood as vernacular slang
for something that has failed to be
materialized. Na-“siki,” napalpak,
hindi natuloy, cancelled, aborted,
called off, scrapped --- these all
describe to that failed plan to go to
SIQUI-jor. Since then, if there was a
plan to go to Siquior, there seemed
to be apprehensions already in
everyone’s heart. It appeared
nobody wanted to recall the desire
to go to Siquijor because it might be
“SIQUI” again.
But the desire to conquer Isla
del Fuego did not simply die nor
fade away. It did not die in its natural
death. Like the powerful lava of fire,
the craving to set our feet in Siqujor
continued to brew in everyone’s
hearts. Though our mouths might
have been grumbling outside, but
Feature
our ardent love to conquer the most
coveted place was still broiling deep
within us. To have the retreat in an
island feared of having love potions,
sorcery, witchcraft or strange magic
found its way to resurrect in the
recent year.
For several months of planning
and preparations, everything was
set in place. The first week of the
year of the dog, 2018 was set as
the “recollect-nic” of the teaching
and non-teaching staff of St. Joseph
Academy. Started with recollection
or retreat then followed by “picnic”
or outing, the days of bonding and
endearment were scheduled on
January 2-7.
But lo and behold! Agaton
threatened us. We were supposed
to go to Siquijor on Jan. 2 via
the port of Plaridel, Misamis
SCENIC SALAGDOONG
Photo by Felix Tindogan
One cannot make a complete visit to the Island of Fire, Siquijor if he or she fails to enjoy the sandy beach of Salagdoong in the town of Maria.
Occidental. When we got there, get our chance to take the ferry as it food and place “to lay our heads”.
there was calmness and silence of was the time estimated by one PCG With gratitude, we saw in his heart
the place. The ferry which should staff that the warning signal will be the love and generosity that was
have brought o Siquijor just gently lifted up. Yes, at around that time, strongly expressed at its most.
danced as she leaned beside the we were told that PAG-ASA has After many attempts to secure
port when surging waves swayed cleared every vessel to take the tickets coupled with some help
her to and fro. We were informed inter-island trip. of our friends and contacts in the
that the Philippine Coast Guard The light of hope, however, city, we finally boarded an Alesson
(PCG) had cancelled all voyages began to flicker and eventually lost Shipping Lines ship at 1:00 early
after the Philippine Atmospheric, its assuring brightness on that day. morning on Jan. 4, 2018. We were
Geophysical and Astronomical We thought that everything will run heading, not directly to SIquijor, but
Services Administration (PAG-ASA) smoothly. On the other hand, we had to pass via Dumaguete City as
declared the areas under Signal discovered that the resumption of there was no direct trip to Siquijor
No. 1 which was the proximity of the the ships’ several trips would still from Dapitan. Sailing for almost
typhoon’s landfall; the northern and not be enough to carry the many 6 hours, too long and tedious, we
north-western part of Mindanao was passengers who were stranded arrived at the port of Dumaguete,
among the areas that were affected. as a result of the cancellation of the gateway to the sugar lands of
The group then proceeded to previous trips. the Negrenses from the south.
Dapitan City wishing to try their We went back and forth to the Aaahhh finally, after another
luck but the real true-to-life retreat convent in a small parish in Polo, an hour of sea travel again from
began. Dapitan City for almost two days Dumaguete to Siquijor, we set
We arrived at the messy and in the entire ordeal of waiting and our feet on the capital town of the
over-crowded Dapitan City port hoping. The parish had also become enchanted province of Siquijor, the
early afternoon. The PCG personnel our haven and our safe refuge on Island for Fire. Then, we took another
there at the port informed us that those days. Fr. Randy Tic-ing, parish almost 60-minute land travel via
the warning signal was still imposed. priest of St. Therese of the Child San Juan from Siquijor, Siquijor
We waited until 2:00 P.M. hoping to Jesus took care of us including our Continue to p.7
 Feature
Interview with Bishop-elect Raul B. Dael
Appointed bishop of the Diocese of Tandag last February 26, 2018, Fr. Raul Dael will be ordained bishop on June 7, 2018, at St.
Augustine’s Cathedral, CDO. This day is also his 25th anniversary to the presbyterate. He will be formally installed on June 14, 2018
at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas de Tolentino,Tandag, Surigao del Sur. In this issue of Bag-ong Lamdag (BG), Fr. Dael speaks about his
vocation story and how God mysteriously brought him to his new mission as the third bishop of the Diocese of Tandag.
Fr. Raul B. Dael
BL: On the beginnings of your
priestly vocation: When did you start
thinking about the priesthood? How did
this come about? When did it become
clear that you are for the priesthood?
Fr. Dael: Like many other priests,
the gift of my priestly vocation had its
beginnings in my family. I guess my
prayerful and gentle disposition comes
from my mother and grandmother who
were both very religious. They trained me
to pray the rosary, the novena to the Our
Lady of Perpetual Help and other such
devotions which as a child I simply had to
comply with. Together with my sister Reina
(now a Carmelite nun in Carmel CDO),
we would go up the mountain of Aplaya,
Jasaan where our “guyang” (grandma)
used to live. This happened on weekends
and during the summer. Staying with her
meant not only manual work but also
prayer on bended knees every night. This
religious atmosphere was reinforced by my
having gone to the then Mary Immaculate
Academy (MIA) of Jasa-an in high school.
In MIA I got exposed to the Mass as reader
during the first Friday Masses and as
one of the prayer leaders during the daily
Morning Offering before classes would
begin. As a fourth year student I also had
the chance to teach catechism to the pupils
of Jasaan Central School. In high school I
was helped in developing my leadership
and communication skills. My interest in
the priesthood developed from the simple
attraction to the priest’s vestments and
homilies to imitating his actions at Mass by
having a secret “misa-misa” at home. I may
have had a sense of mystery about being
a priest and what he represented which
felt right and good to me even then. My
reflective, quiet and serious side I got from
my fisherman father who instilled in us the
value of hardwork, honesty and discipline.
The times spent with him out in the sea
taught me how to be patient, to learn to
wait in silence for a catch and to trust in
God when the sea was rough. Perhaps
without my realizing it, God was already
communicating with me during those times
when I would sit by the shore in silence
and solitude. In a way, my “spirituality” was
developed between the mountain and the
sea. The sea helped me develop depth
as a person drawn to mystery and the
mountain gave me the capacity for breadth
in being able to see things in a wider
perspective. This reflectiveness did not
escape my mother’s notice. She first got
the idea I was interested in the priesthood
when I wrote “religious vocation” in my
NCEE application form under what course
to take. This was further affirmed when I
opted to enter San Jose de Mindanao
Seminary even though I passed the
scholarship for CIT at Xavier University.
Though I missed my family terribly when
I was in SFY, I could say I was very happy
there. Not having been allowed to leave
the premises of the SFY building for one
semester was a good testing ground for
a young seminarian’s capacity to own his
decision and to be formed accordingly. In
SFY there was a radical reorientation in
my consciousness that I was entering into
a different kind of life, different from that
of my peers. I was convinced this was for
me. Like the life of a fisherman in the sea,
I also went through storms and waves of
difficulties, doubts and disillusionment. But
by the grace of God and the contemplative
discipline I have developed over the years,
I came to the insight that “ang bokasyon
nga dili tay-ogon dili lig-on ug ang tawag
nga dili moagi ug makalabang sa pagsulay
dili molahutay”.
BL: How would you describe your
priestly ministry and life prior to your
appointment as Bishop of Tandag?
Fr. Dael: My ministry and life as a
priest can only be described in one word,
blessed. I have been happy as a priest,
full of life and energy, fulfilled and grateful.
From the time I was ordained until now I
have not lost my passion for my priestly
ministry wherever I was assigned. My first
years as parochial vicar at the St. Augustine
cathedral with Msgr. Rodulfo Roa, VG as
rector gave me an opportunity to minister
to different kinds of people in society. I was
also blessed to have worked with a very
holy priest, the late Columban missionary,
Fr. Francis Chapman who led me to love
the sacrament of reconciliation, serve
the inmates at the city jail and minister to
the poor of Isla de Oro and Consolacion
chapels, etc. Later my assignment in
Sugbongcogon and Binuangan tested my
capacity to take on various responsibilities
as administrator, pastor and evangelizer.
My assignment in the seminary deepened
my sense of vocation and mission as I
engaged in the work of formation. I am also
blessed with a good relationship with my
bishop and fellow clergy and those I work
and minister with and people in general.
BL: Did you have any sense at all
that you were being considered for the
episcopacy?
Fr. Dael: I got some inkling two years
ago when Archbishop Ledesma told me
to update my profile with the chancery
office with the guise that it is a periodic
requirement for priests. It was quite a
tedious process that I had to ask some of
my brother priests if they had completed
theirs. Then I realized I was the only one
asked to do it so I began to wonder what
it was for. It was also around this time
that the “kantyaws” about this bishop thing
began. I always had a way of handling the
teasings. I did feel or sense something but
I did not put much thought to it or avoidant
of it.
BL:How did you receive the news
of your appointment as Bishop of
Tandag?
Fr. Dael: I got this dreaded call from
the Nunciature on Feb. 12, during the final
integration day of our one-month renewal
program at the Galilee Center in Tagaytay.
The Papal Nuncio asked me to see him
two days after. That was Ash Wednesday
on a Valentine’s Day. All I can say is that it
was moving and tearful encounter.
BL: What was your immediate
reaction to the appointment?
Fr. Dael: I was trembling in fear. It
was as if the mystery entered through my
flesh and penetrated my whole being that
I could feel my innermost flesh tremble.
I couldn’t imagine myself being trusted
with such a very sublime mission. I felt
unworthy. I know my own inadequacies.
But at the same time I also felt the Lord
was pleased with my efforts despite my
weaknesses. My “Yes” to God through
the Papal Nuncio was facilitated by this
enduring intimacy with the Lord through
prayer. It is an intimacy that can be best
described by the image of two chairs, the
Lord’s chair and mine, close together side
by side looking towards the same direction.
That experience gave me the courage and
assurance to embrace once again the
mystery of the Lord’s presence in my life
and this call to the episcopacy.
BL: You are an alumnus of St.
John Vianney Theological Seminary
and the second diocesan priest from
the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
appointed bishop, how do you feel
about this?
Fr. Dael: It seems to me that we
are doing right as a seminary and as a
diocese. It is an affirmation of the kind of
formation we offer which tries to be faithful
to the call of Pastores Dabo Vobis, “I will
give you Shepherds after my own heart.”
I am grateful to belong to an Archdiocese
which has given me opportunities to use
and develop my gifts for the ministry which
included further studies and assignments
that honed my charism. My bishop and
brother priests have been very supportive
and encouraging. I am grateful for the
bishop’s trust and for the many formative
challenges and opportunities he had given
me so that I may be ready for this new
mission.
BL: What for you is the role of a
Bishop in the Diocese of Tandag?
Fr. Dael: At the moment I would not
yet go into heavy stuff. I simply would
like to listen and observe, appreciate the
many good things that are already there,
establish relationships and friendships,
know and be known, and have a sense
of the issues and concerns affecting the
people and the rest of creation. I will
not rush into things. There is time for
everything.
BL: What would you consider as
your greatest fears and your greatest
strengths with regard to being a new
Bishop?
LAMDAG
March 1-31, 2018
5
Fr. Dael: When I take seriously the
Word of God, live the gospel and do God’s
will without compromise – this can create
discomfort and division in some people
even by your own priests; witnessing to the
truth can mean threat to life and security;
or when God makes you see something
others (including your own priests)
cannot see, are not yet ready to see or
simply refuse to see. These are some
of my fears. On the other hand I have
the capacity to listen and to empathize,
to be firm yet gentle, and to engage in
dialogue. I can empower people who work
with me and I am also flexible enough to
work with different kinds of people and
personalities. I can be very close with the
poor and have preferential love for them
without antagonizing the rich and powerful.
All these I attribute to God’s gift of a
discerning heart that refuses to succumb
to the temptation of making an important
decision without first consulting the Lord.
And of course, my sense of humor, where
will I be without it? The balance between
seriousness and joyfulness is so essential
to ministry. As priests, it is edifying to work
sincerely, tirelessly and joyfully in the Spirit
of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
BL: What have you chosen as your
motto?
Fr. Dael: As a man from the sea,
son of a fisherman, disciple of the Lord
like Peter, I chose “Duc in Altum,” Put out
into the deep, (Luke 4:5) as my episcopal
motto. I chose this not just to remind me
of my humble beginnings as the son of
a fisherman but to highlight the centrality
of my intimate friendship with the Lord
in whom my entire ministry and life
depend. This sense of belonging to Jesus
Christ and obedience to his word fill me
with courage to enter into the depths of
our faith and the challenges of the new
evangelization as missionary disciple in
communion. As the fisherman is to the sea,
the priest is to the Lord whose word he
must obey, not only to be fruitful in ministry
but to be a faithful bearer of mystery.
BL: What would you like to tell the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro?
Fr. Dael: I want to express my gratitude
to my family, the clergy and faithful of the
archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro for having
been part of who I have become today.
You all have contributed to forming and
molding me so that I become ready for this
big responsibility that the Lord has given
me. Thank you for having taught me how to
minister rightly and for having helped me in
ways beyond calculation. I also would like
to ask forgiveness for my weaknesses and
inadequacies that may have caused hurt
or disappointment to some of you. God
knows I still need to grow in many areas
in my life. I hope that you continue to do
the good works we have started to do in
the archdiocese for the greater glory of
God. Finally, I ask for your prayers. Pray
that I will not stop praying. And pray that
I may have the strength to carry out this
new mission and that I may continue to
“act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly
with God.”
6
LAMDAG
March 1-31, 2018
Features
ATIK-ATIK SAKSAK SINAGOL
Juan 8:44/Santiago 4:6-10
NI PEPOYE
Maglaway ka sa kalami sa mga
pagkaon ug ilimnon ning kalibutana.
Agoy! Agay! Agiy! Ang litsong baboy
astang lamia ba gyud! NamNamNam! ang tawag sa kwaresma
Medyo halang nga tam-is nga dili pag-ampo, buhat sa kalooy ug puasa penitensya
masabot ang kalami niining ilimnon!
Unsa ba kini? HOOO! Tagay pa Day!
para kini sa mga sala ta
Ang kaanyag ug kaambungan nila sa paglimpyo gitawag kita.
makadani gyud sa pagtimtim sa katam- AWAYON ANG KAUGALINGON
is niini. Agagay! Tam-iiissa oy! Lupig pay dugos! Nga daw dili gyud ka makapugong NGA GUSTO LAMANG SA KALIPAYNG KALIBUTANON
nga busgon nimo ang imong gutom, uhaw ug gakurogkurog nga unod. Hala
sige! Hakupa na ang tanan nga makaya nimong lumluman aron matagbaw ka ANG LAWASNONG GANA ATONG BUNTOGON
sa imong gana ug uwag. Pagiloki (hihihi) ang imong hamis nga panit sa mga ANG SALA SA LAWAS DI NA PAULIPON.
gapangpanilap nga kahilayan. Lingawlingawa ang imong nagsigang mga mata kining mga tawag sa kwaresma
sa mga nagsayaw-sayaw nga mga anino sa mga tawong maulaw nga mailhan larawan kini sa atong gugma
nimo diha sa mangitngit ug bugnaw nga dapit. HaHaHeHeHoHo! Katawa taman
sa ginhawa. Paglipay!Kaon! Inom!Sayaw!Kanta!Sinnnggiiiit! THIS IS MY LIFE! nga kon ang Ginoong Jesus mahal ta higala
WALA KAMOY LABOT! Bwaahahaha! WOW! ATIK-ATIK! sa iyang kasakitan kita nakighiusa.
HoyHoyHoy! Kalma lang bitaw sa imong pagabuhaton aron dili mahalata KAY MAANGKON LANG ANG KABANHAWAN
nga gakalipay ka sa imong ginabuhat! Itago ang tanan! Pssssst! Shhhhhh! Ayaw’g
saba! Paningkamot nga wala gyuy laing masayud gawas lamang sa mga tawo
KON ANG MGA SALA GITALIKDAN
nga kasagupa pod nimong kagalingaw sa inyong mga maayong binuhatan. MGA SALA SA KATAPULAN
Kon mangawat man gani ka ayaw lang gyud pasapon total mamahin man lang UG MGA LAWASNONG KAHILAYAN.
gihapon ka.Pakan-a ug paimna lang sila sa imong kinawat. Mao nang hilom ang tinuod nga sakop sa Simbahan
lang nga pamaagi.Ayaw lang kaayo pagkiatkiat. Mabulabog ka kon daghan ang
makahalata. Ilad-ilara lang na sila! Pamakak! Dali ra na! Kaaasayon! Ayaw tug- ang mga kasugoan ginatuman
an sa imong asawa nga nangawat ug nangabit na ka.Kay kon mutug-an ka ang sama sa ka-usa ka tuig moadto sa kompisalan
mahitabo mabungkag hinuon ang inyong pamilya nga imbis nga kasal ra ba mo higala imo ba kining gipatalinghugan.
sa simbahan. Luoy ang inyong mga anak nga grabi ra ba nimo sila kapinalangga NGANONG DI MOKOMPISAL ANG USA KA KRISTIANO
kay matud pa nimo mga gasa sila gikan sa Dios. Sayang! Mao nang ayaw gyud
pag-angkon sa imong mga salang nabuhat. CHAR! ATIK-ATIK! KON SIYA NAPUNO NA SA GARBO
Maayo pang mosimba ka aron makaingon sila nga Diosnon gyud KALOOY KATOLIKO KUNO
ka.Pagrosaryo ug pagnovena sa Inahan sa Kanunay’ng Panabang aron iiway ka TAWONG IGNORANTI SA PAGTOO.
sa pagtug-an sa tinuod ug aron dili gyud ka masakpan.Lisud nang masakpan ka
ug dayon mapriso ka. Ginoo Malooy Ka! Walay nada ang kinabuhi sa prisohan
ang kwaresma usab kita gisultian
mao nang pamakak gyud hangtud moputi ang uwak. Sa pagsimba nimo para mga bisyo talikdan
dili ka makonsensyahan pag-ayo ayaw na pamati sa wali sa pari ug maayo pang mga kaaway sa pasaylo hatagan
matulog ka. Piyunga imong mga mata aron ang makakita sa imo makaingon gyud ang nangagi ato nang kalimtan.
nga lawom na kaayo ang imong pag-ampo.Pero basing gahagok ka kon matulog
ka busa ayaw na lang katulog kay makadisturbo ka pa sa manimbahay ug GINOONG JESUS PASAYLOA NGA IKAW AKONG GIBUDHIAN
aron dili ka katulog hunahunaa ang imong kabit ug pagplano sa sunod nimong ANG MGA GRASYANG NADAWAT GIKALIMTAN
pagpangawat. Dakodakoa pod ang imong limos bahini pod ang simbahan ug KON WALA PA IKAW WALA NA AKO SA KALIBUTAN
ilabina ang pari sa imong kinawat. NgekNgekNgek! ArangArang! Aron dili pod
makaingon ang uban nga bulaos ug hakog ka. Hatag lang pero mas daghan gyud
HAKOG AKO SA GUGMA MO DI NA ANGAYAN.
ang para sa imo. Sus oy! Ikaw pa! Ayaw lang gyud kalimot kon unsay para sa imo kining pagsaulog sa pagkabanhaw sa Ginoo
kay diha man gyud ka mas malipay baya ha. Hago baya gyud nang mangawat ka nagtawag kanako ug kanimo
ug mamakak ha. Dili baya lalim ang pagbuhat sa butang nga adunay mga tawo nga maangkon lang kristiano
nga mokontra kanimo. Pangalawat ug kusga dayon ang imong pag-ingon nga
AMEN! Para da-best gyud ang imong pagsimba. Nagpasabot na nga ganado kon nagkinabuhi kita sa ebanghelyo.
kaayo kang nagsimba sa Dios. Ayaw baya kalimot sa dili ka pa mogawas sa MAGHARI NA UNTA ANG KALINAW SA KALIBUTAN
simbahan pangayo gyud sa Dios og tabang nga makwartahan gyud ka pag-ayo PAGDUMOT UG PAGPATAY DILI NA MASAKSIHAN
aron ang imong mga gusto imo gyud mapatughan. Gamhanan ka na! Pag-ampo NAGHIGUGMAAY NA ANG TANANG KATAWHAN
gyud sa Dios nga dili ka masakpan sa imong pagpangawat ug pagpangilad.
Kinahanglan man gyud ka’g daghang sapi baya aron mas malipay pa gyud ka ANG KALIPAY SA DIOS SA KAGAHUMAN.
sa imong mga bisyo. Kahayahay ba gyud! Pagpolitiko ug pagnegosyo para mas alang sa mga nagbirthday karon
sayon ang pagmaniobra sa pagpanalapi nimo. Apan ngadto-ngadto daniha na kamo unta malipayon
lang nang imong asawa nga mosanib kanimo. Ang maayo nimong buhaton lipaya
gyud siya ug ihatag kaniya ang tanan niyang gusto. Maong pangawat gyud og
sa Diosnong panalangin pagapun-on
daghan! Dayon kon murag makontrol na nimo ang imong asawa ayha pa tug-ani ug sa daghang kasumaran pa maka-angkon.
sa tanan ug dili na na siya mupiyait. Hunahunaa bya nga dili gyud maayo nga KON MOABOT GANI ANG MAONG KASAULOGAN
mamakak sa imong pamilya. Dili ganahan ang Ginoo ana! Kon madani na nimo ANG PAGLIPAY UG ANG DIOS GAYOD PASALAMATAN
ang imong asawa nan uban na dayon mo sa pagpangawat ug matakdan na man
lang dayon nang inyong mga anak. So happy and loving family na dayon mo! KAY NAGPASABOT NI KAMATAYON WALA PA NABISITAAN
Dungan dayon mo simba kay a family that prays together stays together baya. NGA MAGLIPAY GAYOD BISAN WALAY HIKAY KAY BUHI UG
SUPER! ATIK-ATIK! PISKAY MAN.
Nakapamalandong ako nga ATIK-ATIK lang ni Taning ang tanan nga
makaaghat sa tawo nga iyang lipayon lamang ang iyang kaugalingon nga
bisan kini makadaut ngadto-ngadto sa iyang kinabuhi ug sa uban. Ang haylo sa
dautang tinguha ni Taning makahatud kanato sa kasakitan nga walay katapusan.
ATIK-ATIK gani nagpasabot kini nga bakak ug dili masaligan. ATIK-ATIK ang Bag-ong
LAMDAG
kalipay nga lumalabay lamang ang gusto ni Taning nga atong matagamtaman
dinhi sa kalibutan. Maayo kaayo nga sulod sa panahon sa kwaresma dili lang
nato unta maaninaw ang kabililhon sa mga langitnong butang apan mamatikdan
pod usab unta nato kon unsay dangatan sa atong kinabuhi kon magapos kita
sa mga butang kalibutanon. Ang mga butang kalibutanon nga giatik-atikan ni Editorial Consultant Managing Editor
Taning nga daw mura’g tinuod nga maghatag kanato’g kalipay nga dayon. Kon Abp. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD Sr. Teresita Espina, FSP
hanas na unta kita sa pamaagi sa Dios hanas pod unta kita sa mga pamaagi ni Writers
Taning aron nga makabantay kita ug makabalo unsaon nato kini pagbuntog. Kay
Roy Lagarde Fr. Rufino Cabatingan, SSJV
tingali baya ug wala na kita makamatikod nga ang duha ka pwersa sa dautan
ug maayo nagsagol na sa atong kinabuhi. Nga abi na lang nato nga mga maayo Fr. Fermin Tan, Jr. Fr. Max V. Ceballos, SSJV
na gyud kita apan dili gyud diay sa mga mata sa labing nasayud nga Dios. Fr. Roy G. Barros Lolit T. Bacarrisas
Nakaamgo ako nga ang pagbuhat og maayo ug dautan makalipay gyud sa tawo Gilda Pates Sarah Palacio
ang kalainan lang kon unsay pagadangatan sa matag-usa niini. Nasayod naman Nilda U. Villegas
ta basi sa atong pagtoo nga kon dautan mopaingon gyud kita sa impyerno ug
Lay-out and Graphic Design Marketing & Circulation
kon maayo didto kita sa langit. Mao nang maayo nga makabantay na kita sa
dagan sa atong kinabuhi mintras sayo pa. Kay basin nalingla na kita sa ATIK-ATIK
Banny E. Briones Association of Pauline Cooperators

ni Taning. Nanginahanglan gyud kita sa kanunay natong pagpamalandong sa

dagan sa atong kinabuhi inubanan sa atong pag-ampo ug paghanduraw sa mga
mensahe sa Dios pinaagi sa Iyang mga pulong. Ang ATIK-ATIK ni Taning maoy
magbuta kanato sa tinuod nga kalipay nga maKITA nato diha Dios. Kon balihon
nato pagbasa ang ATIK-ATIK mao ang pulong KITA-KITA. Hinumdoman nato nga
sa ATIK-ATIK ni Taning dili ta magKITA-KITA didto sa langit. Kitakits sa Heaven!
Grace Fernan
Bag-ong Lamdag is a newsletter published monthly by the Social Communications Apostolate of the
Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, whose aim is to link the various parishes, ministries, and apostolates
within this archdiocese. For inquiries and feedback, send us an email at ascacdo@gmail.com. You may
visit us online and leave a comment at lamdagcdo.blogspot.com.
Find us on Facebook: Search for “Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro”
 Archdiocesan News LAMDAG
7
March 1-31, 2018

Gisaulog ang ika-32nd Ledesma blesses Eucaristico’s

National Migrants Sunday Renovated Formation Center
Malipayong gisaulog ang ika-
32nd National Migrants Sunday ug
Information Caravan diha sa santos nga
Misa nga gipangunahan ni Msgr. Tex
Legitimas, SSJV, Director sa Migrants
Ministry sa Capitol grounds, Cagayan
de Oro City niadtong Pebrero 25, 2018
ubos sa tema, “Welcoming, Protecting,
Promoting and Integrating Migrants
and Refugees.”
Diha sa iyang homiliya,
gipunting ni Msgr. Legitimas ang
kamahinungdanon sa pagpamati sa
Dios. Diha sa pagbasa mahitungod sa
transfiguration, nadungog ang tingog
sa Dios Amahan nga nagmando sa
pagpamati kang Jesus. Importante
ang pagpamati sa Pulong sa Dios aron
makaadto sa gingharian sa langit. Ang
mga anak nga mamati sa ginikanan
makabaton og maayong kinabuhi. Ang
estudyante nga mamati sa magtutudlo
Msgr. Legitimas uban sa mga lumilihok sa migrants ministry
makadawat og maayong kaugmaon.
Ang kasakit kabahin sa kinabuhi.
Gihagit ang tanan nga batonan ang
lig-on nga pagtoo aron molahutay
sa pagsulay nga mohadla sa pamilya.
Ang mga ginikanan nga nagtrabaho
sa gawas sa nasud nag-antos sa
kamingaw sa pamilya. Busa giawhag
ang mga pamilya nga magpadayon sa
pagsalig sa Dios, sa iyang presensya
nga naghatag og kadasig ug kalipay
sa nagsubo.
Human sa Misa, adunay
programa diin nagpasundayag sa
sayaw ug awit ang mga representante
sa parokya sa Bugo, Binuangan,
Tagoloan, Opol, Tagoloan ug Libertad.
Aduna usab gipahigayon nga mga
dula ug raffle draw. Gitambongan kini
sa 310 nga representante sa parokya
ug 260 ka migrant families. (Bag-ong
Lamdag News)
Abp. Ledesma with Blessed Sacrament Fathers
Geared with the Eucharistic Immaculate as concelebrants.
mission to provide better formation For many years, Santuario
program not only for the parish, but Eucaristico formation center has been
for the whole Archdiocese, Santuario used for parish and archdiocesan
Eucaristico had its formation center activities and programs. Last August
renovated. On February 17 2018, the 2017, the renovation started and
newly renovated formation center was after six months, the project was
blessed and a Eucharistic celebration completed through the support of the
was presided by Most Rev. Archbishop parishioners and benefactors.
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD, with SSS Fr. Briones, the parish priest
Provincial Superior Fr. Joseph Matitu, and rector thanked all parishioners,
SSS, the shrine rector and parish benefactors and sponsors for the
priest Fr. Froilan Renato A. Briones, continued love and support to the
SSS, Fr. Muriel A. Uy, SSS, Fr. Clifford formation programs. (Santuario
Barrios, SSS and Fr. Maximilian Mary Eucaristico News)
Ciar of the Franciscan Friars of the

An almost “siqui” again yet secure Siquijor........from p.4

to Upper Cabangcalan,
Lazi, Siquijor where we
would have to finish or
“complete” our scheduled
retreat. At almost lunch
time, we finally settled
ourselves at Quietus
Relaxationis Domus
where Sr. Elena, together
with the retreat house
staff, warmly welcomed us
as evidenced revealed by
the traces of joy painted
on their faces.
Sr. Elena made use
of the remaining time by
sharing to us her thought-
proving insights. Her
reflections on seeing
the difficulties and
weaknesses around us
as Jesus sees would help
us to remove our own
blindness as well as that
of others. “Is your school
as workplace a crowd
or a community,” asked
retreat facilitator which
she also gave as our point
of reflection to end the
recollection.
The 5th of January
brought us to start
conquering the entire
island. Historical and scenic
spots were among the
places we went to. Our
local tour guide Aldrin Dag-
uman, led us to embrace
the grandeur and century-
old beauty of San Isidro
Labrador Parish church in
Lazi. Just across the 134
year-old edifice is another
equally beautiful yet silent
convent of Lazi believed to
be the oldest and largest
in Asia. Inside the convent,
there’s a museum which
contains very old religious
artifacts and antiques like
an old friar’s diary, wood-
carved saints and other 19th
century items. But taking
pictures are not allowed.
The 42m by 32 m. convent
of the Recollects was built
in 1887 three years after
the church construction
commenced.
Other places we visited
include the century-old
enchanted Balete Tree
where many of the teachers
had their “foot spa” by
the cleaning power of the
fine teeth from the variety
of the fish in the spring-
pool. We proceeded to
other nice places like the
Capilay Spring which was
across the Municipal Hall
of San Juan. We took our
lunch at a restaurant in Bell
View, Siquijor and allow the
food to be digested while
spending quality time with
nature at Larena Triad in
Larena town overlooking
the picturesque view of the
town and the neighboring
Siquijor towards the west.
The rest of the
afternoon we spent buying
pasalubong like torta, pan
de bisaya, oval-shaped
“otap” and other delicacies
of the island which were
bought in other towns of
the island including the
silent and stress-free
municipality of Enrique
Villanueva. Then, the
final destiny of the
island tour which served
also as our place for
overnight stay was one
of the famous beaches
in Maria, Siquijor and
even the entire island
--- Salagdoong Beach
Resort.
The following
morning, before
proceeding to Larena
Port for our departure, we
took advantage to plunge
into the clear, sparkling
waters of the resort.
Soaking our bodies in
the gentle waves of the
embracing sea made us
feel massaged. After all,
sea water is universally
proven as therapeutic
and relaxing.
When we finally
boarded the ferry which
brought us to Dumaguete
City from Larena, we did
not nothing but reminisce
our beautiful and wonderful
experiences we had craved
in the Island of Fire.
Our ordeal brought us to
realize that if we only have
fire in each of our hearts,
coupled with the heavenly
approval of our plans,
everything is conquerable.
Despite the threats of having
our dream to set our feet
in Siquijor be possibly be
aborted, our will to go on
surfaced and overcome all
odds that tend to hinder us.
It was almost a botched
plan again. Our Siquijor
escapade was almost “siki”
for the second time. But
thanks to the favors we
received from on High. It
was materialized. And our
stay in the Island made us
reflect that indeed, one feels
secure in Siquijor despite
the unhealthy comments that
many people tag the place.
Obedience in priestly and religious life
Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP
Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP, the New Rector of the
UST Central Seminary (Manila) gave a talk on the vow of
obedience to the clergy and religious men and women
of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on February 1,
2018, the day before the World Day of Consecrated Life
at Nuestra Candelaria Parish Pastoral Center, Tagoloan,
Misamis Oriental.
He said obedience lies at the heart of one’s vocation
stories as Christians more so as priest and religious.
He said obedience as an act of faith lies at the heart of the
vocational dialogue of our calling. This is shown in the
vocation story of Abraham and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
However, he admitted that our cultural context
does not favor the practice of obedience instead, it
gives emphasis on individual autonomy and individual
freedom. Much more, technology offered a deceptive
sense that one can do all things without divine help.
Thus, there is the urgent need to see the positive
contributions of obedience to human life and to priestly
and religious life; namely: obedience as an act of faith,
obedience as perfect freedom.
Fr. Pedregosa said faith, love and freedom go
together in the practice of obedience. Obedience that
arises from one’s sharing in and witness to Christ’s
freedom to love is nothing less but perfect freedom. He
wished everyone to walk happily the road of obedience,
take it as food in the journey to the loving vision and
union with God.
After the talk, the clergy and the religious shared
their experiences on obedience which was followed by
sumptuous meal.
Fr. Pedregosa will give a talk on poverty and
chastity in the near future. (Sr. Teresita C. Espina, FSP)

Walk for Life

February 24, 2018
Ash February
Wednesday14, 2018
Metropolitan Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro City
Gaston Park, Cagayan de Oro City

Kasalan ng Bayan
February 13, 2018
Mt. Carmel Parish, Carmen Cagayan de Oro City

March Birthday Celebrants Sacerdotal Anniversaries

March 1 Fr. Ruel Buhisan March 14 Emeritus Abp. Jesus Tuquib

March 2 Fr. Joseph Montemayor Fr. Ismael Scott Escanilla

March 3 Fr. Marlo Acenas Fr. Ruel Buhisan

March 5 Fr. Ramer Colanse Fr. Ronaldo Gabutera

March 26 Fr. Julito Cabactulan Fr. Doroteo Rabuyo Jr.

March 28 Abp. Antonio Ledesma, S.J., D.D. Fr. Neil Limbaco

Fr. Jojo Joel Oga Fr. Raul Ricacho

March 31 Msgr. Florencio Salvador, Jr. Fr. Bernard Elvin Simene

March 19 Fr. Jose Isagani Villamil
March 29 Fr. Daniel Coronel