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I was invited to this event but had no chance since I had a long weekend in the province. But I heard that it was a very nice event. The mother of Bishop Deo although weakened by age still has the energy that a proud mother shows.
Parents of priests of the diocese were recognized during the event. Each were given a beautiful statuette of St. John Marie Vianney, the patron of priests. A friend priest who is a pastor of the diocese showed me his. Very nice once. Sad thing I forgot to take a picture of it.
There are no big hotels in the city of Caloocan that is why was held in a new hotel in D. Jose in Manila. Here is the news story about this.
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MANILA, May 28, 2010— With less than a month before the closing of the Year of the Clergy at the Vatican, the Diocese of Kalookan paid tribute to the priests’ parents for being part in the formation of pastors working in the Lord’s vineyard. [It all begins at home!]
Coinciding with Bishop Deogracias Soriano Iniguez Jr.’s silver jubilee in the episcopacy and his mother Emilia’s 93rd birthday, the diocese presented plaques of appreciation to the parents of about 35 priests working within the Diocese of Kalookan, guest priests and priests from the diocese currently working in other dioceses and religious congregations.
In his homily, Fr. Teofilo Rustia, a classmate of Bishop Iniguez at the San Carlos Seminary, said the affair is a fitting tribute to the priests’ parents as the Year of the Clergy draws to a close in less than three weeks.
He said the Year of the Clergy was made more meaningful with the Second National Congress of the Clergy with Fr. Raniero Cantalamesa, the papal household retreat master.
“Fr. Cantalamesa told American priests gathered before the Second National Congress of the Clergy in Manila that the Holy Father has already allowed priests to marry,” Fr. Rustia said. [wait for it!]
He added the news was for priests aged 85 years old and above and should have parental consent. [HA!]
“In short, the simple message was ‘forget it’ because married life is not for priests because your faithfulness is anchored on the faithfulness of Christ,” he explained.
He underscored the value of parents in the formation of their children, some of whom have become priests.
“Where would we be without our parents?” he asked the congregation. [That is why the vocation of a married man and woman is just as vital as the vocation of the ordained because ALL vocations start within a family. So bloom where you are planted!]
Fr. Rustia said he has been orphaned early in life and had the pleasure to have a mother in the person of Bishop Iniguez’s mother Emilia who turned 93 years old today.
“She regularly visited us in the seminary and brought us foodstuff,” he recalled. The priests and their parents had special photo sessions and were treated to an early lunch at Manila Grand Opera Hotel along Rizal Avenue and Doroteo Jose at Sta. Cruz district, this city. (Melo M. Acuna)
Coinciding with Bishop Deogracias Soriano Iniguez Jr.’s silver jubilee in the episcopacy and his mother Emilia’s 93rd birthday, the diocese presented plaques of appreciation to the parents of about 35 priests working within the Diocese of Kalookan, guest priests and priests from the diocese currently working in other dioceses and religious congregations.
In his homily, Fr. Teofilo Rustia, a classmate of Bishop Iniguez at the San Carlos Seminary, said the affair is a fitting tribute to the priests’ parents as the Year of the Clergy draws to a close in less than three weeks.
He said the Year of the Clergy was made more meaningful with the Second National Congress of the Clergy with Fr. Raniero Cantalamesa, the papal household retreat master.
“Fr. Cantalamesa told American priests gathered before the Second National Congress of the Clergy in Manila that the Holy Father has already allowed priests to marry,” Fr. Rustia said. [wait for it!]
He added the news was for priests aged 85 years old and above and should have parental consent. [HA!]
“In short, the simple message was ‘forget it’ because married life is not for priests because your faithfulness is anchored on the faithfulness of Christ,” he explained.
He underscored the value of parents in the formation of their children, some of whom have become priests.
“Where would we be without our parents?” he asked the congregation. [That is why the vocation of a married man and woman is just as vital as the vocation of the ordained because ALL vocations start within a family. So bloom where you are planted!]
Fr. Rustia said he has been orphaned early in life and had the pleasure to have a mother in the person of Bishop Iniguez’s mother Emilia who turned 93 years old today.
“She regularly visited us in the seminary and brought us foodstuff,” he recalled. The priests and their parents had special photo sessions and were treated to an early lunch at Manila Grand Opera Hotel along Rizal Avenue and Doroteo Jose at Sta. Cruz district, this city. (Melo M. Acuna)
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