Two Passionists Deacons Ordained Priests

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez ordained priests Rev. Jeffty Madura Mendez, CP and Rev. Ramel Sumatra Poquita, CP on 12 April 2011 at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church, General Santos City.

Forty priests concelebrated: 10 diocesan and 30 Passionist.

Bishop’s homily.

God sent the prophet Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 1:4-10).

A prophet has two roles: (1) to announce God’s will; build God’s kingdom and promote the integrity of God’s creation; (2) to denounce evil, destroy unjust, sinful structures and speak against immorality.

Specifically, a prophet-in-mission builds the church as a community of Christ’s disciples and church of the poor; inspires the establishment of Basic Ecclesial Communities; promote a healthy environment; and exhorts people to construct a more human, free and just society.

On the other hand the prophet campaigns against corruption, the Mining Act of 1995, coal-fired power plant, exploitation of women and children.

More specifically the prophet must campaign against the passage of H.B. 4244 or Reproductive Health Bill.  Reasons: (1) Human life is sacred because it comes from God; (2) The State has no right no arrogate to itself parents’ primary, inalienable right and duty to educate offsprings, including sexual education; (3) RH Bill 4244 peddles lies: a) condom prevents the spread of HIV/AIDS (Thailand where condom use is prevalent has the most number of HIV/AIDS victims in South East Asia; b) the Philippines is overpopulated (Density per sq. km. is only 73); c) overpopulation causes poverty (several reasons like corruption, greed, but no correlation between population and poverty); d) women are owners of their bodies (God is the owner; women are stewards, etc).

 Priests tend Christ’s flock, willingly; a motive for tending is not profit but service.  This service is a humble service (1 Pet. 5: 1-4).

Effective service is the result of love.  Jesus said: “Love one another as I have loved you”.  Christ’s love is sacrificial, universal and forgiving. (Jh. 15: 12-17).

Rev. Jeffty Madura Mendez, CP was born on 10 July 1982 to Jaime and Eflida in Poblacion Loon, Bohol.  Degrees: AB Philosophy,University of San Carlos, Cebu City.  Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City.

Rev. Ramel Sumatra Poquita, CP was born on 19 October 1983 to Rafael and Erlinda in Monkayo, CompostellaValley.  Degrees: AB Philosophy, San Carlos University, Cebu City and Bachelor of Sacred Theology, Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City.

Rev. Callego Ordained Priest

Bishop Dinualdo D. Gutierrez ordained priest Rev. Jefil Quizo Callego on 11 April 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Fifty-five priests concelebrated: 2 from the St. Francis Xavier Regional Seminary, DavaoCity; 3 from Cotabato; 2 from Kidapawan; 2 Passionist Fathers (and a deacon); the rest, diocesan.

Theme: Service.

Bishop’s homily.

God said, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah answered, “Here I am, send me” (Is. 6:8-9).  We shall always be ready and willing to answer God’s call to service.

Whom shall we serve? All.  So that all may become one, holy people.

Unity and holiness are achieved through loving service.

Service includes catechesis, administration of the sacraments and social action.

An adequate knowledge of our faith is necessary given our society which is secularistic and materialistic.  Correct understanding of God’s commandments and their faithful observance will result into a morally upright society.

Social action aims towards a more humane, just and free Philippines.

Prayers, the Eucharist and the sacraments of reconciliation are means designed to strengthen us as we fight unjust structures and transform these structures of sins into just, “graced” structures.

Our prayers will sustain Rev. Jefil in his commitment to loving service.

Jefil Quizo Callego was born on 15 December 1979 to Felix and Elizabeth in Polomolok.  Eldest of six children – 5 boys and 1 girl.  Degrees: AB Philosophy, Notre Dame of MarbelUniversity, Master in Pastoral Ministry (MPM),St.Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary, Davao City.