FADZ in CONCERT!

14 October 2010 - Dagupan City. The Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan will present a concert entitled ‘FADZ IN CONCERT” on October 22, 2010, Friday, at the CSI Stadia, Lucao District, Dagupan City with a matinee performance at 3:00 pm and a gala show at 7:00 pm.

FADZ is a jejemon word for priest. The youth fondly call their priests in the archdiocese “Fadz”, an address of endearment which the priests themselves allow the youth to use when calling them. The same jejemon word was used as concert title in view of the Church’s thrust to use new methods and approaches to make the Gospel more relevant to the youth and the poor.

This is the first time that such an all priests concert will be held in this archdiocese. The idea was born during the weekly Monday dinners that the Archbishop hosted for the priests to promote a spirit of camaraderie among the priests. After dinner, over a cup of tea or coffee or while enjoying dessert, the priests took turns singing with videoke accompaniment. The idea of a priests’ concert was born.

This is not a fund raising concert for a cause. The concert rehearsals became occasions for strengthening fraternity among priests. It was a team building exercise among the priests that extended to four months. It was fun time. It was bonding time. They came together once or twice a week during their free evenings—sang together, laughed together, danced together—not so much for the October 22 concert but for the sheer fun of being together. It was awesome to see the priests in their childlike simplicity dancing gleefully and singing with much gusto.

The concert is primarily an act of appreciation for the Catholic laity of the archdiocese. The priests dedicate this concert to the parish laity--they who have been so supportive of priests; so understanding with the shortcomings of priests; so constant and consistent in helping priests; so faithful in praying for priests. Through this concert, the priests will say to the Catholic laity: “We love you and we have always appreciated your kindness to priests. Our main fault is that we have not shown our gratitude all these years.”

This concert is an act of love from a grateful clergy to their ever supportive parish laity.

In spite of the shadows in the Church caused by issues of priests in problematic situations or priests not fully understood by their flock on certain social issues, this concert is a way to reach out to the laity celebrating what is right and beautiful with the world. The mark of Christian discipleship is joy and Christian life is a big feast!

ALD Clergy Easter Outing

5 April 2010 – San Fabian. The clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan together with Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, had an Easter Outing today. The Easter Outing was a much needed break for the clergy after the hectic Holy Week celebration.

The clergy went to Bagac in Bataan province to see the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”, a heritage park featuring authentic 19th century Principalia Mansions and original Bahay na Bato (Stone Houses), which stand resplendent around a cobblestone plaza and streets paying tribute to the magnificent craftsmanship of our Filipinos.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is composed of 30 combined, centuries-old Principalia mansions (bahay na bato), ‘indio’ stilt houses, and a recreated two-story Escolta commercial establishment, including the original University of the Philippines Fine Arts building on which restoration work is ongoing.

It started out as a hobby for real estate developer architect Jerry Acuzar who acquired old structures from all over the Philippines and rebuilt these in the new site. Extra effort was made to restore each building to its original state and glory.

St. Joseph Cathedral, Balanga

The clergy passed by the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Balanga before proceeding to Bagac town. Archbishop Soc gave a guided tour of the cathedral to the clergy. He showed to the clergy the beautiful murals on the ceiling of the cathedral tracing the genealogy of Abraham to Joseph. The first bishop of Balanga, Msgr. Celso N. Guevara, was laid to rest below the belfry. The church was established on 18 April 1739.

To the “Bahay Pari”

The clergy then went to the “Bahay Pari” of the diocese. “The Bahay Pari” is also the residence of the bishop. Archbishop Soc, when he was the bishop of Balanga, stayed at the Bahay Pari. A “merienda” was prepared by the generous faithful of Balanga.

Father Soc pointing to the clergy the genealogy of St. Joseph from Abraham a depicted in the cathedral ceiling.

Mass at the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”

Upon arriving at the “Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar”, the priests were met by Architect and Mrs. Jerry Acuzar and their children. They attended the mass celebrated by Archbishop Soc and the clergy at the reconstructed University of the Philippines Fine Arts building. Msgr. Villegas in his homily shared his reflection on the meaning of “bataan”.

To the Aquino Center in Tarlac

The priests spent sometime at the Aquino Center located at the Hacienda Luisita on their way to Pangasinan. They were graciously met and showed around the museum by Pinky and Ballsy, the two daughters of the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazaon C. Aquino.

This museum houses the legacy of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Pres. Cory Aquino. The museum houses various memorabilia related to the political careers of both Ninoy and Cory. This includes Ninoy’s mayoral stint in Concepcion Tarlac, his Senate position, his detention under Marcos’ martial law, his exile in the U.S., and his 1983 assassination at MIA. (Prominently displayed is Ninoy’s blood-stained clothes that he wore when he was gunned down.) On Cory’s side, the museum includes material from the 1986 snap elections and her whole presidency until 1992.

Both Pinky and Ballsy provided personal anecdotes and made the pictures and various memorabilia of their parents become alive with their personal stories.

Maria Elena (Ballsy) Aquino Cruz with the ALD clergy

Aurora Corazon (Pinky) Aquino Abellada with the clergy at the Aquino Center

To see more pictures of the “Easter Outing”, kindly click HERE.

All pictures are courtesy of Fr. Jim Cerezo

Rev. Fr. Roberto “ROY” C. Villamil (5 January 1951 – 5 March 2010

Funeral Mass for Fr. Roberto “Roy” C. Villamil will be on 12 March 2010, Friday, 9:00 AM at the Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.

Interment will be at the Ossuary for Priests in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Fr. Roy was the first parish priest of Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.

New Appointments in the Archdiocese

17 February 2010 – Dagupan City. Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, recently announced the appointment of Rev. Fr. Reydentor Mejia as the first Parish Priest of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Brgy. Wawa, Bayambang, Pangasinan. The Parish of San Lorenzo was formally established as a parish on 17 February 2010.

Fr. Manuel delos Santos was also appointed by the Archbishop as the new Director for the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry. He replaced Rev. Fr. Manuel S. Bravo, Jr. who has been the Archdiocesan Youth Director since 1995.

Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD in announcing the new appointments also asked prayers for them

ALD Clergy holds annual Retreat

24-28 August 2009 – Baguio City. The clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan held their annual retreat at the Betania Retreat House, Baguio City. The annual retreat of priests is done in accordance the provisions of Canon Law which states that: Clerics have a special obligation to seek holiness in their  lives, because they are consecrated to God by a new title through the reception of orders, and are stewards of the mysteries of God in the service of His people. (Can. 276). It further states that “they are also obliged to make spiritual retreats”. (Can 276, 1.400.

This year’s retreat was held without an extra-ordinary retreat facilitator. Retreat speakers were members of the different committees preparing for the ALD Clergy Renewal Program, viz., the Worship, Education, Social Action, Temporal and Youth committees.

Rev. Fr. Arcadio Mejia, Jr . (Education), Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza (Social Action), Rev. Fr. Julius Cuison (Worship), Rev. Fr. Mario Morales (Temporalities) and the young clergy who presented their reflection through a skit, reflected with the clergy regarding the life of the clergy.

Msgr. Oscar V. Cruz, DD,  gave one talk on the encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, “Caritas in Veritate”. He emphasized that peace which is the fruit of justice can never be a reality unless there is truth based on love.
Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxliliary Bishop of Lingayen-DAgupan, joined the clergy in their retreat, and provided the spiritual guidance and counsel to the clergy during the weeklong retreat.

ALD Clergy: "Laban!"

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To see more pictures of the Clergy Retreat, please click HERE.

Priests of the Archdiocese renew commitment at Chrism Mass

9 April – Dagupan City. The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan celebrated the Chrism Mass on 9 April 2009, Holy Thursday at the St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dagupan City.  The priests of the Archdiocese renewed their commitment to priestly service in front of the Archbishop and the people of God.

This renewal of commitment to priestly service is performed every year during what the Roman Catholic Church calls as the Chrism Mass, usually the largest annual gathering of clergy held either on or before Holy Thursday. The priests  then gather around the Archbishop as he blesses the holy oils to be used during the upcoming year for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and the anointing of the sick.

The yearly commissioning of the Lay Ministers was also held during the Chrism mass. The Archbishop commissioned once again hundreds of lay ministers who act as lectors and commentators during the mass, as well as the Lay Eucharistic Ministers or the Extra-Ordinary Eucharistic Ministers.

In front of the holy people of God, the Archbishop asked the priests to renew their dedication to Christ as priests:

Archbishop: At your ordination you accepted the responsibilities of the priesthood out of love for the Lord Jesus and his Church. Are you resolved to unite yourselves more closely to Christ and try to become more like him by joyfully sacrificing your own pleasure and ambition to bring his peace and love to your brothers and sisters?
Priests: I am.

Archbishop: Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and the other liturgical service with sincere devotion? Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the head and shepherd of the Church, by teaching Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the well-being of the people you were sent to serve?
Priests: I am.

Archbishop: (to the people) My brothers and sisters, pray for your priests. Ask the Lord to bless them with the fullness of his love, to help them be faithful ministers of Christ the High Priest, so that they will be able to lead you to him, the fountain of your salvation.

The Archbishop in his homily shared his thoughts on UNITY, and its fruits. He talked about its opposite as the work of the evil one. “Where there is division and disunity, there is the devil,” he said. He urged the people to work and preserve peace in the family, in the community, in the country.

He urged the priests, as he personally talked to them, after his homily, to be agents of unity, not powerful agents of scandal and disunity. He said that three things have caused scandal and disunity among our people: love of money, love of the flesh and love of power!

Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop, concelebrated with the Archbishop. He handed over during the simple ceremonies during the mass, the trophies to the different winners of the Mission Sunday collection contest. Fr. Enrique V. Macaraeg, the Archdiocean Missions Director, read the winners in the parish and school categories.

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD with Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary and Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr, Vicar General.