New Year 2011 Message

As we usher in the new year 2011, we hold hands together in unity and prayer that this year may be a year of abundant blessings, a year of true progress, a year of real peace.

All blessings are from God. We must put God first. We must put God in all, for we all know that only God will remain in the end. In all things, may God be glorified! But we realize too that blessings come to us through one another. May all of us be blessings for one another. In Pangasinan, may everybody love everybody—that is the greatest blessing of all.

We pray for progress but progress with ethics. In our pursuit of human and economic progress, we must not compromise our immortal souls. Our years here on earth are limited and finite. What is important is invisible to the eye. The peso and dollar are not immortal. Our souls are. The peso and dollar are not all mighty. Only God is almighty. In Pangasinan, may we always place God in our politics and business and culture—indeed in all!

Finally, may the new year be a year of peace. Peace is right relationships. When our relationships with God, with creation and with one another are right, we shall have true and lasting peace. Beyond partisan politics, linguistic differences and varied social strata, the call for unity beckons. May Pangasinan be truly one! May we extend our hands to our opponents with forgiveness and tolerance, respect and brotherhood!

Happy new year! Magayagan balon taon ed sikayon amin!

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, December 31, 2010

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

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Pangasinan Translation

Diad say panabet tayo ed say balon taon 2011, manbebenbenan tayon mankakasakey tan manpikasi pian sayan taon komon et taon na mabunlok a bendision, taon na peteg ya aliguas, taon na twan kareenan.

Amin ya bendision et manlalapud say Dios. Nepeg sirin ya say Dios so walad sankaunaanan na amin. Say Dios so walad amin, lapud amta tayo ya say Dios labat so mansiansia ya anggad sampot. Diad amin a bengatla, say Dios so naitday dayew! Balet, amtaen tayo met ya saray bendision et onsasabid sikatayo diad panamegley na arum. Sikatayon amin komon so magmaliw a bendision ed balang sakey. Diad Pangasinan, manaaroan so balang sinansakey ed sikatayon amin komon --- sikato ya so sangkabalgan ya bendision na amin.

Manpikasi tayo para say aliguas tayo, balet sayan aliguas et katekep toy katonongan. Diad panpirpirawat tayod say aliguas na laman tan say ekonomiya, agtayo komon ikompromiso so maandon kamarerwa tayo. Walay pansampotan na amin diad sayan mundo. Say pabpablien tayo et ag nanengneng na mata. Say piso tan dolyar et walay pakaopot da. Say kamarerwa tayo balet so man-ando. Say piso tan dolyar et aliwaran makapanyari ed amin. Say Dios labat so makapanyari ed  amin. Diad Pangasinan, komon wala lawas so pasen na Dios ed kipapasey politika tayo, say panag-anapan tayo tan diad kultura tayo --- say twa, diad amin a bengatla!

Komon, say balon taon so taon na kareenan. Say kareenan so maoksoy ya relasyon. No say relasyon tayo ed Dios, ed say amin ya pinalsa to tan diad balang sakey so peteg tan walad kaoksoyan, walad sikatayo so twa tan maandon kareenan. Diad politika, anggad diad nanduroman panag-salita tan kipapasen na bilay, say tawag na pankakasakey so mankawey. Say luyag tayon Pangasinan so peteg ya mankasakey komon! Iyawat mi so lima min walay panamerdona, anos tan tepel, galang tan pika-kaagi ed saray kalaban mi.

Magayagan balon taon ed sikayon amin!

Diad Katedral nen San Juan Evangelista, Dagupan City, 31 Disiembre 2010.

+ SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Arsobispo na Lingayen-Dagupan

Formal Transfer of the Episcopal Seat and Establishment of Cathedral Church of ALD celebrated

28 December 2010 – Dagupan City. In a solemn celebration presided by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the formal transfer of the Episcopal Seat and the establishment of the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan was held on 27 December 2010, the Feast of St. John, the Apostle.

The Papal Nuncio was formally received at the doors of the cathedral by Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr. Msgr. Magno is the present Parish Priest of the St. John the Evangelist Parish. The simple rite of reception consisted in Msgr. Magno offering a crucifix to the Archbishop Adams. The Papal Nuncio kissed the crucifix and sprinkled holy water to those present after blessing himself with it.

Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan welcomed the Papal Nuncio during the Mass.

Letter from the Holy See

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD wrote the Holy See asking for the formal transfer of the Episcopal Seat and the Cathedral church from the church on Zamora St. to the church on Burgos St.

The Holy See responded favorably to the request of Archbishop Villegas. The letter of the Holy See was read by Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr., the Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese. He first read the letter in Latin, then the English translation. After the reading, the congregation made an acclamation with the clapping of hands, while the choir sang  George Frideric Handel’s composition, “Messiah”, consisting of only the first of the oratorio's three parts, the "Hallelujah".

The retablo of the cathedral was lit as well as the festive lighting of the chandeliers. Butterflies were released from the back of the lit retablo. At the same time, twenty four laymen and women representing the parishes of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan went to the twelve consecration  crosses on the twelve pillars of the cathedral. There were two lay persons assigned per cross: one lighted the candle while the other hang flowers under the consecration crosses. The twelve crosses refer to the apostles and the completeness of discipleship. These crosses, permanently a part of the church, mark visibly that this church has been solemnly dedicated and consecrated and, are thus called the consecration crosses.

Blessing of the Archbishop’s Cathedra

The Papal Nuncio afterward went in front of the cathedra, and prayed the blessing for the Archbishop’s Cathedra.

A cathedra (Latin, "chair", from Greek, kathedra, "seat") is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Roman Catholic Church. A church into which a bishop's official cathedra is installed is called a cathedral.

In the prayer of blessing, the Papal Nuncio prayed that the Lord Jesus Christ “grant that those who preside from this chair will proclaim God’s word ardently and celebrate the sacraments rightly, so that, with the people entrusted to their care, they may come before the seat of God’s majesty.”

The People of God

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist was filled by so many of the faithful from the different parishes of the Archdiocese. There were eight bishops who attended the celebration, besides Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. These were: Most Rev. Marlo M. Peralta, DD, Bishop of Alaminos, Most Rev. Jacinto Jose, DD, Bishop of Urdaneta, Most Rev. Mylo Vergara, DD, Bishop of San Jose (Nueva Ecija), Most Rev. Artemio Rillera, DD, Bishop of San Fernando (La Union), Most Rev. Florentino Cinense, DD, Bishop of Tarlac, Most Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, DD, Bishop of Bangued (Abra), Most Rev. Rodolfo Beltran, DD, Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe and Most Rev. Jesus A. Cabrera, DD, Bishop-Emeritus of Alaminos.

The celebration was attended by different government officials of the province and of the City of Dagupan, led by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim.

A simple dinner was tendered by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in honor of the Papal Nuncio after the celebration at the Archbishop’s Residence.

Some priests of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan with Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD with Archbishop Joseph Edward Adams and his staff.

Ordinations marked the Feast of St. John, the Apostle

27 December 2001. Dagupan City. The Feast of St. John the Apostle was solemnly celebrated by the whole Archdiocese with ordinations to the Diaconate and the Priesthood. Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan presided over the Eucharistic Celebration wherein Sem. Dexter Zamora Carino was ordained as Deacon and Rev. Jasper Roma Hebron and Rev. Allan Cayabyab Soriano were ordained as Priests.

The ordinations took place at the newly renovated Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City. The Eucharistic celebration began at 8 o’clock in the morning attended by the families, relatives, benefactors and friends of the ordinandi.

The Deacon

Rev. Dexter Z. Carino was ordained as a deacon to become a servant in the Church. He is the closest co-worker of the bishop and the priests in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. He has been chosen and strengthened by the grace of God, Rev. Dexter also serves the church, firsts by assisting in the celebration of the Eucharist, and secondly, by the proclamation of the Gospel, and thirdly, through works of charity for Christ’s faithful in accordance with the dignity accorded to his office. As a deacon, Rev. Dexter is expected to be compassionate and loving to all especially to those in need.

The Sacred Order of the Priesthood

The ordination to the priesthood is one of the most solemn occasions in the Church. From among God’s people, men are especially called by Christ to live in His name and preach the Gospel. Rev. Father Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano are called also to perpetuate the fruits of His eternal Sacrifice on the Cross through the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.

We dare NOT imagine

In his homily, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD, challenged the people by asking them if they could imagine their life without the priests.
“We dare not imagine”, he said," what your life will be without the priests. You need the priests because the priests bring Jesus to you.”  He then challenged the priests if they can imagine their priesthood without the people. “You become priests for the people”, he said. “We dare not imagine,” he furthered.


“Your primary duty as priests is to pray, to intercede for the people. Your primary duty is to be with Christ. Can you imagine a priest who is separated from Christ?” he asked.

The Rite of the Ordination

The Rite of Ordination  began after the Gospel with the Calling of the Candidates, when the ordinandi were called forward to stand before the altar.

Archbishop Villegas then “elects” or chooses the candidates for orders. The people present in the assembly gave their consent by applauding. The Archbishop said: “We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood in the presbyteral order.” This signifies that the vocation to the priesthood is discerned within the Church. Thus, the Archbishop  gives his consent and the people also give their assent for the ordination to take place.

The Archbishop asked a series of questions to determine if the candidates are willing to discharge faithfully the office of priesthood, to celebrate the sacred mysteries of Christ, to exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, and to consecrate their lives to God in union with Christ the High Priest. To all these questions the ordinandi responded: I am.

The highpoint of the ordination rite was the laying on of hand of the Archbishop on the ordinandi.  The Archbishop laid his hands on each of the candidates’ heads in silence. All the priests present did the same. This action is an ancient biblical gesture beseeching God to empower the candidates by the Holy Spirit and is a sign of the authority that has passed through the ages from the Apostles.

Kiss of Peace

In a touching moment, the Archbishop greeted each of the newly-ordained with a sign of peace. Bishop Rene P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, also gave the Kiss of Peace to the newly ordained Deacon and Priests.  All the priests present also gave the traditional Kiss of Peace the newly-ordained.

New Assignments
 
Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr., the Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan read the appointment letters of the newly ordained. Rev. Dexter Z. Carino is  assigned as a Resident Deacon of the Epiphany of our Lord Parish in Lingayen-Dagupan. Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron is assigned as the Prefect of Discipline at the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary, Binmaley, Pangasinan. Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano is assigned as the Prefect of Discipline at the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City.

Rev. Dexter is from Dagupan City while Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano are from Lingayen and Malasiqui, Pangasinan, respectively.

All of them studied at the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary for their High School studies. They took their college education at the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City. They finished their theological studies at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan City.



Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City and Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, Parish Priest of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, assisting Rev. Dexter in putting the Deacon’s stole and the Dalmatic on him. Rev. Dexter spent his pastoral exposure in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, prior to his ordination to the Diaconate.

The Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

The Ordinandi: (foregrount) Rev. Dexter Z. Carino; (from left) Rev. Fr. Jasper R. Hebron and Rev. Fr. Allan C. Soriano

Binday Housing Project: Holy Family Village

20 November 2010. Members of the Knights of Columbus helping in the construction of the Holy Family Village

2o November 2010.

2 December 2010.

Binday Housing Project: Holy Family Village

11 October 2010. The Bodega built to store the construction materials and supplies. It was destroyed by Typhoon Juan but was eventually rebuilt in another place.

11 October 2010. The topmost part of the village being prepared by the bulldozer.


14 October 2010.

8 November 2010. The worker-beneficiaries having a meeting with Bro. Tony Supremido, the Project Coordinator.

8 November 2010.