(1) Meeting of Provincials/Delegates with the Consulta in Bangalore, India.
(2) Fathers Bong, Rey and Giuseppe attending the Formators’ Meeting in Bangalore, India.
(3) Fr. Giuseppe and (4)Fr. Ivo planting the commemorative tree on the 25th Anniversary of the Indian Vice Province in Bangalore, India.

(1) Newly baptized in the Parish of Wan-Shan, Taiwan.
(2) Fr. Giuseppe Didoné with the Ambassador of Taiwan to the Holy See and with the President of the Ponfical Council for Health Care Workers.

After attending workshops on vocation promotion organized by Fr. Nato, the seminary vocation director, with the help of the vocation committee chaired by Sem. Mark Vincent Madronero, the official vocation promoters/animators and those who offered to help were ready to plunge into “the real thing.” As soon as the semestral break started on October 12, they headed for their respective destinations—around 36 dioceses all over the country.

Coincidentally, the celebration of the second alumni homecoming of the St. Camillus College Seminary on September 26, 2009 ran right smack into the onslaught of typhoon “Ondoy.”  But the more than 300 millimeters of rainfall that poured for about nine hours over the National Capital Region and nearby areas did not the dampen the spirit of the participating alumni from various provinces all over the country.  Though there was a good number stranded in airports, piers and flooded streets due to the deluge, those who made it definitely delighted in walking down the hallways of their beloved Alma Mater—again—and reliving memories of their shared history.

Last quarter CPE course

The last CPE course for 2009 began on October 12 and is scheduled to end on December 18.  The enrolled batch of 15 individuals includes one participant from China, two from Korea, two from Papua New Guinea, and ten Filipinos.  For their practicum they go to the Philippine Lung Center and the National Kidney transplant Institute.  They are supervised by Rev. Edward Sauro, Pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and Ms. Flora Calleja, Executive Director of the Pastoral Care Foundation of the Philippines (PCF).

Enrollment is now open for the next CPE course to be offered from January 12 to March 19, 2010.

Yearend board meeting of the PCF

The members of the PCF Board held their yearend meeting in Molo, Iloilo last November 6 to 8, 2009.  They evaluated PCF’s performance over the last year, tackled certain concerns, and drew up plans for the future.

October is usually vocation promotion month for the scholastics. For the past years on the day right after the final exams, the scholastics busy themselves preparing for, if not actually already on their way to, their assigned area for vocation promotion. This year however, because of their late semestral break, scholastics were not able to join the vocation campaign. Instead, they underwent a series of formative activities during the two week vacation.

SCHC Welcomes Fr. Luigi Back…

What keeps us busy these days in Calbayog?  As usual, SCHC still keeps on making the Spirit of Camillus alive here through the usual “Bahandi” Program; the collaboration with the Diocesan Health Care Commission; the LCF activities; the prison ministry; the Leliane Mediation; SCHIP; the hospital ministry; and the medical mission and ministry in some barangays – programs that make Camillus famous in Calbayog.

Pilgrimage to Israel

The Filipino Catholic Community in the Diocese of Essen, led by Fr. Dietmar Weber and Fr. Manny Tamayo, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land last October 12 - 20. There were 47 participants, inclusive of four other Camillians: Fr. Paul Wuttke, Bro. Michael Kuchler, Fr. Rolly Fernandez and Fr. Gabby Garcia.

With the help of the German Province and Frs. Weber and Manny, we were able to experience and see the Holy Land.  As Fr. Rolly celebrates his 25th anniversary, he was able to experience the "promised land".  This experience turns out to be the greatest anniversary gift he has received through the generosity of our confreres in Germany and the support of the Filipino Catholic Community in the Diocese of Essen, Germany.