Ten participants comprise the sixth batch of CPE students currently taking up the first quarter program running from March 30 to June 6, 2009 at the St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center (SCPHC).   The Camillian presence dominates this batch: six of us are Camillian scholastics. They are Bro. Peter Krengkrai Sukjit and Bro. Joseph Watchara Sengcharoen of the Thailand Vice-Province, and Bro. Roderick Tampis, Bro. Brian Vincent Rances, Bro. Avensius Harung, and myself from the Philippine Province. Two are incoming Camillian adult formands, namely Joseph Pingkian and Emil Verson Marlin.  Fortunately, there is also the enriching participation of Bro. Florante Moren of the Alagad ni Maria (AM) and Friar Randy Rendora, of the Order of the Friar Minor (OFM).  We are the ten brave men who will again face the ten-week regimen of patient visitation and verbatim report-writing (i.e. scriptwriting), self-assessment and processing. Of course, we look forward to the highlight of it all – the outing! 

On another note, we congratulate our very motherly supervisor who is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Pastoral Care Foundation (PCF), none other than, Mrs. Flora Calleja.  Thumbs up to you, Madam! 

By the way, what special events have spiced up our CPE journey? 

From April 16 to 19, we participated in the Pastoral Training on HIV/AIDS.  After that seminar, we can now say that we are equipped not only clinically but also pastorally in dealing with this crucial issue in our society.

On April 25, we attended the CPE convention at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) celebrating the 28th Foundation Day of PCF.  It was a well celebrated convention graced with the presence of Fr. Dennis Paez, SDB and Dra. Teresa Villasor, who gave enlightening talks revolving around the theme “Pastoral Approaches to Filipino Families in Crisis.”  The celebration was attended by participants from different CPE Centers:  Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital and our own St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center.  The whole day affair ended with creative presentations from the centers.  It seemed our presentation proved to be the best…  That, of course, is a matter of opinion…

Till next…