Fr. Marven’s ordination

Reverend Marven Ruyeras, MI was finally ordained priest on December 11, 2009 at San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Kitaotao Bukidnon by Most Reverend Bishop Honesto C. Pacana, SJ, DD, Bishop of Malaybalay. The ordination took place within the Eucharistic celebration that began at 9:00am.  Present as concelebrants were seven Camillian Fathers: Fr. Ivo Anselmi, Fr. Marcelo Pamintuan, Fr. Angel Crisostomo, Fr. Evan Paul A. Villanueva, Fr. Ruben J. Mandin, Fr. Tex Rico V. Buntol, Fr. Primitivo S. Guinit, and Fr. Wilson Peñaranda. Bro. Paulo Han, MI of the Taiwan Delegation was also present.

As theme of his ordination, Fr. Marven chose the verse “No one has greater love than this, to lay one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

In his thank you message, Fr. Marven expressed deep gratitude to everyone.  In particular he thanked Fr. Evan, his scholastic director, Fr. Ruben, his novice master, Fr. Wilson, the San Pedro Hospital chaplain, Bro. Paulo Han who came all the way from Taiwan, Fr. Dodong Sarabusing, the over-all chairman of the grand celebration and parish priest of San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Fr. Jun, emcee, Fr. Nanding, the choir master, the seminarians that served during the Eucharistic celebration, and all who have constantly supported him. But the deepest thanks were expressed to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ruyeras, to whom he owes most deeply what he has become now.

Fr. Ivo, on his part, thanked the Lord for enabling Fr. Marven to persevere in his vocation, Marven’s parents for their generous support to their son, Bishop Pacana, the parish priest and the people of God of the province of Bukidnon. He also expressed his appreciation for the strong faith of the people and encouraged them to recruit more vocations for the Camillian Order.

After the Mass, the people lined up to kiss the hands of the newly ordained priest.  The reception then followed at the covered court of Kitaotao National High School.

A short program was held during lunch.  The guests were entertained by a dance number and by a song rendered by the Davao Medical Center choir led by Fr. Tex Buntol, DMC chaplain.

Other guests who came for the ordination were the Lay Camillian Family members of Davao and Manila, some employees of St. Camillus Hospital of Mati, and friends and benefactors of Father Marven.

At 2:00 pm of the same day, Fr. Marven celebrated his solemn thanksgiving mass at the San Vicente Ferrer Parish church.

The 25th Founding Anniversary of Mati

The Most Reverend Bishop Patricio H. Alo, DD, together with his priests, the religious men and women, lay leaders and faithful of Mati happily celebrated the 25th founding anniversary of the Diocese of Mati with the theme “BEC… Call to Communion Towards an ongoing Evangelization” last December 14, 2009 at the Clergy Compound, Madang Mati, Davao Oriental.

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, DD, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines graced the occasion with his presence. He arrived in Mati on December 13.

The celebration on December 14 began with a motorcade at 8:00 am from the St. John of the Cross clergy house to San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral where the Pontifical Mass started at 9:00 am.  Besides the clergy, the religious women and men, and the lay faithful, numerous students from different schools and parishes of Davo Oriental also joined the celebration.

Later in the afternoon, a grand celebration was held at St. Therese Gym, Clergy Compound with a short program and lunch for everyone.  The highlight of the said celebration was the awarding of jubilarians, Fr. Danilo C. Fuentes, Fr. Samuel R. Broñola, Fr. Medardo A. Salomia and Fr. Jacinto L. Ortiza.  Governor Cora Malanyaon and Mayor Michelle Rabat gave their messages while most reverend Bishop Alo did the opening remarks.

The Papal Nuncio, his secretary, visitors and guests were joyfully entertained by the choral singing of the students from Maryknoll School of Lupon, Davao Oriental,  the Mandayan dance performed by the group of legal counsel of the Diocese of Mati who is also a Mandayan, and the presentation of the Doxology by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy.  The clergy and the religious men and women of Mati also rendered a ‘heavenly sang as their expression of thanksgiving.

Another important highlight of the program was the message of Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, D.D. who addressed his wonderful message to all who were present during the occasion.

The Papal Nuncio left Mati at around 4:30 pm for Davao City and on to Manila. It was indeed a beautiful experience for the people of God in Mati to be with the Papal Nuncio in celebrating the 25th founding anniversary of the Diocese of Mati.