Book Launch: WITNESS: Mission Stories of Basilan

MISSION PROCURE OFFICE

Claretian Missionaries, Philippine Province

May 3, 2015

Dear  Friends,

Greetings of Peace!

On May 3, 2000, a quiet, simple missionary priest who had been held in captivity since March 20 that year, along with some teachers from the Claret School of Tumahubong in Sumisip, Basilan, died in the crossfire between the Abu Sayyaf group that had captured them, and the Philippine military forces who were trying to rescue them.

The martyrdom of Claretian missionary Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, CMF, originally from Zambales but who was missioned to remote Tumahubong in Basilan as school director, as well as those of his companions, has been written and told many times over.

In commemoration of Fr. Gallardo’s 15^th death anniversary, the book Witness: Mission Stories of Basilan, edited by two-time awardee of the Philippines’ National Book Award for Journalism, Jose “Joe” Torres, will be launched on May 23, 2015 (Saturday), 2:00 – 5:00 pm, at the Bulwagang Claret of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church, Mahinhin St., U.P. Village, Diliman, Quezon City.

While there have been essays and publications about the bigger Mindanao situation, Witness: Mission Stories of Basilan contains stories of Claretian missionaries who have committed themselves to journey with the people as “witnesses” to the Gospel amid all odds and threats to their lives.

It is hence with great pleasure that we cordially invite you to the launching of this timely book.

Please confirm your attendance at the event on or before May 20, 2015 (Wednesday) by contacting Ms. Madz N. Araña at (02) 921-3981/922-0011 or email: aranamariamagdalena@gmail.com (Claretian Publications), or Ms. Charo Garcia, email: garcia.marosario@gmail.com (Claretian Mission Procure office).

We look forward to your presence at the book’s launching day.

Very truly yours,

Fr. ANGEL CALVO, CMF

Mission Procurator

Claretian Missionaries, Philippine Province

Remembering St. Anthony Mary Claret in Brgy. Dalongue, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan: Commemorations and Celebrations in the Year 2015

Remembering St. Anthony Mary Claret 

in Brgy. Dalongue, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan:                 

Commemorations and Celebrations in the Year 2015

By: Romano M. Bulatao

President, KCI – Pangasinan Chapter

On May 2, 2015, the people of Brgy. Dalongue, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, celebrated their annual barangay fiesta. This particular event was attended by Romano M. Bulatao, President of KCI-Pangasinan Chapter, and he represented the Kapatirang Claretiano Incorporated, and the Claretian Congregation – Philippine Province. The barangay folks, young and old were gathered together in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and they also participated in other activities at the chapel where St. Anthony Mary Claret is the patron saint. The mass was presided by Fr. Jonathan Dulay, the assistant Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish, Sta. Barabara, Pangasinan.

After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the people of Brgy. Dalongue culminated the said event with an agape. Different kinds of food were served and the residents and other visitors enjoyed the various food prepared. The community of Brgy. Dalongue helped one another and indeed, they were nourished by the “fruit of the earth, and work of the human hands.”

Aside from the barangay fiesta of Dalongue, there are two (2) other important occasions that the faithful of Brgy. Dalongue are celebrating, namely: the fiftieth (50^th) year or golden anniversary of the statue of St. Anthony Mary Claret, which was made on April 23, 1965; and the sixty-fifth (65^th) year anniversary of the sainthood of St. Claret, who was canonized on May 7, 1950. It is for this reason that Romano M. Bulatao has requested Fr. Dulay to bless again the statue of St. Claret in honor and in thanksgiving to our dear Father Founder St. Anthony Mary Claret.

The sole copy of the Novena Prayer for St. Anthony Mary Claret which was written in Pangasinan language on September 30, 1950, will also turn sixty-five (65) years old towards the end of 2015. Through the collaboration of the KCI-National, KCI-Pangasinan Chapter, Claretian Publications, Holy Family Parish, with the endorsement of the Claretian Congregation - Philippine Province, and the kind approval of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, may the reprinting of the said Novena for St. Anthony Mary Claret be realized this year.

May the spirit of St. Anthony Mary Claret continue to inspire us all, so that together, we may help God’s people, particulary in Brgy. Dalongue, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS!