ANNUAL KCI-PANGASINAN CHAPTER GATHERING ON DECEMBER 26, 2014

          Every year, the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter officers and members gather together in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, to celebrate and renew their brotherhood bonded by the spirit of St. Anthony Mary Claret. On December 26, 2014, the annual gathering of KCI-Pangasinan Chapter started with the usual visit to the portrait of St. Anthony Claret located at the Holy Family Church. For the first time, the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter decided to visit and join the community of Brgy. Dalongue this year of get-together. Both groups were gathered in the chapel and had a joyful socialization. This event was indeed meaningful because aside from the formal encounter of both KCI-Pangasinan Chapter and the community of Dalongue, Fr. Sammy Canilang, CMF., a Claretian Missionary and a Pangasinense from San Carlos City, was present in the occasion together with Bonifacio Tago Jr. and family.

The community of Brgy. Dalongue prepared a nutritious and delicious lunch for everybody with the taste of Pangasinan food. Before the agape, Romano Bulatao imparted a short sharing as regards the missionary spirit of St. Claret that binds the community of Brgy. Dalongue, the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter, the KCI-National, and the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines. Fr. Sammy Canilang, CMF., also gave an inspirational Christmas message to all present. Fr. Sammy informed the community that they are one of the many communities in the world whose patron saint is St. Claret. He also reminded those who attended the activity that what is basically important is the deepening of faith to God and becoming closer to Him through the intercession of St. Anthony Mary Claret.

After lunch, the community of Brgy. Dalongue received simple gifts from the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter.

             In the afternoon, the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter had a meeting in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. First of all, the group reiterated that the annual gathering of KCI-Pangasinan Chapter will be held every December 26. Secondly, it was also agreed upon that aside from the usual visit to the portrait of St. Claret at the Holy Family Church, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, there will be a yearly visit to the community of Brgy. Dalongue. Ideally, there will be a celebration of the Eucharist among the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter, community of Brgy. Dalongue, representatives from the Claretian Congregation, and other visitors. If there will be a Mass, it will be held at 9:00 A.M., followed by a simple snacks. After the Mass in Brgy. Dalongue, there will be a meeting/continuation of gathering by the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter officers and members. Thirdly, the tentative date for the reprinting of the Novena will be on April or May 2015. Lastly, it was suggested that the KCI-Pangasinan Chapter will look for ways and means to be able to extend help the Brgy. Dalongue community to their respective needs in the aspects of religious, socio-economic, and civic development in the light of the spirit of St. Anthony Mary Claret. Those who were present during the meeting are the following: Romano Bulatao, Elver Bravo, Rodelito Calicdan, Fr. Sammy Canilang, CMF., Fr. Jonas Centeno, Atty. Joseph Cera, Steve Inigo, and Boni Tago, Jr.

            Indeed, after 68 years of fruitful missionary works of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF) in the Philippines, the seed of love and enthusiasm which was planted in Pangasinan soil, continues to grow under the same guidance of the spirit of St. Anthony Mary Claret. CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS!