MARCH 2016 HIGHLIGHTS

The Holy Week falls on the month of March. Noteworthy to ponder in the Year of Mercy and in the light of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, is the fact that all evils and the struggles and pains that go with these will end when the definitive victory of the Kingdom comes. SHEC, in the spirit of St. Hannibal and empowered by Jesus and the Spirit, works for the doable realizations of the Kingdom in the here and now. 

Immersion of Ateneo Students Continues. As in the previous months, some students of Ateneo De Manila University immersed in SHaCC Phase 17 last March 4-6 and 11-13. They lived with the community in order to understand better their journey from poverty to a more decent way of life. This opportune event was carried out through the assistance of the community's leaders.

SFHC Evaluates SHaCC Phase 17. Last March 11, the beneficiaries of SHaCC Phase 17 saw another ray of hope as the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Pre Credit Committee evaluated SHaCC Phase 17 Housing Project. This event took place at the Paseo de Roxas, Cor. Makati Ave., Makati City.

Lenten Recollection. Kingdom works cause burn out if the Kingdom worker does not take time to recharge and be refreshed by the fresh source of energy, God himself. Aware of this reality, the Kingdom apostles at SHEC spared March 19 as a moment of recollection where they focused on prayer and reflection. The refreshing moment happened at the St. Hannibal Training Center.

Formation Session on Cooking. Know-how in cooking is a very good source of livelihood. Also, food for all, especially for the hungry is a Kingdom blessing. It is timely that food has become a focus in SHEC last March 20 and 27 as 59 members of the RYMSC  participated in the training on cooking pasta. The activity was held at the St. Hannibal Training Center, 584-A E. Cornejo St., Brgy. 163, Malibay, Pasay City

Happy Birthday, Father Orville! The birth of a Kingdom apostle, especially in the Year of Mercy, is truly a great blessing, a gift to struggling, poor communities like the beneficiaries of SHEC. Father Orville celebrated his birthday with SHaCC, PABANAL, friends, the youth and the SHEC family. This wonderful event happened last March 22 at St. Hannibal Phase 17.

Thank You, Saint Scholastica's College! Students of St. Scholastica's College under the Lay Apostolate Office, conducted their culminating activity last March 29 at the St. Hannibal Training Center. The students took the occasion to thank the children and the community in their apostolate. The community, too, thanked the students for their dedication, generosity and sacrifices.

FEBRUARY 2016 HGHLIGHTS.

The month of hearts, at least nominally, stands out in the Year of Mercy. Among other positive thoughts associated with the special Jubilee is the ever abundant providence of God. God is never outdone in generosity, which is why His mercy or compassion overflows. Jesus' preaching of the Kingdom of God, especially the Kingdom's Good News to the poor, which continues to this day until the New Creation comes, is God's definitive manifestation of such overwhelming providence and compassion. It is the mission that inspired St. Hannibal. No wonder, he called his congregation as the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus -- a heart full of compassion and providence... a heart which beats at the core of SHEC's being...

Ateneo Students Immerse at SHaCC. February 5-7, 2016 had been memorable for some students of Ateneo De Manila University as they lived with the community of SHaCC, Phase 17. The program's goal was to orient the students about the programs of SHEC through an experience of the way these are carried out in the community. Three other batches from same university also immersed for same purpose last February 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 respectively.

Election of Officers, Fathers’ Concerns Committee. For a better facilitation of the committee, officers were elected last February 7. The election process, participated into by 56 members, was conducted at the St. Hannibal Subdivision Phase 2, Rodriguez St., Malibay, Pasay City. On the same day, a Community Service was carried out in order to foster the cleanliness of SHaCC. This event was led by some leaders and members of the RYMSC. Also Social Work Students of the University of Northern Philippines came to visit SHEC. The visit was a good venue to share the inspiring stories of success in social work carried out in SHEC.

SHFC Pre-Credit Committee Meeting was held last February 11 to remind the contractor and leaders of the documents to be provided for the Credit Committee Meeting of SHFC for the building construction of the community. The activity took place at the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) office, Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo de Roxas St., Makati City. It was attended by Orestes Idanan, Gemma Ortega, Vanessa Amparado, Dexter Ibay, Engr. Michael Dela Cruz, 2 companions of Mr. Ibay, Abby Genito, Engr. Joan of SHFC, Mr. Allan Catura and Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, RCJ.

An Early Valentine’s Party was conducted last February 13 to treat the RY debutants. The celebration was also an avenue to show the youth support and love, as well as a time to strengthen their bond with other members. The party was held at the St. Hannibal Training Center, 584- A E. Cornejo St. Malibay, Pasay City.

Apostolate of St. Scholastica’s College, Manila Students. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of St. Scho students, the children of SHEC communities learned quality catechism. The event was conducted at St. Hannibal Subdivision Phase 2 last February 16.

Children's Party. Kassandra Gutierrez, Ferdinand Borongan, Derek Sauza and some youth of Light of Jesus Community assisted in the Children’s Party sponsored by said group. It was participated by some children from Phases 2, 1,3, 4, 15, 17. The joyful activity was conducted at the St. Hannibal Training Center last February 20, 2016.

Visit from Lund University and Divine Word College-Laoag. Professors and students of Lund University, Sweden as well as students of Divine Word College of Laoag visited the St. Hannibal Subdivision Phase 2 last February 25. The visitors interacted with the community and learned of their struggles in the slums before they secured units in the housing area.

A Formation Session on Health was conducted at the St. Hannibal Training Center in two separate days, February 21 and 28 respectively. The event was attended by Nelia Reyna, Johana Gervacio, Bernadette Amparado, Orestes IDanan, some leaders and members of RYMSC.

JANUARY 2016 HIGHLIGHTS.

The Year of Mercy reminds us of two original Biblical words whose richness of meaning may shed more light on the concept of mercy. The Hebrew checed and the Greek splagchnizomai mean more than mercy or compassion or pity. As used in prophetic literature and in the synoptics, it speaks about a strong feeling which is intimately connected to justice. It is the compassion that stirs the innermost being, causing feelings of discomfort in the chest and stomach at the sight of social injustice. It disturbs a person to share compassion in the form of food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty and the like. This has been the compassion that Jesus and St. Hannibal manifested. This is the compassion that SHEC strives to promote.

Multiple Treat. January 10 witnessed the quadruple celebration of Father Dexter's birthday, Father Dexter's and Father Orville's respective sacerdotal anniversary, the launching of LIFE or Livelihood and Feeding program and the anniversary of Pabanal,  Baseco, Port Area, Manila. The occasions were graced with the presence of His Eminence Luis Cardinal Tagle. These were indeed occasions filled with God's compassion.

Sto.Nino Fiesta. The Sto. Nino or the infant Jesus reminds us of the innocence, purity and truthfulness of children, which is why Jesus mentioned in the gospels that entry to God's Kingdom requires one to be childlike. This joyful celebration was attended by some leaders and members of RYMSC and the ROGATE Children’s Ministry.

Happy10th Anniversary, SHaCC Federation and SHaCC Phase 2! Last January 23, leaders and members of SHaCC Federation, RYMSC, PABaNAL, RYMPC, friends and benefactors of SHEC, SHaCC and PABaNAL gathered to thank the Lord for all the blessings, especially the victories and joys after each struggle. Rockbottom, of course, has been God's compassion which is concretely felt and seen in every authentic advocacy for human development.

One with Pope Francis' Environment Advocacy. One mark of Pope Francis' pontificate, as beautifully scribbled in Laudato Si, is the love of creation or mother nature. In solidarity with the Pope, as the advocacy is a major apostolate of SHEC, a training on environmental concerns was held last January 31. Needless to say, God's compassion runs through the veins of healthy, robust creation.

Supplica. To praise and thank the Lord for all the blessings received for the year 2015, the SHEC admin and staff plus some leaders of the communities gathered for said purpose at the St. Hannibal Training Center, 584-A E. Cornejo St., Malibay, Pasay City. The event was held last January 31.

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

2015 has been a year of blessings, especially with regard to Jesus' Kingdom mission which SHEC continues as it empowers the poor to work for justice in the form of Kingdom blessings such as the attainment of decent, humane living. Francis, the pope by, of and for the poor, also declared 2015 as the year of the poor, all the more emphasizing the oft-forgotten core of the Kingdom of God, the Good News to the poor (see Lk 4:16-21). These have been celebrations which gave due importance to the poor, in view of the hope that social consciousness be raised, that all might focus on the kind of communal sharing which may minimize if not eradicate social injustice (see Acts 2).

January was marked by the blessings of the birthday and ordination anniversary celebrations of SHEC executive director, Fr. Dex Prudenciano, RCJ, the Foundation Day of SHEC, SHaCC and PABaNAL, the visit of Sean Lovett of Radio Vaticana, and the priestly anniversary of Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ. Indeed, the presence of these priests who have dedicated their lives for the Kingdom is itself a wonderful blessing! More Photos

February witnessed the flow of compassion to the victims of fire, the celebration of a post Valentine party and children's party which somehow refreshed the communities especially the fire victims, thanks to the initiative of the Rogate youth. Also, Fr. Gabriel Flores donated books, and Lund University students as well as TAO Pilipinas Staff visited the communities in view of fostering empowerment programs. More Photos

March reminded SHEC of the suffering of Jesus for the sake of the Kingdom. The communities and collaborators rejoiced with Fr. Orville Cajigal in the celebration of his birthday. Fr. Ron Sandoval, SVD also visited SHEC and the communities sat with him for a moment of sharing and learning. Lastly, the youth sharpened their skills in dancing in view of performances for the purposes of the Kingdom mission. More Photos

April set the tone of renewal as Christ's resurrection, assuring the final victory of the Kingdom at the end of time, was celebrated. The SHEC admin and staff went for a pilgrimage-type of recollection cum outing, to be recharged and refreshed for the succeeding missions. The youth, on the other hand, delved into theatre workshops and all participated in the celebration of the World Prayer for Vocations.

May exuded the aura of Mary, Mother of the Poor. Her loving and guiding hands helped a lot in the success of the RYMSC recollection, the SHaCC and PABANAL planning session and the Gabi ng Kabataan practices and team-building.

June was remarkable because on it fell the feast of the beloved founder, St. Hannibal. SHEC is an empowerment center which works for the Kingdom mission because St. Hannibal's spirituality was essentially pro-poor. On this month the Almost Heaven Retreat Center had its make-over, the BP 220 or the Building Code for Socialized Housing was conducted, and the much awaited Gabi ng Kabataan was celebrated.

July saw some turbulent times like the settling of problems for the Almost Heaven Retreat Center at Banaue, Ifugao. But these were outweighed by heartwarming events: the conduct of seminar on the Rogate facilitated by Father Zamperini, the Eucharistic adoration to remember and celebrate the first coming of the Sacramental Jesus at Avignone Quarters and the meeting with PABANAL leaders for a feeding program.

August brought about the blessing of a newly ordained bishop, Most Rev. Valentin Dimoc, DD of Bontoc, Lagawe who welcomed SHEC as collaborator, especially that it is in his diocese that the Almost Heaven Retreat Center is located. Certain RCJ brothers were also ordained to the diaconate. A feeding program at Baseco was carried out. Lastly, a conference on Francis' Laudato Si was conducted.

September welcomed students of the Ateneo De Manila University for their immersion. Masses were also offered to celebrate RCJ missions like that of SHEC. Lastly, SHEC staff refreshed themselves with a life-giving recollection at the Almost Heaven Retreat Center.

October was an opportune moment for some sharing with St. Scholastica students. Auditions for singing competition dubbed as "The Voice of the Voiceless" was also carried out. Two programs for total salvation of humans and creation were also conducted: the walk for climate change and the workshop for the enhancement of SHEC strategy.

November was a moment of connection with the DDZ postulants of Laoag, whose retreat was facilitated by Fr. Dex Prudenciano. Also, Fr. Arlene Gumangan celebrated his priestly anniversary. The feast of Christ the King who cares for and loves the poor aptly gave a very meaningful context for Father Arlene's anniversary, as he has dedicated his life and ministry for the wellbeing of the poor.

December focused on Christmas parties for the poor, especially for the children. Noteworthy was the feeding program at Baseco where the needs of malnourished children were attended to. The infant Jesus indeed reminds us always to care for the poor, especially the children. For born as poor for the sake of the Kingdom which is pro-poor, social justice ought to be a core message of Christmas which must not be taken for granted.

JULY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Rogate: Pro-poor Spirituality. In the Old Testament, Yahweh is outstanding as the God of the poor; Jesus in the New Testament preached the Good News to the poor; Mary is obviously a poor mother, and needless to say the mother of the poor; the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts resulted in community members who shared belongings so that nobody would be in need. St. Hannibal was inspired and moved much by the Trinity and Mary with regard to the passion to serve the poor. This serves as inspiration for SHEC to continue a pro-poor spirituality against all odds.

Farm Project Booming. Part of SHEC's Kingdom mission is to promote healthy living just as Jesus cared for the health of people in Palestine, especially the poor. Accordingly, organic corn farming is done at Bulacan. Last July 3, 2015, Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ visited the farm in order to supervise the application of organic fertilizers.

The Rogate is essentially pro-poor. So goes the gist of the talk of Father Chiamperini who shared about the relation between the poor and the Rogate spirituality. This opportune moment was held at FDFCS, Don Jose Green Court, San Dionisio, Sucat, Paranaque last July 4, 2015. It was attended by the RCJ priests and brothers, the DDZ sisters, UPV's and other guests. The day after, JULY 5, 2015 Father Chiamperini visited SHEC to share, though for a very limited time, in the life of the communities assisted by SHEC. With Father Chiamberini were Fathers Daniel Kim and Jomarie Ezpeleta. They were impressed with the way and extent of people empowerment which happened at SHEC.

Father Dexter inspires RCJ postulants. For two days, last July 6-8, 2015, Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ shared the two essentials of the Rogationist congregation, using the biblical, charismatic and ecclesiological perspectives at the Rogate Center, Merville Park, Paranaque City. The postulants found the sharing as inspiring, refreshing, motivating and empowering. They resolved to share what they learned with other seminarians.

Feeding Program at Baseco. Last July 19, 2015, a meeting with concerned children for a feeding program was held at Baseco, Manila. The meeting was meant to finalize some details which was eventually accomplished with the help of PABANAL leaders.

  

Coach Carter "teaches" RYMSC. Coach Carter may just be a movie, but it is a good source of values from which leaders and members of the Rogate Youth Ministry, SHEC Chapter or RYMSC can learn matters to ponder and live by. The film was viewed at the St. Hannibal Training Center, 584-A Cornejo St., Malibay, Pasay City last July 19, 2015.

JUNE 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Rogate: Celebrating Many Blessings Staged by the Feast of St. Hannibal. Jesus was passionate for the Kingdom of God. Doing so, he worked for the outpouring of various blessings for the poor and oppressed. Such was the same passion that inspired St. Hannibal to care for the least. With the celebration of St. Hannibal's feast which sets the tone of June, the month has been indeed showered with Kingdom blessings!

Happy Feast Day, St. Hannibal! June is a special month for SHEC because it starts with the feast of the saint from whom it is named, St. Hannibal Maria Di Francia. The celebrations consisted of procession and Eucharist which took place at the St. Hannibal Subdivision, Phase 2, Rodriguez St., Malibay, Pasay City. SHEC admin, staff and SHaCC communities gathered to thank the Lord for all the graces and blessings received, especially through the intercession of St. Hannibal.

Almost Heaven Make-over. Last June 2, 2015 Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ visited the Almost Heaven Retreat House to supervise its ongoing development. At the time, the double-decks and the ceilings were under construction. A problem arose regarding the boundaries, a solution of which was to relocate some markers. But with God's work, all will be well at the end of the day, and Almost Heaven make-over will truly be a masterpiece.

BP 220 Workshop. To be oriented on the salient points of BP 220 or the Building Code for Socialized Housing which will serve as guide for the SHaCC Phase 17, SHEC and the contractor in the construction of housing project buildings, concerned SHaCC and SHEC staff attended the workshop on BP 220 at Great Eastern Hotel, 1403 Quezon Ave., Quezon City last June 3, 2015.

Inter-agency Meeting. Last June 5, 2015, different housing agencies met at the Ateneo Compound to share their respective evaluations and plans for the creation of pilot projects. Remarkable is the fact that SHEC housing project is one of the privileged subjects of study. Truly, this is yet another proof that Kingdom work is very much alive at SHEC.

Gabi ng Kabataan Celebrations. At last, the much awaited and much prepared GNK or Gabi ng Kabataan Celebrations which preoccupied the youth of SHEC in the whole of May has been enjoyed by the youth and their audience last June 7, 2015 at the St. Cecilia's Hall of the St. Scholastica's College, Malate, Manila. It was indeed a showcase of talents and passion for the mission and values of the Kingdom of God.

RYMSC Camp. To celebrate a victory party for the success of the Gabi ng Kabataan, as well as to strengthen the bond among the youth, the committee heads, teachers, some performers of the GNK 2015, RYMSC young professionals (RY Yuppies), Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, RCJ, Andrea Reyna and George Valenzuela held an RYMSC Camp at Little Bridge Resort, Brgy. Butong, Taal, Batangas. The joyful event happened last June14-15, 2015.

MAY 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Rogate: Spirituality of Hope inspired by Mary and the Spirit. May is dedicated to Mary, the Flores de Mayo or May Flower. Accordingly, Mary's connection to the youth who are hoped to grow into good Christians like blooming flowers is worth pondering. Mary is also the Mother of the Poor, and being so, she fits well as the mother of the beauty of God's creativity manifesting itself even in lowly areas like the slums. Where the Spirit blows, new creation takes place anyway, and with Mary's intercession and guidance, all the more that Kingdom mission in the slums could breathe fresh air of hope. This needless to say serves as impetus for Kingdom workers at SHEC to continuously form the youth to become jewels of the Kingdom.

RYMSC Recollection. SHEC started the month of May through a recollection for new members of the Rogate Youth Ministry, SHEC Chapter last May 1-3, 2015. The goal of the activity was to give the youth an avenue to reflect on the value and importance of God, self, family and organization, as well as to formally integrate them as members of RYMSC. 35 youth participated in the activity which was facilitated by Fr. Arlene Gumangan, RCJ, Fr. Orville R. Cajigal, RCJ,  and 10 RYMSC facilitators.

SHaCC and PABANAL conduct Planning Session. Man proposes, God disposes so they say. But proposing under the guidance of the Spirit surely makes SHaCC and PABANAL communities attuned to the disposition of God. Indeed, they conducted their planning session in such context at the Almost Heaven Retreat Center, Banaue, Ifugao last May 9-10, 2015. Said session was facilitated by Fr. Dexter Prudenciano, RCJ and some leaders and officers of SHaCC phase 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,17 and PABANAL.

Gabi ng Kabataan Practices and Team-building. Running through the whole of May was the daily practice for the GNK or Gabi ng Kabataan (Youth Night). Two weeks before the general practice set on May 31, 2015, the committee heads and teachers initiated some team-buiding activities to strengthen the bond among the leaders of the RYMSC. The two day event, May 15-17, 2015 took place at the Fr. Hannibal Formation Center, 65 St. Hannibal St., Merville Park, Paranaque City.