Trento’s First Priest Celebrated Thanksgiving Mass

February 1 was not an ordinary day for the faithful of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Trento, Agusan del Sur. It was the day of the most-awaited Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Ritchell Salinas, SVD who was recently ordained in Germany. His homecoming was part of the Divine Word Missionaries’ program that their ordained priests go back to their respective hometowns and parishes to celebrate their mass of thanksgiving for the prayers, moral and financial support offered by the faithful in the course of the priest’s seminary formation. It was also an occasion to invite the faithful to pray for more vocations and scout for more candidates to the priesthood and religious life as well.

“Everybody was excited! The feeling of joy was very present that day. All of us were very thankful to God for the gift of vocation. It was indeed a grace-filled moment,” remarked Fr. Ritchell. The festive mood of his thanksgiving mass further moved him. The parish church was not only filled with parishioners and well-wishers, but also with friends and several SVD missionaries from other parts of Agusan, Davao and Cebu.

Fr. Ritchell entered the SVD congregation via the Divine Word Formation Center-Davao in 2001. He graduated in Christ the King Mission Seminary of Quezon City in March 2005. He took his first profession of vows in 2007 and had his theological studies in Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay City. He was sent by the congregation to Germany under the Exchange Student Program (ESP). He had his perpetual vow last September 29, 2013 and became a deacon on October 20, 2013. Archbishop Ludwig Schick, Archdiocese of Bamberg, Germany, ordained him to the priesthood last December 31 at the seminary chapel of Sankt Augustin Kloster near Bonn, Germany.

The St. Francis of Assisi Parish of Trento was founded on 1965 by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) Fathers. It was turned over to the shepherding of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in the 70s, with Fr. Max Abalos, SVD as the first SVD parish priest. German priest, Fr. Ulrich Schlect, SVD served the parish for 17 years, and later on was granted Philippine citizenship in 2007. Fr. Heinz Kulueke, the present Superior General of the SVD, was once assigned in this parish in the 80’s.

The parish was finally turned over to the administration of the Diocese of Butuan in 1995. Fr. Celso Laluna is its current parish priest. It is under the Vicariate of Mary, Queen of Martyrs of the Diocese of Butuan.

SVD Chapel Celebrates Fluvial Parade

The San Vicente chapel of the Immaculate Conception Parish of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay in the Diocese of Ipil celebrated last April 5 the Feast of San Vicente Ferrer with a fluvial parade which was participated by the faithful. Known as the “Fishing Village” of the parish, the members of the chapel, mostly fisherfolks, decided to be also bring the patrons of the respective celdas. The chapel is one of the 32 chapels of the parish of Immaculate Conception – Alicia.

The parish was turned over by the Diocese of Ipil to the Divine Word Missionaries last February 5, 2012. Its first and still present SVD parish priest is Fr. Loreto Estomo, SVD. It is the nearest parish northeast of Olutanga Island.

Immaculate Conception Parish of Alicia Celebrates Feast of San Pedro Calungsod

The Immaculate Conception Parish of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay in the Diocese of Ipil recently celebrated the Feast of San Pedro Calungsod with a Lenten recollection among its Knights of the Altar. Around 104 altar servers happily joined this spiritual preparation for the Holy Week. Fr. Sherwin Aromin and Frt. Aaron Paul Hizola facilitated the activities.

Fr. Sherwin’s homily, which centered on the life and virtues of San Pedro Calungsod, was filled with encouragement to follow the young Visayan martyr in his dedication of serving the Church and its missionary activities.

The Immaculate Conception Parish of Alicia was turned over by the Diocese of Ipil to the Divine Word Missionaries last February 5, 2012. Its first and still present SVD parish priest is Fr. Loreto Estomo, SVD. It is the nearest parish northeast of Olutanga Island.