PHILIPPINE PROVINCE NEWSLETTER November–December 2017 • Volume 17 • Number 6 CAMUP CAMILLIAN UPDATE Visit to Fr. Tom Welu in Balugo Fr. Jose Eloja, MI to welcome them. It was a delightful meeting because it has been a while since the last time they saw Fr. Tom. It was also the first time for the three confreres to come and see his place. Then they were led to the house a few me- ters drive-in from the old clinic along the main road. One has to make a few steps on the stairs to go up and see the inside of the house. The tent that has been a home of Fr. Tom for 30 years can be found there too. Then, the three visitors were introduced to the people who have been helping Fr. Tom in his work as missionary and also looking after him and the property as well. They prepared lunch for the distinguished guests. With infor- mal conversations over the simple but delicious lunch, the alugo is one of the barangays of the municipality of Sibulan in the province of Negros Oriental, Philip- Bpines. Sibulan is bordered to the south by the provincial capital of Dumaguete City. For over 30 years, Balugo has been home to the Camillian missionary, Fr. Thomas ‘Tom’ Welu. On Nov. 20, 2017, Fr. Jose Eloja, Fr. Rodel Enriquez, and Fr. Gabriel Garcia, had the chance to visit Fr. Tom in Balugo. Fr. Tom prepared a tarpaulin with the names of the three confreres written on it to welcome them. The banner made it easy for them to find the location in the wide mountainous area. When they arrived, Fr. Tom was sitting in front of the old clinic where he patiently waited guests updated Fr. Tom about what is happening in the Province since the new administration took over. Fr. Tom also shared his simple life-experience especially as a mis- sionary for many years in Balugo. Now that he has retired from active missionary work in the clinic and in the church, he still wants to stay in Balugo because he loves so much the people there and the place itself. He even wants to be buried beside the church that he built in that barangay. From the humble beginnings, the church building that Fr. Tom founded, with the help of the local folks and fund- ing from his benefactors overseas especially from the US, is now a beautiful concrete church building. It is just more (continued on page 11) SHEPHERD’S CARE PROVINCIAL’S CORNER Fr. Jose P. Eloja, MI ime flies very quickly. It seems as if it was only yes- ical Center in Pasig City was inaugurated. Then on the terday that we entered the year 2017 and yet, feast day of St. Camillus, the new Theologate house in Twhether we are prepared or not, the year 2018 is (Maumere) Flores, Indonesia was also inaugurated. In the ushered in! We give thanks to the almighty God by whose same month, the Province was blessed with the ordina- guidance and protection has brought us thus far. tion to the priesthood of two Vietnamese religious as- As we come to the end of the Christmas season and signed in Taiwan and with the perpetual profession of one resolutions and planning for the New Year are set in mo- religious in the Philippines who also got ordained deacon tion, the usual practice of looking back on the year is once a week after. Around this period, the reshuffling of assign- again a worthy thing to do. We may also look back on ments of the religious and the installation of local superi- ourselves, be it as individuals or as a community, recol- ors also took place. lecting and evaluating our performance in the light of our During the spring season in the countries down Christian life and mission. under, two important events also occurred. In New It is worth mentioning some highlights in the Province Zealand, the recognition and induction of officers of the during the year 2017. The Province entered the year with Lay Camillian Family was held in the chapel of North the inauguration and blessing of the Br. Renato Marinello Shore Hospital on Sept 3. Two days later, the LCF-NZ was Memorial Building in Luodong, Taiwan. Held on Jan. 21, formally presented to the bishop of the Diocese of Auck- the occasion was graced by the Papal Chargé d’affaires, land. Then a few days later in Australia, the established Msgr. Sladan Cosic; Superior General, Fr. Leocir Pessini; Lay Camillian Family was also formally presented to the Provincial Superior, Fr. Rolando Fernandez; and two other bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta. On Nov. 24–26, the guest-Camillians from Italy and Thailand, Fr. Mario Di- different chapters of LCF in the Philippines held a na- done and Fr. Giovanni Contarin, respectively. Another tional convention wherein a new set of national officers major event that occurred in the Province was the Ex- was elected. traordinary Provincial Chapter held on Feb. 6–10 at St. Recently, the Provincial and the Provincial Councilors Camillus Pastoral Care Center, Loyola Heights, Quezon had a meeting with the local superiors of the different re- City. A total of 24 representatives from Indonesia, Aus- ligious communities in the Philippines. Then on the fol- tralia, Taiwan, and Philippines participated as capitulars. lowing day (Dec. 9), the General Assembly and the Then on April 10, the Superior General, Fr. Leocir Pessini, Christmas party of the religious in the Philippines was appointed me as Provincial Superior of the Philippine held. All these were just some of the important events Province. My inauguration and commissioning as new that happened in the Province. There were still many Provincial Superior was held on May 1 (feast of St. Joseph other events and things that we have to thank God for. the worker) at St. Scholastica’s Retreat Center in Tagaytay I would like also to seize the opportunity to thank City during the annual retreat of the Camillian religious everyone who put in so much efforts in order for us to cel- in the Philippines. With the election of the new set of ebrate the events appreciably. I personally thank the con- Provincial Councilors on the same month, the term of the freres for their cooperation wherever they are in the past new Provincial administration has begun. In the following year and I hope the same or even better continues in the month, the new set of Delegation Council in Taiwan was year 2018. Let us continue to be challenged to bring appointed. Christ and his love, mercy and compassion to the sick. Last May 23, the dialysis center at St. Camillus Med- Happy New Year! 2 CAMUP POSTCARDS FROM TAIWAN Fr. Giuseppe Didonè, MI Nov. 3: The 10th anniversary celebration of the opening of the hospice at St. Mary’s Hospital. At 10:00am there was a religious ceremony followed by commemorative speeches. The hospice is considered the pearl of the hospital, even if it is passive (does not generate any income for the hospi- tal). Dec. 9: The 53rd anniversary of the Nursing College dedicated to the Im- maculate Conception of Mary. Nov. 4: The 30th anniversary of the St. Ca millus Center for Handicapped in Lotung. A marathon was organized with more than 1000 participants. Many articles were on sale to generate funds. Dec. 11: We went out to sing Christmas carols Nov. 7: A special day for the hospital of Lotung. About 50 Chinese doctors Dec. 24: The various celebrations began. In working in America returned to visit St. Mary’s Hospital for an exchange of the new sanctuary of St. Camillus, for the first experiences. time there was Midnight Mass with the partic- ipation of children from the Center for Handi- capped and the elderly. One student received the First Communion. Nov. 16: Feast of Our Lady, Health of the Sick. At 5:30 in the afternoon the first thanksgiving Mass were celebrated by the two new Vietnamese Camillian priests in the chapel at St. Mary’s. The following day, they cele- brated the Holy Mass in St. Camillus Church, which was upgraded by the Dec. 26: Six Italian Camillian religious who have been in Taiwan for more bishop as Holy Shrine of St. Camillus. than 40 years, namely, Fr. Giovanni Rizzi, Fr. Celestino Rizzi, Fr. Antonio Didone, Fr. Giuseppe Didone, Fr. Felice Chech and Br. Davide Cattaneo received the citizenship identity card from the Republic of China. It is my desire to follow my beloved Crucified Lord in every place, moment and adversity. ST. CAMILLUS DE LELLIS Dec. 2: The lighting of the Christmas tree in all our institutions, a symbol of the light brought by Jesus Christ. CAMUP 3 4TH LCF PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CONVENTION Dr. Roderico B. de Leon, LCF Pasig Chapter he 4th National Convention of the Lay Camillian Topics discussed at the convention were the follow- Family of the Philippines was held last Nov. 24–27, ing: “Camillian Spirituality” by Fr. Marcelo ‘Bong’ Pam- T2017 at the St. Camillus Pastoral Care Center in intuan and “Death & Dying Ethical Principle” by Fr. Rodel Loyola Heights, Quezon City, with the theme: Together Enriquez. These were followed by the President’s Report in One Vision, Mission and Charism—Compassionate discussing the details of the LCF Strategic Planning held Service to the Sick. This was attended by different chap- last March 28, 2014. Details of the Philippine LCF ters namely: Calbayog (10), Davao (16), Makati (9), Mati Statutes, Vision, Mission, Goals, Core Values, LCF Logo, (4), and Pasig from St.