ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
RECTOR TOLENTINO
Stewardship Pastoral Care Parish Groups Youth Ministry
Attraction: When I was still a child, I was attracted to the white clothing worn by the priest. I did not know the name of it until I enter the seminary. Every time I attended Mass in our Chapel, I would always see to it that I would be seated in front so that I could have a clear vision of the priest. At home, after the Mass, I would try to imitate what the priest was doing by getting biscuits and cup of coffee and acting like a little priest, with my nieces and nephews as my audience. I found myself wanting to wear white coloured clothing also. Aside from being attracted to the white clothing worn by priest, I also admired his preaching and the way he related to his parishioners.
Inspiration: I must admit that I did not come from a very religious family. But I want to say that they are my inspiration in responding to the call of vocation to the priesthood. It was in our home that I heard God�s call. How? Of course, He did not appear to me nor send His angels. There was no apparition there! But I interpreted my experiences in my family as His call. My mother and I, along with my older sister, would always attend Mass regularly in the Chapel in our Baranggay while my father and the rest of my brothers and sisters were working. Then I said to myself, �eventually I want to bring my brothers and sisters into the Church, including my father�. I thought the best way to do it is by becoming a priest. Hence, even though my family were not very devoted Catholics, the experiences that I had from them during childhood inspired me to enter the seminary, believing that by doing it, I will attract them to go to Church.
Aspiration: When I entered the Franciscan Seminary, I was little shocked. Since I was not oriented very well about priesthood, all I knew was that a priest must be wearing white clothing. But to my surprise I saw our formators wearing brown clothing. From then on, I asked questions and came to know the distinction between a religious priest and a diocesan priest. There are many differences between the two, clothing is just one of them ( i.e. the �habit� as they called it in the Franciscans, is different from a cassock worn by a diocesan.) The inspiration was still there and it even it got deeper due to the immersions and pastoral exposures in the different communities: squatter areas, urban poor, leprosarium, crippled children, indigenous people, and public schools. Now my inspiration is not only my family but also the people that I met within seminary life. Then I really began to aspire to become a priest so that in my own little way I would be able to serve these people. I could have actually just decided to be a professional in any field in which I could help and serve them, but I aspired to become a priest because I believe that God is calling me to be one.
Actualization: After six years of intensive formation with the Franciscans and knowing myself more with regard to my needs, my desires and my aspirations in life, I was able to discover that I could best be a servant of God by being a Diocesan priest. Thus, I decided to be free from the structures of the seminary but still keeping in touch with my spiritual directors and priests in charge of my formation. I was now in the process of actualizing my desires. But I had a detour. I worked for two years for the purpose of knowing more about my deepest desire in life and also to really test myself if I truly wanted to become a priest. But true enough, I believe I was really called to become a priest. I found myself unsatisfied, unhappy, and I could sense that something was lacking. As I reflected about it, I realized that the one thing that was lacking was the joy of serving � giving of oneself for the service of others. I know it is hard to understand, but it is hard to explain too, what joy it is to respond to the call to the vocation to the priesthood. Hence, after two years of work I decided to enter a Diocesan Seminary.
Dedication: At this point after experiencing life outside of seminary structures, I could now say with strong conviction that this is what I wanted, this is what I longed for and this is where I would commit myself � to become a Diocesan Priest. Thus, I first dedicated myself to one of the newly established dioceses in the Philippines, the Diocese of Novaliches. Just like in the Franciscan Seminary, I gave my best to all the formation programs that they have and I enjoyed community life and immersions in the different parishes, believing that all of them were part of dedicating myself and responding to God�s call. On the other hand, there were circumstances that I would say challenged me along the way, whether to stay or not in the Diocese of Novaliches. Hence, I needed the help of my Spiritual Director and Counselor again in order that I might come up with a decision. The challenge was this: there was something inside me pushing me to go out of my present diocese; also there was an inner longing to do more than what I was presently doing. I also wanted to have a cross-cultural experience. I wanted to live the Gospel. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus said to his disciples �Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation� (Mk. 16: 15). I might be too literal here in interpreting the Gospel if I say that this is the reason why I want to belong in the Diocese of Prince George. But indeed it is true; it is the reason why I left my home Diocese in the Philippines, to experience a cross-cultural mission here in Canada and bring the Good News. It took me a long time to really discern and make a big decision to come here. Before coming here, I knew nothing about Canada, and more specifically about the Diocese of Prince George. But I said to myself, to my family and to other significant persons in my life, �I want to take the risk�. Hence, since the time I arrived and until I made the decision to be ordained, I would say that I was still relying on that principle, �I want and I am willing to take the risk�. I am aware that many people have offered themselves too in various ministries in the Church and I want to get an inspiration from them. In addition, I am aware of the need of vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Prince George and I am offering myself to fulfill this need. In relation to this, I hope that along the way, I will also inspire young people to enter into this kind of life through my words, deeds and actions. I firmly believe that to be in this kind of ministry is to become a true witness of the Gospel. In the end, I know I have nothing to boast but my weaknesses. I firmly believe that God called me to this vocation and He will give me the grace (cf. 2 Cor. 12: 9) as I continue in this journey.
phone - 250-564-4097 fax - 250-562-3540
stmarys.parish(at)shawcable.com