austraLasia #2230


A new priest for FIN, and a Marian Pilgrimage

MANILA: 17th August 2008 -- "If it's not too much to ask, here are two events which we wish to share to the Salesian world".  Of course not!  We are always happy to receive items to be shared with the Salesian world. So here goes....
    The Salesian Family in Philippines North Province gained a new priest on St John Bosco's birthday.  Fr Keith Michael T. Simbulan (aka Kim) was ordained by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Manila at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Fr Eligio Cruz, FIN Provincial, concelebrated along with some 60 other priests.
    In his homily, Bishop Pabillo shared with Fr Kim that one way to attain happiness in priestly ministry is 'to be humble and to be with the humble of the land'. The prelate also urged him 'to become what you celebrate....become an imitation of the Master'.
    Noting the various graces Fr Kim had received over his 30 years of life, he chose 'I will bless the Lord at all times; praise shall be always on my lips' as a fitting ordination theme. Afterwards, speaking to the congregation, the newly ordained acknowledged that he is 'a Salesian because of the young', and challenged those who feel the call to religious life not to be afraid of offering their 'yes' to God.
    Fr Kim's former seminary companions provided a valuable contribution in the animation of the liturgy. The choir, interestingly enough, was a strong power cast of more than 100 members composed of aspirants, pre-novices and 1st and 2nd year high school students.  The family and friends of Fr Kim filled the Shrine together with members of the Salesian Family. Young people from various Salesian settings, especially those where Fr Kim carried out his apostolate, were in full force.  But the largest delegation came from Don Bosco Canlubang, which packed in more than 500 students, teachers and staff....which leads us to the Marian pilgrimage:
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    It was the first ever Marian pilgrimage for Don Bosco Canlubang in the decade-long existence of its high school department.  They called it 'Shrine to Shrine' as it moved from the Diocesan Shrine of MHC in Canlubang to the National Shrine of MHC at Parañaque.  The fact that it also corresponded nicely with Fr Kim's ordination was not by chance. He was their very own 'Catechist', and the school was there to support him.
    The pilgrimage began with a talk from Bro. Jomar Castillo, a member of the pioneer batch from the High School and now a Salesian Brother. He shared with the HS students his insightful memories of the Canlubang MHC Shrine, which has become instrumental in deepening his devotion to Mary and led him to discover his Salesian vocation.

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Title: australasia 2230
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces FIN new priest and Marian pilgrimage
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2230