Redemptorist Davao Studendate

"GO, YOU ARE SENT, MISSIONARIES OF HOPE!"‎

This marks a significant moment for our Redemptorist brothers as they are sent off to their respective missionary assignments.
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‎This Mission Immersion Program forms part of their formation and ongoing missiological studies at the Saint Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute. After two years of formal academic studies, the students will now continue their learning outside the classroom setting by immersing themselves in different mission areas and living among the people they are called to serve.
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‎The following students and their mission assignments are:
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‎Bro. Jeric Cabrera – Indonesia
‎Bro. Michael Orquejo – Vietnam
‎Bro. Mark Jimuel Castillo – Laos
‎Bro. Prasong Teminpana – Indonesia
‎Bro. Daniel Vu Ky Anh – Thailand
‎Bro. Sukrit Lettlanglai – Vietnam
‎Bro. Paul Van Thuc Doan – Philippines
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‎The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. Joseph Prud Thipthong from the Province of Thailand, while the homily was delivered by Fr. Edilberto Cepe from the Province of Cebu. In his homily, Fr. Cepe reminded the missionary students to always remain in Jesus and to remember that it is Christ Himself who chooses and sends them on their specific mission.
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‎During the Mass, the missionaries received their mission crosses and were given a special blessing as they prepare to embark on their journey. The mission cross serves as a reminder of their primary calling: to preach the Good News to the poor and the most abandoned, both in word and in deed.
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‎Also present during the celebration were Fr. Raymond Urriza from the Vice-Province of Manila, together with their formators, Fr. Jesus Sanito Umbac and Fr. Francis Nguyen.
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‎As one Christian community, we continue to pray for these missionaries as they begin this new chapter of their missionary journey. May Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, guide and protect them always.

May their witness also inspire more young people to become missionaries of hope by responding to God’s call in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer as Redemptorist Brothers and Priests, proclaiming the Good News to the poor and the most abandoned.

NOTHING BEATS A WET THAI HOLIDAY!

The Redemptorist Formation Community led by its Thai Brothers celebrated the annual Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai New Year last April 13. It showcased the unique and colorful culture and faith expression of Thailand.

A prayer with the rite of blessing of and with water began the local celebration. Right after, the Brothers and all community members had the fun experience of splashing each other with colored water as per the Thai tradition.

Indeed, in RFC, we celebrate the diversity and beauty of our respective cultures and faith expressions as missionaries of hope in the footsteps of the Redeemer!

WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE GATHERED IN CELEBRATION! ALLELUIA!

The Redemptorist Formation Community joins the rest of the Davao Redemptorist Mission Community in a common celebration of Easter Sunday last April 5. It served as a fitting conclusion and celebration of thanksgiving for the long, busy Holy Week preparations and observances.

It was a night of festive eating, Easter egg hunting, and costume-donning. The birthday celebrators for the month like Bro. Ryan and Fr. Francis were also remembered and given highlight during that evening.

One with the wider Church, the RFC and DRMC had a most fruitful and joy-filled celebration of the Paschal Mystery - the total and ultimate act of Redemption by Jesus Christ Himself for a humanity that is wounded yet longing for light and hope.

Indeed, the Lord is risen! Alleluia!

WITH THE LORD THERE IS REVIVAL AND RECHARGE FOR REDEMPTION.

The Redemptorist Formation Community underwent a Midyear Retreat facilitated by Rev. Fr. Miguel Gaspe, C.Ss.R. last March 20-22. This was done right after they all their SATMI midterm exams and sectoral immersion at Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.

The time was spent in solitude, serving as a moment of rest, reflection, and spiritual "recharge" for the Brothers as they made sense of their many experiences and integrate all these into their overall Redemptorist vocation journey.

It was done at the Rivier Retreat House of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (PM Sisters).

Before rhe day ends, we greet and celebrate our Formator (Socius), Fr. Francis, for the gift of life and vocation🎉!

May St. Alphonsus’ zeal and Christ’s redeeming love continue to inspire your mission. Grateful for your witness of joy, prayer, and service.

God bless you always!

The Redemptorist Formation Community (RFC) last Divine Mercy Sunday distributed cooked meals, light snacks, and bottled waters to on-duty jeepney and PUV drivers in Davao City. Not only did this serve as their regular Evening Christ Apostolate (led by the Community Committee/BEC Napoli), but it also became their small yet meaningful gesture and act of solidarity with the basic sectors mostly affected by the ongoing economic and energy crisis.

They were guided and accompanied by the Youth Advocates for Pro-People Transportation Network in this endeavour. Through this partnership between Church missionaries and youth leaders from the grassroots, we see glimpses of "Divine Mercy" and the spirit of the Risen Christ keeping the flame of hope and love alive especially in these trying times for the abandoned poor and the rest of the world.

Even as we remember today the Holy Thursday of the Lord's Supper, we still greet and celebrate Brother Mark Ryan for the gift of life and vocation🎉!

May St. Alphonsus’ zeal and Christ’s redeeming love continue to inspire your mission. Grateful for your witness of joy, prayer, and service.

God bless you always!

TAYO ANG EDSA! TULOY ANG LABAN!

The Redemptorist Formation Community (RFC) is one with the Filipino people in commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution especially on its 40th anniversary held last February 25 (Wednesday). Such was the historic moment wherein the former dictatorship was toppled through a bloodless uprising of the Filipino masses in partnership with civil leaders, human rights advocates, and militant Church people.

Some brothers from the RFC joined the people's mobilization alongside sectoral and grassroots organizations continuing the calls for justice, transparency, and democracy amidst ongoing issues of corruption. In the evening, the rest of the RFC and Parish community gathered at the Parish grounds to pray the Holy Rosary and had a candle-lighting ceremony to symbolically "reignite" the fire and spirit of hope and solidarity needed by the Filipino people since EDSA and also, especially, today.

Photos taken from the following pages: Our Mother of Perpetual Help - Davao, BAYAN Southern Mindanao, and STOP Corruption Alliance.

THE STUDENDATE GOES TO THE SILVER SCREEN!

The Fonso Film Festival (F3) was once again held by the Redemptorist Formation Community (RFC) through the leadership of the Academic Committee (BEC Ciorani). It has been a yearly tradition for the RFC confreres to showcase and to celebrate their artistry and talents in filmmaking, acting, and creative evangelization.

Each BEC spent significant time and effort to produce their respective movies which were presented last February 22 (Sunday) at the Fr. Joel Tabora Audio-Visual Room. The RFC, senior confreres, and lay friends had the chance to watch and be entertained by the four film entries.

Afterwards, an awarding ceremony was done to recognize the different teams and individuals who have been deemed the best in each filmmaking category presented. The F3 had been a night of laughter, tears, food, and celebration of the art and evangelizing tool that is filmmaking!