News
- Don Bosco's Relic Visits the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija
- The Diocese of San Jose Joins in The Celebration of the Year of the Youth
- Diocese hosts Regional Youth meeting
- Church Protests Casino
- The Jubilee Year of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija Solemnly Concluded
- The Papal Awardees
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DON BOSCO’S RELIC VISITS THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE,
NUEVA ECIJA
San Jose City – January 8-10, 2011 are very special dates in the calendar of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija as the pilgrim relic of the Father and Teacher of the Youth- St. John Bosco, also the founder of the Salesian Congregation visited the diocese.
In a most blessed coincidence, the visit of the great saint happened on the first month of the year and the first month of the year-long celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth launched last December 16, 2010.
Pilgrims not only from the parishes and schools of the diocese came but also from the neighboring dioceses of Northern and Central Luzon. This event served as a reunion for the CLYPers who attended the Central Luzon Youth Pilgrimage last April 2010.
The Welcome Rites were presided by Most Reverend Mylo Hubert C. Vergara at the steps of the Cathedral of St. Joseph when the relic arrived from Mandaluyong. The relic of the saint was merrily greeted by the clergy, local government officials, parishioners and the young people who lined up the National Highway in anticipation of the coming of the saint. After the welcome, the Holy Eucharist followed. The Cathedral was filled to capacity. The Mass was presided by the rector of the Cathedral, Fr. Cesar C. Vergara.
After the Mass, the relic was opened for public viewing. The faithful silently lined up and paid homage and prayed to the great saint of the young. After the viewing, a procession followed. The relic was taken to Don Bosco Training Center where a Youth Concert in honor of St. John Bosco was held. Performers from different parishes showed their talents in singing and dancing to the delight of the young people present.
The relic was taken to the chapel of the Training Center where the faithful kept vigil and prayed.
The next day, a talk on Family Life was held. It was facilitated by Fr. Ramon Borja, SDB of Don Bosco- Tarlac. Public veneration and Taize prayer followed the talk. The faithful kept vigil until 12 midnight.
On the last day, a Solemn Mass in honor of St. John Bosco was presided by the Bishop Mylo Vergara. The clergy of the diocese as well as other priests from different dioceses concelebrated. The Bishop delivered a beautiful homily on St. John Bosco’s influence not only to the young but to all those who wanted to follow Christ in a deeper way. By touching us all, the visit of the relic of St. John Bosco poses a challenge to us to touch others and use our hands to have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our Lord and our neighbor especially the youth.
After the Mass, the sacred relic was taken to Tarlac where it will stay until January 12.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE JOINS IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE YOUTH
Last December 16, 2010, the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija joined the entire Philippine Church in ushering in the CBCP Year of the Youth. The year for the young commenced on the first day of the traditional Simbang Gabi. The parishes of the diocese took part in this launching by animating the First Simbang Gabi. The liturgy from the Episcopal Commission on Youth was used and young people made the first simbang gabi alive to properly welcome the year for young people.
The Diocesan Commission on Youth of the diocese has lined up programs and activities all year round to celebrate this momentous occasion for our young people. The Year of the Youth aims to enliven the youth ministry and to promote the causes of young people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUTH LEADERS OF CENTRAL LUZON GATHER IN THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE, NUEVA ECIJA FOR THEIR 2ND QUARTERLY MEETING
Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija- The youth leaders of the Central Luzon Regional Youth Ministry held its 2nd Quarterly Meeting in this mountainous town. Held at Agustin Resort in the Parish of St. Andrew the Apostle on August 6-8 2010, the youth meeting also coincided with the Annual Retreat of the youth ministers of the six dioceses and 1 archdiocese comprising the Central Luzon region.
Fr. Fernando Urbano, SDB, the Diocesan Youth Director of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija and also the Regional Youth Director of Central Luzon welcomed the participants coming from 4 dioceses and 1 archdiocese who came to attend the meeting (the Dioceses of Iba and Cabanatuan were unable to send representatives for certain reasons). Upon reaching Pantabangan, the youth leaders were awed with the beauty of the venue nestled in a hill overlooking the Pantabangan Dam reservoir. The meeting was held on the first day of the event and presided by Mr. Jonathan Luciano, the Regional Youth Coordinator of Central Luzon who happens to be the Diocesan Youth Coordinator of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija as well. The subsequent days were spent in a retreat ably preached by Fr. Abel de Ocampo, SDB. The youth participants revisited the importance of the Eucharist in their daily lives. The retreat ended with a Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Mylo Hubert Vergara, DD, the Bishop of San Jose Nueva Ecija in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Church protests vs. Casino at capitol
Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud and San Jose Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara led diocesan priests in joining some 6,000 anti-casino protesters outside the Nueva Ecija provincial capitol in Palayan City last August 9. The protesters, joined by students from private and state colleges and universities and representatives of the Nueva Ecija Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shouted anti-gambling slogans and prayed in front of the capitol. "We want to air opposition to the impending opening of the casino and other forms of gambling," Bancud later said over Radio Veritas. He said that the demonstration was just the first in a series of rallies that they intend to stage unless the government does not stop the implementation of the casino project in San Leonardo town which had been approved by the previous Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), allegedly to boost local tourism and economy. Vergara countered that there are many creative ways to improve the economic situation in the province but still uphold public morals. Institutionalizing gambling, he said, will seriously affect the moral fiber of the community.
(from www.nuevaecijaournal.com)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE JUBILEE YEAR OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE, NUEVA ECIJASOLEMNLY CONCLUDED
After a year of thanksgiving and celebration, the Jubilee Year of the Diocese of San Jose, Neuva Ecija was solemnly concluded with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by His Excellency Most Reverend Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan on July 14, 2010 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. It was attended by bishops and clergy of nearby dioceses. In his homily, the Archbishop challenged the faithful of the diocese to be ever more ready to respond to God’s call to love and service even if faced with unworthiness and imperfections.
The Holy Mass which lasted for almost two hours was made even more special with the granting of the Papal Awards to four exemplary individuals who have made their marks of commitment and love for the local church of San Jose, Nueva Ecija. Two members of the clergy, Msgr. Rolando R. Mabutol and Msgr. Paulo Romeo Nietes were elevated to the rank Prelatum Honorarium or Honorary Prelate. Dr. Eleuterio Rueda Violago, a well-known philanthropist and politician in the diocese was given the Papal Knighthood of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great with the rank of Knight Commander and his wife, Mrs. Primitiva Francisco Violago, also a well-known and well-loved philanthropist was given the Exalted Cross- Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.
In his thanksgiving speech, the Bishop of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, His Excellency Most Reverend Mylo Hubert C. Vergara acknowledged everyone who helped the diocese for the past 25 years and invited everyone to set their vision to the years to come and be ready to accept the challenges of bringing the Gospel of love to all. Bishop Vergara also launched the diocesan Stewardship Program to reinforce the Damayang Kristiyano banner program of the diocese. And most importantly the Bishop officially proclaimed the call for a Diocesan Synod on March 20-24, 2011.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On July 14, 2010, the Holy Father Benedict XVI granted special awards to four exemplary individuals of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija as part of the culmination of the 25th Foundation Anniversary of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
PRELATUM HONORARIUM (Honorary Prelate )
Msgr. Rolando R. Mabutol HP
DATE OF BIRTH: June 15, 1954
PLACE OF BIRTH: Sta Cruz, Manila
AGE: 55
PRESENT ASSIGNMENT:
Parish Priests
St. John the Evangelist Parish
Guimba, Nueva Ecija
PARENTS:
Father: Gaudencio Mabutol
Mother: Rosalinda Ramos
EDUCATION:
A. Grade School
1961 – 1967 – St. Joseph School
B. High School
1967 – 1971 – Maria Assumpta Seminary
C. College
1971 – 1975 – Ateneo de Manila University (San Jose Seminary)
D. Seminary Formation
1975 – 1980 – Loyola School of Theology
Ateneo de Manila University
DATE of ORDINATION
March 18, 1980 – St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose City
PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS:
A.PARISH PRIEST
St. The James the Great Parish
Lupao, Nueva Ecija
May 1994-May 2001
St. Dominic de Guzman Parish
Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija
Jan. 1994- May 1994
St. Roch Parish
Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Nov. 1985- May 1989
St. Joseph the Husband Parish
Rizal, Nueva Ecija
April 1984- Nov. 1985
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Talugtug, Nueva Ecija
May 1983- April 1984
St. Jerome Parish
Baloc, Sto.Domingo, Nueva Ecija
Feb. 1982- May 1983
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Cabanatuan City
Mar. 1980- Feb. 1982
Three Kings Parish
Gapan, Nueva Ecija
B. NON- PAROCHIAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Vicar General
May 2005- present
Diocesan Administrator
June 2004- May 2005
Chancellor Vicar Forane,
Vicariate of Saint Dominic
May 1995- may 2000
Formator, Diocesan Formation House
Ermin Garcia St. Cubao, Quezon City
May 1989- April 1991
C. SCHOOL DIRECTOR:
Sacred Heart Academy
Lupao, Nueva Ecija
Dominican High School
Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija
May 1994- May 2000
St. Pius Institute
Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Jan. 1994- May 1994
MSGR. PAULO ROMEO CRUZ NIETES, HP
DATE OF BIRTH: June 3, 1940
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bangad, Cabanatuan City
AGE: 69
PRESENT ASSIGNMENT:
Guest Priest- Sts.Peter and Paul Parish
800 Kaheka St. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
PARENTS:
Father: Ramon O. Nietes
Mother: Lorenza C. dela Cruz
EDUCATION:
A. Grade School
San Isidro Elementary School (1945-1948)
Cabanatuan West Central School (1946-1949)
Cabanatuan Institute
(1949-1951)
B. High School
Cabanatuan Institute
(1951-1955 )
C. Pre-COLLEGE:
Mother of Good Counsel Seminary, Pampanga (1955-1957)
D. COLLEGE (Pre-Divinity):
Ateneo de Manila University (San Jose Seminary, 1957-1961)
E. THEOLOGY:
Loyola School of Theology (1961-1964 )
Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Heights, Quezon City
DATE OF ORDINATION: December 21, 1963
PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS:
A.PARISH PRIEST
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Licab, Nueva Ecija
May 2000-May 2006
Immaculate Conception Parish
Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija
July 1994-May 2001
Holy Family Parish
Quezon, Nueva Ecija
Oct.1979- Jan 1994
St. Roch Parish
Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Aug.1972-Oct 1979
St. Dominic de Guzman Parish
Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija
Dec. 1967-Dec.1972
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Licab, Nueva Ecija
Apr.1964-Dec. 1967
B. PAROCHIAL VICAR
St.Nicholas Cathedral
Cabanatuan City
C. NON- PAROCHIAL ASSIGNMENTS :
Vicar for the Clergy on going Formation
1994-2004
Catholic School Superintendent
1984-1997
Vicar General
Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija
1984-1986
Chaplain of Student Catholic Action
Diocese of Cabanatuan
1967-1975
Asst. Oeconomous
Diocese of Cabanatuan
1964-1967
D. SCHOOL DIRECTOR:
Holy Family Academy
Quezon, Nueva Ecija
July 1994-May 2001
St. Pius Institute
Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Oct. 1979-Jan.1994
KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE PONTIFICAL ORDER OF ST. GREGORY THE GREAT
(Equitem Commendatorem Ordinis Sancti Gregorii Magni)
DR. ELEUTERIO RUEDA VIOLAGO
DATE OF BIRTH: Febuary 20, 1930
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
AGE: 80
ADDRESS:
Maharlika Road,Malasin,
San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
PARENTS:
Father: Jose Violago
Mother: Olympia Rueda
EDUCATION:
A. Grade School
San Jose West Central School
B. High School
North Provincial High School (1st to 3rd Year )
Graduated from St. St. Joseph School (1948 )
C. COLLEGE:
Associate in Arts
University of Sto. Tomas
Espana Manila (1952 )
Doctor of Medicine
University of Sto. Tomas
Espana, Manila (1955)
Board Exam (1956)
OCCUPATION:
General Practitioner (1956-1960)
Initiated the Northern Nueva Ecija Electric Coopertaive ( 1967 )
OIC Office of the Mayor (1986)
Representative of the 2nd District of Nueva Ecija (1991-1994, 1997-2006)
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICES:
Member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus
CONSTRUCTED THE FOLLOWING ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS:
Mary Help of Christians Parish Church (1989)
Malasin, San Jose City
Bishop’s Residence (2005)
Malasin, San Jose City
Sto. Nino de Puncan Quazi Parish Church (2006)
Puncan, Caranglan, Nueva Ecija
Immaculate Conception Parish Church (on going)
Llanera, Nueva Ecija
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (on going)
Talugtug, Nueva Ecija
St. Joseph the Spouse Parish Chruch (on going)
Rizal, Nueva Ecija
PONTIFICAL AWARDEE:
Order of St. Gregory the Great, Knighthood (Ordine di San Gregorio Magno, Cavaliero )
November 20, 1974
CROCE- PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE
(Cross of Honor- For the Church and the Pontiff)
MRS. PRIMITIVA “EVA” FRANCISCO VIOLAGO
DATE OF BIRTH: July 23,1932
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
AGE: 77
ADDRESS:
Maharlika Road,Malasin,
San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
PARENTS:
Father: Nicolas Francisco
Mother: Antonina Pantaleon
EDUCATION:
A. Grade School
San Jose West Central School
B. High School
North Provincial High School
C. COLLEGE:
University of Sto. Tomas
Espana Manila (1952 )
OCCUPATION: Business Woman
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT AND SERVICES:
A. Member:
Daughters of Mary Immaculate
Apostolado ng Panalangin
Catholic Women’s League
Mother Butler Guild
B. Diocesan Treasurer:
Mother Butler Guild (1995-2000)
C. Diocesan President:
Catholic Women’s League (2000-2008 )
D. Treasurer:
Mary Help of Christian Parish (2000-present )
St. Joseph Cathedral (2000-present )
St. Joseph Cathedral Construction Committee (2000-present )
Diocesan Pastoral Council (2000-present )