New Members of the Presbyteral Council Elected

The clergy of the Archdiocese of Lipa has elected among themselves members of the Presbyteral Council. The election took place at Betania Retreat House in Tagaytay City on August 31, 2017, the last day of the Clergy Annual Retreat. As willed by the Archbishop, the entire clergy was divided into eight (8) age groups. From each of the age group, one is elected to represent that particular age group so that the entire clergy from young to old are represented.

The elected clerics to serve a two-year term are the following:

1. Fr. Ernesto Mandanas, Jr.
2. Fr. Virgilio Hernandez
3. Fr. Richard Panganiban
4. Fr. Joseph Mendoza
5. Fr. Roy Macatangay
6. Fr. Nemer Chua
7. Fr. Eugene Hechanova
8. Fr. Arnel de Villa

Archbishop Garcera explaining the process of the election

Archdiocese of Lipa embraces the Misioneros Servidores de la Palabra

The Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines has officially recognized the presence of the  Misioneros Servidores de la Palabra. The MSP, whose local superior is Rev. Fr. Juan Jose Juarez Perez, came to the Archdiocese of Lipa in May 2014 and established a community in Taysan, Batangas. From then on, the MSP, whose charism is to preach the Word of God, has been assisting different parish communities in the Archdiocese particularly at San Roque Parish in Tingloy Island, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced in Taysan, San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Dagatan and San Sebastian Cathedral in Lipa. 

The Misioneros Servidores de la Palabra is also appointed in-charge of the Biblical Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Lipa. They are also given blanket permission to do apostolate in/to offer assistance to any parish in the Archdiocese of Lipa. They are likewise allowed to promote their congregation and its charism and invite young men to join their congregation in the entire territorial jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Lipa.

Fr. Juan Jose (right) and companion
photo courtesy of http://reportemsp.blogspot.com/2012/10/

SEPTEMBER 12 in Lipa is a GO

September 12 is a special day for Marian devotees in Lipa and elsewhere. Every year, the clergy, religious and lay faithful gather at the Carmel Monastery in Lipa City to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace headed by its president Dr. Robert Magsino, M.D., will spearhead the Marian gathering.

In a letter dated August 30, 2017, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera gave his permission to continue the September 8 Marian gathering but with some reminders and instructions. The five (5) points in the letter are listed verbatim below, to wit:     

1.  As early as now, I welcome to the Archdiocese of Lipa all the pilgrims from elsewhere. I also welcome the Most Reverend Guillermo V. Afable, Bishop of Digos and Most Reverend Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, Bishop of Kidapawan, who have expressed their intention to grace the event. 

2.  Since we cannot separate the Blessed Virgin Mary from her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, I hereby approve the confraternity’s request to celebrate the Eucharist. 

3.  I have instructed the Ministry on Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Lipa to prepare the missal proper for the September 12 Eucharistic celebration. 

4.   To avoid confusion among our faithful, may I enjoin you to ensure that the celebration encourage obedience to the Holy See with respect to her decision regarding the alleged apparition.

5.  In imitation of the virtue and example of Our Lady, may I suggest that the activities on that day be simple. 

The letter of permission of Archbishop Gilbert Garcera to Dr. Robert Magsino.

Manila Airport Closes for Papal Visit

Air Asia cancelled flights during the Papal visit

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or CAAP has announced limited operations at NAIA during Pope Francis’ visit to the country. For security purposes, flights in and out of Manila airport will be cancelled throwing airline schedules in disarray.

Airport authorities have said that they will implement several rules for aircraft in all terminals in Ninoy Aquino International Airport during the arrival of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 (2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), and on Jan. 17 (7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.), and when the Holy Father departs on Jan. 19 (6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). About 167 domestic and international flights will be cancelled affecting 23,000 passengers when the Pope arrives. About 131 domestic and international flights will be cancelled affecting 18,500 passengers when the Pope departs. Airline companies have already been notified about it and affected passengers are advised to contact the airline companies for refund, rebooking and rescheduling.

Aside from airport operation disruption, the government will also impose a no fly zone within the airspace where the Pope is. Military aircrafts shall patrol the airspace to thwart any possible attack from the air. On the ground, roads will be blocked from public motorists and traffic will be rerouted to give way to the papal convoy.   

Mini-Vatican Joins Pope Francis to the Philippines

Pope Francis in one of his travels

Whenever a Pope goes out of Italy for his apostolic visit, TV screens show him walking down and up the tarmac alone. The truth is, just like any head of state visiting another state, the Pope brings with him his official family. Behind the Pope and unseen by camera lenses are the members of his official delegations. The workforce that travels with Pope Francis can be compared to a mobile mini-Vatican.  

Ten days before Pope Francis flies to the Philippines, the official website for the papal visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines has published the papal entourage. The list includes cardinals, doctors, personal aide and Swiss guards. All in all, the delegation comprises 32 persons and that does not include the accredited journalists who will also join in the papal flight.

Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Francis to Philippines 

15-19 January 2014

Papal Entourage

      1. H.E.Card. Pietro PAROLIN, Secretary of State of His Holiness

2. H.E.Card. Fernando FILONI, Prefect of the Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples

3. H.E.Card. Robert SARAH, Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship

4. H.E.Card. Luis Antonio TAGLE, Archbishop of Manila

5. H.E.Msgr.Giovanni Angelo BECCIU, Substitute of the Secretariat of State

6. H.E.Msgr. Socrates B. VILLEGAS, President Bishops’ Conference (Arch.Lingayen-Dagupan)

7. H.E. Msgr. Giuseppe PINTO, Apostolic Nuncio in Philippines

8.  Msgr. Mark Gerard MILES, Official of the Secretariat of State

9.  Rev. Msgr Chibuike ONYEAGHALA, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature

10.  Rev. Seamus Patrick HORGAN, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature

11.  Dr. Alberto GASBARRI, Chief Organiser of the Papal Visit

12.  Fr. Federico LOMBARDI SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Office

13.  Msgr. Dario Edoardo VIGANÒ, Director of the Vatican Television Centre (CTV)

14.  Prof. Giovanni Maria VIAN, Editor-in-chief of  L’Osservatore Romano

15.  Prof. Patrizio POLISCA, Personal Doctor of the Holy Father

16.  Mr Sandro MARIOTTI, Personal Aide of the Holy Father

17.  Mr Piergiorgio ZANETTI, Personal Aide of the Holy Father

18.  Dr. Giampiero VETTURINI,  Health services Dept. of the Vatican City State

19.  Dr. Domenico GIANI, Director of Vatican Security Serv. and Civil Protection

20.  Dr. Paolo CORVINI, Assistant for the Organization of the Papal Visit

21.  Mr Umberto CIVITARESE, Technician of Vatican Radio

22.  Mr Roberto BELLINO, Technician of Vatican Radio

23.  Mr Francesco SFORZA, Official Photographer (L’Osservatore Romano)

24.  Mr  Cesare CUPPONE, Official Cameraman (Vatican Television Centre)

25.  Mr Fabrizio STINELLIS, Official Cameraman (Vatican Television Centre)

26.  Lieut.Cor. Christoph GRAF,  Pontifical Swiss Guard

27.  Capt.. Lorenzo MERGA, Pontifical Swiss Guard

28. Vice-Commis. Mauro DE HORATIS, Vatican Gendarmerie

29. Vice-Comm. Davide GIULIETTI, Vatican Gendarmerie

30.  Insp. Marco BERNARDI, Vatican Gendarmerie

31. V.Insp. Massimo DOTTORI, Vatican Gendarmerie

32. Mr Giovanni FERRACANE, Vatican Official