Fifth Batch 1989-1993

Angeles, Arnulfo Jr. A.
Arsola, Angelito S.
Artacho, Marlo Gerardo V.
Atayan, Joselito A.
Batalla, June P.
Camba, Jonathan R.
Caronongan, Hernan C.
Celino, Anthony C.
Mina, Ariosto R.
Nicolas, Douglas C.
Ramirez, Orsino A.
Reyes, Crispin N.

Fourth Batch 1988-1992

Agustin, Jonas G.
Andoloy, Ruel E.
Cancino, Alvin M.
Gana, Raymond C.
Romero, Allen O.
Mejia, Rodolfo Jr. P.
Nicolas, Chester C.
Parayno, Ariel R.
Rabago, Rendrix B.
Repollo, Tony Leo C.
Sanchez, Mario Dominic C.
Tolentino, Arturo C.
Vinluan, Jasper T.
Viernes, Alfred T.

Third Batch 1987-1991

Baquiran, Roderick M.
Bulosan, Noel B.
Credo, Allan P.
De Vera, Windell David G.
Esquig, David Jr. I.
Estrada, Joseph F.
Gonzalo, Romano V.
Guzman, Tomas Jake III A.
Landingin, Manuel I A.
Mesa, Rafael Z.
Necesito, Leandro B.
Platon, Alvin Gerald P.
Quinto, Jimmy F.
Reyes, Antonio Jr. E.
Samson, Joseph A.
Severino, Jonathan Gavino B.
Sison, Teofilo H.
Viernes, Ildelito T.

Second Batch 1986-1990

Abuan, Allan Morris T.
Bancifra, Julius D.
Batulan, Marcial A.
Bonayon, Ronald I.
Cabantac, Ricardo R.
Caro, Patrick D.
Caronongan, Amelito C.
Layog, Fidelis B.
Nacor, Vicente C.
Martinez, Roseller M.
Pasaoa, Frederick A.
Reyes, John G.
Sablan, Ferdinand P.
Salosagcol, Rolando C.
Simangan, Peter M.
Silva, Elpidio Jr. F.
Sarte, Carlito G.
Sison, Fernando M.
Vinluan, Jesus Benigno Q.

PIONEERING BATCH 1985-1989

Bala, Jesus Jr. R.
Begonia, Celestino Jr. P.
Briones, Marcelino B.
Calix, Greg U.
Castillo, Ildefonso Jr. C.
De Leon, Theodore C.
Escano, Ma. Emmanuel Hugo G.
Fernandez, Rainier M.
Javier, Nelson M.
Lomibao, Milo P.
Managaytay, Edilberto A.
Manaois, Raymundo Jr. M.
Mayo, Lain M.
Paguinto, Noel C.
Peralta, Herman H.
Ramos, Romeo G.
Repollo, Joseph A.
Tamayo, Dante B.

THE SEMINARY FORMATORS with the ARCHBISHOP

We love you, Father Roy!

HOMILY on the

Funeral Mass for Fr. Roberto C. Villamil

12 March 2010

by Rev. Fr. Mario R. Morales, Rector of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary

Last Friday, March 5, Father Soc, our Archbishop announced through a text message that, “Our brother in Christ, Father Roberto C. Villamil died in the grace of the Lord in Dagupan City at the age of fifty nine. At the time of his death, he was the procurator of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary. He was born on January 5, 1951 and received priestly ordination on April 16, 1977.”

As Rector of the College Seminary, the Archbishop asked me to deliver this homily on the funeral mass of Father Roy.

It is very difficult to preach in this funeral. It is very difficult to preach about Fr. Roy – as a priest of the Archdiocese, a brother to his 5 siblings, a son to his dear Mamang and Papang, and a friend to many seminarians and the lay.

Allow me to give a short reflection. Fr. Roy’s preaching were always short. Allow me to read this homily. Fr. Roy’s homilies in the past few years were always read.

FIRST, the Book of Lamentations says, that “the favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent. Every morning, they are renewed. Great is his faithfulness. I will always trust in him.” Fr. Roy did not like to die. He believed in God’s mercy and goodness that he will get well again – like in the past, which has happened many times when he got ill. He was ready to go home. But God’s mercy has brought him to another home – where there will be no more illness, no more diabetes, no more medicines, and but more candies and chocolates…

SECOND, other passages in the gospels say that evil will not triumph, that in the darkest hour when Jesus lay dying on the cross, that suffering led to the resurrection. Fr. Roy is a priest – for almost 33 years. He was a pastor of this parish of the Annunciation and later in St. Gabriel before he was permanently assigned in the College Seminary. He anointed many sick people, and celebrated Eucharist even at funeral masses. He preached about his own faith in the resurrection. He prayed for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal happiness and peace. Those words now come true at this hour, for him too.

THIRD, we say to Father Roy the three most powerful words of human speech. He was not very open with these, and he never asked for these in his lifetime. He was humble and modest ALWAYS when he was honored. But, we need to say these to you, Father Roy:

THANK YOU, Father Roy, for the many wonderful years of your life. For bringing so much joy and love in your family. For the friendship you have shared with many of your brother priests. For the kindness and generosity you have shown to many seminarians. For the heart that served so many people in the Church.

SORRY, Father Roy, that you have to go now. Sorry for all our sins against you. For hurting you, for laughing, for keeping silent. Sorry for the not so good stories we have shared. Sorry for not taking really good care of you. WE FORGIVE YOU , Father Roy, of all your sins if in any way you have sinned against any of us.

Most of all, WE LOVE YOU, Father Roy. These words say it all. You are no longer with us, but you will always be in our hearts. We promise to pray for you – always. Please pray for us, too.

Eternal rest, grant unto you, Father Roy. Let perpetual light, shine upon you. May you now rest in peace. Amen.

THANK YOU, ST. JOHN VIANNEY!

We would like to thank all our friends who supported our play in the seminary. Thanks especially to the media which covered it: Eva Visperas of Philippine Star/Sunday Punch, Recah Trinidad of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Balitang Amianan (Dagupan), and the CBCP Monitor. We congratulate Fr. Jonathan Songcuan for doing a splendid job as Director once again!

A new basketball court will soon rise in the compound of the seminary. God bless all our donors. Thank you St. John Mary Vianney!

Padre Juan Vianney: Konpesor

PLAY ON ST. JOHN VIANNEY

A confessor is an equivocal term, that means, it can be understood in several ways. We would think that a confessor is one who hears confessions and gives absolution, like our priests. It is true. But it also means, "one who confesses faith in Christianity in the face of persecution but does not suffer martyrdom (www. thefreedictionary. com)." They have exemplary life and virtue.

Some of the confessors of the Catholic Church are: St. Athanasius, St. Anthony, St. Martin, St. Edward and others. St. John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars is also a confessor in both meanings we have indicated above.

2009-2010 has been declared by Pope Benedict XVI as the Year for Priests, in commemoration of the 150th year after the 'dies natalis' of St. John Vianney, who is soon to be declared the patron of "all" priests. Yes, not just the parish priests but of all our priests.

The Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, following the huge success of Damasku: Landas ni Pablo in 2009, is producing another play. This time, most fittingly, on Padre Juan Vianney: Konpesor. For the second time, Chad Pecson, now a graduating seminarian, wrote the book, and once again, Fr. Jonathan directs. The play is produced by the Archdiocesan Lay Formation Center.

There is a big surprise, a miracle we can say, about what happens in our experiences in the production of plays. We always use the desert minimalism as a strategy to highlight the meaning and the drama of the story and practice kabuki noir to approach complicated thoughts and feelings. The music is done by the seminarians themselves using Abraenian indigenous instruments, and the lights are only installed because of necessity. And yet, the production always becomes "huge" like last year, again like this year. Thanks to the seminarians who have such a big heart in putting all their best to do justice to the person, theme and message of both plays.

Be a part of this great project. Come and see: Padre Juan Vianney: Konpesor this week - February 18-21, Thursday to Saturday at 6pm. For tickets, make a donation to the seminary for the much needed repairs.