PALE' ERIC IN MANILA'S PADRE PIO CENTER

With Mr. Ramon Rodriguez, director of the National Center of Padre Pio in Manila.

PADRE PIO FEAST A GREAT SUCCESS

On Sunday, September 23, 300 or more people converged on Saint Fidelis Friary on Guam to celebrate the Feast of Saint Padre Pio.  The theme this year was "Padre Pio and the Sacred Heart."  Starting on September 15 and ending on the 23rd, Fr. Eric Forbes, OFM Cap preached every night on this theme during the Mass following the novena.

An hour before Mass, the chapel was full and people had to start sitting outside.

For the benefit of those sitting outside, the liturgy was filmed and shown live on the tower wall.

The candlelight procession.

Procession with the image of Padre Pio.

Veneration of the Relic.

Devotees all brought something to share at the dinner after the Mass.

FATHER JOSE HONORED IN SAIPAN

Twenty-five years ago, a new, modern hospital was opened on Saipan to serve the Northern Marianas called the Commonwealth Health Center (CHC).  Years before it opened, a board was founded to plan for the design and building of that hospital - the Commonwealth Health Coordinating Council.  From 1980 till 1986, a Capuchin from Saipan, Father Jose G. Villagomez, was chairman of that Council.

Last Friday, August 31, Fr. Jose was honored by the Commonwealth for his service many years ago.  The Acting Governor and the CEO of the hospital were in attendance, and a joint resolution commending Fr. Jose was presented by the 17th Commonwealth Legislature.

Father Jose, who now serves as pastor of Saint Francis Church in Yona, Guam, said he was "humbled and appreciative" of this recognition.

 

Father Jose was joined at the ceremony by members of his family.

MINISTER GENERAL RE-ELECTED

Fr. Mauro Johri of Switzerland was re-elected to another six-year term as Minister General of the Order.  The Vice Provincial of Guam and Hawaii, Fr. Joseph English, embraces Fr. Mauro in the pic above.

WELCOME FROM GERMANY!

Brother Bernd Beermann from the German Province is visiting Guam for a few days.  He is the Assistant Master of the Post-Novices and also the Justice, Peace and Ecology head in his province, and lives in the friary in Muenster where he is bursar (treasurer).

His province is looking for places in the world where their post-novices can work with social justice issues.  Having already been to several places, he leaves Guam in a few days to visit Manila.

FR. ERIC SPEAKING TOUR IN THE PHILIPPINES

This past week, Father Eric was busy in the Philippines where he had been invited to make presentations in several places.  In the town of Mangaldan, Pangasinan, he gave lectures and celebrated Mass for the sick, including the veneration of a relic of Saint Padre Pio.

Later, he repeated his presentations with the Conventual Franciscan friars in Paranaque....

....and with students and faculty at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

VICE PROVINCE WELCOMES TWO NEW POSTULANTS

The Vice Province rejoices in the reception of two new postulants in the community.  The event was celebrated today at Saint Fidelis Friary.

William Paulino

from Saint Joseph Parish, Inarajan

Jason Chargualaf

from Saint Jude Parish, Sinajana

Fr. Joseph English, Vice Provincial, hands the Bible to William and Jason.

The postulants receive the Tau Cross.

The friars welcome the new postulants.