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InterviewFr Gabriel BaldostamonFirst Filipino Parish Priest in Sweden In January 2010, Fr Gabriel Baldostamon, from the town of Koronadal, in Mindanao, will be installed as the Parish Priest of St. Nikolai Church, in Linköping. Linköping is the fifth city of Sweden with about 140,000 inllabitants. It is known as a city of learning, a high-tech city, especially in the IT field. It has its own airport, a University, a College of Technology and a University hospital, as well as Mjardevi Science Park, where many computer and electronic companies can be found. A number of firms with focus on medical technology is emerging. The Linköping Cathedral is considered one of the finest buildings in the whole of Scandinavia and was once ruled by the famous Bishop Brask. READ MORE… DIACONAL ORDINATION 
Our very warm CONGRATULATIONS to our newly-ordained deacons: (L-R) Rev. Jeffty Mendez, CP, Rev. Ramel Poquita, CP, Rev. Sherwin Jude Detuya, CP and Rev. Arnil Carbon, CP They were ordained last Saturday, August 28, 2010 by the Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, DD, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Novaliches. In his usual interesting and deep homily, the Bishop explained to the would be deacons, in a very inspiring and encouraging way, what it means to be a deacon. And although his homily was addressed directly to these four young men, the crowd of more than 250 people definitely learned a lot from the wise exhortation of the bishop. Let’s pray for these deacons and for all the clergy that thay may preach what they believe and practice what they preach.DEO GRATIAS! 08 AUGUST 2010
Another group of future Vietnamese candidates for the novitiate who’ve just come in for their English class here in the Philippines. Just this week, they began their English studies with the Assumptionists in preparation for the novitiate in Australia. Fr. René (in Passionist habit) has been appointed as their director. PASSIONISTS AT CP THEOLOGATE HOUSE
FR. JOVANNI’S THANKSGIVING MASS AT “LOYOLA”
HIGH-TECH ELECTION! The election this morning, July 20, 2010, for the fourth Provincial consultor was something of a record. For the first time in the province (and possibly in the entire congregation), the members elected a consultor without them gathering together in one place. The usual, regular election is done during a provincial council. But because one consultor resigned from his position barely a year after he was elected, the Province has to elect a new one to fill in the vacancy. Considering the huge financial expense if all of them will gather together just to elect a consultor, it was decided then to try to use modern technology to achieve the goal. And so the Passionists in the South were asked to gather together in Calumpang, General Santos City, while the Passionists in the North were simultaneously gathered also in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. With the aid of Skype technology, they were able to connect to each other – audio visually – through the internet and thus proceeded to elect a new consultor. Amazing! And congratulations goes to Rev. Fr. Manny Gellez, CP for becoming the first recipient of “hi-tech” election. DEO GRATIAS! BLESSING OF THE NEWLY-RENOVATED PBS The simple but meaningful affair, last July 20, 2010, began with a 6:30 AM Eucharistic celebration, aptly presided by Fr. Evan Esmade, CP himself, who is the current director of the Passionist Benefactors Society. Assisting him in the mass was the superior of the house and the same time parish priest of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Fr. Ramon Ramos, CP. Right after the mass, Fr. Ramon invited all the churchgoers to proceed to the newly redesigned Passionist Benefactors Society’s office (which is located just across the street), to join the Passionists in inaugurating it. Many Passionist priests, including the Provincial, Fr. Lito Villarente, CP, were there for the blessing. In a brief comment before the final prayer, Fr. Evan commented that it was a dream come true for him and for the community. Expressing his thanks to all the people present who have been so supportive in his works, Fr. Evan wished that this newly renovated office would provide a more comfortable ambiance for all those who come and visit it and would be able to help the people in their spiritual needs. DEO GRATIAS! SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS! Time flies! Indeed, it seemed only yesterday when these two fine men were ordained priests at the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Sun Valley, Parañaque. PASSIONIST ASIAN/PACIFIC CONFIGURATION (PASPAC) 
The PASPAC Novitiate is now in full swing at St. Paul of the Cross Novitiate in Glen Osmond, Australia. The novices are Peter (extreme left, back row) and then (front row L-R) Thomas, Matthew, Joseph, Vincent and Peter (extreme right). The six young novices- three from Vietnam and three from China- are now vested with the Passionist habit. Prior to their coming to Australia, the six had spent six months in the Philippines, taking up basic English. To take care of their formation are Fr. Willy Estraza, CP (director of Novices) from the Philippines (who is expected to arrive sometime after Easter 2010) and Fr. Tommy, CP (second from left, back row) from India as assistant director. In the meantime, while Fr. Willy is still away, Bro. Larry Finn, CP (extreme right, back row) serves as the acting director.
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