Seminary Blessing

March 13, 2002

DEARLY BELOVED IN CHRIST:

We have many reasons to celebrate God's love and mercy during these days.

First of all, we are celebrating the Feast of our Patron St Joseph to whom we are entrusted under His care and protection.  Indeed St Joseph had been interceding for us.

Secondly, we have this special gift of God: the St. Joseph College Seminary which will be blessed on his Feast.  This Seminary is the heart of the Diocese and with God's blessing we pray that in the future many good and holy priests will be formed as God's ministers.

Thirdly, in the midst of our celebration we have the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco DD., as he presides over the solemn occasion.  He is the personal representative of the Holy Father John Paul II, coming in our midst with the Apostolic Blessing of the Pope.

Let us then rejoice and be glad as we give thanks to God

Yours in Christ,

(Sgd.) +Jesus Cabrera D.D

Top^

Saint Joseph College Seminary

...a tribute to God's love

Sixteen years ago, on January 12, 1985, the western part of the civil province of Pangasinan was created and erected as the Diocese of Alaminos. Months later, on June 28, 1985, the Most Rev. Jesus A. Cabrera, DD, was installed as the first resident Bishop. Compared to the two other dioceses of the province, it has the widest area with a fast growing population.  With the bishop, there were only then 17 priests and a few lay leaders to shepherd and to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

To respond properly to the longings of the people and their thirst for the Word of God, we have realized the scarcity of priests for the diocese.  Thus, the situation asks for more priests as living instruments of the presence of God's kingdom in our midst.  WIth that is the growing awareness in the church that we need holy, well prepared priests who can truly serve the people of God as the faithful seek holiness and give themselves to the apostolic task of announcing the Gospel, making the Church the sacrament of salvation in the world.  Trusting in the Lord's promise, we have constantly begged the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his bountiful vineyard (Mt 9,38).  In His graciousness, the Lord has been answering our prayers, being faithful to his promise to give shepherds after his own heart (Jer. 3, 15).  He has been calling young men from the different Christian communities and have sent them: to the seminary, as we witness an increasing number of vocations to the ordained ministry, in our Diocese.

By faith we know that the Lord's promise can't fail. This very promise is the reason and the force underlying the church's rejoicing at the growth and increase of priestly vocations.  The gradual fulfillment of God's faithfulness is the foundation and impulse of our dream to build up the Saint Joseph College Seminary.  Thus, to mark the thirteenth anniversary of the installation of the Bishop, on June 28. 1998 we had the Blessing and Laying of the Cornerstone.  The Saint Joseph College Seminary is a tribute to God's love. It is a response to his tenacious love, which continues by sending workers to the harvest Sincere gratitude calls for an active response.  We must respond to God by attempting to form as well as possible these young men whom he is calling into his service for the good of all humanity.  Now, after almost four years, the construction of the seminary building is almost entirely done.  Accompanied with fervent prayer, generous people and institution, both local and international, have contributed to what it is now. God's mysterious love has touched the hearts of magnanimous people to financially support the construction phase of the seminary.

The formation of the future priests is considered by the Church as one of the most demanding and important tasks for the evangelization of humanity.  Thus, the seminary is rightly called the heart of the diocese.  The seminary is meant to contribute towards creating and preserving the conditions in which the good seed, sown by God, can take root and bring forth abundant fruit.  Such a formation prepares a priest for his pastoral ministry so that he can stand in the midst of God's people as one who serves and as one who confidently guides them on the spiritual pilgrimage that eventually leads them to the fullness of the kingdom, their heavenly home.  The lay faithful should not be left behind.  The seminary is also made available to them for their formation and other activities for the growth of their commitment to the way of Christ, our Lord and Master.

Join us as we respond to God's love.  Pray for more vocation.  Support them in their formation.  Guide any young man whom you know has a vocation.  Please contact your Parish Priest or The Rector. Saint Joseph College Seminary, Makatiw, Alamlnos City.   Come . . . let us make our tribute to God's love a living reality in our Diocese.

Top^

SOLEMN BLESSING

ST. JOSEPH COLLLEGE SEMINARY

Makatiw, Alaminos City, Pangasinan

March 19,2002

PROGRAM OF ACTIVlTIES

Top^

PANALANGIN PARA SA MGA BOKASYON

Panginoong HesuCristo, sinabi mo, anong sagana ng aanihin, ngunit iilan lamang ang manggagapas.  Hilingin mo sa may-ari ng bukid na magpadala Siya ng marami pang manggagapas.  Tumatawag kami sa iyo ngayon Panginoon, gisingin mo sa puso ng aming mga kabataan ang masidhing pagnanasang maihandog sa Iyo at sa kapwa tao ang kanilang buhay sa pamamagitan ng pag-papari, pag-mamadre, o pagiging relehyoso.  Panginoon, mangyari nawa ang kalooban Mo.

Amen

Photos (click to enlarge):

	Front of the Seminary
	Hon. Mayor Eduardo F.Fontelera, Most Rev. Antonio Franco and Most Rev. Jesus A. Cabrera cutting the ribbon.
	Hon. Mayor Fontelera and Most Rev. Franco
	The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco, D.D.