THIS IS THE WONDERFUL INTRODUCTION MADE BY SR STELLA MARIE LLERIN, OND AT THE CARDINALS MASS: (SR STELLA WAS A CLOSE MISSION PARTNER OF THE CARDINAL IN KIDAPAWAN IN 80S) INTRODUCTION: (Cardinal Orly’s Thanksgiving Mass) 11 March 2024 (SM R. Llerin, O.N.D.) 75 years ago, on March 11, 1936, a star was born in Laoag, Ilocos Norte baptized as ORLANDO BELTRAN QUEVEDO. It was also during this year when the first Oblates of Mary Immaculate arrived in the Philippines. He was in grade school when his family migrated to Mindanao and thus can claim as Mindanaoan. Growing up in a multi-cultural context, he has learned to appreciate differences and the art of “diskarte from basketball courts to the courtyards of everyday life. At 75, he still ignites a dream alive envisioning a new way of being church. His 50 years in ministerial service as Oblate of Mary Immaculate has led him to different missionary locations serving in varied ministries particularly in the heart of Mindanao. He was ordained in June 5, 1964. He had been a parish priest in Cotabato Cathedral and Jolo, an educator and President of Notre Dame University. He also served as formator of young Oblates at OMI scholaticate, Quezon City and a mentor-friend to many. He was among the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 1973. 34 years ago, in October 28, 1980, he was appointed Bishop of Kidapawan by Pope John Paul II; a defining moment of his pastoral ministry: It was a radical movement from the world of the academe to the grassroots’ struggle for justice and freedom. Seeing and listening to the helplessness and cries of the many victims of the time, he dared to take off his episcopal garb, walked on rugged and muddy roads, crossed mighty rivers, climbed up mountains and struggled to mount on horses for long horseback rides reaching out to people in the remotest areas of the diocese. He may not be able to master horseback driving, but he was able to enter into the deepest yearnings of the PDOME: poor, deprived, oppressed, marginalized and exploited. His quick synthesizing mind has eloquently articulated the demands for justice in his pastoral letters, and followed up with series of dialoguing with the powerful and the mighty ones, on behalf of the disadvantaged. The B.E.C. dangerously came alive with active lay participation, religious and clergy working together as partners in mission honing the prophetic role of the Church. On March 22, 1986, he was named Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur, boosting the social –pastoral concerns toward a participatory church ; and 12 years after, he was appointed Archbishop of Cotabato. He has served as CBCP President from 1999 to 2003. He was also a member of the Vaticans Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (1991-2001) and the General Council for the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops (1994-2000) in Rome. He served as chairperson of the drafting committees for the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (1991). He was elected Secretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, and has played an influential role in developing volumes of Asian pastoral statements in recent decades. Surprised and humbled being made a Cardinal, he considers it a privilege to undertake such great responsibility to serve the people, work for peace, and embody the vision of Pope Francis towards becoming church of the poor. These 4 events are rolled up into one thanksgiving celebration. The sharing of joy comes from a grateful remembrance: the dynamic memory of Jesus in the Eucharist is kept alive in a Community that celebrates. Let us now all stand to welcome everyone and sing:
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 02:55:00 +0000
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