Pastoral Letter, No. 2, Series of 2008 ( A Pastoral Letter on Vocations)

October 1, 2008

TO: Brother Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, the Lay Faithful in the Diocese of Laoag

RE: Diocesan Vocation Months (October-November 2008)

To be read in all masses on October 5

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in Christ!

Our Lord Jesus Christ, during his preaching in Galilee, while he went about the cities and villages was moved to compassion for the people because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9, 36). From this look of love, flowed the invitation to his disciples: PRAY therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9, 38).

Today as ever, we know that this invitation of our Lord remains constant and becomes even a stronger call to every baptized Christian. Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, in his message for the 45th World youth Day of Prayer for Vocations chose the theme: “Vocations at the Service of the Church-Mission” in which he highlighted the statement: “Although every disciple of Christ, as far in him lies, has the duty of spreading the faith, Christ the Lord always calls whoever he will from among the members of his disciples, to be with him and to be sent by him to preach to the nations (AG#23).

We all need to pray for Vocations and above all to encourage and nurture them in our families, parish communities and schools so that there will never be a lack of those who preach the Gospel. I, therefore, encourage every parish and every school to cooperate in the work of promoting vocations within the Months of October and November.

During these months, our diocesan Commission on Vocations has lined up a series of activities that would make people especially the young become more aware of this program. Please engage actively in all or at least some of these activities. I have entrusted to Rev. Rey Magus Respicio, the Vocation Director of the Diocese, the task of coordination regarding this matter.

Let us help create a culture of vocations in our diocese, and ask our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Vocations, to help us implore the Lord for the flowering of new apostles who are willing to serve the church.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,

MOST REV. SERGIO L. UTLEG, DD
Bishop of Laoag

The Chronos for October 2008

1: Wednesday: St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor. WHITE.

Feastday of MCST Sisters, Concelebrated Mass, 9:00 a.m.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Presides over the Eucharistic Celebration on the Feastday of MCST Sisters

2: Thursday: GUARDIAN ANGELS, WHITE.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Collates Reports of Diocesan Audit Team
Officiates the Blessing of the Windmills in Bangui, 2:00 p.m.

3: Friday: 26th Week, Ordinary Time. GREEN.

4: Saturday: St. Francis of Assisi , WHITE.

PATRONAL FIESTA
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Concelebrated Mass, 9:00 a.m.

5: + 27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, GREEN.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Officiates Mass in Marcos

Commission on Vocation:
Launching of Diocesan Vocation Awareness Activity and Reading of the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter in all masses in the different parishes

6: Monday: 26th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of St. Bruno, priest, WHITE.

7: Tuesday: Our Lady of the Rosary, WHITE.

8: Wednesday: 27th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

Bishop's Schedule:
Attends the IP Meeting in Manila (8-9)

Commission on Social Action:
The San Lorenzo Medical Dental Charity Clinic Doctors, Nurses, Volunteers and Staff headed by Rev. Leonardo L. Ruiz and Rev. Jaime B. Jose goes to Olongapo, Zambales for a Pilgrimage visit at “Ina Poon Bato” (8-9)

Let us pray for:
Rev. Ruben V. Abaya (Birthday)

9: Thursday: 23rd Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of St. Denis, bishop, and Companions, martyrs, RED, or m. of St. John Leonardi, priest. WHITE.

Let us pray for:
Rev. Jose Vernon C. ILano (Birthday)

10: Friday: 27th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

Catechetical Office:
Catechetical Coordinators’ Meeting, Cordero Hall, 8:30 a. m.

11: Saturday: 27th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Officiates wedding in Sarrat, 10:00 a. m.

Commission on Social Action:
Orientation Seminar on Parish Commission on Service of St. William Parish, Janssen Hall, 2:00 p. m.

12: + 28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, GREEN.
Indigenous People’s Sunday
Extreme Poverty Day

Bishop’s Schedule:
Presides over a Eucharistic Celebration dedicated to the IP’s at St. James Parish, Ayala, Alabang

Let us pray for:
Rev. Franklin D. Gorospe (Priestly Anniversary)

13: Monday: 28th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

14: Tuesday: 28th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of St. Callixtus, Pope and Martyr, RED.

15: Wednesday: St. Teresa of Jesus, virgin and doctor, WHITE.

Let us pray for :
Rev. Joel C. Barut (Birthday)

16: Thursday: 28th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN. or m. of St. Hedwig, religious, WHITE, or m. of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin, WHITE.

Let us pray for:
Rev. Rey Magus S. Respicio (Priestly Anniversary)

17: Friday: St. Ignatius of Antioch , bishop and martyr, RED.

Commission on Youth:
Youth Encounter (17-19)

18: Saturday: St. Luke, evangelist, RED.

Commission on Social Action:
Bike for Mama Mary and Mother Earth, from Bantay, Ilocos Sur to Luna, La Union

19: + 29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, GREEN.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Officiates Mass at Brgy. Isic-Isic, Vintar

20: Monday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

Catechetical Office:
Northern Luzon Regional Catechetical Council Meeting in Abra (20-22)

Let us pray for:
Rev. Melchor B. Palomares (Priestly Ordination Anniversary)

21: Tuesday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

PRIESTS ASSEMBLY

22: Wednesday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

23: Thursday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of St. John Capistrano, priest, WHITE.

24: Friday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop, WHITE.

Commission on Youth:
Youth Encounter (24-26)

25: Saturday: 29th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN, or m. of BVM on Saturday, WHITE.

26: + 30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, GREEN.
Prison Awareness Sunday

Bishop’s Schedule:
Attends the CFC Regional Youth Assembly in Bacarra

Let us pray for:
Rev. Pitz Acoba (Birthday)

27: Monday: 30th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

28: Tuesday: Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, RED.

Bishop’s Schedule:
Officates the Fiesta and Installation of Rev. Gregorio A. Apuya

Patronal Fiesta:
Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Concelebrated Mass, 9:00 a. m.

Installation of Rev. Gregorio A. Apuya

29: Wednesday: 30th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

Mission Office:
Outreach in Adams

Let us pray for:
Rev. Gregorio A. Apuya (Birthday)

30: Thursday: 30th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.

31: Friday: 30th Week, Ordinary Time, GREEN.