First Filipino SCJ Priest

On February 24, 2004 - Deacon John Karl Cabaluna, SCJ, was ordained to the priesthood by His Excellency, Bishop Edwin dela Peña, the Bishop of Marawi and Apostolic Administrator of Diocese of Pagadian. The celebration took place at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in Margosatubig. It was attended by around 2000 people from different places, including family members, relatives, members of the Parish, friends, people from different SCJ parishes, Priests and Religious sisters.

It was a magnificent moment for our SCJ Philippine District to have the first priesthood ordination after 15 years of our presence here. Here Father John Karl is pictured with his parents, Father Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ, the Superior General of the SCJs, and Father Angel Gabryel, an SCJ from the India region.

The ordination took place in our former parish of Margosatubig (Zamboanga del Sur). The SCJs had worked in this parish for 14 years (1989 to 2003). In February 2003 we took the painful decision to live the place for security reasons.

We were very happy to have with us our General Superior Fr. Jose Ornelas Carvalho, the General Councilor for Asia Fr. Madya, and Fr. Angel Gabryel representing our Indian District.

A big number of diocesan and religious priests, sisters, many of our seminarians and people coming from our parishes filled the church of Our Lady of Peace.

The liturgy was beautifully conducted, well participated by all present and enhanced by a great parish choir and the enthusiastic singing of all the faithful. Filipinos like singing and do it very well!

For all of us it was a very emotional celebration; this was especially true for Tito and Thelma, the parents Fr. Nonong, who expressed their joys to offer their son to God and to the Church. And their gratitude for what the SCJs had done for him to grow and persevere.

We are looking forward to the next ordination, in few months time, of our second Filipino priest Arthur P. Guevara (Totong) in his own town of Cagayan de Oro.