Despedida for Kayabe

When this parish was established 7 yrs ago, I brought along with me a group of young seminarians from San Jose Seminary. They had to say goodbye to their apostolate area that year, St. Anthony de Padua Parish in Singalong, Manila. Msgr. Clem Ignacio was good enough to let go of the seminarians and said that I needed more assistance from them since we were just starting the parish. The original group of Kayabe's (the BEC name of the seminarians, to which I also belong when I was still in the seminary -- and I still do -- once a Kayabe, Kayabe forever!) were Bro. Egay Cleofe (Sorsogon), Bro. Merwin Kangleon (Leyte), Bro. Jun Limbaga (Dumaguete), Bro. Adrian San Juan (Manila), Bro. Charlie Celeste (Cotabato) and Bro. Junjun Gonzaga (Samar). They taught catechism to little children on Saturday afternoons, joined the BEC prayer meetings in the evenings, served in the masses on Sunday mornings, gave formation talks to BEC coordinators and youth leaders, taught the choirs, etc. They also played a major role in the first ever parish pastoral planning and the formation of our vision-mission statement which were held in San Jose Seminary. Five out of those six seminarians are now priests in their respective dioceses. Fr. Egay is now the rector of Our Lady of Penafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon, Fr. Merwin is the School Director of St. Thomas Aquinas School in Leyte, Fr. Jun is the Chaplain at St. Paul's University in Dumaguete, Fr. Aids is Assistant Parish Priest in Immaculate Conception Parish in Tondo, Fr. Cha is assistant Parish Priest in Cotabato. While Junjun is now a padre de familia working in STI Calbayog City.

Every year some of them will leave but new seminarians will arrive to replace them. Among those who became part of our apostolate program were Bro. Arnold Fernandez, Bro. Dong Yadao (Cubao), Bro. Lao Bringino (Daet), Bro. Donghur Estolloso, Bro. Sheng Lapaan (Bontoc), Bro. Kevin Crisostomo (Paranaque), Bro. Red Golez (Tagum) and Bro. Mel Felizardo (Antipolo).

This year we realized it's time to move on. The Kayabe's have become part of this parish's history. But like the disciples they have to move on and help out other communities the way they helped us. We have been graced by their love and presence, I am sure the other communities they will visit for their apostolate will be twice as blessed.

Last Sunday a despedida was held in the parish Multi Purpose Hall. The BEC Coordinators were emotional during the short program. Sis. Agnes, Sis. Ghie, Sis. Mia, Sis. Baby, Sis. Medy, Sis. Precy, Sis. Estela, Sis. Fely (who is in Australia right now), and Sis. Edna have become second mothers to the seminarians.

For now our BEC coordinators will try to stand on their own. Like the early Christians, they will learn to be independent from the apostles in performing their mission. But who knows? A sequel to their part in our parish history may be in the offing.

God bless our Kayabe's.