Fr. Ray joins Indonesian Mission

Fr. Ray Sales, OSJ left for the mission in Kerangan, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. He thus completed the religious community there, together with Fr. Tubesa nd Br. Bart who arrived earlier last month. He will take his new assignment as Assistant Priest-in-charge of the OSJ Mission Territory and the Economo of the religious community.

Fr. Noel chosen anew
as Provincial Superior

In an official letter sent to all Oblates of St. Joseph on January 12, 2016, the OSJ Superior General, Very Rev. Michele Piscopo, OSJ, announced the re-appointment of Rev. Fr. Noel B. Magtaas, OSJ as provincial superior of the OSJ Philippine Province until March 2019.

This is his fourth time to assume the said office having being as such from 2001 to 2004, 2004 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2016.

In the said letter also, the Fr. Superior announced the other appointed provincial and delegate superiors: Fr. Luigi Testa, OSJ, North Italy; Fr. Francesco Russo, South Italy; Fr. Antonio Ramos de Moura Neto, Brazil; Fr. Paul McDonnell, USA; Fr. Epifanio Moreno, Mexico; Fr. Marek Maziarz, Poland; Fr. Sunil Kallarakal, India; Fr. Federico Rapu, Delegation of Bolivia; and Fr. Ethelbert Agua, Delegation of Nigeria. Their term will also end in 2019.

On February 18, the Filipino confreres will be electing the new set of councilors who will serve the province with Fr. Noel for this term.

Fr. Norman de Silva, missionary to Acqui

Fr. Norman De Silva, OSJ left for the mission in Acqui. He now joins Fr. Winston Carrera and Fr. Helbert Jadraque in the religious community there which is under the Philippine province.

OSJS hold Centennial Theatre Fest Competition

The high school students of the OSJ Schools packed the Batangas Sports Coliseum for a historico-cultural show, stiill as part of the centennial celebration of the Province. The day-long event began with a concelebrated Mass officiated by the Provincial Superior and OSJS President, Fr. Noel Magtaas, OSJ.

Within the Mass, the "Piso Ko, Kinabukasan Mo Bilang Lingkod Marelliano," a charity project of the OSJ Schools for the poor youth, spearheaded by Fr. Jayson Endaya, OSJS Spiritual Director, was launched. After the liturgy, the Centennial Theatre Fest Competition was held, with the schools presenting, through musical play, the different phases of the history of the Province. The competition was won by St. James Academy, Ibaan. The students also competed in the Vocal Solo and Modern Dance.