Caceres Welcomes 20 New Priests

NAGA CITY, July 14, 2009-The Archdiocese of Caceres is truly blessed with priestly vocations with the recent addition of 20 new members of the clergy.

On June 11, 2009, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi, OP, DD, ordained eight deacons to the sacred order of priesthood, namely: Revs. Joven S. Abano of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Balatan, Camarines Sur; Eric P. Bobis of St. Peter Baptist Parish in Old Moriones, Ocampo, Camarines Sur; Edmundo F. Caballero, Jr. of St. Joseph Parish in Tamban, Tinambac, Camarines Sur; Bernard M. Lagatic of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Metropolitan Cathedral, Naga City; Nino Eugenio T. Mirandilla and Ferdinand B. Operio of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Naga City; Teodorico Pervera II of St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina Parish in Sabang, San Jose, Camarines Sur; and Marcial Zagada of the Most Holy Trinity Parish, Bato, Camarines Sur.

Last Saturday, July 4, 12 seminarians from the Holy Rosary Major Seminary of this city received the imposition of hands that raised them to the rank of deacons in solemn rites at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

The twelve ordinandi were Seminarians Ronald E. Angeles of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Conception Pequeña, this city, Reynaldo T. Chavez, Jr. of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Bula, Camarines Sur, Jessie S. Edaugal of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Buhi, Camarines Sur, Neil B. Hugo from Holy Cross Parish, Nabua, Camarines Sur, Emil K. Llagas, from St. Anthony of Padua, Iriga City, Herbert R. Machado from St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Pili, Camarines Sur, Erwin P. Obias of St. John the Baptist Parish, Goa, Camarines Sur, Enrico Julian N. Paglinawan of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Tigaon, Camarines Sur, Elmer A. Pandes of St., Anthony of Padua Parish in Iriga City, Russel A.Pletado of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Bato, Camarines Sur and Jowi B. Resayaga of St. Bartholomew Parish, San Ramon, Baao, Camarines Sur.

The Archdiocese of Caceres has an average of eight new priests per year. Bikolanos believe that the Bikol region is blessed by God and protected by the blessed Mother, Our Lady of Peñafrancia. (Fr. Louie Occiano / CCCom)