The religious delegates, after a day of prayer and recollection, started the IV Provincial Chapter of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno last Tuesday, February 10. The first four days were dedicated to information and debates on topics presented by the Prior Provincial.
From February 16 to 20 the delegates formed the working committees to redact the directives of the Province for the next three years. In the ordinances which the Chapter has proposed to the General Council for its approval, emphasis has been given on the Eucharist as the primary daily act; poverty as means to safeguard the vows; how to live daily the communitarian character; the importance of forming religious as formators; the affirmation of the commitment of the Province for the mission of Sierra Leone, Taiwan and Palawan; the need to assure the continuity of the programs of the centres of educations in spite of the changes of the team of religious, etc.
Election of the Prior Provincial and Council
Last February 20, at the end of the day and after singing the Veni Creator Spiritus, Fr. Regino Bangcaya was elected Prior Provincial for the next triennium.
On the following day, February 21, the election of the councillors took place: Fr. Bernard Amparado, First Councillor and Vicar Provincial, Fr. Emeterio Buñao, Second Councillor, Fr. Raul Buhay, Third Councillor and Fr. Leopoldo Estioko, Fourth Councillor. Fr. Lauro Larlar, the outgoing Prior Provincial, was also elected delegate to the General Chapter of 2010. Lastly the final text of the provincial directory was approved. At 6 PM the Provincial Chapter concluded with the Eucharistic celebration attended not only by the religious but also by some Augustinian Recollect Sisters coming from nearby communities.
On February 22, during the special session with the presence of the new Prior Provincial and his council, of the outgoing Prior Provincial and Fr. General, Fr. Rene Paglinawan was appointed as the new secretary of the Province.
With the closing of the IV Provincial Chapter of the Province of St, Ezekiel Moreno, the religious lift up their prayers: Mane nobiscum, Domine (Stay with us, Lord).