“Diakonia” Part 2

The other two deacons to be ordained in San Pedro Cathedral this September 3, 2018 are Efren Gubac, Jr. and Ramon Jamora.

As often as he found himself in the arms of his girlfriend, all the more he was drawn in the embrace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A warbird aficionado as he was, he eventually ended up in the quiet arena of seminary life. Who would have thought that this young man fueled by his raging passions carried him away downstream to wretchedness of the numerous distractions of his faith, could somehow be found serving in a small but rather beautiful chapel of the multi-cultural community of Discalced Carmelites of Mintal.

Rev. Efren Gubac Jr. of Immaculate Conception Parish was quite simply amazed, awed, and overwhelmed by the outcome of the twist and turns of his life, more often than not, the hand of God manifests itself in both dramatic and subtle ways. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. Consequently, Rev. Efren finally resigned his fate in the hands of God as love, apparently, accompanied with signs and wonders can only be reciprocated with love.

Asked where he wants to spend his ministerial tasks, Rev. Efren favors working in the far-flung areas of the archdiocese – preferably in the company of the indigenous people or the Lumads.

As his ordination to the deaconate nears, he is filled with gratefulness and continually begs the Lord to do His most loving will.

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Parish activities are really attractive to the youth, particularly those who have brave and generous hearts in taking on whatever or wherever those activities bring them as long as it is for God.

of St. Francis of Assissi of La Verna found his soul nourished whenever the interaction between God and others is intense. His awareness of his vocation steadily grew in this setting. He was also active with the Bukas-Loob sa Dios (BLD) community, especially in their bible-sharing sessions and worship.

However, Rev. Ramon admits having difficulty in struggling against the old man in him that wanted a different path of life, after all, delectable moments abound in the city life. But usually, soon after he confessed, those moments resulted in emptiness thereafter. These fleeting moments, however, benefited him in his discernment. With the grace of God and the help of the people dearest to him, he finally entered the seminary. His formative years in the seminary were rewarded by God with countless consolations that truly affirmed his decision. Looking back, he is forever grateful to God as he entrusts his heart to Mary.