Fr. Resty Joy and Fr. Perry Neil: The newest priests for God’s flock

Posted on August 23, 2026 in Archdiocese of Davao, Features, Headline by Rowena Nuera 0 Comments

The month of August saw two ordinations to the priesthood. First ordination was on August 6 (Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord) at the Virgen de los Remedios Parish with Fr. Resty Joy Cabahug. The second was on August 15 (Solemnity of the Assumption) at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Mintal. These two young priests will answer the following questions:

Who was their inspiration to priesthood when they were growing up? Parents? Church people?
What were their struggles when they were still in the seminary?
Did they ever have a girlfriend?
How are they now after being ordained to the priesthood?
Who is your inspiration among the saints?

Fr. Resty Joy

I had my inspiration from my parents and grandparents. My mother was a catechist and my father was a lay minister. They introduced me to Christ, taught me to pray the Rosary, brought me to Mass every Sunday, and supported my involvement in the Church.

I faced struggles and had to confront my weaknesses and limitations. With God’s grace, I was able to persevere for ten years. God remained faithful to His call. He gave me the strength to remain faithful despite the trials.

I had a short relationship during my high school. It was a normal experience. But it did not last long. Later, as I discerned for my vocation, I understood God’s invitation to dedicate my life to Him and His Church. In the seminary. I fell in love in the with God during Eucharistic Adoration. It was my first time to experience it. Sitting before the exposed Blessed Sacrament made me feel Christ’s real presence, offering a quiet space where human hearts are touched.

I am grateful, humbled, and joyful. I know it is not and easy life. For priesthood is both a gift and responsibility. But I am happy to serve God’s people through preaching, celebrating the sacraments, and accompanying them in their lives.

Saint Francis of Assisi inspires me because of his love for Christ, his humility, simplicity, and dedication to the Church. His life reminds me to serve God and others with joy, especially the poor and those in need. I hope to imitate his spirit and become instrument of Christ”s peace and love to others in need of it. That is the reason I choose John 15:9 as my ordination theme, Remain in my love. To remind me that everything I have now is from His love.

Fr. Perry Neil

God’s invitation came gradually in my life. Those moments when I am brought by my parents to our GKK and parish, praying the rosary together, as altar server, as active GKK youth. I find these things as God’s way of bringing me closer to the path of priesthood. My parents played a very important role too. I also take inspiration from the late Fr. Arnold Balaquinto, the PM Sisters, our parish GSLs and lay ministers who were encouraging me to take a search-in.

My first struggle was the sudden shift from a life that is too free to a life that is structured and rigid. There were schedules and regular activities. It was difficult to adjust to the silence, the boredom, the busy schedules, the sports, and the manualia. I also find it difficult to adjust to some of my brother-seminarians attitudes because we all came from different places and family background.

My first love is no other than my parents. They fill me with the love that made me who I am today.

There are pressures but there is also joy knowing that I will be exercising the ministry of priests: celebrating mass, hearing confessions, anointing sick people, among other things – shepherd and lead the people, teach and share the faith, and sanctify others through the sacraments.

There are several saints of whom I get my inspiration. But to mention a few, I get inspired by the life of St. Augustine and St. Francis of Assisi. Their life is an invitation to follow Christ through conversion and simplicity of lifestyle.