IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY, ARCHBISHOP REMINDS 6 NEW PRIESTS; NEWLY ORDAINED GROUP INCLUDES EX-BANKER
The priesthood isn’t a way to earn money but a way of life dedicated to bringing others closer to God. This was Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma’s advice yesterday to six nearly ordained priests, even as he acknowledged the priesthood’s many challenges. “Like any good thing, the gift of grace we receive from God could be lost. We should treasure it through a life of prayer and closeness to the Lord. We should find meaning in this gift by living up to its purpose, which is for the glory of God and the good of the people,” Palma said during the rites held in the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Among those ordained was Fr. Earl Sevilla, 42, who spent 15 years working in the private sector (as a rural bank’s loan officer in Mandaue City), until he realized that entering the priesthood was what would give his life purpose. The Archdiocese of Cebu has 210 religious priests and 274 diocesan priests, according to its page on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.
After graduating from seminary college, seminarian went into a 15-year regency and worked like an ordinary wage earner Another newly-ordained inidividual said ever since he was young, he was determined to be a priest
Earl Sevilla, 42, admitted it took him 15 years before realizing he was meant for the priesthood.
The former loans officer was the oldest of six deacons who were ordained priests in a ceremony at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday.
Aside from Sevilla, Revs. Jubileo Gacho, Hezrod Jhud Cartagena, Venedict Into, Jeston del Castillo and Shervyll Mingo were also ordained priests.
After graduating from college in the seminary, Sevilla, who was born in Butuan City but spent most of his life in Cebu, went into a 15-year “regency” wherein a seminarian leaves his studies to serve the community.
During those years, Sevilla worked as a loans officer for a rural bank in Mandaue City.
Like any bachelor, Sevilla admitted he had a girlfriend while working in the bank.
But he felt a huge vacuum in his life and felt that God was missing from it.
“Nakaingon ko sa akong kinabuhi, lahi gyod ang vacuum nga na-feel nako sa akong kasingkasing. Mas malipayon ko nga ako ra usa (The vacuum I felt in my heart was different. I am happier being alone),” Sevilla said.
Unlike Sevilla, who decided to become a priest late in life, del Castillo, 30, made up his mind to serve God at an early age.
The vacuum I felt in my heart was different.
FR. EARL SEVILLA On why he returned to the seminary to resume his formation after 15 years outside.
Castillo, a resident of Barangay Looc, Mandaue City, wanted to be a priest after he dreamed of God when he was still a young boy.
“Nagpadamgo ang Ginoo sa akoa, giingnan ko nga magpari ko (God told me in a dream that I should be a priest),” Castillo said.
In his message, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma urged the newly ordained priests to not treat the priesthood as a way to earn money but as a means to bring others closer to God.
He said priests have been fac- ing numerous challenges these days, especially on how to remain true to their calling.
Last month, a priest from Marikina City was arrested by police for allegedly trying to have sex with a minor.
“Like any good thing, the gift of grace we received from God could be lost. We should treasure it through a life of prayer and closeness to the Lord. We should find meaning in this gift by living up to its purpose which is for the glory of God and the good of the people,” Palma said.