By Douglas B. Hontanosas
Fr. Manuelâ€Momoy’ Romerde, of Totolan, Dauis, Bohol was ordained Priest last Saturday, May 24,2008 at the Cathedral of Newark, New Jersey state. The Boholano community in the tri-states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut rejoiced to have him as their Spiritual
Counselor and proud of his becoming a true servant of the Lord.
New Jersey - From Barangay Totolan,Dauis Bohol where he saw the light of day to Tagbilaran City where he started a teaching career, to the continent of Africa doing missionary works for the Claritian order and now a newly ordained Priest in the United States. Such is the transformation of this Boholano clergyman who responded to the summons of his God. Indeed, it is considered Providential will for a nobody from a secluded barangay to go places beyond our national border, be stationed abroad, and now representing the church of Christ . Just like the way Christ picked ordinary men to become His Apostles when He was still roaming on the face of the earth. Then send them on a mission in faraway lands.
Fr. Momoy, as he is fondly called, received formal ordination rites from the Archbishop of the Jersey State at the Cathedral of Newark, with some members of the Paring Bol-anon in attendance headed no less by the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Monsignor Bernardito Auza, Bishop Antonietto “Yet†Cabahug of the Diocese of Surigao, Fr. Fernando Po, Fr. Jed Sumampong, Fr. Aldo Rebosura, Fr. Ranulfo Docabo, among others. So also the Filipino-American parishioners as well as the Boholano community in the tri-states were there. Filling every available seat on the church pews to witness the joyful moment in the priestly life of this young anointed Boholano, who came to this part of the East Coast six months ago, on pastoral assignment at the Saint Elizabeth Church, where a Boholano Priest, Fr. Fernando Po is currently station. Prior to that, Fr. Romerde while still a Deacon, was in the State of Louisiana to do apostolate and community service since he arrived in America in 2006.
Fr. Romerde, now 38 years old, celebrated his first Thanksgiving Mass that afternoon in Saint Elizabeth Church well attended by Filipino-American, as well as Boholano parishioners. After which, a grand reception was tendered in his honor at the church’s Reception Center. Fr. Moymoy was born on May 4, 1970 to spouses Constancio Romerde and Rosalina Rollorata, both are now retired Public School teachers. He has two other siblings: Marissa, a Computer Science graduate and Marino, a Computer Engineer. He finished Elementary at the Totolan Elementary School, High School in Divine Word College of Tagbilaran and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education at the same school. He was starting his teaching career at the now Holy Name University when the young careerman accepted the invitation of the Claritian Order and let him pursue Theological studies in their seminary school in Quezon City. According to Mrs. Prolie Mandin, a Boholana Nurse working in Chicago, and Fr. Romerde’s aunt who represented the family in his New Jersey ordination, Fr. Moymoy spent some years doing missionary works in African countries, while still a part of the Claritian Order. It was in his African sorties that the young seminarian hear God’s calling which eventually led him to be a Priest. Now for Fr. Moymoy, his priestly chores has just begun.
Although still enjoying the cheers and best wishes of family members, friends, parishioners, and members of the clergy in the Garden State, Fr. Moymoy decided to pack up his bags in the company of Monsignor Barney Auza and Bishop Yet Cabahug to take that Tuesday flight on May 27, from JFK International Airport in New York to Manila, Philippines, all the way to Tagbilaran City then be homeward bound. Back to the welcoming arms of his loveones, long-lost friends, barangay folks and parishioners both in Dauis and Tagbilaran. He will be back soon in the Jersey State for Fr. Moymoy is given an outright assignment by the Jersey Bishop. - The Bohol Standard
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Topic: Bol-anon Ordained Priest in New Jersey (Read 2234 times)