Mission Society of the Philippines - Committed to share the gift of faith to the people

Mission Areas

1. THAILAND
Thailand is the first mission ad gentes of the MSP. In January 13, 1970, the MSP had sent its first missionary, Fr Pedro Pacuribot MSP, to the Diocese of Khorat (Nakhon Ratchasima). Five years later, Fr Filomeno Mahusay MSP joined Fr Pacuribot; he arrived in Thailand on September 8, 1975. Fr. Mahusay opened the Mary’s Help Center in 1994 at Nongbuakhok. With this development, Fr Leonilo Pacuribot MSP and Fr Alan Nelson Navales MSP joined him on June 17, 1998. At present (2007), only two priests remain in the kingdom, namely, Fr Filomeno Mahusay MSP and Fr Leonilo Pacuribot MSP. They take charge of two parishes and the Mary’s Help Center which is a refuge for people afflicted with AIDS. The Thailand mission remains the oldest extant MSP mission to date.
2. PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The MSP started its missionary endeavors in Papua New Guinea in 1982 through the pioneering effort of Fr Emilio Soon, particularly in the Diocese of Daru-Kiunga in the Western Province. A year later, Fr Nilo Nemenio joined Fr Soon. When these two priests returned home and subsequently left the Society, a new batch of MSP priests was sent to the diocese. The priests included Frs Alfredo Africa Jr MSP, Edward Edpalina MSP, Reynaldo Getalado MSP, Benedicto Pelias MSP, and Crisalex Concepcion. Seven years later, in May 15, 1989, another MSP mission was opened in the Diocese of Vanimo with the arrival Fr Manuel Jadraque Jr MSP and Fr Jude Thaddeus Besinga MSP. More priests followed and the MSP posts in the Diocese of Vanimo were as follows: Vanimo (Holy Cross Cathedral), Leitre, Utai, and Idam. In July 1989, he MSP extended its missionary apostolate in the Diocese of Kerema and in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby. The first batch of MSP priests who went to Kerema included Frs Wilfredo Borces MSP, Catalino Miranda MSP and Benito Sagra. The last batch included Frs Mario Tejada MSP, Restituto Quintillano MSP and Medallo Valmores (an Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de oro). Meanwhile, the first parishes taken by the MSP in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby were in Cape Rodney, Kupiano, and Boregaina. The last addition was the Sacred Heart Parish in Hohola. The first batch of MSP priests sent to the Archdiocese of Port Moresby were Frs Pedro Mesiona MSP, Julian Amamangpang MSP, Fred Homedia MSP, and Edwin de la Pena MSP (he is the present bishop of the Prelature of Marawi). The Hohola house now serves as the MSP District House. In June 2000, the MSP took the Mary Queen of the Pacific Parish in Waigani. Fr Eladio Oliver MSP was the first parish priest assigned there. The Waigani house eventually became the Regional House of the MSP. In 2005, a new mission was opened in the Diocese of Bougainville. Fr Reynaldo Getalado MSP was the first missionary sent to that once war-torn island. A year later he was joined by Fr Ernesto Ablaza MSP. Both work in the two parishes located in the tiny island of Nissan. At present the MSP missionaries working in the Land of the Unexpected are: Frs Kent Reynold Cue MSP, Eliseo Sangco MSP, Mario Espanio (an Associate Member from the Diocese of Surigao), Jose Antonio Arnaiz (an Associate Member from the Diocese of Dumaguete), Guillermo Tadena MSP, Reynaldo Getalado MSP and Ernesto Ablaza MSP. The PNG Region used to include the MSP missions in the Solomon Islands. The first MSP mission opened in these islands was in the Diocese of Honiara. Serving in the said diocese were Fr Eduardo Orilla and Fr Jimmy Afable, an Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Davao (he is the present bishop of the Diocese of Digos). In 1996, the MSPs moved to the Diocese of Auki in Malaita. The first MSP missionaries sent there were Fr Benito Sagra, Fr Edgar Labagala (an Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Davao) and Fr Cipriano Labagala (an Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Caceres). In 2004, the MSP closed its mission in the Diocese of Auki. The last MSP missionaries in the island were Fr Nilo Resco MSP and Fr Noel Suarez, an Associate Member from the Diocese of Malaybalay.
3. TAIWAN
The MSP serves in the two dioceses in Taiwan, namely, the Diocese of Hsinchu and the Diocese of Taichung. The first Chinese mission was opened on July 20, 1989 in the Diocese of Hsinchu through Fr Carmelo Horlador MSP. He was teamed with Fr Joseph Biliran, an MSP Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Manila. Twelve years later, the MSP accepted the invitation to work in the Diocese of Taichung. Fr Reynaldo Lipat MSP, the first MSP sent to that diocese, arrived on September 20, 2001. He was later joined by Frs Eliseo Napiere MSP, Agustino Jugadora MSP and Jimmy Cabuntucan MSP. At present (2007), there are four MSP priests working in the Diocese of Hsinchu, namely, Frs Nemesio Uy MSP, Reynaldo Paculob MSP, Julian Amamangpang MSP and Manuel Jadraque Jr MSP.
4. JAPAN
In the Land of the Rising Sun, the MSP began its missionary work in the Diocese of Kyoto in 1991 through Fr Jude Thaddeus Besinga MSP and Fr Primitivo Balasbas MSP, the first MSP missionaries to that diocese. The Diocese of Kyoto consists of four prefectures of Japan: Kyoto, Nara, Mei and Shiga. Eleven years later, the MSP’s mission in Japan extended to the Diocese of Naha in the island of Okinawa. The MSP sent the veteran missionary in Japan, Fr Primitivo Balasbas MSP as the first MSP missionary to that island diocese. Later, he was joined by Fr Rommel Cruz MSP. Years later, Fr Senador Lumandas MSP joined them. The MSP apostolate involves working in parishes, catering to the Japanese faithful as well as working for the Filipino migrants. The current MSP missionaries in the Diocese of Kyoto are Frs Aquilino Tabamo MSP, Elmer Dimarucut MSP, Faustino Galo MSP and Exor Arce MSP. WEBSITE: www.mspjapan.zoomshare.com
5. SOUTH KOREA
The MSP presence in South Korea started through an invitation in 1990 by Fr Jerry Hammond MM, then Superior of the Maryknoll Fathers in Seoul. Fr Socrates Mesiona MSP went to Seoul and discussed the agreement with the Maryknoll Missionaries. When the agreement was finalized, the MSP sent three seminarians (now priests), namely, Leonilo Pacuribot, Gorgonio Llubit Jr and Rolando Detera for their Overseas Training Program (OTP) exposure. In September 1992, after the return of the seminarians to the Philippines, the MSP this time sent two priests, Fr Restituto Galang MSP and Fr Glenn Giovanni Jaron MSP to work in the Archdiocese of Seoul, together with two seminarians, Isidro Alimbuyong Jr (now priest) and the late Sergio Bompat. The MSP apostolate in the Land of the Morning Calm is focused mainly on the Filipino Migrants, especially the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Community. However, it reaches out too its service to Filipino migrants of different faiths. With the support of the Archdiocese of Seoul, the MSP was able to establish the Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants, where Filipinos in distress have been temporarily sheltered, counseled and given opportunity to participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In 1998, Fr Jaron was left alone to carry out the work for the Filipino migrants. Later, he was joined by Fr Salvador Marcaida MSP. In 2005, Fr Marcaida was transferred to the new mission in the Diocese of Uijeongbu. The apostolate in Uijeongbu also focuses on the Filipino migrants. In 2007, Fr Alvin Parantar MSP was sent to Seoul in order to continue Fr Jaron’s post at the Center and the MSP apostolate for the Filipino migrants.
6. NEW ZEALAND
Through the invitation of Bishop Patrick Dunn DD of the Diocese of Auckland, the MSP was able to start its mission in New Zealand. It was in June 1996 when Fr Manuel Jadraque MSP arrived in the country. After a short stint as assistant Parish Priest of St. Michael in Remuera, he was later appointed Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception in Ellerslie. In 1998, Fr Jose Gerome Hernandez MSP joined him. With the election of Fr Jadraque as MSP Father Moderator in 1999, Fr Roberto Ruben Elago MSP took his place in New Zealand. Later, Fr Reynaldo Getalado MSP came and was assigned in a parish in Waitaruke, north of Auckland. Aside from the parish pastoral work, the MSP missionaries are involved in Filipino migrant work and some tribal ministries. In 2005, the MSP left Ellerslie and transferred to the Good Shepherd Parish in Balmoral. In May 2007, the MSP celebrated its 10th anniversary of its apostolate with the Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy. Outside Auckland, there are two more parishes assigned to the MSP: one in Dargaville, where Fr Oliver Aro MSP has been assigned and one in Thames, where Fr Ronelo Resco MSP ministered. In late 2007, the MSP accepted the apostolate for the Maoris. In early 2008, Fr Ricardo Bugas Jr MSP arrived and he was designated as priest-in-charge of the Maori Apostolate in the diocese.
7. GUYANA
The MSP reached the shores of South America through the arrival of Fr Faustino Pinili MSP and Fr Jaime Lalaguna MSP in the Diocese of Georgetown. The two missionaries arrived in Georgetown, Guyana on June 18, 2003. On August 1, 2003, Fr Pinili was installed as Parish Priest of the Holy Guardian Angels in Hopetown, West Berbice while Fr Lalaguna was installed Parish Priest of the Ascension in East Berbice. Aside from serving as parish priest, Fr Pinili was designated as chaplain of the Missionary Sisters of Charity. After his term, Fr Pinili came back home for good. At that time, Fr Lalaguna was transferred to a mission in Hosororo, near the border of Venezuela. Then Fr Lalaguna was teamed up with Fr Edwin Beley, an MSP Associate Member from the Diocese of Cabanatuan. When Fr Beley finished his conract in 2008, another Associate Member replaced him. He is Fr Allan Chabit from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de oro. Website: www.mspguyana.zoomshare.com
8. AMERICAN SAMOA
It was on June 10, 2002 when Fr Eladio Oliver MSP and Fr Isidro Alimbuyong Jr MSP set foot in American Samoa to start a mission. When Fr. Alimbuyong went home toward the end of 2002, Fr Ricarte Galo MSP replaced him. In January 2003, Fr Oliver was appointed administrator of Christ the King Parish in Nu’uuli. Mission work in this country, aside from parish work, includes Campus Ministry, teaching and chaplaincy at Fa’asao Marist High School. The MSP missionaries likewise collaborate with other religious congregations in doing apostolate to Filipino migrants. Fr Benedicto Pelias MSP was left alone when Fr Galo left American Samoa for good. In the wake of unavoidable circumstances, the MSP (temporarily) closed its mission in American Samoa in early 2008.
9. THE COOK ISLANDS
At the very heart of the Polynesian triangle lie the Cook Islands which consist of fifteen islands bordered by the Samoas, Tahiti and the French Polynesia. Fr Ruben Elago MSP was instrumental in the opening of the MSP mission there. Then the MSP sent Frs Marcelino Rosales MSP and Jose Sonny Cantillano MSP as the first MSP missionaries who arrived in these Pacific islands in September 2004. They were sent and assigned in the islands of Aitutaki and Atiu respectively. Aitutaki was the first island in the Cook group of islands to embrace Christianity through John Williams of the London Missionary Society who arrived in the island in 1821. Fr Rosales and Fr Cantillano were joined by Fr Faustino Pinili MSP who followed them in 2007. Fr Pinili has been assigned in a Catholic Church left by the Marist Fathers in Arorangi (Rarotonga). Currently, these three MSP priests remain in the islands.
10. AUSTRALIA
In late 2004, Bp Gerard Holohan DD of Bunbury had invited the MSP Fathers to work in his diocese. The Bunbury diocese, which used to be part of the Archdiocese of Perth, was erected in 12 November 1954. In October 2004, Frs Socrates Mesiona MSP and Patricio Casino MSP visited the place and finalized the agreement with the diocese. On May 6, 2005, Msgr Tomas Gonzalez, an MSP Associate Member from the Archdiocese of Manila, went there as the first MSP missionary in the Australian soil. Ten days later a powerful tornado hit Western Australia. It was so powerful that the St Patrick’s Cathedral leaned to the right by few inches. The parish house was also severely damaged. The cathedral, like other houses in the vicinity, was then demolished. Msgr Gonzalez received his assignment as pastor of the St Brigid’s Parish, which was established in 1899, in Collie, WA. A year later (2006), Msgr Gonzalez was joined by Fr Adolfo Bonghanoy Jr MSP who was assigned as an Assistant Pastor at the central parish in Bunbury.
11. THE NETHERLANDS
Through the invitation of Bp Frans Wiertz, the MSP had commenced its European mission in the southern part of the Netherlands, particularly in the Diocese of Roermond. The diocese shares the borders of Germany and Belgium. The first MSP missionaries sent to this diocese were Fr Cesar Tablon MSP and Fr Jonathan Germinanda MSP who arrived in Roermond on December 8, 2006. In the first ten months, both missionaries stayed at the Major Seminary in Rolduc while having intensive Netherlands language studies. In October 2007, both received their assignments and were sent to the Deanery of Venlo-Tegelen. These two cities are located along the border of Germany. The deanery has a cluster of parishes wherein Frs Tablon and Germinanda were given at least three parishes each to take care. Fr Tablon ministers in Venlo while Fr Germinanda in Tegelen.
12. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
After Europe, the MSP reached the North America particularly in the Diocese of Sacramento in California, the United States of America. Fr Alfredo Africa Jr MSP was the first MSP missionary sent to that diocese. He arrived in the diocese in June 2007. Shortly after his arrival, Fr Africa was appointed as the Parochial Vicar of St Clare Parish in Roseville on July 18, 2007. About two months later, on September 27, 2007 to be exact, he received a new appointment: as the Parochial Vicar of two parishes which are about four miles apart. The two parishes are St Patrick in Jackson, CA and Immaculate Conception in Sutter Creek, CA.
13. THE UNITED KINGDOM
The bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, Rt Rev Kevin Dunn DD, sent his invitation to the MSP in order to work specifically for the Filipino migrants in his diocese. The diocese comprises the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and part of Cleveland North. It is located in the northern part of England and is close to Scotland. In March 2007, Fr Patricio Casino MSP was sent in order to discuss and finalize the agreement with the diocese. On September 5, 2007, Fr Restituto Quintillano MSP arrived the place as the first MSP missionary. He stays at the parish of St Joseph in Sunderland. He received his assignment as Chaplain of the Filipino migrants, as well as those of Filipino origins, in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

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