Bon Voyage Fr. Ronnie!

Cagayan de Oro City: A mixed emotion of sadness and joy is felt today as Calabrian Children’s Foundation Inc., bids adieu to its then executive director, Fr. Ronnie Lapara, PSDP, and as they welcome Fr. Miller John Masillones, PSDP, the new executive director, together with Fr. Mark Jonnel Magos, PSDP, superior of the religious community of Bayabas.

At three o’ clock this afternoon, 11 July 2024, the Calabrian family in Cagayan de Oro City gathered together at the function hall of Calabrian Children’s Foundation (CCF), Home for Boys, for the Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Ronnie was the main presider and he was accompanied by Fr. Miller, Fr. Jonnel, Fr. Melchizedek de Lara, PSDP and Rev. Keirstin Lamparas, PSDP. In his homily, Fr. Ronnie spoke of the importance of mission as mandated by Christ and that as Calabrian missionaries, we take to heart this missionary zeal for the welfare of humanity.

Right after the mass, a simple program was prepared as a tribute for Fr. Ronnie in thanksgiving for his selfless service to CCF. Aside from dance and song presentations from the children, the program was also flooded with greetings and messages by those people whose lives he touched in many ways. The program ended with a palatable dinner shared generously by everyone who participated to the program.

On 17th of July 2024, Fr. Ronnie will leave Cagayan de Oro for holidays back in his own native place of Calbayog City, Samar. In August, he will go to Manila to prepare his travel documents going to his new mission in Papua New Guinea.