By Fr. Jude Mirasol Garceniego

The author wrote the article My First Fiat To God's Call when a seminarian, which we published in Misyon (then a magazine) May-June 2007 issue. Fr. Jude was ordained priest in 2013. He founded SPAG-Asa on September 22, 2016 while doing further studies in Rome, Italy. You may visit the Facebook Group of SPAG-Asa here.

I was baptized by Rev. Fr. Donal Hogan, a Columban Missionary, on February 10, 1985, a day before the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Candoni, Negros Occidental. I was then two months and one day old. I finished my secondary education in Our Lady of Lourdes High School of Candoni established by the Columbans, and attained my bachelor’s degree in Kabankalan Catholic College, also a Columban school. Furthermore, I finished my five years of Philosophy in the Little Way College Seminary, as one of the pioneering seminarians, supported by the Little Association – a group closely connected with the Columbans Missionaries. Presently, I am a priest of the Kabankalan Diocese assigned to the Parish of St. Paul in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. This was the last Columban parish in the Diocese of Kabankalan. Fr. Michael Doohan served as the last Columban parish priest in this parish. Fr. Seán Coyle confirmed this in his message to me during my transfer on September 2, 2017.

Fr. Jude (right) with Columban Fr. Brian Gore (left) on the latter’s 50th sacerdotal anniversary celebration

When I was still in my Philosophy years, I read the books written by Fr. Niall O’Brien about his amazing experiences living the life of the “Kristianong Katilingban” together with Fr. Brian Gore. My life as a young seminarian was, indeed, influenced by the Columbans, most especially by their love and dedication in serving the poor and the marginalized – the beloved of God. I dreamed not just of becoming a priest but to be a priest with a heart dedicated to the poor – as I am also one of the poor. The day of my ordination to the priesthood came on August 27, 2013, on the Feast of Santa Monica, the Mother of San Agustin. On that day, while I lay prostrated in front of the altar and praying the Litany of the Saints, I asked the Lord to always remind me of my commitment to the poor – “Lord, if I forget the poor, this gift of priesthood you shared with me today will turn into nothing...” And then, during the consecration rites presided by Bishop Patricio A. Buzon, SDB, DD, then Bishop of the Diocese of Kabankalan, I offered the same prayer. I was poor. I am poor, and will always be a poor priest with and for the poor.

With this inspiration and commitment, and with the grace from God (always in His grace and inspiration), SPAG-Asa, - “Sharing with the Poor is Always a Grace – a Hope”, was created and made possible. It is a “Charity-Work” and aims to provide meals for the poor and malnourished children in the Southern Part of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is basically a feeding program but does not limit its task to feeding only. It also educates children in Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and teaches them about Christian Faith through catechesis, together with their parents who are their first teachers. SPAG-Asa also provides opportunities for parents to learn practical ways or techniques on how to give proper nourishment to their children.

SPAG-ASA derives its name from the food spaghetti, shortened into “SPAG” as we commonly call it and with the word “ASA” which means HOPE. People of good heart donating foods, especially spaghetti pasta, will not only nourish the physical aspect of the children but will also give them HOPE, the hope that indeed God is really a God who provides, who always gives through the generosity of His beloved people.