By Roy Lagarde/CBCP News The new head of the Catholic hierarchy on Saturday set a two-year agenda focused on caring for bishops, strengthening coordination, care, deepening synodality. Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, outlined his priorities at the opening of the 131st CBCP plenary assembly in Manila. As his first priority, he stressed support for bishops themselves. “Before tending the flock, we must care for the s

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Three hundred forty-five attendees from twenty-five participating schools of the Catholic Educational Association of Caceres and Libmanan (CEACAL) joined the Educators Congress yesterday, Jan 28, feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and patron of Catholic schools. In his message, CEACAL President Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria, called on attendees to "form hearts that burn with the love of Christ, capable of transforming societies and shaping nat

By The COMBIBLIA Staff TINANGIS PROVINCIAL JAIL – “We are all sinners. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all members of the Church.” These were the comforting words of Fr. Erwin Blasa, Director of the Caceres Commission on Biblical Apostolate (Caceres COMBIBLIA), to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) during the celebration of National Bible Sunday on January 25. In an event emphasizing inclusivity and participation in the Church, Caceres COMBIBLIA, in partnersh

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 8:23—9:3 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “When we see the image of the Sto. Nino, it is an invitation to change our quick-fix mentality. To change from within, without any shortcuts.” This was the message of Fr. Francis Tordilla, Rector of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, as he delivered his homily on the feast of Sto. Niño, January 18, at the Balatas Development Complex, where hundreds of devotees gathered for a eucharistic celebration after the procession and street dance. Tordilla, who lam

By CBCP News Pope Leo XIV urged unity and service to the poor as Cebu Catholics gathered for the annual Fiesta Señor at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. In a message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, the pope said the annual feast should inspire believers to live their baptism through service. Parolin said the pope hopes that the celebration will inspire the devotees “a greater desire to embrace the baptismal call to live a grace-fill

Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, newly installed Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications (ECSC) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), begins his term with a seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the first day of the CBCP Plenary Assembly. Held last Tuesday, January 20, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila, Alarcon cited the Vatican document on AI, Antiqua et Nova, in his message, highlighting the importance of

By Edward Pentin/CNA Pope Leo XIV will be hosting a second consistory of cardinals at the end of June and wants to hold such meetings annually. The Vatican made the announcement at the conclusion of the Holy Father’s first extraordinary consistory of cardinals that lasted two days. The next such meeting is expected to be held on June 27–28, the vigil of Sts. Peter and Paul. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope would like to hold annual meetings lasting three to four d

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 R/ (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Gospel Reading: John 1:29-34 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know him,

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat “The Black Nazare is a symbol of a new beginning." This was the message of Caceres Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tria Tirona, O.C.D. as he celebrated the mass on the eve of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Holy Cross Parish in Tabuco, Naga City, January 9. "We enter a New Year with the Black Nazarene as our inspiration," he said. "We are invited to accept Jesus Christ as our guide as we cross this New Year." The image of the Black Nazarene, the Ca

By Sem. Samuel Jed Llorin It was my very first time to experience Manila’s celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno. Several of us who had just arrived after the Christmas break volunteered to give communion during the Mass held at the Quirino Grandstand prior to the Traslacion, Present were thousands of devotees. Our group from UST is one of the several religious congregations and seminaries enjoined to render such service. There is a question I ask myself all the time: “W

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú / Catholic News Agency VATICAN --- Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree

The Baptism of the Lord First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace. Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38 Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righte

Time keeps moving, whether we’re ready or not. We can’t stop it, and we can’t stop a new year from beginning. But what we can choose is how we begin this year—and what we decide to pursue as it unfolds. We also can’t undo the past. We can remain stuck in regret, or we can choose gratitude. We may not be able to erase our mistakes, but with God’s grace, we can learn from them and allow them to shape us into better, more loving people. This past year has not been easy. There ha

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat Bishop Jose Bantolo passed away on Dec. 13, 2025 after battling a chronic illness. He was 65. Born in Antique and ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Jose de Antique in 1986, Bantolo was appointed by then Pope Benedict XVI as the 3rd Bishop of Masbate in 2011. He was ordained a Bishop on Aug. 22, 2011 and was installed as the prelate of Masbate on Sept. 6, 2011. He chose the motto: “Vivere Christus est” (To live is Christ). His pastoral leadershi