Saturday, September 6, 2014

FROM FR. EFREN

Tim,

Looks like this story took off on its own.  Precisely an indication of how effectively Chamorros reach out when they hear of someone in need.  During the clergy retreat last year I happened to mention to Msgr James my predicament so he immediately contacted Mr. Jerry Calvo (Select Care) by fax which he approved right away.  Mr. Calvo was quoted as saying, "we have to take care of Pale'".  He did not renege on his company's commitment to healthcare, and on his authority to make decisions.  He had command responsibility and acted swiftly.  Something that is not evident in how leaders in the Archdiocese deals with matters.  There is no backbone, no sense of urgency and no accountability, just a mad desire to eviscerate anyone they deem undesirable to their cause.

Msgr James can get things done because he nurtures relationship, his is not a one-way traffic friendship, he does not use people to further his goals, people see a need and they volunteer time, talent and treasure which comes from trusting their "leader and friend."  He uses things and loves people, not vice-versa.  In Manila, Fr Mike dropped me off after visiting with Deacon Fred who was at a care facility.  He shook my hand and I didn't realize  he pressed something into my palm.  When he left, I saw he had left 12 crisp one thousand peso bills ($300) which was equivalent of a one-month budget coming from my savings.  I nearly cried right there, not so much for the money but because someone cared enough to know I was struggling.  I am not good in asking for personal needs.

I do want to make this very clear:  it is not about me...I am fine and right now gainfully employed. Thank you for the concern of many but let us focus on the bigger issues at hand, we have a diocese in disarray.  Thanks to the incisive research and documentation of "this" blog, and the informed opinions of our sensus fidelium, we have brought vital matters to the fore.  The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana has become a laughingstock both locally and internationally.  The road is inescapable:  leadership has to put things right and to do their part in bringing this debacle to a reasonable solution. If they cannot or will not, I pray that they stay out of our way so we can start the long healing process.  Meanwhile  I plan to stay off the Kool Aid.  

Father Efren Adversario
In Arduis Fideli

20 comments:

  1. Aren't you glad they removed you from Cathedral. Shit rolls down hill. All this shit now happening would been blamed on you. Don't you think that if you were going to take over an organization you would plan ahead. Governors have plans to run the government. Senators have plans on legislations for the island. Parents have plans for their families. But the three amigos, they just kick all non neos in the ass and out of the Cathedral.
    Now that you have taken over the Cathedral, the question is what's next? Followed by "Oh shit!" "I don't know how." Your ineptness in running this organization is so obvious. Can't do the novena, don't know how to do the fiesta, send the neos in for the masses to make the Cathedral look a little more than empty, reduction in donations, air conditioners breaking down, loans soon to be delinquent, closure of the Catholic museum, can't open or close the cemetery on time, can't meet the deadline set by the archbishop for the financial statement of the cemetery, can't pay your power bills on time, etc, etc.
    If you can't run the show, get out of Dodge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Would luv to post that comment but sh*t is one of the words I don't permit. Pls edit :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tim why is it that I can still see the previous comment with the word Sh*t all over ? Just bringing it to your attention. It's still visible...

      Delete
  3. If I were walking down the street and I saw you on one side and Adrian, David and Tony on the other side of the street, I would go pay my respect to you and walk away from the three banditos. So would the 144,500 non neo Catholics.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry, I was going to use crap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay. Since you said you're sorry I'll post the comment :)

      Delete
  5. This is a bit off-topic. At the liturgical-catechetical conference the archbishop looked very anxious and defensive. Being NCW certainly isn't making him very happy. He surrounded himself most of the time with NCW seminarians. I was puzzled as to why the archbishop and his NCW seminarians led us in the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament if they don't believe in the Real Presence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They must pretend...for now.

      Delete
    2. And as one legitimately ordained into a real Catholic order, the archbishop knows better. For this, he will burn.

      Delete
    3. I found it interesting that the Archbishop did not speak- unless it was scripted. It was a tad awkward of an event. The opening prayer service began without a greeting. No one knew what part to do- there was a "left" and a "right"- so people just jumped in wherever. Then he simply read the proclamation. Then he did chime in and hastily started the blessing for lunch, when it was forgotten on the program. I will admit, I left before the Exposition, so I missed that part. I was curious as to why there was no Mass? I did enjoy the main speaker- he was very good.

      Delete

    4. So Dominic Kim what exactly do you do all day in the finance office. Monsignor James and Mr. Calvo seem better able to govern the Finances of this archdiocese than you do. What a wasted financial burden you have become to the people of Guam.

      Delete
    5. Christine, I also was disappointed that there was no mass. Chancery staff told me it was because the organizers wanted us to focus on forgiveness and reconciliation which is why they encouraged us to go to confession. I joked to a number of fellow anti-NCW sympathizers that the wrong people were going to confession-that it should be the NCW leadership that should be going to confession and repenting of their deception, lies, greed, aggression, brutality, etc. Fat chance of that happening!

      Delete
    6. Where does DEACON Kim serve. What parish is he assigned to?

      Delete
  6. Father Efren, you are a fantastic writer! You're my new fav.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fr. Efren, shake the dust off your sandals at his doorstep and take solace in Jesus' own words, whatsoever you do the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. There will be a special place reserved just for this archbishop...plenty of wailing and grinding of teeth and all that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. To 8:34pm. As I saw it. I saw the neo seminarians and also a non neo seminarian junee valencia. junee is not neo.

    ReplyDelete
  9. @ 9:58, Is the Seminarian Junee? If so, what would it matter... same people that educate the NCW seminarians are the very people that educate Junee. Same folks, same curriculum, different location.

    The Hill must think people we are stupid to not realize it. Considering the costs, might as well have Junee attend an off island seminary.

    Its all part of their BIG ILLUSION.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fr. Efren:

    The Truth will set you free. Keep talking!

    ReplyDelete
  11. @ annon 6:44-- I was almost going to go to confession with a Neo priest and mention during my confession "I like the jungle or blogs"-- just to see the reaction :) Anyway- I saw what you had said, but- I wondered if the whole issue in regards to mass and where it can and can not be held depending on who you are had anything to do with this change. (see post "EVEN GOVERNOR CALVO IS WAITING FOR AN ANSWER" ) I believe there has always been a mass at these things. And- wouldn't it have been great to offer confession and then to offer mass at the end?! Truly entering the eucharist with a "clean slate". If they had done away with the awkward prayer service and shifted things- more than enough time for confessions and mass. I do love a good adoration- but I prefer a more intimate setting for that, which is why I left.

    ReplyDelete