Thursday, August 07, 2008 Legaspi: A bishop among us By Carlos Legaspi Jr. Questions that matter
MOST Reverend Gerardo Alminaza, D.D had been raised to the order of the episcopacy last August 4, 2008. He now sits as auxiliary bishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jaro. He is now part of the direct successors of the apostles in the missionary and apostolic work of the Church.
Bishop Gerry's Episcopal motto is "Sicut Christus vivit" translated as "As Christ Lives." This is now the way of life of the new bishop. He has imposed upon himself the way of life that is that of Christ. Bishop Gerry has always been faithful to the vocation he had embraced. He now would move forward as a pastor to serve, to sanctify and to preach.
I attended his ordination to the episcopacy with all the excitement of seeing my former professor of Philosophy and seminary formator's transformation into one of the successors of the apostles. It was indeed a moving experience seeing a person taken from the ranks of the priesthood and turned into the direct successor of the apostles.
Personally, I know Fr. Gerry as my formator and adviser at the Sacred Heart Seminary way back in 1987. He was our dean of Studies and under his office I was assigned as the seminary chronicler at the time. That time, Fr. Gerry was always thinking ahead of his time. He would bring us to the "next level". He has integrated theater in our formation and spirituality. In short, he has revolutionized the traditions of the seminary.
Spiritually, he was beyond question. He initiated the construction of prayer rooms in each floor of the seminary building. He introduced interiority in our prayer life. He also introduced to us the spirituality that would make our spirituality alive and relevant. The focolare way of spirituality was introduced to the younger seminarians. Many of them embraced the way of life.
In academics, Fr. Gerry would not settle for less. He would always make us strive to do the best. He introduced modules to improve our speaking and writing abilities. He introduced me to the world of mass media. He allowed me to volunteer in the Diocesan Commission on Social Communications publication and to volunteer in the TV program 'Negros Church in Focus'. During these times, he would always remind me of my academics and he would not allow me to settle for mediocrity. It was only these past years that I realize that what he was doing to me was to prepare me to face the challenges of my present job.
In one occasion, I represented the department of Philosophy in an extemporaneous speaking contest and turned out to be second place. In front of the community, he did not congratulate me but told the community that he is saddened that I landed second place only. It challenged me more to work for the best.
He was a formator who would not get angry easily but he would always bring back to you the responsibility of your act. He would often ask us the objective of our action. Even in projects or programs that we hold, he would often seek for the objective before the execution. This he believed would put a stop to the failures in any programs.
Bishop Gerry has also opened an avenue for me to develop emceeing. He would often ask me to host programs in the seminary. During the Eucharistic Congress, I was one of the voices behind every program.
In 1988, I lost interest in my dream of becoming a priest and had to decide to leave the seminary. So, I left and pursued another calling. Fr. Gerry grew more in spirit and now has been raised to this rank.
I go with the papal nuncio in reminding Fr. Gerry to remain as a friend to the priests and to the laity. May he radiate as a bishop and may he also continue to walk with pride as a product of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.
We are proud of you. Move forward, Bishop Gerry. ecaloy1@yahoo.com
