Sunday, September 30, 2007 Papal awardees: Cross Ecclesia et Pontifice By Jenara Regis Newman
FOR the third time as archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal recommended to the Pope the giving of awards to the individuals in the archdiocese who have given valuable service to the church. And so, at recent rites held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cardinal Vidal conferred the knighthood of Pope St. Sylvester on Ernesto Aboitiz, Josefina Matheu and Norma H. Liu. In the same rites, Cardinal Vidal also awarded the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to nine deserving individuals and the Benemerenti Medal to a medical doctor.
The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, or Cross for the Church and the Pontiff, is a medal of honor given to persons who have served the church with their time, talent expertise – to paraphrase the emcee during awards night- “for free.” The awardees are:
Engelberto B. Alaba, “Advocate of Home Spirituality,” has been giving home retreats for couples and/or families who have no time to go on spiritual retreat in retreat houses. He goes to homes where he gives spiritual guidance, meditations and points of reflection.
Engr. Eriberto T. Caballero, “Builder of God’s Houses,” has been the construction or renovation supervisor of chapels and churches not just in Cebu, but also in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. His works for the church in Cebu include the sanctuary renovation of the Sto. Rosario church, the Talamban Parish prayer room and the wall rehabilitation of the Basilica del Santo Niño.
Ver dela Cerna, “Christian Businessman,” coordinates archdiocesan needs with the business group, including the company he works for, Ayala Holdings.
Socorro Gonzalez, “Caritas for Life,” has been the volunteer cashier for the Caritas office for more than 30 years.
Elena D. Jarantilla, “Guardian of the Church Patrimony,” has been taking care of the church lands of the archdiocese in the province, using her expertise in dealing with the relevant offices and authority on the matter.
Architect Melva Rodriguez Java, “Guardian of the Church Cultural Heritage,” is instrumental in the rehabilitation and renovation of the Cebu Cathedral parish convento, converting it into the Cathedral Museum that one sees today.
Nonito Limchua, “Crusader of the Spirit,” is head servant of the Oasis of Love, linking Church and Media through the Catholic media channel, CCTN.
Atty. Julius Neri, “Defender of Church Rights,” is director and legal counsel of the Administrative Board of the Archdiocese of Cebu and corporate secretary and legal counsel of Cebu Caritas Inc. He is the lawyer for cases involving archdiocese affairs.
Dr. Montana C. Saniel, “Christian Educator,” is involved in pastoral planning and general pastoral assemblies.
Of these nine awardees, three have a common educational background: Elena Du Jarantilla and Melva Rodriguez Java, who are high school graduates of St. Theresa’s College, and Julius Neri, who took up his grade school studies in the same school.
They have lived their school’s motto, “Let science, Virtue and Art flourish,” not just for their individual growth, but also in the service of the faith their school nurtured in them.
The lone Benemerenti Medal, or meritorious medal awardee, is Dr. Rene Josef C. Bullecer, “Crusader of Human Life and Love,” who has been advocating the sanctity of human life, from the womb, speaking on the subject wherever he may be called.
These are the Cross Ecclesia
Et Pontifice awardees, all serving the church with time, talent and expertise, all for the glory of God. And yes, for free.
