Borongan clergy to promote vocation through music

A local concert tour by the clergy of the Diocese of Borongan is one of the highlights in their local celebration of the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons.

Dubbed as “Dayaw” or Praise, the theme of the concert is inspired by Psalm 52:9: “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.”

Fr. Jan Michael Gadicho, the chair of the diocesan Commission on Clergy and the overall director of the concert, said “our life and ministry as priests is a total praise to God, leading and serving our people to give praise to the Lord.”

He said the main objective of the activity is “to evangelize people about vocation and priestly life, and to thank the faithful for their support”.

While the concert is free for the public, there will be paid seats to help organizers defray the production cost.

“The proceeds from this concert shall be used in the ongoing formation of the clergy so that truly we may become renewed servant-leaders,” Gadicho added.

Fr. Andiy Egargo, the concert’s musical director, said “the repertoire of this concert is centered on the ‘life and love of a priest.’ The songs hopefully will capture our story, our life, our love as ministers of God.”

“You’ll Never Walk Alone, for example, is a theme that we have always shared together as Borongan clergy, even while we were seminarians. Waray mag-uusaan ngadto han altar ni Kristo; The Lord’s Prayer, and Ave Maria are prayers close to our hearts,” the musician-priest said.

Asked what people may expect from the concert, Egargo said: “It will be an evening of wholesome fun where we see our priests not as presiders of sacraments or servant-leaders engaged in pastoral ministry but the human priest, always in love with God and his people.”

The concert shall be held in the following towns and dates: Dolores on August 13, Borongan on Aug. 29, Balangiga of September 27, and Guiuan on October 4.