CIRCULAR
Prtcl. No. 001 s. 2021
TO : PARISH PRIESTS AND PRIESTS MISSION IN-CHARGE
RE : PERTINENT MATTERS AND CONCERNS RELATIVE TO THE UP COMING GENERAL RESHUFFLING
Dear Brother Priests,
PEACE!
Good stewards always commence a year with gratitude to the past and renewed fervor towards the future. On this note I express my profound gratitude to all of you for having shepherded your communities with determination and compassion. We have surpassed a year full of unfavorable experiences. As we look forward to another year of grace and favor let us intensify our desires and focus on our vision to become God’s gifts to others. The ministerial priesthood is the highest gift that we can share to others in the call to mission and evangelization.
This year is a very particular journey for all of us. The general transfer of assignments is fast approaching. Each one will be sent into another assignment, another mission, in the vineyard of the Lord. The whole picture of the new assignments, that I have started to fill in, is now taking shape. That is why I am writing you this early so that you can prepare the necessary documents and attend to important issues relative to this year’s reshuffling. Specifically please take note of the following:
- Prepare all canonical books (all data must be entered before the effectivity date of the new assignments).
- Prepare all the reports and minutes of the PPC / PFC and other documents relative to parish pastoral programs and administration.
- All priests are enjoined to refrain from venturing into projects exceeding a budget of PhP 200,000.00.
- Any parish that has already started a project exceeding the mentioned budget should see to it that at the time of transfer all debts incurred with the project should have been fully paid. The newly assigned pastor shall continue the project but must be free from the burden of settling unpaid debts of the previous pastor.
- Parish financial statements should be handed over to the new pastor clean and free from obligations arising from unsettled payables.
The matters mentioned above should guide all priests, particularly those who are in the parishes and mission stations, to the effect of a smooth and easy movement. As we prepare ourselves to open new pastoral horizons let us entrust ourselves to our Lady and St. Joseph. The holy couple has given us an example of a transparent and honest life. May these two traits inspire us as we desire to be more of service to God and his Church.
With profound appreciation and gratitude for your unselfish collaboration in the ministry, I impart my blessing on all of you.
Given this 21st day of February in the year of our Lord 2021, First Sunday of Lent, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center and Chancery, Palo, Leyte.
(SGD) ♱ MOST REV. JOHN F. DU, D.D.
Archbishop of Palo