Parañaque City, the Philippines, 14 September 2016 -- Today is a day of thanksgiving for the Blessed Stephen Sandor Community for we celebrated the 70th birthday of Br. Joe Ferrer, SDB.
The celebration began in the morning with Holy Mass whose main celebrant was the beloved novitiate companion of Br. Joe, Fr. Celestino ‘Jun’ Lingad, SDB. The confreres from the Rinaldi Community (Don Bosco Center of Studies’ professors’ community) were present in the Eucharistic celebration. Immediately after the mass, those present gathered around Br. Joe and wished him a very happy birthday in songs and joyful greetings.
The Rinaldi Community served a special lunch in Br. Joe’s honor. He was a member of their community last year. Brothers of the Sandor Community joined in and animated the meal with music, felicitations, gifts, and a sincere wish for their 'elder brother' to celebrate more birthdays in the years to come. Fr. Arnold Sanico, SDB, the Rector of Sandor Community, recognized the presence of Br. Joe as a precious gift, a treasure, and a source of inspiration for the whole community.
Br. Joe in his response restated in his own jovial tone Don Bosco’s motto, ‘give me souls also the rest’ (da mihi animas cetera quoque). This reveals his personality and character as a good person with a good humor and that no one goes unnoticed from his vision. He is a very silent man yet his presence makes lot of difference in the community—it speaks of how experienced he is in life.
A Salesian Brother for 53 years, Br. Joe feels nourished and satisfied as a Salesian who has served innumerable young people in his life. But the long years of service and selfless self-gift does not make him lax. He revealed that he still examines and reflects about his being and his doing—such a humility that inspires young Salesian Brothers who lives with him!
On a personal note, allow me to share that I see Br. Joe as St. Joseph—silent yet he played an important role in the salvation history. Br. Joe in his silence inspires, nurtures and cares. Let us continue to pray for Br. Joe on his 70th birthday that the Lord may grant him good health and continue to shower his blessing upon him that he may continue to be a source of inspiration for many more souls.
Br. Joe Ferrer is one of the more senior Salesian Brothers in the Philippines North Province (FIN). He is currently the economer of the Sandor Community.
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