Obituary: +Fray Joel Saladar Naranja, OAR

naranja

 TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT FAMILY 

 Dear brothers and sisters: 

It is my sad duty to formally break this news to you: our brother, FRAY JOEL SALADAR NARANJA, OAR, passed away at 8:30 p.m. of August 8, 2021, a Sunday (or at 8:30 a.m. of August 9, Philippine time) at the ICU of “Carlos Enrique Font” Hospital in Banes, Holguín, Cuba. After his 12-day battle with Covid-19 since July 27 when he had tested positive of the coronavirus, during which he texted me: “Hard cough ko and shortness of breath” (I have dry cough and shortness of breath); then, on August 1, when he was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia, and three days after that, he was intubated; and despite the combination of fervent prayers and medical expertise, he succumbed to vascular distributive shock due to Covid-19 infection. He was 56 years old. 

The youngest of five siblings, Father Notnot, as we fondly call him, was born on December 28, 1964 in San Miguel, Iloilo. After finishing elementary school in his hometown in 1977, he entered the Augustinian Recollect high school seminary in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental (1977-1981). Then, in 1985, he completed his philosophical formation and postulancy at the then Seminario Mayor-Recoletos (now, Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary) in Baguio City. On June 1, 1985, together with five others, he was officially accepted to the novitiate which, in his batch’s case, commenced in Baguio and continued, six days afterwards, in the newly-established novitiate house in Miranila, Quezon City. 

On May 24, 1986, at the seminary chapel of Recoletos Formation Center in Quezon City, Fr. German Chicote, vicar provincial, received Father Notnot’s simple profession of vows. Four years later, on June 17, 1990, at Our Lady of Consolation Parish church (Quezon City), he, together with 10 companions, made his solemn profession – a milestone deemed to have at that time “the most number [of solemnly professed] so far.” In this same church, he received his transitional diaconate on October 20, 1990, and his presbyteral ordination on April 19, 1992 from the hands of Most Rev. Leoncio Leviste Lat, D.D., auxiliary bishop of Manila.

As a religious-priest, Father Notnot had served the Order in various capacities and in various areas of apostolate: From 1992 to 1994, he was the local procurator of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Novitiate-Recoletos in Antipolo City. Afterwards, he was appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Miranila, Quezon City while being a member of the community of Recoletos Formation Center, from 1994 to 1996. Then, the next five years (1996-2001) would bring him to our Recollect convent in Marcilla, Navarra, Spain for archival works that would help enrich the Archivo Recoleto of the Bulwagang Recoletos complex in Miranila.

When he returned to the Philippines in 2001, he resided at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Provincial Center, Quezon City until 2003, as he was also appointed Provincial Secretary during the term of Fray Emeterio Buñao, OAR, the first elected prior provincial of the Province. 

For the succeeding triennium (2003-2006), he was appointed parish priest of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Then, he got to have a hands-on experience of a school apostolate when he was assigned in San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila, as Vice President for Student Welfare (2006-2008). 

What followed was a decade-long immersion in the ministerial apostolate. For seven years (2008-2015), he lived and worked at the Recollect community of the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Valencia, Negros Oriental. But he particularly dedicated his time as chaplain of what is now San Vicente Ferrer Quasi-Parish in Apo Island (Dauin, Negros Oriental), a newly-accepted apostolate under the care of the said Recollect community. And for the next three years (2015-2018), he served as the local prior and assisting priest of the San Isidro Labrador Parish in Casian Island, Taytay, Palawan.

If the “degree of difficulty” of doing apostolate in these island communities was not enough, an upgrade to the challenge would come when he volunteered to work in an island nation of Cuba since 2018 up to end of his earthly life. The international four-member Recollect community where Father Notnot belongs first stayed in Antilla (Holguín) for a year, then, in Banes (also in the same province of Holguín), from 2019 to the present. In the latter, he was attending to the pastoral needs specifically of the people of Tacajó and El Ramón. 

Father Notnot is easily remembered for his signature smile and gentle demeanor that spontaneously lighten up the ambience of friendship and community living. His resourcefulness, sense of sacrifice, simple lifestyle and passion to serve inspire others to join forces with him by sharing also their resources with a view to propagating the Faith and creating communion. Apo Island is an Exhibit A of this; it has evolved from a chaplaincy to a quasi-parish partly because of his indefatigable shepherding. And in critical times, he knows how to blend the act of faith and the art of bending, of adjusting, instead of breaking. In fact, this last fight which he fought very well was an act of total surrender to God’s plan for him. Despite knowing his delicate health condition during his last vacation in the country, when he could have opted not to return to Cuba anymore, he rather decided to go back and finish the quadrennium. That was his original plan, but God has a much better plan for him. According to one of his parishioners, Father Notnot is like a wheat that has to fall to the ground (of Cuba) and die, so that he will be able to produce much fruit (cf. Jn. 12:24).

Holding on to the words of Jesus: “Amen, Amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. … I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (Jn. 6:47, 51), let us pray that our loving and merciful God welcome our brother, Father Notnot, and give him the reward of eternal life. With all the saints, may he rest in peace.

In St. Ezekiel Moreno,

Fray Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR
Prior Provincial

Fray Jose Ernil F. Almayo, OAR
Provincial Secretary

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1 Comment

  1. Rene Paglinawan, OAR on August 13, 2021 at 9:41 am

    May the Good Shepherd give Fr. Notnot the reward he promised to those who are faithful. The passing of Fr. Notnot is very sudden and painful, but we thank God for the gift that he has been to the Order and to the many people whose lives he touched. Thanks, Fr. Diony and Fr. Tol, for this beautifully written obituary of Fr. Notnot. It pretty summarizes his life.

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< 2023 >
March
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   1
  • All day
    March 1, 2023

    CLOSING OF THE MEETING OF THE LOCAL PROCURATORS

    WITH THE PROVINCIAL PROCURATOR

    CELEBRATIONS OF THE 151ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA
    Inclusive Dates: March 1-10, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Constancia Buchan, AR
    Sr. Jamaikha Acle, AR
    Sis. Marissa Molina, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Khia Queen Taiza (RAY-Calubang)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Teresa de Jesus, AR
    +Sis. Susan Bermil, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

2
  • All day
    March 2, 2023

    PROVINCE-WIDE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE on “Policies and Procedures on [Cases of] Sexual Abuse Against Minors and Vulnerable Adults” / 9:00 a.m.

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Charina Mae Ogario, AR
    Sis. Merlinda Buada, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Karl Canaria (RAY-Talisay)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Bro. Luis Clauor Jr., SAR (Bacolod Chapter)
    +Bro. Gabino Jabutay, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

3
  • All day
    March 3, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Emeterio Buñao
    Fray Andrie Pugate
    Sr. Felisa Ampasin, AR
    Sr. Josephine Facinabao, AR
    Sis. Marina Yang, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Dolores Villas, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Sis. Amparo Ortega (Tondo Chapter / Trial)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Teodora de la Natividad, AR
    +Sis. Angelita Quero, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

4
  • All day
    March 4, 2023

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR VOCATIONS

    CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUERTO PRINCESA
    Mass Presider & Homilist: Fray Bernard Amparado, OAR
    Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa City

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. Mark Evan Taliquig (aspirant)
    Sis. Rosita Viray, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Sis. Jasmin Reyes, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    Sis. Thelma Geroy, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Celina Magcauas, AR
    +Sis. Josefina Cedeño, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Esperanza Bacus, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

5
  • All day
    March 5, 2023

    SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Nelly Marfil, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Teodorica de Natividad, AR
    +Ma. Alma Limotlimot, AR
    +Sis. Francisca Tamara, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

6
  • All day
    March 6, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Randolph Castulo Castillo, Jr.
    Sr. Rosalia Aparece, AR
    Sr. Ma. Corazon Caberte, AR
    Sr. Ridelia Tinga, AR
    Sis. Marybeth Publico, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Rosalina Toledo, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Josefina Rodriguez, AR
    +Sis. Rosemary Delapaz, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    +Mrs. Leonila Dosado (Sister General of the Order)

7
  • All day
    March 7, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. Dorin James Igsoc (aspirant)
    Bro. John Eduard Nebre, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Bro. Feliciano Nario Jr., SAR (Baguio Chapter)

8
  • All day
    March 8, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Bro. Marco Quimod, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)
    Sis. Beata Oida, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Roceline Bernal (RAY-Cavite)
    Paula Nicole Bautista (RAY-Cavite)
    James Ynnoh Molina (RAY-Miranila

    D
    EATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Rita de la Cruz, AR
    +Sr. Ma. Guadalupe Siroy, AR
    +Sr. Ma. Natalia Oliver, AR
    +Sr. Alfonsa Canon, AR

9
  • All day
    March 9, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Loreto Manigos, AR
    Sr. Merlyn Pelarion, AR

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Faustina Nirza, AR
    +Sis. Rufa Pepito, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

10
  • All day
    March 10, 2023

    CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY (March 10, 1872) OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Keneth Pahamutang
    Fray Ifeanyichukwu Maximillian Omem
    Sis. Elenita Atienza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Theresa Aquino, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Lourdes Espinos, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Sis. Lydia Escario, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Choleta Jalandra, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

11
  • All day
    March 11, 2023

    FORSOAR STAR WEEKEND
    March 11-12, 2022 / Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos, Cebu City

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Briggitte Parba, AR
    Sr. Maria Jasmin Lumanog, AR

12
  • All day
    March 12, 2023

    THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Marisa Bernasor, AR
    Mo. Dionisia Talangapaz (Foundress of the AR Sisters)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Inocencia Beringuel, AR
    +Sis. Fe Zamora, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    +Sis. Valentina Talledo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

13
  • All day
    March 13, 2023

    10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Ma. Digna Araña, AR
    Sr. Ma. Nicelina Rodriguez, AR
    Bro. Romeo Estanislao, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Adelina Belandres, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Estrella Nuque, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    Sis. Patricia Tario, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Cyrine Julianne Singson (RAY-Cavite)
    Aaron Kristopher Lim (RAY-San Carlos)
    Kiarah Fatima Guillen (RAY-Provincialate)

14
  • All day
    March 14, 2023

    REAP: SHARING OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS (NEGROS CLUSTER GENERAL ASSEMBLY)

    BIRTHDAY

    Most Rev. Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD (Diocese of Bacolod)
    Br. Christopher Digal (postulant)
    Sr. Ma. Clara Flores, AR
    Sis. Teotila Torrefiel, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Lucia Ruiz, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Leonila Buhain, SAR (Cavite Chapter)

15
  • All day
    March 15, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Lauro Larlar
    Fray Giovanni Gil Magbojos
    Br. Juan Carlo Macalalag (aspirant)
    Sr. Rosielyn Hijastro, AR
    Sis. Marlyn Opu-an, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Sis. Milagros Calipay, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Enrique Jerome Garcia (RAY-Cavite)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Visitacion B. Visitacion, AR
    +Sis. Lourdes Luna, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    +Sis. Ma. Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

16
  • All day
    March 16, 2023

    REAP: DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION OF STRUCTURES, PLANS, AND PROGRAMS

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Maria Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Hernane Francisco, SAR (Manila Chapter)

17
  • All day
    March 17, 2023

    REAP: LENTEN RECOLLECTION

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Jesus Lastimado, AR
    +Sis. Obdulia Torres, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

18
  • All day
    March 18, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Eduarda Reynes, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

19
  • All day
    March 19, 2023

    FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK

    10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE INSTALLATION OF POPE FRANCIS

    BIRTHDAY

    Archbp. Jose Palma, D.D. (Archbishop of Cebu)
    Sis. Eleanor Almenanza, SAR (Cavite Chapter)
    Sis. Jessica Bacaltos, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter)
    Sis. Beatriz Hermoso, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Marian Sigrid Escobar (RAY-Bacolod)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Trinidad de la Purisima Concepcion, AR
    +Sis. Enriquieta Oamilda, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Bro. Gonzalo Pañares, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Anunciacion Mendez, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

20
  • All day
    March 20, 2023

    FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE ORDER

    USJ-R (Cebu & Balamban) PATRONAL FIESTA OF ST. JOSEPH

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Roweno Eugenio Hamo
    Sis. Josefina Guevarra, SAR (Cavite Chapter)
    Sis. Salvacion Manalon, SAR (Inagawan Chapter)
    Sis. Nenita Ursais, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Earl Vincent Blaza (RAY-Miranila)

21
  • All day
    March 21, 2023

    START OF GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING (Rome)
    Inclusive Dates: March 21-25

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Mark Rochelle Renacia
    Sis. Corazon Yanga, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

22
  • All day
    March 22, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Grace Katada, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter)
    Sis. Rose Mary Chua, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Felicitas Aquino, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Lina Ferrer, SAR

     

23
  • All day
    March 23, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Teodulo Hayahay
    Sis. Milagros Renes, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Sis. Fe Josefa Asuncion, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Luisa Salvador (San Carlos Chapter / Trial)
    Nichole Cabamo (RAY-Laray)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Cecilia Salgado, AR
    +Sr. Concepcion Reston, AR

24
  • All day
    March 24, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Christopher Gaspar
    Sis. Clemencia Luces, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Sis. Elpidia Abasolo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Nelida Mendoza (Miranila Chapter / Trial)
    Sis. Hedelita Diaz, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Lydia Rivera, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    +Sis. Adela Jaca, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

25
  • All day
    March 25, 2023

    EARTH HOUR: 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Anunciacion Yballe, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Ann Marjorie Ricarte, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Lourdes Serrano, SAR (Manila Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Purificacion del Espiritu Santo, AR
    +Sr. Magdalena Salgado, AR

26
  • All day
    March 26, 2023

    FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Gloria Mempin, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Felicitas Calopez, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    +Sis. Alice Banares, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

27
  • All day
    March 27, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Bro. Edward de Silva, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Sis. Josefina Magalit, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Alberta Lastimado, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Bro. Samuel Celerino Favila (Puerto Princesa Chapter / Trial)
    Aira Joy Legaspi (RAY-Talisay)

28
  • All day
    March 28, 2023

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE MISSIONS

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Agustina Santos, AR Sr. Dorothy Aguila, AR
    Sis. Virginia Lazaro, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Bro. Reynaldo Aparicio, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Lilibeth Fuertes, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)
    Sis. Brenda Villafuerte, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Gregoria de San Jose, AR
    + Sis. Rufina Jadraque, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

29
  • All day
    March 29, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Ma. Katrina Rodriguez (RAY-Miranila)

    PRESBYTERAL ANNIVERSARY

    (2008-2023)

    Fray William Cordero, Jr.
    Fray Roderick Deguit

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Bro. Crispin Balingit, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

30
  • All day
    March 30, 2023

    GENERALATE: ONLINE MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON THE PROTECTION OF MINORS & VULNERABLE ADULTS

    BIRTHDAY

    Mo. Maxima Pelaez, AR
    Sis. Juanita Pajarillaga, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Jelly Masongsong, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Roberta Panoncillo, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

31
  • All day
    March 31, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. John Reynan Rosie (aspirant)
    Sr. Anastacia Fangon, AR

 

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