REMEMBERING FR. JOSE ARONG
​April 4, 1939 - Dec. 7, 2014

Joe Arong was born on April 4, 1937. He took his first vows in 1959, his perpetual vows in 1962. He was ordained priest on April 4, 1966.

Joe has a Doctorate degree in International Development Education from Stanford University, a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the same university, a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the San Jose Seminary.

He spent his early missionary life in the Vicariate of Jolo. His exploits as a missionary and educator in Ungus Matata, Bongao and Jolo were well known. From Jolo, he moved to Cotabato City and assumed the presidency of the University and rebuilt the institution heavily damaged by the killer earthquake in 1976. Like almost every Cebuano, he sings and he can “bring down the house” during a performance. 

Interview with Fr. Jose Arong, OMI 

Q. As you celebrate your 50th year of religious life what work/ministry has been very fulfilling to you? 

A. The most fulfilling ministries I have had are those involved with preaching and spiritual guidance, especially with devotional groups such as the Cursillo and the Charismatic movements and parishioners. People tell me that I am very good at this and I thank God for that gift. I cannot think of ONE event that stands out, just that whole area of ministry. 

Q. What is the happiest moment in your 50 years as a religious OMI? 

A. I prefer to think of a period of time rather than one moment . . . Ordination to the Priesthood and the few months after that in Sulu, specifically in Bongao, Ungus Matata and Jolo. Those were the ‘honeymoon’ years. 

Q. What is the saddest moment in your 50 years as a religious OMI? 

A. Again, a period of time . . . After I completed my term at Notre Dame University as President and the two years at Notre Dame of Greater Manila as Director, I returned to the US feeling lost and ‘burn out’. I could not see the future. This lasted for about 3 - 4 years. Lito Lampon, who was the Provincial then, asked me to make up my mind to either join the US Province or remain in the Philippine Province. I could not give him an answer. Then I went home for the 50th anniversary of the Philippine mission/province. One night, Fr. General (Marcelo Zago), who came for the celebration, called me and told me that if I wanted, I should join the US Province. I felt relieved, because most members of my family are in California. I finally made up my mind to join the US province and I have not regretted that decision. It has been years of joy - not always easy, but joyful. 

Q. What is the meaning to you of your jubilee celebration? 

A. 50 years is a long time! But it passes by before we know it. And I am left with a deep realization that all those years as an Oblate are all gifts - pure gifts! More than ever I am aware of how unworthy I have been of that gift. I guess this is what “gift” means... something we do not deserve but are surprised with. It is so great a gift that I know I will never be able to thank God enough for it. 

Q. Do you have any message to people or to your Community as you celebrate your jubilee as a priest? 

A. Quoting Bob Hope’s famous line... ”Thank you for the memories”. You all have been a part of this wonderful gift of the Oblate way of life and the priesthood, as I have been of your lives. What is even more wonderful is that this is our continuing memory. And I know that you all will be there to continue enjoying the memories with me. 

From: Oblate Associates National Committee website;
Born in Cebu, Philippines, Fr. José Arong, OMI, is Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish inOakland, CA. Before that, he served as Pacific Area Superior, Provincial liaison for the Office ofMission Enrichment and Oblate Associates, and Vocation Director. When asked to be the spiritual director for a Cursillo group, Fr. Arong introduced them to the charism of St. Eugene and the Oakland, CA Associates began their journey. Ordained in 1966, much of his ministry has been in the field of education, including President NotreDame University, Cotabato City, Philippines. 

Fr. Jose Arong, the Area Superior of the Pacific Area of the U.S. Province, was recently reappointed by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) Committee on Migration, to another two year term as the National Consultant for the Filipino Apostolate in the United States. His role is to serve as a liaison between the pastoral agents in the Filipino community and the Bishops' Committee on Migration.
...
Among the many tasks connected with this position Fr Arong is asked to help diocesan offices to find appropriate personnel for ethnic ministry and to find suitable language and cultural training programs for newly arrived ethnic ministers. The job also includes working with diocesan officials to sensitize local clergy and church leaders to the needs, resources, piety, devotional and religious traditions of the new community.

Fr. Arong is one of the many Oblates around the globe who minister outside their home country, in either an official or unofficial, capacity to migrants and refugees.
From: http://www.fccoakland.net/josearong.html
Fr. Jose Arong, OMI

I am a full-bloodied Cebuano. Family legend has it that we are descendants of the mighty Lapulapu. . . well, believe it or not! 

After my early education I enrolled at the University of the Philippines to pursue a dream of becoming a chemical engineer. But that dream led to another one - of becoming a missionary and a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. I was ordained in 1966. After three years of missionary ministry I was sent to Stanford University for an MA in Anthropology and a Phd in International Development Education.

During my deaconate year, I joined Cursillo #5 in the Archdiocese of Manila, Decuria of St. John. But it was much later in my life when I became really active in the Cursillo Movement - in 1986. Since then I have served on 3-day weekends at least twice a year and participated in the ongoing formation programs of the Cursillo Movement in the dioceses around the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento.

I have often said that I continue to serve the Movement not just as a ministry to others but also, and more importantly, for the strengthening of my spiritual life as a Christian and missionary priest. Through the Movement I have become acquainted, and ministered, with some of the finest people that have come into my life.

De Colores!  ​

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