| The Realistic Idealism of Fr. Marcelo Arturo (John) Morota |
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| Written by Joy Sosoban |
| Friday, 01 January 2010 00:00 |
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“Priesthood is a constant dialogue with God because you face constant changes in people and situations. It is that constant dialogue with God that makes you firm.” Thus Fr. Marcelo Arturo (John) Morota summed up his idea of the priesthood. Let us trace his journey. Idealism  “I wanted to become a priest because of the positive influence of the Salesian brothers and fathers,” Fr. John explained. He wanted to be a priest since he was grade six. He studied at Don Bosco Mandaluyong from grade school to high school.“The call was attractive from the start,” he said. His parents didn’t want him to enter minor seminary as they found him too young for it and so he continued in Don Bosco. Forgetting about the desire for the priesthood, he thought of becoming an engineer or a soldier. When he was in 4th year high school, Fr. John became one of the core members of the Youth Marian Crusade (YMC), a group that was aimed at training youth leaders in the public high schools of Metro-Manila through authentic Marian devotion. “The youth we handled were Martial Law babies. There were unconfirmed reports that the Kabataang Barangay had “Red Guards” type of leadership training in Mt. Makiling sponsored by the government then. So we wanted to counter that. We taught in public high schools authentic devotion to Mama Mary,” Fr. John related. They ministered to Metro Manila high school students and in some Catholic schools that became a rich harvest of priestly and religious vocations. “In order to sustain the group, we needed to have priests,” Fr. John continued. The desire to become a priest surfaced again and so he entered the YMC House of Formation in Antipolo as a seminarian. This was formed under the Archdiocese of Manila together with Rev. Fr. Edgardo Arellano, SDB and Mrs. Letty T. Albert. He took his first two years of studies at the UST Central Seminary then they established a college where he finished his studies. He also took further studies at the Loyola School of Theology. Reality He became a deacon in June 1983. Since the new Canon Law had just been promulgated, he had to wait for another two years before he could be ordained. The new Code of Canon Law stipulates that those to be ordained should at least be 25 years old. Just before Fr. John got ordained, the YMC was divided into two due to the question of loyalty and obedience. He joined one group that sought the benevolence of Bishop Labayen in the Prelature of Infanta, forming the Anointed of Mary. The others remained with the Archdiocese of Manila. Fr. John was ordained by Bishop Labayen on December 7, 1985. He was given dispensation to be ordained at 24 years old and 11 months, one month short of the new requirement. “My ordination was fulfilling and very inspiring. At the same time, it was a humbling experience for I felt unworthy,” Fr. John shared. A second division occurred in 1990. This was brought about by issues and conflict of principles on the charism and canonical founder of the newly established group. By then, being the Prefect of Discipline of the YMC House of Formation, the event affected Fr. John that he decided to go on a retreat. It led to his decision to return to the Manila Archdiocese. He was incardinated in 1991 and was assigned as assistant priest of the Manila Cathedral, serving as chaplain of Mapua Institute of Technology and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Looking Back When asked what he learned from the two splits that occurred, he said, “No one has the monopoly of the truth. Truth has to be discerned by the group for truth comes from the Holy Spirit.” He added another lesson: “When an issue becomes personal, it becomes the beginning of the end.” “Looking back, though it was challenging, it also made me more realistic, more understanding,” Fr. John concluded. In 1995, Fr. John became parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes in Camarin, Caloocan City - North. He then served as parish priest at the Holy Family Parish in BF Homes, Almanza, Las Piñas City in 1997 while also involved in the Family Life Ministry of the Manila Archdiocese. From 2003 to 2006, he was parish priest of Holy Eucharist Parish in Moonwalk, Parañaque. In 2007, he became parish priest of Jesus, the Divine Healer Parish in Tahanan Village, Parañaque which continues to be his present assignment. He will have his silver anniversary in 2010, an event that he looks forward to. He plans to say Mass in all the parishes that he has been assigned. Looking back as a parish priest, Fr. John commented, “Each parish is unique. You have to adjust to the culture of the parish and the people.” Looking Forward When asked about the challenges of money, power and women, he explained one by one, “I see myself as a steward. So I try my very best to be a responsible steward. If I obey my superiors, then I don’t make mistakes. They’re the ones who decide. My devotion to the Blessed Mother is very important because it is only Mary who could give me, as a priest, the love of a woman.” Stewardship is Fr. John’s theme for 2010 at his parish, for he explained, “Stewardship is a way of life and spirituality. Treasure is just one area of stewardship. Stewardship involves how one offers time and talent. This spirituality encourages volunteerism and more engaged parishioners.” As Fr. John nears 25 years of priesthood, he looks even beyond, “I pray that I would always be faithful and that I may age gracefully as a person and as a priest.” |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 July 2010 11:00 |