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FR. PACURIBOT IS FINALLY BURIED AT THE MSP CEMETERY

The remains of Fr. Pete Pacuribot, MSP was laid to its final resting place at the new MSP cemetery in Tayud, Cebu last April 30, 2009. It was preceded with a funeral mass at 2:00pm and the main presider was His Excellency, Most Rev Edwin dela Pena, MSP, DD. Several MSP priests joined the moving celebration, and a good number of lay faithful also came to pay their last respects to Fr Pete.

The following is a short biography of Fr Pete:

Fr Pete Pacuribot was born on June 2, 1931 in Mahinog, Camiguin. He finished his elementary and high school education in the island province. Then he took a college course. He then entered a seminary in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de oro. In 1954, he was sent to the San Jose Seminary (in Quezon City), he pursued his course in philosophy, and graduated in 1956. He further took theology at the same seminary, and he graduated in 1960.

He then returned to his home archdiocese. On September 21, 1961, he was ordained priest. Immediately after his ordination, he was appointed as secretary to then Bishop Coadjutor Camomot, and he worked, at the same time, as acting Parish Priest of St John the Baptist in Lagonglong town. From 1962-1965, he was appointed Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart, in Bugo, Cagayan de oro.

In 1965, he volunteered to work as a missionary to the mountainous Alanib, Bukidnon. There he worked with Frs Joaquin Resma and Daniel Graham (Jesuits) for one year and a half. It was through these experiences in Bukidnon mountains that he yearned to work in the foreign missions. In June 1967, he wrote letters to Bp Bienvenido Tudtud (then MSP Local Superior based in Cebu), and Bp Epifanio Surban (then MSP National Director) expressing his intention to enter the MSP. On July 3, 1967, he entered the MSP and on June 29, 1968, he took his first oath.

About two years later, he was sent to Thailand, being the first MSP missionary to that country. He arrived in the kingdom on January 13, 1970, after which he studied the Thai language at the Union Language School, while, at the same time, serving at the Assumption Church as assistant parish priest. He formally started his pastoral ministry for the Diocese of Khorat in April 1971. He had been a missionary to Thailand for almost twelve years. During these years, he held many offices in the diocese which include: rector of the Holy Family Seminary, parish priest of a Catholic church in Buayay, member of the diocesan Board of Consultors, and head of the Pastoral and Liturgical Commission. The last ministry he had was working for the refugees (CRS) before he returned to the Philippines on December 24, 1982.

While in the country, he did some local apostolate, like a Spiritual Director of the MSP seminary in Tagaytay. But there were times that he asked permission to work in his home archdiocese, Cagayan de oro. He was allowed and he worked as parish priest of Sta. Rita in Gingoog City and at the Our Lady of Lourdes in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

His last years had been spent in the retirement home in Tayud, Cebu until his death this year.

The MSP priests, especially those who have known and worked with Fr Pete, have been grateful to God for the wonderful gift of his person and the life he offered for the MSP. Goodbye Fr Pete! May you rest in peace!

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