Father Manny celebrates 35th year of priesthood

San Antonio parish priest Rev. Father Manny Corcuera is celebrating his 35th year of priesthood or his sacerdotal anniversary this year.

A special Mass was held in the afternoon of Nov. 27 to celebrate the event with no less than Father Corcuera officiating. Bishop Tomas A. Camacho gave his brief congratulatory message to the celebrant and reminisced memorable moments with him.

Bishop Jesus Y. Varela provided the homily during the mass. Bishop Varela specially flew from the Bicol Region in the Philippines just to attend the celebration.

Bishop Varela was instrumental in the 35-year priesthood of Father Corcuera. He recommended Father Corcuera to serve the Catholic community in the CNMI in 1987.

Bishop Varela said when he visited Father Corcuera 10 years ago for his silver anniversary he was impressed with him because he could speak several languages.

He said he was amazed by his fluency in Chamorro. “He is such a linguist,” Bishop Varela said. He said Father Corcuera could also speak Latin, English, Filipino, and Bicolano, a dialect in the Philippines.

Father Corcuera said he fell in love with the island and through the years he has been in the CNMI, he has learned a lot from its people and its culture. He said he has learned to be more patient in listening to people and be more reflective of his life.

He recalled that he has a “unique distinction” of being ordained by Pope Paul VI in Manila in 1970 along with 73 other priests from the Philippines and Asia.

Father Manny recalled his first assignment was to teach in the seminary in Sorsogon, Bicol. He taught at the seminary for 12 years.

Bishop Varela said in his homily that what Father Corcuera has shown in his chosen profession is part of what being a priest is. He said being a priest is a replica of the life of Jesus Christ, which is to teach, sanctify and shepherd. Bishop Varela commended the devotion of Father Corcuera.

“Manny is such a gifted person,” said Bishop Varela.

Bishop Varela who has been in priesthood for 50 years has already retired from the service. The bishop is a friend of late Philippine Cardinal Jaime Sin. He said he and Sin were ordained as bishops in 1967. “Sin was a very good friend of mine,” he said, adding that his retirement does not mean he would stop from serving the community. “My ministry now is outside the diocese.”

Bishop Varela is continuously helping the community during retreats and conduct counseling and lectures among others.