P O LY T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

NARRATIVES ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE RETIRED PRIESTS

OF LIPA CITY BATANGAS: A CASE STUDY

A Thesis
Presented to the Course Specialists of the Open University Systerm
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degree Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication

by:

Maria Lyza L. Echavez

Robert John D.J. Lumbes

Boz Ralph T. Pentinio

March 2020

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Philippine Copyright 2019

by Echavez, Maria Lyza, L., Lumbes, Robert John, D.J.

and Pentinio, Boz Ralph, T.

and the

Open University System

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

All rights reserved. Portions of this manuscript may be reproduced with

proper referencing and due acknowledgement of the authors.

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CERTIFICATION

This thesis, NARRATIVES ON THE EXPERIENCES OF RETIRED PRIESTS

OF LIPA CITY BATANGAS: A CASE STUDY, prepared and submitted by MARIA LYZA
L. ECHAVEZ, ROBERT JOHN D.J. LUMBES and BOZ RALPH T. PENTINIO in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BROADCAST
COMMUNICATION has been examined and recommended for Oral Examination.

Evaluation Committee

EVELYN S. AGATO
Adviser

ROLANDO P. QUIÑONES, MAE HEMMADY S. MORA, MC

Member Member

PRESTOLINE S. SUYAT
Member
____________________________________________________________________

APPROVAL

Approved by the Panel on Oral Examination October 9, 2019

with the grade of ____

PRESTOLINE S. SUYAT, MC
Chair

DR. RUDOLF ANTHONY A. LACERNA, DEM HEMMADY S. MORA, MC

Member Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Arts in
Broadcast Communication

Rosemariebeth R. Dizon, DEM Dr. CARMENCITA L. CASTOLO, DEM

Director, IODE Executive Director, PUPOUS

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors are very grateful to God Almighty for without His graces, provisions,

and blessings, this study would not have been impossible.

To our family, especially to our parents and relatives for their moral and financial

support in order to finish this study.

To our friends, especially Brother Aldrin Ilao, who helped the researchers to do this

study presentable.

To Ms. Maria Amparo Jadloc, English Critic, for her comments and effort in

checking and editing this study

To Mr. Prestoline S. Suyat, Dean of Open University System for his support and

words of encouragement, and also for giving a long period of time to depend this

manuscript.

To Mrs. Evelyn S. Agato, adviser and course specialist, for her support, advices,

guidance, valuable comments, suggestions that helped us much in the completion and

success of this study.

To the members of the committee for oral examination who manifested their

distinguished skills and talents in their own fields as seen in their way of correction and

ideas shared.

To PUP Open University System, for giving every student a second chance to finish

their studies.

And lastly to the Retired Priests who cooperate that made them a big part of this

study.

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CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that the research work presented in this thesis, NARRATIVES ON

THE EXPERIENCES OF THE RETIRED PRIESTS OF LIPA CITY, BATANGAS: A CASE

STUDY for the degree Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication at the Polytechnic

University of the Philippines embodies the result of original and scholarly work carried out

by the undersigned. This thesis does not contain words or ideas taken from published

sources or written works that have been accepted as basis for the award of a degree from

any other higher education institution, except where proper referencing and

acknowledgement were made.

Maria Lyza L. Echavez

Robert John D.J. Lumbes

Boz Ralph T. Pentinio

Researchers

______________________

Date Signed

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ABSTRACT

Title : Narratives on the Experiences of the Retired Priests of Lipa

City Batangas: A Case Study

Researchers : Maria Lyza L. Echavez, Robert John D.J. Lumbes,

Boz Ralph T. Pentinio

Degree : Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication

Institution : Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University System

Year : 2020

Adviser : Prof. Evelyn S. Agato

This study aims to present the experiences of the retired priests, the

differences of their lives during and after their active ministry in terms of the (4) four pillars

of priestly formation such as Spiritual, Community, Intellectual and Pastoral Aspects.

The researchers used a study framework patterned to Walter Fisher’s

Narrative Paradigm theory which was adopted from storytelling.

Through Qualitative approach, the researchers discovered the differences on

the retired priest's experiences during and after their active ministry.

The researchers conducted interviews with three retired priests of the

Archdiocese of Lipa Batangas using the Guide Questionnaires. They shared their

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experiences of their priesthood journey as they shepherd the flock of God in a particular

parish. Based on their stories, priests simply abdicate their administrative role when they

retire but their vocation never stops and continues until the end.

Keywords: Experiences, Retired Priests, Active Ministry, After Active Ministry, Four

Pillars of Priesthood Formation, Spiritual Community, Intellectual, Pastoral, Priesthood

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Table of Contents

Page

Title Page i

Certification of Approval Sheet iii

Acknowledgments iv

Certification of Originality v

Abstract vi

Table of Contents viii

List of Tables

List of Figures

1 The Problem and its Setting

Introduction 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Problem 3

Objectives 3

Theoretical Framework

Conceptual Framework 15

Scope and Limitations of the Study 17

Significance of the Study 18

2 Review of Related Literature and Studies

Retired Priests 19

Synthesis of the Reviewed Literature and Studies 29

3 Methodology

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Research Design 31

Traditions of Inquiry and Data-Generation Method Used 32

Sources of Data 33

Instrumentation 33

Ethical Considerations 34

4 Results and Discussions

Spiritual Aspects During and After Active Ministry 39

Community Aspects During and After Active Ministry

45

Interaction with Brother-Priests

45

Interaction with Parishioners

53

Intellectual Aspects During and After Active Ministry

59

Pastoral Aspects During and After Active Ministry 65

Interpretation of Data
68

5 Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Summary of Findings 69

Conclusion 72

Recommendations 72

Bibliography 74

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Appendices

A. Norms for the Retirement of Priests 76

B. Letter of Permission to the Director-in-Charge 83
C. Letter of Permission to St. Joseph Seniorate

84
D. Questionnaire for the Respondents 85
E. Transcribed Interviews
F. Biographical Statement
G.