POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

i
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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.

ii
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

iii
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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.

iv
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

v
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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 experiences

of their priesthood journey as they shepherd the flock of God in a particular parish. Based on

vi
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
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

vii
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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 Figures xi

List of Tables xii

1 The Problem and its Setting

Introduction 2

Statement of the Problem 3

Problem 3

Objectives 3

Theoretical Framework 4

Conceptual Framework 6

Scope and Limitations of the Study 8

Significance of the Study 8

2 Review of Related Literature and Studies

Retirement of Priests 11

Spiritual Formation 19

viii
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Community Formation 22

Intellectual Formation 24

Pastoral Formation 25

Synthesis of the Reviewed Literature and Studies 26

Gap to the Present Study 28

3 Methodology

Research Design 30

Traditions of Inquiry and Data-Generation Method Used 31

Sources of Data 32

Instrumentation 32

Ethical Considerations 33

4 Results and Discussions

Spiritual Aspects During and After Active Ministry 36

Community Aspects During and After Active Ministry 43

Interaction with Brother-Priests 43

Interaction with Parishioners 49

Intellectual Aspects During and After Active Ministry 57

Pastoral Aspects During and After Active Ministry 64

Interpretation of Data
72

5 Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Summary of Findings 74

Conclusion 76

ix
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Recommendations 77

Bibliography 78

Appendices

A. Norms for the Retirement of Priests 80

B. Letter of Permission to the Director-in-Charge 86

C. Letter of Permission to St. Joseph Seniorate 87

D. Questionnaire for the Respondents 88

E. Expenses and Meetings 89

F. Transcribed Interviews 91

G. Biographical Statement 110

x
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

List of Figures

Page

Figure 1 Theoretical Framework 5

Figure 2 Conceptual Framework 7

xi
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

List of Tables

Number Title Page

1 Spiritual Aspect 39

2.1 Community Aspect (Interaction with the Brother Priests) 46

2.2 Community Aspect (Interaction with the Parishioners) 52

3 Intellectual Aspect 60

4 Pastoral Aspect 67

xii