MANILA, June 14, 2011― A scholar of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George Willmann Charities, Inc. was ordained to the diaconate on June 9, 2011 by Surigao Bishop Antonieto D. Cabajog at the San Nicholas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City.
Jaime S. Ucab, Jr., was a KC Foundation scholar from the second semester of his Spiritual-Pastoral Formation Year last 2003-2004 until AY 2009-2010 through the recommendation of Bishop Cabajog.
A magna cum laude graduate from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City, Ucab finished his theological studies with a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology and Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry
Born on March 11, 1981 to Jaime Ucab, Sr., a farmer and Ruth Sala, a teacher in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, Ucab finished his elementary education at Bagacay Elementary School in Bagacay, Pilar Bohol, graduating salutatorian from his batch in 1993.
He completed his secondary education at Virgen del Pilar Academy, a school run by the Daughters of St. Teresa of Avila in Pilar, Bohol in 1997, and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City last 2002.
Ucab spent some time teaching at De La Salle John Bosco College in Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur from 2005 to 2006.
In 2006-2007, he assisted Fr. Boy Salvador, one of the formators at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in building the mission house for the Lumads whom he gave catechetical instruction. He lived with the Tala-andig tribe in Bukidnon, and also supervised the construction of a small chapel and a retreat house at the foot of the mountain beside the Kumaykay river.
A year before his ordination to diaconate was his pre-diaconate exposure in parishes at Surigao del Norte, the Sta.Monica Parish Siargao island and St. Peter Claver Parish and his preparation for ordination at the bishop’s house at Diocese of Surigao.
Grateful for the support given him by the Knights of Columbus, Ucab said he will do his best in whatever way he can to extend his service to the said organization.
He said priesthood is the best way for him to serve God and his people.
“I can see the fulfillment and the ultimate value of my life in the priesthood. It is in this life that I can be more united intimately with Jesus Christ through service and constant prayer,” he said. (Vanessa Puno)