FR. DEODORO ZAGALA DAWIS (Fr. Deody) OSJ

 

    He entered the congregation in 1969, at the age of 12, as a first year high school student at the St. Joseph Mission Institute San Jose, Batangas.  After completing his philosophical studies at St. Francis de Sales Regional College seminary, in Lipa City, he entered the novitiate at Joseph Marello Novitiate House, Antipolo, Rizal.  He made his first religious profession in 1979 after which he was assigned as prefect of discipline and professor at St. Joseph Mission Institute, San Jose, Batangas for a year.  In 1980, he went to University of Sto. Tomas for his theological studies which he completed in 1984.  While waiting for his ordination, he was assigned as prefect of discipline and professor of Latin and Religion at St. Joseph Minor Seminary, San Jose, Batangas.He was ordained priest on July 6, 1984.  He remained in the Minor Seminary as prefect of discipline until 1986, and consequently as rector from 1986-1989.  He was appointed as Parish Priest St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish, San Jose, Batangas, from 1989-1993 and in concurrent capacity, as rector of San Jose-Ibaan Rectory.  He also served as the Secretary of the Province during the second term of the provincial superior then, Fr. Sancho Sison, OSJ from 1989-1993.  In June-July 1989, he went to Italy to attend the 3rd Course inJosephite-Marellian Spirituality and joined the pilgrimage to the Holy Land as the course’s closing activity.

    In 1993, he was appointed as parish priest of Blessed Sacrament Parish, South City Homes, Biñan, Laguna. In 1995, he was elected as the 3rd Councilor of the Province and director in-charge of the promotion of the devotion to St. Joseph and St. Joseph Marello. In May, 1998, he was appointed as Parish Priest of St. James the Great Parish, Ibaan, Batangas and at the same time rector of the house.  In 2000, he was elected as the official delegate of the province to the XIV General Chapter of the congregation in Rome, Italy.  In 2001, he was elected as Vicar Provincial and was appointed as the Director in-charge of the OSJ Brothers.  On June of the same year, he was appointed as parish priest of Sto. Rosario Parish, Padre,Batangas and at the same time, Rector of the house.  In 2004, he was reelected as Vicar Provincial and was appointed in June of the same year, as Parish Priest and rector of the house at the Our Lady of the MostHoly Rosary Parish, Rosario, Batangas. 
In 2007, he went back to seminary formation but this time as rector of the professed students of theology studying at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.  In 2009, he was transferred to San Juan Nepomuceno Parish, San Juan, Batangas as Parochial Vicar.  In 2010, we was appointed as Parochial Vicar and Economo of the house at St. Anthony de Padua Parish, Antipolo, Rizal until his untimely demise.
    In the morning February 14, 2013, he was rushed at a hospital nearby, the Marikina General Hospital, because he had been experiencing difficulty in breathing and had not gotten any sleep the night before.  He was found to have water in his lungs and at the same time, a weak heart.  He was transferred to the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital in Manila for a thorough examination of his heart and other vital organs.  His angiogram revealed that four of his arteries were blocked and needing a more aggressive intervention like a heart by-pass.  Fr. Rony Alkonga, the provincial superior, decided to transfer him to the Philippine Heart Center which has a complete facility for an open heart surgery.  He first underwent angioplasty which is another procedure done before his scheduled heart surgery, in order to ease his breathing buthis kidney malfunctioned.  While undergoing dialysis, he went to seizure and eventually went into coma. In the morning of March 10, 2013, having received the last sacraments the night before, he expired serenely after almost a month in the hospital.  The week long mourning at the St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish, San Jose, Batangas has drawn hordes of people from all the parishes that he served, a testament of how he was loved and esteemed by those lives whom he has touched. At his funeral, a big crowd of people filled the church to pay their last respects to an Oblate priest who has offered his life for the service of the Church and of the congregation.  Priests, religious, and the lay faithful alike shed tears for this big loss of a beloved pastor, confrere, priest and friend yet with much confidence and hope that he is finally home with God.

     Fr. Deody is one of the most loved and well-respected priest not only by the people whom he served in all his assignments but also by his fellow confreres. Many, especially the young, would call him terms of endearment like “Fads”, “Daddy” or “Tatay”, because he has truly made them feel that he is a true father to them.  Fellow religious, especially younger confreres, would look up to him as a true father, mentor and guide who would give them sound advices and would show them deep concern and importance.  His life of simplicity, dedicated service to people, unwavering love for the congregation, and compassionate love and care for every confrere is truly an inspiration to all the members of the congregation.  

Fr. Noel Magtaas OSJ, Provincial 

 

March 10, 2013

© 2023 by multimedia JOSEPH No animals were harmed in the making of this site.