Fr. Jake Nim dreams of DCK home for elderly priests

KIDAPAWAN CITY — When he was still alive,Father Rogelio Jake” Nim dreamed ofestablishing a home for the elderly priests of the Diocesan Clergy of Kidapawan (DCK) as his legacy for the retired priests, hiselder brother said.In his eulogy,Reynando Toto Nim, elder brother of the late diocesan clergy, recalled that during the family reunion last year, Fr. Jake told his family that he wanted to build a home for the elderly priests so those who have served and retired will have a place called home. Fr. Jake who died of cardiac arrest on June 22 was laid Mondayat the Queen of Prophets cemetery inside the Bishop’s residence in Barangay Balindog here.Reynando also appealed to the diocese to push with his brother's dream. This is not a demand but I hope that the Diocesan Clergy will fulfill the dream of our brother as his legacy to fellow diocesan priests,” Reynando said. He said their family had a meeting and decided to ask the Diocese of Kidapawan leadership that whatever amount accumulated in the pasts 24 years of priesthood of Fr. Jake will be allotted for the establishment of home for elderly priests. Originally, Reynando said the plan was conceptualized by their brother with Father Ronilo Villamor to ensure that all elderly priests can settle and live normally once they retire or become sickly. Kidapawan diocesan priests who retire will return to their respective families. That is why our brother wanted to have their own homes so that even in their twilight agethey are still together,” Reynando said. Monsignor Carlito Garcia DCK, the diocesan administrator, is yet to comment on the Nim’s family requests, especially that the diocese has no bishop as of the moment. Thousands of parishioners, religious priests and nuns, lay leaders and ordinary people trooped inside the bishop’s residence to pay their last respect to the late Fr. Jake Nim before he was laid to his resting place. Cotabato AuxiliaryBishop Jose Collin Bagaforo officiated the requiem mass for Fr. Jake with other priests from the dioceses of Kidapawan, Koronadal and Cotabato. Fr. Jake’s remains was laid between the grave of Fr. Tulio Favali PIME and Fr. Fausto Tentorio PIME at the Queen of Prophets cemetery. Fr. John Collago DCK was also buried in the same place. Reynando said the cemetery is dominated by priests who once served as parish priest of Tulunan. Fr. Jake will lay beside priests who all served in the town of Tulunan in North Cotabato. Father John Collago was former parish priest of Tulunan, Fr. Favali and Fr. Tentorio both served various GKK’s and now the son of Tulunan, Fr. Jake joined them here in this grave yard,” Reynando said. I hope that the good deeds my brother Jake had leftwill remain in our hearts and never be forgotten as we bury his earthly body here,” Reynando stressed.