Filipino News 167

BUHAY
NZ
04 ISSUE 167 OBITUARY | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.trabaho.nz | MOB: 027 495 8477
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AUCKLAND – The
Filipino community is
deeply saddened by the
death of Father Mario
Guevarra Dorado OFM
Cap, 68, one of New
Zealand’s best-loved
Filipino Catholic priests,
on 14th March 2023 at
5:05am.
He will be remembered
by many Filipino migrants
as an extraordinary
human being who made a
profound difference in
their lives.
At a recent community
hui focusing on the alarming
spike in the Filipino
suicide rates he pointed
out that: “We are not in
New Zealand just to make
money or to work, but also
to be happy and to have
peace; that is our purpose
in life.”
Over the years he gently
motivated his parishioners
to follow his example and
live their lives by the
motto: ‘Aspire to inspire
until you expire.’
He was ordained as a
priest on April 4, 1981. He
arrived in New Zealand on
Oct 1, 2006 and was
appointed Vocations
Director in the Capuchin
Order and Formator for
the candidates to the
Order.
For two years he was at
the Capuchin Friary in
Kilbirnie, Wellington and
was then at the Holy Cross
Friary in Henderson,
Auckland for four years.
He was Parish Priest at
Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish in Glen Eden and
his final transfer was to
become parish priest of St.
Benedict's and to head the
Auckland Filipino Catholic
Chaplaincy.
In an interview with the
Western Leader he
revealed that when he has
time off he’s into sports: “I
like to go walking, play
golf and swim.” And yes,
play basketball too.
Father Mario added that
he loved New Zealand
“because it’s a nice place to
live in. Life is not as fast as
it is in America where I
studied for a year. The
pace over there is too fast;
people work so hard and
they forget to rest and
relax. People here have a
long life span because
they’ve learnt the art of
unwinding.”
In 2012 his health took a
sudden decline when he
was diagnosed with cancer,
but fortunately after
chemotherapy he was in
remission for many years.
Filipino priest who made
a profound difference
to many lives dies
By Ricky Matthew
IN LOVING MEMORY: Father Mario Dorado OFMCap was born on 29 July 1954 and died on 14 March 2023.
His Ordination to the Priesthood was on 4 April 1981. He was a Capuchin Friar for 46 years and 41 years as a Priest.
Sadly, the cancer recurred
and this adversely affected
his life expectancy. Fr.
Mario's remains will be
brought back to the
Philippines on 26th March.
Reflecting on Father
Mario’s life, his devoted
parishioners, friends and
family poured out their
grief via his Facebook
page.
Fe Dorado: “My brother
will live in my heart forever.
He’s a person loved by
so many. His smiling face is
a positive figure of being
peaceful and approachable.
He is very caring and
supportive in every aspect
of life. I believe that his is a
good legacy to many.
Actually, there are no
words to adequately
describe my kuya. One of
the best.”
Anna Nora Dorado:
“Rest in peace uncle Mario
Dorado. I told you that
when I get married I want
you to be the one to bless
us ... but you're gone ... You
are super kind and you are
Father Mario’s hometown is in Santo Thomas, Batangas and he
is one of 9 children. Photo supplied.
a priest who is very cool,
cheerful, loving and super
liberated. We will miss you
so much.”
Jessica Stauffer Dorado:
“What I remember best
about Fr. Mario was the
kindness and love and joy
he shared with all. He welcomed
me into the family
with open arms and officiated
at our wedding and
the baptism of our first
child.
“He was an incredibly
generous, thoughtful person
and we all miss him
tremendously. The American
Leukaemia and
Lymphoma Society is naming
him an Honoured Hero
as a tribute and to inspire
the funding and search for
a cure.
“Dearest Mario, may
you rest in peace. You
brought so much love, joy
and inspiration to all who
knew you and your legacy
will continue with your
family, parishioners, and
friends. Forever in our
hearts.”
Father Nathaniel Tat
Brazil: “Thank you for
your brotherly love and
guidance. We will never
forget you.”
Father Sherwin Lapaan:
“A great friend, fellow
golfer and brother priest is
now with the Lord. Rest in
Peace!”
Paul Familara: “To our
beloved Fr. Mario Dorado,
Father Mario with the youth choir of St. Anthony’s Parish
Church, Singalong, in Manila. Photos supplied.
who's not just a down-toearth
person but also fun
and adorable, we will miss
you!
“Thank you for giving us
the privilege to share a life
with you. You radiate
goodness from your heart
and we will always be
inspired by your strength
of will and pure heart.
“Keep your strokes
sweet and sure as you play
perfect rounds on the best
golf course above. You will
always be a champion to
us. RIP Fr. Mario.”
Maryanne (Meanne/
Bunsoy) Lee Hartman: “I
met Father Mario when I
joined the youth choir of
St. Anthony’s Parish
church, Singalong, in
Manila. He was my guiding
light, a father figure
sent by my father, who
passed away when I was
15.
“Because of Fr. Mario
and the choir he assembled,
my faith was
restored. He accompanied
my mother to my graduation
and was with me and
my mother when I took the
oath to become a licensed
Optometrist.
“The best thing I
remember about Kuya
Mario is that his heart was
always open to anyone who
was lost, abandoned or
feeling helpless and alone.
He never judged anyone.
He is truly an embodiment
of God's love and mercy on
earth.”
Clarence Ann Marinas-
Sugui: “I met Fr. Mario in
a Chinese restaurant in the
CBD with my parents in
2008, when my kids and I
had just arrived here in
NZ. I believe that he had
just finished his last round
of chemo from battling the
initial cancer that he had.
He was pale and skinny at
that time, but greeted me
with a huge smile on his
face and optimism for the
future.
“Despite his circumstances
at that time, he
didn't show a hint of
despair or sadness, but
instead he glowed with
hope and a strong sense of
faith. From then on I was
drawn to his light and his
devotion to God.
Continued on page 5.