Rev. Joel S. Rama March 15, 1969 - June 14, 2012 Rev. Joel Rama passed away at the Regina General Hospital on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the age of 43 years. Fr. Rama was a Roman Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Regina for the past five years, serving as Administrator of the parishes of St. John the Baptist, Estevan; St. Monica, Bienfait; St. Joseph, Midale and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Macoun and Parish moderator of the Lampman area which includes Lampman, Benson, Forget and Maryland. He was born on March 15, 1969 in Pandan, Catanduanes, Philippines. He was predeceased by his father Jose Rama and is survived by his mother, Emerlina Sabeniano Rama; his sister, Gina Pantino and brother-in-law Juan Pantino, Jr. with their children Junna Pantino and John Joseph Pantino; his brother, Jose Rama, Jr. and his sister-in-law Mayra Rama with their children Joline Rama and Jhyra Rama. Fr. Rama attended Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Naga City, Philippines and graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained on October 25, 1995 by Most Rev. Manolo A. Delos Santos, Bishop of Virac. After serving as an Associate Pastor and Diocesan Youth Director for ten years in the Diocese of Virac. He spent a sabbatical year in the Diocese of Victoria, B.C. and decided to move to Canada. Fr. Rama joined the Archdiocese of Regina on December 8, 2005 and assisted at Little Flower in Regina until July 2006. In August of that year he was appointed Administrator of the parishes of St. George, Assiniboia, St. Louis, Mossbank and St. Ignace, Willow Bunch. He moved to Estevan in August 2007. Prayer Vigil was held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. with Very Rev. Juanito Vargas V.F. officiating and Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. by The Most Reverend Daniel J. Bohan D.D. with priests of the Archdiocese concelebrating. Both were held in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 109 - 12th Avenue, Estevan. Fr. Rama will be laid to rest in Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines. Those so wishing may make donations to STARS Air Ambulance, Unit #108, Box 2, 1945 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2C7 in memory of Fr. Rama. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.
