+ Father Terencio "Tito" 

    Mathew Ayo, SOLT

Father Terencio (Tito) Mathew Ayo, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) died March 4, 2019.  Funeral services will be held at S. Joseph Church, located on 710 S. 19th St. in Corpus Christi on March 14 and 15.

Father Tito was born to Antonio Rivera Ayo (+) and Prudencia Bautista Agbay in Canaman, Camarines Sur in Bikol.  As an infant, he endured a life-threatening illness and his now 95-year old mother had prayed very hard for his well-being.
 
He was the eldest of seven children--six boys and a girl. His siblings are: Florencio Thomas (Toti), married to Racquel Subida; Antonio Camillus (Junet), married to Noni Salvador; Ramon Nonito, married to Asela San Andres; Arnold Amancio (Anot), married to Cynthia Napay (+); Reino Stephen (Ray), married to Maria Vivian (Bing) Imperial; and, Mariebeth Corazon, married to Juanito (Jiggs) Gegajo.  Father Tito had a special place in his heart for his many relatives, including over 30 nephews, nieces, and grand nephews and nieces.
 
He started his seminary formation at the early age of twelve when he entered the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City after finishing 6th grade at the Naga Parochial school in 1965. After four years at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, he finished his philosophy education in 1969. True to his dedication to priestly formation, he advanced to his theology studies. After a couple of years in theology, however, he left seminary and began to assist as a layman in a parish in Albay, Diocese of Legazpi, wherein 1975 he met Fr Tom Gier, SOLT. His time spent with Father Tom renewed his calling to the priesthood. Father. Tito joined the Society and completed his theological education at the Tahanan Ng Mabuting Pastol Seminary in Tagaytay City. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 18, 1979, and was one of the first SOLT priests of the Asia-Pacific Region.
 
From 1980 until 1996, Father Tito served in several parishes in the Philippines, including Sacred Heart Mission, Cabasan; St. Michael the Archangel Parish, San Miguel; and Holy Cross Parish in Amparo Village.
 
In 1996, Father Tito was asked by the General Priest Servant to move to Texas in order to serve as the Procurator for SOLT, a position he held for one year. After his period as Procurator, Father Tito returned to the Philippines where he served first as a parish priest in Mary the Queen Parish, Quezon City, and then in San Antonio Parish, Cuyapo. During this same time, Father Tito completed his studies for an advanced degree in Philosophy at Araullo University in Cabanatuan.
 
In the year 2007, Father Tito was asked to return to the American Region to become the administrator of a parish in San Pedro, Belize. He continued in that position until 2009 when he was assigned to serve in the SOLT Development Office in Robstown, Texas. After serving as head of the Development Office for several years, in 2011 Father Tito was assigned to be the pastor of St. Michael Parish in Banquete, a position he held for five years. In 2016, Father Tito was transferred to St. Joseph’s as associate pastor, where he remained until his passing from this life.
 
In addition to his work in parishes and in administration, from 1988 until 2004, Father Tito served in various capacities with the Child Sponsorship for Community Development, Inc, Children International. From 1993-1996 and again from 1998-2004, he was the Charmain of the Board of Directors of that organization.
 
Father Tito also earned several degrees from various colleges, including a degree in Theology from Divine Word Seminary (1980), a Master's Degree in Business Management from Aquinas University (1994) and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Araullo University (2006).
 
For a number of years, Father Tito struggled with cancer. His patience and trust in God were an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and fellow community members.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Church located at 710 S 19th St. on Thursday, March 14 with  5 p.m. viewing, 6 p.m. Mass and 7 p.m. Vespers, Liturgy of the Word and rosary. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL, DD also at St. Joseph Church on Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m.

Committal following the funeral Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Violet.