Rector's Christmas Message for the SJVTS Community

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Let me take this opportunity to personally wish all of you a BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A GRACEFILLED NEW YEAR! The past days have been very hectic I never had any chance to personally greet you. I will be myself on retreat from 15 December evening to 23 Dec. evening in Cebu, so I won't be able to answer ur texts or messages or calls. Please remember me in your prayers, especially since I am on a transition period from this present assignment to the next. Pray that I may be able to review prayerfully and honestly the past 8 years of my life in Vianney; that I may be able to learn from my mistakes, continue to be open to the Spirit's leading. I will also surely remember u in my prayers. May your misas de gallo be as meaningful as that first Christmas when "ho logos sarx egeneto kai eskenosen en hemin" (Jn. 1,14). If u can't figure out this last phrase, thank God just the same and consider it part of mystery! Merry Christmas to you all, once again, or as we say it in Italy, BUON NATALE! Fr. Pops

PASKO SA VIANNEY, PASKO SA PAMILYA

It was a 3-in-1 affair, an affair to remember... the SJVTS Christmas-Family Day-Celibacy Ceremony celebration which began on December 12 and ended on December 14. To prepare for their promise of celibacy, the T4 had a two-day celibacy seminar with Fr. Manol and Ate Venus facilitating. Then, the parents came on the 13th for the 3rd Family Day. A warm welcome was given in each sub-community for the respective parents of the occupants. Then, on the 14th everybody had a half day recollection centering on the theme of Christmas, Priesthood, and the Family with Fr. Abet as the points giver. This was followed by prayer and reflection and sharing by BEC. In the afternoon, the traditional POSADAS or Panunuluyan became the first part of the Eucharistic Celebration anticipating Christmas. After the homily given by Fr. Joey Rapadas, the moving Ring Ceremony followed after which the rest of the celebration proceeded. The evening was capped with a dinner and program and gift giving. We hope the parents and everyone else can bring or share the message to their own families and hopefully celebrate a more meaningful Christmas and New Year.

Jasaan, Immaculate Conception Fiesta

Following a tradition of sorts, some members of SJVTS went to Jasaan again for the town fiesta in honor of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness. The first stop was at Fr. Butch's residence; the second at Fr. Raul Dael's... There was no room for more at the end... only for gratitude and thanksgiving for the graces and the company, such as ours!

XUSJ December Bday Celebrants' Dinner Treat

To celebrate the birthdays in December of Loyola House SJs, Mrs. Ophelia Rule offered to host a dinner at their residence in Philamlife Homes. The dinner was delightful, to say the least... difficult to rival. A million thanks to the host and her family. The evening was capped with coffeee and opening of gifts (foto), as if the dinner was not enough... Again, our deepest gratitude to the host.

Faculty Rest, Recreation, Recollection, C Philipps, Bukidnon

It's Faculty 3 R's again! This time the venue was Camp Philipps, Bukidnon with his "eminence" Dhems Berondo as host. The first stop was at Manolo, F for snacks, hosted by Fr. JunKent. The next was at the DelMonte bowledrome where two teams of formators competed. Everybody enjoyed especially with the 1-1 result in the competition; no need for a tie-breaker so that everyone was happy. Supper and videoke followed at the Holy Cross AVR, thanks to the sisters' hospitality. The ff. day was recollection day facilitated by Fr. JunKent. The topic was a surprise: "Liturgy and Life"! Using the articles of the present Pope, the group reflected and shared on the interesting articles. We can't wait for the next recollection especially wondering how many pages the readings would be! Thanks, Fr. Kent!

Subcom Xavier on Mobile Share-a-Snack

In gratitude to God for the graces of the fiesta celebration on 3 December and in solidarity with those who could not come, Xavier subcom went on a mini Mobile Share-a-Snack tour of CDO on 05 December. "Armed" with only pancit, sliced bread, and juices, not to mention the smiles and the Xaverian zeal, the sub-community scouted along the byroads for the "badjao" who beg at street junctions. While the community did not feed the whole population, it made some hearts happy, in anticipation of the Christmas season. Some videos and fotos of the event

Rector's Cup 2009 - Awards Night

Today, the 30th of November, saw the conclusion of the Rector's Cup 2009 with the anticipated celebration of Rector's Day (supposedly on 03 December). The morning began with the exhibition game of the formators in lawn tennis with the Rector as one of the players. Then the championship game in lawn tennis followed. Then followed the championship game in Volleyball played between the Kalis Batch (T1) and the Bahandi Batch (T2). The first year theols emerged as champion in volleyball and overall champion in this edition of the Rector's Cup. In the afternoon, two hotly-contested games were played between the host viannistas and the neighboring San Jose seminarians. The hosts proved the more experienced team and swept both games. At 6:00 pm, the Rector led the community in the Holy Eucharist with the blessing of the Advent wreath. Dinner followed at the covered walk with some guests and benefactors present. A heartwarming program and awards ceremony followed. Being the Rector's last year, the celebration was tinted with a little air of goodbye and melancholy. Nonetheless, joy and jubilation was the predominant atmosphere.

Mikefabs' Presbyteral Ordination

Just a day after Rev. Fr. Remel and Casi were ordained priests, Mikefabs received the same grace, too. The second after 28 years, the ordination at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Nazareth, CDO, proved to be very well-attended, organized, and moving. And festive, too, what with the lively drum and bugle corps that played all throughout the event except during the ordination mass. St. John Vianney is once again proud and happy to welcome another one of her sons being raised to the order of Melchizedek. Congrats, Mike, and may the Lord's hand be always your guide.