First Month of KALIS BATCH, Bday of RJ Mira, Fr. Pops' Vocation Anniversary

Just feeling so grateful for having completed one month in the Seminary, the T1 or Kalis Batch decided to celebrate at Coffee Break Time. Today is also the bday of Raymond James "Yap" Mira (Tagum) and Fr. Pops' Vocation Anniversary. The ever in-demand Halang-Halang (it was tooooooo halang wa mahurot ang sabaw for the first time!), lamaw nga butong, saging sab-a with ginamos, tempura, and punch made the night memorable. Well, there was the usual Bingo, too, with nice prices at stake, bisan ug ginagmay lang... Vianney has a lot of joys, they don't know... Mao nang mahal!

Blessing of Jubilee Car

At last, after persistent prodding, the Seminary has been permitted to procure
a new vehicle--a Nissan Escapade van. Given the now precarious states of the
Seminary cars (9-24 yrs olds!), it was necessary to acquire a new one. The Red
car and the white tamaraw are now offered for sale, at very very low prices... hapit
na lang gani ipanghatag! So, bid now... at least for collector's items! Besides, the red
car has such a sturdy body it can withstand for another 25 years... perhaps even more!
Well, the Seminary, in its 25 years, deserves a good car. Fr. Frank Savadera, S.J.,
the newest member of the faculty had the honors to bless it.

KALIS BATCH CITY TOUR 20 JUNE 09

Following tradition, (although a bit late), and starting the process of... hmmm... urbanization,
the T1 scheduled a City Tour around CDO's places of interest like XU and the Museo de Oro,
Cogon Area, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace, the Divine Mercy Shrine, Bulua Parish,
and the Eco Church in Kauswagan. A number of people made the tour exciting and possible:
Philippine Southfield School of the Ortigas Family who lent us the coaster, with the kind and gentle driver, Pedring; the Archbishop for the sumptuous lunch; Bulua Parish for the filling snacks courtesy of seminary fans; Eco-Church pastors, Fr. Roel Buntol and Fr. Roy Barros for their hospitality and banquet-like reception. To all of them, our deepest gratitude. God bless their generosity.

Mass of the Holy Spirit 16 June 09

To begin the new formation year right, the Seminary community gathered
around the altar of the Lord to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit. The Red
Mass was officiated by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Nereo P. Odchimar, bishop
of Tandag. Some of the souvenir fotos of the occasion.

To celebrate Independence Day and to welcome the new members,
the SJVTS Community went on its usual Outing in Basamangas, Jasaan.
Unlike the two previous years, this time we forewent the White Island adventure for lack
of boats. Providentially, this allowed more time for swimming and interaction. The pictures and
some of the videos should speak of the fun and enjoyment all experienced.

Fr. Pops' Silver Anniversary as a Jesuit (1984-2009)

While, formally speaking, silver anniversaries are not celebrated by Jesuits, still, the mere thought of having reached 25 years in Jesuit life was just too inviting to be ignored, at least by the concerned! So, a little salu-salo was held in our building at SJVTS on 30 May 2009. Simple ra gud: barbecue, junkfood (hehe!), some drinks and a lot of singing and dancing. Ah, duna sab diay foto travelogue of the celebrant... imagine, from practically his birth to his escapades in Europe and to the present. Plus, a little spraying of giveaways (not giveawaste!) courtesy of the "new kid in town" Fr. Frank Savadera. Nalingaw sab gamay ang mga igsoong first year... Daghan nag-ilog sa mga payong nga pink ug green! Masculine colors man gud kuno ni! Everything gyod diay is relative: the more money, the more relatives! Some highlights of that evening that lasted till, uhhmmm... 1 in the morning... Wa pa man poy klase so ok ra extend gamay...

NO-TO-CON-ASS RALLY 10 JUNE

In response to the call of the Good Governance Office of the Archdiocese of Cagayan
de Oro and in solidarity with the CBCP's statement opposing the move of the Lower House
of Congress to hatch a Constituent Assembly which would pave the way for Charter
Change, SJVTS joined the rally that was held at the Divisoria Plaza in the afternoon of
10 June. While the crowd was not that big, the show of opposition to the move of the
Lower House was very intense. Here are some of the photo highlights.

Tandag Ordination June 2009

St. John Vianney is once again graced with newly-ordained servants: Rev. Fr. Vincent Montenegro to the priesthood and Rev. Ricky Lindo to the diaconate. With them were also ordained 2 others, one priest and one deacon. This video is taken right after the mass with Fr. Vincent blessing people and letting them kiss his hands. God be praised for these new servants.