The celebration of the feast of
the Assumption in CDO today was eclipsed by the preparation of the investiture
of the incoming president of Xavier University, REV. FR. ROBERTO “Bobby” C.
YAP, SJ. And so, we had a very quiet mass at 6:30am today in our tiny chapel
with Most Rev. Msgr. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, as
celebrant. Friends brought flowers, “kakanin” for breakfast and warm greetings
to spruce our day.
Archbishop
Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ presiding at mass
This was followed by the formal
blessing of the MAGIS STUDENT CENTER by the former president, REV. FR. JOSE
RAMON T. VILLARIN, SJ at 8:30 am. This center houses the university canteen,
bookcenter and the offices for student services and organizations.
Fr. Jet Villarin, SJ, blessing the Magis Center
The new XU
Canteen
Lunchtime was a very private
moment among the five of us with a lone special guest, MARIDEL TAMPARONG (an
old girl from Herran, who married and settled in CDO) who brought food. We had
a festive lunch straight from the kitchen of Gran Caprice!
CDO Community with Maridel Tamparong
We had an hour to rest before
dressing up for the final engagement of the day, the INVESTITURE! The four of
us wore our finest attire, the formal habit, dressed to the formality of the
occasion. We had our second mass with the Archbishop again presiding at 3pm.
Around 17 Jesuits came for this occasion headed by the Provincial Superior, Fr.
Jojo Magadia, SJ, Fr. Danny Huang, the four former XU Presidents and all the
other heads of Jesuit schools. After the mass, there was a 30min interval
before the formal ceremony. The investiture ended by 7pm. There was a large
banquet prepared for a thousand people at the covered courts.
The red carpet investiture at XU
Chapel
Fr. Bobby Yap being given the XU Mace
This was how Assumption feast was celebrated this day.
According to Fr. Bobby Yap, he chose August 15 so that he can ride on the feast
of the RAs and charge the bill to them. So, we wait until the bill comes…
The CDO Community spent a week-end (March 17-19, 2011) in Bohol with Fr. Ramilo Mapaye, SVD of the Holy Name University as host, part of our formation in JPCC-S as well as bonding moment in two years.
This was in the garden of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Dauis, Panglao Island
The CDO Community spent a week-end (March 17-19, 2011) in Bohol with Fr. Ramilo Mapaye, SVD of the Holy Name University as host, part of our formation in JPCC-S as well as bonding moment in two years.
This was in the garden of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Dauis, Panglao Island
The interior of the church with the original pulpit since the church was built. This is the church famous for its deep well at the foot of the sanctuary. Until now, the people still draw water, which is fresh, potable and believed to have healing
One of the African collections in the Tarsier Botanika Museum
Sunset at Tarsier Botanika in Panglao, the newest haven to see for its well-planned labyrinth of gardens and animals in captivity, ending with at the museum of the owner with a French bakeshop
The SVD Community Chapel at the Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
We had mass here upon our arrival with Fr. Ramilo, SVD as presider.
Last Saturday, 26 March 2011, fire of still undetermined origin razed the Pre-School wing of Assumpta School in San Simon, Pampanga. It began at the Faculty Lounge that we more commonly call the “bahay kubo” at around 4:30 pm. By 6:00 pm the fire was under control. It went so fast and we cannot thank God enough that it happened on a day when there were no students!
Speaking with Sr. Josefina from Bangkok, where I still am for a series of meetings, she said that the community of ASSUMPTION TOGETHER (Sisters, Lay Partners, Students, Graduates, Parents and benefactors) draws strength from the support of so many who assure all that we have something much, much stronger than what fire can destroy. And so, as one community there is the determination to “rise from the ashes”...renewing the commitment to participate in God’s mission in San Simon.
Meetings have begun among the School Administration, the Sisters and the Board of the Mother Rosa Memorial Foundation to chart the course of recovery and restoration.
One cannot but be moved by the FAITH that accompanies all in San Simon. A FAITH that enables them to see and recognize God’s action in the midst of the damages that is so real.
Indeed, FAITH that gives birth to acts of communion and solidarity has the power to transform pain and destruction into something indestructible so that LIFE is still the last word. And so we are able to GIVE THANKS that no one was hurt.
To all of you who gave and continue to give support to our community in San Simon, by calling, sending SMS messages and by coming to San Simon, thank you for being ONE with us. Because of you, we know for sure that “we will rise from the ASHES...”
Sr. Maria Josefina Matias, RA
Prep classrooms and gallery
Bahay kubo where fire started.
Computer lab next to bahay kubo wasn't burned except the air-con unit - fire went behind it then burned the CRs and transferred to prep bldg where fire was going in two opposite directions
This year each community of Luzon picked a partner community to pray for and to give a meaningful gift to. Each Community was asked to prepare a presentation to reveal their partner community. The Creative presentations were indeed meaningful and touching. Because the photos were taken by Sr. Carla Teresa, the Provincialate Community Presentation had no photograph. The whole day experience has been one of communion and solidarity.
