OCTOBER 2010 UPDATES



Bring down the roof!



October, the Holy Rosary month was indeed a month of blessings for the seminary. The Consunji Group of Companies began the full-renovation of the Saint Michael’s dormitory. Some 25 workers are now working round the clock to complete the renovation by December 15. Most of the construction materials for the operation were shipped from Manila.  (Photos above show how the wooden beams of the dormitory roof are now being replaced with the sturdier metal trusses. The wooden window and door jams will also be replaced with concrete and metal frames. D.M. Consunji Group of Companies shoulders the full cost of the construction.) 

The seminary community also welcomed with great joy news that the Jesuits of the Japanese Province approved a P4.3 million grant for the SJVTS library. The amount represents 2/3 of the projected cost to renovate the library and add to its book collection. SJVTS invites more institutional donors to donate to the library so reconstruction of the facilities may already begin soon.

What's with WHITE?  Library fixtures now sport a brighter color ... WHITE!  May the lighter shade inspire seminarians to stay more and read more! 

Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ - President of the Jesuit Higher Education Commission (JHEC) had recently approved the membership of SJVTS to the commission. JHEC counts as its members , colleges and universities administered by the Jesuits around the country. Through its membership in the commission, the seminary hopes to derive much needed learnings from the best academic practices of Jesuit schools.

       

St. Francis Assisi Courtyard:  SJVTS Building "C" a.k.a. St. Francis Assisi building also has a newly reconstructed courtyard.  Thanks to the generosity of friends and benefactors, the courtyard was completed just in time for the opening of the second semester.  

                                                                                                                     

Three alumni of the seminary were also ordained recently. Jose Anthony Garcia of Talibon, Bohol was ordained deacon last October 9. Deacons Cris Constantino and Arniel Villamero of Malaybalay were ordained priests last October 26 & 27, respectively. Deacon Ricky Bacolcol was likewise ordained priest in Jolo last November 9. Three other diaconal ordinations had also been scheduled this November.

Some 52 college seminarians from all over Mindanao were accommodated for two days in the seminary for their 2nd Phase (interviews) application to the seminary. The list of those to be finally accepted for school year 2011-2012 will be available sometime in February 2011.

San Lorenzo covered patio.  This year's San Lorenzo Ruiz fiesta was itself a source of blessing for the San Lorenzo sub-community.  Funds were raised to improve the building's covered patio (which included fencing and tiling).  Thanks again to our generous friends.

   

Incidentally, Frs. Junjun Borres, SJ (Rector of San Jose Seminary – Manila) and Eric Eusebio, SJ (Dean of the Loyola School of Theology) visited the seminary last October 5-6 for the Jesuit Formation sub-cluster meeting presided over by Father Rector Cel Reyes. During the semestral break, Fr. Manol Montesclaros, SJ gave retreats to the faculty of the different RVM schools and visited friends and family in Manila and Cebu. For his birthday celebration, Fr. Raul Dael hosted separate gatherings for friends and the SJVTS faculty. Fr. Julius Clavero went to Davao for the Theological Society of the Philippines conference on Global Warming. Fr. Demli Valmores who was supposed to accompany Father Julius was struck down with Dengue fever. Fr. Butch Zayas also went to Digos, Davao Oriental for the Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference last October 18-22. Bukidnon missionary Fr. Mat Sanchez was also around to give a conference on prayer to seminarians in Galilee Year who are preparing for their 30-day retreat at the Betania Retreat House in Malasag. 

The Silver Jubilee Edition of the “Tulay Ng Vianney,” the official SJVTS publication, was also released before the semestral break. The cover of the latest "Tulay" edition features the smiling face of newly ordained bishop and SJVTS Alumnus Bishop Joe Cabantan. The cost of printing the publication was shouldered by Legacy Printers.  Seminarian Eric Cantones (Malaybalay) is this year's Tulay editor-in-chief.