Greetings of peace from your brothers and friends here at ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. As you may know, the seminary celebrates its 25th Founding Anniversary this year. Truly, we have been overjoyed by the recent episcopal ordination of our very own alumnus Bishop Jose Araneta Cabantan who belongs to our first batch of graduates. Recently, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales of Manila also had gifted the seminary with a life-sized statue of our patron, St. John Mary Vianney. The year 2010 continues to prove itself as a true period of celebration for all of us here in Cagayan de Oro.
As we celebrate our anniversary however, we note also how 25 years of existence had taken its toll on our facilities. The state of our seminary facilities continues to depreciate. Much as we thank you for the prayers and assistance that you have given the seminary in the past, our crucial work for the Church in Mindanao stirs us to humbly BEG for more assistance from you and your community. Please spare us additional financial help if possible.
Specifically, you may help us by supporting our “RECONSTRUCTION FUND,” a fund dedicated to defraying costs for various seminary projects and the reconstruction of facilities. Most immediate for us is the renovation of our most regularly used SJVTS kitchen and refectory. For your reference, some 80 seminarians, priests and lay personnel gather at least three times a day for meals in our common refectory. Your help will go a long way in ensuring better health for your future pastors through the more hygienic preparation and sharing of meals.
Architect's Perspective: Right photo shows the architect's rendition of the improved SJVTS refectory. Repainting and floor re-tiling consist the planned improvements. The seminary will make do with its old yet still usable fixtures (i.e., tables/ chairs).
Incidentally, in appreciation for your possible contribution, we will gladly include your name or an advertisement material from your community in a Special Souvenir Program which we will publish in time for our 25th Anniversary Celebration and Grand Alumni Homecoming in August 2010.
We would very much appreciate whatever help or suggestion that you may wish to share with us. Please get in touch with us through the following:
FR. BUTCH ZAYAS (Cel. No. 0927-705-7978)
NOTE: Please make all payments payable to: ST. JOHN VIANNEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (Reconstruction Fund) or deposit donations to Bank of Philippine Islands – CDO Main Branch with Account Number: 2041-034958.
DAGHANG SALAMAT!!!
