AUGUST 2010 ACTIVITIES

             The SJVTS 21st Alumni Homecoming was successfully held last August. Fr. Celerino Reyes, SJ was also formally installed as the seminary’s 6th Rector. The “St. John Mary Vianney Awards” were also handed to the family and communities of SJVTS Founding Fathers Giuseppe Raviolo, SJ and Bishop Patrick Cronin and seminary friend/ benefactor Madame Laureana Rosales. The posthumous awards were received by the Provincial Superior of the Columban missionaries Fr. Patrick O’Donoughue, Jesuit Provincial Fr. Jose Magadia, SJ and Mrs. Fe Juarez for the family of Madame Rosales.

Posing for posterity before the huge 'Welcome' banner!

             The new Alumni Directory was also distributed among the almost 200 alumni priests and lay partners who attended the homecoming. A play about the life and influence of St. John Mary Vianney, which was directed by Palanca Awardee Ms. Ameta Taguchi, was also staged. Seminarians and even some of the seminary staff took part in the play as actors. Archbishop of Manila Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales also returned to the seminary a second time in three weeks to deliver a talk among members of the alumni.  Preparations for this year's Alumni Homecoming were spearheaded by Fr. Nathan Lerio. 
           Also in August, seminary fathers trooped to the various testing areas of Mindanao to conduct the First Phase – Admission Examinations to prospective new theologians. Some 80 college seminarians took the qualifying examinations in Butuan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Bohol.
            The entire SJVTS community also joined the High Mass celebrated by Bishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ at the CDO Cathedral in celebration of the City Fiesta.