Dec. 23, 2006: December is really a busy month for novices, both first and second year. Fr. Master Wardi Saputra has been away since November 16 till now. He just met and had lunch personally with Fr General. He intends to go to Amsterdam.
During this month, novices have so many activities. First year novices finished their pilgrimage on December 12. They were divided into three groups. The first went from Tah Kone to Chan Tar Gone, the second started from Yamethin to Taung Ngoo, and the last group from Bago to Taung Ngoo. They did this pilgrimage safely. Now, they are finishing their reflection. Second year novices are busy to finish two papers on the Vows and on personal development.
During the Christmas and New Year break, novices were once again divided into three groups: for Christmas caroling, for Christmas gifts and for Christmas decoration. They also have to propose their personal program during the break.
On December 19 to 22, they went caroling from 17.45 P.M. to 12.30 A.M. They visited their apostolate areas and sang for the people. Their daily schedule was changed a bit so that they will still have time for prayer and rest in the afternoons.
They decorated the dining room, the chapel and the garden for Christmas. They will have a gift for the community, too. An outing is scheduled on December 28. Hopefully, all these activities will refresh them.
About this time, the candidates from Yangon made a retreat in the novitiate. First year candidates were accompanied by Fr Bob McTeigue, a tertian from Maryland province, and the second year by Fr Tom O’Gorman.
The novices, candidates, pre-candidates plan to have Christmas celebration together. On December 24, they will have a simple dinner. Then they will join a celebration run by the Charity sisters, finishing with a midnight Mass at Pyapiyu.
On December 25, there will be Mass at the English Language Institute presided by Fr Tom O’Gorman followed by a dinner. Instead of novices, candidates and pre-novices, teachers of the Institute will join the community. We hope it will be a good gathering for us.
