The past holiday season was celebrated by the Arrupe community in several ways. For some, the Christmas season was a time for rest, while for others it was a busy season for many different reasons.
Before the Christmas break, some of our Philosopher brothers had to write a synthesis paper, in an attempt to answer in their own terms the question, “What is Philosophy?” While some of our brothers had to write several papers during the Christmas break as assignments.
Many of our brothers also engaged in the Misa de Gallo Novena Masses, a series of dawn Masses, which starts on December 16 until 24. On the same days, Fr Peter Momose Fumiaki (JPN), had his 8-day Retreat at the Jesuits Residence in Ateneo de Manila University campus.
The Arrupe Community was also entertained by the carols of the different Ateneo and Jesuit affiliate groups: ACLC, Atska, Epheta, etc.
On December 20, Fr Ludovico Ryu Hyong-nyol (KOR) left for an exposure trip to Myanmar. His trip lasted two weeks, which ended on January 02.
On December 21, Schs. Alvin Ng (MAS) and Yoht Manasan Wongvarn (TAI) left for Malaysia to attend the 10th Scholastics and Brothers-in-formation Circle (SBC) Meeting, which was held at the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary in Melaka, Malaysia. Schs. Alvin and Yoht, who were members of the organizing committee, were joined by the following scholastics representing the Arrupe International Residence: Schs. Andy Abing (PHI), Joel Liwanag (PHI), Stephen Marip Seng Ja (MYN), Lin Yaw Mana (MYN), Pham Huu Manh Khiet (VIE), Ernest Justin (IDO), and Yasuhisa Kogure (JPN).
On December 23, the Arrupe House celebrated the “Workers’ Christmas Party” coordinated by Sch. Chester Yacub (PHI). Each peer group was assigned to take care of one child of one of our workers, which includes entertaining the child during the Christmas program and preparing a gift for the child.
On December 25, Sch. Richard Sebastian Anthonysamy (MAS) left for Malaysia. From there he will proceed to the Loyola School of Theology in Berkeley, California where he will continue his theological studies. After which, Richard will pursue a Doctoral degree in Communications.
On December 28 to 30, the Juniors had a three-day at the San Jose Manggagawa Parish in Marikina City. The Parish is divided into five chapels: the former Chorillo Chapel which was dedicated last December 15 and now officially known as the Parish Church of the San Jose Manggagawa Parish; the Urban Bliss Barangka (UBB) Chapel; the Tañong Chapel; the Provident Villages Chapel; and, the San Isidro Labrador Chapel. The Parish has a population of approximately sixty thousand, which comprises the three Barangays of Barangka, Jose dela Peña, and Tañong. The Juniors stayed for three days with their adoptive families, which came from the three different Barangays.