The month of December was a month of celebrations, having parties with friends, sharing gifts and joys with others, especially with the poor and needy. It was a month of enormous blessings for each one of us.
On December 3 some scholastics went to St. Francis Xavier School together with Fr Bill Currie (JPN) to celebrate the feast of Francis Xavier.
On December 7 the special Penitential service was organized and led by Fr Jim Meehan (PHI). After the prayer service there was an opportunity for those who wish to make their confession.
On December 8 the community mass was celebrated by Fr Valerian Shirima, Provincial of East Africa. Late in the morning our Junior Brothers had a Christmas Party with the Musmos street kids. The children were provided a tasty and festive meal. Fr Manny Flores (PHI) celebrated Mass for the kids.
On December 15 the Arrupe Community organized a very memorable Christmas party for its minor staff and for their families. The special Mass was offered for them, with Fr Manny Flores (PHI) as the main celebrant. Then our guests were fed with tasty and nutritious food. Later, some gifts were given to the families. The Arrupe community thanks all the scholastics who organized this party for our workers.
The community hosted about twelve choirs from various places. They filled the chapel with their very inspiring Christmas carols.
On December 16 to 24 some of the scholastics and Fr Manny Flores (PHI) were actively involved in taking part in the Simbanggabi Masses.
On December 24 we had special Mass in the morning.
On the eve of December 25 the community mass was celebrated by the rector, Fr Matsumoto (JPN), followed by a Christmas gathering.
On December 28 the Ambassador of Burma and his family had lunch together with the Burmese scholastics at Arrupe International Residence. The ambassador was pleased by the warm welcome and hospitality of the Burmese scholastics.
On the same day Sch Imran John (SRI) organized a day of recollection for the youth from Payatas. Sch Francis Alvarez (PHI) gave the points for their personal reflection. There were about fifteen participants for this recollection. The day culminated with a mass presided by Fr Jim Meehan (PHI).
On December 29 the First year juniors were sent to various families to experience Christmas with the local people. Most of the juniors were happy and enjoyed their stay with various families.
On December 31 we had a last community mass for the year 2007. The mass was offered by Fr Matsumoto (JPN). In the evening a special prayer service was conducted by Fr Jim Meehan (PHI). The theme of the prayer service was “Giving Thanks… Expressing Hope… On the Threshold of a New Year”. It was a moment for each member to thank God for 2007 and asks God’s abundant grace and special care for the year 2008.
On the first of January the Arrupe House Community was invited by the Philippines Province for New Year gathering. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Daniel Patrick Huang, the Provincial of Philippines. It was a nice time to greet and meet our Jesuit friends and brothers in the Lord.
On January 3 Fr Jim Meehan (PHI) offered mass for the establishment of peace and harmony in Pakistan and Kenya.
In the morning of January 5 the Community attended the seminar on “Addiction.” This seminar was conducted by Mrs. Rose Filart.
In the evening we had our Kris Kringle Party. A short skit was presented by Scholastics Htjaru Francis (MYN), Marip Seng Ja (MYN) and others. Scholastics Ezequiel (ETR), Acacio (ETR), Calisto (ETR) and Augustine (MYN) sang as a group. Solo performances were made by Fr Bill Currie (JPN), Savio (ETR) and Makarius (ETR). The Arrupe community thanked all those who made this party successful and special thanks to Sch Henry Ponce (PHI) for his wonderful performance as the master of ceremonies.
On January 9 the Rector Fr. Matsumoto (JPN) went to Japan for some important business and came back on 20th. In his absence, Fr Bill Currie (JPN) was the acting rector.
On January 18 and 19 the community had its monthly recollection. The resource person was Mrs. Rose Filart. The topic was “The Spiritual Dimension of Addiction”. These were very enriching days for many Arrupeans.
The Arrupe Community is constantly praying for the participants of the General Congregation 35. A special mass was offered by Fr. Matsumoto (JPN) for the intentions of Fr Adolfo Nicolas, the newly elected Superior General of the Society of Jesus.