Pages

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Exams for Incoming Seminarians


Rector's Circular 8-2012


Memorial of St. John of the Cross
14 December 2012
Circular Letter 08-2012

Dear Fathers, Parents, Guardians, Seminarians and Friends,

It is the time of the year to celebrate the coming of the Lord.  Advent prepares us to celebrate Christmas with renewed and deeper appreciation for that great mystery that happened more than two thousand years ago when God gave us his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  It should lead us to a better understanding of the history of salvation bringing a sense of awe and wonder. It should also lead us to a new longing for Christ.  “Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life” (Ps 42,1f).

Advent is also a time to reflect on the final coming of Jesus Christ in glory.  The second coming is connected with the mystery of the incarnation, in fact it is its fulfillment.  We Christians are a waiting people, but unlike in the Old Testament, we are waiting for the fullness of his kingdom.  We and the whole world are still badly in need of liberation and redemption.  Therefore the Advent Season is always a time of great joy!

As your seminarian-sons go home, allow me to share with you some reasons of our great joy this blessed season:
·         The Installation of the Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, as the 6th Bishop of Laoag. The community has a pilgrimage-outing in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte and sang the Te Deum during the Rites at the Cathedral last December 11, 2012.
·         The drafting of a constitution for the organization of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary – Parents Association (MHCCS-PA) which will be ratified on December 15, 2012 after the Christmas Party.
·         The Visit of the Relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus to our Seminary on January 13-14, 2013.
·         Our stage-play on the life of St. John the Evangelist this February 2013.  Fr. Dexter Z. CariƱo will direct this play which is very timely because of the Golden Jubilee of Lingayen-Dagupan as an Archdiocese. 

Our Prayer Session next month is on January 27, and in the afternoon our beloved human formation director, Ate Eda Castillo will have a conference for all families of our seminarians. This is part of our Spiritual Formation Program designed by our Spiritual Director, Fr. Jasper R. Hebron.  The formation to the priesthood is not only for the candidate but also involves the entire family of the seminarian.  Please do not miss this event!

Finally, allow me to greet you, in behalf of the Archbishop and the Seminary Administration, a very happy Christmas and blessed, peaceful new year! 



God bless us.  May Mary, Help of Christians, always pray for us.


Very truly yours in Christ,

Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez
Rector