Rector's Circular 2-2012

 Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

29 June 2012

Circular Letter 02-2012

Dear Fathers, Parents, Guardians, Seminarians and Friends,

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ and greetings from Bonuan Seminary!  Thank you very much for being with us during the first general assembly of parents and guardians last Sunday, June 24, 2012 on the occasion of our first Prayer Session for Vocations.

The “Prayer Session” in the seminary is a very important event in our program of formation.  It is the occasion when families gather together to pray for the precious vocations of their seminarian-sons and celebrate Holy Eucharist together.  I invite you again to bring your family and even your relatives and friends who would like to support your seminarian-son in his vocation to join our Prayer Session this coming July 22, 2012 at 9:00 AM.

During our assembly, I promised to include in this letter the most important details of our meeting.  Here are the ten (10) points which I discussed with you:

1.       The priestly vocation is a beautiful mystery of God’s love.  The seminary is the locus of priestly formation.  Only those who are aspiring to be priests are admitted to the seminary.

2.       Growth to holiness, i.e., in intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ and the perfection of charity, is the goal of spiritual formation.

3.       Human formation has to develop well-integrated persons characterized by maturity in terms of self-discipline and obedience.

4.       Academic formation gives emphasis to the cultivation of one’s philosophical thinking
in a Christian way.

5.       Being a “Church of the Poor,” the seminary lifestyle should be SIMPLE, only equipped with what is necessary.

6.       Accompaniment is our way of doing formation in the seminary.

7.       The college period in the seminary formation is characterized by freedom and responsibility.

8.       Bonuan Seminary considers as goal the development of the mind and the heart.  The drive for excellence and the creative use of one’s talents are encouraged.

9.       The Family, especially the parents, should support their family member in all areas of formation.

10.   Bonuan Seminary is our Home. We are a Family.  You are always welcome in the seminary.

These details are based on the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary “Rule of Life.”  We hope and pray that you will continue your role as our companions in the formation of these sons of yours.

Also for your information and guidance, here is our seminary schedule from June 29 to November 4, 2012.  Please understand that we also have changes depending on certain circumstances:

June 29-July1                            (Fri-Sun)     Home Visit

July 6-7                                        (Fri-Sat)      Formation Sessions with Ate Eda

July 13-14                                  (Fri-Sat)      Apostolate Days

July 20-21                                  (Fri-Sat)      Apostolate Days

July 22                                         (Sunday)     Second Prayer Session for Vocations * Fr. Dexter Cariño, presider

                                                        Pandaragupan (Sportsfest)

July 27-29                                  (Fri-Sun)     Home Visit

July 29-Aug 2 (Sun-Thu)     Spiritual Retreat with Marian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Aug 3-4                                        (Fri-Sat)      Formation Sessions with Ate Eda

Aug 8    (Wednesday)            Rector’s Day

Aug 10-11                                   (Fri-Sat)      Apostolate Days

Aug 13-16                                   (Mon-Thu) Mid-term Exams

Aug 17-18                                   (Fri-Sat)      Apostolate Days

Aug 19  (Sunday)                     Third Prayer Session for Vocations * Fr. Jasper Hebron, presider

                                                        Linggo ng Wika 2012

Aug 24-26                                   (Fri-Sun)     Home Visit

Aug 27-30                                   (Mon-Thurs)             Research Week for Seniors

Aug 31-Sept 1                           (Fri-Sat)      Formation Sessions with Ate Eda

Sept 7-8                                       (Fri-Sat)      Marian Fest and Outing

Sept 14-15                                  (Fri-Sat)      Apostolate Days

Sept 21-22                                  (Fri-Sat)      Recollection of Sophomores

                                                        Recollection Days for the Community

Sept 23 (Sunday)                     Fourth Prayer Session for Vocations

                                                        Investiture of Sophomores

                                                        Archbishop Socrates Villegas, presider

                                                        (Fr. Dexter’s Birthday)

Sept 28-30                                  (Fri-Sat)      Home Visit

Oct 5-6 (Fri-Sat)                      Formation Sessions with Ate Eda

Oct 8-11                                      (Mon-Thurs)             Final Exams

Oct 12  (Friday)                      Evaluation Day

Oct 13  (Saturday)                 Semestral Break begins

Nov 4    (Sunday)                     Return to the Seminary for the Second Semester

Other things we discussed and decided on during our assembly are the following:

1.       Contribution for community lunch for every person during Prayer Session.

2.       Fund-raising:  Collar pins, keychains, song books and t-shirts.

3.       Solicitation Letters for B.I.G.A.S. and for the maintenance of the seminary.

4.       Visiting day schedule:  FRIDAYS lunch time and from 4PM to 5:30PM.

5.       During office hours, you may call the seminary via landline: 075 515 5720.  We also have cellphone with dual sim:  0915 885 5151 (globe) and 0943 641 9970.  You may call or text us anytime.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

Very truly yours in Christ,

Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez

Rector