Monday, December 18, 2006

SIMPLE MOMENTS

There are many events in the seminary that I really cherished. Counting them makes me thank God for blessing me with wonderful people in my seminary formation. Behind these pictures are simple stories that create life time impact...
At the beginning of the school year, the Prefects' Team scheduled a Purpose-Driven Life Retreat for our dear seminarians. The response on the part of our formands was very good. They were very participative during prayers and very interactive during activities. The speakers were associated with the competent Catholic group that gives PDL retreat. It was not only the seminarians who learned from the retreat, I also gained insights which really deepened my faith convictions.
Ah, this is the start of the Family Feast! I was roaming around to check the Trinitarium Class in their preparations. They were enjoying the job!

A toast to the success of the Family Feast. This is taken during the Victory Party. After all the sleepless nights and preparations-that-seemed-like-eternity, we congratulated ourselves and partied all night. Thank you Trinitarium Class!

Just mention Manny Pacquaio and every seminarian has something memorable to share. Every corner of our seminary has been a witness of how seminarians united ourselves when Pacquaio is in the ring. The fights of Pacman have always been a source of pride and unity among us.

This picture is taken for cyber-promotion of the vocation office. I called on some seminarians to have photo sessions with me to be posted at the website that I was planning to make for the SVD. I asked them to wear sotanas and pose before the camera. This one came out so naturally.

This one is taken in Surigao during our Regency processing. For the first time after so many months, we regents were gathered to share our sacred stories of "formation in mission for the mission." Of course, the outing was great too!

This one was unexpected! Rev. Elmer Ibarra, SVD asked me to accompany him for his guesting stint at the program of Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD. When we were already at DZMM, I was also asked to join him!

This one is meaningful and funny. I joined the fourth year class in their evening prayers. It turned out that a generous person gave them a cake courtesy of Red Ribbon. Before we ate the cake, we spent some time for photo sessions. It was a moment of delaying gratification. "Hating-kapatid" was their practice. Ah, that was great!

This is during our Christmas party -- an occassion to remember and to always cherish! I made a youtube presentation for this!





WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD

THE FURY OF TYPHOON MILENYO


A strong typhoon hit Metro Manila last September 28, 2006. Typhoon Xangsane (international designation: 0615, JTWC designation: 18W, PAGASA name Typhoon Milenyo) was a deadly typhoon that battered the northern islands with torrential rains and strong winds, and causing widespread flooding and landslides.

According to wikipedia, the storm was responsible for at least 279 deaths, mostly in the Philippines and Vietnam, and at least $747 million (2006 USD) in damage.

It was the strongest typhoon I ever experienced in my stay here in Manila. I heard the strong winds that uprooted the mango tree at our old folks' home. I was having lunch with my confreres when we suddenly heard a loud thud! Oh my God, the majestic mango tree was no match to the whistling wind!

Our chapel was also flooded. I stayed with some seminarians at the chapel and it was like a waterfall gushing forth from the ceiling. Billboards were falling. When I checked on our seminarians at the third floor of the Buttenbruch Building, they were very busy putting barriers on the windows to prevent the strong winds from breaking into their dormitory.

Several window glasses were broken. Even my room was not spared!


More than the fury of typhoon Milenyo, the day after was a show of force by the SVD community of Christ the King. The spirit of "bayanihan" moved each each one of us to actively take part in cleaning our messed-up grounds.It was very inspiring to see seminarians and priests cleaning our compound together. Even our manang also helped us. The irony of it all was -- everyone was happy doing the task! This pictures are great testimonies!
It was a memorable part of our journey together as a community. I felt that we strengthened our bonds. We rose from the ruins! No typhoon could ever shake us...If God is with us, who can be against us?


WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

fiel, svd






TOP FAMILY FEAST PICTURES

Every September 8, the Society of the Divine Word celebrates the Family Feast, our annual foundation anniversary. We call to mind our humble beginnings as a congregation many years ago (1875).

The Family Feast 2006 in Christ the King was spearheaded by the Trinitarium Class.

These pictures are simply unforgettable!

Indeed, pictures paint a thousand words.
The blow that made all spectators laugh!
We never have this parlor game during our time!
This looks like World Cup!
Certainly, one of the greatest pix!
Family Feast strenghtens our family ties.
No, they are not the Gee-girls!
The Coords waited for the announcement of winners.

The Grand Winner!!!

For more pictures and the rest of the results, please visit the official Christ the King Mission Seminary Family Feast 2006 website that I made: http://2006familyfeast.tripod.com/

WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD

ACQUAINTANCE PARTY

The Acquaintance Party was prepared by the Culturant Servants of both the Juniors and Seniors community. Unlike the past years, we now have one common dining hall for the two communities. The seminarians showcased their talents and they never failed to amazed me! They were great performers!

The Team of the Prefects were having good time!

Nice action song from the First Year Seminarians!

A dramatic portrayal of "balot! balot!" using different emotions. Well-applauded Second Year Seminarians!

The Third Year seminarians wowed me with their Ala-Streetboys move!

The Fourth Year seminarians were great imitators! Could you name the superheroes in the picture?

The Associates were all formal in their song number! It was very impressive!Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, the Head Prefect gave a very inspiring talk.

I look forward to discover more talents as we journey together.

Have a great day!

WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD

WE ARE FAMILY

This is our SVD community for the School Year 2006-2007

First Year Seminarians: Evangelion Class

Second Year Seminarians: Hamak (Humubog at Maglingkod Ayon Kay Kristo) Class

Third Year Seminarians: Trinitarium Class

Fourth Year Seminarians: Fiat Class

M.A. Seminarians: Pagsibol ClassAssociate Seminarians: Anak-Kabuniyan Class

Till next time!

WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD


My REGENCY AREA

Regency is an essential part of our seminary formation as SVDs. It is the time where we are sent to different SVD institutions (parish, school, seminary) to experience the concrete realities of SVD missions.

My formators assigned me here in Christ the King Mission Seminary:


Christ the King Seminary is very close to my heart since I also graduated here. Some of the priests I am working with now are actually my former professors. Whoa! What a life!

Till next time!

WWW (Witness to the Word in the World),

Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD

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