“To be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World”

We as baptised members are called to the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. Yet as religious we go a step forward to this call. Part of the formation program is to do immersion to another culture or tradition. Also part of the formation is the Sending–off Ceremony for these missioners who will do mission.

Last July 14 at the 5:30PM Novena Mass, the whole St Alphosus Theologate community gathered together to Send-off four of our brothers to their mission. Fr Brendan, our rector, celebrated the Eucharist with the rest of the priest of the community and other conferers from other units. Fr. Brendan also was the one who gave the homily. He focus on our journey as missioners and the call to be ready to be sent to wherever the Spirit leads us.

At this celebration, Nathaniel “Natz” Arendain, Joseph Phung, Dominic Tra Tran and Alphonsus Chainarin “Joe” Lamprom receive their mission crosses as they embarked another step in their formation journey. They are assigned to different communities and countries. Natz is goin with the RIMT here in the Philippines. Joseph and Dominic will join the Mission Team in the North of Thailand. Joe on the other hand will join the Mission Team in Sumba, Indonesia. To grace the occasion there was Fr. Joe Apisit of Thailand, Fr Vincent Lw of Ipoh, Fr Manoling of Cebu and Fr Caloy of Manila. Presenting the missioners was Fr. Cruz, our Prefect of Students.

It was a simple celebration yet very meaningful especially to those who are being sent and an inspiration for those who would follow them the next time around. After that we had Gaudiamus at the Common Room. It was a simple token of appreciation from the community to our four students. The four will eventually go to Manila for some time and from there go to their destined places of mission. We also remember the three other students who will be also in immersion year but have a different arrangement. Terence, Eugene and John are all going to Dalat.

May God make their journey fruitful for this school year. May they learn more in the missions. We pray for the success of their endeavors.

(Jun)