Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Writing in the rain.
9:37 PM | 
Posted by
daniel
Classes are cancelled today because of Typhoon Juaning (international name, Nok-ten), so I’m here listening to the pounding rain and wild wind while writing a few thoughts about the new semester. To be honest, I’m always a little uncomfortable when another typhoon hits. Actually most of Metro Manila and I get nervous, still recalling the ravages and floods of Typhoon Ondoy two years ago. Our house was knee-high in water as Rick, Dennis and I scrambled to get everything we could up to the second floor. You probably remember the stories and photos from the blog. There’s been such a strange change in weather patterns recently. Two years ago the typhoon season was long and violent. Last year the rainy season all but disappeared! And now it’s back with great flare! We are certainly in a time of change!
Emboy, Aying, Ray, and I are doing well and getting ready for Midterm Exam time. The computer seems to be going round the clock as the guys churn out report after report. As for me, I have oral exams coming up. They are a lot of work, but a great time to meet my students one by one. The dinner table conversation often turns to classes, and I’m always impressed by the guys’ new understandings, insights, and even questions.
Fr. Frederic finished his courses in the Emmaus Program for formators, which will be a great help to him in his ministry of Director of Postulants in Vietnam
Emboy, Aying, and Rey continue to lend a gentle and helpful presence at the Blessed Guanells Center, a residence for persons with disabilities, run by the Servants of Charity. Emboy has promised to share some of his experiences and insights with us here in the blog next month.
The guys are also very involved in the Forum for young professed religious and seminarians. Last year Dennis was a board member, this year Aying is. It’s great for them to be with young men and women from all over the Philippines
I was invited by Ateneo’s Youth for Christ to share with them as they spent a weekend of prayer and fellowship. What a dynamic and inspiring group! Among them were both former and present students of mine. Then I was also invited by the Augustinians (OSA) to be the speaker at their recollection. Having lived in Algeria , the home of St. Augustine
Soon we’ll have a meeting of the Advisory Council of the Loyola School of Theology, of which I’m a member. Right before we broke for the summer, we were graced by an insightful and enriching workshop on formation at the theology level. The formators of the different communities who attend Loyola School of Theology are a diverse group of men and women of varying ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and spiritualities. That’s what’s so enriching about it.
You know the old saying, “One picture is worth a thousand words”, so I’ll end now since hopefully some photos we want to share with you will also tell of our life here.
Thank you for your prayers. May God continue to bless you and all those dear to you!! Come back here soon to hear from Emboy and to learn about our continuing adventures!
In the joy of the Spirit,
Daniel for the whole Holy Spirit Formation Community, Quezon City
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