Schedule of Activities

Executive Committee

The 7th gathering of Theology Seminarians
in the Visayas will be hosted by SJEST this year

The St. John the Evangelist School of Theology will be hosting the 7th Gathering of Theology Seminarians in the Visayas on September 14-18, 2009. The occasion has for its theme “Hoc facite in meam commemorationem” which will stress on the importance of proper Liturgical orientation of seminarians aspiring to be future ministers of God’s flock.

This gathering has always been convened by all committed diocesan theology seminarians coming from Seminario Mayor De San Carlos (Archdiocese of Cebu), St. Joseph Regional Seminary (Archdiocese of Ilo-Ilo), Maria, Mater et Regina, Seminarium (Archdiocese of Capiz) and the St. John the Evangelist School of Theology (Archdiocese of Palo). This gathering is done once every two years. There is an estimate of 225 participants for this year's Gathering based on the pre-registration by the participating seminaries. It is a gathering of authentic friendship among seminarians with the common goal and desire to become good and holy priests. It is also an occasion to discuss and update the seminarians on modern day issues that are related to their calling thus, making them devoted and dedicated servants of the Church and society in their respective dioceses.

CONTACT US:
7thgatheringofsems@sjest.net

UPDATES:

SEPTEMBER 9, 2009, WEDNESDAY

A help for your preparations:

PLEASE SEE THE MUSIC VIDEO OF THE 7th GATHERING THEME SONG in YouTube, please copy and paste the URL into your browsers Address Bar:
--- For MTV visit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ZW41dvHu8)
--- For the Action (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RFfiWnNUc4)
or search at YouTube (7th Gathering Theme Song)

Delegates to the 7th Gathering of Theology Seminarians in the Visayas are requested to bring the following:
--- A registration fee of 1,200 per delegate
--- Cassock
--- Black Shoes, Black Pants, and Black Socks
--- Sports Wear
--- Swim Wear
--- Rubber Shoes
--- Toiletries
--- Personal Towel

AUGUST 23, 2009, MONDAY

A message from the Transportation Committee:

We would like to inform you of the process that will be placed into action on the first day of the Gathering, September 14, 2009:

1) Please be informed that upon your arrival in Ormoc, City, you are hereby advised not disembark the vessel immediately until 5 a.m. The team who will fetch you will be in operation at exactly 5 a.m.

2) At exactly 09:00 we will be moving to "Baybayon ni Agalon Beach" where we will have our lunch. Should you desire to do swimming, you may do so. Kindly prepare your swimming outfit for this purpose.

3) Lastly, we would like also to inform everybody that the Transportation Committee will no longer provide fare for your departure from Palo to Ormoc. But what we can provide is the transport group who will fetch you to Ormoc. Moreover, we also offer our services to those who would like to seek reservations from Ormoc to Cebu.

JULY 29, 2009, WEDNESDAY

Below is the Schedule of the Masses and the Respective Seminaries in-charge. Please be guided accordingly.

THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS

DAY 1
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
-- 1730
-- SJEST Community (Seminary in-charge)
-- Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel
-- Ambassadors Grand Choir

DAY 2
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
-- 1700
-- St. Joseph Regional Seminary (Seminary in-charge)
-- Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel

DAY 3
SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
-- 1800
-- San Carlos Seminary (Seminary in-charge)
-- Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel

DAY 4
SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
-- 1730
-- SJEST Community (Seminary in-charge)
-- Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel

DAY 5
SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
-- 0700
-- Santa Maria, Mater et Regina Seminarium (Seminary in-charge)

NB:
All mass will be in English. As for the liturgical songs in the Eucharistic Celebrations; we leave the selection of the songs to the seminary in-charge. It would be more favorable if the seminaries can use the songs in their vernacular languages.

We also require each seminary to provide us a copy of their song line-up to be submitted on July 31, Friday as per decision of the Executive Committee.

JULY 21, 2009, TUESDAY

1. With regards to the Assignment of every seminary on the Eucharistic Celebrations: Everyone is encouraged to sing Mass Songs in the vernacular langauage of every region. Moreover, copies of the songs to be sang must be submitted to the Host Seminary - SJEST, for it to be included in the Booklets.

2. The Executive Committee of the 7th gathering of Theology Seminarians in the Visayas had decided to increase the registration fee of 1000 pesos to 1200 pesos. This is in response to the economic situation that we are experiencng which affected the overall budget of the gathering severely.

JULY 18, 2009, SATURDAY

Answers to the questions from IloIlo

1. Yes, there is a registration fee for the gathering. As agreed by the formators during the meeting in San Carlos Seminary, Cebu, City, the registration fee is Php 1000 for each delegate.

2. The Sports Committee had decided to forgo the Football Game for this year's gathering.

3. The delegates are expected to arrive in Ormoc City in the morning of September 14, 2009. It is not necessary for the delegates to be in Ormoc at 3:30 in the morning as long as they will arrive before lunch on that same day.

4. The seminaries will be informed as to what language their assigned mass will be as soon as the Execom convenes on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 for their regular metting.

5. There is no longer a song competition for the General Theme Song of the Gathering of Theology Seminarians in the Visayas .

JULY 16, 2009, THURSDAY

Received a text message from SJRS-IloIlo with the following inquiry:
1. Is there a registration fee?
2. Can football be included in the sports to be played by the delegates?
3. Is the expected arrival in Ormoc 3:30am?
4. The langauage of the Mass that each particular seminary is requested to sing
5. Is there no longer a song competition as previously proposed?

Answers:
Reply coming soon, please frequent this site for our reply...

JULY 10, 2009, FRIDAY

Letters of Information signed by the new seminary Rector, Rev. Msgr. Benedicto B. Catilogo, PC, were sent to the different seminaries who will be attending the gathering. The purpose of the letter is to inform the seminaries of the upcoming event and to ask for a pre-registration of the participants who will be attending the gathering.

The Exec.Com. also sent letters to the speakers for the Gathering and is now waiting for a response from them.

JULY 3, 2009, FRIDAY

With request of the new Prefect, Rev. Fr. Oscar Florencio,SThD, the Community Shepherd, Sem. Chris Arthur Militante, called out selected seminarians to for the Committees. The meeting was started by a prayer led by Frt. Rufino Santos. The primary agenda was to create the different committees in preparation for the upcoming Gathering of Seminarians which will be held on September 14 – 18, 2009. Chairman with its functions and tasks were delegated accordingly to every committee. Thus, the responsibilities of each committee were made clear. There were also some suggestions presented by the seminarians.

MAY 9, 2009, SATURDAY

The Prefect, Rev. Fr. Alvin Nicolasora called for a meeting to discuss the plans for the upcoming Activity.