Last August 31, 2004, Fr. Director toured a squat and balding middle aged Jesuit to the GS LRC. He was Fr. Art Borja S.J., Xavier School’s newest School Chaplain. With a firm handshake and a warm smile that rivals the sunrise, I had the impression that Fr. Art would soon endear himself to the community.

     True enough, his charming ways immediately earned him a spot in the hearts of many. During the last Ignite recollection, his sermon was filled with stories of growing up and moving on. What a very appropriate theme to share with grade 7 students looking forward to high school. In the last A-day and Thanksgiving Mass, his riddle for the GS community had everyone buzzing around, wondering what the correct answer was. In the Bukas Palad masses, he would go down the altar and give his sermon very near the students.

     When I asked him what his secret is, he revealed that as a child, he was the most humorous in the family. Thus, his fascination for riddles, stories and the likes surface when giving sermons and interacting with students. In fact, he is known in the Jesuit community as its official clown. He provides the entertainment in their annual get together. But for him, it is a technique of communicating the word of God to others, particularly to the young. This is his first time to work in a school setting, by the way. His assignments were mostly information work.

     After more than a month of being in Xavier School, he is happy to note that the community has a pervading desire to grow in its faith. The spiritual atmosphere is very much alive. There is an active living out of the faith as seen in daily masses, recollections, student and teacher prayer groups, and outreach projects.

     Last Monday, October 4, 2004, Fr. Art was in the heart of the GS community blessing rosaries. He explained the essence of wearing the October Medal to the remarkably behaved GS students. In the afternoon, he squeezed in his very busy schedule an interview for this article in the web. In the other room, a HS student was waiting for him. He was his pleasant and amiable self nevertheless. Where does he draw strength and inspiration? He chuckled, sighed and said, “AMDG”.

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