ALUMNI

Vancouver RecolleXSion
Vincent Uy (XS’78) and Steven Chung (XS’80)

Posted Monday, 31July2006

     “The Roads of My Life:  My Journey After High School” was the theme of a one-day recollection given by Fr. Johnny Go, SJ on July 22, 2006 at St. Patrick’s Parish in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

     Thirty-two Xavier alumni and ICA alumnae took time from their busy summer schedules to join Fr. Johnny Go.  In a way, it was a continuation of last year's reunion when Fr. Go and Hero Yu visited Vancouver.  Last year's reunion was also the culmination of several years of effort by Edward Chua ('66) to gather and build a community of Xavier alumni here in Vancouver. 

     While last year's visit was more of a social affair, a reunion of friends and family, the purpose of this year's affair was to bring Xavier alumni

together spiritually.  The recollection put into perspective ideas and insights

that we may have forgotten or ignored.  We live in a world with "lots of noise" and "distractions," and it is very easy to forget about God. 

     The recollection reminded many of us that throughout our lives (or journeys), God's hand is evident every step of the way, especially in critical moments of our lives when more often than not we fail to realize His

Presence.  And some of us also realized that had we been more aware of God's presence in our lives through our “discernment,” better choices or decisions or as Fr. Johnny puts it, “we could have made more decisions for the greater good.” 

     During this recollection with fellow Xavier alumni, we sensed that many of us present still have the ability to think critically, which is what the Jesuits have always attempted to teach us.  Many of us who have migrated here in search of a “better life” continue to manifest our Xavier values and ideals in our own respective communities both personal and professional:  Men fully alive, endowed with the passion for justice and the skills for development.

     After the recollection, some of the participants joined Fr. Johnny for dinner at Flamingo Restaurant.  We extend our appreciation to Elizabeth Campos (ICA alumna) for her generosity in treating the group to a sumptuous dinner!  Special thanks to Edward Chua (XS’66); Richard Cheng (XS’76); Steven Chung (XS’80); Hector Chua (XS’82) and Anna Lim (ICA’66) for making this recollection a success not just in terms of a favorable turnout of participants but more so the “spiritual food” that each of us brought back to our respective milieu.  God bless!

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