ALUMNI

Dateline LA:  RecolleXSion

Posted Friday, 21-Jul-2006 10:03 AM

     Fr. Ari Dy arrived in LA late Thursday night and was welcomed by Abe Sycip and were later joined by Gerry Lim and Julian Lim for coffee at Denny’s.  Despite the lingering effects of jetlag, Fr. Ari was ready to conduct the RecolleXSion Saturday morning at the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Palos Verdes. Here’s his first-hand report.

     About 18 attended: Jerry Ching ‘87, Alex and Merle (Cheng) Sin, John and Susan Cheng, Gerry Lim ‘80, Freddie Lim ‘72, Richie Lim ‘89, Estie Estreller ‘68, Abe Sycip ‘90, David Sycip ‘91, Erwin Ching ‘91, Julian Lim ‘95, Patrick Lim ‘89, David ‘70 and Chery Lim, Cecilia Chung. 

     Very good one and a half hour sharing in the morning after the “Roadmap” activity, a lot of participation and discussion about the spiritual life.  Almost everyone went to confession in the afternoon, so I was glad we invited another priest to come and help me with confessions.  Mass at 5 then dinner. 

     We went all the way to 6 p.m. so there was plenty of time.  The group was of course reminiscing about Xavier days.  They had to draw lots to determine who could buy the 5 books of Fr. Mena that I brought along.

They also appreciated the copies of Tulay (July 4 issue featuring Xavier jubilee), 64 Xavier Street, stampitas, and ICA alumnae magazine, that I brought along.  So you see my luggage was quite heavy coming here =)

     We ended the day with a spirited singing of the school song. Luceat Lux!

Feedback from the participants

Patrick Lim <patalim@yahoo.com>

     What an effect the retreat had on me!  i felt that Xavier's promise of continuing spiritual education was fulfilled.  i fully appreciate that our Xavier upbringing was top quality and world class, and that so few people in the world had the fortune to get it.

     After Xavier i went through my own further spiritual development in relative isolation.  yesterday's reminder of the concepts and practices drilled into us as kids, and having the opportunity to compare this "old" perspective with my "new" one, was both surreal and wonderful.

     Thank you all for this.

Richie Lim

     Thanks much Gerry for organizing yesterday's wonderful recollection.

     Thanks much Fr. Ari for flying all the way from Manila to lead us in the prayers and group discussions. Patrick and I and the rest of us are very proud of you. Our prayers to you and your very

special vocation.

     Thanks much to the generous sponsors, and thanks to all for attending. It's very nice to see all of you again. And good luck to all of you on your respective journeys in life.

     Luceat Lux,

     Richie Lim (XS'89)

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