Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ

Just last month, one of my high school CLE teachers/ first high school Jesuit teacher, Bro Robbie Sian, SJ (back then) was ordained (so he's Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ now) to be a priest. He was one of the first few Jesuit scholars (if not the first) that I looked up to. After he taught in Xavier, he went to Cambodia. Funny, before he left for Cambodia, I met him the last time when he was with his sister in SM Megamall. Call it chance, or God's plan, I met him a couple of times after he returned back to the Philippines, and got back in touch with recently.



Xavier School Director Fr. Johnny Go wrote in his Facebook:

Newly ordained priest, Fr. Robbie Sian, SJ, taught religion for two
years to high school students in Xavier School. Here he talks about
how he feels about being a new priest.

Father Robbie will be presiding at the annual Missioning Mass this
June 5th at 2 pm at the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center in Xavier
School for all our Faculty and Staff. His friends and former students
are all invited. After the Mass, he will give the traditional new
priest's blessing to the guests.

Congratulations on your ordination, Father Robbie! We are proud of you
and pray for you as you go to your new mission in Sta. Maria Parish,
Iloilo. Luceat Lux!

Back when Fr. Robbie was my CLE teacher, he touched our lives and taught us religion well. He was no boring teacher, but instead, he made the subject really interesting for his students with his stories and life experiences. He is a man of faith and someone who I think will do just great wherever he is sent. I'm praying for you Father! :)

Video Interview by Fr. Johnny Go.










Technorati Tags: Mission, Priest, Jesuits, Fr. Robbie Sian, Fr. Johnny Go, Xavier School

Remembering Cris Anthony Mendez

Today marks the 1st Death Anniversary of Cris Mendez. The National College of Public Administration and Governance students, faculty, staff, and friends, celebrated the Holy Eucharist earlier in the NCPAG Atrium to remember the still unresolved injustice done to Cris, and to hope and pray that his case will see light.

"It was one year ago today when a mother lost her child, when iskos and iskas lost a friend, when a university lost one of its hope for the nation, and when we lost our fellow iskolar para sa bayan." -- lifted from the statement issued by Alyansa

Beyond death, there must be justice.
Beyond justice, there must be peace.

In the latter part of the service, SC Chair Sabalburo recited a poem, which serves as a memory and a promise for Cris.

Outrage

The doves still cry whenever they call out your name.
Your face -- plastered all over the walls, everywhere
With your smile etched on each poster
Yet, all we recall are bruises
And a maimed body that caused your death -- and fame?

A year's passed but what's the use?
Your soul still laments the injustice that's been done you.
Your body rotten, our spirits broken
Your murderers, your future brother walk undaunted
With little thought of justice and being righteous.

We here remain - some friends, most strangers - steadfast and pray,
That blind Justice open her eyes and smite your villains with her sword.
We shout with angry voices, and sing a deathly tune
That speaks of our outrage at this pervading violence.
Fear not, sing it out, our music will make them quake.