September
On 5 Sep was the Orientation Day for the Faculty of Religious Studies (FRS) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ). Prof. Arnold Monera gave the Welcome Address while Fr. Franz Gassner, SVD conducted the Orientation for the new students. Bishop Stephen Lee delivered an inspirational message to the staff and students present. The session ended with Closing Prayer and Lunch.
On 20 Sep Pope Francis held an Inter-religious Prayer Meeting at Assisi. The FRS organised a special Prayer Service for Peace to coincide with the pope’s meeting. The service took place in the Saint Joseph Seminary Chapel at 3:00 pm. Fr. Franz Gassner presided over the service while Fr. Peter Stilwell delivered the sharing. Fr. Stilwell is the Rector of USJ.
The first religious profession of seven novices of the Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary took place on 24 Sep at 11:00 am in the Saint Joseph Seminary Chapel. The Mass was presided by His Excellency Stephen Lee, Bishop of Macau. The newly professed are: Nelia Soares Da Silva Pinheriro, Leonarda Da C. Evangelista, Mariana Dos Santos Barreto, Roberta Moniz Soares, Beatrix Thomasia Pias Kahlasi, Maria and Cherropihtun. They are all alumnae of USJ.
October
To commemorate the month of the Rosary, the Priory Chapel displayed the statue of Our Lady of the Visitation of Piat during the whole of October. The statue was brought to Macau from the Philippines. A Rite of Welcome was conducted on 30 Sep at 9:00 pm.
As part of the celebrations of the 800th Jubilee of the Order of Preachers, Saint Dominic’s Priory presented a lecture titled “The Dominican Presence in Macau (1587-1216).†The lecture was delivered by Fr. Jarvis Sy on 1 Oct 2016, 10:00 am at Saint Paul School. A Mass in honour of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus was celebrated in the school chapel at 11:30 am and it was presided by Bishop Stephen Lee. This was followed by lunch in the school hall.
December
On 1 Dec USJ held its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Br. Francis Nge Nge from our community received a scholarship this year. He is a fourth year student of USJ.
On 2 Dec FRS held its annual Faculty Day. This year the faculty celebrated its 10th anniversary with the theme “A Decade of Commitment to Mission.†In the morning Holy Mass was celebrated at 09:00 am in the Seminary Chapel. Cultural presentations took place at 11:00 am, followed by community lunch at 12:30 pm. In the afternoon parlour games were played at 2:30 pm, followed by sports at 3:00 pm.
On 22 Dec at 5:00 pm in Saint Dominic’s Church, a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the confirmation of the Order of Preachers. It was presided by Most Reverend Stephen Lee, Bishop of Macau. A banquet took place after the Mass at 7:15 pm in Hotel Sintra. In attendance were representatives of the entire Dominican family from Hong Kong and Macau, including friars, sisters and laity. The event concluded the celebrations for the Jubilee Year in the province.
Also in December Saint Paul School held its regular end of year celebrations:
On 16 Dec a festive dinner took place at the Fisherman’s Wharf. Staff, students and members of the community attended.
On 22 Dec a morning Mass was celebrated in the school compound. This was followed by the usual Christmas gala.