On December 31, like everybody else, the Priory of St. Dominic said Goodbye to the year 2012 and Welcome to the new year of 2013.
On the last day of the year, our Fr. Provincial Javier, who was visiting us for a few days, greeted the community before lunch and wished it a Happy New Year. He used the beautiful lyrics of the Spanish song to Mary that our students interpreted very well “Santa MarÃa, ven†and invited us to change – for the better. After supper, we had some games and bingo directed by Fr. Prior Alex. By eleven, we had a Holy Hour presided and facilitated by Fr. Jose Luis. Just before midnight we said Goodbye to 2012 and welcomed 2013 with the eating of the 12 grapes and champagne in a joyous and fraternal spirit.
On January 1, 2013, we celebrated the first Eucharist of the Year in honor of Mary, the Mother of God and Regina Pacis, and prayed for peace in the world. 
Fr. Fausto presided the Eucharistic celebration and centered his homily on the Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the World Day of Peace entitled Blessed are the Peacemakers.Â
Within the Mass and after the homily, five brothers were admitted to the ministries of readers and acolytes: Peter Thoai, Sebastian Lee, Joseph Nguyen, Isaac Saw and Mariano Maung. Before the brothers and the lay faithful participating in the Eucharist, Fr. Provincial accepted the commitments of the new ministers in a simple and devout ceremony.
Tomorrow January 2 classes begin, like in other schools in Macau, at the University of Saint Joseph, where our students pursues their institutional studies, and at St. Paul’s School, which is run by the Dominicans.
By the way, the Priory of St. Dominic is presently composed of thirty members. Up to November 2012, we were seven priests and 22 simply professed student brothers. To these one more was added by the end of November: Bro. Francis Naw San, from Myanmar, who came to ourPriory from the Dominican Convent of St. Albert, Rosaryhill, Hong Kong, where he finished his Novitiate and made his first profession. Bro. Francis made his first simple profession on November 25 and came to St. Dominic’s the following day November 26, 2012. He is currently pursuing the institutional studies at the Catholic University of Saint Joseph. (FGB)