On November 3, 2014, the Faculty of Religious Studies (FRS) of the University of St. Joseph (USJ) celebrated its Faculty Day with a varied and colorful program organized by the Faculty’s Student Association. The Faculty Day is the day of the Faculty’s Patron, the missionary of missionaries St. Francis Xavier. At present, FRS has 50 students coming from different countries and cultures of Asia – Myanmar, Timor Leste, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines and Macau -, plus one sister from Ethiopia as well. The Faculty of Religious Studies is headed by a new Dean, Prof. Arnold Monera, and a new Coordinator for the Department of Catholic Theology, Prof. Franz Gassner, SVD. Its roster of professors includes full, part-time and visiting professors.
The 2014 Faculty Day was indeed a historical event. The USJ’s Faculty of Religious Studies (until 2014 Faculty of Christian Studies) was established in the year 2007. In 2013, the Faculty Day started to be celebrated on December 3. This year the celebration took place at St. Lawrence Church and hall, Macau.
The program began at nine in the morning (9:00 am) with a welcoming song, the opening speech of the Dean and the introductory remarks of the President of the Students’ Association of the Faculty of Religious Studies, Bro. Paul Win Aung Myint. This introductory part of the program was followed by the concelebrated Eucharistic celebration at 9:30 AM. The Holy Mass was presided by Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP, and the homily was given by Fr. João Eleutério, both professors of the Faculty of Religious Studies. The melodious songs during the Mass were rendered by the students conducted by the Dean.
After the Eucharistic celebration, there was a short break with snacks. At 11 AM, the respected Jesuit Fr. Luis Sequeira gave an inspirational talk to the students and guests on the continuing relevance of St. Francis Xavier. Reflecting on the great Jesuit missionary, Fr. Sequeira underlined the fact that culture and history are part of our nature in the time of St. Francis Xavier and today. He asked himself: “Why was the saint – missionary in India, Japan China -, able to do so much? He did it because he was able to integrate, contemplation and creativity, knowledge and virtue.†He concluded: God had his plan for Francis of Xavier, and He has his plans for each one of us, too: “We are not here by chance or accident, but by God’s will.†Indeed, we all are called for a purpose, which is to spread the Gospel. Like St. Francis Xavier, we are to possess zeal, creativity and joy within the context of our own time and culture. Certainly, Fr. Sequeira gave students, professors and friends a wonderful inspirational talk.
After the inspirational talk, a simple and plentiful lunch followed. Then there was another short break to give a chance to all to see the beautiful cultural exhibits prepared by the students that highlighted the customs and culture of their respective country and ethnic group.
At 1:30 in the afternoon, the most awaited part of the program took place: the cultural presentation by students and professors. The two-hour variety show included students’ performances by country, some soloists’ numbers by professors, and different games. According to one of our dear professor, the multi-cultural presentations in songs and dances from different countries were superb, and the joy and smiles of the participants, something to behold.
Before closing our simple report, it is appropriate to point out the aims of the recently created FRS Students’ Association as presented by its first president. The purpose of the Student Association is to provide a warm place for the students and a venue to participate actively in the life of the Faculty, in particular the following: to organize the Faculty Convocation, the Faculty Day and some other related activities of the Faculty. By organizing these and other events, the students will come to know each other better, to promote a strong sense of belongingness, to work together and share their knowledge, talents and skills on their common journey of philosophical and theological studies. Moreover, the Students’ Association will represent the Faculty of Religious Studies in university affairs.
Finally, it is good to underline that he Faculty Day was a wonderful showcase of the students’ responsibility to cooperate with one another, to work together and thus show their unity, and above all, to witness their love of Christ. Perhaps, the best symbol of the Faculty Day was the smile of the students, of the professors and of the guests as well especially throughout the joyful cultural program. Indeed, how wonderful it is to live together as brothers and sisters in Christ! (FRS Students’ Association)
