Marist Asia Pacific Center
The MAPAC Brothers live in five separate houses called “fraternities”. The first and second years are mixed in three fraternities while the third years are in one fraternity. Three fraternities have 11 student Brothers and one staff Brother each. These are Lorenzo, Chanel and Francois. The third year fraternity is called Alfano. Since the seven third year Brothers have graduated and returned to their respective countries, Alfano is an empty house until the start of the new school year. The fifth house is La Valla where the staff Brothers live.
After five long weeks of anxious waiting for the renewal of their visa, the four non-Filipino third years Brothers finally left for their respective provinces. On November 15, Bros. Udara (Sri Lanka), Malangmei and Antony (both Indians) finally left Manila. The three of them took the same plane for Bangkok. Malangmei and Antony stayed for three days with the Ad Gentes community before proceeding to Calcutta and Trichy respectively. Udara was not able to enter Thailand; he boarded the next plane bound for Colombo. Raphael (Solomon Islands) left Manila on the 18th for Port Morseby. He will eventually go to Vanuatu, his first teaching assignment.
From December 4 to 22 Alfano Fraternity house was the base for the ten Year 10 students and three staff members from the Sacred Heart College in Adelaide, South Australia for their immersion experience in Zambales and with Gawad Kalinga.
During our semestral break, the first and second year student Brothers plus two from Mission Ad Gentes sector together with some of our staff Brothers had their two week seminar on Child Advocacy with Bros. Jim Jolly and Manel Mendoza of FMSI Geneva. On the other hand, the four remaining third years had their English enrichment class with Mrs. Mariquit Delgado. From the students feedback both courses were indeed very beneficial for them. After their English class, the four third year Brothers had their outing at Baloy Long Beach in Olongapo City with staff Brothers Roshan, Rustico and Romy.
This second semester we have the following data regarding MAPAC student population:
Marist Brothers:
1st years 19
2nd years 14
Externs:
Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi Sisters (DSFA) 3
Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sisters (ACI) 3
Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (HSC) 3
Little Workers of the Sacred Heart (LWSH) 4
Pious Worker Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (POIC) 2
Barnabite Postulants (CRSP) 6
Lay Woman 1
Total: 55
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Amihan, December 2011
http://mapac-marist.org