Sunday, December 30, 2007 Mater Bonians come home for Alumni By Raymond C. Garcia
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- They used to call themselves "brothers," and they brought back their old selves when they met for their grand alumni homecoming.
Hundreds of former seminarians -- some priests and mostly career men -- flocked the grand alumni homecoming of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary in Barangay del Pilar in this city Saturday.
Earlier, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano "Apu Ceto" Aniceto, through a circular letter, has called on all men who once had their schooling and formation at the seminary.
He said, "As the 'Alma Mater' of the big family of Seminary alumni who have made their mark in the social, economic, cultural, political and spiritual fabric of the nation, it is but fitting that her children come home to a grand alumni reunion to meet together and pray together as they thank their 'Mother' for her wise counsels and spiritual care during their Seminary formation."
Aniceto said thousands of seminarians have passed through the portals of Mater Boni Consilii Seminary since its foundation in 1950 at Guagua town.
"From Guagua, the seminary was transferred to the old convento of Apalit and later it was moved to its new site in San Fernando where it presently stands near the University of the Assumption," Aniceto said.
The celebration was started with different sports activities at the University of the Assumption Gymnasium where UA President Bishop Roberto Mallari acted as host during the first part.
Participants, who fondly call themselves as "Mater Bonians," sweat it all out, especially the oldies during the three-hour games and sports activities.
In the afternoon, Archbishop Aniceto led the Eucharistic celebration attended by all of the participants.
The steering committee during the said celebration include Rupert Lacson and Robert David (Registration), Efren Tayag and Ronnie Tiotuico (Sports), Verne Quiazon and Fr. Sol Gabriel (Program), Ed Sibug, Ben Canlas, Toto Gonzales and Father Mon Torres (Invitation), Bong Lacson, Ashley Manabat and Emil Carreon (Publicity), among others.
Reverend Father Victor Nicdao, the newly minted seminary rector took charge of the accommodation, food, as well as the open house.
"Welcome home Mater Bonians and Counselors to feel the loving embrace of our Mother and relish the warm friendship and camaraderie of brothers in the Lord," Apu Ceto told the alumni.
