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by Luke Joseph Santos, Contributor The day we had all been waiting for finally arrived! The KOA Convention 2024 brought together aspiring altar servers from elementary schools for a day filled with fun, faith, and fellowship. Although only four parishes showed up, the event was still a huge success in its own way.
Even with though only four parishes were present, the energy was amazing! We had a variety of activities that allowed us to connect with one another and learn more about our roles as altar servers. An activity called, “Amazing Grace”, mixed different altar servers to challenge their knowledge as an altar server of the Church. The seminarians were super friendly and engaged with us throughout the day. They shared their experiences and offered advice, making it a truly special experience for everyone involved. One of the highlights was the chance to meet new friends from different parishes. It was great to see how we all share the same passion for serving at the altar, even if we come from different places. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and enjoying the day together. The seminarians, who were the organizers, did a fantastic job, and I could tell they were grateful for the parishes that participated. They reminded us that even though we were a small group, our enthusiasm and commitment to our faith made the day meaningful. As the convention wrapped up, I left feeling inspired and excited about my role as an altar server. I can’t wait to take what I learned back to my parish and share it with others. The KOA Convention 2024 may not have had a big turnout, but it brought us closer together and strengthened our faith. I’m looking forward for next year and hope even more parishes will join us!
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Altar servers were exhorted to become bearers of hope during the first run of this school year's Knights of the Altar Convention, which gathered around 600 altar servers from Vicariates of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Lourdes on November 30, 2024, at St. Joseph Seminary.
The event brought together participants from Dolores, San Juan, Lagangilang, Malibcong, Sallapadan, Tubo, Luba, Manabo, Boliney, and Bucay parishes for a day of spiritual reflection, fellowship, and camaraderie. The convention opened with a Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Barbosa. "Our altar servers are blessed… They are called to serve the Lord directly and therefore should find joy in their sacred service," he said. He thanked the altar servers for their service to the parishes, acknowledging how the parishes would struggle without their dedication. Frt. Jairus Valentino further inspired the altar servers with a talk focusing on hope through service. He reminded the young participants that their role extends beyond the church sanctuary, influencing their families and communities in profound ways, making them truly the bearers of hope. A Festival of Talents showcased the altar servers' creativity and dedication, while sports and indoor games such as basketball, volleyball, chess, Scrabble, and table tennis provided opportunities for teamwork and friendly competition. The day concluded with a closing ceremony recognizing the winners of the various competitions and celebrating the participants' shared values of unity, service, and hope. Upcoming events include an elementary-level altar servers' gathering on December 7, 2024, and a convention for high school and college-level altar servers from the Vicariates of St. James and Immaculate Conception on December 14, 2024.  The Clergy of the Diocese of Bangued has strongly condemned the escalating violence and killings in the Province of Abra. In a statement read during all masses across the province on September 15, 2024, the presbyterium emphasized the sanctity of human life, reminding the faithful that every person is made in the image of God and must be treated with respect and protection. The clergy urged law enforcers and the public to work towards peace through charity, justice, and non-violence.
The statement reads: Patpatgenmi a Gimong ni Cristo ditoy Abra, “Siasinoman a mangpatay iti tao, patayento met ti padana a tao. Ngamin naaramid ti tao a kaasping ti Dios.” (Genesis 9: 6) Iti Espiritu ti ayat, kaasi ken panagkaykaysa, dakami, Katoliko a papadi ti Diocesis ti Bangued, adtoykam a mangidanon kadakayo nga arban ni Cristo kadagiti sumaganad a balikas ken takder. Kas ministrona, inawagan ken imbaonnakami ni Cristo nga instrumento ti kappia, mangtagiben iti kinapateg ti biag, ket tumulong nga agserbi iti pada a tao. Adtoykami a mangitakder a napnoan-bileg ti panangkontra ken panangkondenar kadagiti kinaranggas ken pammapatay a nangramaramen kadagiti gimgimongtayo, aglalo ditoy probinsiatayo nga Abra. Paglidayanmi ti makaimatang iti pannakagudas wenno pannakadangran ti biag gapu iti naranggas a wagas, ket makipagladingitkami kadagiti pamilia ken gimong a winarawara dagiti pammapatay panagbutbuteng ken panaglidliday. Ti tunggal aramid ti kinaranggas saanna la a pukawen ti biag ti tao no di pay ket ukasenna ti nairut a singgalut a namagkakamang kadagiti gimgimong ken ballikugenna dagiti pannursuro ni Jesus a nangipaganetget kadatayo ti panagayat iti kaaruba a kas iti bukod a bagi. Patienmi a ti tunggal tao ket naaramid a kaing-ingas ti Dios, maikari a maraem, mapadayawan, ken masalakniban. Awaganmi man dagiti agtuturay, dagiti gimgimong, ken amin a tattao ta siaayatda koma a mangabrasa iti non-violence, makitugaw para iti nakappia a panagpapatang (dialogo), ken mangbirok iti pannakaurnos dagiti nagdidiperensiaan. Guyugoyenmi ti amin a mangipagna iti kappia babaen kadagiti aramid ti kinamanangngaasi ken naayat a pannakipagrikna, manglapped iti gura ken panagsisina, ken mangitandudo iti hustisia babaen kadagiti nalinteg ken makabiag a pamuspusan. Kas Iglesia, ikumitmi ti naregta a panangsuporta kadagiti panggep a makaited-sungbat kadagiti nagsusubangan, pannakatubay dagiti gimong, ken pannakaipakat dagiti nasayaat a wagas. Awisenmi ti tunggal kameng ti gimongtayo a makikaysa kadakami iti panagkararag para kadagiti nadangran ti kinaranggas, ket mamulida koma a mangitandudo iti kappia kadagiti pagtaenganda, iti purokda, ken iti pagtrabahoanda. Sangsangkamaysatay a tumakder kontra iti kultura ti kinaranggas a mangsina-sina kadatayo. Naawagantayo kas timek agpaay kadagiti awanan ti timek iti gimong, makikaysa kadagiti mailupit-lupit, ken tumulong a mangagas iti sugat a pinarnuay ti gura. Pagbaliwen koma ti ayat dagiti puspusotayo ken aganninaw koma ti namnama ti nakappia a masakbayan kadagiti aramidtayo. Iti sidong ti grasia ken kappia a nadiosan, Abra Clergy Diocese of Bangued St. Joseph Seminary's volleyball team clinched victory against Holy Cross School in a friendly match on September 14, 2024, in Lagangilang, Abra. The game was part of the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross celebration.
The Josephites, started strong, claiming the first set with a commanding 25-16 score. However, Holy Cross bounced back in the second set, leveling the match with a convincing 25-13 win. In the decisive third set, St. Joseph regained control, securing a 15-10 win to claim the match. The seminarians did not only display skills, but also excellent sportsmanship, reflecting the true spirit of the friendly competition.  We are happy to release the final list of applicants deemed qualified for enrollment at The Saint Joseph Seminary High School, Inc. for the upcoming Formation Year 2024-2025.
The enrollment is on June 26, 2024. There will be an orientation at 9:00 in the morning. At least one parent/guardian must attend. The enrollment process will follow after the orientation. Please bring with you the following documents: PSA Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Confirmation Certificate (if confirmed), and Report Card for school year 2023-2024. Congratulations! We look forward to welcoming you to the Josephite family. GRADE 7
GRADE 9
GRADE 11
 Here is the complete list of applicants who passed the entrance examinations.
The interview, along with parents, is scheduled on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 9:00 AM. Applicants should bring along lacking preliminary documents.
The following applicants successfully passed the entrance exams administered in April and May. The interview, along with their parents, is scheduled for June 1, 2024 (Saturday), starting at 9:00 AM. Same schedule is true also to the passers of the first batch of entrance exam.
The list of the previous batch can be accessed here: http://www.stjosephseminary.com/news/list-of-passers Mr. Francis Jim Tuscano, the ICT consultant and a teacher at the Senior High School Department of The Saint Joseph Seminary High School, Inc., launched his new book "Empowered to Thrive: Igniting the Blended Learning Journey for the School" on May 18, 2024 at the Rex Knowledge Center.
The book, published by Rex Education, provides a comprehensive guide to implementing blended learning strategies in schools. It draws upon Tuscano's years of experience integrating technology into classroom instruction. The launch event was attended by officials from the Department of Education, executives from Rex Education, officials and colleagues from Xavier School where Mr. Tuscano is employed full-time. The seminary community celebrates Mr. Tuscano's achievements. Mr. Tuscano is a Josephite from the class of 2005. The applicants listed below successfully passed the Entrance Test conducted from January to March 2024. We will soon announce the schedule for the Interviews, which will include meetings with the parents.
 The Saint Joseph Seminary has once again brought home the Overall Championship Trophy at the 43rd Hearts on Fire: Abra Gospel Festival themed “Forgiveness and Peace” on February 24, 2024, held at the Divine Word College of Bangued.
In the songwriting category, SJS shone with Sem. Mark Rainniel M. Daguiomen’s "Annakkayo, Ay-Ayatenkayo" clinching first place, while Chorus Josephi's "You Are There" secured the second spot. The essay-writing competition saw Sem. Scott T. Keruvym Claveria achieve third place with his thought-provoking entry, “The Manifestation of Violence in the Context of Mobile Games,” which explored the link between the culture of violence and mobile games. The extemporaneous speaking category featured Sem. Dwayne Brix Briosos, who also earned third place by presenting a compelling argument on how globalization benefits only the wealthy. In the choral competition, the SJS Choir continued its winning streak for the sixth consecutive year, taking first place with "You Are There," arranged by Mr. Nikko Olivier Villanueva. Additionally, the Josephites defended their first-place title in the biblical rap competition with a performance interpreting Matthew 5:38-48, further showcasing their diverse talents and dedication to the festival's theme of forgiveness and peace. |
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December 2024
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