Ateneo de Iloilo-SMCS celebrates Jubilee Year for the Founding Fathers
Santa Maria Catholic School now bears Ateneo de Iloilo as principal name of the educational institution founded by the early Jesuit companions in the Society of Jesus- Francis Xavier, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Blessed Peter Faber, whose Jubilee Year was celebrated last July 31, 2006 at the school's auditorium and activity area. The event, as part of the commemoration of the 450th and 500th anniversary of the founding Fathers, was attended by Atenean alumni, donors and benefactors of the school, prominent guests and local political figures. A mass was held first followed by a dinner which was opened with a fervent prayer from Fr. Edwin U. Castillo, S.J.
One of the highlights of the event is the Ateneo de Iloilo Project Update, a fund raising mission to expand the school in a seven hectare site located in San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. An establishment which was approved by Rome-based Jesuit Fr. General Peter Hans Kolvenbach and made possible by the Kauturan Pison Development Foundation.
Fr. Manny A. Uy, S.J. expressed a message of encouragement and welcomed the generosity of the contributors and pledgers who are willing to assist the project.
In his speech, Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed his support believing that the proposed school can contribute greatly to the development and progress of the city through value formation and strengthening high quality education.
Fr. Romeo J. Intengan, S.J. also conveyed his gratitude for the support of the other Jesuit Fathers who made the dream possible and will make it happen here in Iloilo City.
Ateneo de Iloilo-SMCS believes that the proposed project to build a new school will benefit today's youth and the generations ahead.