June 11, 2015 Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rev. Thierry Kahongya, the vicar provincial of Africa, officially inaugurated the first building of the Mirador campus of ISEAB, Institut Supérieur Emmanuel d'Alzon de Butembo (Emmanuel d'Alzon Institute of Higher Education). Remember that the first stone was laid on September 14, 2012 by Br. Didier Remiot, the general treasurer. Today we are reaping what we sowed. You may be aware that this endeavor represents the work of many parties; even the school's students contributed to its completion by their volunteer manual labor, especially at the time that concrete had to be poured in March 2014. This is rarely, if ever, seen at other institutions of higher education and shows that ISEAB is not only an academic institution but it's also a spirit that has taken root in our students who have fully identified with 'their' school. As Fr. d'Alzon desired, we are educating the whole person in our students who know how to give of themselves for the good of their fellow men by contributing to a work that extends the Kingdom of God.

MBA ECT- Assumption Program
THIRD ANNUAL 3-WEEK STUDY TRIP TO ITALY (Rome, Florence & Milan/Como)

MBA 727 – Doing Business in Europe & Italy (3 credits)

Interviewer – Would you share with us a bit about your background: family, childhood, early education etc.?

Fr. Alex – I was born in 1971 in Manila, Philippines to Teodoro and Juanita Castro and have a half - sister. My father was a blacksmith. I attended San Vicente Central School, graduating in 1984 and Assumpta Technical High School in 1988, both s schools in Pampanga. My college education focused on secondary education and Filipino and Philippine History, graduating in 1993.

– Where did your Assumptionist roots begin? Did anyone in particular have a significant impact on your life?

– My Assumption roots go back to the influence of the Religious of the Assumption sisters in high school, especially through Sr. Mary Ann, as teacher and later as administrator. I am happy and proud to say that I was a “purple blooded A.A. through high school.” Altogether, I worked with the community for 15 years of my life. I did graduate work at Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines where I received a MA in Religious Education in 2006. Later I did my theological studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA and Sacred Theology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, graduating in 2009.

Posted By The Catholic Free Press June 12, 2015

By Tanya Connor

Assumption College students will face a little dilemma with a deep meaning behind it upon their return to campus next fall. They have to decide what to call the campus minister they knew as “Bro Ro.”

“Bro Ro” was their nickname for Brother Ronald Sibugan. But that’s not who he is anymore. Shortly before summer break – May 2 to be exact – Bishop McManus ordained him a priest.

He’s still an Augustinian of the Assumption, but now he’s a religious priest instead of a religious brother. The two vocations – religious life and priesthood – which have now converged, help him do his ministry.

He’s an Assumptionist first. Some brothers go on to priesthood, if they and their community discern that’s God’s call. Father Ronald, 36, says he thinks the Assumptionists need a young priest here.

 A religious priest is different than a diocesan priest in that he is supported by his community and is to live out the congregation’s charisms, Father Ronald says.

“The friendship with Jesus – to be with him and to be sent out are inseparable,” he says. “We … live in apostolic community. … The community is part of our apostolic work. … The community life is a sign of God’s presence and action in the world. …
“Our charism is to bring the Kingdom of God in us and around us and one way of doing it is being a campus minister. … I represent not only campus ministry, but a religious person in the Church.” That helps him correct students’ misconceptions about religious (like “They pray all day”) and the Church (like “It’s only focus is on what you should not do”).