In 2012 MCSPA started his presence in Manila. We hardly knew anyone in the Philippines, but we arrived with hope and determination despite the unknown. In 2013, more of our students arrived and they began to study philosophy at the Ecclesiastical Faculty of the University of Santo Tomas in Central Manila, while at the same time learning Spanish. By 2014 other students also arrived, and in 2016, the first Theology student joined the community in Manila to enrol for theology at Loyola School of Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University.
In 2012 MCSPA started his presence in Manila. We hardly knew anyone in the Philippines, but we arrived with hope and determination despite the unknown. In 2013, more of our students arrived and they began to study philosophy at the Ecclesiastical Faculty of the University of Santo Tomas in Central Manila, while at the same time learning Spanish. By 2014 other students also arrived, and in 2016, the first Theology student joined the community in Manila to enrol for theology at Loyola School of Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University.
While they study, they also carry out outreach programmes at certain areas of the sprawling poor neighbourhoods of Payatas and Parola, and assisting families and children from Daan Tubo and Ronas Gardens, two underprivileged neighbourhoods that are close to the house. We also conduct tutorial lessons in English and Maths for these children.
The MCSPA priests have, since the beginning, been helping with masses, confessions, baptisms and other liturgical celebrations at the local parish and other places. We have also been conducting scripture classes for small groups of the parish. These are always opportunities to create awareness of the missionary work in Africa.
