QUEEN OF APOSTLES PHILOSOPHY CENTRE P.O. Box 798, Jinja, Uganda. Telephone: +256332277160 11ob:+256782945240 Email: [email protected] February 14th, 2014 My dear Friends, Greetings from Jinja, and best wishes from all of us here at PCJ, for whatever work you are engaged in at present. As I am sure you are aware, Queen of Apostles Philosophy Centre was founded on the initiative of the Missionaries of Africa, the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Comboni Missionaries and the Mill Hill Missionaries. The original purpose of the Institute was to provide an adequate philosophical education for the candidates of the Founding Congregations. Initially, the Institute was housed in the Convent of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, at Rubaga, Jinja, and the students of the Founding Congregations lived and studied together. The official Opening took place on September 23., 1989, in the presence of the then Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Rauber. It was clear from the beginning, however, that the Institute would soon require purpose-built facilities, as the number of candidates recruited by the Founding Congregations increased. A suitable piece of land, approximately twenty five acres, on the outskirts of Jinja was generously made available by Mgr Joseph Willigers 11H11, the first Bishop of Jinja, in September 1989, and construction of the new Institute began in September, 1991. The Opening Mass of the new Institute was celebrated on October 24., 1992, and the new buildings were blessed by Bishop Willigers, in the presence of the then Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Robles Diaz. In that opening year of the permanent Institute, the total number of students was sixty one, and there were eleven full-time members of the teaching staff. Over time, the number of Congregations sending students to the Philosophy Centre has increased dramatically from the original four Founding Congregations. Initially, some Congregations sent students to do only a limited number of courses, or to do a two-year Certificate. This was - usuallya question of certain courses being useful from the point of view of religious formation, rather than academic training. Thus, the Holy Cross Sisters, for example, have always sent their candidates to follow the courses in Spirituality, Human Sexuality, Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. 110re recently, other Congregations have sent students to follow the full, three-year programme of Philosophy. In 2006, the Sons of the Heart of Mary (Claretian Missionaries) requested and were granted the status of a Founding Congregation, with a voice on the Board of Governors, and the same obligations and privileges enjoyed by the original Founding Congregations. The Claretians were granted a plot of land within the PCJ compound, and established their House of Formation there. The number of Religious Sisters studying at the Philosophy Centre has also increased considerably in recent years, and this increase is expected to continue in the future. The Congregations represented at the Philosophy Centre today are the following: Mill Hill Missionaries, Comboni Missionaries, Congregation of Holy Cross, Missionaries of Africa, Claretian Missionaries, Discalced Carmelite Friars, Servants of Mary, Spiritans, Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Daughters of Mary, Holy Cross Sisters, Missionary Benedictine Sisters, Servite Sisters and Little Sisters of St Francis. The institute is located in Uganda, but the recruitment of the participating Congregations covers a much wider area. At the moment, the following countries are represented at the Philosophy Centre: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Lesotho, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda. In November 2011, the Board of Governors gave approval to a plan to expand the facilities of the institute. While searching for funds, we secured the interest and assistance of an architect who drew up a plan to construct four new classrooms: these are essential, now that our classes are becoming larger. In time, funds permitting, we will also build a new Hall. The plan includes provision for a small Chapel also, suitable for private prayer during breaks and free periods, and for the celebration of Mass with small groups. At present, this project is almost complete, and we expect to use the new Hall for the Closing Day celebration at the end of this academic year. The institute continues to fulfill its originaJ-purpose, i.e., the education of-African candidates.for the missionary and religious apostolate. In time, it is to be hoped that we might also come to serve a wider purpose in the life of the Catholic Church in Uganda in general. The year 2014, therefore, marks a significant milestone in the life of the PCJ. It is the year of the Silver Jubilee of our institution, and also the year which sees the completion of a major expansion project. We would like to celebrate both of these achievements together. Consequently, we have decided that our Closing Day this year, which will fall on Thursday, May 8., 2014, should be used to celebrate the Silver Jubilee, and to bless the new buildings. Although we do not want to make the celebration a huge extravaganza, we do want it to be special. One of the suggestions that has been made is that we should invite to the celebration as many people as possible who have played an important role in the history of the PCJ. This means former lecturers, former members of the Board of Governors, and others who have made some conspicuous contribution. This is why I am writing this letter to you, our former PCJ Colleagues, to invite you to attend the celebration. We know that many of our former staff members are now living very far away, and almost certainly will not be able to come. At the same time, we feel it is important that you receive this invitation, not least as a recognition of your place in the history of the PCJ. If you are able to come, we will receive you very happily. If you are not able to come, then at least we can be united in prayer on this special day. Sincerely, Fr Dermot F Byrne MHM Rector
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