Life's Directions Retreat

KUDOS: RAGS TO RICHES!

RAGS2RICHES, LITERALLY, METAPHORICALLY, PASSIONATELY

Rags2riches is a chronicle of modern-day miracles witnessing to the adage that we do not just believe in miracles, we rely on them. Here are undeniable proofs:

· ADMU graduate Jeremy Kho donated his entire graduation cash gift of P10,000.00 that served as the seed capital. It may have been because of Theo 141 class or the Jesuit education, regardless, this Atenean desired to become a man for others.

· Volunteer services from prominent personalities like Robbie Carmona who directed the fashion show launch, internationally-renowned photographer Jake Verzosa who rendered professional take on the products, Krista Ranillo who served as the first official model and of course, the country's top designer Rajo Laurel.

· Free Shangri-la venue donated by a couple whose wedding got postponed.

The list goes on and the latest addition is the triumph in the University of San Francisco International Business Plan Competition 2008 winning the Social Enterprise Award.

This is the first time that R2R has joined an international contest submitting the entry online competing with hundreds of entries worldwide. Way ahead of the release of results, the contest director immediately contacted R2R informing the social enterprise organization that it got into the semi-finals round.

22 ivy league universities including Stanford, Yale, Cambridge, MIT, Purdue, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, HKUST and other academic institutions all over the world passed the stringent screening.

USF competition is the biggest gathering of CEOs and Presidents from the Silicon Valley who serve as judges for the 3-day competition.

In the process, R2R was given the option to take the social enterprise track where the major competitor is a national winner from Spain that invented a software for translations benefiting deaf and hard of hearing people. R2R decided to take this offer but sacrificed winning other major awards like the elevator pitch and trade show competitions. During the feedback sessions with the panel of judges composed of Presidents and CEOs, a judge emphasized that R2R should have joined the high growth competition (million dollar round) and several personally expressed their views that R2R should have won the elevator pitch and the trade show.

While R2R was exempted from the other awards, all the other competitors still qualified to vie for the social enterprise award including Spain's entry which was considered to be the toughest competitor for this category.

When the winners were announced, the team composed of a combination of delegation from Purdue, Indiana State University and Fort Wayne was proclaimed as the winner for the Social Enterprise Award. R2R delegate Javier Alpasa, SJ thought Philippines' entry lost the competition but after 3 Hail Marys, R2R was called as the other team that tied for the award.

This is the first time that the country earned this award. Recent years' winners include the London School of Economics, Darthmouth and Fordham University.

The honor is rightfully shared with Ateneo de Manila University, the Society of Jesus and the entire nation.

Upon returning to the Philippines, the newest "miracle" is winning the global competition sponsored by the Body Shop. And the story continues…

Beyond I Do Weekend (Educhild Philippines) May 23-25, 2008

The EDUCHILD FOUNDATION has initiated a weekend program called "Beyond I Do" or B.I.D. with the purpose of helping married people strengthen their relationship and deal with the everyday challenges they encounter throughout their marriage. For we believe that couples who strengthen their marriage bonds raise better children and become living examples of the kind of partners those children will pick in the future. In the last two years, the Educhild Foundation has not only helped the "B.I.D. weekend" in Manila, but has also brought the seminar to couples in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.

Note of Gratitude

Our apostolate is humbled by receiving guests from the Jesuit Basic Education Commission, Onfire Community and the St. Thomas More Apostolate of Couples for Christ Paranaque South. May your stay in Karis bring you grace and joy in your individual journeys in life!

We are also welcoming Educhild Philippines Beyond I Do, Life's Directions and Onfire Communities for the next weekends.

APPRECIATING THE ENNEAGRAM

Thanks to Diane, Julie, Rodney, Michelle, Apol , Allan, Criselle, Ramil, Vero, Mark, Roy and Fran for taking time off in your busy sked to discover something new. something life giving!

Thanks to generous Isabel and, of course, LHO Ronald for giving of themselves during the weekend!

Big thanks to Fr. Kit Bautista, SJ for helping us sense where the spirit leads us as we discover a few things about ourselves in our individual journeys to integrations and wholeness and the God who welcomes and accompanies us along the way!

Welcome De La Salle Benilde!

Welcome to Karis first timers Benilde. We hope and pray for a meaningful,fun and gracefilled weekend! Thanks for choosing to stay with us.

Thanks to the St. James Singles Apostolate

Thanks for spending your planning and activity days in our sacred space and hope to welcome you in the future!

You can talk now... the retreatants get-together

Thanks for a fun and happy happy retreatants and directors get-together... shame on you who confirmed and didnt show up (hahaha)

More evenings and get-togethers to come!

Congratulations to Bro. Jordan, SJ (thanks for the pics, will upload them soon)

Thanks to the Participants and the retreat team of Sacred Days 2008

Thanks to Gwen, Cecille, Julie, Rensi, Marthyn, Jen, Rea, Mel, Rachel, Austin.,Philip, Chris, Addy, Jaison, Rodney,Becky, Maella, Nilda, Ange & Mike, Ricky for spending their Sacred Days with us. For the past few days, they silently engaged and rested in the arms of a loving God who moves the heavens.

Thanks to Javi, Roy, Ody, JunD and Bros for being generous and compassionate companions to those called to spend their Sacred Days with us. As Jesuits, it is close to your hearts to be called to be companions! Thanks to Fr. MArtin Mandin, SVD for presiding over the Pascal Triduum liturgies at short notice... this retreat would not be possible if it werent for your generosity!

Thanks to the Life's Directions Family

With leaving stories of love, joy, pain and endurance, thanks for a grace filled weekend with the retreatants and friends of LIfe's Directions!

Welcome to Life's Directions Retreat

Welcome to the young professionals, retreatants and organizers of the LIfe's Directions Retreat. For the past three years, along with Onfire, Educhild Philippines and Contemplative Outreach, LIfe's Directions has been a returning guest whose retreatants have found solice and silence in the quiet area of the retreat house.

A gracefilled Thanks to the Philamlife Bible Study Group

The Karis Retreat House would like to extend a heartfelt

thank you to the members and friends of the Philamlife Bible Study Group, headed by Bishop Pabillo for a wonderful and spirit filled weekend!

It was truly an inspiring and moving weekend of silence, prayer and rest.

Congratulations to the movers and peeps behind the weekend. Cheers

Welcome to Bishop Pabillo and Philamlife Catholic Community

We would like to extend a welcome to Bishop Pabillo and the members and friends of the Philamlife Catholic Community. We hope and pray for a grace-filled weekend as we prepare for lent. Prayers

Fr. Adolph Nicolas, SJ (newly elected Father General of the Society of Jesus)

A short note of congratulations to our Jesuits friends for the inspired election of Fr. Nicolas as Father General of the Society of Jesus during the recent general congregation meeting in Rome.

Thanks to Unitech Corporation

Extending our Thanks to the unitech corporation, their trainors and observer and hoping that you had a grace filled stay with us.