CHRISTMAS 2003 AT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY

VPs and senior officials at award ceremony.

Christmas 2003 was observed with just about the same spirit and gusto as in the former years. The festivities began with the annual University Awards, the birthday celebration of the President Emeritus and the exchange of Christmas greetings. The three-in-one ceremony was held for the first time ever at the ornate Chapel of St. Loius Marie de Montfort, Bang Na. The President Rev. Brother Bancha Saenghiran stressed that it was "excellence" that was being tested and marked on the touchstones and those who were selected made extraordinary efforts and recorded streaks of gold. The President Emeritus mentioned his vision that the Assumption University awards should eventually reach the standards and the reputation of the Nobel prizes.

At acocktail reception following the awards ceremony, in the foyer of the John Xffl International Conference center, students from Hang Dong University entertained the gathering with excellent choral renderings, and dances from South Korea. Their presence at the Christmas 2003 celebrations was in the spirit of giving, sharing their culture with students, staff and teachers of Assumption University, a sister institution in this part of Southeast Asia.

The remainder of the Christmas festivities were observed at the Hua Mak campus where the Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Bro. Leochai Lavasut declared open at mid-day, the Christinas Fair at which faculty, staff and students amused themselves around several of the special kiosks, which tested both brain and brawn in their games. Cash contributions from the activities and from various student clubs constituted a donation to a school for underprivileged children.

On Christmas eve, the cocktail dinner reception hosted for University Council members and special guests, the faculty and staff was well attended. The Choir of the Chapel of the Annunciation gracioughy rendered the all-time favorite Christmas carols, with flair and melody which gripped the attention of the audience.

By nightfall, the glow and twinkle of the Christmas lights and candles on campus grew brighter. At the King's court, Hua mak campus the student festivities continued with creative bursts of song, dance and drama till 2:00 a.m. on the morning of Christmas day, At 11:30 pm., the Catholic faithful assembled at the Chapel of the Annunciation to celebrate the Christmas Night mass led by Rev. Fr. Paul Trabucchi, the University Chaplain and three international student priests.

As the university gates were closing at 2:00 am, Christmas Day had arrived and the joy of giving, God's supreme giving, had entered the hearts of all celebrants and there was the pervasive atmosphere of peace, rest and reflective meditation: The general feeling was that God blesses the giver and receiver alike.

Reported by A. Glen Chatelier.