The Institute of Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS) Foundation Inc. had its General Assembly last February 13 at the new IFRS campus in N. Domingo Street corner St. John Street in Cubao, Quezon City.
Fr. Quirico Pedregoza OP, chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Sr. M. Corazon Demetillo RGS were among those who gave the reports.
The highlight was the blessing of the new campus on December 12, 2012 by Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao. The new building Fr. Pedregoza said will be used as the main campus while the old one ( Acacia St) will serve as an “extension building.”
Sr. Cora reported that in 2012, “IFRS received two great blessings: 1) The PAASCU Accreditation Level II for five years (November 2012-November 2017)m and 2) the Full Construction of the Main Building on N. Domingo St corner St. John Street in Cubao.”
“These”, she said, “ are fruits of hard work and sacrifice, of zeal in enfleshing the vision-mission-goal of IFRS, of sustained relationships, and effective collaboration and partnership with lay, religious, and charitable organizations and agencies here and abroad. Truly, IFRS is blessed by God.”
Fr. Nielo Cantilado SVD also gave his Treasurer’s Report.
Updates on the programs for the Golden Jubilee Celebration which will conclude on December 14, 2013.
The IFRS Foundation Inc. has some 22 member- congregations.
The Institute of Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS) began in 1963 as Sisters Formation Institute (SFI). It was founded by the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in the Philippines (AMRSWP) to provide for the need of young women religious for sound academic training and background in spirituality. The original formation plan was based on the Jesuit curriculum for seminarians of the Ateneo de Manila University. This program has been enriched through the years to equip young religious for their ministry, possessing through their studies a broader outlook, a spirit of service, a solid foundation for prayer, a greater spiritual maturity, and a deeper loyalty to community.
From the initial enrolment of sisters from 13 Congregations in 1963, IFRS has already welcomed and journeyed with students coming from almost 80 Congregations of men and women, with lay people, representing over 20 countries. (http://www.ifrs.com.ph/about-h.html)
The IFRS Foundation Inc. has some 22 member- congregations and has representatives from the AMRSP. The members areL Daughters of Charity, ICM, Maryknoll Sisters, Columban Fathers, Sisters of Sion, OCarm Fathers, Order of Preachers, OSA- Women, Benedictine of Tutzing, RNDM- Religious of Our Lady of the Mission, RSCJ Religious of the Sacred Heart, Religious of the Good Shepherd, Religious of the Virgin Mary, SSC - Columban Sisters, Blessed Sacrament Fathers, SFIC- Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, SSpS- Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, SVD Society of the Divine Word, FI-Hijas de Jesus, FMS, MMS- Medical Mission Sisters and O Carm Sisters.