PIUS XII CATHOLIC CENTER

1175 U.N. Ave., Paco, Manila
Tel: 525-9126 to 33
General Manager: Ms. Ma. Luisa U. Campaña

INTRODUCTION

The history of Pius XII Catholic Center is the story of an idea born out of the difficult circumstances of the post-war years.  It was an idea nurtured to germination by the insightful Archbishop Gabriel Reyes.  It was carried to fruition by the administratively

PROFILE

Now, celebrating its 35^th year, PIUS XII Catholic Center was envisioned primarily as a hub of Catholic Lay Action in the Archdiocese of Manila.  Consequently, upon the completion of the Administration building, the different mandated organization began to locate their offices at the Center – to be Central Station of the Catholic lat organizations in the Archdiocese.

Soon, Cardinal Santos and the Board of Trustees saw the need to broaden the objectives and the function of the Center.  It was then decided that the Center should also be a haven for the young people of the Archdiocese.  They began to envision it as a home for students and young professionals who have no place to stay, while studying or staying in the metropolis.

Now PIUS XII Catholic Center is a place where young people can experience wholesome recreation, a refuge for young hearts and a sanctuary to encounter God in prayer.

Many lives have been touched by PIUS XII Catholic Center.  Some remember it as a home away from home.  Others remember it as a haven for rest and relaxation.  In the memory of some, it is the place where they found new friends or woven a lasting relationship; in that of others, it is where God was encountered or where Christian values were learned.

The hope is that the Center will always be real school for learning the lessons of Christian discipleship and a true home for living it in practice.

THE TRUE SIGNIFICANCE

We cannot fully grasp the significance of the history of PiusXII Catholic Center, if it is set apart from the history of the Church of Manila and of the Philippine Church.  Within this broader perspective, the history of the Center stands out as but one link in the chain of efforts to revitalize the Church in Manila after the devastation of the War.  It is an instrument which bridges the vision and the reality of wider lay participation.  Pius XII Catholic Centers, in a manner of speaking, one paragraph in the book of the history of the Church of Manila. That paragraph has become longer over the years and will, for sure, become longer in the coming decades.  But, in the end, it will just have one story  to tell and one main theme to proclaim – how it has tried “to restore all things in Christ.”

ORGANIZATION AND INITIAL OPERATION

An organization, with such multifarious functions, needed a well-defined vision and a well-coordinated network of people performing diverse roles and functions.  The Center chose a phrase from St. Paul to articulate its vision:  TO RESTORE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST.  This phrase which stands as the Center’s motto now forms part of its coat-of-arms designed by National Artist Galo Ocampo.

With a vision now clearly articulated, the next step was to organize a network of people who would work for the actualization of the vision. Thus, the Center established a Board of Trustees to set its general policies.  On September 16, 1963, months before the inauguration of the Center, the first set of trustees met for an organizational meeting.  The first Board was composed of Archbishop Rufino  Santos as Chairman, Sen. Oscar Ledesma as First Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ernesto Lagdameo, Sr. as Second Vicee-Chairman, Mr. Manuel  V. Llamas as Treasurer, Atty. Jose Erestain, Sr. as Auditor, and Ms. Rosita Sandejas de la Concepcion as  Executive Secretary.  Msgr. Justino Ortiz, Fr. Michael Nolan, SSC, Atty. Teotimo Roja, Mr. Manuel Sison, Mrs. Imelda Dayrit, Ms. Josefina Constantino, Ms. Teresita Nitorreda, and Ms. Betty Ildefonso sat as members.

Also created was the post of General Manager.  Ms. Rosita Sandejas de la Concepcion was appointed as first General Manager of the Center.  She was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Center.  On May 26,  1964, Fr. Pierangelo Quaranta, SDB was appointed as resident Chaplain.  He was to set up the chapel and to are for the spiritual well being of the Center’s incipient community.  On July 16, ,1964, the Center witnessed the signing of the contract between the Archdiocese of Manila and the Congregation of the daughters of Mary Help of Christians (more commonly known as Salesiana Sisters).  This paved the way for the Salesiana Sisters to take over the management of the Ladies’ Hall.  Sister Pilar Pagsanghan  was appointed  as its first supervisor.

On June 8, 1964, the Center registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a foundation.  The Center officially became a non-stock, non-profit corporation.  As a result, the Center was able to utilize its earnings,  untaxed, for its charitable objectives.

THE HOPE

Pius XII Catholic Center has touched the lives of many people, each in a special way.  Some remember the Catholic Center as a “home away from home”.  Others remember it as a haven for rest and relaxation.  In the memory of some, it is the place where they found new friends and nurtured lasting relationships.  In that of others, it is where they encountered God and learned Christian values.

For sure, many more will enter the portals of the Center in years to come.  The hope is that Pius XII catholic Center will be for them, as it has been for others before them, a real school of learning the lessons of Christian discipleship and a true home for putting it into pieces.