Welcome hone Father Lehmeier

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Title: Welcome hone Father Lehmeier
extracted text: WELCOME HOME Father ' Lehmeier Father Schoenig Returns REV’. ENRIQUE SCHOENIG, SVD, 53, returned to the Uni versity of San Carlos last November 4 after five long years of absence. During these years he was pursuing his doctoral studies in biology. He came just in time to take part in the San Carlos celebration on the roof garden of the Fathers’ Residence. Father Schoenig is the head of the Biology Depart ment of this University, a position he held before he left for the United States. "UNIQUE HOBBY" Biology has been his hobby since childhood. Among his childhood toys he treasured a pocket microscope and scribbled the scientific names of plants and animals in a notebook in elementary school. Though this hobby was “outlawed” during his seminary years, this deep-rooted interest in biology could never be suppressed. He collected and identified plants and animals, especially insects, whenever he could spare a moment and he was blamed “for sparing” too much time for it. A great man was in the making. FURTHER STUDIES After he arrived in the Philippines in 1940, he studied Zoology at the University of Santo Tomas in preparation for his assignment to the University of San Carlos. He received his B.S. degree in 1942. After the war he taught in Vigan, and in Mindoro. He came to U.S.C. in November 1949. In 1950 he left Cebu for the U.S.A, where he studied at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. For nine weeks (Summer 1951), he took courses in marine biology at the Puget Sound laboratory of the State University of Washing ton. At the end of January 1952 he received his M.S. in Biology degree and returned to U.S.C., to head the Depart ment of Biology. Field work, especially collection trips to beaches, and butterfly hunting, became almost an obsession to Fr. Schoenig. Specimens were accumulated from the heights of Mt. Santo Tomas, Baguio, to the tip of the Mindanao. A lively ex change of biological material was carried on with local and foreign institutions, both universities and museums. The credit for this modern line in biology, which was pursued by the USC through all these years, goes as much to the teaching staff as to Father Schoenig himself. Professor Paulina D. Pages and Professor Julian N. Jumalon in par ticular were the inspiring and driving forces. PH.D. FROM NOTRE DAME The University of San Carlos became known as the lead ing university in natural sciences in the Philippines. To as sure a continuous growth and an ever more scientific trend, Father Schoenig once again returned to the life of a student. (Continued on pui/c 39) REV. FATHER LUDWIG LEHMEIER, S.V.D., recently returned from advanced theological studies abroad. I Father Lehmeier is a tall, handsome, young priest with the j unmistakable features and accent of a German. He was born in ; Munich on February 27, 1929. He obtained his elementary edu! cation, however, war broke out, and he was called to his country's colors, as were all able-bodied males who were at least sixteen i years of age. He was captured and imprisoned at the close of | the war. I When asked how he came to decide on the priesthood, Father Lehmeier said that many things influenced his decision, but the most notable factor was the war. As a soldier, he saw the bes tiality, the horror, and the utter futility of war. He realized that to avoid a third debacle, a vigorous moral and religious uplift among people of all nations was necessary. And what belter way was there of accomplishing this aim than through the priesthood. His philosophical and theological studies were obtained in an ecclesiastical academy in the neighboring town of Freising, followed by further studies at the University of Munich, where he obtained his Licentiate in Theology in 1952. Towards the end of the same year he was ordained a priest of God. An interesting phase about his sacerdotal career is the fact that he was first a secular priest before he became a missionary. His first assignment was as assistant parish priest in Munich, a position which he held for five years. Then followed a two-year stint as prefect in a minor seminary. Then came the turning point. After four years of catechetical work as assistant parish priest, he felt a desire to join the missions, and asked his superiors' per! mission to this effect. Cardinal Wendel of Munich refused his ! request for the reason that there was a great need for parish | priests in their country. He persisted in his pleas, however, until I after several audiences with the Cardinal, his persistence was rewarded and his plea was granted. He then went to Vienna, Austria to enter the SVD novitiate. In December, 1960 the Order sent him to the Philippines. Finishing his novitiate at Christ the King Mission Seminary, he taught religion for same time. Finally, in 1962 he was assigned to USC. In March 1963 he left again, this time for the U.S., where, from September 1963 to June 1965 he worked for a doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. At the successful completion of his studies he attended workshops in catechetics, modern moral theology, and a biblical institute for priests, all held in Washington. As to his policies as dean of religion, he has this to say: ' Since there seems to be a general dissatisfaction with our course I of theology as taught at present, a gradual revamping of the course is deemed necessary. A greater selection of courses will be offered in the future. Eventually we will work towards the establishment of a catechetical institute which would lead to a bachelor's degree in religious education." As university chaplain he will endeavor to implement the new liturgical changes but, < he said it is a gigantic job which one priest alone cannot ac| complish. He therefore expects the whole-hearted cooperation i of students and staff members alike, but most particularly the religious organizations of this University. January-February, 1966 THE CAROLINIAN Page Eleven
Date: 1966
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