June 8, 2016
Requesting prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of FR. RAYMOND T. HOLSCHER, S. J., who died quite suddenly early this afternoon. Massive G.I. bleeding resulted in cardiac arrest while he was being brought to the hospital. Fr. Ray, 73, entered the Society on 30 July 1960 and was ordained a priest on 6 May 1972.
Wake: The wake begins on June 9, in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies [Ateneo de Manila University campus, Loyola Heights, Q.C.]. Daily wake Masses at 8 p.m.
Funeral Mass: On Sunday, 12 June at 2:30 p.m. in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, LHS.
Interment: Sacred Heart Novitiate Jesuit Cemetery, right after the Funeral Mass.
BIOGRAPHY OF FR. RAYMOND T. HOLSCHER, SJ
By Sch. Amado T. Tumbali, Jr., SJ
Asst. Province Archivist
Fr. Raymond T. Holscher, S.J. was born on 19 March 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. He finished primary education at Holy Child Jesus School, Richmond Hill, N.Y. in 1957 and graduated at Brooklyn Preparatory School, N.Y. in 1960. On the same year, he entered St. Andrew-on-Hudson Novitiate, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on 30 July. After first vows, he continued his Juniorate at St. Andrew-on-Hudson. He arrived in the Philippines in 1964 and studied Tagalog language at Ateneo de San Pablo. In 1965, he studied Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University until 1967.
He was one of the pioneers of Loyola House of Studies with fellow scholastics Venancio Calpotura, Artemio Ferrer, Florencio Cuerquis, Enrique Lalana, Mateo Sanchez, Felix Unson, Francisco Montecastro, and William Abbott. Afterwards, he did regency at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City until 1969 where he taught Religion, English, and Socio-Economics while moderator of Social Action and the Yearbook. Then, he studied and finished his Bachelor in Sacred Theology at the Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City. On 6 May 1972, he was ordained at St. Ignatius Church, N.Y. by Bishop Francisco Claver, S.J. Five years later, he did tertianship with Jesuit priests Arsenio Jesena, Antonio Lambino, Alfeo Nudas, Leo Pabayo, Michael Rooney, Antonio Samson, and Herbert Schneider at Sacred Heart Novitiate under Fr. Arthur Shea, S.J. He professed final vows on 8 December 1977.
Most of his priestly life was spent at the Ateneo de Manila High School. He was chaplain in 1973-1976, instructor of Religion and student counselor in 1973-1979, director of Admission and Aid Office in 1973-1984, 1992-1996, coordinator of student activities in 1979-1982, director of athletics in 1979-1987, associate principal for student affairs in 1997-1999, associate principal for formation in 1999-2004, and coordinator of Christian Service Program in 2001-2004.
His ministries outside Ateneo de Manila High School comprised of chaplaincy for Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group and Christian Family Movement in 1973-1986, Philippine Jesuit Prison Service in 2004-2007 and National Training School for Boys (Boys Town) in Tanay in 2007-2016. He was also director of athletics in college and university in 1979-1996 and treasurer of the Jesuit Residence in 2003-2012.
He died of gastrointestinal bleeding on the afternoon of 8 June 2016 at Cardinal Santos Hospital at age 73 years. Requiescat in pace.
Ben Regalario on June 9, 2016 AT 03 am
It’s a very heartbreaking news that my daddy, friend, mentor passed away. I would like to thank you for all the kindness you have done for me especially during my stay inPJPS for suporting for the good and bad. I will not have a good life and job if not because of you. Thank you very much you will always be in my heart and i will never forget what you always said.”Be Good”. Rest and peace my dear daddy and my very closed best friend Fr. Ray.
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