My Workplace

Everyday I work here… checking papers, making lesson plans, reading books, blogging, and playing the guitar... 5 days a week. It is a monotonous life but I find something meaningful in what I do everyday because this is my vocation, my ministry in life. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Lasallian mission of teaching, touching, and transforming lives of my students.

Rain or Shine: We CARE!

Thursday, it was rainy day. Even if it was raining we still managed to go to Tambo Elementary School to meet our students and new friends. When we entered the room, it seemed like they really know us that we are not visitors anymore but their friends. They were so noisy, but they participated well in some games and in singing and dancing. They were so active. Even in their young age when I got to ask them about God, they answered many things that you could not believe a grade 4 pupil can say. We asked them to write their prayers and when I got to see them, some of their prayers were made wholeheartedly. You can see how they love their siblings, parents and friends. Truly, CARE has given me opportunities to explore and to see more beyond the horizon.
-----Diane Joy S.

Last Thursday, we went to Tambo Elementary School for the Catechetical Instruction. Unfortunately it was raining so hard, all of us were wet. We looked so haggard when we got to our room assignment, but we were relieved when we saw the smiles on the faces of the pupils. We started the session with a song and they participated well. I realized how happy I was after teaching those kids the value of prayer. I felt that I became an instrument for them to be closer to God.
-----Marie Claire S. of LS 407

The energy and the warm welcome shown to us by the students of Tambo Elementary school wiped away our exhaustion. We also had the sudden urge and interest to teach them seeing how eager they are to learn.
-----Justin Nicole N. OF LS 407

A Walk to CARE

Every Friday LS 307 students who are assigned to teach catechism at Paninsingin Elementary School trudge from the school campus going to the area. Though they are tired of fulfilling academic requirements, facing some personal challenges in their daily lives, I see in their eyes the kind of sparkles that expresses joy whenever we have the CARE Program. The energy, excitement, and the desire to meet the children create a true atmosphere of service without expecting anything in return. They just want to serve the Church in their own little way.

LS 407 iCARE Sharing

It's very heart-touching to see how the students in public school settle in a classroom very different from ours, dealing with daily school activities in a small classroom. I was moved when I saw a boy asking me," kuya, pahingi pencil, wala kasi akong pencil eh.." I reflected on it and had noticed that I am very fortunate that I am capable of buying so many pencils as I could, eating 3-4 times a day, sleeping in a fluffy, comfortable and great bed inside a huge house. I am able to buy things I need and want. I have cellphone, laptop, computer, and music gadgets. I receive allowance everyday and get clothes change every few months. I also thought about sometimes that when I am given things, gifts and the like, I am always complaining, never minding how fortunate I am that I am given those things, while others do not have a 5 pesos-worth pencil.
If only people besides us could realize the true state of our society, if only the people on high status in society would go down even for a day and live how these "other" people live, they'd be touched as I was.
______Charles M.

I felt contented and somewhat happy when we met the children of Tambo Elementary school. We will be teaching them about God for the whole year every Thursday. I was really amazed of how disciplined they are. With one wave of their teacher's hand, they sat upright and all eyes fixed on the board. Whoah! Amazing! I really felt blessed after seeing the children.
-----Marie Rishina T.

Being with all those willing children to learn about God already gives me a great sense of happiness and satisfaction.
-----Patricia Anne S.
I never thought that this activity will put joy in my heart and that I will be this excited to meet them again. I realized that when you open yourself to them, they will also do the same, and that this activity gave me a priceless experience and more experiences to come.
-----Marie Claire S.

At first, I thought that being a catechist will just further burden my already hectic and heavy life. But instead of it burdening my life, it quite had the opposite effect. I felt like I was revived and charge for 5 hours. I felt alive and happy.
-----Maria Quita G.

Let the iCARE begin!

We started to teach catechism last week in Sico, Paninsingin, and Tambo elementary schools. My students were very excited to share their time, energy, and talents to the pupils of the said schools. It was their first time to do this kind of ministry as part of the Christian Living Curriculum this year. I hope that they will keep the fire of faith, zeal, and communion burning for the whole year.

Animo La Salle!

Students with Big Hearts

Yesterday the students, faculty, and Br. Bong, the Director of Mission, attended the send-off Mass for the Lasallian students and teachers who will be involved in the catechetical instruction of pupils in the public schools under the supervision of the Divina Pastora Parish, Tambo, Lipa City.




After the gospel reading, I presented the students to the community by calling each of the three classes assigned to do the ministry of teaching and they were warmly welcomed and accepted by Fr. Cumagon, the Parish Priest, and the parishioners.

In his homily, Fr. Bon Cumagon reminded the student catechists of their responsibilities as representative of the Church to the “little ones” with the work of sharing the good news to them. He also said that they are also part of the “little people” belittled by many in their own community, but they are doing a great work and providing a significant contribution in spreading the gospel; they are little people with “big hearts”.

May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire my students and the adult leaders in faithfully doing the ministry.

iCARE LS 307- LS 407

This coming Sunday my two classes LS 407 and LS 307 will be attending Eucharistic Celebration with the people of Divina Pastora Parish, Lipa City under the leadership of Fr. Jose Loyola Cumagon. The celebrations will also serve as send-off Mass/commissioning rite for the student catechists who will start teaching catechism in the two public schools the following week until the end of the school year 2009-2010.

I have prepared my two classes for this program by asking the students to make a simple lesson plan for the first meeting next week: “getting to know you" activity. They are very excited to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience--an opportunity offered exclusively for the two cream classes of Level 9 community this school year.

I believe that this program will serve as a venue for my students to perform their duty of being a prophet in proclaiming the good news to the “little ones” in public schools. This is my ministry, our ministry as true Lasallians---people who live in faith, zeal and communion.