Manresans Bid Goodbye to 2009, Welcome 2010

 

For Manresa School community, December 23 marked the end of the year 2009 for it was the school's Christmas Party. This simple celebration was made meaningful by the Para-liturgy which was held at the Manresa Gym and was participated in by the entire educative family. The para-liturgy called everyone to remember and be sensitive to others' plight in life especially the victims of Maguindanao massacre, the affected families of the imminent Mayon Volcano eruption and those who were still suffering from the effects of the recent calamities that plagued the country.  It reminded the community, that as the joys of the holiday season were celebrated, everyone has a social responsibility to help all those who have suffered and are still suffering. It was an expression of Manresa's value of fraternity and preferential option for the poor. It  culminated with the kissing of the Baby Jesus while the air was filled with the tune of the popular Christmas jingle that said, "Salamat sa liwanag mo, muling nagkakakulay ang Pasko. ‑ .Dahil ikaw ang star ng Pasko., . "  It  ended with a simple prayer of gratitude to the Lord for the light He showered on everyone to make Christmas special once again  despite the turmoils and calamaties that beleaguered our country.

The Christmas Party took place immediately after that. The students went to their designated areas and as one big family, they celebrated and shared the true spirit of Christmas in simplicity with their classmates, teachers, staff and maintenance personnel.

Classes resumed on January 04. To start the year 2010, the Manresa School community once again gathered in the MS Gym for the prayer service facilitated by the Pastoral Ministry Office. It centered on the importance of time, stressing that every minute, day and year of our life is a blessed opportunity given by God which we should use wisely for a more meaningful and beneficial results.

Sr, Emelinda C. Falsis, F.I., the RCA (Directress)‑Principal, gave her New Year message to the Manresa School community . She inspired everyone to continue his/her life's journey and face the opportunities of time.  With renewed vigor and hopeful spirit, she encouraged everyone to focus on his/her inner resources especially on the dignity of every person as child of God. These inner resources, according to her, are one's most important weapons in pursuing his/her dreams in life.

"Let us then walk into this new year with  faith and trust in the Lord. We do not know what will surprise us along the way. We can only see life for today. But we can risk the road because our God, the Father, is walking with us," Sr. Lynn. added.

She ended her short message by asking each one to put their hands on the right shoulder of the person beside them, while praying for peace and love to reign among all members of the educative family‑ Through this symbolic act of reaching out and connectedness, she wanted her gifts of love and peace to spread out to each member of the Manresa educative community.

 

(With  contribution from Mikaila Julia A. Astorga)