fma lifeline - october 2012

EDITORIAL BOARD

Sr. Ma. Socorro Bacani, FMAEditorial Board Coordinator

Sr. Theda dela Rosa, FMATechnical Coordinator

Sr. Florita Dimayuga, FMA Sr. Nora Hernandez, FMA

Sr. Ann Lyn Rose Magno, FMA

FMA Lifeline is the official news magazine of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco) in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. FMA stands for Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice, the official Italian name of the Congregation founded by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello in 1872 in Mornese, Italy. Today, there are more than 13,600 FMAs in 94 countries who are dedicated in varied ministries for the youth.

__________________

Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Provincial House

3500 V. Mapa Extension, Sta. Mesa 1016 Manila

Tel. No. 714-5937; Faxphone 716-5097

www.fmafil.org.ph

3 From the Provincial SuperiorSr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA

4 A Home for the Young Sr. Nora U. Hernandez, FMA

6 Catholic Schools: Bastion of FaithSr. Maria Lourdes Bernardita A. Genove

7 Preventive System: Educator’s Way of LifeMemoirs of A Salesian Educator Mrs. Myra Garcia

8 “Good Night” turned into “Good Day”Sr.. Ma. Teresa M. Lorenzo

9 Salesian AssistanceEducation through Loving Kindness Sr. Ann Lyn Rose D. Magno, FMA

10 The Why and the How of our Educative Intervention - Education through Reason Sr. Ann Lyn Rose D. Magno, FMA

11 Resurrecting the Soul of a Pioneer School Sr. Ernielyn F. Deypalan, FMA

12 Educating Community: Sharing in the Mission of Love for the YoungSr. Mary Anne C. Andres, FMA

13 The Chapel as the Heart of a Salesian SchoolSr. Mariel Riceani A. De Mata, FMA

14 Anniversary of Religious Profession

15 Salesianity 140: 1 step 4ward to h0liness

2nd Educators’ Congress FMA Commission on Education

16 Vocation / Home for the Elderly FMA

CONT

ENTS

FMA Lifeline October 20122

to first be committed to fixing his gaze on the mystery of

A Matter of the Heart

Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God is the sole master, and we will be unable to achieve anything unless God teaches us, and puts the key in our hands. Let us strive to make ourselves loved, and we will see the doors of many hearts open with great ease, and join with us in singing praises and blessing of Him who wished to make himself our model, our way, our example in everything, but especially in the education of the young. (Don Bosco, 1883)

October 2012 FMA Lifeline 3

“Education is a matter of the heart…” Don Bosco’s oft-quoted definition of education is the origin and support ofour belief in the efficacy of the Preventive System in our dealings with young people. Concepts and cognitive processes eventually have to descend to the heart-level, the deep seat of the intellect, emotions and the will, in order to distill into experience, learning, wisdom. No real education can ever take place in hearts that are closed to truth, beauty, values, and goodness. The heart has to be disposed to receive, like the earth that has been tilled with patience and love to welcome sun, rain and seed. Thus the importance of an educational environment and relationships that create and foster the favorable conditions for the young person to embrace and appropriate the ideas and ideals proposed by his educators.

However, many do not know that Don Bosco’s famous quote is incomplete, that it ends with another clause: “Education is a matter of the heart, and God is its sole master.” For Don Bosco the goal of education is not knowledge of concepts and skills, but knowledge of God, a knowledge so overwhelming that the heart cannot but recognize and accept God as its master and teacher; a knowledge so intimate that the person is revealed to himself, and he begins to see the full beauty and richness of his humanity in God. True education then, for Don Bosco, can only begin when the heart is opened and makes space for God’s grace. Pope Benedict XVI echoes our “Guidelines for

the Educative Mission of the FMA” (GEM) when he says that the goal of all education is to lead the young to the encounter with Jesus, a living Person, letting themselves be totally involved by him and by his Gospel. God can stake his claims on the young person’s heart when it finally knows and experiences the Father’s love in Jesus, and it responds to this love by loving the Father back as Jesus does – with one’s whole heart, mind and soul.

In all this we have referred to the heart of the young. Can we also say that education is a matter of the heart – the educator’s heart? Filled with the passion for young people, and enlightened by the principles of the Preventive System, it is capable of trusting and being trusted, of loving what the young love, of discovering the seed of goodness in them, of being ready to accompany them in their search for meaning. Educators can then become a significant presence in the journey of the young person. They just love, and make that love felt as they involve the young in their own growth, helping them to bring out their best selves in accordance with God’s plan. (GEM n.74).

The heart of an educator is one that has been educated and evangelized itself, very much aware and convinced that there is more to life than just its daily concerns, its material needs and the drive for professional accomplishments. Therefore it wants to open the eyes of the young to wider horizons of being and living, the horizon of faith, the fullness of life and meaning that the knowledge of God brings.

Before an educator can lead young people to recognize God’s supremacy in their lives, he has

From the Provincial Superior

Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA

Jesus in his own life, and in the lives of young people, so that he can help them discover God’s plan for them and realize it. The educator’s heart allows itself to be disciplined by God and led by the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of Love.

Looking at education as a “matter of the heart” is therefore the heart of the matter. The interplay between the hearts of the young and their educators, both attuned to the heart of God, is that fertile terrain where education-evangelization can take root and grow, with the support of the entire educating community. The EC is then challenged to find its heart, its passion, to weave relationships inspired by the Gospel, and to work as one to create this climate that facilitates leading the young to a real, intimate relationship with Jesus.


Sr. Nora U. Hernandez, FMA

“Home” is a fitting name for the environment tailor-made for the young, a name that catches the atmosphere of Valdocco, the home Don Bosco built for his boys and Mornese, the home born from the heart of Mother Mazzarello.

The home is peopled by educators whose hearts beat for the young because they take seriously Our Lady’s words to Mother Mazzarello “ I entrust them to you.” Fidelity to this option means believing and trusting in young people, knowing that in each one of them there exists a point that can be reached by goodness (GEM 88).

Believing in goodness means bringing it to birth (GEM 88) and goodness thrives best in a family atmosphere. As Salesian educators we believe that in a

family, love is not earned but given freely. In the day to day interaction with the young, seeds of love are planted heart - deep watered with encouragement, affirmation, patient waiting and respect for each one’s rhythm of growth. Nurtured daily with lots and lots of Mazzarellian motherly goodness and Bosconian fatherly kindness the family spirit breaks down barriers, builds affectionate confidence and trust between us educators and the young and fosters friendship among themselves. This happens only when we educators are a constant and “ present presence” in their midst- for what transforms the young is a friendly welcoming presence that does not only tell the young persons that they are loved but makes them feel that they are loved. The pedagogy of presence

Don Bosco believed that the young have within them the radical

capacity to carry out their process of growth but they need the mediation of persons and environment. Don Bosco’s education style includes the pedagogy of environment as one of its essential components. The educative environment is seen as a mediation between values inspired by the Gospel and the socio-cultural context. As an educating community committed to creating an educational environment where we can relive today the experience of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello there are choices and characteristics we cannot renounce to.

As educators, we love to tell the young “This is your Home.”


Sr. Nora U. Hernandez, FMA

is a must in creating an educational environment.

Our home for the young has a “radar” on its housetop. “Presence” does not only mean being in their midst but also being attuned to the youth situation. Our radar captures the youth pulse: their lifestyle, their mentality, their interests, their preoccupations, their questions and their angst. The “windows” of the house are also wide open, that is, the educators are in a stance of listening and dialogue in order to understand even unreasonable situations.

In the home for the young, God is in residence. We live in the awareness that in the house lives a PERSON who accompanies us even as we accompany the young. Mother Yvonne Reungoat, FMA says it beautifully and succinctly: “ Life moves to the beat of the Lord’s presence.” To be educators who efficaciously present the face of God, that face must be “ at the center of our own life and the reason for our happiness. To be educators whose love renders the presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd perceptible to the young we must have experienced his shepherding love: his compassion, his faithful protecting, his searching for us, his commitment to the point of dying for us. Having experienced Mary’s tender solicitude we live the pedagogy of caring in our relationship with the young.

In a Valdocco- Mornese environment one can say, “ One breathed a family air that made me happy.” (MB 6,592) Joy is an essential trait of the family and an expression of loving kindness. Don Bosco considered joy as a fundamental need of life, the law of the youth (Braido, 149).

He speaks of the joy that comes from peace with God and the life of grace. We educators must create an atmosphere of joy: joy in relationship, in good living, in worship, in movement. Feastdays, festivities, celebrations are times to experience joy. The playground is the place of joy—explosions. We plan activities which bear educative moments of joy: theatre, sports, trips, excursions, group life, hiking music and song. The young’s laughter is music to our ears. With Rene Claire we believe that “laughter is the true signs of freedom.”

In the atmosphere of family spirit, joy and freedom, duties become light, discipline, co-responsibility and participation become responses of love and above all values proposed are easily accepted. The primary goal of our educational mission is to lead the young people to meet Jesus of Nazareth (GEM 52), to tell the young as Pope Benedict XVI did: “I say to you, dear young people; Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away and He gives You everything… Yes, open open wide the doors to Christ and you will find true life.”

The educational environment we create, after the heart of our founders helps the young to believe that Don Bosco’s wish is also

our own: “ I want you to be happy in time and eternity.” Together we live Don Bosco’s sure-fire formula: Family atmosphere + atmosphere of God= climate of saints. With the young we embark on a journey of holiness- an everyday effort nourished by the Eucharist and by trust in Mary, our Help. Together to get there!

Sources: Guidelines for the Educational Mission of the FMA ( GEM)Pietro Braido, “Don Bosco’s Pedagogical Experience”

6 FMA Lifeline October 2012

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…

We are at the threshold of a new great era, ushered in by tremendous preparations both at the local and universal Church, heralded by massive literatures with great implications on Catholic Schools.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote an apostolic letter entitled “Porta Fidei” “Door of Faith” for the indiction of the Year of Faith which will begin in October 11, 2012 until November 24, 2013. This launching of the Year of faith likewise coincides with the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops with the theme “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” to be held in Rome on October 7 to 28, 2012. It is also within this period that the Universal Church will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the Vatican II, the 20th Year of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the canonization of a Filipino Youth Saint, Pedro Calungsod.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on the other hand issued the Pastoral Letter on the Era of New Evangelization “Live Christ, Share Christ” as the Philippine Church moves onwards to the 500th Year of Christianization of the country on March 16, 2021. Thus, the Philippine Church embarks on a nine year spiritual journey for New Evangelization highlighting the nine pastoral priorities of the Church in the Philippines which are as follows:

The Laity (2014); The Poor (2015)The Eucharist and the Family (2016); the Parish as a Communion

of Communities (2017); the Clergy and Religious (2018); the Youth (2019); Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue (2020); Missio ad Gentes (2021). The celebration will culminate with the Great Jubilee of 2021.

Furthermore, on the occasion of the 400th years of Catholic Education in the Philippines, CBCP issued the Pastoral Letter, “You are Salt of the Earth and Light of the World” bidding us to take stock of the contributions of Catholic Schools.

The Bishops then admonished Catholic Schools to:

� Remain faithful to the original inspiration: Evangelization. Renew the sense of mission.

� Seek new and creative ways of transmission of the faith.

� Be Champions of Social Conscience, Social Justice and Social Transformation.

� Engage in research, based on Dignity of Man and Respect for Integrity of Creation.

� Engage in dialogue with the secular society.

� Keep the faith. Be salt and light of the world. Thus, set forth with faith!

The Holy Father emphasizes a new matrix of faith, stressing that Christian faith is not a series of doctrine, nor a system of morality, nor primarily worship but a living encounter with Jesus Christ. New evangelization then begins with profound interior conversion towards love, a total surrender and

handing over of one’s life to God and unfailing obedience to Him which is genuine Christian witness in charity, with and in the Church.

He underlines that social justice is important but is not the center of our faith. At the Heart of everything is the Person of Jesus Christ. The power of the New Evangelization will not come from us but from the Holy Spirit. Everything finds meaning in the Paschal Mystery of Christ and will find its ultimate fulfillment in Him in eternal life.

For Catholic Schools to be true to their mission as bastions of faith, they are meant to be � “seats” of conversion, fostering

personal relationship with Jesus Christ and communal witness to the Gospel message of love of God and neighbor;

� “seedbeds” of the Kingdom of God where faith, culture and life are brought into harmony and the Gospel values are experienced;

� and “guiding stars” shedding light on the true meaning of life and its ultimate end which reveals itself in the light of faith.

Pope Benedict XVI continually reiterates in his messages that through faith, human persons discover the limitless value of their personal being and God wishes to enter into communion with them so that they may discover the supernatural end for which they have been created, the ultimate end for which they exist --- to be totally united to God.

Sr. Maria Lourdes Bernardita A. Genove, FMABast ions of Fai th

Preventive System: Educator’s Way of LifeMemoirs of A Salesian EducatorMrs. Myra Garcia October 2012 FMA Lifeline 7

In the classrooms, educators make of their daily experiences a

school of life. Don Bosco and Mo. Mazzarello inspire us to be educators at heart. We may encounter difficulties, but our hearts remain satisfied because of the priceless joy and experience teaching has given us. What I admire most in a Salesian ambient is its inimitable educative system – the “Preventive system” which became a beacon that guides the youth. But how can a Salesian educator embody the Preventive System? How does Preventive System shape the character and life of the students in the classroom? Some anecdotes can answer these questions.

I will always remember the experience of my colleague; a Science lesson about the solar system. One student asked, “Miss, if the gravity of the sun keeps Earth and every other planet in its orbit, thus, , keeping us and every other object on Earth rooted to the ground, experiencing night and day consistently and so on, then, why do we need to thank God for giving us mornings and nights? Why do we ask for His help if everything that we have on earth has a factual explanation?” She first gave a sweet smile to that student and told him, “Iho, without God there would be no sun, no earth, no solar system. God created them all. Science tells us the HOW of life’s origin but our faith and religion communicates the WHY of existence.”

“Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavor to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith, which is essential to understand and achieve piety.” These are the words of Don Bosco which remind everybody the importance of living the Sacraments.

I had my memorable experience with a student. I know him as a young person who lives the sacraments in the daily. In one of our homeroom lessons, we discussed the value of honesty. I used one of the famous adages, “It is better to get zero than perfect through cheating” as my motivation for the lesson. Consequently, my students were able to share their experiences regarding honesty and how they learned from it. One day, as I exchanged stories with a student, I was astonished when he admitted to me that he cheated. I could see through his eyes and his deep breath how sorry he felt for himself; how guilty he was because he committed a sin. But he told me that minutes after changing his score, a voice whispered to his heart, “God sees you.” After that, he went upstairs and wrote on his booklet the score he deserved; a failed but honest score. That moment he knew the consequence of his action

but he said, “Miss, I am ready for everything, at least I know I still have conscience and I was able to listen and give myself another chance.” I realized then that a young Salesian person has a seed of goodness, and his informed conscience tells him to think and act responsibly. This makes a young person who truly embraces a sacramental liturgical life someone who will be morally sensitive.

“One who feels loved, loves. The one who is loved obtains everything, especially from the young.” Another word of wisdom from Don Bosco; truly, he believes that having physical and listening presence with the young makes one feels he is loved. Young people are driven to connect; they are always lingering for interaction. They may seem loud and daring on the outside but when you become present to them you will know their inside world – the high’s and low’s of a young person. As an adviser, I am always thinking of ways on how I can effectively communicate with my students. When my principal told me that I would handle a high school graduating class, I was dumbfounded. I felt I was not capable and feared not to be able to communicate with them. But I still took the challenge. I noticed that I had a student who always wanted to be the top. His emotion easily flares up whenever he couldn’t answer questions, or got low scores, or performed poorly in group activities. He did not care even if others were already affected by

his grimaced face, bragging actions, and insulting words. I tried to talk to him during break, just casual talks about his friends, routine, plans in life and the like. From our conversations I knew he has a dream to fulfill, so I thought that maybe this was the reason why he wanted to be exceptionally good. But one day, an incident happened in the classroom. He had an untoward argument with a female classmate. After the incident, I talked to him heart to heart. Tears started flowing. He then shared with me his hurts from his family who always compares him to his sister. He also voiced out the possibility of not going to college due to financial difficulties. I heard a lot of his long kept problems and aches. Our talk made me understand him better. From then on, he opened up to me. There were times he still cries but I can now feel the difference. He is now more open, more understanding, more patient, and more loving.

Practicing the Preventive System shapes Salesian education. The different disciplines help the students develop skills, understand concepts, and attain competencies, but the presence of an educator among the students nurtures life through a positive influence on the young, thus, forming them as responsible citizens of today.


The daily “good day talk” is a unique Salesian

tradition which started from Don Bosco’s and St. Mary Mazzarello’s time as the “Buona notte”. Our Founders, wise educators that they were, wanted that the young end each day with a good thought. Over the centuries, the “Good Night” has evolved into “Good Day” talk to fit in the school timetable for general assembly. A good thought must begin the day. It sets the mood, and creates an atmosphere which is conducive to listening, above all to God who continues to reveal himself to us through our daily experiences. The “Good Day” fosters listening also to others whose lives mirror God’s care and foreseeing love. It likewise makes the young attentive to their own painful but life-giving experiences.

“Good Night” “Good Day”Sr. Ma. Teresa Lorenzo, FMA

e“Stories are insipiring...encouraging.... to us young people the good day help us face the difficluties of everyday life with optimism and great trust in Him.” - Arzel Mirandae“The good day talk help me answer my questions in life: responsibilities and struggles in school and relationships in the family.” - John Renz Culubonge“I get to know more insights about the life of the saints, angels, inspiring thoughts and experiences of people. Many times, the good day gives me courage to strive hard and inspire me to continue my studies especially when i felt like quitting...” -Lizle Villae“From the good day talks, I met wonderful and holy people- their ordinary life which became holy and truly inspiring for us young people. Through the good day I learn to pause and ask myself- what truly motivates me....Have I met Jesus in my experiences?” -Marianne Forfiedae“The good day talks are my daily vitamins.” -Judy Mae Santiagoe“It is amazing to know stories of people who have met the Lord in their lives and consequently changed their lives- the good day provides occasions to know these people who taught me with their lives that God is present, and walks with us.” - Arnold Miranda

Every Salesian educator believes that even in such a brief moment of a “Good Day talk” formation happens in the minds and hearts of the young. Some of the graduating students of the Mary Help of Christians College-Canlubang are willing to share their insights about the value of the “Good Day” for them.

SALESIAN ASSISTANCE

Sr. Ann Lyn Rose D. Magno, FMA

Education through

Loving Kindness

9 October 2012 FMA Lifeline

T he third pillar of Don Bosco’s Preventive System is loving kindness.It means

more than just a physical presence among young people, buta real sharing in their life and interests - loving what the young love. A practical manifestation of "loving-kindness" in action is the "Salesian assistance" which is enlivened by the loving and reliable presence of educators who create a positive environment characterized by personal relationships with the young.

Here in Mary Help of Christians School (Cebu) Inc. as in other FMA schools, prior to the opening of classes, Sisters and teachers plan out their schedule of Salesian assistance. During moments when the young people are not in the classroom, the friendly presence of the educators is highly visible in strategicspots of the campus.The parents feel that their children are always safe for they are within the loving gaze of their educators.

During Salesianassistance, the educator should have multiple eyes – eyes to seek for the lonely,

for those who are in danger of committing sin, for those who just simply need a friend and a mentor to guide them.

For some educators who are not familiar with the educational system of Don Bosco, vacant periods are personal moments for preparing lessons, checking quizzes, etc… But for Salesian educators setting a time and a place for assistance in the everyday schedule is not a waste of time. In the Salesian assistance, educators do not only give – they also receive. They give their time but they are also enriched by the experiences with the young. Young people are also capable of sharing their wisdom with the educators, and educators should be humble to accept this fact.

Don Bosco’s “parole dell’orecchio”, which are words of kindness whispered by the educators in the ears of the young during assistance work miracles even until now as many young people are reminded to “love virtue and hate sin.”

Don Bosco said, “Laugh, jump and grin but never sin.” In an unstructured environment such as

the playground one can see that young people are spontaneously themselves. Here, education happens because with the constant contact with the young, Salesian educators, formed in the school of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, are able to witness and profess their values through actions and behavior, thereby challenging the young and opening their minds to what is true, good and beautiful.

The educator is exhorted to be open and cordial, ready to make the first step to welcome the young with unfailing kindness, respect and patience. In a friendly exchange during assistance, the educator and the young are able to grow in friendship.

Here in MHCS (Cebu) we strive to get to know every young person by name. How happy the young are if the educator calls them by name. One can see the sweet smile on their lips for they are not just nameless faces but they feel important and loved.

A s a college (offering BS Electronics Engineering, BS Office Administration,

BS Travel Management, BS Entrepreneurship Management) and at the same time a technical vocational school (offering Consumer Electronics and Mechatronics Services, Office and Travel Services, Hotel and Restaurant Services, Housekeeping, Bartending, Travel Technology, Entrepreneurship Technology and Garments), we prepare young women to be the workforce of today’s society. Knowing that 99% of these young women, aged 16-21, were educated in public schools, is a greater challenge for us educators to inculcate the Christian faith and the Salesian values and attitudes aside from the skills that would enable them to become “good Christians and honest citizens” of our society.

Don Bosco’s Preventive System of reason, religion and loving kindness appeals to our young women majority of whom do not receive regular religious formation like the young people in our schools.

Hand in hand with the Sisters are our lay mission partners, who receive regular formation on Lectio Divina,

Catechesis, Salesianity, Psychology and Professional Competency. We help our educators to be channels of values for the young to emulate. Thus, whatever lesson they are teaching: from soldering, electronics, to accounting, housekeeping, sewing and etc. the values integration is clearly stated in their lesson plans/ modules and delivered to the students.

In our educative intervention, we draw from the wisdom of the educative heart of Don Bosco. “In all his activity as an educator, pastor and founder, Don Bosco showed a great ability for dialogue and for sharing responsibility with even the youngest of his collaborators; for harmonizing in apostolic and missionary work the talents of the most widely differing persons for the good of the whole enterprise; for finding for each individual a work suited to his character, his skills and his formation, in such a way that each one felt happy in what he was doing.” (http://www.donboscowest.org)

We make it a point to make our educational institution a home where the young feel accepted and loved; � where the foundations of life-

Soul

THE WHY AND THE HOW OF OUR EDUCATIVE INTERVENTION

Education Through REASON

long learning: logical and creative thinking skills, awareness of issues of justice and peace, and tolerance and respect for others, honesty and integrity are developed and lived;.

� where they are encouraged to “Do ordinary things extraordinarily well;”

� where they are challenged not just to receive but to give as well – give their service through the National Service Training Program (NSTP), give their best in their work in the different companies where they are either having their training or are employed.

Don Bosco believed that education happens in the classroom and in the playground. The element of respect accorded by us educators to all the young people under our care is essential to their spiritual, emotional and rational growth.

We educate the young to life, therefore we keep in mind that we should never lose the sight of rationality. It is with the help of reason that our young women develop a good, holistic and integrated personality. In everything that we do and say, our young women must see the proper reason. Besides, after their one year stay with us, they are already sent to the companies for their Dual Training System and there, on their own, they are able to “Do the right thing, at the right time and place and all for the love of God”, as Mother Mazzarello would have it.

By the preventive system our young women “Acquire a better understanding, so that we, educators, can always speak to them in the language of the heart, not only during the time of their education but even afterwards. The educator, having once succeeded in gaining the confidence of the students can subsequently exercise a great influence over them, and counsel them, advise and even correct them, whatever position they may occupy in the world later on.”

Sr. Ann Lyn Rose D. Magno, FMA


SoulResurrecting the of a Pioneer School

Salesians around the world would often repeat Don Bosco’s words,

“Music is the soul of every Salesian school!”

Don Bosco’s Salesian Pedagogy places special value on theater and music to create an educational environment for the youth. This enables them to explore and create varied & informal expressions of their thoughts, their life, their experiences & even their dreams! Though music & theater are artful activities that develop to the artistic side of the youth, they provide an ideal ambient that likewise demands discipline, hard work, teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, servant-leadership and a lot more.

Today, St. Mary Mazzarello School continues the traditional feasts with a lot of digitally-sourced music & simple skit presentations, however, in the absence of a good music teacher & a passionate theater director, the school has suffered an anemia of young musicians & creative theater artists. The school year 2012-2013 opened with a dreaded question; “Since the students have not been trained to play in the combo band, who will accompany the Liturgical songs?!”

Nostalgia of a soul-filled schoolIn the ‘90s music and theater

indeed gave vitality to our school.In addition to a good track

record in academic achievement, CAT (Citizens’ Army Training) inspections & community service, SMMS had been known as a popular NAMCYA (NAtional Music Competition for Young Artists) National Winner in the 90’s because of its well-trained SMMS Youth Choir by the renowned Mrs. Mary Paz Certicio; the music teacher of two decades who was once awarded “Best Conductress” in the national competition.

I was fortunate to be a part of the last group of choristers who competed in the NAMCYA Region 6 Competition year 1994 and I, together with every alumna of the SMMS Youth Choir, will forever be grateful for the pedagogy & the wisdom with which we were trained. The choir led the singing in all our liturgical celebrations in the school & the parish. Likewise, liturgical singing became the responsibility of each member of the community; one could not be content at just being a silent audience during the Liturgy.

The Drum & Lyre Band was also a popular group in our school which often launched student parades around the VICMICO community to announce our big Salesian feasts.

The professional Makawiwili Theater Company of VMC (Victorias Milling Company) featured mostly Mazzarellians & their parents who staged several plays for the public. And the annual feasts especially Gratitude Day celebrations would showcase the musical talents of the students especially in dancing.

With this nostalgia, the Sisters, teachers, parents & students grieve the stark decline of this noble spirit which has been hampered by sudden poverty. In the recent years, the school has gone by without decent musical instruments and lack of teacher musicians & artists.

The Next Thing Now in SMMSNow, our educating community

takes on the challenge to give life once more to the youth groups that will enable them to develop their talents in music & theater. Literally starting from scratch, trainings are now underway and are gaining a lot of enthusiastic response from all sides. One can evidently see the brightened faces of the young who are eager to participate; many of them, intent at making an impressive progress in their chosen field.

SMMS will soon breathe differently; on this site, will rise the soul of a pioneer school.

N.B. The author is an alumna of St. Mary Mazzarello School Youth Choir, Makawiwili Theater Co. and now serves as Principal of her Alma Mater, SMMS Victorias, Negros Occidental. Founded in 1955, this is the first school & foundation of the missionary presence of the Salesian Sisters here in the Philippines.

June 2012 FMA Lifeline 11 October 2012 FMA Lifeline 11Sr. Ernielyn F. Deypalan, FMA

Educating Community:

young

sharing in the

for theofmissionlove

Don Bosco School (DBS) Manila recognizes and esteems the essential role

of the educating community in the mission of forming the young as good Christians and honest citi-zens.

At the center of the collaborative efforts of the educating community are the young people, whose holistic formation is the top priority of its endeavors following the words of Don Bosco: “For you I study, for you I work, for you I live and for you I am willing to give my life.”

DBS Manila hosts several activities every school year involving the close collaboration of the members of the educating community to achieve this end. Working together from the planning, implementation and evaluation of such activities also foster growth in relationships and strengthens the spirit of communion.

Parent volunteer-catechistsFor two years now, the Salesian

Sisters from this community with parent volunteer-catechists work hand-in-hand with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta. Mesa to address the growing need for catechists in Antonio Maceda

Integrated School, a public school. Presently, there is only one lay volunteer catechist for its high school students which number around two thousand four hundred.

This school year, Sr. Sarah Robas, FMA, with Sr. Carmencita Rodgriguez, FMA, and five full-fledged parent volunteer-catechists from DBS Manila regularly conduct catechism lessons every Friday, from 9:00-10:00 and 10:00-11:00 in the morning, to 5 sections of fourth year, 2 sections of third year and 1 section of first year high school students in the said public school.This endeavor clearly continues Don Bosco’s Salesian pedagogy, particularly on the aspect of religion, as the Sisters and catechists respond to the need of these students to be guided in their spiritual and moral life.

Though catechesis in a public school is more challenging due to the greater number of students per class, the mixed religion of the students, the limited time to teach, among other reasons, the parent catechists find the mission fulfilling and worth all their sacrifices. In fact, many of them feel unworthy for this noble calling but at the same time, they feel privileged to be called by God to serve these poor young people.

Family Word of God CampThe annual Family Word of

God Camp which is organized by the Christian Living Department in cooperation with Evangelization Committee of DBS Manila, seeks to make the reading, reflecting, praying and sharing on the Word of God a family commitment that will not only strengthen family ties but also empower each member to witness to Gospel values.

Every year, a family is invited to give testimony on how the Word of God has made a positive change in their lives. Families also practice the Lectio Divina, a particular way of praying with Scripture. For the Family Word of God Camp 2011-2012, families created commitment banners that specified how they will pray and live the Word of God in their lives.

Other school activities involving the collaboration of the educating community include the Family Living Rosary in October and Family Day in January.

As the mission for the salvation of the young continuous and expands, working and witnessing together as an educating community is all the more called for. This brings to mind the urgent plea of the Gospel to have more workers in the vineyard of the Lord. The harvest is rich, so let us work together to accomplish this mission the Lord has entrusted to us.

FMA Lifeline June 201212

Sr. Mary Anne C. Andres, FMA

The Chapel is one indispensable place we secure in any of our houses. The house might be poor and small, but there will always be a place reserved for the chapel and the treasure it holds within: Jesus’ Eucharistic presence in its tabernacle. It is indeed the heart of every Salesian school. It is a silent proclamation of the reality of our consecration and mission: We belong to Jesus Christ and it is in Him, the fountain of grace that we draw everything that we need. The mission belongs to Him and it is through his grace and intervention that any work of evangelization or education or conversion or victory in any moral or spiritual warfare is possible. This is one deep faith that we share with Don Bosco who chose Religion as one of three major principles of the Preventive System and who inspired devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist/ Blessed Sacrament as one of the most important pillars of salvation, encouraging in the young friendship with Jesus and Mary and a strong sense of the presence of God.

This is the same conviction and devotion that we hand down to this and the future generation of educators and young people. Times change and the views of the people change, but the timeless encouragement to regular and fervent reception of communion and the devout and frequent visits

to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament still resound in our houses and continue to do marvels in the lives of everyone especially the young. Here are few testimonies:@ The chapel for me is a teacher….

There I learn much and I can talk to God who I know listens to me as teachers do. I know I am welcome in the chapel and there talk, reflect and have time with God. I avail of this free entrance to God’s house. – Isabella Dungca

@The Chapel is my comfort place where I find peace. I visit the Blessed Sacrament to talk to God sincerely, to ask for His help and to shower me with infinite blessings. – Fria Magbalot

@ The chapel is my house. It is where I can be with my FATHER and share with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament my thoughts and feelings. – Glyza Castro

@ Whenever I visit the Blessed Sacrament I gain courage to strive harder. I always get the feeling of being strong. I get to think of doing what I do for my family and for everyone. I visit God every day because I want to tell Him the good things I did and what I have achieved. I want Him to be happy and proud of me. – Leewelyn Fausto

@ The chapel is my home. I always feel safe whenever I’m in the chapel. There I meet Jesus and talk to Him. I pray and I ask forgiveness. – Josiel Geronimo

@ The Blessed Sacrament is my energizer every day. Whenever I visit, I gain strength and courage to do all my tasks. I go to visit Him so I can think

positively and be grateful for all I have and will still receive. – Girllan Yamzon

@ The chapel for me is a very sacred room. Mostly, I do my “me-time” in the chapel. It is where I can freely show and say what I feel with my best friend Jesus. I visit Him because with Him I can show who I am and there will be no judgment. It is the time that I and my best friend bond. – Cariza dela Cruz

@ I know I can talk to Jesus anywhere, but for me the chapel is the best place to talk to Jesus and ask for His assistance in my everyday life.There He makes me realize many things, like, to strive hard to achieve all my goals. – Mirella David

@ I realize that God loves me and He is always with me. Whenever I am stressed of the projects, assignments and PETAs, I visit the chapel and ask for God’s help. Jesus is my “Bespren” and Mama Mary is my “Mommy,” I ask for their help when I do not know what to do and then I feel secured and protected. After visiting the chapel, many good things happen to me. All my worries turn to happiness. Then I would visit again to thank my Bestfriend and my Mother. – Charlene Mallari

It is a deepest wish of every Salesian educator that the centrality of Jesus who is received in Holy Communion and who is adored in the Blessed Sacrament dominate the life and homes of many more young people.

Educating Community:

The CHAPEL as the HEART of a Salesian School

The CHAPEL as the HEART of a Salesian School


Sr. Mariel Riceani A. De Mata, FMA

Anniversary of Religious ProfessionDon Bosco School - ManilaAugust 5, 2012

The Jubilarians with main celebrant, His Excellency, Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, Fr. Eligio Cruz,

SDB, Provincial Superior (SDB FIN) and other concelebrants.

Sr. FlorenciaMalacaman, FMA

Sr. Maria RebeccaRamos, FMA

Sr. AuroraRoble, FMA

Sr. Ma. AlemCoching, FMA (in Italy)

Sr. ConcepcionAyuyao, FMA

Sr. CelineClemente, FMA

GO

LD

EN

Ju

bil

ari

an

s

SIL

VE

R Ju

bil

ari

an

s


On the occasion of the FMA’s 140th year of foundation, we celebrate the gift of our Salesian Educators who

are the driving force behind the success and achievements of generations of Filipino Salesian youth. As we celebrate, we, in the Philippines, also take on the challenge to study, consolidate and articulate the identity and mission of the Salesian Educator so as to continue the legacy of accompaniment towards holiness.

The Commission on Education of the FMA Philippine-Papua New Guinea Province held its 2nd Educators’ Congress on August 2-4, 2012 at Mary Help of Christians College and at Mornese Center of Spirituality, both located in Laguna. Themed, “Salesianity 140: 1 step 4ward to h0liness” the Congress was attended by all principals, faculty, and staff of six FMA schools and five technology centers in the Province totalling up to around 300 participants.

Invited speakers expounded on the following topics; “Holiness and Wholeness: A Salesian Educator’s Way of Life” by Fr. Eli Cruz, SDB (Provincial Superior of the SDB North Province); “Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, Salesian Educators Par Excellence and Their Great Love for the Young” by Sr. Elena Rastello, FMA (from the Youth Ministry Sector, Rome); “A Salesian Educator Accompanies the Young to Jesus” by Sr. Florita Dimayuga, FMA; “The Salesian Educator as a Professional” by Ms. Theresa Alvarez.

The gathering was basically a three-day study and reflection on the identity and mission of the Salesian Educator as he/ she faces the huge challenge of meeting the difficult demands of today’s young generations.

The second day was devoted to readings of the lives of Salesian educators of the “first hour”.

The participants then identified the characteristics and articulated behavioral indicators of the Salesian Educator based on their readings. This activity was facilitated by the FMA Salesianity team composed of four Sisters. August 3 ended with the “Salesian Express” musical presentation by the FMA original cast and the young people in formation. The Salesian Express features a train full of FMA passengers showcasing the Salesian charism and promoting the FMA vocation. It was a hit and got in around 50 “teacher passengers” that night!

The Congress concluded with the presentation of the draft of the Profile of the Salesian Educator as synthesized by a team of teachers and Sisters.

This event was a blessed encounter to build the family spirit within such young and dynamic, enthusiastic and committed Educating Communities. This is our beautiful treasure for the children, young people and families who happily come to FMA schools!


Be a Salesian Sister!Contact us:

Daughters of Mary Help of Christians(Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco)

Provincial House3500 V. Mapa Extension, Sta. Mesa, 1016 Manila

( (02) 714 59 37: www.fmafil.org / www.cgfma.org

FMA Vocation Directress ( (02) 714 7791 0949-4979822

Be

totally committedGODto

YOUNGfor the

Help us build the “BAHAY na PANGARAP”(DREAM HOME for the Elderly FMA).

Send your donationto any community of the Salesian Sisters nearest you.

Or deposit your donation to:BANK of the PHILIPPINES ISLANDS - Araneta Branch

Account Name: Mother Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

Account No. 3271-0293-56

Any amount coming from the heart will surely count.For you and for your family may abundant blessings truly abound.THANKS for helping us realize our DREAM...


fma lifeline - october 2012

Documents