AdZUHS this week, August 24 – 29, 2015.

Date:  21 August 2015

Weekly Memorandum No. 2015 – 8.3

TO:                      AdZUHS Community
FROM:                  Father Principal

1. 1. Principal’s Message:

   Ipinagdiriwang natin ang Buwan ng Wika upang paalalahanan tayo na Filipino ang ating wikang pambansa.

   Marahil tinatanong ng nakararami sa atin kung bakit kinakailangan pa nating palakasin at paigtingin ang ating pambansang wika samantalang higit na ginagamit ang Ingles sa mga asignaturang itinuturo sa mga paaralan?

   Unang-una, ang salitang Filipino ay naging mahalagang bahagi na ng buhay at kasaysayan natin kaya nararapat lamang na ipagpatuloy.  Dagdag pa nito, maraming mga panitikan ang nailathala at mga kundimang naikatha ang naisulat at nalimbag sa wikang Filipino na sumasalamin sa ating mayamang kultura at kasaysayan.

   Ikalawa, ang anumang pagpapaunlad sa isang wikang pambansa ay nangangailangan ng mainam na pundasyon, ng maayos na saligan at batayan.  Ginagawa ito ng lahat ng bansang may tunay na hangaring makapagbuo ng isang patakaran tungkol sa wikang pambansa.

   Maraming salamat sa Kagawaran ng Filipino sa kanilang pagbibigay parangal, pagpupugay at pagtataguyod sa Buwan ng Wika.

   2. Characteristic of Jesuit Education (CJE): Since education is a life-long process, Jesuit education tries to instill a joy in learning and a desire to learn that will remain beyond the days in school. “Perhaps even more important that the formation we give them is the capacity and concern to continue their own formation; this is what we must instill in them. It is important to learn; but it is much more important to learn how to learn, to desire to go on learning all through life.”

   3. Student and Faculty Updates

   a. Mr. Giovanni S. Jasmin and Mr. Espiridion D. Atilano Jr. will attend an international conference on “Historical Education in Asia:  Issues and Challenges,” at the University of Santo Tomas on August 27-29, 2015.  The three-day conference, sponsored by the Philippine Historical Association, is designed to allow participants to have a core understanding of historical education which includes historical thinking skills, training in historiography and dissemination of historical knowledge in the fast-changing world.

   b. Mrs. Virginia C. Guiñabo will attend the Christian Life Communities National Convention on August 27 – 31, 2015.

   4. Activities and Events for August 24–29

   a. August 24, Monday *  Monday Assembly sponsor:     Council of Leaders

   *  Mass sponsor:  Gr. 7 Berchmans         Moderator:  Mr. Rulthan P. Sumicad

   * Sked C (AM: Shortened Monday classes;  PM:  Eliminasyong Inter-Seksyon)

   *  Paligsahan sa SayAwit (Baitang 7)

   *  Paligsahan sa Pinakamasining na Pagtula (Baitang 8)

   * Madulang Sabayang Bigkasan  (Baitang 9)

   * Pinakamalikhaing Pagtatanghal ng Mitolohiya (Baitang 10)

   b. August 25, Tuesday

   c. August 26, Wednesday *  Mass sponsor:  Gr. 7 Canisius              Moderator:  Ms. Leah Angelic C. Bilbar

   d. August 27, Thursday

   e. August 28, Friday *  Mass sponsor:  Gr. 7 Chabanel            Moderator:  Mrs. Esther Q. Mondido

   *  Schedule C

   AM:      Shortened Friday classes;

   PM:       Pampinid na Palatuntunan (Kulminasyonng Buwan ng Wika)

   Paligsahan sa SayAwit (lobby)                             Baitang 7

   Paligsahan sa Pinamasining na Pagtula                 Baitang 8

   Madulang Sabayang Bigkasan                             Baitang 9

   Pinakamalikhaing Pagtatanghal ng Mitolohiya        Baitang 10

   * Overnight recollection for Grade 8 Bellarmine (Day 1)

   f. August 29, Saturday *  Thematic Activity for Grade 9 (c/o Social Action Program)

   * Overnight recollection for Grade 8 Bellarmine (Day 2)

   5. Teach us to Pray:  Nature Prayer

   Fr. James Martin, SJ

   During a retreat a few years ago, a woman came to me for spiritual direction.  “What was your prayer like yesterday?” I asked.  “Wonderful!” she said. “I hugged a tree!” I had to suppress a laugh.  Was she kidding?

   She was not.  “When I stretched my arms around that big tree outside, I felt connected to a living creation of God, I felt rooted to the earth, and I felt a sense of God’s presence in nature.” Now I was smiling for a different reason:  her words touched my heart.

   This woman had encountered God through creation, what we refer to as “Nature Prayer.”  Here are a few ways       to do it.

   First, be aware of the natural world God created.  Have you noticed the leaves on the trees lately?  The ever-changing patterns of the clouds?  When was the last time you saw – I mean really saw – a sunset?  Nature can move us to be grateful for beauty in our lives.

   Second, ponder how, as St. Ignatius Loyola said, God “labors” in creation.  God sustains the plants and animals – and us – by breathing life into them and keeping them alive.  What a wonder!

   Finally, try using nature to “image” God.  For example, whenever I’m at the seashore, I think of the waves as images of God’s care.  As each wave breaks upon the beach and recedes, I imagine God carrying away my worries.  Obviously, the waves themselves are not God, but they help me in my prayer.

   I’m glad I didn’t laugh when the retreatant told me she hugged a tree.  Because, in the end, she changed the way I find God in nature.

   James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of “Between Heaven and Mirth”, “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything”, and “My Life with the Saints”.