Yesterday, I got so surprised
To have seen and heard
a TV program present Christmas Carols
sung so early in September.
My sister said, it’s because we’re in the first ‘ber’ month.
And in the
we know that Christmas starts early.
September ushers hope,
Hope that greater, happier things will come soon
Especially in December
When we all gather again as families
And spend together the most festive season of all.
This month our school carries the theme,
“Building the nation through compassionate
and humble service to those in need
in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
As Ateneans,
We look up to Mary as our perfect model.
She is the source of our hope.
Hope that happier things are about to happen in our lives.
Now that’s a thought that should console us
Actually, If we look around us,
We can see that God’s goodness abo
und
And that happier things will certainly take place.
A pile of newspapers for the
Stuff for our KFD booth.
Projects returned with a matching high grade.
A cleaner classroom.
A teacher listening with us.
Classmates praying for us.
Look around.
Look deeper.
Goodness abound.
***
Even as we look beyond our classroom walls
There are hopeful signs that God is at work.
God comes to meet us like the morning rising,
Slowly, though definitely;
Quiet yet clearly.
In our world.
Changes are taking place
In different nations throughout the world.
New leaders are being elected or raised
To replace old but formerly popular governments.
Clamors for environmental action,
Political unity and economic cooperation
Among different peoples
Are getting stronger and more urgent.
In our country:
Amidst the scrambling for seats of power in government,
There are still people who choose to relinquish opportunities
Or to let go of invested wealth and vested interests for the sake of common good.
The hearts of our people are moved by
the remembrance of individuals
Who have used prayer and faith,
Instead of sheer power and manipulation
To effectively improve the quality of our lives.
In our school:
There are programs and systems
that have been in place and have reached
12 and 35 years of service.
This school year, we celebrate the 12th year
of the CSIP and the 35th year Anniversary of
the Tulong Dunong Program.
Quietly, we hope to have a whole generation of Ateneans who have learned from our classroom lessons and their outreach experiences to care for the least in our society; Clearly, through a big family of TD scholars whom we have raised and are striving to live successful lives, we hopefully help them help their own families.
Changes in our liturgical practices
Like the added installation of women lay ministers
Who will assist the community
With the sacred duty of giving Holy Communion,
Allow us to see that life in the Ateneo is always,
new, unfolding and moved by God’s spirit
of justice and love.
Through our men and women lay ministers,
We remember that the call of Christ
to serve his Church is not meant only for
priests but for all.
Let us now pause to pray:
Dearest Mary, help us see that your Son, our Savior,
is at work in our midst.
Help us become like you, a living sign of hope,
That happier things are soon to come,
Full of grace the Lord is with you,
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of you womb Jesus!
Holy Mary…
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now,
and the hour of our death.
Amen.
