Happy Fiesta!

Happy Fiesta Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod!

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Christian at 33, a priest at 36, a bishop at 41: many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo, sinner turned saint. But really to get to know the man is a rewarding experience.

There quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love.

Having been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned, with a holy fierceness, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent—politically, socially, morally. He was both feared and loved, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism.

In his day, he providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself, I will not mention him,/I will speak in his name no more./But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,/imprisoned in my bones;/I grow weary holding it in,/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9).

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/byname.aspx

Trivia Question Answered!

The First Mass

Further on, seeing that they were reasonable men, Magellan offered them food and drink. The islanders brought with them food placed on white Chinese porcelain wares. This confirmed further Magellan that he is now truly in the East. That day, Magellan struck a pack with the chieftain Rajah Colambu. Then, on March 31, 1521, in this Island of Limawasa, the first Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated by Father Pedro de Valderama. This Mass was attended by both the remaining crew and the natives. At the consecration, all the canons saluted our Eucharistic Lord. After the Mass, the natives expressed their desire to be Christians and for this, Magellan planted hastily a big cross on the top of the hill. This was the first Holy Cross planted in these isles, and it was the Easter Sunday when they do it!

(http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/A_short_Philippine_History.htm)

Carol M. Montojo BSC-3 (MA) submitted the correct answer last Sunday at 2:37 PM.

Good luck Agustinians!

Trivia Question for the Month of August

Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary!

For our trivia this month:

Who celebrated the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines?

Clue: He is an Augustinian Friar

What are you waiting for? E-mail your answer, your name, course and section to college_guidance@csab.edu.ph for a chance to win a gift certificate!

Notes:

1. Only bonafide college students of CSA-B can participate.

2. Only e-mail entries are accepted.

3. The first to submit the CORRECT ANSWER will be declared winner for the month.

4. The name of the winning participant will be posted on this web page.

5. The winner will claim the prize at the College Guidance Center and present his/her valid school ID to Mr. Michael.

Trivia Question for August

The trivia question for the month of August will be posted on August 15, the feast of The Assumption of Mary.

Peer Counselors' Workshop

The College Guidance Center, in cooperation with the Psychology Cell Society, conducted a team – building workshop at the fourth floor of the Student Center Building, Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod last Saturday, August 1, 2009.

Thirty-two members of the Peer Counselors’ Group participated in the said workshop. The activity started with an opening prayer, which depicts man as the dwelling place of God, despite his/her situation. Fr. Willie graced the occasion with his very inspiring opening remarks. According to him, Augustinian peer counselors are men and women with others. They are known to heal sometimes, remedy often and comfort always. Comfort always – extend time in order to be present and to hear the cries of the poor. They live according to the message of the Gospel values that Augustinian counselors are for the poor, for the weak and for those who need them. Fr. Willie hopes that after the workshop, the peer counselors will be renewed, inspired and very much ready to face the tribulations as peer facilitators.

The facilitators of the workshop were Ms. Jessamine Calma and Ms. Lucille Arcedas. Ms. Calma is a member of the Teresian Association and has been facilitating team-building activities in Cebu, Manila, Bacolod and wherever she is assigned. Ms. Arcedas had taken 1.5 units in Foundations of Leadership at Cornell University and she has been conducting various workshops in the Diocese of Kabankalan.

The first activity was a game on the unwrapping of gifts. Each person is a gift for others as long as the person opens himself/herself to be given and shared. The first session stressed on the knowledge of oneself through making self-mosaic and sharing with the group. The second session was the Gift of Presence in a Team, which was started with the “Mine Walk”. A triad was formed comprising a blind, a guide and one by the side (observer). Inputs and processing followed each activity.

The closing activity was the affirmation of one’s giftedness as “the salt of the earth”. The participants exchanged blessings to each other with a gesture while saying to one another, “You have been blessed, be a blessing to others.”