At The Heart of Good Education

At the end of the day we ask, "In whose image are the students formed?"

          St. Anthony School was in a festive mood early Monday morning, February 07, 2011 preparing for the Thanksgiving Mass for school’s Diamond Jubilee.   The foundation day of SAS was on February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is the School's Foundation Day hence around this date were the activities set--musical concerts, rides, booths, streamers on display, academic and art exhibits, motorcade, and family day starting February 04 to 12.

          I was fortunate to attend the Thanksgiving Mass  with the school’s administrators, staff, teachers, students, some parents and various guests which included Sister Marie Fides Pangilinan of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, High School Principal during the time that I was a student of the school.   His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales—Archbishop of Manila—was the Main Celebrant for event.  He concelebrated with Msgr. Rolando Dela Cruz, former Director of St. Anthony School and now Director of Paco Catholic School, Rev. Fr. Ed Tiamson, alumnus of St. Anthony School and is current Director of Lourdes School, Rev. Fr. Benny Tuazon, Director of St. Anthony School and Parish Priest of Singalong, and Rev. Fr. Nolan Que, current Assistant School Director in St. Anthony.

          I re-composed below the homily of Cardinal Rosales though not verbatim:

                    We are now gathered in Thanksgiving for the 75^th Anniversary of St. Anthony School.  Just to highlight the importance of education, let me share with you this story.

“In those days when empires flourished, two kingdoms fought fiercely in battle. After the war, the winners had a right to amass whatever they could get from the vanquished kingdom.  So most of the victors were getting whatever loot they could—jewelries and other valuables in the home, tools and machines of their trade, farm animals, horses, food stock, etc. 

"Let the little children come to me..."

          The victor king however declared, ‘Give the children to me… The children are mine.’ The wise king started educating the children in honorable living and made them understand the ideals of goodness, kindness, respect, generosity, self-sacrifice and love.  Thus was born a new generation of people in the kingdom.  This generation believed in the power of love and put an end to wars.”

Young people are attracted to the Truth especially when goodness and love accompanies it.

          Parents and teachers are truly important in shaping the lives of our students.  How much we value the legacy of our parents who day in and day out would emphasize to us the value of education.  I remember my parents who would always say to me during meal time, “Son, we are not rich but we give you education. We would not be able to give you much wealth.  Value your education because that is our legacy for you.”  For the alumni of this School like Fr. Ed here, you could also confirm these words from your own experiences. Ed ucation is a legacy. 

          All good things start small.  This school had a humble beginning. It was like the Ermita Catholic School established by the Franciscans a hundred and two years ago.  The Franciscan friars brought Jesus Christ to the people. They came to talk to them about the Truth.  Young people are attracted to the Truth especially when goodness and love accompanies it.  Love welcomes everyone.  Educating people this way, we stop wars.  The king was right…“Give the children to me…”  Didn’t Christ also say “Let the little children come to me…”?

          Do not glory on the 75 years of the School but glory instead on the years of patient dedication offered by many people to make the School possible.  Let us thank God for those who started and sacrificed for the School—the Franciscans, the school administrators and staff, the teachers, the parents, alumni and all students.  Happy 75^th Anniversary!

Love becomes the inspiration that promotes real peace and development.

          Reflecting on Cardinal Rosales' homily above, one sees that at the heart of good Catholic education is  the commitment given by its educators—parents, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel—to  communicate Christ and to help form Christ in the lives of the students.  Fidelity to convey the truth about Christ is not an easy job.  It demands a great deal of love—prayer, sacrifice, and work.  Yet their love becomes the inspiration that promotes real peace and development.

Ms. Ofelia Meneses-Principal of SAS, Ms. Amelia Chua-SAS Prefect of Studies, 
Fr. Benny Tuazon-SAS Director, Sr. Fides, SPC-Former HS Prinicpal of SAS, and myself.

          Through the 75 years, thank God for the SAS educators…my great esteem for them!