Last May 12, 2011 we started the Formation and In- Service Training of our Educators as a preparation for the coming school year. The first two days were dedicated to orient and re-orient them of the project and style of the Spinola education that we hope to share to our students, their families and to the community as a whole. This is based on the spirituality and charism shared and handed on to us by our founders Blessed Marcelo Spinola and Celia Mendez. The following are excerpt from the reflection of some of our educators after that two days of formation. It was given to them by our very own Sr. Jesnen C. Porras, adc.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to see the beauty of simplicity and stillness that can be found in this school. Through it, I realized that great things happen from its simple and humble beginning that is to remind me to further enhance my potentials as a new member of this Spinola family, that is, to be a better person and the best teacher that I can be.”- Liezl Libetario
“I always believe that it is God’s will that I will become a teacher by profession and most of all a Spinola Educator. Going through the formation in these days made me inspired and felt very young and fresh once again ready to take another life’s stride. I remember those words shared to us by Sr. Jesnen and I quote ‘Marcelo Spinola School is like a heart in the corner’. Indeed it is a simple, humble and generous heart that shares burning love to everyone. I really felt the inner joy and my heart shouts ‘I do belong to that heart’. It may not give me all the luxury the world offers, but I know that I am in the place where I can share what I have as a person. It is a sacred space where I can simply live and teach with a heart.”- Annalie Tambulasa
“I always believe that God take us to a green pasture making us feel so loved and blessed. Marcelo Spinola School is a sacred place for me where it helps someone to discover the true meaning of life as a person and as an educator. I am happy that I was able to journey towards myself once again. It was indeed a good and a new beginning for me for the new school year.” –Jennifer Cubalan
“I am not an educator by myself, I am an educator in Marcelo Spinola School. I am an educator with others and I am an educator who helps in the transformation of the society. These sentences made me realized that I am not an ordinary educator, but an extraordinary one. I hope all those things that I learned in this formation serve as guide and reminder for me to integrate values in my teaching and not to forget that I am here to form the heart and the mind of the young.”- Recille Jane C. Salomes
“It’s a blessing. Yes, it is indeed a blessing! A blessing that once more I became part of the summer formation in this school. There were so many points that struck me, but what really stayed with me is ‘to become the person God wants me to be’. It’s tough and hard, but God assured me these days that with Him and in Him everything is possible.”- Jennilyn Alfonso
“I felt blessed and grateful of how God works in my life and to my family. As of now, there is nothing I can ask for I am happy and contented. I don’t know yet what is in store for me in the future, but seeing myself teaching here in Spinola revealed to me how fortunate I am to be here in this world. To be an ideal and extraordinary Spinola educator I felt is an arduous task, but I trust my family here that they won’t leave me. I am very hopeful and excited of this first year of my teaching. I know there will be bumps along the way, but I want to believe that God is always with me. I’d like to make a mantra “All is well”. No matter what happens, I have to take care and protect the name of the school.” –Marchie S. Tabo-tabo
OPENING PARA LITURGY in Marcelo Spinola School for the school year 2011-2012
Last June 10, 2011, Friday was the Opening Para Liturgy of the school community. We gather as one Spinola Family for the first time in the auditorium for the school year. There was the usual offering of the pictures of our founders, seal of the school, candles and a plant accompanied by a prayer. What was added this year were the gestures of us, educators and students who took our turns in offering a prayer to each other with hand extended as a sign of blessing. It was a solemn celebration, which I believe set the mood of the school community. Our new teachers and students especially the first year felt the sense of belonging to their new big Spinola Family in the school. We hope and pray for a meaningful and fruitful year ahead of us this year as we journey together sharing the personal love of Christ.
HOLY SPIRIT MASS on the FEAST of ST. JOHN the BAPTIST
Last Friday, June 24, 2011 on the Feast of St. John the Baptist, Fr. Arnel Demegillo presided the mass. It was a moment of celebration asking the Holy Spirit to be with us as we begin another school year as a school community and as a Spinola Family. Everyone was disposed, desiring to open our hearts and minds for the Spirit of God to be with us. The sponsors were the classroom officers and all the gifts offered were given to the parish, which I believe they also gave to those who need it most.