The Year of our Lord. May we, as Christians, Catholics, Carolinians continue to look at time in this way even if others – sometimes we too, ourselves – call the year by other names as well. The birth of Jesus, after all, was the prime consideration in determining the Christian calendar.
Some hesitate to remember that now, unfortunately, though for various reasons, admittedly. To keep from associating faith with the marking of time, Common Era is now sometimes used instead of the long-standing Anno Domini, in the Year of the Lord. The greeting “Merry Christmas” yields to “Happy Holidays” out of the fear that non-Christians might be offended.
Without losing respect for people of other faiths or those without faith at all, let us, because we are Christians, Catholics, Carolinians continue to honor the God of time and use the time of God well. We welcome 2008, the new Year of our Lord. And endeavor to make Jesus continue to be the Lord of our Year. Up ahead in our January calendar are events that need our attention:
Thursday, January 10 is the first day of the novena masses in honor of the Sto. Nino.
University of San Carlos and Society of the Divine Word are assigned to sponsor the Holy Mass at 2:30 p.m. at the Pilgrim Center.
We shall have work and classes that day, but those who are free are invited to celebrate the Mass. Administrative employees from any campus may attend so long as a skeletal force remains to serve our clients. After the mass, though the high school students who attend the mass may go home, college students and teachers with late afternoon and early evening classes are required to go back to school. Administrative employees, too.
Saturday, January 19, starting at 1:30 p.m. shall be the Sto. Nino procession. Our work ceases at 12 noon. Whatever Saturday afternoon and evening classes are scheduled shall continue. Our USC Band is to follow the carroza of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Division 2 with assembly station in D. Jakosalem St. at the back of the Basilica. CWTS and ROTC students are to help maintain the procession line along the route of the procession, specifically, P. del Rosario St. USC participants, as a group, are assigned to Division 2, though we may also choose to join the procession privately.
Sunday, January 20 is the actual Feast of the Sto. Nino. The Sinulog street dancing will be held that day. May we enjoy the festivities without neglecting the reason for the celebration.
We have no work and no classes on the following day, Monday, January 21 but resume both on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, January 29, The Philippine SVD Southern Province will hold its Provincial Assembly at our CAFA theater. That date is the feast of St. Joseph Freinademetz, first SVD missionary to China. Among other things, the SVDs will elect a new Provincial Superior and Council. The next day, at the USC main campus, the Provincial Chapter will be held. We ask you to keep us in your prayers.
Other activities are lined up for the following months, till the end of the academic year. May we each and all do our best in whatever we do. We pray: Lord, in Your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so we may act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You, Lord of our Year, this 2008, Year of our Lord.
FATHER RODERICK C. SALAZAR JR., SVD President
No comments:
Post a Comment