God’s guidance is the utmost need of the new faculty and staff as they embark on the academic year 2024-2025.

Manresa School aims not just for academic excellence but also for the spiritual growth and development of its teachers and staff. With this goal in mind, the school administration introduced St. Candida Maria de Jesus to us, the new teachers and staff and provided us with a one-day recollection as part of our in-service training. The recollection was given last June 28, 2024 at Manresa School El Rosarillo chapel.  It was facilitated by Sr. Edhen Mae R. Paranga, F.I. and Sr.  Gemma K. Doguiles, F.I. The recollection paved the way for us to enter into sacred silence as we engage in deep introspection and reflection about our life and new mission in Manresa School.

We learned and realized from the talk and video presentation of Sr. Edhen, that we, being new members of the community, were likened to new seeds planted in Manresa School which will soon grow into plants. Like the plants, all of us need to be rooted in God in order to participate meaningfully in the school’s mission. And as the plants grow, they need to be pruned. Most of us were struck and challenged by the word pruning, which became significant and enlightening to all as Sr. Edhen expounded that pruning is an important and essential process for further growth and development; and in the spiritual context, a redirection of one’s life according to the will of God.

The group's openness and collective sharing helped strengthen our bonds with one another. In the afternoon, Sr. Gemma continued the session and invited us to meditate on what we feel about God’s call and will to be part of Manresa family and what fruit we will give and contribute for this institution.

Reflections and impressions of some new faculty and staff about their recollection:

The recollection was like opening our hearts, minds, and spirits to the community we became part of. It helped us practice to be open to conversations, sharing our happiness and privation, and allowing the Holy Spirit to let us find strength by giving people around us the chance to listen to our stories and inspire each other. - Mr. Jolex Acid

The activities encouraged me to be more receptive mentally and emotionally so that I can carry out my duty as a teacher. Also, since we are ultimately one family that will help and support others in need, the F.I. Sisters assisted us in being open for criticism, correction and authentic to ourselves. - Mr. Jero Vibar Atanante

I realized that everything happens for a reason and that reason is not to break us, but instruments for our growth. All we need to do is to surrender ourselves to the Lord and begin to have faith and trust his will. We will become better persons through his never-ending grace.        - Mr. Christian Broqueza

I learned that life only gets better if we start accepting things we cannot change and we cannot have. All we have to do is try our very best and pray since nothing is impossible to God.               – Ms. Celina Grace Aloba

The crowning point of our recollection was the time when we shared our insights on how grateful we were to God for being called to be part of Manresa School and chosen to be instruments of Christian education. Looking back at our lives, we realize that the redirections were all God’s plan and His perfect timing will remain unquestioned.  

By Ms. Abegail D. Bodopol