mcs students and staff gather for the first face-to-face mass after lockdown
After the two-year hiatus of not having face-to-face masses because of the pandemic, Malate Catholic School finally had its first face-to-face mass in celebration of the First Friday of February.
Written by: Andrew Natividad
Layout by: Ghislein Tagnipes
Photojournalist: Jienseiz Andrea Prudencio
February 4, 2023 | 7:36 P.M.
In the face-to-face set up, teachers, personnel, and grade school and senior high school set A students of Malate Catholic School conducted their First Friday Mass in Malate Catholic Church yesterday, February 3, 2023. The mass and liturgy for the memorial of St. Blaise was presided over by the school’s assistant director and finance officer, Rev. Fr. Solomon A. Jardinero.
The mass started with all students singing Halina’t Magsilapit as the entrance hymn.
Fr. Sol began his homily by emphasizing the blessing of having a face-to-face mass. "Ang hinihingi natin, tapusin na ni St. Blaise ang laban sa COVID-19 at pagalingin tayong lahat.” (What we are asking is for St. Blaise to finish the fight against COVID-19 and heal us all)
Fr. Sol wished for those in online distance learning to experience face-to-face events. "Yung medyo takot pa na pumasok sa paaralan na wala dito, puro online pa, [sana] makabalik na.” (To those who are still a little afraid to go to school that are not here, who are still online, hopefully can come back)
"Totoong nandon yung hirap, nandon yung sakit, but as what we heard in today's gospel, it's a prefiguration of the lenten season. Part of life is suffering and pain.” (It's true that the hardship is there, the pain is there, but as what we heard in today's gospel, it's a prefiguration of the lenten season. Part of life is suffering and pain) Fr. Sol added that despite all the problems brought by the pandemic, there is still something people can do and be grateful for.
He ended his homily by manifesting the smooth transition of the school going back to normalcy just like how it was before the pandemic by telling, "In today's celebration na simula, hopefully, na hindi nalang piling estudyante, kung hindi magsama-sama ulit tayo na lahat makakapagsimba, lahat makakapaglaro, lahat magagawa na natin—yung mga physical activities without fear. Through the intercession of St. Blaize, we ask the Lord to grant us all these praises.” (In today's celebration, hopefully, not just selected students but everyone can already attend masses together, play, and do everything—the physical activities without fear. Through the intercession of St. Blaize, we ask the Lord to grant us all these praises)