Beginning the School Year with a Eucharistic Celebration

Written by Ruanne Danielle A. Tan
Screenshots from the FB Live of Cluster 8 Schools
Posted on August 7, 2021 | 5:40 PM

Yesterday, August 6, 2021, at 11:00 am, a Banal na Misa sa Unang Biyernes ng Buwan (First Friday Mass) was held which also celebrated the Kapistahan ng Pagbabagong-anyo ng Panginoon (Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord) through a livestream at the Cluster 8 School’s Facebook page. The mass is intended also to welcome the students and employees in the opening of classes this week. The presiders of the online mass are the School Director, Rev. Fr. Elpidio “Boy” D. Biliran Jr. and the Assistant Director and Finance Officer, Rev. Fr. Solomon “Sol” A. Jardinero. Through this mass, we also prayed for the repose of the souls of Manuel Morato, cousin of Ms. Marilou Lunar; Angelita Feliciano, mother of former Principal Mrs. Ma. Socorro Balbido; and most especially our beloved teacher, the late Mrs. Armelle Clemente. 

During the Homily, Fr. Boy explained how the Lord, in His Transfiguration, has manifested something beyond his being, which is called "The Glorified Self”, which revealed to the witnesses that Jesus is God. 

He emphasized that one could not listen to God without the blessing of “faith”. He said, “Problema pa naman natin ay—hirap tayong makinig sa katigasan ng ating ulo. Hindi tayo makinig sa ating mga batas. Kaya mahalaga sa ating pagtuturo, maipakita sa ating mga  mag-aaral ang kahalagahan ng mga batas na kailangang susundin dahil ito’y magbibigay sa atin ng ayos… ng ating samabayanan, ng ating buhay, ng ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa isa’t isa.” (The problem with us is—we find it hard to listen with our hardheadedness. We do not follow our laws. Thus it is important in our teachings, to show the students the importance of the laws we need to follow because this will give us orderliness… within our community, our lives, and our interaction with one another.) 

He also reminded everyone of the importance of wearing a facemask which could be related with a person’s faithfulness, “...dapat may kaugnayan ‘yan sa ating pananampalataya—ang ating pagiging masunurin. Siguro ipanalangin natin ng mabuti na pagkalooban tayo ng biyaya ng pananampalataya.” (...this should be related to our faithfulness—our obedience. Maybe we should pray well to be given the blessing of faith.”) 

Before the mass ended, Fr. Boy welcomed the students to the new school year, “So, we wish to welcome you to the next school year—2021-2022. We are ready for you.” 

Fr. Sol also gave a welcoming message to the whole community before the mass ended. He said, “My dear students and parents, we will not let COVID-19 destroy your education and your future. Education cannot be postponed despite the raging COVID-19 crisis.” He then said to end his message, “God will bless us and accompany us. So, welcome to the new school year, 2021-2022.”

Malate Catholic School opened the school year 2021 - 2022 last August 2, 2021, Monday, and a series of orientations have been conducted by the class advisers in their homeroom classes.