Greetings! It has been quite an unexpectedly long hiatus from this blog space partly due to the demands of daily events causing much fatigue ,leaving one to desire for more quiet time and rest.
Tonight's entry will be one of many firsts - My very first entry penned with an aid of a whole new physical interface, a Macbookpro. (Though acquired since last nov) . This will also mark my first reflection ever since accepting a contract work stint with a german bank.
Recalling what took place about a year ago, when I was approached at the main entrance of Holy family after mass one evening by Auntie Ann, a parishioner whom I've got to know from attending daily mass who spoke to me about the Catechetical Ministry and the shortage of catechists, it's hard to imagine that I've journeyed this 'far' as a Catechist Assistant (CA) and am currently looking forward to another year of assisting, God-willingly. Auntie Ann is the Catechist I'm assisting and has been an exceptional mentor and a personification of being Christ to others.
We have just had our last session for the year with our P4 class which ended with a mini potluck party. The kids brought "healthier" snacks as requested and were happily engaged in the balloon scalping activity while consuming the vast variety of food at irregular intervals. Though it wasn't clearly written on their faces, I could somehow sense a tinge of sadness and the reluctance that this was it ,the last lesson for the year. For myself , I know that i'll miss all of them and more so for some of them whom I've grown to be emotionally attached to through the many conversations and interactions we've had.
In the course of the year , what truly touched me was the untainted innocence that each and everyone of the kids possessed- something that the 'real' world is clearly lacking and must learn from these young ones. The innocent mistakes that they make, very often unintentionally , even if intended ,are indeed excusable as the ability to discerning right from wrong hasn't been fully moulded. What was humbling for me was the eventual realization that the pressures and demands that kids have to deal with in the course of their daily struggles though somewhat more simplified, mirror to that of what we, as adults experience. This class is made up of children coming from very diverse family backgrounds , with some enjoying the luxuries in life that many can only imagine but can't put a finger to, and contrasting to this , we have single parents trying to make ends meet. To top it off , these kids will have to deal with the many distractions of what this world has to offer (i.e. Negative impact of various forms of media, gaming) , the pressure and pursuit of being socially acceptable to others (i.e. Social roles, Social Stigma, Social Statuses) ,the strong emphasis on education and the stresses revolving around it and the list goes on…
I really hope and pray that our Good Lord and Shepard will constantly watch over each and everyone of these children and that their walk in life's journey will be a close one with the Risen Christ through prayer. I'll like to close this entry with a verse from a Psalm of David -
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
(Psalm 23:4 ESV)
