SLCV Institute of Christian Formation


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INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION About Daily and Special Activities Rev. Fr. Albert J. Santiago SLCV Spiritual Director
	*2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."*

Life Around the Corner
by. Rev. Fr. Albert J. Santiago
The Louisian * September 2005

     The plan of God for all men is for us to be happy and be with Him in heaven. Meantime, while waiting for that grand reunion with Him which may be sooner or later, (only God knows) we are expected to enjoy performing our respective roles in life and be happy.

     But it seems that to be happy is easier said than done ( a common excuse for those who refuse to try). Did you know that simplicity is a quality of happiness and therefore, we all have the possibility of achieving it.

     Here are some pointers to ponder on how to BE HAPPY:

1. Happy people live in the present. Don't waste your time that turns into hours then into years regretting the past or worrying about the future. When God spoke to Moses, He said "I am, who I am". When we tell people our name, we never say, "I was Philip" or "I will be Philip". We say, "I am Philip".
When you live in the future thinking so much what will be, you get tense and worry endlessly because there will be "tomorrow" as long as there is "today". As a result you fail to do your best today and miss the gifts God has given you.

2. Happy people develop close relationship. Happy people enjoy closeness such as genuine friendship which for many end into marriage. You learn to trust and share your burdens or help carry the burdens of others. Remember, joy when shared is multiplied and sorrow when shared is divided.

3. Happy people appreciate small pleasures. Oftentimes, we miss the silver linings in the cloud because we are looking for gold. Beauty is all around us that gives joy and teaches us to be grateful to God for His blessings. Rich or poor, the sun rises for every one. How about the grass on the sidewalk, the hearty breakfast, the refreshing bath, the friendly neighbor, a fruitful discussion, fine music, good company, etc. The good things in life come in simple packages and often we miss to notice them and be grateful because we run or drive too fast. A person has a grateful heart.

4. Happy people enjoy leisure. They do things they like to do. They are gifted and share their talents for the benefit and pleasure of others. Their motto is not to excel but simply to be the best they can.

5. Happy people believe in God. They are secured in the love of a higher power who cares. They have a purpose in life and know where they are going...

To be happy is after all not so... so... so difficult. Actually it is not a secret to people who possess it. People who are happy can not keep it to themselves. They radiate and contaminate those who come near them. Look around... you might spot one just around the corner.

The Institute of Christian Formation is what makes our Louisian education unique from that of other schools. Through the ICF, our students receive moral and spiritual guidance essential to living a Christian life. It is the fervent belief of our school that education should develop the student's entire being - their minds, their acts and their souls. It is indeed an enormous challenge to live as Christians in today's world. By the time our students enter the world as eager young workers, our school hopes that we have inculcated Christian doctrine, values and virtues in every aspect of their daily life.

DAILY AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

The development of our students as Christians is being done not only through classroom teaching, but also through day-to-day activities and special activities geared toward making Christian virtues a regular practice. Out students and teachers pray before and after classes and assemblies, and our school community prays the Angelus at noon. Our students are encouraged to visit the chapel for prayers, reflection and bible reading and services.

The ICF offers Holy Mass (for the School Community) at the beginning of the school year (Mass of the Holy Spirit), and first Fridays. The ICF also conducts recollections and retreats at least every school year. Students are also encouraged to practice the sacrament of reconciliation which is offered from time to time. Special masses and celebrations are offered during special school events, including the Feast of St. Louis (Aloysius Gonzaga) on June 21 and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

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