23/03/2017
"Well I learned this idea of catechism back when I was still in seminary. I was so young back then, I was only 12 when I actually decided to pursue priesthood and had to learn to live on my own. One of the programs/activities that we had to do was doing catechism to kids especially the ones who are less fortunate. Tbh, I didn't really see the significance of it, before I felt like I was just doing it because I was obliged to do so. However, when I got to UA&P, my elder brother who's part of the Work invited me to teach catechism to the kids in public schools. Teaching catechism while they're young is a crucial part of formation. Kids are more malleable than adults. It's important to start them young to instill the virtues that they need to go through life. From then on, I experienced something that I have never felt before. In the catechism classes, I'd get to talk to some of kids and they would make kwento about their lives.
The kids helped me see the bigger picture in life. This isn’t to be hypocritical or anything, but merely to share an opinion I feel strongly about. The catechism classes opened my eyes to realize that we millennials may not like being preached to but it is also important for us to see that there is something significant that we have been neglecting more and more over the years, and that is the virtue of magnanimity: having a big heart for everyone.
When I taught catechism to the kids I was surprised that they explicitly said they were grateful to have us visit them—that our presence alone left such a great impact. It surprised me even more when I realized that just by listening to the kids, we in some way managed to alleviate their burdens and mitigate their sufferings, thus serving as beacons of light in the midst of their tribulations. Knowing this made me feel kilig; not just the simple or fleeting kind of kilig, but the kilig that approximated the feeling of genuine happiness. This kind of happiness however is becoming increasingly more difficult to find given the kind of environment we live in today.
At times, we (myself included) tend to live in a world wherein our primary concerns revolve around how many people like our Facebook posts or how many followers we have on Instagram. Moreover, social networking sites are meant to connect us with other people, but the more we try to connect ourselves virtually, the more we tend to disconnect ourselves from relationships with REAL people, even the people closest to us. It creates disparity, which is paradoxical. We may not realize it but this “me generation” has made it incredibly difficult to be magnanimous people -- to see the things that truly matter. Nevertheless, teaching catechism is something because it opened my eyes to see the truth in the statement that it is only when you give yourself that you are able to find yourself."
— Joshua Lloyd Arciaga, Industrial Economics Program Student, UA&P Men's Basketball Varsity Player, UA&P Chorale Member and Amberjive Member
While the Futsal Varsity players mentor and coach kids from Brgy. Caniogan, Josh will be one of the people who will do character training and moral education through a series of talks and Catechism classes. 😊
Don't forget to invite your friends to share our page so they can also get event updates! Feel free to follow us on Instagram and on Twitter ! ⚽️
