Fr. Gilbert Emmanuel P. Levosada, S.J.
Campus Minister
Mr. Ricardo E. Flores
Asst. Campus Minister for Student Formation
Bro. Rico J. Adapon, SJ
Asst. Campus Minister for Adult Formation
Mr. Henrhee Honorio A. Balaba
Mr. Nelson A. Peteros
Through Campus Ministry, students are given the venue wherein, hopefully, the process of being transformed into the Image of Christ for the sake of others can take place in their lives.
The Spiritual Formation program of the Campus Ministry Office helps prepare students for a more meaningful life, work and service to God and others. The various activities under the Spiritual Formation program include the Sacraments (particularly the Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation), retreats and recollections for students and teachers, devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, devotions to the Patron Saints and celebrations of the Christ Awareness, Ignatian and Vocation weeks. Students are inspired and challenged to grow in ways that God directs them – that is, to move closer to Him and farther from lifestyles, attitudes, and actions that keep them from knowing and loving Him.
The month of November has been designated by the Holy Mother the church, as time of prayer and good works on behalf of oour beloved dead, imploring our Heavenly Father to bring them home to be with Him forever.
All of our School Online Masses for the month of November will be offered to our beloved dead.
You can send names of your dearly departed via our email: campus.ministry@shs-adc.edu.ph
The COVID-19 pandemic has unimaginably affected thousands of lives. Its effects are pushing people to give up. Many have lost their jobs and their loved ones, and all of us must drastically adjust to the new normal.
When the news of the virus came out, I admit that I was not bothered at all. I thought confidently that the Philippines would not be affected, and that we were far from danger.
I was wrong.
As days, weeks, months went by and COVID-19 cases continue to rise, fear started to grow within me as well. From then on, I have been worried for those who have no access to adequate medical care, and the front liners who continue to sacrifice their safety as they fight in this battle. I also could not help but worry for the needy, the poor, and the vulnerable.
As an Ateneo Hearter and as a child of God, I believe that one of the things I can do amidst these trials is keeping my faith and trust in the Lord wholeheartedly. This is the best time to hold on to God’s hands and believe in His grace and power. My family and I have always prayed the Holy Rosary, and we continue to do so especially this time. We pray for the safety of our front liners, the fast recovery of those infected by the virus, and better ways of handling this crisis.
Personally, I believe that prayer is our greatest weapon. That is why, as soon as I wake up and before I go to sleep, I thank the Almighty Father for the gift of life and protection. I know we can surpass this turmoil as long as we continue to believe in God’s love and power. Intensifying our prayer life and keeping a strong faith will enable us to find inner peace amidst chaos.
As Saint Ignatius of Loyola taught us, let us keep our focus on discerning to find, to feel, and to do God’s will. This pandemic made me more open and closer to God. I shall continue to take the path where He leads me, and I pray that others will do the same, for after all, loving God is surrendering to Him.
#FindingGodinAllThings
“We should never postpone a good work, no matter how small it may be, with the thought of later doing something greater. It is a very common temptation of the enemy to be always placing before us the perfection of things to come and bring us to make little of the present.” (The Letters of St. Ignatius of Loyola, William J. Young, SJ)
Resolved: I will do the good thing I can do today.
*Resolve to do a good deed for someone else in the day to come.
Today’s world is radically different from that of St. Iggy and so, if he were to speak with the youth of today he’d have to learn their language. As a 30-year old undergoing a major midlife crisis, he decided he wanted to become a priest, which meant being the odd man out in a classroom of 10-year olds trying to learn Latin, which was the language of the Church and of the educated at that time. And so, if he were with us today, it would not be surprising to see him building up his own social media presence, creating his own content to attract followers, and using his reach to proclaim the Gospel. To deliver a message, St. Iggy knew one had to know how to speak.
But I think, like many, he would find online interaction, though very real and relevant, greatly impoverished. While observing strictly observing health protocols, he would endeavor to meet his online friends–at least those who showed interest–face-to-face, one-on-one, person-to person. And before he would say anything, he would probably listen. He would listen to the joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties of the person before him. He would listen without judgment or interruption, he would listen gently and with utmost concern. He would listen to and welcome the entire person–making him or her experience what it’s like to be present before our loving Father. Only after having listened would he speak.
And what would he say? Having won the trust and confidence of the person, he could say anything and he would try to say everything that would lead the young man or woman to doing what is for the greater glory of God. Surely he would not miss inviting the young person to do what he himself did: to listen. Before judging, before acting, listen. And to listen is really to discern carefully the myriad of voices the youth now are exposed to because of the wired world they are in. “Know which voice is from God, which is not. If it is from God, it will bring great peace for you and for others. Follow that voice, allow it to speak to your heart, and trust its invitation to love.”
*Rev Robbie taught at Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu from 2013-2015. He will be ordained to the priesthood on August 6, 2020 and is missioned to the Bukidnon Mission District.
Fr. Arsenio C. Nuñez, SJ was a long time Jesuit missionary in the Philippines from Spain. He served in many Chinese-Filipino schools and parishes of the Philippine Province. His last assignment was in Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu before he passed away on May 20, 2017.
This typewritten prayer was found in his old missal prayer book. It’s a good prayer as we end the day or even the week.
As a son of St. Ignatius, Fr. Nuñez spend time each day, looking back, remembering and taking note where was God present.
#IgnatianMonth
#FindGodInAllThings
“The God that Jesus reveals to us is a God of infinite abundance. Inside God there is no scarcity, no stinginess, no sparing of mercy. As the parable of the Sower makes clear, this God scatters his seed indiscriminately on every kind of soil – bad soil, mediocre soil, good soil, excellent soil. God can do this because God’s love and mercy are limitlessness. God, it seems, never worries about someone receiving cheap, undeserved grace.” Ron Rolheiser, OMI
For St Ignatius of Loyola, the act of gratitude is very important. In the daily Examen, it begins with being thankful for God’s gifts. In the Spiritual Exercises, it is crammed with references to expressing gratitude for God’s gifts. For Ignatius, ingratitude was the “most abominable of sins.” As we end the work week, let use the pray below, as way of recognizing God’s graciousness in our lives.
A Litany of Gratitude by Tim Muldoon (from An Ignatian Book of Days)
Begin by picturing yourself in God’s presence, ask God to give you awareness of all the gifts God has given you over the course of your life, ask further for a spirit of gratitude. As you pay attention to these gifts, consider the ways that you might use them for God’s greater glory and how you might offer them back to God.
“Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Give thanks for Creation itself.
Your ancestors and those who struggled to give you life.
Your biological mother and father, whether you know them or not.
Your immediate family, whether related by blood or not.
Your body, whether you like the way it is nor not.
Your faculties of sense, even if some seem faulty.
Your intelligence, whether or not you think you have enough of it.
Your special talents, whether or not you think them useful.
Your friends and loved ones, whether alive or dead.
Your work, whether for money or not.
Your play, even though it may seem infrequent.
Your possessions, no matter how much money they are worth.
Your time to live, no matter how quickly it seem to pass.
*Pray the litany everyday for the next several days.
#IgnatianMonth
#Gratitude
#Prayer
St. Ignatius wrote nearly 7,000 letters over his career and asked his companions in the Society of Jesus to write regularly in return. Much of Saint Ignatius Loyola’s spiritual teaching is found in his letters, and these have always been regarded by Jesuits as an important source of their spirituality. He wrote to Jesuit superiors, Jesuit novices and those in formation, and lay friends. Though these were written 500 years ago, they still remain relevant until today.
“Our ancient enemy sets up all possible obstacles to turn us aside from the way on which we have entered. He makes use of everything to vex us. We find ourselves sad without knowing why. We cannot pray with devotion, nor contemplate, not ever speak or hear of things of God with any interior taste or relish. He goes on to suggest that we are entirely forgotten by God our Lord and that all that we have done and all that we desire to do us worthless. He thus endeavors to bring us to a state of general discouragement. We can thus see what causes our fear and weakness: it is a too-prolonged gaze at such time in our miseries.” St Ignatius of Loyola (The Letters of St Ignatius of Loyola by William J. Young, SJ)
Climbing out of deep discouragement can take a long time and it can involve untangling many knots, but it begins with getting our minds off ourselves.
*Does you experience of discouragement match Ignatius’ analysis? How is it different? Speak to the Lord about it?
Source: An Ignatian Book of Days
#IgnatianMonth
#DearIggy
During this Ignatian Month, we asked some our students to reflect on the life of our beloved saint, Ignatius of Loyola. We asked Ms. Kirsten Erica Tequilo, an incoming Grade 9 student: “Why is St Ignatius relevant today?” This is her reply.
“St. Ignatius taught us that change is not always something that people should fear, but can even lead to something great. He started as a rich soldier with dreams of honor and fame, but after an almost fatal injury, his life took a sharp turn, and he devoted it to God. This inspires people to accept change even when it seems difficult. St. Ignatius is relevant more than ever, not only through people relating to his experience but through the actions of the Society of Jesus in this time of chaos. AMDG”
#IgnatianMonth
#FindGodInAllThings
Examen
St Ignatius of Loyola recommended a simple prayer for each day called the Examen, when we can review our day with God and ask him to help us the next day. This is helpful especially at the moment, when thinking about the future may be hard.
Here is an Examen in 25 words…
With God
With God I review my day
Thanks
Where do I find joy?
Sorry
Where do I find sadness?
Please
What do I ask from God?
Source: https://www.pathwaystogod.org/my-prayer-life/examen/examen-25-words
Teach Me to Listen
Let us ask for the grace to hear God speaking to us through our families, colleagues, in our work and circumstances. May we be able to listen to the Lord’s subtle whispers amidst the sounds outside us and the noises within our hearts.
Teach Me to Listen (adapted by John Veltri, SJ*)
Teach me to listen, O God,
to those nearest me,
my family, my friends, my co-workers.
Help me to be aware that
no matter what words I hear,
the message is, “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.”
Teach me to listen, my caring God,
to those far from me–
the whisper of the hopeless,
the plea of the forgotten,
the cry of the anguished.
Teach me to listen, O God my Mother,
to myself.
Help me to be less afraid
to trust the voice inside
— in the deepest part of me.
Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit,
for your voice —
in busyness and in boredom,
in certainty and doubt,
in noise and in silence.
Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen.
#IgnatianMonth
#Prayer
*John Veltri, SJ directs retreats and does spiritual direction
The school offers not only excellent education but also forms servant leaders for the greater glory of God. 
Jesuit education promotes the holistic growth of an individual. The student is given experiences and opportunities that develop his spiritual, moral, psychological, social and intellectual development. Through these experiences, he learns to find God in all things. His education, gifts and talents are always directed towards the service of God and others and in this way he can become a person of excellence, leadership and service.
