Life's a Cube!

LIFE’S A CUBE!


It was the great Philosopher Socrates who once said, “ Unexamined life is not worth living.”

Many people nowadays are living a shallow, empty, unrewarded and meaningless life which can be traced to a low self- esteem, poor and defeated view of themselves. So it is imperative that they examine their own lives for them to live their lives to the fullest.

One way of knowing one’s self is to employ tool that interests us. For the purpose of seeing one's self and at the same time the object of reflection, we use the Rubik’s cube, the most popular puzzle toy in the world. The process of solving the cube using algorithm can also be used as process of gradually discovering ourselves. We all know that change is gradual, step by step, little by little, brick by brick. This is what I am going to present to my students to discover themselves in a new perspective since they are much interested to play with this toy. I believe that by spiritualizing the cube—solving the puzzle—they may be able to put Christ at the center of their lives.


1. There are various approaches in putting the different colors together on each side of the cube. One of the ways I’ve learned is to start with the cross forming it at the down face of the cube.




Lesson:

The cross represents Jesus. It is through the cross that Christ saved us. And if we want to put order to our chaotic life, we must put Jesus at the center of it.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.( I Corinthians 1:18)
2. After making the cross, we should again perform some twists and turns for the various colors to gradually put them together on the cube’s first layer. While in the process of doing it, the cross at the bottom disappears and that face becomes complete and the first layer is also done.





Lesson:

If we wanted to effect change in our life, we have to make the necessary twists/turns. The twists and turns are the things we do to improve the different aspects of our life. The aspects of spirituality, community, academic, personality, relationship and social life need to have an equal attention. Some areas need 45 degree turn; other areas need 90 or 180 degree turn. We cannot just focus on one area and expect other areas to grow by themselves. Turn to Jesus and He will gradually change the circumstances in every aspect of your life in your favor.

3. The next step is to make the right moves to fix the second layer of the cube.


Lesson:

Change will not happen overnight, it takes time to mature physically, spiritually, morally. We need to have determination, courage, and the backbone to transform our lives. We may make mistakes and wrong decisions but God is willing to forgive us if we ask for it, then we keep on moving forward thinking that God is always with us in our journey.

4. If you're done, the next is forming a cross again at the upper face of the cube. We may encounter the figure of a tank or fish while making the twists and turns. We can turn the tank figure into a cross or fish to complete the upper face.

Lesson:

Another twists and turns are to be made to better achieve our goal and to see great improvement in our life. We have to be consistent, determined and focused. We may face failures, discouragement, and pressures along the way but we trust God’s words. We put the figure of the cross again at the center of our life.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:15)

The tank figure can be understood as problems, frustrations, disappointments but we can offer all of these to Jesus. He will turn our sorrows into joy, sadness to gladness, and poverty to prosperity.

5. To complete the process of solving the cube we make the last steps towards achieving the goal of putting each color together on each face of the cube.

Lesson:

We should continue believing what God can do to our life. Even though we make mistakes, we backslide, we can easily return to his loving arms if we choose to.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in
in God that it will happen just as he told me.

Acts 27:25


Shared by Raul Paras during the
Seminar on Innovative Teaching Strategies

Reviewer in CL 3RD Qtr

3RD QUARTER
C.LIVING
(Sacraments)

Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Anointing of the Sick
Matrimony
Order

1. BAPTISM
• Holy Baptism – basis of Christian life; gateway to life;
• Baptism – “New Life with God” ; sacrament of regeneration; necessary for salvation;
• Water – matter being used;
• Form – spoken word; invocation of the Trinity is needed; formula: “ I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” ;
• 3 Effects
a) Takes away the original sin
b) Pardons all temporal & eternal punishments
c) Imprints indelible spiritual mark or character
• Minister
a) Priest
b) Deacon
c) Bishop
d) Anybody
• Recipient – a person not yet baptized;
• Manners of Baptism
a) Immersion – dipping or plunging person under water;
b) Ablution or Pouring – pours water on the head;
c) Sprinkling – casting of water from a distance; more than one person can be baptized at the same time;
• Kinds of Baptism
a) Baptism with Water – by immersion or pouring of water on the head;
b) Baptism by Desire – save your soul; those with a sincere heart may achieve eternal salvation;
c) Baptism by Blood – died for Christian faith; “martyrs of the church” ; full remission of sins; privilege into God’s kingdom in heaven;
• Responsibilities/ Mission
a) Priestly – prayers, works, activities;
b) Prophetic – evangelization; being a role model;
c) Kingly – obedient and subject to the will of God; royal freedom was communicated;

2. CONFIRMATION
• Confirmation – “A Renewal of Commitment; confirm the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit; completion of baptism;
• Matter
a) Imposition of hands
b) Holy Chrism – olive oil (strength) and balsam (fragrance virtue & good odor of Christ)
• Form – “Be sealed wih the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” ;
• Effects
a) Makes us cry, “Abba! Father! “
b) Unites us to Christ
c) Increases gifts of the Holy Spirit
d) Bond with the Church is more perfect
e) Gives strength to face temptations
• Minister
a) Primarily the Bishop – fullness of priesthood;
b) Priest
• Recipient – baptized person not yet confirmed;
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit
a) Wisdom – value heavenly things;
b) Understanding – more receptive in the truths of our faith;
c) Counsel – for God’s glorification; for our redemption;
d) Knowledge – follow the right path; avoid the perils;
e) Piety – holiness; serving the community;
f) Fortitude – makes us strong and courageous;
g) Fear of the Lord – knowledge that sins against God is the greatest of all evils;

3. EUCHARIST
• Eucharist – “Bread of Life” ; also called mass; highest form of prayer; center of all celebrations; receives the body & blood of Christ in appearance of bread & wine; “Do this in remembrance of me”- during Last Supper ; thanksgiving: Eu- well & Charismata- gifts;
• Minister – validly ordained priest;
• Effects
a) Unity with Christ
b) Increase & preservation of sanctifying grace
c) Promise of Perfect Hapiness and Future resurrection
• Sublimity of the Eucharist by St. Thomas Aquinas
a) Source of grace Himself in form of bread & wine
b) Final object of all other sacraments
c) Rites of other sacraments are followed by the Eucharist
• Transubstantiation – transformation of bread & wine into body & blood of Christ; real & actual body & blood of Christ;

• 4 Modes of God’s Presence
a) Community – 2 or more gathered together; Sunday is when people converge to worship and praise God;
b) Minister – acts as “another Christ” ;
c) Bread & Wine – we receive Jesus in form of bread & wine;
d) Word – readings are words of God announcing Gospel of hope, love, & salvation;
• Significant Objects
a) Chalice – cup used to hold wine;
b) Ciborium – a vessel used to hold consecrated bread;
c) Monstrance – exposition of body & blood of Christ; to display the consecrated Eucharist Host;
d) Paten – the plate used to hold bread;
e) Holy Grail – cup used by Jesus during Last Supper; it’s said to possess miraculous powers;
f) Lectionary – contains all readings from Scripture used in celebration of the liturgy;
g) Altar – a table which is the center of importance during Mass; also called “The Table of the Lord” ;
h) Priest – minister of the Eucharist;

4. CONFESSION
• Confession – “Reconciliation with God”; we receive mercy & pardon; to forgive sins that a believer commits after baptism;
• What is this sacrament called?
a) Conversion – life: attitude; returning to the Father;
b) Penance – penalty/ punishment; steps of conversion, penance & satisfaction;
c) Confession – disclosure or confession to sins; acknowledgement & praise of God’s holiness and mercifulness;
d) Forgiveness - absolution; pardon and peace; to err is to divine;
e) Reconciliation – he who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call;
• Brief History
a) 1st Century - those who commited grave sins(ex. Idolatry, murder, adultery) were tied to a very religious discipline, according to which penitents had to do public penance for their sins;
b) 7th Century - Irish missionaries took the “private” practice of penance;
c) From that time on, the sacrament has been performed in secret between the penitent & priest; possibility of repetition; regular frequenting; forgiveness of grave & venial sins;
• Matter
a) Sin – deliberate; moral evil that is against God and our fellowmen; man’s disobedience;
• Mortal Sins - a complete turning away from God, and turning to creatures; done w/ full consent & knowledge; if he dies w/ mortal sins, he will go to hell;
• Venial Sins - a temporary attachment to created things w/o turning away from God; not done w/ full consent & knowledge; if he dies w/ venial sins, he will go to purgatory;
• Forms of Penance – practice of charity;
a) Fasting
b) Prayer
c) Almsgiving
• Minister of Penance
a) Priest
• Effects
a) Reconciliation w/ God
b) Peace of soul
c) Revival of Merits
• Recipient – baptized person who commits sin after baptism;
• Steps to a Good Confession
a) Examination of Conscience
b) Be sincerely sorry
c) Confess your sins
d) Make sure that you confess all your mortal sins & the number of them;
e) Do the penance the priest gives you

5. ANOINTING OF THE SICK
• Extreme Unction – only for the dying person; changed to Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick;
• Anointing of the Sick – “medicine of God” ; cures and cleanses body & soul who is ill due to sickness or senility(old age);
• Minister – Priest;
• Matter – Holy Oil;
• Recipient – persons who: reached OLD age, in danger of death, becomes ill again;
• Effects
a) Sanctifying grace
b) Forgiveness of venial and mortal sins;
c) Sacramental grace which strengthens soul of sick person
d) Physical strength
• Conferring – priest anoints the forehead & forehand of the sick;

6. MATRIMONY OR MARRIAGE
• Marriage – “A Sacred Commitment” ; two persons who commit themselves to live as husband and wife;
• Purpose – procreation, education for children, mutual satisfaction of both spouses;
• Essential Properties
a) Unity – Christians are not allowed to have several spouses : monogamous institution;
b) Indissolubility – united for life;
• Marriage Contract – sacramental sign; mutual declarations by means of words (I do) or signs;

• Effects
a) Marriage Bond – unites couples; death of one party enables the other to contract a second marriage;
b) Matrimonial Grace – receive sacramental grace to fulfill duties of their state; sanctifying grace strengthens them through their life;
• Ministers
a) Man and Woman – by assenting to other’s word of affirmation;
b) Priest – confirms the consent of marriage & the minister of accompanying rites and rituals;
• Symbols and Actions
a) Holding of Hands – commitment to live as partners for life;
b) Ring – faithfulness; covenant of love and unity;
c) Arrhae – pledge of dedication for the welfare of both husband and wife;
d) Veil – woman’s meekness; oneness as partners;
e) Cord – binds the two in unity as husband and wife;
• Impediments
a) Below the age required
b) Existing Marriage Bond
c) Coercion – being forced;
d) Consanguinity – closely related through blood;
e) Affinity –
f) Clergy – embraced the vows of celibacy;
g) Spiritual Affinity - godparents in baptism cannot marry their godchildren;
h) Legally related – result of adoption;
• Mixed Marriage - marriage between a Catholic & a non-Catholic; Bishop – the only one who permits mixed marriage;


7. PRIESTHOOD OR HOLY ORDER
• Holy Order – “Serving the Church” ; renders spiritual power by teaching, sanctifying, and governing; Christ said to apostles during Last Supper : “Do this in memory of me” ;
• Ministral Priesthood – Catholic priest has a role of being “Alter Christus” or “Another Christ” ; the ordained priest has the power of consecration and absolution;
• Vows
a) Celibacy – state of being unmarried;
b) Obedience – Material obedience : to carry out physical action commanded; Formal obedience : perform an action for it is commanded by a legitimate superior;
c) Poverty – person voluntarily renounces his right of material things;
• Grades of Order
a) Episcopate – Divine Institutions of Bishops;
b) Presbyterate – an office consisting of priests whose main function is to advise the Bishop;
c) Diaconate – deacons or servants who assist the priests;
• Stages
a) Seminary Formation (High School – 4 years)
b) Seminary Formation (Pre-College – 1 year)
c) Seminary Formation (Philosophical Studies – 4 years)
d) Seminary Formation (Theological Studies – 4 years)
e) Pastoral Spiritual Formation Year (1year)
f) Ordination to Diaconate
g) Ordination to Priesthood
• Person to be ordained
a) not forced
b) right intention w/ requisite knowledge
c) good reputation, proven virtue, possess physical and psychological attributes
d) must be 25 yrs. Old
• Effects
a) Grace of Order –
b) Character of Order
c) Power of Order

academically-challenged program

LEAP LS 305
(Lasallian Education Assistance Program)


INTRODUCTION


As I observed my LS 305 students during the first quarter of school year 2008-2009, I noticed that while some of them are achievers, a number of them seemed academically challenged. In fact, at the end of the first quarter—students incurred failure in subjects such as Social Studies, Filipino, and Math.
Driven by the example of St. John Baptist De La Salle of helping academically challenged children to excel by providing quality education, I was motivated to conceptualize a similar endeavor—a homeroom based program which will respond to the need of the Level 9 students especially in class LS 305 to do well in their academic performance since this year is the most difficult period for them due to moral, physical, and social development and personal issues they need to deal with.
The program is called LEAP which stands for Lasallian Education Assistance Program. This is intended to motivate students to “leap” higher from where they were previously in their academic performance. Likewise, the said program aims to achieve the following objectives:



1. to assist the academically challenged students in their daily assignments and other academic requirements
2. to provide opportunity for the achieving students to share their time and skills in helping academically challenged classmates
3. to build school environment that fosters academic excellence
4. to instill in them the value of being a sharer of God’s gift and the importance of helping one another in the class
5. to achieve 100 percent passing rate for all students in the class at the end of S.Y. 2008-2009

Methodology

The Adviser, together with the class officers, brainstormed and put their ideas together to design a program, and then the program was presented to the class, who in turn gave positive feedbacks about its details. To ensure the smooth implementation of LEAP, the following procedure were set and presented to the class.
The adviser informed everyone in the class especially the students with failures to attend the said sessions.
There were at least 3 review sessions a week held in LS 305.
The subjects to be reviewed for the day were determined by the class.
A minimum of 30 minutes was allotted for each session that starts at 12:10 to 12:40.


The student who is the best in the each subject area facilitated the review session. The adviser and the class officers took turns in monitoring each review session.
The Adviser informed subject teachers about the program so that they could help in providing feedbacks on the students’ performance in their subject.

RESULTS

The first and second quarter grades of academically challenged students in Math, Filipino, and Social Studies are presented in Table 1.

Table1 Comparison of the 1st and 2nd Quarter grades of LS 305 students with failures



-------------------------------Math --------Filipino ----------Social Studies
Names -----------------------1st -2nd -------1st 2nd -------------1st --2nd
1 Katigbak, Jasper Anthony -------------------------------------73 --76
2 Luna, Gemar M. -----------------------------------------------73 --78
3 Marasigan, Mar Sonas M. ------------------------------------73 --78
4 Mission, Richard Don R. ------------------------------------73 --79
5 Mojica, Edison -----------------------------------------------73 --76
6 Sayson, John Henry L. ------73-- 78 ----------74 --75 --------73 --77
7 Vergara, Christian Paul A.--74---75 ----------74 --79 ---------73 77


The table shows that the students’ grades in the three identified subjects have tremendously improved since they started to attend the program regularly and the failures in the first quarter were eliminated totally in the second quarter.


However, some students in my class incurred failing grades in other subjects due to the following factors: neglect of students in passing the requirements and too many activities in one particular subject.

DISCUSSION

Based on the data presented, it could be said that indeed, the program that was monitored effectively by the teacher and the class officers resulted in the improvement of academic performance of both the academically challenged and achieving students in class LS 305. The determination of the students to excel in academics and their positive attitudes contributed to the success of the program. Other positive factors should be identified so that they can be used to improve the said program.

However, there is a need to look into the grading system, the academic policy of not releasing the grades of students with failures week after a quarterly examinations, and the requirements of some subjects as factors for getting a lower grades or failures of many students. The need to identify the negative factors would be very essential in modifying the academic policy in order to address the situation of the academically challenged students in the Integrated School.