January 12, 2012. During National Vocation Awareness Week at SBCS, Sr. Oliva Benevente spoke to our 8th graders about her vocation to religious life. Sr. Oliva is an alumna of SBCS and currently teaches Theology at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam.
“Come and You Will See” | 5th Grade Spiritual Retreat 2012
As part of the school mission to build a faith life in the spirit of the Gospel in the community and in line with the Archdiocesan Standards of Community, Prayer and Spirituality, the fifth graders had their Spiritual Retreat on January 12, 2012 (class of 5A) and January 13, 2012 (class of 5B). The retreat was facilitated by Mr. Marlon Bobier Vargas with the theme “Come and you will see.” – John 1:39.
This significant spiritual formation activity aimed to:
- allow the class, through a series of experiences, to discover a model for effective communication among themselves;
- develop an awareness of the possibilities for true bonding among classmates of a particular section and the fruits of that bonding;
- present to the class a means of discovering the meaning and substance of love through concrete expressions
- express a common experience for the class “discovering the face of Christ” in itself and with other classes; and
- strengthen the spirit d’ corps in the class.
Our Lady of Kamalen 2011 Procession
December 8, 2011 | Santa Barbara Catholic School joined the annual procession celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Kamalen in Agana, Guam.
Thanksgiving Mass 2011
November 23, 2011 • Santa Barbara Catholic School’s Thanksgiving Mass was made extra special with the presence of Fatima Soriano, a blind inspirational singer from the Philippines, who joined us in the Eucharistic celebration. She read the responsorial psalm, and, after the Mass, shared her life story and sang two songs that touched everyone’s hearts.
Mercy Club Prayer Service 2011
November 2011 • Mercy Club 2011 Prayer Service with Mercy Associates, Sr. Jeanette Marie Pangelinan, Sr. Maria Rosario Gaite and Sr. Angela Perez.
ARTICLE: SBCS Middle School Spiritual Retreats 2011
by Mr. Marlon Bobier Vargas, Religion Teacher
Published in Umatuna Si Yu’os, the Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of Agana
October 30, 2011
With the aim of building a faith life in the spirit of the Gospel in the school community, Santa Barbara Catholic School (SBCS) conducted a series of spiritual retreats for the middle school classes this school year 2011-2012.
Last September 27 (Class of 8A) and 28 (Class of 8B), 2011, the eight grade students had their class retreat at the Santa Bernadita Chapel in Yigo. The focus of the retreat was on “Living the Life and Works of Venerable Catherine McAuley.” The retreat helped the graduating class to reflect on and appreciate their relationships with God, family, school and friends and challenged them to continue to live their lives rooted in mercy. Meanwhile, the sixth grade students had their class retreat on October 13 (Class of 6A) and 14 (Class of 6B) at the SBCS Multi-Purpose Room with the theme “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world” – John 9:5. The emphasis of the retreat was on building stronger and deeper relationships by anchoring oneself to the light of Christ and sharing this light to classmates, friends, family and community. The seventh grade class spiritual retreat was held on October 18 (class of 7A) and 19 (class of 7B) also at the SBCS Multi-Purpose Room with the theme “God’s Dwelling Place.” In the retreat, the seventh grade students had a meaningful time reflecting on God as their dwelling place in their life. It invited them to become “God’s home” for their own family, friends and other people as well.
This series of spiritual exercises is held annually as part of the faith formation for the students of SBCS. The retreat gives the students an avenue for discovering a model of effective communication among themselves through series of activities like talks, group dynamics, action songs, writing and exchanging meaningful messages, sharing of thoughts, insights and reflections. Consequently, it develops awareness for true bonding among classmates and it strengthens the espirit de corps of the class. Most importantly, it creates a common experience for the class to ‘discover the face of Christ’.
The retreats were facilitated by Mr. Delson Balance (8th and 7th Grades) and Mr. Marlon Vargas (6th Grade) with the assistance of Miss Bernadette Alcantara and Mr. Ron Pangan. All are faculty members of SBCS.
Living Rosary 2011
October 27, 2011 • SBCS had its annual Living Rosary during this month of the Rosary. The Religion Department organized the moving prayer featuring a reenactment of each of the luminous mysteries by our 8th graders. Congratulations and thank you Ms. Bernadette Alcantara, Mr. Delson Balance, Mr. Marlon Vargas, Mr. Ron Pangan, Ms. Dolly Diaz, Mr. Orlando Cruz, Ms. Joyce Guevara and all those who helped in one way or another in making this year’s living rosary a very meaningful one for our school family.
SBCS Marian Devotion
SBCS participates in Walk for Life 2011
10/02/2011 • 8th Grade students participated in the recently held Walk for Life 2011 at the Skinners Plaza, Agana, Guam in support of the call of the Archdiocese of Agana against abortion and for the protection of life at all stages from conception until death. Photo Credit: Ms. Lisa Villegas
SBCS participates in Walk for Life 2011
10/02/2011 • 8th Grade students participated in the recently held Walk for Life 2011 at the Skinners Plaza, Agana, Guam in support of the call of the Archdiocese of Agana against abortion and for the protection of life at all stages from conception until death. Photo credit: Sr. Trinie Pangelinan, RSM.