Ateneo Grade School subscribes to Herald, inspires others to do the same

God’s faithfulness has always been visible to the Davao Catholic Herald newspaper.

With that, another source of blessing has come forth to the apostolate. The spread of the Good News widens as Ateneo de Davao grade school unit has finally subscribed as a new partner.

Just last July 5, 2014, the Ateneo de Davao grade school department started to help circulate the Davao Catholic Herald to regularly distribute their outputs for their Christian Living subject. Thus, the newspaper is mandatorily read by grades three and four respectively.

Ms. Liza Lao, the Assistant Headmaster of Formation of Ateneo grade school, pointed out that her support to Catholic Herald is not in terms of selling the newspapers, but more on the pupils who need to be aware of what is going on in the local church of Davao.

Furthermore, they try to build the sense of community engagement and sense of belongingness in a Church of the students, through integrating the kind of material Davao Catholic Herald produces in their subject area.

“So as early as grade three, we begin to let them be aware,” Ms. Lao said. “We need to integrate this in our curriculum,” she added.

However, not only the pupils benefit from it, but also the teachers themselves. “I started to hear teachers beginning to be aware of what is happening in the local Church,” Ms. Lao said. There are teachers who are not that aware but now started to get involved in it through the newspaper. It gave me a sense of joy that they are actually reading it,” she added.

Ma. Cristina Ygine, a CLE teacher, expressed that the material produced by the Catholic Herald is very much of help since they have lessons on the Good News. “So this is really timely,” Ms. Ygine said. She also recommended the newspaper to other Catholic schools that are teaching CLE.

Moreover, two students voiced out their sentiments about the newspaper. Both of them find reading the newspaper of benefit to their subject and even more as a person. “It strengthens your faith inside you,” said Riena Nina Gavino, a grade four student of Ateneo de Davao grade school department. Also, the newspaper has been a source of inspiration to all the students. Ara Romelle Fernandez, a grade four student, said that reading the newspaper inspires her more and boosts up her faith in God.

This can be seen as a seed planted. From time to time, it grows in the heart of the young. And by God’s grace, the purpose is being served gradually. The Lord has once again allowed something to happen for Him to be glorified. Just like this kind of partnership, the Lord shall sustain for it serves His utmost purpose—for Him to be known.

By Tracy B. Villanueva