The Golden Years – Past, Present and Future
In celebration of our 50th High School Golden Jubilee in 2019, our theme “The Golden Years – Past, Present and Future” was a logical choice since the color gold symbolizes generosity and giving, compassionate and loving, the benefactor or patron, sharing its insight, knowledge and wealth with others. Gold is a trivalent and univalent which means it is a transitional metal – symbolic of flexibility on our spiritual path while life experiences galvanize our faith. At the uppermost spiritual level, the color gold is associated with higher ideals, wisdom, understanding, enlightenment and inspires a deep understanding of the self and the soul. Like malleable gold, WE are transitional because of our flexibility to be what we want to be and be what we need to be to fulfill our dreams. We have persevered with God’s help, and in the process have gained wisdom and maturity to face life’s continuing ups and downs. These challenges are the “fires” that build and solidify our totality, refining our character as we manage life’s complexities.
At this stage in our lives, we continue to be productive and independent, with many of us still working full time in the medical, financial and service industries as doctors, nurses, bankers, lawyers, dentists, financial and spiritual advisors, architects, writers, teachers, officers, consultants, administrators, entrepreneurs and salespeople, including family support for our children and grandchildren. You name it, we’ve probably done it.
In Scriptures, gold means something that endures and withstands fire, which is precisely the way ministry should be. A person’s work should be able to withstand fire; a person’s life should be able to be refined like gold. Our ministry has endured, “lighting the way” for others and “assisting” those in need, as gratitude for the blessings we have received such as talent, prosperity and success.
Some of the outreach projects Class ‘69 has undertaken in the past and present include:
- Missions for Mary fundraising (medical supplies sent to FMM sisters in Tagaytay)
- SMC Alternative School
- Fundraising for SMC auditorium
- High school scholarship for Christine Custodio
- Monetary assistance for classmates’ medical needs
- FMM Nuns fundraising
- TOTAL = $25,300 or P1.265 million
Like the FMM sisters who have journeyed with us through their education ministry and the missionary spirit that impelled the first 12 Franciscan Missionaries of Mary to set sail and settle on Philippine shores over a 100 years ago, we call upon that wonderful Stellan spirit to sustain our mission, invigorating our faith as we go through life’s experiences, thankful to God for His guidance, our good health and the opportunities ahead. Go 69ers!