RECAP OF DAY 1

 Ms. Olive Almario

    CEAP Superintendents' Commission

Good Morning!

So you really feel good this morning? I suppose you have been properly energized after a good night rest. I hope that everybody is feeling renewed and eager to move on our journey together as catechists and catholic educators. Just to make sure that we begin this day right, let us acknowledge our neighbor and let us give him or her our most beautiful smile and say " Brother, Sister ang ganda/gwapo mo ngayon!"

Registration of participants started as early as 10:00 o'clock a.m.

1. The opening rite was simple but covered essential aspects in the work and life of a catechist and educator.
2. The prayer service carried a very strong message of hope and trust in the Lord. It emphasized the role of the Spirit and how all are called together in the name of the Lord.
3. The chairperson of the CEAP Superintendents Commission, Sr. Carmeli Catan, OSA, presented all the participants following the region and division of different ecclesiastical provinces in the Philippines. A total of 145 participants arrived 99 catechists and 40 superintendents.
4. Welcome remarks of Bishop Socrates Villegas assured everyone of the true spirit of support. He emphasized 4 G's, first GRATITUDE to GOD for calling us together and for you coming over, second, GATHERING together of experiencing, resources and talents, third, GIVE love and finally to GO and make disciples.
5. The convention started in context. A very clear perspective setting was presented by the good Msgr. Gerry Santos. Everyone was challenge to be the lead agents in the passage of the bills or mandatory religious instructions on public schools and the subsidy scheme to private elementary & secondary schools, next to look seriously on how media technology can be at the service of catechesis and education and third, the assurance of quality in the religious education program in schools and on our own school curriculum as a whole. He stressed that we gather to celebrate our communion with the church - called to live the mission of proclaiming Jesus in the ministry of catechesis and education in schools. We should never lose sight of our commitment: we are called to live the mystery, teach the faith and share the experience of God's love in Jesus.
6. Mr. Mariano Piamonte, Executive Director of the CEAP (Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines) aired one of the major concerns of the CEAP is the SURVIVAL and sustainability of member schools.

He expounded on the following areas:

1. Competition with public and state schools as well as other private schools.
2. Too much dependence on school fee income and ESC-TFS grants.
3. Declining enrolment due to competition with government schools and other private schools.
4. Deteriorating qualities of education and irrelevance of its programs. Due to the following factors:

•   inadequate facilities and instructional materials
• fast turn over of faculty and staff due to low salaries.
• Lack of qualified and competent teachers in some subjects areas.
• Lack of faculty development in instructional innovations and information/communication technology.
• Too much emphasis on banking type of education and less emphasis on analytical, critical, creative thinking and problem solving and practical skills development.

After a seemingly heavy opening afternoon session, the day ended with the highest form of prayer, the Holy Mass celebrated by His Excellency Fernando R. Capalla, DD.

Dinner concluded the activities on day 1 relaxing the participants after a serious initial consultation agenda.