An Enlightening Advent Retreat

It was the feast of Christ the King yesterday and an Advent retreat was held for the Mong Ha Sunday school staff.

Father Joey Mario O. Mandia, our retreat director, inspired us greatly with useful information in relation to Christ’s kingship. With special emphasis on our need for regular confessions, he explained very carefully how we should live our lives on earth in order to enter the Kingdom of God after death. Finally, he discussed how we became united in the kingship of Christ through baptism and how we should share in His kingly, priestly and prophetic offices in our everyday lives.

His talk initiated a lot of our thinking. And we appreciated the opportunity to ask related questions at intervals throughout the discussion. Indeed a lot of questions were raised and Father Mandia not only answered every one of them with patience and wisdom but also guided us to explore deeper into the issue being discussed.

Among the questions, a few were related to Penance, Absolution and Forgiveness of Sins. We were particularly curious about Hell and Purgatory. There was, for example, concern about the Final Judgment for our friends and relatives who were unfortunately deprived of the identity as children of God. Though Father Mandia humbly referred to this as one of the questions to which only God has the answers, what he said lessened our anxiety and brought us hope about helping our dear ones.

Personally, I was inspired most by Father’s advice to examine our consciences in light of the Ten Commandments. He suggested doing this three times a day. This is good preparation for a confession. What I had not thought of before was the fact, according to Father Mandia, that while reflecting on our wrong deeds, we sometimes discover something good about ourselves. We can then focus more of our efforts on our goodness, however trifling in amount, and gradually achieve reconciliation with God. This, I think, is the best thing that can happen as a result of an examination of conscience.

I am not sure if I am capable of a daily examination of my conscience. But I am very thankful to Father for a very enlightening retreat. His advice has helped me make up my mind to be more serious about going to confession regularly and about the fulfillment of my kingly, priestly and prophetic duties in my life as a Christian.

Do everything to stamp out school bullying

Picture from "South China Mornng Post"

    

News about the recent bullying incident in a Hong Kong primary school is horrifying. The school authorities are blamed for inadequate attention to the victim’s complaints and for seeming nonchalance about the injuries, both physical and mental, done to him as a result. As the case is now under police investigation, it remains to be seen whether such criticism is justified. However, the case undoubtedly draws attention to the need for more preventive measures before school bullying goes beyond control.

As I see it, schools should attach greater importance to children’s character formation. While equipping children with knowledge and skills may ensure better career prospects, moral education can help them grow to become decent members of society in the future. Children should be guided to understand that the school is a miniature society in which all members should treat one another with respect and friendliness. They will then learn to be caring about others’ needs rather than their own. While still competing fairly for better performance, they will not do injustice to others out of selfishness.

In addition, teachers should be watchful about the children’s unusual behavior. Special attention should be directed towards a child found to be exceptionally quiet or emotionally unstable. Children’s complaints are not to be taken lightly, and bullying incidents, when identified, should be taken care of before they get aggravated.

The part parents play in the child’s character formation is of greater significance as the home is the first place for the promotion of friendly and respectful relationships. Parents should also be careful about their children’s proper use of electronic devices to minimize their exposure to the effects of media violence. In fact, parental guidance on the proper use of the mass media can help children adopt good habits and have a good understanding of interpersonal relationship.

In brief, the school is a place where children should feel safe and enjoy learning and making friends. Everything ought to be done to stamp out school bullying altogether.