Online Edition
BRIGADA EXPRESS
ONLINE PRAYER MEETING:
Disinfecting the soul
Ms. Cecilia Mendoza
with the English
Department
everyone and of the front liners, for better health, for guidance and assistance to the less fortunate people and of course for the discovery of the cure or if not at least of a vaccine against COVID-19.
That set up lasted for seven weeks. However, when June came, Ms. Perez suggested to invite speakers so that leading the OPMs now called Victory Group or VG would not add up to the tasks of the teachers since they would be officially reporting already. The school is so blessed for speakers from Victory Santa Cruz are still gracing the scheduled VGs up to present. Ms. Cecilia Mendoza leads the English and TLE Departments, Ms. Josefina Gonzaga is for Filipino Department, Mr. Ricardo Realeza propagate God’s words in Mathematics Department, Ms. Maria Cristina De Rosas is devoted to
Science Department and Mr. Ram Nickson Ramos focuses on Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH Departments.
Positive effects were evident among the teachers who participate on the said OPMs or VG. A lot of them have appreciated and valued their profession more through this.
“Online Prayer Meeting helped me as a teacher/Head Teacher to reflect about my profession. Being a teacher/Head Teacher is not a walk in the park but with the aid of the words of God, I know that I can serve people with all my might and heart,” the English Department Head Teacher, Ms. Romneilee M. Villanueva, shared.
“Attending the Victory Group or online prayer meeting helps me a lot; both in my professional and personal life. As a teacher, it encourages me to be more passionate and understanding towards my work and my students. It helps me become a better teacher as I hone my relational and communication skills. Being part of the Victory group helps me
While the world is being occupied with cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol, and disinfecting premises and things with bleach solution just to be safe from COVID-19, Liliw National High School is also focusing on the cleansing of the teachers’ and staffs’ hearts and souls through online prayer meetings (OPMs).
It is unquestionable that the pandemic and the quarantines caused by it affected the mental and spiritual state of every person. So, to at least ease the burdens of the teachers and staff, Schools Division of Laguna suggested schools to hold OPMs. Liliw NHS immediately adhered to that call through the initiative of their principal, Ms. Kristine P. Perez. It commenced on the third week of April.
It all started by scheduling the OPMs that the teachers and staff can voluntarily attend. Monday is for the English Department; Tuesday is for Filipino and so on. Each department has its own day and time.
To be able to meet despite the distance and restrictions, small groups used the user-friendly Facebook Messenger. On the other hand, bigger groups were advised to use Google Meet. Hence, proving that even prayer meetings are now in the new normal.
The OPMs happened in a pyramid approach. Ms. Perez first led the non-teaching personnel particularly the Heads and Master Teachers and other staff. Then, the ways and the words from her were then passed on to the teachers by the first core group.
Every meeting started with a casual “kumustahan” among the teachers. It
somehow gave the teachers joy because they were given chances to mingle with the co-workers whom they already missed. Then, when everything was settled, the prayer meeting would start with an opening prayer. A teacher was usually assigned beforehand to do this. Next, readings from the Bible would be read and explained by the assigned leader or Ms. Perez herself. Afterwards, sharing among the members of the group would follow. Some questions were also utilized to elicit realizations from the participants. Then the session would end with a closing prayer that usually pleaded for the safety of
by Abigail I. Mirabel-Agapay
define my job as a social responsibility,” a Mathematics teacher, Mr. Howard A. Urriza, added.
However, the activity did not only affect the teachers as mentors but also as individuals. They gained a lot of realizations and life lessons from the online prayer meetings.
“As an individual, online prayer meeting keeps us bonded with God. It helps us to be spiritually healthy even though there is a threat to us humans especially in this time of pandemic. In these days, millions of lives were suffering from the COVID-19 virus, starvation and depression, God is our light in the dark. And we cannot do anything alone without the help of God, so our connection to Him is a big help as we mediate for the needy and pray for the healing” Ms. Mayleen M. Buenavista, a Science teacher, voiced out.
“The group prayer meeting revived my spiritual life. In this time of pandemic wherein we are not allowed to go out and even go to church having this group is really a blessing because it can give the fellowship that we needed to strengthen our spiritual life. We are also getting closer to each member of the group and to God. The message that we hear each week is a big help in making decisions in our everyday lives. It served us a guide in my everyday life. Our sharing of experiences also served as a lesson to every one of us,” Ms. Armela A. Arca, Mathematics Coordinator, also shared.
The OPMs or VGs helped the participants to be more reflective and positive during these trying times. It also reminds us that during a pandemic like this, it is not enough to just wash our hands regularly with soap and water or tidy our things and surroundings with the recommended bleach solution. We must also find a way to disinfect our thoughts, words, deeds and soul to be holistically strong, healthy and safe.