St. John the Evangelist High School , Marol: STD IX Value Orientation program
Feb 22, 2013: Thanks to Mr. Titus D'Silva and the invitation by the Principal, Sr. Tara, that two hundred and Eighty Nine students from standard Nine were able to attend a full day's Value Education Orientation program for the very first time in their school auditorium. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and Fr. Glenford Lowe, sdb visited the school and animated the Value Education program. Mr. Titus D'Silva welcomed the guest speakers and invited the students to make the best use of the opportunity given to them.
The day's session began with an orientation by Fr. Glenford on the importance of being a 'Light House Student'. A prayer song 'Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu' enabled the students to get in touch with the Divine. Through the use of an awareness exercise that also focused on one's breathing, the students were able to connect with their everyday life and the breath of life. It was nice to see all the students participate very seriously in this meditation. Mr. Fernandes then introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe to the students.
In the two sessions that followed, Fr. Lowe was able to invite the students to 'Live by a Value Compass'. He challenged the students to stop being mere 'magic bouncing balls' or 'passive wheel barrows' and to take up the challenging call of being 'Light House students' firmly grounded on a Value based foundation. Through the use of a number of testimonies on the lives of Ryan and Kia Scheer, he asked to students to get MAD; Make A Difference and to contribute to society and self with a more purposeful and meaningful life. His own 'kidney donation' act was another profound example the students found challenging. "Value education is an education to becoming, and it is a life long process", he said.
After the break, the students were taken through a battery of personal testimonies, powerful video clippings, motivating songs and 'meaningful question time' to reflect on the Twelve Diamond Values that would enable one to get on the 'right track' of life. It's not about merely surviving for just another day. Values help one in life to live more meaningfully and significantly. The students took part very actively and responded with a great sense of hope and were ready to accept the challenge of Making A Difference. This was a 'first of its kind experience' for the students of this school. many teachers too participated in the whole event and found it a very useful program for students.
A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC log book:
"Changing Life based on values really made me MAD!" - Shubham Thakur IX -A
"It was spiritual and really heart touching too" - Nikhil DMello IX B
"Father spoke whatever he wanted for the benefit of our personal lives. Thank you father" - Ashmeet Kaur IX
"Father spoke about the values and we had a very nice experience. We got to learn new values" - Avril Saldanha IX - B
"Thank you father Glenn for your wonderful and heart touching speech. I am truly gone MAD" - Lynda Noronha IX-D
"Father's session was just rocking and awesome. His teaching was superb" - Saurabh Sharma IX-C
"It's a nice session and I think that all of us can go MAD" - Sunil Prajapati IX-C
Thanks to the management, the teachers and to all the students for this wonderful opportunity to speak to you all this morning. I am deeply grateful and I pray God's blessings on all that you do especially during this important 'educative journey' to becoming the best that God wants you to be.
Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb