ARCHDIOCESAN VALUE EDUCATION PRAYER SERVICE (AVEC) MUMBAI
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Friday 18 October 2013
Monday 14 October 2013
Values for the Yatra Oct-Nov 2013
Resources for schools and colleges
To view or download the Values for the Yatra,
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HOLY FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL - PRESTOMSAGAR, CHEMBUR
HOLY FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL - PRESTOMSAGAR, CHEMBUR
October 12, 2013
STD X - STUDENTS' RETREAT
Over hundred and ten students of STD X from Holy Family High School - Prestomsagar, Chembur, had the privilege of attending a day's Retreat that was organized by AVEC. The guest speakers, Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes were warmly welcomed by the school principal, Mrs. Fernandes. Value Education coordinator, Ms. Katherine Joshy expressed words of welcome and introduced the animators to the students.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, then invited the students to participate in a breathing exercise in order to become more aware of themselves and to relax their minds and body. Through a fantasy meditation, he helped them to focus on all the was good and energetic and to exhale all that was negative and toxic in their lives. The students took this part of the exercise very seriously too. He then gave a small introduction about Fr. Glenn and made mention of his kidney donation to a fellow Salesian priest over two years ago.
Fr. Glenn, then began his session, praising the students at the very start for their active participation in all the AVEC competitions. "When it comes to Value Education, I would even rate you among the top three schools that I have visited in all these five years. Congrats to you and the management and teachers who imbibe these values through education " he added.
Fr. Glenn, then divided the session 'RETREAT: A Vacation with God and Self' into four parts: Listening Attentively, Revisiting your Past, Reorganizing your Future, and finally Writing your Problems on the Sand. Through the use of a well prepared handout, sharing of personal testimonies and then connecting with everyday experiential observances, he was able to assist the young hearts and minds to make a 'qualitative change' in their lives. He focused on the integration of 'Body-Mind-Heart-Soul' in order to live a happier, healthier and holier life too.
The students took the time to revisit their past through the 'Spiral of Life' exercise and for many it was really a worthwhile moment to 'soul search and connect the dots' of one's past. The students were even given some time to share their own personal history in small groups, an exercise their found a little difficult as expected. "It's easy to share about the weather, politics, a game of cricket or the lifestyle of an actor or actress. But when it comes to sharing our own life story, we often feel shy and back away from it. Be proud of your history and let it propel you to a better future," he inspired them.
In the last part of the retreat, the students focused on their 'Wheel of Life' and identified personal areas in their lives that needed a lot more of focus and growth, especially on the levels of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, environmental and moral dimensions of their lives. Finally, it was time to unburden oneself of life's little problems that seemed to stifle the onward journey. The entire exercise was very revealing, refreshing and one could sense a deep sigh of relief and new vigor to pick up their life and march on with meaning and significance too.
At the end of session, many students came forward to speak and share their reflections, new insights and personal experience of the day.A number of students also took the opportunity to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation book:
"I would like to thank Fr. Glenn for this amazing session. He was truly inspiring and made me think once again about my life. I realized some mistakes I made in my life and hope to reach my goals successfully" - Aayush Halde X
"I would like to thank you Father Glenn for this wonderful session. it was really very good and inspiring and nice. It motivates us. I came to know all my weak points in life. As we are all in STD X, this session played a great role in our life. It was really nice! Thank you once again and continue to enlighten our minds and help students. There are no words to describe my feeling" - Hanna Rakhangi X
"The values that you have taught us have been engraved on our souls. The activities, and the entire talk inspired us to the core of our hearts. we felt we are on cloud 9!. I acknowledge the efforts and time taken by Fr. Glenn. we hope that we will enjoy this session again with you in the future" - Mahesh, Trupti, Divya, Vrushti, Bharti -X
"Thank you for all the inspiring and motivating talk. The session flared up a hope in us to face the challenges of life" - Prajakta Jha X
Tuesday 8 October 2013
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL - UJJAIN: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL - UJJAIN
Students' Orientation Program - October 5, 2013
At the request of Sr. Roshan, Principal of St. Mary's Convent Secondary School - Ujjain , two sessions were
taken for 757 students from Stds VI - XII. Fr. Glenford
Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes conducted the 'Live your Life by a Value Compass'
program. At the very outset, AVEC would like to congratulate the
students for the very attentive and participatory way in which they
responded to the entire session. Mr. K.M. Joseph welcomed the guest
speakers to the school and introduced them to the participants.
In all, three sessions
were conducted for the students. The students were divided
into smaller batches to facilitate better participation. The session
began with a multi faith prayer song that invoked God's abundant blessings of
health, peace, joy, love and hope on all. The students joined in the latter
half of the prayer song. Mr. Rochwyn invited the students through a fantasy
meditation that also included being aware of important highlights of their
academic journey. All the three groups really took this exercise very
seriously. He then introduced Fr. Glenn and gave a brief of the AVEC activities
over the last three years.
Fr. Glenford Lowe
challenged the students to look at life and the gift of time through a new
perspective. When we Value Life and Time, two important resources and
gifts, we are able to make life more meaningful and significant. "Value
Education is an Education to becoming', he kept repeating. "A good Value
compass enables us to reach there. But sad to say, many have lost their value
compass, broken it or even traded it for something less valuable", he
reminded them. "Today's session is a home work for all: to reconstruct our
broken Value compass and begin the journey again". The students were
really glued to every word that Fr. Glenn kept challenging them.
Through the use of a
Powerful PowerPoint presentation, coupled with inspiring songs, True life
stories and also from his own personal testimonies, he was able
to bring home to the students the TWELVE IMPORTANT VALUES that can
make one's life more meaningful. The interaction between the students and the
daily true life examples kept the students attention all through. Fr.
Glenford Lowe, invited the students to look at Twelve Values that need to be
imbibed in order to make a meaningful and fruitful life. He challenged
the students to start by having a 'Winner Attitude'. Once we Value a
'win-win' situation in life and see the optimistic side of life, the journey of
life becomes more interesting and worthwhile.Other important values were
the importance of 'Being a Team Player', Communicating Effectively, Exuding
Confidence, Honing Creative Skills, Multi Tasking and Prioritizing One's Time
and Schedules, Being Honest and Accountable, Motivating and Leading Others, and
the need to Live a 'Balanced and Abundant Life'. Living and directing one's
life by a Value compass is indeed important.
“Thank you Fr. Glenn for guiding us, for
this wonderful session. It was really inspiring!” - KashishVishanwani VIII A
"I am inspired by your words and I will become M.A.D" - Manan Bhargava VIII A
"Let light shine on all" - Varun Yadav VI - B
"I am impressed by your seminar and I promise you that I will become a difference to all" - Aditi Chaurasia VI-A
"I was very glad to participate in your seminar. I hope that you will come again next year and I am impressed by your M.A.D invitation" - Chintan Shah VI B
"This was a very inspiring session and was a marvelous exchange of ideas. I promise to play my part in making a difference. and always follow my value compass and be on the right track" - Devang Singh Tomar VII B
"Fr. Glenford led is in the direction which was untrodden for us. A wonderful and worthwhile attending session" - Gargi Pare (School captain)
"This was the first session which I attended with a lot of attentiveness. On behalf of class IX, we promise to Make a Difference"
Be blessed and thanks to one and all for the nice cooperation and attentiveness received all through these two days at Ujjain.
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - UJJAIN
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - UJJAIN
October 4, 2013
In spite of being a public holiday, sixty teachers of St. Mary's Convent High School - Ujjain, participated in a full day's Value Orientation Program Organized by AVEC. The theme for day was 'Management By Values (MBV). The words of introduction was given by Mr. K. M. Joseph. The session began with a spiritual tone - an inter faith Prayer Song 'Sarveshaam Swastri Bhavatu' invited all to seek God's blessings of abundance, Peace, health and good will.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, then took the teachers through a short meditation that coupled awareness with rhythmic breathing. It enabled the teachers to clam down and also to focus on all that was positive and good in one's life. He then spoke about our AVEC Value based resources and invited the teachers to have a look at all that could used in the schools to promote values. Fr. Glenn was then introduced to the teachers. mention was also made of his kidney donation to a fellow Salesian priest in 2011.
Fr. Glenn began his session with a call to a 'perspective change' and the need to make 'Qualitative Changes' in one's personal life that could have a ripple effect and in the bargain, cause also a 'Quantitative Change'. He also talked o them about the importance of knowing the 'attitudes of the young today to life', of 'aligning their personal values with that of the institutional values', and finally, plotting their on Value Map with reference to the 'Brian Hall-Benjamin Tonna Value Map.
With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and a lot of situations in school life, he was able to draw the attention of the teachers to the importance of Value education as an 'Education to becoming'. using a lot of deep insights and coupled with humor, the teachers were able to situate themselves and discover the personal shifts that are necessary to make the 'Qualitative changes'.
The Vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Neeta Joseph
The Vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Neeta Joseph
Monday 7 October 2013
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - DEWAS
ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL - DEWAS
October 3, 2013
The students of St. Mary's Convent Secondary School - Dewas, M.P, grabbed an opportunity that came their way. Over 360 students of standards nine and ten, and eleven took part in a Value Education Orientation Program, that was conducted by Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes. A few of the std twelve commerce section were also present. Sr. Lalita, principal of the school, welcomed the guest speakers to the school. and introduced the speakers to the students. This ws surely the first of its kind for many of them.
The two sessions, consisting of two and a half hours each, were spent well. The theme for the day's Value orientation was ' Living your Life by a Value Compass'. Right from the word go, the students were fully active and attentive to every moment of the program. A prayer song, 'Sarweshaam, Swastir Bhavatu' brought a spiritual tone to the program. The students were then invited by Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes to participate in a 'fantasy meditation' and to relax and slow down with the help of some rhythmic breathing. He introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe and made a reference to his noble gesture of 'donating his kidney' to a fellow salesian priest.
Fr. Glenn then took over... the session was very down-to-earth and full of daily life experiences in a students' life. Focusing on the need to reset one's Value compass and to take charge of one's direction in life, the entire session was a call to return back to celebrate life abundantly. The call was to get M.A.D... make a difference. Citing popular examples like Ms. Kia Scherr, Ryan Hjerlac and Malala Yousafzai, he challenged the students to make a worthy contribution to humanity. "At the end of your life, what is it that you would like to be remembered for?" , he asked.
The young minds were invited to start asking more 'meaning questions' rather than just living a life of survival. Basing the talk on Twelve Diamond values that are important to reset one's personal value compass, the students took the opportunity to reevaluate their personal life so far. Important values based on one's 'attitude', team work, communication, confidence, creativity, criticism, were also discussed about. Other points for consideration were on 'Multi tasking and time management', accountability and living a balanced life and also a life of abundance.
With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and use of powerful media clips and everyday life situations, the students fully participated in all the activities and were able to challenge themselves to start making a Difference in their own lives. At the end of the session, a number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book.
“It was a very nice experience listening to
Fr. Glenn. It really made a change in me. I will really make a change too.
Thanks for your precious time with us” - Amiket
B, Jaya P, Nihal S, AditiShukla
“It was a motivational an inspiring
workshop which made a way for our life and opened our eyes too” – RoshiniRajani
“The values given by Fr. Glenn will surely
be remembered and I will make a difference in all my life and above will think
differently too” – TasnimBohra
“I will surely Make A Difference” - NishaChoudhary
“Fr. Glenn helped us to make our lives
meaningful by telling us the important things in life” – A. Thakur
“A worthwhile moment of my life” – Yash Sharma
“The workshop was arranged properly and
everything explained very clearly. It inspired us a lot and gave us a new
direction in life. We thank Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and fr. Glenn for their
valuable time and we promise to make a difference” – Amkit Y, Amal K, Shrish D, Yog
“Father Glenn thank for such an
inspirational workshop and thank you for giving us such valuable messages. We
promise to make a ‘Qualitative’ change too and thanks for coming to our school”
- KamakshiTrivedi
“Thank you Fr. Glenn, for coming to our
school for this inspirational workshop. We will try to follow your given path.
Today with this presentation, we have a ‘valuable compass’ to guide us in the
future and we will surely make a Difference in the world, and you could use us
as your examples too” – Mansi Gupta
