P r o u d
t o
b e
a
February 2015
D o m i n i c a n
Volume 4,
The
F u l l y
a c c r e d i t e d
b y
W A S C / W C E A
Lenten Season begins
Ashes marked the start
of Lenten Journey.
in the season of Lent. Likewise, he asked the people to fast
and abstain in the season of Lent. Lastly, Fr. Danny gave
concrete examples where everyone, specially the adults, can
practice discipline of Lent. These are to refrain from engaging in gossip, getting mad, and judging people.
On February 18, 2015, A
Holy Mass was held to
observe Ash Wednesday
held at the Multi-purpose Sponsored by Grade 1– St. Rose class, the mass was atHall. Using the consetended by all Dominicans including parents and friends.
crated ashes from burnt
palm from the previous
year’s Palm Sunday, a
cross was marked on
Fr. Danny and Sr. Constancia mark the
everyone’s forehead.
symbol of the cross on the faithful’s
forehead during a Mass on Ash Wednes- The ashes remind us of
the verse :
day.
"Remember that you
are dust; and to dust you will return." (Gn 3:19)
The Mass was presided by Fr. Danny Ferrandiz, DCS Chaplain.
In his homily, Fr. Danny imparted the three ways to experience the fullness of Lenten season— through prayer, fasting
Palms to Ashes. Middle School students during the prayer
or sacrifice, and almsgiving. He said that these are the three service for burning of palm leaves outside the MS campus
disciplines that we have to look into account when we journey held on February 17.
Our Lady of Fatima at DCS
VIP Valentine’s Ball
The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima visited the DCS
on February 13, 2015. The statue had a 10-day island
tour on Guam recently.
DCS was delighted to have the
Lady in the campus. During the
short visit, Dominicans honored
the Lady by singing and holding
a prayer vigil.
The Volunteer Involved Parents held its annual
fund-raising Valentine’s Ball on February 13 at
the Multi-purpose
I n s i d e
t h i s
Hall.
i s s u e :
Top: Sr. Zenaida T. Ancheta, OP, puts the crown
of the statue of our Lady
Left: Students welcome the Lady by waving of
flags and singing Marian songs.
The event brought
everyone, specially
for parents couple, to
a night filled with fun.
DCS Chaplain Message
2
Book Fair, Girl Scouts
2
Mr. & Ms. Dominican
3
Bulletin
4
P a g e
2
Message from the DCS Chaplain
My Dear DCS Community,
We have started
our Journey of
Prayer, Fasting and
Charity. Our Mass
Fr. Danny Ferrandiz
last Ash Wednesday
opened the season
of Lent. But what is Lent? Lent is a Season of journey. It is a pilgrimage ascent
to the peak of the mountain. Being an
upward journey, it is expectedly and inevitably difficult. But our upward journey
can become lighter if our focus will be
not on the journey but on the destination. The goal of Lent is Christ crucified
and risen from the dead.
“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and
heart to God or the requesting of good
things from God.” But when we pray,
pray with Humility because it is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly
“Lent is also our season of prayer,
fasting and charity for Dominican
school”.
acknowledge that “we do not know how
to pray as we ought,” are we ready to
receive freely the gift of prayer. “Man is
a beggar before God.” (CCC, 2559)
Fasting represents a radical dependence
on God. When we fast, we are saying
that God – not food, water, clothing or
The ascent to the mountain of Easter
has three mountain paths. The first path shelter – is our most basic need. Apart
from Him we can do nothing.
is prayer. The second path is sacrifice.
The third path is almsgiving or charity.
Almsgiving is the fruit of fasting. Pope
Girls Scouts’ World Thinking Day
DCS Girl Scouts under Troop 227 joined the annual World
Thinking Day held on February 21, 2015 at the University of
Guam gymnasium. This year’s theme is girls worldwide saying
"we can create peace through partnerships." The theme is
based on the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) 8: to develop a global partnership for development. This
goal is about all countries, rich and poor, working with one another to support the MDGs. Troop 227 represented Argentina
and displayed an exhibit about the country’s food and culture.
Francis himself teaches us “Lent is a
fitting time for self-denial; we would do
well to ask ourselves what we can give
up in order to help and enrich others by
our own poverty. Let us not forget that
real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real
without this dimension of penance.”
Lent is also our season of prayer, fasting
and charity for Dominican school. It is
our time to pray because we have been
blessed immensely. The Dominican
school and humility are sisters. Our humility and charity are sisters. Our school
cannot grow in a selfish heart.
To help reach the peak of EASTER we
have to learn the right way of praying,
the right motivations to fasting and the
selfless attitude to giving in charity. May
we all grow in prayer, in love and charity
as we seek Holiness in our journey to
God.
DCS Annual
Book Fair
DCS held its annual
Book Fair on February
19-20, 2015 at the
Teacher’s Lounge.
Organized by DCS Library and the Young
Honor Society, the
Book Fair aimed primarily to get children to read. The Fair
was also to raise fund to support the organizers’ activities.
Top: Troop 227 in Argentinian
costume and dance.
Left: Argentinian booth promoting
the country’s culture and food
with the Girl Scouts and troop
leaders.
A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.
Middle School students read along with the Pre-K students
during the Fair.
Volume 4,
Issue 7
Page 3
DCS presents its 2015 Mr. & Ms. Dominican Candidates
DCS is pleased to announce its candidates for this year’s Mr.
& Ms. Dominican. The first counting was held on March 20,
2015 held at the DCS cafeteria. Second and final counting
Samantha Lee
Valencia (PK1)
* $1,000
Efren Xyris Cruz
(PK2)
* $ 163.00
Ysabelle Rhianna
Velayo (PK2)
* $371.00
Leanah Marie
Bondoc (Kinder)
* $258.00
Justin Abraham
(Kinder)
* $544
Ryan Jay Porte
(Grade 1)
* $302.00
will be on March 19 and April 10 respectively. Winners will be
crowned on April 29, 2015. Thank you for all your support!
Cameso Ochoa
(Grade 3)
* $242.00
Roldane Paciente
(Grade 2)
* $ 370.00
Dionne Ti-Ally
Marbibi (Grade 3)
* $204.00
Manuel Roque
(Grade 6)
* $365.00
Makaila Agulto
(Grade 5)
* $1068.25
Tahl Orzame
(Grade 8)
* $420.00
* First counting results
Grade 8 students join retreat
The eighth graders joined the annual Archdiocesan Grade 8 retreat held at the Bishop
Baumgartner Gymnasium on February 13,
2015. The theme for this year’s retreat was
“ Faith in Ministry”.
Eighth graders during the retreat
6th Grader wins in Guam History Competition
Ivan Lescano (2nd from left) won 3rd place, Individual Exhibit Junior Division,
in a recently concluded Guam National History Day Competition. With a
theme, “Leadership and Legacy in History”, the competition was held on February 28, 2015 at the University of Guam,
Left photo shows other
Middle School students
that joined the contest.
They were acknowledged and congratulated by Sr. Constancia
during the flag ceremony on March 3.
3rd from Left: Alec
Lumba and Kyle Anne
Bustamante (Group
Exhibit; and Joshua
Sanchez
Mathcounts
(Individual Documentary). Also in
Acknowledgement to all Mathcounts participants held on
February 14, 2105 at the Pacific Star Resort & Spa. Students the photo is the
that represented DCS were L-R: Maichail Navarro, (G6); Ivan competition
Lescano (G6) ; Kyle Anne Bustamante (G7); Noah Camacho coach, Tr. Noli
Nalanga.
(G8); and coach, Tr. Nonie Talavera.
Home of the Veritas
P a g e
4
Happy Birthday February Celebrants!
Staff
06– Robert Becker
13 - Lina Ariola
11– Aundrea
Eliana (G2)
12– Mhyze Pena
(PK1)
Greetings to Sr. Constancia Q. 14 - Jerymae
Mortera, OP for her Feast Day Segovia (G5)
- Tera Mann (G2)
on February 24.
Students
04– Adrian Baluyut (G6)
- Drake Cruz (G6)
05– Lizalette Basa (G6)
- Tisha Mann (G2)
15– Stephen Hoskins (G5)
16– Sonny Boy Toble (G5)
19– Patricia Miclat (G2)
22– Justin Abraham (K)
DCS Veritas Choir and D’Torch Band Concert
Dominicans are celebrating Dominican Days on April 2529. DCS is pleased to announce one of its main activities,
the DCS Veritas Choir and the Dominican International
School—D’Torch Band (Taiwan) concert to be held on April
27 and 29, 2015.
Please support this valuable activity. Further details to be
announced.
Welcome to New Faculty Member
Mr. Kristian Villanueva
recently joined the DCS as
Music teacher.
Mr. Villanueva directs the
DCS Veritas Choir and
teaches Music from
Grades 3 to 8 .
Thanks to the following parents that supported the Catholic Schools Week activity
held on January 25-31, 2015— Ma. Fe Sorio,
Mr. & Ms. Arnel Bonto, Maricar Ancheta,
Carla Masnayon, Jayne Petree, Chom-Jo Muray, Orlanda Paciente, Emy Lumba, Marie
Ann Esquejo, Maylyn Nacpil, Solomon Torcelino, Lina Gankiewicz, Matt Martin, Mr.
Mrs. Luis Miclat. Also, thank you to Maligaya
Drummers c/o Heralyn Silvestre.
We love because He first loved us.
churchhousecollection.com
1 John 4:19
PRAYER REQUEST
The VERITAS is the official monthly newsletter of the Dominican Catholic School
Chalan Pale, Ramon Lagu Rt. 1 Yigo, Guam, 96929.
Phone: (671) 653-3021/3140; Fax: (671) 653-3090 E-mail: [email protected]
Editorial Team:
Consultants: Sr. Ma. Zenaida T. Ancheta, O.P. and Sr. Ma. Constancia Q. Mortera, O.P.
Coordinator: Chat Sanalila
Faculty Advisers: Mr. Inigo San Pablo, Ms. Necitas Talavera, and Ms. May Erguiza
Contributors/Circulation: National Junior Honor Society
Production: Mr. Ronald Radaza
School Website
www.dcsguam.com
For the eternal repose
of the of the souls of:
- Azucena San Pablo
- Teodora Cinco
- Euforcina Flores
- Romilyn Modesto
Healing for:
- May Erguiza
- Fr. Bobby Pinto, O.P.
- Frances Elayda
- Angelo, Eugenio, and
Josefina Papa
- Fernando Igros
- Jesus Gutierrez
- Aireen Talosa
- Dana Bonto