Mass of the Holy Spirit

St. Peter the Apostle School opened the school year 2022-2023 with the Mass of the Holy Spirit presided by the school director, Fr. Emilio A. Ascaño, LRMS. Attendees were SPAS employees, students, alumni and SPAS Parents’ Auxiliary.

It is one great practice of the school to start the year gathering together as one big family to thank God for the gifts of creation and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the whole school year, and at this time, to keep the fire of faith burning despite the pandemic and education in the “new normal”. Everyone wishes the Holy Spirit to strengthen one’s faith and continue serving the school with passion, confidence and with great hope that everyone may be renewed, healed and restored after the pandemic and beyond.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a great celebration of solidarity of the community and thanksgiving for all the gifts we receive from Him. This year, we started the Mass with the procession of seven students carrying the symbols of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit while the commentator solemnly read its essence and the character of the person who possesses it.

In the homily, Fr. Emil thanked the Lord for such great opportunity of gathering the whole SPAS community and invoking the Holy Spirit as the new school year began. He emphasized the truth that without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we would not be here and we would not survive the perils of the pandemic. He also thanked the SPASAA and the SPASPA officers for their untiring support to the school. He urged everyone the call to sacrifice and self-giving; moreover, he said that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are also given to young people in order to build the church on earth by means of sacrifice and self-giving. The Holy Spirit is given to make greater sacrifice and self-giving possible. In our time, we are called to sacrifice for the common good especially in our transition to face-to-face. And the Holy Spirit is there to lead us in our spiritual life and in making decision on how to serve others.

Before the final blessing, the induction of the SPASPA and Alumni Association officers was held. Each officer commits herself/himself to work for the good and welfare of the entire Peterian family and to be an example of a true follower of Christ. They solemnly swore to follow and fulfill their duties and carry their responsibilities in accordance with the SPAS vision, mission and identity. The induction was led by Fr. Emil who also blessed each of them with holy water after the pledge.

With the Holy Mass, everyone felt the blessings to carry on with the tasks, roles and responsibilities each has for the others in order to fulfil the vision-mission of the institution. To all that the members of the SPAS community do, we offer them to the greater glory of God through our patron saint, St. Peter the Apostle.

1 Corinthians 12: 3 - 7

Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God say, “Jesus be accursed”. And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. There are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.