Saturday morning, 1st March 2003, ninety five staff from all the five sectors of the Canossian Eduplex turned up to celebrate Canossian Saints' day in their white and blue Eduplex T-shirt displaying proudly their motto, "Built on LOVE". As one Canossian family a week has been spent on telling stories of our Canossian Saints, Magdalene and Bakhita to all our children from pre-school to Primary 6.
Sr. Jacqueline Chin, newly appointed as Head of Canossian Education, shared with all present how animated the children were as they sang their tribute to Sts. Magdalene and Bakhita. The pupils also treasured their little key-medal of St Magdalene and were reminded that she found the "Key to LOVE". In her joyful dynamism she started the day by retelling the stories on PowerPoint presentation, encouraging the staff to be child-like as we sang and clapped to songs in honour of our Sts. Magdalene and Bakhita.
Next, was a powerful input session on "The Greatest Love" by Sr. Janet Wang, our former Provincial. Based on her experiences as a General Councillor and as Provincial in Singapore, she was able to capture our staff's attention by her clear, comprehensive and interesting input session. Her ability to captured her audiences' attention and response is admirable.
Together with spiritual food we were treated to a sumptuous morning tea. Prior to this, we were given a handout with the qualities of a Canossian Educator and a sticker with our group name on it. There were eight groups with our Sisters and our Principal, Mrs., Margaret Yong as Group Leaders. After tea we adjourned to the rooms at the Canossian School [CSH] for group sharing.
Mrs. Yong, in facilitating the feedback session was able to draw from all present how each sector felt about their role as Canossian Educators and their experience of belonging to an educative Canossian family with its motto: "Built on Love". The sharing was positive and it was heartening to know that our new Staff felt welcomed and a sense of belonging.
Mrs. Dorothy Stephens from CSH completed the sharing by "selling" the Lay Canossians - a group of lay people who deepened their spirituality within our Canossian charism. As a lay Canossian, she shared her testimony and invited all present to think about joining the "inner circle" so that we could be more effective messengers of the Greatest Love.
Mrs. Yong brought the day's celebration to a close by paying tribute to Sr. Janet who had been instrumental in the "birth and growth of the Eduplex".
A summary of her message follows…
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Good morning Sr.Janet, …The sectors have done their homework & gave me their write-out…I think you're so charismatic that we all see the same beauty in you. …the Principals thank you for your blessings, support and belief in them, when they took on their role as new principals…the moments we met were always pleasant and memorable. …the staff wants you to know that your quiet support had not gone unnoticed. …your openness and readiness in allowing us to take bold steps to move our institutions to greater heights, is appreciated. You've always been able to see the big picture, a true visionary…that's why you are able to understand the lay people's contributions. …we appreciate your presence at our celebrations, your presentation of the Canossian Charism, mingling and enjoying the company of the staff. Little deeds like that really showed how much you care for all of us. |
It is indeed sad to see you leave us as our Provincial, but we believe our roads will cross in many other ways. As you embark into a new path of life, each one of us here will continue to pray for you. We want you to know that we are indeed proud to be part of your Canossian family.
| Sr. Janet… we hope this token will help you in your work. God Bless You, from all our Eduplexian hearts 'Built on Love'.
By Sr. Angela Ng |
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The above message has been modified by the Editor.