WISE KNB? – is the current joke circulating among the participants of the recent workshop held for faculty and staff just before the semestral break. For those who are not very familiar with this latest addition to the Xavier dictionary of acronyms, WISE stands for Workshop on Ignatian Spirituality in Education.

      With the help of consultants from the Ateneo de Manila University, Sr. Reylie de Guzman (College Campus Ministry) and Ms. Eva Galvey (Emmaus Center), the workshop was developed to help the participants learn more about the Jesuit mission, how it has borne fruit in the Chinese-Filipino Apostolate of Xavier School and the value of companions in mission.

      Since the WISE Committee thinks it wiser not to reveal the content and activities in store for future participants, what will be shared in this article are the comments of those who attended last October 28-29 at the EED Formation Center.

      When asked if they will recommend WISE to other teachers and staff, there was a unanimous YES! and they said further:

     “I discovered who I really am…”

     “It makes us appreciate and be grateful for being in Xavier…”

     “It’s very helpful in deepening our spiritual formation…to better carry   out Xavier’s mission…”

     “It’s a once in a lifetime experience for new teachers/personnel…”

     “It is very helpful in understanding our mission in XS…”

     “It’s a way to unwind and build friendships with others…”

     “It made me realize our mission in Xavier…”

     While writing this article, Fr. Go e-mailed this letter from a WISE participant who wrote his/her thanks for the experience by saying:

     "I appreciate how the school regard us as "partners in mission" and not merely "workers" of the school...It gave teaching for me a new dimension...I'm writing and expressing these things to you...feel that you ought to know that your efforts and that of Xavier School are appreciated and has also affected other people's lives."

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