Dear members of the faculty, Thank you for heroically heeding the call to the teaching vocation.

Majority of you may probably see teaching as a profession, but the Spirit works in mysterious ways. This early, allow me to already declare my faith that each one of us has been interiorly called to serve God in this academic environment, as laborers in His vineyard. Like a vineyard, the institution is in need of dedicated and conscientious laborers. The institution is in need of faculty members who view teaching as a vocation, as an answer to God. If we, therefore, believe that this call is from the Spirit, I would like to invite you then to continually listen and discern, as God speaks through the events of our lives. The threefold mission of the institution the development of person, the promotion of local culture, and the service for the welfare of society may be deemed daunting for all of us; for who could, among us, completely identify how to mould even just a single person entrusted to us, if not with the Spirit guiding our every move? The invitation, therefore, for each one of us is to live out our spiritual lives amidst our workplace, to work in prayer, to make our work a sincere lifting of the spirit, so that our spirit may continually and at all times be one with the Divine Spirit Who shall ensure the fruits of our labor. With prayerful workers, there shall be no challenges so difficult to accomplish; there shall only be events clearly seen as God s way of speaking and renewing the face of the Earth. Each one is called to be heroes. The popular notion of a hero is that s/he has extraordinary qualities such as strength, selflessness, valor, and other virtues. Ultimately, a hero is expected to have the courage to lay down her/his life for others. Every one of us is called to be heroes; to do ordinary things extraordinarily; to imbue ourselves with Christian heroism that may only be fortified through the theological (faith, hope, and charity) and cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude) the institution s core values are very much rooted in these virtues. Each is continually asked to follow the example of Christ who laid down His life for his friends. Let us, therefore, be guided by the words of Augustine, our patron: "Are you thinking of raising the great fabric of spirituality? Attend first of all to the foundation of humility." You are called to begin the work from this point: laying first of all (to) the foundation of humility. We could say that our decision to teach is an act of charity; but it will amount to nothing cannot even be charity if it is not done out of humility. The practical manifestation of this is the desired development of an attitude towards scholarship among faculty members. Everyone is admonished to keep on questioning one s knowledge and abilities; thus, in

secret and in silence but in all sincerity always strive to achieve a culture of academic excellence. Every faculty member is expected to strive to learn, to rise in intellect, to continually search for wisdom. This search posits the necessity to formulate questions. As you serve the institution, what is it considering our varied disciplines that you are striving to specialize or perfect in, and that you hope to share to the students and all the members of the community? If everyone gives these precious gifts of wisdom that come from our expertise to our students, what shall our students experience but an epiphany? Then we shall collectively mold holistic San Sebastian College Recoletos Manila graduates. These graduates shall be academically trained, fortified with Christian virtues, and shall serve as light to the world outside the academic community. Everyone is called to humility, accepting professional criticism from peers and superiors, even from the students, learning and growing from these criticisms. An academic culture is established only when there is an environment open to discussions, suggestions, or criticisms given and received professionally and with sincere intent of achieving excellence for the sake of our constituents and of humanity. May the vision and mission of our institution, and this faculty manual help each one of us in our journey towards the accomplishment of our individual mission. Let them serve as guide, or weapons of light. Let us believe, God blesses us always in everything, as everything is grace. Glorify God in all things!