LABO, Camarines Norte, August 25, 2012—In a bid to form future Christian leaders, the Saint John the Apostle Academy of Labo, Camarines Norte organized a leadership seminar last August 9 and 10 to facilitate the education and formation of future government and Church leaders.
More than 80 student leaders who are also active members of the Holy Childhood Association, one of the foundations of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), attended the seminar titled “Following Jesus the Servant Leader”.
Sr. Yolanda Lunod, AMP, the outreach program coordinator and moderator of the Holy Childhood/Propagation of Faith of the school, said the seminar was held because they believe that years from now, the children will become government or Church officials, thus it is important to facilitate the children’s education and formation to produce good, efficient and effective leaders who are Christ-centered.
“The seminar was liberating because the pupils/students were able to express their knowledge, skills and attitudes in small and big group sharing in the form of drawing, dancing, drama/skit and oral presentation. With the help of Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP and Mr. Anthony Dameg, both from the Pontifical Mission Societies of the Philippines, the children understood many things about being a Christian leader,” Lunod added.
Mesiona, the National Director of PMS-Philippines, discussed in his talk the topic ‘Qualities of Jesus as a Servant Leader’ which the children should imitate.
“As a Christian leader, like Jesus, he must have clarity of vision. He is faithful to his mission and is always in contact with the Father, God. A leader must also encourage others to participate, thinks big but starts with real-life situations. He must also be SMART or Simple, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound,” he explained.
A leader communicates clearly his message, Mesiona continued, he sets a good example and knows how to delegate. A good leader knows how to empathize and he sees leadership as a form of service, like Jesus.
Dameg for his part, talked about following Christ, the Servant Leader, and the characteristics of a Leader.
Mesiona celebrated the Holy Mass after the seminar where he called on the children to be part of the mission.
The seminar was held in Bulwagang San Agustin of Saint John the Apostle Community Center, in Labo,Camarines Norte.
St. John the Apostle Academy of Labo is a mission school run by the Augustinian Missionaries of the Philippines. (Jandel Posion)
