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Saturday, December 21, 2013

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - December 22, 2013


PHOTO CREDITS to the rightful owner of the image.



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 22, 2013


GOSPEL READING: Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM:  Psalm 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Response:  Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

Response:  Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.

Response:  Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

Response:  Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.


SECOND READING: Letter of Paul to Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122213.cfm



REFLECTION:

This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We are called to trust in the harmony of God’s plan. Like Joseph and Mary in today’s gospel, we, too, are called to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. But this calls for a deep trust that the Spirit of God is at work even when things don’t seem to make sense, and the situations in which we find ourselves are very challenging. It can take a lot of intention and attention to trust that God will bring good and something altogether new out of difficulty and even tragedy.

Is there a situation in your life that requires you to relinquish control and open yourself to the new and unexpected that God can bring out of it?

Let us with hopeful joy celebrate Emmanuel, our God who is with us in everything and whose promise of salvation can be trusted!

Source: http://www.churchofepiphany.com/news/2013/dec/16-liturgy





Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Private Conversation with Gerard Paul O. Cusi


PHOTO CREDITS: Facebook Grab from Gerard Paul Cusi


Gerard Paul O. Cusi graduated his B.S. Civil Engineering Magna Cum Laude last March 2013. He ranked No. 2 in the recent Civil Engineering Licensure Examination held last November 19 – 21, 2013.

Gerard’s success in the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination has given so much honor and prestige to his Alma Mater, UNO-Recoletos as “Cradle of Excellence.”

In this private conversation with the Tolentine Herald, Gerard shared to us his experience and thoughts about the recent board examination as well as his future career plans.


TH: How does it feel being Top 2 in the Civil Engineering (CE) Board Exam?

Gerard: I’m just happy to make my family proud. My hard work was dedicated to my loved ones in the first place.

TH: What was your first reaction when u knew that you’re Top 2 in the CE Board Exam?

Gerard: I didn't believe it until at least 4 persons told me so. Our internet was slow at that time so we couldn't check ourselves. We simply waited for friends to tell us. I was stunned at first.

TH:  How was your experience of the CE Board Exam?

Gerald: I was disappointed at first. Aside from the tests themselves, I had a great fear of getting fouled out by technicalities. Also, the most difficult exam papers arrived late without any extension in our working time. I never expected that there would be other challenges in addition to the test questions.

TH:  How did you manage to accomplish the exam with all these challenges?

Gerard: Simply what any other examinee would do, take the exam. I was hesitant to pass my answer sheet, and that's why I didn't believe I was Top 2 at first.

TH:  What was the most difficult and easy part of the exam for you?

Gerard: The Licensure Exam had 3 components, namely: Math, Hydraulics, and Structural Engineering. Anyone who took the exam could say the Math and Hydraulics were very easy. Structural Engineering was a different story though. Aside from the late arrival of questionnaires, the difficulty of questions was unexpected. Luckily, I prepared for the worst.

TH: Can you say that your academic training here at UNO-R College of Engineering better prepared you for this board exam challenge?

Gerard: Yes, UNO-R has trained me to cope up with questions of high level difficulty. The review center trained me how to use my time efficiently and greatly improved my speed.

TH: By the way, where did take your review of the CE Board Exam?

Gerard: Gillesania Engineering Review and Training Center (GERTC).

TH: How long was the review?

Gerard:  (It was) 5 and a half months — 3.5 months review, 2 months refresher.

TH: Aside from your academic training and review, what else did you as part of your preparation for the board exam?

Gerard: Prayers, eating sufficiently, physical condition. There were also plenty of people supporting me and boosting my confidence.

TH: Did you go to gym or do physical fitness session?

Gerard: Nah, I simply watched over my health. I didn't need to be fit, just healthy.

TH: What do you think was the greatest factor that made you topped the CE Board Exam?

Gerard: The intense training was given to us by the review center. We took weekly pre-boards, meaning it was like taking the board exam every week for 9 consecutive weeks.

Other major factors include the support I had from loved ones, and my visitation to the church right before the examination.

TH:  Aside from congratulatory messages, did UNO-R offer you anything for this prestige and honor you brought to the institution?

Gerard: Well... not yet. But my instructor said that rewards are usually given on March. So, I’ll have to wait and see.

TH:  Now, that you are a licensed Civil Engineer, what are your plans as of the moment? Did you receive job offerings?

Gerard: Yes, plenty of job offerings.  One is to be instructor of UNO-R, lecturer of GERTC, firms offering me for construction jobs in Tacloban, some as cost estimators, to work in Office as quality control. I can’t name all of them though.

But right now, I’m on my way to becoming an author of an Engineering book.

TH:  Can u share to us also about the book which you will author?

Gerard: It is still highly confidential, sorry. All I can share is that there will be a book in the future. Nothing more.

TH:  Is it an engineering textbook?

Gerard: Yes, a book about engineering.

TH:  Any message that you would like to inspire your fellow UNO-Rians for success…

Gerard: Just take it easy, don't stress yourself. Give it all you have, but never forget there are still other things out there. Don't get pressured. Do it for yourself and for your loved ones, not for others. Every person has the potential to be top, it's up to him to unleash it. Without Him, we are nothing.

TH:  How would you react if someone calls/greets you, Engr. Gerard Cusi?

Gerard: I’d greet him/her back. Good morning/afternoon. I wouldn't decline if he would want to start a conversation. No special reaction probably.

TH: On the lighter side, is Gerard Cusi single and available?

Gerard: Well, I’m not married yet but unavailable.


Proud Parents of Gerard
PHOTO CREDITS: Facebook Grab from Gerard Paul Cusi
 
Gerard's Batchmates/Classmates during Graduation Day 2013
PHOTO CREDITS: Facebook Grab from Gerard Paul Cusi