Are we bare gift-givers

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Part of The Carolinian

Title: Are we bare gift-givers
extracted text: Miscellanea by DOMINADOR A. ALMIRANTE ^re We Ware Qift-Qivers? As the Det-ember wind blows with penetrating coldness, we are once again ushered into a world of joy and hilarity: Christmas. Now the spirit of the Yulctide season pervades the atmosphere. The air is filled with heavenly music of the carolers’ choruses. One’s life is at its brightest, gayest. Everybody is genial and kind-hearted. At no other season of the year is one’s heart so light. With the spirit of Christmas goes the joy of giving. One finds pleasure in the thought of having entered into the feelings of others. Without that, there is no giving; without that giving, there is no gift. For as one writer puts it: “A gift without a giver is bare.” In this age of materialism, let us examine ourselves, whether or not we are bare gift-givers. Do we give with a warm heart and with a genial face? Or do we give with the attitude of being annoyed and with a frowning look? Do we give without expecting anything in return? Do we give because we feel it our duty to give regardless of the station of life of the recipient? God chose that Jesus Christ should enter the world through a lowly stable. He could have chosen a palace with all the grandeur, affluence and abundance. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes when he could have been garbed in costly garments. All this demonstrates the great love of God for the poor. Today we celebrate Christmas with pomp and splendor. We spend lavishly for a sumptuous Christmas dinner. And whom do we welcome? Our rich ‘compadrcs’, our wealthy businessmen-l'riends, the powerful big shots in the government, and the politicians. Do we remember the poor? If they ever came to beg, we dismiss them by giving the left-overs and drive them away like some vexatious pests. The birth of Jesus Christ in the Manger has taught us that Christianity is not just something to be outwardly displayed to the world. It means more than that: It must be something felt deep down inside one’s heart. Another Christmas is here. One of the searching questions is: Are we bare gift-givers? If we are, we are celebrating Christmas all our own way, not as Christ wanted it to be. j* SEEING OUT .. . (Continued from page 2) office thoughtfully. "There are two things I would like them to bear in mind.” He took a deep breath, then continued. “First, and this applies to all, I would like them to strive hard at all times in order to continue to live by the Christian principles and ideals for which this university stands and to try to emulate the blessed life of Christ in every way possible by warding off temptation and receiving the sacraments. As for the students, I would like them to delve deeper into the vast ocean of knowledge through books and experien ces they may encounter in this univer sity and to complement their teachers’ efforts to impart whatever knowledge they have. And lastly, for the faculty, I would like them to give full support and earnest cooperation to any under taking the incoming Father Rector is going to carry out as part of his pro gram, an attitude which they have so laboriously and commendably shown to me.” Obviously, to Father Herman Kondring what he asked us for was not wanting in the course of his rectorship of this university. At this juncture, we would like to mention some of the many important achievements of the good Father, if only as a passing tribute. Although “very satisfied with the progress USC had made” at the time of his assumption of office, nevertheless, he set himself to the gigantic task of “building a new boys’ high school with ample grounds for sports and for the accommodation of boarders, extending the graduate school, and finally, opening a college of medicine.” Even if this last project is not yet realized, we can well see that the new building is anything but complete. In the meantime, we can only wait and see. Judging from this angle, we assert here, with pride and confidence and without fear of contradiction, that the (Continued on page -10) | SCA fauna ----------by TRUCE ORDOSA______ ERRATUM When Brother Jess Alcordo was un animously voted president, he vigorously demurred at the offer of the coveted presidential seat: “I am not worthy of it...” He also disclaimed being a Chemical Engineering scholar as slated in last issue’s "Corner”. To do him “justice” I apologize for the campaign leaflets’ mistake. I took the informa tion from them. SETBACK The Radio-l)ramatics cell was all set for “The Rosary Hour” presenta tion. But what made the whole thing a could-have-becn, was a notice from the studios on the day before the pre sentation, that it would have to be post poned until after the elections. It was a real "wet-blanket” treatment, the frustrated members felt, but, anyway our kudos for your cooperation, boys; we still intend to call on you when the ACTION The most outstanding activity of the SCA was the sponsoring of the bingo games last September 6. The profits will be given to the missions. With gratitude, the SCA doffs its hat to Mr. Juan Aquino, Jr. and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity members for their selflessness which helped to make the affair a thundering success. The SCA also sponsored a drive for the poor; the response was over whelming. Mostly through Fr. Pedro and Fr. Schoenig’s efforts, the SCA’ns were convinced that the Blue Army had a good cause; thus a series of member ship campaigns typical for the spirit of Catholic Action was triggered and the SCA, together with the Legion of Mary and the Sodality, was able to add more men to the Blue Army in its drive for world peace. The drive is still going on. The induction of the members last August was quite impressive with ,the Special Chinese Cell added to the SCA and with the presence of Fr. Rector and Fr. Pedro. The Cultural-Educational unit was adjudged the best unit. PLANS At this writing, the SCA is plan ning to go caroling if Brother Pete Montero will be available. The CulturalEducational unit may sponsor a sym posium, and Brother Jess Alcordo may see to the approval of P70 from the SSC, of which he is the vice-president. The money will be used for SCA ex penses. J Page 20 THE CAROLINIAN
Date: 1959
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