PB CALLS FOR COURAGE AMIDST UNCERTAINTY

by Dino Cantal, CASE

To entrust the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.

These are the words of The Most Rev. Joel A. Pachao, Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, on his homily during the virtual Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the 58th Founding Anniversary of Trinity University of Asia (TUA) last Feb. 13, 2021.

The Prime Bishop praised TUA that despite the ambiguities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the university still finds courage to celebrate the anniversary.

“It is impossible to live a life untouched by fear and anxiety,” said Bishop Pachao.

“In times like these, we turn to the Lord and his abiding words. We turn to God and to the Holy Scriptures to seek help for all the tasks that we need to do. We turn to God for guidance amid the doubts. We turn to God to seek strength. We turn to God to seek protection from dangers. We turn to God to seek consolation for all sorrows.”

The Bishop also encouraged the Trinitian community to live life one day at a time and to strive to meet the demands of each day as it comes without worrying about unknown future and things which may never happen.

Officiated by Rev. Echanes Cadiogan, TUA Chaplain, the Thanksgiving Service marks the opening of the weeklong celebration of the 58th Founding Anniversary of the university.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Gracia D.G. Sarao, the lone 40-year service awardee, urged the younger faculty to take an inspiration from her story as they embark in their journey at Trinity University of Asia, during the Bp. Paul Mathews Service Awards which followed the Thanksgiving Service.

Prof. Sarao, the Department Head of Languages and Contemporary Human Studies (LACHS) Department, shared her experiences from the time she was hired as teacher in the High School Department forty years ago up to her present stint at the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.

“I hope you will find inspiration in my story and value loyalty to our institution and take every opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally. Teaching is a noble profession,” said Ms. Sarao during her message of thanks.

Prof. Sarao joins the 43 other awardees who are celebrating their jubilee in service at TUA, including Dr. Wilfred U. Tiu, the University President, who is on his fifth year.

The Thanksgiving Service and the Bp. Paul Mathews Service Awards were done virtually for the first time via Zoom in response to the government’s community quarantine protocols on prohibition of mass gathering to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Members of the Board of Trustees, the administration, the faculty, support units, as well as students and alumni “attended” the programs which were simultaneously broadcasted to the university’s official social media accounts.