The Itinerants Path

The Assistant Principal of Cluster 4 called my attention few weeks ago and told me that she dissolved the Saint Marcellin Champagnat Club for lacking of members. Maybe I was just thinking that it was her prerogative to decide whether to dissolve it or not since there were only five students who asked to be enlisted for this school year. I asked her to explain her reason to the Brother Director and from that, I never heard about it anymore. I facilitated the registration during the Club-hopping (club-shopping) day after finally accepting the responsibility to handle it (I declined twice but realized that it was necessary).

At first, I was hesitant in accepting the responsibility to be the Club Moderator for this school year. I was told by the last year’s moderator that it was doing well. And indeed, just today, he showed me the club evaluation which turned out to be good, or even excellent (Rating of 4.57 out of 5). A suggestion to retain the said club this school year was even given(but now, what?). Maybe the club officers and members, together with their moderator, were able to implement their plans and projects, that I believe, they followed the ideals and objectives of the National Federation of St. Marcellin Champagnat Club in the Philippines (NFSMCCP). I checked their whole year plan and I find those commendable. Perhaps last year’s group must be given recognition by the NFSMCCP. All Marist schools of the Brothers have this club, except this school now.

The SMC Club is an organization to provide many opportunities to its members. According to the Article II of the NFSMCCP, the members  will be able to establish communion with other members, fostering Marist formation just like having on-going formation on the life of St. Marcellin Champagnat. Members will be involved in meaningful and relevant activities in the Marist schools and parish-based religious activities. They are to reach out in service to the young  especially to the least favored. And of course, to strengthen their characteristics and core-values as Marist students who radically witness to the teachings of Christ.

But now, maybe just a sort of realization and in fact seems unimaginable that SMC Club, Marist School Chapter, was dissolved. She could have asked other students to be part of it as an additional to other five members. The Brothers, I supposed, were not looking for great numbers of members of their own youth-group

SMC Club. I feel sad about it that only in this school, SMC doesn’t exist for this school year.

Questions popped up in my mind, “Where are the Brothers? How come that very few became interested to be part of this club? Was the SMC Club a mere school club for the Marist School?” Ah, I’m sure, I have to understand the structures or even the status quo at the moment. Sometimes, I feel bad that I hear words from the Brothers how difficult it is to look for Marist candidates, that most of those high school graduates who became aspirants come from non-Marist schools (I came from a diocesan school in our locality). SMC Club was supposed to help the Brothers to promote Marist way of life. Again, where are we now?

As I reflect at the moment, I just feel uncomfortable, but I have to accept that everything happens for a purpose. Maybe I will learn how it happened and be enlightened with the wisdom that dissolving the SMC Club of Marist School is really a wake up call… not only for me as a Marist Brother. Is it enough for me to wake up and witness it or to make a move?

To the Brother whom I asked an opinion the decision to dissolve the club, thank you for your wisdom. Though we felt the same sentiment, we will learn from it. WTH! LOLZ!