Davao Catholic Herald: Setting Stella Maris Academy Ablaze

Just like droplets of water create ripples on a clear lake, Davao Catholic Herald is starting a chain reaction at Stella Maris Academy of Davao.

This year, Stella Maris Academy of Davao (SMAD): located at Barrio Obrero Street, Davao City became a subscriber of the Davao Catholic Herald Newspaper; setting the school ablaze, touching one student’s life at a time.

Last Saturday, I had a chat with Sister Caridad Ramirez F.I., the school’s Campus Minister, and learned that SMAD orders 700 copies of the newspaper every time a new issue is released. These newspapers are then distributed to Grades 7, 8 and 9 of the Junior High School department.

Students not only read the newspapers during their free time but, their Christian Living (subject) teachers also use the Davao Catholic Herald newspapers as supplements for their lessons in class. However, the newspapers do not only circulate amongst the students. The teachers, staff and administrators enjoy reading the newspapers as well, since the newspapers are placed in the Elementary, Junior high and Senior high school libraries, and in both of the receiving rooms found in the school.

According to Sister Caridad Ramirez F.I., what makes the Davao Catholic Herald distinct and unique from other newspapers is that “the newspaper focuses more on religious and spiritual matters”. The newspaper articles also write about the Vatican and about the Holy Father. The newspaper also highlights events about the love for the Eucharist and service for the poor; values which were embodied by St. Candida, our foundress.” And because of this, the school has decided to subscribe, not only to be able to raise the student’s awareness regarding events and issues of our Catholic faith; but also, to be able to help the Archdiocese of Davao.

Little by little Sister Caridad notices changes brought by the Davao Catholic Herald newspaper. “Students who read the newspaper seem happy after reading it”, says Sister Caridad. “And I believe that there is something (good) being stirred inside of them”.

The sisters and administrators of the school are looking forward to more collaboration with the Davao Catholic Herald, and are hoping to increase the number of subscription the school orders, in order to cater all students and members of the Stella Maris educative community.

Stella Maris’ subscription is only the beginning of a long and beautiful journey with the DAVAO Catholic Herald and the Archdiocese of Davao. I hope that the spark that has just started will turn into a blaze that will spread like wildfire in proclaiming the Good News. (Justine Gwen Lim Rasonabe | SM Correspondent)