Being Part of PJPS Is Great

We invited some of our scholars to share their Christmas reflections. Below are some of their inspiring reflections with great maturity and empathy: Spirit of Christmas The spirit of Christmas has become very meaningful to every family of PDLs. Love, giving, and caring for others have become central despite the pandemic we are facing. Our family has joy in our hearts because we truly felt the love of God in our lives. Our family is very grateful because God did not neglect us in many ways, and especially through the support of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc., which continues to be an instrument in our lives to delivering love, and hope. Sharing is Caring There are many aspects and opportunities in the seasons of our lives when we can show through the blessings we receive and share that we care for each other. Each passing year, we encounter and go through many trials. The past year was especially tough, but it was also a time when we were presented with opportunities to express or show mutual support, compromise, and cooperation. The blessings we receive give us the strength to move on with life and the inspiration to share the same blessings with other people. In today's world, where many things or lifestyles have changed, we must not lose the habit of sharing and generosity. For this year’s Christmas celebration, because of the blessings we received from the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc., we felt a deep desire in our hearts to offer simple/useful gifts to the street dwellers, who nowadays are in need of more care and love from their neighbors. Christmas is full of magic: the magic of tolerance, caring for one another, cooperation, and joy. But in contrast to this magic, there is also sorrow, grief, and hatred. The Christmas magic brings love, hope, and last but not the least, the magic of faith. We can accomplish everything if we do everything with faith in God. In this season of giving, we must remember that the value of the gift is not measured by the size nor the price of the gift. No price tag is enough for a gift, no matter how humble and small, if given with sincere care and love from the heart. Christmas Thanksgiving When we hear Christmas, what comes first in our mind? Many of us will answer it is about gifts, sharing, love, happy season, etc. But sometimes we forget the real reason why there is Christmas. It is because our Lord Jesus Christ was born on this day. He is the reason for the season. For me, as a student and college scholar of the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS), this is the season when we will receive many gifts and noche-buena packages. We have many things to be thankful for to the PJPS Family. But then, I realized that it is better to give than to receive. Through the initiative of my co-scholar Jaquelyn, we embarked on a small gift-giving project wherein we have distributed more than 30 (thirty) items of clothes, jackets, and bags to street dwellers. We were very happy to look at their delighted faces when they received the unexpected gifts. It was priceless! PJPS is our inspiration for this seemingly insignificant, yet meaningful activity. There are many things we can do for other people even if we do not have money. We can bring joy and laughter to their lives and that is how we can pay forward our gratitude for all the blessings that we receive. I want to send my sincere gratitude to all PJPS sponsors, benefactors, staff, and volunteers. Your example, support, and generosity inspired and enabled us to share our blessings with others. Thank you for everything.