A Faith Formation Seminar for DLSU Libraries' Personnel

More than sixty (60) library personnel attended the Faith Formation Seminar with the theme Spirituality in the Workplace held at the St. Scholastica’s Center for Spirituality in Tagaytay City on 12 May 2016.  Fr. Francis Xavier Salcedo, former DLSU Chaplain, was invited as the resource speaker. He discussed the spirituality of work and work-life balance; stewardship and finding life’s purpose and meaning; and, spiritual leadership and accompaniment in the workplace. 

Fr. Salcedo explained that working is not just a personal but also familial and societal issue. He stressed that one can work more effectively and efficiently if he/she has a better understanding of balance in the work-life and the spirituality of work. It is important that librarians and library staff should have the ability to handle stress effectively as it affects their mind, emotions, and body.

Fr. Salcedo said that leadership, like spirituality is a very misunderstood if not misused term. The values of the world have become more materialistic and less spiritual. Developing one’s faith is more than just a personal concern. For Jesus, it grows through loving service towards the last, the lost, and the least members of society. He further defined spiritual leadership as a process of influencing people to accomplish their mission and inspiring their commitment to institutional goals, and improving the organization and management. He expounds that each one is a leader who could inspire one another in the workplace.

Towards the end of the seminar, two participants were asked to share their thoughts and experiences related to what have been discussed by Fr. Salcedo. The whole day affair was highlighted by the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.