SJA Reach Out Publication SY 2016-2017

t. Two years after, the first elementary graduation came to pass. Through the years, SJA strove to grow in social consciousness towards the evangelization of the poor and the promotion of a lifestyle of simplicity. January 2001 witnessed the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony of the Marie Louise de Meester building. This reinforced the hopes and dreams of all those who wished SJA to soar to greater heights of academic excellence and spiritual fervor. SJA's faith, hope and love were challenged when a terrible fire, which started at the nearby public market, destroyed the administration building. But this only galvanized the administration's resolve to relentlessly pursue integral human and Christian despite limitations imposed by institutional resources. During this time also, administrative discussions about the possibility of turning over the school to the Archdiocese of Cebu became very animated. His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, the Archbishop of Cebu, right away commissioned the Superintendent of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools of Cebu, Fr. Ventic, Ph.D. to take over as SJA's School Director effective School Year 2003-2004 which was also the last year of the ICM management. With courage and determination, the School Director envisioned a development plan with the able assistance of the new Basic Education Principal, Perlita S. Quiñones, Ed.D. The construction of the five-story building to replace the burned edifice started on February 2006. It was inaugurated and blessed on 10 September 2007 in the presence of a jubilant and grateful community. The year 2014 marked the Golden Foundation Anniversary and the beginning of another chapter in the grace-filled ongoing story of St. Jesper John R. Petralba, Ed.D., D.M., Ph.D., D.P.A., Fr. Mariano Dioscoro E. Cuarto, M.A.S.L. and Mme. Maria Alma T. Flores, M.Ed. were appointed as the new Director, Treasurer and Principal respectively. Building on all the sincere efforts of their predecessors, they successfully toiled to render SJA worthy of PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) initial accreditation on 25 November 2014. School Year 2015-2016 saw the complete integration of SJA into the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools of Cebu System as well as the laying down of the foundations of its Senior High School Program and its future Jubilee Building in old Mandaue's lot #5 owned by the Archdiocese of Cebu. And the continuing revelation of God's immeasurable goodness unceasingly unfolds with each passing day of SJA's educational ministry.