A RELIGIOUS VOCATION IS NEVER LATE

Msgr. Dan Sta. Mara as he appears on the cover of his  third book:

One interesting career journey  featured  in "Pointers for New College Graduates" is that of  a priest, who found his calling way past college graduation. 

Msgr. Daniel Sta. Maria, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Cubao,  recalls his  years before and after entering the seminary. 

He was born and raised,   together with  eight siblings.  in Mandaluyong City,  He wanted to reciprocate the dedication and hard work of his parents,  and did so  by graduating summa cum laude at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he earned his degree in BS Chemical Engineering.

Like a typical new graduate, Msgr. Dan thought he would be a family man.  When he was in college, he had a girlfriend , who broke up with him when he had to leave  the country  for  his masteral studies at Clarkson University in New York.

Msgr. Dan experienced how it was like to be corporate executive. He worked for years with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio and with Dupont in Houston, Texas.  

Yet the call of a priestly vocation  proved too powerful for Msgr. Dan.  His  life took a big turn when he returned  in 1979 to the Philippines and decided to enter San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, then later, San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. . 

After what seemed  like a long and colorful journey, Msgr. Dan was ordained priest in 1986 at   the age of forty-three.

Learn more about Msgr. Dan's vocation story and his pointers for young adults at life's many crossroads.

Ms. Dan Sta. Maria wrote the foreword of "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.

WHY POINTERS?

Growing up in Pasay City, I went to St. Mary’s Academy, where my grade school teachers would give us pointers for review days before an exam. Those pointers would indicate the specific topics or textbook chapters to be covered.

Pointers definitely made exam preparations easier for me then. As I went through high school and college, my teachers and professors gave fewer pointers, if any at all.

After college, I felt that I was practically on my own. I did not know then of any coaches or mentors, whom I could approach for answers to questions about my journey as a new graduate.

The concept of “pointers”—literally meaning “piece of advice or suggestion,” came to mind, when I was considering possible titles for this book. “Pointers” brought quaint memories of my grade school teachers, too, so I felt a strong preference for the word.

In this  book, which is the first of  my  "pointers" series, I intend to share with new graduates  the lessons that I have gathered  from others, from research and from my own experience since I started working.

The first half of the book  covers purpose, mission, vocation, and other topics that I will attempt to explain as succinctly as possible.  I included short summaries of the real-life journeys to-date of family and friends that agreed to serve as resource persons.

About that triband arrow on the cover, it is intended to signify movement and progression toward a singular direction. The three overlapping arrows are in light green, dark green and grey. Green symbolizes youth and promise; while grey, age and wisdom. When light green and grey combine, they produce a deep shade of green—vibrant and powerful.

When you think about it, the triband arrow is meant to represent the young graduate.

I trust that after reading this book, each reader   will find pointers that will prove helpful in the  pursuit of personal  success and significance.

"Pointers for New College Graduates,"  currently available at Fully Booked and St. Paul's Bookstores.