By Reynante Bantigue
In my exposure in Negros Occidental, I was able to visit the places in the Diocese of Kabankalan where Columban missionaries have greatly involved for 61 years. Many of their contributions were noticeable: schools and churches they built, various communities organized, many programs and projects initiated; all in the service of justice and the uplifting of human dignity is uplift. I was very impressed.
I want to ask humbly about the blessing of inanimate objects with holy water. I have learned in what I read that it is God who sanctifies the water and that it in turn blesses through the Holy Spirit. I wish to hear what God's word in the Scriptures says about this. Thank you. To God be the glory!
By Fr Patrick J. Baker
Since the Columbans first went to the Province of Zambales in 1951, around 70 of them served for varying lengths of time. The area became the Prelature of Iba in 1955 and a diocese in 1982. Columban Bishop Henry Byrne was bishop from 1956 until 1982. The last two Columbans to staff a parish there were Frs Fintan Murtagh and Donal O’Dea. They turned over the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Barretto, Olongapo City, to the Diocese of Iba on 20 May this year. That leaves just one Columban remaining in the Diocese – Fr Shay Cullen in the Preda Center.
The turn-over ceremony, with the installation of the new parish priest, Fr Rodel San Juan, took place within a Mass in Barretto parish church. It was a very well prepared ceremony, with Bishop Florentino G. Lavarias presiding and most, if not all of the priests of the diocese, attending. Many tributes were paid to the Columbans who had served in Iba for the past 60 years. The Regional Director, Fr Pat O’Donoghue, expressed the gratitude of the Society for the welcome, acceptance and cooperation that the Columbans had experienced during those years.
By Mary Joy Rile
The thought of ordination, wedding, profession of vows and commitment rites always excites me. Every moment is special. I believe in the special grace received being present on those occasions. And I believe that God's hand is working through the newly professed.
I'd been invited to some ordinations before but never made it. So when I learned that I could attend Chris's ordination, I was truly happy. But I thought to myself, I had to control my excitement and believe only when I was there.
I was privileged to meet Chris three days before the ordination. Feeling my own excitement for that day, I was curious to know how it was for him. I asked how he truly felt and he said, 'sagol-sagol man' (mixed emotions), 'di ko kasabot' (I cannot understand). I guess he didn't have to elaborate. Those few words meant much already.
The author, a Columban lay missionary who has served in Korea and as coordinator in the Philippines, is from Talisay City, Cebu, and is now based in the Diocese of Banmaw in the Kachin State, northern Myanmar (Burma).
L to R: Sr. Ashwena, Arlenne, Sr. Mary and Columba
‘Because the Columbans love us . . .’ This was the reply of a Kachin woman to a Columban priest when asked about the elaborate celebrations in honor of the Columbans when there were other missionaries who came before them.
The people in Banmaw have never forgotten what it was like to be loved by them. They have remembered well with gratitude in their hearts
This gratitude is shown in their prayers, in their stories and in the way they celebrate the feast of St Columban every year. During my first experience of this in Banmaw in 2009, when it coincided with the thanksgiving for the harvest, I was struck by the simplicity and generosity of the people expressed in many ways. I could only give a deep sigh of gratitude to God because all words fell short of what I personally experienced that day. What could the Columbans have done? Or was it the people - or something beyond them?
By ‘Laura’
The author is in 4th year college in Bacolod City, majoring in Information Technology.
In my early years I could clearly tell how difficult it is to be born into a family where you long for love and care. Where there is only a little food that can satisfy your starving stomach. Where you can almost feel your world is spinning upside down because you can no longer stand the scarcity. Where you walk to school empty-handed, no ballpen, no trendy bags such as your classmates have, no paper or whatever.
My mother had to scrimp from her small wage. I tried selling ube candy in grade school when I was just a Kinder II student. I can vividly remember how my classmates laughed at me because I used a Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise jar for my water. To make the humiliation even worse, the jar broke because I was too careless. How I was so envious of my classmates having everything they needed. If only I could, I would work more than my mother did every day and every hour of her life. I used to cry a lot in silence thinking how my life was a mess. Like any puzzled kid, I protested, ‘Why me?’
Dear Editor
I' m an avid reader of your magazine, Misyononline.com. When I feel troubled or feel a dryness in my faith I always open your magazine and re-read all my favorite inspiring stories from past issues. I found a friend in your magazine and send him an email when I have a problem or need advice. He is Fr Chris Saenz.
By Daisy Badilla
The author, a chemical engineer by profession, is currently doing doctoral studies at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. She is from Ozamiz City and is a member of the Teresian Association.
I am fond of quotes. They are truly, for me, words to live by. Unconsciously, I get to memorize those lines that I like. My all-time favorite is the one on inner joy from St Pedro Poveda, a priest, educator, humanist, and founder of the Teresian Association (now in its 100th year), a Holy Association in the Church.
St Pedro Poveda once wrote:
‘
If joy is based on something external, it will come and go according to everyday events. But if joy is rooted in the heart and the heart is well-protected, there is nothing to fear. When events around us make us unhappy, we can turn our gaze inward to the depths of our soul and we will find joy.’
By Mary Joy Rile
I guess what most interviewers are excited about is the uniqueness of the encounter in every interview, much more if the interviewee is of a different culture. Thus every interview is for me a privilege and a joy. This time, let me tell you about Lasarusa Koroiciri, known as Martin, a Fijian Columban seminarian. Martin is a jolly person and easy to get along with. In conversation with him, I was amazed at his sense of history. Don’t expect me to share historical facts but rather an inspiring vocation story.
Martin started by sharing about Columban Fr Martin Dobey who was his parish priest when he was in high school. He observed how Father Dobey dealt with people with his ever ready welcome and how he adapted to Fijian culture. He was speaking with pride as he said that Father Dobey was more Fijian than Irish. The visits of the priest to his home added to his admiration of him as a witness who brought inspiration to the mission where he was living.
By Fr Michael Mohally
The author, from Cork city, Ireland, has spent many years working with Columban seminarians in both Ireland and the Philippines. He continues to do that in Quezon City.
The King’s Speech won four Oscars this year. It tells the true story of how Lionel Logue, an Australian, helped the future King George VI of England overcome a bad stammer. Fr Mohally here tells a story about an Irish priest who helped many, none of them kings and many of them very poor, overcome speech difficulties. In the incident reported here, nobody could have foreseen the consequences, not only in Ireland but in Fiji and the Philippines.
