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September-October 2003

My Special Journey

By Father Ver Aro MSP

My appointment to the Western Province of Papua New Guinea was the start of my journey ad gentes – ‘to the nations.’  It was a kind of pilgrimage that led me to embrace the value of a very special vocation, to proclaim the Good News to a people and culture where Jesus’ words are unknown by most and when heard are often considered absurd.

I started to learn the local language, familiarize myself with the people I was serving, get acquainted with their culture and love the community.  I also caught malaria.  After only five months I was uprooted from the area because of an urgent need elsewhere.  My superior transferred me to the Diocess of Vanimo in Sandaun Province.

What Chance Does A Missionary Have In A Muslim Country?

An interview with Archbishop José Antonio Peteiro Freire OFM

Of Tangier, Morocco. By ZENIT (www.Zenit.org)

The lack of religious liberty in some Muslim countries raises the question of whether a missionary can function at all in a nation dominated by Islam. In this interview on 3 February 2003 Archbishop Freire says the key to the answer is in witness.

Q: Let’s begin with the fundamental question: Is it possible to be a missionary in a Muslim country?

Archbishop Peteiro: St Francis sent five Italian Franciscans to Morocco. The Franciscans preached the Gospel openly and declared that Islam was a false religion and that Mohammed was a false prophet They went to the mosques in an insulting way, and this is why they were killed the following year, 1220.

In 1219 St Francis went to meet the Sultan in Damieta, near Cairo, and asked that Christians be allowed to visit the holy places. The fact that he went out to meet the Sultan was, undoubtedly, a prophetic action.

A
venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their
mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young
professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are
doing.

Windows of Opportunity

By Lovelette B. Gonzaga

The sky was bright that Sunday afternoon as I was lying on our roof facing the beautiful velvet blue sky God was sharing with me. The leaves of the mahogany tree swayed to the rhythm of the gentle breeze that caressed my sleepy and stressful face. All this beauty unfolding before my eyes was enough to cheer me up and make me feel relaxed despite problems disturbing my brain.

Unwanted visitor

A young woman together with a man and a classmate from my high school days came to the house looking for me. Grandma yelled, ‘Candy, someone’s looking for you downstairs.’ At first I pretended that I didn’t hear and closed my eyes. But when Grandma continued calling and searching for me I ran down the stairs trying to hide from her. The three visitors had come to ask my help by inviting me to join their Choral Ministry, as they really needed a soprano.

‘I Will Walk With Faith’

By Alma Pangsiw

Alma is from the Mountain Province. She was a strong and healthy person, determined to reach her dreams for her family. But a sudden illness got in her way. Here she shares with us how she continued to walk with faith.

I am the eldest of five and was determined to finish college and find a stable job to help my brothers and sisters through school. Then fate walked in and closed that door.

August 18, 2000. I woke up and felt a sudden pang in my hips and waist. My hands were trembling and sweating. I tried to stand but couldn’t keep my legs from shaking. Yet I managed to get dressed and went to the high school where I was having my teaching practice. I couldn’t keep standing during the flag ceremony because of the throbbing pain. I could also feel both legs getting weaker. After one class I thought the pain would subside but it got worse. I couldn’t bear it anymore. I felt I’d collapse and asked permission to go home.

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Labang Volleyball

Inimbitahan ng Our Lady of Fatima School and aking mga altar boys na maglaro ng volleyball laban sa kanilang women’s team. Di ako makapaniwala na natalo nila kami. “Ang daya nyo,” sabi ko sa kanila. “Nanalo kayo dahil ginayuma nyo ang aking mga altar boys.” Matinding tumutol ang mga babae, “Aba, hindi ah! Huwag kayong mamimintang, Father. Anong magagawa naming eh nagdasal kami. Ang mga altar boys mo nagdasal ba? Tignang nyo sila o.”

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