By: Fr. Orlando Cantillon, cmf

Off we Go
After waiting for two years for our visa, the day finally arrived for me and two other Claretian priests namely, Fr. Manuel Sunaz and Fr. James Nadakal, to leave the Philippines and open up a new mission in East Timor Indonesia. On May 6, 1990, we finally set foot in Dili, the Capital of East Timor and to our great surprise the Bishop, Mons. Carlo Ximenes Belo, SBD and a couple of priests from the Diocese were at the airport to give us a warm welcome. It was a touching moment and a beautiful beginning for the three of us.

3 Years Have Passed
Some Years ago, I met a Filipino Missionary sister working in Papua New Guinea who shared with me the four moments of missionary life. As I see my own experience, these four phases have been verified. These are: 1) Missionary Honeymoon, 2) Missionary Cultural Shock; 3) Missionary Inculturation; 4) Missionary Integration.

Missionary Honeymoon
When I left the Philippines, I was full of missionary zeal convinced after a lengthy discernment that this is God‘s will for me. The whole congregation, especially the Claretian Philippine Province was giving us all their support and prayers. When we landed at Dili airport, the warm welcome given by the Bishops and the diocesan priest was beyond our expectation. What was most touching for us was when we went to the parish where we where to work initially. About two kilometers from the town, the people already waiting for us led by the town mayor, the chief of police as well as the catechists. There were more than 200 horsemen wearing their colorful traditional dress escorted us all the way to the parish church while the people were all standing at the road side to get a glimpse of the new missionaries. After the traditional welcome we were treated to a sumptuous dinner after which the cultural presentations were held. Then as we visited the different communities, the same celebration was repeated in a smaller scale. The first impression was that these people were hungry for the presence and services of the missionaries and we pledged our wholehearted commitment to serve them to the best of our abilities. Indeed, we were enjoying the honeymoon stage.

Missionary Shock
Like all honeymoons, ours was temporary and had to end. Next moment came the cultural shock. I came to East Timor bringing with me my own Filipino cultural and identity, my own experience of Filipino church, added to them my own language and values. And here I was in an entirely new situation and the unavoidable came to the fore: the clash of cultures and the conflict of values. I cannot help but compare the two cultures and because of personal bias I see my own cultural as much better. For example, I have been used to a participative church where lay people are given their rightful place and their valuable contributions acknowledged for the building up of the church and here I find myself in a church model that is too clerical and vertical, everything has to come from above and the people are there to receive and follow. This experience was painful, it was a moment of cultural shock. Another experience was the conflict between the tribal culture and my own city and culture. To cite an example, I was shocked with the prevalent practice of the dowry system. The family of the boy has to fulfill dowry requirement from the girl’s family which can vary from two cows up to fifty cows plus other material things like gold, traditional cloth or cash money. Without fulfilling dowry the boy can forget his beloved even though both of them are already of age and do love each other. Missionary cultural shock is a moment of inner and outer conflict, better it is a clash between the inner world of a missionary and the outer world of the mission.

Missionary Inculturation
If the previous moment was characterized by conflict, the next phase was a moment of dying to many things. First, a missionary has to learn the native language. For me, it means learning Bahasa Indonesia, the official and national language for the whole of Indonesia. We enrolled at Yogyakarta Bahasa Indonesia language course, morning and afternoon classes. Learning a new language was difficult but we had the advantage of strong motivation-for God and for the mission. After one month of normal study, we had to study and practice ourselves. An important dimension of Inculturation is the ability to speak and communicate in their own language and in East Timor aside from Bahasa Indonesia, they speak Tenun. The church celebrates all it rites and the liturgies in Tenun, so we also had to study and master Tenun. But by the grace of God and sheer determination and hard work, after six months we were already doing pastoral work: celebrating Eucharist, hearing confessions, celebrating baptism and weddings, giving recollections to high school students. The Filipinos, they say, have the facility to acquire new language.
Part of inculturation is understanding their values and practices and respecting them and the most difficult making their values your own. For example, The Indonesians never use the left hand to give something to others, for them to do so is an insult the person. Therefore I should be very careful with my left hand even though I am left handed and prefer to do things with my left hand. Inculturation is a process of dying and rising, better still it is Paschal mystery, I have to die first to my own culture and values and then to rise up with a new culture and values if I am to be an effective and relevant missionary. I have still a long way to go.

 

 

Missionary Integration
The next moment is missionary integration, also I do not claim to have reached this stage but I know that, that is my direction and I can see some signs along the way. For one, I am happy working as a missionary in Indonesia and I plan to stay here for many years to come. Secondly, I feel that I have found a new motherland, Indonesia, a new family, all the Catholics families I have encountered in my ministry, I have found a new church, the East Timor Catholic Church and I am proud to be a part of it. And as a missionary, called and commissioned to contribute to the building up of the local church of East Timor.

The Filipinos, they say, have the facility to acquire new languages.

The Indonesian never use the left hand to give something to others, for them to do so is to insult the person. Therefore I should be very careful with my left hand even though I am left handed.

 

By: Sr. Virgie Mozo, SSC

New Mission
Sr. Catherine Hurley and I arrived in Loncoche in March of last year to open a new mission in this Southern part of Chile. Locoche is a Mapuche word that means, “head of the people.” There are large industries in this area: Lonco Leche, a dairy milk plant, supplying milk for the north and south of Chile; Fourcade, an expert furniture factory and Tecno Frio, a raspberry and asparagus farming and food processing industry.

To Build B.C. C.’s
Our purpose in coming here is to help build and form Basic Christian Communities. We took up residence in the Ultra Estacion, the poorest area of the parish, and began by visiting the homes to get to know the people, the place, the culture and by trying to adjust to the pace of life here.

Deprived of Love
Our first effort was to form the Infancia Misionera (Holy Childhood) among children. The children range in age from 3 to 13, so you can imagine how different their temperaments are. Coming from alcoholic families or from homes where the fathers are out of work, most of these children have been deprived of their parents’ love. It was winter time when we formed this group which meets every Sunday afternoon. The purpose of the group is the human and spiritual development of the children. We try to help them become aware of God’s love for them and their love for one another, to share their gifts and talents to be more confident and self-assured. The meetings include singing, praying, writing and playing.

First Trip
Last October 24th we went to Friere, a neighboring parish, for the celebration of World Mission Sunday. More than 20 parishes participated. We hired a bus and Lonco Leche donated 108 liters of Chocolate milk. There were “Ohs” and “Ahs” when the children saw the boxes. The trip was a big event for them, since some of them had never been out of Loncoche before. Nature Cooperated. The day was beautiful. The sun was so bright that all things were full of songs and praise, joining the hymns of the children as they sang the way.

San Columbano!
We arrived just in time for the introduction of the different groups. About 700 children were gathered in the large gymnasium. We presented our group with our banner, San Columbano – Ultra – Estacion. We chose St. Columban because he was a great missionary of his time. Perhaps through his intercession these young children will be inspired to become missionaries, if not outside Chile, at least within their own communities.

Let the Children Come
After the presentations, we marched from the gymnasium to the church for the Eucharistic celebration. The church was full of children. The words of Jesus came back to me: “Let the little children come to Me, and to not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of heaven belong.” That is Jesus’ invitation to us all.

Learning to Share
After Mass we had lunch. The children learned how to share in their own way. It was touching to see their gestures towards one another. A little girl approached me and gave a piece of bread. I thank her and smiled. She waited until I had eaten the bread. I gave her a big hug in return.

Cardboard Doves
The children’s celebration ended with a mission blessing by Bishop Sixto Parzinger. The children were holding small cardboard doves with their names and parishes written on them. It was a sign of Unity, friendship, a prayer for peace and especially for the children in our troubled world. Then they exchanged their doves with the children of other parishes so that they could pray for whoever‘s was written on them.

Bless Them
Bless the Children, for in this world they have their own choice, their own voice and their own place.

Mr. Teodoro Torres Gonzales
(August 2, 1913 – February 16, 1993)

By: Sr. Rosalinda Gonzales

What Will my Father Think?
When I enter the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) in 1983, my father thought that I came to Ireland in order to do further Medical training. I requested my younger sister Angeline to encourage Papa to attend Charismatic Prayer Meetings so that he will be open to the Holy Spirit when the time comes for him to know that what I was really doing was Religious training.

Promised Long Ago
In 1984 he has trouble with his eye and I was granted permission by my superior to come home to the Philippines and attend to my father. In the meantime I wrote to him and gently told him the truth. In reply he narrated to me this story.
When I was a baby I had a bad case of Pneumonia. No one felt that I would make it until morning of the following day – except my parents. Silently they were praying through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady to whom they had great devotion that if ever I would get better and survive, my life would be offered in God’s Service. When I made my first Communion my mother consecrated me to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Proud Father
 Papa thought that my joining the Religious Congregation of the Medical Missionaries of Mary must have been the fulfillment of their promise and he accepted it as God’s will. When I went home in 1984 for his eye operation he was a proud father who has a daughter in Religious life.

Skipped high School
My father, Mr. Toedoro Torres Gonzales, was born in Batangas, a province south if Manila. He was the eldest of seven children. His father Marcos died when Papa was a young boy so they well all left to the care of their mother Leonica.
He was a brilliant in school and so he was accelerated to the university without going through the secondary school. He was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines.

Holy Rosary Together
He was assign to work in Bicol Region southers Luzon. There he met my mother Francisca Chavez Cargullo. They were married and have five children. The eldest Corazon died in infancy.
When he was transferred to another assignment in the course of his work wanted his family to be with him wherever he was.  Hence we have traveled and stayed in several places in the Philippines. And wherever we went we always prayed the Holy Rosary after supper art home or at our neighbor’s house, attended Sunday Masses together and had devotions to Our Lady during her Feasts.

Adopted Poor Students
I remember that while he was still a secondary school teacher in the Agricultural School my parents would ‘adopt’ poor but deserving students in order that they can at least finish secondary education. Some of our relatives also stayed with us for education purposes.

Off Mindanao
Then my father was invited to transfer to the Department of Agriculture. He left teaching and was assigned to work in Mindanao in the southern Philippines. There my mother taught Catechism. The missionary priest stayed our house when he came for the monthly Mass in the chapel built by the local residents. Other chapels in the vicinity of other denominations were burned by the Muslims. There were always many Baptisms as well Weddings and my parents stood for several as Sponsors.

U.S.A.
On one occasions the President of the Philippines the late Ramon Magsaysay came to visit us in Mindanao. After he left we learned that my father was offered a scholarship to do post – graduate studies in Mississippi, United States of America. He was the first Filipino graduate of the Mississippi State University. While my father was away we were in Luzon continuing our schooling. When it was time for to enter the University my father wanted his children to get a good Catholic education. We all studied and graduated at the Royal Pontifical University of the Philippines – the University of Santo Thomas which is run by the Dominicans.

Active Church Members
During weekends we went to the cinema, visited national parks, or went to see relatives and friends. My parents were active Church members. My Mama were members of the Catholic Women’s League while my father was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus.  We were also members of organizations dedicated to Our Lady.
In 1973 my mother died. A year before that I had expressed my desire to her to be a religious. She said that if it is God’s will my desire would come true. Papa was still in the government service attending conferences at home and abroad in food and Agriculture. He had written and done research along his line of expertise and in 1976 he was given recognition as International Scientist in the field of Agronomy.

Retired
After his retirement from government service he remained active by generously offering advice to friends and colleagues. He enjoyed doing the household chores, repairs and maintenance, propagated seedlings of fruit tress for sale or for gifts, made food preserves, etc. and enjoyed visiting and receiving relatives, friends as well as strangers. He also started a small convenience shop adjacent to the house together with Angeline to be able to render service to the neighbors.

Rising Early to Pray
He did not neglect his spiritual duties. He started the day by praying at 4:00 a.m. attended Mass art the Parish Church at 5:45 a.m. and meditated on the bible after siesta in the afternoon. He ended the day with night Prayer after the news report on TV.

He was good correspondence and since I left the Philippines in 1975 in order to work to Nigeria, West Africa; he had kept me abreast of events at home. He shared his assessment of the political and economic situation or any other major or interesting events in the Philippines or in the world. Ruben, my only brother who died in 1981 was not a letter writer but Papa made up for it by keeping me well informed about my family.

Final Profession
I would have wished my father to meet other MMM’s in person since he knew many of our sisters through the MMM magazine. The opportunity arose during my Final Profession for him to come to Ireland but he gave way to Eulenia my eldest sister to represent my family as she was the only one who was never out of the country and deserved respite from her teaching job and family obligations. When Eulenia returned home in October 1991 after memorable visit in Ireland, Papa mentioned in his letter to me that it was the happiest family reunion they ever had. Eulenia was sharing her beautiful experience with the MMM sisters and had the video of the Profession to show my family.

Preparation for Death
My father said that he started not to be well in September 1991. On one occasion in February 1992 he thought he would have died. When he got better he decided to get his funeral services ready so that when the hour would come, Eulenia and Angeline would not be overburdened. He was always thankful for all the blessings that our family have receive which he had attributed to the prayers of the MMM Sisters for their families. Then became very sick in October 1992 and I went home in an emergency leave which I continued on as my home leave. I was due for it. I was due for it in March 1993 yet. My father felt he had a good life and was grateful for it. He thought that the time had come for him to rest. He wished to die while I was at home but I told him that our life in God‘s hands. He was getting better gradually although he had aged a lot of these past two years. When I finally have to book my flight to return to the missions, Papa gave me his blessings. He sincerely said that I have my life to live and a mission to fulfill. He never for once prevented me from going away. We both trusted in Him.
Three weeks after my leaving home and a few days after the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Papa silently and peacefully left for the final home. May he rest in His peace.

 

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

Nights Becomes Day
When electricity commenced at Kintampo there was wild excitement everywhere. It was as if every problem was solved. Then came the noise from blaring radios. Within a short time, Kintampo looked like a city with all the vices associated with city life. people from the villages, looking for greener pasture, migrated to Kintampo. One of them was Isaac Opoku, my church helper. When I met him in his village, I asked him: “How did you leave Kintampo?” then he answered “Father, I could not sleep.” I asked “why” “There is too much light,” came is sad reply.

Tuloy ka Muna
Here in Ghana while eating, when another person is passing by and without really expecting her/him to come, you simply say “Bra me didi” (come you are invited) and he would respond: “Oh thank you; go on.” Knowing it as part of their culture, I also do it. while taking my meal in Kwabea village, some children who were familiar to me passed by. “Bra me didi”, I said and to my horror all of them rushed in. in the midst of laughter, I was forced to share my food with them which they enjoyed apparently innocent of their own culture yet.

Fair Exchange
They call it Mueller Falls. It is just on the road to my villages. Washing my car one midday, a cow girl who brought he herd of cattle to the river was just fascinated looking at me with sharp curious eyes. I did not like being watched meticulously and tried to shoo her away but to no avail. Turning to my catechist, I asked him what would be the most polite way to get her to leave. He told me to asked for one of her lovely cows. So, I asked he “small girl, please give one of your cows in exchange  for my car. In giffy, after the catechist translated, she vanished out of the scene, sweetly smiling. If you asked from you what is most important to you, will you also go away?

Don’t East just smell
At the close of our Annual Catechists’ Recollection, complaints were made that the goat was too small and was not even enough for lunch for about fifty people. Quite peeved, I remarked: I did not intend you to eat it. I just  wanted you to smell it.”

 

 

Burnt Offering
Not far from our house is an old colonial building with a wall wide enough to play pilota. I used it o practice my strokes. One practice session, all my tennis balls got stuck on the ledge of that roof. Moving my car under it to reach out for the balls, I was still an arms length too short. In Twi (local language) I told the small boy looking up from the ground, “ko fa ogya, mepa kyew” go and get wood please). He ran to the nearby house and came back with burning charcoals which in Twi are also called “ogya”. He had a good laugh with me as I told  him, “Its not yet time to burn the house. What I need is a stick to get the balls out.”

Misyon Accomplished
On their way to the North, two Holy Spirit Sisters stopped at Kintampo, my parish. One of them, from Indonesia, saw a ripe papaya in our garden. Joining her, we plucked it and I was trying to get another one from a different papaya plant wit ha stick for it was quite high. Insisting that she was taller than me, she jumped and said, “Father, let me do it for I am taller that you.” Stepping aside in humility, I gave he the stick and watched with utmost curiosity. Up she stretched he hands and raised the stick but it was till a foot short and begun to laugh). “Spare me she said” you might place me in the Misyon.” You have said it my dear Sister.

Bishop Cornelio de Wit, MHM does not regard his title of Vicar of the Religious as a decoration but as an obligation. Hence his visit to the far flung Filipino missionaries.

 The intrepid Bishop Cornelio de Wit recently toured Papua New Guinea visiting the Filipino missionaries scattered over the vast territory. He was stunned by the work being done by Filipinos and the work which remained to be done. Here in his Christmas message he calls us to awaken.

Dear Companions in Mission,

Lack of Priests and Sisters
My eighteen days in Papua New Guinea passed by as fascinating journey through unknown country and new faces.

Again and again I was confronted with the reality of Papua New Guinea, an expanse of land and mountains with few people- difficult to reach – and a woefully inadequate number of priests and sister to properly minister to their needs.

Visiting Lonely Missionaries
At the end of my Christmas journey around Papua New Guinea one basic question remained unanswerable for me. Why did the Lord During this season of Advent, of deep longing, direct my steps to mysterious Papua New Guinea Community? For sure to visit you Priest and Sister – exponents and fruits of the faith of our Filipino people. I salute and admire you for your joyful, preserving, loving ministry to the people whom you adapted as your own. I tasted your loneliness, your moments of frustrations, your need to relate and share. Also your toughness, your prayer life and mutual support, your vital bond of solidarity. You enriched me as persons and as priest.

Star of the Wise Men
But there must be a deeper reason for my exposure to Pupa New Guinea. While traveling around the country, listening to the experiences and observing the structure and composition of the church in Papua New Guinea a beckoning light came over me as that of the star illuminating the wise Men from the East. It is this light that opened my eyes and heart to the deeper reason of my pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea.

 

 

 

 

Enter Asia
Let me share. A simple analysis of the missionary personnel in Papua New Guinea discloses an impressive shift from overwhelming Western Missionaries in numbers and the resources to growing Asian Missionary commitment. The number of so-called White missionary is fast dwindling while Missionaries from Asia are rapidly taking over and expanding the work of evangelization. During my stay I met besides the Filipino priests – MSP and Diocesan – and the 5 Filipino based Congregations of Sisters: RVM-SSJ – MCST – OND – Canossians plus SVD and Salesians Filipino’s also religious from Indonesia, India and Korea.

Now is the Hour
The Torch of Light for all the nations has passed from the Western Missionary hands and hearts to their Asian sisters and brothers in relatively recent years and with accelerating speed. Now is the hour of Asia to share its faith with all who still live in darkness of unbelief.

Asia Oh Asia
Asia, Oh Asia, be aware of your missionary responsibility, in this hour of history. A time also so crucial for your own growth towards political maturity.

Asia, Oh Asia, the life of millions of your contemporaries will be affected – for better or for worse – by those who will or will not will not send as emissaries of your faith. A faith formed in the womb of your basic Christian Communities.

Asia, Oh Asia, as we stand on the threshold of the next millennium shed whatever is still infantile in your faith, send your best women and men abroad as a light exposing the false promises of consumerism and bonding the hidden goodness of many simple people into a new community of reconciliation and sharing.

Asia, Oh Asia, why are you chosen as a vessel of election to make His name known to Gentiles and Kings (Acts. 9:15)? Is it because of your own long suffering and of your never abating poverty which has moulded and formed you as the best equipped builders of an authentic church of the poor?

Zest for Life
Is it because of the deep seated, all pervading spirit of religiosity which shines through your way of coping with the joys and sorrows of life? Is it because you are the continent of life with your millions of young people defying all prophets of doom with your irresistible zest of life?

 

 

Faithful to Being Filipino
Dear fellow missionaries, these are the feelings of my heart and the reflections of my head upon my reentry into the Philippines. My journey through Papua New Guinea although rather short, yet was a deep emotions for me. Be brave in adversities, humble when your work is fruitful and above all be fruitful to what you are: Filipino Missionary.
With my blessing and joyful greetings to each and all.

Asia, Oh Asia, be aware of your missionary responsibility, in this hour of history. A time also so crucial for your own growth towards political maturity.

 

By: Sr. Marimil Lobregat, FMM

Sr. Marimil Lobregat, a good shepherd missionary has started a marvelous care for the carer’s program in Australia. Now she has opened a center here in the Philippines: This should be a boon to returned missionaries. Read on, it is all described below in a beautiful article by Ceres Doyo.

Wounded Healers. Lost shepherds. Carers in Crisis. At some point people perceived to be strong and imperturbable, and who for a long time have been sturdy to the weak and weakening, themselves become people in need. The rock threatens to crumble, the fountain starts to dry up, and that big heart suddenly wants to cave in. Burn out.

Bleeding and broken, they taunt themselves – “Physicians, heal thyself.” By the proverbial streams of Babylon, they sit and weep, remembering the blessed past and all those years of giving, giving, giving. The moment of weakness and vulnerability has home. Who will they turn to now?

Must those in the helping profession turn neurotic at some point in their lives if only to experience brokenness? Must they be needlessly sapped of their strength? Do they have to come to that point when they can no longer help others because they are themselves breaking, if not broken? While the taste of suffering raises one’s capacity for empathy it need not be brought upon oneself. A wholesome, happy person is still the best argument for anything. As the saying goes “The glory of God is man fully alive.”

SISTER MARIMIL LOBREGAT, a nun, has discovered that indeed she can grow gracefully, serenely, painlessly into mature age. At 63, this Franciscan Missionary of Mary has likewise led other church women and men to the rejuvenating springs. “I didn’t want to age cranky,” she says wistfully.

But what all these healing arts?
These are the Chinese healing arts, geared to free the person from oppressive tension and blockages to the flow of intrinsic energy and to inner peace. The movement are designed to promote harmony within and create a healthy balance in the personality of the practitioner.
In this age of high impact bone cracking aerobics that go with brain blasting rock music, Oriental exercises make a soothing difference. Unlike in aerobics, in tai chi and the like there is no huff-puffing and gasping for breath, only silence, a slow flow of energy and heightened consciousness.

 

According to Lobregat, one of the main objectives of this holistic and disciplined form of healing relaxation is to reach that degree of awareness of the presence of the Creator and the Sacredness of Life that is within us, to allow this awareness to vivify our spirit, direct our mind, and energize our body our body in our daily life and activities.

Tai chi is also referred to as “the art of moving meditation,” says Lobregat. “We begin where we are right now, where our body is. In the Oriental concept, meditation means becoming aware of the Creator within us. It is an art that teaches how to use the eyes, lungs, spine, abdomen, etc. in a way that promotes both bodily health and mental/spiritual well-being. The tai chi way focusing and centering releases the natural God-given healing energize that could have been lying dormant within; through the  meditative practice of tai chi they are awakened and strengthened , giving the practitioners a sense of well being. At the same time, the person is made more aware of the source of Life itself and is encouraged to open up to transcendent and spiritual experiences. In order to transcend, one must be still.

Lobregat adds that for the ‘carers’, meaning those in the healing ministry, this “letting go” and gentle reharmonizing of oneself  with the silence and the “Breath of Life and sharing this with others, could bring about more tangible Creator/God consciousness within oneself and with others enriching the faith element that this consciousness  creates.

The Care for Carers Program is very new and the would be trainers are right now still in the process of honing up some more. They’ve just gone through a crash course (intensive trainers session) and must do more practice even after Lobregat will have gone back to Australia where she is herself a teacher of these healing arts. (She studied at the Australian Academy of Tai Chi for some 10 years. She is now connected with the Chinese Healing College.)
The other “graduates” who are not going to be trainers likewise have to keep practicing. Most of them work in ministries which demands so much of their energies. It is hoped that tai chi and the other exercises will keep the strength and stillness inside them.

Shibashi, tao yin, dayan, qi goong. Lohan gong and tai chi are all “meditations in motion” of different levels. In the Care for Carers Program the beginners doesn’t go straight to tai chi but must first master shibashi, a simpler form. The movements look like thy become progressively more and more difficult but there is more than meets the eye. Lobregat says an observer only sees movements – slow, graceful – but what he or she doesn’t see is what is happening inside the practitioner.

“I discovered so many things about myself,” gushes a nun-lawyer who is among thee first batch of practitioners. “You know, a beginner usually does the movement rather fast but as one progresses one become slower. Somethings happens inside you.”

Take shibashi, the simplest of the exercises. The 18 different movements have names that correspond to movements in nature and they make one feel in tune with the universe. Movements such as: waving, hands by lake, expanding chest on top of the mountain, painting a rainbow, circle arms and patting the clouds, sage presents peach, turn to gaze at the moon, the wind rustles lotus leaves, rolling with the waves, dragon emerging from the sea. Each movement has a particular healing effects. For example, “painting the rainbow” is effective for regulating blood pressure, aiding digestion, alleviating gastric ulcer, shoulder pain reducing fat deposit in waist.

Tao yin would have movements such as: elegant queen greets morning sun, monkey presents fruits, albatross flaps wings, old master shakes beard, peep at the moon and look at the window, catching stars in the sky, touching the waters.

Each movement or exercise is supposed to unblock blocked passages in the body and strengthen particular meridians or bodily points. Those trained in orthodox Western Medicine may scoff at all this as quackery but tai chi practitioners swears by this art which dates back thousands of years ago in ancient China.

Tai chi is based on martial arts,” says Lobregat. “It’s meditation in prayer and prayer in meditation. It’s letting – go, a disciplined kind of relaxation.” Tai chi, being the most advanced of the exercises, is not as easy as it looks.

Tai chi is ch’uan literally means “supreme ultimate fist” and is an ancient Chinese discipline of health, relaxation, meditation, self-defense and self-cultivation. An expert in Tai chi says this: “sometimes called Chinese or Taoist yoga, it emphasizes relaxation and inner calm rather than strength. As a meditation, it is a way of harmonizing body and mind dynamically. It fosters an inner quit that nourishes a continuing awareness. It blends easily with other kind of meditation. As a martial arts, it is one of the inner schools based on yielding and cultivating inner energies. It avoids use of external strength.

“The philosophy of t’ai chi chuan is rooted in Taoism, which advocates natural effort, and in the I Ching or Book of Changes. The moments and inner teaching are derived from the complementary relationship between Yin and Yang two fundamental forces that create and harmonize the universe by their interaction.”

How did Lobregat stumble upon this ancient art? Why is this nun so enthusiastic about this ancient form? Isn’t it only for athletes and health stuffs? What has it got to do religious life?

One evening 10 years ago, Lobregat attended a tai chi ch’uan class in Sydney and right away “I knew there was something in this meditative exercise arts that would make all my future ministries more meaningful and complete. Not only did it have positive physical effect on me, it has something that related closer to my (Filipino) culture, spiritual growth and my creativity at that ‘mature’ stage of my life.”
Lobregat at that time had been a nun for some 30 years. She had work among the lepers (“My first love”) in Tala, after which she was sent to Indonesia where she spent 14 years working in schools, clinics and slum areas. After that it was Melbourne, Australia, then Sydney where she worked in the Catholic Audio-visual center as a sound engineers, A-V technician and assistant producer. After 14 years in that “creative apostolate,” she became a pastoral care worker in a hospice for the terminally ill. Lobregat describes her past apostolate as having “the format and spirit of the Church’s institutionalized work and mission.”

Then while on leave from work in the hospice she discovered that “Divine Providence had something more colorful and certainly totally different for me and I yielded to His plan with complete trust and gratitude.” Tai chi came into her life. A fellow nun introduced her to it.
Recalls Lobregat: “Despite the fact that the sessions were in the evening and I had a heavy eight-hour, five/six day work week, plus hours of travel by public transport everyday, I spiritedly plunged myself into learning, practicing and absorbing the creative, mental physical aspects of the spiritually that is tai chi and the other Chinese exercise healing arts.

Lobregat says that “while others in her age bracket (she was in her 50’s at that time) complained  of aches, pains, burn-out and depression, anger in various forms, which they all blamed on ‘old age’, I felt revitalized, content and serene. I felt a healing silence within me, I was happy to be faithfully deepening my spirituality, touching the beautiful and the authentic depth levels of my personhood from which I had been separated for decades. Through these body involving Oriental movements and healing arts, I felt I was, in a way, coming back home to whom I really was and where I belonged. The feeling was good and healthy and uplifting and healing.”

After years of study and practice of the meditative exercise arts Lobregat felt she had the ability and “the mission” to pass on the gift to others. “This would be of great value especially to those who are engaged in ministries to the needy and the distressed, to those with responsibilities that are stressful who need uplifting of the physical, mental and spiritual energies. It helps in reharmonizing oneself with the God of creation and re-creation.”
Thus the Care for Carers Center, aptly located at the compound of the Good Shepherd Sister (whose apostolate is among the down-trodden the pushed aside, the lost, the wounded and the weak). The Center is under the supervision of the Association of Major Religious Superior of Women in the Philippines (AMRSWP) and will be in full swing when the people (lay and religious) trained by Lobregat are ready. The Oriental exercises decry “the fitness industry that helps perpetuate the tyranny of thinness, the hard body and the flat stomach.”

 

The Oriental exercises decry “the fitness industry that helps perpetuate the tyranny of thinness, the hard body and the flat stomach.”

(Excerpts from an article the Sunday Inquirer Magazine, May 26, 1991 by Ceres Doyo)

By: Fr. Ernesto Amigleo,CICM

And to show the beautiful simplicity of our people here, I received from them a present which was a bouquet of plastic flowers with a note in English: Happy Wedding Anniversary!

Remote Mountain Village
Three times I celebrated my priestly Silver Jubilee. The third celebration was held in a very remote mountain village, also part of the parish. When people heard I was going to their village they got all excited and without my knowledge they planned something for my visit. I though I would just go there to celebrate the Eucharist with them, but it turned out to be more than that.

Gestatorial Chair
Upon my arrival, a woman in her native costume came forward to put around my neck a garland and a small native bag, called noken. Meanwhile, all the village people were watching the scene. And then, the leader asked me to sit on the Bamboo seat they made and tying two poles on either side of the set they carried me around their village while they sang and shouted with glee.

Warriors
Still carrying me like king, we crossed two rivers and at the other side of the second river a group of musicians and of “warriors” with painted faces and their bodies decorated with palm leaves and carrying bows and arrows, greeted me with local music coupled with shouting and singing. A lot of naked children came along and joined the fun. Some dogs too followed. Yes, they are also part of the celebration!

Songs By Heart
Finally we reached the chapel, but before we entered it they brought me around their village. After that, we prepared for the Mass attended by all the villagers. I was struck mostly by little kids, some naked, who sang Christmas songs without text. They know them by heart. There were also some old folks, their faces already wrinkled and toothless who where present for the Mass.

Tribal Chief
After the Mass, I was invited to their small village hall where a reception was held. The tribal chiefs were present, including the musicians and the “warriors “and also a lot of children and mothers flocked around. Before the eating part, several village leaders came forward to deliver their extemporaneous speeches.

 

 

Develop Positive Cultural Values
Finally, they called on me to say something. It was an opportunity for me to thanked them most heartily and also to express my sincere admiration for their great hospitality. I stressed also some of the positive values in their customs which ought to be upheld and develop to the full, while admonishing them at the same time to do away with the negative aspects of their custom like drinking and social taboos which keep them from advancing.

Carried Like a King
I told them also that I never in the last fifty one years of my life was carried like a king or a Bishop or a Pope. They were amused. Then, the master of ceremonies called on a pastoral worker to start the grace before meals, after which we all took part in the “banquet”.

Time To Go
After about an hour and a half, the weather changed, the clouds became heavier, which signaled us to be ready to go back home. It is a sign that it would rain. And so, with out much ado, they carried me again, crossing two rivers, and finally we reached the place where the jeep was waiting to bring me back to the low lands.

Happy Memory
It was a very nice and memorable experience to have celebrated my Priestly Silver Jubilee in the midst of the people whom I served.

 

 

By: Emma de Guzman, ICM

Time: August 4, 1974
Place: Manila International Airport
Event: First Departure for Africa

Plane Roared Off
That warm August afternoon in 1974, I boarded a Sebena DC 10 for the first time in my life. Destination: Cameroon, Africa. The tear shed by my family (and mine) were drowned away by the planes roaring off into the skies in what was still the Manila International Airport.

Daring Spirit
Time flies so fast, as if it was only yesterday (yet it’ll be 20 years next). My young daring spirit, impassioned by the love for the Gospels to be a missionary in far away lands was stronger than the fear of the unknown. And unknown it was then, as I was the first Filipino ICM assigned to Cameroon.

No Blue Skies
First, I had to learn French in Lille. Everything was so new. Lille in the north of France especially during winter, was a place and environment I was unprepared for. I missed the daily rising and setting of the sun, the blue skies and most of all the familiar language I could communicate in. It was like being a child again grasping to understand and learning to speak. However, the cultural shock in Europe was tempered by my desire to reach African soil which was real destination: realizing that language study is a temporary situation that prepares me for my new mission country somehow made easy the complicated twangs of the language of Moliere and Voltaire.

Spent the Night with French Pilots!!!
Eight months after that French interlude, I took the plane (again alone) for Douala and to Yaounde. It was an experience I well never forget (not because it was the first time but because of the extraordinary welcome I received as soon as I landed of African soil); having spent the night in a military base in the city of Douala. I was met by a co-sister on her way to Europe and she had to spend the night in Douala too, we were joined by a young French girl who did not know where to spend the night. A gentleman officer offered us the barracks reserved for French pilots (an air-conditioned room with faulty door locks). But as soon our kind host was gone, we were welcomed by a drunk French pilot who insisted on sharing the hospitality of his bed (surprised I suppose, to see three women in their barracks). My first night on African soil was spent keeping vigil (the three of us taking turns) so that our air-conditioned room with its broken locks, reinforced by our suitcases will not be invaded by hospitable drunk French pilots. This chapter can be entitled:  “First night in Africa in a French military barracks.” I still laugh when I remember that.
Starting From Scratch
My first assignment was in Okola where I dreamt of working with catechists, teaching religion to children. But this dream had a slight detour as we had to begin from the beginning: publish new catechism books adapted to children and train young mothers who can use them. The real catechists existing then are all men (some old enough to be my grandfather) whose catechism dates back long before Vatican II was ever dreamt off.

New Catechetics
I was not yet two months in Okola and I was already asked to go beyond its boundaries, and before I realized what was happening to my first months in Cameroon, I was already hopping to all the Catholics primary schools of the diocese with Bother Rock (that La Salle brother with whom we’ve published the new catechetical books for children complete with visual aids). It was quite new and revolutionary at that time as we were passing from the question and answer style (Baltimore Catechism) to narration of the gospel stories with life applications adapted to children.

Young Mother Catechists
Later, I had to do it on my own, after being appropriately introduced to the different parishes (an its kinds of roads). And so I find myself answering to the needs of training young Mother catechist, beginning from my parish in Okola and beyond to the other parishes as well. Msgr. Zoa, our bishops had appointed me to be a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Team, and later I was answering also to the needs of catechetical formation on an interdiocesan level.

In 1983, when the Better World Movement started in Cameroon, our Diocesan Pastoral Team appointed me to take part in the first sessions given in Yauande by a team coming from Zaire, and later on we had to repeat the training seminars in our diocese (Signs of Times, Church in the World, etc.)

Renewal Seminars
1983 to 1993 is of course ten years. The different contacts and experiences in the training of Mother Catechists was like a stepping stone to further their training by the Better World Movement seminar opening their visions to the teaching of Vatican Council II
Three years ago, I was elected National Coordinator of the Better World Movement on a national level. Soon we were giving renewal seminars on a national level and beyond, to priests, religious, even Bishops in collaboration with the union of Major Superiors and the animating arm of the National Bishop’s conference.

Pan-African Mission
In January this year, during our hour interAfrican meeting in Burkina Faso (for French speaking in Africa), the coordinating team had to be renewed. We were fifteen delegates from six French speaking African countries. I am not quite sure what the other delegates saw in me but I was one of the chosen candidates after the whole day’s process of discernment. You are familiar with the way it works definition of needs; criteria, mandate, qualities of candidates to fulfill the mandate, names proposed and voting by secret ballots. Before the voting, each candidate may speak (a real democratic process). When my turn came, I give several reasons why I can’t be qualified: I am not African and my French is not “too French” for French speaking Africa. (An also, but I did not say this: I am not a priest and therefore no degree in Theology to boot). Anyway, my expressed opinions put me in the bag where I did not want to be. An African Colleague, a Zairean diocesan priest disqualified my major argument by saying that my experience, dedication and concern for the formation of Africans to self-reliance and auto-sufficiency makes me very African. (Mind you, I was so touched I almost cried which made me momentarily forget we are having an election process). That’s the first time in my whole apostolic endeavours that an African collaborator affirmed in public what for me was normal: education and formation of animators through renewal seminars for the self-reliance and growth of the church. His counter argument was ended by an applause and I just to shut up (I couldn’t speak anyway with the lump of my throat). The secret ballot voting ended the discernment. Unbelievable, but it yielded 14/15 votes for me. (Buti na lang, I did not vote for my self, I wouldn’t, of course, but I still get the creeps when I think of it). Anyhow, this event in my missionary life was like a gentle touch of God assuring me to keep on, in spite of all odds. In this kind of election, 3 approvals are needed: the assembly voting, the person voted for and the Superiors of the voted person. As of now, the blessings of the local ICM superior has been given and this is the last step to a new beginning of another call BEYOND.

Where Did it All Go?
And now, it is August 1993. Where did time go? What has happened to that young, daring first Filipino ICM missionary in Cameroon? What has happened to that almost 20 years on African soil? These all sounds like the questions of “growing old people”. Someday. If I’ll be asked to write a book on my mission adventures, this chapter shall be entitled Beyond. Yes, Beyond, as I realize that my missionary endeavours bring me to all sorts of “going beyonds”.

I missed the daily rising and setting of the sun, the blue skies and most of all familiar language I communicate in.

“A Zairean diocesan priest disqualified my major argument by saying that my experience, dedication and concern for the formation of Africans makes me very African.”

 

 

 

By: Fr. Jerry Kelleher

Fr. Jerry, a Columban Missionary worked in Burma till he was forced to leave by the government. Though on in years he continued as a missionary in Zambales, Philippines and was a wonderful presence. Here he tells of a beautiful return visit to Burma, now Myanmar, where he saw now the seed had grown. Fr. Jerry has died since he wrote this article. May he rest in peace and may his tireless and beautiful faith live in all of us. Read on:

Rangoon
“We are now approaching Rangoon International Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts.” My dream was finally dream coming true. As the jet ascended my hopes and expectations became almost unbearable. Finally the whirring jet stopped and I stepped on Burmese soil again after 13 long years.

Closed Door
Since the 1962 coup Burma had closed its doors to all the foreigners. As no more Columbans were allowed to enter the country our mission was forced to close in 1979. When I left after working there for 40 years I never thought I would see Burma again.

14 Day VISA
Today Burma’s military government forbids all foreigners to enter Burma except on a limited 7 – day tourist visa and that only to the country south of Mandalay. By what we might call a minor miracle last Christmas I was allowed a 14 day visit and given permission to stay in the Rangoon Procure which houses visiting Bishops and priests.

Best Christmas Gift
All of us can recall moments of intense joy in our lives. That phone call telling me that my visa had been granted was one of those moments in my life. The visa came through in Christmas weeks, the best Christmas gift I ever got.

1,000 Miles
Custom officials were kindly and helpful. They did not even open my bags. When formalities were over I soon found my self held firmly in the welcoming embrace of Bishops Paul Grawing and a welcoming party of Church leaders who had traveled almost 1,000 miles to be there to greet me.

Cloud Nine
We reached the Procure where I met all the members of the Burmese hierarchy who has just to complete their bi- annual meeting. I had really hit the right moment. The bottles of whisky I had brought were vet welcome; although available in Rangoon the cost is prohibitive. We shared a tasty supper. I was really up on cloud nine.

Churches Packed
Next meeting I went into the little chapel at 6 am. to prepare for Mass to find seven  Bishops dressed in simple white cassocks and sandals, which they later removed for concelebrated Mass. This prayerful moment set the tone for the wonderful experiences of the next two weeks. A church at prayer could explain the vitality, courage and determination not only to survive but also to grow. Around Rangoon I found churches packed, priests active and concerned for their flocks, religious communities enthusiastic and confident. This picture in Rangoon is typical of the trends taking place in every other diocese. Bishops Abraham than, whose diocese borders on the infamous Golden Triangle, told me of one ethnic in his diocese which previously had shown no interest whatever in Christianity. They had come into the church en masse, over 25,000 of them His problem now is to find catechists to give them proper instruction.

200,000 Increase
When the Columban withdrawal from Myitkyina diocese was completed in 1979 the young Bishops Grawng, with a dozen Kachin priests and 40 Sisters, faced a daunting task. Today Bishops Grawng boast 25 Kachin priests, 16 convents of religious Sister, and a wonderfully active lay apostolate, whose combined efforts have increased Church membership in the past decade by 200,000.

 

Photos of the Grave
After 40 years in Burma I had made many friends, but never in my wildest dreams did I expected the warmth of their welcome or the sacrifices which they made to come hundreds of miles to see me using very uncertain and uncomfortable means of transport. As a Catholic community the Kachin people have matured beyond recognition. Most of them live simply or in poverty. Yet there was no words of compliant, no groaning only joy and happiness. I was deeply moved by their affection for the Columban priests and Sisters who had work among them. They remembered them all by name and lest they should forget the dead Columbans, Fr. Francis Lum Dau, the first Kachin priest to visit Ireland, brought back to Burma photos of the graves of all the Burma Columbans buried in Ireland.

Non Stop Visitors
From the first embrace of Bishop Paul Grawng at the Rangoon Airport until the goodbyes two weeks later, they showed that love for me – not simply as Fr. Kelleher – but as a representative of all the Columban priests, and Sisters and of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary, a missionary congregation who had already been working in the Kachin Hills before the Columbans. They came alone or groups each day. No let up, from morning to night. They brought gifts, money, anything and everything.

54 Years Ago
As the plane lifted away from Rangoon and Burma, I sat back and reflected on all that had happened since I first entered Burma 54 years ago to begin my missionary work among the Kachin people. The church was then a tiny seed planted by brave men of the Paris Foreign Mission - a tiny seed indeed, fragile and vulnerable. Not it has grown to full size and great maturity.

Thank You Lord
Ton have been permitted by God to have help in some way in that growth and development made me feel very humble and very grateful to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Sr. Mary Necitas Derama, PDDM

All over the world, colonies of Filipinos overseas workers are to be found. Behind the sheep come the shepherds! So missionaries are coming in reverse mission from the Philippines to Germany. Sr. Mary Necitas Derama, PDDM is from the Philippines. She is one of the members of a new community in Frankfurt, Germany.

Two Fold Presence
This is an international community with some Filipino participants. They have a two fold presence: 1) Contemplative-silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which they do in Frankfurt’s ancient Gothic Cathedral (above); 2) Active-they run a liturgical center for all Christians. In the center they provide (at a reasonable price I hope [Editor] liturgical items. They even do designers and sculpt some of the items themselves.

Not Just Action
The ‘girls in blue’ when praying in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament wear a blue robe and make sure that the altar is beautifully decorated. In this way they remind us that not just action but prayer and presence is necessary for life. Action without true direction brings disaster.

Marvelous Work
I am one of the four sisters in our congregation chosen to begin our new foundation in Germany. It is an International Community consisting of Italian, Portuguese, Polish and a Filipino. We arrived here in January last year and talking about our one year old foundation I can say that the Lord had done his marvels for us. In a short time we were able to insert ourselves gradually in the local churches in spite of the difficult language.

Eucharistic Adoration
Our presence is felt and appreciated by the faithful, above all the presence is a prophetic sign in this greatly secularized European Metropolis. We are called here to do our Eucharistic Adoration in the Frankfurt Cathedral, famous for being the seat of the Coronation of the German’s Kings in the past.

Liturgical Adoration
Secondly, we have opened our Liturgical Apostolate Center. This center is only a year old and is gradually giving service not only to the Catholics but other Christian religions as well. Frankfurt is known for its being a business and tourist center. Therefore tourists from all over the world come in also to our Liturgical Apostolate Center.

 

Reaching the World
So as we do our apostolate here, we also reach the world. May Jesus Master make fruitful every little effort that we do for his Kingdom day after day.