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Philippines

Mission in the Hospital and in Life

By Josephine Mata

The author, a physical therapist by profession, is from Quezon City. She graduated from University of the East Ramon Magsayay Memorial Center (UERMMMC) in 1996 where she later taught, from 2004 till 2009. After graduation she worked for three years as a clinician at Metropolitan Hospital, Manila. She then entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMMs) but left during the novitiate. She is a volunteer catechist in St Francis de Sales Parish, Beckley but sometimes attends Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, South Williamson, West Virginia, near where her brother lives and where the parish priest is a Filipino from Oriental Mindoro, Fr. Rey Landichio.

When patients get sick they are in their most vulnerable state. They are at the mercy of other human beings - mere mortals, limited but nonetheless gifted (or so they wish to think of themselves). I am talking about healthcare providers, doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals and the insurance companies.

By Maria Riza J. Gallego

I am Maria Riza J. Gallego. Reading Misyon was my pastime in high school at the Sisters of Mary Girlstown School in Talisay City, Cebu. Back then, I used to keep it in my bag especially if there was a new issue. I really wanted to always be the first to read the magazine. (Sorry, dorm mates I was the one hiding it.) After our high school graduation I never had the chance to read the Misyon.

Now, after eight long years, here I am now reading the magazine without my 38 dorm mates to contend with, thanks to my college friend who lent me the magazine.

A Dream Come True

By Sr Ashwena Apao SSC

The author is from Jimenez, Misamis Oriental, Archdiocese of Ozamiz. The town is named after a Recoleto friar and is one of the oldest parishes in Mindanao. For many years it was staffed by Columban priests. Sister Wennie, as she is known, has been in Myanmar (Burma) since 2003.

Have faith! With God nothing is impossible . . . These are the words that I hang on to when I start to dream and hope for something that is way beyond me. 8 May 2009 was a day of joy, a day of wonder, a day of celebration of a dream come true. On that day many youth from the different parishes came to celebrate the official opening of our new Diocesan Youth Centre in Myitkyina Diocese, Kachin State, Myanmar. Priests, Sisters and neighbors also joined us. Bishop Francis Daw Tang of Myitkyina blessed the Centre and we celebrated the Eucharist. Afterwards we were entertained by the youth who sang their own musical compositions before partaking in the traditional meal that followed.

We call our building the Centre for Learning Alternatives for Youth (CLAY). The purpose of this Centre is the advancement of the youth. We want to help and support them in their human development so that they will realize their gifts, deepen their self-worth and, in time, reach their full potential. We have taken the first steps to make this dream a reality.

Looking back, I asked myself how this dream started. When I was a novice in the Philippines, I visited a campus where I met young students who were warmly welcomed, accommodated and facilitated in their educational, emotional and spiritual needs. I was very impressed by the effective program. I kept that experience in my heart as I continued my missionary journey.

First Missionary Experience

By Fr Andrei O. Paz 

(http://www.columban.com/fe_first_missionary_experience.html)

Fr Andrei O. Paz was ordained to the priesthood on 7 December in his hometown, Bangar, La Union. He wrote this article while still a seminarian. He is currently working in Malate Parish, Manila, but will take up a new assignment in Taiwan in September with Fr Kwan Tae-Moon, Johan, whose ordination to the priesthood he attended in Korea in January.

YASIA FIESTA!

5th Asian Youth Day

By Mary Joy Rile

The author attended the 5th Asian Youth Day as a delegate of Institucion Teresiana (IT) Youth -Philippines.

The 5th Asian Youth Day (AYD5) with the theme ‘Young Asians: Come Together, Share the Word, Live the Eucharist’ was held in the Philippines from 20 to 27 November. The first three days were spent for ‘AYD5 Days in the Diocese’ wherein the around 2000 delegates from the different countries in Asia were divided among ten participating dioceses in Luzon. This was to allow the delegates to experience the Church’s youth in action and to be involved in parish youth activities while they were in the care of foster families. 23-27 November were the days for AYD proper.

On 23 November all the delegates met at Imus, Cavite, the venue for AYD5 2009. YAsia Fiesta opening ceremony started with a Holy Mass. Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus, Cavite, stressed in his homily that Jesus in the Eucharist gives His everything, His body and blood. Just like Jesus, we should give our all; that’s how we live. We come together to share the Word in wisdom, prudence and strength.

By Lu Mahino

Our letter sender, Lu Mahino, is from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte and is presently based in Hong Kong. She is an active parishioner in Rosary Church parish, serving as lector and youth coordinator. 

Sometime in September, Fr Eamon Sheridan, the assistant parish priest for the English-speaking congregation at Rosary Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong, posted the Misyon link on Facebook featuringThe Road to Agoo by ‘truknoiz’ (Kurt Pala). ‘Inspiring’ was the way Father Eamon, who is a member of the Columban General Council, which moved from Ireland to Hong Kong last year, described it. 

'YES Camp' In Bethlehem: A Third Year Of Success

Christian and Muslim youths play, learn and pray

By Monnitte V. Monana

The author is from Banate, Iloilo, and Meliza Panes who is featured in the story and took the photos is from Passi, Iloilo. They are both members of the Teresian Association.

BETHLEHEM (Holy Land) (October, 2008). - A mixed group of 41 young Christians and Muslims enthusiastically participated in the five-day Youth Encounter Summer (YES) 2008 organized by thePontifical Mission Library-Bethlehem (PML-Bethlehem)  in cooperation with the Teresian Association (TA) in the Holy Land. With the theme Unity in Diversity, the camp focused on activities and dynamics to awaken a sense of social awareness and responsibility among the participants, no matter how different they might be.

It’s Better Than No Clinic

By Kathryn Boyle

Ms Kathryn Boyle is a lecturer in the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne.


Since 1929 Columban priests have served the people of Our Lady of Remedies parish in Malate, Manila. This was the first Columban parish established in the Philippines and it remains in their care today. Malate is thus, the ‘oldest parish’ in the Columban world.

Today, 25,000 people live within the parish boundaries; 15,000 of these are the ‘urban poor’ who live in the squatter slums, which abound in the areas behind the main streets of the city. Here narrow lanes and alleyways snake through overcrowded dwellings. Here people live cheek by jowl and every inch of space is used. Water comes only from a pump in the narrow alley or from a hose, perhaps once a day. Sanitation is scarce and people live mainly on the street. Here tuberculosis, chest infections and malnutrition are rife.

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