An Experiment Inspired by the Early Christians

Fr. Filomino Mahusay, from La Castellana, Negros Occidental is surely one of the longest serving member of the Missionary Society of the Philippines. Here, his confrere tells us of Fr. Fil’s touching and unique apostolate from which we can all learn that it is not number that count.

Enchanted Lake
There is a pond lying deep in a village called “Dong” in the province of Chaiyaphum some 479 kms. Northeast of Bangkok. Most times of the day this pond lies placid with colorful lotus plants and floating lilies. But in the late afternoons, during feeding time, this man-made lake seethes with fish romping around.

Lone Filipino Priest
This pond was made by Fr. Filomino Mahusay, MSP thirteen years ago. Fr. Fil is the only Filipino Catholic missionary in this remote place called dong in 1979. Along this lake and for this family, the priest established the parish of the Lord’s Ascension.

Following Lost Sheep
Fr. Fil came to Thailand in the Diocese of Nakhorn Ratchasima in 1976. A couple of years later to heard of a catholic family who transmigrated to another province. Like the biblical shepherd searching for his lost sheep. Fr. Fil left his first parish (with several hundreds of Catholics) to another priest and set to follow the migrating family.

Like a House- church
The priest found the family in Dong 100 kms. Deep into the wilderness from the center of Chaiyaphum. From then on, Fr. Fil lived with them, farmed with them. But most of all prayed and celebrated Eucharist with them.

A Pond for Fish
Fr. Fil steered his small community out from the morass of poverty until they became a self-reliant village. It was thirteen long years of struggle with his handful of parishioners in a land too sandy to hold water for their plants. First, the priest made the pond by putting dam on a creak, to assure them of a year-around water supply. The water that spills over the dam they irrigated for their ricefields, introducing some practical farming lessons he learned from his home in La Castellana, Negros Occidental. During the first year of their settlement they found themselves tied –up to their debt from Chinese businessmen. They were very much at the mercy of their creditors.

“Dong” has been Blessed
Today, the parish is one of the most self-reliant villages in the area. Aside from the never ending supply of fish from their pond, they have also the year-around agricultural supplies. They are now sending their children to schools through the money they generated from their farm products. The village of Dong is also the frequent object of “case studies” being done by students coming from the universities in Bangkok and from Japan.

Lone Christian
The greatest challenge of this parish is facing their being the only Christian community in a densely Buddhist population. As one travels into the countryside, one’s eye is easily attracted to the colorful temple studied at frequent intervals. 

Nonviolence
Buddhism is a non-violent religion. Harmony with the universe is its way of life. Fr. Fil finds this as perfect home for his Christian community. But still the priest accepts the reality of a subtle pressure being felt by them being the minority. Their hope lies in the fact that Thai people are just so naturally religious. That means, the priest said, that the people have a very deep sense of the Transcendence.

Unique Parish
What makes this parish of only two families unique, one might wonder? Fr. Fil easily points out that his parish, while being so united and indistinguishable from the larger Buddhist community, maintains its uniqueness by having Christ as the center of their lives. They have Christ as the source of their strength and inspiration. They participate in the Church’s evangelization by living the life Christ commands them to live.

Silver Jubilee
On June 29, 1992 Fr. Fil celebrated the silver anniversary of his priestly ordination. When asked how did he celebrate that day, he answered: “I washed my cloths by the lakeshore.” He recalled that there was drizzle and it was cold. In the afternoon he celebrated Mass with his parishioners and the children, coming from school, offered flowers because it was the feast of the two great apostles- Sts. Peter and Paul.

Why?
The missionary is serving this parish which has only twp families for the past thirteen years. Many could not understand why he is sacrificing for a handful of people while he could have been more useful in another place where there a multitude of churchgoers.

Its Not Numbers that Count
Fr. Fil finds meaning in this by recalling the biblical story of the shepherd who leaves his flocks to find the lost one. Pensive and calm the priest said that what he is serving are real souls-though very few. He added: “Even if I can only save one, it’s worth all the double.” And he is happy to see his people grow in faith.

Like a Lotus
This community of faith, the parish of the Lord’s Ascension, is like a solitary lotus plant in the middle of the pond- so distinct from its surrounding yet so fittingly belonging to it.