Voyage to New Hello

by Marjorie C. Engcoy

I was scanning one of my favorite books in my bookshelf hoping to find inspiration in writing my own life’s journey when I was led to the page of the fifth installation of C.S. Lewis’s children’s stories, the famous Chronicles of Narnia. It was the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. In this story, two of the Pevensie children, Edmund and Lucy, with their cousin Eustace came back to Narnia unexpectedly through the picture on the wall. This story tells the many adventures of the children with the then Prince Caspian who was on a journey to find the dispersed lords of Narnia. Some of these lords met terrible fate and some fell into spells. They met unusual creatures like poor Dufflepuds who were made invisible and scary because of a spell cast unto them. The children also met once more an enemy of the past that lured Edmund to betray and turn against his siblings for some Turkish Delight. Then lastly, at the end of the journey they had to say goodbye to a dear friend who had been loyal to the first kings and queens of Narnia. Reading this story again for the “Nth” time reminded me of the many adventures that I went through in life. Alas! I found my inspiration and so I begin.

I am the eldest among three daughters. Most of my childhood was spent playing alone but growing up I spent it in vocal rehearsals getting ready for singing competitions during weekends. Eventually, I was lured to church activities and landed myself as one of the choir members of St. James the Apostle Chapel. It was then that I learned the value of the real sharing God’s given gifts to glorify Him in return for all the blessings that I received. I enjoyed the membership because I love to sing. And when I sing during every mass we serve, it has become my special way of establishing my intimate relationship with the God that I trusted and have faith on. It was also during these times when I met Columban Lay Missionaries assigned in my community. They would join us during the mass or in our prayer services, talk to us and share to us some experiences in their ministries. I thought it was a wonderful cause to be helping those who need help, listen to those who need to be listened to, and to uplift those who needs lifting up.

But the tides had changed the course of my ship when I had to think of getting a job after college. At first I decided to work far to taste what real independence means and looks like. I liked and enjoyed the feeling of being independent and out there in a foreign place all by myself. It was then that I saw myself in my limitations and capabilities and in my strengths and weaknesses. Contented with what I saw and experienced, I came back home to practice teaching. Fortunately, my alma mater took me in and let me teach in the college department. The following year, a co-teacher invited me to volunteer at the Night High School department of which I gladly accepted and rendered two years. While teaching both in the college department and Night High School, I was also busy taking my graduate studies. There were times I could say that I’m enjoying what I was doing most especially when I see the faces of my students at the Night High School who had to work during the day and study during the night. Somehow, I saw myself in them and that’s why I gladly accepted the invitation. Personally, I always believe that once a person dared to dream something for his or her life, he or she should take on the courage to make that dream come true despite the odds. I admire their hopeful dreams and schemes in life just as I admired those who had been true to help them lift their lives up.

Island of Reflection

by Marjorie Culanag-Engcoy, Columban Lay Missionary

                The thought of going on a trip, going to other places excites me for I love to see new places, get acquainted with new culture, and learn traditions of others. This feeling is very evident most especially after having felt the heaviness of the processing for the first few weeks of CPE. After being given the background of the place and the possible activities that can be done during the trip, I was all set—to relax and to reflect.

                We set sail for Marinduque, an island south of Luzon, the island known for the Moriones Festival, for our midpoint outing.

Beautiful welcome

                I was very amazed of the beautiful welcomes I was fortunate to see. First was the beautiful sunrise which I anticipated so much. Second was the unexpected appearance of the friendly sea friends, the dolphins. Third was the advance party of the beautiful small islands which are part of Marinduque. Lastly was the sight of the giant statue of the Holy Mother.

                These beautiful welcomes I was fortunate to see seemed to remind me of the fact after all the things I went through in life, there’s always a beautiful morning that’s ready to smile at me; there’re always friends who will welcome me and still accept me for who I am, have become and will become; there’re always small things that will remind me to be courageous to take on big challenges one at a time; there’s always the love of the people who believe in me; and the love of God whom I put my faith and trust on.

Visiting the Past 

                The group had the chance to visit the amazing structures of the past centuries that lasted until now. The altar designs are almost alike from one church to the other. I was brought back to the past. Further it also told me of a realization that these churches wouldn’t last this long if these churches didn’t make any impact in their lives, either positive or negative. Just like how a person lives his or her life, he or she will be remembered of the things he or she had done when he or she was still living. And all of these will remain in the hearts and minds of the people he or she has met all their lives.

Rowing the Boat

                Boating is one of the activities that I anticipated during the outing. I would admit that I missed doing it with my sisters. But that time, it was different; I was doing it with my peers. I found delight with the fact that I miss the sea so much.

                Rowing the boat for me is the replica of how my life has been. The current was very strong, but because I am surrounded by people who trusted my capabilities and kept challenging me to do what I do best. I thank God for the presence of this people in my life. My independence is dependent on my dependency on the people who support me and love me; what a wonderful blessing!

Swimming in Blue Waters

                Well, what can I say more about swimming aside from the fact that it is one of the best things that refreshes me and just lets me be who I really am.  I just love swimming. I remember during the sharing of my life story, I told the group that I want them to remember me as the gushing water on the riverbed, going through and around the rocks that are on the way. Being with the water feels so cool and feels so me. For years, this element has taught me to fill into space, fit the shape, and or overflow to find some more space. Some say this somehow manifests not conforming to their idea of commitment, but it is not how I see what commitment is. Rather, it is my own practical view of what life is and how I should respond to circumstances that come. I am aware that I am misunderstood for this particular principle, but I see myself working better this way.

Bonding with Peers

                During the trip, I had the chance to converse with some of the peers, exchanged points of views, experiences, and principles in life. I could really the difference of each individual’s principles in words but in thought it’s just all the same rhythm; it’s all the same thought. It just differs on how the individual perceives it and puts it into living. But despite our differences in beliefs and principles in life, we still find ourselves connecting with each other because of the valuing of each other and respect. Yes, we question each ones life’s guiding principle, but no matter how much we question them, that makes them who they are.

…

                Overall, I loved the whole outing itself and the place of very hospitable people. I would never forget this trip to Marinduque because inasmuch as it refreshed and relaxed me, it also gave me realizations beyond saying and comparing. Some of them are worth sharing, but some are best kept and lived by and lived with.

MY GREAT ADVENTURE

Reflections of Liezl Ladaran

MY PERSONAL ADVENTURE
I was taking a rest after we went down  the Sumaguing Cave during our end point evaluation exposure in Sagada, Mt. Province. I can’t imagine how hard I went through that brought my realization of experience of 9 weeks Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. I was able to see myself before I enrolled in this program.  I heard from some who underwent this said it’s hard, it’s painful. But they also reminded me to enjoy amidst all those things. I saw my struggles when I went down the cave. We had a tour guide, in her hand a traditional lamp to guide us along the  way.  The cave had stairs going down, but farther off were only big stones.

The tour guide instructed us before going down the cave to “leave all your things at the cottage, be sure what you have is only what you are wearing, be comfortable of your adventure”, she said. “You know why I instructed you to leave all your things aside from what you are wearing? Because going down is dangerous, it is slippery. It will add to your burden”.  But still I brought with me my shawl.

This statement reminded me how I carried myself in the CPE process.  When I started to dig the pieces of my past, I  looked back at the long years of buried memories. Writing and uttering those things in the program made me uncomfortable. As a result of my fear, I took extra care of my steps and made sure I stepped on the right stone.  If there was a need to crawl using my hands and lowering my buttocks, I did. I was very careful with my words and what to show my peers. I was careful of my memories. I didn’t have the full confidence in the process. I didn’t know where it led me. I submitted myself, conscious and confident that I already know myself.  I was thinking that I was in the right track, involved and doing my best. But after some rolling thunder, I thought otherwise. I remembered the hardships I went through.  My team mate Marj tenderly pushed my back and guided me through.  Marj was there to give me confidence at times I doubted myself or when I was about  to give up.  In her, I saw the beauty of someone reminding and pushing me through. Her faith and trust in me gave me a renewed strength to start anew.

Mission Sending in Baguio City

Reflections of Monaliza "Mona" S. Esteban

Columban Lay Missionary

I was born and raised by a Christian family. Luckily as a kid, I was taught to do the practices, observe the beliefs, memorize prayers, songs, and other teachings of the so called Catholic Church which engulfed my family even before I was born. In short, I was made to recognize the dogmas of the religion without knowing and understanding how and why. The gauge of being a so called religious was then to accept unquestionably those teachings. As a kid I obeyed, but at times breaking the rules came as a challenge and it was often committed…….But I didn’t know it was already the foundation of my vocation.

We had to let her go

By Estefanio Argall Luceño

To be the father of the Columban lay missionary is indeed a rare privilege. I consider it precious gift from God.
My daughter, Aurora C. Luceño, a civil engineer by profession, was enjoying a well-paying job and a promising career in the Department of Interior and Local Government before being sent to the Columban Lay Mission Program (CLMP) she took part in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program, which gave her a chance to visit different Asian countries, including Japan, as a goodwill ambassador of youth.

The way she wanted it
When she first broached the idea and sought our permission to become a lay missionary, we had no objection except that my life Teresita and I would preferred that she work in a Muslim or Subaanen area in Mindanao rather than in a foreign land. Since childhood she had been nurturing the idea of serving God as a missionary and had made a serious discernment of the way of life she intended to pursue. After the nine-month orientation program for cross-cultural mission of the CLMP she was assigned to Pakistan. At this juncture we reiterated our preference. However, she reasoned that the Christian population in our country constitutes a big majority compared to believers in Islam, whereas Christians in Pakistan make up less than one per cent of that overwhelmingly Islamic country. We saw her point and so finally consented.

The mission sending
I very well remember the support Aurora received from our parishioners during her missions ending in 1994, a solemn and colorful ceremony held in San Jose Parish, Pagadian City. Msgnr Patricio R. Getigan, Fr Felix Tigoy, the parish priest, Fr Niel Collins and a number of other Columban priests celebrated the Holy Mass. I was deeply touched by the way that things had come to pass. I still remember the strong feeling of support from friends and the reality of parting.
Missionary work is not new to us. As leaders of Couples for Christ my wife and I were commissioned to evangelize in Zamboanga City where we conducted a Christian   Life Program in coordination with the Claretians. Long before , we had been associated with missionaries in our place and had been  actively involved in various church activities such as the Family Life Aposolate.

Worried Parents
An older sister of Aurora, Sr Mary Judith Madeleine OCD, likewise witnessed among our Muslim brothers and sisters in Marawi City where she had and nine other Carmilite nuns were kidnapped by bandits in 1986.
Hence, there were times when we felt apprehensive over the safety of Aurora and other missionaries exposed to the perils of war, particularly at the height of the War on terror waged by the USA in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s neighbor. However, with the blessing of strong faith and trust in God’s protection we managed to overcome our fears.
The conflict between Pakistan and India over Kashmir is another source of unrest that poses a danger to missionaries. Nevertheless, Aurora assured us of her safety, as she is well loved by the people in the community where she lives and works. Besides, there’s bigger Columban family to which we feel we belong that has unfailingly supported her in her missionary journey.

We watched her grow
From her sharing with us I learned that while missionary life can be difficult, it can also be enjoyable, rewarding and full of challenges .I am a witness to the tremendous change in Aurora’s way of life as a missionary and the growth that has made her a stronger and more mature woman.
In the process I have made myself present and available to accompany her in her continuing discernment in her life and missionary journey. I have witnessed with interest and satisfaction the growth that she has experienced since she first joined the orientation program. She has since assumed greater responsibilities in the CLMP. I feel I’m greatly blessed as I see the commitment and passion of another of my children to serve people and become a living witness to God’s great love.

I  am happy that in our small and humble way our family has helped in spreading the Gospel here and in faraway places for the greater glory of God and the coming of his kingdom upon people of diverse races.

Mr. Estefanio A Luceño  died in Pagadian City on Holy Saturday, 7 April, and was be buried there on Easter Saturday, 14 April. He was 85 years old.  Please pray for the repose of his soul.

A Vicious Cycle of Destruction

by John Din, Columban Lay Missionary

First, there was the forest, logging came; bare lands appeared and mining companies came. What’s next? This idea has been in my mind when I revisited Midsalip in January this year to film and produce a short video on the struggle of the indigenous Subanens and the people of Midsalip against mining. My first visit to Midsalip was in the 80’s during the picket against logging companies. Talking about education, that has been the most educative experience in my life about the care of environment.

I had the privilege to attend to the court hearings in Aurora and Pagadian City and meet with all the accused, among them the Subanen leaders, Columban sister Patty Andonaire and Columban priest Sean Martin. Mining company has filed a criminal and civil case against them.

I spent a night in the picket area in Guinabot, Midsalip and had the chance to interview Ricardo Tolino, one of the Subanen leaders respondent to the case. Fruit of this interview is this video. Pagmina o Kasiguroan sa Pagkaon ug Kaugmaon? (Mining or Food & Future Security). In July the Mining Company managed to get a Temporary Restraining Order and has forced the picketers to abandon the proposed mining area. The drilling has started. The struggle now is to support the Writ of Kalikasan for the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Writ of Kalikasan is a remedy available to a natural or juridical person, entity authorized by law, people’s organization, non-governmental organization, or any public interest group accredited by or registered with any government agency, on behalf of persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated, or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or private individual or entity, involving environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces. (Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC Rule 7, Sec. 1)

I was assigned for seven years in Brasil and eleven years in Peru. Both of these countries have gone through the same pattern of destruction, first sending people to colonize virgin territories of forest, then came the logging business, cattle raising and finally the mining. Forests were denuded at tremendous speed, driving the indigenous people to death and to nowhere. After the timbers were cut, greedy corporate interest were turn to minerals, digging open pit mining, rerouting, killing and contaminating rivers. A desolate land, dried rivers, tons of poisonous mercury and cyanide were left to replace what was once the lungs of the earth. Amidst this destruction, human community continue to produce unknown martyrs for the defense of the forest and the indigenous people, among them Chico Mendez and Dorothy Stang who recently have shed their blood.

I have just returned to the Philippines after almost 18 years of being away as Columban Lay Missionary.  The Philippines did not escape from this pattern of development. Mining companies have spent millions in propaganda to present a responsible “clean” mining, hiring private security guards,   national and local government officials were bribed to promote their interest. Philippines have produced a lot of martyrs too, from media men and women, NGO leaders, religious etc.

Click this link for the video.

John Din at Baclaran Church

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18695320

Naanise Mounga, Lay Missionary from Tonga

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18550024

We too were asylum seekers

By Gertrudes Samson, Columban Lay Missionary, Britain

When I first entered the Sanctuary, I noticed at once the beautiful tapestry hanging at the right side of its main hall. It depicts the Holy Family on a journey with Mother Mary riding on a donkey while carrying baby Jesus and with St. Joseph walking on foot beside them. I thought it was just a typical Christmas decoration, but it has a caption underneath it: “WE TOO WERE ASYLUM SEEKERS”. It depicts the Holy Family on their flight to Egypt to flee from the persecution of Herod who wants to kill baby Jesus. That tapestry then explained to me in a nut shell what the Sanctuary is about and the value of its work.

Gertrudes Samson (L) with co-workers Jayjay, Rose, and  Fr. Patrick Sayles,  

An asylum seeker is someone who is fleeing persecution in their homeland, has arrived in another country, made themselves known to the authorities, and exercised the legal right to apply for asylum. St. Chad’s Sanctuary, which is a partnership between the Salvation Army and Catholic Church, ministers to them and to others who are far from home. It offers friendship and hospitality to asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants. We try to give them listening hearts, non-judgmental and compassionate hearts that respect human dignity irrespective of culture, faith, or background. The sanctuary is operated by just one full time manager, Sr. Margaret Walsh, and the rest are volunteers like me.

You might ask what else we do at the sanctuary aside from listening and talking with people. Actually we have many works. The following are only some of the opportunities I get to help out with in various ways together with other volunteers:

·         sitting down with the asylum seekers in the English classes to help them catch up with the lessons given by the teacher especially during the drills or exercises;

·         preparing and offering warm coffee or tea and biscuits for those who come to the Sanctuary;

·         washing dishes;

·         sorting and organising many piles of donated clothes to ensure they are clean and still useful and not rags;

·         sorting and repacking donated foods and ensuring that they have not yet expired;

·         distributing donated food bags, clothes, and household items to asylum seekers;

·         recording data and statistics about the works of the Sanctuary,

·         cleaning up the Sanctuary work areas and premises.

Honestly speaking, at the end of every day, I feel very tired because there is so much work in the Sanctuary, while volunteers like me are so few. But definitely, I AM HAPPY! –for the many people I have met from more than 80 different nationalities; for the loving friends I gained in the person of Sr. Margaret, other volunteers, and asylum seekers; but most of all, because of the opportunity God has given me to serve Him there… for Jesus said, “I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. Although I was not born at the time when Jesus and His family were still asylum seekers, I know I am serving Him at the Sanctuary in the face of every asylum seekers that I meet. With that in my heart, I know… JESUS IS HAPPY WITH US TOO in St. Chad’s Sanctuary – my place of ministry.

Columban Lay Missionaries in Britain: L to R, Gertrudes, Jayjay, Nathalie, Rose, Nathalie's daughter, and Bernardita 

Palarong Pang-Bokasyon

Last Saturday October 22, around one hundred fifty representatives of the different religious congregations, youth of the different BECS, seminarians, and parish workers of the Diocese of Cubao gathered at the Ponciano Bernardo High School for a whole day of sharing, games, laughter, fun, fellowship and thanksgiving. Entitled "Palarong Pang-Bokasyon" (Vocation Games), this event was also meant to creatively promote vocation among the young.

The day started with a mass officiated by Columban Fr. Rolly Aniscal, and concelebrated by priests from other congregations. Mass was followed by Columban LM John Din sharing a vocation story which he entitled "a story within a bigger story". This story enumerated several people who went to Lima, Peru for different reasons. First there was Lucia and Maria who were originally from a rural area in Peru and due to poverty decided to move to the big city of Lima to seek greener pasture. When they arrived in Lima, they were surprised to see a Lima City very different from the Lima they had in mind. Lima was very dry, had no rain, no accessible water except that coming from the mountains, and no proper waste disposal system. Then there were Angelica and Francisco, a couple from Germany, who went to Lima to work as missionaries and ended on the same place where Lucia and Maria lived. They had lived through difficult times. In spite of the threat of political violence, they together with the community was able to form a Christian community which later flourished into a parish. Then there was Maria Nieto. Maria Nieto was a single, middle aged lady. Although Maria Nieto was not schooled, she wanted to find a solution to the worsening state of waste disposal in the community which resulted to the plague of cholera in the communities. Together with the collaborative efforts of the community members, with Angelica and Francisco, they succeeded in making fertilizer from the community domestic waste. The project of Happy Earthworm Ecological Center led by Maria Nieto was awarded by the Peruvian government, a recognition for its valuable contribution to the care of environment. Then there were Carlos and Alejandrina with their three children. They were committed to the formation of the parish communities. Another personality is a Filipina Lay Missionary who in 2000 was assigned in Lima, Peru and has been working with the women on the same community where Maria and Lucia live. It was certainly a place of encounter with the different stories of the different personalities who arrived in the same community at different times. They were part of the bigger story of the parish of Our Lady of Peace. Other missionaries came. They came from Australia, Germany, and other places. John Din ended his story by giving us the following questions to reflect on...

1. Who among the personalities in the story can you identify with? Why?
2. If you were to meet this person, what question would you like to ask him/her?

Each of these personalities had a story to tell and contribution to share. Each story does not only end in that person but becomes part of a bigger story. In that story, John Din did not say where he was. But John was surely in that story somewhere. And since John is now with us sharing among us his gifts, his values, his time, and presence, he becomes part of our own individual stories.

The questions we were asked to reflect on were shared in the small group. In my small group, one young girl shared how she admires Maria Nieto for doing what she did without expecting anything in return. Only someone with so much love in her heart could do a life-changing act, she mused.

The afternoon was marked with fellowship games mostly larong pinoy. There were different relays, egg catching, singing contest, and basketball.

At around 4:00, all participants were asked to form a half moon and volunteers shared their experience of the day. Gratitude and joy were two of the words mostly used by those who shared their experience. Everyone looked forward to having a similar activity soon.

The day culminated with a short prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

by Marivic H. Mercene
Staff Member
Columban Lay Mission - Philippines