July-August 2018
Celebrating 100 Years of Mission in the Philippines
By Arlenne Villahermosa
With gratitude to God in our hearts, the Missionary Society of St. Columban launched the year-long Centenary Celebration in November 2017 and will culminate in November 2018. The Columban Society was founded on June 29, 1918 by two young Irish diocesan priests, Fr. Edward Galvin and Fr. John Blowick, who answered the invitation of Christ to: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19) . . .
From the Editor
By Arlenne Villahermosa
As the Missionary Society of St. Columban continues the celebration of its 100th founding anniversary this year, Misyononline.com will feature in this issue stories and testimonies of people who have been touched by the love of God as their lives intertwined with the faith-witnessing journey that the Columban missionaries had lived-out through the years. This issue also features insights and reflections on mission by a Columban lay missionary and a Columban student who is currently on his First Mission Assignment to Pakistan . . .
A Love Story with the Columban Fathers
By Msgr. Crisostomo A. Cacho
Msgr. Cacho, from San Marcelino, Zambales, is the Vicar-General of the Diocese of Iba, a position that he has held since 1978 when Bishop Henry Byrne was the Ordinary of the Diocese. He is the President of Columban College since 2007, and the fourth priest to be ordained for the Diocese of Iba, one of the first fruits of the Columban apostolate to put up a diocesan clergy.
My love story with the Columban Fathers started when I studied in a public elementary school at Linasin, San Marcelino, Zambales. I would often see them at the convento, but my first close encounter with them was with Fr. Vincent Lyons. Father Lyons brought catechists to our school to conduct catechism classes . . .
Multiplying Oneself Through Columban Mission
By Franklin Hidalgo
Frank is an electrical engineer who has managed his own business for 30 years. He is a native of La Paz, Iloilo City but has settled in Las Piñas with his family for many years.
When my wife, Liberty, made contact with the Columban Missionaries in the late ‘90s, she started receiving Misyon magazine, then, later, the Columban Mission newsletter. I did not bother to read them. When she left for the US to take care of our very young, one and only grandson, I was left behind. The newsletters continued to come to the house. So I started reading them and got to know about the Columban Missionaries. I was inspired to learn how they cared for my countrymen; for the many years of sacrifices they had made to help the poorest of the poor. I had probably been to these far distant places where the Columban Missionaries went. It made me realize the difficulties that these missionaries experienced and yet they gave their lives and their hearts to serve the people. How noble it is ! . .
Family Traces Footsteps of Martyred Uncle
By Verne Turner and Vernon Douglas
This is an excerpt from an article published in New Zealand Catholic. We are publishing this on the occasion of Fr. Vernon’s 75th death anniversary on July 27, 2018.
L to R: Vernon Douglas, Verne Turner, Brendan Douglas and Cliff Turner
Douglas Family at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Pililla, Rizal, September 28, 2016
Fr. Vernon Douglas was deeply loved by the Douglas family from Johnsonville in Wellington, New Zealand. Verne and Vernon were named in his memory. Fr. Vernon’s deep faith led him to become a Columban missionary assigned to the Philippines during the Second World War . . .
Blueprint
By Beth Sabado
When Beth Sabado moved to Hong Kong in 2012 as the Coordinator of the Columban Lay Missionary Central Leadership Team, she joined an ecumenical radio ministry recording some reflections for a radio program, which she continues to participate in up to present. This article will soon be broadcasted in Hong Kong this August 2018. Beth is currently the Coordinator of Columban Lay Mission–Philippines based in Cubao, Quezon City.
The author in Taiwan, 2011
When I was young, I had my life all planned. My childhood blue print included school graduations, finding a stable career, how much money to save, to own a house, buy cars, when to settle down, number of kids to raise with their possible names, where to reside, where to retire, what to do during retirement and a lot more dreams . . .
Light
By Jerry Lohera
Jerry is a Columban seminarian from Misamis Oriental who left for Pakistan in July 2017 for a two-year First Mission Assignment.
Prior to my missionary assignment in Pakistan, I had been told that the electric power system of the country is less developed; it is normal to have brownouts within a day. True! Electricity is an essential infrastructure that all poor countries must develop to keep and to attract more businesses, local and foreign. But I am not here to dwell on this matter. Rather, let me tell you of a more powerful light that we are enjoying despite the poor condition . . .
I grew up witnessing the love and hate relationship of my parents, including the few attempts of my mom to stowaway every time my dad would violently hit her. But their message for us their children was very clear, to always choose marriage and family over challenges and sufferings.
The modern time shows us a great deal of broken marriages and my heart goes especially to the rebellious children who could hardly accept their family situation. I am in my 30s now and I hear people commenting from time to time that “marriage is but a piece of paper”. I don't intend to live in a dreamy world but I still do believe in marriage and I pray for one for myself. But I must admit that I sometimes get affected by how some of my good friends suffered in marriage.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will show them compassion and have them rejoice after their sorrows.
~ Jeremiah 31:13b