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July-August 2010

I Was Once A Street Kid

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By Michael Boctot

The author is a third-year Columban seminarian from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. He is studying philosophy at Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City, and took his oath of membership in the Missionary Society of St Columban on 29 June, the 92nd anniversary of the formal establishment of the Society.

Among the busiest places in Metro Manila are the streets. The automobiles, bikes, jeeps, cross each other to reach their destination on time. Heavy traffic occurs during rush hours. People are stranded, very annoyed, and even demanding the jeepney drivers to find way to get out of the traffic scene.

Every Saturday I experienced the jostling of traffic going to Marikina City from the Columban House of Studies, Cubao, QC, for my apostolate. This was with the street children living under the LRT station at Santolan Bridge. To reach to my area, I would take the Light Rail Transit (LRT) heading to Santolan and then walk to the bridge. There the street children would be waiting for me. Charlie Ponferrada, another Columban seminarian, and I were working together as volunteers at Kuya Center. This is a foundation that aims to bring street children off the street and provide for their basic needs such as shelter, food, and perhaps education.

Mission in a Smile

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An Interview with Ana Belma Flores, CLM

By Mary Joy Rile

Ana had the chance recently of visiting Misyon in Bacolod City and Joy, our Editorial Assitant interviewed her. Here she shares the story she got through the interview.

Let me start with a quote from Mother Teresa, ‘Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.’ You can only guess how we started… Yes, we started with a smile, as I eyed her for an article, believing that there is one beautiful story from this simple, beautiful woman.

L to R: Mary Joy Rile, Ana Flores, Richelle Verdeprado, Marisol Rojas and Bessie Palma at the Misyon editorial office in Bacolod City.

Miracles Still Happen!

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By Macelinda Diaz Verano

I still could not believe that we were the Grand Champions of the whole Philippines in the Third National Catholic Family Bible Quiz held recently at Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati.

‘Am I dreaming?’

Of course, I wasn’t; it was more of a dream coming to reality. Months before it seemed to be a vision which I thought could only happen in dreams or through a miracle, notwithstanding the hurdles that we had passed before we finally made it here – the pressures of everyday living, the negative feelings of anxiety, fear, doubt and exhaustion, the responsibilities our family members had to attend to. The list could be endless. Yet through it all, God has given our family this precious gift – a miracle to remind us to trust in Him no matter what.

July-August 2010 - Vocation Page

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Photo by Fr Hector Suano SSC

Columban Missionaries live in many countries throughout the world. It is a rewarding life, but it is not always easy. There is a long list of Columbans, Priests, Sisters and Lay Missionaries who have suffered violence, imprisonment and even death while sharing life with the poor. They all believed that the hardships they experienced were small compared to the life, hope and joy they shared with others. Are you willing to serve in that world today?

July-August 2010 - Our Cover Story

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Photo by Fr Hector Suano SSC

Our cover features some Columban priests on their way back to the main square after viewing St Kevin’s Bed, a cave he used as a hermitage in Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland. 36 Columban priests recently made a pilgrimage from St Columban's in Dalgan Park, Ireland, to Bobbio in Northen Italy where the body of their patron, Saint Columbanus, is buried. We can only think of how they felt as they relived the steps of their patron.

July-August 2010 - Teachers' Guide

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Dear Teachers,

‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’,  as John Keats the poet said, and a beautiful story that one has truly lived doubles the worth if it be shared for others to learn.

July-August 2010 - To Search is to Find

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On Misyon forum: http://www.misyononline.com/misyonforum/?q=node/1198#comment-834

 

Let me throw this question of the group when we read the Gospel for today.

The Gospels tell of Jesus’ miracles.  In many accounts, why is it that Jesus always advised those he had healed not to tell of the miracles he performed to other people? Yet, he doesn’t even react whenever those people do otherwise.

But at present, aren't we encouraged to share testimonies of our faith in the hope for others to learn as well???


This question refers to what scholars call ‘The Messianic Secret’. It is something your editor has never quite understood and so he invited a rather well-known theologian and teacher to answer for him, Pope Benedict XVI, who spoke on this very topic after the Angelus in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 1 February 2009. I will highlight some parts and add [comments].

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Her Home in the Philippines

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By Richelle Verdeprado

After many years of not attending Mass, 26-year-old Peruvian Marisol Rojas Tomasto’s concept of priests and going to church changed when she first met the Columbans ten years ago. Since then, she has admired their sense of closeness with the people and how they break down the walls that separate them from the community. Wanting to do the same, she has now found her second home in the Philippines as a Columban Lay Missionary.

July-August 2010 - Your Turn

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By Peace Flores

Despite suffering from mild cerebral palsy since childhood, the author is a second-year Secondary Education, English Major at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (UNO-R), Bacolod City.

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