Misyon Online - September-October 2013
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Pope stresses importance of dialogue to Japanese students.
Back from Fiji
What happens now after your FMA in Fiji?I will continue my studies in theology another two years. (Editor’s note: these began last June.)Then I’ll be ordained deacon. Less than three years more. I’m getting nervous. I’m almost there. It’s more of an excitement, can’t wait to reach that stage already. Living in Fiji, I’ve seen my life as a missionary priest. That’s where my choices were affirmed.
Members of the traditional Indian Mandali Catholic prayer group of which Kurt is also a member. At first I thought I was ready for the missions. I had my spiritual year, then philosophy, then theology,not to mention all the exposure trips and the experience of being immersed in different pastoral situations. I tried ‘nibbling’ at it all in to nourish me and prepare me for the journey ahead. But right now, I can really say that nothing will prepare you for missionary life.
My Life In Arko Punla CommunityBy Vera Santos
In this article Vera Santos tells us how her ten years of involvement with AngArko has blessed her. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, New American Bible Revised Edition). For the past ten years that I have been a friend and now a volunteer in the Punla Community, I’ve come to realize that one of the most joyful discoveries in my encounter with the Core Members is that in recognizing, affirming and comforting them, I find myself being recognized, affirmed and comforted as well. Let me recount my experiences with Raymond, Jordan, John Paul, Mariflor, Rea, Lala and Benito and why I find peace, joy and comfort when I am in Arko:
Ang Arko ng Pilipinas – Special Friends
Responsible Stewardship in MissionBy Sr Alicia Alambra FMM
‘Build a community of administrative andfinancial leadersin support of pastoral practice to achievethe mission of the Church.’ This is the goal of our work as Business Managers OF the parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our ParishI working ina parish, St Donatus, Blue Island, Illinois, founded by the Comboni Missionaries in 1909,.that includes few skilled but many unskilled workers, some of them migrants. The former residents were Italian who in recent years left the parish and went west of Chicago. Now about 90 percent of the populace are from Mexico and Guatemala.
The way we were – home to roost
Fatima’s StoryBy Fatima de Castro
Fatima comes to the Mission Office in Manila to do volunteer work. She is the eldest of five siblings. Her father is a seafarer and her mother a housewife. I’m Ma. Fatima de Castro, a Fourth Year college student at St Paul University, Manila. We have a way of life that’s austere and humble. Let me begin my story involvinga friend named Mike. He used to go to this place overlooking Teresa, Rizal, four hours from Manila. There he met an old lady he calls ‘Nanay’ who sellscoffee, snacks and cigarettes to passersby, especially truck drivers who deliver vegetables and meat downtown. She lives in a small crowded spot beside the highway. She never has a long sleep because she’s watching out for customers that might come and buy.
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I went to this place with Mike to relax, enjoy the view of the sunset and of Laguna de Bay and also meet Nanay. The first time I saw her, I felt sad and pitied her because she was on her own. Her husband is always drunk and she can’t depend on him. They have no electricity so theydepend only on a lamp. No gas stove, just a grill. Mike gave her a cellphone with a load so that the three of us could keep in touch.