By Sr Eva Calingo CM
“What? Eva is entering the convent? Carmelite?” These were just a few of the surprised reactions of my family and friends when they learned about my decision. I expected it. You see, I am the youngest in the family, which I think explains the independent and carefree streak in me. Above all, I loved wearing jeans and rubbers shoes.
By Judge Ma. Nimfa Penaco-Sitaca
Taught for 18 years by Columban Fathers, Sisters and dedicated teachers at the ImmaculateConception College in Ozamiz City, Nimfa always believed in returning to God the blessings she has received from Him. As a member of the Legion of Mary and Couples for Christ, it has been her joy to bring Jesus and Mary to others and to speak of the wonderful things that God does for her.
It is our delight to introduce to you this new section in Misyon – Our Hideaway. A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are doing.
By Cathyne Alla Costales
Joy was a rape victim. I met her when I was in college. I was on my senior year of college then and she was a freshman. I first met her at the Negros Women’s Center where I was having my research for an article for our school paper. I was sitting on a couch in the lobby, too preoccupied with reading the materials I had gathered that I hardly noticed Joy sitting beside me. I gave her a smile seeing her in our school uniform, which I was not wearing at that time. Thinking that Joy was a cousin or daughter of one of the staff of Negros Women’s Center, I didn’t mind at all when she tried to take a peek at my materials. Before I knew it, Joy began telling me her story, and I found myself listening. There was a trace of innocence in every word that came out of Joy’s mouth – but it was coupled with distress. Her words were filled with horrors and nightmare of a young woman trapped and abused.
By Fr Shay Cullen MSSC
Fr Shay Cullen is known in Olongapo and throughout the world for his work with children and his attempts with his team of lay leaders to rehabilitate them after their horrific experience of being abused. Children have become targets of pedophiles and drug pushers and in recent years have, even at the tender age of nine, been forced into armies in Africa or as couriers in various ways. As a result Fr Shay himself has become a target by those people whose nests he has disturbed. Here he shares with us his vocation story.
When people ask me to write something about being a missionary priest I look to some special experiences that help me understand my mission as a Columban priest and discover human and social realities that challenge me to live a more meaningful life to help others.
When I first became interested in becoming a missionary priest with the Missionary Society of St. Columban I was still in high school. Before I made a decision to go to the seminary I left Ireland, became an overseas worker and got various jobs in England. The first job was in a food-processing factory, then in a hotel and later in a restaurant. A few months later I decided to follow my dream of living a more interesting and adventurous life, doing good for others in a distant land wherever that might be.
By Carol Ducos
Fifty years ago, Zambales was slowly recovering from the destruction of World War II and insurgency problem was at its peak. It was within the main zone of conflict and operation. It was during this period that the Columban Fathers arrived and started organizing Christian communities. Most of the new priests were very young and were newly ordained, full of zeal to evangelize and transform the community under their care.
By Bo Sanchez
When I was single, I did everything with lightning speed. I remember it took me only nine minutes to eat breakfast, shower, dress-up and get ready to drive off to wherever. No kidding. When I got married preparing to leave home takes me a little bit more time. (About one hour and fifty-one minutes more.)
Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining. You see, my wife is a woman. (Thank God.) If I wanted to continue my quick pace in life, I should have remained single. Or married another guy, which would look strange especially that I am a preacher.
By Sem Jun Estoque
Nowadays young people are taking longer to mature. Those going for the priesthood are no exception. The Philippine bishops have set up a special seminary for those who decide later in life to become a priest and are already professionals. Jun Estoque has taken this road and tells us all about it.
By Fr Niall O’Brien MSSC
When I came first to the island of Negros, nearly forty years ago now, Candoni was one of the remotest towns in Negros. It was a grueling two-hour journey into the mountains from Kabankalan. You had a choice: to go via Salong and Tapi or via Dancalan and Tabo. Either way it was a long journey and a hard road which reminded one in parts of pictures of the surface of the moon. The young priests have it a lot easier nowadays. I recall going there by bus and frequently deciding to travel on the roof, seated on sacks of rice or fertilizer rather than the cramped quarters inside. The only problem was that when we passed under trees we sometimes had to lie out flat lest we be swept off the roof by a low lying branch. As we approached a townlet we had to climb in through the windows while the bus was still moving because it was illegal to be traveling on the roof. My short stay in Candoni was caused by the fact that Fr. Eugene McGeough, the parish priest, was away on holidays in Ireland and I was to take his place.
By Fr Frank O’Kelly MSSC
More than ten years have passed since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo but for me the memory of that terrible day is still very vivid.
On Philippine Independence Day, Wednesday, June 12, 1991 I attended an ecumenical service in the town plaza of Cabangan. At around nine in the morning I returned home to write a letter to the former parish priest, Fr Malcolm Sherrard who had been assigned home to New Zealand.
By Ma Teresita R. Santiago
Tes Santiago’s mother is an avid supporter of Misyon so Tes has come to love the magazine. Because of the many inspiring stories Misyon has featured, Tes has been dreaming of becoming a missionary herself – and she is still praying about it. Meantime, she wants to share her own story…
