In all the procession I have ever joined since childhood to this day, it is my first ever to experience attending a fluvial procession as a thanksgiving to St. Isabel de Portugal’s miraculous intercession on the tidal wave that almost swept Basilan Island in 1976. Today, being assigned in this enchanting island (though vulnerable and dangerous), we at Isabela Foundation /SOLIDARIDAD-IDP INC join the Basilan Catholic faithful in honoring its
Our new school apostolate is in Makati City, named after our Dominican Saint “Colegio de Santa Rosa”. Makati City is the Philippines’ financial hub or the Financial Capital of the Philippines, First class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. For us, who are used to live a simple lifestyle, it is a big challenge on how to adapt to an unfamiliar kind of environment, that
Education Leadership Development Academy (ELDA BATCH 18). After attending the 2-week Intensive Training at Phoenix Publishing house the Educational Leadership Development Academy (ELDA), I found myself deeply inspired and motivated by the insightful presentations and discussions. The speakers’ expertise and passion for the topic were contagious, and I left the event with a renewed sense of purpose. I was particularly struck by from day 1 to our last day which
First communion is a very important sacrament in a child’s life since it is the beginning of his/her spiritual journey. I was privileged to accompany six children of different age in our nearby community last summer preparing them for the first communion. Every Saturday and Sunday children attended religious instruction and learning the basic prayers and the meaning and importance of the sacraments and receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
We, novices, when we arrived were welcomed to this Asian Continental Novitiate. I read again “Welcome Home!” Then I question: Is this my home? Will it be my home? This was the feeling and wonder in me one year ago. Home is a place where we live and where we love. It is the place where we most feel comfortable, happy, and loved even when it is not well-off nor
During our recent Provincial visit in Chile, a phrase written several times on the walls of houses and buildings caught our attention: “They took everything from us…even fear”. The sisters and friends shared with us that the “social outbreak” has left its marks on the facades, but also in people’s lives. These massive demonstrations and riots portray the moments that we are currently experiencing in Latin America and Caribbean. Not
The country of Timor Leste is in its most challenging period in terms of economy, education, mental and physical health, human capacity building and to their strong adherence to their cultural practices on dual beliefs . The Local Church of Timor Leste especially the missionaries, play a vital and an active involvement for the liberation of the people especially on mental transformation. Education is the response to this greatest challenge.
I trust in the very words of Jesus in Matthew 23: “Ask Me for anything and I will give it.” Two months ago, I was assigned in this beautiful and mysterious island. The challenge is to learn. Learn to live as to love. As time goes by, I observe the challenged and lived the demand of the reality of my new world. It is multicultural and multilingual, and we are
We were at one table during lunch. I saw Sr. Aurola coming from her table to us and all of us were calling each other look Santa Aurelia is coming and she looked at us smilingly. Then, she went straight to Sr. Benedicta and started to peel her orange and poured milk on her cup. We were all amazed at them on how they love and care for each other.
This year, we painfully remember one of the most tragic events that our country has experienced, the violent breakdown of democracy in Chile on September 11, 1973. The consequences of this event were a trail of systematic violations of human rights, people detained and made to disappear, tortured, executed and exiled. Men and women who were victims of a policy of extermination only for thinking differently or for fighting for