So, birthdays are a really big thing here... I mean they are most places, but here, oh my, never was I a part of such a sweet celebration. When I was growing up, my mother would have a special dinner for each of us (there were 8 of us) on our birthday, and invite the whole family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) It was a big deal. And my aunts would do the same thing for my cousins. Needless to say, we all got together a lot!! Now, as we are older and my sisters and brothers have families of their own, we celebrate birthdays together once a month on Birthday Sunday. Everyone who has a birthday that month is honored with a special dinner and cakes, singing... it is a lot of fun for everyone, not just the honorees. But here in the Philippines, they go a step or 10 further, and I got my first taste of one last night. Usually, families and friends do a "dawn serenade" for someone's birthday... wake up at 4am and go to the person's house and sing happy birthday and have cake. Believe it or not, the Oikos Family does a little more... in the middle of the night... in costumes...
While we were shopping in Guiuan yesterday, I picked up some cupcakes for Criselda's birthday. She turned 21 today, 10/26. Criselda, or Cris for short, is one of my house mates in the Nazareth Home. She does sweet things like cooking breakfast for all of us, doing my laundry, and is always cheerful and helpful, so I wanted to do something nice for her.
Well, last night we returned from Guiuan around 7:30 and had dinner, night prayer and went to bed. At midnight, I was awakened by some of the scholars. Apparently there is a custom here in Oikos where people wake up at midnight on the day of someone's birthday, decorate and put on costumes and then wake up the birthday person and have a party. Crazy, I thought, until I participated in it...
When I left my bedroom, many of the scholars, mothers and Sister Minerva were in the hallway. The kids were all dressed up in plaid!! Plaid shirts, shorts, hats, scarves... it was really funny! The front room of the house was decorated and on the table were the cupcakes I bought with candles in them, juice, cups, flowers and other decorations. Each of us is given a candle to hold and all of the other lights are turned off. All of the sudden, the kids start singing a song about celebrating your birthday because you are special and out comes Cris, blindfolded with one of the scholars leading her. They sit her down and sing happy birthday. Then Cris' blindfold is taken off and she walks around blowing out each of the candles we are holding. The people wearing costumes then do something similar to a runway show while walking to music and a winner is chosen whose costume and walk was the best. That person got the first picture with Cris, then we all took a picture with her... at one thirty in the morning... not really looking my best, but that's ok... it wasn't about me!! Afterwards, each of us says a little something to Cris, about her friendship and love, about how much she means to us and wishes for a happy birthday. And when we are done, Cris says something back to us. Then the scholars presented a beautiful power point presentation filled with pictures of Cris, of all of us with her and messages from people who couldn't attend. Afterwards, we ate the cupcakes and had juice and went back to bed.
You know, there is not a lot of money here for celebrations. The sisters are blessed to receive funds for education, medicines and medical care, food and many other things associated with the work that they do from generous people throughout the world. But for birthdays, there really isn't extra money for those. It doesn't stop them, however, from making birthdays extra special, fun and meaningful to everyone. They really are like a huge family, who supports one another, shares in the sorrows and in the victories and takes the time to make special occasions extra special using their talents, ingenuity and humor.
Today Cris' day will be filled with little surprises and then she will celebrate with the other October Birthday honorees on Friday with a big party. But last night, I'm sure Cris felt the love and the friendship of everyone there, and she knows we all praise God for the gift He has given us in her.
Happy Birthday, Criselda!! Please say a prayer for Criselda today, or whenever you happen to read this. Salamat!! (Thank you!!) xxoo
Sunday, October 25, 2015
A Trip to Guiuan
Today we traveled to the south, to a city called Guiuan (pronounced ghe-wan). The Oikos Sisters have high school and college scholars that they support here in Borongan, and in the south, in Guiuan and in the barrios we are implementing the Livelihood programs in, in Santa Cruz and in Tacla-on. Really, the sister's reach is far and the number of people I encounter who are helped by Oikos grows each day. Anyways, it was my first time to go to Guiuan and I had a few great experiences there.
For one, I was able to meet the scholars in the south. They were very welcoming to me, after the shock of seeing me!! I also helped Sister Clarissa to teach them the song Lord I Need You by Matt Maher. If you've never heard the song, take a listen on YouTube. It is a really good song, especially good for helping you enter into prayer. And, shock of all shocks, I had to sing into the microphone alone!!! Now, I've spoken before about my voice... it's ok, but I was not blessed with a beautiful voice like my bothers and sisters and many of my nieces and nephews. The only times I have EVER sang by myself into a microphone was at karaoke after consuming quite a bit of alcohol!! (**Please note, underage readers: I was over 21 and had a DD!!) Anyways, suffice to say that I am not comfortable at all singing into a microphone alone ((sober)) and even joked with Sister Clarissa that the kids would need to go to the ER after hearing me for earaches!! But, my lame attempts at escaping the task bore no fruit and I had to succumb! It actually was not horrible, I just focused on the words and on the intention to enter into prayer with God... but I don't really want to do it again anytime soon!!
The building where the formation is held is called St. Mary's College. It is a beautiful campus, but needed a lot of restoration after Typhoon Yolanda. On one area of the campus there is a grotto built up above the buildings. While waiting for everything to begin, I walked over there and up the stairs. At first, I thought it was just the Blessed Mother there, then upon looking around, I saw a little statue of St. Bernadette just beside me. It was cool that her "view" of Mary was the same as mine. The steps continued up to the statue of Mary and around it, so I ventured up higher. Behind the statue, I had a city-wide view of Guiuan. I was up above everything, and could see for miles. What a beautiful sight!! Unfortunately, my camera is acting up so I was unable to take any photos, but it was a sight I will not soon forget!!!
I also met a great priest, Fr. Emmitt. He has a parish in Guiuan. Fr. Emmitt reminded me a lot of my father, telling a few jokes during lunch. I think one of them I even remember my father telling! There is a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and are trying to figure out what to do to commemorate it. The husband wants to take a helicopter ride around the city, but the wife is frugal and doesn't want to waste money on that. Well, as they are arguing about it, the helicopter pilot, who overheard what they were talking about, told them that if they want, he will take them up for a ride for free... with one condition, they cannot make a noise during the trip. So, the couple agrees and up they go. Well, the pilot happens to be a little crazy and takes the couple for a joy ride, flying every dare-devil maneuver he can think of, but the couple actually remained silent the whole time they were in the air. Well, as the pilot was landing, he congratulated the couple on besting him, they were quiet the entire ride and therefore their trip was free. After he landed, the pilot turned around to shake their hands, only to find the husband there alone. Shocked he said, "What happened??? Where is your wife?" "Well," the husband said, "she fell out." "SHE FELL OUT??? Why didn't you say something????" The husband shrugs his shoulders and says, "Well, if I did, you would have charged us!" Heehee.
Going to the campus, we had to travel on this rocky, pothole-ridden road. I was closing my eyes, trying not to get sick when the driver, Ben, told me that in 1945, the American army built this road, that it was a part of an airport they built during WWII. The Americans built their own airport and base to use during the war. All of the sudden, my prospective changed... how cool to be driving on a road built by my country as they helped end a disastrously horrible war. I stepped on the road myself and tried to feel the energy of the place. Unfortunately for all traveling that road, the government has done nothing to keep it up, so since 1945, it has not been repaired at all, hence the bump, bump, bump of the ride. But for me, standing there, on the original asphalt built so long ago, it was powerful!! Is it just me, or is that cool?
Unfortunately, it wasn't all good times in traveling to Guiuan. At a certain point, I noticed a big change in the scenery. It was the coconut trees. In Borongan, the coconut trees are tall with lush fans of leaves creating a halo of green around the coconuts (which do, by the way, just fall unannounced from their high perch... can't stand too close to the coconut trees!!) However, as we traveled south, I noticed trees with stubby, short leaves, like someone took a chainsaw to them. There were trees that looked like someone was playing "He loves me, he loves me not" with the coconut leaves, and many that were just very tall stumps, like a giant was playing the dandelion game I used to play, "Momma had a baby and it's head popped off"... by the way, who ever came up with that?? Why were we allowed to even say such words?? It is so deranged!! Well, there was a giant, so to speak, who came along and ruined the trees and so much more. It was the super typhoon Yolanda. Yolanda landed right on Guiuan, so what happened was the winds attacked the city and the surrounding waters and sent a powerful surge of water to Tacloban, and caused much destruction there. But in Guiuan the winds completely demolished the city. We drove by a church, over 450 years old, and it was rubble. It took my breath away to see it and brought tears to my eyes. I have heard a lot of the stories, and have seen the houses here in Borongan that still need repair after typhoon Ruby, but this was the first time I have seen the actual force of nature that is working within a typhoon. I mean, the rubble left of the church was huge, it was stone and the foundation looked so solid... it lasted quite a long time, 450 years is nothing to sniff at. It was just gone. Praise the Lord that no one was in the church at the time of the storm. The Holy Spirit guided the people to safer places. However, the people still suffer. This region is where most of the world's supply of coconut products comes from. These people have to wait years for the coconut trees to replenish the ones that were destroyed. It has cost the livelihoods of hundreds of people and left them and their families suffering. This November, it will be 3 years since the super typhoon hit the southern part of Samar, and the people are still trying to rebuild their homes, their city, their livelihoods.
We left Borongan at 4 in the morning and returned around 7:30 at night. It was a full day of traveling, formating, and praying. But for me, it was an emotional day as well, sort of a roller coaster ride of emotions. All of that compounded by the intense heat (yes, you will still hear me talk about the heat until the day I leave!! People STILL inform me that I am sweating... pretty funny!) made for an exhausting day, but a good one. One of the best parts of what the Sisters do is that for all of their formations and mission work, they include the scholars in it so that they are not only helping others, are helping to build a second generation of missionaries. Pretty cool too!! xxoo
For one, I was able to meet the scholars in the south. They were very welcoming to me, after the shock of seeing me!! I also helped Sister Clarissa to teach them the song Lord I Need You by Matt Maher. If you've never heard the song, take a listen on YouTube. It is a really good song, especially good for helping you enter into prayer. And, shock of all shocks, I had to sing into the microphone alone!!! Now, I've spoken before about my voice... it's ok, but I was not blessed with a beautiful voice like my bothers and sisters and many of my nieces and nephews. The only times I have EVER sang by myself into a microphone was at karaoke after consuming quite a bit of alcohol!! (**Please note, underage readers: I was over 21 and had a DD!!) Anyways, suffice to say that I am not comfortable at all singing into a microphone alone ((sober)) and even joked with Sister Clarissa that the kids would need to go to the ER after hearing me for earaches!! But, my lame attempts at escaping the task bore no fruit and I had to succumb! It actually was not horrible, I just focused on the words and on the intention to enter into prayer with God... but I don't really want to do it again anytime soon!!
The building where the formation is held is called St. Mary's College. It is a beautiful campus, but needed a lot of restoration after Typhoon Yolanda. On one area of the campus there is a grotto built up above the buildings. While waiting for everything to begin, I walked over there and up the stairs. At first, I thought it was just the Blessed Mother there, then upon looking around, I saw a little statue of St. Bernadette just beside me. It was cool that her "view" of Mary was the same as mine. The steps continued up to the statue of Mary and around it, so I ventured up higher. Behind the statue, I had a city-wide view of Guiuan. I was up above everything, and could see for miles. What a beautiful sight!! Unfortunately, my camera is acting up so I was unable to take any photos, but it was a sight I will not soon forget!!!
I also met a great priest, Fr. Emmitt. He has a parish in Guiuan. Fr. Emmitt reminded me a lot of my father, telling a few jokes during lunch. I think one of them I even remember my father telling! There is a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and are trying to figure out what to do to commemorate it. The husband wants to take a helicopter ride around the city, but the wife is frugal and doesn't want to waste money on that. Well, as they are arguing about it, the helicopter pilot, who overheard what they were talking about, told them that if they want, he will take them up for a ride for free... with one condition, they cannot make a noise during the trip. So, the couple agrees and up they go. Well, the pilot happens to be a little crazy and takes the couple for a joy ride, flying every dare-devil maneuver he can think of, but the couple actually remained silent the whole time they were in the air. Well, as the pilot was landing, he congratulated the couple on besting him, they were quiet the entire ride and therefore their trip was free. After he landed, the pilot turned around to shake their hands, only to find the husband there alone. Shocked he said, "What happened??? Where is your wife?" "Well," the husband said, "she fell out." "SHE FELL OUT??? Why didn't you say something????" The husband shrugs his shoulders and says, "Well, if I did, you would have charged us!" Heehee.
Going to the campus, we had to travel on this rocky, pothole-ridden road. I was closing my eyes, trying not to get sick when the driver, Ben, told me that in 1945, the American army built this road, that it was a part of an airport they built during WWII. The Americans built their own airport and base to use during the war. All of the sudden, my prospective changed... how cool to be driving on a road built by my country as they helped end a disastrously horrible war. I stepped on the road myself and tried to feel the energy of the place. Unfortunately for all traveling that road, the government has done nothing to keep it up, so since 1945, it has not been repaired at all, hence the bump, bump, bump of the ride. But for me, standing there, on the original asphalt built so long ago, it was powerful!! Is it just me, or is that cool?
Unfortunately, it wasn't all good times in traveling to Guiuan. At a certain point, I noticed a big change in the scenery. It was the coconut trees. In Borongan, the coconut trees are tall with lush fans of leaves creating a halo of green around the coconuts (which do, by the way, just fall unannounced from their high perch... can't stand too close to the coconut trees!!) However, as we traveled south, I noticed trees with stubby, short leaves, like someone took a chainsaw to them. There were trees that looked like someone was playing "He loves me, he loves me not" with the coconut leaves, and many that were just very tall stumps, like a giant was playing the dandelion game I used to play, "Momma had a baby and it's head popped off"... by the way, who ever came up with that?? Why were we allowed to even say such words?? It is so deranged!! Well, there was a giant, so to speak, who came along and ruined the trees and so much more. It was the super typhoon Yolanda. Yolanda landed right on Guiuan, so what happened was the winds attacked the city and the surrounding waters and sent a powerful surge of water to Tacloban, and caused much destruction there. But in Guiuan the winds completely demolished the city. We drove by a church, over 450 years old, and it was rubble. It took my breath away to see it and brought tears to my eyes. I have heard a lot of the stories, and have seen the houses here in Borongan that still need repair after typhoon Ruby, but this was the first time I have seen the actual force of nature that is working within a typhoon. I mean, the rubble left of the church was huge, it was stone and the foundation looked so solid... it lasted quite a long time, 450 years is nothing to sniff at. It was just gone. Praise the Lord that no one was in the church at the time of the storm. The Holy Spirit guided the people to safer places. However, the people still suffer. This region is where most of the world's supply of coconut products comes from. These people have to wait years for the coconut trees to replenish the ones that were destroyed. It has cost the livelihoods of hundreds of people and left them and their families suffering. This November, it will be 3 years since the super typhoon hit the southern part of Samar, and the people are still trying to rebuild their homes, their city, their livelihoods.
We left Borongan at 4 in the morning and returned around 7:30 at night. It was a full day of traveling, formating, and praying. But for me, it was an emotional day as well, sort of a roller coaster ride of emotions. All of that compounded by the intense heat (yes, you will still hear me talk about the heat until the day I leave!! People STILL inform me that I am sweating... pretty funny!) made for an exhausting day, but a good one. One of the best parts of what the Sisters do is that for all of their formations and mission work, they include the scholars in it so that they are not only helping others, are helping to build a second generation of missionaries. Pretty cool too!! xxoo
Ask and You Shall Receive
I really can't go anywhere without being followed and questioned by someone! The other day we delivered piglets to Tacla-on, a barrio in the south that is a part of the Piglet Livelihood program. After the noisy delivering fun, we went to this rocky beach for lunch. They tell me it was more beautiful before Typhoon Yolanda, but it was very beautiful anyways, in my humble opinion. There are stone paths all along the water and beautiful stone bridges. We couldn't walk the entire path because Yolanda had destroyed so much of the stone path and some of it still needs to be repaired. But the part we were able to access was lovely!
At one point, I decided to sit by myself by the water, to talk with God. You know, the Sisters live a prayerful life. We attend morning mass, then pray Morning Prayer once back at home, we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day at 3pm, Angelus and the Rosary at 6, followed by Evening Prayer and we pray night prayer at 9pm, along with praying before and after each meal. Finding time for prayer is never a problem, finding time for personal prayer and meditation with God... that's another story. I know I could get up a little earlier, and perhaps I should, or I could stay up a little later to pray by myself with God. I am selfish with my sleeping time! But finding time in the day to sit and listen to God seems impossible! Our days are really jammed packed with work. And it is not as though I have no rest time during the day, I just never know how long it will be. So, I will start praying and then be interrupted and have to go somewhere.
Anyways, I was sitting by the water alone at the rocky beach, trying to speak with God when some children approached me. This is not uncommon. The kids here tease me that I am the most popular person in the Philippines!! So, the kids come over and start asking questions... what is your name, where are you from, how old are you (a question EVERYONE asks!!!) what music do you like... it goes on and on. Whenever I think, Oh, some alone time!! it gets interrupted. And I am happy to speak to people, to answer questions and to give my time to whoever... but I do need time for myself to speak with and more importantly, to listen to God.
A few years ago, this probably wouldn't have bothered me. My usual time for praying to God was when I was driving through a snow storm or others or myself was going through some personal crisis. I did go to the Eucharistic Adoration chapel at times, which was beautiful, but didn't happen often enough. I didn't think I needed separate time for God. Oh, how wrong I was!!
Here I am thirsty for it. I am longing to hear God speak to me, to tell me if this is the place for me or not. I am learning here to be flexible and be able to jump up and go at a moment's notice... but for my life, I'd like a game plan... is that too much to ask? But I will never receive the plan if I do not listen to the One who makes the plans! I just cried out to God the other day... God, how I miss spending time with you! I know you are so close, but you feel so far away. I just want a little time to talk to you alone, to try to quiet my brain and try to listen to you.
Guess what... He gave me that time! You know, I don't know why God is so good to me, but He is. Every Thursday is bonding day for the sisters. They have a holy hour, that if full of prayers, song and quiet time. The sisters invite me into their holy hour, which I greatly appreciate!! Then, after lunch, they usually have a meeting and formation of their own, during which time I am on my own and usually have planning or office work to do. Well, yesterday was supposed to be a quick meeting because everyone had a lot to do. So since the plan was to have just a quick meeting after lunch, I didn't bring anything with me to do during that time. Wouldn't you know that everything the sister's had planned for the afternoon was cancelled or rescheduled??? So, I am in my room, unaware of the schedule changes, playing solitaire on my phone when it occurs to me that this would be good alone time with God. It ended up being almost 3 hours! I started praying, and the next thing I knew, it was almost 5:00 and Sister Clarissa was knocking on my door, apologizing for the long meeting... No need for that!!
I need to find regular time during the day to be alone with God. I need to listen to Him and learn from Him what He wants of me. But, I just felt like I got a divine hug yesterday, because I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me!! The things we read in the bible about asking and we will receive, about how God cares for the birds and flowers, how much more does He care for us... that is not just to take up space in the bible!! It's real and true!! And believe me, it's not because I am special that He answered me. It's because He loves me... and He loves you too! Ask, then listen!! Then give thanks to God!!! xxoo
At one point, I decided to sit by myself by the water, to talk with God. You know, the Sisters live a prayerful life. We attend morning mass, then pray Morning Prayer once back at home, we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day at 3pm, Angelus and the Rosary at 6, followed by Evening Prayer and we pray night prayer at 9pm, along with praying before and after each meal. Finding time for prayer is never a problem, finding time for personal prayer and meditation with God... that's another story. I know I could get up a little earlier, and perhaps I should, or I could stay up a little later to pray by myself with God. I am selfish with my sleeping time! But finding time in the day to sit and listen to God seems impossible! Our days are really jammed packed with work. And it is not as though I have no rest time during the day, I just never know how long it will be. So, I will start praying and then be interrupted and have to go somewhere.
Anyways, I was sitting by the water alone at the rocky beach, trying to speak with God when some children approached me. This is not uncommon. The kids here tease me that I am the most popular person in the Philippines!! So, the kids come over and start asking questions... what is your name, where are you from, how old are you (a question EVERYONE asks!!!) what music do you like... it goes on and on. Whenever I think, Oh, some alone time!! it gets interrupted. And I am happy to speak to people, to answer questions and to give my time to whoever... but I do need time for myself to speak with and more importantly, to listen to God.
A few years ago, this probably wouldn't have bothered me. My usual time for praying to God was when I was driving through a snow storm or others or myself was going through some personal crisis. I did go to the Eucharistic Adoration chapel at times, which was beautiful, but didn't happen often enough. I didn't think I needed separate time for God. Oh, how wrong I was!!
Here I am thirsty for it. I am longing to hear God speak to me, to tell me if this is the place for me or not. I am learning here to be flexible and be able to jump up and go at a moment's notice... but for my life, I'd like a game plan... is that too much to ask? But I will never receive the plan if I do not listen to the One who makes the plans! I just cried out to God the other day... God, how I miss spending time with you! I know you are so close, but you feel so far away. I just want a little time to talk to you alone, to try to quiet my brain and try to listen to you.
Guess what... He gave me that time! You know, I don't know why God is so good to me, but He is. Every Thursday is bonding day for the sisters. They have a holy hour, that if full of prayers, song and quiet time. The sisters invite me into their holy hour, which I greatly appreciate!! Then, after lunch, they usually have a meeting and formation of their own, during which time I am on my own and usually have planning or office work to do. Well, yesterday was supposed to be a quick meeting because everyone had a lot to do. So since the plan was to have just a quick meeting after lunch, I didn't bring anything with me to do during that time. Wouldn't you know that everything the sister's had planned for the afternoon was cancelled or rescheduled??? So, I am in my room, unaware of the schedule changes, playing solitaire on my phone when it occurs to me that this would be good alone time with God. It ended up being almost 3 hours! I started praying, and the next thing I knew, it was almost 5:00 and Sister Clarissa was knocking on my door, apologizing for the long meeting... No need for that!!
I need to find regular time during the day to be alone with God. I need to listen to Him and learn from Him what He wants of me. But, I just felt like I got a divine hug yesterday, because I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me!! The things we read in the bible about asking and we will receive, about how God cares for the birds and flowers, how much more does He care for us... that is not just to take up space in the bible!! It's real and true!! And believe me, it's not because I am special that He answered me. It's because He loves me... and He loves you too! Ask, then listen!! Then give thanks to God!!! xxoo
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Immersion
So... IMMERSION!! WOW! What an amazing experience!! We went into a small village, or barrio on Friday in Salcedo near the other barrios that we have the Livelihood Programs in. This barrio has about 115 families that we helped. The mission team consisted of the 5 sisters, one of the moms, Leah, me, about 8 scholars, 8 men, 2 doctors and a priest. Not knowing what really to expect, it was a very eye-opening experience for me on how to truly live the Gospel and really help people in every aspect of their lives.
Living in this barrio for 3 days, I got to really experience their lives on a very small scale. Most of the people here get their livelihoods from fishing. However, since the Typhoon a few years ago, many people had their fishing gear destroyed and have been unable to replace them. There was a charity that came to this barrio to build a health clinic and replace some of the homes and give fishing equipment to families, but only about 15 of the 115 families living here were helped. To give you a little insight into their daily lives, these people live in a village right on the ocean. Of that I was glad because of the beautiful breeze that came from the sea all weekend. They get up in the mornings and usually have no food for breakfast, possibly some food left over from the night before or possibly some bread, but usually nothing. The children receive lunch at school, but for the adults, there is no food usually for lunch besides food grown in the garden. Dinner is the only sure meal each family has each day. Their village, despite being extremely poor, is very clean and the people work hard to keep it so. They are about a 20 minute drive to the city of Salcedo, but it is a bumpy, bumpy, ridiculously bumpy ride!! However, most people have to walk there anyways. The elementary school is right in their barrio, so that is great, but many kids do not go beyond that. One of the things the sisters did was to make a list of the kids who would like to be included as an Oikos Scholar and g to high school and college. Many wanted to do so!! I hope we can find good sponsors for them!!
Upon arrival to the barrio, we had prayers and lunch. We walked around the village, seeing the sights there and familiarizing ourselves with the town. I shocked quite a few people with my ability to communicate a little in waraywaray!! That's always fun! After lunch, we unpacked and got ourselves situated. We had to build a make-shift kitchen outside and set that all up. I was on the kitchen team. Never cooked dinner for 250 people using an open fire pit before with utensils so big the Jolly Green Giant could have used them!! Another thing to add to my resume!!! I had fun preparing food with my team, and learning the rustic side of catering!! No sanitation buckets here!! When in Rome...
When we got all set up, we rang the church bell and gathered the people, introduced ourselves and told them what they could expect this weekend: Prayers, food, dental care, medical care, mass, bible sharing, catechism for the kids, singing, movies and lots of help and love! The people were so grateful and greeted us with open arms. As we prepared dinner, the scholars sang action songs with the people and got them all moving and excited. I felt a little reluctant about doing the action songs, or animations as they call them here, but after a while, I have found it fun to participate in them and just have fun! In the evening, we showed a movie about a saint... I can't recall his name, but he was known as the reluctant saint, and fed the people a snack of chocolate porridge. Sounds weird, but it is good... sort of like warm chocolate rice pudding.
The sisters and I along with Leah slept in the health clinic. It is a nice new building with a good bathroom and lots of space on the floor for our sleeping mats. I was told that this was a "cushy" immersion, that they have pitched tents before or slept in run-down abandoned homes. I definitely would have slept wherever... and might still for I have been told we will do another immersion before February, but I was pretty happy with the setup!! We even had fans... thank you, Lord!! In the evenings, people brought us bananas, papayas and mangos as thank you gifts. Sweet!!
Saturday began bright and early with preparing breakfast for the team. We had a lively charismatic morning prayer, which was absolutely beautiful. Then the day began with food preparation for lunch, a bible sharing and reflection for the parents and catechist classes and games with the kids all at the same time. I snuck into the catechism class for a while after my work was done. The scholars were teaching the kids the Beatitudes using puppets! Super cute!! Then we had a snack and sang songs. I even led a couple of songs! After that, the kids got new clothes and sandals. They were so excited!!
We gathered in the church for lunch, then we gave clothes to the parents and teens. It was pretty funny! They gathered all the dads, then laid a lot of clothes in front of them. Each man had 5 or so seconds to go through the clothes and pick out whatever they wanted. It was like a game show! Then they did the same for the moms and the teens. We gave each family bags of rice, sugar, pasta, canned meat, coffee and candies. I was so lucky to be the one to hand out the sacks to the families as they were called up to receive theirs. Then we had a little break and I got in a 30 min nap... totally needed it!!
In the evening, the town had a special celebration planned and we were invited to come. So I went with Sister Ethel and a bunch of the scholars. We danced the cha-cha and the karatcha for quite a few hours!! Sunday started early with food preparation again. We had mass and served lunch. After that, the medical and dental missions began. I was on the registration team and always had kids around me asking tons of question between greeting people wanting to see the doctor or dentist. We brought boxes and boxes of donated and purchased medications and vitamins with us. After that, we gathered our things and went home. I slept the whole way home, about 2 hours!!
How amazing is it that these 5 little sisters can do so much for people suffering and feeling forgotten??!? The Holy Spirit is definitely alive and well within the Oikos Community and they just tap into His lifeline and go where He guides. I have never seen the kind of giving and praying, the selflessness and joy in serving others before that I see here. And to so many people! They have done this 6 times before and have no intention of stopping. But it is not only the sisters... they have generous helpers in the US, particularly in the Joliet Diocese in Illinois, and in France and I am sure in many other places. People who give generously of their time, their treasure and their prayers. All are needed!!
Below are some of my pictures from the immersion. I will never, ever forget this experience and am looking forward to the next!! Today is a rest day, thank the Lord!! And this week is one of pleasure as there is a break from school. We will be swimming in the ocean and going on outings. I am sure it will be fun, fun, fun!! Keep up the prayers... and fyi... www.poorhouseholdofgod.org just incase you were looking to be included in the Oikos Family of giving and loving others!! xxoo
A Clean Heart Create in Me, Oh God!!!
I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but I went to elementary school in the 70s and 80s. I attended a Catholic school, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and was privileged to know and receive my sacraments from Bishop Benincasa who was a great bishop, priest, man... And although I had good teachers and received a good education there, I believe most Catholic schools at the time all taught nearly the same thing. I sometimes think of it as fluffinutter catechesis. Jesus loves you, Jesus loves me. I mean, there was more, but not much. As an adult, I am beginning to see a reversion back to a more solid Catholic foundation in some of our youth, which is awesome. And I feel a little jipped at not receiving that kind of real Catholic education. I am beginning to study it now on my own, but I am not one of those self-starter, entrepreneurial people. It is very difficult for me to stay on task at learning now in my old-er age. But I am trying, I guess that's the important part.
But the reason I bring this all up is that in today's Gospel (10/13, Lk11:37-41) the Jesus being portrayed here is monumentally different from the one I learned about in grade school. To recap, Jesus is invited to a Pharisee's home for dinner and when they comment that Jesus did not perform all of the cleansing absolutions before eating, he actually calls them fools right to their faces. He says "You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but within you are filled with rapaciousness. Fools! Did He who made the outside make the inside too?" This Jesus is authoritative and harsh. I realize that Jesus is speaking this way to them to save them, to get them to change and start thinking about what is really important, but man... can you imagine being invited to someone's home, an important someone in the eyes of the people living at that time, and calling them fools?? Can you even imagine the Pharisees' response??? Yikes!
But having lived in both the first world and the third world for the past few years, I can see this happening even today. I mean, sometimes I have been just totally nauseated by the smell of hand sanitizer after the Sign of Peace at some churches in Buffalo. Really? Hand sanitizer?? It is just one example of our "germophobic" society in the States. To a certain extent, I realize that cleanliness is important. We saw by the outbreak of Ebola how bad hygiene can really be destructive to us, even deadly. But in church? After shaking hands signaling peace, equality and love for one another? I know I am repeating myself, but...really?
And I am guilty of it too, well, not at mass, but being over sensitive about cleanliness. I've brought hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes with me on all of my mission trips, and I do realize the intelligence behind that, but the question is, have I ever let the state of someone's cleanliness or lack thereof stop me from being Christian to them? I think, being honest, the answer is yes. Passing someone on the street who is dirty, possibly smelly and not even saying hello let alone trying to help in some way. But in the missions I have encountered many situations with dirty children and adults where I had a choice to make... this person is dirty, smells, maybe has ants on them or flys all around them. To coin the phrase of the popular show, "What would you do?" Before missionary work, I am ashamed to say I would probably try to ignore them, or politely say hello and pray that they didn't begin a conversation. But now? The other day a woman came to the office door to ask for rice. The Oikos Sisters give rice to whoever comes to their door. This woman was completely dirty, she had all ripped clothes, she had more teeth missing than not, and it probably was a while since she had bathed. Sister Clarissa asked me to get her some rice, so I did. Then she asked me if I would take a picture with her. Without even a second thought, I sat down next to her, put my arm around her and told her something funny so she would smile with me in the picture. In the barrios, I have met many people who I would not consider "clean", but what is really important? In Africa, oh my where the children dirty, although they bathed twice a day... can't really figure that one out!!! Once I was carrying a child wearing a diaper that leaked diarrhea on to me, and I shrugged my shoulders and said "whatever!!" I certainly do not want Jesus to look at me and call me a fool! I am in no way on the level of the Oikos Sisters, the Sisters of Charity, St. Francis, who even kissed lepers, but I am trying at this too and I realize how important it really is.
In a certain way, I feel as if I have it easier than people who have never been on a mission before, never been to a third world country, never encountered people at their most desperate need. Here, you are either all in or you go home because it is not possible to sit on the sidelines in a mission, you are not able to pass the buck onto someone else. Everyone you encounter in need is Jesus, and you act accordingly. Back in the U.S. and other first world countries, it is a easier to look the other way, to make it a point to avoid the "dirtier" areas of town... I know, I did it. But Jesus' challenge in the Gospel today is for all of us. There is a common popular phrase that says "cleanliness is next to godliness," but I think Jesus would disapprove of this one. Perhaps openness, inclusiveness or charitable-ness (?) is next to Godliness.
Being healthy is important, but being loving and charitable, having a clean heart and a clean soul is even more so. xxoo
But the reason I bring this all up is that in today's Gospel (10/13, Lk11:37-41) the Jesus being portrayed here is monumentally different from the one I learned about in grade school. To recap, Jesus is invited to a Pharisee's home for dinner and when they comment that Jesus did not perform all of the cleansing absolutions before eating, he actually calls them fools right to their faces. He says "You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but within you are filled with rapaciousness. Fools! Did He who made the outside make the inside too?" This Jesus is authoritative and harsh. I realize that Jesus is speaking this way to them to save them, to get them to change and start thinking about what is really important, but man... can you imagine being invited to someone's home, an important someone in the eyes of the people living at that time, and calling them fools?? Can you even imagine the Pharisees' response??? Yikes!
But having lived in both the first world and the third world for the past few years, I can see this happening even today. I mean, sometimes I have been just totally nauseated by the smell of hand sanitizer after the Sign of Peace at some churches in Buffalo. Really? Hand sanitizer?? It is just one example of our "germophobic" society in the States. To a certain extent, I realize that cleanliness is important. We saw by the outbreak of Ebola how bad hygiene can really be destructive to us, even deadly. But in church? After shaking hands signaling peace, equality and love for one another? I know I am repeating myself, but...really?
And I am guilty of it too, well, not at mass, but being over sensitive about cleanliness. I've brought hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes with me on all of my mission trips, and I do realize the intelligence behind that, but the question is, have I ever let the state of someone's cleanliness or lack thereof stop me from being Christian to them? I think, being honest, the answer is yes. Passing someone on the street who is dirty, possibly smelly and not even saying hello let alone trying to help in some way. But in the missions I have encountered many situations with dirty children and adults where I had a choice to make... this person is dirty, smells, maybe has ants on them or flys all around them. To coin the phrase of the popular show, "What would you do?" Before missionary work, I am ashamed to say I would probably try to ignore them, or politely say hello and pray that they didn't begin a conversation. But now? The other day a woman came to the office door to ask for rice. The Oikos Sisters give rice to whoever comes to their door. This woman was completely dirty, she had all ripped clothes, she had more teeth missing than not, and it probably was a while since she had bathed. Sister Clarissa asked me to get her some rice, so I did. Then she asked me if I would take a picture with her. Without even a second thought, I sat down next to her, put my arm around her and told her something funny so she would smile with me in the picture. In the barrios, I have met many people who I would not consider "clean", but what is really important? In Africa, oh my where the children dirty, although they bathed twice a day... can't really figure that one out!!! Once I was carrying a child wearing a diaper that leaked diarrhea on to me, and I shrugged my shoulders and said "whatever!!" I certainly do not want Jesus to look at me and call me a fool! I am in no way on the level of the Oikos Sisters, the Sisters of Charity, St. Francis, who even kissed lepers, but I am trying at this too and I realize how important it really is.
In a certain way, I feel as if I have it easier than people who have never been on a mission before, never been to a third world country, never encountered people at their most desperate need. Here, you are either all in or you go home because it is not possible to sit on the sidelines in a mission, you are not able to pass the buck onto someone else. Everyone you encounter in need is Jesus, and you act accordingly. Back in the U.S. and other first world countries, it is a easier to look the other way, to make it a point to avoid the "dirtier" areas of town... I know, I did it. But Jesus' challenge in the Gospel today is for all of us. There is a common popular phrase that says "cleanliness is next to godliness," but I think Jesus would disapprove of this one. Perhaps openness, inclusiveness or charitable-ness (?) is next to Godliness.
Being healthy is important, but being loving and charitable, having a clean heart and a clean soul is even more so. xxoo
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Moving Right Along...
... Very early this morning we saw some poor children laying on the sidewalk, seemingly just waking up. As we passed them, the sisters started all talking together, then we stopped and turned around. Sister Minerva got out of our car and proceeded to buy some food from a street-side vendor, then took it over to the boys. She spent a few moments talking to them, then gave them the food. People on the street were watching her as she spoke with them... ministry in action, that's what it's all about!!
... I mentioned in an earlier bog that I went to Tacloban, a large city here, with Sister Clarissa and some friends to take care of some business there and we stayed overnight. Upon returning to Providence Home, I got a HUGE hug from one of the little boys here, Jake. He was upstairs, and as he ran down, he was singing "Auntie Sarah.... Auntie Sarah... Auntie Sarah!!!" Ohhh, it felt good!
... On October 16th, Friday, it is the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. I have heard her story many times from my grandfather, Bob Noonan, who, along with his bride Josephine, have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of whom St. Margaret Mary had visions and ultimately had the portrait of the Sacred Heart painted. My grandparents have been very instrumental in spreading the word and the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Buffalo for many years. In fact, it is through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the work of my grandparents that I owe my newfound missionary life. St. Margaret Mary... pray for us!!
... Guess what I found in Borongan??? The bus the Muppets used in The Muppet Movie!! Seriously, these busses are everywhere... and despite the fact that they spew out the darkest exhaust I have ever seen and seem to have no regard for pedestrians, when I see one I always smile!! I keep thinking of Fozzy driving and Kermit singing "Moving right along!!" Here is the bus:
Just about every day, in hundreds of different ways, God is showing me how to love, giving me consolations of love, lifting me up in little ways and letting me know I am not alone... He is with me. It makes me feel very loved, but at the same time, very unworthy to receive such care and attention from God. I think we all have God working in our lives this way, but the many distractions and perhaps our egos get in the way of seeing the Hand that is guiding and loving us. In the missions, there are no egos and the distractions are seriously minimized due to poverty. It is pretty cool that in order to gain the knowledge of God working in, with and through me, I've had to let go of everything... but in letting go, I've gained everything. Does that make sense or is my brain on meltdown?? Perhaps both!! xxoo
... I mentioned in an earlier bog that I went to Tacloban, a large city here, with Sister Clarissa and some friends to take care of some business there and we stayed overnight. Upon returning to Providence Home, I got a HUGE hug from one of the little boys here, Jake. He was upstairs, and as he ran down, he was singing "Auntie Sarah.... Auntie Sarah... Auntie Sarah!!!" Ohhh, it felt good!
... On October 16th, Friday, it is the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. I have heard her story many times from my grandfather, Bob Noonan, who, along with his bride Josephine, have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of whom St. Margaret Mary had visions and ultimately had the portrait of the Sacred Heart painted. My grandparents have been very instrumental in spreading the word and the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Buffalo for many years. In fact, it is through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the work of my grandparents that I owe my newfound missionary life. St. Margaret Mary... pray for us!!
... Guess what I found in Borongan??? The bus the Muppets used in The Muppet Movie!! Seriously, these busses are everywhere... and despite the fact that they spew out the darkest exhaust I have ever seen and seem to have no regard for pedestrians, when I see one I always smile!! I keep thinking of Fozzy driving and Kermit singing "Moving right along!!" Here is the bus:
And they come in all different colors... a little silver lining on my exhaust cloud!!!!
...Yesterday we spent some time driving to the barrios most effected by Typhoon Ruby. Because of landslides, the people living in these barrios could not get out and no food or supplies could be brought in. But there is some rebuilding going on now. We went to these barrios to bring information about a high school in Cebu, well two actually, one for girls and one for boys. There is an order of sisters there that run the school and asked the Oikos sisters if they knew of any kids who would be candidates for entrance to their school. It is free for poor students. So we were passing around applications and information about the school to people in the barrios. Even when the Oikos Sisters are not the ones providing the aid, they still work at providing a bridge between poor people and help. Just about every day, in hundreds of different ways, God is showing me how to love, giving me consolations of love, lifting me up in little ways and letting me know I am not alone... He is with me. It makes me feel very loved, but at the same time, very unworthy to receive such care and attention from God. I think we all have God working in our lives this way, but the many distractions and perhaps our egos get in the way of seeing the Hand that is guiding and loving us. In the missions, there are no egos and the distractions are seriously minimized due to poverty. It is pretty cool that in order to gain the knowledge of God working in, with and through me, I've had to let go of everything... but in letting go, I've gained everything. Does that make sense or is my brain on meltdown?? Perhaps both!! xxoo
Pre-Immersion Blog
We have an immersion coming up this weekend, October 16th, 17th and 18th. This will be my pre-immersion blog, as I have not experienced one yet but would like to write about it and let you know what is happening. I plan also to do a post-immersion blog.
Business aside, an immersion supposedly just like it sounds: the Oikos team gets immersed in the lives of a poor barrio, and the people living in the barrio get immersed by the love and the care of God through the Oikos team. The sisters scout out barrios to be helped. Because of their small number, the barrio cannot be too big and if the people living there are recuperating well after the typhoon, the sisters may open the scholar program to them or help in other ways, but they won't do an immersion there. Immersions are for villages that have been devastated by the typhoon, sickness, or anything that has prohibited the spiritual/economic/social growth of the people living there... and there are many such villages here.
During an immersion, the sisters bring with them a big team of doctors, dentists, cooks, catechists and everything needed for these volunteers to do their work... medical supplies and medicines, dental equipment, food for the weekend for everyone there, meaning all of the people living in the barrio and all of the team going with them, bibles, catechist lessons for children, teens and the mothers, games to play, clothes for the villagers, and I have no idea what else...but there is even more!! The entire weekend is spent with the people: getting to know them, showing them that they are not forgotten, feeding them physically and spiritually.
The team sleeps in the barrio in whatever place they can find. In the one we are going to, there is a daycare center, a health clinic and a rectory that we can all sleep in, but they also have been known to just pitch tents where they can. They also secure a priest to come on Sunday to say mass. Some barrios have not had mass said for a year or more. The sisters also try to arrange for a priest to come on a regular/semi-regular basis. In the barrio we are going to, their church was completely destroyed by the typhoon, so they have to rebuild. The government paid for a covering on the church while it is being rebuilt, but that is all. The rest is up to the people who have not only lost their church, but also their livelihoods to the typhoons.
So, the theory is, after an intense weekend of care and working together, the sisters can get a feel for whether or not the people in the village would benefit from the livelihood programs they have: FAITH (the food growing program) Piglet Recycling and water blessings. The FAITH, Food Always In The Home, Program teaches people how to not only grow food for their families, but also as a source of income for the family. In both Santa Cruz and Tacla-on, there are many families that have greatly benefitted from this program as a means of added income. The Piglet Recycling Program gives people another avenue for income in breeding piglets, not for personal consumption, at least in the beginning, but as a means of selling the piglets they have bred for income. And the water blessings program shows people how to safely filter their water for drinking. All of the programs I have mentioned depend 100% on the willingness of the beneficiary to work for the success of their endeavor. Oikos gives the families a boost up, providing the items and cash needed to begin the programs, but after that, aside from Oikos monitoring the people's progress, it is up to the people living in the barrios themselves to work at improving the financial crisis they are in. The Livelihood Team from Oikos still works with them spiritually and provides support where ever needed, but it is really up to each person helped by Oikos to really pull themselves out of the destitution they are in. And I have seen it! I have seen barrios that have been helped by Oikos and these livelihood programs... what an incredible difference!! And I have also seen the opposite side of giving too, as with each barrio aided by Oikos, there comes more support for this mission, the Oikos family becomes bigger and when the sisters are in need, here will be more people they can rely on for help. It just grows and grows and grows. It sort of reminds me of the early church, where just a few men ventured out, but with each new place they came to, there was growth and more people to spread the Good News and learn how to serve and love one another through Jesus Christ... and look at the result of all of their ground-breaking work!!
So, while immersion is a HUGE thing, it really is just the first stepping stone to a better life for poverty stricken Filipinos, one that allows for self-improvement and that sustains the dignity of the people. I am really excited about it! I have heard so much about previous immersions and cannot wait to tell you about my experience of immersion. This will be a busy week of preparation, for a lot needs to be done ahead of time. Please pray for me, for the Oikos team and for the people in the barrio we are going to. Thanks!! xxoo
Business aside, an immersion supposedly just like it sounds: the Oikos team gets immersed in the lives of a poor barrio, and the people living in the barrio get immersed by the love and the care of God through the Oikos team. The sisters scout out barrios to be helped. Because of their small number, the barrio cannot be too big and if the people living there are recuperating well after the typhoon, the sisters may open the scholar program to them or help in other ways, but they won't do an immersion there. Immersions are for villages that have been devastated by the typhoon, sickness, or anything that has prohibited the spiritual/economic/social growth of the people living there... and there are many such villages here.
During an immersion, the sisters bring with them a big team of doctors, dentists, cooks, catechists and everything needed for these volunteers to do their work... medical supplies and medicines, dental equipment, food for the weekend for everyone there, meaning all of the people living in the barrio and all of the team going with them, bibles, catechist lessons for children, teens and the mothers, games to play, clothes for the villagers, and I have no idea what else...but there is even more!! The entire weekend is spent with the people: getting to know them, showing them that they are not forgotten, feeding them physically and spiritually.
The team sleeps in the barrio in whatever place they can find. In the one we are going to, there is a daycare center, a health clinic and a rectory that we can all sleep in, but they also have been known to just pitch tents where they can. They also secure a priest to come on Sunday to say mass. Some barrios have not had mass said for a year or more. The sisters also try to arrange for a priest to come on a regular/semi-regular basis. In the barrio we are going to, their church was completely destroyed by the typhoon, so they have to rebuild. The government paid for a covering on the church while it is being rebuilt, but that is all. The rest is up to the people who have not only lost their church, but also their livelihoods to the typhoons.
So, the theory is, after an intense weekend of care and working together, the sisters can get a feel for whether or not the people in the village would benefit from the livelihood programs they have: FAITH (the food growing program) Piglet Recycling and water blessings. The FAITH, Food Always In The Home, Program teaches people how to not only grow food for their families, but also as a source of income for the family. In both Santa Cruz and Tacla-on, there are many families that have greatly benefitted from this program as a means of added income. The Piglet Recycling Program gives people another avenue for income in breeding piglets, not for personal consumption, at least in the beginning, but as a means of selling the piglets they have bred for income. And the water blessings program shows people how to safely filter their water for drinking. All of the programs I have mentioned depend 100% on the willingness of the beneficiary to work for the success of their endeavor. Oikos gives the families a boost up, providing the items and cash needed to begin the programs, but after that, aside from Oikos monitoring the people's progress, it is up to the people living in the barrios themselves to work at improving the financial crisis they are in. The Livelihood Team from Oikos still works with them spiritually and provides support where ever needed, but it is really up to each person helped by Oikos to really pull themselves out of the destitution they are in. And I have seen it! I have seen barrios that have been helped by Oikos and these livelihood programs... what an incredible difference!! And I have also seen the opposite side of giving too, as with each barrio aided by Oikos, there comes more support for this mission, the Oikos family becomes bigger and when the sisters are in need, here will be more people they can rely on for help. It just grows and grows and grows. It sort of reminds me of the early church, where just a few men ventured out, but with each new place they came to, there was growth and more people to spread the Good News and learn how to serve and love one another through Jesus Christ... and look at the result of all of their ground-breaking work!!
So, while immersion is a HUGE thing, it really is just the first stepping stone to a better life for poverty stricken Filipinos, one that allows for self-improvement and that sustains the dignity of the people. I am really excited about it! I have heard so much about previous immersions and cannot wait to tell you about my experience of immersion. This will be a busy week of preparation, for a lot needs to be done ahead of time. Please pray for me, for the Oikos team and for the people in the barrio we are going to. Thanks!! xxoo
Ups and Downs...
I have had a series of ups and downs the past few days that has made me a little dizzy! It might just be the crazy heat in the Philippines, but I kind of doubt it. I've actually been getting used to always being super hot, sweating and people pointing out my state of hotness...literally, as in sweaty... I'm really not trying to be funny!!
I've had a little sickness... A few tummy aches, a cold and a heat rash, all of which brought me a little down as I don't like being sick on mission as it attempts to derail me. All but the heat rash is gone, though, praise God, and I just might have the rash until I'm in the frigid winter climate... Geez, just saying those words cools me down!!
I went to Sister Minerva's auntie's 89th birthday party the other day. She was so sweet and said that I blessed her birthday with my presence...how sweet is that?? Well, we bonded over both being single! It was a nice break and I got to know the Sisters' spiritual director better, Msgnr Lope. He takes a group of people from Borongan to the Holy Land each year. I got to ask him a question I have wondered about a lot... Probably too much!! Well, it says in many places in the bible that our souls will be made white as snow. It is in the psalms, St. Paul talks about it and it is also in the book of Revelation. But, as Jerusalem and the places traveled by the first Catholics were in the desert, how could they have possibly known what snow was, and even if it was divinely inspired, why would they write something their audience would never understand? But Msgnr. Lope told me that it actually does snow at times in and around Jerusalem. I never knew that!! Anyways, that was a good up day!
I found out this week that the missionaries from Illinois who had planned to come this coming week are unable to make it. Due to circumstances beyond their control, thankfully not health related, the Trinkus' cannot come to Borongan at this time. I was really looking forward to their visit here, but after shedding a few tears I turned to God for some solace. Opening my bible at random, I found myself staring at the words "trust in the Lord and not in dreams,". Please keep Mary Jane and Vic in your prayers...for their present tribulation and for the possibility of a future trip to Borongan.
This past week has been quite busy. Almost every day we have been on the road for trips that have lasted for most of the day. I've gone back to Santa Cruz in the south for the Piglet Program, to an ordination in the North, which was completely amazing and reminded me of my brother, Father Mark, and his ordination, and back to the south for a trip to Tacloban, which has had it's own series of ups and downs...
First we had to extend my visa here in Tacloban, which for me was a major downer as I went through all the visa madness in Buffalo before coming here. And what did I find out?? That you don't need the visa you get in the States!!!!!!!!! And we had all this running around to do, getting pictures and money... And the extension is only for 2 months, so in January we have to do it all over again for the last month I will be here. Why oh why are visas so difficult? Can someone please explain it to me? Whether coming to the U.S., for all 4 sisters applied for visas to the U.S. but only Sister Clarissa got one, or going from the U.S. to another country, visas have ALWAYS been a pain in the butt. Mega downer... But for now it is taken care of.
Major upper... We are getting a new car!! We have 3 cars, but two of them are ready to go to the great beyond. I told Joey, one of the drivers, that every time I get in one of those old cars, I think of a cartoon I saw in which people were driving in a car and all the parts of the car were falling off of it, so that in the end, only the steering wheel, which the driver was holding, was left!! So our new car is a 4x4 pickup that we will be able to use during the construction mission, delivering piglets to barrios, for immersions... Pre-Immersion blog coming up... And hauling lots of other stuff too. Fun!!
Also, a delicious (marasa) upper... Last night we ate dinner at a place called Ocho in Tacloban... Man was it good! They have a seafood bar, with fresh caught fish, shrimp, squid, clams, seaweed, snails, etc. So you choose the seafood you want and how you want it cooked, then it arrives at your table, and oh boy, was it delicious!! We had the best grilled fish I ever had, a delicious seafood soup, sweet and spicy garlic shrimp and I had grilled squid for the first time and it was deeelicious!!! What a fun night out with Sister Clarissa and some of our friends in Borongan, Momi Leah and Atee Chris.
And finally, one of the biggest uppers for me was mass in English this morning. You know, one of the beautiful things about the Catholic faith is that you can go to mass pretty much anywhere in the world and, even if you don't know the language, the heart of the mass, the Eucharist, is universal. You can participate in it and receive our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion anywhere in the world, providing your heart and soul are prepared to receive Him. But.... I have gone to mass just about every day since being here, a few times I have gone twice in one day, that is about 45 masses, and I think only 3 have been in English. I am learning the responses and the songs of the Waray waray mass, and am always grateful for the opportunity to participate in the most beautiful prayer the church has, but there is something special about being able to fully embrace the mass, to be able to hear the readings, to be able to meditate on the homily and to be able to hear the words spoken during the consecration. It was like getting a gift this morning!!!
I think in every life, wherever you may be, ups and downs are a natural part of it. But the passage I read in the bible when asking God for help and solace after finding out Mary Jane and Vic were not coming is something I think every person should know. It has already helped me out many times. Here is the part that has helped me the most...
Wisdom of Ben Sira: 34 14-20 (but the whole thing is good...)
"Living is the spirit of those who fear the Lord, for their hope is in their Savior. Whoever fears the Lord is afraid of nothing and are never discouraged for He is their hope.
Happy the soul that fears the Lord! In whom does he trust, and who is his support?
The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love Him; He is their mighty shield and their strong support. A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noon day sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. He lifts up spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, gives health and life and blessing."
xxoo
I've had a little sickness... A few tummy aches, a cold and a heat rash, all of which brought me a little down as I don't like being sick on mission as it attempts to derail me. All but the heat rash is gone, though, praise God, and I just might have the rash until I'm in the frigid winter climate... Geez, just saying those words cools me down!!
I went to Sister Minerva's auntie's 89th birthday party the other day. She was so sweet and said that I blessed her birthday with my presence...how sweet is that?? Well, we bonded over both being single! It was a nice break and I got to know the Sisters' spiritual director better, Msgnr Lope. He takes a group of people from Borongan to the Holy Land each year. I got to ask him a question I have wondered about a lot... Probably too much!! Well, it says in many places in the bible that our souls will be made white as snow. It is in the psalms, St. Paul talks about it and it is also in the book of Revelation. But, as Jerusalem and the places traveled by the first Catholics were in the desert, how could they have possibly known what snow was, and even if it was divinely inspired, why would they write something their audience would never understand? But Msgnr. Lope told me that it actually does snow at times in and around Jerusalem. I never knew that!! Anyways, that was a good up day!
I found out this week that the missionaries from Illinois who had planned to come this coming week are unable to make it. Due to circumstances beyond their control, thankfully not health related, the Trinkus' cannot come to Borongan at this time. I was really looking forward to their visit here, but after shedding a few tears I turned to God for some solace. Opening my bible at random, I found myself staring at the words "trust in the Lord and not in dreams,". Please keep Mary Jane and Vic in your prayers...for their present tribulation and for the possibility of a future trip to Borongan.
This past week has been quite busy. Almost every day we have been on the road for trips that have lasted for most of the day. I've gone back to Santa Cruz in the south for the Piglet Program, to an ordination in the North, which was completely amazing and reminded me of my brother, Father Mark, and his ordination, and back to the south for a trip to Tacloban, which has had it's own series of ups and downs...
First we had to extend my visa here in Tacloban, which for me was a major downer as I went through all the visa madness in Buffalo before coming here. And what did I find out?? That you don't need the visa you get in the States!!!!!!!!! And we had all this running around to do, getting pictures and money... And the extension is only for 2 months, so in January we have to do it all over again for the last month I will be here. Why oh why are visas so difficult? Can someone please explain it to me? Whether coming to the U.S., for all 4 sisters applied for visas to the U.S. but only Sister Clarissa got one, or going from the U.S. to another country, visas have ALWAYS been a pain in the butt. Mega downer... But for now it is taken care of.
Major upper... We are getting a new car!! We have 3 cars, but two of them are ready to go to the great beyond. I told Joey, one of the drivers, that every time I get in one of those old cars, I think of a cartoon I saw in which people were driving in a car and all the parts of the car were falling off of it, so that in the end, only the steering wheel, which the driver was holding, was left!! So our new car is a 4x4 pickup that we will be able to use during the construction mission, delivering piglets to barrios, for immersions... Pre-Immersion blog coming up... And hauling lots of other stuff too. Fun!!
Also, a delicious (marasa) upper... Last night we ate dinner at a place called Ocho in Tacloban... Man was it good! They have a seafood bar, with fresh caught fish, shrimp, squid, clams, seaweed, snails, etc. So you choose the seafood you want and how you want it cooked, then it arrives at your table, and oh boy, was it delicious!! We had the best grilled fish I ever had, a delicious seafood soup, sweet and spicy garlic shrimp and I had grilled squid for the first time and it was deeelicious!!! What a fun night out with Sister Clarissa and some of our friends in Borongan, Momi Leah and Atee Chris.
And finally, one of the biggest uppers for me was mass in English this morning. You know, one of the beautiful things about the Catholic faith is that you can go to mass pretty much anywhere in the world and, even if you don't know the language, the heart of the mass, the Eucharist, is universal. You can participate in it and receive our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Communion anywhere in the world, providing your heart and soul are prepared to receive Him. But.... I have gone to mass just about every day since being here, a few times I have gone twice in one day, that is about 45 masses, and I think only 3 have been in English. I am learning the responses and the songs of the Waray waray mass, and am always grateful for the opportunity to participate in the most beautiful prayer the church has, but there is something special about being able to fully embrace the mass, to be able to hear the readings, to be able to meditate on the homily and to be able to hear the words spoken during the consecration. It was like getting a gift this morning!!!
I think in every life, wherever you may be, ups and downs are a natural part of it. But the passage I read in the bible when asking God for help and solace after finding out Mary Jane and Vic were not coming is something I think every person should know. It has already helped me out many times. Here is the part that has helped me the most...
Wisdom of Ben Sira: 34 14-20 (but the whole thing is good...)
"Living is the spirit of those who fear the Lord, for their hope is in their Savior. Whoever fears the Lord is afraid of nothing and are never discouraged for He is their hope.
Happy the soul that fears the Lord! In whom does he trust, and who is his support?
The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love Him; He is their mighty shield and their strong support. A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noon day sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. He lifts up spirits, brings a sparkle to the eyes, gives health and life and blessing."
xxoo
Saying Farewell
Funerals are sad and difficult in whatever country you are in, that is a fact. Saying goodbye is never easy, no matter how happy you may be that your loved one is finished running the race, as St. Paul says, and is now enjoying eternal happiness, God willing. It is beautiful, though sad, to see the different ways different cultures have in saying their final goodbye upon this earth. I remember my mother telling me how people used to be waked in the family home for several days years ago in America. Here in the Philippines, it is still that way.
Florencio was born on September 23, 1934 here in Borongan. He met his wife, Lydia, here and they wanted to start a family right away. Unfortunately, the first baby was stillborn. So Florencio, who was not a very prayerful man, said to his wife, "Let's pray together for a family." And they did. They asked God to grant them a child and they would offer that child back to Him. Well, it was the will of God, indeed, to grant Florencio and Lydia a family. In fact, they proceeded to have 9 children, 7 boys and 2 girls. With each boy, Florencio sent them to the seminary school and each boy said yes, I will become a priest, but after going to college, each boy met and fell in love with a girl and got married. It was the last boy, Ryan, who came along quite unexpectedly, and who also promised his mother he would become a priest, who actually did, in fact, become a priest. In fact he was ordained just a few years ago. It must have been quite a joyous occasion, to say the least, for Florencio and Lydia.
Quite unexpectedly, Florencio became very sick in early September of this year and on September 24th, one day after his birthday, he died. He was embalmed and then waked in his home for 9 days. Because Florencio's son is a priest, each day a different priest has gone to their home to say mass. I am told that is the custom for the people who have a priest in the family or who are very wealthy and can afford to pay a priest to come each day to say mass. Otherwise, in the nine day wake, mass is said one day by the parish priest. Yesterday, on October 2nd, I went with the Oikos Sisters to Fr. Ryan's family home with Fr. Julius, another priest here in the diocese, and Fr. Julius said mass in the home with some of Florencio's family present. There were flowers everywhere, pictures of the family and, of course, the casket in which Florencio lay under glass for protection and respect. For me, it seemed like a funeral home, so it didn't feel very different from the wakes in the U.S. But I imagine if I had known the family well and had been to their house often, it would have seemed quite unusual to have a casket and a wake in the living room! It also seems like it would be difficult to wake a beloved family member in your home for nine days. That is pretty long! It's not that I would want to rush things along, but, for me, wakes and funerals are very sad and tearful times, and prolonging the time when you can put your loved one "to rest" seems sort of harsh to me. Imagine going to bed, eating meals, cleaning your home with a casket right there! I mean no disrespect, but it sort of skeeves me out.
Today we are going to the funeral mass and possibly to the graveyard. Another difference in the Philippines than in the U.S. is that people are not buried underground. They have a cement casing placed over the casket with a cross on each one. It looks quite strange to be driving by a cemetery here and see all of the caskets above ground. It is also very crowded!! Unfortunately, during powerful typhoons, the casings are knocked over by the wind and sometimes the caskets are blown open. After Typhoon Yolanda, they just buried the skeletons all together that were forced from their resting place by the wind and the flooding. Sr. Clarissa said they are just beginning here to bury their dead, but it is a new custom and will take some time to change.
In honor of Florencio and Lydia, who did suffer the loss of their first baby, I just want to say that October is Miscarriage and Infant Loss Month. I have mentioned before that I have 6 little nieces and nephews in heaven, each one is loved and missed by our whole family. I do not know the pain of losing a baby, whether before birth or after, but I do know the piercing pain of seeing someone you love suffer through that loss and for myself, the pain of losing, and not knowing, loving, kissing, snuggling that new and blessed child of God. If you have ever suffered a miscarriage or the loss of an infant, I want to express my deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss. If you know people who are going through such a loss, it is best, in my experience, to be loving, patient, respectful of their need for time and space, be available for what they might need, and always remember. Someone once told me that grieving is as individual as fingerprints, everyone goes through it differently. There is no uniform process or time frame for grieving. Thursday, October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. You can participate, if you wish, in the "Wave of Light" by lighting a candle in your window at 7pm for an hour in your time zone for all of the little ones in heaven, sending the light of our love and remembrance to them. I will be lighting a candle at that time in the Philippines!!
None of us know the day nor the hour when we will die. The bible tells us it will come like a thief in the night, with out warning, so be prepared! I have considered my own mortality in doing the work that I do. It is something we all should think about, the state of our souls and our readiness to meet God. Not to sound morbid or anything, but I have accepted the fact that my time may come while in the missions. My thoughts about it have not been depressing or scary as you might think, but joyful as I imagine and hope that I will be greeted, upon my death, by Franklin, Benjamin, Gabriel, Jacinta, Max and Anthony, and I will be able to spend my eternity, God willing, knowing, loving, kissing and snuggling them!
Please pray for the soul of Florencio, and all of our beloved dead. xxoo
Florencio was born on September 23, 1934 here in Borongan. He met his wife, Lydia, here and they wanted to start a family right away. Unfortunately, the first baby was stillborn. So Florencio, who was not a very prayerful man, said to his wife, "Let's pray together for a family." And they did. They asked God to grant them a child and they would offer that child back to Him. Well, it was the will of God, indeed, to grant Florencio and Lydia a family. In fact, they proceeded to have 9 children, 7 boys and 2 girls. With each boy, Florencio sent them to the seminary school and each boy said yes, I will become a priest, but after going to college, each boy met and fell in love with a girl and got married. It was the last boy, Ryan, who came along quite unexpectedly, and who also promised his mother he would become a priest, who actually did, in fact, become a priest. In fact he was ordained just a few years ago. It must have been quite a joyous occasion, to say the least, for Florencio and Lydia.
Quite unexpectedly, Florencio became very sick in early September of this year and on September 24th, one day after his birthday, he died. He was embalmed and then waked in his home for 9 days. Because Florencio's son is a priest, each day a different priest has gone to their home to say mass. I am told that is the custom for the people who have a priest in the family or who are very wealthy and can afford to pay a priest to come each day to say mass. Otherwise, in the nine day wake, mass is said one day by the parish priest. Yesterday, on October 2nd, I went with the Oikos Sisters to Fr. Ryan's family home with Fr. Julius, another priest here in the diocese, and Fr. Julius said mass in the home with some of Florencio's family present. There were flowers everywhere, pictures of the family and, of course, the casket in which Florencio lay under glass for protection and respect. For me, it seemed like a funeral home, so it didn't feel very different from the wakes in the U.S. But I imagine if I had known the family well and had been to their house often, it would have seemed quite unusual to have a casket and a wake in the living room! It also seems like it would be difficult to wake a beloved family member in your home for nine days. That is pretty long! It's not that I would want to rush things along, but, for me, wakes and funerals are very sad and tearful times, and prolonging the time when you can put your loved one "to rest" seems sort of harsh to me. Imagine going to bed, eating meals, cleaning your home with a casket right there! I mean no disrespect, but it sort of skeeves me out.
Today we are going to the funeral mass and possibly to the graveyard. Another difference in the Philippines than in the U.S. is that people are not buried underground. They have a cement casing placed over the casket with a cross on each one. It looks quite strange to be driving by a cemetery here and see all of the caskets above ground. It is also very crowded!! Unfortunately, during powerful typhoons, the casings are knocked over by the wind and sometimes the caskets are blown open. After Typhoon Yolanda, they just buried the skeletons all together that were forced from their resting place by the wind and the flooding. Sr. Clarissa said they are just beginning here to bury their dead, but it is a new custom and will take some time to change.
In honor of Florencio and Lydia, who did suffer the loss of their first baby, I just want to say that October is Miscarriage and Infant Loss Month. I have mentioned before that I have 6 little nieces and nephews in heaven, each one is loved and missed by our whole family. I do not know the pain of losing a baby, whether before birth or after, but I do know the piercing pain of seeing someone you love suffer through that loss and for myself, the pain of losing, and not knowing, loving, kissing, snuggling that new and blessed child of God. If you have ever suffered a miscarriage or the loss of an infant, I want to express my deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss. If you know people who are going through such a loss, it is best, in my experience, to be loving, patient, respectful of their need for time and space, be available for what they might need, and always remember. Someone once told me that grieving is as individual as fingerprints, everyone goes through it differently. There is no uniform process or time frame for grieving. Thursday, October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. You can participate, if you wish, in the "Wave of Light" by lighting a candle in your window at 7pm for an hour in your time zone for all of the little ones in heaven, sending the light of our love and remembrance to them. I will be lighting a candle at that time in the Philippines!!
None of us know the day nor the hour when we will die. The bible tells us it will come like a thief in the night, with out warning, so be prepared! I have considered my own mortality in doing the work that I do. It is something we all should think about, the state of our souls and our readiness to meet God. Not to sound morbid or anything, but I have accepted the fact that my time may come while in the missions. My thoughts about it have not been depressing or scary as you might think, but joyful as I imagine and hope that I will be greeted, upon my death, by Franklin, Benjamin, Gabriel, Jacinta, Max and Anthony, and I will be able to spend my eternity, God willing, knowing, loving, kissing and snuggling them!
Please pray for the soul of Florencio, and all of our beloved dead. xxoo
Sunday, October 4, 2015
First Month in the Philippines
It is hard to believe I have already been here for one month. It has gone by so fast!! Not difficult as the sisters are so busy, but still I am surprised at how fast it has gone.
I think the most memorable thing about this month is the state of life here even after almost 3 years since the first typhoon. There are people who have managed to rebuild their homes and many, many people have received help in the form of temporary housing from many different charities. The Diocese of Joliet in Illinois is one that has done incredible work here in Borongan. But still, there are so many people without homes, living in the ruins of their former abodes and not able to pull themselves up from the rubble. They are coconut farmers who have lost their livelihood because of the destruction of the trees, fishermen who have lost boats and cannot afford a new one, people lost their money, their memories, everything. It is so hard to get the images of the "homes" out of my mind.
But I have had many fun and pleasant experiences... playing on the beach with the college students and Sister Clarissa... her team lost the game we were playing so they had to buy us mango smoothies!! All of the fiestas and parties... you know, these sisters work harder than most people I've ever known, but they know how to have a good time and enjoy a party! Hanging out with the college students I live with and trying to get them to come out of their shell a little...they are very shy here!! Laughing and telling jokes and stories with the sisters... they all have a good sense of humor! I have really enjoyed seeing the lands here, I think I have seen most of Samar. The sight of the rivers, the ocean, the mountains, the sky... it is all breath taking and makes me want to take up water colors again! I could never recreate the beauty here, but I am itching to get my hands on some paints and try!!
I have really enjoyed the missions we have been on, going to Santa Cruz, Taclo-an, San Julio. Being with the people there and meeting the kids, helping the sisters help them... truthfully I am not sure how much help I've been yet, but I'm sure as the time goes on and I learn a little more I will be of more help to them!
The hardest thing so far has been the language barrier. It's a pretty high barrier!! Most people here understand some English and can speak it a little, but they all speak Waraywaray to each other. Now, I am learning the language, but it is taking some time. Fortunately, I am super happy to be Roman Catholic and can participate in the mass no matter what language it is in, but the same is not true at the dinner table... the breakfast or lunch table either! But I am learning, and they are trying to accommodate me as best they can while I learn, so while it is a cross for me, I am being helped along, which is good!!!
And what is coming?? Awesome things!! Missionaries from the Joliet Diocese in Illinois, Dr. Vic and Mary Jane Trinkus. They have been coming here for years and are loved by each and every person who has had the opportunity to know them. Hardly a day goes by that their name is not mentioned!! They will be coming for a few weeks in October, and I am psyched!!
Also, an immersion... what is that, you may ask? Well, a bit of suspense for you as you will have to wait for a blog or two for info. Suffice it to say that it may be one of the most amazing and different experiences of my life, and I will be able to experience it with the Trinkus' too!!
So, so far I am feeling well and happy here in Borongan, and am excited for what is to come next!! Here are some pics from this first month of mine here:
Getting ready for the novena!
Here I am in San Julio:
Fiesta!!!
Improving Livelihoods with Wilbur!!
We get free mango smoothies!!!
I think the most memorable thing about this month is the state of life here even after almost 3 years since the first typhoon. There are people who have managed to rebuild their homes and many, many people have received help in the form of temporary housing from many different charities. The Diocese of Joliet in Illinois is one that has done incredible work here in Borongan. But still, there are so many people without homes, living in the ruins of their former abodes and not able to pull themselves up from the rubble. They are coconut farmers who have lost their livelihood because of the destruction of the trees, fishermen who have lost boats and cannot afford a new one, people lost their money, their memories, everything. It is so hard to get the images of the "homes" out of my mind.
But I have had many fun and pleasant experiences... playing on the beach with the college students and Sister Clarissa... her team lost the game we were playing so they had to buy us mango smoothies!! All of the fiestas and parties... you know, these sisters work harder than most people I've ever known, but they know how to have a good time and enjoy a party! Hanging out with the college students I live with and trying to get them to come out of their shell a little...they are very shy here!! Laughing and telling jokes and stories with the sisters... they all have a good sense of humor! I have really enjoyed seeing the lands here, I think I have seen most of Samar. The sight of the rivers, the ocean, the mountains, the sky... it is all breath taking and makes me want to take up water colors again! I could never recreate the beauty here, but I am itching to get my hands on some paints and try!!
I have really enjoyed the missions we have been on, going to Santa Cruz, Taclo-an, San Julio. Being with the people there and meeting the kids, helping the sisters help them... truthfully I am not sure how much help I've been yet, but I'm sure as the time goes on and I learn a little more I will be of more help to them!
The hardest thing so far has been the language barrier. It's a pretty high barrier!! Most people here understand some English and can speak it a little, but they all speak Waraywaray to each other. Now, I am learning the language, but it is taking some time. Fortunately, I am super happy to be Roman Catholic and can participate in the mass no matter what language it is in, but the same is not true at the dinner table... the breakfast or lunch table either! But I am learning, and they are trying to accommodate me as best they can while I learn, so while it is a cross for me, I am being helped along, which is good!!!
And what is coming?? Awesome things!! Missionaries from the Joliet Diocese in Illinois, Dr. Vic and Mary Jane Trinkus. They have been coming here for years and are loved by each and every person who has had the opportunity to know them. Hardly a day goes by that their name is not mentioned!! They will be coming for a few weeks in October, and I am psyched!!
Also, an immersion... what is that, you may ask? Well, a bit of suspense for you as you will have to wait for a blog or two for info. Suffice it to say that it may be one of the most amazing and different experiences of my life, and I will be able to experience it with the Trinkus' too!!
So, so far I am feeling well and happy here in Borongan, and am excited for what is to come next!! Here are some pics from this first month of mine here:
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Today, Sunday, Oct 4th, we celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Oikos' patron saint. It was a joyful feast proceeded by a very prayerful novena. For anyone who does not know, a novena is, usually, a prayer, or a prayer service, that is said for 9 days. Novenas can be said for any number of reasons and bear much fruit, when said prayerfully, meaningfully and with the humble acceptance of God's will. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta has used an emergency novena, saying the Memorare 9 times in a row. I have used that one many times.
Our novena to St. Francis of Assisi here in Borongan was nine days long with a prayer service followed by a mass said here in Providence Home by a different priest each night. On the 8th night, we were blessed to have Bishop Crispin Vasquez here to say the mass. Each night, the novena, mass and dinner following was sponsored by a different beneficiary of the Oikos Sisters. On their particular night, the beneficiaries would sing in the choir, do the readings, bring up the gifts and prepare dinner for all. The beneficiaries are our neighbors in Souhton, the families in Byubay, the OYM, Oikos Youth Missionaries and their families, the families in Kaliko-an, the Oikos co-workers, the Oikos home mothers, the groups of Karitas, the Diocesan scholars and their families and the Oikos scholars and their families.(please pardon my spelling if incorrect :) ) Now, the sisters do much work for all of the fore mentioned people and many others, in the north and south of Borongan, however, it was too far for them to come. I would imagine, if all of the beneficiaries of Oikos were to sponsor a night of a novena, we could do 3 novena's in a row... at least!!
The novena gave me the opportunity to meet many of the people here in and around Borongan who are helped by the Oikos Sisters. Also, I met many priests and got to know them over dinner. And although the novena was said in Waraywaray, the solemnity of the service was beautiful and it allowed me time to meditate myself on the life of St. Francis and the ways the Oikos Sisters follow his way of living.
St. Francis was not always prayerful and holy. Like many of the saints, he had sort of a wayward beginning. His father was a fabric merchant and pinned all of his hopes o Francis bringing fame, glory and money to the family. Francis joined the army in hopes of becoming a knight, and had he been successful in fighting he may never have become the great saint that he is. Fortunately for us, Francis was not a good soldier. It was the first time, I believe, Francis was privy to suffering, pain and the cause and effect of your actions. He was captured, imprisoned and released from the enemy when Francis' father paid the ransom on him. But Francis began seeing the world with new eyes, especially those suffering the most, the lepers. He began a journey to God that was filled with stops and starts, wrong turns and falls, but he was moving toward God with each step he took. Against his father's wishes, he gave up everything he had, renounced his inheritance and lived among the lepers, helping them, begging for them, praying with them. Almost against is own wishes, he attracted many to his way of life, for he didn't seem to want to be a leader, just one working humbly, bringing the love of God to those suffering. But he did have many followers, some in other countries who just heard of Francis' way of living and wanted to do the same. Francis tried to mediate peace between two warring nations, and although he did achieve agreement with the enemy, his own country spurned his attempts and went to war regardless. His poor eyesight did not stop him from helping the poor and writing a rule for those following him based on the Gospels highlighting poverty, humility and selflessness.
The proceeding was my synopsis on a movie we watched on the life of St. Francis on the 9th night of our novena. If certain liberties were taken, I apologize. I encourage you to find out more about him on your own, I know I will. I never really thought much about St. Francis except that he was a lover of animals. But, now that I know more, even his notorious youth speaks to me because what I take from that is not one of us is too far gone to be lost to the Kingdom of Heaven. There is hope for us all! I also think his time in the army and searching for his life, although ultimately wrong, it led him to discover Christ. One may think that mistakes or wrong turns only lead to dead ends, but Francis' life shows us that in God's plan, there are no dead ends. Have you ever played with one of those puzzle maze boxes that have the little ball inside and you move around the box to get the ball to follow the right path to the center? I think I spent hours trying to get that silly ball to go where I wanted it to!! Francis's life reminds me of that little ball. In actuality, I think the only way we lose is if we stop moving. Francis didn't stop. He kept working himself out of corners, turning around, back peddling until he found his center right in his heart, Jesus the Lord, in the faces of the unlovable, the lepers. That means there is hope for me yet!!
I see the work of St. Francis lived out every day in the Oikos Sisters. Their charity, giving rice to all who come to their door, giving free medicines to the poor, encountering the poor where they live in the barrios destroyed by the typhoons with friendliness and open arms, giving without thought to cost or where their next meal will come from, trusting God with a child-like faith never doubting His providence for them, supporting the youth of the Philippines through schooling and bringing them, and everyone they encounter, the Word and the love of God, not only feeding people but teaching them how to support themselves and giving them the tools to lift themselves up with dignity and pride in themselves. I could go on... Truly amazing work is being done here!!
Not everyone can work in a mission, foreign or domestic, but we are all called to be missionaries where we are and to help the poor as much as we are able. Pope Francis reminds us all that we are to remember the poor and to give what we can to them. If you are interested in helping the Oikos Sisters in their work, in sponsoring a youth through school or would like to make a donation to help, you can do all that and find out more info about the Oikos Sisters at www.poorhouseholdofgod.org.
The Prayer of St. Francis
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
xxoo
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