Here are just a few things I've noticed around here, just in case you were interested...
--- It is so hot here that gum melts... it actually melts in the package. I opened up the front pocket of my backpack the other day to find a total gummy hot mess! Some of the pieces were still in the wrapper, so I thought... might be good. Uh, yeah, just in case you were wondering... hot gum that is dripping between your fingers before you even get it into your mouth tastes like ABC gum. (already been chewed) Just some advise... don't ever do it!!
--- The people here are really so nice and welcoming to me. It's so funny... I get double takes like I'm some big Hollywood movie star! And I think I've been told about half a dozen times how beautiful I am. My skin, my eyes, my nose... it's very sweet, but very disconcerting. And for someone who has a bit of a big self-confidence issue, it's a little hard to swallow. But I've been told I am not very nice to myself, which is, in fact, quite true. My dad says that we are our own worst enemies. Why is it that we, as a whole, think so negatively about ourselves? Something to work on...
--- I am trying to learn the language here, but it is a little hard to sit at a table eating a meal and everyone, who knows English, is speaking their native language, Waraywaray. It makes for a lonely meal even though I am surrounded by people. It is pretty selfish of me to say so, after all, I am the only one there not knowing what is being said and I can't expect people to dote upon me. All the same, I hope I can learn the language quickly so as to avoid this altogether!!
--- There are these little ants here... everywhere!! I have to shake out my clothes before putting them on and wipe off my backpack before using it. When I open drawers they are scurrying everywhere. I asked Sr. Clarissa if it was me, was I doing something that was attracting them, or was it just life in the Philippines. I was hoping she would say it was the former so I could just clean something and be rid of them, but nope! That's just the way it is here. Ug!
--- The other day Sr. Clarissa approached me and asked why all the windows were closed in my bedroom. Care to venture a guess as to my answer? Before trying to do so, let me give you a little hint... there are no screens on the windows. So, of course, I say I don't want grasshoppers and lizards in my room. She looked at me like there was green goopy gooey stuff coming out of my eyes. She said they will not hurt you, but if you get too hot from not having enough air in a hot, hot room... that could really hurt you. I'm still weighing my options there. Truly, I don't know which is worse!!!
--- Last Sunday at mass in the chapel near Providence Home I was sitting in a pew with two women, both with children. While waiting in line for communion, of all places, one of them asks me how many children I have. None, I say. She is shocked and says as much. Well, I sheepishly say, trying not to be rude but either way I'm being rude to either the woman or to Jesus who I am just about to receive, I am considering many things... the religious life, single lay Catholic missionary life, consecrated virgin... Oh no, she says, if you do not have children that would be the worst thing E.V.E.R.!!! Oh, I said. You MUST have children, she says, shaking her head at me while giving me a disapproving look. Ooookaaayyyy, I whisper. I think I pacified her, but what about me??? It was pretty funny, but I hope if one of her children are called to the religious life she will celebrate it as much as if they announced grandchildren were on the way!!!
--- Did you know how many things can be made out of rice? Well, rice, of course, and rice pudding, which up until now that is the only forms of it I have had, although I know there is rice milk. But that is not all... there is rice noodles, rice pancakes, rice caramel cups with coconut, sticky rice (cooked in banana leaves), rice chips, cocoa rice sticks (I'm totally having a Bubba Gump moment right now!!) Seriously... there are even more but I've forgotten some. I've had more rice in more ways than I ever thought possible and I've only been here for 2 weeks!!!
--- I'm sort of bumming because I am unable to eat the fruit here. There are so many delicious, tropical fruits here. Mangoes and papaya that are better than any I've had in the States (although I was sorry I indulged about a half hour later!! :-( But other fruits like linzones, which are sort of like grapes but more sweet, and so many different kinds and colors of bananas. For some reason, possibly because the fruit is washed in untreated water, whenever I eat any I get a tummy ache after. And it is only with fruit. I remember being so sick in Africa. It's early yet... too soon to do my "I'm not sick" happy dance, but I am feeling pretty good and have yet to tap into my supply of granola bars. I'll just have to offer up my desire for fruit when it sits all luscious and tempting in front of me at the table!!!
--- Everyone has been so great to me. All the sisters and the children here, our neighbors both at Providence Home and at Nazareth Home, all of the priests and sisters I have met... by the way, as a side note, this is how I am introduced... "This is Sarah Noonan from Buffalo, NY in the United States. Her brother is a priest." Which then is followed by a more interested welcome than before the priestly info was given. So, I've gone from being Tom Noonan's little sister in high school to Father Mark's sister in the Philippines! Pretty funny! Anyways, back to my point... everyone is so nice here... but being the only American here, being the only missionary, not having anyone to vent to in person when needed, or an understanding first world shoulder to cry on is difficult, harder than I thought it would be. The solidarity I found both times in Africa and in Peru is not here. But, as my brother-in-law, John likes to say, whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Following that logic, I'm gonna be like the Incredible Hulk when I get home!!!
That's all for now, folks. Thanks for reading and thinking of me!! xoxo
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Wake Up the World!!!
It seems pretty timely that a few days after I write my blog about needing more vocations in Oikos, there is a Vocations Jamboree in Borongan! For those of us in the know, we can with great confidence agree that, there being no such thing as a coincidence... God is pretty awesome!!
All this week, aside from my trip to the south, I have been going with a few of the Oikos Sisters on trips all around Eastern Samar taking vocations flyers to schools and churches. We've traveled in what they call a Vocations Caravan. Religious from all over the Philippines are welcome to Borongan by Bishop Crispin to spread the word about vocations in general and their own orders in particular. I've made about 30 new sister and priest friends this week! And far from being competitive, this was a week of bonding among the religious... really beautiful to see!! I even got to speak at one of the schools... not about Oikos, really, just that I am visiting Oikos as a missionary and told a little of my story. I encouraged the young adults to really seriously take a look at the religious/missionary life. I told them what joy it has brought me (missionary work) but that I am just a little sorry I didn't seriously consider this option when I was younger.
So, the week culminated in an all night Vocations Jamboree called Wake Up the World. There were over 1,000 teenagers and young adults there... which was awesome! It started out with lots of loud Christian rock songs, with motivational and high energy dance performances peppered in between. The best were the ones done by the Oikos scholars!! Oikos scholars are college students being sponsored through Oikos by generous people all over the world. A year of college for these students is around $1,500.00/yr, USD. You may be thinking how great and cheap that is, but for the poor here in Borongan, it might as well be a trillion dollars. I believe there are 25 scholars in the Oikos community right now. They are the most respectful, grateful teenagers I ever met!! (not counting my nieces and nephews, of course!!)
Anyways, Voc Jam 2015 was pretty cool! I was on the holy hour team, so I helped guide the prayers and songs. The kids were broken into three groups, there being like 350 kids in each group and they alternated going to three stations. One was the orientation station where the kids were introduced to each order of religious and had time to meet with them, sort of in speed-dating style! Another was the booth station. Each order had its own booth and the participants could go up to each group and get information, prayer cards and leave their contact information if they were interested in learning more. And then there was the holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. So, each team had to go through the whole process 3 times, meaning I had 3 holy hours last night, which was pretty cool. The kids were receptive and responsive, which at 3am is pretty impressive! The whole thing kicked off at 4pm and lasted until 3:30am with mass at the Cathedral with the Bishop and about 16 priests... way cool! And I made it up the whole night!! Woot woot!!
The one thing I don't think I will ever forget is walking from St. Mary's College, where Voc Jam was held, to the Cathedral at 3:30 in the morning. Try to imagine about 1,500 people walking tiredly down the vacant streets of Borongan, praying the rosary (actually droning it out at that point), stumbling a little, with blurry eyes, shuffling our feet for about a 3/4 mile walk. All I could think is that we looked like a village of zombies shuffling down the early morning streets! There were a few tricycles out at that time, hoping for early fares... I can just imagine what they thought!! Then what pops into my tired head is that we are zombies for Christ!! Oh my, I thought that was ridiculously funny at that hour and was trying to control my laughter, but wasn't entirely successful. Zombies for Christ... Yikes! Could be a good idea for a Christian action flick... except for the small problem of Christians not believing in the undead. Oh yeah... might not work. ;)
By the way, if anyone is interested in supporting a young adult from Borongan for a college education, you can visit the Oikos website at www.poorhouseholdofgod.org. Good night!! xoxo
All this week, aside from my trip to the south, I have been going with a few of the Oikos Sisters on trips all around Eastern Samar taking vocations flyers to schools and churches. We've traveled in what they call a Vocations Caravan. Religious from all over the Philippines are welcome to Borongan by Bishop Crispin to spread the word about vocations in general and their own orders in particular. I've made about 30 new sister and priest friends this week! And far from being competitive, this was a week of bonding among the religious... really beautiful to see!! I even got to speak at one of the schools... not about Oikos, really, just that I am visiting Oikos as a missionary and told a little of my story. I encouraged the young adults to really seriously take a look at the religious/missionary life. I told them what joy it has brought me (missionary work) but that I am just a little sorry I didn't seriously consider this option when I was younger.
So, the week culminated in an all night Vocations Jamboree called Wake Up the World. There were over 1,000 teenagers and young adults there... which was awesome! It started out with lots of loud Christian rock songs, with motivational and high energy dance performances peppered in between. The best were the ones done by the Oikos scholars!! Oikos scholars are college students being sponsored through Oikos by generous people all over the world. A year of college for these students is around $1,500.00/yr, USD. You may be thinking how great and cheap that is, but for the poor here in Borongan, it might as well be a trillion dollars. I believe there are 25 scholars in the Oikos community right now. They are the most respectful, grateful teenagers I ever met!! (not counting my nieces and nephews, of course!!)
Anyways, Voc Jam 2015 was pretty cool! I was on the holy hour team, so I helped guide the prayers and songs. The kids were broken into three groups, there being like 350 kids in each group and they alternated going to three stations. One was the orientation station where the kids were introduced to each order of religious and had time to meet with them, sort of in speed-dating style! Another was the booth station. Each order had its own booth and the participants could go up to each group and get information, prayer cards and leave their contact information if they were interested in learning more. And then there was the holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. So, each team had to go through the whole process 3 times, meaning I had 3 holy hours last night, which was pretty cool. The kids were receptive and responsive, which at 3am is pretty impressive! The whole thing kicked off at 4pm and lasted until 3:30am with mass at the Cathedral with the Bishop and about 16 priests... way cool! And I made it up the whole night!! Woot woot!!
The one thing I don't think I will ever forget is walking from St. Mary's College, where Voc Jam was held, to the Cathedral at 3:30 in the morning. Try to imagine about 1,500 people walking tiredly down the vacant streets of Borongan, praying the rosary (actually droning it out at that point), stumbling a little, with blurry eyes, shuffling our feet for about a 3/4 mile walk. All I could think is that we looked like a village of zombies shuffling down the early morning streets! There were a few tricycles out at that time, hoping for early fares... I can just imagine what they thought!! Then what pops into my tired head is that we are zombies for Christ!! Oh my, I thought that was ridiculously funny at that hour and was trying to control my laughter, but wasn't entirely successful. Zombies for Christ... Yikes! Could be a good idea for a Christian action flick... except for the small problem of Christians not believing in the undead. Oh yeah... might not work. ;)
By the way, if anyone is interested in supporting a young adult from Borongan for a college education, you can visit the Oikos website at www.poorhouseholdofgod.org. Good night!! xoxo
A Visit to the South
The typhoon I wrote about before was Typhoon Ruby. There was one a year before that named Typhoon Yolanda that hit south of Borongan where I am. It was called a Super Typhoon because of the damage it caused. I had the opportunity this week to travel to the Southern Samar where Yolanda's fury can still be seen, two and a half years later.
I traveled to Taclo-an and Santa Cruz, two barrios south of Borongan. They are about 2 hours away by car. The sisters first heard of need in this area because the mayor of that region contacted them to say that there were a few barrios in desperate need after the super typhoon. The ride for me was a little scary just because at a certain point, you leave pavement and are driving on rocky dirt roads and on wooden bridges I don't think I'd walk on never mind driving a big truck over!! But the first trip there for the Oikos Sisters was even worse. The dirt road resembled more a swamp than a road, and someone had to walk in front of the truck and throw down gravel so the they would have some traction. Not only that, but downed power lines in the wet puddles made the trip death defying!! Because of the sisters' presence in these barrios, instead of having mass once a year, these people now celebrate it twice a month, along with Eucharistic Adoration and confession.
One amazing story I heard about the Taclo-an barrio is that during the super typhoon, the people had no idea where to go. No one ever expected the typhoon to be as powerful as it was. So, leaving their boarded-up homes, the people all gathered in the church. After the typhoon ended, they left the church to find everything gone... EVERYTHING. Homes, cars, gardens, everything was gone. The amazing part... not one bit of damage happened to the church!!!
Anyways, we traveled to these barrios to begin the people there on one of the livelihood programs the Oikos Sisters have for the people here. One of the programs is FAITH... Food Always In The Home. The sisters provide the families with the materials needed for growing vegetable gardens. Then they teach the people about planting, managing and harvesting their garden. Some of the food grown is set aside for the families, but some is meant to be sold to provide income for them as well. Some of the Oikos-supported gardens I've seen are just overflowing with bounty! And another program is piglet recycling. The people are taught how to raise and care for a piglet and how to build a pen for it. It was for the launching of this program the day we went there. The people who want to participate have to sign a contract promising to do their part in the program and are given $1,500 in pesos to get them started. As the pigs grow and have piglets of their own, the people pay the Oikos Sisters back by giving them 2 of the piglets, one for another family and one for the sisters.
The team did such an amazing job, and as I recollected on it later, I realized really how much the sisters are giving these people. Anyone can give poor people things they need. But when that is gone, they will just need more. The Oikos Sisters are giving these people a chance to pull themselves out of poverty. With the sister's help and the financial jump start, if the people are willing to do the work, they find not only livelihood, but also independence, dignity and pride in themselves and their work. The programs are all monitored monthly by the team so that the people are held accountable for the investment the sisters made in them. I think it is really great.
But along with seeing the thriving barrios the sisters are active in, we passed many still in great need. Houses made out sticks, with no humor intended, it really, sadly reminded me of the Three Little Pigs. Children waiting outside of their homes for our truck to pass by and come running for any leftovers we had... possibly the most food they'll eat that day. It is really heartbreaking. And I couldn't help but think about how unfair it seems that natural disasters hit places like this, where people have no hope of pulling themselves out of the devastation without great and consistent help. Don't get me wrong... natural disasters anywhere are terrible and the loss of life as a result of them is always horrible. But to be so poor, to not have much at all and have even that taken away, to have almost three years go by and still you find yourself in the same place, with nothing... there isn't a word for the sadness in my heart upon seeing this.
Only being 5 in number, the Oikos Sisters cannot do it all by themselves. And we did see many temporary homes built by different organizations, including homes built by the Joliet Diocese in Illinois. People are helping, people are giving... but more is needed. Everywhere. My prayer this week is for more vocations to the Oikos order of sisters. Could you make it yours too? Thanks!! xoxo
I traveled to Taclo-an and Santa Cruz, two barrios south of Borongan. They are about 2 hours away by car. The sisters first heard of need in this area because the mayor of that region contacted them to say that there were a few barrios in desperate need after the super typhoon. The ride for me was a little scary just because at a certain point, you leave pavement and are driving on rocky dirt roads and on wooden bridges I don't think I'd walk on never mind driving a big truck over!! But the first trip there for the Oikos Sisters was even worse. The dirt road resembled more a swamp than a road, and someone had to walk in front of the truck and throw down gravel so the they would have some traction. Not only that, but downed power lines in the wet puddles made the trip death defying!! Because of the sisters' presence in these barrios, instead of having mass once a year, these people now celebrate it twice a month, along with Eucharistic Adoration and confession.
One amazing story I heard about the Taclo-an barrio is that during the super typhoon, the people had no idea where to go. No one ever expected the typhoon to be as powerful as it was. So, leaving their boarded-up homes, the people all gathered in the church. After the typhoon ended, they left the church to find everything gone... EVERYTHING. Homes, cars, gardens, everything was gone. The amazing part... not one bit of damage happened to the church!!!
Anyways, we traveled to these barrios to begin the people there on one of the livelihood programs the Oikos Sisters have for the people here. One of the programs is FAITH... Food Always In The Home. The sisters provide the families with the materials needed for growing vegetable gardens. Then they teach the people about planting, managing and harvesting their garden. Some of the food grown is set aside for the families, but some is meant to be sold to provide income for them as well. Some of the Oikos-supported gardens I've seen are just overflowing with bounty! And another program is piglet recycling. The people are taught how to raise and care for a piglet and how to build a pen for it. It was for the launching of this program the day we went there. The people who want to participate have to sign a contract promising to do their part in the program and are given $1,500 in pesos to get them started. As the pigs grow and have piglets of their own, the people pay the Oikos Sisters back by giving them 2 of the piglets, one for another family and one for the sisters.
The team did such an amazing job, and as I recollected on it later, I realized really how much the sisters are giving these people. Anyone can give poor people things they need. But when that is gone, they will just need more. The Oikos Sisters are giving these people a chance to pull themselves out of poverty. With the sister's help and the financial jump start, if the people are willing to do the work, they find not only livelihood, but also independence, dignity and pride in themselves and their work. The programs are all monitored monthly by the team so that the people are held accountable for the investment the sisters made in them. I think it is really great.
But along with seeing the thriving barrios the sisters are active in, we passed many still in great need. Houses made out sticks, with no humor intended, it really, sadly reminded me of the Three Little Pigs. Children waiting outside of their homes for our truck to pass by and come running for any leftovers we had... possibly the most food they'll eat that day. It is really heartbreaking. And I couldn't help but think about how unfair it seems that natural disasters hit places like this, where people have no hope of pulling themselves out of the devastation without great and consistent help. Don't get me wrong... natural disasters anywhere are terrible and the loss of life as a result of them is always horrible. But to be so poor, to not have much at all and have even that taken away, to have almost three years go by and still you find yourself in the same place, with nothing... there isn't a word for the sadness in my heart upon seeing this.
Only being 5 in number, the Oikos Sisters cannot do it all by themselves. And we did see many temporary homes built by different organizations, including homes built by the Joliet Diocese in Illinois. People are helping, people are giving... but more is needed. Everywhere. My prayer this week is for more vocations to the Oikos order of sisters. Could you make it yours too? Thanks!! xoxo
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Borongan Weather
For those interested in following the forecast in Borongan, the website is:
www.wunderground.com/borongan
It definitely rains a lot in Eastern Samar (think Seattle). Here is a snapshot for the next several days:
These are a couple of pictures from some rainy days:
And here is a picture looking down Real Street which is the Main Street in Borongan:
A tricycle outside of the Cathedral:
You can travel anywhere in Borongan for six pesos ($0.12 US).
The electrical wires are a maze!
The benefit of rain is beautiful, lush vegetation.
The shore.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
here are some pictures from Borongan.
Borongan is largely a fishing village on the Pacific Ocean.
Fresh fish are plentiful at the market.
As are bananas.
And delicious mangos.
Jeepnys are colorful vehicles left over from WWII.
One of the four legged residents of the town.
This home (built on stilts) likely houses an entire family.
A typical meal.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
My First Assignment
One of my first jobs I've been given is to be a part of Formation Sunday. Here children of different ages are taught about the Catholic faith. Today is for the high school students. I have been given the task of reading Luke 1:26-38, the Annunciation, and giving a reflection on obedience. Here is what I thought I'd say:
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My reflection on Luke 1:26-38... Obedience
Mary is not present in much of the Gospels, but whenever we see her she is teaching us something profound. In this passage, Mary is teaching us about obedience.
Being obedient is not always easy, not always what we want to do. The 10 commandments say we must honor our mother and father, we must obey and respect our parents, teachers, caretakers, etc. But that is not always easy to do. Often we have our own thoughts and plans of what we should do or where we should go. Even though we might not recognize it at the time, our parents, guardians, those who care for us know more than us what is best.
If that is true, how much more is it for God? God, our Father, knows everything! He knew us before we were born. He knew at the beginning of time who we would be and what would be best for us, best for the world He created. To Him, above all, we must also be obedient.
Imagine Mary... a young girl, about your age. She was a good girl who listened to her parents, for the Church teaches us that she was born without sin. Now, imagine Mary a few nights before she was to marry Joseph. She was probably nervous about the new life ahead of her... leaving her parents, having new responsibilities as a wife to Joseph. Then, an angel appears before her. Can you even imagine it? The bible says Mary was afraid... I would be too! But then the angel calms her fears and asks Mary to be the mother of Jesus.
This is not an easy thing to ask of Mary. 1) to become pregnant, 2) to explain to her family and Joseph what is going on, and 3) to be responsible for raising Jesus, the King of Kings, the Savior of the world. I would be understanding of Mary if she said no. This is a huge thing God is asking of her. But Mary loves God and trusts that anything He asks of her is best for her and the world He created. So Mary says yes to God- as we pray in the Angelus, she said, "May it be done to me according to your word."
Being obedient is not easy. It may not be fun, either. But God, in His wisdom, gives us time to practice being obedient to our caretakers so that when He is ready to ask us to be a part of His will, we will be obedient, we will say may it be done to me according to your word.
So, be obedient now. Practice obeying those who love you and want the best for you. So when the time comes for God to invite you into His plan, you will follow Mary's example, her fiat, and say yes to God.
And, if you ever find yourself having trouble being obedient, ask Mary to pray for you. She knows what it is like to be obedient to God and to her elders, she knows it is difficult to obey and can ask God to give you graces to help. Mary, as your mother in Heaven, wants the best for you too and wants God's glory shining in all of our lives. She can help!!
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You know, I have learned a lot from my brother Father Mark, but one of the best things I ever learned from him is a homily on Mary that he gave at the Carmelite Convent one day during a novena of masses. He was speaking of St. Louis DeMontfort, and I am not sure if St. Louis came up with this argument for Mary or if one of his teachers, who is also a saint, did and St. Louis was sharing it. Anyways, many people outside of the Catholic church, and probably some within it, do not understand our devotion to Mary. I believe they think that we are worshiping her as we would God. However, that is not true. St. Louis DeMontfort gave this argument in response to this: (by the way... this is a complete paraphrase!! Want the real deal?? Read "True Devotion to Mary"!!!)
1) God is perfect.
2) If God is perfect, then everything He does is perfect.
3) God could have chosen anyway to come to earth as the Second Person of God, Jesus Christ, but because He is perfect and what He does is perfect, then His incarnation, the way He came among us, is perfect.
4) God chose Mary to be the vessel between heaven and earth, she is His pathway to us, the perfect connection from heaven to earth.
There are many ways we can call upon the Lord. Many people say they would rather go directly to Him then to go through someone else. But here's the kicker...
If God, in His perfection, chose Mary to come to us, doesn't seem that the most perfect and direct way, the easiest way, to God would be through the channel He created?
I'm not at all sure that St. Louis used the word "kicker"... but anyways, here is my point...
At the foot of the cross, Jesus gave all of us a gift. After being abandoned, beaten, stripped, made fun of, spat upon, nailed to a cross He gave us a gift. Can you imagine??
He gave us Mary as our mother.
One of His last missions on earth was to make sure, even after all we put Him through, that we had a way to reach Him. Wouldn't it be a shame to waste that gift?
Wish me luck on my first assignment! Hope I don't get fired!! xxoo
*******************************************************************************************************************
My reflection on Luke 1:26-38... Obedience
Mary is not present in much of the Gospels, but whenever we see her she is teaching us something profound. In this passage, Mary is teaching us about obedience.
Being obedient is not always easy, not always what we want to do. The 10 commandments say we must honor our mother and father, we must obey and respect our parents, teachers, caretakers, etc. But that is not always easy to do. Often we have our own thoughts and plans of what we should do or where we should go. Even though we might not recognize it at the time, our parents, guardians, those who care for us know more than us what is best.
If that is true, how much more is it for God? God, our Father, knows everything! He knew us before we were born. He knew at the beginning of time who we would be and what would be best for us, best for the world He created. To Him, above all, we must also be obedient.
Imagine Mary... a young girl, about your age. She was a good girl who listened to her parents, for the Church teaches us that she was born without sin. Now, imagine Mary a few nights before she was to marry Joseph. She was probably nervous about the new life ahead of her... leaving her parents, having new responsibilities as a wife to Joseph. Then, an angel appears before her. Can you even imagine it? The bible says Mary was afraid... I would be too! But then the angel calms her fears and asks Mary to be the mother of Jesus.
This is not an easy thing to ask of Mary. 1) to become pregnant, 2) to explain to her family and Joseph what is going on, and 3) to be responsible for raising Jesus, the King of Kings, the Savior of the world. I would be understanding of Mary if she said no. This is a huge thing God is asking of her. But Mary loves God and trusts that anything He asks of her is best for her and the world He created. So Mary says yes to God- as we pray in the Angelus, she said, "May it be done to me according to your word."
Being obedient is not easy. It may not be fun, either. But God, in His wisdom, gives us time to practice being obedient to our caretakers so that when He is ready to ask us to be a part of His will, we will be obedient, we will say may it be done to me according to your word.
So, be obedient now. Practice obeying those who love you and want the best for you. So when the time comes for God to invite you into His plan, you will follow Mary's example, her fiat, and say yes to God.
And, if you ever find yourself having trouble being obedient, ask Mary to pray for you. She knows what it is like to be obedient to God and to her elders, she knows it is difficult to obey and can ask God to give you graces to help. Mary, as your mother in Heaven, wants the best for you too and wants God's glory shining in all of our lives. She can help!!
************************************************************************************************************************
You know, I have learned a lot from my brother Father Mark, but one of the best things I ever learned from him is a homily on Mary that he gave at the Carmelite Convent one day during a novena of masses. He was speaking of St. Louis DeMontfort, and I am not sure if St. Louis came up with this argument for Mary or if one of his teachers, who is also a saint, did and St. Louis was sharing it. Anyways, many people outside of the Catholic church, and probably some within it, do not understand our devotion to Mary. I believe they think that we are worshiping her as we would God. However, that is not true. St. Louis DeMontfort gave this argument in response to this: (by the way... this is a complete paraphrase!! Want the real deal?? Read "True Devotion to Mary"!!!)
1) God is perfect.
2) If God is perfect, then everything He does is perfect.
3) God could have chosen anyway to come to earth as the Second Person of God, Jesus Christ, but because He is perfect and what He does is perfect, then His incarnation, the way He came among us, is perfect.
4) God chose Mary to be the vessel between heaven and earth, she is His pathway to us, the perfect connection from heaven to earth.
There are many ways we can call upon the Lord. Many people say they would rather go directly to Him then to go through someone else. But here's the kicker...
If God, in His perfection, chose Mary to come to us, doesn't seem that the most perfect and direct way, the easiest way, to God would be through the channel He created?
I'm not at all sure that St. Louis used the word "kicker"... but anyways, here is my point...
At the foot of the cross, Jesus gave all of us a gift. After being abandoned, beaten, stripped, made fun of, spat upon, nailed to a cross He gave us a gift. Can you imagine??
He gave us Mary as our mother.
One of His last missions on earth was to make sure, even after all we put Him through, that we had a way to reach Him. Wouldn't it be a shame to waste that gift?
Wish me luck on my first assignment! Hope I don't get fired!! xxoo
A Description of Borongan
So, I am in the city of Borongan. Borongan is a pretty big city, not really with tall buildings, but with lots of small-sized businesses and shops and homes. Everything is sort of smashed all together, like one home/business right next to the other. There is one shopping mall and several open-air markets... many were set up especially for the Festival, so I imagine soon those will be coming down. There are pharmacies and clothing shops along the road. It is very reminiscent to me of Tamale in Africa and Cusco in Peru. The buildings appear worn down, especially after Typhoon Ruby. There are new high-rises being built now for the wealthier people who want to live above flood level. However, during the super typhoon that hit a few years ago, the taller buildings took on more damage than the low homes, so there really is no simple answer for guaranteed safety.
There are people absolutely everywhere... children too, which makes driving hairy scary for me. Not that I drive, I just sit in the front seat with my eyes squeezed shut and my imaginary break handy!!!! There are also dogs EVERYWHERE!!! They could care less about humans most of the time. They just lay around on the street and lazily move out of the way if you blow your horn or flash your lights at them.
One thing I find scarily funny about Borongan, which was similar in Peru, is that the power lines are all tangled together in the sort of way that would make Smokey the Bear all fired up . ;-) Seriously... about 35 lines or more all coming from different directions and massing together in one completely tangled mess. I would think major fires could ensue because of the frazzled confusion of lines, but no one here seems bothered by it. So... is this a when in Rome situation? Not much I can do about it, but it does make me shudder each time I pass a transformer that resembles a millipede!!! ( well, anything that resembles a millipede makes me shudder... not big news there!!)
The streets of Borongan are mostly paved and there is construction going on in the ones that aren't. It is so cool to be driving along the road, passing businesses and homes studded with palm trees, banana trees and exotic plants, when you get a glimpse of the great Pacific Ocean. Borongan lies right on the coast of the Pacific. It is just beautiful!!! I hope I get the chance to go in it and feel warm ocean water, much different from the freezing Atlantic Ocean up near New Hampshire.
In the center of the city is the church, Nativity of Mary. It is a HUGE blue church that has a dome in front of it for Eucharistic Adoration. It's doors are open in the front and on the sides... it actually has more doors than windows! It is quite a large church with a beautiful altar up about 15 stairs. There are two beautiful stained glass windows on either side of the altar. One is of the Baptism of Jesus and one is of the crowning of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. The Bishop's residence is connected to the church and he has a small chapel upstairs in which, when he is in Borongan, he holds daily 6am mass (in English) for all of the religious in town. I am not a religious, of course, but since I hang with them, I am lucky to be included!! Every day at 6pm, the Angelus is prayed through loudspeakers.
One terrifying thing about Borongan streets is there are no stop signs or traffic signals!! This is no backwater hic town (I'm sorry if you live in a backwater hic town...no offense) This is a big city! So, when approaching an intersection, you simply inch your way through. There are motorcycles, cars and trucks of all kinds and tricycles. Imagine if a motorcycle and a one-wheeled golf cart were fused together... that is a tricycle. They have about 4 seats, plus a space behind the driver on the motorcycle. They are pretty cool... they can turn in the street without making a 3-point turn and they usually have a saying on them like "God Bless Your Trip" or "Immaculate Conception," or "The Little Flower". They are cute little vehicles, but they are fast and they don't like to slow down or stop! Anyways, when I said that you inch your way through the intersection... well, not everyone does that. Some just fly through. It is a defensive driving nightmare!!! And, by the way, pedestrians do not have right of way!! It's every man, woman, child and dog for himself on the streets of Borongan!!
With the bridges that take you over the rivers, majestic mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the rich tropical plant life, Borongan, although quite poor in most areas I've seen, is quite beautiful. Of course, I tend, as my father does, to focus on the positive. I am sure it is possible to be here and see the poor homes and tin-roved stores and feel a sense of desolation.. And although I am not turning a blind eye to the reality of the situation... I came here to live among the poor...I think it is infinitely more productive and healthier to see the beauty that God created around us. I believe He put it there just so we on earth can have a glimpse of paradise and have some motivation to live as Jesus did. As I said in Africa, in Peru, and even in Louisiana, I can't believe I get to be here!!! Even with the humid heat that makes me wet before I take 5 steps in the morning, the rain that comes almost every day but doesn't last long, the lizards and grasshoppers that come into my room and the crazy driving around Borongan, I am so grateful to be here and experience life in the Philippines with the Oikos Sisters!!! xxoo
There are people absolutely everywhere... children too, which makes driving hairy scary for me. Not that I drive, I just sit in the front seat with my eyes squeezed shut and my imaginary break handy!!!! There are also dogs EVERYWHERE!!! They could care less about humans most of the time. They just lay around on the street and lazily move out of the way if you blow your horn or flash your lights at them.
One thing I find scarily funny about Borongan, which was similar in Peru, is that the power lines are all tangled together in the sort of way that would make Smokey the Bear all fired up . ;-) Seriously... about 35 lines or more all coming from different directions and massing together in one completely tangled mess. I would think major fires could ensue because of the frazzled confusion of lines, but no one here seems bothered by it. So... is this a when in Rome situation? Not much I can do about it, but it does make me shudder each time I pass a transformer that resembles a millipede!!! ( well, anything that resembles a millipede makes me shudder... not big news there!!)
The streets of Borongan are mostly paved and there is construction going on in the ones that aren't. It is so cool to be driving along the road, passing businesses and homes studded with palm trees, banana trees and exotic plants, when you get a glimpse of the great Pacific Ocean. Borongan lies right on the coast of the Pacific. It is just beautiful!!! I hope I get the chance to go in it and feel warm ocean water, much different from the freezing Atlantic Ocean up near New Hampshire.
In the center of the city is the church, Nativity of Mary. It is a HUGE blue church that has a dome in front of it for Eucharistic Adoration. It's doors are open in the front and on the sides... it actually has more doors than windows! It is quite a large church with a beautiful altar up about 15 stairs. There are two beautiful stained glass windows on either side of the altar. One is of the Baptism of Jesus and one is of the crowning of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. The Bishop's residence is connected to the church and he has a small chapel upstairs in which, when he is in Borongan, he holds daily 6am mass (in English) for all of the religious in town. I am not a religious, of course, but since I hang with them, I am lucky to be included!! Every day at 6pm, the Angelus is prayed through loudspeakers.
One terrifying thing about Borongan streets is there are no stop signs or traffic signals!! This is no backwater hic town (I'm sorry if you live in a backwater hic town...no offense) This is a big city! So, when approaching an intersection, you simply inch your way through. There are motorcycles, cars and trucks of all kinds and tricycles. Imagine if a motorcycle and a one-wheeled golf cart were fused together... that is a tricycle. They have about 4 seats, plus a space behind the driver on the motorcycle. They are pretty cool... they can turn in the street without making a 3-point turn and they usually have a saying on them like "God Bless Your Trip" or "Immaculate Conception," or "The Little Flower". They are cute little vehicles, but they are fast and they don't like to slow down or stop! Anyways, when I said that you inch your way through the intersection... well, not everyone does that. Some just fly through. It is a defensive driving nightmare!!! And, by the way, pedestrians do not have right of way!! It's every man, woman, child and dog for himself on the streets of Borongan!!
With the bridges that take you over the rivers, majestic mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the rich tropical plant life, Borongan, although quite poor in most areas I've seen, is quite beautiful. Of course, I tend, as my father does, to focus on the positive. I am sure it is possible to be here and see the poor homes and tin-roved stores and feel a sense of desolation.. And although I am not turning a blind eye to the reality of the situation... I came here to live among the poor...I think it is infinitely more productive and healthier to see the beauty that God created around us. I believe He put it there just so we on earth can have a glimpse of paradise and have some motivation to live as Jesus did. As I said in Africa, in Peru, and even in Louisiana, I can't believe I get to be here!!! Even with the humid heat that makes me wet before I take 5 steps in the morning, the rain that comes almost every day but doesn't last long, the lizards and grasshoppers that come into my room and the crazy driving around Borongan, I am so grateful to be here and experience life in the Philippines with the Oikos Sisters!!! xxoo
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