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Category: Reflection

  • The National Conference of Youth Ministers : HOPE IN CHRIST

    The National Conference of Youth Ministers : HOPE IN CHRIST

    A Reflection by Miss Jossivel Rodriguez, PYM Youth Leader

    I can’t get these questions out of my mind, questions that fill me with doubts about serving the church, the youth, and especially God. Why me? What is my purpose? What would my mission be?

    Being able to attend the NCYM was a big opportunity for me, especially since I was facing a significant crisis in my life—self-denial and self-doubts. I thought I couldn’t make it; I was sick, and my body resisted attending the NCYM. But then I prayed, and my prayer went like this: “Lord, just let my fever return after the NCYM, please, it’s only for 5 days.” It may sound strange, but yes, God answered. It was July 16 in the morning that I was able to stand, take a shower, and prepared myself for the journey.

    On July 17, 2024, we arrived safe and sound in Palo, Leyte, where the NCYM was hosted. A warm welcome greeted us as we encountered youth leaders from all over the Philippines, from different dioceses. The opening mass was a great eye-opener for me, making me embrace the beauty of the word “Hope.” It touched me deeply when Archbishop John Du shared their stories on how Typhoon Yolanda brought devastation.

    My first realization on the first day of NCYM was this: everything given by God in your life, whether good or bad, is a grace from God for us to see the beauty of life when God is present, sustaining us and giving us hope to continue living, just as God works in the lives of the victims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

    Before NCYM started, I had many questions about myself that I couldn’t answer because I was planning to step down as a youth minister. However, this became a challenge for me as a leader in our parish. The Day Two talk taught me a lot of realizations about why I should continue serving Christ, the Church, and especially the youth.

    The Gospel for Day Two, Matthew 11:28, where Jesus invites those who labor and are burdened, resonated with me. Bishop’s homily made me realize about my presence in the ministry that I was invited by God to encounter Him through the lives of my fellow young people.

    This invitation made me think, “Ah, this is my purpose—to bring youth to synodality, to accompany them with Christ’s image, and to provide a joyful journey together as we commemorate the beauty of God’s love for us.”

    Each talk by the speakers touched my heart, sharing stories and applying the purpose of the word “hope” given by God to everyone. This is in terms of journeying together and reflecting with those who are in the peripheries and those who needed to be reached out.

    Bishop Rex emphasized on not resisting and grasping, which are the characteristics I sometimes exhibit in my service. He taught me to gradually let go of these traits and open my heart and mind to learn from every life’s difficulty, especially in animating and serving the young ones. He also stressed the importance of being prayerful, connecting with God, and entrusting, hoping, and surrendering all worries and burdens to Him.

    I am one of the luckiest people to have participated the NCYM. This presented me with challenges that I need to face for the benefit of the youth and to discover what more I can contribute to the ministry. As I return home, I carry these reminders of my duties in serving the ministry:

    Hope in Christ: No matter what challenges test my faith in Christ, I will remember that God is present and is the only constant in my life. Though unseen, He gives me the strength to continue facing life’s challenges and to serve Him faithfully.

    Be Joyful in Serving God: Regardless of what I achieve, the problems I face, or the evils of the world, I will always stay connected to God. I will serve with love, embrace small wins, reflect on my purpose, grow with Christ’s image, practice gratitude, trust God, and express joy.

    Patience and Perseverance: In service, patience is essential to continue despite many obstacles. This can be achieved through perseverance in prayer, as God is generous and loving.

    Lastly, NCYM 2024 was a blessing and a way of calling me to address the concerns of our community. It reminded me to abound in joy and that Christ is our hope in continuing to transform the image of the youth into the image of Christ. Being one of the youth leaders means that God sees the goodness in my love for Him, which can bring change to the community, especially to the youth who are still on the fringes. I believe He has chosen me for a brighter future for the youth in the Church.

  • SHARING THE AMAZING MYSTERIOUS LOVE OF FR. NOEL GARTLAN, C.S.s.R.

    SHARING THE AMAZING MYSTERIOUS LOVE OF FR. NOEL GARTLAN, C.S.s.R.

    BY REMY S. RABOR

    I believe letter-writing is an effective means of communication to get to know a person … This I learned from my 10 years of letter-writing with Fr. Noel Gartlan, C.S.s.R.

    Fr. Noel does not like writing a”personal” letter but he likes receiving them. Since I’m fond of writing, so he gives his response whenever he has time.

    Fr. Noel was a person full of love. He was called to incarnate God’s unconditional love in whatever circumstances he was placed. He expressed God’s love in his work in Tacloban and also in Davao with the seminarians, and in Iligan, and in the people he met.

    In all his letters to me he always begins with; “My dear dear Remy“… In almost every letter, he always says “one friendship progress“, because we can say what we feel, without any fear of being judged or fear that the other would be taken aback by what we say. Our relationship, me being his “little sister” and him my “big brother” is what we liked very much and one we both like to remain. If he has been able to enter into my sufferings and sorrows, trials & challenges in my life a bit, it is because he comes for me somewhat more than ordinary pastoral care.

    Whenever he writes about his love and concern for me, he always emphasizes that he hoped his words could never be misconstrued by Rey as anything but showing the highest concern for me as a married person and for my marriage, for it is great concern for him that my marriage be a success and that Rey and I grow in the deepest possible love together & anything he can do to help that along, is what he feels he should do for a “little sister”.

    “Happiness is the result of trying to do something else besides trying to be happy. Maybe, the worst way to attain happiness is to work with set purpose to be happy. The harder one tries, the more elusive is the fruit desired. The butterfly does not come to the one who tries to catch it. Joy comes from being in tune with life around. The butterfly enjoys being fully a butterfly in full freedom, than captured in our hands. We must try to be at peace with the cosmos, to be in tune, in harmony.”

    It makes him happy when I tell him what I have been doing especially in my marriage because he grows too in this mystery of love as the year goes on.

    Fr. Noel always expressed his gratitude whenever he received my letters, or birthday gifts or phone calls. He expressed his thanks by telling me: “Silly little sister!” and added, “Thank you”, for showing him something of my love for him, and helped him too to know more clearly of his love for me.

    I cannot forget what Fr. Noel said,” Touch the good earth every day. It’s Friendly. It’s from where we came and to where we return.”

    Fr. Noel always said he has so much to thank me for. I too felt the same and happy too, whenever he shares anything that comes to his mind. It is because we are special friends we can say anything to one another.

    Fr. Noel always emphasized on God’s love. Jesus is the human expression of God’s love. We are called to a relationship of love with God, in the person of Christ. Once the relationship is right, all else is right. What I do is very secondary to whom I AM in relationship with Christ.

    In one of his letters, Fr. Noel shared that he was an instrument of God’s love. A woman he met along the small chapel asked if she could take some of his time. There was somehow an understanding between them and they sat in the chapel for about 30 minutes. She poured out her heart to him. Because the nature of the problem she presented they had to share on love. Giving her some of his love, he could feel she was responding. He knew they were both the better for the encounter. With a misty eye of gratitude, she asked his name. It was only 30 minutes, but in that short time, he felt he knows her heart and she, his. He knew he met Christ. Isn’t it a great mystery? This is his little reflection for me in his letter.

    In every ending of Fr. Noel’s letter, he always says that in his prayer each morning, he speaks my name to God and prays that I will know His love for me and that his own way be a little of the same sort.

    Fr. Noel is one person whom I consider a part of my life. In his own unique way, he has shown me the human love of Jesus for me.

    Fr. Noel’s and my letter-writing relationship will always be printed in my heart and mind all years till I depart. I praise God for the gift of Fr. Noel in my life and those whom he also encountered.

    May God have mercy on Fr. Noel Gartlan, CSsR. May the Lod grant him eternal rest. AMEN.

  • A Beautiful Journey to SILP Balabagan, Prelature of Marawi in God’s Perfect Time: Friendship Goal Unlocked

    A Beautiful Journey to SILP Balabagan, Prelature of Marawi in God’s Perfect Time: Friendship Goal Unlocked

    As a counselor-educator in a state university, it has been my passion to form our future Registered Guidance Counselors. There is an immense need of young blood to join the the counseling profession. This helping vocation is an expression of faith, hope and love. While my graduate students in the Master’s Level were enrolled in their Practicum course, I toyed the idea of inviting them to join the Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministry of St. Clement’s Church, Redemptorist Mission Community of Iloilo. They were all excited to be part of this healing ministry so I tagged them along to meet with the founding members. With God’s grace, we will be celebrating our 5th birthday on December 23 of this year.

    Fr. Jomil Baring, C.Ss.R, one of the founding members of the said ministry decided to transfer to San Isidro Labrador Parish in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. The ministry then had a thanksgiving lunch with him. We jokingly told him that we will visit him there someday. Never did I expect that this will be a reality much earlier than we expect it to happen.

    While Fr. Jom was sharing with me an experience in the Parish which calls for a need to organize a mental health program/ministry, I quickly told him that I am willing to visit him for a Capacity-Building. I then invited another founding member and my good friend, Ms. Nove Jalandoni to join me in this endeavor. It was easy for us to prepare the Training Design because we are both counselor-educators. We made use of our instructional materials – power-point presentations and notes for our classes in Mental Hygiene and Counseling class. We just have to tailor these to suit the needs of the Parish for the Capacity-Building for Parish Community-Based Mental Health Program Personnel.

    This is clear manifestation that God has prepared us for this simple and short mission in one of the municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  God never fails to provide us with all our needs in order for us to carry out our tasks and responsibilities.

    When the day came for us to leave for Mindanao, my road trip started at around 3:30 am to catch our early morning flight since the airport is at the other side of the Province. This poses no problem with me since I am used to waking up early as I am travelling to my workplace everyday for four hours. We had 2 plane rides – Iloilo – Manila – Pagadian and a 3-hour road trip to Balabagan. The tiredness of our bodies was replaced by the blissful reunion with Fr. Jom. Seeing him with some of the participants for the Capacity-Building allowed me to pray silently in deep gratitude to God for blessing our plans – our friendship goal unlocked.

    The road may be long and winding but the scenery in this part of Mindanao was truly beautiful.  We arrived past 7 in the evening and was welcomed warmly by the convent staff and Nanays of Fr. Jom – his immediate community. We had a lively conversation over a sumptuous dinner of fresh fish & shrimps – all the way from General Santos City and a yummy welcome cake for us. We had to go to bed early since it was a long day for us.

    Meeting the participants from the 3 Parishes in the Prelature of Marawi for the Capacity-Building for the first time was truly a joy for me and Nove. There seemed to be an instant connection among us. During the initial workshop, we had a glimpse of the scenario of the mental health program and practices in the Parish and the entire Prelature. It was a good take off. The rest of the sessions was truly engaging. We had a wonderful conversation about their practices and experiences in handling cases. I truly admired their humility to acknowledge their misconceptions, shortcomings and malpractices in dealing with people who have come to ask for help – who needs a listener.  

    The participants were authentic people – no pretensions, no air – only a genuine desire to be of help to their fellow Parishioners who are struggling emotionally and mentally. Our workshop, simulation activities and lectures turned out to be light and enjoyable. All of the participants were engaged and actively participated in the activities. The participants crafted practical and relevant Mental Health program which hopes to prevent the occurrence of severe mental health issues and illnesses. Promising helpers were identified to be part of the core group who will spearhead the organization of a Mental Health Ministry in their own Parishes. With God’s grace, the plan that they crafted will be implemented and realized soon. Our deep gratitude to Fr. Jom for his initiative to organize a mental health ministry in his parish and the other parishes within the prelature.

    Listening to their stories and impressions on how much they have learned and valued the Capacity-Building brought real joy to us. In silence, I whispered a thanksgiving prayer to God for blessing our endeavor, our goal of assisting the Parish of San Isidro Labrador in Balabagan and other Parishes within the Prelature of St. Mary’s in Marawi. All our efforts, hard work and financial expenses paid off. We shouldered our air fare as a way of expressing our support to the good people of Marawi whom we now consider as our good friends. Most of all to express our support and affirmation to our dedicated and loving friend, Fr. Jom who serves as the Parish Administrator of San Isidro Labrador Parish. His agility, passion and dedication to his ministry is always a source of joy and inspiration to us.

    It was indeed a moment of grace – a life-giving and enriching quick visit to this Parish. I

    As a side trip, we were blessed to have joined the 2 barrio masses of Fr. Jom. It was a grace moment for me to witness the faith of the Catholics/Christian people from all ages, in the midst of a Muslim community. They were generous and hospitable to share a meal with us after the mass. Bountiful gifts and fruits were shared to us. It was a true source of joy to be recipients of their generosity – sharing their blessings out of poverty and not from their excess. We also attended the Sunday mass in the Parish Church. It was moving to see the faithful from all ages participating actively during the celebration. I admired the Altar Girls for their dedication and commitment to serve in the mass.

    It was indeed a moment of grace – a life-giving and enriching quick visit to this Parish. It was a life-changing experience for me since it deepened my faith in a loving and faithful God. It moves me to love more my vocation as an educator-counselor – to be more available to people who needs help. I have been blessed a thousand fold even after our short mission in Balabagan. I am now reaping the fruits of this endeavor in so many ways. Indeed, it was a beautiful and wonderful journey – a participation in God’s desire for all people to live fully. In the prayerful words of Fr. Jom, “may the Lord of healing, freedom and life bless us and this ministry.”

  • MSPC Youth Congress 12

    MSPC Youth Congress 12

    A Reflection by Bam Francisco, Youth Coordinator, Prelature of St. Mary’s in Marawi

    For the past years, seven, to be exact, the Mindanao-an youth was not able to held a huge gathering (face to face) due to factors and some reasons unknown to me. What was clear to me was that, the MSPC had her own fair share of troubles. The stories of growth, friendship, fun, and journeying together of the Mindanao Youth despite the geographical barriers were shared by my Ates and Kuyas, and for a very inspiring tale, inspired and lived with us in the community; and we were able to witness a lifelong friendship due to the doors that opened for them during their active times as they were once upon a time, youth of Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference. Now, our time has come, to experience and once again, live for the Church through prevailing over the geographical, cultural, and personal differences.

    The first ever Youth congress after the Pandemic was held on September 13- 16, 2023, at Sto. Niño de Bula Parish, Diocese of Marbel, in General Santos City. It was attended by youth and youth-at-heart from the MSPC five sub-regions that is composed of 21 ecclesiastical territories namely: CABUSTAM[1], DOPIM[2], KIDMACO[3], ZAMBASULI[4], and DADITAMA[5].

    This opportunity was presented to me and to other youth of the Prelature of Marawi early this year, around the month of May. It was a bit of a hanging invitation since I, myself, is not certain on how it will fit my schedule. At first, I thought, this will be a mere attending of a 3-day activity, so, I just have to be present, interact, learn, and re-echo; but God works and plans in ways you’ll never realize until you look back and see how everything makes sense.

    Prior to the Youth Congress, our Prelature had to change the Youth Director, and the Youth Ministry was in crumbles. We do not have an established ministry structure and the parishes of the Prelature are, at the very least, an hour away from each other, thus the youth from the different parishes rarely know any active youth other than those of the same locality. Then we were given the chance to gather in a small group, and slowly making small steps to re-organize the Youth Ministry of the Prelature.

    Everything for the youth ministry seems to fall into place since then, struggles are part of the journey, and knowing my co-youth ministers as we journey together makes this re-living, re-igniting, and renewing the youth ministry worth it. And on the same year, the Prelature of St. Mary in Marawi were able to send eight delegates to the MSPC Youth Congress.

    The 12th MSPC Youth Congress started by pointing out the struggles of the present generation in terms of maintaining a healthy state of mind. Mental health is one of the issues that surfaced during the pandemic; the mental problems faced by the youth was exposed as we faced the limits of connection and relationship. This has been a battle of understanding, opening up, acceptance, and courage since then.

    The plenary talk given by Sister Angie Vergra revolved on determining what is real and not real in social media as a platform, since this is the most accessible and one of the main sources of negativity that greatly affects the mental state of a person nowadays; from believing the things that they see, to viewing one’s worth based on how the virtual world perceives what is acceptable, normal, and beautiful. This talk made me understand more the value of being open, the courage to reach out to friends and family, and to God, who understands and accepts the real me, despite the flaws that, I believed, made me unlovable, unworthy, and unacceptable.

    The opening topic reminded me, and hopefully everyone who listened, to be critical in what we see and hear on social media, to check and verify the information we get, and to avoid the negativity brought by the skewed unrealistic standard of the virtual world. This plenary talk then relates to the following topics given by Fr. Marbendear Morallas, and Fr. Mark Ivan I. Monjardin; as these respected speakers gave me another perspective and understanding of freedom and commitment. The freedom that finds comfort in knowing the truth and leans on justice; and the commitment that is defined by love and gratitude, not by obligation and reward.

    As the whole congress moves around the theme “Open the door of the cage, go out and fly” from Cristus Vivit #143, the Eucharistic celebrations and homilies also gave emphasis on the problems we experience today, the poverty in spiritual, in socio-economical, and in evangelical that symbolically become our “cages” in our lives. Yet, upon realizing the blessings of God, and how He guides and carries us in times of troubles, the doors that are unlocked by Jesus’ love, awaits us to give a little push, to be fully open in front of us, to let us know that we can fly unapologetically in this society where the present of the Church is drowning in the disadvantageous side of technology.

    The whole MSPC Youth Congress journey taught me a lot of things that would surely be shared to our growing ministry.

    My favorite take-away from this four-day experience are the words from Rev. Fr. Romeo Q. Catedral’s homily, he said “ You become so dependent on your wealth, you’re so full of your wealth that you become blinded of the needs of your brothers and sisters;……… we need people who would really decide to live a simple life, decide how much is enough, so that we can have enough for ourselves and enough to share to others.”, that deciding how much is enough so to have enough for others takes humility, and we are all called to be humble like Mama Mary, for humility breeds patience, understanding, and love.

    The doors that opened in this event, the friends we have met from different parts of Mindanao, our co-ministers, and the unity that was shown despite the diversity of people present in one venue lighted the torch of hope as we grow together in the Church, and reaching out to take care of our community, the most in need brothers and sisters, and to our common home.

    The stairs of growth and mission is far ahead of us and our ministry, but, sure enough, that the MSPC Youth Congress 12 was one of the steps we took hand in hand and offered a strong foothold for us to continue the journey with enthusiasm, for through this event, we know that we will not be walking in this path alone and lonely.

    [1] Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Diocese of Butuan, Diocese Of Tandag, and the Diocese of Malaybalay.

    [2] Diocese of Dipolog, Diocese of Ozamis, Diocese of Pagadian, Diocese of Iligan, and the Prelature of Marawi.

    [3] Diocese of Kidapawan, Dioceses of Marbel, and the Archdiocese of Cotabato.

    [4] Archdiocese of Zamboanga, Prelature of Basilan, Vicariate of Jolo, and the Diocese of Ipil.

    [5] Archdiocese of Davao, Diocese of Digos, Diocese of Tagum, and the Diocese of Mati.

  • KA-BURIT PARI-A

    KA-BURIT PARI-A

    A person sent me a message via Text early in the morning as I woke up at 6 AM, she texted, “Kaburit ninyo magsayo oi, wa man lagi.” (It was a lie that you’ll be early, where are you.)

                I wondered immediately what Parish schedule I forgot that I overslept at 6 in the morning. Yet, I realized that I only have an afternoon Barrio Mass that day. That, I was certain. As I have become fully awake and checked my calendar of activities, slowly, I also realized that I was already pissed off that morning. “What a bad morning greeting I have received today!” I said to myself.

                As I pondered on that word, “ka-burit!” I have to recognize that I have become angry and quite stunned because of her nerves to text me early in the morning with those words. “How dare she!” again I said to myself. For me, it was very impolite and insensitive to send that kind of message. I felt I was attacked and disrespected. But I have to compose myself and at least would go out of my room still having a good morning.

    I began to brew my coffee and slowly sipped its bitterness. It was bitter but was good! The coffee was good. That changed my mood and decided to let my anger and frustration to subside that I may be able to respond compassionately and lovingly. “I am a priest! I am a pastor! I am not an executive! I am not a boss!” I have to remind myself.

                I have to understand then, where she’s coming from and what prompted her to send me a disrespectful message like that. The day before that, I had an afternoon Barrio Mass. I left the convent 30 minutes before time since it was nearby. On my way there, I was informed that the people had been waiting for more than an hour. As I knew, the scheduled mass was at 5 PM. However, they were misinformed that it was at 4 PM. So, people already gathered in the chapel 15 minutes before 4.

                No wonder, people were already bored and could hardly smile when I arrived! Days before that, I told some of the Lay Leaders in the Parish that I would arrive 20 or 30 minutes before time in order to prepare, talk and mingle with people a bit before the mass. But then, such statement was challenged by this event! That gave me a good laugh as I remembered what I said!

     Mia culpa! Mia culpa! That I can only say to myself. She must have said to herself then, KA-BURIT PARI-A!

              

    As I brought myself to the chapel for my morning prayer, I realized three things that I dare to embrace, accept, learn and live.

                First, not to react out of my emotions, but to respond with grace. So, I replied to her text with this message, “Do we have a schedule today?” (Later I got a reply that it was meant for another person and not for me.) Such grace, I can only attain if I would also remain more aware of my own human emotions, to accept as they are and to discern on how to respond better and not bitterly. With grace, as a pastor I am called to respond compassionately and lovingly. It is therefore not my call to condemn her and express my outrage in a toxic manner. Thus, I shared this with some of my close friends to be able to air out what I felt and get hold of myself, that I may be reminded that I am a priest, a pastor and a friend.

                Second, to be humble and not to be arrogant. I could make an excuse of reacting negatively even aggressively using my authority and entitlement of being a priest and Parish Administrator, yet, this is not what I am called to be. My arrogance will do no good to the community. My entitlement is empty and to demand it, is ruthless. My vocation will be meaningless when it has no witnessing. Hence, this is how I find humility to be so damn difficult! And I am still learning to be one.

                Third, Christ at the center of everything! I could just easily forget and ignore what the Gospel is all about in community building. I could just be indifferent and passive about it, preaching without action, teaching without believing. Yet, it is very unbecoming of me, a contradiction of what I have committed. Therefore, Christ should rather be at the center of everything, not myself, not my privileges, not my whims, not my feelings, not my titles. It is a call for me then, to find Christ and make Christ to be at the center of what I do, what I say, what I dream and what I pray for it is him that I follow and in him is the fullness of my joy and peace.

                With all of these, may I not become and be called, KA-BURIT PARI-A! Hinaut pa.