B-R-E-A-K
by Melba, fsp on Jul.20, 2009, under Community
Because the Juniors had to make their annual retreat, there was a break in the Pauline Month from May 9 – 16.
We at the Pre-novitiate had a two-day recollection, followed by formation classes.
A Week of Pauline Inputs
by Melba, fsp on Jul.20, 2009, under Activities, Spirituality
One of the highlights of our Pauline Month was a series of Pauline talks/inputs from our very own FSP sisters and SSP priests. It was held at the Conference Hall of the Pauline Communications Center from May 5 – 8, 2009.
The talks were as follows:
May 5 (morning): “Prayer and St. Paul” by Fr. Rollin “Tuzzi” Flores, SSP
May 5 (afternoon): “Paul’s Vocation Story” by Fr. Gil Alinsangan, SSP
May 6: “Till Christ is formed in you.” by Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, FSP
May 7: “Formation Journey to Pauline Holiness” by Fr. Alan Gamutan, SSP
May 8: “The Mystery of Suffering and St. Paul” by Sr. Evangelina Canag, FSP
We did not only listen to inputs but had small group sharings and plenary assemblies each day so as to deepen what we have listened to as well as gain insights and reflections from the sharings of co-formands.
R & R in Subic
by Melba, fsp on Jul.18, 2009, under Activities, Community
May 2. Tired from the summer mission and the Youth and Biblical gathering that followed, the R & R (rest and recreation) in Subic was a much too welcome a treat! It was indeed a very restful day for all of us!
Youth & Biblical Gathering in Olongapo
by Melba, fsp on Jul.18, 2009, under Activities, Special Events
Still tired from the missionary journey, we attended the Youth & Biblical Gathering the following day, May 2. It was held at St. Joseph’s School in Olongapo, Diocese of Iba, Zambales, about three hours from Pasay (our home base). The theme of the gathering was “A Day with St. Paul”. The presence of the Pauline Family was very much felt. Our very own Fr. Ramil Tapang, SSP, was the guest speaker while we Daughters of St. Paul were invited as facilitators and animators. Among the organizing committee were also members of the Association of Pauline Cooperators.
For this activity, we were joined by the Corso (short for Corso di Perfezionamento, or the stage of final preparation for perpetual vows) along with their formator. We were also blessed with the presence of three observers (young women discerning to enter religious life) in the persons ofwho Audrey (from Sabah, Malaysia), Aiza who stays with our sisters in Cebu while finishing her studies, and Santa (who joined us as Prepostulant last June).
We are also deeply grateful to the family and relatives of Sr. Catherine Bacay, FSP, who not only welcomed us into their homes but gave us a very sumptuous and enjoyable dinner. God bless your generous hearts!
Pilgrimage to designated Pauline Jubilee Churches
by Melba, fsp on Jul.18, 2009, under Activities
Going back to Manila after 15 days of missionary work, we passed by designated Pauline Jubilee Churches to make our pilgrimage, beginning from our host parishes, Conversion of St. Paul Parish in Pitogo and St. Peter’s Parish in Calauag. From there we met at the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Unisan where a very kind parish priest warmly welcomed us as pilgrims and gave us refreshments. It was a happy reunion for both groups and we filled up the parish hall with our chatter.
From Unisan we proceeded to the Cathedral of Tayabas where we ended our pilgrimage. We took a side trip to the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, a very famous pilgrimage place for those seeking healing.
Family Festival
by Melba, fsp on Jul.18, 2009, under Activities
The culminating activity for both groups was a Family Festival (in Calauag, April 29; in Pitogo, April 20). By this time, that is three days before the end of our summer mission, the rainy season set in and the heavy and incessant rains prevented families from coming to this gathering.
The highlight of this Festival is a Media Literacy Education seminar-workshop with small group sharings on the effects of media to individual persons and to families. The Festival concluded with a prayer service on the right use of media which included the burning of pornographic materials that have been collected in the course of the home-to-home visits.
Calauag – Joy in the Journey
by Melba, fsp on Jul.03, 2009, under Activities, Mission
In our Congregation, one is sent out to the summer mission when one enters the Pre-postulancy, but Lalyn, even if she is was still an aspirant at the time of the mission, happily went with us. Everything was new to Lalyn (as it was for Mina) and yet she found great joy in the journey, knowing that she was taking part in God’s work.
Pitogo – Light for Others
by Melba, fsp on Jun.30, 2009, under Activities, Mission
Mina arrived just three before the Summer Mission was to begin. It was the first time she has set foot in another country and yet she very easily adjusted – to the food, the community, to the rhythm of life in the mission field. There were moments of anxiety, especially when the small boat they were riding on stopped in the middle of the sea…and the water was not at all calm!
Overall, it was a grace-filled missionary journey for Mina, one that filled her with joy and a deep desire to be LIGHT for others.
Calauag – Trusting in God
by Melba, fsp on Jun.30, 2009, under Activities, Mission
For those who are willing to accept Jesus as Master, He works wonders. This realization struck me during the summer mission. I was assigned in Calauag and the arrangement for us was that we were going to be distributed in two’s among parishioners who were already chosen beforehand to house us for the duration of the summer mission. This was a new arrangement for me because in the last three summer missions I have experienced, the group stayed altogether in one house. (continue reading…)
