ONE CICM SCHOOL NETWORK Looking Forward with Renewed Faith in the CICM School Apostolate By REV. FR. GILBERT B. SALES, CICM President, Saint Louis University Councilor, Provincial Government (PG) PG Representative, Provincial Committee on Education (PCE) o carry out the missionary priorities of CICM Philippines, the present Provincial Missionary Project outlines specific strategic directions by way of a five-year development plan (2015-2020). After careful study and through constant meetings, sustained discussions, and open dialogue among confreres held in various fora and general assemblies, action plans of the respective Provincial Committees have been formulated and approved. Among the pioneering innovations being adopted in the area of the CICM educational apostolate is the merger/consolidation of the six CICM schools into a One CICM School Network. The primary rationale of this landmark structural move by virtue of the mandate of the Provincial Government is two-fold: strengthening the visible unity and missionary orientation of our schools in the light of the changing times and remaining relevant as higher educational institutions in the age of globalizing education. The Provincial Committee on Education (PCE) is given the immense task to realize this top priority project within the next five years. NOVA ET VETERA RP PROVINCE NEWSLETTER March 2016 Vol. 52 No. 3
Transcript
ONE CICM SCHOOL NETWORK Looking Forward with Renewed Faith in the CICM School Apostolate
By REV. FR. GILBERT B. SALES, CICM
President, Saint Louis University Councilor, Provincial Government (PG)
PG Representative, Provincial Committee on Education (PCE)
o carry out the missionary priorities of CICM Philippines, the present Provincial Missionary Project outlines specific strategic directions by way of a five-year
development plan (2015-2020). After careful study and through constant meetings, sustained discussions, and open dialogue among confreres held in various
fora and general assemblies, action plans of the respective Provincial Committees have been formulated and approved.
Among the pioneering innovations being adopted in the area of the CICM educational apostolate is the merger/consolidation of the six CICM schools into a One
CICM School Network. The primary rationale of this landmark structural move by virtue of the mandate of the Provincial Government is two-fold: strengthening the visible unity and missionary orientation of our schools in the light of the changing times and remaining relevant as higher educational institutions in the age of globalizing education. The Provincial Committee on Education (PCE) is given the immense task to
realize this top priority project within the next five years.
NOVA ET
VETERA RP PROVINCE NEWSLETTER
March 2016 Vol. 52 No. 3
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 3
So, a technical working group (TWG) with invaluable experience and expertise in school administration has been constituted to make the necessary steps, in view of
implementing this historic plan. The members of the TWG are, as follow:
Rev. Fr. Ramon R. Caluza, CICM – Provincial Superior and Chairman, Board of Trustees of CICM Schools
Rev. Fr. Renillo H. Sta. Ana, CICM - Chairman (PCE Chair and President,
Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong)
Dr. Noel B. De Leon – Vice-Chairman (Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Saint Louis University, Baguio City)
Rev. Fr. Fernold G. Denna, CICM – Member (President, St. Louis College-Cebu)
Rev. Fr. Richard P. Diaz, CICM – Member (Academic Dean, Maryhill School of Theology)
Atty. Arnulfo S. Soriano – Member (Vice-President for Administration,
Saint Louis University, Baguio City)
Ms. Evangeline O. Trinidad – Member (Vice-President for Finance, Saint
Louis University, Baguio City)
Dr. Delailah B. Valencia – Member (Acting President, University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao City)
Dr. Lea L. De Guzman – Member (Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Saint Louis College, San Fernando City)
Dr. John S. Palina – Member (Vice-President for Administration and
External Affairs Officer, Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong)
Dr. Jeffrey M Centeno – Member (Executive Assistant to the President,
Saint Louis University, Baguio City)
We commend the work of the members of the TWG and extend to them our
support and gratitude in advance.
* * * * *
Going back to the underlying principle of the planned network of CICM schools,
the following sustained and recurrent reflections are inspired by the continuing pastoral promise of our educational mission in the Philippines and to the world.
Hence, in view of the changing times and globalizing educational landscapes,
our pioneering CICM educational apostolate in the Philippines must strive to
contribute and remain faithful to the prophetic role of Christian education. Accordingly, our CICM schools must continue to draw from the pastoral well of the
CICM story of standing for and serving the marginalized members of society. For one, developing our student’s potentials by inculcating in them academic excellence must always be tempered by infusing them with missionary spirit. Through this our
students imbibe the CICM charism, in order to inspire them to make a difference in the Church and society.
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The universality of our prophetic calling as missionaries will have to find meaningful expressions in the particularity of our strategic response. That is why
integral to the overall CICM Philippine mission and to be able to adapt to emerging realities, our CICM schools need to adopt new ways of effectively carrying out the
mission. In other words, our prophetic fidelity to the mission demands a strategic flexibility in responding to it. The contextual nature of the mission inevitably demands unique approaches to it.
Therefore, only by opening our mindset to fresh perspectives and animating our
CICM schools with the spirit of our founders can our CICM schools today contribute to genuine (re)evangelization. With a dynamic structure, i.e., governance and management, academic programs, qualified and motivated personnel and staff,
student support system, and others, to ensure the successful and sustainable operations of our CICM schools, the educational apostolate of the CICM Philippines
can help bring about a transformed Philippine society and a vibrant local Church.
Sent to a world with complex issues, the graduates of our CICM schools should
be educated with the required leadership competence and other interpersonal skills to help them learn to live with other people and cultures. But CICM schools are called first and foremost to make our young people feel that they are welcome to our schools,
and that their well-being matters. Likewise, they need to be assured of giving them holistic development, in terms of capacity for reflection, leadership formation, and other skills needed to help them prepare for an uncertain future. In short, through a
structured exposure to the CICM way of life, our graduates gain purpose in life and experience the freedom of being Christians.
In conclusion, fidelity to the CICM mission in the context of the changing times calls for pastoral innovation in function of realizing the potential of the CICM mission.
Indeed, it is only by changing our attitude and way of thinking, in an effort to make sense of the “signs of the times,” that we preserve the very purpose of the CICM mission in evolving situations. Thus, we affirm our institutional identity by developing
the quality of our missionary involvements. No doubt, the enduring purpose of our CICM schools should be seen in the same light.
It is precisely for these reasons that we envision our CICM schools in the Philippines to become living witnesses, animated by the CICM spirit to the steadfast
promise of Christian education for genuine human development. And one bold step to make it happen is by bringing together our schools into a network of inter-independent higher education institutions.
With the implementation of the One CICM School Network in the near future, we
look forward to rekindling the fire of the CICM educational ministry.
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April Age
222999 RRRuuummmpppeeeaaarrrlll TTTeeennnkkkiiinnngggsss IIIsssaaaaaaccc 333333 May
ANNIVERSARY OF RELIGIOUS VOWS A considerable number of Filipino confreres will celebrate the anniversary of their religious vows between May 15 and June 29. Listing all of them would fill a whole page, so we actually mention here the “five-folds” only. Congrats to all of you and may the Lord continue to shower his blessings on you.
M A Y
- 60 yrs 1956.05.31 - Rosario Rafael - 15 yrs 2001.05.31 - Castroverde Patrick
- 30 yrs 1986.05.31 - Bautista Elgar - 5 yrs 2011.05.31 - Ame Jay Mark
- 20 yrs 1996.05.19 - Bolo Tito - Escabusa Louland - Caggauauan Raul - Ocampo Daniel Jr. - Labatorio Andrew - Salomag, Marieto - Pizarro Anthony - Tomol Gilbeys Keith
J U N E
- 50 yrs 1966.06.29 - Luciano Angel Orpilla Daniel Valencia Manuel V.
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March 07 : Alex Ulpindo back to the Dominican
Republic
April 27 : Fr. General, Timothy Atkin, back to Rome
March 09 : Fr. General, Timothy Atkin, from Rome for a canonical visit
23 : Arnel Batilong from Kinshasa for his regular vacation
Let us pray for the repose of the soul of:
BRO. ISIDOOR (JOSEPH) VAN MEULDER, CICM-BNL, born in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium on August 18, 1929, died in Halle, Belgium on March 19, 2016. He was 86 years old. He had been a missionary in
Congo (KAS).
BRO. JEAN-PIERRE PABUNGU NSGINGO, CICM-KIN, born in Tolo, Bandundu (D.R. Congo) on June 5, 1961, Died in Kinshasa (D.R.
Congo) on April 4, 2016. He was 54 years old. He had been a missionary in Cameroon and Congo (KIN).
FLORITA DALES DIVINO, sister of Fr. Luisito (Loi) Divino, passed away in Dumaguete City on March 27, 2016, at the age of 69.
ATTY. RESURRECCION SALVILLA, father of Fr. Rex Salvilla, passed
away in Iloilo City on April 5, 2016. He was 87 years old.
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By Leonardo Boff
January 1, 2010
We must start the year with hope, because we need urgently to deal with the
atmosphere of commotion and frustration that was the COP-15 of Copenhagen.
Certainly, global warming carries grave consequences. However, from a more
philosophical perspective, it would not necessarily destroy the human planetary
project, but would force it to achieve a higher state, in order to be truly planetary. It is
urgent that we move from the local to the global and from the national to the
planetary.
If we look back at the anthropogenetic process, we see that the present crisis,
like previous ones, will not lead us to extermination, but to a necessary integration of the
Earth and Humanity. It would be the geo-society. In that case, we then would be
looking at a rising sun, not a sunset.
In this objective fact inheres a subjective one: the rise of a planetary
consciousness, with a perception that we constitute one single species that occupies a
single common home, with which we form a community of destiny. This has never
before occurred: it is what is new in the present historic phase.
It is undeniable that there is already a process that has been going on for
thousands of millions of years: the ascent towards consciousness. Starting with the
geosphere (Earth) appeared the hydrosphere (water), followed by the lithosphere
(continents), later on, the biosphere (life), the anthroposphere (human beings) and for
the Christians, the Christosphere (Christ). We may be now at the brink of another
evolutionary leap: the irruption of the noosphere, that implies the encounter of all the
peoples in one single place, planet Earth, and with a common planetary
consciousness. Noosphere, as the word suggests (nous in Greek means mind,
intelligence), suggests the convergence of minds and hearts, giving birth to a higher
and more complex unity.
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What we lack, at the moment, is a Universal Declaration of the Common Good of
the Earth and Humanity that coordinates consciences and forces a convergence of
the different politics. Until now, we have limited ourselves to thinking of the common
good in terms of individual countries. We broadened the horizon when we proposed a
Human Rights Charter. That was the great cultural struggle of the XX Century. But now
arises the concern for Humanity as a whole, and for the Earth, understood not as
something inert, but as a living super-organism of which we humans are her conscious
expression. How can we guarantee the rights of the Earth together with the rights of
Humanity? The Earth Charter that came about at the start of the XXI Century attempts
to respond to this demand.
The global crisis demands of us a global government that coordinates global
solutions with global problems. Let us hope that totalitarian centers of power do not
appear, but rather, a network of multi-dimensional centers of observation, of analysis, of
thought and direction, whose objective is the general well being.
It is only the beginning of a new historical stage; the age of the Earth united with
Humanity (the conscious expression of the Earth). Or it is the epoch of Humanity (part of
the Earth) united with the Earth, forming a single entity, unitary and diverse, called Gaia,
or Great Mother.
We are now living in the iron age of the noosphere, full of contradictions, even
though we believe that all the forces of the universe conspire to affirm it. Our solar
system is marching towards it, who knows if the whole galaxy, and even this type of
universe, because according to string theory, there may be other, parallel universes. It is
fragile and vulnerable, but it is charged with new energies, capable of molding a new
future. Perhaps the noospehere is at this moment just a flickering flame, but it represents
what should be. And what should be has strength. It tends to materialize.
“Son, a politician is a human machine with a wagging
tongue.”
“Then, what is a statesman?”
“It’s an ex-politician who has mastered the art of
holding his tongue.”
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FFRROOMM HHEERREE AANNDD TTHHEERREE
BUKAL NG TIPAN FIRST QUARTER 2016
BEC and Local Church Unit
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
Four international engagements – Germany, Australia and the Pacific, Vienna and Berlin – greeted Bukal team at the very first quarter of this year 2016. The first week of January was blessed with an informal meeting of the team with two members of the Hildesheim Local Church Development team Fr. Dr. Christian Hennecke, the pastoral director of the diocese and Ms. Gabriele Viecens, also a member of the national coordinating team of Local Church Development in Germany about inspiring and challenging processes happening among the German dioceses. Likewise, they shared with us about two more books they are writing (one just came out recently) and published in Germany which includes also Bukal programs and the different ways Bukal has been part of the journey of the German dioceses the past years. Already, Bukal Ng Tipan has been mentioned in three of the books on local church development that Fr. Hennecke, a theologian, has written in recent years.
The second of January was a very joyful and learning week for Bukal Ng Tipan team members Estela Padilla and Aleli Gutierez as they facilitated a Cross-Cultural Leadership Conference for the members of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of Australia, together with their sisters from Kiribati, Japan and the Philippines. Estela and Aleli adapted and worked on a new cross-cultural leadership paradigm which can be used as a framework, as well as a planning tool. They are excited to share it with others!
From January19 – February 4, the members of the archdiocesan Pastoral Team of Vienna, in Austria, together with their Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop and pastoral director, 8 parish priests and 6 lay people, participated in Bukal Ng Tipan course on Orientation to a Participatory Church, which it regularly gives to German and German-speaking dioceses since 2008. The Vienna group is the 13th batch. The Vienna team is Bukal Ng Tipan’s first Austrian diocese and the two-week course was very touching for Bukal Ng Tipan and
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 11
its partner diocese – Archdiocese of Jaro – the site for the BEC exposure, especially as the pastoral director talked about the many miracles that happened to their team because of this visit. We hope the same for the Berlin batch of priests, February 24 till March 9.
International engagements are really very challenging for the team, extending their capacities and learnings, but also their joy in having a multi-cultural community of partners in moving towards a participatory church in the world. God be praise. DIOCESE OF BUTUAN
Bukal Ng Tipan facilitated the evaluation and planning of the DPACT (Diocesan Pastoral Assembly Coordinating Team) last February 8-9, in preparation for the celebration of their Jubilee year in 2016. Last February, focusing specifically on the GKK/BEC program, a review and evaluation of the plan was done, celebrating the ―catch‖ that were experienced the past months but at the same time looking also at the reasons why there were still many that have not been caught. Resolutions were planned. This planning is also intended not only for the Jubilee celebration but also for the celebration of the Communion of Communities next year.
ARCHDIOCESE OF
JARO
The past 2-3 years have seen the growth of the pilot BECs in the communities – environmentally aware, socially motivated and spiritually grounded. As the communities continue to grow and
multiply, the need for further training the BEC organizers as well as the AFT (Archdiocesan Formation Team) and PFTs (Parish Formation Teams) is also seen. Thus, three level-up training seminars are lined up for the first two quarters of this year: (W)holistic Formation II this February, Setting Up Ministries in BECs in May and BEC Organizing II come July. ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES
The Bukal ng Tipan Team met with a team from the Archdiocese of Caceres last February 15 for an exploratory meeting, discussing the possibility of the former journeying with the latter. They following the journeying program framework of Bukal where the first step is to LOOK TOGETHER, initial talks transpired. In line as well with this step, an immersion activity is scheduled this coming March 4-7 in the archdiocese.
BEC CONGRESS IN MALAYBALAY, BUKIDNON
One of the new journey partners of Bukal Ng Tipan is the Diocese of Malaybalay in Bukidnon. Last year, Bukal Ng Tipan has its customary immersion experience and as a result was invited to their 1st ever BEC congress, attended by more than 350 participants. They have
contacted Bukal ng Tipan to assist them in their BEC initiative.
Fr. Mark Lesage gave a talk on: ―BECs as circles of compassion and mercy‖. This was followed by a creative and participative evaluation of the BECs in the participating parishes
12 NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016
facilitated by Jojit Guevarra. A special emphasis was also given on the sustaining system of BECs in order to make them move forward as proposed by Bukal Ng Tipan. The next step in our journey with this diocese is that we were invited again to facilitate their clergy pastoral retooling slated in May
BACK IN THE
ARCHDIOCESE OF COTABATO
In 2008 Bukal ng Tipan was invited to facilitate their 6th Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly (APA 6) where they revisited and rearticulated their vision-mission statement and chose a pastoral priority. Their trainings were followed by Bukal Ng Tipan in the beginning but taken over by their Archdiocesan Formation Team (AFT) since 2013. That changed our role from trainers to consultants. Last year, they decided to revisit and evaluate their pastoral priority set 8 years ago and invited Bukal again to plan and facilitate. Last February 22-23 a meeting was held facilitated by Estela and Jojit. The group was headed by His Eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo. Their pastoral team came up with suggestions and propositions. For Bukal, it feels good to again renew our ties with the archdiocese that although is in the center of so much political and religious conflicts but holds so much promise of hope and peace.
BUKAL NG TIPAN YOUTH UNIT
WELLSPRING NEW YEAR’S GATHERING
The Youth Facilitators of CICM Maryhill Bukal ng Tipan gathered on the hill
for their annual recollection, facilitated by Miss Badette Felix from the Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO). The regular members of Wellspring were joined by youth ministers from partner groups such as the CICM Novices, Ministry for Youth Affairs–Diocese of Antipolo, St. John the Baptist Parish-Taytay, Chiro Youth
Movement. The following are some of the new programs and activities which are expected to be launched this year: ‖Kids and Teens Camp‖, ―Shopping with God‖, ―LEAP Camp for College Students‖, ―Short Film Festival‖ and ―Concert on the Hill‖.
FNYO 2016 PLANNING
The Federation of National Youth Organizations Coordinating Council (FNYOCC) headed by Ms. Whilssy Candelaria, asked the help of Nhap Velasquez of Bukal Ng Tipan to journey with them for a 3-year plan. He helped the participating members of FNYOCC to identify the achievements, on-going programs etc., Reflecting on their vision and mission the members felt the need to revisit it since the organization is already 25 years. Nhap was asked to be the consultant of FNYOCC.
LI MING HIGH SCHOOL
For the second time Bukal ng Tipan Youth Unit, gave a self-awareness session with the high school students of Li Ming High School, Taiwan. It was held last February 2 and 4, 2016. Eleven students plus 5 teachers participated in the session. The students though not all are Catholics were very open in all the dynamics of the activities..
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 13
COLLABORATION WITH YOUTH
ORGANIZATIONS
The Youth unit of Bukal ng Tipan, collaborate with different youth communities and institutions for the programs for 2016. The Bahay Lingkod Community Center and the Amadeo Youth Community both under the Sisters of the Social Services, the Students Catholic Action and the Chiro Youth Movement-Philippines. These meetings will lead new pathways of evangelization in reaching out many young people.
CBCP-ECY YOUTH MID-ASSESSMENT
PLANNING
Last February 23-24, 2016, Nhap Velasquez of Bukal Ng Tipan, facilitated the Youth Commission of the CBCP Secretariat Office for their mid-assessment planning of their 2014-2016 plans.
RETREATS AND RECOLLECTIONS
The Bukal Ng Tipan Youth Unity facilitated from January–February 2016 the following retreats for: St. Louis College Immaculate Conception Academy, St. Scholastica College
Manila, St. Mary of the Woods School, a total of 1265 students
SPLASHES FROM THE SHORE
BUKAL NG TIPAN, MARYSHORE
… is striking a partnership with the Diocesan Lay Formation Center (Diocese of Bacolod) in designing and facilitating its upcoming BEC skills training program for the BEC leaders of the parishes of the diocese. This program is in view of strengthening the basic BEC course that the BEC leaders have undergone for 6 months.
… is also partnering with the parish of Sta. Elena in Paticui, Hinigaran with , Fr. Regner Dequena as parish priest, an alumnus of the CICM Mission Seminary in Talisay. The team from Bukal is presently immersing in the different communities in the parish, hoping to make this parish a Bukal ng Tipan laboratory in the diocese.
… is facilitating the annual evaluation of the programs of the Diocesan Commission on Youth of the Diocese of Bacolod last February 16, 2016. The Bukal team at Maryshore also assisted in the
subsequent planning that happened.
POSTHUMOUS
Teacher: What are posthumous literary
works?
Student: These are works which an author
wrote after his death.
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ONE HEART THAT LOVES AND TWO HANDS THAT SPEAK By Sony Pierre, CICM
3rd Year Student of Theology at AIFC Source: LAC Province Newsletter – March 2016 – No 009
Have you ever found yourself in a situation wherein you
have the impression that you are outside of this world? If not, in my case, I once encountered one. For sure you might be wondering what kind of situation can create that kind of feeling. This dilemma, so to say, does not come from the fact that I am a foreigner living in a foreign country. It is not because I feel like being isolated in society and the likes. Instead, this experience sprouts way back during the SY 2014-2015, when I was in my second year of theology at CICM-AIFC. During that specific period I was assigned in Paco, Manila for my weekend apostolate, which I would prefer to call ―weekend immersion‖, with one of our CICM confreres who is involved in the apostolate for the deaf in the diocese of Manila. That confrere is none other than Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM, a Belgian confrere working in the Philippines for many years already. His involvements with the deaf community of Paco especially in San Fernando de Dilao Parish is specifically the advocacy for full integration and participation of our ear impaired brothers and sisters not only in the life of the Church but also in the society.
Before going further, I would like to make the point that my apostolate was not limited only with the deaf community but it was also expanded to ―Lourdes Handicapped Center‖ and ―Saint Luke Foundation, Inc., a foundation dedicated in helping the street families, led by Fr. Moortgat. Hereby my focus is only on the deaf community which was a striking and a very inspiring experience for me. It was during a Monday morning after breakfast, I found out in our bulletin board that I and David Tshiowa, a Congolese confrere who is now a second year student of theology, were assigned to the deaf and mute community of Paco. I was just like ―wow this would be amazing‖. Actually, I was wondering what I am going to do with them since I will not be able to communicate with them. This literally means that I was worried because I got no clue of how I would communicate with them. Though I was asking myself a lot of questions in order to know what would be my contribution during this apostolate I was at the same time so excited to have such an experience.
During the first weekend when we started the apostolate my companion and I was like dropping our jaws by a great feeling of amazement. We were welcomed by the deaf community with great joy and love. Though we could not understand anything but the shining expression of each one’s face, gave us a pleasant feeling. We were completely lost because what we saw was just fingers moving with a great range of body expression. Our way of expressing ourselves at the first time was merely by nodding and smiling so that we could at least establish an atmosphere of
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 15
communication. The most amazing thing during that first day was that when I asked a lady who is one of the interpreters working with the group what are they talking about and she told me that they were practicing for tomorrow’s mass. I could not get it at all because it sounded completely strange. I could not make the connection between the mass and the deaf. And a bit later the same
day I discovered that they were actually practicing the readings and the songs for the mass by using FSL (Filipino Sign Language). This is in fact the world that I am talking about, a world where sign language is the language of communication. That’s why actually I felt like I was in foreign world. Isn’t it interesting?
It might be difficult for one to grasp what I am dealing with in this article without experiencing it. Indeed, to understand the world of the deaf and mute we need to have a certain experience with them and all the biases as speaking and hearing beings will be wiped away. In order to integrate to the deaf community we were asked to learn basic FSL (Filipino Sign Language). And with great excitement we attended intensive basic FSL classes in a period of three months with some other students who were taking up Education for Special kids. Taking up sign language classes was fantastic and at the same time ―fun-tastic‖. Hence, we were able to more or less start communicating with the deaf by using our fingers in order to be understood. Being capable to communicate a bit with them brought great happiness to them because they have noticed how we were willing to be part of them.
This apostolate was extremely enriching for me because it was always a pleasure for me to enjoy the full participation at Sunday masses of the deaf community. Every Sunday at San Fernando de Dilao Parish of Paco, Manila Fr. Moortgat always celebrates mass with the deaf community. Some volunteers tirelessly always interpret the whole mass to allow the deaf to understand the entire mass. Some of the deaf who are educated with the help of the interpreters guiding them are also able to sign some parts of the mass and the songs for their fellow deaf so that they can understand what is happening at the mass. This experience helps me to see how eager the deaf people are in seeking to be integrated in the life of the Church. Though the apostolate for the deaf is not that lively in our Church, I realize however based on that experience, that there is a great need to include these people in the Church. If we often talk of an inclusive Church I think this is an area that we need to look into.
―A heart that loves and two hands that speak‖ is a sentence that I encountered during my weekend immersion with the deaf people. It is like their motto which tells us that they are people with good hearts. It is an appealing sentence that makes me reflect on how we relate with these people in this world. When talking about marginalized people perhaps we do not bear in mind that the deaf people are also isolated by our society. They are excluded because we often look down on
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them. Despite our limits in communicating with them we try by any means to avoid them which makes them feel ignored and humiliated. Whether in the side of the state or the Church not much is being done to utterly include them in the society and the Church. Many of them are so talented therefore they can in a way or another bring their talents in the construction of a better world.
If according to our Christian faith the greatest commandment is love, it means that everyone indistinctly deserves to enjoy that love. And as Christians our basic task is to preach a Gospel of love in order to disclose God’s love to everybody. Indeed love is the centrality of the Gospel message. Therefore, love should not only be a self-love or love of close ones. Rather, an inclusive love which takes into consideration everyone regardless of the physical look or condition. ―A heart that loves and two hands that speak‖ is a reminder from the deaf people that says with two hands they communicate with each other and with a big heart filled of love. In order words they want to tell us that though they are handicapped they still can love and need to be loved and appreciated. Here is an urgent appeal for us specifically for those of us who ignore the existence of the deaf and mute people.
To sum up, it is very crucial to develop awareness of these people who are at the margin of the society. We live in a world where technology is at its pedestal and consequently causes the world to be in a fast changing stage. We spend more time with our gadgets instead of seeking to give shape to our society according to the Gospel message. As hearing people, we often develop a kind of deafness that hinders us to hear the plea of the needy. Our deaf brothers and sisters are eager to be part of the society and the Church. They are starving for the Gospel so let us challenge ourselves by providing more care to the apostolate for the deaf in our parishes and local community. Thus, ―a heart that loves and two hands that speak‖ may be the Church’s advocacy.
SILENCE SHARPENS YOUR HEARING
It’s a wonderful gift to us, people, that we can communicate with one another. How great that we can talk, express our feelings, give thanks, speak words of love and forgiveness. But there are also times when we “talk our heads off,” when we don’t know how to stop, keep chatting and nagging and criticizing. Sometimes we say things we regret later. We may tend to talk so much tat we listen only to ourselves and keep other people from talking. We must also learn to keep silent at times.
Silence is an art. Silence does not mean to stop talking. It makes us listen consciously to others. In good conversations we talk but we also listen attentively. And often we say more by our silence. There are times of joys and sorrows when the best way to express our feelings is respectful, discreet silence, when words are inadequate. We learn to hear and listen better if we know when to keep silent.
- MOVEMENT WITHOUT A NAME
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1st UST Grad School org to focus on
research and innovation
THE FIRST student organization at the UST Graduate School was inaugurated in ceremonies last February 27 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, with officers vowing to promote a research and innovation.
The Thomasian Society of Development Professionals describes itself as an organization promoting national and international development through research and innovation. It was recognized by the Office for Student Affairs last January, three years after its establishment in 2013.
The new organization is led by Fr. Earl Alan Cura, CICM as president, with Graduate School Regent Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio Aureada, O.P. and Manuel Morga as advisers.
Morga, the program lead of the UST Graduate School Economics and Development Studies cluster, said membership to the TSDP is not limited to the development studies cluster, but also covers Graduate School students, members of the academe and Thomasian alumni.
Other officers are Alain Jomarie Santos, vice president; Pamela Acevedo-Go, secretary; Gil Orcena, treasurer; Raul Ablay, auditor; and John Christian Valeroso, public relations officer.
There are now more 200 student organizations in the University.
Roy Abrahmn D.R. Narra The Varsitarian, 10 March 2016
18 NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016
NEWS FROM ABROAD
My journey with the
altar servers in Haiti By Adrian Atonducan Louie, CICM-HA
LAC Newsletter March 2016 – No 009
When I arrived in Paroisse Notre Dame de la Nativite de Mombin Crochu for the second part of my internship program here in Haiti, the first task that Rev. Fr. Eyma Jacques Leclerc, CICM gave me was to be the coordinator of the altar servers (French: enfants-de-choeur; Haitian Creole: anfannkè) of the Parish. Their previous coordinator has just left to study in another place so they were like ―sheep without a shepherd‖ at that moment. While still struggling with the language, I accepted the responsibility as a new challenge, taking into account that the first inspiration of our founder, Fr. Theophile Verbist, to do his mission in China was to take care of the orphaned children. They may not be orphans but they still deserve the attention, training, and guidance that children of their age deserve. That is how my journey with the altar servers began.
SATURDAY APOSTOLATE
I have meeting with the altar servers every Saturday at around 3:00 pm. The first meeting was memorable. I started with 14 children: 12 girls, 2 boys. I was surprised by this figure, knowing that Haiti is supposed to be a male-dominated culture. The range in terms of age is also worth noting. Most of them are too old enough to be called children in the truest sense of the word. Hence, I have to consider working with both children and youth at the same time. But, nonetheless, we have to start from this small number so that the group will be organized.
It was not part of my dream to establish a new group in the parish since the parish already has seven existing groups. The altar servers were just supposed to meet on Saturdays to plan the schedule as to who will serve during the week and that is all they have to do. This has been the tradition since the parish was established some five decades ago. However, I took the idea of establishing them as a group so that there will be continuity and sustainability in
NEWS FROM ABROAD
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 19
terms of training new altar servers. I started to train the old members to give formation programs to the new members so that they will be ready to lead the group once my internship stage in this parish is finished. Although they had coordinators in the past, those coordinators do not leave them with statutes and other materials that will guide the new members of what to do. Moreover, the new group also hopes to build teamwork and solidarity between and among the children and youth in the parish. Some of the members of the group are members of the other groups as well. Hence, I do not discourage them from joining other groups in the parish as long as we do not have any conflicts in terms of our schedule of meetings and other activities in the parish.
The idea of establishing this new group was warmly welcomed by the faithful in the parish. They are also happy to see new faces serving at the altar, especially those proud parents who saw their children being installed as altar servers. Just like the other groups in the parish, we have our own anniversary. It falls on the second Sunday of February. We celebrated our second anniversary last February 14, 2016, with the installation of two new altar servers and the presentation of their first uniform. Donning their first uniform signifies that the group has indeed reached the status of being called a group. The anniversary was celebrated with a cultural presentation on February 13, 2016 and a Eucharistic Celebration on the day itself. A simple meal and program capped the anniversary that afternoon.
BEYOND THE SATURDAY APOSTOLATE
My commitment to be the coordinator of the altar servers goes beyond seeing them serve at the altar during Eucharistic Celebrations and other activities that require their utmost presence and participation. I aim for the holistic development of these children so that they will grow as catalysts of change in the Haitian society. Hence, there are times that we organize activities that cater to their physical, psycho-social, spiritual and academic needs.
When it comes to their physical development, I tried my best to at least give them something to eat after their meetings. There are times that they contribute to their food but at other times, I have to fish from my own pocket. Moreover, I see to it that they engage themselves in sports. But boys and girls are encouraged to play football. For the record, the team of the altar servers won three out of the five matches that they played, while having a draw on the other two. This sport has developed their teamwork and their capacity to strategize the game. They also receive seminars on health and sanitation so that they will have some knowledge on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle despite their economic situation.
Their psycho-social and spiritual growth is nurtured when I give them formation on team building and when we spent a day or two for recollections. I also encourage them to visit the other chapels in the Parish so that they will have a wider perspective of the reality of the Parish, especially those members who are living in the center. We hike together going to the chapels and celebrate the Mass with our Parish Priest, who is now Rev. Fr. Alexandre Kakolo Beya, CICM. After the mass, we have our meal together with the members of the community. We also visit the sick members of the community and pray over them. At other times, we visit the houses of the members of the group to get to know them and their family members as well.
In terms of their academic performance, I monitor their grades and behavior in school. I visit their respective schools and talk to their professors and directors regarding their performance during their exams and how they behave in class. I also ask them to submit to me
20 NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016
their cards after their exams. I called the attention of those who are not doing well in school and start a tutorial session after class. So far, the tutorial sessions have effectively helped the students understand their lessons well since they have group discussions. I am just there to facilitate in their sessions and assist them if needed, especially in subjects like English and Mathematics.
EPILOGUE
From a small group of 14, the group membership now reaches 40, almost attaining thrice the number of members since I started the group on the year 2014. As of this writing, there are still other applicants who are willing to join the group but they are still on the discernment stage. I asked them to attend the meetings and formation programs but they could not serve during the Eucharistic Celebration yet. After a thorough and positive evaluation at the end of their discernment process, they will be installed as a bona fide altar server.
As a new group, we also encounter problems like misunderstanding and division. But I always remind them that they are not here to serve themselves but it is Christ who called them to be of service to Him and to His Church. With that in mind, they are challenged to do better for the future of the Parish. I may not be here to witness how all of them would grow, but I am happy
that a part of my life was spent journeying with them.
NOVA ET VETERA ● MARCH 2016 21
Welcome to Theses Corner!
Dr. JoefreyM. Almazan, of SLU Religion Department, presented his thesis to the Graduate Research Committee of the Graduate School of University of Sto. Tomas, Manila in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, on November 6, 2015 and received a grade of Meritus. Below is the Abstract of his thesis entitled REKINDLING CICM-LAY
PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION IN THE
PHILIPPINES: A Theological Imperative.
The study was undertaken to provide a
foundation of partnership in mission between the CICM missionaries in the Philippines and their lay collaborators. The ―Year of the Laity‖ recognizes one of the ―mega-trends‖ of global Catholicism and that is, the ―rise of the laity.‖ This ―rise of the laity‖ paves the way for the emergence of well-educated, highly motivated and active laity. The laity as ―salt of the earth‖ and ―light of the world‖ is summoned to bring out the goodness of the world and the task of casting out whatever is evil in the world; the witness of Christian presence in the world and the witness of Christian action in the world. This important role of the laity in the Church’s mission is a great concern that the CICM missionaries considered as they mapped out the future of the congregation. Part of this re-structuration is an openness to formally include dedicated lay people as active mission partners in CICM parishes and entities.
Using the three R’s (reality, reflection, reaction) of theological analysis, the researcher is enabled to come into grasp with the actual situation that the CICM missionaries in the Philippines have been facing most especially in their doing of mission (reality). Furthermore, an evaluation was attempted in order to open the avenue for the alliance of the CICM missionaries and their lay collaborators (reflection). Finally, the
researcher is able to reconstruct the story of the CICM missionaries in the Philippines for the ―yestertomorrow‖ – as they plan for their missionary journey. Indeed, the challenge now lies on how they can rekindle their doing mission with the presence of the lay as mission partners (reaction).
The findings revealed that the CICM-Philippines at present is experiencing a winter on its ―economic and human resources.‖ This phenomenon of ―mission-crisis‖ challenges the Congregation to take directional alternatives to look beyond the number of personnel and financial resources. Indeed, the number of personnel and their financial resources are factors in defining the thrust of the CICM congregation. One of the strategies that the CICM congregation considered is the inclusion of the lay mission partners. This mission partnership as grounded on the People of God calls all baptized to a communal expression of their priestly, prophetic and royal ministry to utilize their gifts in building up the ecclesial community, to mutual respect and participate in dialogue.
Furthermore, the CICM will have to harness and depend on the vast potentials and commitment of their many dedicated lay partners in accomplishing the missionary task entrusted to
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the congregation. Hence, the CICM Congregation wishes that these lay mission collaborators must adopt the CICM missionary spirit that is, for the CICM lay mission collaborators to be ―CICM-animated, CICM-driven and CICM-inspired.
The study concluded that through mission partnership with the laity, the CICM missionaries
in the Philippines can still involve themselves with audacity and firmness into the new Areopagus of mission – cultural sector, social sector, economic sector, civic life sector, scientific research and technology sector, communication sector and religious sector.
The Inspiring Leader By Francis J. Kong (The Philippine Star, 1 June 2014)
Have you ever been in a situation wherein a person suddenly barges into a room, starts ordering people around and with little or no tact, presents himself or herself as the big boss in the place? I have and it‟s not the most pleasant thing in the world. When we encounter people like this, when we suddenly discover our bosses to be like this, we try to be polite at all times. Because we ask ourselves, what can we do? But, there are times when we feel like gathering the courage and simply asking; Who died and left you in charge? How did you become a leader? Were you promoted to your position because of tenure or seniority? Are you a top-notch promoted employee because of your achievements? Are you the only person who possesses the specialized critical business skills and no one comes close to what you can do? Are you the only one who has the experience of leading a team? Were you recruited and hired to come in and turn things around? When you become a leader, the deal becomes this; no matter how you got the title, your function becomes more important than your position and you need to deliver results. One of the key functions expected from you is to make a positive impact while you carry the title and the position. As a leader, your primary goal is to set standards of excellence that future leaders need to live up to. Leadership is not a tool for you to inflate your ego and satisfy your own whims that are not in harmony to your organization‟s goals. It is to inspire your people and allow them the freedom of creative process where they can voice out ideas that can help improve company performance. In my seminars, I am emphatic in saying that ideas are the currency of the future. Power transferred from position to ideas. In a growing economic environment, competitions are set not only in gaining market share, but also in acquiring
people who are genuinely talented. HR people know this very well; there is stiff competition in talent acquisition and talent retention. So what most leaders do is acquire leadership guidance for their people to bring out and nurture their highest potentials. And it‟s not true that most people are clock watchers and lazy. The truth is that many people do not perform to their highest potential, simply because they are not inspired enough by their leaders. I particularly love this quote from an anonymous source: “The real purpose of leadership is not command and control, but climate control, to place a climate of possibility.” Here is an example of that quote: Our consultancy company is called „INSPIRE‟. The company has a reputation of having the most impressive roster of the country‟s top trainers and communicators. When this company re-organized just a little bit more than two years ago, the challenges were daunting. We placed a GM who came from another industry. But she carried great leadership potential; one with a positive outlook and a surplus of hope and humility. I spent the first three months closely mentoring and guiding her through the business and empowering her to try out her own creative ideas and fortunately for all of us, the business exploded. She changed the climate of the organization and now her hard working team is in top fighting form. See what I mean? Inspiring leaders bring out the best in their people. As a leader, your job is to coach them until they reach a winning performance. You have to make winning together a great idea. This is a critical ingredient that many leaders fail to consider or that they simply ignore it. Be an inspiring leader and allow your people to surprise you with what they can do. For after all, you cannot do everything, can you? Now, I have a question for you, “how do you consistently exceed your goals, have no turnover, inspire your people to be their best, have buy-in from upper management on all your new ideas, and still have time to play with your cat?
NOVA ET VETERA ● JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 23
5 Cs in voting Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ (Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 2, 2016
Over the past decade, the Catholic bishops have made three calls to voters: to form circles of discernment, to engage in principled partisan politics, and to exercise their right and duty to vote for candidates who work for the common good.
Forming circles of discernment, in basic ecclesial communities or any other grouping, is one way to ensure that the individual can listen to other perspectives and arrive at a more balanced and collective decision regarding pressing issues and choice of candidates.
Engaging in principled partisan politics means that Christian voters should first clarify their own principles in the light of Gospel values. Then they can enter the process of discernment and form their choices of individuals as well as of political parties.
What then is the common good? The social teaching of the Church describes it as ―the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily‖ (Vatican II, GS 26). Indeed, this constitutes the first of five principles enunciated by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (No. 351) for the participation of Catholics in political life:
―a) that the basic standard for participation be the pursuit of the common good; ―b) that participation be characterized by a defense and promotion of justice; ―c) that participation be inspired and guided by the spirit of service; ―d) that it be imbued with a love of preference for the poor; and ―e) that empowering people be arrived at both as a process and as a goal of
political activity.‖
Candidates for public office need to be evaluated according to some objective criteria since their decisions and actions, if elected, can have far-reaching effects for or against the common good of the community. Indeed, Pope Francis himself has pointed out that ―politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good.‖
How then can we discern if a national or local candidate can and will work for the common good? Within their circle of discernment, voters can adopt an evaluation process based on five Cs that can give us a more balanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.
The first C is conscience. Is the candidate a person of moral integrity? Is he or she God-fearing and maka-Dios? Does he have a moral compass? Does she follow the dictates of her conscience that tell her what is morally right and morally wrong? Does he respect human rights and the dignity of every person, including crime suspects, indigenous people, and rebel groups? Is she transparent and accountable in public transactions? Are there charges of corruption against the candidate? Of vote-buying and other election crimes?
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Integrity comes from the root word meaning ―whole,‖ whereas corruption denotes cor-rumpere or a fragmented heart. Pope Francis has observed that ―corruption is a sinful hardening of the heart that replaces God with the illusions that money is a form of power.‖
The second C is competence. What is the candidate’s educational background? How is his health situation (physical, mental, etc.)? What is her record of service—both in the government or in private life? Does the candidate have enough years of experience for the office being sought?
In the same way that we ride a plane with the assurance that the pilot is adequately trained and experienced, so also we have to scrutinize the competence of those who offer to pilot the ship of state or our local community.
Competence or capability should not be based on popularity alone, or on name recall. We do not go to medical doctors simply because of their names or titles. We make sure that they have the needed credentials for their profession. How much more do we need to scrutinize candidates who purport to heal not only individuals but also the social ills of society?
The third C is compassion. Does the candidate show an option for the poor and marginalized? Is he makatao? Is she willing to work for social justice to address the social problems of mass poverty and inequality—e.g., by pushing for asset reforms? Does he protect the rights of minority communities—particularly indigenous people, Muslims, and other marginalized sectors? Does she work for the empowerment of the poor, instead of just giving doles? Finally, is the candidate seen as elitist or prorich and propowerful?
The fourth C is companionship. Who are the candidate’s supporters and advisers? Are they persons of integrity with a sound reputation? Does the candidate belong to a political party? What is its platform for governance? Are these simply promises or a concrete program of government?
Does the candidate belong to a political dynasty, or is he or she beholden to traditional politicians (trapo)? Research findings have pointed out a disturbing correlation between the presence of political dynasties and poverty incidence, violence and corruption. The Philippine Constitution has also indicated the need to control political dynasties.
The fifth C in evaluating candidates is commitment. Does the candidate manifest sincerity, decisiveness, and political will in his or her leadership style? Questions of loyalty to country in terms of citizenship and residency requirements have to be addressed. Where was the candidate during the martial law years and what was his or her stand then and now? Is she makabayan? What is his stand on key issues today, such as protection of the environment, peace-building, and antipoverty programs?
These are the five Cs—conscience, competence, compassion, companionship, and commitment—that can give us a more realistic profile of each candidate. The candidate can be rated for each C along a scale from ―very poor‖ to ―very good.‖ On their part, each candidate will likely highlight only his or her strong points in some of the five Cs. Yet, for voters, it is imperative to weigh all the five Cs in a candidate’s profile to arrive at a more balanced view of who to elect into office.
For the PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting), this is the meaning of One Good
Vote—by the individual and for ever-widening circles of discernment.
NOVA ET VETERA ● JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 25
WHEN WHAT WHERE
12-13 April PG Meeting Maryhurst Seminary,
Baguio City
3-4 May PG Meeting Provincial House
18-20 May Caravan: 100 Years of CICM
Presence in Isabela
Former CICM Missions
in Isabela
7-8 June PG Meeting Pastoral Center,
Bulanao, Tabuk
20-24 June CICM Retreat Maryhurst Seminary
5-6 July PG Meeting Provincial House
22-26 August Provincial Assembly
(definite date) Maryhurst Seminary
6-7 September PG Meeting Provincial House
4-5 October PG Meeting Afga, Agusan del Sur
18-21 October Possible meeting of representatives
of PCIF and PCJPIC of Asia and RP Taiwan
24-28 October CICM-Asia Regional Assembly Taiwan
15-16 November PG Meeting Provincial House
6-7 December PG Meeting Provincial House
TO ALL THE CONFRERES who will attend the
CARAVAN TO CELEBRATE
THE 100 YEARS OF CICM PRESENCE IN ISABELA on
May 18-20:
Please confirm your intention to attend on or before 15 April 2016. This is so that the organizing committee can prepare an accommodation for you.
Stories for the Missionary Disposition should be about CICM confreres, should be true, and should not require Parental Guidance.
Gaston Nollet used to come to Tuding for classes with the Novices and the Postulants. He was also in charge of hearing the confessions of the Sisters while awaiting the Permanent Chaplain George Hantson. Gaston must have been provoking lots of questions in the minds of the young postulants and novices because he was bombarded with questions one afternoon. Tired responding to these, he said, " Shut up, you talkative ones, I have come straight from San Fernando, La Union, I am not well prepared this time".
[Sr. Aurora Codiam, SIHM]
Chickens and pigs in the service of CICM formation…
That was the time of Brother Armand Lammineur (1913-2000) in Maryhurst. Brother Armand not only had a “green thumb” for plants, but wherever he was he also started a piggery and poultry and he developed these into plentiful sources of pork and eggs and chicken for the kitchen. The eggs were even too much for local consumption in the seminary, so much so that there was a saying that Brother Armand‟s eggs were much in demand in all the convents of Baguio.
[Gaby Dieryck]
Vincent Bunagan was driving to the capital city of Kinshasa, in the Congo. Nearing the capital he passed through a busy village that was having its market day and from behind a car was following him. The driver of the car was rather frantic in using his horn warning all people to clear his way. Then the car was right behind that of Vincent‟s and he became the object of the loud blowing of horn. From his rear view mirror Vincent saw the driver behind motioning him to move to the side and clear the way for him to pass. Sensing that it was a medical emergency, Vincent courteously stopped his car to let the car pass. Unluckily the car behind did not stop and rammed straight the rear of the missionary‟s car. Big loud bang and the spectacular crash! The two drivers alighted to assess the damage. The driver behind was hot tempered and still unapologetic blared, “I motioned you to move to the side, not to stop! My brakes are not working and you should have cleared my way!”
[Anthony Pizarro; narrated by Vincent Bunagan]
All confreres of any Province are invited to contribute some anecdotes about themselves or about deceased confreres. Give your stories to Rex Salvilla. You will be remembered in his masses. E-mail [email protected]
