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“For men, this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Homily delivered by Fr. Adrian Danker, SJ on the occasion of Sr Christine Lam’s Perpetual Vows and the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Cenacle Mission in Singapore “For men, this is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) These words make so much sense as we gather this morning. We hear in Jesus’s words the wondrous love of God labouring in our lives to make possible the impossible. And we do believe what we hear. Thanks be to God! God who makes possible the dreams of old men come alive and true. Makes possible the visions of young men taking on flesh and form in the world. Make possible the prophecies of our sons and daughters embodied in words we hear and deeds we experience. These are not words of Scripture to hear and know. Today, we witness the truth of these words in Sr Kris making her perpetual vows and the Cenacle mission celebrating 25 years in Singapore. Truly these express God’s good, faithful and generous labour bearing fruit. Individually and together, these two celebrations are the one story of God making possible the impossible. We gather to witness this. We give thanks and celebrate with you, dear Sisters. More than this, we are here to pray that God “who gas began this good work in you may bring it to fulfilment before the day of Christ Jesus.” A perpetual profession Sr Kris makes. This 25th anniversary the Sisters of the Cenacle celebrate. These are not just outcomes of formation and mission. Rather, they are milestones in God’s long walk with each of these good, generous, and holy women. God has set them apart for us and the Church. Their work is not done yet. It continues for the promise of God’s glory is still unfolding through their loving words, their generous hands, and their big-hearted lives offered for everyone. Today God makes possible Sr Kris’s perpetual vows. God has prepared her for this over many years of formation. It began when she encountered God in a Cenacle retreat in Chiangmai many years ago. This is how, you, Sr Kris, described this encounter in your vocation story: “God met me in my brokenness, healed me and drew me into the life and community of the Cenacle.” You added: “My vocation is a response to the healing love and gentle touch of God, and because of personally meeting Jesus, I desire to give myself fully to his mission: to go and tell everyone this is Good News.” Sr Kris, we marvel how God has taken the hope-filled desire of a young woman and today brings it to fruition as you make your perpetual vows. How good God is to you! But Sr Kris can only do this because of the greater good God has made possible – the establishment and unfolding of the Cenacle mission in Singapore. Her story is woven into the richer, larger and more colourful tapestry of the Cenacle presence here. It began humbly 25 years ago when two Cenacle Sisters joined 2 Jesuits to begin spiritual direction training at the Singapore Pastoral Institute. On 2 July 1997, the then Regional Superior of the Cenacle Sisters established the first Cenacle community in Singapore. Today that superior, Sr Linda, with Sr Mel serve us so selflessly and so well. Many Sisters came and went, everyone of them serving so generously to build the Mission. Over the years, God has even made possible 3 Singaporean vocations – Sr Fran, Sr Xiaowei and Sr Kris. The works of the Cenacle today are varied and rich, all of them focussed on the care and salvation of the souls in the Ignatian tradition. How could God have made all this possible? Peter’s example in today’s Gospel passage helps us understand. He, with the other disciples, have given up everything to follow Jesus. “What will there be for us?” He asks Jesus. No one follows Jesus without first encountering him, then surrendering all to follow, and as they follow, to find themselves challenged repeatedly to ask – in the most human, humbled and graced manner – “What will there be?” This is the necessary question facing every disciple. It demands more listening, more surrendering, more trust, even more faith, especially, when the possible no longer seems possible. Such must have been your journey, Sr Kris as you yearned to make these perpetual vows. Such must also have been the trials and tensions of the Cenacle Sisters as they began and grew in Singapore. Sheltered at their first home with the Good Shepherd Sisters at Marymount. Then, sharing space with the Daughters of St Paul at Jurong West. Now at their new home at Jalan Angin Laut in the East. What helped? Not what but who – God. Paul writing to the Philippians reminds us of this. In choosing Christ, Paul proclaimed the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus as Lord; everything else pales in comparison. And they should because to know Christ Jesus is to know that has made us his own, This truth helps Paul to press on because God alone was perfecting him for mission. You and I are called to let Jesus do the same for us. Do we? Will we? Sr Kris and the Cenacle Sisters heard and still hear this same invitation from Jesus. It moved them to say “yes, Lord!” I believe they did then and do now to know Jesus more intimately, love him more intensely and follow him more closely. Their “yes” makes possible today’s celebrations. This is why Sr Kris writes, “This passage describes my formation and growth journey. Difficult as it may have been, like all religious communities and life, there were abundant graces…At the start of my juniorate, I begged the Lord to show me that his grace is ever present.” The grace Sr Kris asked for is the same grace her Sisters echo, I believe. Not for themselves but for everyone they serve. After all, isn’t

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Christmas Community Pantry @ Inayawan

The dedicated team of volunteers, through the accompaniment of Sr. Perry (Cenacle Sister in Cebu), has grown to inspire the community and now included the youth in action. Since May 9, 2021, the team has identified and opened a pantry in Inayawan Dumpsite, Cebu to serve those who are in need for daily sustenance. In 2021 and 2022, our Christmas project was successful because of many generous donors. We pray that you will again be one with us in making our poorer brothers & sisters feel the joy of Christmas in these difficult times. Thank you! Donations may be sent via Gcash 0915 7817214 under Sr Perry Inso’s name with a message “Christmas @ Inayawan” OR interbank transfer to Bank: BPI Account Number: 9200 0030 44 Branch: Cebu P. del Rosario Account Name: Maria Perry Casinillo Inso OR Elizabeth Lim Go FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit this link: https://www.cenaclephilsing.org/little-hands-in-cebu/ Who is St. Thérèse Couderc? She is the foundress of the Religious of the Cenacle – an international religious congregation, born in Lalouvesc , France in 1826 – whose mission is to make Jesus known and loved through retreats, spiritual direction, and other spiritual ministries. While the world quarantines itself with safe distancing and stay home measures this past year,  Sr. Perry chose to live the spirituality of Mother Thérèse’s “Goodness” & “Surrender” as she  continues to accompany our lay partners and youth in prayer and discernment. St. Therese Couderc saw God’s Goodness permeating all things and the whole world itself, and she was moved to respond with “Se Livrer,” that is, “to surrender oneself” to this Divine Goodness. It is a vision of the world that is full of hope in spite of the presence of suffering. Moved to action, the team started with a FREE KITCHEN project since April 2020 and has been feeding 100persons in Inayawan  [elderly and PWDs] and 68 children. Today, with the joyful addition of the youth in the team, they have organised a station to serve  6 areas of  Inayawan community.   Other ways of helping 1. Donate in-kind [food supplies] and send to 3886 First St., Forest Hills Subd., Banawa, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines. 2 . Live out Goodness in a creative way by celebrating life with the beneficiaries [anniversaries, birthdays, thanksgiving etc] For more inquiries and clarification on how you may support/assist, please email us at cenacle.philippines@gmail.com / Viber and Whatsapp 0917 570 3349 or FB messenger.  

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Your Light Must Shine

Today we have a beautiful set of readings beginning from the Book of Kings, describing how the brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, and how he was instructed by God to move to a certain place where a widow will provide for him. Listen to the dialogue of the widow and Elijah; read between the lines: “Please bring me a cup of water” Elijah asked. That was easy to do and doable, so the widow went. Then Elijah asked for more “please bring me some bread”.  From this untimely request, what can we sense within the heart of the widow?  Stay with her in her suffering and struggle as she contemplated her plight, as when she had to explain that “when we (she and son) have eaten, we shall die” – this meal was to be their last: she was hanging on to her last thread of hope, awaiting and even preparing for the full blow of the crisis ahead. “Do not be afraid” says Elijah,  giving us a clue to what was going on inside of her at this time. Then, “Go…” Contemplating this widow’s situation, are we reminded of times when we, too, were hanging on to our last thread of hope and life? Literally it could be food that would be our last meal; or maybe an overseas student’s allowance running out; or a struggle with a relationship, a coping with sickness, or hurting from a broken heart or a failed endeavour; or being reminded of a disappointing past, etc.  Contemplating the widow’s plight, we see how she struggles now to share her last meal with a stranger. Observe how she does what Elijah proposed; spend some time with her in the kitchen: what was happening in her heart? Did she really believe in this stranger? Would you? You might wish to have a conversation with her. In this story, let us once again hear the affirming words of God through this text “Do not be afraid”.  Like the widow in whose heart the presence of a stranger ignited trust, can we trust that the unexpected can bring hope and life?  And because she trusted, she gave generously, and her generosity saved them all! Relating this to the call of the Gospel today: “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father,” consider what risks you struggle with, as you respond to these reflection questions:  What is your greatest fear these days? How have you responded to stranger(s) visiting you? What miracles have you seen so far? Trust, which allows us to respond to the call to be light that shines, is always rooted in a lived experience. It comes from having a storehouse of memories where this trust is learned.  #goodness #gratitude #miracles #share

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Episode 1: Listening to OUR TRUTH

Sr. Cecille Tuble, RC in this episode shares with us the true meaning of Humility. Following the Saints, especially St. Thérèse Couderc, the Foundress of the Religious of the Cenacle, we learn to live in our complex and competitive world imitating the love and service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Episode 2: Listening to the SIGNS OF OUR TIMES Cenacle Sisters (Srs. Linda, Yna and Mel) share in this episode about learning from St. Thérèse Couderc, our Co-Foundress, a way of seeing and responding during this time of crisis. Episode 3: Listening and WAITING In our last episode of “Listening”, Sr. Malen Java shares with us how listening and waiting are essential components for Discernment. May we not forget what has been revealed to us in these days of quarantine and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to respond in a new and transformative way of life and proceeding.

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Creating a space for the other: an Easter gift of covid-19

“Give us the grace in this trying times to work for the good of all and to help others  in need.” (from “Oratio Imperata”) This line has moved the hearts of many individuals, groups, organizations, congregations do what they can to help the neediest of our brothers and sisters. The Cebu Cenacle’s small contribution to this is coordinating ‘free kitchens.’ This idea came from a directee, Mary T.A. who asked if there’s a place to set up a free kitchen. Two places readily came to mind, the Inayawan dumpsite and Kalubihan, Banawa where our helper, Alice, lives.   The Cenacle receives the donations of rice, veggies, eggs, cooking oil, canned goods, spices, and other ingredients which are then passed on to the volunteers in the two areas. The volunteers take pictures and post these on Facebook so the donors see that the cooked food are given to the target individuals, the senior citizens and children. Reflection of Sr. Perry Inso, from Cenacle Cebu community: Holding a ‘free kitchen’ is not an easy task especially in a place like the Inayawan dumpsite. The volunteers had to set up a makeshift dirty kitchen since there was no available kitchen. They use big stones as the stove for cooking and made three of these ‘stoves’. They gather firewood which is fortunately available in a nearby lot. They have to set up some tables to prepare the ingredients for cooking. The reusable containers are then laid out for efficient apportioning of the cooked food.  Once I helped the volunteers. I experienced all the challenges they went through the past 14 days. One challenge is the smoke from the firewood which makes one’s eyes teary. Enduring the smoke, the heat and the sweat were not much of a problem.  What I found difficult and heartbreaking was the experience of bringing the cooked food to the houses of the senior citizens and being confronted with the stark poverty of their homes. I’ve been to this area a number of times, but not to the houses of the senior citizens. Inayawan is a dumpsite — so mounds of garbage were everywhere. Garbage littered the footpaths and covered the muddy places where pigs were raised and the residents did their laundry. I had to mind my steps so as not to accidentally step on something unwanted even as the volunteer ahead of me would warn me from time to time to watch my step. The stench of the place was something to contend with, something that has become a normal for the residents. Fortunata, one of the original scavengers in the place, owned the first house we went to. She lives alone even if her children live nearby. Her one-room house is used for everything — kitchen, dining room, and sleeping area. Scattered around were piles of soiled clothes on the floor and stacks of unwashed plates. The walls of the one-room house were made of flimsy material. One wall was a used shower curtain and the other side was a used tarpaulin. The roof was made of galvanized iron with a lot of empty sacks on top of it which were supposed to cover the leaking roof when it rains. When we gave Fortunata the cooked food, a big smile covered her face. She told us that she’s been waiting for us and repeatedly said “thank you” and “God bless you” in Cebuano. Then she asked for water but we did not have any bottled water this day. Helen, the social worker, we work with closely, immediately gave her 100 pesos. Fortunata became teary eyed and was truly grateful. Though it was a difficult to witness, she was still smiling. Fortunata was just one of the numerous senior citizens in the area whose living situation was miserable.  After the food distribution, my blouse was very wet with sweat and my feet heavy from walking. But my heart felt heavier. Seeing the reality of our poorer brothers and sisters living in that kind of environment breaks my heart. Yet, they were very grateful. Another source of consolation was the fact that the other needy neighbors did not question why they were not given food packs. Instead from their windows they greeted us and smiled at us as we passed. They understood that our priorities were the senior citizens and babies/children. Despite the heaviness of heart brought about by helplessness, I am still very grateful for the gift of the encounter with them. I may not be able to build houses for each of them, but they have found a home in my heart. I am forever grateful for their humility and simplicity. My heart too is full of gratitude for the generosity of the donors and most especially for the volunteers. I am confident that God blesses all!! 

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Feast of St. Joseph, in time of pandemic

Today, we enjoin ourselves to the One Church in the celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph. A beautiful reading in this morning’s prayer from 2nd book of Samuel says: Lord God, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do then, bless the to house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord God has promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever. Some of us are going through a very difficult time right now, some have lost their jobs, investments, loved ones or relationships. Others are battling with cancer, suffering from mental distress and anxiety, or awaiting operations, in need of healing in both mind and body. We want to hold onto Scripture and trust that God will bless the house of his servants.  But how does Trust look like in this waiting time of distress?Perhaps as we contemplate the life of St. Joseph and the Holy Family especially in times of crisis, we can try to follow their example, beginning with simple steps: Breathing – listen to our breathing and recognise that God is still faithfully sustaining. Humming may help. Napping – just like child Jesus, closing our eyes can speak so much about our faith. Beg for this special grace. Call someone!  Say hi, listen and let our hearts reconnect.  “Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only in the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Little Prince Sing! – as a sign of gratitude. According to St Augustine: “To sing is to pray twice.” Stretch – let those muscles come alive for when they stretch, they release hormones (endorphins). Yup! that includes smiling! And so, as we beg for the intercession of St. Joseph to help us, our worldwide medical team and efforts, our communities, let us live as God’s people full of hope. Let us reach out to others creatively with care. The Cenacle Sisters continue to pray for you – but if you have ONE intercession that matters most to you, you may drop us a very short comment / PM us. Our prayers journey with you. We look forward to the day that our houses may receive you again.

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Harmatia and Redeeming Grace

A Reflection on the Readings of the First Sunday of Lent 2020 by Sr. Cecille Tuble, rc. Genesis 2: 7-9; 3:1-7 Romans 5: 12-19 Matt 4: 1-11 Lent opens with our readings which tell the profound and astounding story of God’s saving love for us. Genesis looks at the mystery of sin straight in the eye and boldly pronounces: all creation is good because it comes from a Good God. God is good, and yet humans, although made in the image and likeness of God and therefore fundamentally good, have nonetheless freely opted for evil. The passage from innocence to sinfulness was freely chosen, and the lot of Adam and Eve, our archetypal representatives, is the condition of all of us. Here is the harsh reality of evil and sin and death, and we human beings—no matter how hard we try— are bound to falter and sin and fall short of responding fully to God’s life-giving love. The story of Adam and Eve is the story of human rebellion, a pretentious striving “to be like God.” Found out, they did not acknowledge their fault but instead pointed fingers at others: Adam blaming Eve, Eve blaming the serpent. This sinfulness courses through our veins and makes our best efforts finite and paltry. The ancient Greeks had a similar term for this: Hamartia, the tragic flaw. As Stephen Duffy describes it: “The flow of fallen history courses through us, not around us, and leaves the ‘death dance in our blood.’”  Who can save us then? St. Paul in his letter to the Romans asserts that our redemption originates in and through Christ, the new Adam. Paul understood that we all experience the war between spirit and flesh, because sin contaminates us all, down through human history. And so it is that God’s grace overflows and redeems us, through Christ. How then, can we look at Christ’s redeeming grace? In our Gospel, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. At first glance, this seems odd: the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into a deserted place where he will encounter the devil? However, it is important to remember the event that came before this episode: the Baptism of Jesus. In his baptism, Jesus hears the Father say: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matt 3:17). Jesus, led by the Spirit, must now pray and fast and discern exactly what being the Beloved Son means. So he goes off into the desert, to make, one might say, a discernment retreat. And the stage is set for the tempter. Twice he taunts Jesus: “If you are the Son of God…” The temptation is closely linked with Jesus’ identity. So it is with us. If we look closely at our temptations, we will notice how they touch and echo our heart’s desires, our self-concepts, our little and great schemes to boost who we think we are and who we want to be. Whatever the myriad ways we go about it, at the heart of it all we just want to be loved. In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, we are invited to meditate on the ways of the Evil One and the ways of Jesus. The evil one tempts through riches, honor and pride; Jesus invites us to a way marked by poverty, dishonor and humility. We see the echoes of this in the temptation story: Jesus spurns personal fulfillment and satisfaction even of his most basic needs (bread), personal glory and honor and power in the world (kingdoms), and even the absolute certainty about the Father’s love and care for him (throw yourself down to prove that your Father will save you). In the Spiritual Exercises, Jesus instead chooses poverty, dishonor and humility, which express his absolute trust and unshakeable love for the One he calls “Abba.” What about us? Lent is an invitation to look at the sinfulness and selfishness present in our life, straight in the eye. Can we honestly say, yes, that’s my temptation and this is my sin, and not point fingers like Adam and Eve? Can we face our temptations squarely and discern, putting our complete trust that Jesus will show us the way? Can we take consolation in the truth that Jesus, like us, was “tempted in every way but did not sin” (Hebrews 4: 15)? Can we believe in our hearts that we, like Jesus, are God’s beloved children, and that God yearns for us and wants us to come home? Jan Richardson has a beautiful blessing to begin Lent: Beloved is Where We Begin If you would enterinto the wilderness,do not beginwithout a blessing. Do not leavewithout hearingwho you are:Beloved,named by the Onewho has traveled this pathbefore you. Do not gowithout letting it echoin your ears,and if you findit is hardto let it into your heart,do not despair.That is whatthis journey is for. I cannot promisethis blessing will free youfrom danger,from fear,from hungeror thirst,from the scorchingof sunor the fallof the night. But I can tell youthat on this paththere will be help. I can tell youthat on this waythere will be rest. I can tell youthat you will knowthe strange gracesthat come to our aidonly on a roadsuch as this,that fly to meet usbearing comfortand strength,that come alongside usfor no other causethan to lean themselvestoward our earand with theircurious insistencewhisper our name: Beloved.Beloved.Beloved. From ‘Circle of Grace‘ by Jan Richardson

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Fruits of Year 2019 in Cebu

Surrenderees’ Completion Ceremony The Tindog Recovery Support Group for drug surrenderees culminated with a completion ceremony held on December 17, 2019 at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu. The program started in 2017 in response to the request of the barangay chairman for some kind of intervention  to deal with the “tokhang” initiative. This was a government mandate for drug users to surrender to authorities or get arrested. Since there were no readily available rehab facilities, the Cenacle and an experienced drug rehab volunteer designed a recovery support module intended to illustrate the nature, causes and consequences of drug use versus a healthy lifestyle without drugs. Experiential activities and personal testimonies of participants’ struggles with addiction, punctuate concepts and theories to provide a deeper awareness and understanding of the dynamics and challenges of recovery. Seventeen surrenderees accepted their certificate of completion accompanied by their family members. The ceremony was highlighted by the inspirational message of Dr. Russel Makiling, clinical psychologist, who emphasized that recovery is a precious gift from God and should be treasured with a lot of gratitude. The group also decided to elect a set of officers as they move to continue to a deeper level of formation in collaboration with Fr. Dan Mata, parish priest. After their completion the group will move into the re-entry phase in recovery where they are expected to reintegrate as productive members of the community and positive role models of a drug-free lifestyle. Straight from the Heart (Translated and edited by Joe L.THE HEART) The following are excerpts of the personal experiences of participants of the Tindog Recovery Support Group in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu. I started smoking marijuana in 1989 but did not realize it opened the door for me to get hooked deeper into drug use. I learned in the group that drug use is progressive and addicting. True enough, I lost interest in working and eventually lost my good job in a 5 star hotel due to my preoccupation with drugs. My temper became very explosive and I was in and out of jail so many times. My wife never gave up on me and kept praying for me to change. Thank God, I’m clean now and I have learned so much from my bad experience with drug use. – Randy Y. My drug history started with an innocent but immature curiosity to “just try it”. With no knowledge about triggers and the mood-altering effects of drugs , I got pulled into the  madness of addiction. It got worse when I associated with a local drug lord.I forgot about my family and got stuck in getting high daily. Addiction does not discriminate.(ang pagka adik way gipili.) I had drug- using peers who were OFW’s, educators and even from the church. Drug use is indeed a useless and aimless journey. – Ronald I. Having friends who use drugs was the main reason I started using. Their influence was very strong and persuasive that even my parents’ advice had no effect. Now that I’m clean I’ve learned to stay away from drug-using friends to avoid negative peer-pressure. – Alvic B. At the age of 13, I got initiated into drug use mainly because of lack of parental guidance. Drug use was a convenient excuse for me to fit into the group in my desire to belong. It was also a distraction for me not to finish high school. When I got married, I quit using for a while but got pulled back into it because of the influence of my friends who also use. As a former addict, I can associate lying, manipulation and bad temper as common traits of drug users. – Noel J. I thank God that despite my involvement in illegal activities in the past, I’m still alive. I’ve hurt many people and probably destroyed many lives not only because of my drug use but also my drug-dealing activities. I look back with a lot of remorse and regrets at the many bad decisions I’ve made that caused so much problems and suffering to my family.Drug use is the worst experience in my life. – Jerome Y. I was a drug user for 19 years. I started using at age 16 and was good at lying and manipulation, especially with my parents.’Barkada’ was the primary motivator of my drug use. It is so hard to resist the peer pressure of a drug-using group that you associate with. It was not until a motor accident resulting from  my drug use that I finally quit. My long stay in the hospital was a positive awakening and led me to clean up my life with my family’s support. – Elmer P. In Gratitude The Cenacle is grateful and deeply appreciates the generosity of its donors and volunteers for sharing their time and resources to keep the mission of the Cenacle vibrant  and alive. We have received this year: 2 sacks of  rice for distribution to indigent families during Christmas Jollibee and ice cream treat for 150 children in Tindog, Medellin, Cebu Equipment, food, and prizes for the Surrenderees Support Group volleyball tournament in November and athletic t-shirts Catered lunch for the Completion Ceremony catered lunch for the surrenderees and their family Donated cash for 2 ministries – the newly formed Youth Empowerment, Leadership group and the continuing formation of the Tindog Surrenderees Support Group in collaboration with Fr. Dan Mata, Parish priest, Tindog, Medellin, Cebu. To all who continue to support us in one way or another, THANK YOU and GOD BLESS! If you would like to participate in our mission for year 2020, and/or make a donation, please use this online form or email us at cenacle.philippines@gmail.com and the Sisters will connect with you directly. Ministry Updates On-going: Bible Groups — meets 4 times a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri) discovering one’s everyday reality in the context of the Word. Parenting and Family Development – alternating monthly sessions for fathers and mothers from Inayawan Dumpsite, Pardo, focusing on the roles of parents in creating the foundation of a healthy and God-centered family

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The Star of Christmas

Homily at Mass on Christmas Eve 2019 by Fr. James Gascon, sj One Wintry Christmas evening in December, in a faraway land in Minnesota, a father and his 5 year-old son decided to take a walk to the park after the family Christmas dinner. As they pass through the snow filled streets of the village, the father noticed his son staring at each house they would pass by, as if absorbed by what he saw in these houses. Finally, in a soft perplexed voice, the son asked his father. “Why are there purple stars hanged outside the doors of the houses in our neighbors?” With very caring voice, the father answered, “Each purple star represents every son who used to live in those homes, went to war, and died defending our country’s freedom.” And the father continues, “That is why, some have one, two, or three. Each star represents a son given away. That is our way of honoring them, and thanking them for giving their lives for our country.” And there was silence between them. As they continued walking until they reached the neighborhood park and had a perfect view of the clear sky, the got more excited.  He looked up and with great awe and excitement pointed to the brightest star in the sky. “How about that star, dad?” Without hesitation the father replied, “That’s the star at the Father’s house. The star of Jesus. Our heavenly father gave us his only begotten son, that we might know how much he loves us and win our war against sin in the world.” And without hesitation the boy replied, “When I grow up, I too will give myself for our country, so that you can hang a purple star on our door, dad.” And the father could not utter a word. I think this is what Christmas is all about. For four Sundays we prepared for this day; for nine simbang gabi we listened to stories; stories that lead to The story, to the manger where Jesus gave of himself as a gift. We must remember that what was given is not a thing, not a material gift but a person, a baby. Helpless, but will grow into a man to save his people. And similar to the gifts we give each other, it is precious. Jesus is he who was sent, offered, and given up. But what kind of a gift does Jesus represent? Jesus is a gift for all. When the son of man became man, he was given to all. Not because everyone deserves him, but because all of us needs him. He was given 2000 years ago, he is given yesterday, today, and continues to be given every day, even beyond our generation. In our present consumerist culture, we always long for what we want, for what we like, which many times are not also what we really need. We truly need Jesus, thus, the father gifted us with Jesus. Thus, we need to know him, love him, and follow him, as the second week of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius summons us to do. Jesus is a gift that is priceless. What was offered in Jesus is not only his person, but more than his person, he offered a relationship. Through him we become sons and daughters of God. In him, we can call God “Abba,” our father. Because we have been connected and related with the Father, through Jesus, we can pray and ask for our needs. Priceless gifts and graces are showered upon us, and we cannot but respond in gratitude. Jesus is a gift of challenge. The gift should not stay with us alone. We need to re-gift Jesus. Perhaps in a new wrapper. “Parang recycled gift… uso na yan ngayon.” The more we recycle the gift, the better. And come to think of it, it is the best gift, because it is never consumed. Rather it consumes, and brings out the best in us as well as in others. So, Jesus is a gift for all, a priceless gift and a gift that challenges. So where does this bring us? To the real disposition of being a Christian. As a gift for all, we are called to interreligious and ecumenical dialogue. Jesus is not only for Christians. Incidentally, this year is year of interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, a recognition that Jesus is for all. We don’t own Jesus, He is for everyone. And if we really have received Jesus the priceless, we must give gifts that are priceless: forgiveness, love, time, listening, visiting the sick, caring for those who need us. These are the priceless gifts we can share having experienced the priceless gift who is Jesus. And finally, this is our challenge. Can we live the life we are called to live as Jesus lived? Our life is an eternal challenge. We should never give up. It is not easy, but through God’s grace, we can. We can accept the challenge. And perhaps, this is the reason why Filipino houses hang not purple stars but colorful parols on their windows and doors. Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak, ganyan ang indak ng mga bombilya ng parol. Because we can offer of ourselves in many unique ways, through many means, not only with our lives, not only with what we have, for our love ones, for our neighbors, for our country, for the world. This is the reason why we have many kinds of parols, with many shapes and colors. If you hang a parol this Christmas in your home, now you know what it really, really means: Are you a gift for all that is priceless and a constant challenge? Otherwise, your parol will remain a decoration, a piece of paper or kapis that hangs there for nothing. And how would you explain it to a 5-year old boy? Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat.

Soul Food, Updates and Activities

A Call To Share

“A little kindness goes a long way.” When you’re on the receiving end of kindness you would know how true this statement is. But this is also what a Singaporean volunteer in Cambodia realised—she gave and she received more. It was a privilege to journey with the 38 volunteers from ACTS Singapore, for one week, in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. They were diverse in age and experience, some of them were doctors and medical students, a few in Secondary school, but basically generous and willing people. ACTS offered free check-up, basic medical care and medicines, health education to public school kids, and manual labor in the parish (they put up a children’s playground and posts for the new church!) At sundown, the end of each work-day, they would gather for prayer, reflection and sharing. Even when they were exhausted and longed for a shower! It was a tough challenge for me, not all of them were Catholics, not even believers, and on top of that, we had to grapple with the question: “Why does God allow suffering?” I capitalised on the common desire that brought them together— A call to share (A.C.T.S.) And most importantly, I trusted that in spite of, and even sometimes through, my limitations the Holy Spirit would work.  A turning point in the sharing, I think, was when someone shared that “there’s no KPI (key performance index) in volunteer work.” It was what led the group to reflect on their motivations for doing what they do. It’s true, that in a performance-driven society, kindness can simply be utilitarian. What can turn kindness into compassion is our faith. Jesus’ teachings, in words and example, and his Spirit in each one of us, enable us to listen and to suffer with the other, to give wholeheartedly and not because we will be evaluated, to heal even when we ourselves are hurting. I almost forgot to mention, the group also did the dishes, pots and pans included, after our every meal. On our last session, when I asked the group who was the God they encountered in Kampong Thom, they said God is a God who is “awesome,” “in control,” “unconditional love,” and “can be found even in the most unlikely places.” One even said that he saw God in the person of a volunteer who was a self-professed non-believer. One volunteer, named Ignatius, shared “God is in everything.” Talk about living up to his name!  I say Amen to all of the above. During the day, since our session was not until 5:00 PM, some days I went with the group to the areas to join the Education team, and some days I helped out in the kitchen. The children in the school were lavish in their hugs and attention. When we were playing “London Bridge” they would deliberately slow down so they’d end up being caught in our arms. While we were at rest from play, they snuggled up to us and chatted in Khmer, as if we were locals. The same with the cook in the parish, whom I was very fond of. She laughed at my slowness in cutting vegetables and my inability to start the fire on the wood stove, but all with affection, so I knew she wasn’t cursing me. She would show me some food to taste, explain something in Khmer, and if I hesitated she shoved it into my mouth. So full of tough love, ain’t she? I witnessed God in the church staff, too, who aside from overseeing the activities in all five parishes, had to do translation work for the Medical team.  I am utterly grateful to God for the opportunities he has given me through this ministry of spiritual accompaniment. God has brought me to places I never thought I’d reach, and led me to know many faces of selfless service and compassion, the many faces of Jesus. This is perhaps what Jesus said about a “hundredfold” of “brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land” in Matthew 19. But what I am grateful most is being able to witness to the encounter between God and human, that beautiful moment when the love God communicates is perceived and received by God’s beloved. Priceless. Truly, when we share, even of whatever little that we have, it is we who receive more. ~ Sr. Yna Oñate, rc More photos of the ACTS mission: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNOVVpj1zu4-EbHFXLn-BtToVBtmhlaxdNZP2MZQN6Kkt-71oWKwvtnNOQqJWCdKQ?key=SzZvemlfcjdaOFZYekliajJrd2tTWFZscTVpQl9n

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