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Category: Reflection

  • MY MISSION-JOURNEY WITH THE TEAM

    MY MISSION-JOURNEY WITH THE TEAM

    Reflection by Darwin H. Malayo, Youth Mission Volunteer from San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur

    The arrival of the Redemptorist Itinerant Mission Team in our Parish in Balabagan brought so much changes in our community and including myself. I have been involved in the 3-month mission. I was called as a Local Youth Mission Volunteer, yet, honestly, I do not have much experience in this kind of thing. I am more focused on my studies and looking for a living since my father had died already and my siblings cannot support my studies. They have married and have their own worries now. This means that I have not involved so much myself in Church activities.

    During the first week of the mission, I did not have any plan to volunteer. My studies and the situation of modular classes that we are going through because of this covid-19 pandemic brought so much difficulties already. However, I was invited by my benefactor, the one who sponsors my studies, to volunteer in the mission. I was quite hesitant because it might affect my studies.

    However, I am more surprised at how God worked. I felt that God has allowed me to join the mission team, to share my talents and presence. Here, I mingled and joined the company of missionary priests, deacons, seminarians, lay-missionaries and youth-mission volunteers like me. As what I have experienced, it did not affect my studies and I have become more determined and learned to manage my time.

    Honestly, I felt anxious and shy especially when it comes to our team study of the modules and in sharing and delivering the inputs to my co-parishioners. I felt inadequate as I socialized with people and believed that I cannot do what they were doing. Nevertheless, I realized that I cannot do anything if I would not believe and trust myself and make myself open to learn new things.

    It is my joy now to continue what has been started by the Mission Team. The rapport developed by the team with the parishioners was very much alive because it inspired the people to willingly support the team and join them, rain or shine. The presence of each member of the team also brought inspiration because of their attitude of saying yes to the mission. Despite the difficult terrain, with the experience of being stuck in the river and going through arduous roads, the team continued. Everyone would offer a helping hand when there would be a task. Each one would try to understand in spite of our differences. All of these, challenged me personally. The Mission Team members were not from our place, but what I saw was their willingness to share and preach the Gospel to our community for the development of our Christian life.

    Their knowledge, expertise and simple way of life, touched me very much. I witnessed how they have built a good relationship with the people. In fact, I wished that everyone would learn this attitude. I have also witnessed how people expressed their generosity even in the midst of difficulties brought about by this pandemic. This did not prevent them to share their graces. These experiences are indeed one of a kind which became so dear to me. It is because of these experiences also that I have realized, I have become closer to the Lord and I also continue to live my Christian life according to the Gospel.

    These are now, not just invitations to me but challenges also to young people like me that we may confidently do what we can do and to share what we have to others. Accordingly, as I learned in the mission, “greed has no place in our community.” It is an invitation to live simply, generously and humbly, to live in the holy fear of God, and to learn to truly love.

    Finally, I am most grateful to the team for forming me. I have learned a lot and changed for the better because of those wonderful experiences and the teachings I got. Thank you very much.

  • MY LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF MY COMFORT ZONE

    MY LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF MY COMFORT ZONE

    Mission Reflection by Rizza Mae O. Malalay of RYM-Iligan

    There is a quote that says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. ” So, I was wondering if it is true or just a mere quote. The Balabagan Parish Mission was my longest mission exposure so far. It was also my first time away from home for almost three months. I did feel scared, nervous and I also had doubts about myself. But my excitement in joining the mission outweighed all of those. I was thinking of what would be my part in the mission team? And in what way I could be of help? Occupied by those thoughts, little did I know that it was the other way around.

    Balabagan is one of the municipalities of Lanao del Sur. They do not have malls or fast food chains. When you buy things it is quite pricey. They also have power interruptions every now and then and they do not have signals in some of the areas.  But despite that, they have the most generous and happy hearts. I remember every time I was at the parish health center, they would always offer me some snacks. They shared not only their food but also their stories, their life-lessons, their story of faith, their  love, their warmth and themselves.

    There was a particular Nanay whom I got close with in one of the areas. She would just let me do what I want. I also loved to tag along with her wherever she goes. She would let me scratch the ‘buko’ for our snacks and told me many times not to include the inner brown one, for it will only add bitterness to the buko. And yes for the record, I always include to scratch the brown one 😁. She would also let me do the traditional grating of coconut meat, even though I do not know how to do it. She was just there smiling patiently waiting for me to give up. And who would have thought that she would let us dug their sweet potatoes in their backyard? So, I asked her why she was so good to us, even though she was kind of disconcerted when we were around. She just replied to me that she was grateful and joyful that God sent us there, that’s why she wanted to provide us all the best that she have.

    What I also loved in Balabagan was the presence of the youth. They were just one call away. They were willing to help in any of the activities of the parish. And I just have to inform them ahead. One time, I had this conversation with them, I asked them about the situation of the youth in their community. They casually told me about teenagers getting married at a young age and about teenage pregnancy.  They also told me that they want to learn and discover more about themselves and to have a deeper relationship with God.

    Those encounters led me to these realizations.

    • There is beauty in simplicity. I grew up where when you buy coconut,  you will just add 15-20 pesos and the machine will do all the work, no sweat. We do not have coconut trees or even land for crops. So technically I have to buy everything. Living there for almost three months, made me dream of a simpler life, doing things manually, not checking my social media accounts every now and then, or not binge watching K-Drama series for the whole day. In this world of artificial intelligence, I yearn to always go back to simple things, looking above to see the stars, the moon, beholding sunsets, sunrises, mountains, seas, hiking under the heat of the sun and getting wet in the rain.
    •  It may sound absurd, but I was so touched when the youth talked about their concerns about their fellow youth. It shows that they were not blind at all about what is happening around them. They can see and they can hear. They knew what is wrong and right, they just don’t know how to make a move with regards to it. They were also afraid that they will make a wrong move or they will fail. These are reasons why they were too shy to show their talents and creativity. They felt afraid that they were too young to involve themselves in the community.

    So, here are my takeaways in this journey;

    • People who are joyful and grateful do not complain, instead they just live for the moment. Life is neither perfect nor it is easy. But, being joyful and grateful would help us lighten all the loads and burdens that life throws at us. Not to mention the truth that in this life’s journey, we are never alone. When we have a grateful and joyful heart, we will be able to see God in everything that we do and we will be filled with His grace.
    • When you love what you are doing, you don’t count the cost. You are willing to give more and you always do your best. That is how powerful love is.
    • To make a better world, we are called to empower the young. That they should be confident about themselves, that their thoughts and their views, matters. That they matters. We should form them to be Christ-centered, fully human and mission oriented. Reminding them that they are beloved, gifted and empowered. So that they can maximize their gifts and resources. Allowing them to use them for God’s glory. To have a better world we need to be a better citizen first.

    The quote “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” may be true to some. My life has started as I am going through this rollercoaster of emotions and phases of life.

    We are a little lost in life, aren’t we? As for me, life begins when you find out your purpose in life and when you share your life with others. When you discover your purpose, then you will know where you are going and you will never be lost. At the end of the day, it is not about me, it is about the lives of the people whom I have touched. Because by others, by serving others, one will be able to know who we are and will be able to discover more about ourselves.

    I pray that I may fill my heart with love and my life with service.

  • MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    MISSION CROSS: HANDUMANAN SA MISYON

    Why do we love making memories?

    What strengthens the bond of friendships, of families and communities are the memories (unforgettable ones) that they make together. This is what I believe, at least in my personal reflection. And there are three reasons that I see why.

    First, because it was done “together.” Joy is being experienced being together with people we love and cherish. “Togetherness” is such a big word but means a lot when we have the presence of each other. The company of each one is enjoyed and friendship or family tie is developed.

    Second is the opportunity to know each other more. Discovering ourselves and others brings learning opportunities for us especially of the likes and dislikes, of the differences, strengths and weaknesses of our friends and/or family members. Allowing ourselves to be discovered, of who we really are and welcoming others too, bring us towards intimacy, to a deeper friendship or relationship.

    Third, this inspires growth in us, growth in the way relate with others, growth that we experience personally, as a group of friends and as a community. Behind this growth were the moments of “sharing” – in extending oneself for a friend, for a family member. This is how we share food, drinks, resources, time and our presence. We also share our stories, share our burdens as well as our joys. We share our person, our talents and abilities to one another.

    Growth then, is experienced when we learn how to extend and go beyond ourselves for a friend, for a brother, a sister, a parent, a cousin or a relative. Because of these experiences and reasons of making memories, we make “memorabilia” – like photos which we commonly have. In the past, we have photo albums created and labeled each photo to remind us of those memorable events.

    The Parish Mission Cross

    The three-month Parish Mission in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur, became an opportunity for me as a missioner and a pastor with the Mission Team, to make memories with the people. Aside from the photos we have, it has been the tradition of the Redemptorist Missionaries especially here in the Redemptorist Province of Cebu to erect mission cross in every chapel and community to remind us and the people of the mission that we share together.

    With Ate Portia Awayan, FLARE, Ate Milgaros “Erot” Miole – Chapel Coordinator of Upper Itil, Balabagan, LdS

    The Mission Cross, as it bears our Christian identity, culture, tradition and faith in the Risen Christ serves also as a “reminder to the people that as a Church, we continue the mission of God.”

    The formal three-month Parish Mission in celebration of the 50th plus 1 anniversary of the Parish did not just end there. The Mission Crosses now erected in the Parish and in its chapels bear the identity that each of us, is a missionary. As missionaries we make more memories as we relive the memory of Jesus in the Eucharist and in every Sacrament that we celebrate.

    As a young Redemptorist Missionary, the Mission Cross, as Handuman sa Misyon (Reminder/Sign of the Mission) imprints three realizations for me.

    First is the “JOY” of being with the Mission Team and with the People of God in Balabagan. The presence of each member of the team and of the many people in the Parish paved the way towards friendship.

    Second is the opportunity for me to discover myself more, my strengths and weaknesses as a team leader and as a young pastor. As I discovered myself, I also began to develop friendship with the people and to learn more in welcoming differences.

    Third is the experience of personal growth by being challenged to go beyond my comforts, to take the risk to become a person for others. Moreover, what inspired more of the growth was the very experience of generosity of the team members and of the people around me. They have not just shared their resources but also their talents and abilities, time and presence, their hearts and homes. This became an occasion for me to develop more friendships and homes among the people of Balabagan even in the midst of this pandemic.

  • Mission Experiences

    Mission Experiences

    Reflection by Pearllyn Obina

    Pearllyn, known to us as La Ling, was a full-time Youth Mission Volunteer during the 3-month mission in the Parish of San Isidro Labrador, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.

    It’s difficult to have two religions at the same time because I know that I have to choose one. And I chose to be Catholic because this is what is in my heart and mind. I too have my personal reasons why I did not choose the other one.

    As I joined the Redemptorist Mission Team in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Balabagan, that was also the time of discovery about myself and time for me to learn more. Yet, I was anxious and afraid at the same time.

    I had mixed emotions. I was anxious, afraid and happy during those times when I was with the Mission Team.  I was anxious that I might not be able to connect and relate with them since it was my first time to meet and mingle among missionaries. They might have many expectations from me that I could not do. I was afraid that my father’s relatives or worst my father himself might see me with them. Yet, I felt happy also because I was given the chance to make new friends. I do not have many friends in my hometown. I have been out of town for a long time when I left to study. I was overjoyed too because I had many opportunities to learn more in serving the Lord and ways in living out fully my Catholic faith.

    I have many mistakes and failures. I caused pain to others and especially towards my family. Because of these memories, it led me to ask myself. Am I deserving enough to be part of this mission? Why me? I don’t have enough knowledge in my Catholic faith. The only thing in my mind is that, this is (Catholic) my religion and I commit myself to it.

    The 3-month long mission in San Isidro Parish in Balabagan, I served as a local youth-mission volunteer. With this experience I learned a lot in living out my faith today.

    I also realized that there were many things that I thought I could not do, but then, I did. The Mission Team helped me and gave me the courage to do what I was most afraid of before. I stood in front of many people and began to deliver talks and reflections. Though, I know that what I did was still very simple and I have not yet fully overcome my stage-fright, but then, I did my first step. I know now that I can do it if I shall will it.

    It was also because of this mission experience that I gained the courage to express my hurt feelings which I have been keeping for a long time. I am deeply hurt by my father. I hated him for almost half of my life. I served the Lord with hatred in my heart. Yet, the days of being with the Mission Team became a way for me to see the light and to let go of those hatred and anger in my heart. In all of these, I know that it was the Lord who may this possible for me to meet these people. Through them, I slowly moved out from the darkness of hatred that my heart has been controlled so that I will be able to serve the Lord fully and wholeheartedly.

    I myself, have become a recipient of the grace of this mission. I have learned that planting hatred in my heart will only ruin myself. I learned to forgive the one who have hurt me and to ask for forgiveness to those I have hurt. I realized how important it is to love one another and to love friends as well as enemies. Indeed, serving the Lord is not a platform to advance my personal agenda and not a space so that people will recognize and love me. This is an invitation for me now to serve and love the Lord with all my heart and mind. I will serve God until my last breath. Amen.

  • THE GIFTED YOUTH-MISSION VOLUNTEERS

    THE GIFTED YOUTH-MISSION VOLUNTEERS

    When the Parish Mission in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur was being planned, our major concern was not on security because it’s a Muslim majority community and not because of restrictions of the health protocols. These were given situations already and necessary measures were already conceptualized. The major concern was, who will be part of the mission team? As a matter of fact, there were only two young Redemptorist Priests and one seasoned Lay Missionary and the possible participation of three seminarians. Yet, this number was not enough.

    In order to respond to this major concern, we need the presence of Youth-Mission Volunteers. Why the young people? The young can easily adapt and mostly characterized by their readiness to learn and unlearn.

    A photo after the Thanksgiving Mass at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, Purakan, Balabagan, LdS.

    We have expected to have two or three Youth-Mission Volunteers. However, as soon as we have started the Parish Mission, we got two full time, two semi-full time and 2 part time Youth-Mission Volunteers. We have a total of six. This was more than enough.

    Mimi

    Of the six, we have Mimi, a teacher by profession. She resigned from her online teaching career few weeks before the mission began. Mimi is an active member of our Redemptorist Youth Ministry who is already serving and assisting RYM-Iligan during her free time.

    Pearllyn

    There was Pearllyn, known to many as La Ling. She’s a Tourism graduate, a choir leader, half Meranaw – half Christian and speaks Meranaw fluently. Herself and Mimi were our fulltime volunteers and the princesses of the team.

    We have Charles, a college student and an incoming college seminarian of the Prelature of Marawi. He’s quite shy but bright, sensitive to the needs of the team and dependable. With him was Darwin, also a college student, who became a family decision-maker. He’s confident, and intelligent  whose potentials and talents are about to be discovered. Both of them were our semi-fulltime volunteers. Though they were expected to join us on weekends after their online and modular classes but have been with us most of the time. This did not affect their studies though, but was able to manage their time well.

    Charles, Sir John, Jom, Sir Jeorge and Darwin after the Rite of Commissioning of the four at the chapel of San Isidro Labrador Parish.

    We also have with us two teachers. Sir Jeorge is an elementary teacher. He’s an in-demand teacher by the parents because of the quality of teaching he gives to his pupils. He’s gifted with patience and big amount of understanding. There was Sir John too, a friend during my novitiate year. He’s a former seminarian of the Missionaries of Jesus and now a Senior High School Teacher.

    The 3-month Parish Mission would not be possible, lively and fruitful without the presence of these six gifted, talented and self-sacrificing Youth-Mission Volunteers. Each of them gave not just the best in them but the whole of their being for this mission.

    Thus, being with them gave me such three wonderful experiences which I would like to emphasize.

    First, it was a fun-filled experience being with these guys. Our group-study sessions, dishwashing and cooking assignments, practices and module simulations were filled with laughter. We always found the brighter side of our work and of our ministry. We were not only limited to giving sessions and prayer meetings and sacraments to the people, we have also spent time together picking young ferns for salad, digging sweet potatoes, opening up coconuts, eating, playing, swimming, singing and acting.

    Second, it was a spirit-filled experience being with them. We know that the spirit brings creativity, freshness and youthfulness. There was so much creativity shared and being discovered even from the altar decorations to the presentation of modules and delivery of the talks. The very presence of these Youth-Mission Volunteers brings that freshness and youthfulness in the mission.

    Third, it was a God-filled experience being among them. The mission itself with the presence of the people and of these Youth-Mission Volunteers, these were the very opportunities for me to encounter God. “God is young; He is always new”, as Pope Francis said. Even despite our limitations and imperfections, God makes wonderful things out of us. This was what I have witnessed being among the Youth-Mission Volunteers because of the desire for change, for spontaneity and for life.

    Out of these fulfilling experiences, there are two lessons that I have learned as a missionary priest and as a youth minister.

    First, to allow the young to speak and to speak their mind and their heart. This gives a space for the young to be creative, initiative and sensitive to his and her surrounding and community. Their thoughts and ideas, no matter how naive, lacking and limited, but those are ways to expand their horizon and discover more about themselves and others.

    Second, to learn with them and to become a co-learner with them. This does not diminish the direction of a team leader but it rather enhances the process of learning and unlearning things. This helps one another to slowly unravel each gifts and talents, affirm and correct one another.