The Welcome Sound of Good News
“I couldn’t manage without them.” That is a phrase one often hears in a discussion between the parish priests in Fiji, whether indigenous or foreign born. They are speaking of the male catechists who serve in both rural and urban areas.
By Fr. Charles Duster
August 1, 2016
Rich and Varied Gifts of the Laity
Earlier this year, two Columban Fathers—an Irish farmer by way of decades of mission in Pakistan and an Iowa farmer by way of decades of mission in Korea—and I visited three Columban benefactors on their farm.
By Kim Balkovec
August 1, 2016
Limping Ladies
I wonder if the Blessed Virgin was limping during her old age? Nevertheless, I think she will still be there doing what God the Father asked of her. Perhaps even though she was not physically fit during Jesus’ time, she still did what she had to do.
By Monaliza Esteban
June 2, 2016
Working for Love of Family
I’ve been here in Taiwan for many years already, and I find it very interesting that a lot of my “kababayan” (countrymen) wanted to work abroad. Initially I felt that people wanted to work abroad for economic gain.
By Joan Yap
June 1, 2016Friendship and Loyalty
During the national convention of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) in St. Louis two years ago, I encountered many participants who had a strong connection not only with my native country, Ireland, but also with various Columban missionaries scattered across the world.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
June 1, 2016
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and Catholic Intstitutions
During the 122 year history of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH), there has been a special relationship with various Catholic institutions. The Order has also promoted Irish, Irish American and Catholic history.
By Marilyn Madigan
June 1, 2016
Our Little Big Helpers
When we think of the missionary work of the Columbans in Japan, we must not forget the Trojan work done by the Japanese catechists. Very often they were the right hand Samurais of the trail blazing Columban missionaries. One such lady catechist is Miss Tsuneko Hinata.
By Columban Fr. Joe Broderick
June 1, 2016
Visit to Columban Lay Missionaries
I had been warned before I arrived that it could be a tough week emotionally. Based in Sparkhill, Birmingham, Britain, the lay missionaries are involved in different ministries with migrants, and with intercultural and interfaith initiatives.
By Columban Fr. Denis Carter
June 1, 2016
Not Without You
If I were to describe my twelve years ministering to prostitutes, I would have to say I felt truly powerless on the one hand and deeply aware of God’s presence on the other. God’s love and compassion seemed very much alive in that dark and painfilled world.
By Sr. Miriam Cousins
June 1, 2016
Light the Life
Noh Hyein, better known as Anna (pronounced En-na), a teacher by profession, came to the Philippines in April 2011 with three other Korean women. After a year of studies in Tagalog and English, she was assigned to St. Peter Parish in the Diocese of Novaliches.
By Marivic H. Mercene
June 1, 2016
Human Trafficking: One Woman’s Story
My name is Olajoke Ajikolu, and I am from Nigeria. I have five brothers and a sister, and life seemed to be pretty hard for us. I stopped going to school at the age of 16 as the family could not afford the school fees for me.
By Columban Fr. Bobby Gilmore
June 1, 2016
Getting a Start in Life
Bishop Jin, the late bishop of Shanghai, who died aged 97 years in 2013, was Agnes Dong’s great-grandmother’s cousin. Her grandmother on that side of her family was a devout Catholic, but her other three grandparents were not Catholic.
By Fr. Peter Woodruff
June 1, 2016Meaningful Relationships
My first experience of engaging in pastoral ministry in Japan was at a residential center, run by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, for adults who had various physical and intellectual disabilities.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
May 1, 2016
Changed for Good
Editor’s note: Emmanuel Trocino, a Columban seminarian from the Philippines, shares his experiences of life and faith in Peru, his first missionary assignment in another country, with Columban employee Stephen Awre.
By Emmanuel Trocino as told to Stephen Awre
May 1, 2016
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.