Like the First Time
On October 2017, I returned to Taiwan as a second term lay missionary. When I came back to Taiwan, I was so glad to see again many things that I am already quite familiar with.
Let There Be Justice for Children
We read and see reports about the terrible number of child sexual assaults and how few perpetrators ever get convicted. That is changing with the appointment of highly trained female judges to the Philippine family courts.
False Fakawela for an Indian Dance
A fund-raising bazaar took place at Raviravi church today. A large multi-ethnic crowd attended, and there were different cultural items presented. We enjoyed a couple of mekes (traditional Fijian dances). Then a young Hindu lady, specially invited by the organizers, performed a classical South Indian dance. As she danced, an indigenous Fijian lady approached her, placed a two dollar note on her ear, knelt, did the cobo (clap of respect) and returned to her place.
Church Leaders Condemn Killing of Young Priest
Catholic Church leaders have spoken out to condemn the brutal killing of a young priest, Father Mark Anthony Ventura, 37, from Gattaran town in the province of Cagayan on April 29, 2018. Father Mark was shot by an assassin on the outskirts of Gattaran town after celebrating the Eucharistic Mass.
Ruined for Life
Before I become a lay missionary, I was a full-time volunteer at Jesuit Volunteer of the Philippines (JVP). One of JVP's aims is to send volunteers for a year of service to marginalized communities and areas with greatest need.
We Are All Doing Time
Apart from my General Council work, I have found myself unofficial chaplain to foreign inmates in five Hong Kong prisons. Many are Christians from Africa and South America, but there are a significant number of Muslims too from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Dancing the Centennial Fiji Style
It all started about three months ago when catechist Timoci Matakiviwa turned up on our doorstep offering to compose a Centennial Meke for us. The Meke is the traditional Fijian dance. Columban Frs.
Romeiros de Bristol
The Portuguese have become a part of Rhode Island society, but not at the price of entirely losing their religious heritage.
Page from a Fiji Missionary's Diary
The Bogey Man, written March 11, 1992
The Women of Malvinas, Brazil
A week-end retreat with the women
from the desolate city slum …
delight in grass, and flowers and shrubs;
joy, to be free for two whole days
of husbands, children and endless washing;
the balm of silence after a lifetime of noise;
Encounters in a Buddhist Monastery
My main interfaith experiences in the Philippines were with Muslims; things in Myanmar are very different given the very large majority Buddhist population. Last year, I spent one month in a Buddhist monastery, following their schedule of prayer and work.
Opposing Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Church and police authorities and non-government organizations (NGOs) came together recently in the Vatican under the Santa Martha Group headed by Cardinal Vincent Nicholas to discuss and share their experience and listen to each other.
Awareness
I have discovered
that a buttercup has five petals,
that several colors enliven a patch of moss
that grass comes in near-infinite variety
and that a swift-flowing stream sings
with an astonishing range of voices
I came to know these things
Missionary
For Father Donal
Eyes clenched,
I conjure your grave,
White above Boyne grasses,
Stone processing
Like acolytes.
All questions buried,
Answered.
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.