Many years ago, Fr. Brian Gore, an Australian Columban priest, lived with the people of Kabankalan. This August, three teachers and 12 students from Nudgee College, Australia will have their community immersion in the selected schools in the Diocese of Kabankalan. Many things have changed but the missionary spirit remains! OUR HUMBLE DIOCESE WELCOMES YOU ALL!
The aim of the visit was for the Australians, through immersion, to become aware that the social conditions within the Philippines, better represent the lived reality of the majority of the world’s population, than the privileged situation enjoyed currently in much of Australia. They wanted to sharpen their social justice awareness. At the same time, it was hoped, exposure to groups within the Philippines would help awareness here of the ordinariness of young people in another country.
There were two parts to the immersion. Some time was spent in Manila for a broader perspective, and five days in the Kabankalan Diocese. St. Columban’s Academy, Cauayan was used as the base here. Before the visitors arrived one teacher and four students came to Cauayan from each of: Ilog Catholic High School; Magballo Catholic High School; Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Candoni and St. Joseph’s High School, Inayauan. This involvement added a cross- immersion experience on the local scene.
The Australians arrived on Saturday August 16th and were warmly welcomed at St. Columban’s. Apart from much eating of food and various welcome ceremonies, they planted mangroves and tended trees planted by the group last year. Fishing was another very enjoyable experience. Fr. Rolex Nueva of the Social Action – Justice and Peace Commission, addressed the group, giving them a sense of some of the justice issues current in the diocese.
The following day three Australian boys with one of their teachers, plus one student from each of the five local schools headed off to Ilog, Magballo, Candoni and Inayauan. They spent two days in these schools. Br. John Moodie took the place of the fourth teacher needed. This was Buwan ng Wika week and schedules for these activities dominated the programs. The visiting students spent time in the classrooms sharing their stories with the students and learning in turn parts of the Pinoy story.
On Wednesday August 20 they all returned to Cauayan for the last evening together sharing stories, cementing friendships and evaluating experiences. The next morning they joined the Christian Brothers in Kabankalan for lunch and a quick tour of the city, including a look at the Brothers’ new residence which is under construction. In the afternoon they were off to Bacolod and thence to Manila.
Nudgee College have contributed significantly in fund-raising for projects supported by the Christian Brothers, including computers in the schools and the work being done for out-of-school children and youth in Kabankalan City. The awareness they take home with them kindles the flames within them to be involved in social justice at home and abroad. It is hoped these same flames will be stirred in the hearts of our Filipino students.
