Feast of Saint Columban

November 23, 2010 – Columban missionaries, friends and partners in mission gathered at San Columbano Retreat House in Himamaylan City and celebrated the feast of Saint Columban, the patron saint of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban.

The feast started with the Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Fr. Brian Gore together with Fr. Sean Coyle and four diocesan priests. The assembly began with the ceremonial tolling of the bell in commemoration of the Ampatuan Massacre victims whose first death anniversary falls on the same date. The bell was tolled fifty-seven times for the fifty-seven victims who were brutally murdered last year.

In his homily, Fr. Gore shared the story of Saint Columban, his missionary zeal and his great part in unifying Europe. Fr. Gore also told the assembly about the shift in the Missionary Society of Saint Columban as the society adapts to the changes of the modern time.

More stories and experiences were shared during the fellowship lunch that followed. After the meal, the Little Way Group and the Columban Partners in Mission had a short meeting in preparation for the incoming activities and for the promotion of mission awareness.

With a refreshed missionary zeal, undying missionary spirit and the inspiration of Saint Columban, the group bade farewell and returned to their respective parishes ready to face the challenges that await them as they continue to journey with the Columbans in following the footsteps of Christ throughout this life.

Please visit San Columbano. The new looks of San Columbano makes it more comfortable and conducive for retreats, seminars, recollections and gatherings. Located near the famous beach resorts in the province, San Columbano also provides the same ambiance its neighboring resorts offer.

Pilgrimage

Members of the Little Way Group, lay leaders and Columban Partners in Mission from the Diocese of Kabankalan together with Fr. Rembert Rivera, visited the John Paul II Tower in their one-day pilgrimage to the Diocese of Bacolod.

Feast Day of the Archangels

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.

Michael appears in Daniel's vision as "the great prince" who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God's armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century.

Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel's visions, announcing Michael's role in God's plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.

Raphael's activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit's son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah's marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit's blindness and the restoration of the family fortune.

The memorials of Gabriel (March 24) and Raphael (October 24) were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their feasts to Michael's. Each of these archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides. Earlier belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has given way to a scientific world-view and a different sense of cause and effect. Yet believers still experience God's protection, communication and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1153

St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions

St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions

September 28

Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint. He is also the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith. Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, married, and had two sons and a daughter. 

Born in Binondo, Manila, about 1600's, he was educated in the school of the Dominicans there. He served as an altar boy and later was a helper and clerk-sacristan in the church of Binondo. He was a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary. He made his living probably as a calligrapher, one who renders documents in beautiful penmanship for private or official use. To be sure, that work denoted an accomplished and educated person, especially at a time when many an illustrious personage were far from excelling in this art. 

An adverse event made him leave the Philippines in 1636. When he was in his late twenties or early thirties, he became involved or was accused of being involved in a criminal case, the circumstances of which are far from clear. Whether he was involved or not, one thing was clear, he was afraid that, as a consequence of a trial or mistrial, he might be given a death sentence. 

Upon landing in Japan where Christians were being persecuted, he was arrested and imprisoned together with his companions. He underwent inhuman tortures and valiantly confessed his Christian Faith. Refusing to renounce his Faith, he told his executioner that he was ready to die for God and give himself for many thousands of lives if he had them. On September 27, 1637, he was hung from a gallows by his feet, his body falling into a pit. 

After two days of agony, he died of bleeding and suffocation. His body was cremated and the ashes thrown into the sea. He and fifteen companions, martyred in the same persecution, were beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila on February 18, 1981 and elevated to full honors of the altar by canonization on October 18, 1987 in Rome. Their feast day is on September 28th.

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1146

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church has celebrated Mary's birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (nine months earlier).

Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. However, the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child that will advance God's plan of salvation for the world. Such a story (like many biblical counterparts) stresses the special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.

St. Augustine connects Mary's birth with Jesus' saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. "She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed." The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of peace.

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx

Commission on Mission Welcomes the MCST Sisters!

The Commission on Mission of the Diocese of Kabankalan warmly welcomes the Missionary  Catechists of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (MCST) Sisters  who will be visiting the Diocese this coming June 20, 2010 and will be staying at the Guiljungan Convent in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

Onward Columbans!

May 26, 2010 - Twenty one Columban Partners in Mission from the different parts of the Philippines gathered at San Columbano Retreat House in Himamaylan City.

After the introduction of each participant, the overview of the Columban Vocation Ministry and the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) program was presented.

Among the participants were Fr. Brian Gore, the Columban JPIC coordinator, Kyung-Ja Lee, a Korean lay missionary, Jack Pamine, Columban Partners Coordinator, Zosima Mecasio, Johannes Magno, and Bernie Durangparang, the Columban Vocation Animators, Atty. Frank Cruz, Boy Mangao and Conrado Esemple of the Negros Nine Human Development Foundation.


A fellowship lunch followed and the group reminisced the history of Columbans in the Philippines. The group bade farewell to each other and with the undying missionary zeal instilled by the Columban Missionaries, they returned to their respective parishes to continue their missions.


Please visit San Columbano. The new looks of San Columbano makes it more comfortable and conducive for retreats, seminars, recollections and gatherings. Located near the famous beach resorts in the province, San Columbano also provides the same ambiance its neighboring resorts offer.

Self Awareness Workshop with Little Way Group

Last April 6, 2010, the members of the Little Way Group had a glimpse of the module that they will use in facilitating workshops in the Diocese.

The group underwent a self-awareness activity called My Paper Mosaic. In this activity, papers were cut into human figures and were distributed to each participant. Strips of colored paper were used to represent their strengths, weaknesses, interest and source of support. Everyone worked excitedly.

When everyone had their mosaic ready, everyone took turns in sharing and interpreting their work.

Most members of LWG are already retired and senior citizens but the activity reminded them of their younger years and made them feel like they are children again. According to them, the activity was very helpful. Despite their age, they had discovered something new about themselves and they had gifts, which they never appreciated before.

Mr. Nick Alayon and Mr. Michael Brian Arcedas from the Guidance Services Center of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod facilitated the activity.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen."

Little Way Group Starts Little Steps

LWG March 9, 2010 Meeting at Lorenzo Ruiz Retreat House, Kabankalan City