Feel at Home

FEEL AT HOME

By Kim Sunhee

Columban Lay Missionary 

Coming into a new ministry always comes with many emotions such as nervousness, excitement and even worry. Whatever decision I take will involve change, adjustment, and lead me to a new direction anyway. What else can I do but to step out of the box and face this new challenge? This was my motivation when I decided to choose Malate Parish as my new ministry. 

I have already been in the Philippines for more than seven years, but working in Malate presents a raft of new experiences. The most gratifying among them is working with the priests in the church. I used to work in non-Columban parishes before. I would spend a lot of time introducing the Columban Society, and explaining what I do as a lay missionary.  Often my presence was considered as that of a volunteer’s and it took time to make people understand that I am here because of my commitment to my vocation. As an outsider and a foreigner, I enjoyed close friendships with the parishioners, but it was not easy to participate in the activities in the church, especially without the support of the parish priest.

In contrast, my experience in Malate has been different since the beginning. On my first Sunday, I was introduced as the new lay missionary in the parish. After the mass, parish volunteers greeted me, “Welcome to Malate Church.” This small act, which was probably merely routine, feels like  a profound gesture of hospitality to me. 

Sun-Hee and Columban Priests with the Social Service and Development Ministry

To be invited to different liturgical celebrations in the parish and among Columbans in my ministry, and to attend regional activities as a member of the Malate community may be common and ordinary. But I know that not every Lay Missionary will associate these activities to the feeling of being “home.” All of these can be credited to the utmost effort to work in partnership among Columbans in the ministry. Because of my presence, the language too has evolved to become more inclusive. What was once a ‘priests’ meeting’, is now a ‘team meeting’. It feels great to be counted!

“Feel at home” is what the priests always say to me. They told me to let them know of anything I need without feeling that I am demanding, especially if it is related to my safety and security. All the facilities and resources here are for all of us to use. I realize anew that these three words “feel at home” are comforting words as they warm my heart.

I sincerely appreciate my Columban family who have become my mentors, companions, and friends, providing me the opportunity to have a mature and meaningful experience in my mission journey. Indeed, my experience in Malate is an affirmation that partnership is our way of being on mission. May we continue to be a source of good energy to each other.

Ordained Columbans with the Malate parish youth volunteers