By Bernie Durangparang, Columban Co-worker

This year marks my 30th year as a Columban worker—a journey that began in 1996 and has since become more than a role; it has become a way of life. Over the years, my work has taken shape primarily as a vocation animator, accompanying young people as they listen to the quiet stirrings of God’s call in their lives. In 2017, I was entrusted with an additional responsibility in mission promotion. Yet for me, these are not separate paths, but one continuous mission expressed in different ways.

There is a quiet joy in this work. It is not merely a task to fulfill, but a commitment I carry in my heart. I have walked with many young people in their journey of discernment—some entered formation, others chose different paths. Not all became priests, but I have never seen that as a failure. Many now live meaningful and fulfilling lives—in their professions, within their families, and in the communities they serve. Seeing them live with purpose and integrity affirms that the journey itself was sacred. It reminds me that vocation is far wider than we often imagine; God’s call cannot be confined to a single path.

At the same time, I am deeply grateful for those who  continued on and became priests, many of them Columbans. Witnessing their joy and fidelity in ministry brings a quiet fulfillment to my own vocation. In their lives, I see a reflection of the seeds once planted—and I, too, feel a sense of shared grace and gratitude.

This mission, however, is not without its challenges. Carrying both vocation work and mission promotion calls for balance, patience, and perseverance. At present, my ministry is more focused on mission promotion, where I accompany our donors and benefactors—our Columban mission partners. They are not simply supporters; they are part of the Columban family. Their generosity continues to sustain the mission, especially in supporting our seminarians in their formation.

My role involves organizing activities and offering spiritual nourishment—facilitating recollections, immersions, sharing reflections, and sending daily prayers, etc. These may seem like small gestures, but they nurture relationships and keep the spirit of mission alive. Through these simple acts, connections deepen and faith is quietly strengthened.

I remain deeply grateful to the Lord for these 30 years of service. They have added  meaning, purpose and direction to my life. This is not simply  what I do—it has become part of who I am.

Recently, during our Lenten recollection as Columban staff, I experienced a quiet yet profound moment of insight. One of the activities invited us into spontaneous art. With eyes closed, we began from a single point and allowed our hands to move freely across the page. When I finally opened my eyes and completed the drawing with color, I was surprised by what emerged.

Though abstract, one image became clear to me: a father carrying a child on his back.

That image stayed with me. It became a mirror of my own life. I realized how much I carry—my work, the people entrusted to me, my responsibilities, and my family. Yet in that same moment came a deeper realization: even as I carry so much, I, too,  am  being carried.

God carries me.

 Often in ways I do not immediately see, yet quietly experience—in strength when I am weary, in clarity when I am uncertain, in peace when life feels heavy. It is this relationship with God that sustains me, both in the ordinary rhythms and in the demanding moments of my responsibility.

Here, my work and my family life meet. The people I accompany are not just participants in a program—they become part of a shared journey. Mission becomes relationship. Work becomes communion.

And so I continue—quietly and faithfully—carrying what has been entrusted to me, while trusting that I, too, am being carried. I am reminded of the words of Scripture: “The Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all along your journey” (Deuteronomy 1:31).

In the midst of shifting mission priorities of the society and the uncertainties of our time, one truth remains steadfast: God’s grace continues to lead and sustain us. We are called to walk together—in a synodal way—for the common good, in service of the most vulnerable, and in response to the cry of our common home.

In all of this, I believe that God’s grace is gently guiding us—drawing us toward unity, deepening our hope, and grounding us in love for all of His creation.

Looking back on these 30 years, I carry a deep sense of gratitude. Life has been a weaving of family, work, and mission—sometimes demanding, often uncertain, but always meaningful. In all of this, I have come to see more clearly that I am both carried and called. And for this journey, I remain quietly thankful to God.

Featured Image above:

June 14, 2022: Bernie warmly embraces Fr. Jerry Lohera, SSC, after his ordination.