By Fr. Oliver McCrossan, SSC A training on Regenerative Agriculture/soil regeneration was conducted and held at Living Soils Farm, Sitio Kakawan, Patrocenio, Claveria, Misamis Oriental on February 22-23, 2025. The training was attended by no less than 10 key leaders of organizations from different places in Mindanao. These key leaders from peoples, farmers, and …
FR. BRIAN GORE died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines, due to septic shock. Born in Perth, Australia, in 1944, Father Brian was ordained in 1968 and arrived in the Philippines in 1969. He was assigned to southern Negros Occidental, then under …
By Fr. Vinnie Busch, SSC Fifty years ago, during my first parish assignment in Mindanao, I was struck by how frequent the people use statues in their spiritual lives. Almost every home had an altar with statues of their patron saints. During Holy Week and fiestas, parishioners would join long procession, often under the …
By Ana Flores, Columban Lay Missionary I met these women sometime 2011-2012 when we relocated some families affected by typhoon Sendong to the Mother of Divine Mercy Village in Opol. Some belonged to the TISAKA or Tingog sa Kasanag (voice of enlightenment) organization. From time to time, these women faced serious problems, and I often sought …
As we step into new year 2025, we look back with gratitude on the journey that has brought us to where we are and look forward with hope. As we navigate this time of transition in our Columban missionary journey, we are reminded that transitions are not just challenges or merely responses to changing circumstances …
By Fr. John Boles, SSC “If Columban Mission is a “mad thing to do,” then nothing could be madder – or more inspiring – than three members of the Collier family.” Let me tell you why. When Jesus’s own family heard about this, they said, “He’s out of his mind” (Mk. 3:21). It’s not surprising that …
By Mavic Mercene, Communications Team Member In February of this year, Regional Director Fr. Leo Distor, Mission Promotion Coordinator Fr. Rolly Aniscal, Mission Promotion Animator Evelyn Sabate, and I had the privilege of being warmly welcomed by Fr. Roque C. Villanueva, the parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Olongapo City, Zambales. As we …
By Evelyn Sabate, Columban Mission Animator for Luzon One of my most significant experiences in mission promotion and fundraising is witnessing generosity everywhere – even in the simplest moments, like riding a jeepney. One Sunday morning, I attended the 9:30am mass at Our Lady of Remedies Parish in Malate, the only Columban Parish in …
By Monaliza Esteban, Columban Lay Missionary in Pakistan I have been reflecting on my experiences in the tribal ministry – among both the Parkari Kohlis and the Punjabis. Over the past five years, I have witnessed diverse ways of life and I have even written a number of stories about them. These ongoing encounters have …
By Marge Condes Being a volunteer at Our Lady of Remedies Parish, Malate, gave me first-hand experience of how the Columban Fathers, including lay missionaries, live out their mission. Although of varied nationalities, the Columban Fathers have one thing in common — they live simply, immerse themselves in the community, and embrace our country’s history …
