By Michael Javier, Columban Lay Missionary The Columban house in Myitkyina, Kachin state, is located within the compound of Eden. It is surrounded by bamboo and a variety of trees that provide more than enough shelter for the different kinds of animals, including birds, snakes, bees, and more. There is also space for growing …
By Fr. Kurt Zion Pala, SSC It has been two years since we last hosted the Student Leadership Camp, and much have changed since then. While most parts of the world have already recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar (formerly Burma), sadly, has not. While the world is slowly recovering, Myanmar …
By Marivic Mercene “We need to prepare ourselves for persecution.” Fr. Brendan Kelly’s words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. I had asked him how our two mission priorities—Biodiversity Protection and Migrants and Refugees—shape his ministry in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental. His answer wasn’t theoretical. It was rooted in years of living with …
Prepare for Persecution: When Mission Becomes Witness for the Earth Read More »
By Fr. Louie Ybañez In an Islamic country like Pakistan, Christmas doesn’t cause much of a stir for the majority of people. However, it does matter to many Christians, as it represents a celebration of profound faith and a proud adherence to their unique religious identity. A wedding is a different story. From December to …
By Febie Gonzales, Columban Lay Missionary in Taiwan “Compassion is a language of God” -Pope Francis. When I asked, “Why did you choose to come to Taiwan?” Adi, an Indonesian caregiver, replied, “To earn money for my family, to provide for their needs and well-being, to send my children to school, and to have …
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 …
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 …
