By Ana Flores, CLM I met Jenny in 2022 during the pandemic. I remember that time when I attended Mass in Narulang, I saw Jenny and her two-year-old daughter Jennifer, and I wondered why Jennifer was walking with difficulty. After Mass, Jenny and I had a brief conversation about her family. She shared with …
By Edward Robert Gallagher “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”- Anatole France From a young age, I was inspired by my father, who introduced me to the Catholic Church and to a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, a …
By Fr. Louie Ybañez, SSC Looking after the schools in six villages is a huge task that requires constant monitoring. We face many challenges, most of which are long-standing issues that have persisted for many years. A renewed vision with an action plan in place for these schools is needed. Part of the plan is …
By Fr. Jerry Lohera, SSC Bewilderment and compassion are my two dominant feelings when reflecting about the realities of our children here in Mother Mary Parish in the Southeastern part of Pakistan. Jesus‘ sermon on the Mount is particularly fitting for them, deep inside, I protes the root cause of their dire situation, which …
By Fr. Vincent Busch The Subanens are an indigenous people whose ancestral homeland is in the mountains of northwest Mindanao. Like other indigenous peoples in the Philippines, the Subanens have a spiritual bond with their habitat and relate with that habitat through their dance, music, and rituals. And, like other indigenous peoples, the Subanens …
By Jao Resari, Columban Lay Missionary Every December 1, World AIDS Day is observed globally. Some might wonder why, despite over 40 years since the first reported AIDS case, significant progress in medical research, and effective treatment enabling people with HIV to lead long and healthy lives, AIDS remains a public health challenge. In the …
A Gift of the Columban Spirit By Fr. Jude Genovia, SSC In the summer of 1995, I had to leave for Japan as part of my First Mission Assignment (FMA). This cross-cultural assignment outside the Philippines marked the realization of the next phase of my vocation discernment. A significant aspect of this cross-cultural journey occurred …
By Michael Javier, CLM When the Covid 19 pandemic and the political conflict happened in Myanmar, many people suffered economically, physically, mentally and emotionally. Among the most affected were the young people who wanted to finish their education in order to get a high-paying job. However, the pandemic and political conflict prevented them from …
“Pasundayag Pasalamat Alang sa Pagpadayon” By Bernie Durangparang, Mission Animator for Mindanao On February 17, 2024, the Columban Missionaries in Cagayan de Oro hosted a cultural showcase titled “Pasundayag Pasalamat (Columban Mission Padayon)” to express our gratitude to the Mission Partners for their generous support over the years towards the Columban Mission. The showcase highlighted the different cultures of the …
By Lily Faunillan, Columban Mission Animator I cannot forget the lovely sharing and conversation I had with Ms. Rosa Bandiola, one of the Columban Mission Partners from Isabela, Negros Occidental. Born on December 14, 1944, she is now almost 80 years old. Ms. Bandiola embodies determination, compassion, passion, and dedication as a teacher. For forty-four …
