News & Feature Archives - Missionary Society of St. Columban

Three Years of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH)–Barra: Growing as an Ecology Parish

Leave a Comment / JPIC / MISSION PRIORITIES, News & Feature, Parish Articles / By Marivic Mercene / November 26, 2025

A collective reflection of the parishioners Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH)–Barra marks its third year as a parish since its elevation in 2022 and its designation as an ecology parish. Looking back, parishioners recall how much has changed in a short span of time. A lot has been accomplished: the parish was able …

Three Years of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH)–Barra: Growing as an Ecology Parish Read More »

Returning to the Philippines

Leave a Comment / Lay Mission Articles, Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature / By Marivic Mercene / November 19, 2025

Encountering the Presence of God in Everyday Life By Noh Hyein, Anna – Philippines A small bird flew in through the sunlit window. It rested for a moment near the ceiling above the altar, then flew away again. Seeing this little creature during Mass reminded me deeply that I have truly returned to …

Returning to the Philippines Read More »

Mother Mary Hai Woh

Leave a Comment / Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature / By Marivic Mercene / November 6, 2025

That is Our Mother Mary By Fr. Elbert Balbastro During the formation of the Mother Mary Rosary group in Badin Parish, Mona, our former lay missionary, and I were skeptical whether the group would push through or not. We hoped that this newly formed group will flourish and be a great source of strength …

Mother Mary Hai Woh Read More »

Under the Narra Tree

Leave a Comment / Inter-Religious Dialogue Articles, News & Feature, Uncategorized / By Marivic Mercene / October 15, 2025

Building Friendships By Sr. Minerva Dangaran, SSC In 2016, I spent three months studying at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. Located in the Occupied Territories, south of Jerusalem, it is possible to see Herod’s Hill in the distance from Tantur. I recall the Palestinian workers who would sit along the Hebron Road near our school …

Under the Narra Tree Read More »

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places

Leave a Comment / Lay Mission Articles, Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature / By Marivic Mercene / October 8, 2025

By Jao Resari, CLM in Taiwan Last December, I received a message from Mark (not his real name), a foreign worker who arrived in Taiwan just a few months earlier. He was inquiring about where and how to take an HIV-antibody test. I arranged a time for us to go to the hospital so …

Finding Hope in Unexpected Places Read More »

MSSC ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Leave a Comment / News & Feature / By fuzzywuzzy / September 29, 2025

A Window is Always Open

Leave a Comment / Gospel Readings & Reflections, News & Feature / By Marivic Mercene / September 17, 2025

A Personal Poem By Mosese Yacalevu, Columban Seminarian Good day, siblings in Christ. As we say thank you In every possible way For the Lord is with us every single day. Dear friends, A window is always open. When the going gets tough And the road gets bumpy and Often covered by dust. …

A Window is Always Open Read More »

Holiness has No Color

Leave a Comment / Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature, Parish Articles, Uncategorized / By Marivic Mercene / September 9, 2025

By Marivic Mercene In the Philippines, fair skin is often seen as the standard of beauty. From whitening soaps and lotions to countless advertisements, the beauty industry thrives on the idea that being maputi (fair-skinned) means being more attractive or successful. This mindset traces back to our colonial past, when lighter skin was associated …

Holiness has No Color Read More »

A Reflection on The Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fish

Leave a Comment / Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature, Uncategorized / By Marivic Mercene / September 2, 2025

By Marjorie Engcoy One of the last things I remember doing in Fiji was starting a livelihood program for women – though quite unintentionally. Unintentionally, I say, because it wasn’t something I planned for, not even remotely. I was pressured into it by expectations; in other words, I was forced. My heart was not …

A Reflection on The Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fish Read More »

A Blueprint for Peace: From Dialogue to Action for the 2025 BARMM Elections

Leave a Comment / Inter-Religious Dialogue Articles, Mission Promotion Articles, News & Feature / By Marivic Mercene / August 20, 2025

By Fr. Rex Rocamora, SSC The MiRLeC (Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference) multi-sectoral dialogue held on August 5, 2025, at Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, carried the theme “Faith and Peace in Action, A Multi-sectoral Dialogue for Peaceful BARMM Elections.” More than just a gathering of leaders, it became a moment of shared introspection and …

A Blueprint for Peace: From Dialogue to Action for the 2025 BARMM Elections Read More »