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
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
