From the islands to the Philippines.
My vocation story began in the beautiful islands of Fiji, where I was inspired by the work of the Columbans in my parish, and local church. I made a life-changing decision to join the Columbans as a lay missionary in crossing boundaries, culture and creed.
I went through the accompaniment program and was later accepted to join the nine months full time orientation. We were a group of three that joined the orientation in Fiji: Two Fijians, Paulo Logaivau and myself, and one Tongan, Pelenatita Petelo. This marked the beginning of our intercultural living experience, with two different cultures and languages, united by English as our common language. It was a valuable experience, helping us to develop the sensitivity needed when living in an inter-cultural community.
We also had the opportunity to be exposed to Indian families living in rural areas, experiencing their distinct culture and language. This intercultural exposure left a significant impact, preparing us for the challenges we might face in crossing boundaries for mission ad gentes.
We had our send-off Mass at our home parishes.
Stop-over in Korea
On our way to the Philippines, we stopped in Korea for a few days. It was winter there, and from a tropical country like Fiji and Tonga, we had no experience of what winter was like. Arlenne Villahermosa’s group was in Korea at the time, so they understood our situation when we arrived with snowflakes falling and the temperature at -1oC ― dressed only in our summer clothes! Seeing snow for the first time and experiencing winter was so exciting. We were in Korea for 4days.
Arrival in the Philippines
On January 7, 2003, we were scheduled to continue our travel to the Philippines. Unfortunately, Pele, a Tongan passport holder, did not have a visa for the Philippines and was unable to travel with us. Paulo and I went ahead and Pele was left behind in Korea as Arlenne and the Columbans worked to resolve Pele’s situation.
Upon arrival in the Philippines, the heat was intense, and the traffic was overwhelming. Sr. Pat Zandrews, Maria Nariva and the late Losana Ve’ehala met us at the airport. They were surprised to see only the two of us, as they were expecting three lay missionaries. We then explained what had happened in Korea.
Language Studies
Maryknoll Institute of Language and Culture, Davao was the place of our language classes, to learn Cebuano or Visayan. Paulo and I went ahead with language studies, and Pele joined us two weeks later.
After six months of language studies, Paulo went back home to Fiji while Pele and I continued with our mission, and we were both assigned to Agusan Parish. The Columbans working in Agusan were a diverse group of different cultures. Before our first term ended, Pele left the CLM to join the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.
Learning and Growing as a Columban Lay Missionary
The training I received was exceptional. The Columbans provided me with every course, module, personal development, from support structures to ongoing education, short studies, sabbatical studies, that prepared me spiritually, and for mission. And helped me grow as a person spiritually.
As a lay missionary, I am deeply grateful for the experience of crossing boundaries and living out my baptismal call with the Columban family. I came to know and believe that we, lay people, are also called to mission and I thanked God for that. I am grateful to God and the people I was privileged to serve in the places I have worked in the past years, especially in my first assignment at Holy Rosary Parish, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro, where I worked with the Deaf. It was here where I found my passion and interest to work with the marginalized. No matter where I was assigned – whether in the Philippines, Fiji, Hong Kong – I always wanted to be involved and work with the Deaf Ministry.
“A life unlike our own can be our teacher” – St. Columban
Indeed, this has certainly been true for me. Learning sign language and working with the Deaf taught me to be more patient with people. The Deaf have their own language and culture, apart from being Filipino. This was interesting to learn, and to understand the deaf people. Sign language is in English and not Visayan.
I interpret in the Holy Mass for the Deaf. Here in Cagayan de Oro, the mass is usually in Visayan, the local language. To interpret for the Deaf, we translate the Visayan Mass into English and into sign language. So, in essence, there are three languages used. This has always been challenging for me, as I am not a native Visayan speaker. I always have to prepare myself, stay alert, and listen carefully before interpreting. However, it is also life-giving, as I have the privilege of interpreting the word of God and catechism for the Deaf.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
I am forever grateful to the Missionary Society of St. Columban for the opportunity to cross boundaries of culture and creed, and to the Filipino people for their unwavering support and for welcoming me into their homes and hearts. I am also grateful to my parents and family for their support and their prayers always. I thank God for the call to be a Columban lay missionary. Being a lay missionary was a privileged gift, a unique way of witnessing to the life and mission of Jesus. It is, after all, God’s mission.
I am grateful to the Columban Lay Missionaries (CLM) for journeying with me over the past 21 years. They have helped and challenged me in areas where I needed to grow, develop new skills, and improve. I am especially thankful for the experience in leadership and intercultural living.
