TEXT US Your Name and a Columban Lay Missionary Assigned to Fiji Address at This Number 0928-796-8173 So We Can from 2000 Until 2003
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In line with the centenary celebration of the Columban Society, we have adapted a banner reflective of what the Society is all about – reaching out to the ends of the earth as Pilgrims for Christ. The logo [symbol at the left] is the official centennial logo. As we move forward, we continue to share in the mission of Christ, walking with those in the margins and the exploited earth. Erl, in his homily, recalled the words of his then formator, WHAT’S INSIDE Fr. Mick Mohally, that consoled APeter Dong’s Diaconate him in his doubting moments, by: Joy Rile “Be patient with the process. Patience... patience... patience...” ACounseling Sustains Erl held it as his guiding Mission principle in this journey. These by: Fr. Michael McGuire same words resonated with his ALaunching of Centenary “Patience Obtains All things” mother who, at times, became Celebrations by: Mary Joy Rile impatient in waiting. “You “Milukso ang akong dughan sa kalipay nga napari na jud si already went to other places for ACPE Reflection Bobong,” Grace captured the very sentiment of her heart when mission, but still you are not a by: Rev. Peter Dong her son, Rev. Erl Dylan J. Tabaco, was ordained a priest by Most priest. When will you become AMission Reflection Reverend Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD, Archbishop of Cagayan de a priest?” Grace continued, “Erl by: Joan Yap Oro at the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Agusan, Cagayan de Oro would reply, ‘It’s not that quick ANews Updates City on February 17, 2018. No words could describe what the and easy, Ma. Just be patient. We A family truly felt, just tears to express it. The parish was jubilant to will come to that in God’s time.’” Prayer Guides have its first ordination. It was under the Columbans since 1971 Erl trusts in God’s compassion and believes that God has a until 2012. The Columbans are grateful for the gift of Erl in time purpose for everything happening in his life. for its centennial celebration. At mass, Bsp. Ledesma anointed the hands of Rev. Erl and As a child, Erl helped in the family business as a delivery boy; tied them with a cloth. Then Erl went to his parents, requesting he played with kids, but spent more time in the church. “Several his mother to untie his hands. Grace did not understand it but times, Erl came home with broken statues which he rescued from was touched by the ritual. Untying the anointed hands of his the trash,” his sister Rhea recalled Erl’s delight in religious images. son was like freeing a lamb. Was this an act of offering his son Erl served as a sacristan in the parish with his older brother Eric. to God to be like Christ? Was this affirming the important Fondly remembering those moments, Eric now shares, “God has role she played in the journey of her son? Was this a reward called me to a different path and I am happy with my marriage. to her patient waiting? “When I asked him what I will do with But definitely Erl’s ordination was like fulfilling my own dream to the cloth, Erl advised me to keep it. I might use it in due time. become a priest.” So I am keeping it and treasuring that very moment,” mused When the Columban vocation team visited Erl’s house, it Grace. She, too, has to live the virtue of Patience. was the start of something bigger. Uncertain of what lay ahead, Erl is blessed with his fear and love of the Lord, simplicity, only Eriberto accompanied his son to the Columban Formation kindness and humility that brought him to where he is now. House in Cubao. “It seems only yesterday when I brought Erl to To capture Erl’s attitude toward life, I quote St. Teresa de the seminary. Now, he is a priest! This kind of happiness is way Avila’s words, “Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God beyond description. He has our support. We hold him in our lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” I know Fr. Erl will continue prayers as we entrust him to God.” to live these words in his missionary journey. Thank you, Cynthia! TEXT We thank God for your support. And we need you We thank Cynthia Empleo for her three years of US to continue supporting us in our mission. Salamat po! service as Administrative We would like to ensure that you receive this Assistant of Mission Office at Singalong House. She was newsletter. PLEASE TEXT US your name and a Columban lay missionary assigned to Fiji address at this number 0928-796-8173 so we can from 2000 until 2003. She also worked part-time in the Archives continue to send your copy of Columban Mission. Office for some time. Her being organized Why not text us your prayer requests so that we, provided a system to Mission office. Her creativity in making rosaries and bracelets Columbans, can pray for you? helped our fundraising projects. COLUMBAN MISSION ISSUE NO. 30 1 FROM THE DIRECTOR Peru. The Almighty has, indeed, done by: Fr. Paul Glynn great things for us! The more we reflect on the blessings in our Formation House in Cubao by in our own lives and the beauty of Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, DD. As the world around us – from the joy we celebrate 100 years since the first of listening to the birds singing in Columbans prepared to go on mission the morning to the magnificence of to China we are very happy to have a deep-red sunset – we cannot but be our first Columban from China taking filled with gratitude for how wonderful the first steps toward Columban God’s love for us is. In his beautiful This year we are celebrating 100 Missionary Priesthood. The Almighty encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis years of the Missionary Society of has done great things for us! reminds us that God loves each one Saint Columban. 100 years ago in We also give thanks to God who of us and everything He has created. Ireland, the first group of seminarians has blessed us with yet another To show our love to God for all His began their training to be missionaries Filipino Columban Priest. Father goodness to us, we should love our of the Good News in China. They Erl Dylan Tabaco was ordained to neighbor as ourselves, difficult it may knew that it would not be easy. Yet the priesthood in his home Parish of be, and to love and care for all of they said: “Yes!” Many died of Holy Rosary, Agusan, Cagayan de God’s Creation. We have to act now malaria when they got there. Others Oro City, Mindanao on February 17 before it is too late. were imprisoned and killed. Others by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, As we celebrate God’s faithfulness made their way here to the Philippines DD. He will be returning to his mission to Columban missionaries we would in 1929 to continue Christ’s mission. in Peru in September. For now, he will like to thank you for being part of our There is so much to celebrate after serve in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental story. Without your support we would 100 years of Columban Mission and with fellow Columban Father Enrique not be able to look forward to another 89 years of Columban missionary Escobar who is originally from Peru. It 100 years. work here in the Philippines. is thanks to your prayers and financial Thank you for being our true and It is a special blessing for us that support that we are able to send out faithful friends for so many years. Rev. Peter Dong, SSC was ordained another Filipino Columban Priest to Maraming Salamat, po! to the Diaconate on February 4, 2018, share Gospel Joy with the people of Welcome back! We welcome back Fr. Christopher R. Kaamiño IV and Fr. Kwang-kyu Ji to the Philippines. Fr. Chris, from Ozamiz, ordained in 2011, served in Taiwan for five years where he also CHRISTOPHER had his First Mission Assignment (FMA) as a seminarian for two years. Fr. Kwang-kyu, from Korea, ordained in 2016, did his FMA program here in the Philippines. He finished his formation in Korea and was ordained there. Then he went to Ireland for language studies. Both priests are assigned to Malate Parish. KWANG-KYU KNOW A COLUMBAN Fr. Desmond Morrison, from Derry, Northern of Ozamiz and Dioceses of Iligan and Pagadian. Ireland, was born on February 28, 1925. He was His advocacy in Natural Family Planning started ordained in 1951 and arrived in the Philippines in 1972 and as the years went by became more and in 1956. An engineer by profession, for some more involved in the ministry. A musician by heart, years he was engaged in designing churches in he loves singing Baleleng, a Visayan folk song. At Columban areas in Mindanao. Since the 1960s, present, Fr. Des is the oldest Columban priest in the he went into parish work in the Archdiocese Philippines at the age of 93. 2 COLUMBAN MISSION ISSUE NO. 30 China’s First for Columban Mission ORDINATION TO DIACONATE OF PETER DONG by: Mary Joy Rile The Columban Missionaries were originally known as the with conviction that Joseph offered his son saying, “it is Maynooth Mission to China when the Irish bishops gave to be that way – to serve God”. Joseph was more than their approval on October 10, 1916. The sacrifice happy to receive Communion from Peter for the that co-founder Bishop Edward Galvin made first time.