SPECIAL EDITION –I PHILIPPINE REGION NEWSLETTER MAY 2021

RELIGIOUS OF NOTRE DAME OF THE MISSIONS

“You received the joy of the Gospel: the good news that God so loved us that he gave his Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs and in your prayers.”- Pope Francis Celebrating the Gift By: Sr. Kristene Joy Padernal

Celebrate what we have given, celebrate what we have received. These words from the song of Monica Brown echo the joy of this special jubilee year in commemoration of the quincentenary of Christianity in the . Five centuries ago, we received the marvelous gift of our Christian faith and have embraced it as the guiding light and cradle of hope in the many seasons of our lives. This faith moves us to a deeper sense of joy and gratitude to the fortitude and passion shown by our first missionaries.

The gifts continue to pour as more missionaries came and have lived amongst the people of the land. And more than 30 years ago, we were blessed by the presence of the Religious of Notre Dame of the Missions whose missionary vigour and spirit was unparalleled. They have traversed different mountains and crossed many rivers to reach out to the people and to continue to nurture the seed that was planted by our ancestors of yesteryears. They have come not only to celebrate the gift of our faith but have come to celebrate the diversity and solidarity amongst the Filipino people. We thank God for this wonderful gift and we thank all our missionaries who have shared their life and love with us. MARAMING. MARAMING SALAMAT PO! “Selfless Love” Manobo Dulangan inspired Mother and Child 1 By: Sr. Janette Alejandro Filipino Catholics In Canada and the TRC By: Sr. Petite Lao

My intention to pursue a doctorate is related to my lifelong commitment to be in solidarity with the indigenous peoples. When I arrived in Toronto, I perceived the missionary call. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Canada published its final report with 94 Calls to Action. I was attracted to the truth and reconciliation process and, in addition, it was a way for me Sr. Kate with children in Manila to participate in the RNDM Canadian Province, even if I am Little drops of God a member of the Philippine Region. The RNDM introduced me to indigenous peoples’ By: Sr. Kate O’Neill solidarity and relationship-building advocacy at the early stages of my discernment in 2002. My allurement to this “We are little drops of God…polluted, ministry continues to intensify. My higher study is an muddied – yes. Nevertheless we are little drops intellectual pursuit that supports my passion. of God” (Edwina Gateley). I have been blessed and Since 2018, I have developed my research work in challenged as I walked the streets of Manila befriending the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program in the area of street children and their families over the past nineteen indigenous peoples-visible minority dialogue. Visible years. I have been welcomed so warmly to homes minority is the official term for other ethnicities living in under bridges, in cemeteries, on the sidewalks and in Canada that compose about 35% of its population. This public markets. The courage of Christian missionaries population continues to grow. I chose a particular ethnic travelling to these beautiful shores 500 years ago paved group, the Filipinos, as subject of my research. This is the way for me as a religious missionary to journey and significant because the in Canada has a share in the sacred stories of so many street kids and growing number of Filipino members. I thought, “If these their families. I have been amazed and touched by Filipinos engage in the truth and reconciliation process, what their resiliency, faith and hope which enable them to a powerful witness that would be! ”Possibilities are endless! smile and laugh even in the most distressing and I chose related courses for my DMin Program and destitute living situations. The words of Elaine Prevallet, wrote a paper on this topic for my comprehensive. profoundly lived by the street people - “we really have I received two school awards, the J.T. Weir Award for nothing and own nothing” – are a daily reminder to me academic excellence (2019) and the Estate of Charles that God’s love sustains us all. I leave the Gundy Award (2021) for the best results in the Philippines with gratitude and a heart full of comprehensive. These awards affirm the niche of Filipino sacred stories – an ocean of “God-drops.” Catholics in Canada in the truth and reconciliation process I will forever be thankful for the and the RNDM’s ongoing commitment to solidarity with indigenous peoples. friendships, challenges, deep insights and Please view this video of Native Peoples’ Mission, a parish love with which the people of the streets of that I attended in Toronto, pre-COVID. Manila have blessed me. https://youtu.be/s0MjgHj46DA

2 We Give Our Yes! following 18 years missioned in the Gifted to Give Philippines, are a mixture of gratitude, 500 years of Christianity Theme Song By: Sr. Kathleen Prendergast tragedy, humour, anger, humility, helplessness, joy, frustration, but above We stand before the grand horizon “Gifted to give,” based on Matthew 10: 8, all, extraordinary faith and resilience in 500 years of faith grateful today “You have received freely, so freely the face of adversity. I continue to We bear the gift of mission give…” succinctly expresses the theme of meet in my own country, Filipinos

Totally yours, we give ourselves the Jubilee of 500 years of Christianity in whose faith stories are awesome! Faithfully yours until the end the Philippines. In spite of the colonial The gift of receiving into our To your mission LORD, undertones of the coming of Christianity, Congregation, Filipinas, each with her We give our YES! my experience of the majority of the particular insight and expression of her Filipinos I encountered, in the Philippines culture, depending on which ethnic and in Aotearoa-New Zealand, gives Go where the sun rises group to which she belongs, enriches evidence of deep, abiding faith. above the Hills and expands our RNDM charism. Share the word and serve those Two Oblates of Notre Dame, Sister, These women of deep faith are indeed who are in need Teresa Carbonnel (RIP) and Rose gifted to give! Let the morning star accompany Montejo presented a very positive first My contribution to the life of our your way impression of Filipinos. We met in RNDM mission in the Philippines and Spread the fire of mission for the Rome, prior to my first visit to the now in Aotearoa-New Zealand, is but a LORD Philippines in November 1987. I retain tiny drop compared to all that I have positive memories of the generous received. I continue to have deep love hospitality, encouragement and friendship We stand before the grand horizon for dear Filipinos who shared, and with which the ONDs have gifted us 500 years of faith grateful today continue to share, something of the across the years. We bare the gift of mission inner core of their lives with me, Totally yours, we give ourselves Memories of the many other Filipinos sometimes without even knowing it. Faithfully yours until the end who touched my life, from yearly visits to Their faith strengthens mine. Their To your mission LORD, the Philippines, 1987-1996 and the love continues to enrich my life. We give our YES

We are gifted to give and live our gifts Mercy, compassion, Justice and peace The sign our world today will come to believe Is the love we have for one…

Srs. Kathleen and Clare facilitating a retreat for the Filipino Chaplaincy Group of the Christchurch Diocese based on the theme of the 500 Jubilee Year 3 In Solidarity with: and join the Muslims during the importance of respect, acceptance and (Duyog) breaking of the Fast. It is during this tolerance among each other. Therefore, time the Muslim Scholars or Imam the celebration of 500 years of By: Sr. Schola Mutua share with the Christians why the month Christianity in the Philippines is a of Fasting is very important to the journey of tri-people. The words of of Davao; Muslims. Likewise, for the Christians Romulo G. Valles rings true when during the church Feasts and Christmas, I think of the journey of Christians in the Muslims prepare meals and share celebrating the 500 years. Based on the with the Christians during their experience in working with and among celebrations. It is during any of these tri-people of Mindanao, it is a celebrations, a priest or lay minister celebration which has been shared shares why as Christians celebrate the among these groups. He always begun life of the saints and the birth of Jesus his speech by saying, “help us to treat (Christmas) and its significance as you the way you want to be treated and a Christian. we will help you to treat us the way we want to be treated”. These activities have been initiated to help each other as Muslims and I can only see those words coming true Christians and to be able to strengthen during Duyog which is a local word harmony and unity. With many years of meaning Solidarity with in the conflict in these areas, such activities communities of Pikit and other adjacent help to highlight the commonalities communities. between these groups. Both Muslims and Christians are able to give and take Every year during the month of from each other. These experiences Ramadhan the Christians prepare meals help them to understand the Sr. Schola visits a Muslim community

parents and communities soon erased any memory of Gifted to Give tiredness. I was touched by their simplicity, contentment and By: Sr. Libera Buhphang reliance on the providence of God and continue to be grateful for all I learned among them about RNDM presence and mission.

Transferring to our community in , I embraced a different lifestyle, becoming involved in teaching Religious Education at Notre Dame of Tacurong College and, from 2016 until today, working at Notre Dame University as a Faculty and Guidance Counsellor. Accompanying the 80% Muslim / 20% Christian university population through teaching and counselling has been a transforming experience, as I witness the longing of each one for holistic healing. I admire the students’ determination and resiliency, Sr. Libera with incoming first year College students at helping them sustain a positive outlook in the face of life’s Notre Dame University, Cotabato City difficulties.

‘Gifted to Give’ is the theme of 2021 as the Catholic Church in While this pandemic has brought many challenges to all of us, the Philippines celebrates 500 years since the arrival of and especially to students adjusting to the “new normal” of Christianity. lockdown restrictions and online classes, I am glad that I can continue to be of service through On-line Counselling It is a privilege being in the Philippines, where RNDMs have Sessions and Webinars such as “Maintaining Mental Health lived as an international group for over thirty years and where Amidst Covid-19.” I treasure the students’ trust in me. Their I was sent on mission in 2011. First assigned to Kulaman openness enriches my life, enabling me to contribute Community in Sultan Kudarat, I shared in RNDM ministry meaningfully and fruitfully in ministry. among the Dulangan Manobo, accompanying the young women of their tribe striving for an education. Climbing Indeed, I am deeply grateful for my life, for my vocation and mountains and crossing rivers to visit the girls’ families in their for the opportunity to joyfully share as an RNDM missionary villages were arduous journeys, but the joyful welcome of their with the people I meet each day. 4

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As the mission continues to unfold, there are also people who have walked with the RNDM’s in their missionary journey. We also celebrate the gift of benevolence and generosity of all mission partners, collaborators and benefactors who have accompanied the RNDM sisters in sustaining the mission with the Filipino people. 6

If you wish to become part of the life and mission of the RNDM Sisters,, Please contact: Sr. Ma. Corazon B. Cagalawan, RNDM (Region Leader) 18 Lantana Street, New Manila, 1112 Quezon City, Philippines. Email: [email protected] 7