That’s not to say that other penguins are violent.  Actually, I like to think of my entire species as pacifist birdies.  Now, if you mess with our salmon dinners, we get a little testy.  But aside from that, we’re pretty peaceful.

None-the-less, these days I’m learning to consciously think about communications so that my words and body-language aren’t perceived in ways other than showcasing the fuzzy feathered friend that you’ve come to know as Sister Pen. L., O.P.!

From my experience, Dominicans are also a pretty fun-loving group, and they’re non-violently communicating along with me.  You see, Elizabeth, Kathy and me—along with twenty-ish other San Rafael Dominicans—have begun studying non-violent communications.  Sister Barbara Green, O.P., a member of our community who was recently trained in this area, is facilitating our discussions.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this training, but I’ve loved the philosophical discussions we’ve had thus far.  And, I get a feeling that these meetings are going to help this stuffed animal find a healthier way to talk!  In fact, it’s our hope that non-violent communications training will develop positive and assertive ways for us to communicate within our communities, our ministries, and with each creature we encounter.

After all, when you’re chillin’ in a set of igloos with some pretty cool folks, you want to make sure that everyone is heard, and that we’re all equally respected for the people and penguins we are!

Non-violently yours,
Sister Penny

If I have to choose a favorite aunt, it would be Tita Conching, the youngest sister of Tatay who soon after (one or so years) she graduated from UST (Sociology), joined the congregation of the Dominican Sisters.  She was quite groovy for a nun when I met her the first time when I was in college.  Before that we had been exchanging letters (esp when she was a missionary in Taiwan).

LIGHT, that’s what you think of when you think of her.  If there is anyone who totally forgets herself when interacting with people, that’s her!  She has no “me-nun, you-non-nun” airs either.  She acts as if her main preoccupation is to sell sampaguita in front of a church.  Yet she’s no doormat as she speaks her mind when she has to.   She’s quite spontaneous with her comments, sometimes producing really hilarious moments.  She has retained her childlike quality. 

It is her break time now (they are entitled to this every two years) but instead of simply staying in the US and visit close relatives (her sis and bro and their families), she opted to (inspite of some physical weaknesses–she has metal knees, among other ailments) endure travel inconveniences to visit her bedridden sister in Manila and other elderly (and not so elderly relatives.  She is thinking she might not have a chance later if she does not go now.

T.Conching flanked by other religious. She sent me this photo while I think she was in Italy years ago.

She is in semi-retirement  in Alice, Texas where on weekends she teaches values to public school students and on other days she volunteers in visiting nursing homes (I think also elderly who live alone).  She continues to drive for herself and others–she says a newly arrived Filipina nun in her convent has no US driver’s license yet.  

While in a resto in Los Banos by the lake, she brings up with me the “New Age Movement” which I think she associates me with.  She discussed the pros and cons of it.  I strongly feel she is a bit worried I may be influenced in a negative way by some of the cons of it.  I started answering in an indirect way (not claiming nor disclaiming I am into “New Age”) but I only got in 2 sentences before our buko juice (in its fruit-shell) was served.

Yesterday I beat some odds to visit her in my cousin’s home in SSS Marikina after work.  She liked the vegetarian paella I brought (ordered from Likha-Diwa resto c/o Dell and staff).  We had very lively, interesting and happy discussions of various people and things while in the background Mumu and Irma, his manugbantay (carer) watch TV and later grey-haired, youthful-face Tito Raul kutib-kutib (say whisperingly) the rosary.

She leaves tonight for the US.  Keep well dear Tita and God bless you always!

After our trip to Long Island, we flew to Baltimore. Kathy’s friend , Tracey, met us at the airport and took us to her apartment where Kathy was reunited with her two cats, Starbuck and Tybee. Tracey adopted the kitties when Kathy entered the convent. I’ve seen cats before, but I’ve never lived with them. Did you know that cats like Penguins and other birds??? Well, when I say “LIKE,” I mean, “LIKE TO EAT.” So, I found myself running for my life several times within the few days we were in Baltimore.

On a positive note, this leg of the trip profoundly helped my prayer life!! I was regularly saying things like “Dear God, please help keep me alive” and “Dear Lord, please protect me from these furry, white, penguin-vores!”

Despite being in cat-ville, we had a great time at the Inner Harbor. And we saw the new StarTrek movie. I now have a new favorite movie slogan: “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise….” I’ve been constantly saying that line over-and-over-again. Actually, I think Kathy’s sick of hearing it. But, that’s ok. After all, she brought me to the Kitty Zone!

All-in-all, though, it was great to meet Tracey. The three of us had some really neat spiritual discussions. Plus, when the cats decided to nap with Kathy one afternoon, I got to play with some really cool cats toys. I guess toys bring one redeeming quality to the penguin-eating cat race. Don’t they??

Dear all,

I am Jhiema Cristine L. Frani, From Batch 2004.

I am looking for all Marian High School /  St. Mary’s Dominican School ( SMDS) Alumni All over the word.

Please be informed that you are welcomed & invited to post your blogs, comments, suggestions in this site.

I created this blog site in order for us to share our ideas on how can we help or beloved alma mater to bring back its beauty and quality of education through donating some funds, renovation of some facilities and keeping the  teachers.

We know that quality of education is decreasing, because teachers are leaving for higher salary. What will happen if there are no teachers? what will happen to the students?What will happen to SMDS?

We know for a fact that education in San Manuel is becoming a business, but SMDS is a CATHOLIC School. so our alma mater don’t need a competition but Enrollees are decreasing due to bad conditions of  Classroom facilities, play grounds, books, high Tuition Fees and other fees.

Who else will help SMDS? Who will benefit? I know you want a good education for your children as well as what you have  had in SMDS.

I am thankful that my parents sent me to SMDS to learn good education and Spiritual life as well.

I always enjoy attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress! And fortunately the calendar smiled at me again this year and I was able to attend.

To be sure this is the largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics in the U.S. There are workshops for catechists, teachers, musicians, liturgists, lectors, and anyone looking for spiritual growth.  Sessions are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

This year I didn’t attend any of the workshops; I was busy distributing materials at the Dominican Family Booth. The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Mission San Jose, and Adrian, Michigan, have been staffing this booth for many years. And it is a wonderful experience!

As I handed luggage tags with our logo and website (www.sanrafaelop.org), I said, “We’re Dominican Sisters.” The responses were great! Were we the sisters that taught them at such and so school, or from Dominican University? Maybe they had a question about religious life. Sometimes they wrote a note to a sister that they remembered from childhood. Even if we weren’t the Dominican Sisters that had educated them in Chicago or New York, the wonderful memories from their school years was attached to us.

I loved the liturgies, and always wish our regular liturgies in our home parishes were more like these. But I remind myself that this is special, and there is a lot of work and preparation put into these liturgical events. I also remind myself that it is our response to the daily, lack-luster parts of our lives that makes us. And that’s what makes the special and celebratory  . . . well, exactly that. Special and celebratory!

This year’s theme was “Love Unfolding…Igniting Our Yes! Our “yes” lived out may feel daily and lack-luster. The sessions and liturgies delivered what we hoped for. They ignited our yes and revitalized us.

The Dominican Sisters of Springfield invite you and your family to

Taizé Advent Prayer 2008
Sacred Heart Convent Chapel
December 14, 2008 7-8pm

Taizé Advent Prayer

Taizé Prayer is a quiet, simple way of prayer designed for people of all Christian traditions.  This meditative candlelit service will include simple chants sung repeatedly, rich silence and prayers of praise and intercession.  It’s the perfect way to uplift your concerns and calm  your soul during the Advent season.

Sunday, December 14, 2008, 7-8pm
Sacred Heart Convent Chapel
1237 W. Monroe St.
Springfield, IL

Join us for snacks and refreshments after the prayer service.

Parking is available in the Motherhouse parking lot and in the Sacred Heart Griffin lot across from the main entrance to the east campus.

For more information call 217.787.0481 or click here.

The late Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, the Most Rev. Emilio A. Cinense sent young ladies to the Motherhouse of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian, Michigan, USA in 1961-1964 to start their initial formation in religious life.

This efforts of the Archbishop was in response to the pressing needs of the Archdiocese and a challenge to implement the vision of Vatican II in the areas of Catholic Education and Pastoral Ministry.

The Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian, Michigan, U.S.A.  were the generous collaborators of the late Archbishop in the persons of Mother Gerald Barry, O.P. Mother Benedicta Marie,O.P. and Mother Genevieve Weber,O.P. in the foundation of the new Congregation

The Congregation formally established on October 2,1965. The four Filipina sisters who had their initial formation in Adrian Michigan came back to the Philippines and served as the nucleus community of the Archdiocesan Congregation now called the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies.

In accordance with the contract signed by Bishop Emilio Cinense for the Diocese of San Fernando and Mother Mary Genevieve, O.P.(successor to Mother Gerald Barry) for the Adrian Dominican Sisters, two sisters, Sr. Mary Philip Ryan, O.P., Superior and Sr. Ellen Vincent McClain, O.P. Directress of formation were sent to assist the Filipina candidates in  their foundation.

The Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Remedies officially took root in the Diocese of San Fernando, Pampanga on Oct. 2,1965, when Sr. Mary Philip Ryan, O.P, and Sr. Ellen Vincent McClain,O.P. Dominican Sisters from Adrian, Michigan, USA arrived in San Fernando, Pampanga . The appointment of Sr. Mary Philip Ryan as Superior and Sr. Ellen Vincent as Formation Directress was made by Mother Mary Genevieve Weber, O.P., then Mother General of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Sr. Mary Philip Ryan, O.P. and Sr. Ellen Vincent McClain, O.P., were mission to the Philippines to journey with the nucleus community whose pioneering  members are Sr. Esperanza L. Bonifacio, Sr. Evangelina G. Fernandez, O.P., Sr. Digna San Vicente, O.P. and Sr.Milagros Garcia,O.P. who all received their initial formation in Adrian, Michigan. 

Upon arrival to San Fernando, a mass of thanksgiving was celebrated in their honor by Msgr. Puno, the Vicar General at that time.

These six founding sisters stayed on the third floor of the old Assumpta building adjacent to the Cathedral as a temporary resident.

Dec. 8, 1965 –Reception of Sr. Remedios Pangan and Sr. Lourdes Pamintuan to postulancy.

Second semester of 1965 Sr. Mary Dominic, Sr. Mary Thomas and Sr. Joseph  were teaching CCD in the public schools.  While SEV an SMP started teaching at the Assumption college, and a study Club with the Peace Corp at Clark Air Base.

The Bishop promised to build a novitiate (formation house) for the sisters on the ground  between the MGCS and the Assumption college of Pampanga.and a high School and grade school to be administered by the sisters for their source of income.

Feb. 20, 1966 – ground breaking for the UA High School Bldg. L shape type, one wing was intended for the High School Department of Assumption College as source of income for the new Diocesan Congregation and the other wing was meant to be a formation house for the DSOLR.

1966 – Prioress of the Adrian Sisters – Mother Genevieve Weber.

March 27, 1966 Laying of cornerstone for the high school and formation house. Seminarians sang, some public school teachers, YCW members, Peace Corps from Clark Air Base came for the occasion.

Dec. 8, 1966 –  Investiture of Sr. Remedios Pangan and Sr. Lourdes Pamintuan  at 3:30 P.M. at the Cathedral, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

January 1967 – The sisters moved from the Assumpta building to the newly constructed high school and formation house .

1968 – Mother Laurence Edward (Rosemary Ferguson), was elected Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

August 7, 1968 – Mother Laurence Edward (Rosemary Ferguson) appointed Sr. Marcine to the Diocese to study at EAPI.

1968-69 – Sr. Marcine studied at EAPI

In June 1969, the first team, Sr. Mary Philip Ryan and Sr. Ellen Vincent McClain were recalled to Adrian and were replaced by another two, Sr. Marcine Klemm, O.P.  as Superior and Sr. Rosemary Marson, O.P. as Formation Directress.

1965 until July 1969 , Sr.Mary Philip was Superior and Sr. Ellen Vincent, the Formation Directress.

1969 until 1972, Sr. Marcine was Superior.

S. Rosemary Marson, the 4^th Adrian sister to come, became the Formation Directress from September 8, 1969 to April 29, 1972.

The first Filipina Sister elected as House Coordinator in January 9,1971 is Sr. Evangelina Fernandez, O.P. Together with her, Sr. Estrellita G. David, O.P. was elected Secretary and Sr. Zenaida S.Nacpil, as the Treasurer.

Dec. 24, 1972 – Mother Rosemary Ferguson, Prioress General of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, with the approval of Bishop Cinense, transferred the leadership to the DSOLR, since at this time it appears that the Filipina sisters are capable of assuming responsibility for their growth and development as the new congregation in the Archdiocese of san Fernando..

With the transfer, Sr. Evangelina Fernandez was elected local superior of the sisters on January 9, 1971, has assumed the office of Mother General on Dec. 24, 1972. The secretary of the Congregation, Sr. Estrellita G. David, O.P. and the treasurer, Sr. Zenaida S. Nacpil, assumed the leadership team in the Congregation.

In August 1972, Sr. Ellen Vincent McClain, O.P. came back to the Congregation to resume the position of formation Directress, while Sr. Rosemary Marson went back to the States for another assignment.

The two general councilors are elected on January 15, 1973. Sr. Aleli Jose, O.P. First Councilor and Sr. Remedios Pangan, second Councilor.

 Until such time that the formation Directress from among the Filipina sisters is prepared, the Adrian sisters continued in this position. Sr. Ellen Vincent continued to be the formation Directress.

On 11 October, 1976, upon the recommendation of Mother Rosemary Ferguson, O.P., Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, the group obtained the ecclesiastical approval of the late Archbishop Emilio Cinense, as a Religious Institute of Diocesan Right and installed Sr. Evangelina Fernandez as the First Filipina Superior. By this time, the Filipina sisters have written their Constitution distilled from their lived experiences, inspired by the Dominican Charism, heritage and formation shared by their mentors.

The first Filipina Formation Team were Sr. Remedios Pangan, O.P. as Novice Mistress and Sr. Zenaida S. Nacpil as  Vocation Directress. The Good Lord of the Harvest has blessed the community with vocations – vibrant, courageous, dedicated and simple women of faith.

The specific areas where the sisters endorse corporate support are the following:

1. Ministry to those in need of education, which may be formal or informal, guidance and counseling and school administration (Education);
2. Ministry to the poor and oppressed so as to secure just measure for the elimination of conditions that breeds poverty, ignorance, violence and inequality, support programs to ameliorate unfortunate conditions through contribution of human resources and corporate action (Social action).
3. Ministry to lay leaders, provide theological direction and to increase the effectiveness of catechetical instruction and in every way  improve the imparting of the Christian message (Catechesis).
4. Ministry in the parish/to parishioners to assist in the formation of Christian communities within the parish setting by encouraging them to an active participation in a meaningful worship of God and deepening their awareness of their dignity as persons capable of improving their lives (Pastoral work).

The early beginning pf the congregation (1965) showed that the apostolic life of the sisters was committed to teaching (since the first members were teachers). The first endeavor was made in response to the appeal of the public schools in San Fernando to provide catechists to its growing population. Three pioneering sisters started to tech in the public schools in San Fernando. Sincere there were not enough sisters to teach, the community offered the service of training catechists. In cooperation with the Diocese, this move was carried out with the organization of a religious education program for the public schools, involving the teachers themselves and the trained catechists. Follow up of the program was done by a sister.

In the same yeas, three other sisters administered the UA grade and High school

March 27, 1966 Laying of cornerstone for the high school and formation house. Seminarians sang, some public school teacher, YCW, Peace Corps from Clark Air Base came for the occasion.

July 11,1966 – begins the registration for the UA grade and High School.

110 – grade school

44 – high school (first year)

20 –2^nd year

(Within two years, the enrolment soared to 450 pupils. In 1968, it increased to over 800. In June 1969 enrolment had mounted to 1,650 in the high school and 600 in the grade school.)

In 1970, the congregation was one among the first to respond to the invitation of the AMRSWP for the  Rural Mission. The community responded by sending two sisters. The following year, two more sisters joined the first two. Training and guidance in the work of the sisters involved in the rural mission was given by the Institute of Social Order.

The big flood in Central Luzon in 1972 brought about the need for workers in the rehabilitation program of the Church in Pampanga. The sisters responded to this need by volunteering more sisters in social action ministry, nutrition program, etc.

Meanwhile, a problem arouse in the school where three of the sisters work as administrators. The sisters, after having viewed the situation and their roles felt that it is time to withdrew from the administrative works in school.

The DSOLR give themselves in the discipleship of Jesus, living among the impoverished and exploited people, struggling with them for human rights and dignity. The tribal Filipinos, rural poor, street children, farmers, and now the victims of Mt. Pinatubo eruption are among their priorities. They are involved in four areas of apostolate: Education, Social work, Catechetics and Pastoral ministry.

 The Dominican ideal of contemplative prayer activating the service of God’s love is the motivating charism of the community. It’s future, like its past and its present, is entrusted with unswerving confidence to the loving providence of God.

Nag-overnight ako sa kumbento ng Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena noong nakaraang July 4 at 5, mula Biyernes ng hapon hanggang Sabado ng tanghali. Akala noong una ako lang mag-isa, pero nang makarating na, nalaman ko kay Sr. GS, vocation directress, na may makakasabay pala akong mag-overnight. Secretary rin siya ng parish priest nila, si MM. Ang galing, nagkataon pang pareho kaming parish secretary.

Matapos kumain ng merienda, nag-evening prayer kami sa loob ng opisina ni Sr. GS. Pagkaraan, nag-jamming kami! Nagkataong marunong tumugtog ng gitara si Sr. GS at choir kaming pareho ni MM, kaya ang saya ng kantahan namin. Buti na lang may boses na ako; talagang na-enjoy ko yung jamming. Kung anu-anong magagandang kanta ang kinanta namin. ^_^ Nang makapaghapunan, binigyan kami ni Sr. GS ng overview tungkol sa congregation nila, tapos pinag-share, pinag-drawing at kinilala pa ng maigi. Masaya sana, kaso tinamaan ako agad ng antok, nahalata ni Sr. GS kaya pagdating ng 10:30 ng gabi, umakyat na kami para matulog.

Kinabukasan, morning prayer! Ang galing, kasi old school yung mga upuan ng mga madre, at syempre, nakiupo rin kami. Chanted din ang prayer nila. Nag-morning mass then procession to the garden habang kinakanta namin ang Latin ng Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ang ganda ng boses ni Sr. FB; ang linis nya mag-alto! ^_^ Tapos bandang 10am, nagkaroon ng Holy Spirit Mass as start of the Formation year. (So that morning pa lang, naka-dalawang misa na ako. Haha.) Nakasama namin sa mass ang mga aspirants postulants at juniors nila. Masaya rin kaso, nahalatang kulang ako sa tulog, hikab ako ng hikab sa misa. Haha. Pero hindi ako natulog no! Kumain kami ng lunch then tumulong ako sa pag-ayos ng Friendster profile ng OP-Siena. As in pinaganda namin. Tuwang-tuwa ang Sr. GS; ilang gabi nyang pinagpuyatan yun. Ngayon ayos na! Posting na lang photos. Habang tinatapos yung pag-upload ng recent photos, umalis na sina Sr. GS patungong Pansol, Laguna para sa kanilang outing/bonding session with the aspirants and postulants. Umuwi na kami pagkatapos ma-upload ng mga pictures.

Ang hirap mapagitnaan ng aspirant na may date na ng pagpasok at ng vocation directress! Haha. August 4 na kasi papasok si MM, si Sr. GS naman panay ang buyo na sumabay na ako. Maski yung iba pang mga madre, pinapapasok na rin ako. Ako naman, hanggang ngisi lang ang maisagot, sabay sabi ng “May isa pa po kasi akong overnight – sa OP-St. Joseph, July 13 at 14.” Pero hindi lang nila alam… Hahaha. At least, I have confirmed my choice. ^_^

Bakit simplicity ang lesson? Sa paglibot ng aking paningin sa malaking “bahay” ng OP-Siena, naramdaman kong hindi ako para doon – masyadong malaki. Kumbaga sa lalaki, masyadong gwapo para sa akin. Haha. Hindi ko carry. Napagtanto kong simple lang ang gusto ko. Basta. Pero syempre, nagpapasalamat ako’t nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon matuto at makakita ng pahapyaw ng buhay Dominikana… ^_^

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us.

Here’s a cool new link that Google Alerts alerted me to:

An Tairseach – Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre

The Dominican Sisters established the Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre in 1998 on their 70-acres of land in Wicklow. It is an organic/biodynamic farm and Centre for Ecology and Spirituality

An Tairseach, is the Irish word for threshold and it suggests a new beginning, an alternative and more sustainable way of working with the land as well as a renewed relationship with the whole community of life, human and non-human.

Even their domain name is cool: www.ecocentrewicklow.ie.

An Tairseach is located only about 10 miles or so from Glendalough and maybe 40 miles or so from Kildare. In other words, if you’re interested in ancient Celtic Christian history, it’s only a short hop from those venerable sites to this place where it appears that the Celtic Christian tradition is alive and well today.

Kahapon nalungkot na naman ako.

Lunes kasi ng gabi, nagkaharap-harap na kaming pamilya–pinag-usapan ang tungkol sa pagmamadre ko. Maraming tanong si Papa. Ayos lang naman yung mga tanong pero yung paraan niya ng pagsasalita ang nakakasakit. Para bang ipinararating niya na mali ang paraan ko ng pagdedesisyon.

Hello?! Mahirap kaya i-explain.

Kaya yun. Tapang-tapangan ako. Todo explain ako sa paraang nalalaman ko; kahit hindi niya maintindihan.

Kahapon nalungkot na naman ako.

Nag-email si Papa bandang tanghali. Nandon nakadetalye lahat ng nararamdaman niya tungkol sa pagmamadre ko. Iyakan blues kami pareho. First time kong naramdaman na ako ay anak - regardless kung may achievement ako o wala. Hindi naman sa ganun ang turing nila sa akin, pero ganon na ang natatak sa isip ko tungkol sa halaga ko bilang isang anak. Tuloy, nalungkot ako. Mahihiwalay ako sa kanilang ng matagal e…

Tapos nakisabay pa tong mga kutob ko na inis sa akin si Fr. RC. Di ko lang kasi siya boss, SD ko rin siya at kaibigan. Hindi ko sya makausap ng sarilinan–nagmamadali lagi at may lakad–kaya di ko masabi yung mga saloobin ko nang maayos. Nakaka-paranoid. Kaya yun, nalungkot pa ako lalo…

“1 message received.” Nag-flash sa screen ng cellphone ko.

“Hello. How is Jesus in your heart? Praying for your loving perseverance despite challenges. God be with you at all times. Take care.” -Mo. Virginia OP

Energy booster, as in! Bigla akong sumigla! Wooh! Tira-tira! Aja!!! Masaya na naman ako.

Si Lord, high-tech na rin. Gumagamit na rin ng cellphone para magpasaya.

8:48 PM 5/12/2008

May 10, 5:30PM – Ang mensahe
Sa gitna ng kaingayan sa loob ng opisina kasama sina Ate Rhon, Arlene, Andhie at Tita Mayen, tumunog ang cellphone ko. Isang mensahe galing sa isang nagngangalang Sr. Elisa OP, Dominican Sister of St. Joseph. Nakuha raw niya ang number ko kay Br. Rodel, seminarista.

May 10, 6:30PM – Ang tugon
Nagpasalamat ako sa pag-text niya. Sa loob ko, nakapili na ako ng kongregasyon (ang RCM) kaya hindi ko na dinugtungan ng kung ano pang pagtatanong. Ngunit nang mabasa ko sa dulo ng mensahe nya ang “excited na akong makita ka,” natuwa ako.

May 10, 8:30PM – Ang usapan
‘Hmm… Kailan ko kaya pwede iiskedyul ang pagkikita namin?’ tanong ko sa aking sarili. Agad naman sumagot ang daliri ko: “Sa Lunes po, pupunta ako. Kwentuhan na lang po muna. Di po ako uubrang mag-search in dahil Monday lang po ang off ko. Secretary po ako ni Fr. Rodel. Saan po ba mas mainam dumaan patungo dyan, McArthur Highway o Malinta Exit?”

May 12, 12:00PM – SM North daw
“Sa’n ka pupunta?” Tanong sa akin ni Dondon*. Habang iniiwasan ang tingin niya na sumalubong sa akin, sumagot ako ng maikling, “Sa SM North.” Sabay dugtong ni Hosep* “Ano’ng gagawin mo ron?” “Kukunin ko yung certificate of employment ko.” Dugtong pang pagsisinungaling. Sus.

May 12, 2:30PM – Sa seminaryo
Ang nakangiting mga mata ni Sr. Emerita OP ang sumalubong sa akin sa labas ng admissions office ng Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary. Nagpapagaling mula sa sakit si Sr. Elisa, kaya’t hindi na muna siya lumabas.
Pero hindi naging hadlang iyon sa kwentuhan namin. Kahit ngayon lang kami nagkita, hindi matatawaran ang kadaldalan ko nang magsimula na ako sa pagku-kwento. As in. Nakakahiya man, hindi ko na pinigilan ang sarili ko. Hindi lahat ng tao nakakausap ko nang malalim tungkol sa pagma-madre. Mula sa kwento ng puso kong hinihila pababa, hanggang sa pag-aalay ng sarili, isinalaysay kong lahat. Maging ang kwento ng buhay ko, at ang mga natutunan ko sa loob ng 7 taon sa paglilingkod ko sa simbahan.
Syempre naman, nagkuwento rin si Sr. Elisa no. Super kwela nya. Halos tapatan kami ng daldal. Sa paglalabas ko ng nararamdaman ko, ipinararating naman niya sa akin na super mapalad ako sa nararanasan ko ngayon. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Isa raw ako sa mga napili.
May 12, 5:30PM – Bonus
Tatlong oras kaming nag-usap na para bang matagal na kaming magkakilala. Ibang iba ang pakiramdam! Espesyal na ngang maituturing ang kwentuhan namin, pero lalo pang naging espesyal nang bigyan niya ako ng regalo: isang second-degree relic ni St. Therese of Lisieux. Pinahiram pa niya sa akin ang kopya niya ng Purpose Driven Life. Super sweet!
Magkikita kaming muli sa Sabado, sa araw ng ordinasyon bilang diyakono ni Br. Rodel Ignacio. At malamang magkita kaming muli pag ibinalik ko na ang libro ipinahiram niya sa akin.
At kung bilin at kahilingan lang niya ang masusunod… Sa July 29 – araw ng kapanganakan ko, sasama na ako sa tahanan nila.

Ipanalangin niyo ako!

P.S. Pakisama na rin po sa inyong mga panalangin ang kapayapaan ng kaluluwa ni Tita Zenaida, mommy ni Jarrah. Kinuha na siya ni Lord. Sana magkasama na sila ngayon.

IRONDALE, AL (CNA): The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will hold a Family Celebration this summer.

“Following the network’s 25th anniversary celebration last summer, we heard so many wonderful comments that we decided to invite our EWTN Family back to Birmingham this year,” said EWTN president Michael P. Warsaw.

The theme of this year’s event will be the Eucharist. Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Marcus Grodi, Mother Assumpta Long, OP, and Fr. Antoine Thomas, FJ, are among the featured speakers at the event to be held at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, July 21-22.

The celebration is free. Participants have the opportunity to attend Mass, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, be part of a EWTN Live Show audience and meet some of the EWTN hosts.

There will be a special program for children at the on-site EWTN Faith Factory, featuring children’s programming hosts Br. Leo and the Dominican Sisters from the popular “Truth in the Heart” series. There will also be a special Children’s Holy Hour.