NewsLetter Mill Hill Missionaries Philippines

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MILLHILL Newsletter RIDING-IN-TANDEM; The Relevance of TEAMWORK Glenn Bibero Diaz, MHM

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nd he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out by twos, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. Mark 6:7 The phrase“riding-in-tandem”often appears in the Philippines major daily newspapers and tabloids purportedly responsible for the series of criminalities in the Philippines. Out of curiosity to know more about this phrase, I went to browse for more information in google. In other countries, this word “tandem” is defined as a bike with front and back seats, and an arrangement where one is seated in front and one at the back.

From other sources, the term suggests of team work or a team effort wherein the two riders complement each other. However, the “riding-intandem” has taken its own meaning in Filipino English: a noun to refer to crimes perpetrated by more than one person, usually two men on a motorbike.

The alarming incident of killings prompted the local government units to pass measures that would stop such crimes like banning two males together riding in a motorbike. Reading through however, the word “tandem” had no negative connotation or implication when taken in another perspective as a team effort or a working relationship. I wonder if in the time of Jesus Christ, would He pursue by twos? - a team effort as narrated in the Gospel of Mark.

What was clear was the working relationship of two disciples with passion as a team. Jesus created a support out two of His disciples as a travel companion. Sending the disciples by twos provided one to witness the preaching of Jesus - the miracles the disciples performed. It was a training exercise for the purpose of spreading the Good News and growing of the Kingdom.

Two persons can provide as a valid eyewitness.

So, in the midst of this social menace that this riding-in-tandem has created, we can look

at it in a mere positive way. We are called to be united and vigilant witnesses to the happenings around us. Let us not be pathetic observer but rather help one another, enjoy each others fellowship and strengthen our working relationship. If our fellowship is strong, Jesus is with us.

I think one of the many reasons why some churches fail is they consciously disregard what Jesus taught. There is rivalry, jealousy, egocentredness to name a few. These behaviour are noticeably seen among church workers and even leaders today.

That is why there is an urgency to develop the skills of people in support for one another and work together for the success of communities. A chaotic society is transformed to a loving, caring and sharing community. Our church in the Philippines have still a lot to work hard in restoring sense of unity, team-work and trust among the clergy and the lay communities.

The process may take some time. It is not easy as it entails sacrifice, acceptance and edifying oneself. It is like the journey of a husband and wife in deepening their loving relationship. As the relationship prospers, the journey becomes less about reaching goal, but more on learning, loving and listening to the moment when words no longer mean for them, trust for one another, forgiveness for the inadequacies or deficiencies of each other, understanding the role of each other. Let us make them the wheels as we continue to journey in the spirituality of working in tandem.

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4 Reasons Why Jesus Sent Out His Disciples Two

by Two The Gospel of Mark shows that Jesus designed his disciple’s ministry to be a team effort.

“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out by twos and gave them authority over impure spirits.” ~ Mark 6:6-7 Luke also records that Jesus even sent a large group of seventy of his followers out by twos.

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” ~ Luke 10:1 Why did Jesus do this?

Here are four reasons to consider: 1. Training by Twos Jesus sent out his disciples by twos as a

training exercise for the purpose of spreading the Good News and growing Kingdom. It is obvious that Jesus used the power of influence, encouragement, and mutual learning to train his disciples.

Jesus gave his disciples authority over demons, as well as the power to heal the sick.

2. Witness of Twos Two people provide a valid witness.

Instead of just sending out one person, Jesus created a support system by sending out two disciples together.

He said, “For where two or three are gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) 3. Working Together by Twos Jesus gave the disciples authority when they worked together. He called the twelve disciples together and gave them authority over impure spirits. (Mark 6:7) 4.Supporting One Another by Twos Jesus showed that sending the disciples out by twos help them support one another in the things they witnessed, the teachings of Jesus, and the observation of many miracles.

If a fellowship is to be strong, it must follow the actions of Jesus. Developing the skills of people to support one another and work together is necessary for success.

“I Left My Heart In Turda”

(Coron, Palawan, Philippines)

by Madhu Potunuro, MHM

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hat is why I am quite c o n t e n t with my weakness es, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10).

I arrived in Turda, a small barangay in the municipality of Coron, Palawan, Philippines on the 13th of September, 2016. I took the domestic shipping lines 2Go and upon my arrival at the 2 | Friends of Millhill 2018

Port of Coron, I was heartily welcomed by Fr. Benny and Fr. Sleevaraj. We proceeded to the Parish of Turda on that rainy weather condition.

On our way, I was deeply touched by the long stretched of green mountain scenery while in great anticipation to reach Turda.

It took us an hour and half to reach the parish. I couldn’t believe my eyes upon seeing the place and the parish church. It brought me back to my home and country, India. I have seen many Church parishes both in India and elsewhere in other countries. My impression was it wasn’t really a parish church.

Turda was everything new to me; the

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place, the people, the weather and many else.

I felt I was in a completely different world. I met different people - young and old. I made new friends as time passed by. People around were amused hearing me speak in Tagalog which I learnt from my language course in Manila.

They were interested to know about our Indian culture, that was an enjoyable encounter that I made use to improve my new spoken “Tagalog” language.

After having settled down for some few months, gradually I understood the condition of the place better. I got opportunities to stay at the villages and saw the livelihood of people and to their culture too. Although most families were poor, yet they were very generous, humble and compassionate to one another.

There were times where I saw children with a pinch of salt as their food. My heart was moved with pity witnessing such misery.

The socio-economic conditions of the people still need the government help to improve the standard of living of the people by providing them better education and job opportunities specially among the poor. Most schoolchildren were dropping from school as their parents couldn’t afford in sending them to further education. In my free time, I felt the urgency of teaching the schoolchildren drop out from school. I felt the urgency of teaching these children.

Being the church, Turda is zealously spreading the ‘Good News’ amidst the many pastoral challenges within the parish. The faith-formation of the people still needed to be strengthened and lived. The catechetical formation helps particularly the children to grow in the catholic faith. Although the lay participation in building a good Christian community both in the parish and missionstations is significantly good. It still has to become more of a participative church. Part of my missionary exposure, living with people in the villages enabled me to grow more in the missionary spirit of “Amare et Servire” and it made me see the world bigger enough. Their simplicity of life, hospitality, sharing and openmindedness marked and left a positive impact on me as Mill Hill Missionary student.

I had a great time indeed in my Mission Experience Programme in Turda, Coron, Philippines. The Philippines and the Turda Parish will forever remain as my favourite spot as I grown deeper into the relationship of a ‘family and in communion with one another’.

The people’s faithful relationship with God affirmed my own personal journey of faith. The missionary zeal of the local community as my Turda family for two years with their simplicity of life deepened my whole discernment “to love and to serve”. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat! (my deepest gratitude to one and all!)

Mission Destination: Cameroon

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issionary life without conviction and dedication from within is like a river without water. This is one of the realizations that I had as I emerged myself in the mission for two years in Cameroon. I believe that as the sun rises every morning, it signifies the hopes and the brightness amidst the darkness of a frozen mission. In John’s gospel 8: 19 he said, “I am the light of the world.” As I looked back, since the beginning of my missionary experience in Cameroon, I can say that it was a ‘constant exile’ for which at the end of my journey I considered it

by Rebenie Madar, MHM

as a ‘special gift’. It is because I have learn how to forgive,to forget and to let go.

One specific incident took place in Fonfuka when I was attacked by the thugs while I was on my way to Kitchowi (the farthest mission station which took us three hours of trekking) on April 8, 2017. In Kembong, we heard gun shots and saw people’s houses burning on December 18, 2017. These Friends of Millhill 2018 | 3

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MILLHILL Newsletter unexpected events helped me face my fears and at the same time nurtured me to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually strong. Getting down on my knees, I felt that my constant exile from one place to another was shaping my present and future on the road to maturity in dealing with the challenges that I have to encounter in the mission.

As a future Mill Hill Missionary I see mission as a special gift that I need to take good care. In the pursuit of my happiness, I have to be strong that I may fulfill what my heart desire. His Holiness Pope Francis said in his address during the conference with the theme “Rethinking Europe” as promoted

by Commission of Bishops’ Conference of the European Community (COMECE) on Oct 28, 2017, Europe must be build bricks by bricks; Dialogue that is candid and constructive, Inclusion in which differences are valued and viewed as a shared source of enrichment, Solidarity which is the lifeblood of a matured community, Development fostered for individual man, each human group and humanity as a whole and Peace which requires love for the truth, the pursuit of justice and creativity. At the same time Christians are called to promote political dialogue, especially where it is threatened and where conflicts seems to prevail. Christians are called to restore human

dignity to politics as a lofty service to the common good, not a pilgrim for power. He also described the family as the primordial community, and it has to remain as the most fundamental place for process of discovery.

In hindsight, the church of Christ is my family that I need to take good care of physically and spiritually. Like Pope Francis whose heart is with the oppressed and neglected by the society, I was deeply challenged from within. In the light of my missionary journey, I realize that I am called by Christ to be a witness of the truth, and to fight for the truth.

Personal discovery. I really love to learn new things in the new culture and in a new environment. However, I believe problems, difficulties, conflicts, wars and both human and natural calamities will be my reminders and a challenge on how much I have to trust God. All these years, I found God has a message to tell me in order that I will become wise, more faithful and confidently loving him more and more. And as a Christian, it is my prime duty to discern the real meaning and message of God and the world beyond. As I go through life, I believe there is always a brighter side of life like the sun always rises even in the dark of a frozen mission.

A Journey Through Love and Service

by Michael Gemanga, MHM

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began my formation journey with Mill Hill Missionaries in the year 2010. We were four in our batch namely: Emery Gayatin, Glenn Diaz both from Davao, Rebenie Madar from Maasin, Iloilo and me Michael from Molo, Iloilo City. However, a year after Emery Gayatin decided to leave for another path of life, settled down with his wife and now with their newly born child. On the other hand, the three of us remained painstakingly on our missionary dream reaching at the stage of preparing for our perpetual membership this year 2018. In my 4 | Friends of Millhill 2018

own journey, I treasured everything that came along in my life and enjoying every minute of the three year-formation in the Philippines, another three years and a half of the 2nd Cycle Formation Programme in Pune, India and lastly a two year-mission experience programme in St. Karoli LwangaMbikko, Uganda, East Africa. My journey for the past 20 months in Uganda was truly a colorful experiences. There I learned to know myself better while discovering the beauty of how I was being moulded by God’s hand through the many circumstances I’ve encountered along my path.

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My formation in the Philippines is one of my solid foundations of becoming a Mill Hill Missionary. There I embraced hard work in developing myself with my fellow student companions in living the Mill Hill way of life.

There were times in my quiet moments that I had to ask myself: Am I ready being called? I almost giving up my missionary dream. With the grace of God and the support of my Mill Hill community, I continued the journey in Mill Hill.

My encounter of God allowed me to discover more of God’s grace and mercy in my life.

Back in India, my theological studies were my purifying stage of formation. We were then the first batch for the Second-Cycle Programme of Mill Hill in Pune, India with our mentor Fr. Brian Oswald, MHM. With students coming from different nationalities was truly a life-engaging times for me. My happy experiences brought me back to my colourful memory during the “HOLI” celebration in India, as feast of colours gave the festive mood of the celebration. Amazingly, the feast gave me the reason to see my faith while expressing my religion in a foreign land where Christianity is a minority religion in the country.

Lastly, my experience in the African continent where I saw the mission and lifestyle

of different nationalities living in one roof was a bit life challenging since I was one of the few Bazungu (a foreigner around in the place).

However, the mission continued to move on. I had to learn the language, eating different kinds of food, adjusting to the weather conditions but the most beautiful part of all was sharing Christ with them in my work. In the long run, my work and effort depended on God’s grace in making my work satisfying and meaningful.

Summing it up, my experiences in different stages of formation and in different places I was sent, my whole perspective of missionary life had changed to a more defined and larger than life form of art. Seeing and experiencing the goodness of the Lord through the people around me and motivated me to be more energetic. We continue to ask for your prayers With His grace may our journey will be fruitful. And we continue to ask for your prayers as we almost in the finish leg of our formation as Mill Hill Missionaries.

Please continue to pray for Glenn, Ben, and myself that we all see the day of our final commitment to the mission of Christ as servants of the Gospel of Life and Mill Hill Missionaries and Emery continues to serve God in another direction..

REFLECTION ON THE YEAR OF THE CLERGY AND CONSECRATED PERSONS

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by Fr. Mario Dimapilis, HHM

his Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons in the Philippines’ Catholic Church, the Mill Hill Missionaries who are working in the Philippines had a chance to be with other MHM who are in their mid-age life (commonly between 40-60 years of age). The meeting was held last July 2018 in Rome. One of the topics that had been discussed was our protocol on Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

As MHM we are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and this topic was given priority in the gathering.

Why is safeguarding important in a missionary’s life? We, as missionaries, are committed to the safeguarding of the recipients of our love and service. The commitment to

safeguarding is not self-preser vation on the part of a missionary but moral obligation to the people we serve.

We missionaries, like the other clergy and consecrated persons, we are bound under oath to protect the human rights of people (most especially children and vulnerable adults).

How to do safeguarding? By being Christlike, in our attitudes in dealing with ourselves as missionaries and with people we promised to love and to serve. Truly, it’s a difficult task, to be Christ-like. But we have to submit our lives as Friends of Millhill 2018 | 5

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MILLHILL Newsletter Christians through the help of the Holy Spirit.

As men and women missionaries, we under our oath, are to observe safeguarding in our parishes, offices, places of work, etc.. Mill Hill Missionaries, and in fact, all clergy and consecrated persons must always voice out when they see or hear something that could compromised their efforts to care and safeguarding. We, more than ever, must “encourage continued reform and vigilance at all levels of the Catholic Church, to help ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults from harm” (Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, Pope Francis, August 17, 2018).

The Catholic Church is ashamed and

horrified of the large scale of abuses that had been committed to children by our very own pastors who promised to be Christlike. As members of the group of clergy and consecrated persons we all need to do our share in building communities which are safe for children and vulnerable adults. We as members of the mid-life group of Mill Hill Missionaries must be thankful to our society leaders for giving us the chance to be in the seminar that reminded us of our Christian duty to safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults where we find ourselves ministering.

Pastoral Catechesis for the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM In his apostolic letter for the year of consecrated life (2014) Pope Francis speaks “not only to consecrated persons, but also to the laity, who share with them the same ideals, spirit and mission.”

He notes that some religious institutes have a long tradition of associating lay person with their charism, while for others it is a more recent phenomenon.

“Indeed, around each religious family, every Society of Apostolic Life and every Secular Institute, there is a larger family, a ‘charismatic family,’ which includes a number of Institutes which identify with the same charism, and especially lay faithful who feel

called, precisely as lay persons, to share in the same charismatic reality.”

These groups are often called by a variety of names: associates, third orders, affiliates. Adjunct members, or lay partners. They seek to live the spirit and share in the charism and apostolate of the religious family to which they are linked. The Pope asks that the laity become more aware of this special gift so as to respond “to the promptings of the Spirit in society today.” Truly, this is another form of being in mission today.

Sambuhay Missalette, Year 32 No.12, September 23, 2018

On the Way towards Contemplation in Misson

MHM Annual Retreat 2017

by Fr. Gopal Manchanapally, MHM

himself, he took us on a journey of Interior Prayer.

He gave us 7 principles on which our life should be founded.

1) Put God first in everything, 2) God is the nce again we came to gather as the Mill Hill Goal of all that we do. 3) God is the eternal source Family Philippines for our Annual Retreat of all the goodness. 4) God reigns, 5) God provides and Assembly, at our Molo Central House, , 6) God saves, 7) 7). Do everything for the glory of Iloilo, on the 6th - 10th of November, 2017. Fr. God By transforming our lives on these 7 principles Florentino Lim, CHIM led us in our 3-day retreat.

Within these 3-days of exploration of our spiritual God becomes the center of our life. Indeed God is journey, Fr. Tino as we call him shared with us the Center of our life and center of ourselves. To about Prayer of Contemplation. Being a monastic discover God or to become aware of His presence

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FILIPINO FRIENDS OF

MILL HILL CENTRAL HOUSE 52 Avancena St. Molo, Iloilo City, 5000 Philippines Cellphone: Smart: 09291795131 / Globe: 09156095547 For Donations: Bank Account Name: Mill Hill Philippines, Inc. Savings Account No. 0000009022742995 Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation

Pledger’s Name

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cut here...

Parish Contact Number Friends of Millhill 2018 | 7

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MY MONTHLY PLEDGE TO THE MILL HILL FORMATION PROGRAMME MONTH OF:

YEAR 20_____

YEAR 20_____

YEAR 20_____

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER TOTAL AMOUNT

PLEDGER’S SIGNATURE

PROMOTER’S SIGNATURE

MHM REPRESENTATIVE’S SIGNATURE

“God loves a cheerful giver” -2 Corinthians 9:7

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from page 10

within us we need to make a journey within, by a way of contemplative prayer. Nowadays it’s also called as Centering Prayer.

Fr. Tino suggests the repetitive prayer, like the Holy Rosary or Mantra - e.g. repeating the holy Name of Jesus or any other prayer word, or Lectio Divina. By this kind of prayer a marvelous thing happens, an interior Journey begins, a journey within to discover the presence of God deep within us. It is not that easy and fast. It needs discipline and regularity. Once one begins this journey, one travels through different levels of Interiority such as: 1. Sense level 2. Imagination level/images 3. Rationality or reason level 4. Affectivity or feeling level 5. Conscious or moral level

6. Divine presence or Divine Immanence By contemplative prayer one reaches the level of Divine presence. One becomes a person of Integrity encountering God at deeper level within oneself and in the other person. When a person is integrated there is a lot of energy - psychic, spiritual and emotional. There is real Peace, Harmony and Joy. As a missionary what else do we need other than to discover the Divine presence and to encounter God within ourselves and spreading the good news of the Divine Presence in each of us and in the whole of creation.

Thank you very much Fr. Tino for reminding us of the need of being contemplative missionaries after the heart of our founder himself Cardinal Herbert Vaughan. God bless!

God Is Calling You

by Jeremy Andrew Almeria

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t was on February 2018 when the Archdiocesan Commission on Vocation in the Archdiosese of Jaro held a vocation campaign for both Religious Men and Women Congregations. Bro. Clarenz Magracia and I were sent to represent the Mill Hill community.

The Campaign brought us to the different towns of Cabatuan, Janiuay, Calinog and Guimaras Island. That was an exciting outdoor activity for all of us and at the same time an opportunity to visit places.

We gave talks to the youth on religious life, different religious formation programmes and stages of formation. It was also a time of sharing our memorable vocation stories. While the sharing was going on, I noticed some negative responses on the young faces. Discouragement was on their young faces yet they were able to appreciate our courage to go out for mission ‘ad gentes.’

How do young people look at missionary life nowadays?

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Remember the seed that fell on the soil choked by thorns and thistles? In like manner, the thorns and thistles that choke our religious vocation are the material possessions or compensations. All the pleasures that our world offer push or pull us away from God’s call to consecrated life.

Madonna’s song: “so we are living in a material world…” capsulises the answer why our youth sees no attraction beyond those that bring them material remuneration.

The influence and impact of technology on the hearts and minds of our youth are seen hookedto all kindsof gadgets. The attractive, easy way to own goods have become the thorns and thistles that choke God’s call to the religious vocation.

The millennials - they call themselves!

The values, attitudes, beliefs in the all-loving God should have been instilled early in the upbringing of the young.

Here am I Lord, send me where you want me to bring Amare et Servire

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MILLHILL Newsletter Thoughts from Cardinal Herbert Vaughan Founder of the Mill Hill Missionaries

(Treasured thoughts

by Ms. Juliet Bertiz) When all things fail, are not well, When life becomes meaningful and worth living, When challenges are overcome and love prevails, Trust and faith become even stronger, Truly, His word became flesh to assure us that He is always our Emmanuel God with us!

Our life in this world is likened to waves in the ocean, up and down, joys and sorrows, bitter and sweet.

We all had these experienced in life and end-up saying, “I can’t help it anymore.”

What is life?

Da Vinci said a well spent life is a long life.

One can be a century old, but if he has not lived life’s purpose, his life is not long.

Old age is not a guarantee of wisdom.

For wisdom is living for the right purpose.

We shall never be Apostles unless we are people of prayer. We may deceive ourselves and others by spending and exhausting ourselves in labours and external works, unless we are people of prayer we shall not find ourselves in the company of the Apostles. (page 239) When you are suddenly struck for the first time by the discovery that you are really the object of the love of Jesus Christ, a new light bursts upon you. To know that Jesus Christ, Our God, is madly in love with us, that He cares for us like a father, dotes on us like a Mother, finds pleasure and delight in our company like a Lover; and that He valued His own life simply as nothing in order to win our love and confidence to know and realise this opens up an entirely new vista in our existence. (page 240) Become people of prayer, in spite of every obstacle, and God will use you as an Apostle in His service. (page 255)

Cardinal Herbert Vaughan from the “Young Priest.”

The truth in God’s laws and truth be forever.

So we must not let physical needs and duties consume us.

What earthly things can offer is only destruction, Things we see seem pleasant but filled of tricky traps.

They are only sensual and momentary pleasure.

(Ms. Juliet Bertiz is a long time friend of Mill Hill Formation House since its erection in 1991. She is one of the loyal supporters of the Formation House.)

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WHAT’s UP! FILIPINO FRIENDS OF MILL HILL

by Rev. Fr. Alfredo M. Marmolejo, Jr. MHM

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riends are God’s way of taking care of us. This quote inspired me to accept the appointment given by the General Council as headed by our General Superior of the Mill Hill Missionaries to be The Promoter of Filipino Friends of Mill Hill Missionaries here in the Philippines. Likewise, my personal experience of Jesus as a personal friend did also convince me to accept this new and very challenging ministry.

Alongside this appointment, I am so grateful that I received an official permission from the Archbishop Emeritus of Jaro, Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo D.D. last year and by the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique to start the recruitment and reinvigorating the lay faithful with hope to expand the promotion to parishes where our students and Mill Hill priests come from.

The Filipino Friends of Mill Hill had already existed some years back and in some parishes where Mill Hill Missionaries worked before and through the initiative of Fr. Gustl Frenademez, MHM, though they were not given formal formation. The “Friends” are our support group of our missionary activities. They help us actively in promoting mission awareness in the parishes and even help us in our campaign for missionary vocation. As ‘Our Friends’ they joined us in our Society’s feast of St. Joseph, which we annually celebrate in our Mill Hill Formation House Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

As a greenhorn to this new initiative and ministry as “the Promoter”, I consider myself as the trailblazer. I have to make myself known 12 | Friends of Millhill 2018

to the parish and her parishioners through regular visitation and presiding the Eucharistic celebration together with the local faithful. My main task is to organize groups and ‘friends’ in the manner I could think the most feasible way to make this ministry flourish and effective. By far, I have began the recruitment by starting in Mandurriao, Calinog, Maasin, Coron Palawan, Anini-y, Casay and hope to reinvigorate more parishes like Guinasang-an, Hamtic, Sibalom, Belison, Patria, Sebaste, Bugasong and for those who wish to join and to take a ride on this wagon of Friends of Mill Hill Missionaries.

Recently, I have organised the Mandurriao Group while the Parish of Anini-y and Casay are about to finish. My next mission is Maasin, Iloilo and more parishes in the Diocese of Antique.

I believe that my stint as Promoter of Filipino Friends of Mill Hill will reawaken the awareness of our missionary call as baptized Christians. My new ministry will never always be easy, it will take ones humility while visiting and encouraging people to join us in this ministry.

His Holiness Pope Francis once said in one of his homilies and I qoute: “Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she bears witness to God’s love”. His thoughts also gives me strength and joyful courage to welcome all close to Mill Hill Missionaries up to the present to be our official registered friends. So, to all my brothers and sisters what are you waiting for? “Be missionaries of God and be counted as Filipino Friends of Mill Hill Missionaries.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me on the address below: Fr. Alfredo M. Marmolejo, Jr. MHM Promoter of Filipino Friends of Mill Hill 52 Avancena St. Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

Smart: 09291795131 Globe: 09156095547

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Golden Jubilarian 2018 Fr. Bernard van Spandoonk. MHM

Celebrating the Golden Jubilee year is one great occasion that a “Jubilarian” couldn’t miss the day.

Fr. Bernard returned home in May 2018 to the Netherlands to celebrate with his family, relatives and friends his 50th Golden years of Amare et Servire as Mill Hill Missionary. It is indeed a great moment to look back to the many journeys Fr. Bernard had embarked since his Perpetual Oath as a Mill Hill Brother that was taken place in his hometown Tilburg, The Netherlands - June 30, 1968 is the most important date for Fr. Bernard that truly made a great impact in his life. He was first sent to mission as a Brother to Borneo, Malaysia. After few years in Borneo mission, there was a change of heart happened when Fr. Bernard made a choice to study for Priesthood. With all God’s blessings and graces, he was ordained as

a Mill Hill Missionary Priest in June 26, 1982 again in his hometown in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Fr. Bernard after his ordination, was sent to the Philippines to begin a new missionary journey. No doubt Fr. Bernard has all the reasons and filled with the spirit to Fr. Bernard celebrate his missionary journeys.

Fr. Bernard, we wish you for more years of Amare et Servire in the Philippines. Your presence is a true symbol of a lifetime dedication and commitment.

You truly lived-up the Mill Hill Missionaries spirit.

Ad Multos Annos Fr. Bernard van Spandoonk, MHM

Mid-Life Seminar 2018, Rome

by Rev. Fr. Benny P. Quinto, MHM

On July 14-28, 2018, I was privileged to attend the Mill Hill Missionaries’ “Mid-Life seminar” held at the Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing’s Generalate in Bevilacqua, Rome. 17 Mill Hill missionaries working in different parts of the world aged 40-55 years old, and coming from various cultural and social backgrounds (African, Asian, and European) attended the seminar. The two-week gathering was facilitated

by Sister Kathryn Ryan, using her expertise in group dynamics and sharing. Fr. Eamon Mulcahy, a Spiritan priest led us on our two-day recollection.

Fr. Len Kofler, a Mill Hill missionary and founder/ lecturer at the Institute of St. Anselm’s, Rome gave inputs on the psycho-spiritual aspects of mid-life. and Fr. Barry O’Sullivan shared information on Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults.

We were all grateful for the supportive presence of our Superior General, Fr. Michael Corcoran, MHM and Councillor for Asia, Fr. Jimmy Lindero, MHM and with Fr. Liam Cummins, MHM for logistics.

The two-week get-together was a time for our fellow MHMs on the same stage of life and ministry.

We shared our personal life’s experiences as midlifers and our ministerial challenges in the mission.

We have had gracious moments of revisiting our life’s journey through sharing our experiences during the last young members meeting we attended. We realized how much blessings we have received from the Lord and how much we have gone through, which would help us face the challenges that mid-life has in store for us.

The insights we gained from the inputs were solid foundations to be our guide as we move on to the future. At this stage, we are continually reminded of God’s mercy on us and being God’s messenger of love and mercy. We are awakened that this stage of our life is but a part of our life’s journey- a transition. As such, many changes, both healthy and unhealthy, will occur, but we keep ourselves open for a positive lifestyle. Life is a gift… it has to be lived to the full to wellness integrated lifestyle.

Sidelight of the Seminar. Our traversing the ancient and modern streets of Rome visiting Friends of Millhill 2018 | 13

MillHill Missionaries

MILLHILL Newsletter different places of interests like the Vatican Museum and the Vatican Garden, the Coliseum, the ancient ruins of the city, famous buildings and fountains, and the four basilicas of St. Peter, St. Paul outside the Wall, the St. John Lateran and Maria Maggiore, to name a few, were our opportune time of bonding and adventure. Our taste buds were spoilt by the delicious Italian ice cream (gelato) and the ever delightful Italian pasta, wine and pizza. For two weeks, we indeed experienced how to be in the Eternal City: experiencing its ancient grandeur and modern

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life. Adding to these was the pilgrimage to the city of Assisi, visiting the tombs of two great saints, St. Francis and St. Claire, the church built by Francis and other places of attractions. It was a day of reflections on their great life and contribution to the church… and learning from their life and examples.

More importantly, our meeting was a time to refresh ourselves, the time to share our “upsand-downs” as missionaries, and be equipped of tools to help us live our mid-life meaningfully and graciously.

The Most Rev. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, DD. The Sixth Archbishop of Jaro

The Journey That Led Back Home Bishop Romy’s itinerary of formation is a unique journey that started from San Jose, Antique ignited first by the Assumption Sisters! He then proceeded for Secondary Education under the Dominicans. From there, he entered the minor seminary at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo City. A monsignor who was an older seminarian when Bishop Romy was in the seminary, commented:’hipuson lang na sya, pero maalam’ (soft-spoken yet with depth and substance), this has evolved to be his style of communication. Afterwards he went back to Antique and finished his Philosophical Studies at St. Peter’s Seminary. The initial phase of his theology formation brought him to Mindanao at St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary (REMASE). But later he went back to St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary to complete his theological education. It is quite interesting to note the beautiful pattern of returning where he started. His formal priestly formation was nurtured from the start and culminated within the embrace of the local church of Jaro.

Historically, in 1868, Jaro then consisted of the Panay Island (Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo and Antique), Negros, Romblon and Palawan, even Jolo, Zamboanga and Davao. It was only in 1962 that Antique became a diocese under its first bishop, the Most Rev. Cornelio de Wit, MHM, DD. Now this little Toto Romy 14 | Friends of Millhill 2018

will go back to Jaro a 5’1” tall head shepherd becoming its sixth Archbishop.

In some sense, one can say that his being anointed by Pope Francis to become the spiritual head of the Metropolitan See of Jaro is a kind of going back home to the Mother Church that helped his vocation grow towards its maturation. It is beautiful to behold the divine artistry of God whose loving will has interwoven the histories of Jaro and Antique. The mission impetus that has generated the birthing of the local church of Antique where Bishop Romy traces his roots, I now turning full circle, when Bishop Romy is missioned back to the mother diocese of Jaro as its new Archbishop. (excerpt from the Canonical Installation, April 16, 2018

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Mensa Domini Sisters on Mission to Miri Diocese, Malaysia

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ate in the morning of September 27, 2018, on the Feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, the three Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table (MSLT) are on their way for their first mission to Borneo, East Malaysia specifically in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Miri (Latin: Diocesis Mirensis), situated in the NorthSister Eva Eastern Region of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak.

For a flashback; The Miri Diocese was erected in 1959, as the Apostolic Vicariate of Miri and was formed from the Vicariate of Kuching. The present Catholic community finds its roots in the ministry of the Missionary Society of St. Joseph (Mill Hill Missionaries).

In the following year the Apostolic Vicariate was established and Fr. Anthony D. Galvin, MHM was consecrated as the first bishop.

Approximately six years later, Fr. Anthony Lee, sparked the light of vocation when he was the first priest from Miri to be ordained on January 2, 1966. The Vicariate of Miri was raised as a Diocese on May 31, 1976

by Pope Paul VI as a new Church province in East Malaysia. As the Diocese was growing in faith, Fr. Anthony Lee was appointed the first bishop of the new established Diocese of Miri in St. Joseph’s Cathedral of Miri on May 20, 1977 and the diocese proclaimed officially on that same day. However, it lost its territory

to the North of it, to establish the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei. The current Bishop of Miri is the newly ordained Bishop Richard Ng who continues what the Bishop Emeritus had started during his administration.

The Diocese of Miri, East Malaysia is the second missionary venture of the Mensa Domini Sisters after they sent three sisters in a pioneering missionary exploration in the Diocese of Lodwar, Kenya. Sisters Eva Lotilla, Baby An Jungco and Lieaneth Ferrer are heading with joyful anticipation heart for their first mission abroad and bringing their motto “that all may be one.” They were sent-off by their Sisters at the Iloilo International Airport. There were mixed emotions in the air, yet they could feel the spiritual conviction of the sisters to share the mission and the joy of the Gospel. When Sr. Eva was asked about her thoughts, she said it with conviction, “We’ll be there to bring the Gospel of Joy and the spirit of the Mensa Domini Sisters.We are very grateful to Bishop Richard Ng for the invitation to go for mission in his Diocese. The Lord is ahead of us and He is waiting there for us.”

The overflowing of love in the hearts of the sisters was indeed a gracious moment of life to the utmost - a true manifestation of their spirit having One Mind and One Heart in the many faces of challenges they will be encountering in the new mission.

Dear Sisters, we keep you in our prayers and in every celebration of the Eucharist gathering around the Table of the Lord.

Good Luck and Dios Mabalus!

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Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz

Our NEW FRIENDS in HEAVEN Tiburcio Arnaiz Muñoz (11 August 1865 18 July 1926) was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and a professed member of the Jesuits. His ecclesial career was spent in two parishes for just over a decade, before he entered the Jesuit novitiate. He became known for his tender care of all people.

His ecclesial studies saw him as an internal student though his harsh economic condition prompted him to continue his studies as an external student.

During the course of his education he served as a sacristan to the Dominican nuns at their San Felipe convent. He was ordained to the priesthood on 20 April 1890 and from 1893 served as the parish priest at Villanueva de Duero until 1896. He earned a doctorate in theological studies at Toledo on 19 December 1896 at which point he was transferred to a new parish since his superiors thought it would be better for one of his talents. He joined the Jesuits on 30 March 1902 and entered the novitiate in Granada and his novitiate ended in 1904. In September 1909 he spent a brief period of time in Murcia.

His sister - after their mother died - joined the

Dominican nuns at the convent where he had once served as their sacristan.

In 1911 he was in Málaga where he dedicated himself to caring for the poor and those in need. He soon became concerned with those living in farms and in other rural areas, though he also spent some time in Loyola. He was in Cádiz from 1916 to 1917 before returning to Málaga to continue his work. In 1922 he cofounded the Missionaries of the Rural Parishes, alongside the Servant of God María Isabel González del Valle Sarandeses, whom he had come to know. This organization would be of use to the priest in his unwavering commitment to the moral and cultural well being of the poor with an added emphasis on those who lived in remote and rural areas. The Bishop of Málaga Saint Manuel González García praised him for his work and encouraged him to continue on a grand scale.

In June 1926, he fell ill while preaching the novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He suffered from a high fever, and a car was sent for him to take him to his residence where he was confined to bed and soon diagnosed with bronchopneumonia.

On 10 October 2016 he was proclaimed to be Venerable after Pope Francis confirmed that the late Jesuit priest had lived a model Christian life of heroic virtue. The beatification is to be celebrated on 20 October 2018.

Saint Manuel González García (25 February 1877 – 4 January 1940) was a Spanish bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Bishop of Palencia from 1935 until his death. He was also founder of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth and also established both the Disciples of Saint John and the Children of Reparation, He was known for his strong devotion to the Eucharist and became known as the “Bishop of the Tabernacle” due to this devotion; he made it an objective of his to spread devotion to the Eucharist and encouraged frequent reception of it.

The sainthood cause for the late bishop opened in 1981 and titled as a Servant of God

while Pope John Paul II named him as Venerable on 6 April 1998 upon the confirmation that he exercised heroic virtue in his life. John Paul II also beatified the late bishop on 29 April 2001 Pope Francis canonized him as a saint on 16 October 2016. He is the patron of all his religious orders and of the Diocese of Palencia where he served as a bishop.

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