A Day of Prayer with the Community (May 6, 2018)

By: Reycelle Anthony B. Bagares

The Verbum Dei Missionary Family in Cagayan de Oro had a day of prayer last Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Calabrian Retreat House in Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. The theme was, “The Community - a means of perseverance”. This month’s day of prayer was particularly special because it was graced by Alfonso “Poncho” Martinez, Formator of the Married Couple Branch, who gave the guidelines and the formations, and the mass was celebrated by James McTavish, FMVD (Ecclesial Zone Responsible, Philippines).

Poncho during his morning guidelines, his words crisp and in his distinctly Mexican-English accent said, “Community is a gift. The community is where we can see and experience Christ’s life-love in the people that we meet. We can guarantee the existence of God through how God is working in other people’s lives.”

Citing the Gospel reading in Luke 24, 28-35, the Road to Emmaus, he continued, “The community will allow you to see Christ – it draws itself near and walks with you, wanting to know how you are. Through the community God is telling us that I am here. I want to know how I can help.”
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The activity ended with a mass presided by James who traveled back from Musuan in Bukidnon with Jess Baja, where they had a School of the Word with some of the disciples there. Of course, the day ended with everyone in attendance standing in place for the picture taking. Adios y muchas gracias Poncho y James!

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With thanks to the WordNews team