A new article of medical ethics by James McTavish is available for free download for a limited time.The title is "Exterminate! Exterminate!"

Go to https://www.ncbcenter.org/publications/ethics-medics/ then click “view/download”

He published it in the newsletter “Ethics and Medics” in the USA because it has quite a wide subscription so more people can read it. The article is about a new test which can detect Downs syndrome in the womb. However the technology, instead of being use to improve health, now results in the babies with Downs being aborted.

James said “I was upset when I saw many people in Ireland dancing in the streets after the law was passed allowing babies in the womb to be killed. More than 30 years ago the same country voted no to abortion and now it has changed. It is so sad to see the weak faith and weak values of humanity in Ireland now. So few had courage to stand up for life.”

In our Verbum Dei spirituality all of us members are called to be prophetic, like the voice crying out at midnight when everyone is sleeping (see Matthew 25:6).
What realities in the Body of Christ is the Lord pointing out to you? Pray about it and ask Jesus how to respond.

James said “I could not just sit by and do nothing so I put together this article to highlight the terrible tragedy of abortion.”

May each one of us not sit idly by, but live out our prophetic task as an evangelizing community. Let us help one another to be that voice crying out at midnight.

​Last August 6, 2018, the Verbum Dei teens from Cebu led a concert in Olango Island, 20 minutes boat journey from Cebu. For two years now, every third Sunday of the month, a School of the Word has been offered to the people of Olango by the Verbum Dei Family. Part of our Verbum Dei mission outreach in Olango has also been to give some recollections to the youth and couples as well as the distribution of school supplies, scholarships and Christmas gifts to the children of Tingo and St Rosa, in Olango. 
 
This time, we, the teens, with the support of our dear parents group, delivered a concert as a way to proclaim God's gift of faith and work in each one of us, through music. With God's grace and mercy, the concert went very well. We were able to evangelize the people especially the teens and the youth in that place. Around 400 people attended this concert. In the middle of the concert, we invited all to have a moment of adoration. It was very powerful to see everyone in silence in adoration before the Eucharist.
 
I was one of the singers. For me, it was a very fruitful experience that I will always keep in my heart. The concert enabled me to meet and greet new people, being friends with them, and see them enjoying and receiving God's message of love, and of hope, through music

See some photos of the event:

Article by Antonnette Jane Janala
(With thanks to the WordNews team)

​The Verbum Dei Youth Cebu once held again their annual #KamustahanWithTheYouth2018 at the Old Sacred Heart School in Genmaxilom, Cebu city last July 15, 2018 with a theme "Explore the other side." This activity was first held in 2017.

Theme
The word "Kamusta" is a Filipino term of "How are you?" in English. Thus, Kamustahan with the Youth is an activity which aims to:
 
- bring back the youth
- bringing them closer to Jesus
- instilling a sense of belonging in them
- giving them the opportunity to feel at home with the Verbum Dei community, - as well as getting to know their realities in life by listening and sharing with them.
 
Flow of event
This event consisted of different activities:
 
1) Praise and worship,
2) Talks,
3) Testimony of Life
4) Sharing with the youth.
 
The year the event was participated in by around 50 young people from the different universities in Cebu City. There were talks and testimonies, music and dynamics, a photobooth, and the Eucharist.
 
The #KamustahanWithTheYouth2018 started with an opening number by the Verbum Dei Youth followed by a Getting-To-Know-You game. After the welcoming remarks, the highlight of the event, 'Praise and Worship', was set. Different songs were sung, all in line with the theme, and talks, testimony of life, and inputs were given in-between the songs. The event ended with the celebration of the Holy Mass and a simple salo-salo.

This event was spearheaded by the General Events Coordinator of Verbum Dei Youth, Jhovann Arellano and with the aid of the adviser of the youth group, Fr. Lucio Arellano.
 
Aims of gathering
The aim of the gathering was to provide an avenue for young people to discover the love of Jesus for each one of them. The event was both fruitful and successful for all concerned – for the organizers and for all the participants. Indeed, smiles and joy were seen on the faces of everyone.
 
Youth today
There are lots of young people around the world. This is the stage of life where they love doing everything that makes them happy, at the same time chasing for their dreams. Life tends to offer a lot of things but not all are wholesome. In this fast-paced life, young people are engrossed in so many things making their lives busy in school, with their families and friends and even in their personal needs.
 
The organizers
The event was hosted and organized by the Verbum Dei Youth-Cebu. This is a group of young people coming from different universities, gathered in one community, providing a venue of accompaniment, prayer and holistic formation of young people; aiming to give witness to Christ through their testimony of life and ministry of the Word.
 
Summing up …
This event awakened the hearts of the young people to recollect themselves and discover what God wants for their lives. It's never wrong to explore many things in life as long as Jesus is by our side. In chasing our dreams, desires and passion in life, we, for sure, will get tired and slowly lose the fire in our hearts. Yet, God is inviting us to take a break, pause and rest with Him for He gives us the power and strength to fight and continue reaching for our dreams. Indeed, it's more fun with the Lord!

Here is a link to a video clip of the Kamustahan event:
https://www.facebook.com/verbumdei.cebu/videos/1896128847355719/?t=221
​(Opens the Verbum Dei Cebu, Philippines facebook page)

Here are some photos of the event:
(More photos can be found at our Facebook page.)

Tropical Storm Yagi (Karding) struck the Philippines over the weekend, August 12, 2018, but it didn’t stop us from charging to the lovely city of Tagaytay for the Art of Marriage formation. Eight couples braved the heavy rain excited to receive the said formation. The activity started with a mass at 8am, followed by the first session on the Art of Marriage, and the Joy of Loving formation in the afternoon. Once the session began it was all excitement and awe as these couples were introduced to the origin and the reasons of marriage, and the challenges of (daily) love. 

The formation ended with the sharing of the fruit of each couple. Many were helped by being reminded of the importance of dialogue between the couple. All eight couples promised to return to Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Tagaytay on August 26 and every last Sunday of the month thereafter for their monthly follow up session with the misioneras.

​The Art of Marriage is part of the project of Verbum Dei Philippines in promoting its apostolic centers and retreat houses. Our next assignment will be at Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Banawa, Cebu on September 23, 2018, and in Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Pasig the month afterwards. Hope to see you there!