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Read the news from events, activities and other updates on the different communities here in the Philippines

10/31/2019 Comments

Baptized and Sent: Missionary Journey in Bohol (October 20, 2019)

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"You are a mission, always. I am a mission always"
Missionary Journey in Bohol

​These words from Pope Francis remained in our hearts and fueled us as we were sent to the different places to share to the people the grace of this extraordinary month of mission with the theme: "Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World". The community here in Cebu have decided as one family to go to Bohol, Boljoon, Olango and Toledo on what we normally call a 'missionary journey'. It has been a long time since we had our last missionary journey here in Cebu and I can sense a feeling of excitement from the disciples who volunteered to share their love and life to their chosen places of mission.
 
This experience that I am about to share is from the team of disciples who went to Bohol. It's quite exciting because we have teamed up with the people from our existing apostolate in Bohol. To start with, we went there on October 19 and 20. We had two venues to give recollections. One is in the humble Sto. Nino chapel near the residence of one of the attendees in Bohol apostolate in Dauis, Panglao and the other is in ACE hospital located in Tagbilaran City. There were 18 coming from Cebu who joined the missionary journey while there were 30-40 participants from both venues.
 
The first day was quite challenging as we started late from the planned schedule yet the recollection started and ended very well. It started with a welcome talk given by one of our disciples in singles reality, Joanna Uy, followed by the talk about God the Father, by Kim Travero, a member of the youth reality. Participants were immersed as they read the letter of God the Father and as they listened to a heartwarming testimony from one of the youth reality, Kent Artajo. In the afternoon, the lives of the saints were also presented by Sue Vergara, KD Artajo, Restie Oripaypay and Joseph Micutuan, showing how the saints have lived their lives as concrete examples of people living their identity as baptized. It was then followed by a talk about mission given by one of our disciples from the couples reality, Sarah Artajo. There were dynamics given in which they were asked to identify their mission in life in the different places they have chosen. It ended with a general sharing and the team rested with contentment as we prepare for the next day.
 
The location of our second recollection was the conference room in a hospital. We were also quite excited and privileged to have Sr. Antonieta Vargas, the General responsible of the misioneras branch, who joined us throughout the day. The same flow of activities happened with a few twists. The welcome talk was given by Sarah Artajo and followed by the talk about God the Father from Tonette Yncierto. We had a group sharing, dividing the teens, singles and married couples. In the afternoon, a booth of the saints was done facilitated by the team and a testimony on how your work place can be your mission field given by one of our disciples in singles reality, Jane Jacel and the talk on mission was given by Joann Gustilo. The recollection ended with a celebration of the Eucharist and a photo opportunity from all the team and participants.
 
Thanks be to God for giving us the gift of the charism of Verbum Dei which allowed us to share the life of God through our own very lives. May Mother Mary continue to capacitate us and enable us to always go forth and make disciples of all nations. To end this, let me share an excerpt from Pope Francis's message for World Mission Sunday:
 
"As far as God’s love is concerned, no one is useless or insignificant. Each of us is a mission to the world, for each of us is the fruit of God’s love."
Here are some photos of the event:

With thanks to Kim Travero of Verbum Dei Cebu and the WordNews team
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10/29/2019 Comments

Baptized and Sent: Missionary Journey in Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu (October 20, 2019)

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Baptized and Sent
​​Missionary Journey in Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu

Being one with the whole Catholic church as we celebrated World Mission Sunday, a group of Verbum Dei Missionaries and Disciples of Cebu were also sent out to Matab-ang, Toledo Cebu to live out the call of God though our World Mission Sunday theme: "Baptized and sent: the Church of Christ on Mission in the World." 
  
It's out of God's mercy when one is called to participate in the mission but it's an even more overwhelming mercy of God when you are called to participate in the mission together with your family. 
  
I would have wanted to leave our kids to my husband's parents here in the city for us to focus more on the recollection. 
However, the Holy Spirit blew differently to my husband Richard. He told me: "Since we are in charge of the music, we will bring the kids with us. Let Ate Lex sing and Zaki our 5 year old son to play the beatbox.” My heart was full seeing my 2 boys giving their lives for God through music. It was indeed a family missionary journey for us because my Mom Tessie also gave a testimony about her experience of God the Father! 
  
What truly marked my experience is that the call of God is not for us to do the mission alone but as a family. Who would have thought I will be giving a recollection together with my whole family? God is amazing! 
  
There were also other families there who shared their lives: 
  
  1. Thanks to the family of Patrick, Debbie Boone, Debbie Green and Debbie Mae Tesorio who arranged the place of the recollection. They were so generous to welcome us with a bountiful lunch and a supper yummy biko dessert 
  2. To the family of Kris & Elena Ty which was also complete. Kris gave the talk of God the Father and Elena spearheaded the Rosary of the Word. 
  3. To the Family of Joy and Lilibeth Romero who sponsored the rosaries that we gave out as souvenirs. Though they were not physically present in Toledo but they brought roughly around 40 people as participants who completed our 138 recollection participants. 
  4. And lastly thanks to the family Verbum Dei Missionaries and Disciples who gave out their lives, time, spirit and joy that day:  
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  • Aida Carpela who gave the Mission Talk 
  • Cynthia Tinoko, Bebot Caballero, Beth Sawal and Mars Pacita - who were in charge of the registration 
  • Ma Elena Coliao and Gilna Asejo and son - were in charge of the kids 
  • Victor who drove us safely back and forth 
  • Sr. Mico Radan  
  
When the Father sent us, Mother Mary accompanied us.  
  
I thought we were there to evangelize but we were the ones evangelized seeing those little kids as young as 2 or 3 years old who are already very good at praying the rosary! They told us that they pray the rosary every day at 6 o’clock. I was mesmerized by their love for our Mother Mary.  
  
It was indeed a family missionary journey for all of us! Tired but very joyful! Lord, send us again wherever your Spirit blows … 
Here are some photos of the event:

With thanks to Shiela Lapinid and the WordNews team
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10/27/2019 Comments

Baptized & Sent: Missionary Journey in Olango, Cebu (October 20, 2019)

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Baptized and Sent
Missionary Journey in Olango, Cebu

The whole Catholic Church celebrated the extraordinary World Mission Sunday last October 20, 2019 with the theme: “Baptized and Sent”. Thus, as one Verbum Dei community in Cebu, we decided to have missionary journeys in the different places where God called us to go through giving recollections. Disciples from different walks of life were sent to Toledo, Boljoon, Olango and Bohol.

​Now, I am beyond grateful to share with you our missionary journey experience in the island of Cebu, Olango. There were about 18 disciples who volunteered to help and organize the recollection in two different barangays: Brgy. Sta. Rosa and Brgy. Tingo. The same flow of activities was done in both places with an estimated number of 120 participants - teens, lay people, catechists, and parents. The activities included singing songs, dancing animation, games, giving of talks, listening to testimonies and sharing of the fruits of the recollection.

​The first talk was God the Father, which was given by one of our new missionary couples here in Cebu, Eryle Payos, and followed by an inspiring testimony by my husband, Manuel Manceli. The talk was indeed an eye opener for everyone and I myself was even reminded about my real identity as a child of God. It taught us that the unconditional love of the father is such that no matter how sinful I am, God still loves me. The passage that struck me was in Genesis 1:26 where God said that He created us in His own image and likeness, that even when I was still in my mother’s womb, he already knew me. This talk made me realize that God created me for a great purpose and through the virtue of baptism, I am sealed to be with Him forever. In addition, the testimony given by Manuel concretized the powerful and living love of God to his children. He shared how Christ changed his life and how he was accompanied throughout his sufferings. Manuel's experience showed that no matter how hard you work for your dreams, if God is not in it, it would still be unsatisfying.

​I gave the second talk about Mission – how we, as children of God, can live out our purpose and goal in life as baptized and sent disciples of Christ. Being the person who gave the talk, I was the first one who was blessed to receive the fruit! I realized that my life is a gift from God, and I was “baptized” and “sent” by God. My life is for mission, not just any kind of mission but the same mission that Christ has lived – to bring God to the very lives of the people. Being a missionary is not only for religious people, priests, nuns and missionaries, but all of us, we are a missionary. The talk rekindled in the listeners once again the urgency to respond to the call of God to give life to others.
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​The recollection was very memorable and successful. Seeing the joy in the faces of the participants and hearing their thoughts as they shared their fruits were beyond worth, despite the strenuous preparations and activities that we’ve been through. Everyone experienced God’s love and were eager to do the mission God has entrusted to us. As Pope Francis reminded us that “I am a Mission and You are a Mission ALWAYS”.
Here are some photos of the event:

With thanks to Imelda Manceli and the WordNews team
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10/26/2019 Comments

Series of Formations at Verbum Dei-Tagaytay (September 29, 3019)

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Atheism and Belief in God

On Sunday, September 29, 2019, the Verbum Dei-Tagaytay community begun a series of formations entitled “Atheism and Belief in God” facilitated by Sr. Grace Gonzales, FMVD.

It was a whole day formation attended by adult/singles and married individuals from nearby Tagaytay areas and some from Metro Manila. The formation activity covered interesting topics such as:

  • Man’s quest for the divine
  • What is man?
  • ​​ ​What is God?
  • ​​​What is atheism?
  • Various responses to atheism

As one of the attendees, we asked mind-boggling questions which could be on people’s minds, like, What is the meaning and purpose of one’s life?; Where does suffering originate?; What is its purpose? These are questions foremost in our hearts and minds which oftentimes we don’t articulate for fear of being misunderstood or branded as weird.

But, our God provides the answers, because man is a thinking and religious being. The Church document, Gaudium et Spes, #19 gives us a glimpse of the answers and some insights on what atheism is all about, the meaning of human dignity and also man’s capacity to know God.

Likewise, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC, Ch.1 # 27-29) tells us of man’s desire for God which is written in the human heart; and how God never stops to draw us to Himself. As St. Augustine expressed it, man is restless until he rests in God.

Throughout history, until the present day, men and women have continued to express their quest for God in their religious beliefs and actions in prayer, sacrifices, rituals, meditations, devotions, etc. hence, man can be called a religious being.

However, due to man’s sinfulness and weaknesses, the closeness to God can be broken, forgotten, ignored, and even rejected by man (GS #19). Thus, we have atheists who continue to reject God and deny any claim of His divine existence. We also learned in the formation, the various causes of atheism, like, man’s desire for autonomy, that he can exist without divine or God’s intervention.An advocate of this belief, Rene Descartes, said, “I think, therefore, I am.” which means, man is autonomous and can be left to himself. Another German philosopher, Frederick Nietzche, even said, “God is dead.” This reminded me of the famous Beatles member, John Lennon who composed the song, “Imagine” with the famous line: “Imagine there’s no Heaven…” Lennon was tagged by many as an atheist because of this composition, among others.

Finally, a very touching and relevant video film, entitled, “God’s Not Dead” capped our formation session. It was a film which depicted a learned professor’s life of denying the existence of God because “he was angry with God for taking everything away from him.”

The question put forward by the student who challenged the professor was, “How can he get angry with someone if that someone did not exist?” Towards the end of the film, the professorwho met a tragic car accident, accepted his defeat and asked for forgiveness before he passed away.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Amen.

With thanks to Mila Abigan and the WordNews team
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10/18/2019 Comments

Visit to the Archbishop (October 18, 2019)

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On 18 October 2019, the Feast of St Luke the evangelist, an ecclesial group from Verbum Dei went to visit His Excellency, the Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, DD, Archbishop of Cebu. The purpose of the cordial visit was to update him on the progress of the Verbum Dei in Cebu – to present to him the Married Couples missionary branch, and the couples who recently took their first bonds, as well as to meet the General Responsibles of the misioneras branch (Antonieta Vargas) and married couples branch (Poncho (Martinez).
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During the visit, the Archbishop thanked us for the contribution of the charism, as well as discussing with us the preparation of the Church in the Philippines for 2021, which will be the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines. We departed in good spirits having received his apostolic blessing.

​We continue to pray for Abp. Palma and his ministry of shepherding.

With thanks to the WordNews team
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10/11/2019 Comments

Formation: Atheism and Belief in God (October 6, 2019)

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How do we approach a person who rejects any and every claim that God or the Divine exists? Since according to Gaudium et Spes, no. 20, "Atheism is not present in people's minds from the beginning", what are the causes of this change of mind and heart? What are its consequences? How do we respond to it? These are some of the thought provoking questions that we were challenged to answer, and situations that we tried to immerse and understand more deeply during the formation on, "Atheism and Belief In God", given by Sister Grace Gonzales, FMVD on October 6, 2019 at the Verbum Dei Apostolate Center Pasig. 

The participants actively engaged in the group discussions and sharing. The formation culminated by watching an equally moving and thought-provoking movie entitled, " God Is Not Dead". We could not ask for more; it was truly fun, lively, enlightening and helpful. What a good way to spend a Sunday with the company of kind-hearted missionaries and disciples, constantly learning and enriching our faith. 
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As Verbum Dei missionaries and disciples, this formation is very relevant and helpful as we take on the challenges of today's modern world; confronted with distorted principles and values, consumed with materialism, modernization, rapid advancement in technology that makes possible human achievement without limits; thereby making God irrelevant, neglected... even forgotten. Looking forward to Part 2 of the Formation.

With thanks to Luisa Frio and the WordNews team
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10/7/2019 Comments

“Born for Love” - Recotreat for Singles (September 28-29, 2019)

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​Verbum Dei Cebu Singles Reality organized an overnight recotreat (recollection/retreat) last September 28~29 in St. Francis Seraph Retreat House in Talisay City, Cebu with the theme "Born for Love".
 
The recotreat aimed to make the participants realize and experience that Christ's love is the only Love that can fully satisfy the human search for true love and happiness. 
 
Although the recotreat was meant for single people, the whole VD Family collaborated in giving the talks/guidelines, testimonies and dynamics. Adriana from the misioneras, Ate Mau and Kuya Jess from the couples and Jay Anne and Jane from the singles reality inspired and make the participants question what they are searching for in life through the talks and testimonies they have given.
 
Through the activities which consisted of talks, guidelines, testimonies, dynamics and a film showing, the participants were able to discover that it is only God who can truly satisfy the longings and void one feels inside. Material wealth, fame and success, human relationships can bring happiness in one's life but nothing compares to the happiness and fulfillment one can have when they have Christ in his/her life.
 
"My first recotreat experience. It was a wonderful and an unforgettable experience. The VD members were kind and approachable. The talks were inspiring and it helped me examine myself and life." - said one of the participants afterwards.
 
“I had an amazing encounter with Jesus during our Recotreat last week and this is my remarkable experience this 2019. I had peace of mind and was able to receive the grace of Jesus and I am so grateful about it. I realized in the recotreat that I have to put Jesus in everything that I do every day and be a living well to others.” - from Anna, another participant.
See some photos of the event:
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