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

"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:

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With thanks to Kim Travero of Verbum Dei Cebu and the WordNews team