As 2018 ended, we decided as Pansol community in Quezon city to look back at our year and the different apostolic activities we had. It was an enjoyable year and various photos captured a sense of the moments of mission. We put this video together then to show the good work the Lord has been doing through our lives. We do not want to “hide the light under the table,” so we share it with you, so all may see the light and give God the glory - “All glory and honor is yours almighty Father!”
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Let us pray that all of us, in our Verbum Dei mission, can continue to be light in the world of today remembering the advice of Jesus, the light of the world: “Instead they put the lamp it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-16)

Having problems viewing the video? View it on Google Drive. Link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CKbX3Vje_SmPjEOQxW9la8T6sR92UhZP/view?usp=drivesdk

From the WordNews team

​The Verbum Dei missionaries based in the Philippines, along with some Verbum Dei married couples discerning their vocation, gathered in our retreat house in Tagaytay for 2 days of formation.

During the first day we reviewed the history of each community in the Philippines to see the path walked and lessons learned. The first communities in 1977 in Manila have over 41 years of history, with Pansol opening in 2009, and Pasig in 2016.

We give thanks to God for all the work he has done, noting the teaching of Jesus, “My Father is always working and so am I” (see John 5:17) and recalling the words of St Paul “What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth” (1 Cor 3:5-7).

On the second day we sought to project the priorities of the future in the light of our recent General Congress. The invite of Saint Pope John Paul II inspired us: “to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to look forward to the future with confidence” (Novo Millenio Inuente, n. 1). We had the Eucharist together and a time of prayer as well as moments of bonding. We also celebrated together the 22 years of marriage of Mau and Jess, a Verbum Dei missionary married couple.

After our 2 days of formation we felt rejuvenated and inspired to work together as one missionary community in this beautiful charism and mission entrusted to us.
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May Mother, the Mother of God and our Mother, guide us with her maternal embrace in the journey ahead. 

Here are some photos of the event:

Here are some photos of the event:

​​“A Child is Born unto Us”—this is the theme of the Advent Recollection for the staff and employees of Tekton Multi-Purpose Cooperative last December 10. It was a timely moment to stop and prepare our hearts for the Little One who is coming to our lives as the fulfillment of God’s promise and dreams.

Although it was only an afternoon recollection, the twenty-five participants had a full meal composed of games, songs, watching a meaning-filled video clip, listening to the preaching, moment of silent reflection, receiving a short formation on the oneness of faith and work, and listening to the sharing of each other.

​For a company that equally prioritizes the spiritual growth of their employees, this recollection has been a new experience of community and prayer for them. Indeed, ‘a Child born for us’ is a gift of meaning and purpose upon which we can surely anchor our lives. 

​On the 12th of December, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there was a big turnout of attendees for the Verbum Dei Advent recollection.  Held at Christ the King Parish it was entitled “And the Word becomes flesh... in us.”  A total of 88 attendees (with 50 newcomers) participated in this one-day recollection. 
 
The first talk was given by Fr. James on “Listening like Joseph.” He reminded us that if Joseph did not listen and act on what he was commanded by the Lord, we would not have Christmas as we know it.  Joseph was a just man who adjusted his life to the word of God. Likewise, if we don’t listen to the Lord and take time off our busy schedules for Him, then there is no Christmas to celebrate at all.
 
The second talk entitled “Don’t forget to chew like Mary” was given by one of our SOWers, Michelle Dayrit-Soliven. She taught us how to assimilate and ponder like Mary with her 3 P’s of fruitful pondering with Prayer, Patience and Perseverance. Mary listened with her heart and so should we. “Be still and know that you are not God!”
 
Lastly, Stella Deriquito’s talk was on “Living the Word”. .Jesus became human out of love just to show us how to truly live with joy, love and peace. Let us give room for the Savior and welcome Him in our hearts and not to let Him be “away in a manger.”
 
The talks were all thought-provoking and inspiring in preparation of the Lord’s coming. We were reminded, though, that the reflection and prayer after each talk were of utmost importance. Only in doing so will we be able listen like Joseph, ponder like Mary and live like Jesus. 
 
To cap off the day, we celebrated the Holy Eucharist after confession and rosary prayer.  Fr. Bong Guinoo officiated the mass and emphasized that equally important is announcing the Word of God just as the shepherds did. The essence of Christmas is not an event that merely happened more than 2000 years ago. The mystery of Christmas is ongoing and should be lived and announced every day of our lives. Only in doing so do we make the Word become flesh ... in us.

Advent is here! And what better way to prepare for the season than to be in prayer with the community and the Church. Last December 2, Verbum Dei Manila-Pasig held a one-day retreat at the Pandacan Caritas Hall in Manila. Entitled “The Miracle of Waiting,” participants were immersed in prayer and reflection about the season of Advent.

In the morning, Sister Amy invited the participants to ponder on the kind of waiting and preparations we do during Advent. With Mary as the model, she challenged participants to a more meaningful form of waiting - to ready their hearts to be a womb for God’s love.

In the afternoon, Sister Pearl invited participants in her talk to reflect on their focus and priority especially during this season of preparation. Taking St John the Baptist as an example, she explored the best values one can have in preparing during Advent. She continued the challenge of the morning talk, inviting participants to reflect on making room in their hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

An atmosphere of silence was maintained throughout the retreat to encourage the participants to ponder more deeply the Word of God they had received through the talks presented.
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The retreat was concluded with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Bong, further reminding the participants of the spirit of thanksgiving that they are invited to carry throughout their preparations during Advent. Truly a recharging and inspiring way to start the season of active and expectant waiting!

The Verbum Dei Missionary Family in Manila-Pasig held its Local Assembly over the weekend of November 24 and 25, 2018 at the Pasig Apostolate Center. Disciples gathered to have a time of prayer in thanksgiving for the past year as well in preparation for the year to come.

The weekend started with guidelines given by Sister Cecilia Teo on Saturday morning. She invited the gathered disciples to reflect on the past year of activities with a thankful heart. In the afternoon, the Disciples grouped up in their respective ministries and committees to review the activities of the previous year as well as to concretely plan for the year ahead.

After the activities of the day were done, the Family had time to let their hair down. In Verbum Dei Fiesta fashion, the Disciples took to celebration in the spirit of thanksgiving for the year. The evening was filled with fun games, music and dance, and of course good food and fellowship.

The Local Assembly resumed the following morning with guidelines from Sister Marla. She invited the Disciples to reflect on the heart of the mission, to continue to offer our five loaves and two fish as Verbum Dei Family. The Disciples then had a chance for a more in-depth look at the activities in store for the Verbum Dei Family in 2019 in their respective realities.

After all the excitement of the weekend, the assembly was capped off perfectly with the apostolic commitment ceremony during the Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Iwao. We give thanks to God for the life of one who committed for the first time, of those who renewed their commitment, as well as of those who has stable commitment. We pray for the perseverance of each one to continue to be the light and salt of the world!

“Give me Life by your Word” (Psalm 119:25)

Last November 22-25, a group of 17 regular attendees of SOW participated in a 4 day
silent retreat at Verbum Dei Tagaytay. As regular Sow attendees gathered for this
retreat, there was a spirit of being “home” together with other SOWmates. One would
think four days of silence would seem difficult but truly everyone felt so at peace in such
a serene environment. It was a sanctuary to commune with the Lord as the Temario
(Theme set) was tackled extensively by Fr. Filipe, Fr. David, Sr. Gabriela and Fr James.
Some themes may be quite familiar but notably, it was at a more intense level. As one
SOWer stated… “It felt that we were at the “heart” of Verbum Dei spirituality.”

Temario: Life and Love, Your Life comes from love, Your life is for loving, To be Christ,
Conversion, Mercy, Incarnation and Go and Make Disciples

Every talk and every activity, whether it was the sacrament of reconciliation, rosary
prayer, adoration and simple lighting ceremony were so meaningful that it was a
challenge to choose one or two fruits from this retreat. This retreat was definitely not
silent for the Lord spoke to us with each and every activity. To summarize, perhaps you
can say we came back home with our hearts, our minds, our souls full…. with life and
love!!! One fruit that echoed in us is the invitation to persevere. “How do you keep the
fire burning or how do you keep the music playing?”
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It was interesting to note that the theme started with all of us asking the Lord to give us
life by His Word…. but after deepening ourselves in His Word throughout the retreat…
we are called by the Lord to give Him life by our word to others.

Here are a few more photos of the event:

​Hello family and friends!

Read the 2nd issue of our Word News, our National Newsletter here in the Philippines. 
Read the embedded PDF below or download the PDF file and read it offline. Enjoy