Friday, July 17, 2009

RP18 Update

It's almost 7 weeks now since Ger, Jayjay and Rose arrived at the Columban Lay Mission House for the orientation. Many things have happened since but we are glad to see how enthused and excited they still are.

They are enrolled at the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies (IFRS), just 50 meters away from the Columban Lay Mission House, and taking up Catechetics, Introduction to Theology and Pastoral Approaches.

Miss Rheena Babanto, a returned Columban Lay Missionary (RP7) and now working at the College of St. Benilde of the De La Salle University in Manila, is facilitating an on-going group dynamics session with them. And they have completed some modular areas of studies, mostly facilitated by Columbans.

Likewise, they have visited various projects and ministries of the Columbans. On July 4, they visited the Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning (CELL). CELL is an ecological spirituality center founded by the Columbans and is located at Silang, Cavite. The Center aims to teach people to a new way of protecting and enhancing life on Earth with spiritual perspective. The one day exposure taught them ways to celebrate mother earth, live simply, recycle, and use alternative renewable energy. They learned how to care for the Earth so that it can care for us.

On July 11, RP18 visited the Columban JPIC Demo Farm in Zambales. This Columban project aims to educate guests on how to achieve sustainable agriculture through organic farming.

On the same day, RP18 visited the People’s Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA), and met up close and personal the three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Columban Fr. Shay Cullen. PREDA was founded in Olongapo in 1974 initially for the protection and promotion of children and women by Fr Shay Cullen together with Alex Hermoso and Merly Ramirez.

This coming weekend July 25 and 26, RP18 will join a retreat at Cenacle Retreat House. This weekend retreat entitled "Praying All Way: Provisions for the Journey" explores ways of praying that may suit the varying seasons and rhythms of their prayer life which may lead to a deeper encounter with the God of their journey.

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