I am the 4th of the 5 children of Romeo S. Gonzales, Jr. and Linda
Manantan Gonzales, from Upper Dado Alamada Cotabato. I was born on
February 9, 1987. I am 29 years old. I took up my Elementary and
Secondary Education in Upper Dado. I graduated from Notre Dame
University in Cotabato City with a degree in Bachelor of Science in
Accounting and Financial Management. The spark of my desire to be
in a religious life began when I was in high school. This was deepened
when I was in college. After my graduation in college, I decided to
respond to the call to join the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the
Infant Jesus (FMIJ). But during those times I felt that I didn’t have
enough courage and strength to fully submit myself to my chosen
vocation. I saw that my family needed my financial support in sending my
siblings to school. Eventually, I decided not to pursue my missionary
desire with the Franciscan missionaries. However, I did not lose hope
that someday, somehow, my dream will become a reality.
I worked
as bookkeeper of Libungan National Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative
for almost 4 years. In 2009, I took up my second course in Accountancy
desiring to become a Certified Public Accountant someday. I stayed at
the residence hall of the Oblates of Notre Dame in Cotabato City. I was
exposed to the life of the sisters and saw how they formed lay people. I
lived with them and I was happy listening to their different missionary
life stories, especially those assigned in remote areas and those
working with the indigenous people. I got interested about their life.
And came the time when the sisters asked me to work as Finance Officer
in their project on Peace Governance in Mindanao in partnership with the
Catholic Relief Services. I took up the challenge and explored Mindanao
through social services and I soon discovered that I love this kind of
job with the OND SPREAD Peace team headed by Sr. Telma Argate, OND. At
the same time I worked as part time bookkeeper of Notre Dame Center for
Catechesis with my direct supervisor Sr. Teresa May Salazar, OND. When
the project of CRS with OND SPREAD finished, another dream came true. I
transferred to the Cooperative Bank of Cotabato - Isulan Branch, in
Isulan Sultan Kudarat. I was assigned as accounting clerk for almost two
years while keeping connected with Notre Dame Center for Catechesis.
One day a friend of mine, Ms. Devie Enguito, a mission partner of Notre
Dame Center for Catechesis (NDCFC) from Ozamis City texted me an
invitation to join the accompaniment program of the Columban Lay
Missionaries. Without second thought I replied, showing my interest in
joining the group. I was then introduced to Ms. Aurora Luceño, CLM. She
accompanied me in my discernment process and facilitated my application
to the Columban Lay Missionaries until my acceptance to the CLM
nine-month orientation program. I was so happy when I received the
letter of acceptance to the orientation program. I finally decided to
take the risk of giving up my work & slowly detach myself from the
family and friends to fully embrace the world of uncertainties during
the orientation program. I went for a retreat and sought God’s guidance
and direction in my new journey towards becoming a Columban missionary,
to know myself and the Columban mission even more deeply and to
continually discern every step of the fulfillment of my missionary
dream.
 |
| Mission Sending of Febie on April 10, 2016, Immaculate Conception Parish, Alamada, Cotabato |
Overtime, my experiences in the orientation went beyond my
expectation. Many ups and downs were encountered. I also experienced
difficulties which made me think of quitting and going back to the
corporate world. Tough experiences taught me to appreciate the value of
surrendering everything to God. However, all of these made me realize
that in the different stages of my life’s journey God is always here at
my side, my partner in my discernment and in many ways He showed me the
purpose of my life. He molded and formed me accordingly. He revealed to
me His will and granted me my heart’s greatest desire. I found peace,
joy, happiness, contentment and fulfillment in life. I bloomed,
physically, emotionally and most of all spiritually. The joy of deeply
knowing myself in the orientation program led me to fall in love with my
God, inspired me to go out from my comfort zone, to reach out to the
poor, the marginalized, the dying and the dead and to take care of His
creation.
No comments:
Post a Comment