To You

Come and face the sun

Don't fear your own shadow.

The universe owes to you nothing

But to it you owe a lot.

The glory of the lights and clouds

Show the Lord's amazing power...

The power beyond description

The power that makes us stay alive

The power that lead the sky to meet the ocean
And the trees to kiss the ground...

The power I strongly feel inside.

And I come and face You now

And I raise my hands

My rebirth, my hope

My peace, my love

To You, I offer my journey

To You, I entrust my all...

Bantug Lake Ranch 

Growing in Faith

    It is in the actual encounters of living that we discover the many realities and thousand possibilities there are. In life, we are being taught by others, by our experiences and then by our own self how to journey with whatever we have and whoever we are--- our resources, our skills, the significant people in our lives, and then most of all, our faith so that we can keep on going no matter what.

    Plants have beautiful stories of growing.Their needs must be sufficiently met but even though we left them behind at times, they just have natural way of growing. The sunlight, the wind and the rain are God’s ways of taking care of them. When we look around us, we see their beauty and then a grand showcase of how God would support so many lives.

Cebu City, Philippines

    Whether the plants don’t get enough or they get too much, they still continue to give in something to the earth even though they consume so little space-in a piece of land or in a clay pot or in a tin can, they just keep on growing.

    It is in a more exciting and amazing way that we, human beings grow too. We are faced with many changes and challenges. Some are nurtured well by our parents, our caretakers, our friends,our mentors and other significant people around us. Some experienced neglect,abandonment and betrayal and it would take real experiences of love for healing to take place. Love has special way of making people care and give. It has a special way of making people understand things, even if it seems to be confusing or hard to digest. It has a special way of making people share some sunlight, or some water or some space. It has a special way of nurturing our faith.

    Our story of growing is also a story of our relationship with God. There may be many distractions or frustrations that we have to bear in life, but if we never turn our path away from God we will successfully overcome anything and everything. Our faith grows when we recognize the fact that we have never been through any battle alone. God is always there for us, in every step of our growth. It is because of Him that we find joy in serving our purpose. It is through Him and with Him that we learn how to care, co-exist, and then love one another. It is through Him that we can blossom like plants.

My Soul's Restlessness

   It is literally a long and adventurous journey for me to get here, but its all worth the effort and the risk. Each moment spent with people we have met for three days and some for just couple of hours was equally as important and special as to the moments we have had with people who had been part of our lives for three months, for three years or even for years equivalent to our age. I constantly pray that God will continue to use me and my life to be of help in any way I could and in anywhere possible at any time, despite of my limitations and brokenness. Oh Lord, let my soul's restlessness produce goodness and let love overflow from it so that more beauty can be revealed by and through it...

the habal-habal ride

with the active youth in the community

with Joey

Pipo and Jam preparing the gifts and the goods for distribution

   On my way there, I rode in a habal-habal, with the driver sharing to me his story of how he longed for his wife who never returned after working abroad, and his son whom he was not able to see for the past eight years. He talked about how heavy his heart has been, and how days became a struggle for him. He then told me to pray for him...The ride was bumpy, just like his life.

   On my way there, I saw a child climbing halfway a coconut tree, trying to catch some signal for his cellular phone. I found out from my friend, who had been assigned as a priest in the area, how communication has been so difficult. Sometimes, people pay for the motorcycle to bring their phones in the town to receive messages. On our second night, we experienced climbing towards that spot of the highland where there is signal. There was no electricity that time, but the stars and the fireflies had given us a wonderful view. I was surprised to see several people going there just to text. 2014 is coming very soon, but we still have places in the country where communication system is not accessible.

   But I must say too, that despite all of these curbs, the people there have a good glimpse and experience of life, with all their simplicity, sense of neighborhood and deep spirituality. I thank God for allowing me to immerse into their stories and join them in their celebration even just for a while. I thank God for the kind and generous family who had planned for such activity and really made it happened.

Fr Michael giving the prize for the game

with Joey, Mapeth and Fr. Arvin

During the gift giving

   During those days, I had tried stopping myself from reflecting, but each word, each bumpy road, each embrace of the wind on my face, each line from any song, each story I heard, and each smile I saw from the faces of people who were once strangers to me were naturally taking me to a journey of talking to God to ask for wisdom behind circumstances. And that was how I decided not be afraid of reflecting again, because that is the way I had appreciated the clouds, the tears, the joy, the shadows and mysteries. That is the way I had learned about accepting and giving back gifts with courage and love.

Some more prizes

with Fr. Michael's family

Back to my Soul

Credits to Bessie Cordova for the image

    To know people, to enter into their lives and to be engaged on it is a risk. It will take you to countless emotional roller coaster rides and I tell you, it will never be easy. But I had known of people too who are living safely, suspiciously and cautiously. Their hearts are not as wounded as mine. They seldom cry like I do. They have no people whom they push themselves to forget but they have no memories and realizations built with them too. They don’t have moments like what I have now of lifting every drop of pain to God and crawling for another beginning. And they just have no idea of how still strong and loving they can ever be…

Spending my Time

    This song reminds me of how my friends kept on telling me now this: "life will go on, time will make sure will get over you..." I thank God for giving me so many caring and loving people around me. I feel that God speaks to me through them. Through them, I continue to feel how God really loves me and wants the best for me. Today I am celebrating my life, knowing that despite all the pain and tragic closures, I am still alive, and that I am better, and soon things will be falling on their right places.

   I had written many things about our friendship and all the crazy phases we had gone through, using all the words, styles and metaphors I know--- pouring out all the emotions I could ever tell in 53 and then in 91 pages, in my countless posts, in my blog, in my actual life. But reading today his words scribed in a page stirred me in a way so hard to describe and made me internalize all day long, and perhaps forever… Be it told in a word, or with million words, or simply with the eyes, it’s the same message that is piercing my soul. Sooner or later, my Queen Ree fantasies would end, but I know our gratitude, our joy and the maturity gained from our story told either in our separate or joint points of view will always be true and undying. It will always be a wonderful thing...

    I may never understand why God would allow me to experience such wonderful feeling that will never be receive in the way I had been wishing for. I have no doubt though if God hears my cry and sees my death today. He is so amazing ever since and He is the best lover of all. Perhaps, when it comes to this feeling, He had been answering my prayer for so long but I had just been stubborn to accept what’s obvious. Perhaps, I had gotten addicted to my superficial happiness that I had been so used of denying and delaying. Oh God, if pushing me out of this dream would take away all the pain in me and would give peace to the other, then by all means pour out all the treatment directly to my wounds now. Oh God by all means, please get me out of this fantasy world where only me lives…

Photo taken in Potipot Island, Zambales

Rising Again and Resuming the Journey

  I was struck with that line from the article which says: "For this is our life: to rise again continuously and to resume our journey." Life must go on, no matter how hopeless it seems, no matter how painful the present situation is. But in order to really stand up again in the truest sense of the word, we have to free ourselves, or at least start freeing ourselves from the bondages that stop us from experiencing life. 

   Admitting our sins could be embarassing. It could put us into situations wherein we could feel so uncomfortable. We might experience all the trembling and uneasiness, and sometimes we get very unfavorable and hurting responses. But so what? As mentioned above, 'it is better to be red once than yellow a thousand times." If that would give you and the other peace and new beginning, then its worth the risk. By all means, go and admit your mistakes, and don't just end there. 

    Forgiving is such a challenge. Our usual tendencies are to make the phase so instant and abrupt by cutting the ties, burning the bridges and pretending that we are really set to move on. Of course, that would be better compared to staying in the same darkness but if we desire for liberation and joy, we have to be courageous and patient enough to go through the process. We have to try to trust to the intention of each other, find that humility to accept our frailties, and then really pray for strength and grace from God. 

     For me, accepting that we have done wrong is only a start. It does not give justice yet. We should be willing and ready to do acts of reparation too. We could not just say the word 'sorry' and leave the person still hurting. If we do that we could fool the world that we already have our conscience clean, but deep inside, we cannot be at peace. Sometimes, we could hate ourselves when we know that we have been causing pain to the other. But we cannot just find consolation from the feeling of being guilty forever. It is not helping you or the other party. It will only make you torture yourself and that could make the other person suffer too. Indeed, Pope Francis is right. Repentance, justice and peace go together. And I think too, that we can attain them possibly if we truly love, as God never tires of forgiving us because He completely loves us.  

taken at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Of Facing Fears

   In my life, I had proven several times that it is on the confusion that we can be pushed to make things become more understandable. Each of us has stories of doubts and fear. Those were truly interesting and powerful stories worthy to be shared. It is never easy to be in those moments of anxieties and ambiguities--- if you could only skip the feeling, right? Yet, from the instant we decided to face them no matter how afraid we were and then just find ourselves holding on to our faith, we are giving way to another set of stories in our lives. This time, however, it’s not about the doubt and the fear anymore but of courage, success and deliverance, just like this story from Misyon’s Hideaway section entitled Cautious.

     My story in writing is also a story of facing fear.

   I had so many doubts when I started sharing my story---with all the emotions that comes with it, misunderstanding and instabilities, pain or lack of faith. Yet I just grip to the fact that I had always been inspired every time I listen to the story of others. That led me to the first step of being open for these experiences that could both uplift us and put us down; the experiences that come from courageous act of sharing our emotions and feelings with others; the act of laughing with them, becoming teary-eyed with them, and being strengthened by them. It is truly a blessing to hear the experiences of other people, learn from them and draw insights from their story.

     When I listen to the story of my friends and those I had worked with before, I had also seen some portion of myself in them and thus, I had acquired better understanding of who I am. I was able to relate myself and discover my humanity and it is always a hope for me that my story will also help others in their search for their own humanity, knowing that part of living is to be challenged into entering into our world of discomfort, ‘our crosses.’ That has made writing as one of the bravest things I had ever done in my life, more than any plunge and fall, and twirl in the sky or in Enchanted Kingdom or waves in the ocean. In the process, I discovered precious gems, and thoughts I know I could only arrive at because of God’s overflowing grace and love.

Picking up the Pieces

    In Father Sean’s blog and in our Misyon forum, he spoke about the resiliency of Filipinos; of people ‘picking up from pieces and starting again.’ Yesterday, I have seen such both literally and in the deeper meaning of those words. Along the way, we have seen how people started ‘picking up the pieces’ of woods, wires, trees, plants, chairs, clothing, toys, and some documents like notebooks in school and several photographs. We’ve seen how they tried building their houses and fixing their roofs again. We were able to talk with some of them, and if I could think of a theme that really came out from short conversations with them, then that would be starting again. They talked about praying incessantly not just about themselves but for other survivors and victims of Yolanda. The mayor of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental told our group that there were 7000 damaged houses.

    
      Rehabilitation would take time. On our way home, darkness covers the community because there is still no electricity. But it was only the temporary darkness of the night that comes to the people, not their hearts. The people are still filled of light and hope. They know they can stand up again…

      Let us continue praying for those who have been affected by the typhoon especially to those who are in Leyte. We pray for the souls of the dead and for the strength of those they had left behind. Death is really a part of life, hence while we are still alive, we should make the most out of it. Our mission continues. Let us bring hope. Let us help others ‘pick up the pieces.’

His Home in Negros

   Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland on 15 December 1926, Fr Terence Bennett or ‘Father Terry’ has spent most of his life as a Columban missionary priest in Negros, Philippines. This morning, eight days before he celebrates his 84th birthday and three days before he returns to Ireland, I’m happy to be given this opportunity to interview him. Father Seán had introduced us to each other several times already, perhaps because we kept forgetting each other. But after this one-hour interview, I’m sure we won’t be forgetting each other anymore.

     Father Terry was the eldest of seven children. The idea of becoming a priest came to him through the first cousin of his mother, Fr Thomas ‘Tommie’ McGovern, who was a Columban priest, prayed for him that he would enter the seminary and it happened. Father Terry joined the Columbans at the age of 17. Father Tommie also prayed for his younger brother Donal and the same thing happened.

     Father Terry’s first assignment after he was ordained in December 1950 was the Philippines. He arrived in Manila on 21 November 1951 and then moved to Isabela, Negros Occidental, on his birthday. When he arrived in Negros, the parishioners had prepared a despedida party for Fr Michael Cullen and a bienvenida party for him. It was a fun celebration and it gave Father Terry a very positive impression of Negrosanons and Filipinos.

     Father Terry stayed in Isabela for only three months. There was a need for a chaplain in St Paul’s College, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and so he was immediately sent there. After almost three years, he returned to Negros Occidental and was assigned to several parishes such as Kabankalan, Moises Padilla and Sipalay. He learned Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), the language spoken in most of Negros Occidental, and loved doing so. One thing that amazed him was that people were very patient with him while he was learning the language. Back then, only a few in the community could speak and understand English. He had to use Hiligaynon in the Mass and because he wasn’t confident of saying what he meant to say, he would only give short sermons. That was the reason why Father Terry really exerted efforts in practicing the language.

      After seven years in Negros, Father Terry returned to Ireland for a vacation and when he came back to the Philippines he was assigned to Student Catholic Action (SCA) in Manila. Members would meet at weekends in small groups to discuss a passage from the Bible, to share their personal reflections and to help each other strengthen their relationship with God. They also developed potential leaders from the group. Father Terry then recalled that the SCA was discouraged by the government during Martial Law and even banned along with other student organizations. Despite this, members remained steadfast in their commitment. Never did he think that what started as a gathering of a few students would later expand throughout the country.

      After serving selflessly in Manila, Father Terry was reassigned to Negros. It was in Negros where he dedicated most of his time and energy as a priest. It was in Negros where he encountered people traveling endlessly as he witnessed daily the great number of passengers on buses and jeepneys throughout Negros. It was in Negros where he experienced his most difficult moment which turned out to be the most memorable one.

       This life-testing event happened in 1978 in Sipalay, in the southern part of Negros Occidental. There was a rally against soldiers who had been violating the rights of the people and contributing to the terror in the area. The priests had a meeting first and designated tasks for the rally even though Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich advised against it. There was great pressure from the local government yet despite the fear they felt within, what was the most important for the priests and people during that time was to fight injustice.

       The speaker before Father Terry had caused intense reaction among the people. Father Terry was really worried that the rally might turn violent and so to keep the rally peaceful, he felt that it was his role to calm everyone. And so he did! He even sang and danced in front of the crowd to change the atmosphere inside the church compound. As they struggled together against injustice, they ended their rally with a song Father Terry will never forget. With joyful hearts and unwavering hope, they sang Ang Kalipay sang Ginuo Amo ang Aton Kusog (‘The Joy of the Lord is our Strength’).

         Negros will always be a home for Father Terry even though he is now living in his native land. Filipinos will always be a family for him and those who are blessed to know him will certainly not forget him. How could we forget a man who has shown concern about the social realities affecting us? How could we forget such a humble priest who can understand what the people feel? There will always be this connection of feelings that will bridge the people of the Philippines and Father Terry in Ireland. This connection is that kind which will inspire us to pray for each other and to sing out loud that the joy of our Lord is our strength.

Her Home in the Philippines

    After many years of not attending Mass, 26-year-old Peruvian Marisol Rojas Tomasto’s concept of priests and going to church changed when she first met the Columbans ten years ago. Since then, she has admired their sense of closeness with the people and how they break down the walls that separate them from the community. Wanting to do the same, she has now found her second home in the Philippines as a Columban Lay Missionary.

     Marisol met the Columbans in 2000 in a very simple chapel made of mats in San Martin de Porres Parish, Lima, Peru. She was 16 years old then and preparing to be confirmed after passing through a series of Bible sharings and recollections.

      Marisol was baptized by Australian Columban Fr Leo Donnelly. She is the youngest child in the family. All of them are girls. She studied English for three years and spent another year focusing in grammar. Marisol worked in a non-government organization for children known as ‘Santa Bernardita.’ The center is located in a poor area in Peru. She was a teacher and a librarian. She helped the children in their assignments. She really loves working with children.

       Irish Columban Fr Tony Coney invited her to join the first Peruvian group of Columban Lay Missionaries to be sent on mission. Making such a decision was not easy but because the work of the Columbans was very close to her heart and there was already that passion within her to proclaim God’s word and love to the world as a response to God’s blessings through the presence of the Columbans in her country, she responded to the calling eventually. She said ‘yes’ to the invitation and started her discernment in 2005. She had her formation in 2007.

       Marisol’s first term is in the Philippines. Language is a major difficulty, but Marisol has proven that nothing is too hard for those who are really committed. She believes that she must really take time to know the language because communication is a very important tool needed in order to be understood and to help in proclaiming God’s word. Marisol recalled one of the experiences she had in the market during her first few weeks in the Philippines. The vendor had already talked a lot, perhaps about the vegetables and their prices, in Cebuano, one of the major languages in the country. Marisol felt sad because she couldn't understand anything. How she wished she could learn the language fast! She was just amazed that after the woman discovered that Marisol was not a Filipino and did not understand her, the vendor just laughed about herself. The woman thought that Marisol was Filipino.

       Asked why she considered the Philippines as her second home, she said ‘I really feel very comfortable here because of the people. I want to understand them because they also make me feel that they understand me. They always make me feel as if I’m a member of their families.’

      This made Marisol very interested in studying and learning some of the languages and dialects of Filipinos. One of the unforgettable times of her life was when she studied Cebuano in Davao. ‘I felt as if I’m a little girl again, learning how to say “hello” and “thank you”. My teachers and classmates were very kind,’ added Marisol Now, Marisol can understand and speak Cebuano.

       The desire to be understood and to understand people also extended to the Deaf. Her exposure in Cagayan de Oro to children with difficulties in hearing motivated her to learn another language - a language where every movement of the hands and finger matters, a language where the expression on the face can speak of love, concern and kindness. For her, Sign Language is a language of love and the Deaf are her best friends. Marisol discovers joy every time she uses Sign Language to communicate with children with hearing difficulties.

          Something she has had a struggle with as a missionary is saying goodbye. But she knows that it’s a part of being a missionary. Asked about what she would remember most about Filipinos, she said, ‘Filipinos have taught me how to enjoy life even being far from my loved ones, because although I left my family in Peru, I found a new one here in the Filipinos and the warmth and love they are giving me are more than I expected.”

          Marisol taught me what it means to live. To live means to be able to be felt and be understood by the person next to us. To live means to continue passing the message of God’s love and greatness in whatever way we know, wherever we go. The Columbans live by connecting with the people and the community and above all, with God. The Columbans will continue to live because they keep on changing so many lives as they did with the life of Marisol ten years ago. Marisol lives by sharing her life with others and by connecting with them through words, signs and prayers.

http://misyononline.com/new/jul-aug2010/her-home-in-the-Philippines

Remembering Sister Adela

    This is in memory of Sister Adela who passed away last April 13, 2012... I love you Sister...

      Opportunities to decide how they will spend their lives come in different ways for different people. More than just recognizing these chances is the permanent joy brought about by listening and responding to them according to God’s plan. For Sr Adela V. Paternina TC, her opportunity to decide how she would live the rest of her life came to her 57 years ago, when she chose to enter the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, a religious congregation founded at the shrine of Our Lady of Montiel in Benaguacil, Valencia, Spain, by Bishop Luis José María Amigó y Ferrer OFM Cap. Now, as her 78th birthday is approaching, she sees her life as simpler but more real than it was before.

       I came to know Sister Adela in 2007 when I started living with the Sisters at Holy Family Home, Cabug, Bacolod City. I knew little things about her but after Sunday Mass I would come to her and kiss her. The children were so fond of her. She had lived in a number of different cultures and thus she spoke a combination of languages which I couldn’t fully understand. When talking with her before, I would usually look at her eyes. The way she smiled told me that what she had said were words that were full of concern. She would hold my hand gently and I would find peace in her loving touch. I really wanted to know more about her. Hence, I felt so blessed when Fr Seán Coyle, our editor, suggested that I do an article about her before she left the Philippines to return to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, her homeland. Modern technology has made it possible for us to communicate. She was in Cebu City when I sent my questions by email and I was surprised to receive her answers days after. She recalled how the seed of her religious vocation started.

        After attending a retreat during her second year in high school, Sister Adela felt the desire to give her life forever to Jesus as a missionary sister. She can still remember exactly the effect it had on her when she received a picture from a priest. The picture showed a group of indigenous people. Upon watching it, she knew in her heart that Jesus was calling her to follow Him in religious life. It was that experience that converted her into a fervent and pious person. At the age of 13, her spiritual journey started with the inspiration of St Thérèse of Lisieux whose autobiography Story of a Soul made her faith stronger. She loved reading the book because it narrates how St Thérèse lived and presented her ‘little way’ to holiness.

        Sister Adela was studying some college courses, including music, from 1948 to 1952. Before Vatican II (1962-1965), it was impossible for her to read the Bible because it was forbidden. (Editor’s note: before Vatican II it is true to say that lay Catholics were not encouraged to read the Bible lest they misinterpret it, but the Church didn’t actually forbid them to do so, though there might have been individual priests who took that line). However, nothing could stop her from worshipping and drawing closer to God. She was praying the rosary and attending morning Mass daily.

         Her mother knew the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters and it was she who described to her clearly how their habit looked. When the TC sisters arrived in their place for the first time, she recognized them immediately. That was her opportunity to shape the rest of her life in a way that would eternally fulfill her soul. That was her moment to dedicate her life to God forever. She entered at the age of 20.

        Sister Adela had her postulancy in Bogotá. (Editor’s note: Postulancy is a time of preparation for the novitiate which is the immediate preparation for taking vows and usually lasts two years. Today there is also a period before postulancy known as the ‘aspirancy’.) Naturally, during the first week she missed her family so much. She was the fifth child in a family of nine siblings. But because it was her heart’s desire to follow Jesus, it did not take her long to feel at home. She was filled with gladness that the sacrifices and the difficulties were so normal for her.

        From 1953 to 1986, Sister Adela had her apostolic work in Colombia. She was a teacher in different schools and in the government of the province of the congregation. In 1986, she took part in the General Council of the congregation and was elected to the general council while Sr Maria Elena S. Echavarren from Spain was chosen as General Superior. She is now the superior of the Vice Province of the Philippines, which includes a community in Korea and a community in India.

        Sister Adela came to the Philippines for the first time in November 1988. She was accompanying Sister Elena. After that she visited the country almost every year as part of the General Council. Visiting almost all of the places where the congregation served was very memorable for her. It gave her a lot of experience that enriched her knowledge and increased her vision about the world and the needs of its people. After 12 years, she offered herself to the new General Superior to work in the Philippines. Her offer was accepted and she was then sent to the Philippines. She arrived in Manila on 14 March 1999.

       Sister Adela’s first assignment was in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. In 2002, she was transferred to the Cabug Community in Bacolod City where she lived not only with the Sisters but with the children she loves very much. Being with the girls in Holy Family Home has deepened her understanding of her vocation.

        The different environment, the need to adapt to the changes that occurred after the Vatican Council and the exit of many Sisters were some of the difficulties that she encountered together with the TC community. However, through all those testing times her passion in serving God and her brothers and sisters continued to blossom. During those years, she was able to compose many songs about fraternity, justice, love for God, vocation and fidelity. Even old age cannot stop her from playing the piano and singing for the Lord. For Sister Adela, growing older means becoming more loving with people and accepting with a peaceful attitude all the physical limitations that aging brings. For her, it means remaining ever faithful and excited to learn more.

        Sister Adela returned to her homeland last June but the Philippines will always be another home for her. I will never forget talking with her as I looked straight into her eyes. I will never forget her loving touch as she gently held my hand. I will always be eager to know more about her. She will always stay at home in our hearts. Sister Adela loves the Filipinos so much. She knows that God led her to the Philippines where her presence would truly make a difference. Most of the children whom she has guided and taken care of are now in college and some are leading their own lives. She has discovered her true home since the day she listened and responded to God’s invitation to her with all her heart and soul.

A Missionary from Colombia http://misyononline.com/new/nov-dec2009/missionary_from_colombia 

Fr Michael Sinnott: A Valentine with Faith

(Originally posted in http://www.misyononline.com/new/may-jun2010/Fr-Michael-Sinnott)

It was the afternoon of February 14. I was sitting down, asking questions, taking down some notes and listening in the best way I could. There was no calm music to create a meditative mood but I was moved. I was reasonably disturbed. As he recalled what took place from October 11 until November 12 last year, he carried me to the forest where he spent many nights. He brought me to the mountains he had hiked and to the seas he had crossed. How come I'm hearing the story of his 32-day rough experience yet I can't find bitterness in his eyes? He must be a very good man.

I looked at him again and saw him smile. Now I know why. I was interviewing a great person who had united many people praying for his safe release and their prayers were answered. I was face to face with the 80-year old Irish Columban priest, Father Michael Sinnott, who made me realize what faith, love and forgiveness mean.

I started by asking him what had happened while he was in captivity. He told me how four men, one holding a gun, had forcefully taken him away from the Columban house in Pagadian City. Then he continued sharing about their daily routine, how often they transferred while he lay down covered on the floor of the boat, how many times they had to set up their hammocks again and again, how he lost weight and how he survived. That was how he taught me faith.

'I was confident that they would not do me any harm. I had no medicine and so I thought of my health. There was also a possibility that the military would try to release me by force and it was difficult to see how in that case I could escape unharmed. But I never doubted God's protection. I knew that he would answer my prayers. He would answer our prayers,' said Father Sinnott.

'During those testing moments, days and nights seemed to be longer than usual. You had to look for something to do aside from being keen to the signals and sounds around. You had to keep yourself optimistic that the next view of a mountain would be something that could give hope and not just another mountain to be climb. However, it would be a bit different for persons who loved to do that kind of thing - climb mountains and so on - and are used to it', the priest added.

For Father Sinnott, those long days and nights never shook his faith. He never got tired of saying his personal prayers and finishing the twenty decades of the rosary day after day. It was only his physical body that they had captured, not his heart, not his soul.

There is another story about one of his captors, called 'Kikay', who was always with him and slept in a hammock right alongside him but was good to him. The first day after he was captured, his captors interrogated him and went through his pockets and took everything from him except his Rosary beads and his watch. Kikay said that he could have easily taken the watch except he would not do it without Father Sinnott's permission. After a few days they made an agreement that the day Kikay brought him to freedom Father would give him the watch. As Father Sinnott was about to be freed when they had almost arrived at the seashore Kikay, who was alongside him, put his hand under the tarpaulin which was covering him, snatched his watch, and then pushed him out of the boat into the shallow water. Father Sinnott said that it was fine with him but he would have been happier to personally give it to him as a sign of his appreciation for his kindness and shake hands with him before they parted. He believes that there was goodness in that man waiting to be unleashed. He had let that man and his companions feel unconditional love. Little did I know that I was also being taught what love is.

I began wondering who Father Sinnott was before the kidnapping happened. Why did he choose to be a missionary priest? What I discovered was an interesting story. He closed his eyes for a while, and then continued, 'I felt God was calling me. It started when I was in high school. A missionary priest came to our class as part of a vocation promotion. According to him, there were three things needed to be accepted. You must be of good moral character; you must have average intelligence and good health. Two years later I applied to the Columbans and was accepted.'

It has been 55 years ago since his ordination as a priest in 1954. It was not an easy life and many times he had to carry the crosses of others. It was a life of sacrifice, service and ministry but more than anything else, it was a life of meaning and fullness. Father Sinnott made me realize this when he said, 'I'm very happy and fulfilled as I priest. I never regret that I chose to respond to God's call and I encourage the youth to seriously think about what they are called to do.'

This is another lesson about love. Now, Father Sinnott is back doing what he had dedicated himself to do. He did not extend his Christmas vacation in Ireland nor ask to be transferred to another place. Instead, he is very willing to offer himself again. He continues to be with Hangop Kabataan which is a center he established for children with disabilities in Pagadian City. He continues to help Filipinos in addressing their economic and spiritual concerns. He continues to touch their lives.

I was just sitting down but I traveled a long way. My thoughts, my spirit, my heart . . . they were all moved positively and I'll always thank Fr Seán Coyle, the editor of Misyon, for setting up this interview. I'll always thank Father Sinnott for inspiring me and for teaching me about some of the greatest forces in our life: faith and love.

But here's the third lesson Father Sinnott also taught me: forgiveness. He has forgiven his captors and he hasn't held bad feelings towards them ever since. I asked what he would do if he saw his captors again. What he said struck me, 'I will thank them for being good to me. But I hope I will not meet them in a kidnapping situation'. I agreed with him and we both laughed.

You may contact Richelle at rich_verde706@yahoo.com.ph

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Comment from Rodefox:

Submitted by Misyon Guest on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 05:35.

yes, I agree...I have read all details in the articles and it also touch my heart and it made me reconcile,,,in my human nature I sometimes doubt God's love and protection cause I've experience great circumtance in my whole life but God always seems to understand why I responded this way...He is a JUST God...may you always made people inspire through your many articles to publish...