A Gathering of Ecclesial Movements in Asia

The 2nd gathering of Ecclesial Movements in Asia was held from 25th to 27th November in the Redemptorist Centre Pattaya, Thailand. Prolonged floods in the country had posed serious practical difficulties for the members of the 28 Ecclesial Movements from different parts of Asia making it impossible for many of them to attend the gathering. Unfazed, FABC-OE (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference – Office of Evangelization) and FEMA (Fraternity of Ecclesial Movements in Asia) managed to convene the gathering with its central theme “Mission in Asia – New Evangelizers for the New Evangelization.”

The inspiring presence and guidance of the Chairman of FABC-OE, Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil and the insightful inputs of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, provided a clear and challenging direction to the deliberations. Representatives of the 14 Ecclesial Movements who participated in this year’s gathering, were motivated to heed the call of the Mother Church for a New Evangelization. New Evangelization “is the courage to forge new paths in responding to the changing circumstances and conditions facing the Church in her call to proclaim and live the Gospel today.” This would demand fresh discernment and require novel approaches to transmit the Gospel of hope to build a civilization of love in contemporary times.

The gathering focused on the widespread culture of secularism that is transforming families, individuals and communities. A strong tendency to confine God to the private sphere alone forgetting the hereafter is creating a culture of apathy towards God and society today. At the same time, there has been a rise in narrow forms of faith such as sects and different forms of fundamentalism that paint a very unpleasant picture of religiosity for the wider society.

In addition, societies face the phenomenon of migration of peoples across countries causing families to be uprooted and cultural roots to be forgotten. Another significant contemporary reality is the complex world of the media and technology which has brought enormous benefits and conveniences, but which has also impacted the way people think, act and relate to one another.

On another front, many societies are ageing quickly, posing new issues that require special attention and a fresh outlook. The gathering acknowledged the need to expect that the rapid changes will continue to evolve, making it essential for the lay Movements to be ever vigilant and continually discern their Christian response.

Focolare’s representative to the Gathering, Chun Boc Tay, pointed out the need for the Ecclesial Movements to “live the reality of the Church as communion: unity in diversity, being one in Jesus while maintaining the beauty of one’s own charism.”

Wendy Lui of HK Catholic Lay Missionaries Association summed up sentiments shared by all present i.e., the joy to be able to “share experiences and stories with fellow lay brothers and sisters in Asia – cutting across cultures and unique charisms.”

Another response to the Gathering came from Maria Yan of Fondacio - “I am enlightened, enriched and encouraged by inputs and sharings of the speakers and fellow participants. I am called to continue with a renewed fervour as a missionary in Asia.”

Shelley Ee of Worldwide Marriage Encounter remarked, “I was inspired by the diverse charisms of the Ecclesial Movements in Asia and am motivated by Bishop Thomas’ concluding advice to the Gathering, that lay missionaries need to be ‘relevant and creative’ in responding to the times and to ‘respect the individual by paying attention to his worries and his situation’.”

Manoj Sunny, the Co-ordinator of FEMA observed, “We organized this gathering for a deeper study and reflection on the Lineamenta of the Bishops’ Synod on “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith” in the context of Asia. The three days we spent together under the leadership of FABC-OE were a time of knowing, inspiring and challenging each other to contribute more to the mission of the Church in Asia using our unique charisms.”

All the participants agreed that it was an important step for FEMA to meet annually as it recognized the importance of continued fellowship and reflection on Mission. While all Ecclesial Movements are members of FEMA, a council of six Movements, namely Couples for Christ, Focolare, Fondacio, Holy Trinity Community, Jesus Youth and Worldwide Marriage Encounter, were selected to be the Coordinating Council for the next 3 years.

Manoj Sunny
Co-ordinator, FEMA

The Story of a Long-Lost Daughter

The Mayon Volcano, in Albay, Bicol, was the backdrop for the recent social immersion (Oct. 20 - Nov2, 2011) of the current students of IFFAsia.

When I first heard that we were going for social immersion in Bicol, I remembered my experience with the Catholic Student Group (CSG) going for exposure and living with foster families. This time, my motivation for going was to really experience God in the lives of the people and to see His surprises for me. I was quite excited, but at the same time, a little bit nervous. All thirteen students were separated from each other, as each had to live with a different foster family. I found it difficult at first because I knew that my weakness is relating and communicating with new people. Another difficulty for me is that I could only speak English and very little Tagalog. However, I took this as a challenge to overcome my difficulties.

Before leaving IFFAsia, we were divided into three groups, and each group was assigned to stay in a different barangay (village). My group stayed in Barangay Mariroc of Tabaco City, Province of Albay. My most significant moment during the social immersion would be the time that I spent with my foster family, consisting of my mother, two brothers and two sisters. My father passed away 12 years ago because of a heart attack. My family owns a small business (sari-sari store) and a rice field, and raises pigs. This is their source of income and they live a simple life, not really poor, but they have just enough to survive.

Sheerah (right), with Aleona (left) and a young Bicolana lass.

My mother always found time to talk with me, even if she had housework to do. I wanted to help her with the household chores, but most of the time, she did not allow me to do anything. I felt quite guilty of not being able to help. But, I often found ways to help with the housework. For example, I would just automatically wash the dishes or sweep the floor without telling my mother or my brothers and sisters. For me, it was my way to integrate with the family, and to make them feel that I was actually part of this family, not just a visitor.

There was a moment when all of us were inside my mother’s room, sitting together, looking at pictures in Facebook and watching TV. I really felt their family bonding is very close, and it reminded me of how my bond with my own is very much lacking in this sense. I was quite sad during meal time because I could neither converse with them in their dialect nor even speak in Tagalog. I was only listening to them, but could not really understand what they were talking about. However, I really loved the atmosphere because I could feel their love for each other (even if they do not literally say “I love you”) just by hearing them talk and laugh, and watching them do household chores together without my mother telling them.

One evening, I told her, “Thank you, mum, for cooking for me. I really appreciate what you have done.” Surprised, she smiled and replied, “It’s okay. I always cook for my children and they really love my cooking.” As I reflected on this, I realized that I never thanked my own mother for cooking for me, but I was thanking my foster mother whom I barely knew.

The IFFAsia students presenting to a local community in Bicol.

On my last morning there, I woke up early around 4:45 am. My mother woke up, too, and asked me about the time. So, I told her. I planned to continue sleeping, perhaps wake up at 6:00 am. But, before I could do that, she hugged me, just as my own mother used to do to me when I was still small. My tears slowly flowed without me noticing it. It was really a tight hug, her way of telling me that she loved me. I felt that God was trying to remind me that I am my parents’ daughter and will always be their child no matter what happens.

When my friends and I left the barangay, I also came to know that, years back my foster mother actually lost a daughter because of a miscarriage. If she were alive, she would be of the same age as I am. My tears began to flow again. I really felt that God has given me the right place to stay in. For this family, I was like an incarnation of the daughter and sister that my foster mother, brothers and sisters would have had, a long-lost daughter who came back to them. For me personally, God has found me through them. I lost myself as a daughter and sister to my own family. Before, I did not even treasure my own, but now, I really miss them so much. I can say that I learned to understand my relationship with my family, though not fully yet. I learned to appreciate each one as he or she is, and I think living far away from them made me realize the many important things about my family back in Malaysia.

Sheerah Yangus comes from Sabah, East Malaysia. She belongs to the current batch of students under the Basic Formation Program at IFFAsia. She writes about her reflection on her recent experience in Bicol.

I will be a mother? Oh, no!

Aleona (in green shirt) with the new Batch 6 students

“And now, you will conceive in your womb…” (Luke 1:31)
“How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

As I start my mission and accept my responsibility as an intern in IFFAsia, this Bible text reminds me of my situation today. I am the head of a household where I am entrusted to take good care of six beautiful ladies from different countries in Asia. Two of them come from Laos, and one each from China, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. I will be their temporary mother for 10 – 11 months of their formation at IFFAsia. A 24-year-old young lady like me taking good care of these young ladies? I became an instant mother. Now, I can relate with Mary when she had her first call.

As I reflect on my situation, I find it funny how God planned everything when I said yes to His call for me to be an intern. At first, I didn’t know what will be my assigned task; I just accepted the call. I find it funny because my greatest dream is just simply to be a mother. I desire to have my own family in the future. As I am reaching out for my dream, God is already preparing me for this through my mission. Amazing, isn’t it? I will have a taste of how it will be. However, it is far different than usual because my “children” are all grown up, with almost the same age as me - 22 – 26 years old.

My mission is a bit tiring because I need to be with them always. The household is a place where we build a small family. I take part in the daily tasks like cooking, dishwashing or cleaning our home. When we are in sessions, I am their sister who will assist them with their needs. When they start their studies at Saint Vincent School of Theology (SVST) this June, I will be their classmate in one of their subjects. When they need a person to share, play, go with, I can be their friend. Every day, we eat, clean, cook, pray, and study together; this is almost the same as when I was a student last year, but I had different responsibilities. I must also set a good example for them, and it is not easy. I keep on asking myself, how can I accompany these young people, hoping that in the end they will be good disciples of Jesus? I just started less than a month ago (May 8, 2011), and it is my first time to do it.

It will not be easy for me; however I am still happy because I have my community to journey with me. During my mission I won’t only give, but will also receive. I will learn from the students how to be a good mother, sister, friend and classmate. This will also be a place where I can continue my personal formation and deepen my relationship with God. My objective this year is to let my heart be filled with God’s love as I continue my love story with him. And as love overflows in my heart, I will share it with others. I will keep on reminding myself of my call every time I struggle.

Aside from that, my prayer life helps me a lot to have a peaceful, happy and good disposition in spite of my busy day. I try my best to set a time for prayer every morning before I start my tasks, and for journaling of my reflections before I sleep. It is not easy, but it is helping me to have strength to go on throughout the day.

Yes! I will be a mother, sister, friend, and classmate for them, not only for the 6 ladies in my household, but for the 13 young disciples in Asia. I will do my best! “Let it be done with me according to your will.” (Luke 1:38)

Aleona Natalio belonged to Batch 5 (school year 2010-2011) of the Basic Formation Program at IFFAsia. This year, she continues to be at the Institute as an intern. One of her tasks is to be responsible of one of two households of students belonging to the incoming Batch 6 (schoolyear 2011-2012). This is her reflection on her new mission.

Two Poems

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

When I was alone
          You made me know the love of my friends;
When I was cold
          You gave me your warmth;
When I was angry
          You sat down and listened to me;
When I was disappointed
          You brought to me Your hope;
When I fell down
          You picked me up;
Every moment, everywhere,
          You are always with me.

The love of You, now I know;
          it is the smiles of the children,
          it is the hands of my friends that helped me to stand up,
          it is the arms that embraced me when I was sad,
          it is my friends who always walk with me,
          it is my family where I can go back to every time.
Your love is everywhere I go,
                   everyone I meet,
                   everything I do,
                   every moment I spend.

Thank you for Your love;
          because of Your love,
          I want to give love to others,
                     to help others feel Your love in them.
And I know I can’t do it alone,
                  I need the help of others,
                  I need my friends and I need You.
I want to share what happened to me,
                          what changed in me,
           to help the youth to know
                      who You are and what You do,
           to bring You closer to them.

Lord, You are the Love of my life,
                      the Way I should go,
                      the Truth I should speak,
                      the Light I should shine.
Lead me in my mission
        to be a witness to others
                 through my daily life.

I NEED YOU, LORD

Sometimes I was excited
          with the new things
          that I discovered;
          I wanted to do many things.
And I was tired.
          I called God
                    and got angry with Him;
          I asked Him
                    why I have to do all.
          But I forgot
                    it was my choice,
                    I did not listen to Him.
I focused on what I wanted to do;
I forgot God.
I forgot He walked with me,
              He talked with me.
But I did not see Him,
      I did not hear Him.
I was confident in what I did,
          I thought everything I did for God.
But I did not know
          when I forgot God’s presence,
          I did for myself
                    more than I did for God.
I was proud of myself.

Now I think
          I have to stop,
          go down to take the time
          to feel and look at
                    the life around slowly,
          to see both sides of the situation,
          to find out the needs
                    of the people
                              and of God.

Yes, Lord,
          I need to stop,
          I need to go back,
          I need You to lead me,
                     You to teach me how to do.
          From that I will do my mission
                    with You and through Your Name.

Mary Thanh Thao, from Vietnam, belonged to Batch 4 of the Basic Formation Program of IFFAsia. She is currently a junior trainer of the Eucharistic Youth Movement, at the same time working at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh. The poems she wrote were the fruits of her reflection during her maranatha retreat in 2010.

IFFAsia Launches School Year 2011 - 2012

A Courtship with God

“How beautiful you are my love, how very beautiful!” (Song of Solomon 4:1)

This is my Bible text for the year. God is affirming my beauty as a person. Letting me know that I am His beloved. Saying that I am special, a gift that needs to be opened for others.

As I finished my Basic Formation at IFFAsia, the most crucial part was my discernment, where I needed to decide which path I will choose in line with His will for me. I had three choices in front of me: 1) to be an intern at IFFAsia; 2) to serve in the Youth Development Center (YDC), a social development project of Fondacio Philippines for the youth of Payatas; and 3) to be part of the Youth Ministry in Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish in Payatas.

It had been two months of discernment. Last January, God opened the door of the Youth Ministry while we were having our Youth Ministry Module. I saw the advantages if I choose to work there. I can apply what I learned, stay closer to my family and it will challenge me. It is certainly a place to grow.

Last January 17, 2011, we went to Sabah, Malaysia, for our one-month Mission Project. In the Diocese of Keningau, God opened another door, the path to YDC. It was a very clear message. While doing mission in YDC, I will be able to stay, and spend more time, with my family, and do mission there also. This message convinced me and I decided to choose YDC.

I went to the Adoration Chapel in the Tatal Retreat House in Keningau where we were staying. I prayed fervently for my choice, asking for His guidance and listening for His answer. In silence, the word IFFAsia appeared vividly in my vision. I was so sad and refused to accept this answer. I was worried that I may not be able to do my mission in my family if I chose to be in IFFAsia because I will have to stay there 24/7. I can only go home once a week. It has been very difficult for me to answer this call.

As we continued our journey in the Diocese of Sandakan, the eastern region of Sabah, I was struggling to accept my new mission. I needed to ask signs from Him to make sure that this is what He wanted for me. And he showed me many signs from other people, so I continued praying about it until our closing retreat back in the Philippines. I was able to see the reasons why I needed to be an intern in IFFAsia. I’m still halfway into my personal transformation, and I needed to continue my love story with God. I know IFFAsia is the right place to help me through this. I also need to improve my social and pastoral skills and to know Him deeper as I grow in my faith.

As I say “YES” again to His call, I will continue my love story with Him as He proposes to court me this year. This is a year of getting to know Him more deeply and accepting the love He offers me despite my own limitations. It is a time to let His love flow. As I journey as an intern in IFFAsia, I will let my heart be filled with His love and share this with others.

Aleona (left), with Roselinah and Chieko

Aleona Natalio, from Payatas, Philippines, was part of Batch 5 of the Basic Formation Program at IFFAsia last year. This year, she committed to a two-year internship at the Institute. Here, she writes about her reflection on the discernment she made to say “yes” to this call of God for her life today.

Helping Build Youth Leaders in Laos

Last May 14-15, 2011, 39 active youth leaders from the different parishes in the Savannakhet-Thakhek Diocese came together for the first Youth Leadership camp. This was facilitated by Baow, Hiew and Fr. Lo (Youth Office, CBCLC).

The 2-day camp focused on the attitudes and qualities of a good leader. The participants also looked at the dreams they have for themselves, as well as for their particular youth groups. The process involved some inputs, group sharings, games and similar activities.

This leadership camp, which will be a monthly event, hopes to make the leader-participants more active in their own parishes, establish connection with each other and follow-up on fruits of parish activities, help them understand about faith and about how to be leaders, and make them more aware of the situation of the youth in their own parishes. The participants will also learn about making plans for their groups.

Baow and Hiew, both from the 5th Batch of IFFAsia’s Basic Formation Program, will be taking turns planning and preparing for these monthly Youth Leadership camps.

Other activities are being scheduled in the Diocese this June, including an English camp for the youth in the center, and a retreat for the youth leaders.

We thank God for the blessing so that this camp can push through. And we thank all those who continue to pray with and for us.

Baow, Laos
(Batch 5, IFFAsia Basic Formation Program)

After completing his basic formation last March 2011, Baow has since gone back home to Laos to fulfill his 2-year commitment on the ground by working for the youth in his Diocese. Last April 2 – 8, 2011, he became part of the mission group sent by Fondacio Asia Youth Pastoral to Cambodia, which facilitated a Leadership Training Program for potential young leaders coming from the Vicariate of Phnom Penh. He now shares this new experience by facilitating similar camps for the youth leaders of his Diocese.

Word of the Month (May 2011)

John 10: 1-11

"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

(New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition)

Life after IFFA - Is it back to normal?

March 12, finally it's time for me to be home. No more English, no more sessions, no more reports... in short, back to normal. But, as the day passes by, I am wondering:

• Is it really back to normal?
  
• Is it the same life before and after my formation in IFFAsia?
  
• Is it the same feeling towards other people?
• Or is it really back to normal, yet something new?
• The same life, yet something different?
• The same FERLY, yet different and new?
• The same people, yet different feelings towards them?

It's been a week and 2 days since I came home. Once again I’m here in Bagong Silang; once again I meet my family members, cousins and relatives here, my friends, my community, the young people, the church and all the same familiar faces that I have known since many years ago.

As I start to be with them once again, I find myself trying to enter and to relate with the world that I left behind for a while to create a new world with other people and community and with myself that I never met before.

As I start to be with them once again, the feeling is like I am a stranger in the place where I have lived for the past 22 years of my life. I don't know what has been happening with them, and how they were these past 11 months. Sometimes I feel unknown to the young people, sometimes I feel alone, alone in facing them and reality. It seems like I am not so prepared to face reality, knowing that before I came back I told myself that I’m ready. But why am I feeling this now? Is it normal?

After a week of spending time with my family, I felt that yeah, my life went back to normal, yet something is new. My life before was always saying the words "it’s okay, what to do?", but this time, same words yet I must do something! I started to clean my house and welcome myself and my life back to normal, yet there was something new.

After adjusting myself once again here, I feel that it is still the same Ferly who always laughs, who always likes to go out somewhere, who always likes to play with the little children, who always likes to talk and who always likes to be in front of my computer. And this Ferly is the same, yet different. I still like to do this things, yet i am more aware of what is happening to me and how beautiful I am! Praise the Lord!

After meeting some familiar people that I have journeyed with in the youth ministry for the past 8 years, I hold the same feelings like before, yet it's very different - the feeling of appreciating them, the feeling of being aware and seeing God in them, the feeling of "I want to know more about this person in a different level and in a deeper way!"

Before, it was enough for me that I knew him/her; it was enough for me to see them giving service. When I say I don't like this person, it meant giving up on this person without knowing where he/she was coming from.

Today, my feeling towards them has changed! I am more and more compassionate, loving, caring and I want to be with them and to see them growing in love with God. The feeling of serving and being with them is strongly burning deep within me.

Coming back from IFFAsia, I feel I am a better person. The Human and Spiritual Modules gave me a new heart, a heart that is pure and willing to learn and to share and a new spirit in an old body, a spirit that values more who I am and others today.

The Social and Pastoral Modules gave me a new pair of eyes to see reality, a new pair of ears to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to hear the silent cries of my people, a new nose to smell the freshness of life, a new mouth to speak what is true and what is right, a new mind to think creatively and a new skin to feel the deepest love of God and to share this skin with others who have not felt it yet, a new pair of feet to put on the ground and a new heart that beats because of love and for love.

I owe a lot to God and to all the people I met in IFFAsia, from the students, interns, staff, and resource persons and from the formators, including all the ITF students that I met, my professors (Fr. Danny, Dr. Manny and Sir Anton) who taught me a lot of lessons in this life and from where I am rooted. Thank you for changing me, and yet for making me still who I am before.

Continue to pray for me, my dear friends. Thank you very much. #

By Ferly Mangilit, Philippines

Student of IFFAsia Batch 2010-2011