THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...
JOURNAL PART X
MAY 27-JUNE 30, 2009
(At the Church of the Birth of John the Baptist in Ain Keren)
June 25, 2009, Thursday. I was working on an Italian Mass guide with the computer and was satisfied with it. I found it very handy and practical. After Evening Prayers, we had supper at Samar’s residence at Lazariah with the orphans she was taking care of. Martha, her mother-in-law, Laila, Savio, and his girlfriend were also there. I learned more of the history of her involvement in the orphanage, the problems she encountered and her networks of support. She was the counterpart of Pat Salazar here. We went home at 10:30.
(At the orphanage at Lazariah with Samar, Fr. Roberto, Fr. Edward and one of the orphans)
June 26, Friday. Later in the morning, received an email from the General which is copy furnished to all members in the Bethany community. It was a response to our invitation for a Canonical Visitation this week. He said he is sending Fr. Luigi and Fr. Denis and he had some agenda to be discussed by the community with them. At lunch some members of the community expressed their reactions to some contents in the General’s letter. After lunch I fetched Luigi at the airport with Junjun driving. On the way, we were sharing about the General’s letter.
June 27, 2009, Saturday. At 10:00, I had a conference with Fr. Luigi and was clarified more about the General’s letter. I went to Tel Aviv in the afternoon with Fr. Edward and Junjun and had the two Masses at Divine Mercy Chapel while Fr. Edward and Junjun proceeded to Rehovot. After supper, I went back to Jerusalem with Junjun and Vicky while Fr. Edward stayed at Divine Mercy Chapel for the Mass in the following day.
(The household church of the Filipinos in Rehovot)
June 28, 2009, Sunday. I asked Fr. Sebastian to fetch Fr. Denis at the airport at 5:00 am. I met Fr. Denis around breakfast time and asked him to be the main celebrant for our 11:00 am Mass. I had Mass at the Ratisbonne at 9:15. The SPC Sisters celebrated the culmination of the Year of St. Paul so the attendance was good including the Bridgettine sisters in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In the afternoon, I had personal conference with Fr. Denis and practically repeated what I said with Fr. Luigi. During the Office of the Readings, the Canonical Visitation was formally opened by the Visiting Consultors.
(The Filipino community celebrating with the SPC Sisters the Culmination of the Year of St. Paul.)
June 29, 2009, Monday. I had Mass at the Calvary with Fr. Angelo and Fr. Edward at 7:30 am. Fr. Angelo went with us after the Mass to our house and prepared barbebue for lunch. Cooking Filipino foods is one of his pastimes. After shopping for the materials (burner, charcoal, pork, etc), they cooked at the garden. I joined them later (Angelo, Edward and Junjun) and tasted his delicious grilled pork, a rare dish in Israel. After a while, Fr. Angelo rested but I did not notice his departure. The community had a meeting with the Consultors at 4:00 pm. The letter of the General was discussed. The General was seeking clarifications about Fr. Roberto’s plan for English study in Ireland for two months, Fr. Sebastian’s plan for a Sabbatical for five months, the constructions at the rooftop and Fr. Gianni’s plan to attend an ordination in Iraq. All of which had no prior permission from him. We were all satisfied with the meeting and finished at 7:00pm. The next day, Fr. Denis and Fr. Luigi met with me as a follow up of the previous meeting. They were concerned of our lack of financial report and offered suggestions to help Fr. Sebastian on this.
(Fr. Edward Loberiano, Fr. Sebastian Walak, Fr. Apolinario Plaza, Fr. Denis Travers, Fr. Luigi Vaninetti, Fr. Gianni Sgreva, Fr. Roberto Martinez)
(Fr. Luigi Vaninetti and Fr. Denis Travers, General Consultors who made the Canonical Visitation)
(Fr. Diego Menoncin, CP, the last of the Passionists in Castelazzo. He visited us for an evening meal on July 16. He shared his sorrow that their Province would be closing Castelazzo for lack of religious to stay there.)
(Two Jewish kids who were very friendly with me as I visited the Holocaust Museum in Yad Vashim on June 11.)
(A beautiful view of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea)
(One of the beautiful flowers in Ain Keren)
Testimony from JULIE YAP DAZA
I just want to share that two years ago, I went to see St. Therese’s remains when it was put in display in the Carmelite Church. I went there because I was curious what was this euphoria about the world’s youngest saint whose job is to grant people’s wishes?
So I went with a friend Lyn and I must admit the life of the little child, Therese, intrigued me. It turned out she was a child who wanted to serve her God more than anything else in the world. Thus, in every chore that she did: even watering the plants, she performed it like it was for her master.
Since all her siblings were Carmelite nuns, she became a nun herself, the youngest (12?) to be allowed inside the convent. So we’re talking of a pure “uncorrupted soul”. And then she died.
But she left a journal (suggested reading!) which contained all her thoughts about God, love and life. Since then, she became the saint who grants all wishes.
Believe it or not, my wish was granted! Not because I said a novena but knowing about her life and reading her works inspired me and made me more patient and persevering.
According to religious beliefs, St. Therese was known as: “The Little Flower”. Whenever you ask for intercession to her for a miracle, she will send you a rose in one form or another when the miracle has been granted. You may smell rose, receive a rose by visual means, etc.
REMEMBER to make a wish before you read the poem. That’s all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is a powerful novena. Do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward. Let’s continue praying for one another.
Make a wish before you read this poem… (Did you make a wish?) If you don’t make a wish, it won’t come true.
May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are
meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there for each and every one of you.
Send this to seven people within the next five minutes and your wish will come true.
Through early morning fog I see……
Visions of the world to be……
Assalamu Alaikom. Ana hawa intu. God bless you.
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