News
Read the news from events, activities and other updates on the different communities here in the Philippines
Last January 05, 2019, the youth reality in the Verbum Dei community in Cebu welcomed the year with a refreshing activity through their annual youth assembly. This year’s theme was entitled, “Verbum Dei Youth: I am Beloved. Gifted. Empowered.” The theme is inspired from this year’s theme for the Year of the Youth: “Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved. Gifted. Empowered.” The activity was for teens and youth (ages 15-25) from different schools and universities at the Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in General Maxilom, Cebu City with the assistance of Sisters Charisma and Adriana. The activity started off with an amusing dance exercise to heighten the energy of the participants followed by an educational game facilitated by Sister Adriana. Mylene Capuras, a Verbum Dei disciple, then, gave a inspiring guidelines reminding us that our lives are the best GIFT that God has given us, that we should never have any regrets and just live in the moment! We were invited to offer concrete options for God and for the mission. After a short time of reflection, Kim Travero, youth reality coordinator, presented a report about the activities that were successfully done from the previous year, some challenges that were encountered by the members, aspects that need to be improved in the group and the activities that are expected to be done for this year. Sister Charisma also gave a creative dynamic where we expressed our differences as a beloved, gifted and empowered youth. We ended the activity with an open forum where we shared among us the lights that we’ve learned from this activity along with our concrete actions in living the mission as young disciples of God. We believe that it is essential to make young people of today aware that they are loved, gifted, and empowered in their own special ways. God has been very generous in giving us so much love, gifts and talents, and the power to take part in propagating the Kingdom of God. We continually ask to pray for the young people of this generation who do not know God yet, that they, too, may taste the mercy and tender love of God which would enable them to spread the goodness of the Lord to others. Through the intercession of Mother Mary, may God continue to plant courage, humility and passion in our hearts to drive us to be the instruments of love to other young people wherever we are. “Go then, and make disciples of all the nations, giving them baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to keep all the rules which I have given you: and see, I am ever with you, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20) From the WordNews team
Last January 26, 2019, a total of 30 single participants gathered for # FC (Fun & Care) Mount Batulao Hiking Recollection of Verbum Dei Missionaries. The group conquered the beautiful mountain not just for fun but also to encounter God in nature and in cleaning up the beautiful area. It was inspiring to witness the participants having plastic bags and collecting trash. This is fully in line with the call of Pope Francis to take care of creation. “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish” (Pope Francis, Laudato si’, no. 21). There were also inputs were given that helped the participants to deepen in the reason for the activity. To reach the peak of the mountain was not easy but with the help of each other most of them made it up to the top of the mountain. At the end of the activity, awards were given to all the participants and special awards as well. It was a fun and enriching day. All were happy and enriched spiritually as welland we went home tired, fulfilled, and having done our little bit to make the earth, our common home, a bit more beautiful. How about each one of us readers – what can you do today to care for creation? How about picking up some trash, or reflecting on how to clean up your neighborhood With thanks to Francis Santos and the WordNews team
“Enlarge and open your life to the work of the Spirit” Verbum Dei Family Assembly, Tagaytay On Sunday January 27, the Verbum Dei Tagaytay community held its 1st Local assembly. Following the mass celebrated by Fr Tony Pegon, SVD and concelebrated by Fr James McTavish, FMVD, the participants began the assembly with some opening remarks by Sr Grace, the local responsible of the Tagaytay community. Thereafter followed guidelines and a time of prayer. Separate guidelines were given for the kids & teens group. The theme of the guidelines was to grow in the desire to be led by the Spirit, to make this Verbum Dei Family mine, my own. We were reminded of our mission as Verbum Dei “to be at the service of the Word of God.” And to allow our hearts to be enlarged – “enlarge the space of your tent” (see Isaiah 54:2-3) and as a missionary family to be able to “build itself up in love” (Eph 4:16). An input was given by Sr Rana sharing the results of a survey of the VDMFam in Tagaytay and it shed light on the activities they found helpful. Sr Gaby and Sr Lupita challenged us to dream for our community and to strive to reach out to the whole of Tagaytay and beyond! After lunch, various groups such as Teens, Youth, Adults and Couples met together to project together the year ahead. They then presented a symbol of their group’s wishes and needs for 2019. Time was spent explaining various ministries and committees and the participants had a chance to indicate which area they would like to serve in. A presentation was given by James on the Verbum Dei National communications project. He emphasized that the Church sees social media as the new pulpit. He also reminded us of the words of Pope Francis in his message for World Communications Day 2019 when he wrote “love always communicates.” Where there is fire and conviction, one will look for ways to share Christ, especially in social media, the so-called digital continent, where so many, especially the youth are gathered. As Verbum Dei we are also called to announce the Good news on Facebook, Twitter and in the digital world. After this he also gave a short introduction to our NGO called Friends of Verbum Dei. The overall fruit for the Verbum Dei Tagaytay community was the challenge for each one to be pro-active in building up the Verbum Dei Family. From the WordNews team
Saturday January 12, after our monthly FaMVD mass, we surprised Darwin with a Despedida Party, in thanksgiving for his missionary life in Cebu for the past 5 years. He is now preparing himself to embark in a new mission, to be part of the misioneros team starting Verbum Dei in Vietnam. Darwin, originally from Cebu, met Verbum Dei in 1997 and joined the missionary life in 1999, all this in Cebu. Afterwards, he went to CDO, where he studied Theology at the St John Vianney Seminary. Darwin’s missionary apostolic life was in Manila, Mexico (where he did his final vows) and mostly in Cebu. We are all very grateful for Darwin’s self-giving as the ecclesial coordinator of the AC, promoting the participation of our lay disciples in the Verbum Dei mission and their spiritual growth, his work with teens, his contribution in the running of our Verbum Dei Apostolic Center and his work part of the vocational promotion team. These were the words the members of the AC (Apostolic Council) told about Darwin: D – Dedicated A – Amigo R – Reference point W – Wise spender I – Industrious N - Noble “The despidida party was filled with warm goodbyes. I was not expecting it to be fun but I guess the Verbum Dei family has already matured enough to know that though Darwin was leaving, we are one with him in prayer.” (words from one disciple) “Thank you, Darwin for being a brother to us, very easy to relate with, in our ecclesial relationships and apostolic work.” (words from the misioneras) Here is a short interview to Darwin: 1. What does the option of being a brother mean for you?
2. What are your highlights of these years in Cebu?
3. What are your learnings from your time in Cebu? Openness to dialogue in our relationships in Ecclesiality; Discernment in key moments in the Verbum Dei Family and Accompaniment the disciples in their spiritual and missionary growth. Here are some photos of the event: From the WordNews team
As 2018 ended, we decided as Pansol community in Quezon city to look back at our year and the different apostolic activities we had. It was an enjoyable year and various photos captured a sense of the moments of mission. We put this video together then to show the good work the Lord has been doing through our lives. We do not want to “hide the light under the table,” so we share it with you, so all may see the light and give God the glory - “All glory and honor is yours almighty Father!”
Let us pray that all of us, in our Verbum Dei mission, can continue to be light in the world of today remembering the advice of Jesus, the light of the world: “Instead they put the lamp it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:15-16)
Having problems viewing the video? View it on Google Drive. Link below:
From the WordNews team
1/3/2019
Looking Back to the FutureThe Verbum Dei missionaries based in the Philippines, along with some Verbum Dei married couples discerning their vocation, gathered in our retreat house in Tagaytay for 2 days of formation. During the first day we reviewed the history of each community in the Philippines to see the path walked and lessons learned. The first communities in 1977 in Manila have over 41 years of history, with Pansol opening in 2009, and Pasig in 2016. We give thanks to God for all the work he has done, noting the teaching of Jesus, “My Father is always working and so am I” (see John 5:17) and recalling the words of St Paul “What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth” (1 Cor 3:5-7). On the second day we sought to project the priorities of the future in the light of our recent General Congress. The invite of Saint Pope John Paul II inspired us: “to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm and to look forward to the future with confidence” (Novo Millenio Inuente, n. 1). We had the Eucharist together and a time of prayer as well as moments of bonding. We also celebrated together the 22 years of marriage of Mau and Jess, a Verbum Dei missionary married couple. After our 2 days of formation we felt rejuvenated and inspired to work together as one missionary community in this beautiful charism and mission entrusted to us. May Mother, the Mother of God and our Mother, guide us with her maternal embrace in the journey ahead. Here are some photos of the event: From the WordNews team
The Verbum Dei community in Luzon recently celebrated the Christmas season together as a family. With the theme "Get Up, Verbum Dei Family, See God is Coming," the disciples along with friends and family spent a day of activities together at the Verbum Dei Center of Evangelization at Tagaytay, Cavite on December 9. The morning started with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Bong, reminding everyone of the true spirit that we celebrate this season. This was followed by fellowship and mingling over lunch, giving participants from the communities of Quezon City, Manila-Pasig, and Tagaytay the opportunity to mingle with each other. Celebrations continued with lots of games and performances enjoyed by everyone. The highlight of the afternoon was a surprise carolling session where the missionaries serenaded participants with their music. The Christmas party was capped off by participants exchanging gifts with one another in the spirit of giving. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas spending time together as one Verbum Dei family. Here are some photos of the event: By Abel Paune and the WordNews team
The Verbum Dei community in Cebu had a 2 day Advent retreat, in preparation for Christmas, led by Br Darwin, Aida (LCM) and Fr James. The retreat was held in our Apostolate Center in Banawa, a beautiful and quiet space, not far from the city center. Going up Good Shepherd road, not a smooth road, reminds us of our life journey, sometimes rocky and with holes, in need of Christ’s coming to fill us and direct us with His Life.
With the Theme, "The Word becomes flesh...in us" (cf. Jn 1:14), we were invited to prepare ourselves for this Christmas season, with the light of some biblical people: Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist and the Shepherds in Bethlehem, as they also expected the coming of Christ. The retreat gave me the space to listen to God’s Word and enlightened me on how to live it out in my every day journey. I found particularly helpful the prayer with Mary and Joseph: the invitation to spend time to Listen to God, to obey and totally abandon myself to Him, learning from them to have a pure and humble heart, an open and selflessness trust that God fulfils His Promise. Knowing that all good things come from God, I can share His Word to others, not because I hold a degree, but because He calls me to be at His service. What God requires of me is my YES, my total commitment in the certainty that God will do the rest!! (Cynthia) ![]() “A Child is Born unto Us”—this is the theme of the Advent Recollection for the staff and employees of Tekton Multi-Purpose Cooperative last December 10. It was a timely moment to stop and prepare our hearts for the Little One who is coming to our lives as the fulfillment of God’s promise and dreams. Although it was only an afternoon recollection, the twenty-five participants had a full meal composed of games, songs, watching a meaning-filled video clip, listening to the preaching, moment of silent reflection, receiving a short formation on the oneness of faith and work, and listening to the sharing of each other. For a company that equally prioritizes the spiritual growth of their employees, this recollection has been a new experience of community and prayer for them. Indeed, ‘a Child born for us’ is a gift of meaning and purpose upon which we can surely anchor our lives. With thanks to Jay Anne and the WordNews team
“And the Word becomes flesh… in us” (cf. Jn 1:14) On the 12th of December, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there was a big turnout of attendees for the Verbum Dei Advent recollection. Held at Christ the King Parish it was entitled “And the Word becomes flesh... in us.” A total of 88 attendees (with 50 newcomers) participated in this one-day recollection. The first talk was given by Fr. James on “Listening like Joseph.” He reminded us that if Joseph did not listen and act on what he was commanded by the Lord, we would not have Christmas as we know it. Joseph was a just man who adjusted his life to the word of God. Likewise, if we don’t listen to the Lord and take time off our busy schedules for Him, then there is no Christmas to celebrate at all. The second talk entitled “Don’t forget to chew like Mary” was given by one of our SOWers, Michelle Dayrit-Soliven. She taught us how to assimilate and ponder like Mary with her 3 P’s of fruitful pondering with Prayer, Patience and Perseverance. Mary listened with her heart and so should we. “Be still and know that you are not God!” Lastly, Stella Deriquito’s talk was on “Living the Word”. .Jesus became human out of love just to show us how to truly live with joy, love and peace. Let us give room for the Savior and welcome Him in our hearts and not to let Him be “away in a manger.” The talks were all thought-provoking and inspiring in preparation of the Lord’s coming. We were reminded, though, that the reflection and prayer after each talk were of utmost importance. Only in doing so will we be able listen like Joseph, ponder like Mary and live like Jesus. To cap off the day, we celebrated the Holy Eucharist after confession and rosary prayer. Fr. Bong Guinoo officiated the mass and emphasized that equally important is announcing the Word of God just as the shepherds did. The essence of Christmas is not an event that merely happened more than 2000 years ago. The mystery of Christmas is ongoing and should be lived and announced every day of our lives. Only in doing so do we make the Word become flesh ... in us. With thanks to Emy Abaya and the WordNews team
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