News
Read the news from events, activities and other updates on the different communities here in the Philippines
Hello Verbum Dei family,
We are happy to be one with our brothers and sisters in Loeches, Madrid, Spain on the on-going 5th General Congress. Here are the updates in multiple formats (video, PDF, etc). New updates will be added on top. Scroll down to read the previous updates. More will be added in the coming days so keep posted!
The radio program called "Doctor, Doctor" of the Catholic Medical Association in the United States recently interviewed James McTavish about the theme of human trafficking and prostitution.
James said "They were interested to interview me because in December 2017 they published an article of mine called The Devastating consequences of sex trafficking on women's health. I hope as a community we can continue to evangelize through the means of social communication like radio, our webpage and Facebook." You can listen to the 12-minute interview at this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-546435917/dd-35-ethical-options-for-regenerative-medicine Or listen at the embedded soundcloud player below.
United in mission!
Heirs of a charism, open to the dynamism of the Spirit Dear Fraternity: On this morning of Saturday, September 15, the Congress members who are gathered in Loeches, open to the voice and action of the Spirit, prepared for the election of the President of the FMVD. We give thanks to God for our Responsibles throughout these 55 years, as well as for those people who have been co-responsibles from the silence, and have committed themselves to the mission that has been entrusted to us. By electing together the President of the Verbum Dei, we are expressing the communion in the mission, feeling as one single Missionary Family spread throughout the five continents. The one from whom we have received the gift of the charism, and has called each one of us to live and transmit it, chooses suitable people to respond in ecclesiality to the challenges of the next six years; we know that we are co-responsibles in the mission from a creative fidelity, attentive to the signs of the times, in deep prayer to understand how we can reinterpret and apply the charism in the best way in the current times. We inform you with joy that the President elected for the sexennium 2018-2024 is RODRIGO CARRIZO MOYA, from Spain. We thank the Trinity for this election and we entrust ourselves to their grace, through the hands of Mary, our Mother. That with the awareness of being heirs of a charism, we are able to let ourselves be moved and dynamized by Them. We ask for the special grace and wisdom for the new government. Very united in Christ, Angelina Benítez Llamas General Secretary FMVD Originally posted in the main Verbum Dei website:
http://verbumdei.org/new-president-nuevo-presidente-fmvd/
9/9/2018
Message from Lucía Herrerías for the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (FMVD) and the entire Verbum Dei Family (Sept. 7, 2018)Dear Fraternity and entire Verbum Dei Family,
From Loeches, Spain, and on the eve of the 5th Ordinary General Congress, I want to thank you all for the path we have walked together during these past six years. I thank you with all my heart for the welcome, the prayers and the support which you have given me in this service of government which God and the Fraternity entrusted to me; thank you for all the enrichment I have received from so many conversations and having participated in the activities of many communities. I am grateful to God because it has allowed me to know so many brothers and sisters of the whole Verbum Dei Missionary Family with whom I share a spirituality and a mission; it has been marvelous to see how in the middle of our weaknesses, we strive to be faithful, with much enthusiasm, to the charism we have received. Taking again the words that ended my first message to the entire VDMFam, on October 2, 2012, I continue to ask Jesus to allow us to share his burning desire to set the earth on fire, and that, in a path of humble daily conversion, we continue helping each other to reproduce Jesus, as best we can, in his way of life and his mission. United on the journey, Lucía Aurora Herrerías Guerra President FMVD A new article of medical ethics by James McTavish is available for free download for a limited time.The title is "Exterminate! Exterminate!" Go to https://www.ncbcenter.org/publications/ethics-medics/ then click “view/download” He published it in the newsletter “Ethics and Medics” in the USA because it has quite a wide subscription so more people can read it. The article is about a new test which can detect Downs syndrome in the womb. However the technology, instead of being use to improve health, now results in the babies with Downs being aborted. James said “I was upset when I saw many people in Ireland dancing in the streets after the law was passed allowing babies in the womb to be killed. More than 30 years ago the same country voted no to abortion and now it has changed. It is so sad to see the weak faith and weak values of humanity in Ireland now. So few had courage to stand up for life.” In our Verbum Dei spirituality all of us members are called to be prophetic, like the voice crying out at midnight when everyone is sleeping (see Matthew 25:6). What realities in the Body of Christ is the Lord pointing out to you? Pray about it and ask Jesus how to respond. James said “I could not just sit by and do nothing so I put together this article to highlight the terrible tragedy of abortion.” May each one of us not sit idly by, but live out our prophetic task as an evangelizing community. Let us help one another to be that voice crying out at midnight. With thanks to the WordNews team
Last August 6, 2018, the Verbum Dei teens from Cebu led a concert in Olango Island, 20 minutes boat journey from Cebu. For two years now, every third Sunday of the month, a School of the Word has been offered to the people of Olango by the Verbum Dei Family. Part of our Verbum Dei mission outreach in Olango has also been to give some recollections to the youth and couples as well as the distribution of school supplies, scholarships and Christmas gifts to the children of Tingo and St Rosa, in Olango. This time, we, the teens, with the support of our dear parents group, delivered a concert as a way to proclaim God's gift of faith and work in each one of us, through music. With God's grace and mercy, the concert went very well. We were able to evangelize the people especially the teens and the youth in that place. Around 400 people attended this concert. In the middle of the concert, we invited all to have a moment of adoration. It was very powerful to see everyone in silence in adoration before the Eucharist. I was one of the singers. For me, it was a very fruitful experience that I will always keep in my heart. The concert enabled me to meet and greet new people, being friends with them, and see them enjoying and receiving God's message of love, and of hope, through music See some photos of the event: Article by Antonnette Jane Janala
(With thanks to the WordNews team) The Verbum Dei Youth Cebu once held again their annual #KamustahanWithTheYouth2018 at the Old Sacred Heart School in Genmaxilom, Cebu city last July 15, 2018 with a theme "Explore the other side." This activity was first held in 2017. Theme The word "Kamusta" is a Filipino term of "How are you?" in English. Thus, Kamustahan with the Youth is an activity which aims to: - bring back the youth - bringing them closer to Jesus - instilling a sense of belonging in them - giving them the opportunity to feel at home with the Verbum Dei community, - as well as getting to know their realities in life by listening and sharing with them. Flow of event This event consisted of different activities: 1) Praise and worship, 2) Talks, 3) Testimony of Life 4) Sharing with the youth. The year the event was participated in by around 50 young people from the different universities in Cebu City. There were talks and testimonies, music and dynamics, a photobooth, and the Eucharist. The #KamustahanWithTheYouth2018 started with an opening number by the Verbum Dei Youth followed by a Getting-To-Know-You game. After the welcoming remarks, the highlight of the event, 'Praise and Worship', was set. Different songs were sung, all in line with the theme, and talks, testimony of life, and inputs were given in-between the songs. The event ended with the celebration of the Holy Mass and a simple salo-salo. This event was spearheaded by the General Events Coordinator of Verbum Dei Youth, Jhovann Arellano and with the aid of the adviser of the youth group, Fr. Lucio Arellano. Aims of gathering The aim of the gathering was to provide an avenue for young people to discover the love of Jesus for each one of them. The event was both fruitful and successful for all concerned – for the organizers and for all the participants. Indeed, smiles and joy were seen on the faces of everyone. Youth today There are lots of young people around the world. This is the stage of life where they love doing everything that makes them happy, at the same time chasing for their dreams. Life tends to offer a lot of things but not all are wholesome. In this fast-paced life, young people are engrossed in so many things making their lives busy in school, with their families and friends and even in their personal needs. The organizers The event was hosted and organized by the Verbum Dei Youth-Cebu. This is a group of young people coming from different universities, gathered in one community, providing a venue of accompaniment, prayer and holistic formation of young people; aiming to give witness to Christ through their testimony of life and ministry of the Word. Summing up … This event awakened the hearts of the young people to recollect themselves and discover what God wants for their lives. It's never wrong to explore many things in life as long as Jesus is by our side. In chasing our dreams, desires and passion in life, we, for sure, will get tired and slowly lose the fire in our hearts. Yet, God is inviting us to take a break, pause and rest with Him for He gives us the power and strength to fight and continue reaching for our dreams. Indeed, it's more fun with the Lord! Here is a link to a video clip of the Kamustahan event: https://www.facebook.com/verbumdei.cebu/videos/1896128847355719/?t=221 (Opens the Verbum Dei Cebu, Philippines facebook page) Here are some photos of the event: (More photos can be found at our Facebook page.) With thanks to Kleer Philomena (a member of the Youth reality in Cebu) and the WordNews team
8/16/2018
The Art of Marriage - Formation for Couples at Verbum Dei Tagaytay (August 12, 2018)Tropical Storm Yagi (Karding) struck the Philippines over the weekend, August 12, 2018, but it didn’t stop us from charging to the lovely city of Tagaytay for the Art of Marriage formation. Eight couples braved the heavy rain excited to receive the said formation. The activity started with a mass at 8am, followed by the first session on the Art of Marriage, and the Joy of Loving formation in the afternoon. Once the session began it was all excitement and awe as these couples were introduced to the origin and the reasons of marriage, and the challenges of (daily) love. The formation ended with the sharing of the fruit of each couple. Many were helped by being reminded of the importance of dialogue between the couple. All eight couples promised to return to Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Tagaytay on August 26 and every last Sunday of the month thereafter for their monthly follow up session with the misioneras. The Art of Marriage is part of the project of Verbum Dei Philippines in promoting its apostolic centers and retreat houses. Our next assignment will be at Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Banawa, Cebu on September 23, 2018, and in Verbum Dei Apostolate Center in Pasig the month afterwards. Hope to see you there! With thanks to Rey & Tina and the WordNews team
Message from Lucía Herrerías Guerra, President FMVD
Dear Fraternity and entire FaMVD: Within a few days, on June 25, we will celebrate the first anniversary of the departure of Jaime Bonet to full life with his beloved Trinity and Mary. I say well: we will celebrate, because it is the feast of eternal life that he always preached to us. On several occasions we heard him tell how in moments of difficulty, trial and desolation, he "went away" to coexist with those of heaven, where everything looked differently. Throughout this year, we have experienced in different ways their new form of presence among us, and we have grown in the desire to know the spirituality we have received, to value and deepen the charism that has left us as an inheritance. In the change of time that we live as Humanity, we have the task of learning to "look where Jaime looked" to reinterpret, guided by the Holy Spirit, the charisma and mission of the Verbum Dei responding to the signs of the times. We celebrate the anniversary of Jaime in the context of the preparation of the Fifth Ordinary General Congress: there are many issues that concern us, many projects that we dream of, many challenges that we face. But also, our world and the reality of the Verbum Dei offers us many opportunities that we need to take advantage of, to launch ourselves to the mission with the freshness of the Gospel, driven by the constant renewing dynamism of the Holy Spirit. In Siete Aguas, on June 24, we will celebrate a Thanksgiving Eucharist for the life of Jaime. On that day as well as on the 25th, surely in all the communities a commemorative activity will be organized, so that we will be united with the intimate bonds of Family, accompanied by all our brothers and sisters who are already in heaven: our ancestors, who they encourage us to walk towards the goal, without being discouraged, and getting up, if necessary, seven hundred times seven each day. On June 24 - happy coincidence - is the solemnity of the birth of Saint John the Baptist, a beloved Saint of Jaime. We ask the forerunner to help us discern structures, methods and means in our mission, so that they have the thickness of their finger, and nothing in our life hides the Jesus we want to announce so that people meet Him and have Life. Very united in prayer and mission, and that Jaime, from the bosom of the Trinity, does not stop orienting us on the way. Lucía Herrerías Guerra President FMVD
6/12/2018
Love One Another as I Have Loved You - Mass Wedding at Verbum Dei Pasig (June 2, 2018)Last June 2 was a memorable day for Verbum Dei Pasig. It was a dream come true for eight couples from our neighbors and from the nearby barangays of our area as they received the Sacrament of Matrimony. They tied the knots in the parish where we belong, San Agustin Parish, followed by a discrete but meaningful reception in our very own Apostolate Center. It was great to witness the couples who still believe in a life time commitment to each other and to raise their families rooted in the faithful love of God. They carry in their hearts the message of Jesus to “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:). This was actually the framework of their five Sundays formation that our Verbum Dei Couples facilitated. We thank God for his faithfulness to these couples, and to the Verbum Dei disciples who accompanied them in their journey, as well as the sponsors and benefactors, for their support made possible this dream come true! See some photos of the event: With thanks to the WordNews team
|
Archives
May 2024
CategoriesAll Advent Articles Bohol CDO Cebu Christmas Couples Ctk Disciples Retreat Easter Encounter Event Family Bonding Fmvd FMVD President Formation Friends Of Verbum Dei Fundraising General Congress 2018 Gift Giving Hiking Holy Week International Kids Leadership Camp Lenten Local Assembly Luzon Manila Manila/Pasig Marrried Couple Missionaries Mission Trip Music Festival Musuan National Family Encounter 2015 National Family Encounter 2017 Newsletter NFE2020 Olango Online Retreat Outreach Pansol Pasig Pentecost Philippines Pilgrimage Prayer Camp Quezon City Recollection Retreat School Of Apostles School Of The Word Semi-silent Retreat Senior High School Siete Aguas Silent Retreat Singapore Singles Song Forum Spiritual Exercises Tagaytay Teens Testimony TGIS Toledo Valentines Valentines Celebration Vietnam Visit To The Archbishop Working Group Workshop Youth Youth Days |