News
Read the news from events, activities and other updates on the different communities here in the Philippines
5/31/2020
Spreading the LoveVerbum Dei Family-Cebu Fund Drive for Covid-19 God has a purpose, and a reason for everything. With this pandemic, many good and positive things have occurred, like our solidarity with our brothers and sisters. This was felt and lived by the people here in Cebu when almost a whole barangay got infected with Covid-19 and was pronounced totally locked down. Many responded with material help, among them the Verbum Dei Family, which we channeled through Caritas Cebu. With the help of disciples and friends we were able to raise funds in a short period of time! Through this we could really see the sensitivity we have towards others in time of need. Indeed, in everything God works for good (Cf. Romans 8:28), so we continue to hope for the best amidst this crisis.
During this quarantine period, the singles reality in Cebu did a fundraising in response to the need of our brothers and sisters. With the generosity of each one, we were able to raise an amount to give disinfectants to one of the facilities in Cebu for patients with Covid. Disinfectants and masks were also donated to Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital. Along with it we gave some messages containing the Word of God. In barangay Zapatera, we provided drinking water to some families since the barangay was on lockdown for a time. Financial assistance was also extended to one of the single-disciples who happened to be in critical condition during this time. Sadly, she passed away. An initiative of giving e-cards with a message and a Word of God to our frontliners was also done to encourage them in their work, as an expression also of our gratitude to all their self-giving during this time. Our fundraising would not be possible without the cooperation of each one. We are happy doing this, through which we can show the love of God by giving our humble support to our brothers and sisters in need. It is true that “love is kind” (1 Cor 13:4) and “there is more joy in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35). With thanks to the WordNews team
5/10/2020
HOPE-20 D ANSWER 4 COVID-19On May 10, 2020 we had our first on-line youth recollection. It was a new experience for all the youth of Verbum Dei Philippines: involving CDO, Luzon, Cebu, and Olango. All perceived how Jesus continues to give us his words of hope in this time of lockdown. He also uses the social media to stay near us and in contact with us. Included in this recollection were talks, prayers, workshops and sharing of the fruits of our prayer. Doing this online was not the same as being physically present but we could still perceive a connection among us and with God. I want to share with you one of my experiences. During a workshop activity we had to choose a bible character to identify with. I chose Mary Magdalene because just like her I want to serve and love Jesus. Her life before meeting Christ was unfortunate and messy. Despite this, Jesus accepted and loved her. He didn't look only with his eyes but also with his heart. Similarly, Jesus accepts me and loves me even though I am full of flaws and imperfections, a sinner I myself sometimes am not able to love. I am grateful and thankful for this recollection. It reconfirms that God loves each of us just the way we are. Guys and girls, even when you are in a crisis, in the midst of a pandemic, God takes care of you and gives you hope. Remember that He loves you and he cares for you 24/7. Thanks Verbum Dei Family. With thanks to Dave Raymundo and the WordNews team
4/12/2020
On The First Day of the Week - Formation on the Resurrection Encounters (April 14 & 16, 2020)Join us as we deepen in the encounter with the Risen Lord with these formations by Fr. James McTavish.
When: April 14 and 16 at 7:00am. Livestream at Verbum Dei Philippines Facebook page. Or go to our Resurrection Encounters - Formation page for the video archives and hand-outs of the formation. We invite all families to pray the Via Crucis with us. We want to share this beautiful Catholic tradition with everyone at home--especially our kids and teens.
Join us this April 10, Good Friday, at 1:00pm. Live streamed through Verbum Dei Philippines Facebook, Verbum Dei Online YouTube Channel or at the Holy Week 2020 Online Retreat page. Join us in our Holy Week 2020 Online Retreat from the comfort of your home. Open for all!
Click below to go to the page where you can view the live stream and other materials for the online retreat. 🙏😇
3/25/2020
Solemnity of the Annunciation - online celebration on the feast day of Verbum Dei (March 25, 2020)Join us in our online celebration of the Feast Day of Verbum Dei, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Let us say "yes" to God as a family at the service of the Word. 🙏 Program: 3:00pm - Homily by Rodrigo Carrizo, President of Verbum Dei 6:00pm - Live Mass by VD Pansol, QC 8:00pm - Rosary of the Word 10:00pm - Replayed mass from VD in Rome Go to our official Facebook page
Amidst the crisis we're facing worldwide, we invite you to join us in praying the Rosary of the Word and the covid-19 Oratio Imperata.
Let us unite ourselves as a family of faith that continues to live the mission even without going out from our homes. This will be live streamed at 8pm (Philippines time) here in Verbum Dei Philippines FB page. Invite your family and friends to join us! March 13, 2020 Dear Verbum Dei Missionary Family, I hope that everyone is keeping safe and healthy. United with all the people all over the world, let us remain in prayer imploring the Lord for protection against the COVID-19 virus. President Duterte has already announced the imposition of community quarantine in Metro Manila which will affect land, sea and air travel starting March 15, 2020 (midnight) to April 14, 2020 (Please read the directives provided by the government agencies). Contingency measures are being imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. This pronouncement will affect all our apostolic activities during the said period. Thus, we would like to cancel the following activities in the different communities we have in Luzon for now. This may need to be extended to Visayas and Mindanao in the light of upcoming pronouncements of the Church and the Government. The activities affected include:
We are planning to organize a virtual way of celebrating the Holy Week with daily guidelines and online retreat during the Holy Triduum. Please wait for the announcement on the coming days. Let us remain vigilant and practice charity in these trying times and may Mother Mary keep our faith and hope alive. Let us not forget to pray for the healthcare workers who sacrifice themselves to help those afflicted with the virus and those on their way to recovery. United in prayer, Amy Fraternidad Misionera Verbum Dei Manila Update:Dear VD Family,
In reference to the last announcement of our Zone Responsible, "the cancellation of all our SOW's, SOA and other activities is already extended in our Cebu apostolates" due to the recent executive order of our City Mayor regarding "Community Quarantine" for the whole city effective March 15, 2020. Keep posted and wait for further notice. Thank you. Mico Each year, since 2012, the Verbum Dei community has been asked to give a one-day formation on Prostitution and Human trafficking to Exodus, an inter-congregational group of around 75 novices, from various congregations and different countries. The module was facilitated by James McTavish. He gave an overview of the current problem with around 36-40 million victims of trafficking each year, with the majority of victims forced into prostitution and sex trafficking. Here is the sharing of Priscilla Su, a Verbum Dei misionera: “Human trafficking and prostitution are not new issues. Actually, they have been around for some time, it is just that they are “hidden in plain sight.” The formation created an awareness in me of modern slavery that needs to be addressed in this day and age. It is very easy to say that we know of these issues and that they are out there on the streets, in the lives of people that we see each day. However, how often have we simply walk pass them as if it was just another person living their lives, making a livelihood. What amazed me was to see the number of “girly” bars that are present in Malate, which is just one of many such areas in Manila. The danger is that we get so used to how things are, desensitized, and we just turn a blind eye to the issue at hand. During the formation, James also shared with us the teachings of the Church, and the prayer intention of Pope Francis in the month of Feb for 2019 and 2020. The need of prayer on this issue is real as we see the alarming number of people including children being trafficked and sold for prostitution each year. No doubt, there are many organizations and groups that are creatively and tirelessly creating awareness to speak for the voiceless. However, we need to address the root of it all - wherever there is demand, a supply will always be provided regardless of it means. Human trafficking and prostitution business will only continue to grow as a multi-billion-dollar industry. This is where the gift of the charism is revealed, a charism that God has called us to and placed into our hands to convert the hearts of the people, that through the grace of God, hearts may be transformed to restore the dignity of all involved – namely the 3 “B’s” (Business, Buyer and Bought). As any one of the 3 B’s could be sitting there in one of the pew in Church, either generously donating to the church funds and piously praying yet there is a lot of incoherence in the way that they live their lives, or on the other hand praying and waiting for someone to rescue them out of their situation. There is an urgent need to address and/or readdress the issue of modern slavery, perhaps one might not feel equipped to speak up in various ways, yet a prayer offered for the victims, for the traffickers and the buyers is already an active step for asking for the grace of God for the conversion of hearts. We can also pray for the religious, and laity who are actively working with the victims to have a compassionate and persevering heart to accompany them in hope of regaining their dignity as precious children of God. To also pray for those who are creating awareness on the issue of human trafficking and prostitution, to have creativity that captures the hearts of the traffickers and buyers to put an end to the demand. We can all do something, if only we would try.” Here are some photos of the event: Resources:
See Pope Francis, Prayer intention for February 2020 see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URe5524MijY For a Verbum Dei spiritual reflection Spiritual reflection for day against human trafficking see: https://www.verbumdeiphilippines.com/reflections/freedom-is-possible-if-only-we-would-try-reflection-by-james-mctavish-fmvd For a challenging anti-trafficking advert see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLuqUpu6cY0 |
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