Two participants of the course got caught in separate ‘ambush interviews’.  One was Fr. Shukrani Mbirigenda from Tanzania.  The other, a Filipino, who requested anonymity, is referred to here as Father A (for Anonymous).

The two Camillians coming from very different continents and cultures were one in saying that a lot of what they heard in the course was stuff they had tackled in their ‘student days’ and formation years.  Not entirely new, yet the inputs presented from different angles and heard again after years of lived experience as religious brought about the realization that one has forgotten much between ordination and the present.  They also generated paradigm shifts and the revival of desires to live the religious life with renewed fidelity.

Both Fr. A and Fr. Shukrani were asked the question “What impact did the Renewal Course make on you?”

“In three years 49 religious left our Congregation” said a religious speaker based in East Asia.

This was the most shocking – but at the same time stimulating - news I received during of the six-day renewal course in which I contributed to animate in Manila in October 2008.

Shocking, because it is appalling to hear that so many religious decided to quit the state of life they had been living for quite a time! One cannot but put to himself the question: at the time of their consecration were they aware of what was awaiting ahead? What kind of problems could have arisen in the existence of those 49 persons that brought them to the decision of making a U-turn in their life? Surely, something must have been wrong or amiss.

Stimulating, because a consecrated person cannot hear a news like this and continue unperturbed in his routine without being hit by the challenge of showing to himself and to the world that it is still possible – in the secularized world of nowadays – to live a happy religious life.

The fourth CPE season at the St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center (SCPHC) kicked off last October 6 with 18 participants.  The program will run until December 13, 2008 with Sr. Tentai Saniel,RC, Mrs. Flora Calleja and Mr. Lemuel Arit as supervisors.  All 18 participants hold their verbatim sessions with the patients at nearby Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

The internal dynamic of the participants is an essential focus of Clinical Pastoral Education.  This season’s batch has graciously agreed to disclose bits of what has happened within them so far during the course. 

The Camillian Family of Davao, Inc. (CFDI) celebrated its 5th Foundation Anniversary last September 15, 2008. A series of preparatory activities took place in line with the celebration.

The first event was a Healing Mass, presided by CFDI Chaplain Fr. Tex Rico, MI, in the afternoon of September 11 at the Wellness Center of the hospital. Patients in the wards were invited. The anointing of the sick followed. Simple snacks were distributed to the patients and watchers after the Mass.

Lay Camillian Family in Mati Launched – Finally

       
The 40th birthday celebration of Fr. Marcelo L. Pamintuan Jr. became the launching date of the Lay Camillian Family (LCF) in Mati. The twin event was so well and meaningfully attended. No less than the incumbent governor, Hon. Corazon Nunez Malanyaon and two former governors, Marlene Palma-Gil and Rosie Lopez, came to cheer up the celebrant and to express support for the launching of the LCF.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes

The eight-day Filipino pilgrimage to Lourdes (September 5 –13) was indeed a success! The long travel with the bus was organized carefully to ensure the satisfaction of the pilgrims. Along the way, the pilgrims recited the Holy Rosary, sang Marian songs, prayed the Angelus. From time to time, explanation of famous and important places was given. Of course, several stopovers were done to attend to the usual human necessities, which at the same time gave us the chance to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery.