2003 Oct-dec For Layout

“MORE BY OUR LIVES THAN BY OUR WORDS” The 3rd Carmel Philippine Commissariat Chapter

Live out the Carmel charism, tradition and spirituality. This is simply the meaning of the theme, “More by our lives than by our words.” The 2003 Chapter of the Philippine Carmel Commissariat carried the theme last October 28-30, 2003 at the Crispin Hall of the Titus Brandsma Center in Quezon City.

The event was attended by 22 gremiales (delegates) decided upon by the commissariat membership. There were four delegates from Agusan, three from Negros, two from Cebu, eight from Manila, three Associates, two Student-friars, and two from the General Curia

namely; Frs. Joseph Chalmers (Prior General), Anthony Scerri

(Councilor for Asia, Africa & Oceania), and two from our mother Dutch Province; Frs. Tjeu Timmermans (Prior Provincial) and Ben Wolbers (Co-Provincial).

The Chapter was solemnly opened with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Prior General with Fr. Anthony Scerri as preacher. The Prior Povincial gave a Message on behalf of the Dutch Carmel Province. The Commissary Provincial in the Philippines, Fr. Antonio dela Cruz presented the State of the Commissariat Address and Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, Prior Capituli welcomed all the delegates.

This Chapter particularly aimed to redefine the strategic direction, amend the commissariat statutes and elect a new commissary provincial and members of the commissary council. As a community of brothers and sisters, the three-day Chapter was filled with prayers, reflection, discernment and celebration of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Explorations and discoveries on the imperfections of the Church and Society through continued preparation and reflection became the context of this year’s Chapter. This pointed to the strategic direction of the Order here in the Philippines manifested

through the mission statement. Amendments of the Mission Statement were proposed through the facilitation of the amendments committee.

Other important concerns and proposals discussed during the Chapter were: Initial Formation,

Community

Life,

Apostolate

(Parish,

School,

JPIC,

Media

and

Communication and Youth Ministries) and Governance (which includes the leadership and economic base and the amendments of the Statutes).

Proposals were presented for each of the key issues and it was agreed that these would be the guidelines for the incoming Commissary Council in formulating sound recommendations and plans of action. After the discussions, dialogue and sharing of the issues, the elections took place under the Committee on Elections with the Prior Provincial facilitating the reflection.

The newly elected leadership is as follows: Fr.

Antonio D. dela Cruz, Commissary Provincial; Fr. Christian Buenafe, First Councilor; Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, Second Councilor, Fr. Rey Caigoy, Third Councilor; Bro. Alaindelon Balasabas, Extended Councilor from the student friars; and Bro. Carlito Ranoco, Extended Councilor from the Associates.

The Chapter was capped with a closing Eucharist and agape. The festivities on the solidarity night (the last day) was open to all Carmelites; novices, student friars and representatives of the Carmelite family. The Himig San Agustin, a 25 member choir from Baliuag, Bulacan and the Brass Quintet of Sta. Maria, Bulacan serenaded the whole assembly. The Carmelite communities renewed their bond as a family through a night filled with singing and dancing.

But the challenge for each Carmelite continues to remind them —“More by our Lives than by our Words.”

FRATERNAL VISITS IN CARMEL PHILIPPINES

1. From October 16 to November 6 this year, Fr. Tjeu Timmermans, our Prior Provincial and Fr. Ben Wolbers, our Co-Provincial visited all Carmelite communities and ministries, holding community meetings and sharings with student friars, novices and postulants. They attended the commissariat Chapter, visited the nuns’ monasteries in Guiguinto and Cabanatuan and met both with the newly elected commissariat leadership and the Executive Board of the Center for Spirituality-Manila. They expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and exchanges that took place in every community visit. The fraternal visit was the first time for Fr. Ben Wolbers while Fr. Tjeu Timmermans has been visiting Carmel Philippines since 1990. Thank you brothers and safe trip!

2. The Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers and Councilor General for Asia, Africa & Ocenia, Fr. Anthony Scerri made their fraternal visits to all five friars’ communities, formation communities and the seven nuns’ monasteries in Guiguinto, Cabanatuan, Burgos, Tarlac, Tanay, Roxas and Dumaguete. They also met with the Carmelite Family in Manila, Dumaguete and Cebu as well as the Third Order Carmelites National Council based in Manila. The Prior General addressed the 3rd Commissariat Chapter of Carmel Philippines entitled “Carmel and Hope”. He also reaffirmed that the Order has many documents, more words… but now is the time to live out these words.

AIR FOR PRIESTS BATCH 2003 By. Fr. Aris S. Escobal,O.Carm.

It was during the assessment in April that I started to discover the beauty of AIR (Assisted Renewal Program) for Priests and Religious. In the past this program seemed not very appealing and even irrelevant because renewal is just for those “who have problems’.

From July 18 to October 11, 2003, the AIR program was held in Tagaytay City. There were 34 participants who joined the program and were divided into two. In my group were mostly formators and vocation directors of respective dioceses and religious congregations. The youngest participant was 29 while the oldest was 63.

The program was formally opened with a celebration of the holy Eucharist presided over by Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, the Chairperson of the CBCPEpiscopal Commission on Clergy (and presently Archbishop-Designate of the Archdiocese of Manila). During his homily, Archbishop Rosales mentioned the giftedness in and for the priesthood, which are geared towards effective ministry. He also talked about the discovered gifts in the AIR program as being embraced by the participants, which are the following; affirmation, security, support, inspiration and renewal of the priest. On the other hand, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of the Diocese of Imus, Cavite also mentioned that there is in every priest the process of continual selfemptying in order to make room for Christ in each one. Moreover, priests administer sacraments to people in order for them to follow Christ more closely. Therefore, we need to be helped in order to deepen our own sacramental life.

Thinking and feeling back my experience of the program while, seeking to understand and be in touch with what is happening in my inner life for self-integration was simply what the program had to offer. Nevertheless, effectiveness still depends on how each one entered deeply into the process. What was joyful in this program was the great support and the helping relationship of each participant, helping each other in an atmosphere of understanding, fraternity, sincerity and true friendship. In short, the participants including the Staff of the AIR program helped one another to bring hope, extend support to each one’s struggle and walk forward confident in Jesus Christ.

ESCALANTE COMMUNITY NEWS REMEMBERING ESCALANTE MASSACRE WITH A CONTINUED SPIRIT OF PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE. A bigger crowd of people joined the march on September 20, 2003 to commemorate the Escalante Massacre, which occurred 18 years ago. The negotiation panel was composed of representatives from the multi-sectoral groups with City Councilor Evelyn Hinolan, who was a witness to that infamous

massacre.

The multi-sectoral groups were

composed of NFSW, KMU, PCPR, Pamalakaya, Karapatan, Bayan, Gabriela, Anak Pawis, Anak Bayan, among others. Fr. Paul Medina, O.Carm. represented the JPICO.Carm. Negros. The celebration was preceded with a torch parade and vigil at the massacre site on September 19, 2003. The families of the victims were present during the vigil and with an emotional testimony from one of the victims. The youth of Teatro Obrero presented a patriotic number based on the Escalante massacre experience and the crowd could not hold back their tears. The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Christopher Exala, O.Carm. with Carmelites Fathers Rey Caigoy, Harry Bloem, Paul Medina and Fr. Edwin Laude, the Diocesan Social Action Director of San Carlos who gave a rousing homily on the value of life and rights of people. A motor caravan coming from southern and central parts of Negros came for the occasion. The Mass was followed with a march to the massacre site. At the Escalante Martyrs' monument, a re-enactment of the massacre was followed by a rally held in front of the City Market. The sectoral speakers aired their plight and presented the burning issues of the day. Towards evening, the crowd of rallyists dispersed peacefully. The great question that lurks in the mind the people is, "Why is the Escalante Massacre not recorded in the official books of Philippine History?" T.O.C. “KUBO” IS RISING The Third Order Carmelites of Escalante are constructing a building, which they can call their own. On September 25, 2003 they started clearing the area near the garage of Escalante Monastery. The construction has been going on interrupted only by many

showers of rain. This will be the T.O.C.s contribution to the monastery and parish needs for meeting space. Due to the active participation of many groups in Escalante, many times the groups run out of space for meetings. SEMINARS EVERYWHERE! From October 10-12, 2003 there were several seminars running at the same time. At the Vocation Center was the BST I (Basic Seminar Training of Lay Ministers) with representatives from the different Basic Christian Communities (BCC) of Escalante City. At the same time, at the Bahay Kubo of the Parish, a seminar on Lector-Commentators Ministry (LCM) for Zone I, composed of 11 Basic Christian Communities, facilitated by the T.O.C. Team. On the same date, another two teams - LCM Jonobjonob Team and LCM Japitan Team - had also their seminars on the basic Christian Communities of Zone 3 and Zone 9. The seminars serve to make the participation of the people in the bible services of the BCCs of the parish more alive and meaningful. These series of seminars will continue until December to cover all the areas of Mt. Carmel Parish. Gervasio "Butch" Ondoy, Eli Linogon, Jimmy Cabag and Fr. Paul Medina are the main facilitators and coordinators of these series s of seminars, presently with the lay ministers and lectors and later for all the ministries and groups of the parish.

CEBU COMMUNITY

The Association of Men Religious & Society of Cebu (AMRAMSOC) chose the O.Carm. Community of Cebu as the new Executive Committee Treasurer. represented by Fr. Arnel Glodobe, O.Carm.

*******

The O.Carm. is

SEMESTRAL BREAK. Our college seminarians went during vacation on the first week of October. Back in their home provinces, they also helped the Vocation Promotions and Campaign in the schools and parishes within their respective towns and cities.

*******

Rev. Emmanuel Vallega, O.Carm. is busy with the preparations for his sacerdotal ordination to be held on December 6, 2003 in Kabanklan City. He met the Ordaining Bishop, the Parish Priest of the host-parish and the Parish Pastoral Council leaders to discuss the preparations.

*******

The visit of Frs. Tjeu Timmerman’s, O.Carm. and Ben Wolvers, O.Carm. was fruitful. We fetched them at the airport in the morning of October 21, 2003. The community with Moring and Hein experienced a good sharing in the afternoon of the same day, while the lay Community together with the YCPF core group joined them in an audience in the evening.

*******

Our community members are still serving as Chaplains of the Cebu Hope Center-an orphanage run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred heart and for Batang Pinangga Foundation, Inc. in Carmen, Cebu where twenty-one abandoned children are housed. Aside from being Chaplains, the confreres are also involved in the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

*******

San Alberto Carmelite Formation Center is undergoing improvements and minor repairs. The new minibus with a seating capacity of 42 makes the trips to the school easier and more orderly.

ELIJAH-ELISHA COMMUNITY

Second year student-friars for immersion

The seven second-year student-friars together with other students of the InterCongregational Theological Center (ICTC) went out for immersion from September 18 to October 18, 2003. They immersed themselves among the urban poor communities in Makati City and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, among the farmers in Nakar, Quezon and among the fisher folk in Real, Quezon. This month long period was an opportunity for deeper dialogue and integration with the lives, struggles, hopes and aspirations of the poor. They also conducted an ethnographic research in their immersion area. They will go back to the area in November to continue their immersion and research.

Alaindelon Balasabas, O.Carm., and his batch mates in the Inter-Congregational Theological Center (ICTC) studied and reflected with some people from their pastoral area about the new way of being church. They attended a weeklong seminar on Basic Christian Communities on from October 6 to 10, 2003 organized by the ICTC Pastoral Program.

Key Leaders from their pastoral

areas attended

this

seminar.

The

composition of the participants was itself concrete picture of dialogue and solidarity in doing theology.

Semestral Break helps Build Community

Semestral break helped to focus more on community-building of the studentfriary community. Activities of the student-friary during semestral break were focused

on the dynamics of the community. A retreat was held as an occasion to share the experience of God in the events throughout the semester. A semestral Retreat on the theme of “the experience of transition” served as transition to the second semester. This student-friars mid-year Retreat was held at Tali, beach, Nasugbo, Batangas on October 21 – 23, 2003. Fr. John Gelio-ano, O.Carm., was the Retreat Master. He shared with the student-friars his own personal experience of transition, which inspired the student-friars as they continue their journey in Carmel.

A personal and community assessment was conducted. It was a venue to both affirm the beauty of life in Carmel and to propose further improvement of personal and community life.

Two days general cleaning was also accomplished.

During the

semestral break, some student-friars participated in the Commissariat Chapter.

Student-friars look forward

Student-friars look forward to the second semester. They are excited for the incoming “ICTC Pasiglakasan” on November 4 till 5 to be held at Our Lady of the Angels Franciscan Seminary Compound. This will be a time for sports, cultural shows and other forms of inter-action and aims to foster a deeper sense of family at the InterCongregational Theological center (ICTC). The student-friars also look forward for the implementation of Chapter resolutions especially with student-friary concerns.

SPRING OF CARMEL COMMUNITY

Spring of Carmel Novitiate: Home of the “Blood Donors”

On September 6, Fr. Peter Kramer celebrated the Eucharist in the Chapel of Gloria III. A Claretian Sister asked for blood donations for Fr. Blanco, who was to have a heart-operation. Our novices, Gerry Von Celoso and Roy Tabamo volunteered. Then a telephone call came from a friend on September 7. Blood was needed for a child in

serious condition.

Philip Rabosa, one of our novices, volunteered. On Monday,

September 8, all of us were at mass in San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish. The commentator approached our group and asked for help. Her husband was to be operated on and was in need of blood. Jess Alesna, Boyet Agabe and Jong-jong Galaura agreed to bleed. Three cases of blood transfusion, completely different form one another, within a timeframe of 36 hours. Indeed, September was a bloody month.

The Novice Master, Fr. Anton Hoogland< O.Carm. returned on September 25 from his trip to Europe. Fr. Anton attended the International Gathering of Carmelite Formators in Aylesofrd, England along with a brief vacation in The Netherlands. He celebrated his 40th year of religious profession on August 22, 2003 and Peter his 60th year on September 23, 2003. A total of 100 years for Frs. Anton and Peter was celebrated on September 30 in a Eucharistic Celebration presided by the Commissary Provincial, Fr. Tony dela Cruz, O.Carm. Well-wishers of the celebrants attended with the friars, students, novices and co-workwers. Afterwards, a sumptuous meal was offered and enjoyed by all the guests.

NOVICES’ EXPOSURE

On October 1 – 10, our novices underwent an exposure, organized by Exodus, the joint program of novices from various religious groups.

Jess Alesna was with the Scalibrinians and their apostolate for migrants; Joel Comaling experienced the environment of street-children, Roy Tabamo joined a Basic Ecclesial Community in Cavite; Boyet Agabe was with the Aetas, an indigenous group in Bataan. Jong-jong Galaura was also with the Aetas in Pampanga and Philip Rabosa was in a community of elders in Pampanga.

Returning home, they shared their experiences with one another for one day. This was followed by three days of evaluations and reflections with the whole Exodus-group, facilitated by Mr. Pete Batangan, a pastoral facilitator.

On October 12, Fr. Jun Adeva, O .Carm., joined and became a member of the Spring of Carmel community.

TERESA OF AVILA COMMUNITY

On September 16 Fr. Marlon Lacal finally left for the Netherlands for his graduate and post-graduate studies. Fr. Marlon was the former Prior of Teresa of Avila community and served the community for three years. We will surely miss Ondoy as he is fondly called. Good luck Fr. Marlon.

********

Frs. Aris Escobal and Jun Adeva finished the three-month ASSISTED RENEWAL PROGRAM of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the Philippines in Tagaytay City. They were back in the monastery on October 11. Welcome Home brothers!

********

The community, student friars, novices and other friends celebrated the Manila monastery’s feast on October 15, St. Terese of Avila. Father Prior. Sirenio Jaranilla presided at the Eucharistic celebration with Fr. Toots Buenafe as preacher. . The celebration was capped with a sumptuous fiesta party and colorful program participated in by all.

********

On October 21, The community welcomed back Fr. Martin Pierik after his three-month vacation in the Netherlands.

Update from the TOC NATIONAL COUNCIL:

Bicol Fraternal Visit

On Sept 18, 2003, Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Fr. Toto, Sis. Nimfa and Michael Condes, an O.Carm. Aspirant left by bus for Guinobatan, Albay for the Annual Fraternal Visit to the TOC Community there. Michael came along for Vocation Promotion initiatives. They arrived very early the following day and were met by several TOC members who had been waiting for them since 5 o’clock in the morning. After a few hours of rest, the National Officers met with the community at large at around 8:30 a.m. In the afternoon Fr. Toto Jaranilla, O.Carm. presided at the Eucharistic celebration during which three (3) TOC members were received as Novices. The following day, Saturday, some TOC members in two (2) vehicles, which included the three (3) visitors from Manila, proceeded to Naga City to attend the Peñafrancia Festivities. They intended to watch the Fluvial Procession in the afternoon but due to the heavy turnout of pilgrims they decided to watch the activity on TV. Sis. Nimfa, Fr. Toto and Bro. Michael decided to visit the Ateneo de Naga University (Sis. Nimfa’s alma mater) campus while waiting for their trip back to Manila. They were lucky to meet with Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, President of Ateneo de Naga University and Fr. Jack Phelan SJ. The three of them finally boarded the bus for Manila at 8:00 in the evening.

Tanay Fraternal Visit

After being postponed last Sept. 13, Fr. Toto, Bro. Joe Generoso and Sis. Nimfa Tancuangco finally arrived in Tanay last October 11, Saturday. The meeting with the

Tanay TOC Community started at 9:30 a.m. and continued after lunch until 2:30 in the afternoon. It was a very fruitful visit.

Prior General’s Visit

Meanwhile the TOC National Office has finalized plans for the visit of the Prior General on November 19, 2003. A meeting and dialogue with Fr. Joseph Chalmers and the National Council officers will be held at 9:00 a.m. at Teresa Bldg. At 12:00 noon a luncheon meeting has been arranged at the nearby Blue Bacon Restaurant. At 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, a Para liturgical program will be held at Titus Brandsma Center with the NCR TOC Communities in attendance.

Do Filipinos in the Netherlands go with the tide of secularization? Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O. Carm. Boxmeer, The Netherlands

In Contrast to the Philippines, the Netherlands is more considered to be a secularized country. The secularization is manifested in the decline of religious institutions and the increasing autonomy of social institutions that were once run or directly and indirectly influenced by the former. At the level of the individual, it can be described as the increased freedom of the individuals to be affiliated or not to be affiliated with any religion. It is also the decrease in significance of traditional religious affiliations, symbols, beliefs and practices (Van der Ven, 1998, 91-92). Secularization at the level of the individual could best be illustrated by the data provided by the Statistics Netherlands. It is remarkable that in 1998, 40% of the Dutch people over 8 years old did

not belong to any religion while 31 % were affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church; 14% with the Dutch Reformed Church; 7 % with the Calvinist Church; and 9 % with other groups. In terms of church goers, that is going to religious services at least once a month, Roman Catholics were 9%; Dutch Reform 5%; Calvinist 5%; and 4% designated to other groups (Statistics Nederlands 2000, p. 15 & p. 43). With the data that I have just provided, one might raise the question as to what happens to Filipinos when they are exposed to this kind of situation? Do they hold on to their strong religious orientation? Do they consider themselves as the new missionaries to this secularized country? Or do they easily go with the tide of secularization? Aren’t they themselves becoming secularized? Do they really value their religious conviction and faith in God? I myself do not have an answer to these questions. Perhaps, the results of an empirical research, which I conducted in the middle of last year, can shed some light with regards to the questions posed above. Five hundred questionnaires were sent at random to Filipinos all over the Netherlands through the post/mail. From the 500 questionnaires, which were sent 181 or, 36% were returned, which could be considered statistically valid. I used recent statistical facilities like SPSS 10 to process the information received. Two of the questions asked were: 1) How often did they attend mass or religious worship when they were in the Philippines? 2) How often do they go to mass or religious worship now that they are in the Netherlands? The results are illustrated in the table below:

Table 1

Attendance at mass or a worship service

In the Philippines

How often do they attend mass or

In the Netherlands

Frequenc

religious services?

Frequency

Percent

y

Percent

Several times a week

36

19,9

5

2,8

One a week

95

52,5

44

24,3

Several times a month

21

11,6

34

18,8

Monthly

1

,6

32

17,7

Now and then

21

11,6

44

24,3

On liturgical feast days only

1

,6

3

1,7

Seldom or never

0

0

17

9,4

Missing value

6

3.3

2

1,1

181

100%

181

100%

Total

The table shows the frequency distribution when the Filipinos attend mass or worship services both in the Philippines and in the Netherlands. It is remarkable to note that the respondents indicate that when they were in the Philippines, 19.9% of them were attending mass or worship services several times a week while 52.5% attended at least once a week. In contrast when they are in the Netherlands, the table shows that only 2.8 % of the respondents attend mass or religious services several times a week while 24.3% indicate they go to church at least one a week. The greatest percentage of the respondents indicate they attend mass or worship services several times a month or monthly. Looking at the figures above, one could indeed say that there is a decline in terms of Filipinos’ attendance at mass and religious services. If the decline in attending liturgical celebrations could be interpreted as a sign of secularization, then one could say that there is a trend for Filipinos in the Netherlands to become secularized. One could even say that Filipinos do not really stand up for their identity as religious and pious people.

Personally, I would not like to think that Filipinos easily give up their faith and conviction in God. It could be true that there is a decline in terms of participation in liturgical activities but in does not mean that they abandon their faith in God. I also recognize the many efforts of some groups and individuals initiating activities for the enhancement of the faith and spirituality of Filipinos. Aside from the Filipino migrants’ efforts to be integrated to the Dutch society and to practice their faith in Dutch churches both Catholic and Protestant, they also make considerable effort to initiate spiritual activities in a Filipino way. Way back in the 1990’s, they searched for priests who have an adequate grasp of Filipino culture and spirituality. Filipinos took advantage of the services of old Dutch missionaries who worked in the Philippines. They also get support and assistance from some Filipino priests studying in Leuven, Belgium. In every place there emerges a kind of leadership who organizes spiritual activities. This leadership organizes occasional Eucharistic celebrations and worship gatherings among Filipinos in different places in the Netherlands: Almere Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Den Haag, Gouda, Hoorn, Hengelo, Hilversum, Einhoven, Lelystad, Nijmegen, Utrecht and Tilburg. Usually, the people contribute an amount to cover the expenses for the rental of the church and the stipend for the priest and other expenses. When some Catholic priests arrive at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and Den Haag, they also avail of their services. Masses are now organized in Nijmegen, Hilversum, Hoofddorp, Harleem, Weesp, and other places.

Aside from the masses that are organized in various places in the Netherlands, there are also individuals who initiate seminars, and pilgrimages to Holy places. I have joined a pilgrimage twice already. The last time was in July 18-26 of this year. It was a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Nevers, France; Fatima, Portugal and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The first three places are apparation sites of the Blessed Mary who called people to turn to God and to pray for world peace. San Tiago de Compostela is a popular pilgrimage area since the 8th century. The legend has it that St. James (Santiago), one of the disciples of Jesus, was the one who first brought the Gospel to Spain, and died in Santiago de Compostela.

Are the Filipinos in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe secularized? It depends on what kind of interpretation I and you give to this question. I hope that we have chosen not to be secularized. That we stand up for our strong religious convictions and we manifest them in the way we relate with people everywhere we are and everywhere we go. That our way of life radiates the love and compassion of Christ. That we serve as the light and salt of the earth as Jesus taught us in His Gospel.

References: Statistical Yearbook (2000) Statistics Nederlands, Voorburg/Heerlen.

Van der Ven, J. (1998) Practical Theology: An Empirical Approach. Peeters Press, Leuven, Belgium.

Carmel News Editorial Staff

Editorial Board Christian “Toots” Buenafe Sirenio Jaranilla Ed Gerlock

Lay-out Artist Jofti Villena Encoder Normie Lacanilao

Contributors: Pete Manilag, Jr. Peter Kramer Nimfa Tangcuangco Aris Escobal Paul Medina Rico Ponce Max Zapanta