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The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

3rd Sunday of the Year 2021, January 24, Source:  Mark 1.14-20

The  Word

Jesus Calls the First Disciples   

14 After John [the Baptizer]  had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.

17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.

20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

3rd-Sunday-2021 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer
Image from Google.

A REFLECTION

It was just last week that we read the gospel about Jesus meeting two disciples of John the Baptist who wanted to talk with him. One of them, as we know, was Andrew. He in turn shared his experience of Jesus with his brother Simon. They were both fishermen. We recall that it was Jesus himself who gave Simon the name Peter. Perhaps, after this first experience, they all met a few times. Jesus knew who they were.

Today we hear that Jesus had begun his ministry of teaching and healing. And he desired that others would share that experience with him. So, he looked for those whom he knew – Peter and Andrew and the two brothers John and James. They were all fishermen.

Jesus called them and asked/invited them to journey with him, to learn from him, to share his ministry of Good News. And so, they all left their nets and their fishing boats and their families to go with Jesus. They were invited to share the ministry of Jesus.

MY  PRAYER

To get started in this time of prayer, put yourself in a quiet comfortable mode – Recall that God is always with us as promised. Ask for the grace to hear the call to ministry – and to accepted and live by it

What is the ministry of Jesus?

Pope Francis and others have put it like this – Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Healing,  Generosity, Kindness

>>   Reflect and pray over each of these – Do I bring these ministries of Jesus to others? Is there something holding me back? Anger? Resentment? Hurt feelings? Jealousy?…..

>> Ask for the grace to be a minister of blessing – as in each of the above- in the spirit of Jesus – Father give me the grace to know and to love and to share in the ministry of Jesus!

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Scripture from the New American Bible                                                      

                                                                                     

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                   

                                                                                    

           

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The Word And A Reflection and Prayer

2nd Sunday of the Year 202, Invitation of Jesus, January 17, 2021

The  Word

Source:  John 1.35-42, The Invitation of Jesus

002-jesus-calls-disciples-1 The Word And A Reflection and Prayer
Image from Google.

35 The next day John [the Baptizer] was there again with two of his disciples,

36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”

37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.*

40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him,“We have found the Messiah” (which is translated anointed).

42 Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,  “You are Simon the son of John;* you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).a

A  REFLECTION

This event, the two disciples meeting Jesus, happened sometime after Jesus’ baptism. Many people had gone to the river Jordan to be cleansed.  Many were looking for a Messiah. We know that John said that he was not the Messiah, only a prophet crying in the wilderness. But he did understand that Jesus’ was very special – he called him the “Lamb of God.” And he pointed him out to these two seekers. Andrew and another (perhaps evangelist John himself) were among the seekers. Some want to say that this is an autobiographical remembrance. The two were excited by the words of John and bold enough to follow that Lamb of God.

We in turn, 2000 years later, are still called into the scene – “Come and see.”.”

MY  PRAYER

May I start with a few words of direction?

When entering into this prayer period, try to set yourself comfortably and quietly for a few minutes. Then read the Scripture story again to put yourself in place, perhaps see yourself in the picture – with Jesus. The prayer time may be short – five or 10 minutes – or longer as your heart desires. Give full concentration to Jesus as these two men do. You might try to do this same prayer two or three times during the week as possible.

  • I first thanked the Lord Jesus for the invitation to “Come and see.” I am called – that is why I am here at this moment.
  • What would I want to say to Jesus ?
  • What would I want to hear him saying to me :
    • what comfort or peace do I need
    • do I need to ask for forgiveness
    • can I say to him – “I thank you and I love you.”

Thank you, Jesus, for inviting me – I love you – I want to be with you and you with me.

Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Scripture from the New American Bible 

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The Word, a Reflection and Prayer

First Sunday of Advent

November 29, 2020

By Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible

 R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
   from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
3 Rouse your power, and come to save us.
R:  Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

15 Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect 16 what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

18 May your help be with the man of your right hand,
    with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
19 Then we will no more withdraw from you;
     give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

A beautiful Psalm 80 – a plea for God’s help.

The context of this cry of the Israelites that their Lord God come and save them is placed around 720 BC when the Assyrians defeated them in battle, devastated the land and took away men, women and children as prisoners to be slaves.

There was a realization that they had not been faithful to the covenant that Moses made on their behalf with God. The vineyard of the Lord was desolated – they cry out for help.

In our time, more than 2000 years later, the Church uses this Psalm in anticipation for the special coming of the Lord in the Christmas season. It would seem that only a spiritual message was to be communicated, a spiritual renewal to be asked for.

But now, November 2020, we do ask for healing and relief, we are overcome, devastated by the COVID 19 pandemic. We cry out for help. That may be our first thought.

Yet there are many others who need us to cry out to the Savior Jesus on their behalf:       

My thought today is that we pray for so many who suffer so much –

  • those caught in the drug wars in Mexico
  • the persecuted minorities in China, Myanmar, India and in areas of Europe, America and Africa
  • persecuted Catholics and Christians and other faiths
  • the jobless and the hungry because of this time of dislocation

As I consider those above, can I think of those nearby who suffer –

  •  workers not paid just wages
  •  abused staff and household helps
  • the many “little people” who suffer from the abuse of police and military

              Can we cry out for these –

It would be good to read this Psalm 80 each day this week and to take some time for reflective prayer –

The final thought – our mantra these holy days –

    Come, Lord Jesus, Come  – and save us –

And help us in your name to help save others –

Image from Google

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The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

CHRIST THE KING 2020

CHRIST THE KING 2020 (Kristong Hari), November 22, 2020

The Word

Matthew 2 1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

Matthew 25   31  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him.”

Picture4 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

40 “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Picture2 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

Matthew  21  4 This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled:

5 Say to daughter Zion, “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'”

John 18  36 Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”

John 19  2 And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, 3 and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly.

Picture3 The Word, A Reflection and Prayer

John 19    14  … [Pilate] said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” 15 They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!”

19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read,

     “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.”

A  REFLECTION  and  PRAYER

Brightness —  Light  —  Darkness —  Glory

A number of years ago, Father Ruben Tanseco and I were discussing themes for the Feast of Christ the King. (As you may know, Father Ruben passed to the Lord a month or so ago – may he be in peace.) We talked about the common image of Christ the King sitting on the magnificent throne crowned with gold and holding an orb and a scepter. Super glorious!

And he mentioned the image of Jesus standing there so much alone with the purple cape and a crown of thorns being presented by Pilate to the people – “This is your king!”  (You can see it on Google images.)

I have outlined a bit of this reality in the Scripture passages chosen above:

  • the Magi bringing wonderful gifts to a newborn King
  • how the great king will judge and reward
  • a king entering Jerusalem for the Passover festival – not a king riding in a chariot drawn by great horses and surrounded by well-armed soldiers –but a humble servant-king riding on a donkey
  • a dialogue with Pilate ending in a death sentence – but with the saving inscription above the lifeless victim – “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
  • finally, the glorious moment from the Book of Revelation as the king draws the generous of heart to himself

 =  =  = =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =   

As you can imagine, each of these small episodes are not for reading but for reflection and prayer.

Perhaps you can take five minutes for each text – imagining each scene in your own mind, being in the scene – by seeing, by hearing, by feeling;  participating – by speaking, by touching, by helping.

You can also pray over one episode each day this week – that would make for good daily prayer. We keep in mind that the journey of Jesus was of compassion and mercy, gentleness, healing and forgiveness.

Can we journey with Jesus? Can we do as he has done – compassion and mercy; gentleness, healing and forgiveness?

Pain and suffering are part of the journey – these we offer with the pain and suffering of Jesus.

Jesus Christ, our king, give us your grace for our lives!

Father Bill Kreutz SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible. (Images from Google)

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THE WORD, A REFLECTION, MY PRAYER

by Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies.

13th Sunday 2020

The Word, Paul’s Letter to Romans 6.3-4,8-11

hands-up-1024x768 THE WORD, A REFLECTION, MY PRAYER
Dead to Sin; Life for God in Christ Jesus. Image from Google.

3 Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

8 If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
9 We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

10 As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God.
11 Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as [being] dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

A Reflection and My Prayer

“New Life, New Life, You came to bring us New Life”

This is the theme for our prayer and reflection today; words from a song about God’s gift of life. (See below for Youtube link).
St. Paul puts it so clearly – death for sin; life for us in Christ Jesus!

Read the passage over again. Pray to understand; to internalize the words, ” . . . living for God in Christ Jesus.”

Well, we ask, what does it mean for my daily life? Does that Baptism of so many years ago make any difference?

In the early centuries of the Church, most baptism was done by immersion. And so going into the water was like dying and coming up was resurrection – death and resurrection like Christ. (For various practical reasons, immersion was no longer the standard; pouring or sprinkling with water became the practice.) A key element in this is to know, to remember that we are all God’s children and for this reason we are to live in the spirit of his Son, Jesus the Christ.

Reminder: Jesus is a man for others – a man of compassion and mercy for others. We, the children of God are born again in the style of Jesus – also to be men and women for others. Take time and pray on this – Jesus, ourselves, for others.

The Jesus’ reality is seen by the following:

  • Do we think kindly of others – pray for blessings on them?
  • How do we speak of others – with good words that build people up?
  • How do we act toward others – with kindness, generosity, with justice?
  • And what yet is still to be done for others? What can I do for others?

Go now to quiet prayer. Ask for the grace, for the spirit of Jesus to be in you, to possess you that you might be “for others” as Jesus was for others. End with the Prayer for Generosity.

Musical Prayer: New Life – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjH759VffKQ

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Pangantucan Community High School

PCHS was established as a response to the need for a high school in Pangantucan in the late 1960s.  The Land Authority Office of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources donated 32 has. of land with the sole intention of developing an agricultural school. 

For the last 50 years, the school has served its purpose of providing a high school program with agricultural electives especially for the children of farmers and tenants who cannot afford to send their children outside of Pangantucan. 

Fr-Bros-Flores-Pangantucan-Community-High-School-2020 Pangantucan Community High School
Fr. Ambrosio Flores, SJ, School President 2020. Jesuit Mission School
Kinilayan Village, Poblacion, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Phils.

PCHS relies solely on government subsidy for students who cannot sustain the increasing cost of high school education.  The school deems it imperative to advance and promote agriculture as a stable career among the youth by utilizing the available land as a Demo Farm and Laboratory for students and converting the idle land as a social enterprise. 

For more information, please visit PCHS’ website https://bit.ly/3hCClCX made through the generosity of our partner in mission, Joe de Jesus.

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Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ

20200614-pope-francis-corpus-christi-afp-s Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
Photo lifted from the web.

CORPUS CHRISTI 2020, by Fr. Bill Kreutz, SJ

THE WORD

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Christians in Corinth 10.16-17

One Bread-One Body

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

17 Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER

A little background:

The earliest mention of the Holy Eucharist in the New Testament is found in St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians written in the early 50s of the first century. It is assumed that there were already traditions about what happened at the Last Supper circulating among the early Christians, but the Gospels were compiled and written and circulated only at a later time.

In Chapter 11, verses 23-26, St. Paul says that he received personally from the Lord what had happened in the Last Supper in regards to the Eucharist. He does this to establish authority to guide the Corinthians in their celebration of the Eucharist. It was noted that there were strong distinctions made among various members of the community. This did not match well. The sense of unity that should come from sharing one bread. He spends much time on how people ought to act at Eucharist with a strong sense of sharing.

These verses and many other verses in that first letter of Paul to the Corinthians talk about the Eucharist and its central role in the early church in Corinth. But, he had found many abuses –  and so he had to tell the people, remind people, remind Christians what they had received from Jesus.

Our reading from today’s Holy Mass focuses on the unity that should be in the Church. Since all share of the one Body and Blood of Jesus.

As possible, take time, make time, to read that first letter to the Corinthians; it tells us much about styles and customs in the early church as perceived by Paul and it reminds us, even today, the sharing that should be going on.

A further note:

Those words: he took the bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to those gathered around. These words must have been very sacred for the early Christians. These words show up in the feeding of the 5000, and 4000, the meal of the men at Emmaus, and, of course, the very words of Jesus at the Last Supper. And now, 2000 years later we still use the same words. These are the words that the freest repeat over the bread and the wine. 2000 years of continuity with Jesus – we still believe!

 Take some time to pray; to offer thanks Jesus’ life for our lives, everyday, for us.

CORPUS-CHRISTI-1024x576 Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
Picture lifted from Google

I chose the image above because it showed not a loaf to be broken and shared, but small hosts already on the dish to be shared among all the faithful.

With such great numbers of believers of Catholics, it is just about impossible to “break bread” in the common use of the term.

We accept the limitations of very simple bread made into the hosts that, by God’s power, become the Body and Blood of Jesus.

 A prayer of thanks for this gift, this power given to the Church.

To be able to receive Holy Communion is a bond of unity – or should be – it is a moment to reach out to others. Our thoughts and our prayers

  • all in the church gathered with us
  • all on the line to receive Holy Communion
  • all we will encounter during our day – family, friends, partners at work, even strangers along the street or on the bus

In that one bread, we reach out to a whole world – that is what we pray – like Jesus, who offered himself for all.

Lastly, this is a most difficult time for all who want to receive the holy Eucharist – we just can’t – but we do have that wonderful custom of “Spiritual Communion” which helps us as we watch Mass on television or on our mobile phone.

We pray for one another even though so far apart; Jesus is with us – and we with him – and with all believers.

The church has two very special possessions (among many); the Holy Bible and the Holy Eucharist. These are our precious possessions. Again, a deep, warm prayer of Thanksgiving.

Extra!    

Below are two wonderful music pieces celebrating the Holy Eucharist:

A wonderful and comfortable: Ave Verum — True Body — music by Amadeus Mozart

(You can find a translation into English on Google)

A mantra for the week: Your Body and Blood – Thank You Lord!

                       

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A Letter from Fr. Harvey Mateo, SJ

Top 6 lumad scholars- consistent honor students

Dear Friends of SIHS:

I wish to share with you some updates regarding our mission.

This is certainly not complete but it’s just to give you an idea about some of the things going on in Zamboanguita:

1. Parish- a new chapel is being constructed for the community in Purok 6, Silae- one of our most vibrant and active parish communities. They have taken turns to assist the paid laborers and feed them. They have raised a substantial amount to supplement what was raised for the construction. The foundations and walls have been laid down, the next step is to put the roofing so that they could now have their services there instead of the makeshift structure they have been using for the past two years.

IMG_9232-300x225 A Letter from Fr. Harvey Mateo, SJ
Chapel construction, Purok 6

Meanwhile, the rest of the parish is preparing for the beginning of Lent on Wednesday (March 6, 2019). There is a proposal to initiate a Sunday school for the little children in the parish. We could mobilize the older youth and share with them Fr. Martin Licup’s new book Sunday Gospel for Kids as a resource. This would be a good Year of the Youth activity.

A donor has donated a new bell for the parish. We have reinforced our bell tower to accommodate this wonderful addition to our church. We are hoping to hear it ring for the first time soon.

2. St. Isidore HS- The school will be celebrating its 28th foundation day on March 12 by holding alternative classes on that day. We have invited several speakers to give talks on topics such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Barangay Governance, What Really Happens at Mass, HIV/AIDS awareness, and many more, including a showing of Ditsi Carolino’s Bunso (with no less than the director leading the discussion afterwards). During the Mass on that day, we will specifically praying for all our benefactors.

SIHS recently participated in two inter-school sports competitions. The G12 students completed their required 80 hour work immersion in Xavier University as student assistants in the various offices and feedback has been very good from both ends.

The G10 students completed the retreat in the Jesuit Retreat House in Malaybalay. Both G10 and G12 students are excited for the coming Junior Senior Promenade, with prom gowns flown-in from donors from Manila. Barangay Zamboanguita has asked the school to represent it in the coming street dance competition for Malaybalay’s Charter Day celebration on March 16. We also held our Parents Day on the same day as our Third Convocation. Instead of inviting a guest speaker, we showed the film Magnifico which everyone enjoyed. We also held a Family Got Talent competition.

Graduation and Completion ceremonies will be held on March 29. Our guest speaker will be Jason Menaling, an alumnus who has had the good fortune of meeting Pope Francis in Rome because of this work in Environmental Science for Social Change.

IMG_9212-300x225 A Letter from Fr. Harvey Mateo, SJ
School wall nearing completion

We are finally close to completing the cementing of the school walls, thanks to the PTA funds. We got inspected by the fire department and some violations were pointed out. We shall be working on them within the month. Meanwhile, the book collection of SIHS is growing fast with donations of old and new books. Usage has also been very encouraging. We will have to create a new space for our library soon and look for more training opportunities for our lone paraprofessional librarian.

We are hoping to do some major renovation projects in the school during the summer.

3. Lumad Scholars- During the last convocation period, 16 out of 28 scholars received some academic recognition. As a reward, our top 6 awardees received hand-painted bags made by a child being treated for cancer in PGH while the 10 with honorable mention received a blanket each donated by MTQ parish.

53220382_2525952310765784_7770400242888867840_n-300x225 A Letter from Fr. Harvey Mateo, SJ
Top 6 lumad scholars- consistent honor students

This summer we hope to begin construction of the lumad dormitory that will help address key formation and management issues. Plans are also on the way to have a gathering of dorm managers and prefects from the other mission areas- a sharing of best practices and an aligning of formation goals and admin policies.

One of our live-out scholars qualified for the Xavier University ALGCIT tech-voc program. It is 100% free quality education and the qualifying exam was highly competitive. We are proud of JM Luranza for being the third Isidorian in the program (two made it last year).

IMG_9256-300x225 A Letter from Fr. Harvey Mateo, SJ
January birthday celebrants at the lumad dorm

Thank you again for all that you have done and continue to do to support the mission here in Zamboanguita.
God bless you all.

Harvey Mateo SJ
Director, SIHS
Asst. Parish Priest, Parish of Our Lady Mary Mediatrix

February 28, 2019

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Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace Parish, Bukidnon

Nativity of Mary, Purok 6 Silae

There are 5 chapels under the Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace Parish , Bukidnon, which need help in repair and improvement:

 Jesus Nazareno, Nabag-o
 San Lorenzo Ruiz, Nalumusan
 Santo Nino, Mahawan
 St. Francis of Assisi, Pangian
 The Nativity of Mary, Purok 6 Silae

The chapels in Purok 6 Silae and Nabag-o  all need renovations which consist of making parts of the chapel concrete.
The communities of Nalumusan and Nabag-o are among the least accessible (cannot be reached by four wheel vehicle) and the poorest of the 29 chapels we serve.
To donate, click here
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The Jesuit mission in Culion, Palawan: Helping the Tagbanuas

Tagbanua children

Introduction

The Literacy Program  in Culion, Palawan aims to develop the reading and writing skills of both the adults and children in selected Tagbanua  communities.   The program also aims to preserve the Tagbanua’s local culture and develop stronger and more confident communities.

 Jesuit presence in CulionCulion-map-138x150 The Jesuit mission in Culion, Palawan: Helping the Tagbanuas

In 1904, Gov. Wright of  the American Commonwealth, established  Culion  as  a leper colony paving the way for the first batch of 370 lepers from all over the archipelago to settle in 1906.   In the same year,  American Jesuits were sent to Culion to start chaplaincy work for the lepers and employees of the Philippine Health Service.  Over the years, the  Loyola College of Culion was established and has seen the chaplaincy to La Inmaculada Concepcion Parish grow and flourish.

tagbanua_photo-taken-from-ADMU-website-225x150 The Jesuit mission in Culion, Palawan: Helping the TagbanuasFr. Bok Arandia SJ, during his stay in Culion wrote, “after the establishment of the leper colony, the indigenous Tagbanua communities who were the original inhabitants of the Culion peninsula were  forced to settle in remote islands, with limited access to basic social services and education. They manage to survive through fishing, food gathering, and primitive agriculture. However, because of their inability to read, write and count, certain devious individuals have taken advantage of their ignorance, cheating them to sell their produce and catch at scandalously low prices.  Politicians have likewise used them to secure victory during elections, gathering and containing them in undisclosed holding areas distant from the influence and access of their political rivals.”

In 2006,  the Philippine province  re-examined its mission in Culion. Since there was no need for chaplaincy work due to the fewer number of lepers in the island, the Province decided to help the Tagbanuas, an Indigenous People community, through a literacy program.

In 2008, through the help of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, a literacy program  was began with some teachers from the parish. In 2011, Cartwheel Foundation brought their expertise and modules to help aid and systematize the program.  Since then, the parish, SPC and Cartwheel have been partners in this endeavor.

The program

Before 2011, literacy programs that were introduced had no sustainability mechanisms in place.  Hence,  there was a crucial and urgent need  to establish  one that will remain a fixture in order to equip members of the  communities with essential literacy and life skills.

The first six-month cycle of the new program began at the end of August, 2011 with forty (40) adult learners from two (2)Tagbanua communities – Alulad and Marabal.

In June 2013, the adult capability-building program ran its third cycle, further expanding operations to four (4) indigenous communities from the original two (2) pilot areas.  They have also instituted an early childhood education program for the Tagbanua communities in Culion.

Currently, the Adult Literacy Program is run by  the Cartwheel Foundation, Our Lady  of  the  Immaculate Concepcion Parish and the St. Paul of Chartres Sisters.  Fr. Arthur Nebrao, SJ is currently Parish priest of La Inmaculada Concepcion.

Culion after Typhoon Yolanda

Typhoon Yolanda hit Culion with devastating effects. These photos were taken during the visit of the Ateneo Disaster Response and Management (DReaM) Team and the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan in Culion, Palawan last December 5 to 9. The team visited the different areas and islands devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

Why help?

Indigenous Peoples, like the Tagbanuas are generally discriminated not only because of their physical appearance but because many of them have low self esteem due to the lack of reading and writing skills.

Please donate to support the Literacy program and help build their lives  in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda!  The Literacy program’s next steps are:

  1. Collaborate with the Loyola College of Culion to house an IP school that would receive students who are ready for formal education through the Literacy Program.
  2. Bring the Literacy Program  to other far-flung communities.
  3. Conduct Train the Trainors workshops among previous beneficiaries to ensure continuous execution of the literacy program.

Click the Blue box above to make an on-line donation.  Or else, click here.