In every journey there is meaning. In every conflict there is growth. in every action there is purpose. In every moment of doubt, remember to believe in yourself, for there is a REASON why God allows us to experience all of these.
Two days of vacation is over and this afternoon will be the start of our retreat. A great time to be with God, to reflect and discern about my purpose in life, to pray more, to understand more of myself and an opportunity to love more all the people which is part of my past twenty years of existence in this world.
for these past days i experienced a lot of things, to be totally drained and exhausted if that's the proper words for that. But still the presence of the people around me my batchmates, formators, superiors, my family and friends, allowed me to go on and do what I have supposes to do, at salamat sa Diyos natapos ang preparations and celebrations ng maayos kahit na medyo nakakapagod, (sigh!). my brothers i hope that you, all of you will also experience this kind of thing. this might be tiring but truly exciting.
Help all, Serve all, Love all, Hurt never!
May God bless us all
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
words of encouragement
Sorry is not the right word to hear, but if it is for me, be glad that i accept it with understanding, and my sorry for you goes with it.
Persevere Ramil, there are task that may seem too difficult to be fulfilled, nevertheless push through with it with dedication that no matter what happens you would accept the consequences that may occur, never back out nor neglect your job.
this is the time in which you must develop your capabilities, there are lots of possibilities waiting for you if you'll only have the courage to step forward and face the consequences, hurts and pains that would go through it.
you might have experienced a lot of sorrow in your life, but that is not a reason for you not to be hurt again, to be hurt is part of life and you'll always get hurt no matter what - what matters is that you accept them positively and view them as part of your maturity and development rather than your failure.
helping others is good but you must first learn to help yourself, there would come a time that those you had helped may not even remember you, and when that time comes you must be able to help yourself. Develop more your abilities, and your confidence. It may entitle you to step on other people but that is a fact you must accept as part of human development, you may go back to help those you have stepped upon when you have developed fully yourself in the future.
God will always be there but remember that He too would like that you yourself develop your potentials.
Take care always, and God bless.
Persevere Ramil, there are task that may seem too difficult to be fulfilled, nevertheless push through with it with dedication that no matter what happens you would accept the consequences that may occur, never back out nor neglect your job.
this is the time in which you must develop your capabilities, there are lots of possibilities waiting for you if you'll only have the courage to step forward and face the consequences, hurts and pains that would go through it.
you might have experienced a lot of sorrow in your life, but that is not a reason for you not to be hurt again, to be hurt is part of life and you'll always get hurt no matter what - what matters is that you accept them positively and view them as part of your maturity and development rather than your failure.
helping others is good but you must first learn to help yourself, there would come a time that those you had helped may not even remember you, and when that time comes you must be able to help yourself. Develop more your abilities, and your confidence. It may entitle you to step on other people but that is a fact you must accept as part of human development, you may go back to help those you have stepped upon when you have developed fully yourself in the future.
God will always be there but remember that He too would like that you yourself develop your potentials.
Take care always, and God bless.
a tribute to Don Bosco
“Why it is TEMPERANCE” Every year it was a tradition that during the Novena days in honors of our founder Saint John Bosco. Some of the seminarians were asked to deliver sermonettes. It is what we offered as sign of gratitude to Don Bosco. I was blessed to give that gratitude speech to him using the virtue that he shared in us through his examples and that was the virtue of TEMPERANCE. I supposed to give the sermonette on evening of January 27 2007, four days before the Feast of Don Bosco, but there was an urgent situation that came out so it happened that I was not able to delivered and shared this on the community (Priest and seminarians of Don Bosco) but I just give copy to some seminarians but because of the invitation of the Inside-out staff-the official publication of the Carreño house of formation I think that it is the right time to share this simple reflection of mine about this virtue. It goes like this; the mode is looks like I am still the one who are delivering. Good evening… What is Temperance? It was the first question that came into my mind when I got the topic. I know that it is a virtue, but I do not know if I have it. First of all it is self-control and I guess for many times I failed to live this virtue. Temperance is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the Four Cardinal Virtues considered as our foundation to good Christian behavior. It may be defined as the righteous habit which makes a man govern his natural desire for pleasures of the senses in accordance with the norm prescribed by reason. In one sense temperance may be regarded as a characteristic of all the moral virtues. It is the virtue that is connected to all. There was an incident that happened two weeks ago, it was when we had our class. We discussed several examples with regard to different virtues in connection with the topic the “Modifiers of the Human acts.” Most of the seminarians shared their ideas, beliefs, and personal experiences that had relation to Human Acts. All of a sudden our professor interrupted and said “I admire the seminarians self-control, the virtue of temperance, despite of all the hardships and hectic schedule that they have, they still know how to control themselves.” Suddenly there was Silence in the whole class, I stopped and I reflected on that particular moment. And I remember something, another incident that happened three weeks ago, “there was an incident when the seminarians were all done with their games and I guessed at that time all were tired. All were supposed to take their snacks, and as usual some were late. And as far as I remembered there were still 3 seminarians who did not take yet their snacks. One of the three looked on the food and he already knew that the food was not enough for them, then this one decided not to take his snacks, instead he told the remaining two just take your part and said that he is fine. He just proceeded to the dorm to take his showers, but while he was walking the brother assistant saw him and told him; “will you please get a broom and sweep the floor because some who passed by here left the floor dirty.” And you know what this boy did, he had no reaction, he just obeyed and he got the broom and he swept the floor. After this he took his showers and he just followed the schedule, he proceed to the study hall to study, and when I looked at the facial expression after that incident, it seems that nothing happened he was still smiling and enthusiastic. He knows how to deal with these simple situations; he sacrificed his snacks for others, by not eating it and neglected the pleasures of his senses, as he was requested by the brother assistant to clean the dirt on the floor and he just obeyed. Really temperance will teach us how to become obedient, responsible, and willing to give sacrifice and concern for others. The virtue of temperance will guide us how to become holy. Now I know why our professor said; “that I admired the seminarians’ virtue of temperance, despite of all the hardships and hectic schedule that they have, they still know how to control themselves.” For in temperance they are obedient, responsible, willing to sacrifice and develop concern for others. And I believe that it is because these boys are not only seminarians, but Salesian seminarians, who received the gifts and examples of the virtue of temperance from Saint John Bosco. I think that I am not included in those who were admired by our professor, but still I am proud that I am a Salesian seminarian, who is aspiring to follow God in the footsteps of Don Bosco; who is willing to sacrifice everything, for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of souls, but this phrase could only be attained if we have the virtue of temperance. A great challenge for you and for me, but don’t worry I know that we will never be wanting of examples for Don Bosco was a model of temperance. May we truly become like our father - Saint John Bosco.
my third birthday speech in the seminary
My stay here in the seminary taught me a lot of things, and one of these things is peace. After experiencing pains, difficulties, and discouragement this past year, I realize that peace is not the absence of storms and waves in life, but an experience of comfort, hope, and calmness in the midst of these storms and waves, through the helped of all the people around me. And for that I would like to thank all of you. We have different personalities, and the differences have a tendency to cause us misunderstanding, but I think it is normal for them to be experienced. Not all of our ideas could be appreciated, and on this situation we tend us to make actions and decisions which sometimes affect our lives and the lives of the people around us. And I think this is what I have experienced these past days. But this is the time when I have to choose and to reflect for what is right and good. To think about my purpose in this world is one of the difficulties that up to this moment is something I do know. Why I am here and what I really want to be. When I was in grade three, my father passed away, due to forty-one shots of bullets that went into the different parts of his body; I was eight years old at that time, I did not have any reaction, what I knew was my father was dead. I never even cried then not because I did not love him, but because I did not know what to do. I grew up under the guidance of my grandmother whose house was just near our home, one of the persons from whom I learned many things, the one who helped me, to become what I am now. She died three months after I entered the seminary. These are two of the most important persons in my life who taught me many things and now they are gone. But one thing is for sure, God did not leave me empty, for he replaced everything I’ve lost. Hardships, difficulties, trials, discouragements allowed me not to think more about myself but to love others more, who have been a part of my life. The presence of supports, prayers, care, and love, express the true purpose and meaning of my life—to face all the pains and problems and welcome the graces and blessings. In due time most of the things that our formators, teachers, and fellow seminarians teach us will be forgotten but the lesson that we have learned we could apply then to life. And maybe that will be the moment when we can realize that they are very important to us. I hope that we could teach good lessons to others too. People need a good example to imitate and this start within ourselves. And remember that everything in this world has a great purpose. Minsan iniisip kong baguhin ang pagkatao ng iba, ngunit hindi ko pala kaya, ang kaya ko lang palang gawin at tanggapin ang kung sino sila at mahalin sila. That we are loved by the people around us not because of what we have but because of who we are is my prayer for all of us. Again thank you very much to all of you, good evening and may God bless us all. British essayist Joseph Addison stated, “The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” The human mind is hard-wired to look beyond the present moment and into the future: the domain of hope. If we hold on hope, we are able to move through life and all its challenges with a spirit of generosity and joy.
My second birthday speech in the seminary
Life is Difficult and yet it is also precious. This is the thing that my beloved friend taught me about life. Life is all about tough decisions-to give up or to go on, to hold back or to give everything, to love or to leave. We may never know what to do with certain things, but we learn from it whichever way we go. Sometimes we don’t expect things happen to us, we don’t ask for them, but they come. Sometimes they hurt us but this is the reality of life, just always be strong and believe that you are not alone, That God is always present wherever we may be. For the almost 1 year and 9 Months that I’ve been stayed here, I learned a lot of things but I can say that this year was the year of decisions, pains, desolation and yet a year of forgiveness, hope, love and sincerity, too. This is not only for me but I think for all of us here. When I realized that we are the only ones who can make our decision for ourselves- only I and I myself alone can drive and should live my life and no matter what hardships and discouragement we may experience still we are the ones who will decide for ourselves. Everything is a choice. They say that life is a journey. Yes it is true, that we are journeying on the road called life. And I can say that life is like a letter journeying to different destination having different stories and dreams that are hidden in their souls, different pains that are written in their flesh. But it is always looking for hope and love and that the ink of friendship may be giving its best as clear print like the sun in the mid afternoon, the letter which having one and only goal-to go to the place where it will find his own goal. And for me that is with God, in his house called paradise, the heaven. I am searching for the God who will never leave us behind, who will never break his promise, who may not speak but we can hear and understand. Who may not touch but we could feel His presence, the one who does not talk but the one who delivers the message. I am very thankful for God who always makes himself available whenever I am in desolation. I am sorry for who I am and for what I have done wrong, for the many times I’ve been disappointing you. Despite of your kindness, but one thing I can assure you of is that you will always be a part of my life. And to all the people in front of me now. I would like to challenge all of you, to find and accept your goal—Let us do good, let us do more good and let us do more good greater than before. Lets’ accept the reality that things happen and that they are not always according to what we planned but still we continue the journey and we look for more better possibilities in our life. Kahit gaanong sakit pa ang pinagdaanan mo. “Wala nga siguro tayong mga pakpak upang ang bawat isa’y ilipad at dalhin sa alaapaap, ngunit mayroon naman tayong mga kamay upang ang bawat isa’y hindi hayaang bumagsak lagi lamang sana nating alalahaning hwag bitiwan ang lahat lalo na sa Diyos na magpagpatawad.. There is no perfect family, but there are lots of good families, maybe our own family is not perfect, but from this family we learned how to love, to forgive and to give. Persevere and have courage. You are not alone.
Christmas Recollection
PRESENT (Noun, Verb, and Adjective)
Christmas Recollection
____________________________________________________
A Nativity Letter
Dear Joseph,
I had a dream. I don’t understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for Jesus, our Son.
The people in my dream had been preparing for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They had gone shopping many times and bought many elaborate gifts.
It was peculiar though, because the presents were not for our Son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and stocked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph right inside their homes. They had decorated the tree with sparkling ornaments and blinking lights. There was even a figure like an angle on top of the tree.
Everyone was laughing and happy. They gave gifts to each other, Joseph, but not to our son. I don’t think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name.
I had the strangest of feeling that, if our Jesus had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding. How sad for someone not to be wanted at his own birthday party I’m glad it was only a dream, Joseph How terrible if it had been real.
Love,
Mary
| Love is Patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude…it bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 |
Enrich your family with Acts of Love
- LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY – as God loves each of us. Show others you love them for who they are, not what they do. Develop a sense of trust among all members of your family.
- SHOW APPRECIATION – and be specific. For example instead of being “Thanks,” say, Thanks for this great looking shirt! I know you have dig deep into your pocket to but it!”
- SHOW FORGIVENESS for all wrong, remember God continually forgives you! Pass on the gift.
- PROMOTE GOOD SELF- ESTEEM – all of us, young and old, need to feel good about ourselves. Like Jesus, help each person recognize his or her worth.
SHARE AN ACTIVE SPIRITUAL LIFE
· Recognize Christ’s Presence in the family by recognizing “Christ-like” qualities such as honesty, compassion, and forgiveness – in its members.
· Celebrate the Christmas Event and make it a reason to praise God and to remember Hid goodness to you and to your family.
· Share Your Values. Remember the whole family is looking at you and hope to be edified by the way you live forth your faith in action.
· Organize Family Worship regularly, if there isn’t one. Pray a decade of Rosary together; take turn reading and discussing the Bible. Pray together and allow for individual styles, such as spoken prayers, silent prayer, or song.
· Cherish Family Traditions and add to them by creating your own. It can be as simple as having family worship at a certain time of the day, going to Sunday Mass together. Tradition can give a family a sense of identity and strength.
SO ENRICH YOUR FAMILY LIFE
- Support and Respect each other
- Communicate effectively and solve conflicts positively
- Serve God and your community
- Make time for talk and play
- Share an active spiritual life. Join n family worship and attend church together.
| “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12 |
What a way to start Christmas
I can’t believe it’s here! My favorite holiday of the year!
It’s been a crazy pre-Christmas week for me but I hope to get some rest for the next two days. We’ll see. Yesterday was the last day of work (yoohoo!) and getting everything done before the week-long holiday was tiresome. But DH and I did go to a date and saw the Nutcracker by the Russian ballet. Just dazzling! Today, our church went out to bless two nursing homes - sang to them, made them laugh, prayed for them. Tonight at 11 p.m., my youth group/band just finished practicing for a song they composed for tomorrow’s Christmas service. Really cool, and we’re so proud of them. In between that my dear daughter (DD) and I scoured the city for a white dress she has to wear as an angel tomorrow. Yes, I know. All the racks have been ransacked and it’s a rarity now, that dress. Found it though. Oops, need to wash that first! So it’s past midnight now, and I’m blogging my last posts before I take a break.
Tomorrow is Christmas eve. There’s a whole day of church tomorrow and we’re having a huge celebration/presentation/ play. A luncheon and a birthday dinner will make for a really long day.
I don’t know what I’ll cook yet for Christmas eve, since it’s only going to be me, DH. Our family is either in
What have you been up to? I hope yours wasn’t as hectic as mine. Yeah I went shopping too, and boy the sales can empty your wallet real fast huh?
I know… we all rush to get things done before the Day, trying to finish all the chores and cooking, shopping and parties. And then I saw this cartoon -
These people sure knew what mattered most. So here’s my wish for you AND me -
May we celebrate our Savior’s birthday the way He want us to. Peace and joy to you and your family this season and always.[1]
God bless you all!
Christmas a birthday celebration for Christ, a season of thanksgiving and forgiving, a time of sharing and gift giving, but most importantly an opportunity to…
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