PANGANTUCAN | Teresian Carmelite Missionaries | Asian Delegation

BIG DAY IN PANGANTUCAN: FEAST OF OUR FR. PALAU

Communications Asian Presence — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 08:35:10 +0000

Despite of the unusual situation in our present time, our journey is unstoppable. With God, there is nothing impossible. With God there is an assurance that He will never abandon us. With God His great love and mercy never ends. True enough, as daughters of Fr. Palau there is nothing in our way that could stop us, too. So, life goes on despite of the pandemic.

Last November 7, 2020, in the community of Our Lady of Virtues in Pangantucan, the sisters were blessed to celebrate in Palau Function Hall our big day with a Holy Eucharist officiated by Fr. Andie Quiza, OCD. Afterwards, there was an agape with our benefactors, friends, and volunteers simultaneous with a short program highlighting the selection of “Ms. Palau 2020” from four of the residents of Fr. Palau Center who ramped with their different attires, showed their talents, and made them answer questions relevant in our time. The rest of the residents, showed their talents, too. The staff and the SIPLCP teachers were also given certificate of recognition for the preparations of the event. The sisters also joined the staff of Fr. Palau Center in an intermission number which made the celebration more joyful and familiar. Bro. Norferio “Dodong” Nalzaro, OCD was also present in the celebration. Sr. Gloria M. Alonso, gave her thanksgiving message as well as to continuously inspire & encourage the visitors in their involvement with the mission of the sisters as our lay partners.

Cheers also for the sponsors of the shared foods and beverages for all. God indeed is a good provider and we are not alone in the mission in catering the less privilege young girls for their wholistic formation incarnating the words of our Fr. Palau: “These are my daughters and your daughters: love them with love which I love them; whatever you do to any of them you do it to me. I will be with you in the midst of them, teach them…”

Becoming mothers in the Church

Communications Asian Presence — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 23:53:27 +0000

“These are my daughters and your daughters [says the Church]: love them with love with which I love them; whatever you do to any of them, you do it to me. I will be with you in the midst of them: educate them, teach them…” (Francisco Palau OCD, Letter 88)

It’s been already 7 years since, inspired by these words of Francisco Palau, the CMT Sisters in Pangantucan began the journey together with the young girls gathered in Fr. Palau Center of Pangantucan.

When our community arrived in Pangantucan (almost 11 years ago), the first apostolate we have been entrusted with was the pastoral work in San Isidro Labrador Parish. The sisters got involved in catechetical work, formation of the Church leaders, creation of communion through BECs, administration of Parochial School and many others small services for the good of the community. But soon the sisters started to feel another need of the Church: those young girls who cannot continue their education in high school level due to poverty factor. This is Bukidnon: mountainous place.

With all this in mind, the sisters came up with this project: creating a home, a shelter for the young girls who desired to continue their studies; a place where they can feel secure and be helped to go out of their situation of social marginalization.

Even though there are two high schools, but they are located in the central barangay. It’s of difficult accessibility for those living in far flung places, without means for transportation, house and lodging, school fees and projects. Result? Many young girls would rather go to work on the farm, get married in early age (14-15 years old) and just continue the life of poverty they inherited from their parents. While some of them felt OK with this situation, others were dreaming of a better life, alternative future.

On May 25, 2013, first batch of 16 residents arrived to the center. On June 2, our bishop Jose A. Cabantan DD officially blessed and opened the facilities of the Center. And we became mothers. It was not easy. Still is not. Striving to create a home for these girls, coming from different families, cultures, places… Sharing with them our lives, getting closer to them… Being second parents (sometimes the only parent they have) … The mutual adjustment is sometimes painful. From 16 girls who started that June 2013, only 6 graduated from high school. Others chose other life, found another support, moved to another place, got married and already have their own families. Still, we are very happy that we met them in one moment of their lives and, just maybe, gave them some hope for a better future.

It’s really inspiring to see them change. One of them during first interview shared, that she wants to enter in Palau Center to stop this life of poverty and misery. And it’s true, for many of them (if not all), being member of Palau is the only opportunity to finish school. As years pass by, they start dreaming more and more: not only high school, why not college? Out of 6 who graduated, 5 are continuing their studies in college level, hoping one day to find a good job, help their families, and in some way repay to the Center what they received by helping other young girls who are living in a similar situation.

And I can also say that forming one family with have also changed the life of the sisters, of each one of us who had the privilege to serve here in Pangantucan. It’s a different style of service: it’s not only 8 hours of office work, but a true mission of sharing one’s life 24/7. One can learn a lot about oneself, our own limits, our willingness to sacrifice our commodities, our openness to those who are different, our capacity to construct together with those, who are considered as nobody by our society. I think is a “vocation in vocation”, and a biggest opportunity to grow that I have received in my life.

After 7 years, we hope that the Center will continue growing, serving, building. We hope to welcome more young girls (hopefully 22 instead of 16, if only the pandemic will allow us). We hope to continue organizing professional courses for those who need more qualification to find better job. We hope to continue changing lives, giving hopes, sharing dreams of better future.

If you want to see some more pics and activities of the center, follow us on Facebook: Fr. Palau Center of Pangantucan

Pastoral Visit: an experience to remember

Communications Asian Presence — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 02:18:45 +0000

Inspired with the recent theme of the Pastoral Visit of Sr. Ma. Rosario Perez Paya, Provincial Animator with Sr. Maria Carmen Arroyo, Provincial Treasurer, “GOD KEEPS DREAMING US AS MISSIONARIES IN THE CHURCH,” is indeed a reminder to us, of every sister, of creating communion in our way of fraternal life, of our mission, and of our prayer life: listen & respond.

Our Lady of Virtues community in Pangantucan, would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the visit of our dear sisters, Sr. Rosario and Sr. Maria Carmen. Daghang Salamat sisters!

Yes! As a community, we experienced to live united with the rest of our sisters of our congregation with the presence of Sr. Rosario & Sr. Maria Carmen. Their stay with us was meaningful because it allowed time & space to be with them for a while, feeling the presence of a bigger family – sharing of our thoughts and sentiments during those days of encounters and of praying together, enjoying one’s company, laughing, as well as recognizing the lights and shadows of our community. We experienced their simplicity, nearness and encouraging words that they could continually look into in serving all walks of life, of the people of Pangantucan with passion and compassion.

It even adds how impressive the meeting of the sisters with our Palau residents… there was a short program prepared for them… inspiring and thanksgiving messages from our sisters as well as the residents… it was a recreation of letting them feel the presence. Sr. Rosario had a chance also to visit and meet the two families of our Palau residents. She was accompanied by Sr. Aleksandra together with Ma’am Irene, our social worker and Sir. Valiente, the principal of Mendis Elem. School. After a ride, they had to walk in the barrios. I imagine, it was tiring but I believe there was a joy in their hearts because they were able to reach out, to know the real-life situations of the families. On the other hand, it was something unimaginable how these families survive in their everyday living.

The end of the visit…

Sr. Rosario read the acta of the Pastoral Visit, after which details were given to the sisters, which were handmade by our sisters in Spain-a genuine act of thoughtfulness and kindness.

What more…

We also celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Virtues… March 8… the first time we have known it… so timely they were around… God is really a providential God who cares and blesses us always in every circumstance… it was not planned, but it was destined… It was then a great moment too, that our sisters Rosario and Maria Carmen were present during the confirmation of our 9 Palau residents and with Ma’am Rose, Ma’am Irene, Teachers Lorena and Karen, Bro. Kim, Sisters Vhie and Marissa were among the sponsors, meanwhile, Sr. Aleksandra assisted in the choir. There was a lunch together with the rest of Palau residents.

Afterwards, there was also an encounter with Bishop Jose A. Cabantan, D.D. , Diocese of Malaybalay.

We need to part our ways, but still we spent a little time together as our family bonding and the community accompanied them to the airport. Saying our goodbyes do not end here. Our journey as a family will continue. Believing that we are in communion with one another, we will always remember that we are not alone in giving our life for others. With Jesus and Mary, our Lady of Virtues, our companions in our journey, we will stand as one: for a cause.

OUR LADY OF VIRTUES COMMUNITY, PANGANTUCAN