YOBOSEYO

Newsletter of the

Newsletter of the

Newsletter of the

Newsletter of the

Association of Filipino Catholic Missionaries in Korea

Association of Filipino Catholic Missionaries in Korea

Association of Filipino Catholic Missionaries in Korea

Association of Filipino Catholic Missionaries in Korea

SUMMER 2009

(Picture, L-R: Mayra San Juan: Co-Coordinator, Fr. Alvin Parantar:

Coordinator, Sr. Ester: Treasurer, Violeta Villaraiz: Secretary)

Dear Companions in Mission,

As we are now entering the heart of summer, we

are feeling the heat that sometimes slows us down. We

wear comfortable clothes, enjoy eating “patpingsu,” or

go for vacation.

Our summer gathering is a break from the minis-

try, where we relax, enjoy each other’s company, share

experiences, and celebrate,

May we use this God-given opportunity of time

and space where we can give each other a gift of just-

being-together. May God bless each one of us.

- - - Maimai, Co-Coordinator

I thank fellow members for giving me a chance to

serve the association. Though my hands are already full with

concerns for the Filipino migrants, I would take the new task

with willingness, and hope that there is something worthy that I

can contribute for the furtherance of the association’s objectives.

My sincerest gratitude goes to Fr. Willy and his

officers for the job well done in sustaining the fellowship

and missionary zeal of the members. With your achieve-

ments, we have something to build on; with your example

we have a path to follow.

To all, let us continue to move together in facing

the challenges of migrant ministry, in the spirit of collabo-

ration and the constant joy of self-giving, as we share in

the mission of our Lord. - - - Fr. Alvin, MSP

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Dear companion missionaries,

Peace and blessings ! I believe we did not have much time to ex-

change "thank you" before we ended our last reunion. So it is good to have

this opportunity to say it in print. We had many opportunities in the last two

years to come together in big and small groups, to spend time with one an-

other and refresh our missionary enthusiasm. Without your cooperation and

generosity nothing much could have been accomplished. So together with my

partner-president , Emily, we simply feel so grateful to each and everyone of

you. This gratitude goes in a special way to our fellow officers who did a lot

of work to pursue our planned activities and promote our good relationship to

one another. These fellow officers, too, I am sure, join Emily and me in ex-

pressing our deep gratitude.

As our new officers begin their service to our association, let us

give them our whole hearted cooperation . Our prompt response to messages

and requests from our leadership contribute much to the smooth and happy

achievement of our activities and bond of friendship. “Mabuhay ang mga

bagong leaders natin !” May God continue to hold us in His love....

With warm affection,

Fr. Willy

Serving the Diaspora

Migrants

By Fr. Cedric Alimbuyong, MSP

Chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Community-

Diocese of Uijeongbu

(Picture: L-R, Bp. Joseph Lee of Uijeongbu,

Fr. Cedric, Fr. Haein Cho Paul )

My work as chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Communities in the Dio-

cese of Uijeongbu (FCC-DU) is like doing mission for a community in

Diaspora. I have four Filipino communities, namely: Maseok, Guri,

Dongducheon and Paju-Pong Ilcheon. I see them regularly at the cele-

bration of the Holy Eucharist, the center of our Christian life.

I celebrate Mass in Pong Ilcheon Church every first Sunday; on Thurs-

days in Dongducheon church at 3:00pm; on Saturdays in Guri at

7:30pm (anticipated Mass). In Maseok, Chonma church, we gather

every second and fourth Sunday for the Mass. From time to time, I also

say Mass for the El Shaddai Prayer Partners in Seoul, depending on the

availability of schedule.

My pastoral work with the Filipino migrants consists of the following:

to assist them in labor related problems; transport their baggage and

visit them at the Immigration detention centers; escort them to the hos-

pital when they are sick; give them counseling and spiritual direction;

organize sports during weekends; and pray for all of them. I make my-

self available for their various needs by working at the Exodus Migrant

Centers of the Diocese.

In the Diocese, I am blessed with the support of three Korean priests,

who are working full time for the migrants, namely: Fr. John (Guri) Fr.

Joe (Uijeongbu) and Fr. Anselmo (Pong Ilcheon). Their assistance

makes my otherwise difficult apostolate more manageable and fruitful.

Ito lang po muna ang updates ko. Thanks!

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We are all called to love but we respond differently. The experiences I’ve

had in life since childhood lead me to respond to the call of mission. I was called by

my name and was nurtured by people, events, places and experiences of God’s un-

conditional love, which in the process brought me to where I am now, a Columban

lay missionary. I said “Yes” to share in the mission of Christ, a mission to love out

of love, crossing boundaries of culture, gender, creed and race.

Learning the language of the people in a foreign country is not easy, but an

essential step. It’s more than just learning how to speak, read and write. It’s learning

how to communicate with the local people; hearing and understanding what they are

saying and not saying, and be able to respond accordingly. It is also a time to listen

to oneself in a new culture.

Once when I got sick, during my first assignment in Korea, it was very diffi-

cult to fully express my condition with the little Korean I knew. I felt like a child

again. I had to learn to entrust myself to other people to get a treatment. Since I

have allergies to some medicine, it was difficult to entirely put my trust on the doc-

tors who did not know my medical history and the pharmacists who gave me medi-

cines I did not know. I simply followed what I was told, and trusted that the God

who sent me was there with me all the way. He knew best.

I am now in Myanmar, and I am back to being a child again. I thought it

would be easier this time. However, it’s not totally the case. I have to unlearn and

learn again with a heart set in Myanmar, trying to understand the heart and mind of

the Burmese. I have to see and experience them as they are without judgment or

comparison, and know where they are coming from.

In studying the Burmese language, sometimes Korean words come into

play. When English, Pilipino and Cebuano words join the mix-up in my mind, I have

to simply stop. Then, I either smile or sigh, just when I thought I was already mov-

ing ahead with my Burmese language! Humor and a positive outlook have been a

good help. I need to be a child again lest I get lost in the world of the ego.

Being on mission is a process. In walking with the people, I’m also being

processed internally by the experiences that purify my intentions, motivations, my

thoughts and my heart. It is only with God’s grace that all these things can hap-

pen. He needs me to be open to receive Him so that He can work in me and through

me; and He can reach out to others and they to me.

When realities, idealism and values clash, and the urge to do something is

strong. I feel the need, at times, to sit back and see things from the perspective of

God’s boundless love and learn again to trust in His goodness. “He makes all things

beautiful in His time,” as the lyrics of a song goes. Oftentimes, it is easier to do than

to be. But it is in the ministry of presence, walking with the people in their joys and

pains where I learn to understand and reach out to them in compassion.

With love and prayers,

Arlenne

COLUMBAN LAY MISSIONARY in Myanmnar

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Cita is back from the Philippines. She’s been away for 10 months for holiday and studies on

Women Migration. She also participated in Columban meetings in Japan and Taiwan on Mi-

gration issues. At the moment she is doing language refresher course and hopes to do ministry

focusing on women and international marriage after summer. The photos below are from her

long-term contract signing as a Columban Lay Missionary, Taiwan Migrants Exposure, and

vocation campaign in Mindanao.

Sr. Ellen M. Ducusin, a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart (SFSC), is doing her apostolate

in caring for the aged at Hangwon City. She says her best regards to us all missionaries.

My Journey at the Emmaus Center Sr. Ester

Almost two years ago since I started to be a part of Su-

won Emmaus Center. This Center provides services for the Migrant

Workers coming from different countries. At present, the staff is com-

posed of nine (9) members; three (3) Religious Sisters, five (5) Lay Part-

ners (all Social Workers) and a Korean priest as our Director.

Actually, Suwon Emmaus is the main Center of the Diocesan

apostolate for migrants, with its different branches in Ansan, Anyang-

Gunpo, Gwangju, Baran, Pyeongtaek, Songtan and Yong-in. Our pro-

grams at the Center consists of Korean and English classes, computer lit-

eracy, Korean history, and skills training such as cooking, accessories

making and arts that can be useful for their daily married life. There is

also a nursery, where the mothers leave their babies while attending their

classes, shelter for men and women who are released from job, and a noo-

dle restaurant that opens from Monday to Friday. We have Spanish mass once a month. A Vietnamese SVD priest comes

for the Sunday mass of the Vietnamese. English mass is also celebrated every

Sunday where the choir, commentators and readers are Filipino migrants. We also

facilitate recollections and retreats for the migrant workers and intermarriage

couples during longer vacation. These activities promote their spiritual nourish-

ment and deepen their faith. We also have recreational programs, quarterly, for

free, to promote cultural appreciation and solidarity.

Those who usually come to the Center fondly called me “the Welcoming

Nun." I enjoy spending time listening to their litany of problems, and their un-

ending stories regarding their spouses, in-laws and children. I also do Catechism

for those who will receive Baptism and Pre-Cana conference for the Intermar-

riage. Sometimes, I help in cooking, and cleaning of the Center. At times, we

visit the Migrant workers in their factories or working areas. I am happy being

one of them and be part of their lives.

I have come to accept the differences in culture, relig-

ion, language, and even their customs and practices; and realized that no

culture is superior to another. Learning from other cultures is already a

growth-promoting process. And I am very grateful for every event that

comes my way. At the end of the day when I go home, though physically

tired, I feel a deep sense of happiness being a missionary. Thus, my daily

service is doing the ordinary things in an extraordinary manner. ***

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Sr. Luz Olalia,SJBP, will start full time ministry in Kasan Migrant Workers' Center

on June 14, 2009. She will be a probinsiyana from then on and is looking forward to

a more quiet place to bask in the love of God, when there are no cases to attend to.

She has served at the Catholic International Parish of Seoul in Hannam - dong for

almost 8 years. She is grateful for her experiences there especially to the parish priest

- Rev. Fr. Giancarlo Faldani, OFM Conventual.

Sr. Sue Villaverde, SJBP, will arrive on June 4 and will take the place of Sr. Luz at

the Catholic International Parish of Seoul in Hannam - dong. Actually, Sr. Sue is a

"balik Korea” missionary. Sr. Sue and Sr. Luz will live in the same community of

their Congregation in Mubong 1 ri, Pocheon -si, Gyeonggi-do. Warm welcome to Sr.

Sue.

Fr. Bobby Cahilig, OMI. The Filipino Catholic Community of Pyeongtaek city

celebrated Migrants' Day last May 10, 2009.The festival started with the celebration

of the Eucharist which was held at the Pyeongtaek Parish hall.

It was presided by Fr.Bobby G.Cahilig, OMI, the acting chaplain of the Catholic Mi-

grants of Pyeongtaek. A Basketball tournament, which was the main event of the

festival, started with the presentation of the players. Everybody was enjoying the day,

even their children were having fun with each other at the park. The festival was

graced by the two seminarians, Bro Johan, OMI, from Bangladesh, who is here for

pastoral exposure for two years and Bro.Samuel, OMI, our Korean seminarian.

Frs. Froilan, OFM and Basty, OFM who were officially assigned by their congre-

gation just the second week of February this year to the city of Jinju, are now doing

their pastoral and sacramental services not only to the Filipinos there but to other

migrants and to some Koreans as well, as they continue studying the Korean Lan-

guage. Admitting that they can not still deliver their homilies in Korean, they are

happy, though, that somehow they can at least read the Gospel and say the Holy

Mass in Korean. Nowadays, they are taking care of Sunday English Masses for mi-

grants in Changwon and Jinju City in the Diocese of Masan, where most of the mass

goers are Filipinos. In the Parish of Chiram, Jinju City, an office for the migrants has

been put up, recently, through the collaborative efforts of the OFM , FMM and the

parishioners of Chiram Catholic Church. This new office is now the working base of

two friars minor.

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Fr. Willy has been in contact with some members of the Association. He made a

5-day retreat with Violie and Sr. Maria Teresa at the Suwon Catholic Educational

Center. It was a very good scripture-inspired rest facilitated by Fr. Gio-

vanni,OMI. On Saturdays, he meets Sr. Virginia in the Missionary of Charity's

convent at Kojan, Ansan City . He celebrates Mass regularly there with the

grandmothers and the Sisters. He has also met at the RGS convent, Sr. Rita who

came back recently from Pinas. He welcomed back Sr. Sue (Pastorelle) by phone

few days ago. Sr. Sue now works in Hannam -dong International Church. He

also talked with Sr. Luz in her Gasan Migrant Workers office where she is work-

ing now full time. He had conversation with Sr. Ester the other day about Sister's

busy schedule at Emmaus Center. He welcomed Pres. Gloria Arroyo at Lotte

Hotel with Srs. Michaela, Luz, Rosa, Frs. Jun (OSA), Mandy, Baste and Froilan.

They had the Eucharist and a big meal together with hundreds of Pinoys to

honor her Excellency and her entourage. He serves three Filipino communities:

Taerim, Jeongeup City, and Kunsan City. His regular daily duty is to accompany

the Redemptorist seminarians in their formation. He is happy with his mission-

ary engagements.

Doc Emely finally said “YES” to God by openly allowing her son, Reinier Josef,

to enter the St. Mary's Seminary in Laoag on June 1st. She personally accompa-

nied him to his new home. But even before this, the Lord has been so generous to

her and her family for she was unexpectedly accepted as the first Filipino profes-

sor to join The Catholic University of Korea (CUK), under the Theology Depart-

ment and part of the recruitment staff of Filipino professors and students to the

CUK. She will officially start on September (Fall Semester). She is also happy

that she is with her children as her eldest daughter enters freshman at the Univer-

sity of the Philippines, Los Banos. She is staying longer in the Philippines to fin-

ish a Religion Textbook Series she is writing with some friends. Her inspirational

book, "And God Smiled Back" is finally out at the St. Paul Bookstores by the end

of this month, and will be launched on September 18, 2009 on the occasion of the

International Book Fair in Manila. Doc Emely is looking forward to the new life

ahead of her. But one thing is for sure, she will always be a missionary by heart.

On Mondays and Thursdays in the morning, I teach English to some

Korean mothers. On Wednesdays I go to Paran Emmaus to teach English to

another group. I love my work. It's one way of sharing with the needy what

God has given me. I use the Scriptures for the reading exercises and ask them

to share with the group what sentence or phrase that captures their attention

and I give them a homework to memorize the same sentence or phrase. As of

now, they are not yet ready to do the "Lectio Divina," that's why I ask them

to do these. I am preparing them little by little for LD. They need to have

more grammar knowledge, not to mention, free talking exercises. I am con-

tented with how they response to this challenge.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, I attend class in Korean. My

classmates are foreign women married to Korean men, most of them are Chi-

nese and Japanese. This term will end on June 30. I have decided to quit for

the next level because of some community needs that are waiting to be at-

tended to.

On Sundays, together with some Filipinos who willingly do the ser-

vice of Mary's domiciliary visit, I go to the houses of the Pinoy migrant

workers. Together, we pray the Holy Rosary. Before we start the prayer, I

give them some catechesis on varied topics that go with the liturgical feast.

There are times that we read the Gospel because most of them don't go to

Mass. Mga "artista" kasi sila. Mahaba na ito kaya, end na muna. Thanks and

regards!

Sr. Maria Teresa

* * *

(Picture: Bro. Dominic, farthest right,

with his community)

Bro. Dominic. He started his apostolate at the Catholic Center for the International

Migrants, by giving Bible reflection with the Filipinos once a week. He is involve in

the choir, and attends the prayer meetings of the EL Shaddai group in Pusan. He still

studies Korean language (self-study), sometimes with someone willing to spend

time to teach him Korean. He started counseling for the Filipinos, and he hopes to

really start regular counseling for everybody, especially for those who really need it.

We can join him through our prayers.

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Sr. Susie shares her experience in Talibon, Bohol: "Guess what? We finally set up

the altar for Our Mother of Perpetual Help. We had it framed here in Talibon and for

some reasons we can not pick up the frame. Finally, we made the trip and brought

her home and that day was also the birthday of our founder. So we call it a gift from

our founder.

The day after the temporary profession of our novices, Sr. Eva got sick and was hos-

pitalized in Tagbilaran. It was my first experience of keeping watch in the hospital,

and now I know why people die or left to die. The amount of medication is very ex-

pensive. The hospital sends you out to buy medicine 3 to 4 times a day. Take

care. God bless!"

Message from Cris (an excerpt of a letter sent to Fr. Willy):

Greetings! I’m, starting a small business near the maritime school here in Bacolod.

Small “Karinderia lang muna.” And I’ll be taking up a 1-unit teaching load on CPE

for the nursing students of CSA-B, starting august. For one semester lang. How is the

association?

FR. Arlon, OSA. Greetings from the Philippines. I am here with my mother in Bi-

col. I have tried to get ticket for Korea but it is too expensive. So I will be missing

you and our friends. Maybe I will try to plan it for next year. I heard you have en-

joyed the visit of Pres. Arroyo during the last week of May on the Phil-

Korea Diplomatic Relation anniversary. Give my regards to all. God bless you. I

will be returning to the US on June 29.

Message from Arlenne (excerpt of the e-mail she sent to Fr. Willy). "I just finished

my language studies last May 29. When I go back to Myanmar (Salamat sa Diyos,

'Dre, I got my visa!), I'll spend a few days in Yangon with my group and then we go

up to Banmaw, where we are officially assigned. Up to now, Dre, wala pa mi kahi-

balo kung unsa among buhaton, but the bishop has given us a list of possibili-

ties. Maayo kaayo siya, 'Dre, kay he's giving us almost the rest of the year to go

around, get some exposure and then when the parish council meets sometime towards

the end of the year, we sit down with them and then decide kung unsa among gustong

buhaton. I continue to pray for God's leadings and for the grace for me to discern

and know his thoughts and plans for me.... and the love to follow them in accordance

with his will. ''

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A woman gets on a bus with her baby.

The bus driver says, "That's the ugliest

baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!” The

woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits

down, fuming. She says to a man next to

her, "The driver just insulted me." The

man says "You go right up there and tell

him off. Go a head, I'll hold your monkey

for you." * * *

A man and a friend are playing golf one

day at their local golf course. One of the

guys is about to chip onto the green when

he sees a long funeral procession on the

road next to the course. He stops in mid-

swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his

eyes, and bows down in prayer. His

friend says: "Wow.. that is the most

thoughtful and touching gesture I have

ever seen. You truly are a kind man. The

man replies "Yeah, well... we were mar-

ried 35 years. * * *

Lunch time at a table, a man looks sad

and eating very slowly. His missionary

friend was sitting across the table.

man: you know the Han river?

missionary: yes I know.

man: I feel so sad. My life is useless. I

like to end it all by committing suicide. I

have to jump into the Han river.

missionary: (after some thoughts) It is

winter time. The Han river is frozen. You

can wait until spring if you like. * * *

WELCOME! MABUHAY!

Sr. Diana Madulara, RGS, a Junior Sister

from RGS Juniorate in Aurora, Q.C. Before

she entered religious life, she was a Secondary

School Teacher in Iligan. She entered RGS in

2001, and arrived in Korea on May 19, 2009

under the RGS program for International-

Missionary experience. This program regu-

larly takes 5 months, but because of unex-

pected visa difficulties she will only be here

until August 2009. Her first impressions in

Korea: she enjoys fellowship with the Filipino

community, but she is frustrated with the real-

ity of many Filipina women who married

Koreans, and falling victims to domestic vio-

lence and injustice. This experience however

challenges her to commit herself to serve the

cause of migrant women. * * *

Ms. Marlene G. Lim is

the newest staff of the

Philippine Catholic

Center. She is a well

trained community

organizer, environmen-

talist and a promoter of

women rights. She

decided to leave her post as an Administrative

Officer of the National Commission on the

Role of Filipino Women under the Office of

the President of the Philippines to come to

Korea to serve the community.

The Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP)

is also close to her heart. She worked as secre-

tary at the MSP Central Office. She was one

of the pioneer organizers and implementers of

the PCP II at the Parish of Our Lady of the

Abandoned (POLA) in Mandaluyong City,

under the MSP Fathers. * * *

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