I have many aspirations in life. Some of them I have already achieved. I am happy every time I achieve a goal. But every time I achieved something, I felt there was still something missing. I was searching until I became a Columban lay missionary. Here, I recognized what I was missing – a sense of belonging.
October 1, 2017
Every new beginning entails a risk and the possibility of change. Not all of us welcome risk or change; we may be fearful or lazy, reluctant to leave our comfort zone. But, we are invited to open ourselves to the gifts and graces – and they are without number – that each day holds for us. Our hope is not in ourselves, much less in the structures of society.
September 30, 2017
Remember, O Good Saint Anne,
whose name means grace and mercy,
that never was it know
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
and sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
September 29, 2017
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
that You are my helper.
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
that I don’t have to fear anything.
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
that Your love is greater
than any love I’ve ever known.
Greater than my mother’s love.
Greater than my Father’s love.
Greater than my sister’s love.
September 29, 2017
In the late-20th century, decades after their expulsion from China, the Columbans had been moving toward re-establishing their presence in the nation for which they had received their original mission.
September 28, 2017
Remember, most loving Virgin Mary,
never was it heard
that anyone who turned to you for help
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
though hardened by my sins,
I run to your protection
for you are my mother.
Mother of the Word of God,
do not despise my prayer of pleading
but be merciful and hear my prayer.
Amen
September 27, 2017
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
that You are powerful enough to single-handed
handle all of my problems, no matter,
how large, how small, how complex or how simple.
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
that You are stronger in every way
than my strongest enemies.
Remind me, Lord. I keep forgetting,
September 26, 2017
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who implored your help and sought your intercession
were left unassisted.
Full of confidence in your power
I fly to you and beg your protection.
Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication,
but in your bounty,
hear and answer me.
September 25, 2017
Most sweet Jesus,
humbly kneeling at Your feet,
we renew the consecration of our family to Your Divine Heart.
Be our King forever.
In You we have full and entire confidence.
May Your spirit penetrate our thoughts,
our desires, our words and our works.
Bless our undertakings,
share in our joys,
in our trials and in our labors.
September 25, 2017
In 2005 I went to work in the Yakatamachi parish where a group of Brothers and priests, inspired by Charles de Foucald, lived simply and worked among the homeless. They went to the public parks and other places where the homeless lived, looked after them and put pressure on the local government to play their part.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.