Our Mission in the Philippines Grows
The following was written by Fr. Jerry Sheehy, SCJ, a missionary in the Philippines who is originally from the British-Irish Province. He reflects on the history of this Asian mission, as well as its future as SCJs celebrate the profession of the first two Filipino SCJs. The article originally appeared in Contact, a publication of the British-Irish Province.
Our SCJ mission project in the Philippines began 11 years ago (1989). We were invited to serve the Church in that country in light of its own local needs and the particular gifts of our SCJ spirituality. Now, we are full of joy as we see that our presence has borne fruit in many different ways, but most of all, we rejoice that two native Filipinos have made their first profession as SCJs and are pursuing their path to the priesthood. There are also another 30 candidates in various stages of preparation, studying with us.
Philippine students pose for a photo. There are over 30 young men preparing for religious life with the SCJ's.
Currently, we minister at four parishes in the area of Zamboanga del Sur, and maintain a house for our students and do pastoral work in Cagayan de Oro City on the southern island of Mindanao. The pastoral work in Cagayan is within a very mountainous parish near the city. It gives our candidates and students a chance to work alongside us and slowly learn how to minister to the poor according to the spirit of Fr. Dehon.
The SCJ's in the Philippines gather for a district meeting.
Joining them on the far right, first row, is Fr. Hadrianus Wardjito, SCJ, general councilor.
At the beginning of this year, we were able to establish a presence in Manila, the country's capital, with the purchase of a house which will later become a residence for our men studying for the priesthood. It is within easy reach of a number of seminaries as well as other schools which conduct courses in pastoral theology, the consecrated life and spirituality. We hope that it will also serve our neighboring Asian communities in Indonesia and India who have students who would benefit from studies here in Manila.
Fr. Eduardo Agüero with a parish youth group.
Currently, we have 16 non-native SCJs and the two recently professed Filipinos in our young mission. Together, we are involved in many different activities, including the education of lay leaders, ministry to youth, and teaching and administration at two local high schools. We also work with a project for abused girls in Cagayan del Oro City.
Arthur and John, our first Filipino SCJ's.
Soon, we hope to set up a retreat house in Pagadian for adult and youth activities. This would be near our three parishes. We have also been invited to look into the possibility of helping with a project for street children in Pagadian. In Manila there are many possibilities for pastoral work with the homeless, prisoners and the many others who suffer. The needs there are limitless.
Personally, I have found the Filipinos to be a delightful people, very friendly and welcoming with a tremendous sense of fun and a touching sense of humility. But they do face many difficulties, including the scourge of poverty (which only seems to get worse), corruption and political instability. In the south there is an uncertain and volatile situation threatening peace and good order. The problems are so immense that there is always the temptation to become discouraged. Yet, it is my conviction that it is our presence that is more important to the people than anything we might ever do for them or give them. It is through this kind of presence that they experience something of the presence and compassion of God.
But no matter what we share with the poor, they give us so much more. Through the sharing of our lives with them we get a new understanding of the gospel, of who Jesus is and of His mission. In their simplicity and hospitality, in their friendship and warmth, we begin to see the things that really matter, things more beautiful than merely possessing beautiful things.
--Fr. Jerry Sheehy, SCJ
