|
|||||||||
Download Community of Saint John Cebu Newsletter 2nd Issue
|
|||||||||
| History of St. John Cebu | |
|
To speak of our first foundation in Philippines is like an illustration of the parable of the sower. Indeed, we may observe a total transformation between our poor means of the beginning and the superabundance of the treasures brought by our presence now in Philippines. On September 1994, three brothers coming from France land in Manila. Two others meet them from the States in Cebu. After a good welcome in a family from one of our oblates in Taiwan and in Makati City in Manila, and from local clergy, we are again welcomed in the Queen City of the South: Cebu. Creus family takes care of us. Near a land given by this family , we dwell temporarily in Celestial Garden most particularly Tanchan , a Chinese cemetery nearby our given land. This remote place was used as a shield for NPA’s (New People’s Army). Above all our main effort will be our Chapel’s construction. Fr. Mary Benedict and Fr. Philippe Joseph did their best to build this beautiful chapel. Our first constructor was not credible and we finished with another one. Finally on February 23, the feast of St. Polycarp, our chapel was consecrated by his Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, and His Excellency Bishop Cantilan, bishop of Maasin , Leyte. Our Apostolic Sisters arrived on the 13th of July year 1997. first they were only 3 sisters namely , Sr. Maria , Sr. Mary and Sr. Mary Elijah. Through them, we were able to start St. John’s School of Life. They usually meet at V. Rama Avenue in the town. The sisters were looking for a place to build their convent but St. Joseph was seemingly deaf and finally, the brothers offered the sisters to share with them the land that was given by the Creus family. With our parish “ Alliance of the Two Hearts” B.E.C. (Basic Ecclesiastical Community) helped our neighbor and us, to better incarnate the Gospel in our day to day life. Soon after brothers , the apostolic sisters as well help this apostolate. April 18 1995, many people especially children gathered to attend the Mass of Profession. Bro. John Daniel takes his final vows in the presence of Fr. Marie Dominic Philippe , Fr. Dominic , Fr. Mary Benedict, Msgr. Villamor, Fr. Keynes S.J. , the Jesuits and the neighboring Good Shepherd Sisters. Our convent has been built on a hilly land (Creus family’s gift) on the edge of the Celestial Gardens Chinese cemetery and upper San Jose barrio. Thanks to a generous contractor, ground was leveled in two days to allow our convent’s construction. Our convent’s consecration was on December 8,1995 in the presence of His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, our general superior Fr. Mary Dominic , some Jesuit priests as Fr. Art. Chee, many religious and laity. A few months before, a pit has been dried with a lift pump. Many people from the barrio took advantage of it and economized many footsteps. During this time, 2 other kiosks appeared for hosts and postulants who also joined the community. Bro. John Daniel took care of the poultry and the piggery. The brothers learned Cebuano , the most common dialect in the Visayas and Mindanao islands, in Davao. They were welcomed by the Canadian priests for lodging. After time of emotion, we are now able to live quietly in our community life in the convent. We were not only tourists but most of all, missionaries by the Congregation of Saint John to bear the Gospel. Like our forefathers and as first evangelizers of the Philippines, we build friendship with visayan people to teach them realistic philosophy and the marvelous choice of God on them! Hopefully, our mission was fostered by his Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s welcome and that of his clergy. Soon after our arrival it is the World Youth Day 1995 in Manila . Thanks to the event, several youth asked for religious life and invaded our poor little house. The priests handled classes in the kiosko. Religious congregations are working like Franciscans of the Immaculate or Order of Augustinian Discals. Rogationists were also requesting our help for teaching also. Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity were requesting our help for masses and confessions; same with the Good shepherd sisters who also gives us bread and hosts. Brother’s apostolates are aimed toward San Carlos Seminary and major and minor seminaries as well as Rogationists. At first, Fr. Dominic and Fr. Philippe Joseph were the ones teaching them but Fr. Mary Benedict and Fr. Michael replaced them. Mercy towards the sick appears through help for drug addicts. Confessions and teaching were offered in the DRACC / Drug Addict Center. Brothers, oblates and volunteers were called to help in the home for destitute of the Missionaries of Charity. Some brothers help in mentally sick hospital ( Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital ). During every May of the year, it is a good occasion for children especially to honour Mama Mary. We call it “Flores de Mayo” that in English means “Flowers of May”. We may observe little children with wings bearing the letters of A V E M A R I A and singing to their heavenly Mother. Now, the Congregation of St. John had welcomed already the Contemplative Sisters who rented a beautiful house located at Martinez Compound still in Cebu City. They come to the priory of the Brothers and the Apostolic Sisters every Sunday for Holy Mass and some community conferences. There are youth who organized the group called Saint John Mission, of course, we also have the oblates and the School of Life. Thanks be to God that He was merciful to us that we are able to respond to His call through these gifts. |
|