Ron and Amadeo with their new car
Eudists' Philippines Mission
Our first activities...in pictures
by Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM
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Eudists' Philippines Mission
Our first activities...in pictures by Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM
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Dear Eudist Family,
I have now been in the Philippines for 2 months. It has been a
wonderful experience (even though we just had our second typhoon. I
am learning more and more about the people and their culture. Amadeo
and I now have our Tagalog teacher. We meet with her 3 days a week
for 2 hours. We are learning a lot, but I have to admit that Amadeo
is much better at Tagalog than I am. He has been here over 4 months
and has the advantage of knowing Spanish. (Tagalog borrows many
words from Spanish.) Our teacher says he is in grade 4 and I am in
grade 1.(see pictures)
As you know, we gave the opening retreat at TMP (the major seminary).
It went very well. We will also give a monthly spiritual conference
there. We have also been asked to accompany the 12 students who are
in the Spirituality Year (the year between the minor seminary and
1st year theology). They participate in an intercongregational
program, so we just go with them and help them process their
learning. (see pictures)
One of us will also give the monthly day of recollection at OLP (the
minor seminary). We will also be present there for various events.
Seminarians at either seminary are free to choose one of us as the
spiritual director. However, I don't expect that to happen until
they get to know us better.
We celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart by giving a presentation
at the Good Shepherd Provincialate in Quezon City on St. John Eudes'
devotion to the Heart of Jesus. It was well-attended and appreciated.
It was followed by lunch.
We have received numerous invitations to offer Mass for various
groups in the area. We have accepted whenever we can. We continue to
say Mass at Maryridge every day. Anadeo has weekend ministry at eh
parish in Alfonso. Every Sunday, I also offer a Mass at 3:00 PM for
weekend vacationers at a local compound. Just this past Saturday, I
had Mass for an international gathering of the Missionaries of
Charity (Mother Teresa's sisters). There were about 40 Sisters from
all over Asia and Australia.
I recently gave a talk to the diocesan priests who are in the middle
age group (ordained 10-25 years). It was part of a 4 week renewal
program the Diocese is conducting. It was a good way to meet many of
the priests and have them get to know me.
On July 3 we celebrated Amadeo's 40th anniversary as a priest. The
Good Shepherd Sisters invited him for a special Mass and lunch. Then
the seminarians at TMP invited us for another Mass and supper. The
seminarians put on a nice program to honor him. I recently sent
pictures of the anniversary (as well as the retreat and a couple
other events) to Renaud Cote our webmaster. Watch for them to
be posted on our website
(see pictures)
The Good Shepherd Sisters have booked us for a number of upcoming
events. These include:
We are so happy to have so many opportunities to share our Eudist
spirituality with our Sisters.
We also would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful
support that our recent Provincial Assembly gave to our project in
the Philippines. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
We love to hear from you via e-mail. We were just able to get a
broadband connection for the internet. It makes access quicker and
easier.
À bientôt,
Ron Bagley
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