The Itinerant's Path » Uncategorized http://www.vinceleste.com/blog Listening, Discerning, Responding. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:35:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Last One for this School Year http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/the-last-one-for-this-school-year/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/the-last-one-for-this-school-year/#comments Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:52:23 +0000 brVince http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/?p=468 Today is my last day of facilitating recollections for the students and pupils of our school. Since I started it as early as third week of June, now, it also ends so early. There were 12 classes with me for recollection. And among those 12, this last one was the shortest one. Imagine a half-day recollection? Though it’s not really a whole-day recollection,I can say, it was fruitful one.
H’wag pangunahan ang Holy Spirit…

How to make a recollection fruitful? I still believe in the power of prayer and preparation. Being prepared would make a good disposition in facilitating children’s recollection. The fruit of prayer and reflection will just come out naturally from them. “H’wag pangunahan ang Holy Spirit…” Pray, pray and pray… Know what I mean?

Praying for the grace to let them feel and experience the presence of the divine is essential. It is important to teach them how to start to pray and how to do it the way they can do… Just like, I also pray what I need to facilitate well the recollection.

Thanks God, everybody seemed to be participative and indeed, their participation would mean a lot for openness of these children. Now that my recollections are over, I will be looking forward for the graduating class’ retreats. Three classes are on my list for this coming January and February. I hope and pray that my preparation will be fruitful, not only during the upcoming retreat but also after the students’ retreat.

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/the-last-one-for-this-school-year/feed/ 1 HIATUS http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/hiatus/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/hiatus/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:06:23 +0000 brVince http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/?p=408 Will be right back…

Hiatus

Maybe…

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/hiatus/feed/ 5 Looking for the Old Posts? http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/looking-for-the-old-posts/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/looking-for-the-old-posts/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:45:22 +0000 brVince http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/?p=18 They’re just somewhere. Some will be re-published, some will be deleted. Relevant and significant entries are to be reviewed again before posting.

Look up in the sky, and the answers do really fly. Look down on earth and it gives birth. Thoughts, pure and impure. Blossoms and blooms. That’s “it.”

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2010/looking-for-the-old-posts/feed/ 0 Area of responsibility http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/area-of-responsibility/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/area-of-responsibility/#comments Thu, 02 Nov 2006 13:13:33 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/area-of-responsibility/ Asilo, home for the abandoned children: this would be my new area for apostolate this coming second semester. It was not my first choice, but to be assigned in an orphanage that houses children from babyhood to 6 years of age. Asilo houses children from 6 years of age to 15. I would be happy to be with little angels, but I would be more happy when I would see the working of the Holy Spirit in any place where God leads me for his Glory.

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/area-of-responsibility/feed/ 1 Favorites, mosts and bests…. http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/favorites-mosts-and-bests/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/favorites-mosts-and-bests/#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2006 03:16:02 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/21/favorites-mosts-and-bests/ In response to the invitation of Snow Princess, I would like to answer the questions she tagged. And I hope, I will honestly and accurately answer these questions :D

1. How are feeling you now?
Inspired, calm and contented…
2. What are you currently doing?
Blogging ang reading others’ blogs…
3. Describe Politics in two words.
A business and a deception
4. Your most hated celebrity is…
Can I say it here that it’s Kris?
5. Your most admired celebrity is…
What are the critera before we can say that a person is a celebrity?
6. Beauty or Fame?
Beauty, it’s an inner disposition
7. Love or Money?
Love…. yung di nabibili :)
8. Is LOVE a feeling or a decision?
It’s a feeling…. hmm, i dont think it’s just totally feeling, it’s life!
9. What have you realized about LIFE lately?
…is short so why not start living today rather than wait for tomorrow and realized, it sunset already.
10. Younger or older women?
Anybody, since age doesn’t matter.
11. Your best qualities.
Independent, observant, silent
12. Your worst qualities.
Yes, impatient, too

What else? I think, I answered these right… How about you? By the way, Thanks to Snow Princess :)

Happy Weekend! 

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/favorites-mosts-and-bests/feed/ 8 Swimming… Life's ocean http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/swimming-lifes-ocean/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/swimming-lifes-ocean/#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2006 08:16:32 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/19/swimming-lifes-ocean/ It’s been nine years since the first time I learned how to dive independently in a body of water; it was in the sea, with a trusted mentor that time. And today, the best thing that’s happening again? I’m learning how to swim again, on the surface of the water, at least. Another opportunity to learn is given to me, I’m happy for this. I was taught how to dive before, but not to swim, there’s a difference… I can still remember how I was told to dive and so I did! But what I learned was not enough. I was 16 years old that time, was unfortunate, was vulnerable and innocent, thus was just following the tide of life as an adolescent; confused, blacksheep, hardheaded, freedom fighter, wants independence, misunderstood, abused, used. I was taught how to dive, and that’s life, to dive in the ocean of life; i was scared but I did! Yet, was not able to learn quickly how to swim smoothly and freely. I was left in the middle of the sea, just like, I didn’t learn more when I was left by this mentor, those were passing days when we were together; a student and a trusted friend. I learned how to move on by my own initiative and ambition with determination that I can still learn, it was a crying moment, last crying moments. And so I did. I learned and saw how was the life treating me. I found the place where I can plunge myself freely, with a trusting heart and hopeful that it would be eternal. This is where I am. Today, literally I’m learning to swim again and yet my reflection soars high that I can still remember the frustration I had in my younger years. I was sad, confused, was left alone to dive and nearly drowned. In the shore, I found myself lying naked, tired, gasping and half dead. But now that I learned how to swim in life though starting to learn how to swim literally, I am happy, that I learned and still learning in the school of life. Ah, past; past is past, but still part of mine, a starting point, a diving board, to do a somersault, that this mentor would know, that I learned.

624143_flipping_out.jpg

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/swimming-lifes-ocean/feed/ 20 Last night's ritual of farewell http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/last-nights-ritual-of-farewell/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/last-nights-ritual-of-farewell/#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2006 05:56:35 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/last-nights-ritual-of-farewell/ The time has come for the brothers to leave our community. Indeed, a farewell party is a time to reminisce our experiences as brothers once more. It was a moment full of mixed feelings; happy, sad, excitement, gratitude. Pretty sure, will miss the times we’ve been together. For two years of companionship in times of difficulties, struggles and genuine brotherhood, who can forget the community life we had? Ces’t la vie, may God bless you in your new mission. As my gratitude, here’s the theme song of past Olympic Game, which we sang last night as our departing song. Below is the clip music. It’s for all 12 of you.

I don’t have to say, A word to you
You seem to know , Whatever mood
I’m going through, Feels as though
I’ve known you forever

You can look into my eyes and see
The way I feel , And how the world is treating me
Maybe I have known you forever

Amigos para siempre , Means you’ll always be my friend
Amics per sempre , Means a love that cannot end
Friends for life , Not just a summer or a spring. Amigos para siempre

I feel you near me , Even when we are apart
Just knowing you are in this world , Can warm my heart
Friends for life , Not just a summer or a spring
Amigos para siempre

We share memories , I won’t forget
And we’ll share more, My friend,
We haven’t started yet, Something happens
When we’re together

When I look at you ,I wonder why
There has to come ,A time when we must say goodbye
I’m alive when we are together

When I look at you I wonder why
There has to come A time when we must say goodbye

I’m alive when we are together

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqedK08FXME ]

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/last-nights-ritual-of-farewell/feed/ 0 How About the Mothers? http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/how-about-the-mothers/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/how-about-the-mothers/#comments Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:53:27 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/15/how-about-the-mothers/ Twice I reflected, wrote and dedicated a song for my father but never mentioned about my mother except about Mary, the mother of Jesus, a typical Jew, a faithful, simple, humble and modest woman of her time. I am impelled to write about my own mother when I found that a mother, who is trying to balance her motherhood, being a wife and a student, was able to come across my reflections.

Maybe it’s one of my difficulties to express my views about my mother; maybe because she is still alive. I admire those people who can always talk with their mothers as friends, as listeners full of wisdom for their kids. My mother was a woman who always looked after our needs as kids. We are only two siblings and I can’t remember that we became burden for her. Except one experience with her that I felt guilty of making her cried. One morning, I was mixing my coffee with milk and I looked for sugar and found none. In her presence, I poured the mug of milk in the sink and she started crying silently and talked how she labored to buy our needs and yet I just poured it. How pity I was that I was not able to recognize her love for me quickly. That experience I had, taught me a lesson to respect her and adore her motherhood. Of course I was unaware how she labored in giving birth to give me chance to live through her nine months of pregnancy. Yet that was another time when mixed feeling dominated her; great joy of having me as her first child and sadness for not knowing what future I can have in this world. She’s been there guiding me and taking care of me, how fortunate I am. Maybe this reflection is focused with greetfulness not only to her but also to all mothers who experienced the same, or maybe to the children who experienced same things like mine, during those times we neglected our mothers or not even recognized their simple presence, when they tried to understand us as kids, who seems unaware of the world’s messages for us.

Today in the Gospel, one of the verses talks about honoring the father and the mother as one of the greatest commandment. And this again reminded me about my mother. Yet on other side, I also feel sad for some mothers who unknowingly abuse their children physically and so on. When I was still in one of the settlement areas here in Metro Manila, I witnessed how a mother spanked her two-year old daughter, she is the same child who asked her mother if I’m her father. I’m sure, it’s not the only case I may encounter in the future, I just need to open eyes to the reality of families especially to those families who unconciously promote violence in many little ways. I believe in discipline, but on how a child is disciplined matters most. As Saint Marcellin says, “In order to teach a child, you must first love him or her.” That’s a challenge then…

With this reflection, I am also amused with Kim’s simple theological reflection how every individual becomes a mother ; and I’m not exempted to beome amother! True, he was speaking in our Theology class about motherhood, of giving birth to the presence of Christ to other people, giving flesh once again, the Christ in us. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me” and I understand it as, life lived, broken and shared, like Jesus’. And that’s how a person of faith can give birth to Jesus. More about this next time. :)

motherandchild.jpg

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/how-about-the-mothers/feed/ 3 Great thing http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/great-thing/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/great-thing/#comments Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:18:10 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/13/great-thing/ Great thing happened today….? Senior’s graduation is finished, and no more preparations until next October :D After the affair, I drank “yanguna” or “kava”; dont really know the term but it’s a powdered root of a certain tree that can only be found in the Pacific; anesthesia effect it was!. Wow! I felt sleepy and my body was numb, and was able to take a nap for 30 minutes straight, what a good nap I had…. And that’s the best thng happened today :) : a good rest after a tiring day! Ahhh, one more thing…early sleep tonight and a late waking time tomorrow…. Thanks God.

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/great-thing/feed/ 0 Where? http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/where/ http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/where/#comments Sun, 08 Oct 2006 15:59:46 +0000 brVince http://iretreat.wordpress.com/2006/10/08/where/ Lord, take me where you want me to go; Let me meet who you want me to meet;Tell me what you want me to say, and keep me out of your way.

–fr. mj, ofm

]]> http://www.vinceleste.com/blog/2006/where/feed/ 7