HE KNEW THE TIME OF HIS DEATH!

Did you ever know of someone who prayed the rosary faithfully and eventually knew the time of his/her death?

I do. Yes, I do.

In fact, I am very close to the family. This family gave me a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary last 2005 for my apostolate area. However, I was not given a specific weekend assignment because I was appointed to our SVD Mission Partners. So, the Blessed Virgin stayed in our seminarians' dining hall. Last year, the image was lost for several months but was returned later (nobody claimed to have borrowed it). At present, the image is in my room.

Let us call him "Tatang." Tatang was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary. In fact, "Ima" (his wife) married him because "he was religious and his devotion to the rosary impressed me a lot."

Few years ago, Tatang became sick. More than 70 years old already, he often stayed in bed or at times, he would watch tv while in his rocking chair.

Later last year, he began to mention the date "November 4" and started reminding the members of his family, "Mahal ka ni Mama Mary" (Mama Mary Loves You). Whenever his daughter Agnes enters the room, he would make the gesture of the sign of the cross and would assert that he sees the Blessed Virgin.

And he looks forward with joy, "Kaylan ba darating ang November 4?"...and everybody in the house were clueless about it.

On November 4, Tatang died peacefully...He died peacefully on the date he had been mentioning. It was only then that his family members understood. Mama Mary granted him the privilege to know the time of his death and Tatang looked forward to it with joyful anticipation.

Today, the family continued their apostolate of giving Mama Mary images to propagate the devotion to her.

I PERSONALLY, INTIMATELY KNOW THIS FAMILY....AND THEY ALSO WANTED TO LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW THE ABUNDANT GRACES MARY BESTOWS ON HER CHILDREN WHO ARE DEVOTED TO PRAYING THE ROSARY.

Mama Mary Loves You!

SVD JOKES #30: THE SONG OF FR. JB

Fr. Julio Barbieto, SVD was a person of humor. His jokes are contagious! One time, in our visit to Villa Cristo Rey, he shared to us a song which he composed and made us laugh until we already cried in joy:

Sa mata ng duling
Lahat tayo ay dalawa
Ha-ha-ha, Ha-ha-ha, Ha-ha-ha

Habang may duling
Hindi ka nag-iisa.
Joke only. Hehehe, Hehehe.


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #29: CATHOLIC CANDIES???

Fr. Ed Fuguso, SVD shared: In my visit to Mariveles, Bataan, a religious nun from Venezuela related to me how one day, she was casually giving away candies to a group of children when one of them refused the sweet offer saying, “Sister, I am not a Catholic. I am an Aglipayan!”

The nun quickly replied “But these are not Catholic candies.” (The Word in Other Words 2003, May 16)


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #28: FIRST TIME

This is shared to me by another SVD missionary: Together with another SVD, they were sent to a foreign country. It was both their first time to ride an international flight and confessed that they were really ignorant inside the plane.
The stewardess went to them and offered, “Sir, would you like chicken or beef? Coffee or softdrink?”

The two missionaries, thinking that they are to pay for the order, made a polite gesture, “No, thanks.”

Several hours later, another stewardess came and made the same offer, “Sir, would you like chicken or beef? Coffee or softdrink?”

Still clueless that meals were part of the flight payment, they again politely refused, “No thanks.”

Another Filipino noticed the missionaries. So, this Filipino whispered to them, “the meals are free here. There is no extra charge!”

The two missionaries immediately stood up and faster-than-lightning called the stewardess and said, “Miss, chicken with two extra rice please.”

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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #27: JUAN TAMAD CROCODILE

Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD shared about the story of Fr. Robert Winkler, SVD. “Fr. Winkler was a German missionary to Mindoro. In the 1940’s, Fr. Winkler had to hike from Calapan, the provincial capital, to Bulalacao, the southernmost town. A distance of roughly 200 kilometers over hills, mountains and rivers.

One night, the Bongabon River raged, so the good missionary decided to wait for the dawn cradled in the safety of a tree towering over the riverbank. The next morning, he was shocked to see a huge crocodile awaiting him at the tree’s base. Fortunately, Fr. Winkler – being more patient than the reptile – lived not only to tell the story but also spend many years of his life in building up God’s kingdom.” (The Word in Other Words 2002, May 9)


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #26: LOST AND FOUND

One time during our common dinner, one of the seminarians announced, “I have found a book. Those who might have lost it, please claim from me.”

“What’s the title of the lost book?” Some seminarians asked.

Then the announcer answered: “St. Anthony of Padua.”




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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #25: MABELE! MABELE!

This is from Pinoy SVD Fr. Emil Pati:

“Setswana”, the language spoken in Botswana, is quieted complicated. One day, while visiting people in the fields, I scouted a group of women harvesting sorghum. Very articulately I greeted them, “Dumelang Bomme” (the usual greeting). In chorus they respond “Dumela Rra.”

Admiring the abundant harvest, I exclaimed, “Bomme, mabele a lona a matona thata!”

Their facial expressions and the silence were enough to tell me I was in trouble. I repeated what I said trying to make myself clear. And one of them remarked, “Ah, mabele.”

I said, “ee mma” (yes madam) pointing at the robust sorghum harvested. Then a thunderous laughter broke out. Trying not to embarrass me, the old man that the word “mabele” has two completely different meanings: If your accent is deep, it means sorghum, but if it is high, it means a woman’s breasts. It was clear then that when I spoke the first time, I was in effect saying, “Women, your breasts are enormous!” (The Word in Other Words 2002, June 2)


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #24: HELP! HELP!

In one of my summer apostolates, our assistant parish priest was going to be transferred to another place. So, on his last day in the parish, the people decided that we organize a picnic in the river as our token of thanksgiving for the missionary service he had done for the parish.
While in the river, I had so much fun swimming together with another SVD seminarian (You should know I am a swimmer!). This assistant parish priest also wanted to come to us. So, he swam going to our direction but was carried away by the mighty waters, until he reach a whirlpool where he could no longer move himself. He had already drank so much water. So, he shouted to us, “Help! Help!”
Knowing that the assistant parish priest doesn’t speak English to us but in Visayan language, we ignored him and even laughed at him because we thought that he was only playing jokes with us.
After few seconds, he already shouted for help in Visayan dialect: “Tabang! Tabang!”
We immediately came to his rescue!


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #23: THANKS! THANKS!

When I was a postulant, I remembered very well a serious sermon from an SVD deacon which turned out to be a light moment for all of us gathered. This deacon asked us to look at the cross and try to see the letters on it aside from the INRI.
Then, he himself answered that from the cross we can see the letter T and Y – which, according to him, means “thank you.” Then, he looked around the chapel for a cross to illustrate his point. To his great surprise, the cross we had in the chapel was only a wooden cross without the image of crucified Jesus (which formed the letter Y).
Since the visual cross in our chapel only showed the letter T, the deacon immediately quipped: “Ah, your cross here only shows the letter T – that means ‘thanks!’”


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #22: MONKEY! MONKEY!

Fr. Ibarra Fabella, SVD shared this story: “Children in the parish where I was last assigned had become so familiar with the car I was using that whenever I traveled to the barrios, children would automatically shout, ‘Father! Father!’ (This was so even if my driver was alone driving it.) Once our convent boy tied a pet monkey on top of the service car without knowing that I had a Mass schedule in one of our barrios. On my way, I was startled to hear children shouting, ‘Monkey! Monkey!’” (The Word in Other Words 2001, May 17)


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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

SVD JOKES #21: RUSH HOUR EMBARRASSMENT

As a deacon assigned in Cainta, I had to immediately go back to Tagaytay every Sunday afternoon to catch up our evening prayers. One time, I was racing against time at the metro rail transit (MRT) station. There were so many people pushing each other at the Ortigas Station while waiting for the train.
When the train going to Pasay-Taft already arrived, I immediately pushed myself inside with the only intention to secure myself a place. Suddenly, I noticed all ladies, girls and old women were all eyes on me. I was inside the women’s booth.

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I welcome contributions! Anecdotes must be funny, true stories of SVD missionaries working in the Philippines or Pinoy SVD missionaries working in any part of the globe. Contributions may be forwarded to fielsvd@yahoo.com

I BAPTIZED MICHAEL PHELPS!!!

Last Sunday, January 18, I baptized 25 babies in our parish, St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish in Cainta, Rizal. I was surprised upon knowing that one of the babies was named Michael Phelps! Hehehe.



The baby is so cute!!!


Michael Phelps together with his proud mother...

GO, TEAM PHILIPPINES!!!

THE FIRST ROUND IS OVER!!!

From the 6 Philippine bets, my highly supported wonder of Palawan, the Underground River is now the remaining national qualifier for the global online voting on the New 7 Wonders of Nature.



Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park bested the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Mount Mayon of Bicol Region, Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, Mount Pinatubo of Pampanga and Mount Taal of Batangas to qualify for the second round of online voting.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys (THEIR MONKEYS ARE VERY FRIENDLY, WAG LANG MAGDALA NG PAGKAIN LALO NA SAGING PARA DI AGAWIN NG MGA UNGGOY), large monitor lizards (LARGE TALAGA AS IN, LIZARDS WALK SIDE BY SIDE WITH VISITORS!!!), and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Out of the 400 plus nominees last year, 261 qualified national and multinational nominees are now competing to make it to the top 77. All nominees are clearly defined natural sites or natural monuments that were NOT created or significantly altered by humans for aesthetic reasons.


AKO YAN, PAPASOK SA UNDERGROUND RIVER


ONE VOICE, MANY VOTES

Yes, every online voter can choose 7 natural wonders. For example, aside from the Undergound River, I also voted for Komodo Island of Indonesia, Black Forest of Germany, Great Barrier Reef of Australia/Papua New Guinea, Angel Falls of Venezuela, Galapagos Island of Ecuador and Sipadan Island of Malaysia.

Please cast for votes now for the next round of voting, click here


GO TEAM PHILIPPINES!!!

AI-AI DELAS ALAS QUOTES

Let us start the year 2009 with Quotations from the Philippine Comedy Concert Queen and our “Tanging Ina” Ai-ai Delas Alas. Read on and have a good laugh!


Let us start the year 2009 with Quotations from the Philippine Comedy Concert Queen and our “Tanging Ina” Ai-ai Delas Alas. Read on and have a good laugh!

FROM “TANGING INA NINYONG LAHAT”

1. "Ang taong nagigipit SA BUMBAY KUMAKAPIT!"

2. “Ang babaeng hindi natutumba AY DATING KUNDOKTORA!”

3. "Kung kaya ng iba, IPAGAWA MO SA KANILA!"

4. "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who my friends are, PARA BARKADA!"

5. “Practice makes perfect, but then again...NOBODY'S PERFECT! SO WHY PRACTICE?"

6. "Ang batang masipag, PAGLAKI... PAGOD!"

7. "Hindi lahat ng gwapo, may GIRLFRIEND; Ang iba may BOYFRIEND din."

8. "Ako ang nagsaing ngunit iba ang kumain, pagkat diet ako."

9. "Aanhin pa ang DAMO, kung mukha ka namang KABAYO!"

10. "Ang UNA ay hindi HULI."

11. "Ang lalaking GIPIT, sa bading KUMAKAPIT."

MY NEW YEAR MESSAGE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

At the breaking forth of the New Year, I was at St. Arnold Janssen Shrine Parish in Cainta, Rizal. Fr. Manuel "Bong" Bongayan, SVD presided the Holy Mass with Fr. Leo Schmitt, Fr. Martin Mandin and me as concelebrants. The Shrine was filled with people. Even the slightest rainshower did not dampen the spirit of our many parishioners who had to stay outside since they could no longer be accommodated inside. Ang dami talagang tao!




After the Mass, the four of us priests had our media noche. Fr. Martz and Fr. Bong teased Fr. Leo that perhaps at this time, many people should know that St. Arnold Janssen Shrine is a Catholic parish. We do not have cross pa kasi at the top of our Church building. That is why, some outsiders have mistaken the Shrine for a Protestant Church or church of any other denominations. Hehe. That will be one of our projects for the New Year as we continue with the Shrine construction.



The year 2009 will make a big difference in my life. For one, I will be graduating soon (yahoo!!!). Second, I will be leaving Tagaytay (also soon). Third, I will go (at last!) to my mission area in the South and that exites me a lot. I guess I knew the area (thanks to the leakage!) but I could not reveal it yet. I still have to wait for the formal announcement.

Basta, Happy New Year na lang po sa ating lahat! God sustained us last year. So, God will also sustain us this year. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga nagdasal para sa akin, nagmessage at nagbigay ng comments (through text, friendster, facebook, multiply, etc.) at sa lahat ng nagbigay sa akin ng mga regalo. Hehe.

May the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen.

God ordains, God sustains.

Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD