Day of reflection for Filipino community


Sister Regina from Our Lady Woman of Valor in Tel Aviv and secretary of the Filipino Chaplaincy sent this report on the day of recollection held on Sunday, November 1, 2015, Feast of All Saints. The day took place in Jerusalem in the convent of the Cappucin Fathers.

recollection filipino

For almost three years, Fr. David Neuhaus, SJ, with the Priests-in-Charge and coordinators of the Filipino communities were trying to find a common time for the community leaders to come together for a day of reflection. Scheduling such an activity was near to impossible because leaders cannot synchronize their time due to the demands of their employment.

November 1 this year was a holiday for the Filipinos in the Holy Land and an agreement was reached for a day of recollection. In the beginning, we expected just a few participants, but to our surprise, 56 Filipino leaders and pastoral workers signed up. Fr. Bienvenido (Beny) Baisas, OFM, was tapped by Fr. David to give a presentation on the Mercy of God. Pope Francis recently proclaimed a Jubilee Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. Fr. David was to give the present-day issues and concerns of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land in the afternoon, but was out of the country due to the death of his father. We instead had an hour of quiet reflection and prayer.

Fr. Beny referred to Scripture texts in introducing the face of God from the Old and New Testaments in the form of questions: Is the God of the Old Testament a stern, angry and unmerciful God? Is the God of the New Testament different from the God of the Old Testament? Through a clear and insightful presentation, Fr. Beny explained that there is only one God, both the Creator and the Breath of Life ("Ruah") in the Old Testament and the just and merciful God in the New Testament. “The Lord, the Lord, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity.” (Exodus 34:6-7). In the New Testament, Jesus, the Incarnate Word became the visible face of God on earth. “Do you not believe Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works…” (John 14:10-11). He fed the hungry, healed the sick, forgave the repentant sinners and lived among the oppressed and defended the widows and orphans. Today, the face of the merciful God is visible through the witness of those who believe in Him, through their compassionate caring and service to their needy brethren, the oppressed, victims of injustice. This is the challenge to all of us in the Christian communities.

Fr. Beny’s presentation was capped by the Eucharistic Celebration where each Filipino community shared responsibilities: liturgical singing was provided by the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Community from Rehovot; the First Reading by the San Lorenzo Community in Ratisbonne, second Reading by the Divine Mercy Community from Tel-Aviv, the prayer of the Faithful by the Good Shepherd-OLPHA community, and the offerers from the Good Shepherd Community. Fr. Michael Grospe was the main presider at the Eucharistic Celebration. He emphasized in his homily the Divine Mercy experiences of the Filipinos through different aspects of their lives, challenging them to be real witnesses of God's Mercy in their own milieu today. The Agape followed after Mass.

The Recollection Day, ended with Holy Hour, reflecting and gazing on the Face of God with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Reflections and insights were shared by some participants. This was truly a day shared with and among the saints in the making. Thank you, everyone!

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