My Dear Classmates:
May the peace, hope, love and joy reigns on you this 2008!
It was a great and very remarkable experience I had last yuletide season. Maybe, some if not all of you were assigned in the cities or towns, but my assignment was in the hinterland - the same assignment I had during my summer field exposure. The Mission Parish of Dawis requested me to serve them.
I left the seminary on the afternoon of Friday, December 21, 2007 together with Brothers Junjun and Eberson. We have to stay overnight in my hometown considering the time element. The following day, Saturday, December 22, 2007 after taking our breakfast, we left for Ayungon, Negros Oriental to drop off Brother Eberson where he was assigned. We were fortunate enough as we were invited for lunch with Father George, my brother. Brother Junjun and I proceed to our respective assignments after our lunch. I arrived in the Mission Parish of Dawis before dark, meeting the Vice Chairman of the Parish Council at the same time Lay Reader.
I had to prepare myself for the seventh Misa de Gallo, particularly my Reflection. I was then so glad to see that many members attended the service as they were expecting my presence. Many new faces attended that day. It challenged and inspired me to do a more meaningful ministry.
I got the chance and opportunity to extend my efforts with the parishioners during the "dagyaw" in finishing the floor of the altar, the work they had started last summer. My own little efforts inspired and touched the members to continue serving the church in their own respective capacities.
During my stay in the parish, I was able to visit some of the members and somehow was able to listen to their personal concerns and views on our church. I also had the chance to see a member who was sick last summer and had the chance to administer "healing" on him. He had been attending Sunday masses and even helped in the "dagyaw" before he got sick.
I was also able to attend the Diocesan Laymen's Congress, held in the Parish of Bais City last December 27, 2007 with some of the Clergy and Brothers Junjun and Eberson. It was a great opportunity to witness such gathering, witnessing the men of our church.
The following day, we attended the birthday celebration of our bishop at the Cathedral with the clergy. We got the chance to talk and listen to our bishop and some of the clergy. We spent the rest of our time shopping with my nieces and Brother Eberson. I went home ahead with them for I have to travel back to the mountain.
I had also the chance to attend a "Pista Pangani" with Fr. Caday in one of the outstations. An experience that is worth reflecting in my part. We rode on an army-type service car passing on a very tricky and risky road. We were like in the "Extra-Challenge" passing through several obstacles before reaching our destinations. Due to constant heavy rains in the past days, the barangay roads were impassable so we had to walk about five kilometers passing through a creek and a hill. Doing our ministry would not only be a "bed of roses" but then I realized that it is also had to be a "bed of nails". Yet, seeing our brothers and sisters in the hinterlands could ease the tiredness and inspired me more in doing my ministry.
I should have concluded my vacation with the clergy meeting as we were asked to attend but I opted to spend the rest of my vacation to my family in Cebu .
Spending Christmas and New Year away from home is not comfortable though I am not new to it. Notwithstanding the merry-making and sumptuous meals shared in every home of the members, still I felt homesick and my heart bled. Intoxication of wine and beer may help ease but it is all temporary escape and will not really help.
As a reflection, to be a Servant of the Lord is not that easy as I thought before. It takes a lot of sacrifices and challenges to be a good Shepherd. Yet, a very satisfying experience for us is are the many and varied lives we have touched. Serving the faith community is not just by bread alone. We need to be like great men in the Old Testaments building and rebuilding temples for the glory of God.
May you also have a fruitful and memorable Christmas break as I did. May the New Year bring us a better way of life in our ministry as workers of the gospel.
Pro Deo et Patria!
Your classmate,
Brother Greg I. Baricar
January 18, 2008
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