As we approach Christmas, I cannot help but think about Columban Fr Bobby Gilmore’s article, ‘Criminalising Compassion’ in which he refers to a father and his 23 month old daughter who, earlier this year, drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas. Christmas could have been such a joyous time for this family had enough people believed that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God.
A young student from Myanmar HEC (Higher Education Centre) will be forever grateful for the opportunities he has been given by Columban benefactors.
In the reflection Columban Fr Pat O’Shea draws upon the comparison of anxious waiting in supermarkets and airports to more enjoyable anticipation around special events. One such time of waiting is Advent during which time we wait in anticipation and prepare for the birth of Christ.
In Taiwan a young Columban, Fr Taaremon, tells us about the surprise that was in store for him when he went to visit a dying woman.
From Chile we hear from Columban Fr Dan Harding who tells us about parishioners fundraising for young orphans in Myanmar and setting up a migrant shelter for those who do not have access to any accommodation.
‘How life has changed’ written by Columban Fr Dan O’Malley, is a stark reminder of the reality of modern communication. Dan speaks about when he was first assigned to the Philippines and going to Manila once a year to make a phone call home.
‘Mission World’ features Pope Francis’ message that no one is to be excluded on the issue of migration.
In his column Fr Trevor Trotter manages to unravel some of the mystery of the Incarnation.
Palmer Avenido from the Philippines tells of his heartache in leaving his wife and children for six years to provide for them. While working in Taiwan he received support from The Hope Workers' Centre.
Feeling despondent after his football team took a thrashing, Columban Fr Jim Mulroney stepped from his friend’s warm living room into the crisp night air to take the short trip home in an Uber. This was not the ride he expected.
In front of 900 people at a seminar in the Diocese of Yokohama, Japan, Columban Fr Barry Cairns fields an unexpected question from a young boy. Barry refers to the question as a ‘clanger’ and decides that he had better tell the truth.
A Columban benefactor writes about discovering that the Columban Art Calendar comes with a FREE Art Guide to the paintings.
Let us pray for a peaceful and blessed Christmas as we look forward to the coming of Jesus into the world.
With grateful thanks for your support and extraordinary generosity to Columban Mission.
Janette Mentha
Listen to From the Editor
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - November/December 2019
