In some parts of the world, the month of August is devoted to vocations. Although this is not a vocations issue, it could be said that most articles published in The Far East magazine are a result of vocations.
What better way to begin than with Fr John Boles' story of 'Life of a Columban baby'. It might seem that he was always destined to become a Columban, but that is only part of the story.
From Ireland, we hear from Dáire King, a 16-year-old student who visited his uncle, Columban Fr Tomás King in Pakistan. How refreshing it is to read such a positive account of his mission experience there and how he now views life from a different perspective.
Columban Fr Pat O'Shea reflects on the impact the coronavirus has had in New Zealand and how in taking simple measures, like hand washing and social distancing, some fears have been allayed. He refers to the Biblical character, Naaman, in 2 Kings 5: 1-19, who suffered from leprosy – a disease also associated with isolation.
Among bad news stories of child abuse in the Philippines, we hear from Columban Fr Shay Cullen about two young boys who have been able to rebuild their lives thanks to PREDA (People's Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance) Foundation, founded by Fr Shay.
Well known for his commitment to justice and peace, Columban Fr Bobby Gilmore recalls a bullying incident on the rugby field that has remained with him all his life.
Earlier this year, Amy Echeverria, the Columban
Co-ordinator for Justice and Peace and President of the Board for GCCM (Global Catholic Climate Movement) met with Pope Francis on the fifth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si'. The Pope joked that we might see Cardinals wearing Cardinal Green instead of Cardinal Red in the future.
The Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia has reported at least 353 deaths of Filipino workers there in recent times. The bodies of 200 of them needed to be brought back to the Philippines. The Catholic Church of the Philippines has called on the Government to investigate these deaths, allegedly of natural causes.
Columban Fr Trevor Trotter walks us through his 50 years of priesthood. His basic belief is that we all live in God. He says that it has been a full fifty years and the learning is not finished yet.
In Fiji, COVID-19 presented an opportunity for Columban Fr Pat Colgan and Columban Companions to present a workshop on the presence of Jesus Christ with us even when we cannot celebrate the Eucharist together.
Two Columban seminarians from Fiji share with us the challenges, blessings and joys of living in a foreign country, learning a new language and experiencing the culture and faith of the people of Lima, Peru, and Cochabamba, Bolivia.
These times of COVID-19 bring home to us the fact of our connection with people all over the world, no matter their religion, language or culture. We are one human family and all possible victims of the pandemic. May it be an opportunity for us to forget our differences and have compassion and concern for all of us. We think of those dying and for those caring for them and we entrust them all to our Creator God. We also ask the intercession of St Mary of the Cross, remembering her feast day on August 8. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
Janette Mentha
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Related links
- Read more from The Far East, August 2020
