Since the 16th century up to the arrival of the Camillians in May 1986, the adobe stone church has been standing intact in Boso-boso despite earthquakes and the fire during World War II.  It was Fr. Ivo Anselmi, MI who ‘discovered’ the place while driving with some seminarians along the stretch of Marcos Highway.  He checked out the church and met the Little Sisters of Jesus who at that time had been residing nearby for 10 years.  The Little Sisters welcomed the Camillians warmly and invited them to celebrate the Eucharist in the Church every Sunday.  Since the Sisters were then planning to leave the place due to lack of vocations, they also asked the Camillians to take over the task of attending to the spiritual needs of the people.

(Clap, clap, clap, stomp, stomp, stomp) Stop AIDS! This was the shout-out of the college community last August 21 and 22 that attended the seminar about HIV/AIDS facilitated by the HIV/AIDS awareness team of Camillian scholastics and sisters. The seminar provided more than just information.  It was also an opportunity to taste what it feels to be inflicted with the illness.

Fun and interesting activities characterized the two-day seminar. There were class sessions for group work, processing, games and sharing, and plenary sessions in the auditorium for listening to the speakers.

The first day sessions helped the participants understand the nature of HIV/AIDS and clarify superstitious and discriminatory beliefs about it. Thanks to the entertaining talk of Bro. Dan who made sure the biomedical facts about HIV/AIDS would not cause nosebleed to those with zero medical background. Right on the very first day, the seminarians showed eagerness to know more about something that was new to them.  On the second day, the sessions moved the heart more than the mind. The activity called ‘Wildfire’ brought the seminarians in touch with the hearts of those who live with the illness.

Hospital Employees Hone Communication Skills for Better Service

At least 76 employees of St. Camillus Hospital of Mati attended the Effective Communication Workshop last July 16 and 17.

Ms. Resci Angelli Rizada, RN, who happens to be the reigning Mutya ng Dabaw, served as resource person.  She discussed topics related to personality development.  She stressed the importance of knowing oneself and gave inputs on effective communication with other people, particularly with the hospital patients and clients.  She also discussed  basic telephone courtesies.

In the summer of 2004, Fr. Reji Chacko, MI,  arrived in the Philippines to study at De La Salle University.  After four-and-a-half years of grueling work, he has achieved his goal: a doctorate in Counseling Psychology.  We congratulate him for his accomplishment!

But the end of his studies meant the end of his residency in Our Lady of La Paz Parish.  He left on a jet plane last August 27, 2009 and returned to his native India.

Good news here in Balugo.  The land on which our chapel sits has been donated to the Diocese.  We had a survey done and hopefully if funding comes from a Catholic Canadian couple who have been staying here some months – we can repair the roof and expand the chapel.  More people are coming to church but there isn’t enough room to accommodate them.

Received a nice note from Bishop Du who sent best wishes and blessings (need them) on my 42nd anniversary of my ordination.  Always nice to be remembered.

SCHC keeping fit and having fun

For a month now the SCHC personnel have been gathering in front of the hospital at 5:00 pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. What for?  To do a thirty minute session of aerobic exercises called Tae Bo.  The desire behind the activity is to reduce the calorie content of our plump bodies and to promote fitness in the SCHC Community.  In our sports outfit, counting from 1 to 8 then 8 to 1, following the rhythm of the music, we move from left to right, forward and backward, turn around, and release gallons of sweat.  Thanks be to God, it is well participated.  There’s the all out support of the doctors, nurses, personnel and staff of SCPHC and, of course, the initiative of our physical instructress, Mia.  Let’s keep on moving, guys.

Divine Healer Chapel Pays Tribute to Cory

Last August 5, 2009, the Chapel of the Divine Healer of Davao Medical Center joined the whole nation in prayer and grief over the loss of a great leader. Fr. Tex Buntol, MI, together with the chapel volunteers, the chapel choir and the lay ministers, wore yellow shirts to show respect and gratitude to our former president, the late Madam Cory Aquino.

Guests from London

Four young Filipinos who migrated and are now working in England, Boyet and Kathy Tamayo, Jojo and Russell Sumilhig, arrived in Essen for a short vacation last July 25. They were accommodated in Kamillushaus for a week. It was Bro. Peter Schiffer who invited them to come over. Bro. Peter knows Boyet since he was assigned in Mati hospital. During their stay, they spent the time visiting famous places like Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen, and Amsterdam. Since Boyet and Russell celebrated their birthdays during their stay, they decided to cook Filipino delicacies like pansit, adobo, arroz caldo, etc. for dinner. Masarap! Now the confreres are hoping that Fr. Rolly and Fr. Gabby will do the same when they come.