CROSSROADS sangandaan 3rd Edition
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change;
courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know
the difference.”
“In solitude, there is healing. Speak to your soul. Listen to your heart.
The answers are often found in the absence of noise.”
We can bury ourselves into a state of chaos if we really want to. Constantly pressured by the world that we live in now, aided by the many concerns and chores, we can’t help ourselves but to consistently look for solutions. And we do so while whining and complaining, bickering and postering. Everything becomes a problem to be solved. Everyone becomes an issue to consider. We breathe through everything and everything becomes our apparatus for breathing. But toxic has become the breath that we inhale and exhale. Social distancing? Face mask or face shield? Handwashing as often as possible? Better yet, wear a PPE in order to be safe not only from the Covid 19 but from a much deadlier and more potent toxic that we have continuously and at times, unconsciously created and caused to ourselves with and to one another since time immemorial: suspicion and mistrust.
Crossroads
Abbey
is a meaningful alternative. A secluded
place that is away from the hustle and bustle of harsh realities, Crossroads
Abbey is a hidden place for rest and spiritual rejuvenation. It is where one
can detoxify and free oneself from stressors and triggers. This is where Mother Nature takes care of our
tired bodies and minds and gently leads us back to who we truly are: dependent
children of a providential God whose generosity and compassion are beyond
borders and boundaries.
Fr. Clifford G. Gavina, MSHR
President & CEO
One of them once asked me if she would still qualify since she was already of advanced age (young once perhaps sounds better). And I replied to her in the affirmative, that is, even if she’s already in her wheelchair for as long as she carries in her heart the desire still to serve and to make a difference in other person’s life.
I returned to the Philippines few days after their consecration. It was with a heavy heart, knowing that CLAY was just an infant. But I had to put so much trust to Sis. Karen and to the rest of the CLAY members whose wisdom (pinanday ng panahon at karanasan) is way beyond me. Luckily, there is social media that shrinks the world to just a click. Physical distance and geographical boundaries become a thing of the past. We constantly update each other through GCs, daily we pray together the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Holy Rosary, and celebrate the holy mass. Time difference is never a problem. As we often say, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
The
COVID 19 has pushed the CLAY members to be creative and innovative if only to
fulfill their commitment. One year after
their consecration, they already have done a lot of corporal works of mercy
aside from being the spiritual warriors of MSHR. The statue of Our Lady of the Holy Redeemer
has now visited a number of families and has inspired them to be together in times
of praying the rosary. The CLAY members
are also focused on helping MSHR in the development of the Crossroads Abbey and
Hermitage. Two Houses of Solitude (Casa
Elsa and Casa Josefina) are constructed this year 2020. The CLAY members have been immediate in
sending donations to those who have been affected by natural calamities here in
the Philippines – the eruption of Taal Volcano and the recent typhoon
Ulysses.
For surely, the CLAY
members are grateful for all the opportunities to share their time, talent, and
treasure. They are the personification
of Mary in the Gospel of Luke: in haste, she visited her elderly cousin
Elizabeth who was in need of care and support.
Mary set aside her own predicament and needs and bravely travelled
amidst harm and danger. The CLAY
members may have the COVID 19 against them, but their strong determination and
firm faith in God have proven to be much stronger. Age has ceased to discriminate. The mind has willed the will of the
Potter...and so they are formed, they are consumed, they are graced, they are
blessed.
Sister Karen
Dataro
President
CLAY London
After twenty-two very long years working in the Middle East and a short-span of five years living in the Philippines, I began striving to live in another foreign land – the United Kingdom.
In 2005, I started lodging for my application to go to the UK because all of my children were already here. When I landed into the UK, it was nothing but a beautiful experience - from being able to ride one of the famous red buses to most importantly being reunited as a whole family.
I can vividly remember the very first time we have celebrated my very first new year in London – it was very surreal. For the very first time in seventeen years, I was able to have one of the happiest moments in my life and that is to have one big meal alongside all of my children in a dining table. This might sound very little and I might appear shallow, but for me this was an achievement. From this new wave of societal norms, you will rarely see a fully functional family in one table- so during that time, I was very fulfilled in having my family over after being far away from each other for a very long time.
For obvious reasons, living away with my children for seventeen long years did not come with a box full of happy presents but full of challenges for me to love further. There were many instances in which I felt very confused and very hesitant to do things for them- or to become a mother for them, and adjust to the way they lived their lives. You can almost say that I did not know how to become a mother to my own children because of the many gaps between our relationships with one another.
This has led to me run and devote myself back to God. I knew at that moment, I had to run and kneel into the pews of a church and let God be God in the situation I found myself at. From the very first moment I stepped into London, I found refuge at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Precious Blood of Our Lord (or commonly known here as Westminster Cathedral). Every week, I would kneel at the Blessed Sacrament and would ask for the intercession of Mother Mary to not just transform the hearts of my children- but my heart, too. It was very important in my heart and my soul to keep up and maintain this devotion I have had with our mother- may it be through the mere rosaries to the many novenas I have prayed for the sake of mothering my very own children. Every week, I volunteered at the cathedral- from ushering many families all the way down to taking the collections. Every Sunday did not feel like a job, but a bigger calling to me. Essentially, my prayers and my service to God has become part of my DNA.
From then on, I have met many brothers and sisters of mine both from and outside the cathedral. As these years went through, my family has become closer to one another. Every single week, my children slowly encouraged me with all the pilgrimages and church services I have attended. I have always felt and said to the Lord in prayer: “Lord in your hands let it be done” in the same way that our Mother responded to Angel Gabriel: “Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.”
Having been part of the Consecrated Lay Collaborators (CLAY) of the Marian Society of the Holy Redeemer from last year of November 2019 was filled with joyful hope. From the start of the national lockdown here in England, our group has established a prayer rhythm every afternoon- and through this, I felt very blessed to be close, all the more to our Lord Jesus Christ through the love of our Mother Mary. This summer, I was also diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin MALT lymphoma; this has not just caused me distress but also to my family. It felt very uncertain, almost very hopeless not just in the world’s situation but on my own faith crisis. However, through unstoppable prayers and the love I’ve received from my brothers and sisters in Christ, this has made me stronger. Albeit not fully healed, I believe the Lord will always guide, and will always have plan for all of us. In a world that is fearful, the Lord is simply calling me to be fearless.
After the summer, I and the CLAY sisters have started transferring the statue of Our Lady of the Holy Redeemer from one house to another. From this, it paved an opportunity for my children to not just receive her but for them to hold onto their rosaries and for us as a family to pray together. I felt like the same way that they welcomed Mother Mary was the same warmth of love as they welcomed me in praying in their houses. In the words of Mother Theresa: “If you want to change the world go home and love your family.”
Mama Mary, thank you for leading us to you and to your Son. Amen.
Sister Elsa
Ganaden
CLAY London
In 1995, I started my tithing.
Once I attended a mass at
Westminster Cathedral. It was there that I first heard the Letter of St. Paul
about faith, love and hope and that love is the most important. This lingered
in my mind for a while. While inside the cathedral, a book entitled A One
Thousand Miracles with St. Anthony, caught my attention. I bought the book. It
gave me the desire to follow St. Anthony’s sanctity that I ordered 10 books
which I, in turn, distributed in my village during my holiday. Every holiday
back home, I would attend mass in the morning and would lead the praying of the
Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy Rosary in the afternoon. This
routine gave me the idea to talk about the word of God and to practice it in my
everyday life. The last time I went
home, I had a meeting with the senior citizens, prayed with them the Holy
Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, visited the sick, and provided for
them some groceries.
In 2010, I decided to do something for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
I thought about this before
leaving this world. Perhaps, the only way to do this is to be a LAY worker so
as to know more about the duties and responsibilities of being a follower of
our Lord Jesus. In 2011 I joined the Divine Mercy Apostolate then Servant of
the Divine Mercy Apostolate. Then I started attending 1st Friday and 1st Saturday
in honor of Our Blessed Mother.
Love is the most important of all. Love conquers the world. NOBODY lives without it. Because of the UNFATHOMABLE LOVE of our God He sends His only Son for the SALVATION of all.
As a member of the Divine Mercy Apostolate, I was able to join various pilgrimages to Poland, Lourdes, Ireland and Israel. I realized that the Lord has chosen ordinary people and in a very ordinary and quiet place to make known His message. Inspired by this, I started to share the messages I would be hearing from homilies on Mondays to my colleagues, to my sister back home, to my nieces, and to my friends whenever given the chance.
In 2018 I met Fr. Clifford.
He informed me about his plan to form CLAY here in London. One year after, CLAY was born and I was one of its first consecrated members. I was very happy that after so many years my dream has finally been fulfilled and has become a reality.
Being a member of CLAY gives me the chance to pray in and with a group…as inspired and encouraged by the Blessed Mother who said that “if more people are praying the quicker are the answers to our prayers.” CLAY gives us a sense of responsibility. We look after each other and we become a family away from home. Daily we pray the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Rosary. Every night, we celebrate the Holy Mass online. Despite the threat of COVID 19, we sneak out at times to play games and do TikToks at the park…and to be free as a child once in a while. We do Memory tests to scare away dementia or Alzheimer’s, gather together for a retreat and other spiritual activities that give us the opportunity to share our life experiences. The sharing that we had during the retreat at the Kairos Centre was the best sharing of experiences that I have ever had since my time living in London. Despite of our trials and tribulations, everybody has acknowledged that the Love and Mercy of God have helped us in sorting out our problems.
God had proven His BOUNDLESS Love and INFINITE Mercy to all of us His children and most especially to those who believe in Him. God is GOOD FOREVER.
The GENUINE HEART and determination of Fr. Clifford to pursue his plans for MSHR has given me the idea to give some donations to him. He used the money to build the first House of Solitude, which he named Casa Elsa, a great honor that surprises me no end. I am truly grateful. All the meaningful homilies of Fr. Clifford have given me the chance to understand the word of God. As years pass by, my Faith and TRUST in Him have been STRENGTHENED with my persistent prayers. My trials and problems have been sorted out gradually and through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Holy Redeemer who guides me to the path of righteousness and ETERNAL life. These graces give me the motivation to be consistently generous to others. I hope and pray that I could just to something in a little way for God’s GLORY.
If God is with us there is always LOVE in our hearts to help, care, love and concern for the good of others.
Thank you so much, Fr. Clifford,
for all your hard work, prayers, care, and concern for all the CLAY and MMRG
members, families and friends.
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL!
Sister
Josefina Legaspi
CLAY
London
My late parents whom I love most were the roots of my faith.
I became a member of the Legion of Mary in our parish, the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary where my great devotion to our mother Mary became more meaningful. Indeed, in my spiritual journey, our blessed and holy mother would always light my path.
I thank God for all His graces and blessings. Aside from work and friends, God has blessed me with a house that I am living in now. It is here in my humble abode that Fr. Clifford would usually stay whenever he visits London. And It was through him that I became a member of CLAY. I also consider it as another blessing because I discovered a vocation in me despite my age. Praying for others’ needs and being involved with their life’s issues are very noble and soul-nourishing.
There is nothing more that I could ask for myself, but for my family. I unceasingly pray for unity and for the success of my growing grandchildren. I thank God for the love and support of “John”, and for making me a part of his life journey. May death not keep us apart.
Jesus, I completely trust you. Let your will be done in my daily life journey for I know that my reward is in heaven,
Compassionately generous is the Lord, now and forever. Amen.
Nothing
unusual on that day. She
woke up early in the morning to prepare for her daily routine. Her mind was empty and just went on wherever
it wanted to go. Her stomach was empty
for there was nothing to eat anyway.
What else is new? This has been
her life ever since she was thrown out from home by her own family who treated
her as a disgrace. For almost five years
now, a makeshift in a traffic island along busy streets of Manila has been her
home. There she has a great view of cars
to dirts and people from all walks of life. Their movements fancy her and somehow occupy
most of her time.
Nothing
unusual, but not before that day ended. After waking up, she gathered her belongings
and hid them behind trimmed ornamentals.
She covered her head with a worn out piece of cloth, took her child in
her arms, and covered him with malong exposing only his tiny face. He was still asleep and soundly for hours now
and for more. Their role of the day was
about to begin…as beggars…she with a child for sympathy purposes, if only to
survive. The day was almost over when a
car stopped in front of them, rolled down the window, and someone from the car
talked to her for few minutes until the traffic light turned green. The car sped fast and gone from her
sight. Her child was gone too.
He
was brought to the hospital for treatment.
He has been drugged by his own mother to stay asleep while begging. Enough of the sedation.
Scarred
by this horrifying past, he tried to live as normal as possible with his foster
parents. He was provided with anything
that will make him happy and secured. He
was sent to good schools. He was
prioritized. He was sheltered and
showered with nothing else but true love.
But anything or anyone was never enough for him. The past continued to
haunt him. He was too weak to break away
not only from the trauma, but from the drugs that must have been in his system
since infancy. He craved for it and soon after he became its slave.
Life
at Crossroads was a rest for him. He was
simply too tired to run away from his past that broke his being, and run after
the drugs that enslaved him. The traffic light has turned red…time to stop and
not just for a while.
He
stayed at Crossroads for a longer period of time. There were too many to sort out and his young
age cannot just do the sorting at once.
One day at a time.
Hang on.
All good things come to those who wait.
Trust God. Trust
yourself.
Let go and let God.
Unwritten
philosophies he has learned to keep and believe.
Nothing unusual on that day. His son woke him up and requested for a
cereal. Thanks to his son, his daily
alarm clock. He is always on time for
his office works.
I
was about to step out of the bus that took me to Baguio City for a much-needed rest
and relaxation when my phone rang. The
voice from the other line asked me what I wanted to know first: good news or
bad news. I chose the latter and gently
prepared myself for its gravity: a
resident drank muriatic acid and his esophagus appeared like knitted together
and made it impossible to swallow neither solid food nor any liquid. I managed to ask if he was still alive and
the caller said that the resident was already at the hospital, being treated
and yes…still alive. Indeed, it was bad
news…but he was alive and safe anyway, thus I went on with my long-anticipated
vacation.
He
has always been a problem of the family.
He grew up getting what he wanted at all cost, and his closest relative
was, to say the least, simply too happy to give in, however painful at times
for her.
He
was unable to finish high school since he preferred attending pot sessions, get
wild and extreme with life. His mother
could only manage to rant and rage. An
OFW whose sole preoccupation was, as cliché as it sounds, to alleviate the
family from poverty, she left him in infancy and has been an absentee mother
since then. Her role was relegated to
being an ATM machine, as she sums it up, and forever guilty of not being a
morale booster.
He
was admitted at Crossroads when he was only 17 years old. Though young in age, already he was at a lost
with his life - no meaning, no purpose and no direction. He lost a lot even that of a carefree youth
for prior to his admission, he was already a father. He was a bull waiting to be tamed. He tried
to escape the facility a countless times, unwilling to yield in. His mind was outside the walls of Crossroads
and never wanted to be serious with life.
He just wanted to take things easy, enjoy life, and run away from responsibilities. But if there’s one beautiful thing that
happened to him during his time of rehabilitation, it must have been the time
when he saw his father… for the first time.
One
day he approached me and asked whether I wanted to help him see his father…a
prisoner for years. Immediately I
agreed and the date was scheduled but not without hitches. There were a number of inmates with the same
name and he had no idea how his father looked like. He has never seen his father since Adam. He was clueless but somehow determined to see
him. The first inmate with the same name
appeared and out of instinct, he told me that he was not the one. The second inmate with the same name appeared
but was too old to be his father. Then
the last guy appeared and behold, he looked like his older version. Without doubt, the third guy was his
father. For a while, both father and son
stood still, unable to say a word to each other, and perhaps surprised with the
untimely event. The father looked at me
and asked what to say. So many things
ran through my mind but I, too, were speechless. I decided to leave them alone. I guess I just
did not want to witness a potential MMK scene.
Where
is he now after 13 years. Unfortunately,
he is still “nowhere to be found”. His
time to change has not obviously come yet but hope is what life keeps going
isn’t it? There must be time still to
clean the mess he made with his life.
Some
guys have all the luck
Some
guys have all the pain
Some
guys get all the breaks
Some
guys do nothing but complain.
I
will never lose hope for him, even if the chance to change he is taking right
now is through the hard way. I will never give him up. He is my son and I will continue to wait for
that “day” to finally come.
Francisco III U. Tiberio
Clinical Staff
Crossroads
With more than three years of service, my journey went through a lot of ups and downs. But trials did not stop the desire in my heart to keep helping, even when at times I knew not to help myself in times of downfall. However, Crossroads and its residents formed and transformed me to be resilient in my chosen career. Crossroads has taught me three things in life; first, Change is a lifetime process and it could not be achieved in an instant. Second, in our journey towards our Goals, such as lifetime sobriety, falling and failing a lot of times is inevitable. And third, that God continues to strengthen us and our support system in order to pursue the sole desire of our hearts: to do the right thing and to do it right.
Source:
blog.thelinguist.com
Magtamali
Ezra Reverente
Minsan tama,
Minsan mali,
pero ano nga ba
talaga ang
tama ba o mali?
Mali ba na itama
natin ang mali
o tama ba na
matuto tayo sa
mali?
Siguro nga
minsan
yung iba,
tama yung mali…
at yung iba
mali yung tama…
Kaya sana wala
nang magkamali
para lahat tayo
pwedeng
matamali.
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