National Assembly in Saitama Diocese

Last October 22 until 24, a National Assembly on Migrants was held in Utsonomiya in the Diocese of Saitama. The theme was: "What Can We Do? What Can We Not Do?"

Fr. Wein, OFM talked about "Self-Care" which includes "Stress Management" and even "Cultural Differences." Indeed, we need to take good care of our selves in order to be able to respond to the needs of others. Role Plays were shown so as to have a wider view of our own selves in our workplaces and also in our own parishes.

This gathering was also a sort of respite to all those working with migrants. We listened to each others' experiences, talked from our own point of views, and learned from others' mistakes. Of course, the assembly would have been incomplete without the laughters and midnight sharing of whatever over bottles of sake and wine, cans of beer, and overflowing snacks.

What did I learn? TO TAKE A VACATION... self-care first, huh!

Asian Congress in Nagasaki

The 3rd Asian Congress on Pilgrimages and Shrines was held in Nagasaki from October 15 to 17, with the theme "Pilgrimages and Shrines: Places of Hope." There were 97 participants from 16 different countries. The 1st Congress took place in Manila in 2003, and in 2005 it was held in Seoul.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People said that "pilgrimages and shrines can play an important role in instilling sentiments of hope and a confident wait." Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, PSS of Nagasaki pointed out that the Church "continues to make her pilgrimages to the various sanctuaries in order to show fellowship in faith and prayer, and to remind us that we are on journey towards the Lord." Thus, said Fr. Javier Gonzalez, OP of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, "having our faith and hope set in God allows us to find meaning and courage and even joy when we are confronted with things that we cannot fix."

The Congress made us hope for a better collaboration and even sharing of experiences as regards our own experiences. After the deepening of faith, or should I say hope, we visited different sites and museums in Nagasaki such as those of the 26 Martyrs, the Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the Oura Church which is now a national treasure, and the Peace Park.

Though the Congress made us busy, we still found time to laugh and pose for some Kodak moments. Now it's time to continue the journey...

Called By Love

"Called By Love" is the title of the New Album of Fr. Raul Caga, a fellow SVD who is working in Divine Word Seminary - Tagaytay. The producers were Fr. Raul and Nez Marcelo (a former SVD seminarian). It was recorded at the Arnoldus Communication Center which is located inside the seminary in Tagaytay on November 2005. Fr. Raul's "Life is Beautiful" Album was also a hit! Some of the songs in Fr. Raul's new album is available for your ears only. However if you want to have a copy of the album you may contact Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay or Logos Publications in Tayuman.

Here is the list of the album's songs:

1. One Heart, Many Faces

2. The Fire of Your Love

3. By the Roadside

4. ...and Loved Me Still

5. Q & A

6. Calling Me Back

7. Sa Buhay Ko (In My Life)

8. The Language of the Heart

9. A Beautiful Day

10. Tinawag Mo Ako (You Have Called Me)

11. The Voice Within

12. My Friend / I Haved Loved You

When I attended an international seminar on migrants in Tagaytay last year, I had the priviledged to meet Fr. Raul, and we even went for a cup of coffee to a place overlooking the Taal Lake. I heard that Fr. Raul and his company had concerts in Luzon and Mindanao. He also went to Germany for a concert. We hope we can invite Fr. Raul sometime to share his music with us here in Japan.

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting to you Fr. Raul's "Called By Love" album... Have fun!