Calling all Angels.

  Please note that this is a scary story of my pilgrimage to Garabandal.One has to be social when on a pilgrimage. I saw a woman sitting in the garden from the bedroom window where I was staying for the … Continue reading →

This is where it ends. This is where it begins.

Studying in public school, our creed has no bearings. We are unified as human beings in singing daily our national anthem out in the courtyard, rain or shine before we start our regiment of learning academics. Religion is not a … Continue reading →

I can’t do the math.

I have to ask the QOTD on my Facebook.  “Who’s birthday is it today?” I am having a senior moment. Thank goodness, someone in my family has more memory than I do. My oldest sibling Myrna is turning a year … Continue reading →

On Writing

I am pleased to say that some of my posts became useful to others particularly to my sister, Susan Papas Hauck. It provided links to other seekers who are in their journey to a path beyond comprehension. Unbeknownst to me, … Continue reading →

I have a dream

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As a young girl, her devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague started. She dreamt of visiting Prague one day to honor Him for the many prayers and wishes granted to her. Finally, the dream came true. She found herself … Continue reading →

How do we reconcile? We hope…

“We hope that your faith inspires you to be just, loving, humble and merciful. We hope that your faith inspires you to encourage the church to be more just, more loving, more humble and more merciful.” “We hope you find … Continue reading →

Fruit Of Our Lives

“Let’s go visit Granny.” That’s what the kids used to say when Granny was alive. Some of these children were not able to experience the love of their grandmother nor Mother would see how fruitful we have become. Mother instilled … Continue reading →

Focus on Canada

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From coast to coast, there are thousands of new Canadians on July 1st. I am one of them. For this, we are filled with gratitude and proud to be Canadian citizens. “Each year on Canada Day, thousands of immigrants across … Continue reading →

Sacred Ordinary

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… simple prayers are sacred acts. They’re tender and profound. They aren’t the formal prayers of the institutional church. They aren’t the ecstatic utterances of a miraculous vision. They are dignified, homely and eloquent, the ordinary and yet sacred stuff … Continue reading →

Call to Service Mea Culpa

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In the homily at Mass for the Ordination of Deacons on June 2, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson quoted the Prayer of Consecration, which he would use in ordaining each of 25 men to the permanent diaconate. “May (these men) excel … Continue reading →

The Source

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  To be a mother is to be a Touchstone and the Source, Bestower of names, Influencer of identities; Life giver, Life shaper, Empath, Healer, and Original Love. Poem: God Our Mother by Allison Woodward Art by: Dan S. Siglos … Continue reading →

Human Soul

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Just before I woke up from a deep sleep, I dreamt of a single red rose. I can’t remember what the dream was, but the rose stayed with me. The night before, I watched a video of Aokigahara Documentary.The narrator has the … Continue reading →

Passage to Infinity

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    Last night, I watched the movie The Book of Eli. In this movie, it painted an apocalyptic world. The future is morbid, brutal and violent. In a harsh world, there is the only thing that can change the world, … Continue reading →

Trip of a Lifetime

 I would like to stay longer and soak up the three world’s religion: Islāmic, Judaism, and Christianity.  I want to be with the Muslims, Jews, and Christians: and have interfaith dialogue. At the hotel in Jordan, waiting to leave for Canada, I … Continue reading →

Reaping the rewards

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  “Blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed” – John 20:29 It is with his scientific mind that he has proven black holes, gravity, and wrote the book a Brief History of Time, Steven Hawkings absolute cannot reason … Continue reading →

Setting the record straight

Women play an essential role in the world. For without the woman’s womb, we are not born. Rejoice and be thankful. – Perpetua

Perpetua and Felicity

We celebrate the lives of some remarkable female saints this week, and today, we remember saints Perpetua and Felicity. These remarkable women were early third-century, African martyrs were of great significance in the life of the early Church. They were condemned as Christians by the Roman authorities and sent to the public arena, to be mauled by wild animals. However, they survived and were then taken to be executed by the sword. Their story was widely circulated secretly throughout the early Christian congregations, giving encouragement in the face of adversity. They were martyred for their faith on this day in the year 203.  – Pray As You Go

Painted Prayers

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The primary emphasis in this work is based on evolution distinctively a combination of three persons, one God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. He is drawn and inspired by The Trinity. The Prayer of St. Augustine … Continue reading →

Sophie’s Choice

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Making a choice in cutting off ties in any situation is difficult when it’s a no-win situation, an unbearable option that one is forced to choose. Even thinking that it is the lesser of two evils, it can still remain … Continue reading →

Aging is a good one.

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I like getting older. The increasing aches, pains, memory failures—sure, I could do without those. But as for the actual adventure of aging, in and of itself? It’s a good one. Skeptical? Ask anyone who might not have the chance. … Continue reading →

These Nuns are out of Order #SuperbowlinTheConvent

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Between Layla and I, to keep us entertained, we followed what the nuns were tweeting. Reading their tweets were more exciting than the game itself. Hilarious! Sister Bethany, fsp‏ @SrBethanyFSP Feb 4 Nun 1: Did you see that player? He made the … Continue reading →

The Unbearable Lightness

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Who says we have no sense of humor?  We are the first one that poke jokes on what we believe in to have fun and lighten up. When we were trying to open this door, no matter how much we … Continue reading →

Yes, Mother.

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What the Silence Says I know that you think you already know but— Wait Longer than that. ** “What the Silence Says” by Marie Howe in MAGDALENE:POEMS

So, Here I am, Lighting a Candle.

Lighting a candle in prayer living it behind to stay alight, kindling in the hearts and minds of others the prayers I have already offered for the people present here, for our loved ones at home, for saints and sinners, … Continue reading →

Not Just for Today

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Finally, a summary of code Just for Today in living a happy life daily. The text came from a faded clipping of Dear Abby pasted on my wall as a reminder that we can do so many good things in our … Continue reading →

Welcome to Bethlehem

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Regardless of travel advisory, people from all over the world wants to see where it happened. Regardless of personal belief, they want to visit where it all began. Regardless of culture, pilgrims and tourist mix together. Regardless where they came … Continue reading →

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

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  Books. My brain is salivating looking at these books. It’s so tempting to buy at least three: One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None Of This Will Matter, All The Lives I Want and Depression and Other Magic … Continue reading →

In Praise of Books

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  It was a stormy windy night that I ended at Vancouver Public Library for shelter and kill time on my way to a concert. I am not the only one seeking refuge here. From the main floor, the children’s … Continue reading →

Unlikely Friendship. Forgiveness. Miracle.

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Eventually, Ms. Van Sluytman decided it was time to look into his eyes. “We shared really wonderful e-mails. His words helped to heal me, but I finally said, ‘I have to meet you, I need to see your eyes,’” she … Continue reading →

Unshakable Faith

From the distance, I could see the green hill with something erected on the mound. The site is open to the elements that nothing can shield me from the cold wind. The expansive cloudy sky is threatening that rain is … Continue reading →

Pause and Remember

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Silenced

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Remembering the dead. Lest We Forget

Last Words

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“Grace is nothing else but a certain beginning of glory within us.” – St. Thomas Aquinas He writes the way he speaks. With kindness. With love. With compassion. I will miss him.  

A Divine Comedy

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A fool I was doing my very first pilgrimage on my own, wearing open toed sandals walking the plains of Assisi in a little town called Porziuncola all the way to top of the hill of Assisi where the Basilica … Continue reading →

Generation to the 5th degree

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We have kinsman in our family whose name cannot be named. This is how I would like to start the story of our generation. Or better yet: Why have I found favour in your sight that you should take notice … Continue reading →

I am a Pilgrim, not a Tourist!

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It is a challenge and a hair-raising experience to go on a pilgrimage. It’s not an ordinary travel just because we paid an enormous amount of money to travel in luxury and be catered to. I join a pilgrimage because … Continue reading →

On Gardening: Preparing the soil

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Parables make me think especially the parable of the seeds. It’s focused on the seeds scattered and sown. Some grew, some withered, some died, some bear fruit. The seeds are us. I beg to differ. We are the soil. We … Continue reading →

Skin texture

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Flawless skin is soft, smooth, glowing, hydrated, firm and elastin support. This is normal when we are young. However, there are events in life that could change this. And this is exactly what happened to her. The first time I’ve … Continue reading →

The Person and The Saint

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Historically, Birgitta and Saint Birgitta are not really the same person. It is difficult at times to know what parts are historically accurate and which part is the image of the saint. As a person, Birgitta was born in 1303 … Continue reading →

Count Yourself In

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When we arrived In the country side of Sweden, we had a good feeling that we indeed arrived in place of peace. The first thing that welcomes us is a table with flowers, candle and a saying. Being on the … Continue reading →

We are not made of sugar. We are the salt of the earth.

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The rain came when we visited the ruins of Cistercian Alvastra Abbey in Östergötland. We are the salt of the Earth. We are not made of sugar. We will not melt. With high winds and strong rain, we aborted the walk … Continue reading →

High Spirits

We just have to make do with what we have in a given place at a given moment as we travel along as pilgrims celebrating mass. There are times that mass is performed out in an open space and we were … Continue reading →

Last Impression

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The Empty Chair spoken by Tyrone Siglos for Josh Siglos So strange to hear this spoken at the church service tonight. Beside my bed is an empty chair. Lucy my cat and I were in bed, suddenly something fell from the … Continue reading →

What is it about Mary?

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Between Time and National Geographic, these magazines are constantly in search for Mary featuring the many images of her face. It sells. I must admit I bought the Time special reissue of Life’s Classic edition not that I am searching … Continue reading →

Wandering Wonders

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Somewhere in Canada, I was given four glorious days to spend time at Victoria, BC. It was a gift for being part of belonging in a delegation to make a better British Columbia for the working class. The timing was … Continue reading →

Canticle for Earth

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When I celebrate Earth day, I think of St. Francis as the person that is truly connected to earth’s creation, a lover of all sentient beings. He is way ahead of his time even before the usage of the word … Continue reading →

Financial Advice: Do the math

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Financial advice according to Myrna P. Valdez, oldest sibling.  

Life is full of surprises

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Who would know where life would take you. We make plans, we check it twice, we cross our t’s and dot our i’s, we invest all our energy and yet, we could never be sure. My mother said many times … Continue reading →

Rough edges of security

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Do think that I am weird and uncouth. I give you permission. I allow you to talk and discuss about me with others even in front of me Or pull the rug underneath me Hoping that I will fall flat and … Continue reading →

Amber Alert

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When a child is missing, we can make a difference by sending out Amber Alert to secure the child’s safety as quickly as we can. Meanwhile in Vancouver, BC, an infant is venerated by thousands of people at the Cathedral, the image … Continue reading →

This makes me feel better

Just what I need. Thank you, Chatter Master.
There are more in this source: Make Life Better.

Chunks of Dense Matter

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I pray that each one of us stays awake as we fall. I pray that we choose to go into the abyss willingly and that our fall is cushioned by faith–faith that at the bottom we will be caught and … Continue reading →

Thank Goodness for Spike

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Just what I need. After mass one Sunday, a little boy unexpectedly announced to his mom, “Mom, I’ve decided to become a priest when I grow up.” “That’s ok with us if you want to do that,” she said, “but … Continue reading →

White roses and gloves

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They look so handsome wearing suit and tie to serve their mom, Lorena. Lorena’s three sons wore a rose boutonniere and white gloves as pallbearers to bring her casket to the church, then back to the funeral parlor for the … Continue reading →

The Gift of Prayer

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We have just finished our third night of prayer for our dearly beloved, Lorena when her sister’s mother-in-law followed Lorena’s footsteps. Now, we have to remember the mother-in-law in our prayers as well. Tonight will be the sixth evening that is extra … Continue reading →

In The City

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In the city, there are more wants than wishes, I supposed want is more concrete, and wishing is more a pipe dream. As a starter, a bulletin board for wants appeared at Starbucks. Naming a real thing such as benches, trees, … Continue reading →

The Last Word

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For years I dreamt of being in a company of a local news icon with strong roots in the community reporting uplifting stories of ordinary events and people from garbage to gardening, from the old and the new, from ashes … Continue reading →

Markings

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I don’t know who – or what – put the question, I don’t know when it was put. I don’t even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer yes to Someone – Or something _ and from that … Continue reading →

Border Security

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With heightened awareness on the growing tension crossing the border to USA, we make sure that we bring all proper identification. Canadian passport might not be enough because our passport states our country of origin, Philippines. Should we ever get … Continue reading →

Words

What is prayer?

You take words,
everyday words,
and all of a sudden they become holy.

Why?

Because there is something
that separates one word from
another and then you try to fill
the vacuum.

With what?
With whom?
With what memory?
With what aspiration?

So when words bring you closer
to the prisoner in his cell,
to the patient who is dying on his bed alone,
to the starving child,

then it’s a prayer.

words by Elie Wiesel

A Reason For Living

A photo of a rose from the convent’s garden made into a card and two words that I still keep as a transcript of sincerity.

I care. 

To know someone cares was good enough to fight for my life.

Let the children play

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Children nowadays play with technology. It’s quiet this way. Only the adults are noisy from telling stories, asking too many questions, laughing and plenty of dark jokes targeted at you.  One has to have broad shoulders to deflect shady puns … Continue reading →

Shot by an arrow

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Maybe if I call myself a traveler, it would be more acceptable. But I am not a traveler. I travel because of pilgrimage. On a pilgrimage, we call ourselves pilgrims. As a pilgrim, I go because someone asked me because … Continue reading →

I have faith in the light

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Sitting in the dark, I allowed darkness to be my teacher. I am used to sitting in the dark at the chapel of Lions Gate. There I spent many days in the quite darkness of the hospital chapel instead of … Continue reading →

Bringing back fond memories

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Today marks the first day of advent. A day of excitement filed with hope and grief. But hope trumps! It’s Not This Time of Year Without… a message of hope, everlasting hope. The message is to step out of our head … Continue reading →

The Power of Tiny

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When I was a tiny girl, everyone looks gigantic. But this story is not about me. The story started when I was a tiny girl watching my sister sew clothes for a living. I remember she kept a little statuette tucked … Continue reading →

Whatever you do, don’t look at your phone, instead…

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“My mind echoes a chant: Don’t look at your phone. Whatever you do, don’t look at your phone. I sit alone on the bench, outside of a café as I wait for a friend. The lines on each passing face, … Continue reading →

Theology of Dylan’s Songs

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I was only seven years old when Mr. Tambourine man played a song for me. Didn’t really pay too much attention to his music until yesterday. All day, I listened intently to the lyrics of his music, realized he is drawn … Continue reading →

Focus

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The world of dew Is a world of dew, and yet And yet… I believe in God thinking that my life is preordained and yet a Buddhist priest can make me believe that there is more to life in three … Continue reading →

White Space

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I spend many times staring into space as much as I can whenever I can. It’s an important activity that disconnects me from the busyness of work during coffee and lunch breaks. It is a luxury to be able to do this … Continue reading →

…anyway. One tough act to follow.

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This is the original version of Mother Teresa’s “Do it anyway” posted here written by Dr. Kent M. Keith. It is surprising to know that it was part of booklet for student leaders. Mother Teresa’s was re-written for spiritual purposes. In the real world, this is … Continue reading →

Through the little things

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He asked a question: How come you never become a nun? Thoughtfully I responded: I did not hear the call. We were discussing about Mother Teresa when she a heard call on the train on her way to Calcutta, “I … Continue reading →

Transformation of Malcom Muggeridge

Unknown woman at Taj Mahal, India

Malcom Muggeridge, an agnostic British journalist met and filmed Mother Teresa doing her work catering to the poorest of the poor in India.

He wrote a book “Something Beautiful for God.”

“This Home for the Dying is dimly lit by small windows high up in the walls, and Ken was adamant that filming was quite impossible there. We had only one small light with us, and to get the place adequately lighted in the time at our disposal was quite impossible. It was decided that, nonetheless, Ken should have a go, but by way of insurance we took, as well, some film in an outside courtyard where some of the inmates were sitting in the sun. In the processed film, the part taken inside was bathed in a particularly beautiful soft light, whereas the part taken outside was rather dim and confused…Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying is overflowing with love, as one senses immediately on entering it. This love is luminous, like the halos artists have seen and made visible round the heads of the saints. I find it not at all surprising that the luminosity should register on a photographic film ”

Influenced by his experience with Mother Teresa, he received the Catholic faith at the age of 79 together with his wife.

Mother T. How I met her.

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It was a warm afternoon when I suddenly came out of my meditation hearing the voice “Mother T died.” Mother T? Who is Mother T? Where did that voice come from? Perplexed, I ended the meditation and continued the daily … Continue reading →

Connection

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The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation. Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and … Continue reading →

Making the most of it.

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Cleaning up my bedroom, I have this pasted on my closet as a reminder that life is always a blessing. There are countless ways to feel the gratitude what life provides to us. Our job is to be able to … Continue reading →

The Moment After: Me and My Cat, Maurice

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I am finding ways to go through the gift of grief as best I can. The only way I can, for now, is to think of all the kindness of family and friends who shared their love for my cat, … Continue reading →

Paws and a Prayer

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Well, Maurice, do pray that cats go to heaven. A movie was made that dogs go to heaven and I am still waiting for Disney to make a movie that cats go to heaven. This is how I speak to … Continue reading →

Claims

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Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus Christ claimed to be the true and living God. Buddha simply said, “I am a teacher in search of the … Continue reading →

A Task At Hand

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A task at hand What am I really doing When I am doing What I am doing. Here I am. I have a task a task at hand. I pray. Guide me further on this journey to provide comfort for … Continue reading →

Countless

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Who is counting? I for one, not. It is enough for me to see the numbers of thank you notes left here. One. One is the best number. It only takes one to be touched by many filled with gratitude. … Continue reading →

Unforgettable Face

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No artist can ever draw this face for her maker created her perfectly and thus became incorruptible. This is the incorruptible Face of Bernadette of Lourdes. Song of Bernadette Songwriters: COHEN, LEONARD/ELLIOTT, BILL/WARNES, JENNIFER  There was a child named Bernadette I heard the story … Continue reading →

Face(d) with a dilemma

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I’ve never seen his face Nor anybody around this day But He touched me For this I traced every bone of his face Guided by my hands, heart and soul. Face of John the Baptist on a platter.

Future: the end or the beginning

Here lies the future. The future garden. For months, I assessed it and imagined how it would look like should there be a garden on this space. It was February 28, 2016, when I started digging on this space. I … Continue reading →

The land that glows

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It is the land that glows and expands. There are so many possibilities what one can do here. It is one of the most beautiful lands I’ve ever seen. Cuba meaning “Land”. In its simplicity, this is a place that … Continue reading →

Living with Cats during Lent

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I don’t want my cats to think they are a god just because Egyptians worshipped them. To make them understand that they are not a god, I read to them the Magnificat Lenten Companion and Living with Christ. There are nights … Continue reading →

Deep question deserves deep answer

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How am I to approach the problem? Am I to take each problem one by one, to take fear, look at it, and then study love? How am I to capture the whole thing? I can’t capture the whole thing … Continue reading →

The Problem of Belonging: Being a Catholic in a Big Family

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We are a family of 13 and we are Catholic. I happen to be the tenth in line and drop in the bucket in Catholic community. As a younger sister, the rule is to listen to your elders. be respectful and … Continue reading →

White or black?

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When it comes to color, I prefer not to see it. So I say to others, I am color blind. This works for me, especially when at work. We have color coded paper and employees used to tell me they … Continue reading →

Finding Time

Joining a guided walking and sightseeing holiday in Cuba with Walker’s World is not actually a pilgrimage. However, I made sure that I consider it as one for I always consider myself a pilgrim on this earth. Visiting Churches is … Continue reading →

Pilgrim Progress by Perpetua

Good morning, my loving family, etc Guess where I am? Guess again! Tee hee hee 😂😂😂 I am at the airport, boarding at 8:20 precisely Airborne 9 on the dot Arriving Toronto at 16:20 Yikes! I have been saying I … Continue reading →

Way of Praying

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Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have … Continue reading →

The happiest table at home

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It is a gradual change of transition as we waited patiently with anticipation when the happiest table in our house is redecorated. The decoration then was pumpkin, Chinese lantern flowers and golden maple leaves on Thanksgiving Day. Now the table … Continue reading →

As simple as this. That is all.

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Be silent. Be still. Alone. Empty Before your God. Say nothing. Ask nothing. Be silent. Be still. Let your God look upon you. That is all. God knows. God understands. God loves you With an enormous love, And only wants … Continue reading →

Wendell Berry and (mps)

So friends… Every day do something that can’t compute.           (Live off the grid.) Love the Lord.           (Love Yourself.)  Love the World.           (Love all things great … Continue reading →

Sense of Wonder

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Do you know that we are just like cats that get scared easily, fearful? So be careful. All we need is love. Yesterday, I attended a conference in renewing my sense of wonder by bringing together theological, psychological and spiritual awareness … Continue reading →

Prayer of the Heart

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With a twist of fate, I struggle to trust Jesus that this is what we need in life. I do not want bad things happen to people I care. When it does, I shouted at God that this is unfair! … Continue reading →

I want to go where nobody knows my name.

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Living off the grid means to live simply so others may simply live. Living off the grid is hard especially in the modern-day world. Living off the grid is to unplug. For more than 48 hours, we were literally unplugged … Continue reading →

Encounter

We are swept along by the onrush of life, and we grasp and grapple, fondle and fiddle, until in a moment of lull when we are most ourselves, we rest weary hands on our brows to wonder where to it … Continue reading →

Grant me the Grace to desire it.

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Litany of Humility O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved… From the desire of being extolled … From the desire of being honored … Continue reading →

This is one act that makes me want to dance!

I will follow Him, Sister Act.