My name is Teresa, but most people here call me Ling. I was born in Malaysia and before coming to Fiji, I lived in New Zealand for eleven years. Everything went smoothly for me for the first five months after arriving here in Fiji. I was joyful, confident, full of life and enthusiastic. I thank God every day for showering me with his goodness. I always remember the Bible verse:
June 1, 2020
I started serving at the Hope Workers’ Center (HWC) last year as a fulltime pastoral coordinator among the Filipino Community of volunteers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Zhongli, Taiwan. I also work in partnership with fellow Columban lay missionary Joan Yap and with the new Columban parish priest, Fr. Seaok Jinwook Antonio.
June 1, 2020
God our Father,
may we always profit by the prayers
of the Virgin Mother Mary,
for You bring us life and salvation
through Jesus Christ her Son
Who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
May 31, 2020
“This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.”
Sometimes it is difficult to pray that wonderful prayer.
That may be true for many of us during this time
of isolation and fear of the virus.
Yet I know, Lord, that you have a special purpose for me today.
Give me the peaceful confidence
that everything works together for my good.
May 30, 2020
Help us to see, in our ordinary difficulties and duties,
in the trials and temptations of every day,
the best opportunity of making up for past infidelities.
Every day we are so often reminded in field and wood,
in sky and stream, of Your own boundless generosity to us.
Help us to realize that You are never outdone in generosity,
May 29, 2020
Lord show me how to be strong and patient
in this time of difficulty.
We have been challenged to live
separated from our loved ones.
We are asked to sacrifice our freedom
to move around as we might like.
We remember that in Your time of trial
You were separated from Your loved ones.
But You showed what it means to love
May 28, 2020
“We need to be on our way now” were the words of Columban Fr. Pat Colgan even though the rain continued to heavily pour in Korovou village, Fiji. The Prophet Mohammed’s birth (Peace Upon Him) is publicly celebrated throughout the country of Fiji, where the government has made it a public holiday, November 11.
May 28, 2020
My Jesus, I believe that You are present
in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things
and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
permit not that I should ever be separated from You.
May 27, 2020
If you were a young idealist thinking about a worthwhile career, the ongoing struggles with coronavirus and its media coverage might push you towards the caring professions or science as worthwhile options. Even if you are not a fan of the ‘heroism’ card, it is difficult not to be impressed by the pivotal role the medical and scientific communities are playing in the ongoing coronavirus drama. If you needed encouragement to jump into nursing, science, or similar, the past few months have certainly provided it.
May 27, 2020
O Lord our God, who by your Son Jesus Christ called your Apostles
and sent them forth to preach the Gospel to the nations:
We bless Your holy name for Your servant Augustine,
first Archbishop of Canterbury,
whose labors in propagating Your Church
among the English people we commemorate today.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.