When I was still working in the Philippines, Elmer and I shared funny mission stories. He come along with us if he was not able to caught up the daily boat schedule going to Mindoro. We had a great time with this young and enthusiastic SVD missionary (that time kasi freshman pa lang sya). He came with some colleagues; Kiko , Jason... etc. ( I don't remember some names). Elmer used to be very malambing to us with my brod (Fr. Glen Deuna,SVD) that's why I treated him as my own young brod already.

When I left Philippines last 2002, I lost connection with my brod seminarians temporarily, but when I had my vacation last 2006 I saw Elmer & kiko when I visited and had my slept-over in the seminary dormitory. That's the last time I saw them together.

Elmer was assigned to Hungary for his theological studies and...Kiko? di ko na po alam!....Surprisingly, I saw the write-up of Elmer about "Old Lady & Eucharist". I was moved to tears when I read it because that is the story I am into right now. In almost 7 years working here, I experienced deep sorrow and spiritual poverty. There were times that I woke up in the middle of the night crying looking for a crucifix and mass (Eucharistic celeb.). What I did was to cut-out papers and formed it as crucifix for the meantime. By the way, crucifix is prohibited here!.

I feel alone without Christ in the Holy Eucharist. It sounds weird to some, but it is true!. Read his story:

An Old Lady and the Eucharist
By Frt. Elmer Hernandez, SVD.

Elmer(Right) with seminarians from Budapest and China.

I noticed an old lady who was left behind after a Sunday Bible service in one of the barrios of our parish. She was teary-eyed. I approached her and asked if there was something wrong. I was surprised to hear her answer: “Hindi ako nakapag-komunyon kasi hindi pa ako nakapag-kumpisal.” What added to her sadness was the fact that that day was very significant for her because she was celebrating her birthday.

I sat beside her and intently embraced her. That was my immediate reaction hoping to make her comfortable. I assumed that she was aware that I do not have the faculty of hearing confession. And so I asked her to see the priest at once. Her tears flowed all the more. That was the only word I left her. She knew I could not stay longer because of my other scheduled services. I felt helpless and so I turned my back silently to proceed to my next schedule of Bible service in another barrio. I kept that in my heart and continued pondering. I had enough time to reflect because it was a long trip to reach my second area. It was four rides away.

The experience made me appreciate all the more the value of the Holy Eucharist and the reverence of the holy sacrifice deserves. Holy Eucharist is being celebrated everyday as part of our spiritual nourishment. Unfortunately, there were times when it becomes very ordinary in the daily structure. For some, it is of great importance like the old lady who has the rare chance of celebrating the liturgy. Unfortunately, it is not even a mass, it is just a Bible service. It made me grateful for the opportunity of receiving the Lord in the most Holy Sacrifice.

No one could underestimate the power of the Holy Eucharist. It could even transform people. God sanctifies the sacrifice being offered. We are just made instruments to facilitate the sacrifice. I thank God for the experience. I may not be teary-eyed like the old lady but there must be an inner longing for Christ and be disposed to receive Him in a worthy spirit. God deserves a well-prepared dwelling place in us. I should exert more effort to make my soul, mind and heart worthy of the transforming grace that flows in the Holy Eucharist.

Posted by Hatid-Diwa: at 4:38 AM 1 comments (Story was taken from Hatid Diwa)

Goodluck to you Mer & God always be with you! I will pray for your perseverance. .

I read some of Fr. Ariel's homilies delivered in his assigned diocese in Botswana, Africa. The homily focuses on "All souls day celebration". He inumerated story related to our salvation since it is the day of the dead. Here is the story:

I remember a story of a doctor in one community in the Philippines. This doctor was known to be very kind to all especially to the poor. If he had poor patients, he gave his services for free, and most of the times gave them free medicines also. People were always flocking to his clinic which was located on the second floor of a building. When they read the sign- “the doctor is IN. Clinic upstairs”, the poor patients were given that hope to get help from this generous doctor. It so happened that after many years of serving as a doctor and giving help to the poor patients, the doctor died. Many people came during the funeral to show their love and prayers for the doctor especially those poor patients whom he was helping. But there was one thing that the community did that amazed many people in the place. During the funeral, instead of putting a beautiful tombstone, they put the sign from his clinic on his grave, “the doctor is IN. Clinic upstairs”. The people believed that with his generosity to the poor, he deserved life everlasting promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, I believe also that the good doctor is IN, in God’s kingdom and his clinic UPSTAIRS in heaven.

My dear brothers and sisters, that beautiful story of the generous doctor reminds us that our life does not end here on earth. Our life does not end here in Botswana. Our life ends “UPSTAIRS”, in heaven to be with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

To all the missionaries around the world, makakaasa kayo sa aking panalangin at suporta sa abot ng aking makakaya. Prayer is the only way we can reach each others heart.

God be with you!

During my spare time in the office I make sure that I read all the blogs of my seminarian friends. I read the missionary story of Frt. Jaekel Solde, SVD and was amazed by the the story he associated with his mission in Ilocandia. Since I am in saudi arabia I was really interested to read the story. The story goes like this:

An Arab Sheik was admitted to the Philippine Heart Center in Manila for heart surgery, but prior to the surgery, the doctors needed to store his blood in case the need arises. As the gentleman had a rare type of blood, it couldn’t be found locally, so, the call went out to a number of provinces.

Finally an Ilocano was located who had a similar blood type.The Ilocano willingly donated his blood for the Arab. After the surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano as appreciation for giving his blood, a new Toyota, diamonds & a million US dollars.

A couple of days later, once again, the Arab had to go through acorrective surgery. His doctor telephoned the Ilocano who was more than happy to donate his blood again.

After the second surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano a thank-you card & a jar of candies.

The Ilocano was shocked that the Arab this time did not reciprocate his kind gesture as he had anticipated. He phoned the Arab & asked him: ‘I thought you would be generous again, that you would give me a Toyota, diamonds & money… but you only gave me a thank-you card & a jar of candies’.

To this the Arab replied: ‘Manong, I now have Ilocano blood in my veins’.

In my seven years working in Saudi Arabia, the people and the place itself are my home. Dealing with them is quiet difficult(I admit), but if you were adjusted to the culture and behavior of some, you'll get used to it. Just like the Arab sheik in the story. He felt that he belongs to the ilocano heritage since the blood flowing in his vein came from ilocano donor. It really tickled my bones when I first read it in Frt. Jaekel's blog.

Hope you enjoyed reading the story!!

I've been waiting for the friendster to resume its regular airing. For the past 3 days, friendster was in turmoil. I lost my friends on the list [sighs] from 200+ to 15 people left, my gosh!.. What happen to you people? Am I goin to retrieve those from my list?

I was in complete disaster today that my friends were deleted from my list. Until I found out that it happened not only in saudi arabia but universal (as in universal talagaa!). I kept on blaming my laptop for it is not working very well. I am about to throw it away na nga eh (yabang, Lol!) but I realize na mas mahal pa ito kesa sa friendster na yan. I acquire friendster for free di ba? kaya I keep my laptop and set aside friendster for the moment until the repair is totally done.

Anyhow, friendster exerted effort to clean the mess made by hackers! Be patient and you will still be connected with your love ones as soon as this damage is repaired.