Word News

Welcome to our Verbum Dei Philippines National

newsletter!

We would like to update you on some of our

recent activities occurring in our Verbum Dei
communities in Luzon (Tagaytay, Manila – Pasig,

National Newsletter, Launch issue June 2018

Pansol), Visayas (Cebu) and Mindanao (Cagayan
de Oro, Musuan). It is a joy to share the good
works we are doing in the various places. In this
way we can become more aware of how the Word
of God is giving so much life through our mission
and to see how the Spirit is guiding us as an
evangelizing community.

This newsletter is one of the initiatives of the

National Communications Project, so we can be
in touch with what is going on, and share the good
news of what the Lord is doing in our Verbum Dei
Family in the Philippines.

Let us help one another to fan the gift we have

received into a flame (2 Tim 1:6).

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Evangelizing the digital world
(the “6th continent”)
We recently held a National
Communications Camp in Cebu.
We were 16 participants from
all over the Philippines. We had

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formations on communication,
team building and hiking, prayer,
Eucharist, bonding as well as
working on the three main
platforms of communication:
Social media (Facebook, websites,
Twitter etc), Radio (Audio
SOW, Young Man Get Up) and
Newsletter (written word). Our
dream is to use the means of
communication to build the
communion through our specific
Verbum Dei charism. We hope
you can join us in this exciting journey!

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“Thank God It’s Monday”
A formation on developing Spirituality in the
workplace by Sr Malou Tibayan, FMVD
On May 6, we held TGIM - “Thank
God It’s Monday,” at the Verbum
Dei Apostolate Center in Pasig.
Thirty-four participants of varying

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backgrounds learned and reflected
on how spirituality and work can be
integrated. Sr Malou Tibayan gave
the formation, inviting the participants to look at work from
the perspective of God and to find Him present even in the
seeming mundane-ness of everyday work. She also inspired
the participants to view the workplace as a mission field where
it is possible to serve God through the diligent and honest
carrying out of responsibilities and through serving others. The
participants also had the chance to share their experiences with
one another.
In the afternoon there was a panel discussion where six
Verbum Dei disciples with diverse work backgrounds served as
panelists. Facilitated by Gerry Dumancas and Sr Adriana Haro,
the participants engaged the panelists in Q&A to understand
better how the teachings could
be put into practice in real world
settings. Many questions were asked
and answered on handling difficult
work situations, being Christian in a
secular world, standing your ground
on moral matters, and other things.
The Holy Eucharist concluded the
activity as the congregation gave thanks to the Lord for the
fruitful encounter.

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Vocation Jamboree in
Cagayan de Oro

National Newsletter, Launch issue June 2018

In line with the celebration of the Year of the Clergy and
Consecrated Persons, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro held
an overnight Vocation Jamboree on April 21-22, 2018 in San
Jose de Mindanao Seminary, with the theme “Renewed-Servant
Leaders for the New Evangelization.” Delegations from various
congregations and parishes within the Archdiocese came to
grace the event with enthusiasm and life.

Purpose filled activities were lined up to give a meaningful

experience to the participants. A highlight was the inspirational
talk of Bishop-elect Raul Dael, on “What is Vocation in
General”, followed by the breakout sessions to three groups
with simultaneous discussion on the specific vocation of
Married Life, Single-Blessedness, and the Religious/Priestly
Life. The event started with a Pilgrim walk with a Holy
Rosary and other activities included Adoration, Confession/
Counseling, Vocation Fair with Booth Expo, Praise Festival and
culminated with an early morning Eucharistic Celebration.

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The VDMFa-CDO
sent twenty seven
youth delegates who
actively participated

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in the event. An even
greater blessing was
the opportunity to be
invited as resource
speakers to discuss the
different vocations.
With zeal for the mission, Regner-Mae Paguia talked about
Married Life in the context of being missionary married couple,
Marivic Umaran shared of her chosen Single-Blessed Life,
and James McTavish on his journey to the call of the Priestly
Vocation. The occasion not only gave VDMFa a gracious
introduction to the bigger community of Cagayan de Oro, but
also the privilege to
impart its Charism
to the hearts of the
people in attendance.
Let us pray we can
all be faithful to our
vocation!

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Cebu Verbum Dei TEENS –
Annual Summer Camp 2018

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With the theme “GODZoned” and based on the discussion
on the responsible use of the social media, the VD Teens, a
group of ten to eighteen year old children, held its 5th Annual
Summer Camp from May 17 to 19, 2018 at the Genesis Valley
Mountain Resort in Cabangahan, Consolacion, Cebu. Bro.
Darwin Capuras, FMVD was our Camp Director for this year.

Attended by 48 campers and crews (kitchen crews, program,

security and medical crew), this year’s camp highlights
included a talk on the dangers of the internet by the Chief of
the Anti-Cybercrime Office of Region 7, PCINSP Leo S. Dofiles
as resource speaker. We also had pinoy classic games, morning
hike and prayer, swimming, cabin sharing time for the fruits of
the day’s

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National Newsletter, Launch issue June 2018

activities, and a bonfire hosted by guest campers Mr. Gelo
Balsita and Mr. Rudy Esmeralda.
The Holy Mass, officiated by Fr. Vic Caritos, FMVD, on the
morning of May 19, culminated the said activity before break
camp.
A fun-filled and fruitful camp was had by all.

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Disciple profile

Each issue, we will profile some

of our Verbum Dei disciples. This
month, they are Richard and Sheila
Cabarrubias, a married couple who

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are disciples in Verbum Dei Cebu.

Sheila, a Verbum Dei disciple for 18 years, is married to

Richard, who has participated in Verbum
Dei since the Easter retreat 2017. “So, was
this what you kept inviting me for?” he
asked Sheila, surprised having discovering
the great gift of the relationship with God
(after being invited for 13 years). Sheila is
extrovert, Richard introvert, not attracted
to talking in public. Yet, their witness of life
and joy in giving a talk in the Lenten Couples Recollection
on Dialogue in the Couple and a testimony about their
relationship and option for marriage, in the Singles
Recollection, has been very inspiring. God really works what
seems impossible for us.

We hope you have enjoyed our first National

newsletter.
Look out for issue no. 2 coming out in November.
God bless all our readers!