The Filipino Missionaries in Taiwan are missioned all over the island. Some are sent to the big cities, others to small towns, and some even to little villages in the mountains. Every year, all Filipino Missionaries throughout Taiwan, celebrate their annual reunion. This serves as a joyful celebration and a spiritual enrichment for every Filipino priest, brother, nun, and lay missionary. The venue for this years celebration was at the SVD's One World Community Center, Tapinglin, Hsintien City. Our theme was: Here I am, Lord (Isaiah 6:8). We had 62 participants coming from Taipei, Hsinchu, Chiayi, Tainan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Pingtung. Festivities started in the afternoon of January 29, 2010. Registration and a short welcoming program formally opened The Filipino Missionaries Annual Gathering. All participants were grouped based on their field of ministry, apostolate, and demographic origins. After supper, everybody was very excited to know who will be chosen as the Missionary of the Year. The anticipation grew as we waited until the host committee finally announced that Sr. Virgie Bulan, D.C. is now our Missionary of the Year. All of these were followed by some games, exchange-gift activities, and presentations by selected guests. The culminating activity of the 1st day was an Evening Prayer and some time for reflection.
The 2nd day, January 30th, started with a Morning Prayer, a spiritual sharing and deepening which enriched our souls, followed by a special dialogue with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Representatives, namely Mr. Reydeluz D. Conferido, Director of Labor Affairs and Atty. Carlo L. Aquino, Director of Assistance to Nationals. They shared their insights in dealing with the migrants here in Taiwan and answered some of our concerns and questions. Finally, this special event culminated with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Monsignor Paul Russell, Charge d Affaires of the Holy See. After the MISA came the MESA, then after our agape was through, it was time to bid farewell to each other. Cherishing our sweet memories and increasing our faith through meeting our fellow Filipinos, we returned to our different ministries filled with hope, joy, peace, enthusiasm, and inspiration.
May God bless us all and all our respective missions as Filipino Missionaries in Taiwan.
May God bless us all and all our respective missions as Filipino Missionaries in Taiwan.
