Member's Corner
July 4, 2004
(Happy 70th birthday, Mama! I wish you more years of health and joy.)
I went to church today, my first mass in East Timor. The church is in Aimutin, Comoro. Oscar, Tonette and Delia picked me up at the bungalow. We arrived at the church just as the priest was saying his last messages before recessional of the earlier mass. It was so nice to see the Timorese churchgoers in their Sundays’ best – women in their long printed dresses, men and little boys in collared shirts and the little girls in their frocks (and fancy boots!). Truly dressed in their finest on this very special day!
I sort-of sat with the choir and sang the songs I knew. Oscar asked me to read the Prayer of the Faithful (he said I couldn’t refuse because I was new. I think he says this to all newcomers, hahaha). The mass was celebrated by a Filipino priest who gave a beautiful sermon (thank you Father!). He stressed the message that race, stature, color, and language were not important in the Kingdom of God. What was important was our identity as Christians, and that our names were written in heaven. How apt for a people sadly lacking in national pride and identity…
After mass, which by the way, was attended by Christians from different countries, I met two Filipinos from Los Baňos, Dr. Gene San Valentin and Doc Ashley, DMD, who later turned up to be a distant relative. Small world! But it was good to see somebody from home. Well the Filipino group ate at the Bali Sunrise buffet along the beach. Great view! Food was okay. I think the best part was just the joy of sharing time with kababayans, not having to make an effort to speak in a different language.
As I sat there looking at the Filipinos with whom I shared lunch, I could not help but be thankful for the Lord’s providence. He knows our needs and He never fails to provide for us. We sat there, talking about home, about Thailand, about mammograms, about menopause, about Bea’s upcoming birthday, about GMA, Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez (yuck!), about walking in Kristo Rei…These were people from different sectors of society, each with his own talents and role, working far from home, giving their best in helping Timor build its foundations. It was enriching to see people who cared about their work so much, even if it meant being away from their loved ones. I don’t think the gains are purely financial. I think that in their hearts, they feel blessed and fulfilled because they have found their niche and are making a difference, whether big or small, in this island country of Timor.
This was written 3 years ago….. Timor has gone through a lot of change since 2004. Despite the constant threat of violence, some things have remained unchanged. The Sunday mass is still followed by lunch together at favorite restaurants, and yes, Oscar is still here. ;o)
Contributed by: Dr. Jane Revilla, UNFPA
(Happy 70th birthday, Mama! I wish you more years of health and joy.)
I went to church today, my first mass in East Timor. The church is in Aimutin, Comoro. Oscar, Tonette and Delia picked me up at the bungalow. We arrived at the church just as the priest was saying his last messages before recessional of the earlier mass. It was so nice to see the Timorese churchgoers in their Sundays’ best – women in their long printed dresses, men and little boys in collared shirts and the little girls in their frocks (and fancy boots!). Truly dressed in their finest on this very special day!
I sort-of sat with the choir and sang the songs I knew. Oscar asked me to read the Prayer of the Faithful (he said I couldn’t refuse because I was new. I think he says this to all newcomers, hahaha). The mass was celebrated by a Filipino priest who gave a beautiful sermon (thank you Father!). He stressed the message that race, stature, color, and language were not important in the Kingdom of God. What was important was our identity as Christians, and that our names were written in heaven. How apt for a people sadly lacking in national pride and identity…
After mass, which by the way, was attended by Christians from different countries, I met two Filipinos from Los Baňos, Dr. Gene San Valentin and Doc Ashley, DMD, who later turned up to be a distant relative. Small world! But it was good to see somebody from home. Well the Filipino group ate at the Bali Sunrise buffet along the beach. Great view! Food was okay. I think the best part was just the joy of sharing time with kababayans, not having to make an effort to speak in a different language.
As I sat there looking at the Filipinos with whom I shared lunch, I could not help but be thankful for the Lord’s providence. He knows our needs and He never fails to provide for us. We sat there, talking about home, about Thailand, about mammograms, about menopause, about Bea’s upcoming birthday, about GMA, Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez (yuck!), about walking in Kristo Rei…These were people from different sectors of society, each with his own talents and role, working far from home, giving their best in helping Timor build its foundations. It was enriching to see people who cared about their work so much, even if it meant being away from their loved ones. I don’t think the gains are purely financial. I think that in their hearts, they feel blessed and fulfilled because they have found their niche and are making a difference, whether big or small, in this island country of Timor.
This was written 3 years ago….. Timor has gone through a lot of change since 2004. Despite the constant threat of violence, some things have remained unchanged. The Sunday mass is still followed by lunch together at favorite restaurants, and yes, Oscar is still here. ;o)
Contributed by: Dr. Jane Revilla, UNFPA
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