The Alpha and the Omega of our Life

The passing away of Rev. Fr. Jose Mansueto was a stunning reality for me. He returned to his creator on November 6, 2006 in his hometown in Bantayan Island. When I asked his younger brother how he died, he described it as sudden but sweet. He was still able to celebrate the 6:30AM mass in the parish that morning but complained of chest pain after his mass. He came home to eat breakfast and took a nap from which he never awoke! He slept himself to death; painless and peaceful in style.

I mourned for him as many did. There are always tears for those whom you love. For one who has touched your life, their loss leaves some emptiness and sorrow in your heart. In their passing away, there is something in you that dies with them. Such was Padre Joe as he was fondly called. He was a simple “Island” priest dedicated to his vocation and pastoral duties. In his younger days he was assigned in the Cathedral and Mambaling Parish. But most of his active priestly years were spent in the Island either in Madridejos where he was parish priest for 16 years and Bantayan where he retired. His two greatest virtues were his availability and presence. He was willing to extend spiritual services to his flock whether for mass or for confession and he was always there for them anytime, anywhere.

For me, he was an inspiring model of how to be a good priest. In my days as a seminarian, he provided me with some pastoral exposure. He coached me with practical advices because according to him “inig kamatay nako, ikaw mopuli sa akong lugar.” In those days I would just smile and tell him “kadugay pa ato..” But how the years progressed by leaps and bounds. Today I am a priest. And he is gone!

His spirituality was ordinary. Nothing unusual or excessive. He was simply doing God’s will in his life daily. When I celebrated mass for him during his wake, I found the secret that powered his life. Perhaps it was his motto or his life’s vision written on a white sash pinned on the lid of his coffin. It read:

“Jesus, I live for you. Jesus, I die for you. Jesus, in life and in death, I belong to you.”

Those words were the guidepost of his priestly life. I realize that for Padre Joe, God was the alpha and omega of his life; the beginning and the end. He tried to center his life along the two anchors of faith and love that defined his person. I’m sure when he meets God face to face up there, He will enthusiastically welcome him with the words: “Come, my good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of paradise!”

Each person in this world must have something to live for and something to die for. That is how our life can become exciting and engrossing. When one has something to look forward to with expectant anticipation, everyday is filled with adventure and purpose. There is reason to be happy and filled with hope despite the struggles and stress of daily routine. There is the yearning for unselfish service despite the cynicism and temptation that abounds that no amount of goodness can overcome evil. There is a continued aspiration that one day, in that near future, the kingdom of heaven will come. And the very reason of it all is because of Jesus who never cease to put fire in our hearts.

Pasalamat alang sa KBA

Mga kaigsuonan,

Manghinaut ako nga kamo anaa kanunay sa maayong panglawas ug ang panalangin sa Dios magpabilin kaninyo kanunay!

Dako ang akong pasalamat kaninyong tanan sa inyong mainiton nga pagdawat ug pag-abi-abi kanako sa akong duha ka bulan nga pagbakasyon diha sa Vienna. Sa tinuoray, natandog gayud ako sa inyong kaayo, ka-alegre ug kamanggihatagon. Daghang salamat sa inyong “surprise” nga gihimo alang kanako sa pag-organiza ug “despedida celebration.” Unexpected kaayo kadto, although selected ra kay di maarang kung imbitaron ang tanan, apan very meaningful alang kanako. Salamat kaayo kang Gamai ug ni Glenn nga nagpasi-ugda sa maong kalihukan nga gisupportahan sa akong pamilya, nila ni Daddy ug si Mommy ug sa mga opisyales sa KBA ilabina si Nang Nancy Posch.

Affirming ug encouraging gayud ang inyong gipanulti alang kanako nga nakapalig-on sa akong bokasyon sa pagkapari.. inspiring sa akong pagpadayon sa pagpangalagad ug pagserbisyo sa Ginoo ug sa katawhan sa Dios. Salamat kaayo sa inyong mga regalo in cash or kind.. nasayo-sayo ang akong pinaskuhan niining tuiga.. Labaw sa tanan, magpasalamat ako kang Fr. Mars sa iyang paghatag kanakog higayon sa pag-ampo uban kaninyo diha sa Santos nga Misa..

Hinaut unta nga magpabilin kamo sa inyong ka-abtik sa pagpalambo sa atong organization. Dili unta kamo mabugnaw sa inyong pagkab-ot sa tuyo ug tumong sa atong Kapunungan. Malikay unta kamo sa sa dautang espiritu sa pagkabahin-bahin, suya-ay ug panag-away. Bendisyonan unta sa Ginoo ang atong Kapunungan nga mahimong lig-on ug nagkahiusa.

Kanunay ko kamong handumon sa akong mga pag-ampo ug ituboy ko ang inyong mga intentions ug pangaliya sa Ginoo sa akong pagsaluog sa Santos nga Misa.. Giyahan unta ni Senyor Santo Nino ang inyong mga huna-huna ug kasing-kasing ug baslan ang inyong mga kaayo sa gatos ka pilo.. sa maka-usa pa: DAGHANG SALAMAT!


ang naghandum,

Fr. Randy A. Figuracion, SDB

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

In my short stay in Europe, I have witnessed the cycle of life: the baptism of my brother’s child and the burial of a friend. Tashana Schallamon, a 55 year old Filipina nurse married to an Austrian national, was buried 20 October at the Central Cemetery of Vienna. This cemetery is one of the biggest and most famous in Europe. Among those lying under its hallowed grounds are the renowned musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwid Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss and Bhrams. Indeed, at the end of our lives we will all be the same whether rich or poor, famous or not. We shall return to the earth from where we came.

Three weeks ago, all the front pages of the newspapers here carried the banner story about the death of the richest man of Austria, Friedrich Karl Flick. He was a 79 year old industrialist who left a fortune of $8.6 billion. Yet all these riches he worked so hard for all his life will just be left behind and be divided among his family members. Not a cent of his fortune will he ever bring to heaven. Like everyone else, he will return poor to His Maker.

Tashana died of skin cancer. She is a cousin of my friend, Angie Rafanan, also a nurse and a member of the Loved Flock Community in Vienna. The burial rite took place at exactly 10 AM at the hall of the cemetery chapel. But before the rite started, the last viewing of her remains took place in silence. One could only hear the sobs and cry of grief for the loss of a loved one. Inside the Hall, the simple, wooden coffin of Tashana stood at the center before a crucifix surrounded by beautiful flowers. Everybody was standing facing the coffin, only family members were seated.

When the rite began, a quartet made up of two trumpets, a trombone and a bass played the song “Yesterday” composed by John Lennon. It was one of her favorite songs. The atmosphere was filled with solemnity and melancholic nostalgia that it would be unholy even to clear one’s throat. Fr. Albert officiated the rite and during his homily, he encouraged everyone especially the family members to draw courage from their faith as Christians because we believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Death is our doorway to eternal life. The rite ended with the quartet playing another of Tashana’s favorite song “What a Wonderful World” popularized by Louis Armstrong.

As soon as the quartet ended, four big men dressed elegantly in black wearing what looks like a shawl, carried the wooden coffin in their shoulders. The burial procession began with the cross-bearer at the head, followed by the priest, Tashana’s coffin on a black car while the family and guests followed towards the graveyard owned by the Schallamon family. There more than 200 people who joined the family members in bring Tashana to her final resting place. We walked for about a kilometer and passed by a well-organize and well-kept graveyard with names clearly marked.

Upon arriving the coffin was lowered and given the last blessing by the priest. One of the cemetery personnel then stood beside the grave with a big spade filled with soil. He handed the priest a little spade filled with soil and as he threw them towards the coffin he said: “Tashana, you are soil and from soil you shall return.”

That was indeed a stark reminder of what we shall become at the end of our life.

After giving my condolences to Tashana’s family, I also took time to visit the tombs of the great musicians. I prayed over the tomb of Mozart. As I watch their tombs, I couldn’t help but think where they are now.
Requiescat in pace!

LIGHT AND SHADOW OF VIENNA

I am now in Vienna, Austria for already over a month. After having given my nuptial blessing to my parents who celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary, and after having baptized my brother’s daughter, Gwyneth, I also took time to visit and appreciate the Austrian scenery.

Vienna is a very impressive city steeped in tradition and style. Here the old and the new blend in a fascinating mixture. As one stands on the façade of St. Stephan’s Cathedral on the First District or walk on the gardens of the palace of Schonbrunn, one senses the remarkable artistry and fine architecture that once dominated this city that gave it its stature as one of the most important places in Europe. I have observed two remarkable things while I went around: its cleanliness and organization.

Wherever one goes, Austria is characterized by its beauty and cleanliness. Even its countryside is still untouched by pollution and contains the aura of freshness. I came during election period when different political organizations are vying for a post in Vienna’s parliament. Yet the city remains unscathed by irresponsible posters and ads of any political group. Furthermore, the city’s organization is admirable. Its buildings, roads and railways are well planned. Transportation is very convenient. One could buy a ticket that could be used for the bus, train, tram or the underground metro. The roads of the city are wide and well-lighted. Pedestrians and bicycle riders are prioritized because there is really a specific lane for them. There are no traffics in Vienna.

People live very comfortably. There are no poor in this country since there is a very strong government support for society’s needs. Though taxes are quite high, about 20% of one’s salary, yet people don’t mind because they enjoy them. Education and hospitalization are free. The government has a very good social service system. In fact those who bear children have two years maternity or paternity leave with government support for the child. Indeed, people here enjoy the good life.

However, Vienna is not heaven yet. There is another side of the city’s face. Here, people seem not to believe in God anymore. Religion is cold. Spirituality is lacking because perhaps people have everything they need. Even prayer is no longer a need and materialism is strong. When one enters the church for Sunday services, only the old people are present perhaps to atone for the sins of their youth. The young are far from the Church. Austria is characterized by a very liberated stance on sexuality. There is free love even for young people. Sex advertisement can be seen on TV. Sex shops are all over the city. Though Vienna has a population of 8.5 M, 2 M are senior citizens. Like all the other European cities, Vienna has a zero percent population growth. More people die than children being born.

I visited a bookstore once in the First District. A few meters away, I noticed several persons distributing pamphlets. I learned that they were members of the Human Life International praying and protesting to stop abortion in Austria. I saw a door leading to a building which is said to be the biggest abortion clinic in the country. In the last 10 years, it has aborted almost a million babies. Beside the door is a woman wearing an anti-abortion placard while she prays the rosary and holds a miniature image of an aborted baby. They have been fighting and struggling against this evil for the last 8 years. They have a little office around the corner which has a counseling room and a small chapel where at least 2 volunteers pray daily before the Blessed Sacrament. An icon of the Holy Family is prominently place in front as a reminder of the importance of the family.

What they do is very inspiring. Though they have little success, they keep the struggle every single day even during winter. They explained that the number of abortion has decreased. Before their advocacy, there were about 12-15 abortions everyday. Today, there are about 6-8 abortions per day. The clinic itself has suffered financially. It used to occupy 3 floors of the building. Now it is left with only one floor.

Austria may be a very cultural and artistic city but it has also a façade that is not so beautiful. In living the good life, some people forget the purpose and meaning of why we live. In their desire to enjoy the best of what life can give, some people forget the spiritual side of man that can never be extinguished. The thirst, though, continues to persist for only God can fully quench it.

Stop Over

I left the Philippines for a two-month family vacation. My destination: Vienna, Austria. With some relatives, I left on the early dawn of September 7, the eve of Mama Mary’s birthday via Qatar Airways. Before reaching our final destination, we had a 3-hour stop-over in Doha, host to the 15th Asian Games in December. Stopping-over has many reasons. I guess the main reason for doing this is for refueling. The destination is long way to go, so the plane needs to take stock.

As the plane touched down the runway of this semi desert city state, we were ushered into their modern international airport. While seated on the comfortable waiting room waiting for our next schedule of departure, I was mesmerized by the sight of the surrounding. I was impressed by the presence of different people in various costumes and nationalities. There were Arab men in their traditional garb, muslim women dressed in black with their faces covered by black burkha, Indian women in their sari, sexy European women, Japanese and Korean tourists, Filipino OFWs and a Buddhist monk in orange costume. It was really a parade of people coming and going. One thing struck me as I was observing them: these people I see in the airport, I will be meeting them just once in my entire lifetime.

The stop-over offered me a time to pause and reflect. Traveling is one of my fortunes in life. It is a terrific experience as one gets to know the world. I have traveled a lot of times in different parts of the world and I am headed once again to one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The last time I was in Vienna was in 2000 after the World Youth Day in Rome, Italy. All those times my life revolved around my mission, work and prayer. There was never a recess in the activities in school. Serving God and people was fulfilling but it was also draining and exhausting. My physical and spiritual energy was constantly sapped by the wear and tear of the ministry. I did not even have the time to think about my family because they are abroad. And as the saying goes: “out of sight, out of mind.”

With this family visit, I was filled with excitement on this return trip to the land of Mozart not so much because this year marks the 250th birth anniversary of this great Austrian composer. What filled me with deep emotion is the fact that I will be there to spend my holiday with my parents on the occasion of their Ruby Wedding anniversary. Forty years ago, my dad and mom made their vows to love each other in good times and bad times in a simple, rural rite at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Madridejos, Bantayan Island. From this union came five children (one died as a baby) and I being the 2nd to the eldest. My parents’ love for each other was tested time and time again. And like gold in the furnace, their love finally emerged purified and persevering. In a few years this love will turn into gold. Of all the people who come and go in my life, it is my family who will stay with me through thick and thin. They are the ones who will leave a lasting impression and the only ones who will stay while the rest are gone.

Another reason for my visit to Vienna is again a family matter. I will be baptizing my new born niece, Gwyneth Clarstin, daughter of my brother Glenn who is happily married to Gamai. Though they were married here in Cebu, they have moved to Vienna. I have only 3 “pag-umangkons” and Gwyneth is the only rose so far. For our family, this is a big event! We will be welcoming her as part of our family. But more than this, she will become a child of God. She will receive the Holy Spirit in her soul such that she will be the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity. It may seem like a passé. Yet this is a reality that touches our very being and changes our relationship with God forever.

If we consider our life as a journey, stop-over is a part of the trip. It is good to stop once in a while to check our purpose, our direction and level of our commitment. Refueling is a necessary option for the trip to reach its final destination. Stopping is also beneficial to make a reality check of who we have along the way. We may run the risk of traveling alone. So we take time out from our busy schedule to ensure that we stay connected to our family, our destiny and even to our God.

Introduction

I am a Salesian of Don Bosco. I was ordained a priest on 8 December 1997 by His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cebu City. I am now in my 9th year in the priesthood.

I got the inspiration to be a priest since I was in the 6th grade because of one man: Pope John Paul II. His visit to the Philippines in February 1981 brought about in me an enthusiasm for the priesthood. Today, the enthusiasm has not waned. Despite the stained-image of the priest and the fragility of many priests, I still believe the priesthood is a very lofty calling. The priest becomes an ambassador of God to men. And as such, his vocation challenges him to be a man of God committed to bring people to Christ.

It is in answer to this challenge that I have tried to start this BLOG.

It is quite a discovery.. my friend Juper introduced me to this free blog and he showed me the way how to do it. I find it amusing. This thing has a big potential for us priests who are in the Ministry of the Word..

I would like to share thoughts and reflections that may be of help to anyone to make sense of what is happening to us and around us in this fast and crazy world. It is also for me to remind myself that life is both a gift and a responsibility. God will hold me accountable for everything I do. And if I could just be a little candle from which anyone can gain encouragement on every step in this journey called life, that is by itself a reward!