A SHORT MESSAGE FROM HELONGOS

Frank, Carl and Peter arrived in the Philippines on the 31st of August 2007 and spent six months learning some basic Cebuano grammar in Davao City, the capital of Mindanao. We then made our way to Leyte and set up home in Hilongos, a small town on the mid west coast in the Diocese of Maasin. The Kabankalan Brothers arrived in March of the previous year and so have blazed a trail as it were for the Oceania Province. Keeping in mind that the two communities are separated by a two hour car drive, a 25 minutes plane flight and five hour Ferry trip, our wish to get together will not be easily accomplished. The Christian Brothers now number seven in this wonderful country and hope that one day others will follow in our footsteps. The three Hilongos brothers have now been working in the Saint Teresa Catholic School Hilongos since the beginning of June 2008 and have well and truly settled in. Their welcome here was marvellous and they could not have wished for a better reception. We would very much welcome a fourth member should God inspire someone to join us.

We hope to get together on December 19th for a few days where we can share our story, discuss issues and discover how we see God revealing Himself in our daily lives. Cebu seems the obvious place and is quite central. We have been lucky to gain the services of Sister Judith as our facilitator. She lives in Maasin, a one hour drive away, and belongs to the Order of the Faithful Companions of Jesus. She has been a great friend and supporter to us throughout our efforts to get established here.

Peter has just returned from Cebu City after picking up our two visitors, Br Steve McLaughlin and Paul Ryan, both from the Oceania administration team stationed in Queensland. The three days spent with us proved very busy and fruitful. The first day included a tour of Hilongos and Saint Teresa School as well as a visit to the local jail. In the evening a three hour conference proved most beneficial to all concerned. The second day was taken up with a trip to Maasin and Sogood where we were greeted with the usual hospitality and graciousness that is so common here in the Philippines. The concert and lunch put on in Sogod was a bonus. The evening was given over to a tea with some of our close supporters in our ministry here in Hilongos. The third day was quiet time and preparation for their long journey home. It was great having Steve and Paul with us and we thank them for their support, advice and brotherhood.  

Anyone interested in supporting the Brothers work here in Leyte need only email one of us and we will try to suggest some practical ways that you can helped us.  peterthrupp@gmail.com or fwpwekins@gmail.com You can also apply to Br Bob Chambers for a copy of Br Peter’s Power Point presentation which would help you become familiar with our situation here on Leyte. RBChambers@edmundrice.org He would be happy to send a copy to anyone who wants one and it is up to date as it was only completed recently.

Greetings from the Hilongos Brothers, to all the Oceania Province.

 

A visit from the brothers of Kabankalan April 25th 2008

Peter, Neil, Doctora of Hilongos fame, Rod, Kate secretary to Mayor of Hilongos and Doctora’s Niece, John and Carl. Peter Hardiman and Frank Perkins were absent at this gathering."