OLP News Update

(This is a team effort by the Solemn Professed)

May 21, 2006 THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF BR. LAURENCE
The community celebrated the golden anniversary of the monastic consecration of Br. Laurence Carney, the remaining survivor of our beloved founders.   It was a Sunday and the thanksgiving Mass was held at 6:00 a.m. with Dom Filomeno Cinco as the main celebrant, priests monks were the concelebrants.  Our usual Sunday church goers joined the celebrations and at the end of the Eucharistic celebration, they were given the chance to greet Br. Laurence personally and individually.   Then they proceeded to our guesthouse partaking of the breakfast for all the guests and church goers.   After breakfast we had an open house for one hour which was appreciated by all our guests and church goers. We are very grateful to God for the gift of the sacrament of presence of Br. Laurence.   It was also an occasion of abbatial thanksgiving for Dom Filomeno, members of his family and other relatives and friends came to celebrate the day with him and Br. Laurence.   It was truly a grace- filled day and means of sharing with others our Cistercian charity in a simple way.

+Fr. M. Bruno Mendoza, O.C.S.O.


MOVEMENTS OF NEW VOCATION IN THE COMMUNITY

On March 25, 2006 Br. Rodney Rebecca, from Cebu City decided to join the community as a postulant.   Brothers Honorio and Jojo came in as observers in June and July, respectively.   On July 11, Solemnity of St. Benedict, Br. Anselm made his first profession.    It was a significant though simple day for all especially for Anselm who has broken the 5 years drought without simple professions since 2001.    The ceremony took place at the old bamboo church before Sext or Midday Prayer. We thank God for His continued blessings to our community.

+Br. M. Delfin Mogeyeng, O.C.S.O.


GOD'S GENEROUS BLESSINGS

*Mary of St. Joseph chapel.   Last week, work has began on the Mary of St. Joseph chapel.   Additional roofing materials has to be put into it to stop the seeping of rain-water inside the chapel.   Also, the interior will be renovated and the doors replaced.   With all these work done, hopefully, it will add a new perspective to the structure.   This chapel is mainly for our guesthouse use.

*The Farm.   It is July and rainy days here at present.   The needy farmers rejoice because their rice fields are overflowing with rain waters.   We rejoice with them too; we also have hectares of rice fields.   It's also the best time to plant trees and I'm planting Philippine Mahoganies, Acacias and Bagras.   I have found out from a research institute that the barks of Bagras and Acacia Magnum can trap Chromium and Lead present in the wastewater of such as in a steel galvanizing plant.   Lead can cause cancer.

*The Community.   Next month Br. Isaiah will make his first temporary profession.   It will be on the Solemnity of the Assumption.   Good choice Isaiah, we'll pray for your perseverance.   We still continue to have community dialogue with facilitators chosen by the Abbot among the Brothers in the community.   As ever, it's a practice difficult to perfect.  Until the next newsletter then.

+Br. M. Paul Christopher, O.C.S.O.

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