Rise, Renew and Rebuild

In this time when our brothers and sisters are in need after being affected by the typhoon Ondoy, we offer this prayer of consolation.

Lord,

Make me an instrument of your wellness:

where there is distress, calm;

where there is grief, support;

where there is ignorance,

knowledge and understanding;

where there is alienation,

optimism and peace.

Grant I may not seek to be elevated as to facilitate;

to be followed as to serve;

to be in control,

as to love...

for it is in giving of ourselves

that we facilitate healing.

It is in active listening

that we comfort,

and in dying

that we may find eternal life.

Prayer if St. Francis of Assisi

(Paraphrased by Dr. Bennett Kilpack)

4L 2010 Retreat Reflections

retreat

my brain was like a dirty whiteboard, dull and gray
cluttered with stresses and attentions, i needed to pray.
that is why it is cool to come here for the '3 day'
but it was hard to keep quiet because there was so much to say.
to my class mates who are all going away
but we had our sharing so it was ok.
we brought up old memories and demons we have to slay
together as a unit, we did pray
God help us appreciate and love one another everyday.

Sa bawat pagsubok
at mga pangamba
'Wag kang mag-alala
Nandiyan namn sila.

Robert Steven Villanueva, L2010

Ingay
Panginoon, sa katahimikan, ika'y napakinggan
Bagamat ito ay isang malaking kabalintunan
Naipakitang totoo at napatunayan
At doon sa katahimikan
Sigaw ng aming puso, sana iyong maramdam
at kung kami ay nag-iingayan,
Sa sigaw mo naman
Sana 'di namin makalimutan
At sa iyong tinig, kami ay mabuhayan

ni Miguel Nabar, L2010

The tree is weird.
I don't know how it can be physically formed like that.
I'ts like God.
He reaches out in ways that I can't understand.
And I'm like the swing,
hanging on for understanding and hoping
I don't fall to the ground
-The Class of 4N

All You need is one reason...

One reason to believe...
One reason to doubt...
One reason to pray...
One reason to play...
One reason to talk...

One reason to walk [away]...
One reason to act...
One reason to laugh...
One reason to smile...
One reason to frown...

But one reason isn't enough

It isn't enough, it isn't enough...
That's why we LOVE.

-Joseph Barcelon, 4N

Sa Hangin

Sa paligid hinahanap;
Sa mundong nakakalat,
Pero siya'y nasa harap:
Ang sagot sumiwalat.

-Juan Batalla

A skeptic of the grandest scale
A believer filled with self- doubt

In a respite form the daily grind
I've come to realize both mundane and supernatural

That indeed, in darkness do we really see the light of God
In presence and openness do we really feel loved
In silence do we find the wisdom we desire
And only in prayer do we realize the true meaning of our lives.

-Aldo Atienza

Naka-usap ang dilang
Apoy ang pinagmulan
'Di masunog ng salitang
Nanggaling sa kawalan
-Riv Bustamante

Pulos suliranin tnagan ng isipan,
Sa isang bakasyong ngayo'y napagbigyan.

Dangan nakita ko handang kagandahan,
Disi'y 'di natanto Febong kabanalan.
-Jus Tongson


Sa gitna ng digmann,
Sundalo'y natigilan.

Tawag ay pinakinggan,
Muli sa Diyos manahan.
-Raphael Gabriel Syjuco