Surprising Grace

I spent the last 8 days making a “silent retreat” at a beautiful Jesuit retreat centre just outside of Manila. Such a retreat – Ignatian-style – involves quieting oneself and giving time for a certain amount of prayer and reflection each day with the aim of reconnecting with God, oneself, and nature, usually with the help of a guide to whom you talk each day about your inner process. Going on retreat, it occurred to me this year, is a bit like going up a mountain. In the whirlwind of work, play and activity that fills our days, we sometimes lose track of where we have come from and where we are going – or why we are going anywhere at all! It is only when we are on the mountain, gazing down at the road we have travelled in our daily experience, that we regain a sense of the bigger picture: yes, I have travelled that road, and look how far I have come! Looking down at the paths by which we have come gives a deeper sense of meaning and direction to the daily grind; the flurry of busy...

Our guest writer this week, Paola Terroni, a religious sister in the Society of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), reflects on her ministry with the poor in Manila. My ministry is the coordination of the FCJ Learning and Development Center in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Manila, Philippines.  The people I work with live in very basic small dwellings next to one of the main rubbish dumps of Metro Manila.  There is high unemployment, and many people survive by scavenging what they can from the dumpsite and selling it.  Others have casual construction work, or are jeepney or tricycle drivers. Some people are fortunate enough to have good permanent work outside the area, but they are few. I love my work in the FCJ Center.  In spite of great poverty and hardship there is a wonderful spirit of joy and hope around.  The Center offers a variety of services; a weekly clinic, educational programs for women, children and young people including computer, leader...

Community Day 2018: A pictorial representation of our vision / direction statement for 2018, which says: “ Celebrate hope, peace and justice through companionship. ” In the community where I live now, there are 9 of us from 4 different countries. I have been very grateful for my experiences in this community and for the people in it who are to me examples of generosity and loving service – and witnesses also to the importance of fun and humour in daily life. My younger brother came to stay with us for a week back in December when I was about to make my first vows. On the last day he said, “I thought this week of living in a convent with sisters was going to be very difficult – but it turned out to be so much fun!” His statement reminded me of my own surprise the first time I visited an FCJ community. I suppose what I had in mind was the image of serious, holy nuns in habits praying in choir… but the group of smart, capable, funny, joyful motorbike-riding women that I met ama...