camup - march 2011
DESCRIPTION
CamUp (or Camillian Update) is a monthly newsletter of the Philippine Province of the Ministers of the Infirm.TRANSCRIPT
1
Being a healthcare servant is a health witness of compassion to the sick in solidarity
with other healthcare providers.
AS A PERSON.
A healthcare servant nourishes healthy lifestyle, avoiding vices detrimental to health.
AS A COMMUNITY.
The community nurtures social determinants of health: standard of living, clean air and water,
quality housing, healthy workplace condition, access to quality health and education services,
healthy ecosystem, government health policies, equal distribution of life-giving resources,
uprooting discrimination against the sick, etc.
Camillians are one in charism, spirituality, and ministry as they witness the ever-present love of
Jesus Christ for the sick. (Camillian Constitution #1)
2
shepherd’s care Provincial’s Corner
I gnorance of what HIV/AIDS truly is leads one to commit the damaging dis-
crimination against the ones with it. This brings about uneasiness to both the
not well-informed and the infected. Thus, education about this illness is a must.
In January 2011, the Department of Health reported that there were 152 new HIV Ab
sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory
(SACCL), meaning a 6% increase of cases compared to the same period of last year. Up-
on learning that the youngest person diagnosed that time was 17 years old, I was per-
sonally alarmed. This convinced me more that we Camillians have to be actively
involved and contribute something to address this pressing problem.
The Woodwater Center for Healing is our concrete response to this challenge. It is a
place where a person loaded with negative experiences due to the illness that, again,
is not well understood by many of our people, can freely come and refresh their wound-
ed spirit and seek consolation if not total healing. We want it to become their home
where we hope we can help them reclaim their shattered/wounded selves.
The Woodwater Center for Healing aims, too, to network with different groups,
organizations, social-minded people, etc. working for the prevention of this illness and
to promote Christian values that I personally believe could help everyone to value more
and more life and persons whoever they are.
The most scary and devastating experience of those infected with HIV is not the sick-
ness per se but the rejection they got from their loved ones – the people whom they
thought to be the ones helping them out especially in this very trying moment of their
lives. The feeling of being alone in the midst of
many is what consumes their hopes and beauti-
ful dreams in life. Life for them becomes useless
and meaningless. Death seems to be their only
closest “friend” to end their pain and agony.
To the “positive community,” the Woodwater
Center for Healing would try to quench your
thirst to give meaning to your “meaningless”
lives and longing to be whole again: one with
God and with others. Let us help one another to
appreciate the beauty of life by caring and
loving one another.
God bless us all!
By Fr. Rolando J. Fernandez, MI
Our Response
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blessing & inauguration Woodwater Center for Healing By Fr. Rolando J. Fernandez, MI
4
his is it!
After half a decade of toil, the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm
(Camillians) – Philippine Province, with humility, gratefulness, and joy, finally
realized its dream of establishing a center for its HIV/AIDS ministry.
The Camillians, a congregation of religious priests and brothers who
dedicate their lives to the service of the sick, christened it Woodwater Center
for Healing. Though its services are already in function a couple of years ago,
the center was blessed and inaugurated on March 18, 2011. Gracing the
occasion were the Camillians’ partners in the HIV/AIDS world: representatives
from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Department
of Health (DOH), San Lazaro Hospital (SLH), Research Institute for
Tropical Medicine (RITM), Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI),
and Pinoy Plus Association (PPA); advocates from non-government, civic, and
religious organizations and the entertainment industry; and individuals from
the “positive community” and those who make HIV/AIDS awareness and
prevention their personal advocacy.
“Woodwater? What’s in the name?” you may ask, as many people usually
do! So here’s a little history crash course for you:
Around five centuries ago, St. Camillus de Lellis (founder of the Order of
the Ministers of the Infirm who is now the patron saint of the sick, hospitals,
doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers) served at St. James of the Incurables
Hospital in Rome. During those times, this hospital was the leading charitable
institution catering to the needs of those suffering from incurable diseases.
While St. Camillus was working there, the “woodwater” cure was in vogue. He
assisted in administering to the sick the “woodwater” which gained great faith
from the people for a whole century for its efficacy.
“Woodwater” was a concoction made from the wood of the tree quaiacum
officinale, a hard, resinous wood with a pleasant smell but a bitter taste, to
which was attributed special therapeutic qualities.
Outstanding doctors during the 16th century hailed it as “the remedy
above all others given by God to help humanity.” Others called it “the hope of
mankind, beautiful to behold, a new wonder of the world.” It was even called
“the holy wood” and “the most holy American wood.”
“Woodwater” cure was administered at St. James every other year from
the middle of May to the middle of June. The complete cure went on for forty
days. The reputation this “extraordinary cure” acquired drew considerably large
crowds of sick people for the occasion.
There you go!
WOODWATER Center for Healing
By Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI
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in focus
Now, taking inspiration from this period of St. Camillus’s
life, the Woodwater Center for Healing aims to provide
pleasant smell, smile, and love in taking care of people living
with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Through this center, the
Camillians envision to bring the everlasting love of God to the
people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. By continuing
the healing mission of Jesus, and following the examples of
St. Camillus, they work to foster God’s call for healing in this
broken world, with special attention to people living with
and affected by HIV/AIDS, and to help achieve an HIV/AIDS-free
Philippines.
The Camillians’ work on HIV/AIDS endeavors to include
different aspects with the common concern of treating each
person as individual human being. It strives to cover all
dimensions of HIV/AIDS in this ministry, which give priority,
not on the illness per se, but in working with people living with
and affected by HIV/AIDS; allowing them to live with hope and
dignity.
Included in the center’s preventive programs are
education (Pastoral Training on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS
Awareness, Voluntary Counseling and Testing [VCT] Training,
Home-based Care Training, Grief and Bereavement Training,
and Palliative Care Training), advocacy, and positive
prevention. Under the treatment, care, and support programs,
the Camillians help in facilitating spiritual enrichment for
people living with HIV/AIDS together with their affected
families, and for people who are caring for them (doctors, nurs-
es, caregivers, etc.) through Recollections and Retreats, Spiritual
Counseling and Discernment, and Scripture Studies and Reflec-
t ions. Medical services, psychosocial support ,
shelter and protection, and nutrition are likewise given
attention by the center.
So far, the Camillians is currently the sole religious
congregation in the Philippines which offers Pastoral Training
on HIV/AIDS to various sectors in the country. And with the
range of services its Woodwater Center for Healing provides, it
is considered as the pioneer faith-based organization (FBO) to
have a holistic program on HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.
In the Department of Health-Philippine National AIDS
Council’s Country Report of the Philippines for January 2008 to
December 2009, the Camillians was cited as the Catholic institu-
tion having a good practice in enhancing HIV/AIDS
prevention, treatment, care, and support services. The report
was a follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session
(UNGASS). For this reason, UNAIDS commended the
Camillians for being a faith-based organization in the
Philippines to have taken a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program
that can be considered a good practice and a pattern for
other FBOs to follow.
In 2010 alone, more than 400 people living with and affect-
ed by HIV/AIDS availed the abovementioned services of the
Camillians. Meanwhile, 4-6 people living with and affected by
HIV/AIDS presently visit the Woodwater Center for Healing per
day.
Being one of the founding members of the Philippine Cath-
olic HIV/AIDS Network (PhilCHAN) and a member of the Coali-
tion in Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network (CAPCHAN), the
O r d e r o f t h e M i n i s t e r s o f t h e I n f i r m
collaborates with the HIV/AIDS programs of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
And just in case you are still wondering by this time on
why the Camillians aim to provide a refuge for those who are
infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS? With the “expanding
fast and furious” status of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, the
Camillians cannot just stay at the sidelines and watch. Moved
by faith, “We would like to bring God’s hope and love to you
because we SEE Christ in you and in turn we hope that you SEE
Christ in us.”
WOODWATER Center for Healing
…to provide pleasant
smell, smile, and love in
taking care of people living
with and affected by
HIV/AIDS.
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My solidarity and prayers are
with you, Ministers of the
Infirm - Philippine Province, as
you initiate your Woodwater
Center for Healing. May your
strong commitment to accom-
pany those living with HIV in
your country and to work to-
ward an "AIDS-free Philippines"
be realized through the grace
and force of God's blessing on
your ministry. In my frequent
visits to the Philippines, I have
been privileged to hear from
women and men living with or
affected by HIV about the
dignity and hope which they
experienced through the
pastoral and practical ministry
of the Camillians. May God
continue to inspire and
strengthen your commitment
to foster God's call for healing
in a broken world.
By Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo
Special Advisor on HIV/AIDS Caritas Internationalis
Pastoral and practical ministry
“A seemingly boring and technical topic was given in an interesting manner,”
commented Sr. Victoria R. Santiago, SPC, after the biomedical discussion of
HIV/AIDS. Working in the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Paranaque City, she
added that “the training opened my eyes with what is truly happening with
the youth and HIV/AIDS.”
Indeed, most of the participants in the Pastoral Training on HIV/AIDS
held last March 10-12, 2011 at St. Camillus Pastoral Healthcare Center paved
the way for other dioceses and religious congregations to extend their arms
and hands in response to the Church’s call to appropriately serve and care
for the Filipinos living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Using the SEE-DISCERN-ACT approach of the Second Vatican Council, the
pastoral training started with cultivating the giftedness of each one by focus-
ing on the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit which everyone needs to use
in taking care of people living with the virus and in preventing the spread of
this pandemic disease. Then, the epidemiology of HIV was presented to SEE
the higher-population at greater risk of HIV infection and the vulnerable
groups like the youth and
migrants. An in-depth dis-
cussion on HIV/AIDS was
done with emphasis on its
causes and effects. On the
second day, the participants were led to DISCERN using the biomedical as-
pects of the disease. They were given the chance to put themselves in the
shoes of those people undergoing the testing, those who were diagnosed
positive of HIV, and those affected families. The culmination day was devoted
in deepening on what can Church healthcare workers do to help decrease
and ultimately free the Philippines from HIV by making an ACTion plan.
Some plans were realized after the training when, through the initiative
of the graduates of the said training, HIV/AIDS awareness was conducted for
the staff of the SPC-owned Our Lady of Peace Hospital, parish leaders of St.
Peter’s Parish (Diocese of Novaliches), and the youth of Nuestra Señora dela
Annunciata Parish (Diocese of Antipolo). Like the Augustinian Missionaries of
the Philippines (Diocese of Infanta), others have also started reaching out to
vulnerable groups. By Bro. Dan V. Cancino Jr., MI
aids does matter
SEE-DISCERN-ACT
Approach for HIV/AIDS
7
T he situation of HIV/AIDS in the
country was described as low
and slow, with prevalence of less than
1% among both the general population
and most at risk populations (MARPs).
However, the nature of the disease is
rapidly changing for the past 5 years
which was described as hidden and
growing. With the latest result of the
Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic
Surveillance (IHBSS) in 2009, the number
of new cases was doubled that of the
previous 10 years, which is now being
considered as an expanding epidemic.
Looking from the perspective of an
epidemiologist, the above are numbers
and statistics giving warning to an im-
pending outbreak of a disease. From the
perspective of a public health specialist,
the above requires the development of
strategic interventions to prevent the
spread of the disease. From the view-
point of a scientist, it means an urgent
need to discover vaccines or technolo-
gies to stop the virus. From the lens of
an economist, it means financial burden
to the society. And from the simple
mind of a common person, the situation
above is simply scary.
BUT… from the hearts of the Camil-
lians, the above are not just numbers
but people suffering from the disease…
They just don’t need strategic interven-
tions in paper, but direct services… Dis-
covery of vaccines and technologies
might fail and be delayed but the Camil-
lians’ helping hands and compassion are
here and now. Through the ministry of
the Camillians, people living with HIV/
AIDS are helped to be hopeful, empow-
ered, and strengthened so that they will
not be seen as burden to the society but
still have that feeling of dignity and
worth. From the Camillians’ minds are
deep understanding of the pains and
sufferings these people are experienc-
ing, which make them resolve to be
strong and brave because the Camillians
know that the patients whom they serve
are drawing the courage and spirit from
them.
Congratulations to the Camillians
for setting up the Woodwater Center for
Healing. You have used different lens
and perspective of how the society
should act and respond to this impend-
ing epidemic of HIV/AIDS. I am proud to
have you as our partner in health and I
will pray for your success so that you
may continue to touch more lives and
ease their sufferings.
For they are not just numbers
By Yolanda E. Oliveros, MD, MPH, MHSA
Director for Disease Prevention and Control United States Agency International Development (USAID)
heartbeats
Through the ministry
of the Camillians,
people living with
HIV/AIDS are
helped to be hopeful,
empowered, and
strengthened...
I was sick, scared, alone, and angry. I couldn't speak the language to ask for the
help I so desperately needed and I was tired of the fight. I had a virus ravaging my
body and I was on the verge of giving up the fight. Then a friend brought me to
the Woodwater Center for Healing. Now, I’m on the road to wellness, and most im-
portantly for me, I’m no longer alone, sick, or afraid. Thank you, Camillians, for car-
ing for my body, my mind, my spirit - my well-being. I really don't know where I’d
be right now without you.
Messages for the Camillians
Right now with you
Jake HIV+
8
UNEXPECTED REFRESHMENT
After finishing the sessions on Religious Vows with our
Novice Master Fr. Ruben J. Mandin, MI, and on the
History of the Order with our Local Superior Fr. Ivo Z.
Anselmi, MI, we were refreshed by an unexpected
occasion with Msgr. Andres M. Cosalan Jr.! The Apos-
tolic Vicar of the Diocese of Baguio, he preferred him-
self to be called Fr. Andy.
A bible scholar, Fr. Andy was, for many years, a
professor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Theological
Seminary in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Currently the in-charge
of the Catechetical Ministry, Biblical Apostolate, and in
taking care of the old and sickly priests of the Diocese,
he is, for us, a holy, good, and humble priest.
Fr. Ivo actually invited him to give us a talk on
the Biblical Foundation of the Religious Vows. However,
due to his innate kindness and generosity, he unex-
pectedly gave us a spiritual refreshment! He trans-
formed our session last February 21, 2011 into a one-
day retreat!
Fr. Andy shared with us the nuances and reflec-
tions on the gospel passages related to religious vows.
And with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the
Holy Eucharist as conclusion, our day with Fr. Andy
was indeed a refreshing one!
UNEXPECTED TITLE
Grand street dances and extravagant floral
floats. What a wonderful entertainment
(and respite!) it was for us Novices during
Baguio’s week-long Panagbenga Festival last February
26 to March 6, 2011!
But here’s the more wonderful: On the last day
of the festival, the Novices presented in a program
staged at Baguio Convention Center. Organized by Mr.
Bob Aquino, the event was participated in by different
schools and convents in this City of Pines. And, lo and
behold, the Camillian Novices ended up garnering the
Best Inspirational Dance of the Year title!
UNEXPECTED JOY
The graduating elementary and high school classes of
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori had their retreat
last March 4 and 5, 2011, respectively.
Fr. Ruben and Fr. Ivo were the preachers while
we Novices were their assistants.
As those days became memorable for the stu-
dents, they, too, were joyful moments for us Novices!
As we shared with them our time and talents, we
likewise conveyed to these young generations our
religious experiences and the importance of our fami-
lies as the cradle of our chosen vocation.
Great [Un]expectations By Nov. Errol S. Salcedo
By Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI
“No sweat but no sleep”
After four years of “no sweat but no sleep” theological
studies (thanks for the description, Fr. Boy!), Camillian
scholastics Eliseo L. Navarro, John Jay C. Magpusao,
Jayson A. Labrador, and John Paul B. Alvarado proudly
received their certificates of completion of the General
Theology Program from the CICM Maryhill School of
Theology on March 11, 2011.
Most Rev. Teodoro C. Bacani, DD, Bishop Emeritus of
Novaliches and a professor at Maryhill, presided over the
Thanksgiving Mass held at the CICM Provincialate
Compound in New Manila, Quezon City. He stressed in his
homily that theology is not just about knowing and
discussing concepts, ideas, and explanations about the
divine, scriptures, morality, and others. For him, studying
theology should always be accompanied with action;
always putting it into praxis. Thus he exhorted the Batch
Liyab (the graduating class) that they should not end up
only in studying theology but they should now become
incessant in “doing theology.” A theology that is daily
lived and praticed.
On the other hand, the graduates took the occasion
as the best opportunity to express to everyone their
grateful and challenged hearts. Grateful: to all the people
who helped and supported them pursue, hurdle, and
finish their theological studies. Challenged: to enflesh
their theological learnings in their actual priestly and
religious ministries.
“Going into the deep”
At St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City
on March 19-23, 2011, the scholastics heeded the Lord’s
call to “go into the deep.” No questions about that, folks,
that was their annual retreat!
Well, what a privilege it was for them to have the
former Father Provincial, Fr. Ivo Z. Anselmi, MI, as their
retreat preacher!
With delight, Fr. Ivo shared with them his ideas,
insights, reflections, and personal experiences on the
following topics: Going the Whole Way with Jesus, Self-
determination and Responsibility, Maturity in Religious Life,
Mutual Support in the Community, Authority in Religious
Life, Prayer, and the Camillian Fourth Vow. He then
synthesized them all in his concluding session entitled
One in Mind and Heart We Move On.
Surely, through Fr. Ivo’s signature zealous inputs,
the scholastics learned a lot from him and were very
much inspired and challenged to live a meaningful and
well-grounded religious life. Grazie, Fr. Ivo!
And as the retreat gave the scholastics generous
time to contemplate, reflect, exercise, relax, listen to
stories, share stories, and, of course, eat well and much,
they were definitely rejuvenated, refreshed, and
reinspired to face off with their next big things:
summertime’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and parish
apostolate!
pine trees & cool breeze The Novitiate Bulletin
PUBLISHER
St. Camillus Provincialate 18 Nicanor Reyes St., Varsity Hills,
Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City,
Philippines
EDITORIAL STAFF
Sch. John Jay C. Magpusao, MI
Sch. John Paul B. Alvarado, MI
Ms. Veronica Villegas
Mr. Hubert Castro
Telephone: +63 (2) 929-6213/926-3506/
920-7621
Fax: +63 (2) 929-6215
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: camilliansphil.org
March
BIRTHDAYS
07, 1977 - Fr. Renato Maliwat
24, 1971 - Fr. Tex Rico Buntol
24, 1974 - Fr. Gabriel Garcia
28, 1957 - Fr. Rolando Fernandez
PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS
19, 1966 - Fr. Luigi Galvani
19, 1966 - Fr. Felice Chech
19, 1962 - Fr. Giuseppe Didone
25, 1995 - Fr. Menardo Nono
25, 1995 - Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva
25, 2006 - Fr. Jacob Wong
PRESBYTERATE ORDINATIONS
02, 1975 - Fr. Ivo Anselmi
11, 2000 - Fr. Ruben Mandin
11, 2000 - Fr. Charly Ricafort
25, 1986 - Fr. Remegio Jamorabon
April
BIRTHDAYS
01, 1977 - Fr. Alfons Oles
04, 1947 - Fr. Raimondo Yang
21, 1939 - Bro. Davide Cattaneo
PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS
01, 1956 - Fr. Antonio Didone
17, 1995 - Fr. Marcelo Pamintuan Jr.
17, 1993 - Fr. Diosdado Haber
17, 1993 - Fr. Wilfredo Penoliar
21, 1996 - Fr. Samuel Cuarto
24, 1949 - Fr. Giovanni Rizzi
milestones
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