The sixth article of our CICM Constitutions emphasizes the importance of providing a solid formation to those who have been touched by the Good News. As missionaries, our job is to accompany people to the fullness of their participation and religious growth. This emphasis inspired me when I arrived at Saint Michael the Archangel parish of Simbalan. It helped me to reflect on what I could initiate to make the Gospel more alive and accessible, especially to the youth whom I would accompany spiritually.
I was an intern in November of 2009, when I arrived in the barangay (district or village) of Simbalan. This was the location of one of the newest CICM Mission stations. Simbalan is located in a remote area of the municipality of Buena Vista, Agusan Del Norte province. The parish population is comprised of two major cultural groups: immigrants from the Visayas (one of the three geographical divisions of the Philippines), and the people of a native tribe called “Higa-onon,” which literally means “People from the upper land.” Some are Catholics and some others animists or Christians belonging to others churches. The majority of the population makes a living by farming, small trades and illegal logging.
The parish priest, Fr. Jean Lugbu, cicm, encouraged me to quickly immerse myself in the community and to practice the language. As an intern, I needed to absorb the culture and hone my ability to effectively communicate, in order to connect with the people and understand their daily lives.
My initial impressions centered on what I observed from the youth in this remote area of the country. The majority seemed to have little hope or motivation in the way they perceived their prospects or the future. I felt there was the distinct absence of a presence that nurtures the spirit of leadership, or promotes a culture of excellence. It is easy to understand that void when you consider the fact that life for most families in this area is primarily concerned with winning the daily bread. There is poverty and social inaccessibility. The youth of Simbalan face the obstacles of poor infrastructure, lack of resources and political conflict, preventing their access to other places, trades, communication and education. I witnessed that the majority of them were uneducated and jobless, existing in a cycle of instability and a lack of hope.
This challenging reality led me to reflect on my missionary involvement in this place. I wondered what contribution I could make: how I could inspire, assist or guide. As a CICM, I obviously wanted to be responsive to their needs and to offer a spiritual formation that could affect a positive change for their outlook and their lives. I began to see that these young people—living in the mountains and unaware of the rapid and imperative changes brought by technology and globalization—needed a humble and understanding animator.
In my considerations for working with the youth, the first notion that crossed my mind was simply to organize some gatherings aimed at getting to know them in a more personal way. As time passed, and with the support of my confreres (CICM Fathers Jean Lugbu and Wilson Mendes), we started journeying with the youth. I must attest that in the beginning nothing was clear! Our togetherness was just the simple bonding of friends: praying together, decorating the chapel, visiting the sick and other families of the parish, etc. But once the group began to take shape with an established and thriving base, then we decided to construct some formal objectives.
We made Christ and a passion for excellence the centerpiece of our objectives. Christ and our faith are the basis for all that is possible. Bonding from that cornerstone allows the youth to emerge a connected and fortified unit: eager to meet challenges and seek a standard of excellence. Accompanying, promoting and supporting the youth of our parish in this way has resulted in some previously unimaginable successes.
This past year the most substantial development was the “Summer Youth Camp,” held at Saint Michael the Archangel. We gathered almost 200 youth participants from various chapels of the parish. Recognizing that a connection to the community is an important component of positive youth development, we decided to focus some of the camp activities on ecological issues that are confronting our country.
With the great collaboration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), we developed activities that focused on environmental clean-up and tree planting. We discussed that a clean, protected and respected nature pleases God and helps protect our physical and spiritual health. After a series of activities detailing the value and spirituality of nature, the responsible use of the environment, the impact of deforestation, climate change, etc., each of the participants was given trees to plant in the area. This program of activities not only fostered pride in the improvements to the environment, but it also promoted problem solving skills, team building and leadership. The collaboration and responsibility that these young people displayed in contributing to their community was compelling.
The success of these events had a positive impact on me and on the youth apostolate in general. For me, it confirmed that there is always an inner eagerness for excellence. The youth are entrusted to the community for a portion of their development; they are partially formed by their environment. If many of our youth seem disoriented or unmotivated, it may be due in part to a lack of positive systems to build them up. As missionaries, we aspire to contribute to the building and growth of people… This apostolate has demonstrated to me that we need to shepherd and promote the youth—the hope for tomorrow.
Though I have moved on to a different mission assignment, I can affirm that my experience with the youth of Simbalan was challenging but meaningful and fulfilling. I was indeed made to feel a sense of belonging to that place. My pastoral assignment with these young people opened my heart to the truth that God is always journeying with us as missionaries. It is a truth that we hope the youth will carry and remember as they develop as well. He is accompanying us, giving us hope, and continuously encouraging our passion for excellence.
Francis Kalonda, cicm
Simbalan, Philippines
Fr. Francis Kalonda, cicm, is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo who joined Missionhurst-CICM in 2003, and was sent to the Philippines in 2007. Ordained in 2010, Fr. Francis is currently working as Chaplain of St. Louis College-Cebu in Mandaue City, Cebu province (located basically in the center of the Philippine archipelago).
