THE KARIS RETREAT HOUSE TAGAYTAY

St. James the Great Bazaar Nov. 27-30, 2009 (Thanksgiving weekend)

2009-11-26T05:33:00.000+08:00

Do drop by:

Accessories by Ronaldo (ronaldmabanag.multiply.com) + handpicked by ron & chris

Cuenca Football Field (Rows 14 & 15; Table 4)

Nov. 27-30, 2009 9:00am-9:00pm

Raise the Roof (The Megatent, Ortigas)

2009-10-01T05:07:00.000+08:00

Raise the Roof @ the Megatent
Megatent volunteers and NU 107 presents

RAISE THE ROOF
A benefit concert for Typhoon Ondoy victims
Thursday, October 1
Megatent Meralco Avenue, Ortigas

Feat. Spongecola, Typecast, Urbandub, Chicosci, Hale, Imago, Mayonnaise, Taken By Cars, Zach Lucero, Du...ster, Stonefree, Angulo, Pitik, Us-2 Evil-0, Ernville, Blue Boy Bites Back, Blue Jean Junkies, Bouncing Baby Boys, Tropical Depression, Holy Water/ Peace Pipe, Cookie Chua, The Ronnies, The Ambassadors, Boy Elroy, Bloodshedd and more TBA.

Entrance: P100 or a survival pack that consists of water, 2 canned goods, 2 noodles & biscuits.

Call 985-3690/387-9484.
Concert starts at 3pm.

Blazing Serene Hope (Corazon Aquino)

2009-08-04T06:40:00.000+08:00

"Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past.

Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes,

but above all, with blazing, serene hope"

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino

Signposts With In (Who do you say that I am?)

2009-04-03T11:11:00.000+08:00

"I want a God who will cut my losses and cushion my failures

a God who will grant me a life free from pain.

I want a God who will rescue me from death,

who will delete it from the human experience

and find another way to operate.

What I, what all of us have instead,

is a God who resurrects us from the dead,

putting an end to it by working through it,

instead of around it

Creating life in the midst of grief,

creating love in the midst of despair.

-resurrecting us from our big and little deaths,

showing us by Jesus example

that the only road to Easter morning

runs smack through Good Friday..."

Barbara Brown Taylor

Smiley Cyrus

2009-03-31T12:49:00.000+08:00

I think i received this notice at least 4 times today

"Be aware that on April 4, 2009, the world will be celebrating 1st ever AIR HOUR.

Hold your breath for one hour, 8:30-9:30 pm to save Oxygen and Mother Earth.

Start practicing now.

This is for our own good!"

please pass

It reminds me of another long-time ago SMS message:

"Will you marry me... if not please pass"

Smiley Cyrus

2009-03-24T03:50:00.000+08:00

"What could the Holy Father be saying to Cameroonian President Biya and First Lady Chantal?"

Observation: Gone are the days of strict and stringent protocol.

Youtube & The Holy Father...

Captured during the Papal Visit to Africa, seems the Holy Father can't take his eyes of Cameroon's First Lady Chantal Biya's head gear (or maybe her perfectly curved eyebrows).

Of course, the continent is known for the bright and colorful clothing (so no black lacy-veil numbers I guess) so Madame Chantal could probably be the Carla Bruni of continental Africa or probably just inspired by Aretha's hat at President Obama's Inaugural last January.

We will never know.

Image of Benedict XVI visit to Africa: AP & Articles of Faith

Prayers Requested

2009-03-23T10:39:00.000+08:00

Ordination to the Priesthood

Prayers requested as Jesuit/s Xavier Alpasa, Francis Alvarez, Jason Dy, Ody Dy, Frank Savadera, and Robbie Sian receive the gift of the priesthood.

Apr. 4, 2009

8:30 AM

Church of the Gesu

Ateneo de Manila University

Loyola Heights, QC

Lenten Signpost

2009-03-20T13:10:00.000+08:00

" If you want to look for God, go back to where you left him"

Meister Eckhart

I know you love me, Jollibee xoxo

2009-03-19T09:55:00.000+08:00

In a place like New York City, the myriad of dinning choices can be endless. For many years, the only known Pinoy outpost in that universe was Cendrillon & probably a few grocer stores selling Goldilocks goodies from the Motherland.

Maybe Time Magazine was right, its a time wherein Homeland Security cannot stop the Asia-fication of America's beloved Hamburger, french fries and Fried Chicken!

Houston, we have a problem. Jollibee has landed in Queens.

From the NEW YORK TIMES Article written by Robert Gross.

Jollibee a Filipino addiction in Queens

Jollibee

62-29 Roosevelt Avenue (63rd Street), Woodside, Queens; (718) 426-4445; jollibee.com.ph.

On a recent Sunday afternoon beneath the No. 7 train tracks in Woodside, Queens, a thin, pale man with a goatee approached the 30-odd people waiting to enter the shiny new restaurant with the friendly apian mascot, and asked what was going on. A jumble of excited responses followed, which he summarized thusly: “So it’s a Filipino thing?”

Yes, Jollibee is a Filipino thing, a fast-food chain from the sprawling archipelago, with 600-plus outlets there, across Asia and on our own West Coast.

The Woodside branch is New York’s first, and since its mid-February opening, expatriates have lined up for a taste of home, on weekends waiting as much as an hour just to get in the door.

Jollibee is known as the McDonald’s of the Philippines, and its menu will be familiar to anyone who’s passed under the golden arches.

Chickenjoy, Jollibee’s specialty (one piece, $2.99; three pieces, $6.89; 18 pieces, $38.99), is straightforward fried chicken, with moist meat, a crispy but not too thick batter and, when ordered spicy, a dusting of potent chili powder. It’s a bit salty, but as one diner explained, that’s why Filipinos enjoy Chickenjoy.

After a passel of forgettable burgers ($1.39 to $6.29) and fresh, honest sides (buttered corn, mashed potatoes — regular $1.99, large $3.59), the menu heads for odder territory.

Spaghetti ($4.49) is topped with a sweet, hot-dog-and-ham-studded tomato sauce, and is frighteningly addictive. Palabok Fiesta ($5.79) is the only recognizably Asian dish: rice noodles in a gummy-but-yummy sauce of fish flakes, pork, shrimp, egg and crumbled chicharrón.

Jollibee’s signature deep-fried peach-mango pie ($2.29) is crusty and intensely fruity, at once a Filipino thing, a Georgia thing and something else entirely. It’s worth the wait.

Belib Talaga Ako! =)

2009-03-19T06:48:00.000+08:00

Bill Gates organized an enormous session to recruit a new chairman for Microsoft Europe.

5000 candidates assembled in a large room.

One candidate was MARIO DIMAYUGA.

Bill Gates: "Thank you for coming. We'll do this by process of elimination to speed up the process. Those who do not know JAVA may leave."

2,000 people left the room.

MARIO said to himself, "Naku! I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay. I'll give it a try."

Bill Gates: "Candidates with no experience managing more than 1000 employees may leave."

2000 people left the room.

Mario said to himself, "Lagot! I never managed anybody but myself but I'm staying. What could happen to me?"

Bill Gates: "Candidates without management diplomas may leave."

500 people left the room.

Mario said to himself, "Asus! I never even graduated, but what have I got to lose?"

So he stayed.

Lastly, Bill Gates asked candidates who did not speak Serbo-Croat to leave.

498 people left the room.

Mario says to himself, "Patay! Ano yon??? But I've gotten this far, I have to stay on."

So he stayed and found himself standing with only one other candidate in the room. Everyone else had eliminated themselves.

Bill Gates joined both candidates and said: "Apparently you two are the only candidates with terrific management skills speaking Serbo-Croat, so I'd now like to hear you converse in that language."

Calmly, Mario turned to the other candidate and said, "Kumusta ka, pare ko"

Without batting an eyelash, the other candidate replied, "Mabuti naman. Ikaw?

Belated Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-18T07:07:00.000+08:00

Long ago, I wore atrocious green pants everyday in high school down south.

Yesterday, I found myself wearing near-loathing shiny green pants over my trusty barong to work.

What gives?

I know,

its St. Patrick's Day

(I've always wanted to be Irish-spring)

A Letter of Thanks from Criselle Pascual of Life's Directions

2009-03-17T11:24:00.000+08:00

CONGRATULATIONS to the Organizing Committee of LD 76 for a successful retreat this past weekend - March 13 - 15.

To the OrgCom: Batchhead Doc Harry, Cecille, Leo, Nicole, Shey, Anne, Aya, Marian, K, Leejay, Amado, Tiff, Ces, Karen, Vernon, Michelle and Eric A BIG THANKS for your passion and dedication in serving for this retreat. It was through your hard work in the past three months that the participants experienced a meaningful weekend. THANK YOU for passing on your LD retreat experience to them.

To the sharers: Chico, Mira, Giddi, Maella and Ian, THANK YOU for sharing your life stories. Your stories have served as an inspiration not only to the participants but to the rest of us. It is truly a testimony of God's grace working in your lives.

To the facilitators: Patchi, Ida, Katch, Vero, JV, Camille, AJ, Vinci, Deza, Mia and Karen, THANK YOU for taking time this weekend to shepherd our participants. The community is blessed to have people like you.

To Father Ted, for your wisdom, guidance and never-ending passion to help young people like us find meaning and our place under the sun.

To our moderator Arvin, for always being there to grace us with your knowledge and guiding the participants in their LD journey

To LD 74, Marj, Mark, Carina, Jon, Juan, RB and Tintin, for going up to support Mira's sharing.

To JP, Orange, Janssen, Reese and Doods, for joining us during the Sunday mass and graduation ceremony. Your welcoming presence was greatly appreciated by the participants.

To LD Core, especially to Poppa Bear JV, Mother Hen Camille and the OC Tandem of Patchi and Ida for your unwavering dedication in guiding the OrgComm and making this retreat happen. It is truly an honor to be serving with you guys.

To Mr. Juan, Ate Lea, Kuya Edmar, Ate Rosario and the rest of the Karis staff for your unwavering support for LD and making us feel at home throughout our stay.

To LD Batch 76, thank you for trusting us with your stories and joining us in this life's journey. Looking forward to seeing you in the rest of the LD activities this year. WELCOME!

And to the rest of the community as well as our fellow charisms, On Fire, Agimat, BASA and San Jose, thank you for your prayers and support.

We invite everyone to join us this coming Saturday, March 21, for the LD 76 Welcome Brunch. Details to follow.

It's been an honor serving with you,
Criselle

The Desert and The Hours (Lenten Season 2009)

2009-02-24T14:01:00.000+08:00

I caught a glimpse of yesterdays’ Academy Awards, though shamefully I must admit, have only watched one of the nominated (the exquisite and riveting film called Doubt). It brought me back to a year wherein one of the nominated films was a depressing flick called “The Hours” and the trendsetting ugli-fication of celluloid beauties such as Nicole Kidman (she supposedly won her Oscar by a nose).

In the lovely tragic film that explores the circumstances of suicidal writer Virginia Woolf and two other women from different time periods: a 60’s Julianne Moore and a pre-“Miranda Priestly” Meryll Streep. The lives of the three women woven within the tragic narrative where love, death and acceptance play strange bedfellows.

One of the more poignant episodes is the time wherein Virginia Woolf converses with her husband Leonard in an empty railway station uttering: “…You cannot find peace while avoiding life…”

I believe that the Lent is that time would always try and ask the more difficult questions and that I believe might be one as such.

Ironically, some Lenten practices center around avoidances of pork, chocolates, sodas, texting and perhaps, wildly to say, facebook?

But I do believe that there is something truly connected between Lent season and the words of our tragic yet creative heroine.

In the movie, before Virginia Woolf takes her own life… her reflections spoke out as she took to the waters:

… To look life in the face. Always to look life in the face and to know it for what it is. At last to know it. To love it for what it is…

Many moons ago, a man began to look life in the face, despite isolation and sadness, fatigue, loneliness & fear. The man saw beyond the illusion of hunger, anguish and the easy-way out and saw life for what it is:which he could have avoided and lived a quiet existence making tables and chairs never entering the desert much less a city that would turn on him completely.

That man never avoided life, despite numerous limitations, obstacles and eventually climaxing into the horrendous, the painful death: to look life in the face and to know it for what it is… to love it for what it is and not how we wish it were or how we demand it would be. That man looked life in the face and saw much more, beyond the illusion of the finitude and loves for what it is.

Such a man, dares to enter into our own brokeness and pain and assures us with peace.

As we go through our own deserts this lenten season, lets us look to the one who never avoided life, not because we constantly need a quick fix for our brokeness, our neediness and pains, but to move on a journey of acceptance and true peace.

In order for us to embrace our own lives: to look life in the face and to know it

for what it is…to love it for what it is.

Have a meaningful lenten season

Sacred Days (Holy Week Retreat 2009)

2009-02-24T11:06:00.000+08:00

The Holy Week Silent Retreat

The Karis Retreat House Tagaytay

The Karis Retreat House Tagaytay invites you to take a step back and immerse in the great Mystery whose love moves the heavens & whose acceptance is without measure, through the experience of an individually guided Holy Week retreat.

The Sacred Days Holy Week Retreat is a unique opportunity for men & women, of all ages, to pray, reflect, assess and rest, in the spirit of the retreats of Ignatius of Loyola. Year after year, a number have come with various reasons, to taking a step back, all bounded by a deep desire to search, immerse, clarify, engage and encounter the Other in loving silence.

In the Ignatian silent retreat tradition, retreatants are invited to plan their day, with a suggested three to four prayer periods a day (whose duration may range between 30 minutes to an hour accordingly) over prayer material suggested by their retreat companion. During the course of the day, the retreatants schedule to meet their retreat companion to share the fruits and impressions from their suggested prayer material as well as interior movements within and outside the “formal” prayer periods. The retreat will provide many opportunities for prayer & reflection, time for individual consultation, meals, participation in the liturgical celebration throughout and much needed rest.

For our fourth Lenten season, retreatants will be accompanied by the religious members from

the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who will also be presiding over all the liturgical celebrations of the Pascal Triduum.

The silent retreat starts EVENING of HOLY WEDNESDAY and ends LUNCH of EASTER SUNDAY.

Registration starts 4:00pm Holy Wednesday

Retreat Cost:

Php 4,500.00 inclusive of twin sharing accommodations (2-in a room), meals, materials & stipends

(not including transportation)

Php 5,500.00 inclusive of single room accommodations, meals, materials & stipend

(not including transportation)

A non-refundable deposit of Php 1,500.00 along with accomplished registration form is required as confirmation for the retreat. A confirmation letter will be sent upon receipt of Registration form & deposit. Single Room availability and retreatant slots are limited on a first come-first served basis.

Please make any check payable to The Karis Retreat House Foundation, Inc.

You may deposit through

Account Number 48-02-00532-1

Account Name: The Karis Retreat House Tagaytay Foundation, Inc. (EAST WEST BANK SALCEDO)

-or-

leave your deposits at the lobby of THE ASIA TOWER CONDOMINIUM (c/o Chris Juan)

The Asia Tower Condominium fronts Mcdonald’s Greenbelt (Paseo de Roxas), entrance is at Benavidez beside ACCEED Conference Center.

For Registrations Forms and more details, please send request DIRECTLY through karis.tagaytay@gmail.com or through 817-7993. You may also call 813-2554

Lentern Season 2009

2009-02-19T09:49:00.000+08:00

Karis Retreat House Tagaytay

(for more information, please contact the sponsoring organizations directly)

BEYOND I DO (Feb 20-22, 2009)

organized by Educhild Philippines

For we believe that couples who strengthen their marriage bonds raise better children and become living examples of the kind of partners those children will pick in the future.

A venue for husband and wife to take a closer look at their marriage – their conjugal life…!
How it has been, how it can be better.

Through short talks and workshop activities, participants can expect to gain deeper understanding of their spouse's needs and learn practical and effective communication skills.

The program will surely enhance the marital bond and help keep married love alive.

Program hopes to:

discover the best way your spouse would like to be loved;

and nurture day to day conjugal living

gain practical skills that will help you communicate your love to your spouse;

experience activities that help bond and strengthen your marital relationship;

To have another opportunity to please, affirm and show affection to your spouse.

continue with the Magic of Marriage

In the last two years, the Educhild Foundation has not only helped couples through the "B.I.D. weekend" in Manila, but has also brought the seminar to couples in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.

FOR INFORMATION & REGISTRATION,
PLEASE DIRECTLY CONTACT

MARIEVIC (02) 632-0103
0916-448-2178

ONFIRE---INTEGRATING OUR SEXUALITY & SPIRITUALITY RETREAT

(FEB. 27- MAR.1, 2009)
Organized by the Onfire Retreat Community

Center for Family Ministries' Rev. Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ facilitates a thematic weekend (open to all:single, married,etc..) which centers around our individual journeys in knowing and befriending the fires of our desires and those desires that go much deeper pointing to a far greater love.

Themes of the Retreat:
HEAT / HEARTH : Dance my body!
Befriend … be at ease … and celebrate his beautiful creation!

KINDLED / KINDRED : Drive to connect and separate.
To be linked yet stand apart … to be intimate and remain whole

PASSIONATE / COMPASSIONATE :
Dare to share. Care to listen.
To be stirred and touched and moved … to redeem, repair, restore

RAZED / ABLAZE :
Do not blame. Do reclaim.
To confront the painful past … to move forward in faith and hope.

FIERY / FERVENT :
Decide to commit day by day.
To trust, transcend, transform

FOR INQUIRIES AND DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT
Chic 0917-431-2795

INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER & LECTIO DIVINA

(March 6-8, 2009)

Organized by the Contemplative Outreach Philippines

The participants ought to arrive at KARIS at around 11:00am or so. There will be lunch served at 12:00. The Retreat proper will begin at 2:00pm

This is a QUIET retreat. Make this time of Quiet a time to just BE with the Lord.

The participant will be taught the Method of Centering Prayer with some practices of it,as well as the Method of Lectio Divina and a practice of it.

LECTIO DIVINA (LD) is loosely translated as Sacred Reading.

It is reading the word of God in the daily gospels and learning how to develop a more personal relationship with God on a daily basis.

The participant will also be given talks on the HUMAN CONDITION. There is a bit of psychology in these talks. One will find out why he behaves the way he does now, and that it is due to how he grew up from ages 0-15 years old. Also how CP and LD practices can help heal these wounds of a lifetime if he will be faithful to the prayer.

The retreat will formally end on Sunday March 8 before noon. There is no lunch to be served on Sunday.

Retreatants are asked to bring their toiletries, a notebook and a pen, and perhaps, a small Bible if they can. The are asked to come comfortably attired, but not in shorts.

We shall have mass on Friday evening at 6pm as well as Saturday evening at 6pm anticipated for the Sunday Mass.

For further inquiries and reservations please call
ANNA MARIE LLANOS 842-4030, or 842-0201, or
0916-315-3980 or 0920-842-9833
anamariellanos@yahoo.com

LIFE'S DIRECTIONS (March 13-15, 2009)

organized by Life's Directions Retreat Group

Rev. Fr. Ted Gonzales,SJ facilitates a weekend centering around our individual search and journeys. Open to the public, the Life's Directions weekend is a mixture of conferences, testimonies, small group discussion, reflection and liturgy which gives each participant the opportunity to take a step back to find and re-acquaint with the voice within.

Module One:
Locating the Driver Along the Way--where we are, the "state of our lives", the confusions we may have found ourselves in.

Module Two:
Journeys Back--looking and contemplating our individual stories, histories and relationships.

Module Three
Attractions & Distractions--Acknowledging our individual confusions and histories, being called & invited individually & uniquely to a life of simplicity, service and surrender.

Module Four
Discovering the Center--Beneath our individual invitations to simplicity, service and surrender is a mysterious yet loving presence of the Creator.

Module Five
Finding Companions Along the Way--Discovering others who accompany us and are called uniquely by Christ who always accompanies all of us.

FOR INFORMATION & REGISTRATION,
PLEASE CONTACT DIRECTLY

cellphone: 0918-991-1237
email: ld76.orgcom@gmail.com

KARIS HOLY WEEK SILENT RETREAT (TBA)

The Power of Creative Goodness (The Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe)

2008-12-12T11:54:00.000+08:00

For most of us who have been to Karis will notice the images of the Guadalupe placed all over the retreat house. It is not a coincidence that Karis Retreat House is dedicated to the Guadalupe, which in my heart, fits the general scheme and not merely the look and the décor.

The legend recalls of the young Virgin appearing girl to Juan Diego requesting him to build a church in her honor. After a series of investigations, Juan Diego returns to the hill wherein the Virgin requests him to give roses as a sign. Meeting the local bishop, Juan Diego gives the roses, and while unfurling his tilma (cloak) miraculously discovers the painted image of the Lady which is still venerated in the Basilica till this day.

Many years ago, my family and I were blessed to have visited the Basilica of the Guadalupe, an enormous shrine attracting millions of devotees with various reasons and supplications. Honestly, I have always maintained a respectful yet detached stance with the Lady, in other words, substantial compliance: I know the Virgin Mary is there and that’s much about it. Maybe because of how the Virgin is introduced to us: wooden, almost like a lifeless statue with long eye lashes we’re all accustomed, perhaps detached and unaffected by our own exiled humanity since she is veiled from “original sin”.

Despite the vastness of the complex, I felt the intimate yet sometimes desperate supplications imploring the Virgin from each one’s heart. Especially so in a quiet part of the site is a simple chapel with hundred of candles, tequila bottles and a big book. From what I could muster to gather, the book contained the journeys, promises, stops and starts, rock bottoms and mountain highs of many souls who knelt before the miraculous Tilma and have all cried out “to thee we set up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears”.

But what impressed me most about this Mary, Virgo Guadalupe, is how much close she is to us. Not merely clothed in impeccable garb but an image of a young girl pregnant with the Son of God, who does not look different from any of us. Accordingly appears to Juan Diego speaking in a tongue the Indian convert trusts and understands, ultimately inviting us, in a way we hopefully understand.

“…The closer a person is to God, the closer he is to people. We see this in Mary. The fact that she is totally with God is the reason why she is so close to human beings. For this reason she can be the Mother of every consolation and every help, a Mother whom anyone can dare to address in any kind of need in weakness and in sin, for she has understanding for everything and is for everyone the open power of creative goodness.

…Mary thus stands before us as a sign of comfort, encouragement and hope. She turns to us, saying: "Have the courage to dare with God! Try it! Do not be afraid of him!...”*

* Benedict XVI, Feast of the Immaculate Conception (2008)

When we raise up our continual sighs to her in our own valley of tears, may the Virgin be a quiet beacon who encourages us to dare with God, to move beyond our intrinsic lack of trust & fixation with trying to understand & control, inviting us to be full of grace and be curious to the “open power of creative goodness”.

For endless possibilities and believing in something more...

2008-11-19T02:45:00.000+08:00

As I recuperate from a strange but nevertheless scary asthma attack after cleaning the condo (yes, it was looking like smokey mountain of shopping bags, luggages,shoes and stuff), like to give props to Life's Directions batch 75 and their organizers, participants and all for a grace-filled weekend & a Welcome to the Onfire Family this weekend...

Anyway, part of the stuff in the condo that i dangerously sorted out where books donated by Vancouver based Tetet Bulauitan & Food Editor Becky Ko (love ya girls). The many titles of books are to be used for the small library in Karis (which i have to be much stricter). Books have been a good avenue to see beyond the reality and reach into the possibilities of one's own life and browsing through the titles, it seems Becky & Tetet were seekers and explorers maybe of their unchartered paths and undiscovered internal vistas.

Also, would like to acknowledge Katch Zaggiure for her help in the road of recovery of Mr. Roger Demetriou. Your help has touched their family and us in more ways than one. Thanks for playing it forward and being a manna from heaven.

Possibilities are endless and God gives us sometimes a momentary glimpse of that endlessness, if we give God permission to.

NOVEM

2008-11-07T06:14:00.000+08:00

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good"

2008-10-29T05:52:00.000+08:00

Our prayers and kind thoughts to all those who have gone ahead of us, who have left a handprint on our hearts, touched our lives in more ways than one... we remember you during these days.

This poignant song is the farewell song of the two witches of Oz, Glinda the Good and Elphaba now the "Wicked" Witch of the West, who have choosen separate paths while honoring each other's presence in their respective destinies and journeys.

FOR GOOD

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

Prayers and Kind Thoughts

2008-10-24T12:52:00.000+08:00

Our prayers and kind thoughts go out to the families of Pompeyo Nolasco & Manny Distor who gone ahead from this life. May the peace of Christ, that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds always. +

Coke Floats and Boundaries

2008-10-08T13:32:00.000+08:00

We had a nice surprise last thursday.

Someone brought ice cream for share during Baga*

Hmmm...

Freaky and damp weather or not, the allure of plunging a scoop of ice cream into a glass of Coke was hard to resist.

There is a strange feeling of sharing experiences while slurping on ice-cream filled sprite on a dreary thursday night.

While our islamic brothers and sisters celebrated the end of ramadan, a few gathered to take stock of our individual stories, step back to see the slow work of the Spirit & seek support for each of our journeys.

For many of us, there are many things in each of our lives that we experience, receive and accept that makes us full of gratitude ( job promotions, productivity, community, good family life) while there are other things in our lives which make us scratch our heads, wonder and say "anu ba yun?"

One thing we all agree: relationships, at any level, maybe a constant source of support, appreciation and gratitude.

They give us the neccessary boost in the arm, a glimpse of acceptance, affection, peace and trust which we need, once in awhile, in a world full of strangers.

On the otherhand, relationships can also contribute to our sense of personal confusion and utter bewilderment which leaves us with a sense of estrangement in our journey of discovering our selves.

Perhaps, it is in that strange sense of estrangement where boundaries come in.

All of us, slurping on Coke Float, deeply felt that in various times, we have all built, discovered, embraced and, at certain points, compromised our personal boundaries in more ways than one.

All of us are in a journey of embracing a sense of who we are, though we are forgetful that our personal boundaries dwell in a silent and hidden place, which we have to ardently search for with honesty, courage and trust.

It is a silent place where we can dialogue with our very selves:

where do my own boundaries begin and where do they end;
where do my boundaries of friendship end and take the next step into something more intimate;
can i allow myself to trust & be vulnerable again, inspite and despite of all that has happened;
where do i let go of a relationship that i admit brings out the worst in me;
if i know what i do hurts the people i truly love why do i continue;
do i turn my boundaries into a wall till the right time comes when i can open myself again;

And maybe, its in that silent and hidden place where we can meet & dialogue with our selves again, and perhaps, be found by a boundless and infinite Love.

Question is, does the Coke Float make sharing sweeter, or do they make the difficult truths "easier" to articulate?

that we will never know.

*Baga Evenings are scheduled gatherings in various locations that welcome all (whether retreat alumni from Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ charism-retreat groups or friends of retreat alumni ) to take stock of their present situation, a step back to see the bigger perspective and articulate/share the support one will need to take the next steps of one's journey.

Unseen Yet Felt (Mang Roger's Road to Recovery)

2008-09-08T09:53:00.000+08:00

Almost two weeks ago, our beloved Karis custodian, Mang Roger Demetriou suffered a stroke while overseeing and helping another guest group in Karis.

Thankfully, there were around 3 doctors in the group who offered immediate help and rushed Mang Roger to the hospital.

And all of this happened when our family was 7,000 miles away.

Last week, he was discharged from the ICU, albeit somewhat active, responsive, recovering and slightly talkative (bordering on makulit with no hair dye).

During our visits, we would see him resting, sleeping, wide-awake, conscious and, despite being in a hospital bed, even showed concerned about Karis (to the point, he inquired kamusta na ba ang LD? Ang Onfire? Maayos na ba ang Educhild? Sino ang nagpapakain sa kanyang mga isda?).

He would also tease the nurses in the ICU (Miss, mukhang na-iinlove na ako sa yo... flirt talaga, pag di nakabantay si misis...di friendly lang)

and would show signs of agitation and restlessness.

But despite that, Mang Roger continued to be a kind, consoling and gentle soul.

A friend whom i spoke to and entrusted not just the concerns of the retreat house, but who deeply cared of all.

A family member whose smile and generosity never ceases to amaze me, whose care and concern goes above and beyond what is expected.

A companion along our journey and so many others who have been with us trying to pause and take a step back.

Mang Roger has been the face of welcome, care and service for us.

All of us are welcome in Karis, have one time or another, experienced Mang Roger's warmth, hospitality and genuine concern.

Despite such a diminishing reality, there is a bigger reality that we can acknowledge which is unseen but felt deep within.

Its not merely about negating and being uncomfortable about the painful and ardous process that Mang Roger has to go through in order to get well, the adjustments that our family has to go through, the minor inconveniences and being "comfortable" with what i've been used to and not used to seeing Mang Roger's happy face when we arrive before every one else does. (Actually, he looks good, normal and cheery, no signs of a stroke)

The hidden and silent reality that is unseen but felt deep within.

Our family too has been experiencing (and continuous to experience) the outpouring of concern and help at this time.

Personally, i have received and experienced "grace" which was undeserved yet fills with gratitude last LD weekend from many so unsuspecting yet nevertheless comforting companions.

As Mang Roger embarks on a new road of physical healing, rehabilitation and recovery, we patiently and full of hope go and accompany him along with the prayers & kind thoughts of many of us whom he's touched, silently witnessing the reality that is unseen but felt.

Our gratitude to those who expressed (and continue to express) concern regarding Mang Roger and may we all be consoling and travelling mercies to each other in our various journeys.

Superthanks.

P.S. Our gratitude for prayers and concern for Mang Roger, we would like to ask for further prayers and support of any kind (ex. whether a referral for a good and reasonably priced therapist in cavite or tagaytay or financial support for his family,etc... ) during Mang Roger's road to recovery. We will also keep you posted for any organized activity for the benefit of Mang Roger's recovery & rehabilitation.

Thanks & God bless.

Thanks for sharing your stories

2008-06-17T04:40:00.000+08:00

After a busy few weeks, especially with Fr. Ted Gonzales, our family would like to thanks Educhild Philippines, Life's Directions, Onfire and Agimat Communities (yup, Fr. Ted should have a frequent guest card with Karis) who have choosen Karis as a place of encounter, joy, stories and life for a brief time.

For more information regarding Educhild Philippine's BEYOND I DO Weekend and Father Ted Gonzales, SJ Weekend Retreats (LIfe's Directions, Onfire and Agimat) please email karis.tagaytay@gmail.com or call 813 2554.

Pilgrims Milestones

2008-05-26T10:59:00.000+08:00

A new page for this multiply is the different milestones of individuals who have, in one time or another, left their stories of grace and of faith in the grounds of Karis. The movements and motions in their respective lives and the Spirit behind them....

We would like to extend our prayers and kindest thoughts to Fr. Martin Mandin, SVD and Fr. Mike Layugan, SVD (currently the Apostolic Director and Dean of the SVD Divine Word Seminary) who are moving on to different works in their Society. Fr. Martin moves to the seminary community in Mindoro while Fr. Mike will head out to the University of Louvain, Belgium. Thanks Fr. Mike and Fr. Martin for being an instrument of healing and acceptance for our friends.

We are also extending our prayers and kindests thoughts to Life's Directions Jovin Javier who is transferring to the Nestle Cagayan Office for the next year or two. Jovin has been in moderating the LIfe's Directions Retreat.

Lastly, please include in our prayers, the Mother of retreatant Susan Sison, who passed away over the weekend. May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding guard her heart and mind

Life's Directions Retreat

2008-05-20T12:05:00.000+08:00