The young adults’ group from St Christopher’s Parish, Syndal, in Victoria has spent 10 days in Bacolod, the Philippines, contributing to the ministries of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and further cementing a relationship that has taken root and flourished in recent years.
By Debra Vermeer
Eighteen members of the parish, including 15 young adults and their group leaders, along with Father Eugene San SAC, made the journey from Melbourne to Bacolod on Negros Island to spend time with the Sisters in their ministry to the local people, most of whom live in poverty.
The Sisters have been present in Bacolod for more than 30 years, operating a Kinder School and an Outreach Center serving people living in squatter settlements along the coastal shoreline of the densely populated city.
This trip by the St Christopher’s group followed two previous visits in which parishioners helped create a new garden area at the Good Samaritan Kinder School and clean up the eco-park established by the Sisters, among other things.
Katrina Koh, who serves as the parish Outreach and Youth coordinator, said this year’s visit saw the young people engage in a range of activities, including working with the Outreach Center’s food distribution ministry in the squatter settlements, painting murals on walls of the Kinder School, and spending time with Good Samaritan scholars, who have been supported in their education by the parish’s fundraising for the Good Samaritan Foundation.
“We see our parish as being in mission partnership with the Good Samaritan Sisters in the Philippines,” she said. “So, we raise funds for their ministries and every year, either our youth group or an adult group of parishioners will go on a mission trip.”
Katrina said the intention of this year’s immersion trip was to expose the young adults to the reality of poverty, to encourage them to find ways to help, and to foster a sense of gratitude for the life they have.
“It’s very enriching for them,” she said. “Often the young adults go there not knowing what to expect, and they come home being really thankful for what they have.
“Basically, we help with whatever needs to be done at the Kinder, at the Outreach Center and out in the squatter settlements.
“On this trip we helped paint the outer walls of the Kinder School and we also helped to paint the gathering space at the squatter settlement. It’s a space where the Sisters bring together the children of the squatter settlement, and then they teach them things. We painted the whole place to make it look more cheerful.”
Katrina said that between the heat, the poverty, and the hard work involved, the immersion experience could be confronting for some young people, but they all came away grateful for the experience.
“What is really amazing is that when they go there and interact with the children and the youth, the scholars, the Sisters and the volunteers, they find that any barriers they might have expected actually fade away.
“They’re just so happy getting to know the people; and the people are so happy getting to know us. It’s quite amazing to see.”
The visit helped the young people to understand more fully that mission is an important way of sharing God’s love, Katrina said.
Good Samaritan Sister Anne Dixon said the immersion visit by the St Christopher’s Parish group built on previous visits and brought to life the group’s motto for their Bacolod mission trip, ‘Faith into Action’.
“I feel we are blessed that St Christopher’s came into our lives,” she said. “So far, the parish has sent two groups of young adults and one group of older adults. They have all entered wholeheartedly into whatever programs and projects are on the go.
“And the youth groups, most of whom are at university in Australia, are always interested in our Tertiary Scholarship Program. The interaction and sharing of their studies is a bonding experience for both groups.
“It’s inspiring for the St Christopher’s youth to hear the struggles and determination of our students, and it’s inspiring for our students to hear how other countries go about their studies.”
Joan Lobaton, the Good Samaritan Scholarship Coordinator, said it was exciting for the scholars to meet some of their benefactors face to face.
“We are always thanking and praying for our benefactors, so to meet some of them is special,” she said. “We can thank them in person!”
Joan said that the peer-to-peer sharing of ideas about how to improve study habits was especially beneficial.
“The visit was meaningful and memorable. It reminded me of the importance of kindness, connection, and giving others the opportunity to grow and succeed. It helped our scholars to appreciate determination and efforts to pursue their education,” she said.
Nina Ayuma, one of the tertiary scholars in Bacolod, said the one-on-one sharing with the young people from St Christopher’s meant a lot to her.
“It reminded me that strength and kindness can help others through difficult times and taught me to be someone others can depend on without expecting anything in return,” she said.
Fellow scholar Alea Palacios said she enjoyed the easy personal interaction with the group from St Christopher’s.
“I learned a lot from meeting them, and it felt like it was more than just an ordinary meeting. It made me realise things that I did not really expect and gave me a different perspective on certain things. Somehow, it also made me appreciate some things more and helped me understand situations in a different way,” she said.
When the group of young people returned home to Melbourne, they shared a video of their experience with St Christopher’s parishioners, many of whom had helped raise funds for the trip, and reflected on what the visit to Bacolod meant for them.
“Bacolod became so much more than a two-week mission trip, but a blessing of unimaginable grace, community and love that I pray never goes away,” said Samantha D’Rosario.
“I expected to just be giving, but I received so much more than I gave and hold that close to my heart to this day.”
Parish Youth Minister Chelsea Lim was on her second trip to Bacolod and said she felt welcomed back with open arms.
“In my two years away, I realised that the Good Samaritan Outreach Center team has only continued to serve the community and expand their outreach program to do more good for others. I am so blessed to have witnessed their love and joy again.”
Gracemaria Ukken described her 10 days in Bacolod as “life-changing”.
“I arrived with a heart ready to serve, but left with a heart completely transformed,” she said. “Through the joy of the little children, the selflessness of the Good Samaritan Sisters, and everyone I encountered in the city of smiles, I experienced Christ’s love in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.
“This mission opened my eyes to the truth that faith is not simply something we believe, but something we live out every day. Bacolod left a lasting mark on my heart, reminding me that even in the simplest moments, God’s love can be found.”
And Nathaniel Francis said it was hard to sum up the depth of his experience in Bacolod in a few words.
“If I had to say one thing, it is that we went to Bacolod to serve, but we were served even more,” he said. “We were made to feel like we were at home and now I feel that it is our duty to do our part to always try and take care of that home for the years to come.”
The ministries of the Sisters are supported by the Good Sams Foundation. Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia and can be made via the website.
