Two Good Samaritan Oblates travelled to Bacolod in the Philippines last month on a journey which not only deepened their understanding of Good Samaritan ministries there, but also provided an opportunity to spend time with Sisters, a local Oblate and Oblate inquirers.

By Debra Vermeer

Good Samaritan Oblate Community Coordinator Marie Mohr and Victorian Oblate Eileen Stevens had been planning a trip to Bacolod for two years after they both attended a retreat with Philippines-based Sister Anne Dixon SGS.

“After many conversations with Anne over the past 12 months, we finally made plans to make the trip in November. While we weren’t quite sure what to expect, there was a sense that this would be an experience we would remember,” Marie said.

“Although I had some expectations, I don’t think I was fully prepared for how confronting the situation of poverty would be. More than 60 per cent of the population in Bacolod lives in the squatter areas and the sheer scale of the poverty is confronting.”

Marie and Eileen were keen to join the Sisters in their day-to-day ministry of support to the people living in the squatter settlements through the Good Samaritan Outreach Center.

Nourishing meals are served to people in Boulevard. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

“We just stepped into whatever was happening on the day,” Marie said. “On one of the days, Eileen spent time assisting the women who prepared the food. On other days we went with Anne and the team of women to Boulevard (squatter settlement) and served the meals that had been cooked at the Center.

“More than 420 children were fed on that day, and they do that twice a week.

“It was deeply moving to see the patience and smiles of appreciation from the people queueing up for food. Some of the women invited us into their homes and I will never forget their pride and dignity as they showed us their incredibly simple homes. That was such a humbling experience for me.

“The Benedictine hospitality and the Good Samaritan charism of being neighbour is ever-present in all that happens within the Outreach Center; both Eileen and I were very moved by it.”

Eileen was accompanied by her son Tim, who also lent a hand, helping to restore a swing and a seesaw in the eco-park for use by local children.

“It was an amazing trip; to go into a community where people are so poor but everyone was so welcoming,” Eileen said. “It was just beautiful, and we felt very much at home at the Outreach Center. and Marie also visited the Good Samaritan Kinder School in Bacolod and said the interaction with the four and five-year-old students at their assembly was a touching experience.

The Principal of the Kinder School is Marites Lagrito, who is a Good Samaritan Oblate. Marie said it was a great opportunity to spend time together as Oblates and learn more about Marites’ experience.

Tim Stevens and Sister Anne Dixon SGS test the repaired seesaw. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

“While Marites is our only Oblate in the Philippines at the moment, there is some interest among the local women and there is one inquirer,” Marie said.

During their visit, Marie and Eileen were invited to attend a gathering of local women who are at the ‘Come and See’ stage of Oblate inquiry.

Marites said the evening was a follow-up to a similar event held in September. “It was a night of prayer, reflection, conversation, and exchanging experiences and ideas,” she said.

Marites said it was a joy to spend time with her fellow Oblates, Marie and Eileen, and for Marie, as the Oblate Community Coordinator, to speak with those who are interested in learning more about the Oblate way of life.

“I loved the way Marie connected and shared her ideas,” Marites said. “I felt so lucky to have her in our gathering. The way she talked inspired us all, especially our inquirers.”

Marites, who is now a Local Coordinator for the Good Samaritan Oblates, said that being a part of the Oblate community, even though she lives quite a distance from the other Oblates, is a blessing in her life.

“I don’t find it a challenge (being the only Oblate). Rather, I feel blessed to be with the other Oblates, though we don’t meet or talk every day. Every time I meet them via Zoom or chat with them via email, I feel that we are near each other,” she said.

A labyrinth at the eco-park was lovingly built by the Outreach Center team. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

“The people involved in the leadership team are all very supportive and generous in extending their hands to help me. And I met the other local coordinators personally when I attended the Oblate gathering in Sydney in October, and some via Zoom. I was overwhelmed by their kindness. They are truly a good support for me.”

Marie said it was a great encouragement to join Marites and the Sisters at the meeting of Oblate inquirers. “It is amazing to see the growth in leadership that has happened with the local coordinators over the past 12 months since the establishment of the new Oblate structure,” she said.

“The Spirit is moving. We don’t know exactly how it will move or what will eventuate, but it was a real joy to be a part of that gathering in Bacolod.”

Marie and Eileen said their visit to the Philippines had a big impact on them and they both hope to return. “It was just such a happy time,” Eileen said. “It was very, very special.”

If you would like to know more about Good Samaritan Oblates or find out more about connecting, send an email to  gsoblatecoordinator@goodsams.org.au.

From left: Sister Grace Marcelo SGS, Sister Anne Dixon SGS, Tim Stevens, Eileen Stevens and Good Samaritan Oblate Community Coordinator Marie Mohr at the Outreach Centre. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.