ST. JOSEPH APOSTOLATE TO THE SICK, ELDERLY, CHALLENGED & MALEFIC DISTURBED: by: Bro. Bobby General (NSTI)
Intro: It has been quite a number of years now but here in the parish of St. Joseph, we have an apostolate to the hospital (St. Clares) and to the elderly parishioners who cannot go and hear Mass on Sundays. I can say that it has been a very fruitful apostolate as we have met so many people who genuinely appreciated our taking time to be with them and feel the love of God and the Church for them in their time of weakness.
SHORT BACKGROUND:
The Apostolate started for us through the encouragement of a Franciscan nun, Sister Helen who practically recruited me, Bro. Jun Sunga and Bro. Rod. Then we asked permission from our good parish priest, Msgr. Roberto Espenilla for a faculty of sorts to conduct it. Since that time our Apostolate has grown to include the elderly and the sick in the parish. These days, however, it is just me and Bro Jun who continue with it because Sister Helen has moved and our Bro Rod has retired from the ministry. By the grace of God, we continue with this and have over the years seen the Lord use this particular Apostolate to provide solace for the afflicted, healing (physical and spiritual) & hope for the sick. Traits associated with our patron, St. Joseph.
SHORT BACKGROUND:
The Apostolate started for us through the encouragement of a Franciscan nun, Sister Helen who practically recruited me, Bro. Jun Sunga and Bro. Rod. Then we asked permission from our good parish priest, Msgr. Roberto Espenilla for a faculty of sorts to conduct it. Since that time our Apostolate has grown to include the elderly and the sick in the parish. These days, however, it is just me and Bro Jun who continue with it because Sister Helen has moved and our Bro Rod has retired from the ministry. By the grace of God, we continue with this and have over the years seen the Lord use this particular Apostolate to provide solace for the afflicted, healing (physical and spiritual) & hope for the sick. Traits associated with our patron, St. Joseph.
BRO. ROD LAPORTEZA: "AN ELDERLY"
For this article, we will feature Bro. Rod whom I met through the request of a nephew. You see, I give communion to an aunt until the time that she passed over to be with the Lord. Also, I am familiar in their neighborhood as I go here every Sunday to do the same to quite a number of them regularly. So, at the request of his nephew, I met Bro Rod for the first time about 5 or 6 months ago and conducted the service at his home.
After that first Sunday, I thought that this would be a regular thing for us. However, to my surprise, when I went there the next Sunday, they refused. Not thinking about any negative reason or reasons, I went on my way to the next person I will visit and decided to try again next week. The next week I went and the same response. I did this for maybe 3 more Sundays and finally, I just decided not to try anymore thinking that maybe it was not meant to be.
I pass by their house every week still though, then one day, out of the blue, I saw him outside their house seemingly waiting for me. We exchanged greetings then he asked if he can receive communion, of course, I agreed. After the service, he told me if he can confess something to me. Naturally, I told him that he cannot confess sacramentally since I am not a priest. He clarified and just wanted to tell me something. Then he proceeded to tell me that he took offense the 1st time I gave him communion because he thought that this is done only on those who are going to pass away or on the brink and critical. He knows that he is far from it so he should not have this. But a few weeks prior a relative visited him who explained that such is not truly the case. Enlightened he waited for me to receive communion. I told him that this is not the same as the last rites to which he associated this. He was truly relieved and from then, we do this every Sunday.
A few Sundays ago, he asked me to listen to him share about his operation and the surrounding events leading to it. It started when he started to spit blood which prompted him to have a thorough check-up. After all the tests, the doctor informed him that he is very critical and many organs are damaged and would require an operation. As we know, operations are very expensive here so naturally, finance is a concern. Even before he was to be operated, with nothing better to do, he decided to go through his cabinet of papers to dispose of them. He has been retired (law office) for quite some time now so he can just throw irrelevant papers. While going over the stuff, he chanced upon a bank book that he has very little recollection. Under his name, the bankbook revealed that in it is 1 million pesos more or less. He contacted the bank to inquire about how to get the money. After a few bank visits, the bank called him one day to say that the money is intact and withdrawable if he so desires and more than that it earned .4 million in interest and stuff. He told me that this is what he used for his operation and he was truly grateful to God for this blessing. He shared it to me because he thought that I was bringing him the Lord and he has the audacity to reject Him when he rejected my offer for communion. I told him that I would share his story to others and he agreed and said that sometimes God is already knocking and we fail to answer His call. His illness, the miraculous provision and my visit to him every Sunday reinforced his faith that God loves him very much and that the only response according to him should be being grateful. I told him that another name for God is Divine Providence.
Bro Rod and I are fast becoming friends. It is the same with some of the other persons that I give communion to every Sunday. Truth to tell they think I am evangelizing them but it is actually them who does that to me with their welcome, love, and humility. The Lord has a way of uniting people whose relationship is founded not on abilities, status or educational attainment but on the faith-filled belief that it is Jesus who we receive every time we partake of the Sacred Meal. I thank the Lord for these people who receive Him through an unworthy vessel like me. I do not forget to pray for each and every one of them by name every day. Their welcome is sometimes overwhelming, they tell me that they feel that Bro Bobby loves and cares for them but it is them who actually makes me feel loved and appreciated in these little offerings in the name of St. Joseph my personal patron. In the litany to St. Joseph, he is described as the solace of the afflicted, the hope of the sick and the patron of the dying among others. May the Lord continue to favor this apostolate named after our patron and the Universal Patron of the Catholic Church! All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
(Non-Nobis Domini, non-Nobis, seda Nomini tuom da gloriam!)
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your Name be the glory!
For this article, we will feature Bro. Rod whom I met through the request of a nephew. You see, I give communion to an aunt until the time that she passed over to be with the Lord. Also, I am familiar in their neighborhood as I go here every Sunday to do the same to quite a number of them regularly. So, at the request of his nephew, I met Bro Rod for the first time about 5 or 6 months ago and conducted the service at his home.
After that first Sunday, I thought that this would be a regular thing for us. However, to my surprise, when I went there the next Sunday, they refused. Not thinking about any negative reason or reasons, I went on my way to the next person I will visit and decided to try again next week. The next week I went and the same response. I did this for maybe 3 more Sundays and finally, I just decided not to try anymore thinking that maybe it was not meant to be.
I pass by their house every week still though, then one day, out of the blue, I saw him outside their house seemingly waiting for me. We exchanged greetings then he asked if he can receive communion, of course, I agreed. After the service, he told me if he can confess something to me. Naturally, I told him that he cannot confess sacramentally since I am not a priest. He clarified and just wanted to tell me something. Then he proceeded to tell me that he took offense the 1st time I gave him communion because he thought that this is done only on those who are going to pass away or on the brink and critical. He knows that he is far from it so he should not have this. But a few weeks prior a relative visited him who explained that such is not truly the case. Enlightened he waited for me to receive communion. I told him that this is not the same as the last rites to which he associated this. He was truly relieved and from then, we do this every Sunday.
A few Sundays ago, he asked me to listen to him share about his operation and the surrounding events leading to it. It started when he started to spit blood which prompted him to have a thorough check-up. After all the tests, the doctor informed him that he is very critical and many organs are damaged and would require an operation. As we know, operations are very expensive here so naturally, finance is a concern. Even before he was to be operated, with nothing better to do, he decided to go through his cabinet of papers to dispose of them. He has been retired (law office) for quite some time now so he can just throw irrelevant papers. While going over the stuff, he chanced upon a bank book that he has very little recollection. Under his name, the bankbook revealed that in it is 1 million pesos more or less. He contacted the bank to inquire about how to get the money. After a few bank visits, the bank called him one day to say that the money is intact and withdrawable if he so desires and more than that it earned .4 million in interest and stuff. He told me that this is what he used for his operation and he was truly grateful to God for this blessing. He shared it to me because he thought that I was bringing him the Lord and he has the audacity to reject Him when he rejected my offer for communion. I told him that I would share his story to others and he agreed and said that sometimes God is already knocking and we fail to answer His call. His illness, the miraculous provision and my visit to him every Sunday reinforced his faith that God loves him very much and that the only response according to him should be being grateful. I told him that another name for God is Divine Providence.
Bro Rod and I are fast becoming friends. It is the same with some of the other persons that I give communion to every Sunday. Truth to tell they think I am evangelizing them but it is actually them who does that to me with their welcome, love, and humility. The Lord has a way of uniting people whose relationship is founded not on abilities, status or educational attainment but on the faith-filled belief that it is Jesus who we receive every time we partake of the Sacred Meal. I thank the Lord for these people who receive Him through an unworthy vessel like me. I do not forget to pray for each and every one of them by name every day. Their welcome is sometimes overwhelming, they tell me that they feel that Bro Bobby loves and cares for them but it is them who actually makes me feel loved and appreciated in these little offerings in the name of St. Joseph my personal patron. In the litany to St. Joseph, he is described as the solace of the afflicted, the hope of the sick and the patron of the dying among others. May the Lord continue to favor this apostolate named after our patron and the Universal Patron of the Catholic Church! All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
(Non-Nobis Domini, non-Nobis, seda Nomini tuom da gloriam!)
Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your Name be the glory!
CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF LOVE, COMPASSION & MERCY:
by: Bro. Bobby General
(NSTI, CFD, SJWP)
A definition of threshold is "boundary beyond which a radically different state of affairs exist". In this article I shall share my personal experiences in the hospital to which I conduct a weekly Apostolate. I will share on particularly my 3 experiences with brothers who I try to minister by counselling. I am thankful to the head psychiatrist, who despite my being quite ordinary, had the confidence to allow me to counsel the patients particularly regarding spirituality. You see, the section that I conduct this is the Neurological & Recovery Section to which the patients are either recovering abusers (drug & alcohol) or those who are clinically challenged mentally or emotionally. In all my years of doing this, I realized that these people are just like us in every sense except that they are undergoing something which led to their confinement. In other words, probably given the same circumstances, we might as well be in here rather than them. They are the ones who are truly moving me by their reception to the Word (Jesus) & the Eucharist (Jesus).
Below I will be featuring just 3 recent experiences with 3 exceptional brothers who I believe has crossed the threshold of enlightenment spiritually. They are 3 different brothers with 3 different circumstances and with 3 different states. I will share our encounter (counselling) however, I will not have their pictures nor will give their real names. They will be given pseudonyms to protect their identities which might have a negative effect to their person or their families. Confidentiality is of the utmost priority but, to my estimation, there are lessons and reflections that we can learn here. Fact is I learned a lot about courage, compassion, humility and so much from these encounters hence, my desire to share them with you all. God bless us all especially the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged and the dying of today.
The value I think in all of them is in the spiritual realm which I believe is the greater aspect of our lives, who have been given by the Lord, body and soul. By spiritual we mean the soul and the effect it has on them who not like the body, has the potential to be infinite in nature with God's grace and help.
The 3 brothers will be named; Joe the Atheist, John the Bipolar & James the Drug Abuser (not real names but accurate descriptions) and my encounter with them will be the gist of this article.
Below I will be featuring just 3 recent experiences with 3 exceptional brothers who I believe has crossed the threshold of enlightenment spiritually. They are 3 different brothers with 3 different circumstances and with 3 different states. I will share our encounter (counselling) however, I will not have their pictures nor will give their real names. They will be given pseudonyms to protect their identities which might have a negative effect to their person or their families. Confidentiality is of the utmost priority but, to my estimation, there are lessons and reflections that we can learn here. Fact is I learned a lot about courage, compassion, humility and so much from these encounters hence, my desire to share them with you all. God bless us all especially the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged and the dying of today.
The value I think in all of them is in the spiritual realm which I believe is the greater aspect of our lives, who have been given by the Lord, body and soul. By spiritual we mean the soul and the effect it has on them who not like the body, has the potential to be infinite in nature with God's grace and help.
The 3 brothers will be named; Joe the Atheist, John the Bipolar & James the Drug Abuser (not real names but accurate descriptions) and my encounter with them will be the gist of this article.
JOE: THE ATHEIST
It was at the tail end of Lent and just like what I had started the previous years, I scheduled a confession for the patients in the section. I maintained that the goal of evangelization is to bring people to Jesus our Lord. I have used as a model the words of Pope Francis who exhorts us to bring people to the sacraments where they will meet Jesus personally. For this year, I brought along our guest priest at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Fr. Norbert Gomes from Bangladesh.
We surrendered our cellphones and proceeded to the reception where we conducted the Confession. Everything went well and every time a patient leaves, meaning done already, they would thank me and give respect to me asking for blessing (mano). After about maybe 7 or 8 patients, the one who entered looks like a foreigner and indeed he was. So I asked him if he is a Catholic (like what I always do when I see a new patient)? He replied and told us he is an "ATHEIST". So Fr. Norbert was confused and motioned that I take over. So I spoke to the brother, Joe the Atheist (not real name), told him that he could not confess because he is not a Catholic. He was taken aback and told us that he just needed to talk with somebody so when the staff was announcing confession, he volunteered. In response I told him that although we could not administer the Sacrament, we can still have a counselling session and this is a spiritual one, in line with the mandate I got. He was so happy and told us, "I am really fucked up and I needed to speak about the many things I have done". So like in all counselling I asked him to tell us his story and why he considers himself an "atheist". He told us that his family did not practice any religion and the schools he studied in Canada did not encourage the same. So as far he is concerned he is one. I told him that religion or membership is not important what is important is he begin to understand that there is a God who created all of us, there is Jesus the Savior to which by His blood we are reconciled back to God. You must put in your heart that there is a God who wants to reveal Himself more intimately to him. He seems to get the point and responded by saying, "could this God forgive me for all the bad things I did"? Without missing a beat, he told that he did an incestous relationship, he curses left and right, he stole from his father and many other people, he lost his job which is a high paying job and that he is a drug abuser. He is just 24 and he started doing this when he was 16. In short he said that all went south for him and the reason that he is here is to go to a rehab program in Tagaytay, hoping to get back to right path. Can God still forgive me? I told him that God can and would want to forgive him. I think the realization that he needed and would want to change the direction of his life, is something God has placed in his heart because He loves him. Told him the story of the prodigal son and the loving father in Luke 15. After I told him the scriptural story, his demeanor changed and for us (me & Fr. Norbert), there is a glow in his face. Then I told him that I am familiar with the program he will undergo and pleaded that he must remain open to the program and that would include having a relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth. He replied and told me that after we had spoken to him, he is now open to knowing more about God and how to know Him. Lastly, I told him that if you are asked to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus, he must open his heart to this truth. Also told him that our meeting is not an accident and God would want him to know Him because he has a plan for his good and welfare. We prayed for him and after that we hugged and bid each other goodbye. Since this is the last one, we went out of the hospital and we were just amazed at the love of God for him and that through us, he is now on the threshold were God will reveal Himself more so that when he goes home in Canada, he will be a new man and by his witness, lead others to God as well.
Lessons:
1. WE ARE ALL SINNER: (Romans 3:23)
In order to be better or to improve the 1st and most important step is to realize and admit that we are not perfect and to recognize our shortcomings would lead us to freedom and eventually to be on a better state than we were upon realization of the same. Joe, when he admitted he needed help and admitted it, took the most important step to becoming the persons we were meant to be.
2. GOD IS THE ONLY GOOD ONE: (John 15:5)
God is the force that we need in order to overcome whatever we are undergoing at the moment. The prodigal son story highlights the fact that our God is merciful and compassionate. If we go to Him, he would meet us more than halfway and lead us to the steps we need to improve albeit this time with Him along side us. St. Paul said, "if God is with us, who can stand against us".
3. COURAGE MAKES US HUMBLE: (Philippians 3: 12-14)
Courage can also be defined as "strength under fire". In situations that we were placed (Fr. Norbert & myself), we have to "step up in faith". Sometimes we will be put situationally outside our comfort zone, yet, we must have enough confidence in God to see us through them. I think those who conduct ministry and/or apostolate would be afraid or have fear because they miss the most important point, IT IS NOT US, OUR ABILITIES NOR OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is about God who is all knowing, all powerful and all righteous. We are just instruments (not even perfect one at that). Humility I think is going to be a fruit of this attitude because we will actually give glory to God and edify His people despite who we are.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
We surrendered our cellphones and proceeded to the reception where we conducted the Confession. Everything went well and every time a patient leaves, meaning done already, they would thank me and give respect to me asking for blessing (mano). After about maybe 7 or 8 patients, the one who entered looks like a foreigner and indeed he was. So I asked him if he is a Catholic (like what I always do when I see a new patient)? He replied and told us he is an "ATHEIST". So Fr. Norbert was confused and motioned that I take over. So I spoke to the brother, Joe the Atheist (not real name), told him that he could not confess because he is not a Catholic. He was taken aback and told us that he just needed to talk with somebody so when the staff was announcing confession, he volunteered. In response I told him that although we could not administer the Sacrament, we can still have a counselling session and this is a spiritual one, in line with the mandate I got. He was so happy and told us, "I am really fucked up and I needed to speak about the many things I have done". So like in all counselling I asked him to tell us his story and why he considers himself an "atheist". He told us that his family did not practice any religion and the schools he studied in Canada did not encourage the same. So as far he is concerned he is one. I told him that religion or membership is not important what is important is he begin to understand that there is a God who created all of us, there is Jesus the Savior to which by His blood we are reconciled back to God. You must put in your heart that there is a God who wants to reveal Himself more intimately to him. He seems to get the point and responded by saying, "could this God forgive me for all the bad things I did"? Without missing a beat, he told that he did an incestous relationship, he curses left and right, he stole from his father and many other people, he lost his job which is a high paying job and that he is a drug abuser. He is just 24 and he started doing this when he was 16. In short he said that all went south for him and the reason that he is here is to go to a rehab program in Tagaytay, hoping to get back to right path. Can God still forgive me? I told him that God can and would want to forgive him. I think the realization that he needed and would want to change the direction of his life, is something God has placed in his heart because He loves him. Told him the story of the prodigal son and the loving father in Luke 15. After I told him the scriptural story, his demeanor changed and for us (me & Fr. Norbert), there is a glow in his face. Then I told him that I am familiar with the program he will undergo and pleaded that he must remain open to the program and that would include having a relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth. He replied and told me that after we had spoken to him, he is now open to knowing more about God and how to know Him. Lastly, I told him that if you are asked to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus, he must open his heart to this truth. Also told him that our meeting is not an accident and God would want him to know Him because he has a plan for his good and welfare. We prayed for him and after that we hugged and bid each other goodbye. Since this is the last one, we went out of the hospital and we were just amazed at the love of God for him and that through us, he is now on the threshold were God will reveal Himself more so that when he goes home in Canada, he will be a new man and by his witness, lead others to God as well.
Lessons:
1. WE ARE ALL SINNER: (Romans 3:23)
In order to be better or to improve the 1st and most important step is to realize and admit that we are not perfect and to recognize our shortcomings would lead us to freedom and eventually to be on a better state than we were upon realization of the same. Joe, when he admitted he needed help and admitted it, took the most important step to becoming the persons we were meant to be.
2. GOD IS THE ONLY GOOD ONE: (John 15:5)
God is the force that we need in order to overcome whatever we are undergoing at the moment. The prodigal son story highlights the fact that our God is merciful and compassionate. If we go to Him, he would meet us more than halfway and lead us to the steps we need to improve albeit this time with Him along side us. St. Paul said, "if God is with us, who can stand against us".
3. COURAGE MAKES US HUMBLE: (Philippians 3: 12-14)
Courage can also be defined as "strength under fire". In situations that we were placed (Fr. Norbert & myself), we have to "step up in faith". Sometimes we will be put situationally outside our comfort zone, yet, we must have enough confidence in God to see us through them. I think those who conduct ministry and/or apostolate would be afraid or have fear because they miss the most important point, IT IS NOT US, OUR ABILITIES NOR OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is about God who is all knowing, all powerful and all righteous. We are just instruments (not even perfect one at that). Humility I think is going to be a fruit of this attitude because we will actually give glory to God and edify His people despite who we are.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
JOHN: THE BIPOLAR
A. Characters:
1. John the Bipolar: he is one the patients who receives the Word & Eucharist at the section in the hospital. I would characterize as very amicable, articulate and very interested in the service. As a matter of fact, he would ask me if he could have the copy of the Missalette and I give it to him every week. He said he would reflect on them for the whole week. One day, he approached me and asked if he could have a counselling session with me about the many spiritual things that he is undergoing or experiencing. I told the staff if they could speak to head doctor if he is allowed to have such a session. The next week, John told me and so did the staff that the good doctor approved the counselling.
2. Bro. Jose Palma: he is a seminarian from Pangasinan and as part of his immersion was sent here in the parish of St. Joseph the Worker. He actually stayed in the building that I administer and spent some time sharing with me. The night before I was scheduled to do the counselling, I spoke to him about it and asked if he would want to join me. I told him that hospital ministry is in the heart of Pope Francis & Cardinal Tagle. The young man and soon to be priest (God willing) agreed to join me tomorrow.
3. Bro. Bobby Genera: no worries, it is just me.
B. Bipolar Disorder:
"Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows in mood and energy. While everyone experiences ups and downs, the severe shifts that happen in bipolar disorder can have a serious impact on a person’s life.Bipolar disorder can be extremely distressing and disruptive for those who have this disease, their spouses, family members, friends, and employers. Although there is no known cure, bipolar disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible. Individuals with bipolar disorder can and do have successful relationships and meaningful jobs. The combination of medication, therapy, healthy lifestyle, and support helps the vast majority of people return to productive, fulfilling lives."
“Bipolar disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible.”
Like most mental disorder, person suffering from these things have a distorted sense of reality. This means that their perception of things is basically different from those we might call "normal". Many of these people hear voices, see things that we do not see and even their sense of self is somewhat unorthodox to say the least. In the years that I have been in contact with these people, I have learned some basic things in conversing with them like not to take their word on face value meaning I would try to see beyond their words and concentrate on what they are actually saying. However, the most important thing that I learned is that when I speak with them is to ask the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, to help me discern and if need see beyond the facade that their words convey. A friend of mine once said, "how can you relate with these people and why are you not afraid to talk with them"? Joking, I told him I can relate to them because maybe I also have mental disorder. I am not afraid because I know if God led me to this place, time and person, He would be the one to minister and not really me. Besides St. John said, "if there is fear in you, the love of God is not yet perfect with you". For me this is just a moment for me to share God's love and when I feel doubtful, I just make a prayer of surrender to the King of kings who is love, wisdom and provision Himself.
C. Counselling Time:
We left our building and proceeded to the Section of the hospital. We waited for him at the reception area and soon enough John arrived with his notebook and stuff. We greeted each other and I introduced the Bro Jose to him and asked permission if he would not mind having him around. He agreed to the arrangement and I asked him how was he today? He proceeded to tell us that he just came from the solitary because he touched a female patient in the hand. This is not allowed in the section to prevent intimacy to develop among patients. I asked him how he took it? He said it was fine because he did violate a rule. Then I asked him when does he think he will be going to the half way house (community style rehabilitation) he responded that maybe in about a month more or less according to his chief doctor. Then I asked him if he would want to share or something. He proceeded to ask me these questions:
What do I think of what he perceives that when he ask God questions with an answer of yes and no, he would involuntarily move his head to right which means yes and to the left which means no? I told him that sometimes God will indeed do that but most of the time He will not. If guidance is what he seeks, he must consult these things; the bible, sacred traditions and the teaching authority of the Church. Also it is important that for us to speak with those who more or less have more spiritual experiences and consult them like priests, ministers and the like.
What do you think of my experience before I came here when I was in my room, I found myself stark naked and dancing in front of the mirror demonically and speaking words that I do not understand? Am I possessed at the time? I told him that I spoke with a few exorcist and they told me that sometimes people with psychological problems do feel they are and that some are truly indeed. However, I learned from them that most of the time it is the disorder that takes hold of the person even physically like his experience. In the end it is all for a purpose and he interjected that when his mom saw this, it was the time he was brought to the institution, So I told him not to dwell on this experience but rather to concentrate on what we need to do be better.
Then there was the question about his business, his resentment over family and so much more. About the business I said we should not think about it yet and put our attention to how we could be better clinically and spiritually. Told him the importance of attending Mass every Sunday, reading the bible (I gave him one) everyday and just one chapter a day, praying the rosary everyday (gave him a rosary and the guide) and having a grateful heart. About his resentment that he must learn and ask the graces from God to forgive the people that harmed him and his family. Unforgiveness is a big detractor to growth in the spirit. He must remember that God has forgiven him, so shall we forgive those who trespass against us. Citing as well that at least we pray this 5 times a day when we recite the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to forgive those who trespass against us.
I think that if this person recovers which I hope and pray will be sooner than later, he can be a force for good especially to those who are undergoing this disease and told him about it. Then the staff came in that time is up already so I asked him to pray and then I gave him a blessing. He left and so did we. Told him that next week before he leaves I will visit him again. He said he will be looking forward to it. Gave him a book about the lives of the saints and told him to read about one saint a day, then reflect on how he can apply them in his life even here, inside the Section.
Lessons:
1. I told Bro Jose that when he becomes a priest, do not shy away from the ministry to the sick even those who are mentally challenged. He promised me that he will not and next semester this will be the focus of his study. He thanked me that I allowed him to join me. I told him that if he sees the Archbishop, extend my regards to him. You see he used to be auxiliary bishop for the district of Makati before the division. I even told him that for many years, during Christmas time, the good Archbishop will send me Christmas cards. Furthermore, I told him that I am not sure if he would remember me. The young soon to be priest said that for sure he does because he does not forget people.
2. When you are counselling people with this disorder, do not take their entire word but do not disregard it as well. In the midst of all this is the truth and do not, I repeat do not think it is you who is the wise one. Make it a time of prayer meaning listen to him/her in one ear and the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit) in the other. We are not the wise one and according to St. Thomas Aquinas, "wisdom is Jesus". Just be an instrument and allow Him to speak through you.
3. Heart to heart is what we should be able to attain as we connect with them. They can and truly appreciate the value whenever we give them our time and especially our heart for their welfare (actually better some supposedly balanced people). Do not focus on knowledge (gnosis) but make it a love (heart) connection. This is not about techniques, this is about one beggar showing another beggar the bread (wisdom) is and the bread is actually Jesus, the bread of life.
1. John the Bipolar: he is one the patients who receives the Word & Eucharist at the section in the hospital. I would characterize as very amicable, articulate and very interested in the service. As a matter of fact, he would ask me if he could have the copy of the Missalette and I give it to him every week. He said he would reflect on them for the whole week. One day, he approached me and asked if he could have a counselling session with me about the many spiritual things that he is undergoing or experiencing. I told the staff if they could speak to head doctor if he is allowed to have such a session. The next week, John told me and so did the staff that the good doctor approved the counselling.
2. Bro. Jose Palma: he is a seminarian from Pangasinan and as part of his immersion was sent here in the parish of St. Joseph the Worker. He actually stayed in the building that I administer and spent some time sharing with me. The night before I was scheduled to do the counselling, I spoke to him about it and asked if he would want to join me. I told him that hospital ministry is in the heart of Pope Francis & Cardinal Tagle. The young man and soon to be priest (God willing) agreed to join me tomorrow.
3. Bro. Bobby Genera: no worries, it is just me.
B. Bipolar Disorder:
"Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows in mood and energy. While everyone experiences ups and downs, the severe shifts that happen in bipolar disorder can have a serious impact on a person’s life.Bipolar disorder can be extremely distressing and disruptive for those who have this disease, their spouses, family members, friends, and employers. Although there is no known cure, bipolar disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible. Individuals with bipolar disorder can and do have successful relationships and meaningful jobs. The combination of medication, therapy, healthy lifestyle, and support helps the vast majority of people return to productive, fulfilling lives."
“Bipolar disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible.”
Like most mental disorder, person suffering from these things have a distorted sense of reality. This means that their perception of things is basically different from those we might call "normal". Many of these people hear voices, see things that we do not see and even their sense of self is somewhat unorthodox to say the least. In the years that I have been in contact with these people, I have learned some basic things in conversing with them like not to take their word on face value meaning I would try to see beyond their words and concentrate on what they are actually saying. However, the most important thing that I learned is that when I speak with them is to ask the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, to help me discern and if need see beyond the facade that their words convey. A friend of mine once said, "how can you relate with these people and why are you not afraid to talk with them"? Joking, I told him I can relate to them because maybe I also have mental disorder. I am not afraid because I know if God led me to this place, time and person, He would be the one to minister and not really me. Besides St. John said, "if there is fear in you, the love of God is not yet perfect with you". For me this is just a moment for me to share God's love and when I feel doubtful, I just make a prayer of surrender to the King of kings who is love, wisdom and provision Himself.
C. Counselling Time:
We left our building and proceeded to the Section of the hospital. We waited for him at the reception area and soon enough John arrived with his notebook and stuff. We greeted each other and I introduced the Bro Jose to him and asked permission if he would not mind having him around. He agreed to the arrangement and I asked him how was he today? He proceeded to tell us that he just came from the solitary because he touched a female patient in the hand. This is not allowed in the section to prevent intimacy to develop among patients. I asked him how he took it? He said it was fine because he did violate a rule. Then I asked him when does he think he will be going to the half way house (community style rehabilitation) he responded that maybe in about a month more or less according to his chief doctor. Then I asked him if he would want to share or something. He proceeded to ask me these questions:
What do I think of what he perceives that when he ask God questions with an answer of yes and no, he would involuntarily move his head to right which means yes and to the left which means no? I told him that sometimes God will indeed do that but most of the time He will not. If guidance is what he seeks, he must consult these things; the bible, sacred traditions and the teaching authority of the Church. Also it is important that for us to speak with those who more or less have more spiritual experiences and consult them like priests, ministers and the like.
What do you think of my experience before I came here when I was in my room, I found myself stark naked and dancing in front of the mirror demonically and speaking words that I do not understand? Am I possessed at the time? I told him that I spoke with a few exorcist and they told me that sometimes people with psychological problems do feel they are and that some are truly indeed. However, I learned from them that most of the time it is the disorder that takes hold of the person even physically like his experience. In the end it is all for a purpose and he interjected that when his mom saw this, it was the time he was brought to the institution, So I told him not to dwell on this experience but rather to concentrate on what we need to do be better.
Then there was the question about his business, his resentment over family and so much more. About the business I said we should not think about it yet and put our attention to how we could be better clinically and spiritually. Told him the importance of attending Mass every Sunday, reading the bible (I gave him one) everyday and just one chapter a day, praying the rosary everyday (gave him a rosary and the guide) and having a grateful heart. About his resentment that he must learn and ask the graces from God to forgive the people that harmed him and his family. Unforgiveness is a big detractor to growth in the spirit. He must remember that God has forgiven him, so shall we forgive those who trespass against us. Citing as well that at least we pray this 5 times a day when we recite the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to forgive those who trespass against us.
I think that if this person recovers which I hope and pray will be sooner than later, he can be a force for good especially to those who are undergoing this disease and told him about it. Then the staff came in that time is up already so I asked him to pray and then I gave him a blessing. He left and so did we. Told him that next week before he leaves I will visit him again. He said he will be looking forward to it. Gave him a book about the lives of the saints and told him to read about one saint a day, then reflect on how he can apply them in his life even here, inside the Section.
Lessons:
1. I told Bro Jose that when he becomes a priest, do not shy away from the ministry to the sick even those who are mentally challenged. He promised me that he will not and next semester this will be the focus of his study. He thanked me that I allowed him to join me. I told him that if he sees the Archbishop, extend my regards to him. You see he used to be auxiliary bishop for the district of Makati before the division. I even told him that for many years, during Christmas time, the good Archbishop will send me Christmas cards. Furthermore, I told him that I am not sure if he would remember me. The young soon to be priest said that for sure he does because he does not forget people.
2. When you are counselling people with this disorder, do not take their entire word but do not disregard it as well. In the midst of all this is the truth and do not, I repeat do not think it is you who is the wise one. Make it a time of prayer meaning listen to him/her in one ear and the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit) in the other. We are not the wise one and according to St. Thomas Aquinas, "wisdom is Jesus". Just be an instrument and allow Him to speak through you.
3. Heart to heart is what we should be able to attain as we connect with them. They can and truly appreciate the value whenever we give them our time and especially our heart for their welfare (actually better some supposedly balanced people). Do not focus on knowledge (gnosis) but make it a love (heart) connection. This is not about techniques, this is about one beggar showing another beggar the bread (wisdom) is and the bread is actually Jesus, the bread of life.
JAMES: DRUG ABUSER
Meet Bro. James, he is perhaps one of my longest friends in the Section because we first met about 5 years ago when we started with this, the St. Joseph Apostolate for the Sick & Elderly together with Bro. Jun Sunga & Bro Rod Gualberto. He actually has been around that time and is one of the more enthusiastic patients who look forward to our Sunday Service. He comes from a very political family and for obvious reasons was well off, financially. I have learned that he has some properties for rent and is the source of his personal income. He is married and has a son going on his teen years right now. I noticed that he responds to the celebration and knows them by heart meaning he came from a Catholic School and does hear Mass. He became the first person to ask a favor from me and that is if he could have Confession. This is the first of many encounters with him and counselling.
True to his request, I spoke to our guest priest at St. Joseph, the good Fr. Johon Minto Ray, and asked him to accompany me in the hospital. I told him that this will have no stipend as we will be giving this to patients who do not have money at the moment. I told him that this is my weekly task every Sunday. Fr. Johon (he became a very close friend of our family) agreed and accompanied me in this very first Sacrament of Reconciliation done at the hospital. Truth to tell he has done this on a regular basis until he left last year to which these days it is either Fr. Norbert or Fr. Jaypee Escalada who ministers to them for this sacrament. I will forever be thankful to God for these holy men who heeded the call to be channels of God's love and mercy to the patients.
After he has gone to confession, James became more energetic and would somehow become the leader for the group as whenever I arrive there, he would gather and call everyone to participate in the celebration. He would respond and whenever some unruly patient would speak out of line, he would hush them down and gesture silence. You see, some patients would be hyper and hard to control but someone should control them. James and the staff at the hospital would perform this task.
One day he approached me again after the service and sought permission if he could speak to me, of course I agreed. He proceeded to tell me that he is here because he got hooked on drugs and does want to be rehabilitated and overcome this addiction. He said further that his son is growing up and is now at the critical time in his life and would badly be in need of guidance, the guidance of a father. He is devastated that this is situation right now and do miss being in his normal world. I told him that he is just here temporarily and that he is going to leave here a better person. He became better and soon enough, left the Section. When he left, he thanked me for the encouragement and I made him promise to do 3 things; hear Mass every Sunday, read his bible daily , and pray the Rosary everyday. He promised to do them, we parted ways and I continued to go to the section every Sunday.
After about a year or two, right about the time that the current president went to office, I saw him once again in the section and inquired why. He told me that his father decided to put him here once again because he is on the drug watch list and feared for his safety. He carried on with being the leader of sorts at the service and from time to time will talk to me about missing his family. Also I learned that when election are up, he and his sister would be brought here in the section for safekeeping and also so that the family's political opponents will not use them for smear campaign. Actually I know his sister as well and we sort of became friends here in the section.
They would come in and from time to time leave. It is a tradition with us that when they are going to leave even for just a while, they would want me to pray over them and this I would do. Lifting them up to St. Joseph who is the patron of this Apostolate. When they are here we would catch up and they would ask me about many things both spiritual and practical. Our discussion would be even about their travels and mine, about our parents, about our education and anything under the sun so they say. Many Christmases and New Years we would be together and they would tell the other patients that this is how much Bro. Bobby cares for us. I dismiss it of course and told them all that James is the reason I am here these times because he insisted and we would all laugh.
James is typical of those who are victims of their environment because he told me that when he is here, he is not thinking about the addiction and just looks forward to Sunday service. When he is out and because of the access to drugs, he would soon give in. I told him that there is no lasting change except with the help of God. He also is the one who told me that when he is outside, soon enough he would forget to hear Mass and pray. He truly has a beautiful family and I told him that when out, they should do this together. I told him also that soon, I should speak to his wife and together we should plan a long term continuing recovery for him hand in hand with his family. He really loves his family and must be motivated that if he persist in this cycle, he would lose them all.
Last time we had counselling, he told me that the hospital should have a statue of me in the section when he realized that I am not paid when I do this. This is a voluntary thing that I do inspired by the words of Jesus in the gospel, the words of His Holiness Pope Francis and the words of His Eminence Luis Antonio.
Lessons:
1. Recovery is not an easy thing:
Recovery is like a journey over not to ideal terrains. The world around us would many times be an obstacle that we will face every single day. That on our own strength, we could never recover. It is God's work and to have long lasting one, we must cooperate with the grace of freedom that he will give us.
2. People have weaknesses:
All men have weaknesses despite the outpouring of God's grace to each one of us. For some it is drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power and many others more. I think the sooner we realize this, the better we will be and more balanced. When we realize this fact, it should lead us to a more generous view of our brothers and sisters especially whose weakness are obvious like those we classify as addictions. Those I think who would be quick to judge this people as evil or weak will most of the time, fail to see their own weaknesses and defects. Hence they are the ones who will not improve or grow anymore. Jesus said, "let him who is without sin cast the first stone".
3. Virtue is our goal:
Virtue can be found according to St. Thomas Aquinas is not lack nor the abundance, it is in the middle. Another word of virtue is good. Many times I think this applies especially to our view of self and would be the key to lead us to give to others because we are not afraid of lack but trust that God is providence Himself. When we think we are good enough already, we will not do anything to improve. A healthy, balanced view is needed if we are to be like what St. Paul said, "from one degree of glory to the next". Good is not who we are really, we are neither fully good nor fully evil. We must constantly strive to be better. There are those who think that in order for them to be good, someone had to be bad. I think that is not truly the case. One of the things we learned from St. John XXIII (Pope) is the reality of shadows and light and they coexist one to another. Let us not be quick to judge, let us be quick to love!
True to his request, I spoke to our guest priest at St. Joseph, the good Fr. Johon Minto Ray, and asked him to accompany me in the hospital. I told him that this will have no stipend as we will be giving this to patients who do not have money at the moment. I told him that this is my weekly task every Sunday. Fr. Johon (he became a very close friend of our family) agreed and accompanied me in this very first Sacrament of Reconciliation done at the hospital. Truth to tell he has done this on a regular basis until he left last year to which these days it is either Fr. Norbert or Fr. Jaypee Escalada who ministers to them for this sacrament. I will forever be thankful to God for these holy men who heeded the call to be channels of God's love and mercy to the patients.
After he has gone to confession, James became more energetic and would somehow become the leader for the group as whenever I arrive there, he would gather and call everyone to participate in the celebration. He would respond and whenever some unruly patient would speak out of line, he would hush them down and gesture silence. You see, some patients would be hyper and hard to control but someone should control them. James and the staff at the hospital would perform this task.
One day he approached me again after the service and sought permission if he could speak to me, of course I agreed. He proceeded to tell me that he is here because he got hooked on drugs and does want to be rehabilitated and overcome this addiction. He said further that his son is growing up and is now at the critical time in his life and would badly be in need of guidance, the guidance of a father. He is devastated that this is situation right now and do miss being in his normal world. I told him that he is just here temporarily and that he is going to leave here a better person. He became better and soon enough, left the Section. When he left, he thanked me for the encouragement and I made him promise to do 3 things; hear Mass every Sunday, read his bible daily , and pray the Rosary everyday. He promised to do them, we parted ways and I continued to go to the section every Sunday.
After about a year or two, right about the time that the current president went to office, I saw him once again in the section and inquired why. He told me that his father decided to put him here once again because he is on the drug watch list and feared for his safety. He carried on with being the leader of sorts at the service and from time to time will talk to me about missing his family. Also I learned that when election are up, he and his sister would be brought here in the section for safekeeping and also so that the family's political opponents will not use them for smear campaign. Actually I know his sister as well and we sort of became friends here in the section.
They would come in and from time to time leave. It is a tradition with us that when they are going to leave even for just a while, they would want me to pray over them and this I would do. Lifting them up to St. Joseph who is the patron of this Apostolate. When they are here we would catch up and they would ask me about many things both spiritual and practical. Our discussion would be even about their travels and mine, about our parents, about our education and anything under the sun so they say. Many Christmases and New Years we would be together and they would tell the other patients that this is how much Bro. Bobby cares for us. I dismiss it of course and told them all that James is the reason I am here these times because he insisted and we would all laugh.
James is typical of those who are victims of their environment because he told me that when he is here, he is not thinking about the addiction and just looks forward to Sunday service. When he is out and because of the access to drugs, he would soon give in. I told him that there is no lasting change except with the help of God. He also is the one who told me that when he is outside, soon enough he would forget to hear Mass and pray. He truly has a beautiful family and I told him that when out, they should do this together. I told him also that soon, I should speak to his wife and together we should plan a long term continuing recovery for him hand in hand with his family. He really loves his family and must be motivated that if he persist in this cycle, he would lose them all.
Last time we had counselling, he told me that the hospital should have a statue of me in the section when he realized that I am not paid when I do this. This is a voluntary thing that I do inspired by the words of Jesus in the gospel, the words of His Holiness Pope Francis and the words of His Eminence Luis Antonio.
Lessons:
1. Recovery is not an easy thing:
Recovery is like a journey over not to ideal terrains. The world around us would many times be an obstacle that we will face every single day. That on our own strength, we could never recover. It is God's work and to have long lasting one, we must cooperate with the grace of freedom that he will give us.
2. People have weaknesses:
All men have weaknesses despite the outpouring of God's grace to each one of us. For some it is drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power and many others more. I think the sooner we realize this, the better we will be and more balanced. When we realize this fact, it should lead us to a more generous view of our brothers and sisters especially whose weakness are obvious like those we classify as addictions. Those I think who would be quick to judge this people as evil or weak will most of the time, fail to see their own weaknesses and defects. Hence they are the ones who will not improve or grow anymore. Jesus said, "let him who is without sin cast the first stone".
3. Virtue is our goal:
Virtue can be found according to St. Thomas Aquinas is not lack nor the abundance, it is in the middle. Another word of virtue is good. Many times I think this applies especially to our view of self and would be the key to lead us to give to others because we are not afraid of lack but trust that God is providence Himself. When we think we are good enough already, we will not do anything to improve. A healthy, balanced view is needed if we are to be like what St. Paul said, "from one degree of glory to the next". Good is not who we are really, we are neither fully good nor fully evil. We must constantly strive to be better. There are those who think that in order for them to be good, someone had to be bad. I think that is not truly the case. One of the things we learned from St. John XXIII (Pope) is the reality of shadows and light and they coexist one to another. Let us not be quick to judge, let us be quick to love!