Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Deepened our Understanding About God's Timing

Deepened our Understanding About God’s timing
La Mennais Brothers Philippines
La Mennais Brothers Iloilo Community, Philippines
I Reap Where I Sow Not!
Understanding God's Timing
By: Asp.Raphy Gordon
Mail:raphygordon@yahoo.com
One of the reasons so many ministries become discouraged and too often fail is the inability to understand God's timing.
Having lived for the Lord for over 25 years and served Him in ministry for over 20, I admit that there are very few times when God acts when I think He should.
In my own ministry, this has caused me much grief and discouragement. I'm an action person. When I see a job that needs to be done, I find a way to get it done before others even realize there was a need. It drives me nuts when I see other people drag their feet when there should be action in a needful situation. So waiting on God who does not operate in the same time zone as I do has been very hard. (CAN I GET A WITNESS?)
To fully understand the timing in which God operates, we must turn to the scripture. One translation of 2 Pet 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone come to repentance." 2 Pet 3:9
When I read this scripture I have to admit that my mind wants to argue with the writer. In my carnal thinking, I feel that God is very slow in nearly everything that He does. My natural mind believes He is slow to punish the wicked. It thinks that He is slow in His return. It sees the suffering in the world and does not understand His absence of immediate help to the starving and sick.
However, the reading shows me that He is not slow in keeping his promise, "as some men understand slowness." The real problem is not with God, but rather with me. I am "some men". My understanding of when He should act is obviously not His understanding. You see, He sees this world and all that goes on in it from a completely different perspective than I do. My perception is from that of a carnal, mortal whose understanding is limited. His is from that of being an eternal, Holy, all knowing God.
This reading lets me know that God and I share the same burden to see the lost saved, but that my understanding of slowness is inaccurate. I have for most of my life felt that things should happen almost immediately. However, as I have gotten older, I have learned that most often that is not even possible. I have had to learn patients. I have had to wait on people to change. I have had to learn to wait on circumstances to become so difficult for people that they are forced to change their thinking so change could come.
Peter 3:8 lets us know that with the Lord a thousand years is like a day. Evidently, time is not something God has to worry about. He does not make decisions based on the clock, calendar or length of men's lives. He is not in a hurry. He is patient. Time is not a factor for Him. It is for me. It is for you. It is not for Him.
When I pray, I ask God to do things ASAP. I'll say things like, "Lord, I need this bill paid by the first, can you help?" or "Father, we really want to be in the house we are building by the end of next year." Now understand, a God who sees no difference between a thousand years and a day is not going to be in a hurry to get my bill paid by the first of the month and neither is He going to be in a rush to get us into the house by the end of the year.
He does not operate within the elements of or for the purpose of time. He only operates within the confines and boundaries of a redemptive purpose. Peter 3:9 lets us know that his purpose is not timely, but redemptive. It only has to do with souls and spiritual maturity.
If we have a lesson to learn by waiting, then He makes us wait. If we will grow spiritually or mature in our faith by His delay, then He delays. It really has nothing at all to do with our immediate physical needs. It has everything to do with where we are at in the redemptive process.
Look at Moses. 40 Years in Pharaoh's court and schools of higher learning. For what? So he can be a lonely Shepard for the next 40 years. Now I have to admit... at about the end of the first year in the desert watching sheep when I was trained to lead a nation, I would say, "God you messed up!" Moses was put into a position in that desert where he was forced to learn to wait on God to the point that he had to release all personal understanding of time.
This was going to be absolutely necessary when he began leading the nation of Israel in the wilderness. Forty more years of waiting on God in the wilderness was going to be the result of his 40 years of waiting on God in the desert. God knew that the nation of Israel had to learn the same lesson of waiting on His timing and He needed Moses to lead the nation since he had already learned that lesson.
Neither was God going to give them the promised land over night. Ex 23:28-29 tells us that He would not drive their enemies out in a single year, but rather little by little until they had increased enough to take the land.
The motive for God's delay has nothing to do with purposeful impediment. He is simply waiting on our maturity level to rise to a place where we can then take the land (revival, finances, etc). If God were to give many of our churches a one thousand soul revival in a single year, we would lose most of those souls as few churches are genuinely prepared to handle that kind of immediate growth.
Three years ago I attended the General Conference of the church organization I am a part of. It was hosted in Toronto Canada. On the last day of that conference a crusade service was held in which around 400 new converts were filled with the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues in a single service. (I have rejoiced over that service every time I think of it.) This last weekend I attended that same conference in another city and had the opportunity to speak to a friend who pastors one of the churches in Toronto. I asked him how many of the converts from the crusade in Toronto 3 years ago are still attending the churches there. He told me that the only people who are still attending any of the churches are people who had previous connections with the church or where the church has developed relationships with those new converts.
We want revival now. We want everyone to come to Truth today. So does God. But we are not waiting on Him. He is waiting on our congregations to mature to a level where they can do the work of evangelizing and then also be able to maintain the growth that God would give.
How many of the hundreds of people who received the Holy Spirit that night would still be a part of the church today, if we would have spent more time preparing the churches to maintain the growth that was coming, before it happened. I pray that the Lord would forgive us of our arrogance and ignorance in this area. How many souls will be aborted before we realize the absolute necessity of training the church to maintain growth and become spiritually mature?
Would God bless our evangelism efforts more if our level of maturity was to a height where we could actually keep those souls who would come in as a result of that miracle?
Many of us are big on telling the numbers of converts to our churches. We need to get big on the percentage of people we keep. That shows our true level of maturity as a church body. I hear few churches brag on their percentage of converts who are still with them after 5 years, but I hear a lot of churches bragging on the number of people who get saved in one service.
God's timing is not about time. It is about the redemptive process. When we are ready for the growth, it will come. He does not delay. He is not late. He is waiting on us church. Let's prepare Him and habitation.
Staying Focused In Your Area Of Ministry
Sometimes you just have to say it like it is. This is one of those times. I offer this to you in a gentle spirit and pray that if you share it with others on your team, that you would do so in a spirit of gentleness and meekness.
John Maxwell says "Only do what only you can do." This is important in the various areas of ministry of the local church. One thing that stops the momentum of a church is various leaders trying to run someone else's ministry. When God has placed you in an area of ministry within the church, he did not put you there so you could judge other lay ministers of the church. Do your job and let others do theirs.
Focus on your own ministry. What can you do to cause your own ministry to make a greater impact in your church and community? Anytime you spend even a few minutes judging the way another person is running their own department or area of ministry within the church, you are wasting valuable time, energy and emotion that if better used, could be applied perfecting you own.
Too often people criticize the work of others in order to make their own ministry look good. Lazy people usually find time to do this. These people are jealous of other people's success and try to destroy them in order to preserve their rank or position in a church. This is not a Godly spirit and should be stopped immediately. There is no room in any church for division. If you do not like what other people are doing, mind your own business and do your own job and trust God to take care of the rest. It is His church and not yours after all.
Momentum is only created after enough pressure is placed on an object for a long enough period of time. You cannot get a car rolling from a standstill with 5 pounds of pressure for 2 seconds. But if you push hard enough for a long enough period of time, it will start to roll. If you are someone who jumps from one project or area of ministry in the church to another without staying long enough to see results, you need to get focused. Work hard enough and stay long enough to see the results God has envisioned you with.
By: Asp.Raphy Gordon
How To Develop Relationships
Love people. Every person comes from a different environment and culture. It is easy to misunderstand someone who is not from your same background. Loving people regardless of where they come from or how they are made up allows you the opportunity to develop relationships with those others would never consider.
Reach out to others. If you wait for others to reach out to you for a relationship, you will be waiting a very long time. We live in a day in which people are not willing to reach out in relationships. The relationships they have experienced have been painful and they are not in a hurry to get back into a relationship that makes them vulnerable to others. If you are going to have a relationship with someone, realize that you will have to be the one to initiate the relationship.
Go where people are. Sitting on your church pew will not put you in a position to gather relationships. Join a gardening club. Volunteer in your community. Take walks with the objective to stop and talk to your neighbors. Get out there and meet people.
Practice friendly greetings. My wife has told me that I give a terrible first impression. For this reason alone, I have stood in the mirror and practiced my first smile and greeting. I want people to know that I want to get to know them so I have to work at it where it may come a little easier for others.
Go the second mile. If you quit on a relationship at the first opportunity or disappointment, you will not have many relationships. The people you love the most in life will disappoint you more than anyone. Allow grace to operate in your relationships.
Find common interests - Don't waste time dwelling on the things that separate you from others, find common ground. When I sold insurance, I was often times invited into people's homes. When I could find no common ground or it was hard to get them to talk to me, I would always walk over to the pictures in their home and ask them about the people in the pictures. "Are these your grandchildren?" It got them talking every time!
Give recognition and encouragement. Most people need someone to lift them up. Recognize others accomplishments and tell them how important they are to you. This will permit them the opportunity to feel good about themselves. It's not what you say to people...It's how you make them feel that is important.
Be flexible. They may not dress like you or want to eat at the same restaurants - be flexible. If you only like Italian restaurants and your friends only like Asian food, one of you is going to have to be flexible if you are going to enjoy a night out.
The perfect example of someone who was a master at creating and maintaining relationships was Jesus Christ. He reached out to people from every walk of life for the purpose of gaining a personal relationship with them. He did not care if they were rich or poor. He even reached out to a Samaritan woman whom others hated and would ridicule him for having such a relationship. Reach out!
To Be An Effective Leader...
In his book The Next Generation Leader, Andy Stanley offers 5 valid points to consider if you desire to be an effective leader. I highly recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position.
Face it, you are not as good as you could be. So what are you going to do about it? The only way to go farther, faster, is to engage outside help. You can maximize your leadership potential by getting a coach...or two.
Find someone to observe you in a variety of leadership settings. Outside input is critical. Even if you could watch yourself in a mirror twenty-four hours day, you would never see yourself as others see you.
Select a coach who has no axe to grind and not reason to be anything except brutally honest. He need not be an expert in your field. What your coach must be able to do, however, is put himself in the shoes of those who are influenced by your leadership.
Try to find someone who can articulate his thoughts with clarity and precision. You don't need glaring generalities; you need to know exactly what needs to be repeated and deleted in your leadership.
Become a coach. As we learn to do by doing, we learn to accept by giving.
The Celebration, Red Mass-San Agustin
The Celebration, Red Mass
This day August 28 we have celebration about the feast day of Saint Augustine. There is activities should be to witness and every department have their own activities to be show. Very exciting and it is a day which you enjoyed with your classmate, friends, and teacher who in charge in that activities. Some of my co-aspirants during that nigh they are in school to watch the show and some programs to be show to us. For me I stayed at the formation house because I am tired too. 2 brothers are there and I with them. It’s to boring if you are alone. You know what I do during that night watching TV and make my article for that day. Everything is interesting in that day like we have salo-salo every year level and there is lechon baboy and any food which is to be eaten during that lunch. That night everybody go there and to watch on going activities. Some have no money and some no ID. On the morning we have the mass at the gym and I am the one who bring the candle during the procession until we reach the place where the mass celebrate. Some student busy for practicing there talents show for tonight. Some student goes in that place where the food areas are there and buy it and ate it. We are 7 Knights of Saint Agustin and 9 High acolytes. After our mass we picture taking with us and have little snacks then go home and take a rest. Starting making story about anything what happened during that day. Fr. Jonas the main celebrant of the mass and some Augustinian friars. After our mass I going home and stayed there on whole afternoon. During the night the aspirant go home at passed of ten in the evening. Every one tired and when the morning comes every body in bed. The bell ring and some are still sleeping. On august 28, Saturday we have other activities in all college Department and the same, no ROTC, and CWTS. On the morning schedule there is Mr. and Miss. Intramurals USA 2009-2010. There are 8 contestants with pair of. The department which is won for the Mr. and Miss intramurals , the Department of CBAA for Miss Intramurals and for Mr. intramurals the . College of Nursing. Then there is Sports game, the basketball and followed by the Cheering. Everything in school activities is interesting. And it develops our talent in terms in speaking and answering questions or how to improves our abilities in terms any activities which we to engage.
This day August 28 we have celebration about the feast day of Saint Augustine. There is activities should be to witness and every department have their own activities to be show. Very exciting and it is a day which you enjoyed with your classmate, friends, and teacher who in charge in that activities. Some of my co-aspirants during that nigh they are in school to watch the show and some programs to be show to us. For me I stayed at the formation house because I am tired too. 2 brothers are there and I with them. It’s to boring if you are alone. You know what I do during that night watching TV and make my article for that day. Everything is interesting in that day like we have salo-salo every year level and there is lechon baboy and any food which is to be eaten during that lunch. That night everybody go there and to watch on going activities. Some have no money and some no ID. On the morning we have the mass at the gym and I am the one who bring the candle during the procession until we reach the place where the mass celebrate. Some student busy for practicing there talents show for tonight. Some student goes in that place where the food areas are there and buy it and ate it. We are 7 Knights of Saint Agustin and 9 High acolytes. After our mass we picture taking with us and have little snacks then go home and take a rest. Starting making story about anything what happened during that day. Fr. Jonas the main celebrant of the mass and some Augustinian friars. After our mass I going home and stayed there on whole afternoon. During the night the aspirant go home at passed of ten in the evening. Every one tired and when the morning comes every body in bed. The bell ring and some are still sleeping. On august 28, Saturday we have other activities in all college Department and the same, no ROTC, and CWTS. On the morning schedule there is Mr. and Miss. Intramurals USA 2009-2010. There are 8 contestants with pair of. The department which is won for the Mr. and Miss intramurals , the Department of CBAA for Miss Intramurals and for Mr. intramurals the . College of Nursing. Then there is Sports game, the basketball and followed by the Cheering. Everything in school activities is interesting. And it develops our talent in terms in speaking and answering questions or how to improves our abilities in terms any activities which we to engage.
My Life as an Aspirants By: Raphy Gordon
My Life as a La Mennais Aspirant
Asp. Raphy M. Gordon Rev. Fr. Jean Mary Robert de La Mennais
Mail:raphygordon@yahoo.com
CP#:09295694280 FOUNDER
I am, Raphy M. Gordon, from Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique, Philippines 20 years of age, graduated at the Barangbang National High school San Remigio, Antique, a La Mennais Aspirant since 2008-2010. I am a college student at the University of San Augustine, Iloilo City, Philippines. 2nd year college student and taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. Son of Mr. Claudio Gordon and Mrs.Gemma Gordon, Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique. I came from the poor family and my mother is already gone. I live with my father and my sister. My daughters name Myline Geane Gordon. She’s working, at the little store in antique,selling relief good and can goodsand many more. She did not finish her studies at high school. My mother died on August 14 2OO6, and I was 2nd year high school. My Father is a farmer and living now at Lagdo Sibalom, Antique.
Before I was here at the Congregation of La Mennais Brother, I am a Catechist of St. Vincent Ferrer San Remigio, Parish. Teaching Catechism to the children’s where I am assign to tech. I handle Grade one to six. After a year I decide to go out as a Catechist and I ask permission to the priest. The parish priest names Rev. Fr. Jose Tubianosa and he allow me to go out. I explain my plan why I am going out. After a day he told me to join at the La Mennais Brother but there is condition. I accept and I am willing to serve God, why? It is the way to find my happiness, to forget my problems, to talk with god asking his help and any which is bothered in my mind especially the death of my mother. Rev. Fr. Jose brought me at the La Mennais Central House, San Jose,
Antique. Bobot Fernandez is a vocation promoter of a La Mennais Brother and he accepts me and I am very happy and to say” Thanks be to God” in silent. Why? I am very lucky among more than thousands men. Gods calls me and I heard the voice of God. Founders though “Many are called but few are chosen”. I ask God if I have a vocation to become a La Mennais Brother, he can help me to find generous people to answer my need and supports. God answer immediately and I feel that god never forget me as I never to forget him to pray and give thanks for him as my true god, helper, and hope. Today I have benefactor to pay my part, my board and lodging. Thanks to the Father!
From the beginning of June 15 2OO9, everything is interesting. Today I am a 2nd year college student and continue the formation which the brothers offer.
Perhaps I am now at the La Mennais Brother’s formation House, Avanceña Street, Molo Iloilo city. The La Mennais Brothers have different kinds of formation.
The following stage of formation is:
1. Aspirancy
2. Postulancy
3. Novitiate
4. Temporary profess: Scolasticated
5. Perpetually profess
Well I can start for ASPIRANCY- To aspire to become a La Mennais Brother is the meaning of ASPIRANCY. It is a Stringboard to Initial Formation. It may start within the period of regular college studies. Of variable duration, Aspirancy gives the candidate for times prepare him for the first stage of formation: Called Postulancy.
It is the period of orientation to set the space before entering in the formation proper: Postulancy. For this to happen, a formal request must be made by the candidate and needs to be approved by the Vice provincial.
Postulancy- this is the first stage of formation. It has duration one year and requires having first completed undergraduate studies. It is a human and spiritual preparation to the following steps: Novitiate. After a careful assessment with his formator, the postulant may make a request to the congregation to become a Novice; which needs to be approved by the Provincial.
Novitiate- A novice considered a member of the congregation already although he did not make his Vows yet. During a full year of prayer and spiritual he experiences the life as a Brother.
Temporary profess; Scholasticate- if the Novitiate I s completed successfully the Novice can make his first profession on the three Vows: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. This is a period of Theological studies as well as exposure to the regular community and apostolic life
Perpetually profess- after a minimum of five years of Temporary profession, the Brother may pronounce his Final Vows, which bind him not only for life, but for eternity.
The Aspirancy Program Activities
1. Daily Prayer activities
2. Daily academic study Sessions
3. daily chores and responsibilities
4. weekly special classes(computer encoding, English, music art, etc,)
5. Group sports, activities and community life
6. Weekly Spiritual Formation sessions
7. Monthly Mentoring
8. Periodical Recollection and seminars
In our formation house I have our own schedules, individulas and group schedules. The La Mennais Aspirants follow the following schedules such as “Prayer”. Everyday we go too prayed at the Chapel, morning and evening. You know what time we wake up? We wake up at 4:15 AM for the Morning Prayer and followed by Mass. I attend the mass at the Dominican chapels near in our formation House, about 5O meters away from home. During our morning prayer I feel sleepy and I push my self to never sleep, the same to my co-aspirants. When we are in chapel, there is a time to share the meditations to express our thoughts, deed, and wants. I read the liturgy of the hours, the liturgy of the word, the gospel and the selected prayers. During the evening prayer I recite the rosary followed by the liturgy of the hours. Different meditations to be shared, different expressions, ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and expertise. Every Sunday except last Sunday of every month I attend the mass at the Mill Hill central House and during the last of every month I been there at Dominican Sister to take reading, the prayer of the faithful and etc.. Have time for study making my assignments, project and research, SRA, which to build our English vocabulary and use correct grammar. How to construct sentence in correct manner. For example: I read the story, and then answer the test questions and lastly you read and tell the story all about. Then Br. Eugene tackled about Etiquette. I have a schedule for Guitar lesson. Since I was here at the formation from the beginning I don’t know how to play guitar but from now on I learned Miss Tita Babes is my teacher in guitar lesson, a Mill Hill guitarist. Br. Eugene teaches us how to study. The student could be study in a right place, in a right time, have there own notebooks, pencils, ball pen, papers, books and etc. noise is not allowed when your study, chika-chika, telling some stories, txting, listening the music is not allowed. As a student you can study at table, setting in a chair which is comfortable. Some students study at there rooms, laying in bed and listening to the music. Most students likely to talk while they are studying, watching TV and telling the stories at there neighbors. Noise is cause of destruction. When we are studying be attentive, with focus what we study all about. I give thanks to Br. André for teaching me to learn how to use computer. Since I am new aspirants I don’t know how to open, what the different parts even how to format. Today I know how to use computer and sometimes I make movie maker and publish in my site. I make a PowerPoint presentation, and Make my own Website. I have my own Google account, friendster, and Yahoo mail, face book, twitter, multiply, scridb and more. All things I learned come from what I discovered especially me thank God for that gift which he given me for my benefit and for others. Everything comes from God no body owned except God. Well, I am talking about chores. Individuals has there chores such as, cleaning the chapel, stair case, CR, tables includes dining room. Some in charge for food, washing and wiping the plates that the every day chores. During Saturday the la Mennais Aspirants clean around the house, inside or outside. Sometimes I clean CR, and then on the next Saturday I clean robbers or mapping floors. Every last of the week we have time for play games such as basketball but I don’t like too. Some my co-aspirants play basketball even in school at the University of San Augustine. Adamje Abiera is one of my co-aspirants like to play basketball and he is a basketball player in our school. I like it to play UNO compared Basketball. Next I am talking about relationship towards my co-aspirants. Some like to joke but a joke which is hurt somebody. Some my co-aspirants lot of respect on compared to others, my best example Lito. Lito is a respectful person but sometimes he is joking but I don’t like him. Some are very helpful to me in my assignment, problems and my chores. As a student know first your abilities, capacity, you values, attitudes and personality. Thanks be to God for all that gifts. All what the Brothers teach is for our good and good of others. According to my teacher in Values Prof. Pinuela at the University of San Agustin
” There is no student better than the teacher, if that student become a better than the teacher, that teacher is a great teacher”
I don’t like attitude which is he looks his own good and for his being a self centered and he think that he is good than others. Form me look at your self first before you judge others. Are you clean? Are you perfect? No one is perfect except God! Practice constantly makes perfect. Don’t think for your own good but think the good of others. How you intelligent but lack of respect, your knowledge talents, expertise, is useless. Be a responsible and always alert at all times. As an Aspirant known how to take decisions; first……
Knowledge of his Vocation
Relations with Brothers and others Aspirants
Relationship with the other people
Capacity of Love
A man of Love
A life of prayer
Spiritual Reading Simplicity
Making Personal Commitment
Personal Commitment
Prizing the Religious Vocation
Apostolic Experience
Follow-Up
Closeness to the Brothers
End of Aspirancy
Study, Discover, research is the key to success!
You know my friends VOCATION is not always well understood, even by those closest to us. For a several years now we have been thinking about document on our special vocation, which would be of value not only to our selves but to the church in general. Society today is going through profound changes which are full of promise for humanity. Still, there are signs waiting for HOPE: For the UNITY and SOLIDARITY is felt everywhere in the world. In the face of these needs and according to our individual’s talents, God calling day and other people as well, just once called to our founders. We are convinced that our VOCATION is an answer to the need of our world, to which we present ourselves as BOTHERS, at the service of LOVE in the name of Jesus, with all that we are and all that we can do. We are witnesses to the possibility of brotherhood in divided world. The Brothers Prophetic dimension of life: Religious life develops in the kingdom which is “Already among us”, but is always motivated and animated by the ESCHATOLOGICAL, the kingdom which is “still to come”. It therefore belongs to the realm of prophecy, on of the Charism of the Holy Spirit.
1. He Called by God.
2. He is man of God, a bearer of the Spirit
3. He lives in Community
4 He is attentive to the signs of the times
5. He involved in human liberation
6. He shares in a certain type of wisdom
We want to be strength and faithful in our vocation. Hoping to God and be patience to wait our time to become a La Mennais Brother soon.
These are my Prayer.
Prayer:
O God I thank you for the life you have given me, for the faith and the hope and the love. Show me how to make due a return.I offer myself to you to be at your serviceThis is my desire. Show me the special way you want me to fulfill that promise. I know there is pain in answering your call. I accept the pain knowing that you are near at all times and that if I lose my life for your sake I will find it. Holy Mary, pray for me now and always. AMEN
La Mennais Aspirants Photo
The La Mennais Brother and La Mennais Aspirants
2009-2010
La Mennais Brothers:
Br. Eugène –Formator---------Uganda- Africa
Br. André – Assistant -Formator- Canada
La Mennais Aspirants:
Adamje Abiera-Dao, Antique….. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Carlo Sueta- Pandan, Antique……Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Erwin John Mariano- San Remigio, Antique …. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Edsil Sigue- Hamtic, Antique…. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Johnny Baleña- San Remigio, Antique…. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Rey Iniego- Patnongon , Antique…….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Raphy Gordon- San Remigio, Antique…… Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Jayrie Salmorin- Pandan, Antique….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Joemari Jamco- Patnongon, Antique….Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Lito Asinas- Hamtic, Antique… Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in History (Social Studies).
Asp. Raphy M. Gordon Rev. Fr. Jean Mary Robert de La Mennais
Mail:raphygordon@yahoo.com
CP#:09295694280 FOUNDER
I am, Raphy M. Gordon, from Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique, Philippines 20 years of age, graduated at the Barangbang National High school San Remigio, Antique, a La Mennais Aspirant since 2008-2010. I am a college student at the University of San Augustine, Iloilo City, Philippines. 2nd year college student and taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. Son of Mr. Claudio Gordon and Mrs.Gemma Gordon, Carawisan II San Remigio, Antique. I came from the poor family and my mother is already gone. I live with my father and my sister. My daughters name Myline Geane Gordon. She’s working, at the little store in antique,selling relief good and can goodsand many more. She did not finish her studies at high school. My mother died on August 14 2OO6, and I was 2nd year high school. My Father is a farmer and living now at Lagdo Sibalom, Antique.
Before I was here at the Congregation of La Mennais Brother, I am a Catechist of St. Vincent Ferrer San Remigio, Parish. Teaching Catechism to the children’s where I am assign to tech. I handle Grade one to six. After a year I decide to go out as a Catechist and I ask permission to the priest. The parish priest names Rev. Fr. Jose Tubianosa and he allow me to go out. I explain my plan why I am going out. After a day he told me to join at the La Mennais Brother but there is condition. I accept and I am willing to serve God, why? It is the way to find my happiness, to forget my problems, to talk with god asking his help and any which is bothered in my mind especially the death of my mother. Rev. Fr. Jose brought me at the La Mennais Central House, San Jose,
Antique. Bobot Fernandez is a vocation promoter of a La Mennais Brother and he accepts me and I am very happy and to say” Thanks be to God” in silent. Why? I am very lucky among more than thousands men. Gods calls me and I heard the voice of God. Founders though “Many are called but few are chosen”. I ask God if I have a vocation to become a La Mennais Brother, he can help me to find generous people to answer my need and supports. God answer immediately and I feel that god never forget me as I never to forget him to pray and give thanks for him as my true god, helper, and hope. Today I have benefactor to pay my part, my board and lodging. Thanks to the Father!
From the beginning of June 15 2OO9, everything is interesting. Today I am a 2nd year college student and continue the formation which the brothers offer.
Perhaps I am now at the La Mennais Brother’s formation House, Avanceña Street, Molo Iloilo city. The La Mennais Brothers have different kinds of formation.
The following stage of formation is:
1. Aspirancy
2. Postulancy
3. Novitiate
4. Temporary profess: Scolasticated
5. Perpetually profess
Well I can start for ASPIRANCY- To aspire to become a La Mennais Brother is the meaning of ASPIRANCY. It is a Stringboard to Initial Formation. It may start within the period of regular college studies. Of variable duration, Aspirancy gives the candidate for times prepare him for the first stage of formation: Called Postulancy.
It is the period of orientation to set the space before entering in the formation proper: Postulancy. For this to happen, a formal request must be made by the candidate and needs to be approved by the Vice provincial.
Postulancy- this is the first stage of formation. It has duration one year and requires having first completed undergraduate studies. It is a human and spiritual preparation to the following steps: Novitiate. After a careful assessment with his formator, the postulant may make a request to the congregation to become a Novice; which needs to be approved by the Provincial.
Novitiate- A novice considered a member of the congregation already although he did not make his Vows yet. During a full year of prayer and spiritual he experiences the life as a Brother.
Temporary profess; Scholasticate- if the Novitiate I s completed successfully the Novice can make his first profession on the three Vows: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. This is a period of Theological studies as well as exposure to the regular community and apostolic life
Perpetually profess- after a minimum of five years of Temporary profession, the Brother may pronounce his Final Vows, which bind him not only for life, but for eternity.
The Aspirancy Program Activities
1. Daily Prayer activities
2. Daily academic study Sessions
3. daily chores and responsibilities
4. weekly special classes(computer encoding, English, music art, etc,)
5. Group sports, activities and community life
6. Weekly Spiritual Formation sessions
7. Monthly Mentoring
8. Periodical Recollection and seminars
In our formation house I have our own schedules, individulas and group schedules. The La Mennais Aspirants follow the following schedules such as “Prayer”. Everyday we go too prayed at the Chapel, morning and evening. You know what time we wake up? We wake up at 4:15 AM for the Morning Prayer and followed by Mass. I attend the mass at the Dominican chapels near in our formation House, about 5O meters away from home. During our morning prayer I feel sleepy and I push my self to never sleep, the same to my co-aspirants. When we are in chapel, there is a time to share the meditations to express our thoughts, deed, and wants. I read the liturgy of the hours, the liturgy of the word, the gospel and the selected prayers. During the evening prayer I recite the rosary followed by the liturgy of the hours. Different meditations to be shared, different expressions, ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and expertise. Every Sunday except last Sunday of every month I attend the mass at the Mill Hill central House and during the last of every month I been there at Dominican Sister to take reading, the prayer of the faithful and etc.. Have time for study making my assignments, project and research, SRA, which to build our English vocabulary and use correct grammar. How to construct sentence in correct manner. For example: I read the story, and then answer the test questions and lastly you read and tell the story all about. Then Br. Eugene tackled about Etiquette. I have a schedule for Guitar lesson. Since I was here at the formation from the beginning I don’t know how to play guitar but from now on I learned Miss Tita Babes is my teacher in guitar lesson, a Mill Hill guitarist. Br. Eugene teaches us how to study. The student could be study in a right place, in a right time, have there own notebooks, pencils, ball pen, papers, books and etc. noise is not allowed when your study, chika-chika, telling some stories, txting, listening the music is not allowed. As a student you can study at table, setting in a chair which is comfortable. Some students study at there rooms, laying in bed and listening to the music. Most students likely to talk while they are studying, watching TV and telling the stories at there neighbors. Noise is cause of destruction. When we are studying be attentive, with focus what we study all about. I give thanks to Br. André for teaching me to learn how to use computer. Since I am new aspirants I don’t know how to open, what the different parts even how to format. Today I know how to use computer and sometimes I make movie maker and publish in my site. I make a PowerPoint presentation, and Make my own Website. I have my own Google account, friendster, and Yahoo mail, face book, twitter, multiply, scridb and more. All things I learned come from what I discovered especially me thank God for that gift which he given me for my benefit and for others. Everything comes from God no body owned except God. Well, I am talking about chores. Individuals has there chores such as, cleaning the chapel, stair case, CR, tables includes dining room. Some in charge for food, washing and wiping the plates that the every day chores. During Saturday the la Mennais Aspirants clean around the house, inside or outside. Sometimes I clean CR, and then on the next Saturday I clean robbers or mapping floors. Every last of the week we have time for play games such as basketball but I don’t like too. Some my co-aspirants play basketball even in school at the University of San Augustine. Adamje Abiera is one of my co-aspirants like to play basketball and he is a basketball player in our school. I like it to play UNO compared Basketball. Next I am talking about relationship towards my co-aspirants. Some like to joke but a joke which is hurt somebody. Some my co-aspirants lot of respect on compared to others, my best example Lito. Lito is a respectful person but sometimes he is joking but I don’t like him. Some are very helpful to me in my assignment, problems and my chores. As a student know first your abilities, capacity, you values, attitudes and personality. Thanks be to God for all that gifts. All what the Brothers teach is for our good and good of others. According to my teacher in Values Prof. Pinuela at the University of San Agustin
” There is no student better than the teacher, if that student become a better than the teacher, that teacher is a great teacher”
I don’t like attitude which is he looks his own good and for his being a self centered and he think that he is good than others. Form me look at your self first before you judge others. Are you clean? Are you perfect? No one is perfect except God! Practice constantly makes perfect. Don’t think for your own good but think the good of others. How you intelligent but lack of respect, your knowledge talents, expertise, is useless. Be a responsible and always alert at all times. As an Aspirant known how to take decisions; first……
Knowledge of his Vocation
Relations with Brothers and others Aspirants
Relationship with the other people
Capacity of Love
A man of Love
A life of prayer
Spiritual Reading Simplicity
Making Personal Commitment
Personal Commitment
Prizing the Religious Vocation
Apostolic Experience
Follow-Up
Closeness to the Brothers
End of Aspirancy
Study, Discover, research is the key to success!
You know my friends VOCATION is not always well understood, even by those closest to us. For a several years now we have been thinking about document on our special vocation, which would be of value not only to our selves but to the church in general. Society today is going through profound changes which are full of promise for humanity. Still, there are signs waiting for HOPE: For the UNITY and SOLIDARITY is felt everywhere in the world. In the face of these needs and according to our individual’s talents, God calling day and other people as well, just once called to our founders. We are convinced that our VOCATION is an answer to the need of our world, to which we present ourselves as BOTHERS, at the service of LOVE in the name of Jesus, with all that we are and all that we can do. We are witnesses to the possibility of brotherhood in divided world. The Brothers Prophetic dimension of life: Religious life develops in the kingdom which is “Already among us”, but is always motivated and animated by the ESCHATOLOGICAL, the kingdom which is “still to come”. It therefore belongs to the realm of prophecy, on of the Charism of the Holy Spirit.
1. He Called by God.
2. He is man of God, a bearer of the Spirit
3. He lives in Community
4 He is attentive to the signs of the times
5. He involved in human liberation
6. He shares in a certain type of wisdom
We want to be strength and faithful in our vocation. Hoping to God and be patience to wait our time to become a La Mennais Brother soon.
These are my Prayer.
Prayer:
O God I thank you for the life you have given me, for the faith and the hope and the love. Show me how to make due a return.I offer myself to you to be at your serviceThis is my desire. Show me the special way you want me to fulfill that promise. I know there is pain in answering your call. I accept the pain knowing that you are near at all times and that if I lose my life for your sake I will find it. Holy Mary, pray for me now and always. AMEN
La Mennais Aspirants Photo
The La Mennais Brother and La Mennais Aspirants
2009-2010
La Mennais Brothers:
Br. Eugène –Formator---------Uganda- Africa
Br. André – Assistant -Formator- Canada
La Mennais Aspirants:
Adamje Abiera-Dao, Antique….. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Carlo Sueta- Pandan, Antique……Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Erwin John Mariano- San Remigio, Antique …. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Edsil Sigue- Hamtic, Antique…. Is a 3rd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in MAPEH.
Johnny Baleña- San Remigio, Antique…. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Rey Iniego- Patnongon , Antique…….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in Mathematics.
Raphy Gordon- San Remigio, Antique…… Is a 2nd year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Jayrie Salmorin- Pandan, Antique….. Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Joemari Jamco- Patnongon, Antique….Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in English.
Lito Asinas- Hamtic, Antique… Is a 1st year college at the University of San Agustin, major in History (Social Studies).
You have been called to something great; keep in your mind the greatness of your vocation as you strive to become a worthy of it.” We need mature, resolute and committed men…. We need to be strong souls, capable of overcoming obstacles, danger…. We need sensible people, driven not by whims, but by the standard of faith, who do not start to build only to abandon incomplete structures.
Be a La Mennais Brother?
Experience Christ Love?
Start Now! Search God and find him where he is today. Listen to God, Pray, give him thanks, adore with all your heart, mind and soul. God is alive and we have eternal life. Faith can save you into hell. Jesus helps me in my VOCATION. You’re Kingdome is near, you always welcome in my HEART!
La Mennais is a Religious Congregation where in the Philippines since 1987 until now.
More than 20 years in generous service to the Antiqueños. Founders thought “Many are called but few are chosen”.
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Written By: Raphy M. Gordon La Mennais Aspirants 2009-2010
Mail: raphygordon@yahoo.com 0r Txt
CP#:09295694280
==============================================================================================================================
Be a La Mennais Brother?
Experience Christ Love?
Start Now! Search God and find him where he is today. Listen to God, Pray, give him thanks, adore with all your heart, mind and soul. God is alive and we have eternal life. Faith can save you into hell. Jesus helps me in my VOCATION. You’re Kingdome is near, you always welcome in my HEART!
La Mennais is a Religious Congregation where in the Philippines since 1987 until now.
More than 20 years in generous service to the Antiqueños. Founders thought “Many are called but few are chosen”.
==============================================================================================================================
Written By: Raphy M. Gordon La Mennais Aspirants 2009-2010
Mail: raphygordon@yahoo.com 0r Txt
CP#:09295694280
==============================================================================================================================
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