In observance of the lenten season where Christian believers are called to reawaken one’s spiritual journey in general, the MHAM employees joined together for a moment of reflection and renewal of commitment in a lenten recollection held at the MHAM AVRs 4 and 5 last April 17, 2019 from 4:00 in the afternoon to 6:30 in the evening.
A time for contemplation and renewal of faith to commemorate the paschal mystery of the Son of God, the two and a half hour lenten recollection was facilitated by Cebu’s beloved priest, Rev. Fr. Cresenciano T. Ubod.
Known by his innate gift to uplift the flock through his sense of humor and personality, Fr. Ubod shared his personal experiences and spiritual reflections to the faculty doctors, non-teaching employees and some of the students who responded with uproarious laughter to his knock out jokes.
Profoundly-esteemed and highly-requested homilist, retreat master and spiritual director among Cebuanos, Fr. Ubod is also highly regarded in his apostolic mission being the commission head of the Cebu Archdiocesan Prison Apostolate (CAPA) aside from his continuous service as a resident priest in Sto. Rosario Parish, Cebu City.
Entrusted with the mission and power to proclaim to the communities the joy of bringing the mystery of Christ as a consecrated person, Fr. Ciano, as he is fondly called, gave a series of reflections to the MHAM employees before taking a break for the holy days of lent.
“Recollection means to talk to God and to be with God, thus, satan will make use of his power to distract, mislead and destroy our faith but God taught and showed us on how to defeat the evil by using our own capacity through our sacrifices and our willingness to suffer and die”, Fr. Ubod said.
Challenged to do the will of God by taking up the cross in each passing day without any reluctance, the employees were also reminded by the lenten recollection master to refrain from the habit of complaining in the workplace and to put into practice the habit of prayer life and total submission.
Although the lenten recollection was not compulsory to all current employees, ten full time faculty doctors and forty non-teaching staff were able to join the significant gathering together with six students who chose to be nourished spiritually before the long week-end break.
At present, MHAM is consists of one hundred ninety-two (192) full time and part time faculty members for the College of Medicine, fifty-one (51) non-teaching employees and eleven (11) general services workers who are working together for a better and greater MHAM.
Moving forward as one community which grows in size and stature, MHAM, as the host school, is currently preparing for the oathtaking ceremonies of new physicians which will be held on May 5, 2019 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
Having been nourished with the word of God coupled with the challenge to renew and repent in the time of lent, a eucharistic celebration followed after the reawakening talk, as the source and summit of the Christian life.
The final blessing and sprinkling of holy water completed the meaningful event with a take home message for the participants to replicate Christ’s suffering by following God’s holy will in good faith.
Steered to live the gospel not just in a season of lent, Christians all over the world are called to bring the message of hope with the capacity to labor with love and sacrifice even in small ways.
Driven to work with passion and gratitude that God has kept nothing back by sending His beloved Son who died and rose again to save the world, the MHAM-held lenten recollection was one of the highlights of the season rooted from the awareness that salvation is for all, just as God’s unfailing love for everyone is proclaimed by every sunrise. (Ana Liza Abao)