My Journey to Service

by Grace Madrinan

This month of May marks my 8th year as a member of our parish choir, the Immaculate Conception Parish Choir in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Looking back, I can see God's hands working in every opportunity to lead me in joining this service.

As far as I can remember, I have always been swayed to church singing. As young as 8 years old, my teacher would ask me to sing the Responsorial Psalm during Mass. Back then, I was obliged to just follow and most of the time, would hesitate because of my timidity. I did not realize the privilege, let alone the opportunity to use my talent for His glory.

But over the years, the desire to sing for the choir grew on me, and I know God planted that at every step of the way. First, He led me back to singing when I joined the choir in our company. Next, He enriched my faith by leading me to join the Singles for Christ. There I was able to cultivate my passion to serve the Lord. At that time, I told myself that I would jump on an opportunity to join the community choir.

But it was not easy. Just as I was about to take that challenge, we have to move to Cavite since my work got transferred. And I had to adjust again to a new neighborhood, new community… I did not know anybody who works for the Church at that moment to inquire if there is any audition for a new choir member. Again, my apprehensions got the better of me and I did not dare to ask upfront. I thought, if only there would be some sort of announcement for an audition during the Mass or I could see a poster by chance, I will give it a try.

And God did just that. The next Sunday Mass, I heard the announcement that they are opening auditions for a choir member and everybody is invited to join. Right that instance, I had goose bumps all over. It felt as if it was calling for me! That night I went through auditions, and luckily got accepted.

But the real challenge just started. I thought that if you got accepted to the group, that's it. But the next few months (actually early years) was a baptism of fire. Aside from the commitment that I need to put through for practices and several Masses that I need to attend every Sunday, I also have to put up with different personalities from the group. The choir is already solid when I arrived. All of the members knew each other - either they are relatives or family friends. Most of the time, I'd stay quiet since I feel I cannot bring anything of interest to the conversations I had. I was able to stay close only with the new members but later on, even they fell short to the challenge and left the group.

But I stayed. I realized that despite the difficulties, the reason I joined in the first place is for the service of the Lord. So no amount of challenges or indifference from other members should keep me away from what my original goal is.

And when I persevered, God rewarded me. Not only am I able to accomplish my original goal, He also blessed me with so much beyond my full comprehension. First, I was able to get familiarized with the Church traditions. Before I was the usual Sunday Mass goer who is not keen on why a particular feast day is being celebrated or not. But since our choir needs to be in every special occasion important to the Catholic Faith, I get to attend almost all of the ceremonies. I get to appreciate the solemnity of the Eucharist for what it truly symbolizes.

Second thing that God blessed me through the choir is relationships. Not only was I able to get through the walls from being a newbie to a senior member, I learned to adapt well with all age brackets - from teenagers to senior citizens. Whether I go with the youngsters or the young at hearts, I feel like I belong to either of them. There's a lot to learn from both ends and I get to respect our differences. I look forward to seeing them every Sunday. And because of this, my service to the Lord is made more memorable with them.

Third and definitely not the least, I got blessings and deliverance more than I can ask for. Throughout the 8 years of service, I have undergone different crisis involving career shifts, financial problems, and sickness in the family. I believe my prayer support group from the choir and service to the Lord helped me overcome it all with faith and a firm heart. Looking back, I don’t know how I could have survived without them.

I read from Bo Sanchez before that even at the beginning, God planted dreams in our hearts. And it is only a matter of time until you come into that realization that your passion is God’s dream for you in the first place. He did not rush me, He took His sweet time to mold me into who I am today. And when you choose His will, He will bless you abundantly, like He did for me.

"What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him," 1 Corinthians 2: 9

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from the Train Station

by Grace Madrinan

Funny how the long journey can stir some thoughts. Last April, I had the opportunity to visit Japan which is notorious for its complicated but efficient transport system. For a tourist like me, who only knew three phrases of Nihongo, it was a challenge. Nevertheless, I find it the most memorable. Truly, everything I need to know I learned from the train station.


1. Sometimes we can't read the signs. Since Japan is not predominantly an English-speaking country, there are still some signs with no translation, and even if there is, still we can't understand them. In life, we can't always read the signs from God, and sometimes -- most of the time, we misinterpret it. It wouldn't hurt if we ask for help from someone in authority, like a mentor, a priest or a spiritual director. Just like in the train station, I'd asked help from someone who knows the station (and who knows English) like the postman or the guard in uniform.
2. If we did not pay attention, we will miss our stop. If we doze off or got distracted with lots of things we see inside the train, we will miss our station. We have to watch out for the next station, especially if the route is new to us. In life, if we are not focused enough, we will miss our goal. We need to monitor our progress just like counting the number of stations left before reaching our destination.
3. When we ride the wrong train, we will have to take the longer route to make it right. If we act hastily without planning ahead, we might get on the wrong train. And when we do, we have to take the longer route just to go back on track. In life, it is important to plan ahead where we're going, what we're steps to reach it similar to planning what routes to take, where to drop off and when to transfer to the next train.
4. In times of doubt, ask for help. Since we're new to the place, there’s no harm to ask for directions. But let’s not ask just any other person, choose someone who is more likely an expert, like a policeman, guard, or postman. Similarly, if we need guidance on spiritual growth, ask for a mentor, someone whom you know that can give a sensible answer.
5. Travel light. Inside the train station, everything is fast paced and people are rushing everywhere. If we travel with big luggage, we will be left out and forced to carry it all while running towards the next station. In life, we need to free ourselves of clutter (worries, grudges) and carry only the essentials to get to where we're going, faster.
6. Timing is everything. If we miss the train, we will have to wait for a few minutes to an hour, which means a delay in our arrival to our destination. In life, if we miss an opportunity, we have to wait for the next one to come.

7. At the train station, we have an option to choose. There are trains that come every 5 minutes but takes longer because it stops at every station. There are also some rare rapid trains we have to wait for a few more minutes but will take us sooner to our destination. In life, we have to decide which path we want to take. Do we want to jump to the next available opportunity or wait for a while for the next one?

8. We will meet different people in the train, others will stay beside us for a while, but they have to drop off at any station sooner or later. In life, there are people who will stay beside us longer but we can't expect them to be with us at the same destination. They have their own destination to take, but enjoy their company while we're with them. More often than not, they might even give we tips on how to reach our destination sooner. Better if we found out that we are going towards the same destination all along.

9. If we feel the train is too slow, we can drop off at the next station anytime and transfer at the rapid line. But we have to pay extra cost. In life, we control our own pace. If we feel things are moving slow for us, we can do things to speed it up. But we have to pay the extra cost, like work overtime, study more, make more sacrifices…

10. We can't stay at the train station. We have to move, decide where we're going and take that ride. If we happen to take the wrong train. We can always get off and ride another one. We can't be stagnant, we have to get moving. Similarly in life, we need to make a decision on where we are going, take some actions and reach that destination.

Dependent on You

By Tere' Pamatian

The Lord’s grace and mercy is in me
He is there forever and that I see
For all the joys and woes I encountered in my life
I always feel that this faith of mine keeps the fight

I will worship You O’ Lord, whenever I’m hurt
Because feeling the pain, led me through believing
That I'm not alone in this journey
That I'm not alone in this plea

I will remember the works of the Lord
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old (PS 77:11)
It feels good to trust and believe in You
It feels good to be dependent on You

Here I am, cleanse me and mold me
Let me be the person You want me to be
Strengthen me and guide me
As I go through with life

I will remember the works of the Lord
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old (PS 77:11)
It feels good to trust and believe in You
It feels good to be dependent on You