From Disgrace to Grace

I remember the story of a boy who at an early age of 8 had a traumatic accident and broke his thigh bone (femur) while playing. He was rushed to the hospital, had surgery, and was confined for some weeks. It was then a summer vacation and this brought worries and stress to his parents. For almost three months, the boy wasn’t able to walk. His parents’ loving care and fervent prayers to God for healing became the source of strength in that debilitating condition. Finally, the boy recovered and life went on for him. He returned to school, though a little behind with lessons , but was able to catch-up.

That incident brought the conclusion that the boy would not be able to play any rough sports anymore. But God has His own reasons why “certain doors would close and other doors will open”. The life of the boy then was diverted to some endeavors involving more on arts. When this boy became a young man and finished his college career, he decided to pursue his special calling to serve the Lord in the priesthood. In his first mission assignment while working abroad, he again contracted a disease of the throat where he lost his voice for a certain period of time. Can you imagine a “voiceless priest”? And so he ended up saying Mass in Sign Language for three months . It was a “blessing in disguise” because  he became more understanding of people with speaking disabilities.

Another obstacle that came his way was the development of a heel spur on his foot which was a painful condition. All these things can pose as obstacles to not pursue one’s aim and just be discouraged, but this ‘servant of God’ bore all of these thinking that these things will pass anyway and trusting in God always. We can appreciate more the value of health when we have experienced ourselves the conditions of sickness-illness-disease.

I guess you know who the person mentioned above is…he is writing this article.

Development and recovery takes a while, like the mustard seed that still has to grow. We just have to be patient with the situation and with ourselves.

The saying goes: “Many are the sorrow of a just man.” Sometimes, we appear to be injured, but in the end we see the hand of God in the course of our lives”.

“Even though the enemy would come and sow weeds among the wheat… in the end the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father…”

With blessings!

Fr. Ted Magpayo

A MISSIONARY LIFE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

My PNG Adventure: Scattering the Seed in the LAND of the UNEXPECTED

It was a great joy last week to be introduced to the St. Brendan’s community as initiated by Fr. Theo. In my short address, I invited you to look on an overview of my life’s timeline. Let’s check on those years in 1991-1997 in Papua New Guinea…

As a young missionary then (barely 2 years ordained), I braved the many threats coming from people’s comments and even true experiences that going to Papua New Guinea is a ‘risky job’. It is noted as the “Land of the Unexpected”, people were known for practicing cannibalism, there was the possibility of contracting malaria or typhoid fever, and also many incidents wherein even priests were stopped by rascals (highway robbers) on the road and left half-naked.

In my six years of missionary life, I had a chance to scatter the “seeds of faith” in certain areas in Papua New Guinea. I worked one year each in Madang, Bogia, Manam Island and the last three years at Divine Word University of Madang where most members of my congregation reside.

My first three years were thrilling and full of adventure. I was appointed by the Archbishop of the place to climb the highest mountain in PNG which was Mt. Wilhelm. And so, it was then “back-pack” time for me! In this place, people would see a priest TWICE a year only! So, after hours and hours of walking and climbing, it was time to stop at a village to say Mass with just five families attending. But I did not mind the number, for it is the “reaching out” to them that mattered.

I was trying to avoid contracting malaria, but a popular comment of missionaries was, “if you don’t contract malaria, you are not a true missionary”. I finally got it too in the end. Being introduced in this new culture meant “changing clothes” for me, like learning a new language (Pidgin), eating exotic food that the people eat like processed crocodile steak, turtle meat and others. Although during my time in PNG, cannibalism was not anymore practiced (until 1958 I was told), we could still hear incidents where this was secretly being practiced.

My last three years was more of “indoor” pastoral involvement -  meaning ‘safe’ university work where I taught young students aspiring to become the new generation of PNG professionals. A few incidents of teen suicide were reported occasionally, since young people would get frustrated when they could not reach what they aspired for.

The word of God has still to be sown continuously into the hearts of the people and the building of the Kingdom of God goes on. As the sower sows the seed of God’s Word, its growth depends on the condition of its destination. We pray to God for more grace that nothing may stop us to plant it into the hearts of people.

Fr. Ted Magpayo

The saying goes: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. With this having in mind, I, Fr. Ted (Teodoro) Magpayo, your incoming pastor, greet you all with a JOYFUL heart. Let’s go step-by-step gradually then.

In the next few months, you will see me in the parish and know about me in a gradual way.As a brief background, I was born in the Philippines in the province of Pampanga. I entered Catholic schools, in Elementary (Sacred Heart Academy), in High School (Don Bosco Academy) and in College (University of Santo Tomas) where I took a Medical Technology Course.

After that, I started Seminary Formation at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines. I was ordained a priest on December 9, 1989 and this year 2014 is my 25^th year in the Priesthood.

Aside from the Priestly Ministry, I am also “in-love” and involved in MUSIC Ministry. It’s always inspiring to praise God in songs using primarily the very “vocal cords” he has given us aside from many musical instruments.

Before being incardinated in the Archdiocese of San Francisco this year, I belonged to a religious congregation, the Society of the Divine Word. I have been assigned as a missionary to Papua New Guinea (1991-1997) and in Maui, Hawaii (2000-2005).

In 2006-2010, I was assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Bartholomew Church in San Mateo, where I gained friends from varied cultures, Irish, Italian, Chinese, Filipinos and others. I

always love the diversity of these coming together as one. Then, from 2010-2014, I was Vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Westlake, Daly City.

I belong to a small family, with two sisters (one resides in San Jose-Portia and the other is a contemplative nun in the Philippines-Sr. Joanna Marie), and both of my parents are already deceased.

And to end this brief introduction of myself (and many more still to come), I would like to thank Fr. Dan, my predecessor and his assistants, Fr. Theo and Fr. Te, and the parish staff, for the introduction and their warm welcome here at ST. BRENDAN CHURCH.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL WITH HIS LOVE.

Fr. Ted

Pastor

Fare thee well – After mass last Sunday, someone asked me how I really felt about my assignment to St. Anne.  And I shared with her that I felt sad about leaving this community where it’s been my home for the past 5 years.  As I’ve gotten to know you and have shared my life with you and you with me, a bond has been built.  As I’ve worked with the different members of the staff and parish, and have worked towards building a stronger parish community, trust and friendships were forged.  And as I prayed for you, worried about sick members of your family and celebrated the sacraments in sorrowful as well as in joyful moments of your life, a spiritual bond was also developed.  So leaving feels like the breaking of these various bonds we’ve built over the years.  And although St. Anne isn’t far, however, our relationship will change.  I won’t be here every day as your priest.  But in God’s wisdom and providence, He has a plan for each one of us.  Mine is to go where He is sending me.  And in his providence, He is sending you a wonderful and kind man, Fr. Ted Magpayo.  Give him the support and encouragement he needs.

I recall beginning my assignment here among you, and even though I believed God was the one who sent me, however, I was still nervous.  But getting to know you, experiencing your kindness, love and support, quickly put me at ease.  And over time, you have taught me how to become a pastor.  When I asked Fr. Roger Gustafson what he was feeling after his recent ordination as a priest on June 7, 2014, his response was, he felt like an imposter.  Because we need to grow into the role, whether it is being a new parent, a new doctor or a new police officer, the formal ending of training is just the beginning of what it means to assume our new role.  The new Pastor training offered by the Archdiocese (through your support of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal) certainly was helpful, as was my mentor, but it was working among you, the staff and the different committees, that helped me learn my role to become a pastor.  In parting, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Pastor.  You have made me a better man, a better priest and I learned from you what it means to be a Pastor.  May God bless you in your journey of faith and until we see again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Fr. Dan