On Sunday, 19 July 2026, our Filipino-Dutch community gathered in Nijmegen for a joyful celebration honoring St. Titus Brandsma, the Carmelite priest, journalist, professor, and martyr whose life continues to inspire us through his unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and freedom.
The afternoon began with the celebration of the Holy Mass, led by Fr. Ken. It was heartwarming to see families and friends travel from different parts of the Netherlands to worship together. Though we came from different places and spoke with different accents, we were united by one faith and one community.
Following the Mass, we were privileged to hear an inspiring talk from Sr. Sanny Bruijns, who shared the remarkable life and witness of St. Titus Brandsma. We were reminded of his courage in defending human dignity, speaking out against injustice, and remaining steadfast in faith even during his imprisonment in Dachau concentration camp. His life reminds us that ordinary people, living their faith with love and conviction, can make an extraordinary difference in the world.
After the reflection came another highlight of the day, our community meal. A long table filled with delicious homemade dishes reflected the rich cultures and traditions of everyone present. Every meal carried a story, and every shared plate strengthened the bonds of friendship and belonging.
The celebration continued with music, singing, and dancing as members of the community generously shared their talents. Fr. Ken delighted everyone with his wonderful singing, while laughter and joyful conversations filled the hall. The atmosphere truly felt like one big family gathering.
The day beautifully reflected the spirit of Christian community, coming together in prayer, learning from inspiring lives, sharing meals, and celebrating one another.
As St. Titus Brandsma once said:
“Living in the truth makes us free.”
Our heartfelt thanks go to Fr. Ken, Sr. Sanny Bruijns, everyone who travelled from near and far, those who prepared and shared delicious food, and all who contributed their time, talents, and warm presence. Your generosity made this gathering truly special.
We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next Filipino-Dutch Family Gathering!
Thank you so much for the support. I hope everyone has learned something on renewing our home/community. Long live FCCG.(Fr. Ken Ombrog)
To Fr. Ernest, who brought Fr. Sheldon, our recollection facilitator yesterday, on behalf of FCCG, thank you very much. The lecture reminded us about renewing our shared home with Christ: “Return and Home”. These two movements are the foundation of our theme. A renewed person helps renew the community, and a renewed community helps wounded persons find life again. This is a beautiful message. Gouda, as our shared home, becomes a place of family, prayer, friendship, worship, and mission. A house becomes a home not because it is perfect, but because there is a loving presence. (Maryjane)
What I have learned is being a peacemaker and not a contributor to make the situation worse. If you want to give advice, do it at the right moment, and give advice one at a time. We need a community we can trust, feel safe which does not make us feel isolated, and a place where everyone is welcome. Also, visit and connect with those who feel lost or in doubt. (Amor)
It was truly a very inspiring day, where everyone present had the opportunity to strengthen their faith in God and share thoughts with Father Sheldon, who gave a very motivating and inspiring presentation. During the break, we also enjoyed the food kindly brought by some participants. At the end of the day, we attended the Holy Mass celebrated by the two priests. We would like to sincerely thank Father Sheldon and Father Ken for their wonderful contributions and for making this day so meaningful for all of us. (Hans)
The Recollection last Saturday renewed me in some part of myself. I know that the foundation of renewal is recollection because we remember the past experiences and memories that are beneficial to reshape our future by clearing and learning from them to become a new and better version of ourselves. I realize that my painful memories become WISDOM instead of WOUNDS. FAILURE becomes MOTIVATION. Loss becomes Empathy. Reflection creates SELF- AWARENESS that allows us to be full of hope and to grow. God loves us and we should hold on to that and stay faithful because our reward is enormous. (Analyn Corpuz)
It was educational and it is always good to be among friends. I really appreciate the wonderful message of Fr. Sheldon and Fr. Ken, which was so inspiring and mesmerizing. (Tess)
Een bijzonder leuke samenkomst, in een relaxte omgeving ons geloof en saamhorigheid versterkt! Wat fijn dat de Goudse RK gemeenschap zo’n accommodatie heeft voor de gelovigen. Dank aan allen voor hun bijdrage. (Teun)
In 2026, the annual FCC Gouda Recollection was held in the Antoniuszaal in Gouda on 16 May, two days after Hemelvartsdag (Ascension Day). To the FCC Gouda Board members, the number of people who signed up was disappointing. Just twelve. This number, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. The smaller number of participants enabled a deeper exchange of ideas and reflections and resulted in a much more gezellig atmosphere.
We were lucky that Fr. Sheldon Tabile, O. Carm, was in the Netherlands, and, on Fr. Ken’s invitation, could facilitate the Recollection. Fr. Sheldon is no stranger to the Netherlands as he has been coming to the country since 2017 for his PhD at the Radboud University in Nijmegen. He has an M.Phil and an M.A. in Theology and was recently elected as the Third Councilor for the Philippine Province of the Carmelite Order. Fr Sheldon not only teaches seminarians but also counsels parishioners. Fr. Ken added that they had been in the same batch of 30 seminarians, but they were the only two who went on to become priests.
The train service from Nijmegen was problematic that Saturday morning, and there were delays. Elpi had been assigned to be the welcoming committee. When she learned of the delay, she went off to do her grocery shopping where she met Luz who bought a couple of cake rolls and asked Elpi to bring them to the recollection, even though Luz could not join it as she had to work.
While those already present waited for Fr. Ken and Fr. Sheldon to arrive, they got to know each other better and exchanged ideas. Analyn, who usually attends the FCC Drechtsteden mass in Dordrecht suggested that to grow the community, the leaders will have to do house visits. For reasons of privacy, and because most people work, and have their own family lives to be busy about, this was noted, and filed for future reference.
Mary Lynn said that the FCC Rotterdam was a much bigger group, and should hold masses every Sunday. Maryjane, who sometimes attends the mass in Rotterdam, said that the Rotterdam community was looking for a church to be able to do that precisely. Amor mentioned that her brother in Spain told her that the Filipinos in Spain were able to buy a church (something we in the Netherlands can only dream of). Because there are many more Filipinos in Spain (there are 200,000) it seems they are able to hold three masses on Sundays with each mass being attended by 250 people at a time.
Rena had not planned to attend. Her husband was in the Groene Hart Ziekenhuis for treatment, and because he did not want her to be wasting her time waiting for his treatment to finish, he urged her to join the Recollection. Tessa said that Fr. Ken’s stay in her home had been good as her boyfriend no longer gets angry.
In preparation for the Recollection proper, a laptop was connected to the beamer, but due to incompatible software, Fr. Sheldon’s PowerPoint presentation would not load. Luckily he had printed out the text. As there was a photocopier in the church’s secretariat, Amor asked Mary Lynn to make copies, knowing that she had worked for Elsevier before and knew how a professional photocopier/printer worked. When the copies were ready, Maryjane distributed them. The rectangular tables were rearranged to form a square, with Fr. Sheldon occupying one side to face the Recollection participants.
Fr. Sheldon began by telling us that we who were present were chosen to be there. He explained the theme “Renewing our Shared Home with Christ.”
Before anything else, renewal comes from God. Jesus died on Good Friday, and was raised up on Easter Sunday, thus, Jesus Himself was renewed. We are, too. Even though God has already done things for us, we could still ask Him. He reveals to us what He wants us to do, and gives us a new sense of purpose. He renews us in the areas of our lives that are dying or needs renewing.
Fr. Sheldon used the word “wounds” to refer to our pains, our disappointments, our problems. Everybody has wounds, and Jesus came to heal these wounds. When He was risen, we, too, were transformed. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He returned to the Father. His Ascension gives all of us Christians the hope that someday, we may return to our forever home, in heaven.
What did renewal in the theme mean? FCC Gouda celebrates its 30th anniversary in December 2027. All these years, our community has had something planted by God, but we need now to be refreshed, purified, strengthened, and brought back to our deepest purpose. Also, even though a large number of the community lives outside Gouda, we need to see Gouda as home, the place where God chose to gather us, and where God continues to build our shared home.
Therefore two words are important: RETURN and HOME.
The first talk focused on personal renewal because each community renewal begins in the hearts of the members. To help us remember, we are to use the word RETURN as the memory tool. When we RETURN, we will be transformed. To be at HOME is to be in the presence of God. RETURN and HOME belong together. Renewed persons help renew the community, and a renewed community helps wounded persons become renewed, renewing the shared HOME as well.
RETURN
We return to the Risen Lord, who meets us with our wounds, fears, disappointments, and leads us towards peace and belonging. Fr. Sheldon explained that as human beings, we have our wounds, our fears and disappointments.
But Jesus is risen. When Mary Magdalene encountered the empty tomb, she was afraid, and she cried. The risen Jesus asked her why she was crying, and she, not recognizing Him, asked where Jesus was, and to let her know where she could find him. Jesus could have scolded Mary but because He is full of love, He didn’t. He called her name, “Mary”, and with that, her eyes were opened, and she recognized Him. And then Jesus disappeared. Fr. Sheldon emphasized that our names, hearing it said, is very important to each and everyone of us. In fact, exorcism only works when the name of the demon is known, as it must be called by its name for it to leave the possessed person.
Does anyone not remember the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus? They were discouraged and afraid for the future because Jesus on whom they had put their trust had been crucified and died. They left Jerusalem, and on the road to Emmaus, they encountered someone who did not seem to know about what had happened during the past few days (the Crucifixion). They walked and talked with the stranger who asked them questions, but who also slowly explained to them why the events had to happen the way they did. When reaching where they needed to rest, they invited Him to stay and dine with them as it was getting late. The stranger hesitated, but went along. When Jesus took the bread and broke it, their eyes were opened. They recognized Jesus but at that moment, Jesus disappeared. Even though they were weary, the two disciples walked back to Jerusalem because they had to tell the other disciples that they had encountered the risen Christ. When they recognized Jesus in their midst, they were rejuvenated, or renewed.
Don’t we all know the story of doubting Thomas, who was elsewhere when Jesus first appeared to the apostles in a locked room. When Thomas was present at another gathering of the apostles, Jesus appeared and invited him to put his fingers in the wounds of Jesus’s hands, and on His side. Thomas professed, “My Lord and my God.” Then Jesus again disappeared.
There is something wonderful that Fr. Sheldon said. Why is it that after the person recognizes Jesus, Jesus disappears? Fr. Sheldon said that it was because Jesus jumped into that person’s heart.
Mary Magdalene, Thomas and the two disciples all were renewed when they encountered the risen Christ.
What do these examples tell us? The disciples, like us, were wounded, afraid and disappointed. Jesus could have scolded them, but He did not. He was kind, gentle, and patient. He was full of love. We should know that Jesus does not wait for us to be whole before He visits us. He comes into real situations, real wounds and real fears. In our case, this would be the enduring of trials as migrants to a new country, of missing our parents and siblings, of experiencing culture shock, and of needing to adjust to a new culture (and a partner) in order to deal with pressures at work (or home).
Personal renewal begins when we allow Christ to enter our wounded hearts, for Him to take away our fears and doubts. The opposite of fear is assured love. Jesus takes away our fears with His love for each of us. We are assured of His love for us. His Wounds were wounds of love, His sacrifice was his suffering with Love.
Fr. Sheldon spoke of the experience of a family in the Philippines. Their daughter fell into a depression, and started wearing all black. Her family recognized this, and supported her and her choices, and continued to show their love for her. Instead of scolding her, they let her be, but prayed for her. After a while, Fr. Sheldon met this daughter again, but he was surprised. She was now wearing all white. Through her family’s prayer, her depression lifted, and she looked forward to the future, and this was reflected by her not wearing all black anymore.
Love sometimes requires sacrifice. Fr. Sheldon recounted that in the seminary, the seminarians have a schedule they follow, like Mass first thing in the morning. He sometimes saw some seminarians falling asleep during the Mass. He was not very happy with this. They knew that the Mass was the first thing they had to do, and so, they needed to make sure that they were rested enough not to fall asleep during the Mass.
Blessing commented that for some people sleeping during the Mass shows that the church is such a comforting place and probably the only place some people feel so secure that they fall asleep in the church. Fr Sheldon commented that that is a good thing, but in the context of seminarians, sleeping during the Mass which they will be officiating some day is different.
When we do something for others, that is love. We must let people know we are praying for them. Among the Born Again Christians, when they go for the service, they first go to someone and talk to them, who will counsel them, and pray with them. Among the Charismatic community, they give testimony, they proclaim what God has done for them.
Who does not know the story of the paralyzed man whose friends wanted to take him to Jesus to be healed? Where Jesus was, there were so many people. They could not carry him inside. What his friends did was to make a hole in the roof, and to lower their friend so Jesus could heal him. Jesus himself marvelled at the man’s friends’ faith. The paralyzed man was healed because of his friends’ love, and their faith in Jesus to make their friend better.
For the RETURN framework, we need to Recognize and name our wounds; we Encounter the Risen Lord in scripture, the Eucharist, prayer, and community; we Turn Back, we return with burning hearts after our encounter with Christ; we Unlock our hearts, and allow Christ to enter our hearts where shame, fear, anxiety, and disappointment reside; we Receive and accept the gift of peace, and the breath of the Holy Spirit; and finally, we Nurture, because we have been renewed, we have become a loving presence for each other, and help the Gouda community become a home in Christ.
RETURN is a practical examination of our own spiritual life.
Easter renewal happens through personal encounters. Mary Magdalene is renewed when Jesus calls her by name. The disciples on the road to Emmaus are renewed because Jesus had walked with them, talked with them, listened to them, explained Scriptures to them, and broken bread with them. Thomas was renewed when Jesus allowed him to touch His wounds and side, removing Thomas’s doubts. The story of doubting Thomas is an assurance for us who may harbor doubts and not quite believe. Someone doubted, but Jesus took away that doubt. Therefore, we should not doubt but believe.
Our community is renewed when we make room for those doubting ones. Let us be welcoming to new members, and help them grow in faith and belief in the Risen Lord. And yet, we should also continue to care for our current members, and help them to grow in faith.
HOME
Home to many of us, Gouda is also a place of work, school, and family. We come together on the fourth Sunday of the month to pray, to worship together as a community. We should remember that we have a mission to offer friendship and spiritual support to members of the Filipino community in the Netherlands.
Also, we need to keep in mind that a house becomes a home, not because it is perfect, but because there is a loving presence. As we are renewed, we not only remember the homeland (the Philippines), but also recognize Christ walking with each of us here (the Netherlands).
Renewal begins when the blessed community becomes a sent community. The Ascension is not Jesus abandoning the disciples but opening a new chapter of mission. We honor the past, but having received the Spirit (on Pentecost) we continue the mission.
H is for HONOR, we give thanks for the 28 years of co-founders, families, leaders, priests, volunteers, and their hidden sacrifices. O is for OPEN, for opening doors so that the wounded, the new arrivals, the young, those who struggle to believe, and those who stayed away, can come (back) and get closer to Jesus through us. M is for MAKING ROOM for whoever is interested in becoming part of the community and making them feel at home. E is for EXTEND, for extending Easter witness in Gouda through showing hospitality, giving service, sharing of joy, and collaborating with the wider church, not only of the Filipino communities in the Netherlands, but also the Dutch Catholic Church. HOME is not a closed circle; with Christ, it becomes a welcoming and a missionary table.
Finally, Fr. Sheldon said we must consider the Church as a field hospital, as Pope Francis taught, which does not first ask whether the wounded person deserves help, but responds with care. For the community, people should know that they can come not only when they are strong, but also when they are weak, grieving, anxious, struggling in their marriages, or relationships, lonely, spiritually dry, or uncertain.
How do we do this?
First, we keep Christ the Chief Physician, through prayer, the Eucharist, Scripture and humility as the root of service in grace.
Second, we need to recognize our own wounds, and by knowing that wounded people are healed by mercy and can become compassionate companions.
Third, we offer loving presence; not every wound needs immediate advice, sometimes, a companionable silence, a listening ear, and just being close by is enough.
Fourth, we infuse hope. As a renewed community, we can carry the Easter hope to take away grief, fatigue, and uncertainty.
Finally, five commitments:
First, CENTER. We make room for Christ at the center of the community, not only during events, but in decisions, relationships, leadership, and service.
Second, NAMES. We learn to know people beyond their roles and functions. Each person has a story, and behind an absence, there may be pain, behind each disagreement may be a wound.
Third, WOUNDED. We must walk with those who struggle, avoid gossip, and quick judgement.
Fourth, ROOFS (not just DOORS). We create new paths of welcome, especially for the youth, newcomers, elders, mixed families, and those at the margins.
Fifth, WITNESS. We bless the community with Easter joy through Filipino warmth, Catholic faith, service, collaboration, and hospitality.
These five commitments can be used as discussion prompts or as a simple action plan for the community.
And lastly, these are Personal Reflection Questions to ask ourselves:
What am I personally grateful for in the 28-year story of FCC Gouda?
How is Christ asking me to witness Easter hope in Gouda, in my family, neighborhood, workplace, school, parish, or community?
And these are Communal Sharing Questions:
Where do we need to open doors, even roofs, so that the wounded, new, young, doubting, or absent members can come to Jesus?
What is one concrete communal commitment we can make after this anniversary so that our shared home is renewed in Christ?
Reflection Sharing:
To answer the personal reflection question:
Jenny shared that she was grateful for the help that Amor and Jaap gave her during the period when she was depressed;
Amor said that she was grateful for the support from the Board and members during the time she was having difficulties;
Rena, who had no plan to attend the Recollection, shared that her husband who is suffering from Stage 4 colorectal cancer, was confined in the Groene Hart Ziekenhuis. He persuaded her to attend the Recollection instead of waiting with him as he underwent treatment. Rena was advised that she needed to prepare for the time when he passed away. She shared further, with tears in her eyes, that she had talked with her husband that after his death, as she had no Filipino family here in the Netherlands, she was planning to go home to the Philippines. As Rena lives in Schoonhoven, she finds it hard to meet with the community in Gouda. We told her she could call instead.
Elpi, who is active as an acolyte, and as a volunteer in the Dutch church, shared that her husband saw her pray her morning prayers and novena, and how involved she was in volunteering in the church. Her example touched him so that he took Catechism classes since last year, and a month or so ago, was baptized in the Catholic church, during a Dutch mass.
—
As the time allotted was almost up, Fr. Ken called on Maryjane to deliver the Closing Remarks. She thanked both priests, and those who were present, and those who brought food to share.
The final event that afternoon was the Eucharistic celebration.
Note: Many thanks to Fr. Ken and Fr. Sheldon. Thanks also to the FCC Gouda Board members for organizing this event, and to the attendees for helping make this Recollection meaningful and gezellig. Thank you to those who shared their blessings in the form of food and drinks, and this includes Luz. And special thanks to Amor for collecting the comments that open this piece.
October 26th of this year marked another meaningful gathering for the Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda and Surroundings, as members came together for our regular 4th Sunday Mass celebration. While the rhythm of faith and fellowship remained familiar, this particular Sunday carried a spirit of renewal, gratitude, and prayerful devotion.
Before the Mass began, the community united in praying the Holy Rosary, a deeply rooted Filipino Catholic tradition that centers hearts in reflection and faith. The Rosary, with its meditations on the life of Jesus and the Blessed Mother, set a tone of reverence and peace for the celebration that followed.
The celebration was led by our new Filipino priest, Fr Ernest Ken Ombrog, who will now serve as the community’s spiritual shepherd in the months and years ahead. His presence brings a renewed sense of connection, a bridge between faith and culture that resonates deeply with the Filipino community.
Another highlight of the celebration was the blessing of the newly elected Board members, who have stepped forward to take on the responsibility of guiding and strengthening the community’s activities. The Board serves as the governing body that ensures the smooth coordination of events, outreach programs, and spiritual gatherings to keep the community vibrant and united in faith and service. Congratulations to the community for the newly elected members of the FCC Board, namely:
Chairperson: Mary Jane Streefland
Vice Chairperson: Herman de Wild
Secretary: Susan Horn
Treasurer: Hans Oosterwijk
Auditor: Marlyn Rontal
Public Relations Officers: Nnamdi Blessing Ogochukwu & Arnold Paco
The Newly Elected FCC-Gouda Board. Fr Left to Right: Marylyn Rontal (Auditor), Susan Horn (Secretary), Nnamdi Blessing Ogochukwu (PRO), Mary Jane Streefland (Chairperson), Herman de Wild (Vice Chairperson), Fr Ernest Ken Ombrog, Hans Oosterwijk (Treasurer), Arnold Paco (PRO).
The community also took this special occasion to express heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Board members, whose years of service and leadership have left a lasting mark. Deep appreciation was especially extended to the outgoing Chairperson, Amor van Os, who has faithfully served the community for 20 years. Her unwavering commitment, patience, and love for the community have inspired many, and her legacy will continue to guide the path forward.
The Old FCC Board: Amor van Os (Outgoing Chairperson), Jenny Luna (Outgoing Board Member), Maryjane Streefland, Teun Blanken (Outgoing Board Member), Hans Oosterwijk.
As the Mass concluded, there was a collective sense of hope and anticipation; it’s a recognition that every ending opens the door to new beginnings. With a new priest to lead the flock and a new Board ready to serve, the Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda and Surroundings steps confidently into its next chapter, grounded in faith, unity, and the enduring strength of shared purpose.
Mabuhay ang ating komunidad! And may God continue to bless our journey together!
It was a beautiful, sunny morning on June 21, 2025, as we gathered once again for our Annual Family Funday and celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
We arrived at the picnic area at exactly 10:00 AM. The first to arrive were Ate Billy, Kuya Piet, Jenny, and Teun, warmly welcoming everyone with smiles while enjoying coffee. It was heartwarming to see the spirit of togetherness among friends who are like family through faith.
As more members arrived, Martin and the boys began setting up tents, a true display of Bayanihan (unity and cooperation). At 11:00 AM, Elpi Guttierez led the opening prayer, thanking God for bringing us together once again.
We then sang the Philippine National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang, with a beat led by Rena van Kleunen in honor of the Philippine Independence Day in the month of June.
We held football games for the children, refereed by Alex van Rhijn. Team Gio won against Team Lucas. Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed dancing and socializing.
There was an abundance of food, and we had lunch at 12:30 PM. Guests continued to arrive throughout the day, including a visitor from Hoofddorp and Fr. Marcel, who led the parlor games.
At 3:00 PM, we held the tombola raffle draw. Elpi Guttierez was recognized as the top seller and received a special prize. The raffle winners were:
1st Prize (€50 cash, #562): Imee
2nd Prize (Sack of rice, #601): Catherine Hartman
3rd Prize (Grocery items): Trini Ruiz
Consolation Prizes: Lita Henke, Eve & Pascal Kroeze, and Catherine Hartman
We also shared stories and life experiences, both joyful and challenging, highlighting the true meaning of family and community.
The event ended at 5:00 PM with clean-up and heartfelt goodbyes. It was truly a memorable day filled with love, unity, and blessings.
We thank everyone who helped make this event a success. Through your support, we raised €500 net. Special thanks to our volunteers, donors (including Joylyn Subtenente, FiHansieel, Jochella, Aziatisch Kleding Reparatie), anonymous sponsors, and all attendees. Even if you couldn’t be with us, you were in our hearts.
We look forward to seeing you next time.
Together, as one community under God, we continue to support each other and work towards our shared goals.
God bless our FCC-Gouda community! Thank you, Jenny Luna, for capturing these moments with all these photos.
Since February 2025, Monsignor Jan Thomas Limchua of Cebu has been the charge d’affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature on Carnegielaan 5 in Den Haag. The Apostolic Nunciature serves as the Vatican’s Embassy in the Netherlands. In recent months, Monsignor Limchua has been getting acquainted with the Catholic communities in the Randstad by saying Mass for the FCC Rotterdam and FCC Dordrecht.
On 31 May 2025 he invited representatives of the various Filipino Catholic Communities (FCCs) to a Meet and Greet. FCC Gouda e.o. was represented by Amor van Os, Mary Jane Streefland, Jenny Luna, and Mary Lynn van Dijk.
A beautiful 19th-century building houses the Apostolic Nunciature, which in Monsignor Limchua’s words is where the Holy Father will stay when he is in the Netherlands. There is a wide and long graveled driveway on the right (from the street) leading to a smaller building where a chapel is located on the first floor. A curved pathway connects the main building with the chapel building. The entrance to the beautiful main building is on the side (not facing the Carnegielaan), and both the main building and chapel building are surrounded by well-maintained lawns.
The FCC Gouda contingent arrived on time, and met the FCC Dordrecht representatives, Marissa van der Graaf and Glenda Huisveld. Agnes van der Beek of the FCC Den Haag, who contacted the various FCCs, also arrived at the same time.
Marissa pressed on the doorbell of the main building, and it was the Monsignor himself who opened the door for us. We could not help but be impressed by the stately interior. He led us to a formal dining room on the right where a long table with a pristine white tablecloth had already been laid, not by himself, he said, but by the nuns. At one end of the dining room was a corridor where a shorter table with a white tablecloth had been prepared for the food we brought with us. After arranging the food, and lighting the tea lights to start warming up the food, we went into the dining room. On one smaller table were bottles of water and soft drinks, and on another, close to the corridor, cutlery and dishes. Then we were led to the beautiful chapel which had dark wood paneling, a beautiful painting of the Holy Family behind the altar, a beautiful painting of St Pope John Paul II on the left wall and windows on the right. To one side of the altar was an almost-life sized statue of the crucified Jesus.
There was to be a Mass at 17:00 and dinner would follow afterwards. As the Mass was an anticipated Mass, the readings were for the following Sunday, Ascension Sunday. After he read the Ascension Sunday Gospel of Jesus taking leave of the Apostles and ascending to heaven, for his homily Monsignor Jan talked about leaving, the pain of leaving, and in Jesus’ case, that He had to leave as He was preparing rooms for His disciples in God’s home in heaven, and so that the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, could descend on the Apostles and guide and strengthen them on their task of evangelization. This task is a task we all Catholics have, to share our faith, to live like Jesus did. Monsignor Jan also said that we Filipinos have very good traits, but we also have some bad ones. We need to make sure that we let our good side rise above our not-so-good habits or practices.
This was the third time Jane and I had heard a homily from Monsignor Jan, and we felt that it was not too short nor too long, but it was to the point, and inspiring, too. We found ourselves agreeing with what he said.
Since Ambassador Malaya was also present, the Monsignor asked him to say something.
After the Mass, the Ambassador suggested that we have our photograph taken in front of the altar. We eagerly took our places. The Ambassador then suggested that a second photograph be taken on the front steps of the main building. We moved out of the church, into the curved walkway connecting the chapel with the main building. On the front steps, we took our places, and had our smiles preserved for posterity. Both photographs can be seen on the FB page of the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands.
Then we queued up for dinner in the formal dining room. On a table by the windows were delicious empanadas and tacos which the nuns had made especially for us.
While people ate, people talked with each other. After dinner, Monsignor explained just what it was his reason for inviting the Filipino Catholic Communities (FCC) to the Apostolic Nunciature. As with his homily, he wanted us to live the faith, and do what Jesus commanded His disciples to do when he said goodbye to them. We were to work together. We would not just make sure that there were Masses for Filipinos in the Netherlands to attend but also make sure that we take care of each other spiritually.
He would request the Dutch Bishops’ Conference for a full-time Filipino priest to be hired to provide us with pastoral care. Take for example the Italians, he added, who have three communities in the Netherlands and get together and have a Mass said in Italian regularly. Perhaps the Filipino communities could set up a joint Santacruzan, or Simbang Gabi.
(Note: This year, the organizer invited FCC Gouda to join the Santacruzan in Hoofddorp, but since the fourth Sunday of May coincided with Fr Marcel’s birthday, we had our very own modest Santacruzan. After the Mass, we helped Fr Marcel celebrate his birthday with Filipino food, songs and dances. In the past two years, the various FCCs arranged for each FCC to organize one of the Simbang Gabi masses. FCC Gouda took care of the Simbang Gabi mass on 18 December 2024. This year, too, a number of FCC Gouda e.o. members went to Haarlem to participate in the Divine Mercy mass the Sunday after Easter.)
Later on, he asked each of us to introduce ourselves and to mention when the community we belonged to, held Mass. It turns out that most Masses were held on the fourth Sunday, and as it is the Sunday when we have our Mass in Gouda, we will not be able to attend Mass at other FCCs. But FCC Rotterdam schedules their Masses on the second Sunday while FCC Dordrecht holds theirs on the third Sunday. FCC Den Haag has Masses on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. So it is possible for some of us to attend Masses on the other Sundays, either in Rotterdam, Dordrecht or Den Haag.
Amor explained that at FCC Gouda we facilitated baptisms, we had preparation sessions for First Communion, we also gave assistance to bereaved members for when their (usually Dutch) partners passed away, and also provided assistance to families back home, when parents, children, or siblings died, or were victims of fires or natural disasters. We also held Recollections, and community-wide events such as the Family Fun Day in June.
Marvin Martin of FCC Rotterdam talked about the community holding a Retreat, and activities like the Family Sports Day, in addition to the monthly second Sunday Mass. FCC Rotterdam also had programs to assist seamen, and au pairs having difficulties with their employers or guest families, as well as the Filipino elderly (and those from other nationalities) in Rotterdam who needed food and other assistance.
(Note: In April, there was a very sick seaman who needed spiritual guidance and care. The group was able to avail of Fr Gilbert Razon, SVD, to go to Rotterdam and minister to this ailing seaman. For that reason Fr Gilbert was not available to say the Mass in Dordrecht but Fr Nico who had lived in the Philippines for many years and who speaks very good Bisaya was able to concelebrate that Mass with Monsignor Limchua.)
Ambassador Malaya took the opportunity to reply to these concerns of our fellow FCC-ers in Rotterdam. Regarding the seamen who stay in Rotterdam for a very short time (usually they disembark in Rotterdam from their latest assignment, stay a day or two before boarding another ship for their newest assignment) the Embassy had considered requesting that a full-time Labor Attaché be assigned in the Netherlands. But it was determined that the Attaché would be needed only half the time, so they decided that any problems with the seamen can be referred to the Labor Attaché in Berlin, Germany, or to the embassy in Den Haag. On the problems some au pairs are having, the Ambassador said that the embassy was aware of the problem and the government is considering whether to end the au-pair program. He assured us that in case of problems of seamen and au pairs these can be referred to the embassy which has resources to provide assistance.
At Monsignor’s statement that he would be asking the Bishops in the Netherlands for a full-time Filipino priest to serve the Filipino Catholic Communities, Marvin said that for now, hopefully Fr Gilbert can remain as de facto Filipino pastor. Fr Gilbert says the Masses in Dordrecht, and when there are other Sunday Masses, like on a fifth Sunday, he also officiates the Mass in Rotterdam. He also serves as Retreat Master.
Marvin added that FCC Rotterdam members (and in the past, FCC Gouda members, too) have also attended workshops, the first of which is “How to Be a Church Volunteer”. This workshop had always been offered by the Bisdom (Diocese) of Rotterdam, albeit in Dutch. Our late Fr Dan Ceballos, msc, gave these workshops in English, although he used the printed Dutch-language material the Bisdom provided. Marvin said that these days it seemed that the Rotterdam Diocese was going to hold these workshops in English.
There were two Filipino couples who were the people behind the Couples for Christ organizations in Amsterdam and Den Haag; they, too, also organize masses. In June because we celebrate Philippine Independence Day, their monthly mass would be held on a Saturday. Also present at the Meet and Greet were representatives from the FCCs in Tilburg and Nijmegen.
Now Agnes had asked everyone who attended to provide the FCC where he/she belonged to, and their mobile phone number and e-mail address on a form that was passed around. Ambassador Malaya said that this list could become a database, the beginning of inter-FCC activities and mutual cooperation. He asked if Agnes, who had contacted the various FCCs to the Meet and Greet, would act as coordinator. She would.
Ambassador Malaya also mentioned that during his assignment in Malaysia he organized activities and one of the FCC representatives would be the chair and assisted that year by a representative of another FCC who would be co-chair. The next year, the co-chair of the previous year would become the chair, and a member of another FCC would be co-chair, who would be chair the following year, with a co-chair from yet another FCC. This way, the program could be continued with the co-chair gaining valuable experience the previous year to use as chair the following year.
Monsignor Limchua repeated that he would like to see the FCCs get together and plan joint activities, with the aim of following Jesus’ footsteps. There are Masses in the chapel on Mondays and Tuesdays in English at 07:30, on Wednesdays at 08:00, and from Thursday to Saturday the Masses would be said in Spanish. On Sunday the Spanish-language Mass will be at 10:00. Everyone was invited. At that, our Meet and Greet ended, and we went to put away our dishes and rechauds. There was plenty of leftovers some of which were taken home and some left for the nuns to enjoy. We said our goodbyes and thanked the nuns, too. By the way, Ambassador Malaya’s assistants cleared our plates for us.
February is a month of love, unity, and connection for Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda and its surrounding (FCCG) that gathered to celebrate not only the bond between couples but also the love that unites us all. A special Mass was held to mark the occasion, offering a beautiful blend of spiritual reflection and heartfelt blessing.
The highlight of the Mass was the couples’ blessing, where couples as well as other attendees gathered to receive a special blessing from Father Cyril. This beautiful tradition honors the couples’ commitment to one another and their shared journey of faith and love. As the couples stood together, hands clasped and hearts open, they received prayers for strength, health, and continued growth in their relationships. It was a moving moment that reminded all of the power of partnership and mutual support.
Flowers for All: A Symbol of Appreciation
As a gesture of gratitude and love for every attendee, the church also provided flowers to each person present. These flowers were more than just a decoration; they symbolized appreciation for the love and presence of each individual in the community. For the couples, it was a token of their shared bond, while for singles and families, it was a reminder of the beauty and significance of all relationships.
The gesture was simple yet meaningful, and the vibrant colors of the flowers brought an extra sense of joy and warmth to the celebration. The act of giving flowers reflected the church’s message that love, in all its forms, should be celebrated and cherished.
