Filipino Catholics please advise me

[triumphguy]

I’m Chaplain at a school with 1800 15 to 18 year old boys and girls.

About 400 students are immigrants from the Philippines.

I’ve heard through the English as a Second Language coordinator that Filipino parents have been asking for some services/prayer groups/youth groups for their kids at the school.

We have morning prayer everyday, and mass on Fridays (which none of these students show up for though they congregate outside the chapel while mass is being said).

What can I do to encourage the prayer life/spiritual growth of Filipino students in my school?

I’ve asked individual students and they say they don’t know.

 

[thistle]

I’m Chaplain at a school with 1800 15 to 18 year old boys and girls.

About 400 students are immigrants from the Philippines.

I’ve heard through the English as a Second Language coordinator that Filipino parents have been asking for some services/prayer groups/youth groups for their kids at the school.

We have morning prayer everyday, and mass on Fridays (which none of these students show up for though they congregate outside the chapel while mass is being said).

What can I do to encourage the prayer life/spiritual growth of Filipino students in my school?

I’ve asked individual students and they say they don’t know.

Forgive me but has anyone spoken to the students and asked why they stay outside rather than go in to attend Mass.

 

[triumphguy]

Forgive me but has anyone spoken to the students and asked why they stay outside rather than go in to attend Mass.

Yes, of course.

Me. And one of the priests who says mass who can speak Tagalog

They kind of get shy and grin, and shuffle their feet.

Hence the confusion.

 

[CatholicWhovian]

I’m Chaplain at a school with 1800 15 to 18 year old boys and girls.

About 400 students are immigrants from the Philippines.

I’ve heard through the English as a Second Language coordinator that Filipino parents have been asking for some services/prayer groups/youth groups for their kids at the school.

We have morning prayer everyday, and mass on Fridays (which none of these students show up for though they congregate outside the chapel while mass is being said).

What can I do to encourage the prayer life/spiritual growth of Filipino students in my school?

I’ve asked individual students and they say they don’t know.

The reason for the students not being in the chapel during mass on Fridays is that, well, it’s not a Sunday.

I guess they already feel that their faith is already a given and has no more need of constant renewal. Try to encourage them more.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I’ve asked individual students and they say they don’t know.

I think you should first ask those kids about their feelings of transferring abroad. At the risk of sounding crass, typical, and cynical, they’ve been given a privilege that some over here would sell their daughters for.

Many, yes even among the middle class, still have what I call the poor man’s mentality. Most of us go to college and find a job in the hopes of escaping the poverty that still characterizes our Third-World oriented culture. And as some might guess, living abroad is a common way we’ve defined that sort of successful escape.

Chances are, some of your students could very well be aware of this. Some of them might have left close friends behind. Others could be struggling with their cultural identity as they feel like they’re shifting from Pinoy to ‘foreinger.’

I’m sure that if you’ve had any experience with immigrants in general, this is probably commonplace. But from my own experience in my own country, the transition of poor to rich can really have effect on an average Juan’s/Juanita’s mind that runs particularly deep.

 

[pablope]

I’m Chaplain at a school with 1800 15 to 18 year old boys and girls.

About 400 students are immigrants from the Philippines.

I’ve heard through the English as a Second Language coordinator that Filipino parents have been asking for some services/prayer groups/youth groups for their kids at the school.

We have morning prayer everyday, and mass on Fridays (which none of these students show up for though they congregate outside the chapel while mass is being said).

What can I do to encourage the prayer life/spiritual growth of Filipino students in my school?

I’ve asked individual students and they say they don’t know.

Are they new arrival? Filipinos are normally coy, i think…they may not have been assimilated fully yet…and may feel left out, or shy to go in.

See or observe if they tend to congregate together and not join other groups. See also if some of them are alter servers or choir members in the Philippines…then you may trynto get some to serve at mass or sing…as a suggestion.

My suggestion is to tag someone with each one as sort of a prayer buddy with some of the older students.

 

[triumphguy]

The reason for the students not being in the chapel during mass on Fridays is that, well, it’s not a Sunday.

I guess they already feel that their faith is already a given and has no more need of constant renewal. Try to encourage them more.

Their parents disagree

I guess I’m looking for any spirituality, prayer forms, etc., that might be more attractive/culturally “normal” to these kids.

 

[triumphguy]

Are they new arrival? Filipinos are normally coy, i think…they may not have been assimilated fully yet…and may feel left out, or shy to go in.

See or observe if they tend to congregate together and not join other groups. See also if some of them are alter servers or choir members in the Philippines…then you may trynto get some to serve at mass or sing…as a suggestion.

My suggestion is to tag someone with each one as sort of a prayer buddy with some of the older students.

Some have only been here for weeks or months. And yes, they are shy/overwhelmed - hence their parents trying to get them a safe and familiar spiritual place in the school.

In comparison to the white kids they are like grade six kids sizewise, so they congregate and stay safe playing cards etc.

 

[thankulord]

Hi, I hope you can get more responses from Filipinos. In the meantime I would like to share my brainstorm for a little start. . .

Ask advice from the priest about a common prayer practice in a regular Catholic school in the Philippines. Choose one thing they do and try to adapt it.

Talk directly to the Filipino mothers that are requesting this. Ask for their suggestions. I bet they won’t be shy to tell you! Involve them. For example there is a novena or prayer meeting. Ask them to provide some homemade Filipino treats after the prayer time.

Ask a Filipina mother who is requesting this prayer/spiritual development to lead/organize the prayer/Bible study or whatever she and other mothers would like. You participate/guideand give the final blessing etc.

Since you have so many Filipino students, work with the ESL coordinator to have the students prepare to teach the Lord’s prayer (sung) in Tagalog. (They can get help from Mom & Dad) Ask them to prepare to have the words shown for all students at the Friday Mass. Before the Mass have the Filipino students lead the practice and during the Mass use it. This could be the start to get them into the Friday Mass. Continue to use the Lords prayer in Tagalog at all Friday Masses. If there are students from other countries too, you can give them a turn or rotate this. This will also give other students attending the Mass some cultural/language exposure.

I think the parents that are requesting this are longing that their children get the same exposure to develop their faith overseas as they would naturally get in the Philippines, but their children are dealing with other issues. If they are in ESL classes, language is one of these…

 

[raikou]

Maybe they would appreciate Catechism classes. Since it’s a lecture and requires not much participation, shyness won’t be an issue. Filipinos can be very religious but just like elsewhere, I think a good solid dose of Catechism can still be very helpful.

Spirituality/Prayer forms:

There’s a youth group in the Philippines “Youth For Christ” which is affiliated with “Couples For Christ.” Its spirituality is somewhat charismatic. Their activities include sharing and singing worship songs by Hillsong etc. (in addition to the Catholic mass and sacraments) I think there are CFC members here in the US. I’ve been to one gathering and some of the youth appear responsive to it.

Our liturgical songs usually come from “Bukas Palad” or “Himig Heswita” and include songs in English and Tagalog. Maybe they’ll find them familiar? They have videos in youtube. Songs featured by the Jesuit Communications in the Philippines might also come in handy.

But of course, there really no “one size fits all” spirituality. Maybe the best way is still to individually direct and talk with the students.

 

[raikou]

The reason for the students not being in the chapel during mass on Fridays is that, well, it’s not a Sunday.

If this info could be useful, attending First Friday masses is a popular devotion in the Philippines especially in Catholic schools.

 

[thistle]

Their parents disagree

I guess I’m looking for any spirituality, prayer forms, etc., that might be more attractive/culturally “normal” to these kids.

Have a session to pray The Rosary.

 

[triumphguy]

Thanks for the ideas everyone… please keep them coming.

I had thought of some of them already, but being the English white guy in a Canadian multi-cultural school I’m not sure what would attract this population.

 

[pablope]

Some have only been here for weeks or months. And yes, they are shy/overwhelmed - hence their parents trying to get them a safe and familiar spiritual place in the school.

In comparison to the white kids they are like grade six kids sizewise, so they congregate and stay safe playing cards etc.

Ok…thanks for this info. These kids may come from rural areas in that they may have feelings of inferiority…so are coy or have qualms about feeling worthy to come in and join and participate.

I think a key is to overcome this feeling of coyness or of being inferior…that is why I think they tend to congregate together.

My further suggestions…integrate them by grouping them two to three with the other kids…have that group lead a prayer…like the rosary…just to get them to start feeling some confidence.

Another mentioned the Youth for Christ…ask them if some of them are members of the YFC from the Phil, or if some of the parents are members of Couples for Christ (CFC) from the Phil…the YFC is a ministry of the CFC…so ask for their help…also, there maybe a parish in your area or close by where the CFC IS ACTIVE…they would be willing to help…just tap the CFC.

JUst google CFC-usa for contacts in North America…or pm me and I could help you get contacts in your area…

 

[pablope]

Their parents disagree

I guess I’m looking for any spirituality, prayer forms, etc., that might be more attractive/culturally “normal” to these kids.

Ask them what general area of the Phil they come from…there are very diverse catholic traditions in the phil…depending on what part they came from.

 

[triumphguy]

Ask them what general area of the Phil they come from…there are very diverse catholic traditions in the phil…depending on what part they came from.

Thanks for your advice. Very helpful:thumbsup:

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Ask them what general area of the Phil they come from…there are very diverse catholic traditions in the phil…depending on what part they came from.

If I may add, it might also help to consider the jobs of the parents that enabled them to migrate. I know plenty who are still undergoing that process and in a sense, that too could have an effect on the impressionable.

 

[hadulzo]

Fillipinos have a serious devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual help. Our parish which has only a few Fillipino families, hold the Novena to her on Wednesdays and a mass on Wednesdays. I have been there a few times and Filipinos come from all over the area to participate. Usually at least 50 to 75 people. OLPH was brought to the Phillipines by the Redemtionist fathers.