Why?
Together with the Kerygma Preachers, we holed up ourselves on a hill called Maryhills Retreat House, Antipolo. (That place really rocks—refurbished and modernized. Would you believe? The first time I was there was 27 years ago. I was 13, and Fr. John Sherlock was my retreat master. Today, I’m still working with him, now 84 years old! Catch him giving Confession at the FEAST in Camp Aguinaldo.)
Who are the Kerygma Preachers? Let me name some of them: Mike Joseph Jr. (my mentor), Arun Gogna, Alvin Barcelona, Jon Escoto, Obet Cabrillas, Adrian Panganiban, and Rissa Singson.
We’re usually scattered all over the world, sharing God’s love to thousands of people. But twice a week (2nd and 4th Wednesday nights), we gather for prayer and sharing, visiting each others’ homes.
But this weekend was extra special. It was our once-a-year retreat, and all of us we’re looking forward to it like little boys about to open their gifts on Christmas eve.
And so for these three days, we preachers shut our mouths to listen to God.
And wow, did He speak!
Let me give you a perfect recipe for a great retreat: 1) Eat as much as you can, 2) sleep as much as you can, 3) laugh as much as you can, and 4) pray the rest of the time.
And that’s what we did.
I can list the food we ate (but that would create a scandal), how many hours we slept (yep, complete with long siestas), how much we laughed (90% of the time)…
But I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of our worship times in the retreat. As most of you know, these guys are also fantastic singers that regularly perform in concerts all over the world. So for me, it was like being in a concert every time we sang together for worship.
Here’s the thing: We’re great friends.
When I go around different communities and parishes, my heart aches for spiritual leaders that are very lonely. Even priests don’t have small communities where they can be themselves, become vulnerable, and receive spiritual support.
But support communities don’t just happen.
You’ve got to make that happen.
If you’re serving God, I strongly suggest you create your small support group. Gather friends around you, and make some new friends if you don’t have any. Select them well—people who want to grow in their spiritual life and service to God as well.
People who are humble. (I realize that’s the #1 criteria of a Kerygma Preacher.)
People who will nourish you.
People who are positive and uplifting.
Find them!
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Oh, another important thing happened today.
I started shooting my new, very unique reality TV show, Preacher In Blue Jeans.
In this daily TV show over the internet, you’ll go with me wherever I go, meeting the fascinating people I meet, and seeing how God works miracles in their lives.
Watch my first show on November 1 at this website! In it, I interviewed many of the Kerygma Preachers while the retreat was ending. See them at their zaniest!
Can't wait to see your TV show bo! Make sure everybody you know knows about it because ---this is unmatched--in the Christian, Catholic, Secular world! Hey, even Tony Robbins doesn't give this much away.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Bro. Bo! God bless us all...
ReplyDeleteronald suello
cebu
Those tips come handy for the Singles For Christ's Single's Weekend Retreat 1 & 2 this november.
ReplyDeletePraise GOD!!! Now, you reminded me of my first ever retreat there(2nd yr HS) @ very same place(Maryhill). I will never ever forget that place bec. that's when our dear Lord manifested His immense love for me by painting a huge rainbow right before my eyes. It's the most awesome rainbow I've ever seen! It might even be Fr. John also..sometime in 1984. Is he kinda heavy set, white bearded (like Santa)? I first learned songs like BECAUSE HE LIVES, "Silver and gold I have none.." from him..Thank God! He still uses Fr. John to touch lives up to now...God bless!
ReplyDeletethanks again, Bo... touching. I think I've been to the place ten years ago.
ReplyDeleteJudith
Thanks, Bro. Bo ... you made me think about finding the kinds of Friends I'd like to have, unfortunately, I can't even find one that has those 3 qualities (humble, positive and nourishing). One might have one quality and the other another but not all three. BTW, I have to work on those 3 qualities myself...I may be humble at times but not positive or I might be uplifting at times but not humble. God Bless You always... I'm always inspired by your messages.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in attending one of your retreats, can i please get the sked? I want to meet Fr. John Sherlock as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks
hi bo,,nice tips,,i eat alot(always) and laughed but dont sleep to much wen i go retreats,,but one thing i always pray is strength kapg kulang ako sa tulog wen i go to serve god n aders and it works!!!tnx god,,i like reading ur kerygma magazine d problem wla dito sa paris,a fren came here 4 yrs ago and gave 2copies and ive learned alot , d cover was ur interview from aders preachers i think they were five guys,,so i kept dem like a treasure,i even asked my sister to send me one but unfortunately wla sya nakita,,i'll find it na lang wen i get back sa pinas,,cant wait to have one!!hehehe,,,i felt really blessed cause i found some frens hu are uplifting,positive and humble,,i hope they find me as well,,lol,,may god continue bless u in ol u do,,,btw,,,im a proud member of singles for christ here in paris france,,ingat po kau lagi:-)
ReplyDeletehi bo,,nice tips,,i eat alot(always) and laughed but dont sleep to much wen i go retreats,,but one thing i always pray is strength kapg kulang ako sa tulog wen i go to serve god n aders and it works!!!tnx god,,i like reading ur kerygma magazine d problem wla dito sa paris,a fren came here 4 yrs ago and gave 2copies and ive learned alot , d cover was ur interview from aders preachers i think they were five guys,,so i kept dem like a treasure,i even asked my sister to send me one but unfortunately wla sya nakita,,i'll find it na lang wen i get back sa pinas,,cant wait to have one!!hehehe,,,i felt really blessed cause i found some frens hu are uplifting,positive and humble,,i hope they find me as well,,lol,,may god continue bless u in ol u do,,,btw,,,im a proud member of singles for christ here in paris france,,ingat po kau lagi:-) marami po salamat
ReplyDeleteThanks Bo! You reminded me of Fr. John Sherlock who was our retreat master back in high at Notre Dame of Esperanza. (can I have his email?) He even gave me a small book for prayers, and still using it until now. I used to read kerygma and didache, and grateful for all the things you shared. Now, working abroad, I really missed attending retreats and reading your articles. Prayers and faith keep me stronger to face the battle everyday being away from my loved ones.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to shower His blessings to you, to touch more lives.
you've been my idol(since the first time i read your article in kerygma) your so good in delivering things, saying things about God the way we can truly and sincerely understand it.....glad there's Bo Sanchez in this planet earth....
ReplyDeleteHi Bro. Bo,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy I finally found Kerygma etc. once again.
I used to read Kerygma, Didache etc. since I was in
first year high school. My deceased aunt used to subscribed it. I wanna share my story and ask for some advice. Can I have your email add Bro. Bo? I know many young ladies out there can learn a lot from my story and experience here abroad. Hoping for your immediate response. Thanks in advance and God bless you and your family and Kerygma family as well!!! Take care always.
Dear Kuya Bo,
ReplyDeleteI really wish to meet people like u kuya, I maybe sometimes not humble, sometimes negative and not too uplifting, but maybe if i always be with people like you, i may be in that traits too.
Can i join your group, i also want to listen to your preach in actual. How can i attend to it.
I hope in this process i can be on step-by-step be like you even in a little way.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Bo Sanchez,Can i Talk to mr.Jon Escoto.Iwant to share my problem to him for not having a Baby for 4 years of my marriage.Pls Raply to me.Tnx!
ReplyDeleteGood Day Bo!!!!!
ReplyDeletei was so happy to find you site...in fact i was wishing for such been a long time to read some of your books but cant afford pa eh...what i did was that everytime pupunta ako ng bookstore...i will stay there pretending na bibili ng book mo, but hindi pala...kase, i sit at the side of the corner and read your book....kase hindi ko mabibili.....hehehehhe,,,,i was craving for your work accidentally i found an old magazine from my friend, and she introduced it to me as a very nice reading...so out of curiosity...i read all the pages,,,at hindi ako napagod.....nabusog pa yung soul ko.....ang galing nyo po....sana you'll keep on writing pa po....God Bless Po....!!!