We woke up early today to the sounds of the farm dogs barking and the rooster crowing. For breakfast, we had traditional bangus and rice, as well as pancakes, cereal, and toast. After our hearty meal, we attended a presentation on the connections between Sophie’s Farm and the RSCJ. Then, we went on a tour of the farm grounds and prepared for the work we would be doing later. Upon returning to the center, we enjoyed a delicious meal of ginataang, a coconut milk soup with saba bananas and taros, and deep-fried ube on the side.
Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist
After our snack and break, we walked into the nearby village. There, we connected with local kids and observed the ways of life in Catarman. During our visit, we went to the sea, which we had seen earlier during the property tour. While in the village, some of the boys in our group caught a group of local boys playing basketball and eagerly joined in. This led to a spontaneous basketball game that demonstrated the universality of some experiences. After returning from the village, we observed Ash Wednesday by eating vegetable lumpia and other meatless dishes. Shortly after, we began our service work. We divided into multiple groups and went through each process of horticulture, specifically growing lettuce. It was hard, manual labor, something that most of us had not experienced before. Despite the uncomfortable heat and labor, we pushed ourselves to our limits and helped put food on the table for the community. It was a fulfilling experience to give back to a community that had already given us so much.
Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist
When we were all ready for a rest, we took some time to reflect. Everyone shared their experiences from the day and the transformations we had undergone throughout the trip so far. Finally, the Sisters at Sophie’s Farm hosted Ash Wednesday mass and confessions. There was lots of singing, and it was amazing to see this mass in comparison to the ones we had experienced back home. The night ended with a dinner, and we hit the hay after a long but rewarding day.
Photos by Dr. Michael Campos, Religion, Theology & Spirituality, Faculty and Rena Franco, Accounts Payable Specialist
Convent & Stuart Hall Travel 