Parish Healing Garden: A Haven for tired bodies and weary souls

By Myrna Bermudo

“It started when a friend, who is a businessman from Naga City, came with his family. That was summer 2023. He requested me to put up a place where  they can stay, relax  from their stress, and be reminded of the values of simple living,” recalled Fr. Ricky Colinares, Parish Priest. “So, I built one kubo for them.”

The kubo grew into several kubos or shelters to become Villa Remedios Formation and Renewal Center (Healing Garden). Located at the Parish of Our Lady of Remedy in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur, what started as one kubo became a haven for formation and evangelization programs for parishioners. Seminars, meetings and workshops for different groups like LGUs, Department  of Agriculture, UPLB, and other groups would come.  Retreats, recollections, Parish Renewal Experiences (PREX), Curcillo classes, and catechesis on the sacraments are now conducted at the Healing Garden by religious groups and students coming from the Rinconada towns, including pre-college and minor seminaries.

In the garden, daily masses are held and the garden is maintained by the Parish Pastoral Council. 

The Garden was also built out of necessity for food. Fr. Colinares said that during his first days in the Parish, he was looking for some vegetables at the backyard but found none. He cultivated the soil, started vegetable farming, planted eggplants, ampalaya, stringbeans, paropagulong (winged beans), okra, sili and other crops. Currently, chickens are now being raised as well -promoting parish food security. 

“Dakul na po an milagro nangyari  sa Healing Garden (Many miracles have already occurred in the Healing Garden),” Fr. Colinares shared. “Villa Remedios Formation and Renewal  Center (The Healing Garden) is a witness to the healing miracles which I personally observed.” 

By God’s grace, the formation and evangelization programs have become a fertile soil for inactive Catholics to return as active members of the Christian community, he related. 

“Some were inspired by God to embrace Catholicism. Mercy and compassion ignited reconciliation for siblings who, for two decades have not spoken to one another. And, some transitioned from enemies to friends."

For Fr. Colinares, witnessing these little miracles is a source of inspiration  in his priestly life.  

Nestled at the foot of Mt. Isarog, the Healing Garden at Villa Remedios Formation and Renewal Center, attracts parish and youth groups who come to visit and experience prayer, silence, healing, and rest for their weary souls.