Celebrating with our Sisters…
Provincia Filippine - Australia - Saipan - Taiwan
Inserita il: 03/06/2015
2 commentario(i) ...
“Life is a great journey toward eternity and each day is a stage of that journey.”
Bl James Alberione
The joy of sharing in the celebration of the Fifty Years of the Pastorelle Sisters in the Philippines
The 15th May 2015 marked the happy occasion of the 50th anniversary of Foundation of the Pastorelle Sisters in the Philippines. Fifty years of life, of a great journey towards eternity, as Blessed James Alberione would put it. It is one of the most memorable events I have had the honour to be part of. It was a joy to reconnect with the Sisters, and to once again experience the communion that binds us so surely and the exquisite hospitality that is so characteristic of our Sisters and the Filipino people. The Eucharistic celebration was held at Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral, Imus Cavite, presided by the local Ordinary of the Diocese of Imus, the most Rev. Reynaldo G. Evangelista, D.D.
As a member of the community of Australia, what added to the beauty of the day was the memory that the first Pastorelle Sister to go to the Philippines in February 1965, Sr Alberta Scalet, was sent from Australia. Sr Alberta who had been among the first three Italian Sisters to found the first community in Australia in 1955 and at the young age of 21, after ten years of ministry in Australia said yes when asked to undertake the new journey that would take her to share our pastoral charism with the Filipino people, with humble beginnings at Imus Cavite. For nearly twenty years, Sr Alberta called the Philippines home giving herself tirelessly, seeing the Congregation grow and spreading to various parts of the Philippines, and in time, to other countries as missionaries.
In 1984 Sr Alberta was asked to continue the great journey in Korea and there too she sowed the first seeds of our pastoral charism and shared her love for Jesus Good Shepherd with the first young woman who joined the Congregation, and the ones that followed. Sr Cecilia Son, the first Korean Pastorelle Sister who did all her initial formation in the Philippines, was also a special guest at the Golden Jubilee. At the end of the day she graced the Sisters with a talk on Ecumenism which has been the subject of her doctoral studies in recent years. Sr Luz Olalia, a Filipina missionary in Korea, was the surprise gift for the event.
There were also representatives from Saipan in the persons of Sr Emma Lusterio and Fr Kenneth Hezel SJ which added to the international flavour of the celebration. During the Eucharist, Sr Arsenia Estrada, Provincial Superior, read a letter from our Superior General, Sr Marta Finotelli, to congratulate the Sisters and to announce the integration of the Pastorelle community of Taiwan to the Province. And so we now journey as the Philippine-Australia-Saipan-Taiwan Province.
Other highlights of the day were the silver jubilee of Sr Argelia Baguio, Sr Flora Salimbagat and Sr Adoracion Manuel; the renewal of vows of our four Junior Professed Sisters, Srs. Florentina Bataclan, Marnie Cabiles, Evangeline Dolores and Junlyn Maraganas who will be making their Perpetual Profession on 29 June 2015; and the joy of entry of Julie Ann Bojos and Sheila Mae Estremos as Postulants.
The large number of family, friends, benefactors and members of the Pauline Family that attended the celebration made the day one that we will always cherish.
During my short sojourn in the Philippines I also had the joy of meeting some of the relatives of our Sisters, and the pleasure of a very enjoyable outing to Villa Escudero Resort in San Pablo city with Srs Arsenia, Revy, Lou and Cynthia.
Indeed, an unforgettable experience for which I thank to God with all my heart, and thank the Sisters for their gracious welcome and hospitality. Together we continue to place our trust in our Good Shepherd, who leads us in our life’s great journey toward eternity.
Sr Mary La Bruna sjbp
Leggi i commenti
Raquel marí
04/06/2015 | 01:17
Queridas hermanas nos alegra mucho todo el bien que han podido sembrar en estos 50 años en cada lugar donde están y han estado presente como Pastorcitas. Que Jesús Buen Pastor las continúe bendiciendo con muchas vocaciones y un fecundo apostolado. Con cariño hermanas COVEME.
Elena Bosetti
03/06/2015 | 23:10
Evviva!! Auguri carissime sorelle!! Mi unisco alla vostra festa con un grande Magnificat
