Good Shepherd Sisters in Mindanao gathered in Butuan City last April 24, feast of St. Mary Euphrasia, for the Mindanao Regional Celebration of the Centennial of presence of Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines.
The communities that are currently in Mindanao are Reach-Out Davao, Kalilid, Iligan-Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian and CGS-Butuan.
Before the April 24 celebrations, the Centennial Shepherd Staff/Crook was also brought to Butuan City by the sisters from the Bicol Region. Sisters from Butuan, apostolic and contemplative, accompanied by a band from the Agusan National High School gave a warm welcome to the Shepherd staff at the local Bancasi airport and proceeded to the Buhing Yuta Monastery of the contemplatives.The Staff has been visiting various regions with Good Shepherd presence to celebrate with the people served, the local church, and mission partners of the various communities the many blessings received during the first 100 years of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Indigenous peoples in Mindanao were also in union with the sisters in the celebration.
At the Buhing Yuta Monastery, the novena of prayers for the feast of St. Mary Euphrasia was also held every 5 p.m. from April 15-23 with devotees to SME joining the sisters for prayers.
The highlight of the activities was the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of the Diocese of Butuan. April 24 is the feast of St. Mary Euphrasia and the 144th year of her death.
Photo: Taken April 2012 in Butuan.
The theme of the 2012 Centennial Celebration is, "Weaving Compassion, Embracing Challenges, Forging Hope."
The Philippine Province will mark on October 4, 2012, one hundred years of Good Shepherd Sisters presence in the country, since the arrival of the first Itrish Good Shepherd Sisters who came to the Philippines upon the invitation of Bishop Joseph Petrelli of Lipa.
Mother Domitilla Larose, Superior General, responded positively to the request of Bishop Petrelli and immediately sent two Irish sisters missioned in Yangon to explore the possiblities of a foundation in the Philippines.