2011 Joint Intensification Program concludes | Religious of the Good Shepherd

Submitted by regina on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 13:59

The joint intensification for temporary professed sisters preparing for Perpetual Profession of Vows concluded June 16, 2011. The sessions were held at the Good Shepherd Convent, 1043 Aurora Blvd. in Quezon City.

The program was participated in by Sr. Grace Chiong of the Province of Singapore/Malaysia, Sr. Rufina Shim and Marietta Yun of South Korea, Province Northeast East Asia and Sr. Theresia Kurniawati of the Province of Indonesia.

Photo: From left, Srs. Rufina, Grace, Kurniawati, Marietta and Teresita.

Sr. Teresita Figueroa, directress for Temporary Professed Sisters of the Philippine Province, coordinated the program inviting resource persons for the sessions which began on May 15.

The goals of the sessions were for the temporary professed sisters to experience an integration of one’s idealism and the realism of what religious life is from one’s lived experience, and be challenged to live out the Good Shepherd vocation in today’s context; and to give a new impulse to one’s missionary zeal, to intensify one’s universality and willingness to inculturate the gospel, the vows and our charism beyond borders.

The topics included: 1) The Call – Retracing my Journey in Faith and Theology of Religious life; 2) Our Roots and Spirituality – History of Our Congregation – Process of Enrichment, Lives of General Superiors after Mother Foundress, Blessed Maria Droste, Aguchita Rivas; 3) Constitutions and the Lived Experience of Religious Life – Article One, The Essential Elements; 4) The Call to Mysticism – St John Eudes and Prayer, Silence and Solitude, Contemplation in Action, Creation Day at Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning ; 5) Mission and Charism: Shepherding Today – Ecological Spirituality, Women, Justice and Peace, Internationality and Networking, Missionary Spirit – Appreciating and Challenging the Shadows of Culture, Interfaith Dialogue, Good Shepherd Partnership, The Challenge of Being a Sister of the Good Shepherd Today: Congregational Chapter Directives; 6)Community Life – Community as school of mercy, haven of compassion, Community for mission, Sensitivity to Culture, Experience of Internationality. Country Presentations; 7) The Vows – A Counter Cultural Lifestyle – Vow of Chastity, Vow of Poverty and Stewardship, Vow of Obedience and Governance, Mission and Vow of Zeal.

The participants also visited several communities in the country.

Photo: The sisters preparing for final vows with temporary professed sisters from Kenya, Malaysia, Indonesia. Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines

Resource persons during the month-long program were Sr. Lourdes Fabia, Sr. Mary James Wilson, Sr. Celeste Engutan, contemplative, Fr. Jose Gomez CJM, Sr. Rose Tapia, the staff of CELL (Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning), Sr. Maureen Catabian, Sr. Fe Mendoza, Sr. Marion Chipeco, Ms. Marinela Juan, Ms. Tess Barsaga, Sr.Patricia Peres, Sr. Cecilia Torres, Sr. Regina Kuizon, Sr. Gemma Dinglasan, Sr. Susan Montano and Sr. Corazon Demetillo.

After the intensification program, four temporary professed sisters will go back to their countries for their Perpetual Profession of Vows. Sr. Grace Chiong will make her perpetual Profession of vows on July 31, 2011 in Malaysia, Srs. Marietta Yin and Rufina Shim on August 6 in South Korea and Sr. Theresia Kurniawati on August 19, 2011 in Indonesia.