Farewell
to a loved Sister!
Sr.
Mary Gloria’s obituary published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer reads:
Sr.
Mary Gloria L. Nubla, RGS
“Sr.
Mary Helena L. Nubla, RGS”
April
7, 1928 – August 21, 2014
On
August 21, 2014, our dear Sr. Mary Gloria peacefully joined Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, after 58 years in religious life.
Mass of the Resurrection will be on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at 9:
a.m. followed by inurnment at Good Shepherd Columbary.
For
the Mass of the Resurrection, Mons. Chito Bernardo, the Community’s good friend was
invited and he was supposedly the sole presider, but what a surprise when the
moment arrived - Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan of Tuguegarao appeared and
introduced himself as a relative of Sr. Gloria by affinity. He became then the
main celebrant and Mons. Chito became the homilist. Also concelebrating were Fr. Jose Carillo,
CJM, Fr. Vergel Velasco from the Diocese of Ilagan, Father Lorenzo Marzo and
Father Bernard Pascual, EHM, Eucharistic Healers of Mary. All of the celebrants had a part in Sr.
Gloria’s mission life.
Father
Chito changed the Gospel reading and instead read the Sermon on the Mount. He felt that it was more appropriate to
celebrate Sr. Gloria’s life. He reminded
us of a God who knows how to reward a hundredfold to those who have left
everything for Him. And he brought all
of us to recognize the importance of the person (the minister) than the
ministry – the earthen vessel – the vessel of grace! He led us to have a sense of respect and
gratitude for someone “who has run the race” and who has remained faithful and
gave up everything! We are sad for we
have lost a member but glad that we have gained an intercessor in heaven!
Her
Sister in community, Sr. M. Joseph Olaguer said: The Good Shepherd community gives thanks for
Sr. M. Gloria’s 58 years of her life in selfless service to God’s sheep here
and abroad. She was fearless and brave,
going after God’s sheep over mountains and hills, over rivers and creeks,
across oceans and seas, giving her all, caring for the poor, the downtrodden
and the voiceless. For them she was
willing to face hell and high heavens, the rich and the powerful, both in the
Church and government, even the military, her family and even us, her Sisters.
After
the Mass, all processed to the Good Shepherd Columbary. There we laid Sister Gloria to rest after all
her loved ones blessed her and said a tearful goodbye in their hearts.
Sr.
M. Carmelita Cruz, local leader of Maryridge/Bahay Pastulan community mentioned
in the tribute that she read: At her
clothing and reception ceremony, Sister Gloria was given her name in religion –
Sister Mary Helena of the Cross. Her two
names give us indications of what the Lord had prepared for her: GLORIA – the joy and blessing and special
favor of God; and HELENA OF THE CROSS –
chosen by God to share in the salvific Cross of his Son Jesus and also to
proclaim the triumph and exaltation of the Cross with the saintly woman,
Helena. “I have called you by name, you
are mine!”
The
family of Sister Mary Gloria had lunch ready at the Good Shepherd Community’s
dining hall. Everybody partook of this
joyful banquet, a gathering of friends, united in their love and appreciation
of a departed loved Sister!
As
Sister Joseph concluded: We, the Good
Shepherd Sisters, praise and thank our Shepherd God for the gift of Sister
Gloria to us, we also thank you all here today for coming to honor her with
your presence as we give her back to God.
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