Two contemplative sisters made their perpetual profession vows as Good Shepherd Sisters during the Eucharistic Celebration held at the Good Shepherd Convent in Banawa Hills, Cebu City on October 15, feast of St. Teresa of Avila.
Photo: Sr. Imelda (left) and Sr. Ronafel (Photos by Sr. Kristiana Prasetyo CGS)
Sr. Ronafel of Our Lady of Lourdes de Leon CGS and Sr. Imelda of St. Mary Euphrasia Fuentes CGS pronounced their vows in the presence of Sr. M. Cecilia Torres, province leader of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines. The concelebrated Mass was participated in by Good Shepherd Sisters, active and contemplative, and families and friends of the sisters.
Theme that the sisters chose for the celebration was, "Nasinati, Na-umol, Nabag-o sa malumo nga Gugma sa Dios", (We experienced, we were molded and transformed in the Compassionate Love of God)
Sr. Ronafel de Leon who comes from Sipalay, Negros Occidental is the daughter of Rogelio de Leon and Cortuna Umbal. She finished Bachelor of Science major in Biology from Southwestern Universtiy. She was an active member of the campus ministry. Sr. Ronafel joined the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd in Cebu in 2002.
Sr. Imelda Fuentes was born in Ampayon, Butuan City to Nicolas Fuentes and Emelia Jardenil. She finished Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology at NORMISIST. It was through the parish priest Fr. Ruel Lasco in Ampayon that Sr. Imelda learned of the invitation for a search-in of the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd in Butuan. She entered the congregation in July 2001.
Photo: Sr. Cecilia Torres (left) and those who participated in the Eucharistic celebration.
During the first profession of vows as contemplatives. the title of Our Lady of Lourdes was added to the name of Sr. Ronafel, while Sr. Imelda was placed under the patronage of St. Mary Euphrasia.
Both Srs. Ronafel and Imelda began their formation as Good Shepherd Sisters in Cebu and continued their formation in Manila where they joined the joint RGS-CGS formation program for aspirants and pre-novices. After their first profession of vows they were missioned in various contemplative communities in the country. They also participated in joint summer programs for apostolic and contemplative temporary professed sisters. As of now there are four CGS communities in the Philippines: Cebu, Tagaytay, Butuan and Virac.
The Eucharistic Celebration during the perpetual profession of vows of Sr. Ronafel and Imelda, was rich in symbolism with bread and wine as the faithful's offering and encompassing the sacredness of Sr. Imelda and Sr. Ronafel's religious life as contemplatives, their participation in the congregation's mission of reconciliation and the thrust towards justice peace and integrity of creation as symbolized by the four elements of fire, water, air and earth.
Photo: Sr. Imelda and Sr. Ronafel, prostrate themselves before the Altar God during the singing of the Litany of the Saints.
The presider of the Eucharistic Celebration was Fr. Cristeto Mendez, while Msgr. Ruel Lasco was homilist and Fr. Carlos Duga was concelebrant.
Photo: The priests celebrants
Though electric power was cut during the celebration, the joy of the occasion continued as the contemplatives and apostolic sisters, families, well-wishers and friends gathered to thank God for the gift of vocation of Sr. Ronafel and Sr. Imelda to follow the Good Shepherd.
Congratulations!
(RK)
Other related stories: Vocation Story of Sr. Ronafel de Leon; Vocation Story of Sr. Imelda Fuentes
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