Last November 11, Emmaus Center celebrated its 30th anniversary as the pioneer center in the Philippines of psycho-spiritual formation. Several Good Shepherd Sisters were invited to the afternoon affair held at the San Jose Seminary in Quezon City: Sr. Mary James Wilson, an early member of the Emmaus Team, Sr. Patricia Perez of the Good Shepherd Continuing Formation Team, Srs. Susan Montano and Regina Kuizon who had attended some formative companioning courses at Emmaus.
Photo: Dr. Inge during the conference
The afternoon program featured an enlightening conference by Dr. Inge del Rosario on helping people who had suffered some trauma in their life, much like the disciples on the way to Emmaus who had experienced the trauma of Jesus’ passion, crucifixion and death. The 11-step paradigm she presented can be a tremendous help for those who are counselling traumatized individuals, using the Scripture texts of the Emmaus event.
The 11 movements in this model of formativeaccompaniment: 1) Becoming aware of the experience of trauma; 2) Acknowledging disconnection and movement away from trauma; 3) Noticing reengagement to the experience of trauma; 4) Teaching to trust safe relational connections; 5) Creating space for feeling feelings; 6)Supporting being in the body and the awakening of the senses; 7) Engaging in storytelling and meaning making; 8) Encouraging choices to build competency and response-ability; 9) Inviting to a transformation of memory and recovery of hope; 10) Witnessing to fragments reconnecting, coming to wholeness; 11) Encouraging the discovery of life beyond trauma.
The presentation was followed by Mass concelebrated by Fr. Jojo Magadia SJ, provincial of the Society of Jesus and Fr. Karel San Juan SJ, executive director of Emmaus Center.
Much missed was Fr. Venny Calpotura SJ, founder of Emmaus Center, and whose pioneering work has continued to this day, forming competent and compassionate leaders and formators.
Photo: Standing from left, Sr. Patricia Perez, Fr, Ben Moraleda, Fr. Karel San Juan, Sr. Malou SFIC, Sister from SFIC, Sr. Regina Kuizon; seated, from left, Sr. Mary James Wilson, Sr. Susan Montano, Ms.Teresa Nietes and Sr. Marjo RA.
At the end of the Mass, Ms. Eva Galvey, another stalwart of the beginnings of Emmaus, thanked all the people involved in the growth and development of Emmaus Center. The RGS received special thanks for providing the first office and counselling rooms for Emmaus at the Good Shepherd Reception Center on Aurora Blvd. The original team spent several happy years in the RGS compound before moving on to their own center.
A merienda-cen capped the celebration which enabled new and old members to meet in friendship and camaraderie.
-Sr. Mary James Wilson RGS