Local Leaders' Meeting held in Baguio City

 

Local leaders of  Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines gathered June 24-26, 2011 at the Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio City for the annual meeting.

 

The local leaders were from the 22 apostolic communities and four contemplative communities in the country. The theme of this year’s meeting is, “Embracing the Challenges of Diversity.”

The objectives of the meeting were: 1) To create space in sharing our stories of embracing challenges in our community; 2) To experience a leadership where God is kasamang mamathala (Spirit led); and 3) To reflect our lakaran (pilgrimage) in terms of enfleshing the Province Broad Directions.

 

Besides the 26 local leaders, the Province Leadership Team led by Sr. Cecilia Torres also participated in the meeting. Her apostolic councillors include Sr. Patricia Perez, Sr. Maureen Catabian, Sr. Pilar Quemada while her contemplative councilors are Sr. Celeste Engutan and Sr. Ma. Goretti Gool. Sr. Amelia David, province treasurer and Sr. Regina Kuizon, province secretary, attended the meeting.

 

At the opening of the 2011 meeting, the local leaders wore their Filipino dresses as an affirmation of the richness of Filipino culture and appreciation of local identity.

In their sharing and discussions, they were grouped into the four attiributes of the Filipino: Maka-Tao, Maka-Kalikasan, Maka-Diyos at Maka-Bayan.

Maka-Tao group is composed of local leaders from Metro Manila, Sr. Suzanne Sinense (Good Shepherd Community), Sr. Aida Casambre (Euphrasian Community), Sr. Marion Chipeco (Heart of Mary Villa), Sr. Juliet Abrigo (Tahanan), Sr. Pilar Verzosa (Welcome House/Malate) and Sr. Amelia David (Provincialate).

 

Maka-Kalikasan Group comprises the community local leaders of Luzon: Sr. Florencia Tio (Batangas), Sr. Guadalupe Bautista (Baguio), Sr. Minela Alvarez (Isabela), Sr. Celeste Engutan (CGS-Tagaytay), Sr. Rose Tapia (Maryridge), Sr. Carmelita Cruz (Bahay Pastulan) and Sr. Cecilia Torres (PLT).

Maka-Diyos group are the local leaders of Bicol and the Visayas: Sr. Veronica Nobleza (Legazpi) Sr. Ananita Borbon (Buhi), Sr. Lea Comia (Naga), Sr. Socorro Galvez, Sr. Gorettin Bool, Sr. Milagros Santos (Villa Maria- Cebu), Sr. Zita Alcazar representing Sr. Estelle Almendra (CGS-Cebu) and Sr. Patricia Perez (PLT).

 

Maka-Bayan Goup: Local leaders from Mindanao include: Sr. Regina Pil, (Cagayan de Oro), Sr. Diane Cabasagan (Davao), Sr. Edna Fuentes (Iligan), Sr. Dinah Egpalina (CGS-Butuan), Sr. Virgo Espineda (Pagadian), Sr. Pilar Quemada (Kalilid) and Sr. Maureen Catabian (PLT).

 

An input on Spirit-led Leadership was given by Sr. Patricia, who is also a member of the Good Shepherd Continuing Formation Team.

  

The Province Teams also shared their reports giving highlights on the blessings received and obstacles encountered during the past year, and the challenges in living out the Broad Directions of the province.

The Province Teams are Governance, Formation, Marta (Material Resources) and Ministry/WJPIC. The Ministry Team weaves through the SMEIDFI (St. Mary Euphrasia Integrated and Development Foundation), Education Ministry and GSIM (Good Shepherd Innovative Ministries) the Women, Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation thrust of the congregation. All these ministries collaborate to provide better services to families, especially women and children. Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines have residences for single mothers, nursery, crisis intervention centers for women who are victims of abuse. Schools run by the RGS are St. Bridget College in Batangas and now in Alitagtag, St. Bridget School in Buhi, Camarines Sur and St. Bridget School in Quezon City. Involved in pastoral work, the Sisters minister to indigenous peoples, farmers, urban and rural poor and helps in advocacy and networking to help migrants and trafficked women.

The Contemplatives, through Sr. Celeste Engutan, also gave a report on their collaboration to support and pray for the ministry of the apostolic sisters.

It has been three years, since the 2008 Province Chapter, that the Broad Directions are being implemented by the Philippine Province. The Broad Directions are:

1)    Good Shepherd Spirituality

2)    Holistic Formation for Mission

3)    Prophetic Ministries

4)    Partnership in Mission with the Laity

5)    Leadership and Governance

6)    Stewardship for Mission

7)    Vocation Ministry

 

REGIONAL CELEBRATIONS

Schedule of the Regional Celebrations has been revised to give way to community and school calendar. The new schedule is as follows: SBC Batangas – July 31, 2011 NCR- Sept 8, 2011 Cebu – November 20, 2011 Baguio _January 6, 2012 Cavite- February 8, 2012 Bicol – March 19 –April 15, 2012 Mindanao – Ritual of Acceptance - April 16                 Regional Celebration - April 24, 2012 Isabela – June 8, 2012 NCR – June 24, 2012

“Embracing the Challenges of Diversity” is inspired by the 2012 Centennial celebration theme of  “Weaving Compassion, Embracing Challenges, Forging Hope”, which the province has adopted as it prepares for the 100 years of Good Shepherd presence in the Philippines. The first Irish Good Shepherd missionaries arrived in the Philippines to begin a foundation in Batangas on October 4, 1912.

 

During the meeting, the local leaders also planned the activities for the coming months, including the Regional celebrations that will begin in Batangas this July 31.

 

On Arbor Day, June 26, the Local leaders also joined the Good Shepherd Sisters assigned in Baguio, staff and students of the Mountain Maid Training Center for the tree planting of pine and mahogany trees within the Good Shepherd Compound at 15 Gibraltar Road.

The 2011 Local Leaders Meeting concluded with a Mission sending ritual for all the local leaders. Of the 26 local leaders,  seven are newly appointed this year,  14 are currently serving and 8 will serve their last year as local leader. Sr. Cecile Torres thanked them for their generosity to accept the leadership responsibility.