The fourth and last cluster meeting of Good Shepherd Sisters, apostolic and contemplative, and mission partners was held last August 26-27 in Banawa Hills, Cebu City.
Photo: Apostolic/Contemplative sisters and mission partners.
Communities in Visayas- Mindanao who attended the meeting included Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Banawa, Villa Maria Community in Cebu, and in Mindanao, CGS- Butuan, Reach-Out Center in Davao, Good Shepherd Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Pagadian City, and Kalilid, in San Luis, Agusan del Sur.
Nine mission partners were also present during the meeting, a preparation for the 2014 Province Chapter.
The members of the PrepCom for the 2014 Chapter, Srs. Ludy Panaligan, Ailyn Binco, Anya Borbon, Ronafel de Leon, Gina Kuizon and Mission partner Sookie Lalap coordinated the activities that included facilitation, prayers, inputs, groupings, summary of discussions and documentation.
Photo: Eucharistic Celebration at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
Since there was a call on August 26 to an anti-pork rally in Manila and supported by citizens in other parts of the country, including Cebu, the participants decided to join the events in Cebu. They attended the 8 a.m. Eucharistic Celebration presided by Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Julito Cortes at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and marched, together with religious and laity towards Plaza Independencia. They demanded thorough investigation on P10-B pork barrel scam that involved Janet Lim Napoles who, reports said, masterminded the misuse of the Prioriity Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) by senators and congressmen.
The cluster meeting began at 2 p.m. with the Preparatory Committee explaining the objectives and the program of the two days. Fr. Fred Dulay MJ, gave his input on, "The Pligrimage of the RGS in the Philippines: A Situationer."
Photo: Good Shepherd Sisters join the march from the Cathedral to Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.
As in the three previous cluster meetings Sr. Gina led the participants in Looking Back at the 2008 Provincial Chapter, the first open chapter of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines. The Broad Directions set during the chapter were reviewed: Good Shepherd Spirituality, Holistic Formation for Mission, Prophetic Ministries, Partnership in Mission with the Laity, Leadership and Governance, Stewardship for Mission and Vocation Ministry. Another objective, Journey of Enrichment, was added in the community goals after the 2009 Congregational Chapter. The Vision and Mission of the Philippine Province were read.
Photo: Rally at the Plaza Independencia
The presentation was followed by an evaluation of the broad directions led by Sr. Anya. She asked the participants to view the displays of the how the Broad Directions were implemented during the past five years. Group work followed with each group focusing on a particular broad direction, studying the materials available. The group tried to give comments, to identify newness and identify challanges. The results were shared in plenary during the next day's session.
Other topic discussed were the Integration Constitutions approved duiring the 2009 Congregational Chapter and Article 1 approved during the 2003 Chapter. The approval of Article 1 had implications on the government structures of the congregation. In 2009, members of the Congregational Contemplative Council were elected to assist Sr. Brigid Lawlor, congregational leader. The RGS-CGS Journey of Enrichment was discussed and the decision of the OLC Chapter to merge with the Good Shepherd Sisters was met with joy.
The groups also divided to talk about their particular lifestyles and concerns: contemplatives, apostolic and mission partners.
Photo: Mission partners during their sharing.
The evaluation of the 2008 (Open) Province Chapter was shared and delegates were asked to give suggestions on guidelines that will be used during the 2014 Chapter.
The results of the discussions in the four cluster meetings will be shared during the Province Assembly scheduled November 13-14 in Quezon City. An earlier meeting of Mode 1 participants to the Chapter will be held on November 12. Fr. Fred Duly will facilitate the Province Assembly that would engage the sisters in Modes 1, 2, 3 to discern on the priorities during the next six years of the province and the congregation. A discernment of the sister who can lead the province given the priorities identified will be held.
Besides conversations, the delegates also watched a cultural dance by temporary professed Sr. Elizabeth Aragon of Nicaragua who is in Cebu for her apostolic experience, a video of Bukas Palad Awardee, Sr. Michelle Gamboa, and sharing of Srs. Lita Clemen, Leah Ann Espina and Diana Madulara, who figured in an accident on August 25 in Davao City where they attended a meeting of Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN). The three were aboard a taxi on their way to the airport in Davao when it hit an ELF jeep. Thanks be to God all are now safe. The doctors cleared them after tests for possible fracture, and a CT scan.
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| View of Cebu City from Good Shepherd Banawa Hills | Fr. Fred Dulay MJ and Good Shepherd Sisters |
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| Sr. Elizabeth Aragon | Villa Maria Community |