A reunion of Good Shepherd Sisters and formands marked the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the 150th birth anniversary of Blessed Maria Droste last September 8 in Quezon City.
Organized as part of the activities of the Centennial of Good Shepherd sisters in the Philippines, the reunion began with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Antonio de Castro SJ, followed by acknowledgment by decades of the different batches in the history of the Philippine Province. Lunch was held at the Heart of Mary Villa Pavilion and program that included raffle draws of souvenir items , like fans, ballpens, t-shirts from Good Shepherd Baguio, Magnificat/Benedictus composition in book and CD of Sr. M. Aimee Olaguer, and the Centennial Coffee table book prepared by the Research and Documentation Committee of the 2012 Centennial and published by the Philippine Province.
The 10 a.m. Mass was moved later to 10:30 as sisters and former aspirants, postulants, novices, temporary and final professed sisters spent time in welcoming and greeting one another.
Former formands came from the various provinces and cities in the country. Dr. Rosalinda "Moon" Maglana came all the way from Davao City while Alma Lisondra from Dumaguete City and Zenaida Fernandez from Cebu City.
Sr. Marion Chipeco, who gave the Introduction to the celebration shared that the reunion was a suggestion from many sisters and a timely activity for the 150th Birth anniversary of Blessed Maria Droste. (Video of Blessed Maria Droste)
Earlier during the day, Sr. Cecilia Torres, province leader, read the September 8, 2013 letter of Sr. Brigid Lawlor, the congregational leader, “we are one step closer to the canonization of Blessed Maria Droste.” She added that the tribunal created to investigate the miracles of Blessed Maria Droste will have its closing ceremony on November 1, 2013 in Rockville Center Diocese, New York. The date is the 38th anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Maria Droste. The Review Panel will be convened at the Vatican to review all the documents and to make final recommendations regarding the canonization of Blessed Maria.
Sr. M. Teresa Danganan, novice directress led the preparations for the reunion. Among the former and current directresses of formation who came to the occasion were Sr. M. Frances Therese Sunga, Sr. Evelyn Coronel, Sr. Jane Pineda, Sr. Patricia Perez, Sr. Rosalie Enriquez, Sr. Corazon Demetillo, Sr. Therese Veloso, Sr. Angelita Sanchez, Sr. Marieta Velez, Sr. M. Susan Montano, Sr. Christina Sevilla, Sr. Teresita Figueroa, Sr. Emma Marzan, Sr. Rosario Battung, Sr. Regina Kuizon and Sr. Marites Mahinay.
The liturgy during the Mass was shared by the sisters and former formands. Readers included Ms. Ceres Doyo (First Reading) Sr. Myra Atian and Ms Maribel Castillo (Responsorial Psalm), Ms. Ivy Babao (Second Reading), sr. Tess Figueroa (Intercessions). Fr. Tony in his homily stressed the many occasions within the centennial and September 8 celebrations. Sr. Cora Demetillo recited a poem/praise to Mary while Sr. Marion and Sr. Angelita Sanchez led in the singing and dance of “Pagdalaw” (Visitation).
| PRAYER FOR PEACE |
 The eve of Mary's birthday, sisters, mission partners and girls in the residences gathered at the Good Shepherd Chapel in Quezon City in solidarity with the rest of the world in praying for peace, particularly in Syria and the Middle East. Pope Francis, on September 1 called on Catholics and members of other religions to pray for peace.
Since Sept. 9, a special intention for peace has been added by the sisters in the Philippines following the situation in Zamboanga City. |
Framed pictures of Blessed Maria Droste, with the words, "God has revealed goodness and kindness to me. Let me pour out th is love to all. Let me welcome with compassion the poor, the rejected, the oppressed, those in danger and lead them all to the Good Shepherd," were given to former formands and local communities.
Sisters from other units who are in the Philippines for studies, intensification joined the celebrations. They come from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Senegal, Hongkong, South Korea and Kenya,
Museum Idyll that depicted the rich history of the Philippine Province was also opened to welcome sisters and former formands.
Truly a blessing, the presence of sisters and former aspirants, postulants/prenovices, novices, temporary professed and professed sisters are a gift from the Good Shepherd during this centennial.
The soft closing of the centennial celebrations will be this October. For the sisters, mission partners and regular mass goers in 1043 Aurora Boulevard, the soft closing will be on October 20, 2013 during the 7 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Below is the list of those who came during the September 8 reunion.
1930-1959 -
Sisters Ann Fiel, Therese Veloso, Herminia Mendoza, Irene Lat, Teresita Feliciano, Eugenia Mendoza, Rosalie Enriquez, Cecilia David, James Wilson, Benigna Dunglao, Guadalupe Ruiz, Jullian Limquico,
Lorraine Vicente, Celestine Dizon, Teresita Obusan, Felicia Lagahit, Marisa Chikiamco, Emma Alday, Luchie Feria Reyes Cuervo, Jazmin Deo Gratia Abastillas, Resurrection Ferrer
Sisters Carmela Cruz, Vincent Borromeo, Frances Therese Sunga, Rose Ababao, Lourdes Favia, Jane Pineda, Marieta Velez, Victoria Joson, Evelyn Coronel, Carmen Barcinas, Madeleine Nicolas, Marceline Riosa, Angelina Sanchez, Rose Tapia, Tarcila Abano, Clare Leones, Jeanette Rimando, Angela Battung, Joan Salamanca, Patricia Perez, Carmelita Cruz, Amor Samonte, Florence Bautista, Goretti Bool, Rosario Battung, Rebecca Rogacion,Constancia Buenviaje, Marion Chipeco, Carmelita Arenas, Catalian Santos, John Dumaug, Mercy de Leon, Antonia Lopez, Henedina Mananzan, Aurora Tan,
Alma Lisondra, Ceres Doyo, Rosalinda Maglana
Ma. Teresa Paguia, Aida Reyes, Janet Galamgam, Rodelia Albotra, Cristina Amor Castillo, Rose Yabut, Josefina Javelona, Dalisay Santos
Sisters Susan Montano, Luzminda Obnimaga, Teresa Danganan, Teresita Figueroa, Edna Fuentes, Maureen Catabian, Ananita Borbon
1990-1999
Sisters Arabella Balingao, Regina Kuizon, Erline Bacol, Carmen Diane Cabasagan, Alicia Andres, Ailyn Binco, Mari Jospehine Panem, Emma Marzan, Basilides Superable, Juanita Dano, Myraluna Atian, Maria Teresa Mahinay
2000-2013
Sisters Anallyn Esguerra, Loreen Granada, Ma. Ana Cielo Matuloy.
MORE PHOTOS BELOW : By Sr. Emma Marzan and Friends
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| Batch 1950-1959 | Batch 1960-1969 |
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| Batch 1970-1979 | Batch 1980-1989 |
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| Batch 1990-1999 | Batch 2000-2013 |
