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| Mass at Maryridge Chapel, Tagaytay City. | |
A
Eucharistic celebration, presided by our
dear friend Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, was held on March 23, the last day of the 10th Province Chapter of the
Philippines. Reflecting on the gospel
account of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman, Cardinal Tagle said that the
woman’s transformation into an evangelizer started with a Spirit- filled and
life changing encounter with a living
person.
This encounter happened in a
non-friendly territory, challenging us to find the presence of grace and Spirit
in the unfriendly world. He described
the prophet as one who not only denounces but also announces God’s presence
even in midst of evil in the world.
Prophecy is also telling the truth in love so that like the Samaritan
woman, the Spirit gets to work in the person enabling the other to also become
a missionary.
Sr.
Regina Kuizon then proclaimed her Act of Faith and Fidelity as she accepted the
role of spiritual and apostolic leader of the Philippine province effective
June 29, 2014. This was followed by the
renewal of vows of all the sisters present.
Sr. Regina signs copy of her Act of Faith and Fidelity.
Sr.
Brigid in her final message noted that looking back, there was actually a lot
of humor and courage during the nine days.
As she called on Sr. Regina and her province leadership team, she quoted
Jesus’ words on leadership as one of being a servant, later to being a friend
who lays down her/his life. To the
group’s delight she gave a gift of apron to Sr. Regina which she asked her team
to put on her.
Sr. Cecilia and Sr. Regina during the closing conference.
In
her closing conference, Sr. Cecilia Torres noted the experience in the Chapter
of the “stirrings of the Spirit, strengthening us and transforming us as we
listened to one another,” impelling us “to respond urgently to the cries of the
poor, the marginalized, especially women and children and devastated
Earth.” Exhorting us to live out our
Chapter statement, broad directions and priorities, she declared the province Chapter
closed.
In
the missioning ritual, Sr. Regina returned the symbols to the regional
representatives as they go back to the people they serve. Cardinal Tagle, on
the other hand, gave each representative a Shepherd’s staff, ”the symbol of
strength and inspiration for the next six years.”
Photo: Cardinal Chito with Srs. Brigid, Cecilia and Regina.
After
a hearty lunch and with the Bahay Pastulan’s gifts to communities, the sisters
started the trip back to their local communities Spirit-fired and ready to risk
with hope for the mission.
-Sr. M. Teresita Figueroa RGS
