The
members of the Apostolic Council of the Province Leadership Team (PLT) were in Guibang, Gamu, Isabela recently for their first
meeting in 2010.
Srs.
Cecilia Torres RGS, province leader of the Philippines and her apostolic councillors Srs. Patricia
Perez, Pilar Quemada and Maureen Catabian scheduled a meeting February 22-24 at
the Bahay Kubo in front of the Good Shepherd Convent in baranggay Guibang in
Gamu.
The
Province Leadership Team meets quarterly. A newsletter is published after each
meeting. The last meeting in 2009 was held from November 25-27 at the
Euphrasian Community in Quezon City while the next one in May will be held at
the Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio City with both the apostolic and
contemplative councils participating. (See PLT 2010 Schedule)
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| From left, Srs. Cecilia, Minela, Pilar, Maureen, Teresita and Patricia. |
On
Sunday, February 21, a day before their meeting, the PLT and the members of
Isabela community attended Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Visitation, also known as Our Lady of
Guibang, which is beside the convent. They visited the new St. Ferdinand
Cathedral in Upi, Gamu where they made a courtesy call on Bishop Joseph Amangi
Nacua OFMCap, DD, of the Diocese of Isabela. The Sisters also visited Bishop
Miguel Purugganan, bishop emeritus of Isabela, in his residence in
Cabagan town. Over lunch, the group shared updates and the current assignments
of sisters who were missioned in Isabela. It was Bishop Purugganan who invited
the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1976
to begin a foundation in the Diocese.
Along
the way, the Sisters saw what could have been a rich harvest of vegetables,
corn and rice were it not for the drought that the province has been
experiencing. Farmers have asked the local officials for assistance as the province of Isabela has been
declared in a state of calamity.
Also
in Guibang during the weekend were
Sr. Ailyn Binco of St. Mary Euphrasia Integrated Development Foundation, Inc
(SMEIDFI) and Sr. Ananita Borbon of the Good Shepherd Partnership Team. Sr.
Ailyn gave a session on Focus Group Discussion on stakeholders while Sr.
Ananita gave an orientation to lay women and men about Good Shepherd
Partnership.
Three
Good Shepherd Sisters are currently missioned in Guibang: Sr. Minela Alvarez, the local leader, is
the diocesan coordinator of Women’s Desk. Sr. Clare Leones is involved in the
Basic Ecclesial Communities of farmers in St. Ferdinand parish in Ilagan,
Isabela. Sr. Teresita Cordova is the coordinator of the Family and Life
Apostolate (FLA) of the diocese.
(RK)
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