RGS Philippines receives award from Zonta International

The
Religious of the Good Shepherd in the Philippines received a Plaque of Recognition
from Zonta International last February 24 for its work on women and
children.

The
awarding ceremonies, initiated by Area 1, District 17 of Zonta International,
were held at the Top of the Citi – Citibank Tower in Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. 

Area 1,
District 17 is composed of the following clusters: Zonta Manila 1, ZC Quezon
City, ZC Mandaluyong San Juan, ZC Greater Rizal, ZC  Maanila II, ZC Greater Rizal 2, ZC Valle
Foundation. ZC Markina, ZC Manila III and ZC Mandaluyong San Juan 2.

 Founded in
1919 in Buffalo, NY, USA, Zonta International is a global
organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the
status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Nearly 33,000 members
belong to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 67 countries and geographic areas. At present, it has its
heardquarters in Chicago, Il, USA.

 
The Philippines, which is composed of five areas, belongs
to District 17. It has membership in various cities in the country, including Metro
Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Cavite, Baguio Mandaue, Laoag, Iloilo and Tuguegaro. Zonta International has membership in the Philippines since 1952.

 “Zonta” is derived from a Lakhota (Teton
Dakota), a language of the Native-American Sioux peoples, word meaning honest
and trustworthy. It was adopted in 1919 to symbolize the combined qualities of
honesty and trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and
world understanding.

During
Area 1’s Recognition Day and Rose Day, Ms. Narudee Kiengsiri, District Governor,
from Thailand, handed the Angel awards to an
individual, Ms. Carolyn I. Sobritchea, PhD; to a project, Rags2Riches; and to
an institution, the Religious of the Good Shepherd.

Ms. Aleli
Sevilla, president of ZC Greater Rizal l, and Ms. Rosario Ventura, Area l Director,
assisted Ms. Kiengsiri during the ceremonies. Ms. Sevilla, earlier visited
the Good Shepherd Provincialate to announce the awards to Sr. Cecilia Torres RGS,
province leader, citing the continuous committed service of the RGS in favor of women and
children.

Ms. Ventura, on the other hand, said that the RGS was chosen by 13 clubs and around 350 members of Zonta's Area 1  as outstanding institution working for the advancement for women and children.

 Sr. Amelia
David RGS, province treasurer and Sr. Teresa Danganan RGS, novice directress represented
the congregation during the awards night. Sr. Amelia, on behalf of the
Philippine Province, quoted the French saying that St. Mary Euphrasia, foundress
of the Good Shepherd Congregation, often used, as she thanked Zonta Club for
the award, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” She also said that all
sectors must be united in helping women and children who are in various
circumstances of difficulties get the help they need, that families in our
society reach out to one another.  “May
we be in solidarity with one another as we help each one experience fullness of
life as promised by Jesus the Good Shepherd.”

A short
powerpoint presentation depicting the work of the Good Shepherd Congregation,
composed of apostolic and contemplative sisters, was shown during the awards
night. The Philippines is preparing for the 100 years of Good
Shepherd presence in the country. The 2012 Centennial marks the arrival in the Philippines of the
first RGS Irish missionaries on October 4, 1912.