By Sr. Mercy Ang RGS (Japan)
Since July 31, 2011, regional celebrations in the Philippines have been going on to mark the 2012 centennial anniversary of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ s presence in the Philippines. As Filipino missionaries, ministering to the Filipino migrants in the Nagano Prefecture, Japan, we thought of celebrating, too, the centennial anniversaryof our root- the Philippines.
On July 29, 2012, in the Catholic Church of Matsumoto, Nagano, 200 Filipinos from the 16 different Parishes of Nagano Prefecture gathered to praise and thank God for the Good Shepherd Sisters’ presence in the Philippines. The heart of the celebration is the Tagalog Mass celebrated by a Filipino Vincentian priest, Fr. Rogelio Cardenas , with Fr. Isao Nacaya, OFM, concelebrating. The creative liturgy captured the message of the centennial celebration. Fr. Rodge, CM delivered a very inspiring homily. He clearly wove- in the Sunday Gospel with the Good Shepherd charism and the Philippine centennial theme: Forging Hope.
A colorful entrance procession participated by the two Filipino Good Shepherd Sister missionaries ( Sr. Celeste Yuzon, bring the Good Shepherd staff and Sr. Mercy Ang, carrying the Holy Bible) and 16 pair representatives from the 16 mission area parishes walked through the aisle to the majectic beat of the entrance song: Ito AngAraw ( This is the day, the Lord has made). The representatives were in their Filipiniana attire of varied colors and styles. Before the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, Sr. Celeste recounted,in a powerpoint presentation, the history of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines.During the offertory, representatives of the 16 parishes, presented and brought to the altar their group symbols with its explanation. After the communion service, Sr. Mercy expressed her Thank You message to the congregation.This was followed by the distribution of the centennial souvenirsto every one. An agape followed the Eucharistic celebration. All the 16 Filipino communities brought their share for the agape.
What made the celebration a grace-filled one? The Filipino communities of the 16 parishes from distant geographical locations of the Nagano Prefecture pulled together their time, talents and resources with one goal : to celebrate in praise and thanksgiving the Good Shepherd Sisters’ presence in the Philippines which made visible the spirituality of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the charism and legacy of St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, Foundress of the Congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters.The stamp of approval of the Shepherd God was overflowing joy of each one from a meaningful and rare experience of celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Philippine Good Shepherd Sisters in the Nagano Prefecture, Japan.
